Well! Another Monday. Sorry for flaking on you guys last week. We had a death in the family (not entirely unexpected, but you’re never really ready to lose someone you love, are you?) and last week at this time Steve and the kids and I were en route to New York for the funeral, and I just couldn’t bring myself to sit down and write a blog post even when we rolled into town. I’m a very private griever and don’t want to go into any details, so I’ll leave it there.

Anyway – I have two weeks to recap for you here so I’ll try to keep it short and simple. Last Friday (so, a little over a week ago) I got my second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Yay! I was originally supposed to get it on Wednesday, the 12th, but since that was my third day of work I rescheduled it for the following Friday in order to give myself the weekend to bounce back if needed. Luckily, I seem to be one of the fortunate ones who escaped with almost no side effects from either dose. So we spent last weekend getting ready to head north, and then most of last week was devoted to spending time with family. We drove back on Thursday morning, because Steve had his second dose of Moderna on Friday, and Nugget had tee-ball (and team picture day, a can’t-miss!) on Saturday.

I had big plans for being productive this weekend – cleaning the house and prepping meals. My first two weeks at the corporate job have flown by in a haze of onboarding, but now actual work is starting to come across my desk, and I figured I could use a weekend to get the rest of life in order so I could really concentrate on learning the new job. As it happened, I totally blew off the productivity plans – but I think I needed that. On Saturday, Steve was a little tired from his shot, so I took Nugget for his tee-ball team pictures and then kept him busy on the playground. Steve was feeling good enough to come to the game and carry out his normal first base coach responsibilities, so that was good. The afternoon was spent rushing around to Target and other errands, getting ready for a much-needed fun Sunday at the beach. My law school BFF, Carly, and I have been trying to make plans for a few weekends now, and we kept getting rained out. With a sunny 95 degree day forecasted, I texted Carly: “Weird idea. What about a beach day?” She was into it (that’s one of my favorite things about Carly – she’s always down for whatever) and on Sunday morning we headed to the beach. Steve was still feeling a bit run-down, so he stayed home and the kids and I met up with Carly, her husband Matt, and their two munchkins. It was a HOT and sunny day, so much fun, and just what I needed. We ate watermelon and cherries out of huge tubs I packed; bobbed around in the refreshingly cool water; and took the kids for rides on my paddleboard. (Carly, Matt and I all took turns tooling around with the munchkins; only Peanut declined a ride.) It was glorious.

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Reading. Two weeks to cover, so I did get through some books – but it was a busy and emotional two weeks, so I didn’t get through as many books as I otherwise would’ve. Anyway, superquick – I started off last week with Spring, one of Melissa Harrison’s beautiful seasonal anthologies. So good, of course! Then blazed through The Guest List, which was an interesting, twisty suspense novel. Needing a break from intensity, I picked up Mrs. Tim of the Regiment, which had been on my TBR for ages (I love D.E. Stevenson, and Mrs. Tim might be her most famous character; how had I not made it to that series yet??). Then, scared straight by a notice from the library that I had no renewals available for either Such a Fun Age or the new Maisie Dobbs, I diligently applied myself. I’m nearly done with The Consequences of Fear as of press time. And no idea what I’ll pick up next! Probably another library book, although my shelves are calling.

Watching. Hmmm. With two weeks of material to cover, I’m not sure if I’ll remember it all – but I’ll try. We finished Secrets of the Whales (finally!) and then watched Giants of the Deep Blue, because we were still on a whale jag. (Or I should say: Steve and the kids were still on a whale jag. I’m always on a whale jag. Whale jag is baseline for me.) Nugget also requested Wild Cats of India, so we’re working our way through that one now. And while we were at my parents’ house last week, we watched the usuals – Free Willy and (I think?) The Sandlot. Of course.

Listening. Lots of music. I just don’t have the emotional energy to focus on an audiobook or even a podcast. Plenty of The New Pornographers; some Alexei Murdoch; some Annie Lennox; and I downloaded Heather Nova’s Siren and found myself immediately plunged back into 1999, belting out “Winterblue” as I cruised down the highway. (Any other Heather Nova fans from back in the day? I saw her at Lilith Fair in 1998. Remember Lilith Fair? MEMORIES.)

Making. Uh, I don’t know. Lots of dinners for the family. Many, many check marks on my onboarding checklist for the new corporate job (I am deriving an embarrassing amount of joy in checking items off). That’s about it.

Moving. Good couple of weeks of movement. Quite a few runs, some strength training, some hiking, some paddleboarding in the Chesapeake. A nice mix of activities – hoping for more runs this coming week, but I’m going to have to get up earlier, because it’s H-O-T out there these days.

Blogging. Another tales from the exurbs on Wednesday – about some recent visitors that I’m not too happy about. And on Friday, I have a Themed Reads post with an entire booklist. Check in with me then.

Loving. I have said many times, and I’ll say many times more – I am so fortunate when it comes to friends. Last weekend, as my mom and I were discussing logistics for the upcoming family funeral, she suggested that Steve may have to stay home to watch the kids during the wake on Tuesday evening. “No,” I said, “I need him to come to the wake.” My mom understood, but asked, “Who’ll watch the kids?” With total confidence, I replied, “Jenn will watch them.” Jenn, my high school best friend, always has my back (and I have hers). It only occurred to me later that it might be a little unusual to have total faith, without even asking, that your high school BFF will jump to babysit your kids at a moment’s notice. But I knew that she would. After I got off the phone with my mom, I immediately called Jenn and tearfully told her about the death in the family. (And I hate crying in front of people, or even audibly over the phone – so you know this is a good friend.) “What do you need?” she asked. “Can you watch the kids on Tuesday night?” I wailed. Immediately, and without hesitation, she promised to be there. (On her election night; she was running for School Board – which I, I’m embarrassed to say, completely forgot in the haze of my own bereavement.) On Tuesday, Jenn showed up promptly at 4:00 p.m., with her husband and daughter in tow, and jumped immediately into mothering my kids too. Steve and I went off to the wake and were able to spend the time remembering with my family – and I was grateful, all evening, that I had a friend who would drop EVERYTHING to be there when I needed her. I have a few friends like that – my college BFF, Rebecca, law school BFF, Carly, and several of my Alexandria neighborhood friends. I am really blessed when it comes to the girlfriends in my life. Okay, gushing over – but I should tell you, Jenn won her election decisively.

Asking. What are you reading this week?