I did a lot of walking in circles yesterday, trying to adjust to life without the constant mom, mom, mom, momming. I spent most of day running errands, waiting in line at Secretary of State with the teenager, and catching up on things around the house. I'm consumed with an urge to get as much in order around here as possible before the kids return and school starts.
It felt good to be able to be totally on call for my dad without being concerned about my kids, without wondering if I can allow Wendy to go gallivanting or if I need to keep her home 'just in case' she needs to babysit.
And with my husband working 16 hour days this week and my oldest working or wandering - it felt good to not have to make any dinner and just go enjoy some ballooning. A great mental escape.
After Denny's balloon launched, we turned to focus on Jerry's balloon. I wasn't quick enough with my camera, but out of nowhere flew in a pure white dove. She landed right on Jerry's balloon, stayed for a quick moment and then flew off. At the post flight meeting they said the same dove had landed on the tailgate and hung out for a bit. It wasn't a bit shy of people. Not sure where it wandered from, but it made for an interesting topic. I was the only one who had seen it land on the balloon.
There were lots of spectators for this launch. I had invited a few to come a little closer, but they got nervous. Sonja commented that I know so many kids and they are all blond. I laughed. It's true.
Denny landed in the deep grass. I thought I must have taken the long way through it, but it was just as long the other way.
So we *cough cough* had to walk Denny out.
Someone has to document these things.
I think Denny was enjoying his power at this point.
Further! Further!
I think he was going all John Wayne and riding off into the sunset.
It made for some great pictures, so I was cool with it.
In chatting afterwards, we came to find out that Rick's (the passenger) dad (Mr. Eccles) was the gym teacher at the school my Mom went to (Lola Valley) - during the years she went there. How crazy is that? George - one of the crew members - also went to the same high school as my mom, three years behind her. It really is a small world. I never get tired of the connections.
My neighbor texted me this morning - knowing I had been out ballooning last night and seeing my load up my kayak for an early morning paddle - that man, "You're living like a rock star"
I met a friend at Bishop Lake for a 7:30 am launch. We went 2.55 miles in one hour and 23 minutes. We saw many cranes, a huge snapping turtle, baby ducklings and it was awesome. I'd start every day like this if I could.
But real life awaits. I'll spend the rest of today playing more catch up, cleaning, purging (don't tell my kids) and waiting for my husband to tell me what to do with the van. We had it in the shop on Monday while I was gone, but something is still not quite right - wondering if something got bumped loose during the fix because it's a different problem now.
Life is never dull. *wink*
Happy Wednesday!
be good
It's a happy Wednesday for me knowing you're getting some much needed rest and relaxation. I'm having fun with a sewing project.
Posted by: Mom | July 11, 2012 at 01:22 PM
Your pictures are so much prettier on your blog than in my reader. I wonder why? That'll teach me to just go ahead and click through when I see your blog come up :). What does not worrying about dinner feel like? I wake up in the morning thinking about what we're having for dinner! I'm off to start it. Whatever it is, LOL!
Posted by: Amanda J. | July 11, 2012 at 03:51 PM
that third photo is award winning.
Posted by: jen t | July 11, 2012 at 07:31 PM