eighteen hours

Eighteen hours can make quite a difference.

A month ago I went to bed on a Monday with a sinus infection thinking that the worst thing I would have to do that week was get up early the next day and drag my ailing body to work.  Eighteen hours later I was calling my husband to tell him that my job no longer existed.

A little over two years ago we were at a lovely restaurant in Kansas with Dan, Vivian, Steve and a very pregnant and radiant Mel.  In the space of eighteen hours we went from chatting over steaks to holding a very tiny  newborn Ginny.  We went from strangers who were becoming friends  to family.   Bonded forever by Ginny.

Yesterday we had another eighteen hour transition.  Not nearly so earth shaking, but very very much appreciated.

First some background.

Lately Ginny has been cranky.  Actually cranky doesn’t really begin to describe it.  It seemed no matter what we did, she would lose patience far too quickly, throw temper tantrums and in general was being a real beast.  Now before anyone says “but she’s only 2 years old”  Yes.  I know that.  I am talking about an increase in the number of tantrums and a HUGE step up in the speed at which she will go from happy to furious.  And nothing we did had any effect.

We were baffled.

but then.

Yesterday we put her down for a nap at 4 in the afternoon.

and, are you ready for this? she slept for EIGHTEEN SOLID HOURS.

Yes.  you heard me.

We checked on her numerous times, convinced that something had to be wrong, but she was fine.  Just very very much asleep.

and then this morning came.

Ginny woke up positively angelic.  Cute, smiley, happy, reasonable  and loving.

Sleep therapy.  I wonder if it would work on politicians?

 

enough

okay, enough dwelling on the lost job thing.  I’m done with that.  My new reality is the job hunt, and my joy in life right now is being with my family in this gorgeous fall weather.

We have taken in a few fall festivals, county fairs, local parks and of course spent plenty of time in our own back yard with our neighbors.  Here are a few photos of Ginny enjoying this concentrated family time.

cherry tomatoes, right off the vine, make a yummy snack

 

a better view of the garden.  We will do a bigger one next year….

the tomato vine that took over the world

That arbor is for a cherry tomato plant that went insane in terms of growth.  It was growing up over our hedges, so Martin created an arbor. Every time we walk under it, Ginny gets to pick any red tomatoes and eat them right then and there.

 

Mama & Ginny looking up at Papa

 

Papa, Ginny & Mama-Altie at the Little Gym

you wanted something?

Ginny's first ever pony ride

okay, I know it LOOKS bad, but honestly Ginny was NOT strangling the bunny.

the Pumpkin Patch at the Family Tree Nursery Fall Festival was in the sun, so we went inside to find a place where we could get a good pic without making Ginny squint into the sunlight

Many people would say that we are now poor, but I look at these photos and can’t help but be aware of just how wealthy I am in the things that matter.  We do indeed have

Enough.