Adventures in Living!

Philosophy

"Life's too short to be taking risks on things that may be considered fun."

Illustrious wisdom from a family member of mine whom I love dearly, but who obviously has a much different perception of what living is all about.

I know what was meant in the above statement: that risk-taking is a dangerous thing, and life is too precious to just cavalierly participate in an activity that could end your life. I have much to live for, and people who depend on me and love me, and I cannot be selfish and do what I want without regard for them.

And that's true, for the most part.

I guess the part where I have a differing view comes in with the concept of risk-taking and potential selfishness. I see all of life as a risk-taking adventure. Especially in modern times, where we (literally) go faster, have developed more technology for adventure sports, and have conquered (we think) so much more of the natural world. The world itself is larger, more accessible, and the sense of community most of us has encompasses the 'global village', rather than just the folks down the road or in the church pews.

The old chestnut, used when talking about risk assessment, "I could get run over by a bus tomorrow!" still stands, although I am not sure how likely I am to get run over by a bus in an area that doesn't really have sidewalks to step off of, much less a proliferation of city busses.  Now, I am no adventure-sporting adrenaline junkie. I like my adventure relatively tame, on the whole. Riding horses, flying in small airplanes, moving to a new area without excessive amounts of research....you get the picture. Not exactly setting the world on fire, except in my own little corner of it.

Oh, I dream of learning to kayak the James River one of these days (but not the class V rapids), and of learning to rock climb (but not free-soloing), and one of these days, I am sure that I will. I also have an intense desire to travel, to get out and see the world for myself. I'll get to all that. I know I will.

It's been a long time since I fed my personal sense of adventure, and I don't mean by having another child. Lord knows, life can be enough of an adventure with my bunch! No, this time it won't be horses or airplanes or moving house, or joining the Peace Corps.

I'm going to get a motorcycle license.

It's something I never saw myself doing, not really ever, particularly since I am not much of a biker chick. But it will allow me to safely and legally operate a 125cc motor scooter on the non-interstate roads of the commonwealth. This one, in particular. 

Right now, I am going to take the Basic Rider Course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, buy my helmet and gloves, shop for a motorcycle jacket that IS NOT PINK (or baby blue or white, for that matter), and save money like a crazy person.

Hopefully, I'll be scooting around town by next spring.

I can't wait!

What we've been up to around here

Okay, so the end-of-school-year whirlwind has come and gone, and now we are on summer time. I wish I could say that means sleeping in and lazing around, but with two highly active little ones, well....there ain't much sleeping OR lazing.

Here's a recap of June in the Brandel family household:

We ripped out a wall in our living room....
which turned the living space in our home into the greatest great room ever....
(don't mind the dirty couch bottom....blame the dogs)

Kira received her Girl Scout Bronze Award for service, and bridged to Cadettes...

And fifth grade came to an end.

Travis took a week of vacation, and we had a picnic on the carpet of our new living room, and Kira and I went to see Night At The Museum. Then we took ourselves and the kids to Washington!

Riding on the Metro was a new experience for all the kids.
We saw the Smithsonian Castle building....

WHile we were there, we saw the 'pile of treasure' prop that was made for the Night at the Museum 2 movie:

We also went to the Air and Space Museum, where Wren was in awe of the tall, tall planes and spaceships...

And we lost her briefly, in the museum. Scary, but not surprising.

Kira loved the Washington Monument!

I always like seeing the Capitol at one end of the Mall and the Monument at the other. Very cool.

Of course, we  went to the Museum of Natural History...

Kira and Wren touched a HUGE amethyst chunk.

We saw the Hope Diamond in a huge crush of people all clamoring to see it. I liked it better when it was a walk-by window in the gem hall. Now it's in the center of the room and people just crowd around it. Very hot and disorganized.

Noah, without his usual three hour nap, was starting to be done with the whole sightseeing thing.

We had a terrific time, though, and the kids behaved wonderfully. We tried some astronaut ice cream, the kids ran in the grass at the National Mall, and we got to see Julia Child's kitchen which was reproduced in the American History Museum. Awesome.

Since everyone was exhausted, we didn't get to see Oscar the Grouch, or the American flag or much else in the American History Museum, but I imagine we'll go back again. Maybe in the fall when there aren't so many school groups traveling! Plus, because of the way the Metro fares are sold, we have at least two Metro passes with nearly $20 in fares on them still. Sounds like a trip to the National Zoo, among other places.

I really want Kira to visit the Portrait Gallery and some of the other art museums.

Getting Away...

I have a question for all you in internet land.

This week, my husband is taking a week-long training course in Northern Virginia. I keep thinking about how fantastic it would be to be able to watch whatever I want on TV, eat whatever I want, come and go without having to consider three little people, and....oh....sleep as long as I want (EEEEEE!!!!!).

I can't imagine Travis isn't enjoying it all just a little bit. I mean, I know he misses us and wishes he was home, but really, how could he not take a least a little enjoyment in only having to take care of himself for a change? At least for a little while.

I've been thinking about taking my own little trip. Just a short one, just a night or so, over a weekend. I can't really go too far, because I can't really afford to fly (and I hate to). Probably a max 4 or 5 hours drive would be as far as I could manage, otherwise, for a weekend, it wouldn't be worth it.

So, the big question: Where should I go?

I've thought about going to a weekend art or jewelry or glass workshop, or maybe planning to visit a museum or historic site....but I don't know what would be the most fun. I'm not especially good at solo travel., and I really haven't been on a vacation in a long time.

Anybody got any ideas?

family fun and other things

So after an incredibly drama-laden workweek (Workplace Drama really sucks), I ended up at home Friday night, exhausted, awaiting the arrival of Travis' cousin and his family. Erik and Jen and Steven were staying the night with us before we all headed down to Salisbury, NC for Travis' grandmother's birthday party.

The drive down was filled with family-road-trip horrors, including being too hot, too cold, hungry, tired, and generally unhappy. Wren cried for a good portion of the trip, and Kira got bent out of shape about her sister stomping her head while she was trying to  nap. I attempted to knit, but was largely unsuccessful.  I pondered what would possess an experienced mother to leave the house for a road trip four hours long that would run over lunchtime and not pack a single snack. Most of Wren's crying was because she was hungry and generally unhappy about being strapped into the car seat. Then we had to stop at least three times on the trip for bathroom breaks. I thought we'd never get there.

Thankfully, the hotel was nice, and even had a small indoor pool, which our party of four adults and three kids utilized Saturday evening.

The birthday party was good fun, and it was nice to see Gran so happy. There was a ton of food, most of which I was barely able to identify, but there were some really yummy casseroles and of course, barbecue and a huge cake. I got to see the Southern phenomenon of dine-n-dash in it's natural environment, as a number of folks went through the buffet line, ate, then turned around and heaped food into takeout boxes. Then they took off. The table of church ladies behind us were thick as flies on the desserts, and I wondered if I'd even get a slice of pie. Heh. There was a playroom filled with playground toys for the kids and Wren and Kira had a blast playing on the climbing equipment and slides.

Pool time and then bedtime followed, and we were too tired to even drink more than a single beer. I think I fell asleep watching Mythbusters while Wren jumped in the pack'n play, steadfastly refusing to lay down.

Breakfast this morning (at a buffet restaurant serving, among other thing, fried whole catfish, liver somethingorother and hamburgers), then we got down the road. Home in about four hours, with only one stop and minimal icy weather.

Since it's Richmond, it won't snow. All you people out there who are getting snow right now, we hates you, yes we do.

Anyway, now is beer-laundry-football game time. Then the workweek starts anew. Hopefully with less drama this time.

The House of Mouse

Yes, we went to Disney World last weekend.

We're back from the surface of the sun....I mean, Orlando, Florida. It was unfreakingbelievably HOT down there. Yeah, I know. Florida. BUT! I have lived in Florida, and I purposely planned this trip so that we could take advantage of the beautiful high-70's October weather. That we didn't have. It was 95 degrees on Friday. And Saturday. And Sunday. Oh, Monday? The day we were coming home? Monday it was 70. The weather gods hate me. Or the Disney gods. Anyway, though, we had a terrific time. Here's some of the proof:

The Haunted Mansion! My favorite! But I didn't see Jack Skellington anywhere in there....wasn't he supposed to join the 999 ghosts?

And the castle.....the best thing....even with a crane behind it each morning while they hung some decorations or something...I love this picture.

Actually, I love this picture.....

And this one.....
My dad and Kira, leaving the Magic Kingdom.

We really had a great trip. I wished it hadn't been so hot, so we could have enjoyed it more, but it was fun and I am really glad we were able to pull this off for Kira. We'll take Wren in a few years, but by then Kira will be a teen, almost, so it will be different.

I have more to say about the trip, but I need to sleep. It's been a convoluted, busy week, and it's not quite over yet.

More later....

Coronation frustration

Coronation is this weekend. After dorking around for about two months on it, we've finally come to a conclusion. We are probably (see? so committed!) going to leave and drive down on Saturday morning at the butt-crack o' dawn. Cheaper, hotel-wise, less dog-watching by our friends, and just easier all around. Especially if the weather is nasty. So, to get done before Friday night (or ON Friday night!):

1. Lead up and solder my heraldic panel. (Here it is in an unfinished state...)

2. Putty said panel.
3. Write documentation for said panel.
4. Determine which of my gowns are not as flammable and hope they fit.
    4.a. Sew buttons on my short-sleeve black cote (the 'sausage casing').
5. Make a small gown for Wren.
6. Pack my lgassworking equipment and supplies. Don't forget bottles of fuel and tools. Oh, and glass rods.
7. Remember lead channel and a roll of solder for Iseulte .
8. Pack van with dayshade, diaper basket, pack 'n play, toys, blankets, bibs, formula, extra clothes, baby food, and armor (for T).
9. Pack bag for overnighting.
10. Pack other things that I am forgetting right now. I know there's more.

I hope the weather is not sucky, and Wren is not unhappy. I want to go melt glass and hang out with the other crazy glass guild folks. I hope there is room in the guild space for a pack 'n play. Heh.