You people and your Access and FileMaker. I have to use Lotus Notes.

Sparky, those walks sound WONDERFUL. It helps that I'm something of a Maybeck fangirl. My architectural history prof used to say that architects design buildings that look like themselves, and Maybeck [link] and his Palace of the Fine Arts [link] were a key example of this theory.

I think Lilybean looks like Paul but with Plei's gorgeous eyes. Too. Frickin'. Cute.

Yep, the babies are kids now. Leif will turn 4 this week, he'll be getting a bike for his birthday.

Good gift!

DH ditched work early today because the weather is so beautiful. The kids and I were out in the back yard--Owen was playing, I was washing down patio furniture while Liv watched from her bouncy seat--and he pulled up on his bicycle saying it was too nice to work.

So we all had lunch and I'm going to go to the library while he keeps the kids this afternoon.

Cash, it sounds like you are guys are having such a nice day. I"ve been meaning to ask you where you stayed when you were hear. Nora stayed at the same hotel we are at, but I'm pretty sure you were somewhere different.

We were East of San Juan--at El Conquistador resort. It's in Fajardo. I'm glad you've got a nice place to stay until you move into your permanent home. How's it going down there?

Chocolate cherry bread pudding is in the oven. Cross your fingers that it comes out ok, because I am a lousy baker.

I finally heard back from the woman at the women's shelter. She is definitely going to take the journals from me; she thought it was a fabulous idea. I am still keeping way too many for sentimental reasons, but I did find a whole box worth to donate.

You had that many blank ones? Not that I don't, occasionally think "Oh, pretty words in pretty book!" But odds are against my reading my own hand again, so alas. Wasted on me. Good about the donation, though.

Yup. Stoopid shopping therapy and working at Borders combined. I made a small pile of ones that are meant to be gifted, I am donating a box of twenty, and I am keeping considerably more than that (about 5 of which are totally full). The rest have about an average of five pages written in.

at El Conquistador resort

We almost stayed there. It was one of our options but it was too far for Joe to travel every day. We are doing okay. Ellie had a nice birthday yesterday - swim in the ocean and a nice dinner out. Still, entertaining a toddler (boy, she sounds so old!) in a hotel and eating so many meals out gets tiring. Swimming really wears her out, though, and that helps.

My mother threw out most of my juvenalia(?) I've told her she's gonna have to explain it to the grad students and biographers. She's assured me she'll cope. Mom's supportive of my writing, just clutter-allergic.

Days of Our Lives is better watched while muted and you can make up what they're saying. Actually watching? Not so fun.