Erin and Dad go Camping II

Erin and Brian went up to Upper Orinda Cousin's house for a backyard camping trip last week.  Erin learned about headlamps:



Sorry for the static-y sound: the camera is behaving strange.

This reminds me of every single developmental stage she (and now Robin) went through as a baby.  As soon as she caught onto something neato she wanted to practice and experiment and master it, night or day.  Someone wise once likened it to if we, as adults, suddenly learned how to fly wouldn't we be so jazzed about it we'd spend a few days and nights zooming around the skies, just because we could?

Surely I can't be the only one.

This morning Brian slept in.  And by sleeping in, I mean it was nearly 7:30, the girls and I had already woken up, breakfasted, watched George the Monkey, drank cocoa, contemplated getting dressed, and read the same book 15 times over. And then it was nearing 7:45.  I should have been happy for him.  I mean, if one of us can sleep in and get a full, good night's rest, it's good for everyone all around, right?

That's not what I was thinking.

I was sure he was no longer breathing.

I was sure he was gone. I didn't panic, nor did I check in on him.  I just thought about what I needed to do next.  Who should I call first?  Well, first some medical personnel.  Then probably Upper Orinda McFeely's, since they're about 5 minutes away from here.  Then what?  Well, then this week I'd plan on getting help with the girls, planning a service, cleaning out the freezer to accommodate the meals people would likely bring.  Then, claiming the life insurance, paying off all debts, setting up college funds, calculating when I'd have to go back to work....

Strange?

I had these thoughts a LOT when I was pregnant with Erin. Every time Brian went on a run, I was certain that was it - when he left it was the last time I'd see him.  I'd panic a bit, then be sad, then plan.  It was a quick progression. Maybe because now we both have life insurance I skip the panic part of the sequence, but most of the inner monologue stays the same.  The irrational, superstitious part of me says because I have these thoughts I'll never have to *really* think them.  I hope.

Well, happily 8:00 rolled around and Brian rolled out of bed.  We had some cereal and started our day.

Fashion Friday

 Erin asked for an umbrella for about as long as she could say the word.  She finally got one on our trip to PDX.  She picked it out, calling it the rhinoceros one.  Add in the polka-dot rain booth and trim rain jacket, and she is ready for the dreary California winter.

And I'm adding this picture just because it's cute. 

 

Happy Friday!

Weeknights, 6 P.M.: The McMiller NewsHour

Here's what you can often see after dinner at our place: our eldest daughter, literally waving a pom-pom, shouting:

"Go Hari, Go Hari, Go Hari!!!!"

The NewsHour starts with Brian and Erin singing together: "Baa bum bum buh bum BUUUUMMMMMMM, Bum bum BUMP"

After Jim Lehrer introduces himself, we say: "Hi, Jim!"

Wordless Wednesday: Robin June 37 weeks

Boring backpost

So I'm trying to blog every day this month and this week was busier than I thought.  So it's Saturday, and I'm backposting to Tuesday, which I missed this week, with some "filler".

Here's a little story about me and our cable provider.
August: I took the girls to the store in Concord to upgrade from regular to HD cable.  They told me since I had a Tivo, I'd probably need a special card.  Could I get that card now?  No, try and see.

Fast forward to when I finally get motivated this week.

I do the 24 hour online chat to request the special card.  After some banter, yes, the card will be shipped, for a fee.

They ship a switcher, not the card.

I call customer service. "Hey, you guys sent me this switcher adapter instead of the card I requested.  Can I get the card? No?  You don't have it in stock. Oh.  I'm calling the main HQ and you don't have this conversion card the FCC requires you to provide. OK.  I have to go in-person to the store.  OK.  Well, thanks, I guess."

The next day I take Robin to give back the switcher and get the card.  I merely state, "I am here to get my M-Card." The lady is friendly, then looks up my account.  Then she's fairly curt.  In fact, she says nothing else.  She hands me the requested card.  I try to be witty, "boy, these cards seem hard to come by."  She looks at me icily.  "Yes.  Yes, they are."

Who cares.  Now I have 300 more channels of basic HD cable.  Wheeeeeeeeeee!

I Heart Bruce

Just downloaded this from Amazon.  I'm so excited to watch it.  However, the girls took a long time tonight to settle to sleep..... we only have 24 hours to watch the entire thing. It will have to wait.