Living outside of the box (By Kevin)

I have been on a sabbatical from posting in our blog because it has been a busy couple of weeks, but I am back in action! During my travels across Northern Vermont, I’ve been doing some research and collecting items for our blog. I was going to indulge my ego some more and post the video and article on my fire rescue, but I was told “enough” by a very-pregnant someone, and that I “did not need to keep tooting my own horn.”

So today, I bring to you the concept of: living outside of the box. Or should I say inside the box? How often do you think about where you live, your possessions, what you have and do not have? Comparing yourself to others? Thinking you need things that you don’t actually need? We are a nation of massive needs and wants. Look where that has gotten us today: a huge financial crisis, a bailout plan for whoever wants a bailout plan, mortgage foreclosures…the list goes on. Whatever happened to working hard, earning your possessions, and paying cash because that is what you can afford? I look around and realize that, yes, there are a lot more things that I would like to obtain in my life. A bigger house for Emma and Baby Kouri, and a real yard for Cooper and Cabot to play in with no worries of knocking over an old lady or getting yelled at by the condo Nazis. I need to step back, however, and remind myself that life is good. I have health, family, the love of my life, a baby on the way and my own dog, Cabot (he is the chocolate one). I guess even though Cooper was given to me for Valentine’s Day, we all know who he really belongs to. I get to do my two favorite pastimes, skiing and golfing with good friends. There will always be wants, needs and desires and hopefully I will be able to achieve everything that I set my sights on. For now, I count my blessings and am thankful for all that I have.

I arrived at a farm a number of weeks ago and heard voices that I could not identify or locate. I finally happened upon a box in the milk house, filled with two brand-new kids (goat babies) with a heat lamp covering them with warmth. This was a goat herd of about 100 or so; therefore, kids in boxes small containers is a pretty common occurrence. I peered down into the box I think to myself “Boy, am I glad I am not a goat baby.” Do you ever put yourself into someone else’s proverbial shoes and wonder how it would be if the tables were turned? I find myself doing that a lot. Try it sometime - it makes you appreciate the smallest things in your life. Like not having to live in a box, literally, and waiting for some farmer to come by and give you a bottle of warm milk. Have you ever looked at a goat closely? It looks as if they are staring right at you trying to speak to you. I think this is why I am so freaked out about working with goats.

Anyway, during this Holiday season, be grateful for what you have and be glad you do not live in a box like the goat kids. Make an effort to think outside of the box as well. I know I am going to in the coming New Year.

Solstice snowshoe

Yesterday was winter solstice, and my due date. No baby yet, but we did get a TON of snow! To celebrate, Penelope and I went out to Pennycluse for breakfast. We went very early for a Sunday (8:45am!!), but it was full and we even had to wait for a table. It was so fun talking, relaxing, and watching the crazy people in their cars with no clue how to drive in the snow. Then we did a little shopping, and the stores were empty! So there is a benefit to getting up early on Sundays...

Then, I took a 2-hour nap in honor of my due date. I did not respond to the many texts asking "did you have your baby yet??????" Honestly, I'm in no hurry. Of course I'm excited, but I have really embraced the concept that the baby is in charge now, and I just have to continue living my life until he or she decides it's time to come out. I'm not going to sit at home and hold my breath, that's for sure!

I woke up from my nap, totally energized, and the snow was still falling heavily. So I called Penelope, and asked her if she wanted to go snowshoeing? Of course she did! She walked up to my place, and we went for a snowshoe at the golfcourse. It was just breathtaking. Pink sky, fluffy snow up to your knees, dogs going wild and white washing each other, kids screaming with laughter as they plunged down the sledding hill at Burlington Country Club. What a magical afternoon. When we got home, Kevin had a fire going and was cleaning like a madman (he gets this habit from his mother). So I made a very spicy meat sauce and some whole wheat pasta, along with his mother's amazing caeasar salad, and we had a lovely dinner. What an awesome solstice and due-date day!

Shredded wheat with bananas and raisins

That's what I had for breakfast this morning, and yesterday morning too. It makes me think of Papa Roger. I've been missing him a lot lately. Papa Roger was a man of routine, and he definitely passed his "routine genes" down to me. He used to have shredded wheat Monday through Friday, then eggs and bacon on Saturdays, then waffles or pancakes on Sundays. No variation, like clockwork.

Here he is on his 90th birthday, nearly 4 years ago. Scotch was also a big part of his daily routine, and he received plenty of it on his birthday! Once Baby Kouri comes, I'll be able to start enjoying scotch again too.

I think Saturday morning, we'll have eggs and bacon in honor of him.

In a Pinch

I'm due in 3 weeks, and am finally starting to feel like a pregnant woman! Sore back, tender pelvis, swollen ankles...I shouldn't complain though. At night, I sleep very soundly, and use the bathroom maybe twice (compare that to my friend Elisa who visited the loo 6+ times a night during her last trimester!). Up to now, I have felt great and really unlimited. Last night, however, I was feeling very sorry for myself. We ordered take-out (from boloco burritos on Church Street - we give them a 6 out of 10). I took a hot bath, then talked to Hannah for an hour while I iced my lower back. I didn't go grocery shopping because my back was too sore. This morning, we were out of milk. Have you ever tried eggnog in your oatmeal? Or in your Earl Grey tea? Something only a pregnant woman would think of, but it was surprisingly delicious! You should try it.