The stuff life is made of

Ahhh, let’s get these blog writing muscles stretched and loosened up. It’s been far too long, and there is quite a good reason for it, but that shall be addressed at a later date. Today, we will be recounting another fabulous trip up north to join the other amazing redheads in the family and just let myself have a good ol time.

Now, the flight up there is never an eventful one, it is a short one, and makes for easy travel. What I found unique in this one was that we somehow managed to arrive in Seattle 30mins early. My question is how do they do that? how are they not just able to do that every time. I get the whole “headwinds” “tailwinds” blah blah blah thing, but that early? Highly suspect if you ask me.

Lucky for me, Nora only lives a few minutes away from the airport, so it was no big deal. She arrived, we embraced, electrons were ignited all around us, which might sound odd to some of you. for those that it does, you are clearly not a ginger, this is a normal occurrence when two gingers make contact. It’s a very special thing, which is why you don’t see a lot of couples that are made up of two gingers. It would almost be too much electricity for all the normies in the world to handle. It would overpower you. back to the story, i arrived and exclaimed at their lush lawn that has really come into its own since I was there last and walked into a home that I am now becoming quite familiar with, and quite comfortable. This could possibly mean a superfluous houseguest in their future, but really, when could I ever be considered superfluous rather than just completely necessary?

And there he was…Uncle Ben. Sitting in all his glory in his gray sweatshirt, and paint stained grey sweatpants. I had actually considered the possibility that they had let a stray in and he was squatting in the home, but then I saw his big goofy grin and I knew, it was the uncle. I was then told the good news, I would not have to sleep on the air mattress this time (which was good news, despite my unadulterated enjoyment of it last time), but I would get to sleep in Zoie’s room. My first thought was, “how nice, they booted Zoie out of her room for me, about time” but then I was informed that she was actually visiting her mom, so the room would be mine for my visit. But the very best part was the fact that my bed was in a nook. That’s right, an actual nook. Which meant it was almost like sleeping in a fort. It was just that good.

On a side note, much to my delight, the weather in Seattle was delightful! It was rainy and cold…perfect! Although having been in Scotts Valley, Livermore and Texas recently, I was assuming that perhaps it was just as hot everywhere else in the world. Cause yes, I am just that egocentric that whatever I am experiencing, everyone else is too. Luckily by divine intervention, I threw in one pair of pants and a sweater. I paused at the idea of wearing only one pair of pants for the weekend, but the sight of Uncle Ben and his homage to high fashion put my fears at ease.

We then enjoyed each other’s company whilst we waited for the third member of the Ginger Trinity to join us. Our butts made cozy imprints in the couch much of the weekend, which was just fine. We were also highly entertained by the energetic, incorrigible, insatiable, unstoppable, unquietable, and extremely intelligent Avery Louise. This child has a mix of fiendish trickery and childish innocence in her face. She certainly cannot be accused of never knowing what she wants. She knows it and she wants it ten minutes before she asks for it (or takes it, as the case may be). There is essentially not a moment of silence that exists while Avery is awake, but thankfully for at least part of the time she is speaking gibberish which means she doesn’t yet need interaction from you while she speaks it, just the usual head nod, and the higher pitched “oh really” and “uh huh” that all of us adults do to little munchkins. There are those moments that are few and far between where she actually climbs into your lap, sits still (for the most part) and lets you snuggle with her, her head tucked under your chin, just at rest for a moment. I was able to get a few of those moments, and they were delightful. She is also very free and easy with her kisses, which is great, but watch out mommy and daddy for when she gets older!

Once our triumvirate was completed, the three of us gals headed out for a bit to eat and a chat. We went to a restaurant that we quite enjoyed, but any boy in the world would have hated. Small but delicious food, perfect for grazing while talking, and good but extremely strong drinks. Despite the strong drinks, there will be no crazy drinking stories to follow, all three ladies conducted themselves as such. Lots of catching up, revisiting some past times, constant turning away of the waiters who wanted to steal the rest of our little food, some light mocking, and the intermittent pause to truly appreciate the piano player with the gentlemanly top hat that for some reason every once in a while would tickle those ivories a little harder than truly necessary. Especially since there were only about 6 of us in the restaurant to absorb the sound. Onto a tasty dessert, and then some pictures to capture the moment. The waitress took a couple of great ones, I then realized I had no memory card in the camera, and all her efforts were in vain. Thus, I put in the card, and proceeded to utilize the self timer and took one perfectly normal picture (as normal as the three of us together can be) and then we took a more appropriate picture. Not appropriate as in what would be considered socially appropriate, just more après pos to our personalities. We then headed home to the boys who were so patiently and anticipatorily awaiting our return. Due to the fact that I had been up for 36 hours with only two hours of sleep, I wished my fellow trouble makers sweet dreams and retreated to my fort where I got to fall asleep to the always wonderful and comforting sounds of the rain outside.

Sunday morning brought more rain, and lower temps, but high spirits. Haha. Cheesy line, but im keeping it. I awoke to the sounds of Avery calling out “mommy, mommy, mom-my, MOM-my, mom-MY, MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY” simply charming. My fort, while cool, did not block out the sounds of an eager child ready to get up and face the day. But that was perfectly okay, she’s my first cousin, we are just 28 years apart, but what does age matter when it comes to family? And she does have just that hint, that touch of red in her hair, just enough to make that special connection that only those with red on the head can know. The family all headed out for breakfast which was enjoyed by all. Although Caroline now knows to not order Huevos Rancheros without the Huevos. We then all piled into the car and took a trip to the local grocer for the makings of Nora’s chili. Both red and white, it was a festival of chili-goodness. I felt very Santa Cruzian running through the parking lot in the rain in my flipflops. Water washing over my barefeet as I slipslapped my way across the puddles. I think the saying goes, You can take a girl out of California…

Once that adventure was completed, back home to make said chili. Nora put me in charge of the cornbread, which really was a magnificent creation of culinary delight. I worked really hard to open the bag, dump the mix into a bowl, add water and stir. But wait! There’s more! I also greased up the baking pan…with a paper towel and butter. It was a good throw back to when I was a kid and my mom used to grease the pans with Crisco. Anyone wonder why I was a chubby kid? Me neither. ;) so I contributed my efforts to the grandness of the meal, which really I felt was more than enough payback for letting me stay there. I mean I made two batches of it! We won’t talk about the fact that for some reason some unknown person turned off the oven without telling me before I put in the second pan, and thus caused confusion in regards to the duration of cooking time needed for batch #2. As culinary magic was being made, Uncle Jere and Grandpa Jon joined the soiree and more family time and catching up were had. Good food, family and my special cornbread, what more could anyone ask for? *sidenote from this Californian – whilst walking outside in the mud/puddles, try not to wear flipflops. Because they do exactly what their name says. They flipped water all up the back of my pants legs. Good times*

There was no question once our meal was completed that the culmination of said meal would occur once we had procured a delectable cupcake from the nearby confectionary merchant. I enjoyed a Key Lime/Coconut. Tasty. More imprinting on the couches, and then we load up once again and head out on the road for a destination about 70mins away. What could this far away destination be you ask? An amusement park? A breathtaking view? The presence of some spiritual being within a cave? If you guess any of these, you would be wrong. It’s okay, happens to the best of us. Well, to you, Im never wrong, but I digress. We were taking Grandpa Jon to his Square Dancing event. Yep. That’s right, Square Dancing. Remember learning how to do some of that in like 4th grade? Yeah me neither, but I was assured I did learn. When you think of Square Dancing, or at least when I do, I think big poofy skirts, guys in jeans and funny printed shirts, doe-si-doeing and looking like a big pile of people all mashed together in the middle of the dance floor. And no shock here, I was right! We went out to this campground that was filled with RVs and everyone migrating to the main building was wearing the poofy skirts, the men matching their ladies with their shirts. You may think, how many people could actually be interested in doing that? And the answer is, apparently a lot. There were about 15 circles (squares?) with 8 people in each one. Plus people sitting on the side. Everyone was having a great time, all smiles, in between each dance there was excited chatter and lots of laughing. But wait! I too could have been a proud owner of one of the skirts and petticoats to poof it out. Sadly I just couldn’t have fit one into my suitcase. Or I would have…for sure… Avery had a great time and wanted to dance with everyone, but the presence of a 2’ little toddler wasn’t very conducive to all the shimmying that was occurring so we sadly had to leave the party. But we left Gramps having a great time, so it wasn’t too hard to tear ourselves away.

Slept the night away soundly once again in my little nook.

The next morning brought another wakening to the burbling of a voice of a little angel. I can say that because I only woke up to her twice. Her parents may have another word for her as they wake up to her every day. We again settled into our imprints and waiting for Caroline’s glowing presence so that we could send me back to California with a proper farewell from the whole fam. And happy day Horia, Caroline’s boy toy came as well. The room was filled with fun, sarcasm, fond insults, and the comfort only people who just click together and cohesively can feel. **that settles it, im moving to Seattle! Oh wait…dang it** we enjoyed the fruits of nora’s labor – not Avery, she was sleeping – but we all piled into her garden and helped pick the veggies that were ready to be made into something tempting and scrumptious and altogether too healthy for my taste. And when I say help pick the veggies, I mean Caroline did. Ben, Horia and I all stood around watching them and made witty remarks about whatever popped into our heads. Which really I think did help, cause who doesn’t love such things? Once the garden had been plucked to Nora’s satisfaction, we all went back in the house and spilled right out into the back yard where we proceeded to take the parting pictures. The usual hilarity ensued, with the results yielding proof of the simple, unadulterated joy I get from being with these crazy kids.

Then the goodbyes and off to the airport to head home. Landed about 25mins early again, and came back to the reality of my life…but for a brief weekend was able to just let go and have fun and feel completely loved and supported and enjoyed. Amazing feeling.

**pictures to come soon**