samjevans

[samjevans]

Sam: Something like this? 🙄🙄 Yep, totally can feel it. Sam: Did you have a good day? Got any presents? Yay!Can't wait to see you again. And we can totally do whatever you want when you're here.

Text | Mack & Sam

Sam: sooooo, this is NOT late but more like 362 days early 😜😅 Happy Birthday!!! Here's to another year of staying and feeling as young as you want. 🥳🎈🎉🥳 Mack: Can you feel me rolling my eyes at you? Mack: But, thank you. I'll try and come out for a visit soon, maybe we can do something?

#t:mack

[samjevans]

Thank you, thank you.... I can totally understand that you're more into the commercial side of it. With a kid, it's way more fun to go for an egg hunt and have a huge breakfast or brunch with the whole family. Do you have everything ready for Passover this year or do you still have to stock up on things?

Uhm, thanks, I guess? I think I'm getting a little bit too old for the whole prank-pulling thing.

Oh, thanks. Any and all inspo is welcome. Feel free to use the map idea. It helped me out for many years now.

First, let me begin by wishing you a Happy Easter. I admit that my own celebration of it has leaned more towards the commercial aspects than the religious as I traditionally celebrate Passover, but the last few years have given me a deeper connection to both sharing something like this with your child has that effect. Secondly, let me applaud you for not contributing to the sophomoric practice of April Fool's, whatever your reasons for it. As to your question, We have a few things planned, but nothing too far off the beaten path. I can send you a copy of my itinerary if you'd like for whatever inspiration it may provide. And I will be stealing your map idea.

#c: rachel

[samjevans]

It's hard at times to figure out how they keep track of when Easter is, so I just gave up on trying to make sense of it all. Have you never pulled an April Fools? I always liked pulling the small jokes, you know. Like tell people their fly's open, or their laces are untied... and it's extra funny when you manage to have someone look down to check their laces while they're wearing shoes without any laces in them. Uhm, I'm slowly accepting that I'm getting too old for stuff like that. Yay, that makes me feel happy to hear you say that. I like drawing them. He did? Awesome! It was so much fun to help you put it together. So up for doing it again next year.

The date for Easter fluctuates a stupid amount, so it was definitely early in some sense of the word. I never got into April Fool's myself, but I feel like the older you get the more annoying it becomes because really serious stuff suddenly feels like it's being joked about even when it's not. Did you actually come up with anything or did you accept that you're finally too old? I loved your little Easter Egg map, it was so damn cute. Also, thanks so much for the help getting that Easter basket together, he loved it.

#c:mack

[samjevans]

How about wrapping yourself in bubble wrap? That could help prevent some bruising? Skiing is so much fun.

Ah okay, that makes sense. It feels like it's getting warmer earlier in the year all over the place and longer too. The weather is crazy at times.

Going to keep my fingers crossed that one day you find a place where that's a thing. Do they still do that Ham4Ham thing at the theater where they perform Hamilton? That's like the closest thing to it, I think.

Exactly, no shame in doing that at all. Better safe than sorry and all that.

Not me. And not just because of the cold; with my co-ordination--or lack thereof--skiing and I do not mix well. Running is about as athletic as I can manage without too much bruising.

Dang Right! Go, Us!

Yes and no. Shreveport just gets hotter in general, so I grew up used to that sort of heat. There were also had a lot fewer buildings around blocking the summer breeze when I was growing up, which you think would sort of balance things out, but it also gets warm here later than it does back home so my Southern summer loving heart is suffering through the cold more than it's used to.

If I could find a watch Broadway from my porch, that would be the best of both worlds 😁

Good. No shame in looking for help when you're out of your element, but plenty in not admitting your own limits.

#c:juliette

[samjevans]

Deal, you'll get a whole photoshoot of me and my bubble bath crown.

Family is like the most important thing ever, right? If you know what I mean, not just family-family but also your chosen family. Sometimes those are even more important. But that's just my 2 cents.

Uhm, some good bubble bath?? Ha. But seriously, I don't know, home made cookies are always welcome.

If you do, I will need pictures.

It can be a challenge getting all of our schedules to line up, but as they say, if it's important, you find a way. And family has always been very important to me.

Can't wait. I'll start putting together a housewarming basket for the big day. Anything in particular you'd like me to include?

#c: rachel

[samjevans]

A bubble crown? I never thought about doing that, but I'm going to try it next time I'm taking a bath.

I can imagine that with Quinn's and your schedule, it's even harder to find time to visit Lima. For me, it's going to like double the road trip to go and see my folks, but you know me, I love going on trips and camping and stuff so that actually is more like a pro instead of a con.

Yeah, awesome! I'll let you know when things are fully done so you can come and visit.

I do. And I appreciate it more now than I ever have.

My daughter agrees with you. She's especially fond of using the extra bubbles for bubble crowns.

That is one of the larger drawbacks to leaving your childhood hometown. Quinn and I try to make it back to Lima a few times a year to visit, and I try to get my fathers to come up for a weekend here or there when I can, but the distance does present an issue.

That said, I'll add you and your home to the list of places to visit as soon as those guest rooms are ready.

#c:rachel

[samjevans]

True, true. Before you know it you can go skiing cuz there's snow in April, ha.

Practice makes perfect. We've got this!!

Does it also depend on where you are? Like, 80 in Tenessee feels different than, for instance, 80 in downtown NYC with all the tall buildings and hot pavement. Just wondering.

Yeah, they're awesome with all the help. Sometimes we just hang out, chilling with Banner. I like having them around. A porch with a swing or some rocking chairs. I'm bringing some Southern vibes to this place, ha. I like the way you look at that, it's a pretty sweet trade, Broadway shows instead of a porch.

Yeah, I already found a contractor to help me with the hot shop. I'm good at a lot of things when it comes to renovating and building things, but I'm leaving that to the pros. There are too many things that could go wrong, what with all that heat it has to be able to resist.

Mother Nature is a wily one; you never know what she's going to get up to next.

One of the big seven, yep. And one I admit I struggle with myself at times. This will be good practice for us both.

See, now there we differ; 80 is where my sweet spot starts as far as heat goes. Well, just a hair under if we're being technical, but 80 is almost always a happy me.

Yeah, they were telling me y'all are working together on it. And yes, a porch is a must. The best I can manage here is a balcony--and a small one at that--which isn't even close to being a proper replacement, but that's what you get for living in the city. All the Broadway shows you could every want at your fingertips, tiny little balcony instead of proper porch.

Oooh. I do hope you're bringing in some professionals for that last bit. Not to doubt your DIY skills, but it would be a shame for you to put in all that hard work just to have it all burnt down because you missed a bolt, or put something a little too close to something it shouldn't have been. And in either case, I eagerly look forward to what you'll make once you get it all set up.

#c:juliette

[samjevans]

Is Easter super early this year, or is it just me who feels that way? It's not even April! Speaking of that, I solemnly swear not to pull any April Fool's jokes on anyone this year. I don't know if it's cuz I'm getting older and I'm losing my touch or cuz I'm too tired to think of any good jokes. (Does anyone have something good planned? I promise not to steal your ideas.) Hopefully it's the last one and all it takes is a couple of nights of sleep. I forgot how much energy it takes to hide eggs in a new place. I had to find good hiding places and mark them all on a map so my yard doesn't start to smell really bad in a couple of days because some aren't found. Keep your fingers crossed that the neighbor's kids have fun.

#starterwhatif

[samjevans]

Ah, I get it. She starts looking more and more like her mom when it comes to that. Now you know what it's like to be in our shoes, ha. Still luv ya, a zillion questions and all, but you know that, right?

Wow, extra bubbles! Those bubble baths are even better than the normal ones.

Yeah, you can. Moving up here has been a life-changer. A good one, something I should have done sooner. The only downside is that visiting my folks isn't as easy as it used to be, but I'll make it work. Plus they can always come and stay here for a few days when all the guestrooms are totally updated. Some goes for ya'll, feel free to drop by when you need a little escape from the city.

It wasn't the explanation itself that took 2 hours; that took about 10 minutes. It was answering the many--and oft repeated--questions about various whys that took the remaining hour and 50 minutes.

But you are right; if not for Moriah's part in all this I wouldn't have ended our gardening session with a well deserved bubble bath. With extra bubble.

And can I assume from your rosy outlook on life that things are going well for you?

#c:rachel

[samjevans]

Yeah, that was the one I meant. The weather is weird at times.

I want to, but I'm not gonna to try and figure out what secret you're holding. Patience is a virtue or something like that, right? So I'm going to try and do that, yep...

Nah, you're not biased, or maybe a little, but I get where you're coming from. I'm the same. Well, except for the heat. Anything above like 80 degrees, I'm gonna hide in the shades, or in front of the AC, ha.

The reno is going great. We're pretty much on schedule. Couldn't have done it without Mack. They're a great help in this all. Still need to work on the porch (any house needs a good porch, just saying) the second guestroom still needs some updating, and, of course, a doggie mansion for Banner. I think the biggest project left is changing the shed to a hot shop so I can do some serious glassblowing at home.

The one in the Sierras? I have, and just reading about it has me reaching for extra blankets.

And yes it is. :D

Always fun visiting with family. At least visiting mine, but I might be a tiny bit biased when it comes to them (and the food back home, the oh so very delicious food). And it's hard to go wrong with a lazy summer day spent in the shade and a tall glass of Sweet Tea to get you through the worst of the heat. Though I might be a little biased there as it takes a lot of heat for me to consider even calling it bad let along worse.

How are the renovations going? You get past the half-way point yet?

#c:juliette

[samjevans]

Did you hear about that snowstorm sweeping over Cali at the moment? Last days of winter indeed, ha. You know me, super curious all the time so about this secret you're keeping to yourself for now... Is it a fun one?

Uhm, not sure yet what my plans will be; depends on how the whole fixing up of the rooms still left to fix up in my new house are going. But I at least want to spent some time visiting my folks. Other than that, I don't know, just relax and enjoy the hopefully sunny and not too hot days.

All Y'all don't even know how excited I am for Spring to get here. And not just because it means we're one step closer to some decently warm weather around these part (but, shhh, that other reason is still a secret for now). But while we wait out these last, cold days of winter, I am dying to know what are all y'all's plans for Spring/Summer

#c:juliette

[samjevans]

Not gonna lie, kinda curious why it took 2 hours to explain why you weren't planting those seeds outside but hey, at least you finished the whole planting thing with a bubble bath, so that's good right?

After spending two hours explaining to my daughter why we we weren't planting them outside, I spent the last three hours cleaning up from her 'helping' me get my spring seeds potted, including a bubble bath for both of us.

I'm starting to understand why some people find me exhausting.

Still love her to bits and wouldn't trade one second for anything.

#c:rachel

[samjevans]

Just picture me walking around with a silly big grin on my face that just refuses to fade. Next time we're gonna make some non-ruined pictures so you have happier memories with that doofus. I wonder how long it's gonna take for Rach to figure out you're talking about my Banner, it's funny to read, and makes me giggle whenever I see it.

Any plans for Halloween??

Good, because it's the truth. Exactly. I am. Any and all bruises have faded as they should, with nothing but the "ruined" pictures to prove it.

#c:mack

[samjevans]

Uhm... well to be honest... uhm... his owner is pretty okay with you saying that. The whole stick thing is fun till they manage to take you out with one of them. Are you okay, though? Any pain or bruises left from it?

It's alright! And I think they're both good boys, but only if his owner is okay with me saying that. And yeah, I don't know what it is with dogs and sticks that are bigger than them, but I was not expecting to get taken out at the knees because of it.

#c:mack

[samjevans]

Wow, that's a tricky question. I don't know if it's too soon or not. I think only you can answer that question. If it feels okay to make a dating profile then make one. If not, maybe wait a bit longer.

I wonder if I should make a date profile, or if it's still too soon to move on? Sorry, I'm mostly rambling to myself, I just miss having that special connection with someone.

#c: will

[samjevans]

No idea about any good Halloween parties over there, sorry. But I'm sure that there will be plenty of clubs that will have something planned, right? Is this friend of yours getting a slight case of last-minute nerves and cold feet before his wedding?

Any Halloween celebrations happenin' in the city? Asking for a friend who's totally not super freaked out about his own wedding and is trying to find a distraction.

#c:ryder

[samjevans]

St Bernard's owner feels really sorry for getting you hurt like that. He's a good boy, I mean Banner is, but he sometimes needs to remember he's not really small-sized. What is it with dogs trying to carry sticks around that are like 5 times their size anyway, right? And in his case, that kinda makes a stick more like a tree.

You know, for all the reasons I've had weird bruises before, "St Bernard with a giant stick" is a very interesting one. Not that I mind, per se, but I really didn't think he'd hit me that hard. Then again, I think a few of them might be from where I made contact with the ground.

Anyway, how is everyone else doing? Bruise free, I hope.

#c: mack