Today started in the low 40s. I bundled the girls off to daycare and took the day alone to pack and organize the house. When I lifted my head up, the day had flown by and it was in the 60s. I’m seeing neighbors I haven’t seen for months. Seattle is much more social in the sun. I’ve been enjoying all the new flowers in the haze of rain. It’s the first time I went for a walk because my knee is finally free of fluid for the first time in 6 weeks!
This evening, Wayne came home tired. I threw dinner on the table and bustled us out for a walk in the ebbing light. We walked down to the Scoop and had ice cream. The walk worked out the kinks from my legs.
This week has been much better.
1. Wayne is well (no sinus infection, no allergies) for the first time in a month.
2. My arthritis flare is going away despite my tapering of prednisone and only just starting enbrel.
-This has bulstered my mood more than anything. It’s so freeing being able to walk up and down stairs and go out for a walk without having to think about how much pain it will cause.
3. Laura is taking a bottle at daycare! I took advantage of that fact this week and got some much needed chores done. It’s very humanizing to spend time alone. I haven’t been away from Laura for more than 1.5 hrs since my Mom left.
4. Because of #3, I went on a date with my husband. I drove downtown and met Wayne at the Wild Ginger and enjoyed 25 for 25. We munched on lamb satay, fresh rolls, beef rendang (Thai beef stew), shrimp crepe, and coconut ice cream for desert. We actually talked and laughed without interruption.
I also had a girl’s breakfast out this morning. I brought Cafe Besalu to my friend Claire. We split pain au chocolate, an apple danish, and a ham and swiss pastry. Claire served me tea and an organic grapefruit on beautiful dishes with spring flowers. The tea was served with British flare. We talked and meandered through her blooming garden. I got to notice little things around their house. We rarely get to visit these day. I got to play with two beagles. What a nice treat!
5. Our cooking group has produced. We had our second meeting and were rewarded with 6 different fresh meals that are frozen and can be pulled out for eating. Our first offering is veggie chowder, tamale pie, meatloaf, peanut tofu soup, pasta sausage casserole, and marinated flank steak. I’ve got dinners taken care of for the next month as I transition to work. With only 2 more weeks of maternity leave, I’m feeling a little more organized than I was a week ago.