Such a perfect day.

It's beautiful outside, and Korbin is finally able to wear shorts. It's also a blessing for the simple reason that there are no clean pants.
We went to the zoo yesterday and had a real nice time with the cuz's. It was a little bit cool, but we spent plenty of time indoors looking at the jungle and aquarium and desert. We stopped for dinner on the way home, and that may have been the highlight of my day. We had the back room of the Happy Chef all to ourselves. The kids ate well and got rowdy while the adults finally got to sit still and talk. Nice time.

Brisk

Cold came in so fast. The runoff didn't have time to pool properly before it froze. Milky ripples and runners caught in mid flow. I was walking through a puddle there yesterday. Now it is so cold the robins won't jump out of your way until you're within arm's reach. They sit in plump quiet groups, huddled on the sunny side of the bushes, trying to draw warmth from the ground. I feel you, robins!

Pencil neck geeks

I was debating a trip to the zoo in Omaha on Friday. I sat thinking while I was at work yesterday. I ended up with the impression that I should go. Since I've used up the majority of my vacation time already, I requested a non-paid day from my boss. It's a pretty significant bite out of a future paycheck. However, today I was checking the amount that will be deposited on Friday, and it is much higher than usual! Frugal use of funds pays off, but the timing of this discovery was encouraging to me. The non-paid day has already been taken care of! It should be a good trip.

Save this...!

Daylight savings time is the bane of the post modern man. Nothing is untouched by the accelerating flux of future turning present. We don't need any help getting there by yanking the whole timetable an hour ahead! Leave us the once unassailable right to call 24 hours a day. You have stolen a part of my life that I will never get back!
Until autumn anyway... I'll save my thank you till then

Oh yes indeed it's fun time

Korbin and I went to Home Depot to build a little project this morning. They gave us a kit and an apron for free and turned us loose to build our project. We built a little wooden race track that came with a couple slot cars. Korbin did most of the work himself. I held the nails while he pounded them in. He did his own gluing too. I assembled it wrong, so it was a little goofy when we finished, but still fun. After that we went to Hy-Vee for a cooking class. Korbin made a chicken pot pie and a fruit cobbler. It was delicious!

Harbinger

A host of robins chattered in the trees as I walked toward work, into the breeze.
Korbin is having big emotions for his age. Donor Justin has no idea. If I could flip a switch in Korbin's head to turn off any affection he has for his runaway dad, I probably would. The guy doesn't deserve to spend time with Korbin. Doesn't deserve to have any attachment still, after proving himself irresponsible. I was ok with my emotions, but when Korbin's emotions get all astir and he loses his footing, I get upset. Makes me want to cuss.

Donor

Korbin's biological is in town. Korbin spent yesterday afternoon and evening with him, and most of the day today. It's been almost a year since they've seen each other. Korbin seems to enjoy their time together but I can see that their relationship is more like a child and Santa Claus than a child and a father. What kid doesn't like Santa? He gets you presents! But not many kids want to be Santa when they grow up. Santa doesn't parent. He flits in once a year and tickles your fancy before flying far away again. I'm cool with it. I was hoping I would be, and I am reassured.