Hummingbird Mind

Flashbacks From the Empty (or Nearly Empty) Nest

Does this sound familiar?

I have my whole day planned out, part of which involves plowing through a very important part of the current project I'm working on for a client.  There is a deadline.  There is a lot to do.  Suddenly, my youngest wakes up, walks into the room and stares at me, clutching at her throat.

Me: I guess you're not feeling any better.

She: (Silently shakes her head, "No." The clutching at the throat is a nice touch.)

Me: I guess you need to go to the doctor.

She: (Nods her head, "Yes." Still clutching her throat.)

I am tempted to mention all the times this past week I told her to go to bed early. Not to go out.  Including yesterday, when I ordered her (btw, 20 year old children are resistant to taking orders, especially my 20 year old children) to remain in bed. I'm tempted to pull at my hair, look toward the heavens and wail, "When will this end????"

But, I don't. That wouldn't be motherly.  Or would it?  

Instead I wait for the old internal response... how will I get this done?  how long will we sit at the doctor's office? who do I have to call?  What can be rescheduled.  

The old response sticks its head out of my subconscious but "thwack!"  Reality sinks in.

I have a digital modem.  I can take it anywhere.  I can work while we wait. 

"Go get dressed. I'll call the doctor's office."

I can do this. 

This Side of the Bridge

Busy weekend. Busy day.  But, I'm back on this side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Drove across it in rain and fog today.  I love "hands free" capability. You can do a lot of business while making that 2-1/2 hour drive.

This past weekend we finished painting the great room in the house. (I use the word "we" loosely.) All the draperies are up, too. The office was painted, too, and the shelving/desk unit was put in. I'm going to love that office. I already do.  I'll try to figure out how to insert a slide show of what we've done so far. 

Next week I (and I use the word "I" seriously here) will paint the hallway and, perhaps, one bedroom.  But, certainly the hallway will be completed.  I need to order the new countertop for the kitchen, buy the new sink, and install the new kitchen cabinet knobs and handles.  Once that's done, I'll feel like I can begin to move things over a bit faster. 

I can't wait until we start on the bathrooms -- both need to be completely upgraded.  But,

Got to see some people I used to work with today when Andrea and I visited for a demo of a product we're considering for a client.  That was a neat surprise.  I miss working with those folks.  It's great that we can bump into one another again.

Good Night

So, I am watching my new 19" LCD HDTV w/DVD, which I splurged on because:

• It was Mothers Day recently
• It was my birthday before that
• I earn some of my money working for news organizations and need to know what's happening (in HD no less)
• It will fit beautifully in my new office and make all my work easier
• It was on sale
• I deserve it

I am, at the moment, watching the "Bourne Ultimatum" for the zabillionth time because I won't have cable until tomorrow.  Watching Matt Damon anytime for any length of time ain't so bad.

Sunday at the Shore... Almost

I am on the Eastern Shore... not literally standing on the shore.  My new house is somewhere between five and seven miles from the ocean, depending on how one calculates it. Nonetheless...

We finished painting my office and setting up the new desk/shelving unit.  When it's done I'll post a picture. I love the new wall color, a green, which is called "Rejuvenation."  Just the right mix of energy and calm.

We're going to finish painting the great room today and hang the rest of the draperies in there. But first, we had to go get coffee at "The Espresso Wave."  "Tidalwave Latte" and "Everything" bagel with chive cream cheese for me.  Black coffee "straight up" with "Everything" bagel with plain cream cheese for him.  The ducks and geese were out early today. Here's a family we met recently. Daddy, Mommy, and three babies. Cute, right? 

The President, Golf and My Dad

So, today we were talking about President Bush's decision to give up golf as a tribute to the families of the men and women who have been wounded or died in Iraq. My father, a retired Army Colonel and veteran of two wars, said, "Maybe it would be better if he gave up the presidency."

Whoa!

Near Brush With Death

After a long, long day of work -- which is still going on by the way -- I decided I deserved an ice cream cone.  I drove over to Milwaukee Custard to get one. As I entered the store I heard a woman order a cone of today's featured flavor "Death by Chocolate."  The cashier turned around and yelled, "This lady wants the Sugar Cone of Death."  I just turned around and left.

Mothers Day, Coastal Storms... Weighing In

Lots of good news to report.  First, I have lost three pounds.  This does not make me the "Biggest Loser" in our writers group; but, I'm pleased. Especially after a weekend with my family who can and do eat everything without it showing.  I worried that I'd gain weight, so losing a pound was a nice surprise and great motivation for staying on track this week.

My Mothers Day present was big.  All my children, my ex and my granddaughter visited and helped work on getting the house ready.  Ceilings were painted. Walls were washed and dusted. Carpets were cleaned. Curtain rods were hung. And all the supplies needed to get our task list accomplished were bought and lugged into the house.  Thank you, everyone.

There was a coastal storm (could have been a Nor'easter except for the direct from which it came) that hit the midatlantic states.  This caused electrical outtages and flooding.  My house stayed dry. It's built about three feet off the ground and work was done to fill in low lying areas so that run-off goes where it should and doesn't wander into neighbor's yards or just pool in the yard.

I'm back home now and will be working on all my consulting projects from here this week.  Looking forward to next weekend though when painting is finished and my office is set up. 

How are you?

Biggest Loser Checking In

When last I left you, I had a fever and something bronchial.  Despite that I did make it to Denver, hacked my way through business meetings for two days, and then moved on to a reunion of my writers group in Southern California. 

Newport Beach was gorgeous and I'm convinced the sun, good food, and good company cured me.  I saw a whale, porpoises or dolphins (I always confuse them), sea lions, a psychic, the Mission at San Juan Capistrano and some of the most beautiful mountain and ocean scapes I've seen in quite a while.  I also ate some of the best food in the world.  The SoCal writers among our group invited us into their wonderful and welcoming homes.  Though I missed drinks at Joannes and Peking Chicken at Charlie's, I had Mexican (some of it prepared by Debbie) at Joanne's son's beach house, and a final dinner at Ruth's in San Clemente with a beautiful view of the Pacific.  Hutch brought so much wine from Sonoma and Napa -- I've never been anywhere where there was wine left over, there was this time!  All of it delicious.

Speaking of food and drink... there is something about the writing life or perhaps the blending of the writing life and other work that contributes to a sedentary lifestyle. Many of us decided that we needed to get in shape.  One of our members, a food writer, has lost 50 pounds in the last two years by eating wisely and exercising. The rest of us were so impressed and inspired, that we've begun our own little "biggest loser" program.  Each of us will use our own food and exercise plans, but generally we've committed to a more healthy and active lifestyle.  I'm convinced the beach will inspire me to do more walking.

So, now I'm back on the East Coast and between work and some family things, I am trying to pack.  Last weekend was spent assessing exactly what needed to be done to the house and in what order.  This weekend I'll focus on painting the great room, office/guest room, kitchen and hallway.  I'll also clean up and restore the kitchen cabinets and install a new range hood.  Getting that done gives me a place to live and work when I'm not here.

I'll take before and after pictures (of the house... not me) and try to get them posted here. Now... back to work.