Thoughtful at Yom Kippur

We live in a complex house, family that mirrors our world. It would be simple if all of us were Jewish, especially the same flavor and texture of Judaism. It would be nice if we all treasured the same holidays in the same style, withthe same feeling. Today Ruth, Chris, Liam and I celebrate the solemn day of Yom Kippur - amazing that Liam is already learning different holidays are different and not to offer food to people who are fasting - so much so fast. KK is in San Antonio visiting her mother, brothers, and baby sister. Bob is at school working on catching up with grading and parent phone calls. KK and Bob both respect the Jewish holidays and the mood around the High Holy Days, but what is mine isn't theirs. Tonight after we break our fast Bob will be home watching Texas Tech play UT on TV. I wouldn't probably turn on the TV for a day or two after You Kippur, even though the transition back to the every day is made at sunset. I like to treasure the quiet and contemplative, to move out of it gradually. We are not the same, all of us in this house, in any way, and sometimes that makes me sad. But then I think about the richness of diversity and the lessons in getting along that we sure need in the bigger, even more diverse world. and I'm thankful for the differences among us here at home - safe place to learn empathy and understanding.

A sweet new year

is what we wish for our household and yours. Rosh Hoshannah is for contemplation of the blessings of the old year and the beginning of introspection for the turning and reconciliations which will make the new year even sweeter. Liam in shul,swaying in the aisles, dancing to the music, clapping, resting under his Daddy's prayer shawl, hugging the rabbi, reaching joyfully for challah after the blessings is an inspiration and a delight. Co-housing with KK and Bob here is a little more complicated and also richer. Four adults with strong opinions coaching one young teen can be a little much at times. for us and for her. But the richness has got to outweigh the conflict.

Second Labor Day Co-housing

Last year I remember we were crazy busy Labor Day weekend, Ruth and Chris moving in, furniture all over the place and boxes everwhere, but Chris managed to grill a great dinner and we ate it together on the table in the front yard-no deck back then. This year there is much more order and beauty in the house, Bob is home for good, KK lives with us,and Liam isa big running, jumping, English speaking, helpful, no-saying little boy. Our holiday weekend was a delight with a Saturday family hike at Enchanted Rock, dinner that night at Marie and Bill's house, homework, chores, walks on Sunday, errands and a visit from Joanna today. Ruth cut my hair tonight, such a treat - trimmed it and shaped it a little. The house is full of apples, in preparation for Rosh Hoshannah, which comes early this year.

Life together one year in

Co-housing has been like so many things in my life - exactly what I hoped for and not exactly as I expected. When we planned for Ruth and Chris and Liam to move in and started the process last year, I really didn't think Bob would get an Austin teaching job for this year, and he has. I sure didn't expect K.K. to be living with us, or that we would be working on a little house in the back yard. I also did not have any sense of how verbal and delightful, and fully strongly PRESENT Liam would be in the family. He is so conversant, such an English speaker so early, with preferences and needs and a sense of humor of his own. Last night family dinner was delicious (thank you Chris, and all the more special for being prepared on a long work day when we were all tired), and in the midst of dinner preparation Liam asked for music and Ruth put on They Might be Giants playing songs about science that Bob might use with his sixth graders. K.K., Ruth, Liam and I all got to dancing and Liam was still boogying in his seat as he started to feed himself chicken and black beans. Moments like that fit the feeling of what I hoped from co-housing, but aren't anything I could have exactly expected.

It's all done (well on the inside anyway)

KK's house has windows and a cut out for the A.C. It does NOT, however, have a doorknob, drywall, wiring or even a real floor. (All to come in good time)

I did plug in the AC just to see what would happen and was pleasantly surprised to find that it DID cool the space off despite the HUGEly high ceiling and the fact that today was literally 105 degrees outside!

Progress.

KK's here!

KK's house is in progress and we've talked her into starting her own blog to share it with you all. Check it out here (and comment frequently to encourage her!)

Hello House!

They are all set to begin construction on KK's house tomorrow. Whoo hoo! Soon there will be more than just a door on the back porch and windows in the garage. Soon there will be walls and a roof (and skylights even!)

Happy anniversary co-housing (and welcome additional co-houser!)

When Grandma asked, at dinner, what a happy surprise had been for each of us as a result of the co-housing Liam answered, without hesitation, "Gee Gee" (KK) and I think we all feel the same way. Thanks, Kiddo, for sweeping the deck and loading the dishwasher because it needs to be done. Thank you for walking Duffy and giving great hugs. Thanks for being a good sport about falling off your bike and starting a new school and not having a room of your own yet. Thank you for watching Liam when I need to take a shower and for letting him chase you on the plasma car over and over.

You are a great neice and an awesome cousin. We are all lucky to have you. I love you bunches and bunches (and you are STILL my cuppycake).