If We Were Having Coffee On A Road Trip

If we were having coffee, I’d ask how’re you doing? I know it’s been a while.

Picture this, on Monday.

‘Isla, get dressed, please.’

‘I hafta finish my toast.’

Good point, go with that.

‘Isla, get dressed now.’

‘I hafta finish my juice.’

OK, vitamins.

‘Isla, get dressed.’

‘Well, your hair is either grey, or the color of poo.’

I got nothin’.

‘Mummy, do penguins have a good sense of smell?’

Survey says: maybe.

And so began our morning routine after two weeks off school, and three days on the road.

We managed to get her in her uniform (a bit shorter after only two weeks, tall child.) She also got out the door on time.

I realize I haven’t written in a while and for that there is little excuse. Except school holidays, and a road trip, and waking up every day and losing a little bit more of my desk space, and who moved my laptop?

But the thing is this. I’ve done a non-scientific experiment.

When I don’t write, I turn into a giant bitch. Which is different from the medium-sized resting bitch face that happens. (Growing slightly larger thanks to the cheese snacks I’m stuffing into it.)

Hi.

Isla left for school on Monday, and my Dad’s at the table. We’re working on more episodes of this show.

I want to talk to him, because he’s here. And I can. But I also want to write. But I can’t find my laptop.

And so, I wrote notes for this post on my kid’s outdated school lunch menu, with a chewed up pen.

Hi.

The notes look like this:

Write a coffee post.

Roadtrip

NaNoWriMo

Pumpkin spice or salted caramel?

Life update

*

Yes, really.

So, let’s start.

The Road Trip

Regular readers will know that disappearing off in the car is one of our favorite things to do as a family. We load up music and books and car snacks and head to Edinburgh or Glasgow or Inverness. Or New York. But that involves more than the car.

Last week, we went back to Inverness.

Isla must be getting older because we didn’t do a toy store trip first thing. But we did go to the mall, because I wanted a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Yes, I am that kind of girl. A fall girl.

There was a dinosur exhibit at the mall, complete with large but plastic dinos, crafts, and dinosaur tattoos. And the Jurassic Park soundtrack. I had a moment.

Then my husband, who used to play ice hockey as a kid, wanted to take Isla skating for the first time. But that wasn’t happening during the week.

So we went bowling instead. Right after we got sat-nav lost.

Isla said she wanted to see the slide I get to use.

Also, did I mention I’m very competitive? I’m very competitive.

Mark it zero.

And this is an action shot of Isla and me using the slide or ramp:

My strategy to launch slightly off-centre got me an 83. I wanted to play again the next day.

But we went to the movies instead. And Abominable is one of the most actually beautiful films I’ve seen in a long time.

The next day was pancakes and a museum trip.

Now.

I’m all for people watching and sometimes talking to strangers.

However.

Don’t cut in on conversations that have nothing to do with you.

And so, we’re eating our pancakes. Neil is putting together a new game for Isla, and we’re talking about going to the museum. Minding our own business.

‘You won’t get to the museum in the buggy. It’s up a hill.’ Says the lady at the next table.

And I actually look around. Because Isla used a buggy like once in her life, outside. I always wore her when we were out. And unless I’ve miraculously sprouted a second child who prefers a pram/stroller/ buggy, there was no buggy.

‘Oh, I meant the chair.’

‘Which is not a buggy. And I’m not having this conversation.’

Because I was off duty. If self-advocacy and disability awareness were a job, and it is, I was out of the office. Except we’re never off, really.

We did manage to get to the museum. Complete with English and Gaelic in the lift. I’d have found it very relaxing if it weren’t for the um, stuffed animals looking at us from every angle.

After hunting for car snacks without E numbers, we got in the car with a bucket of pretzels and headed up the road.

NaNoWriMo

I’m thinking of being a NaNo rebel this year and writing non-fiction essays. Something that I could actually, finally turn into a book.

My mantra for November will be ALL THE WORDS. Read more about my NaNoWriMo plans here.

Will you be participating in NaNoWriMo?

And the real question of the post: Pumpkin Spice or Salted Caramel?

See, I like all seasons for different reasons. But fall has the most reasons. Pumpkin Spice is one of them.

And if, like me, you find yourself mostly far away from your favorite fall drink, maybe try this Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe at home.

Salted Caramel is not is not my favorite.

Life Update

It’s been an interesting month in the Frosty North. Doing what I call a bunch of disability admin over here. Forms and phone calls, which turn into phone tag.

I hate the phone. I’d love you forever if you write me a damn letter or email, but I hate the phone.

So my chill out time has been extra important lately. My family time, my human being time.

You guys. Two cool things, though.

Neil and I have been together 10 years today. More on that later. We call it Coffee Date Day, and here’s our first coffee date over here.

And, and.

I’M GETTING A NEW WHEELCHAIR.

This is an ALL CAPS DEAL.

Because I’ve had my current chair for 16 years.

I’ve literally loved the shit out of it, and driven it til it’s fallen apart.

I don’t know how we’ve got to 16 years, except to say I haven’t trusted any other chairs.

But my current one is so out of shape my back hurts, and the chair itself has been called a relic. Again, more on that later.

And so, I’ve been fitted for a new one, and I’m hoping for Happy New Chair Day around Christmas.

If you use a chair, when’s the last time you got a new one?

If we were having coffee, I’d say thank you for sticking with me.

It’s your turn now, tell me everything.