A tad bit of normalcy

Cooper realizing how good it feels to be normal for a few days

I am pleased to announce that Cooper and I actually had a semi-normal weekend over the past few days! I almost forgot what normal was and how great it is to do things other than work. Granted, we had brief moments on our computers that were work related, but overall because it was a long weekend we had more time to do the things we used do oh so long ago. We even watched two movies on Thanksgiving night! We have not watched a single movie in months!!

I have to admit I hadÂ a little bit of too much energy because this “freedom” was so exciting to me.Â We wentÂ for a long walk down CollegeÂ Ave to campus and back on Friday andÂ the entire time I felt like I had just had 29879823598Â energy drinks or something…everything around me was so amazing and beautiful or tasted good or felt so refreshing.Â I even had a moment when I got a little half choked up because it was like the best (but simplest) day in my life. It went like this:

1.) Sleep in
2.)Â Have a long breakfast eating my favoriteÂ bowl of oatmeal (see previous post)
3.) Go for a long walk in the bright sunÂ with a brisk breeze
4.)Â Go into any of the shops alongÂ the way for as long as you want
5.) Stop on the way back at Naan’n Curry (or Curry House I think it is now called) for chicken tikka masala and tea
6.) Go home and crash
7.) Go for another walk because you need a couple of things from Trader Joe’s. You can walk to Trader Joe’s now!
8.) Go into more shops along the way because you can.
9.) Go home and crash
10.) Eat Thanksgiving Day leftovers and sip Cooper’s favorite sparkling red wine.

Author: Ali Carras

At a very young age I lost site of my mom in a local grocery store in Boulder, Colorado. I did, however, have the smarts to go to the customer service counter. The kind woman at the counter asked "What is your name little girl?" My reply: "Assi." The woman gave me a look like, "Are you playing with me you little devil?" but she proceeded to blast on the loudspeaker the "We have a lost Assi at the front of the store." Customers throughout the store gagged and giggled, but my mom knew exactly who the woman was referring to: the mullet haired little girl with a tongue too big for her mouth, wearing a leotard, skirt, tights, and jelly shoes (with florescent green laces in them...even though they didn't need the laces). A shy little character for whom every little detail in life was a huge thing. I am pleased to report that today I am able to fully pronounce Allison (aka Ali), but the Assi pseudonym has always stuck, evolving into Aszi. As for the shy little character for whom every little detail in life was a huge thing? Some things never change. I have closed my comments due to mass amounts of spam that no filter could ever control. Feel free to contact me abeckord [at] gmail.com! View all posts by Ali Carras