A Red, White and Blue Color-Theme Riddle

The difference between Nicole and I is that I plan themes and then execute my themed plans, whereas Nicole executes plans and then discovers themes. For example, I might plan a dinner party around the theme “cave-aged cheese.” Whereas Nicole might plan a party, order some cheese and then realize, off the cuff, “Wow, I certainly have a lot of just cave-age cheeses, don’t I? Maybe we should run to the store and get some cheddar.” See what I mean?

My birthday is on Friday, so I am eagerly anticipating this gift-receiving occasion, which always helps to numb the pain/annoyance of turning another year older. Nicole said that my gifts are— appropriately—red, white and blue. An unplanned theme, she discovered, after buying them, I might add. I opened the first one tonight because she thought I would figure it out just by seeing the large, rectangular box. For the record, I wouldn’t. I ripped the box opened and was shocked to see a sewing machine because 1.) Although I did mention it several times over the past year, I didn’t think it was really registering with her that I really wanted one and 2.) a rational person would fear my making them shirts and pants and such on my new sewing machine, which, I am certain, will not be executed well for many years.

I am so excited and already plan on making oilcloth lunch bags and aprons and maybe pillows, loath as I am to own “toss” pillows. I am trolling Etsy for ideas. Some people are so damn creative.

The machine is white, which leaves red and blue unaccounted for. I will open that gift on my birthday. She is throwing some esoteric clues at me like “The color doesn’t matter” and “Just because I say it is red doesn’t mean it is red. It could symbolize red.” What the? I really have no earthly clue what the next gift is. Red and blue. Red and blue. All that comes to mind are blueberries and strawberries. Noting else is leaping out at me. Unless when she says "red" she means "read" and it is a book. And "blue" maybe for a grape (work with me) and it is a signed first edition of The Grapes of Wrath! Alas, this is most likely not the gift. Besides, she already gave me a first edition (though not first printing)of The Grapes of Wrath, and she is not one to repeat gifts. A while ago, I thought boots were a shoe-in (no pun intended!) for a birthday gift because I have been thinking about getting them for a while. Now I pray it is not red-and-blue boots.

We leave tomorrow for our Cape Cod adventure, which will be toped off with a night in Northampton with Auntie Annie and Auntie Nan. Saturday early evening I plan on getting my arugula pizza at Paradise. And then my Herrells ice cream. And then my walk through the stores in town. And then back to A&N’s swanky place. And then on Sunday back to home sweet home.

My mom came today. She had a brief Tour of Duty babysitting with my brother’s kids, and stopped by my place on her way back to the island. It’s great having someone around to hang out with the girls because I can get so much done. It is ridiculous how much I can do. I knew she was coming so I looked forward to do it all, planning how I would do laundry and clean the bath tub and go to the vegetable market alone. I even got my hair cut, which I haven’t done since February or so.

Pictured above, we went to a baptism over the weekend. On the way there we got so lost, which resulted in us being late. Very late. Then on the way home, there was torrential rain. It stopped by the time we got to the garage. Well, slowed to a drizzle, so we all got a little damp on the walk home. Look at the girls' hair: It is all sweaty and curly and messy! I wanted to get a picture of all four of us, since we were all dressed up, but we never got around to it, thanks to our lateness. So when we got home I called into the bedroom and told Nicole we should take a picture, but she was already out of her clothes and into her PJs. So there's me and the little uncooperative ladies. Also pictured, Avery giving me one of her trademark kisses! She is a biter!