Yoo 272 - From Arthur's Perspective

I'm back home and at it after spending another short weekend in Houston. The Gregfan wanted to drive on over for a quick escape and Super Bowl party with his family. And of course he wanted me to go, who wouldn't want my company! (??) But I was torn. Weekends in Houston are always a good time. But it was going to make for a laaate Sunday night and I had all sorts of productive things* to do on the home front.

*nap, watch a movie, maybe (finally) put away camping gear...blog? weekend productive has a very different meaning.

I debated all about it thru the week and then on into my Saturday long run (rainy!) and right into the cool down. I walked into my home in a very cartoon mood, settled into my stretching in front of the TV, and booted up the Netflix.

And that's when the Katieroommate earned some points. Arthur was already in the queue! Perfect. I loved Arthur as a kid.

I started watching the first episode of season 10, "Happy 10th Anniversary", and just reveled in the nostalgia and my post-long run stretching. And also my chocolate coconut water and yogurt. Recovery food! Before too long though, I was completely absorbed.

(this is pathetic, but here we go).

Arthur was all sorts of stressed over scholastic things and coming up with a project illustrating perspective. He kind of put it off until the last minute because he had plans to watch his fav show, Bionic Bunny, at Buster's house. The season special! However, one misfortune led to another and he found himself, not at Buster's, but instead partying it up at a restaurant in the middle of nowhere with his family.

Ummm, the show's way better than it sounds, I promise.

(i don't think i'd make a good synopsis writer...).

My point is, at the end of the episode, Arthur delivers this report:

"I wanted to be watching TV with Buster. In fact, we all wanted something different that night. But we were stuck together as a family, and it turned out to be one of the best nights of my life. For me, perspective is realizing I'm part of something larger. Like a family, a town, a country, a planet. And even though we all have our own plans, sometimes, it's just good to be together.

I listened to that, and sat there thinking, "Wow, I just got told by an 8-year-old aardvark." It's like he was speaking right to me!

So, I'll skip all the "part-of-a-something-larger-relationship-quit-being-selfish-spending-time-together-most-important" mushy stuff and say I changed my perspective and went to Houston. And while it wasn't one of the "best weekends of my life", it was way better than what I had planned.

(though the Gregdriver still insists he could do without my constant serenading in the car...i mean, of course he loves it...).

One of the highlights was finally getting a batch of rice crispies to turn out! (and devouring most of them before they had cooled, per my new rule).


Also among the highlights was a trip to REI and wrestling with the kiddos and eating lots of delicious food and watching the Gregsniffler shoot snot rockets on the way to church and what? Snot rockets?? Yeah. Allergies are gross.

It's a good thing he's not a blogger or he'd be telling you all about my just-below-the-nose pimple that made my eyes tear up. Eek!

P.S. there is something therapeutic about an easy run in the evening, as the sun sets among storm clouds and the rain is coming down ever-so-softly. It's beautiful and peaceful and really brings life into perspective. Make time for the things and people you love! I'm constantly needing to remind myself that life is about enjoying the journey and not with a "I'll be happy when I finally reach this goal" mind-set. Getting out and enjoying a nice run seems to do that in a way that speaks to me.

Kind of like Arthur, apparently.

Have a great day :-)