Dry Clean Only

I had the delightful pleasure to be picked up by my three boys after work today and then driven to one of the many seafood/river shack dining establishments that grace our fair city for a lovely dinner out.   I toddled over the gravel parking lot in my red patent leather high heels, and then whiled away a happy hour protecting the integrity of my suit (one of two I own – I need more suits) fending off my children’s sticky hands.   Jack was very captivated by the guy in the bar who was singing Ray Lamontaine covers and strumming his guitar.  Liam ate an entire fish filet.  I have little fruit-cocktail handprints all up and down my sleeves, which would annoy me a little more if I hadn’t spilled macaroni and cheese all down my front anyhow.

Speaking of, yesterday we decorated our Christmas tree.  I put a little wire hanger on my very favorite blown glass frog ornament, and then Jack asked me if he could place it on the tree.  I held it out to him, admonishing him to be extra careful with this one because it was delicate and very special to mama, and as soon as the words were out of my mouth I dropped it – SMASH – straight onto the floor at his feet.  “You dropped it, Mom!” he shouted.  Yup, sure did buddy.

Rewinding a bit – we went to a high school football game on Friday night.  Although Liam was a big squirrely, we still had a great time rooting for our local high school.  We ate burgers and cheered and booed and went home to bed at the half.  Jack loved following the cues of the crowd and cheering along.  Liam was only interested in riding the school bus to and from the stadium to the parking lot – the highlight of his Friday.

After this diversion, we spent the bulk of the rest of the weekend getting the house in shape.  We did – no joke – ten loads of laundry.  We did two full dishwasher loads, and I handwashed a whole sinkful besides.  I made corn muffins, corn chowder, and baked some potatoes to use later in omelettes and lunches.  I decorated the house, an endeavor that took longer than usual since this is a new house and I had to figure out where to put things.  The husband hung icicle lights outside.  The boys systematically dismantled everything we put in place, which is their job, I guess.

Even with all of these chores to do, the Professor and I managed to escape on Saturday morning for an associates’ holiday brunch, which we thoroughly enjoyed.  I made homemade cinnamon rolls, one of the only recipes I retained from my time I spent working in a bakery.  After fretting all morning over the yeast and whether they would prove, I basked in the glow of multiple compliments on their awesomeness.  Yeast always makes me nervous.  It’s probably best that I no longer work in a bakery.

Anyway, having spent several hours Saturday morning sipping poinsettias and mimosa and eating bagels, cinnamon rolls, pulled pork, and chocolate cake, I endured a less enjoyable Saturday afternoon feeling bloated and grumpily barking at the children to leave the Christmas decorations alone.  Sunday was better – more productive, more festive, less shouting on my part.

And now the week has begun.  Work is picking up.  I still don’t really have to log in at night – just 10-11 hours a day, M-F, plus 2-3 on either Sat or Sun, which probably sounds heinous to many people but to most lawyers sounds like heaven.  I’m studying to take the Florida bar in February – ohmygod, rite? – learning how to manage my caseload (so many moving targets), and going to oh so many fundraising/client development/client appreciation/mixer/bar events.  If you count the socializing stuff, I probably work at least another ten hours a week on top – luckily they usually involve alcohol and pleasant conversation (and I often can get home from them in time to tuck in the boys).

Now I’m going to go pretend to read about Florida criminal procedure while watching a Property Brothers on t.v.  I’ll be asleep in about five minutes, no doubt.