At midnight he handed me a wrapped DVD of Whip It, which we both liked a lot in theaters. Can't get enough of Drew Barrymore or Ellen Page or movies written in or about Austin, so naturally a winner. This morning, he gave me a hammered silver cuff bracelet from James Avery (he almost picked it out himself!) and the Apples to Apples Party Box, along with lots of chocolate (read: 30 ounces of Pretzel M&Ms AND MORE) and some silly bands.
After work, we changed and drove an hour to Boerne to meet my parents and Kelsey at Spinelli's Vistro. Vegetarian spinach tortillini, merlot, and a crap ton of bread and olive oil with pesto. And cheesecake. My parents gave me a beautiful James Avery bracelet (thank God not the same one; this was the year of the silver bracelets) with a little wild mustang dangling from it. Plus 30 more ounces of Pretzel M&Ms. Word is out I have a new favorite. Kelsey gave me a little giraffe piggy bank and our own copy of the Catchphrase game, which Richard likes to throw against the wall after a few beers at parties. Mainly, it was good to sit with everyone and eat and be happy. There's lots going on with my grandmother, her estate— to include two miniature Schnauzers, anyone want them? and the long list of health problems she and my father have racked up. But this was pretty easy and happy and nice.
Richard took me to a movie after, somewhat by fluke. More on that another time, but it was grand. We had a good conversation on the way home. Life's weird, we're going to be weird parents down the line, but it's a weirdness I thoroughly condone and enjoy. And he enjoys our menagerie as much as I do, thank God, otherwise it would be a mess.
Even though today was sort of the crap end of the job —no horses, no real interaction with kids save for goodbyes and picture-taking— it was nice to work together with people who all pitched in and helped and made a long day go by quickly. I do love it here; there are frustrating parts but I realize they pale in comparison to the frustrations that come with a work place that doesn't "get" you or allow you to do what you're really happy doing. The rides with the Boy Scouts yesterday were just lots and lots of fun. Everyone was appreciative, Richard and Justin did a great job riding and palling around with the kids.
Life's nice. Not at all meager, really. There's enough promise for what's to come that I don't mind cutting corners here and there and taking longer to be with my family and the friends and co-worker/friends that feel like family.
Today also seems to be the first weather-y day of fall. It's quite cool out, and never got to sweltering during the day. I like fall now more, after being married. Until now, I have always been a fervent supporter of summer 365 days a year. But I'm starting to enjoy being chilly, just a little.
Plus, our crappy little house is full of love with three cats outside, a yellow dog and the two people inside. I like it. Twenty four will be a good year, I think.
