We went to Chicago last weekend to see my family, and it was delightful. Relaxed enough, for once, with me not trying to pull off too many things. I did get to see all the girlfriends I hoped to see, in two small batches, and it was heaven to meet new kids, and have a gathering around the table again. Kara's table to be exact, thanks to her generosity, lovely home, and generally central location.
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Since coming home, things have been rather crazy. Michael's been working double shifts, both day and night, 6 days a week. Needless to day he's rather exhausted, getting sick, and I'm tired of not having kid-relief in the morning or much at night, and having to keep the kids quiet or out of the house to he can sleep. Shopping has been a nice solace/diversion, thanks to an early birthday gift from my parents :) Craft fairs abound with cool and not so "crafty" options, which I love. No crocheted toilet paper covers seen anywhere, but lots of knits, fabric, pampering sprays and to-die-for clay. Douglas, however, did manage to score a $2 'record bowl' that's he's very pleased with, and perfect for his collections, made of a slightly melted LP. It's now full of empty water balloons, acorns, sticks, wagon-wheel pasta, spiky seed pods, a glittery drum christmas ornament, and other treasures that I can't remember at the moment. I do remember the intense joy of collecting and hoarding treasures though.