Happy Halloween
October has flown by! We sit in the living room with the porch illuminated by lantern light, jack-o-lanterns, and string lights. Spooky tunes flow from the open windows. Despite our best efforts – we have not been able to entice any trickers or treaters to banquet from our bowl full of Twix candies. Perhaps Trick O’ Treating is a lost tradition, or maybe better illuminated neighborhoods draw the crowds. Meanwhile mosquitos flit about, determined to make a few scrumptious meals of our legs before fall finally comes to the nearly-never-ending Southern California summer. Citronella candles do their best to keep the beasts at bay.
HOUSE
The grass is long, the pine needles coat the porch and roof, but inside the house is finally coming into order. The closet now has hangers bearing our finally unpacked clothes, the new appliances gleam inside the kitchen, the laundry room smells of fresh paint, and the new American red oak wood floors stand stacked in a pile beneath the living room window ready to be installed.
We’ve had a guest this month at House Vagabond – a beautiful blue-eyed gray and dusty tan striped stray cat we’ve nicknamed “Coyote” who calls the porch home. He is determined to move inside! Meanwhile the indoor cats are determined to be outside! Dawn and dusk are filled with calls of protest from both sides of the screen door barricade. Coyote enjoys the creature comforts of a cardboard box with a pillow, a bowl of fresh water, and a big pile of crunchy kibble twice a day.
Some days the work on the house feels never ending, and we’ve collapsed into each others arms at night wondering how we are possibly going to finish everything. Usually after a night’s rest and a fresh cup of coffee we feel ready for more. Nelson is still commuting three days a week, and starts his work day at 7am sharp, often not home until 8pm.
BABY SOON
Baby Mark Andrew just a few short weeks away – or maybe sooner!
Most of Katie’s time and energy has been devoted to sleeping, growing baby, and shuffling around the house sighing and groaning while trying to complete last minute nesting. This weekend’s family to-do list includes installing the car seat, packing the hospital bag, painting the changing table, hooking up the new washing machine, and arranging the nursery area of the bedroom. Nights feature achey hips and back, at least 3 trips to the bathroom, and sometimes cold sweats and painful cramps. Some days feel insurmountable - but despite the challenges – most days are filled with the joyful anticipation of our son. The little buddy is on his way.
OTHER CELEBRATORY THINGS
We saw Les Misérables at the Pantages with Les, B, Joseph, Mom & Dad - it was astounding. Nelson recounted the memories from the book as he had read it not but 6 months ago. His 41st birthday was celebrated in a low-key manner - kardemummbollar (to make the Swedes proud) and the viewing of alleycat races. Katie finally beat Hades, a video game about escaping the underworld that has nearly driven her to madness. Nelson gave a presentation at work about the Indian and Nepalese holiday Dewali for an audience of 200+ people.
LIVE UPDATE!
WE GOT A FEW TRICKER TREATERS!!!!!!!!!! THE TRADITION LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!