What I really need right now is a goofy little novel to read, a chick-flick-in-print, if you will. A little Meg Ryan, a little Hugh Grant… nothing too heavy, no drama, no political nonsense, just some fluff to breeze on through. Please, nothing thought-provoking and heaven forbid it be the least bit relevant or timely. No thanks. Not now.
Before the children, I gobbled up books on my Spring Break. In the summer time, I would go through stacks and stacks. Back then, I thought it was important to buy all the books that I read. John and I would spend hours at Barnes and Noble on a Tuesday afternoon, each emerging from our own favorite area of the store with a pile of books under arm. We’d talk briefly about what we found, both feigning interest in the others’ selections, without any actual intention of reading them.
(The library gets a lot more of my business these days. I’m the patron who uses up all her renewals and then ends up with a $2.00 fine because even after 6 weeks, I’m not done and to be honest, the book is lost somewhere at bottom of my diaper bag anyway. But I digress…)
When Ellie was born, I took up crossword puzzles. Baby Brain had taken its toll on me somethin’ fierce and I thought that maybe if the crosswords worked well for senior citizens, then they might help me stay sharp also. Each night before bed, I set out to solve the puzzles in the Easy section of my books. I don’t know how well they work for memory in the over-65 crowd, but I can tell you that my brain still requires a lot of post-it notes to function properly.
Then of course, After, the bookshelf was filled with books about Down syndrome. It is fascinating and enriching and important, but sometimes, I get so saturated with Down syndrome and non-fiction and and life that I just need to take a step back.
Our Spring Break was full. So full. We are prepping the house for the big move. I painted a lot. John put down a floor. We had the help of our tremendous family. On the eve of a Monday back to work, I’m reeling a little bit – I’m not quite sure what happened or how it happened or when our actual ‘break’ might take place. And this is why I just want light, fluffy, nonsense. And maybe a glass of wine. Please and thanks.
(Cuteness in photos coming soon…)
Yo soy La Lay 
I seem to remember buying you “I heart my little a-holes” for Christmas. If you haven’t read that yet I suggest picking it up. Short, lighthearted chapters. A book that requires very little time investment but you’ll breeze through anyway. And you’ll almost pee your pants at least once laughing so hard. At least I did 😊
Yes! First of all, I’m missing my box of Christmas presents somewhere in the black hole that is my bedroom right now…. but on top of that, I am in a “I don’t want to think about parenting at all in the last moments before I fall asleep phase.” Saving that one for beach reading in Michigan!