Dear Boots and Tea,

I used to thrive on constantly moving and “doing”.  Dare I call it chaos?  But recently I’m finding myself gravitating toward simplicity and calm. So your grounding theme of letters couldn’t have been more appropriate to guide me through May.  After all, what can be more simple than your A-B-Cs? 

But then I got to thinking…

Letters create words.  And words create sentences that create books and journals and news stories and love notes and business plans.  They create art in the form of poems and road signs so we don’t get lost. 

Letters strung together in the right ways can be inspiring - love, smile, freedom, dance. Or they can be hurtful when pieced together in others - ugly, racism, war, fat.

Letters create languages filled with words that have the power to close cultural gaps or create ideological divisions.  (Who would have thought 140 characters could start a revolution?)  And they create words that define us - wealthy, mother, smart, single.

Wow, letters can be pretty complex!

I look at the words you have chosen for each letter of the alphabet and how intimately connected you are by the rich stories behind them, and am moved by the honesty, courage, and strength within each.  What a beautiful reminder how important the words we share are (and to choose them wisely).

Sincerely,

Michela

**

You can see more of Michela's photos and travel writing at My Battered Suitcase and she has an entire album of found letters photography.

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Happy day-after-birthday to Jack! I hope his pool party was a splashin' good time, and I adored your Boots & Tea birthday tribute to him yesterday. And I'm guessing we might get to see more memorable cupcakes by chef Tea? It's a just-us-girls holiday weekend here...as in Ticket and me, plus some cool gals coming over for a photog workshop this evening, plus breakfast and a power walk with a girlfriend tomorrow, and teaching a photog class to more awesome shutter sisters tomorrow afternoon. And I'm back to painting. This time, I'm spiffing up the hallway, which has had one coat of paint only, and that was in the 70's. Eeeeeew! It was poorly done to begin with, and it is now dirty and scuffed. Remember how shortly after my husband left I became obsessed with painting everything white (until the stress and late nights led to pneumonia)? Well, this time I'm not in a frantic panic to cover up reality...I'm breathing deeply (lovely paint fumes) as I add some color and make this space my own. It's not about the past anymore...it's about what lay ahead. While the past few months have been quite a yo-yo of ups and downs, I'm on a steady uphill climb now, and it's getting more and more colorful all the time! Sincerely, Boots

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I love that Jack is old enough to carry on a conversation -- a real one or a lets pretend one. I love that he knows when he has to go to the bathroom and can take care of his business mostly by himself. I love that he's excited to get a lunchbox for school in the fall (even though it is just a half day in the morning). I love his infectious giggle. I love when he is sweet to the baby. I love when he and his brother play and giggle and naked wrestle together (except sometimes they play so rough it makes me really nervous but they seem totally unfazed so ...). I love that he knows if make up extra lines in his favorite books. I love that he can tell me when he is feeling happy or sad or mad or glad. I love how he loves to "fix" his toys with his toolkit. I love that he loves to eat foods he says are good for his body. I love that he still thinks his mommy is the prettiest girl, ever. I love that he still finds excuses to sit in my lap and that he sometimes justs wants a good snuggle. This three-year-old stuff seems pretty awesome so far.

Speaking of days on the calendar ... I owe you some dates for a visit, and soon! 

Sincerely,

Tea

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It's not that where I live is better than where you live...it's just a little more starry lights than neon, a little more marine than desert, a little more summer double-digits than triple. We have few cacti but plenty of moss. Zero palms, but forests of cedars. Heels, rarely; Birkenstocks a must, with socks. Few Porches, many Volvos. What taxis are to Vegas, ferry boats are to us. Just to name a few differences...Does that sound refreshing? If so, then yes, you need a Pacific Northwest vacation. I think it's safe to say that it's no longer a matter of if you are coming here for a visit, but when? Your personal tour guide is beyond anxious to show you around. Sincerely, Boots

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Sincerely,

Tea

p.s. I hope you're feeling better! I hate being sick, any time of the year.

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Okay, so I expect that we'll be sick pretty much non-stop from October through April. But into May, too?! I'm soooooo not in the mood for sore throats and snuffly noses right now. Grrrr! Sincerely, Boots p.s. Your dentist story is hilarious!

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Poor Dylan had to share his mommy date with Jack. Which meant today was really about Jack, or more specifically, Jack's need to pee. 

We had to stop three times (!!!) while driving for Jack to pee. I'm not complaining because at least he told me he had to go! But then he fell asleep (who can blame him -- it is 100 degrees here -- and a hot car makes for thirsty, sleepy babies) and missed the signals. 

So we arrived at Dylan's dentist appointment with a soggy Jack. While I attempted to clean him up in the dentist's bathroom (no change of clothes, mind you) Dylan lost it, so I gave him a snack. Minutes before he was to be seen by the dentist, I gave him a snack. So we walked into Dylan's appointment, soggy and spilling crumbs. Dylan had a death grip on his food, which I had to pry out of his hand so they could inspect his mouth without his stuffing more into it. 

Did I mention his black eye and rug burn? 

We were quite the sight today.

Sincerely,

Tea

p.s. So ... lets talk tattoos!

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Dylan has no fear. So I have it for him. 

We keep our couch pushed up against the windows because Dylan likes to perch on the top. He's figured out, however, how to stand on the window ledge behind the couch and launch himself down which freaks.me.out. but he does it so often without incident I've mostly stopped worrying. Two days ago, however, the couch had been pulled from the window. He didn't realize it and I didn't. So he toppled over the couch, expecting to find footing but instead fell to the floor and hitting his face on the ledge on the way down. Hello, goose egg. 

I spent Friday hovering over him, trying to decide if he needed medical attention. (My gut said no.)

Yesterday at a birthday party, Dylan found the biggest, tallest slide on the playground equipment. He decided he would own that slide. I was there to spot him once, twice, seven times. While I was waiting to spot him on his 8th descent, I saw his body toppling under the handrail of the staircase. I screamed as I watched him plunge to the ground. His fall was broken by his feet -- which somehow got hung up on the rail -- and his hands outstretched to break the fall.

I held him to my chest and rocked as Julius and other parents rushed to my side, cell phones poised to dial 911. Julius wanted to know details about the impact but I couldn't explain. I only knew that he was okay, that it could have been worse.

Dylan lasted all of a minute in my arms. Then he freed himself so that he could conquer his 8th descent of the slide.

Monday is a Dylan and Mommy date day. He has dentist and doctor well checks. I'm sure they're going to be super-impressed with his choice of accessories -- black eye from the couch, rugburn from the park. Probably they've seen it all before. Jack was exactly the same at this age. But I may need to add an appointment for myself because my heart, oh my heart!

Sincerely,

Tea

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Your married name is wonderful: Romasanta. I'd take it in a heartbeat. I heard from an informed source that you can legally change your name to anything you want with much ease. Although I love my first name, I've never been attached to my maiden name...and that chapter is over. And my married name? Ooof. While I thought I would want the same family name as my child...now I'm not so sure. So I've been scanning the phonebook in my free time. How do you like Smithers? Sukamaki? Mulvaney? Rose. Or how about a nature name like Bay? Cove? Madrona? Or a symbol, like Prince did? Here's what's on tap for this weekend: early morning garage sales and afternoon hiking with Sage on Saturday. Morning 12k race and afternoon photography class on Sunday. I'm looking forward to it all. What are you up to this weekend? Sincerely, Boots

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Sincerely,

Tea

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Last night, with a stack of peanut butter cookies to my right (expertly saved in the freezer for emergencies) and Ticket the kitten sleeping on my lap (sprinkled with cookie crumbs -- that looked like more fleas), I read through and signed the novella that is the final divorce papers. In legal language, our marriage is now dissolved. Poof! Gone into thin air! Now we just wait for the judge to whack his hammer thingy or do whatever he does -- we don't even have to be there, which is good because I am so done -- this thing tends to really push my buttons. Finally. Sincerely, Boots

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Last night, with a stack of peanut butter cookies to my right (expertly saved in the freezer for emergencies) and Ticket the kitten sleeping on my lap (sprinkled with cookie crumbs -- that looked like more fleas), I read through and signed the novella that is the final divorce papers. In legal language, our marriage is now dissolved. Poof! Gone into thin air! Now we just wait for the judge to whack his hammer thingy or do whatever he does -- we don't even have to be there, which is good because I am so done -- this thing tends to really push my buttons. Finally. Sincerely, Boots

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Sincerely,

Tea

p.s. We might need to break with the letters so that you can share a photo of your new kitten, fleas and all!!! 

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Neener Head is what Sage almost named her -- until he came up with Ticket, based on the carnival tickets we purchased earlier in the day. There has been much giggling, smiling, and baby talk around here in the 24 hours since we rescued our kitten from a toothless, obese smoker and her hillbilly poverty house (waist-high grass, duct-taped windows, and garbage-littered front yard) crawling with at least 20 other cats and almost as many kids. Oof. And here's the bad news: Ticket also came with fleas. So I've been spending every spare second bathing her with Dawn, combing her with a flea comb, and running to PetCo for various flea treatments. Am I freaked out, you ask? Hell yes!!!! Between my recent substitute teaching + lice experiences and my kitten + fleas situation, I am feeling very, VERY itchy! And I don't like it! Help! But man is she ever a cute little love budget! Remember how your own baby drooling just wasn't gross but your best friend's baby drooling was horrifying? That's how Ticket and her fleas are....we already love her so much that we are willing to declare war on the parasites. Every rose has its thorn, right? Sincerely, Boots p.s. Oh. My. God. There are fleas in my house. And I brought them in. What have I done?! Shoot me, please!

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Good girlfriends are so good for the soul. A crop of my favorites are leaving this summer for the next leg of their military adventure so we had a bit of a farewell on Saturday. We got all gussied up and headed down to the Strip. Being moms out on the town is so refreshingly low-drama. We're were just happy to be on a patio, enjoying a dinner. No need for ninja spill prevention moves. No coaxing a pint-sized companion to eat a bite of this or that. Our uninterrupted-by-children conversation was still hilariously sprinkled with momnesia. I laughed so hard I peed, and I know I wasn't alone. We hopped back into the limo at the stroke of midnight because nothing is more precious than sleep.

Mother's day here was lovely. The boys brought me breakfast in bed and a lens set for my iPhone. I can't wait to explore macro with the new lens! We went to lunch with my in-laws and I'm still drooling over how good the food was. We sent the boys home with their grandparents so we could begin packing in earnest, yuck, but also caught a movie last night. All in all, it was a great day.

Do you have a new kitten??? Do tell.

Sincerely,

Tea

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These are the things I wish for all the mums out there today because the thought of a day off with all three of these elements puts me in a darn good mood! I get to start this perfectly beautiful sunny morning with a run (just as soon as my rhubarb pie-induced tummy ache wears off a bit). When Sage gets home late this morning, we are going to go to the carnival for a couple hours. I can't wait to take carnival pictures; I've been so in love with yours! At 2:00, we have a very important appointment: we are going to inspect a litter of free kittens!!!!!! This evening, Sage is going to get a hair cut on the front lawn and do some homework with his Mum. Maybe we'll finish off the day with a bike ride around the neighborhood. How will you celebrate? Happy Mother's Day! Sincerely, Boots

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I'm off to the market this morning for my second season! In addition to the usual KidDo play dough, I'm introducing a couple of new items this year: Cutsie fabric covered and embellished hangers for the KidDo closet, vintage wallpaper-covered light switch plates, repurposed neckties for boys, and upcycled chalkboards. I'm curious to see if they sell! The girls are invited over tonight for some sisterhood, which in today's case means wine, rhubarb pie, and hanging out until whenever. One of the hidden benefits of getting divorced is having the opportunity (when Sage stays with his dad) to nurture my friendships. That feels gooooooooood. Thanks to my recent substitute teaching experiences, I had nightmares last night about lice and sending kids to detention. Not a good sleep. Sincerely, Boots p.s. One of our most dedicated readers has a birthday today -- happy birthday, Mom!

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I pulled Jack in close for a snuggle and told him, "I like hugs."

He responded, "Yeah, hugs are the best kind of toys."

Sincerely,

Tea

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I really liked your yogi tea quote; to me, it defines not only happiness, but also inspiration. These days, there's not much room in my busy schedule for inspiration, which usually knocks on my door when I'm the opposite of this crazy woman trying to cram as much as possible into each and every day. In fact, I think I need to do something about that. I guess I can't say I've been completely uninspired. My neighbor offered me free reign of his rhubarb patch so this evening, I harvested as much as I could carry. Then I started chopping. And chopping. And chopping. Just because I could, I think. And it felt good  whacking away on that fleshy rhubarb and staining the cutting board red until my right arm was limp from the effort. Two gallons of chopped rhubarb later -- enough for six pies -- I felt I'd been inspired (and I hope the feeling lasts through tomorrow night, pie baking night). Or possibly possessed. Most likely I'm just nuts. Did you know a synonym for "to inspire" in my thesaurus is "to breathe," your 2012 word? Yep, it is. Sincerely, Boots

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But here I am, buying a house in a place I never wanted to like. 

There you are, loving your surroundings if not your circumstance.

Maybe it will always be this way. This tit for that tat. 

As is often the case, I find wisdom in a cup of tea. "True happiness is when your mind and heart and soul are all engaged." So said my yogi tea. If I were in charge, I think I'd add: And you're getting enough sleep and exercise and the right balance of solo and together time. 

What would you add?

Sincerely,

Tea

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