Sometimes it’s just weird to be around Iowa City without anything to do. But it sure is nice. No running around to get the car packed and Ava loaded up for a trip to Madison or Decorah or Chicago. No big social events to buy food and wine for. No parties to dress up and find sitters for. It’s healing.
On the other hand, I sound like a real fogie. What’s next, Golden Girls reruns and brimming glassfuls of Metamucil?
In truth, we did get out and have a little adult fun this weekend. Leah and I accompanied another couple to Cafe Dodici for dinner on Saturday night. It was a nice time. The restaurant is about a 30-minute drive from I.C., but it was a beautiful evening; we even saw a non-flattened, real live coyote near the road on our way home. Leah likes Dodici because none of the meals contain garlic (an Italian place with no garlic on the menu…go figure). This visit I ordered the penne vodka, which was a tad on the bland side (I couldn’t help pointing out to Leah that it would’ve been tastier with a bit of garlic on board). My latest Cook’s has a recipe for the same dish, so I’m hoping to try that soon for comparison; Kevin made it recently, and Rachel reports that it was quite good.
Ava’s still battling the remnants of an ear infection/cold, but her spirits are generally good. I made some scrambled eggs w/ ham for her this morning, and as I sat down to eat with her, she looked up at me and said, “Daddy, feed me like you would do a baby.” Crazy kid.
We’re still hammering out Thanksgiving/Christmas plans. I think everything is pretty much set. I had an inspiration Saturday morning for a perfect Christmas gift for Rachel and Leah, so I’m now officially over my mandated giving allowance — sorry, G.G.! Blame Santa.
Leah’s at the doctor with Ava right now to have her checked over. We also have an appointment set for an official ear recheck at the hospital that put her tubes in, and they should be able to give us a better idea whether Ava’s going to need another set. I really hope she can start fighting off these infections on her own, without the tubes. She’s put on two pounds since her 24-month checkup, which is the equivalent of you or me packing on 20 pounds in a week.