June

well, i'm sort of in the mood to write, but I can't think of anything specific to write about. I'm thinking about playing with fonts or reading. Working through my to-do list with fear and trembling would probably be much more constructive, but then again, maybe i'll just get this all out.

Firstly, I have been rock climbing at a local indoor gym. For those of you who have not seen the reality of my arm muscle, feel free to image me pulling myself up a rock in one burly burst of strength - Ahhhhh! For the rest of you, go ahead and picture me struggling at the end of a rope, whining about how pumped out my forearms feel. Anyhow, what I mainly want to tell you about all this is:::: How very awful your hands smell after climbing in an indoor gym. Apparently sweaty handprints mixed together and given time to ripen smell like mildew and old socks and garbage. Really dwell there in that little menage a trois. They stink!

Secodly (excuse my congestion), I'm losing all three of my babies to the toddler room. So if anyone wants to catch me when I'm feeling nostalgic and sweep me off my feet, marry me, and impregnate me, now would be the golden opportunity. This will not last long because Ambitious Amy is going to be back in full force shortly. New job in the works.

Thirdly, I'm greatly looking forward to the movie Evening, out June 29. Love Claire Danes. Looks like a heart-wrenching, love-in-the-moment! type affair, and a girl needs that now and then.

Fourthly, I've taken quite a strong liking to Indian food. Paticularly Malai Kofta. YUM!!!

A Homecoming

This past Wednesday, by way of 16 helicopters flying in pattern, the youngest member of our clan came home, after being overseas and in Iraq for nine months. There was glory in this moment: family members watching the skyline and quelling young children, men and women in sharp uniforms, a brass band, and fighter planes that cut through the skies, churning the high air with a loud roar. There's something to looking up at the sky in expectation, watching as vessels that carry beloved ones fly high overhead in formation. I hope this doesn't mean I'm a Republican.

Then all the mean were out of the helicopters, standing in formation, and then dismissed, and then he found us under the big sign with his name on it, and we were all a big jumble of tight hugs and constant contact. It was wonderful. My little bro is now 6'2 and 200 lbs. His forearms and biceps what legends of greek gods were founded on. yup. I have pictures. Now my brother will be stationed at Mirimar for the next year.

And he's changed in ways that can surely partially be attributed to living in close quarters on a muggy aircraft carrier for months. He seems more easy going, more self-assured, and more comfortable with talking to others. He is now a man.