Today is my niece Bess's 5th birthday. So much in my life and in the world has changed in 5 years; it makes it seem like Bess has always been here. But at the same time, I think, wow, my baby niece is 5 ( Read more... )

I'm going to play bridge in the Charlottesville game later today. After I showered and got dressed, I went downstairs and my mom was horrified by my choice of outfit. It was a maxi dress that I got at Falcon Ridge. Very hippie, but whatever. Mom said it was too revealing and she wouldn't give me the car keys until I changed. Rather than take up the ( Read more... )

I'm in Virginia for two weeks with my family. Week one was spent in Williamsburg, and we got to my parents' place in Charlottesville today. I haven't seen the girls since Christmas, and they're really growing up. Bess has so many adorable affectations of being three. She can talk, but her pronunciation is a little wonky, and her syntax is hilarious ( Read more... )

Delayed in Denver. Due into pdx at midnight, will probably be after 1 when I get home. Up at 630 for work tomorrow. Fuuuuuck. I didn't take my vitamin supplements on my trip because I figured I'd get plenty of D between camping and a Caribbean cruise. But that appears to have been a poor assumption. I've been super fatigued all week, and I'm ( Read more... )

My youngest niece turns 2 on Thursday. 2 is of course very young, but it seems like she's growing up super fast. Here are some reflections from the past year ( Read more... )

Bess!  You are one!  That makes me feel a little old, but I am the youngest of all your aunts and uncles, so I hope I'll always seem like "the young one" to you.  I wish I got to see more of you, but I do have some great memories from your first year.  Actually, going back a little farther than that, I remember when I first found out you were ( Read more... )