I'm packing up to do our weekly run to Ojai now that Brandon is there. Ivy woke up this morning and said, "I want to go see Dada, at his HOUSE!", which is such a strange concept to me. I've thought of how odd it is that he really doesn't live here anymore, like when I had to jump up and wheel the garbage cans out on Monday morning, and take out the recyclables by my very own self...and tuck myself in after working too late last night.
In and amongst creating the life that we have been dreaming of for ourselves and our family, I can't help but observe that I thought we'd be making this move together and not apart. I have things to finish up here on the ranch, so until then, we Facetime, send videos and make bedtime phone calls.
I'm doing a lot of writing at night and taking care of my store during the day. Daily life has a different look altogether. I'm beginning to realize, through the mirroring of others, that I do a lot. I'm not sure how it all gets done, and of course, sometimes it doesn't. I hadn't really planned to launch a store the month Ivy was born, nor had I planned on writing a book before she was school-aged. My hope is that both of the children still get the best of me, though I do wonder. Of course, I'll always wonder. Making the choice to act and live creatively, while I mother them during the young years has unfolded in an unexpected way, and sometimes my world is a momentary wildfire of deadlines and stressful moments and the question of "How am I gonna do it?, muttered in the quiet spaces. Multi-tasking has new meaning to me each day.
Yep, I did say it here, for the first time.
I am writing a book. One of many, I hope. This year will be full of surprise offerings as the seeds I planted last year come to fruition later on this year and next. I think I keep bringing it up because even I'm surprised at the thought of how much is in bloom right now and coming soon.
I feel, as ever, overwhelmed with gratitude that you are along for the ride here. Faithful friends and readers, what would I do without your bolstering love and support?