4th Quarter Katie

It seems lately that I have been dealing with a lot feelings.  My feelings, my friend’s feelings, my family’s feelings, my son’s feelings, and if I had a dog, probably it’s feelings too.  I let people down, I piss people off, I make people smile, I make people shake their head.  Feelings are so complicated.  I have known few feelings that weren’t for the most part, fleeting.  On a gorgeous Friday, I want to focus on one of my favorite feelings, that is nothing short of enduring.

Upon stepping out of the cool air conditioning, into the sultry hint of summer approaching, there is a sign to my left.  It says, “Welcome to Paradise”.  I smile in agreement.  Yep, that about sums it up, I think.  In my left hand is a full glass of cool wine and in my right, Hotrod, my laptop.  I beeline to my favorite seat.  It is empty, as are all the other weathered wooden purveyor of rest.  I recall one missing detail and head back to the door where I hit a switch that immediately provides a gentle breeze and stretches another contented smile across my face.  I take my seat and luxuriate in the first blissful kiss of white wine on my lips.  I flip open Hotrod and turn on my favorite chill music – Augustana.  As I sit quietly, listening to the breeze and the birds, I recount the many times that this place has bestowed ultimate joy, peace, and repletion to my soul.  Not only does this place feel like a security blanket that provides comfort in desperation, it also feels like an old friend that shares inside jokes, a lover that embraces with strength and gentleness, and a stranger that shares the smile that reminds you that this world, for the most part, is a truly decent place.

Where am I at?  I am on my parent’s screened-in porch.  To those who know me well, it is no secret that this is one of my very favorite places in the whole world.  It holds so many memories for me and I kind of feel bad for Mom and Dad, because for a good portion of my teenage life, I commandeered this space.  At least, it feels that way.  This space feels like a living organism to me.  It breathes history and showers me with affection.  I never feel sad on this porch.  This porch has lasted through notes-to-self, overflowing ashtrays, and table dances (not what you think Mom and Dad, I promise – Ari can back me up).  This porch wrapped me up in it’s faithful comfort during my divorce.  This porch has withstood the giggle of girls, secrets of the heart, and ruminations of the mind.  This porch has never failed to make me relish in this thing called life.

So today, I hope you all can visit that place that makes your cup run over. If you can’t, I hope that the description of my place can provide you a temporary mental vacation to a perfect place.

Well this Easter weekend was one of the best I have had in a long time.  Not that the previous Easter’s were bad, just hectic.  

Saturday was a day full of errand running and herd soccer.  But I am so proud to say that Redden scored the first goal of the spring season!  And darn near scored the second one too.  The game was great and I chuckled as the people next to me said, “They don’t keep score in this league.  Well, some parents do.”  The score was 5-2.  :)

From there we went to Georgetown to spend time with Stephen’s sister and her family.  Redden got along FAMOUSLY with Parker and Wyatt.  It was so sweet.  Boys his own age to play with.  Chad and Amy’s daughter Freya is 9 years old and is incredibly smart.  She said the greatest thing ever (and incredibly smart).  We were on a walk and saw a black cat with white “socks” on each of it’s paws.  I said, “Hi Socks.”  To which Freya responded, “Some people call them Mittens, which I never quite understood.  It’s not like they have opposable thumbs.”

I replied, “Do you know what opposable means?”

She said, “Yeah, bendable.” and held up her thumb to further her point.

I laughed and laughed as we walked back to Beth and Stephen’s house.  What a stunningly intelligent and witty girl!  She is going to keep those crazy boys on their toes.

Sunday was church then a delicious leg of Lamb lunch at Mom and Dad’s.   It was a wonderful weekend full of laughter, happiness, and Stephen carrying around a pink Easter basket.

My blogs have become infrequent at best.  With the job, the construction, and the Facebook status updates, I am having a hard time devoting the time and energy needed into the 4th Quarter blogosphere.   (FYI – I just spell-checked that and it gave me the correct spelling for blogosphere.  weird)  Anyway, what prompted me to write this evening (besides the mounting number of delays between blogs) was a radio segment I heard earlier this morning.

Usually I lament what I hear.  I generally fall into the category of the poor shmutz or reckless byotch being discussed.  But today I took pride in the fact that I could claim that for once, I was NOT the poor shmutz they were talking about.  The topic?  Things people in their 40s regret or miss doing earlier in their  lives.

At the top of their list was traveling.  This is one thing that I am happy to say that I am not passing up.  In the upcoming 4 months I have 4 trips planned.  May will be to New Orleans for a much need visit with Ari.  June will be Washington D.C. for work.  July will be Minnesota for 4th of July festivities with Redden and the Lee contingency.  And August will culminate with the trip that has been this years goal – Ireland.

Yes, the trip is booked.  The ticket was CHEAP for international flight standards.  I will be there for 2 weeks.  As stupid as it sounds, I am smug over the fact that I am traveling so much this summer.  I LOVE traveling (seriously, it is a little over the top – thank you Mom and Dad).  I love the thought of accruing Skymiles and drinking Guinness with my kinfolk (hehehe).  I love the thought of eating etouffee with Ariana and talking about how much “fun” everything in Minnesota is.  

Life is for the living!  Nothing makes me more excited about living than traveling!  Be prepared for some great action shots and utterly enticing descriptions of my destinations!  Ari – you are up first.  That is the weekend before Beth and my 28th, so as they say in good old KY, “We are going to do it up right!”

It’s on folks.  After months of waiting, the demolition of my kitchen is finally underway.  Yesterday as I left work, I knew I had an evening of cabinet unloading ahead of me.  I had resigned myself to the fact and comforted myself with the thought of getting it done and sprawling out in front of the TV.  To my surprise and delight, Christopher showed up with Malachi and some firewood.  The two were ready to build a cozy fire and help relocate the contents of my cabinets.  (Well okay, Malachi mostly was ready for cuddles, lying in front of the fire, and wandering around my house – he is one of those furry people.)

Christopher and I set to work and were utterly shocked and amazed when we realized that it took us no time at all to get it done.  Giving each other high fives we moved into the living room for some board games and feet warming in front of the fire.

This morning I scrambled out of bed to the sound of banging on my door.  Crap!  They were early.  I rubbed my eyes and unsuccessfully tried to smooth my hair.  I let the plumber in and scurried upstairs to make myself more presentable.  I chatted with the contractor once he arrived and ushered several more key personnel into the war zone.

This morning has been a success if one considers the complete upheaval of a large part of one’s life a success.  Maybe efficiency is a better word.  They have been very efficient in creating that upheaval.  I officially have no downstairs bathroom, running water, or electricity to any of the wall outlets.  The cabinets are being removed now and the real fun begins tomorrow.  I think I may ask them if I can have the first swing of the sledgehammer through the tile.  Heck, if I am going to live in chaos for a while, I might as well be the one that creates it!  ;)

Pictures to come!