Mystery Solved

Well I feel like a complete dumbass writing about this the day after I posted a tearjerker about the war and life and death. But that's what blogs are for, right? The mundane punctuated by occasional emotional depth. This post is of the mundane variety.

This morning I found the ring I lost. Last week, I was really sleep deprived (Zoe was sick and waking often) and I had a dream about an old friend who was admiring one of my rings--a sterling silver spiral. That morning after my shower, I noticed it was gone. I looked in the bed, in the shower, all over and couldn't find it. Part of me was a bit freaked out because I seriously wondered, did I swallow it? Or did I take it off in my sleep to "show" it to him and then tossed it somewhere? It was a little unnerving. This morning as I was scooping some lotion out of its container, I found my ring in there! It must have slipped off while I was gooping myself after the shower.

Another follow-up: a month or so ago I wrote about eating at Urban Taco and how awesome the food and margaritas were. I went back last night and was a little disappointed. Both times I had the margarita de oro. The first time, it was incredible. Seriously among the best margaritas I'd had in Dallas. It had some orange juice and Cointreau and instead of regular salt they used a cayenne salt around the rim, which gave the drink an amazing blend of sweet, sour, and spicy. I'm still thinking about that damn 'rita! I ordered the same thing again last night, and sadly, it wasn't nearly so good. They gave me a more or less standard rita. I'm not sure if they used fresh lime juice the first time and sweet and sour mix the second, or not as much OJ, and they were out of that special cayenne salt thing, but the experience was a bit of a letdown. Also, the tiny tacos were perfect on a Sunday afternoon between meals. On a Wednesday night, the small portions weren't quite enough for a full dinner. And my rice was a bit overcooked this time. Alas, maybe it was an off night. I think I'll give them another chance, but I might have to go back to La Duni for my awesome margarita fix.

The power of words

This is a really heartbreaking piece by Christopher Hitchens. He learns his writing inspired a 21-year-old to enlist for Iraq; the soldier dies while serving. Hitchens writes about his growing disenchantment with the war and how he felt when he heard his words had such a huge impact on a young person's life.

Setting Myself Up

I know this is such a stupid thing to say, because as soon as I write this down I will jinx it all. But ... for the past five nights or so, Zoe has slept through the night. From 8 p.m. or so until 6 a.m. or so. And until we hit the six-month sleep regression, I'm going to enjoy the hell out of those few extra ZZZZs.

A sick bug

Zoe's been sick since Sunday and Nate and I have traded taking off days from work this week. We are all a little sleep deprived, particularly Zoe. But I'm showing signs, too. I went to bed with three rings on and woke up with two. In a dream, someone asked to see one of my rings and I remember holding out my hand to show it to him. That ring is the one that's missing this morning. I'm wondering if I took it off in my sleep.

I'm also feeling much more like a mother these days. I guess cupping your hand under a little person's mouth to catch vomit without even thinking about it does that to a person.