Life Lesson #215

Statute of limitations.

We stumbled across some pretty darn good news. So good, in fact, that we spent several months in a state of disbelief, worried that if we breathed wrong the good news might blow away. A few months passed and we finally felt safe enough to come out of hiding. But what were we to do with the good news?

Shouting from the mountaintops requires both hiking and shouting, two things these Ewalds don't really do. A simple, "hey. psst. we have good news.", just seemed too plain. So we sat. and deliberated. started a blog post, then two. and the good news continued to grow.

Turns out there's a statute of limitations when it comes to sharing good news. Hold onto it too long and eventually you feel like a real jerk.

So here it is, neither shouted nor whispered, and just a few months too late...

Our little family is growing by one. Our very own baby is expected to makes its debut in mid-February.

Luckily, good news remains good no matter how late it may be.

Growing Pains

Well, I've really fallen off the wagon. Though I've peppered our blog with a rare post here or there, the only communication I've had with...whoever you are...in the past few months has been in the form of dog videos. Apologies on that front.

Tonight I wanted to let you know that there are very few things in life that can accurately prepare you for the complete devastation that results from a simple (though strangely expensive) growth removal followed by an unfortunately shaped plastic hood. Let me be the first Ewald to tell you - it really is something.

Our brave beagle, and as you know star of many films, had a small surgery today on her left eye. The remainder of her, and our, day has been spent relearning things like: Walking, smelling, drinking water, and laying down. And I'm sure some of you can appreciate the mix of feelings here: You feel terrible for a loved one's pain; though you can't help but chuckle just a little in the awkwardness (and to be fair, the plastic itch shield is pretty damn funny).

Many of you know that I have a knack for talking to kids. For those who don't, I'm the type of guy who encounters a 4-year-old playing with chalk at her parents barn doubling as an antiques shop. She, in little kid voice, says "Hiiiii..." My natural, unfortunately true and automatic response: "Nice weather we're having eh?"—A response I've justifiably yet to live down.

When a 4-year-oldish girl playing in the park saw Patsy this evening, she rushed over to investigate the hooded beagle. Her empty look begged for further explanation from the adult (me). Now, I'm one who learns lessons in life. Where previous girls may have gotten the small talk, this innocent, inquisitive person was met with a "Eh - what the hell can you do" shrug of my shoulders.

It was the first time that I ever wanted a cigarette for effect.

It could have been perfect: The dirty white t-shirt; the long, slow drag; dismissive exhale; and walking the hooded dog back into my house. I could have redeemed my nice weather with life's a bitch. I could have gone out in style as that creepy 32-year-old slightly bearded, yet still reclinerless neighbor. . .

Some dreams come true, and some don't. In the short term, tonight our brave beaglegirl dreams of the day she will be free again. That day will someday come. And I promise to be on this bloggin' wagon to tell you all about it.

Gone Oregonian

Who are those handsome glasses-less mugs?

2 of 2 Ewalds are officially licensed to drive in the state of Oregon. Given it required the passing of a driver's knowledge test, it was no small feat. Fail and you must also take a behind-the-wheel. Considering I still can't parallel park (25% success rate?), failure was not an option.

In celebration of our Class C accomplishments, here are a few helpful reminders from the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles:

- "Driving is not a time to solve business or family problems."

- "Never shoot a gun or discharge a bow and arrow on or across a highway."

- "If you encounter an aggressive driver... put your pride in the back seat. It's a battle with no winners. Wear your seat belt, avoid eye contact, ignore gestures, and refuse to return them."

Sunday

Yep.

Happy (Other) Birthday

Ugh, it was Saralyn's birthday.

Happy birthday Saralyn!

There goes the neighborhood

The hearty earthworms of our Midwestern past have been replaced with even heartier Pacific Northwest breeds: Slugs and Snails. After the almost-daily rainfall, these guys come out to celebrate. Usually you'll notice their shiny, scribble-like mucous trail before you spy them. This guy was right outside our front door after a rendezvous with our potted rosemary:


Apparently they can wreak havoc on a garden, but one look at their wriggling tentacles and I can't help but think there must be a large caterpillar that's perched on a giant mushroom and smoking from a hookah in the forest nearby - and they are on their way to tea.