Recently, I was in the front yard, talking to Duane Pierce, a man who has worked in the yard for us the past couple of years.
Last year, among other things, Duane laid sod in our backyard and cleared out the flower garden in our front yard (which had gotten out of control). This year, he got rid of the grass/weed mixture in our front yard and planted grass seed, the result of which should be front yard full of green grass in a few weeks. Or so we hope.
Anyway, Duane and I were talking, and, as always, he was upbeat and in a good mood. He told me he was having a productive week, getting a lot of things done. Then, he told me something really interesting, something that has stayed with me since our conversation. He said he was staying busy, following his New Year's Resolution, which was "do."
"What?" I said.
"Do," replied Duane. "That was my New Year's Resolution. Do. Don't spend time talking about doing things or thinking about doing things. Just do." Continuing, he said, "I'm just keeping busy every day. Do."
Smiling, I said, "wow." I walked away, but the whole concept stayed with me. Do. I'm forever making several complicated New Year's Resolutions, usually firmly rooted in the idea of self-improvement. By February, they're long forgotten. But "do" - that's something I could work with pretty easily.
I think Duane's on to something. It just makes sense.
Do.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Changes in Latitudes
Last weekend, Jude, J.P. and I went to visit our friends, Rob, Anne Marie and their daughter, Ayden, at their new house in Forest Hills. Although it's still more than a little strange not to have them two blocks away, it was great to see them at their new house. We cooked out, drank some wine, listened to music and watched the kids play together outside.
One of the really cool things is that J.P. and Ayden are at an age (just past 3 years old) where they actually play together, as opposed to playing side by side. As we sat in the kitchen, we could hear them talking to each other, back in Ayden's room. It's so funny to hear them interact with each other, without any adult direction.
We all laughed as J.P. and Ayden jumped on the trampoline together. J.P. had never been on a trampoline and he absolutely loved it.
One of the really cool things is that J.P. and Ayden are at an age (just past 3 years old) where they actually play together, as opposed to playing side by side. As we sat in the kitchen, we could hear them talking to each other, back in Ayden's room. It's so funny to hear them interact with each other, without any adult direction.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Milestones
Milestones. They're really starting to pile up.
J.P. is wearing, for the most part, "big boy underpants." He's in a "big boy bed," now that we've converted his crib to a toddler bed.
Today, J.P. had his 3-year old wellness exam with our pediatrician, Dr. Godfrey. For the first time, he didn't cry or complain at all, even when he got a couple of shots. That was refreshing, as typically he has a complete meltdown as soon as we arrive in the parking lot. According to Dr. Godfrey, J.P.'s strong and healthy. He's in the 50th percentile for weight and height. Dr. Godfrey was particularly impressed with his vocabulary.
Tonight, as I was taking out the trash, I noticed that Jude had taken J.P.'s high chair to the garage. Now, that's a milestone, one that makes me a little sad. A week or two ago, J.P. went through a brief stage where he wanted to eat in his high chair again, but it only lasted a couple of nights. Now, the high chair is gone, probably forever, and my son is growing up faster than I want him to and there's nothing I can do about it.
J.P. is wearing, for the most part, "big boy underpants." He's in a "big boy bed," now that we've converted his crib to a toddler bed.
Today, J.P. had his 3-year old wellness exam with our pediatrician, Dr. Godfrey. For the first time, he didn't cry or complain at all, even when he got a couple of shots. That was refreshing, as typically he has a complete meltdown as soon as we arrive in the parking lot. According to Dr. Godfrey, J.P.'s strong and healthy. He's in the 50th percentile for weight and height. Dr. Godfrey was particularly impressed with his vocabulary.
Tonight, as I was taking out the trash, I noticed that Jude had taken J.P.'s high chair to the garage. Now, that's a milestone, one that makes me a little sad. A week or two ago, J.P. went through a brief stage where he wanted to eat in his high chair again, but it only lasted a couple of nights. Now, the high chair is gone, probably forever, and my son is growing up faster than I want him to and there's nothing I can do about it.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Big Boy Bed
J.P., rockin' his "big boy bed," after Jude and I converted his crib to a toddler bed last weekend. After spending a couple of hours taking the crib apart and making one trip to Home Depot for extra parts, we understood why the instructions warned the toddler bed could not be converted back into a crib.
Anyway, J.P. is very proud of his "big boy bed." And we're very proud of him.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Freeze Frame
Every now and then, J.P. and I have one of moments or, if I'm lucky, one of those afternoons or evenings I wish I could freeze in time and remember forever.
Yesterday, I returned home from a Nashville Predators' matinee (they blew a 3-0 lead and lost in overtime to the Detroit Red Wings) to find Jude and J.P. working in the flower garden in our front yard on a beautiful, sunlit Saturday afternoon. To give Jude a bit of a break, I grabbed the stroller and J.P. and I left to go for a walk. We stopped by Bongo Java, then walked over to the soccer field at Belmont University as the late afternoon shadows lengthened.
Sadly, the soccer field at Belmont is not what it once was, as the ongoing, foolhardy construction of the new law school has taken about one-fourth of the field. Nevertheless, we saw a couple of students kicking soccer a soccer ball into the goal. As J.P. kicked his mini soccer ball, one of the students walked over and introduced himself as "Azad." We learned Azad emigrated to Nashville 11 years ago from Northern Iraq, later graduating fromGlencliff High School. Presently, he's a junior at Belmont, majoring in pre-med.
As I chatted with Azad, J.P. ran happily ran around the soccer field. Each time he kicked his soccer ball into a small soccer goal, J.P. would turn and run in a large circle, celebrating his goal. Azad was very friendly and after a few minutes, he leaned over J.P. and showed him how to properly kick the soccer ball. J.P. was talking a mile a minute, asking questions, shouting "Goal!" and generally enjoying himself.
As I watched J.P., I looked around and took a mental snapshot of my surroundings - the late afternoon sliding into evening, the deep blue sky darkening ever so slightly, the hum of activity on campus as students walked and talked or got into their cars to hurry off to dinner of a night out. I was so content and it was such a peaceful, perfect evening. I wanted to file it away in my mind, so I could recall it later, years later, even, when things might not be so peaceful and perfect.
We said goodbye to Azad, then began our walk home. The firemen at Station 8 were sitting our in front of the firehouse, so we stopped to say hello. A few minutes later, we were home, just in time for dinner.
Yesterday, I returned home from a Nashville Predators' matinee (they blew a 3-0 lead and lost in overtime to the Detroit Red Wings) to find Jude and J.P. working in the flower garden in our front yard on a beautiful, sunlit Saturday afternoon. To give Jude a bit of a break, I grabbed the stroller and J.P. and I left to go for a walk. We stopped by Bongo Java, then walked over to the soccer field at Belmont University as the late afternoon shadows lengthened.
Sadly, the soccer field at Belmont is not what it once was, as the ongoing, foolhardy construction of the new law school has taken about one-fourth of the field. Nevertheless, we saw a couple of students kicking soccer a soccer ball into the goal. As J.P. kicked his mini soccer ball, one of the students walked over and introduced himself as "Azad." We learned Azad emigrated to Nashville 11 years ago from Northern Iraq, later graduating fromGlencliff High School. Presently, he's a junior at Belmont, majoring in pre-med.
As I chatted with Azad, J.P. ran happily ran around the soccer field. Each time he kicked his soccer ball into a small soccer goal, J.P. would turn and run in a large circle, celebrating his goal. Azad was very friendly and after a few minutes, he leaned over J.P. and showed him how to properly kick the soccer ball. J.P. was talking a mile a minute, asking questions, shouting "Goal!" and generally enjoying himself.
As I watched J.P., I looked around and took a mental snapshot of my surroundings - the late afternoon sliding into evening, the deep blue sky darkening ever so slightly, the hum of activity on campus as students walked and talked or got into their cars to hurry off to dinner of a night out. I was so content and it was such a peaceful, perfect evening. I wanted to file it away in my mind, so I could recall it later, years later, even, when things might not be so peaceful and perfect.
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