Crawling and Glass Licking

We have developmental progress! Lucy kind of just got up and started crawling one day. Pretty sweet, but keeps me on my toes. The new obsession with pulling herself up has also led to her new and exciting occupation of glass licking, seen here.



By the way, my birthday went fine. I celebrated with the folks on the day by going to the Big Fresno Fair, and Lucy got to gawk at the pigs. She was beside herself, she was so excited. Both my folks were sick that evening, so it was a bit of a slow evening, but it was just delicious to be home for a week with them. So yeah, I'm 30 for reals now. The first of the big scary ages. =)

The Valley

Making fun of the Valley is a bit like making fun of your own kid. You have to have a deep knowledge and affection for it. An outsider can only contribute thoughtless disdain... someone else making fun of your kid. I am also sometimes forgetful that the child him or herself might not understand that the ribbing is done in love, and that we ought to be careful around whom we joke. I forget that the Valley has to be made up of people who aren't quite aware that they are the Valley. I joke about the fact that the Valley is made up of people who know everything about everyone, yet if I were to make the joke to certain people, they wouldn't understand the joke. My parents get it. They've been "outside" so they know why it's amusing. My friend Heidi gets it, and wryly yet gladly admits that she makes up the composite Valley. I joke about the attributes and detriments of the Valley, and forget that some are so loyal they wouldn't know you were even joking. For example, a friend's parents who have something to say about the weather in any place you mention--Seattle is too rainy, the coast is too cool, etc.--but when asked about the heat say, "That's what makes the fruit sweet." I think I can go no further on the subject. By now you understand this post or you don't. If you don't get it, you're either not from the Valley, or you are the Valley. If you get it, you'll smile along with me and know that we love our Valley, faults and all.

Birthday Week has begun

We got to my parents' house on Thursday night and had a horrible night with Lucy, but at least we expected it this time. She's settled in now, and doing great. Yesterday Steve's folks and brother and sister-in-law came for the day to hang out and see Lucy. We had a ball! We took them out to the farm and picked apples and pomegranates and persimmons. Steve also got to deliver his long delayed toast to the newlyweds, having missed his chance on the boat due to sea-sickness.

Steve left for Texas and thankfully arrived safely. Lucy and I will keep in touch via video chat when we get the chance. He's lucky he's gone, because if he were at home I would not be speaking to him. He beat me soundly in Fantasy Football this week, and I'm not sure I quite forgive him. I know his password... Maybe next week I should sabotage his team! =)

The rest of the week is already packed. Coffee with high school girlfriends, a pedicure (a surprise from the now-forgiven husband), and visiting. The big fun will be at the Fresno Fair on Wednesday. I haven't been there in yeeeears! Probably early high school. I remember seeing some 80's family band there when I was in Jr. High. I've forgotten who that was, but when I remember I will have to post because those who remember the 80's will get a kick out of it. There were, like, 7 brothers and sisters or something. Anyway, my agenda at the fair is to get Fair Cinnamon Rolls, see the art, check out the animals for Lucy, and just enjoy being with my folks. As I think about it, I suppose that it is fitting that my mother looked out of her hospital window 30 years ago after my birth and saw the ferris wheel from the Big Fresno Fair. Talk about going back to your roots!

On another quick note, I am realizing I am slowing down a bit with the blogging. I find that I'm a bit uninspired, and my writing seems a little drowsy and bland to me. You may find that I take a hiatus for a bit. I will try to email you dear friends more. I think that may be the trouble... the audience is sort of ambiguous, like I don't quite know who all is reading. At any rate, we'll see. Maybe I'm too old for this, you know since I'm turning 30 and all. =)

Comfort Food

This week's menu:

Sunday Night Dessert for Bible Study:
Molten Chocolate Cakes with vanilla ice cream

Monday:
Linguini with Clam Sauce
Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower with olive oil, salt and pepper

Tuesday:
Barley Lenti Soup with Bacon (Thank you Susan!)
Apples
Corn Bread

Wednesday:
Clam Chowder
Cobb Salad
Sour Dough Bread

Thursday:
Meatloaf
Twice Baked Potatoes
Roasted Butternut Squash

I love cooking!!