Rainy Day Writing
Topic: This and That
(I call this one, "Helping With The Laundry.")
Friday was the six month anniversary of Ryan and I moving to England. It's strange to think that much time has gone by already.
Yesterday I was trying to figure out what to get out and do. It was really cold out, and overcast. I talked to a friend on the phone who lives out at MHS and she said it was snowing there. I have yet to see it snow here, but it sure gets cold enough plenty often. Today it's just been raining. Most of the time it's a kind of fine rain that doesn't really get you wet.
Yesterday I wound up just putting Ryan in his stroller and going for a walk around the Victoria shopping center. On weekends it's quite busy, making for interesting people watching. I'd forgotten how vibrant the area is on a Saturday, with all sorts of interesting sounds and scents wafting on the air. There was a man in a kilt playing the bagpipes for donations. It was pretty cold, so I was impressed to see him in a kilt! The aromas were fun. There are several bakeries and coffee shops, not to mention a personalized/organic type cosmetic shop with various clean and floral scents emanating from within.
Speaking of cafes, there's a new one that just opened up called, "Caffe Latino." (Yes, there are two "f's" in it, plus an accent over the "e.") It's right across from another cafe, Cafe Nero, and a couple doors down from Starbucks. When I went in to check it out, it was packed, so I guess there's enough business for everyone.
My mission for this particular outing yesterday was to pick up some scones and some clotted cream to put on them. I was going to get the scones from Betty's, but that place was a madhouse. I got a couple scones, along with some savory pasties, from another bakery. I got the cream from ASDA and was all set.
I actually checked out the Caffe Latino Thursday or Friday. I had been by a few days before and a man there told me they would be open in a couple of days. When I came back, the same man, whom I assume is one of the proprietors, opened the door for me and Ryan. I thought that was nice. He gave Ryan a cookie. I got a mocha capuccino. The drink seemed more European in character compared to your average Starbucks. It reminded me of the many capuccinos I've had in various European countries. They had a really good selection of sandwiches and pastries. I think what I would do for a lunch situation would be get food there, then coffee at Starbucks.
A few weeks ago I came up with a concept I would dearly love to execute: "A Cafe A Day." I love the Travel Channel and the Fine Living Channel and the Foodnetwork. There are so many cafes walking distance from my house it's ridiculous. I think it would be so cool and so much fun to go to one a day and review it. Unfortunately, that would get rather expensive in a hurry. Also, as well behaved as Ryan can be, having him around is not conducive to relaxing and soaking up a cafe's ambiance. So I might not be able to do a cafe a day, but I can definitely get coffee and a snack to go from various ones now and then.
Ryan still seems to be sick. A friend of mine said a doctor here told her that kids that live here, who aren't born here, tend to be sick more often than usual. Great. Shall I just consider this immune system building? Ryan seems fine except his nose won't stop running, and he has an intermittent cough that's worse at night. He's taking a marathon nap right now, which is good since I'm sure he needs the rest. The last couple of days he didn't nap much, so I think it's caught up to him.
It's hard because this time of year is a bad time for bugs and such going around. I was supposed to get together with my next door neighbor, but her kids were sick and bronchitis was going around at their school. With Ryan still having a runny nose, we thought it would be better to wait. It was sad though, because Ryan saw the next door neighbor kids, and cried when he couldn't play with them!
I'm mostly fine. I'd say about 90 to 95% over my cold. I think I will try to run again soon. There's a race at MHS around St. Patrick's Day that I would like to participate in.
Lately Ryan's been trying to feed himself with his spoon and fork. I'll try to feed him and he'll push my hand away and say, "No!"
The next three days should be busy. Tomorrow night there's a spouse coffee that will involve something called, "bunko," that I have never played before. Tuesday is a Valentine's day party for moms and kiddos. Wednesday I have a doctor's appointment (woo!) and Ryan has a WIC appointment. The WIC lady intimidates me, but I need some advice on how to get veggies and fruit into Ryan's life. Hopefully she can help.
For those of you who have been wondering about Larry, he's fine. He's busy. Apparently he's fighting off the flu or something there, too. It's quite warm in San Angelo. It's sunny and in the 60's and 70's. Isn't this supposed to be winter? Anyhow, on the weekends I call and he talks to Ryan. I'm glad Ryan gets to hear Larry's voice.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Ryan's awake!