Alison Hodgson

Expert on the etiquette of perilous times.

Three Things Thursday

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Three things Jack likes to steal:

1. Any stuffed animal he can grab from Eden’s floor although his favorites are a teddy bear backpack and a Boston Terrier puppy named Spanky.

2. My Smart Wool socks from the laundry basket. He’ll settle for cotton footies, especially if they are dirty, but he really prefers my Smart Wools. I don’t know what he’s going to do now that it’s pushing Summer.

3. My billion dollar bras. Now that it’s garden season I am usually wearing two outfits a day, one for going out and about and one for getting grubby in the garden. When I change out of my nice clothes I will leave them piled in front of my dresser or piled on my bed, ready to be changed back when my work is done. Wiley Jack will dash into my room, grab the bra and then dash for the living room. The kids get all giggly and silly while I track him down and steal it back.

Three Things Thursday

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We just got back from a giant play date at the park. Paul is at work and Lydia is at Torey’s. The rest of of are amusing ourselves appropriately – something we strive to do every day.

1. Eden is sitting on a chair eating a double stuff Oreo. Her tongue is black.

2. Jack is lying on the floor chewing peacefully on a pig’s ear.

3. Christopher is sitting on the couch doing a little writing assignment.

This is old news. In the time it took me to write the above Eden got up to wash her hands. The water has been running a long time. Christopher began a raucous game with Jack who is now eating his homework.

Three Things Thursday

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Three Things I am doing this Spring:

1. Gardening. This year I have some very big projects. I added a very large bed (in which I am planning to plant primarily vegetables) as well adding space to some existing beds. I know this sounds ridiculous as I already have so much more garden than I can handle, but the one I added is in a very sunny spot and it is going to bring together two others and create a very pleasing area.

2. Building a fire pit! I am trying not to make this too difficult. The plan is to buy some large fieldstones (I have been going to the gravel pit for years. They know me.) and some sand, dig up the grass and throw it all together. Where I am hemming and hawing is in the siting of it. Our yard is surrounded by tree covered hills. I am also navigating a gazebo, a garden shed and a swing set. I am thinking about hauling the rocks, buying some good wine and then inviting over a couple of strong and opinionated friends (David and Dan take notice) and just let it happen.

3. Painting the house. I know I know, you don’t often see that dingy, yellowish tan, especially combined with the raised dark boards that bring to mind Elizabethan England and the Wild West in the same thought. That IS rare…and there is a reason, it’s hideous. Last year we had other big projects early in the Spring, so painting got pushed back until late June. We had big plans for getting one side done a month but then painted about 20 feet with a paint that was mistinted. I went back and forth on how white or creamy a creamy white should be. It got hot, we got testy and before we knew it, the summer was gone. We have been waiting for nightime temperatures to stay above 50 (how can you make the degrees sign on a Mac, anyone?). We are getting there this week.