day #2 with the
air conditioning guys
in the house
(they hope to be done by friday).
we had
to retreat rather early.
to get out
of their way.
headed straight to
the coffee shop
in atwater village.
spent most of the morning
drinking tea and
responding to e-mails
while madeline slept
and awesome auntie deb
worked on her work.
sometime during
the morning
i got an e-mail from
unknown coworker abby k.
she wanted to give the gift of
music, but she’s out of
the country,
so she sent some money
via paypal along
with some recommendations.
one suggestion
was already in my collection,
but the other was not.
anya arrived for a
a late lunch
at the cuban restaurant.
sat outside because it
was a beautiful day.
not too hot.
not too cold.
a perfect los angeles day.
these are the kind of days
that made
liz
love this town.
anya took care
of madeline while
i finished my lunch
no messes from madeline in
atwater village today
(small victory).
went to amoeba to spend
the gift certificate and the
money from abby.
was in the car
at 3:11,
though i missed the minute
because my clock is
16 minutes fast.
don’t need a clock
to be thinking about
liz.
drove past casita
where
liz
threw me a
huge going-away party
before my first
trip to india.
also passed malo,
where i spent a few
evenings having dinner
with
liz
and friends.
too many memories.
(i should have taken a different route).
made it to amoeba
and found almost
everything i wanted.
standing in the jazz room,
i hear the carpenter’s
that’s one depressing-ass song.
all due respect
to karen carpenter,
but fuck you.
it’s sunny days and tuesdays that get me down.
took the same route
home and was smacked
across the face with
even more
memories.
dinner at rudolpho’s
almost exactly 1 year
ago, around the time
we closed on
our house.
(why didn’t i just take los feliz blvd)?
made it home
to find that the
air conditioning guys
left the house
cleaner than when
they arrived.
decided that we didn’t
need the hotel room
after all.
found a small
package on the porch from
stranger friend juanita g.
![](http://www.mattlogelin.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/dsc_0132.jpg "\\"something nice for tuesday\\"")
opened up the box to
find pure awesomeness.
first, a note:
then some hand-made robots:
and a hand-made card:
a robot:
a customized bag with two onesies…
a sweet onesie:
and
a onesie that matches
one of momma’s favorite shirts:
(how did she even notice this?)
all the work
of a true artist.
(juanita gets a spot in the garden of awesome).
j. wu showed up
with some in-n-out.
realized that he
had never held madeline,
so he did
while awesome auntie deb and i
played some mariokart with
aj and sonja.
fell asleep on the couch
trying to respond
to e-mails.
gave up and went to bed.
this tuesday sucked,
but
it sucked a little
less than the last.n
54 Comments
I hope you guys slept well in your nice kewl house!!
happy eight weeks precious girl!!
Those gifts from Juanita = awesomeness! Each day will hold memories of Liz…they may be hard to endure at the moment but never forget or avoid them!
I’m a member of the “shorty” club so I can totally appreciate Liz’ humor for her height!
Hope you feel His comforting arms today and everyday…Tara
how cool. yes, juanita’s package is “pure awesomeness”. WOW!
happy for you that this tuesday was a little bit better than last. driving and having those memories —- i hope will someday make you smile and you can share all those stories with madeline.
here’s to another good day —
thinking of you all in MN
Oh, my, gosh! Those are amazing! Juanita gets her own dang garden of awesome.
Anya is fabulous.
sweeeeeet!!! love all the gifts… very creative folks out there….
hugs to madeline……..see you guys soon….
~g
Juanita definitely deserves a place in the “garden of awesomeness” for her gifts. They are awesome!
I definitely need an “S is for shorty” shirt!
I’m glad this Tuesday was better than the last.
Hoping & Praying today is even better.
Love to you & Madeline from TX.
Glad your Tuesday was not AS sucky as the rest. I stalk your blog daily and think of you guys constantly (though this is the first time Ive actually commented). You probably dont actually realize what kind of an impact you have made in some peoples lives. I squeeze my kids a little tighter now. Thank you for putting your beautiful writing, stories and pictures out there to teach the world what we take for granted. I know Liz is so so proud of you.
Enjoy your air conditioning today!
Hi Matt. I was very glad to read that this Tuesday sucked a little less than last Tuesday. I love the matching onsie and shirt! How special that gift is! Keep those memories close and share every single one of them with Madeline as she grows up. Hopefully you will be able to make new memories with Madeline at those same places… If I were Liz I know I would like that! Have a good day and give Madeline a hug!
I am happy to hear that this tuesday was better than the last. and happy to hear that you had an early night last night. (although I had a hard time working this morning because I have checked your blog so many times for an update)
It is such a beautiful thing how people can come together and hold each other up in a time of need. It makes me have some hope that there is still more good in this country than appears to the naked eye.
…hoping for a great day today for you and your sweet girl.
robin
Wow! Juanita rocks so hard! What wonderful gifts. What great documentary photos.
Now, quick — go see if http://www.fuckyoukarencarpenter.com is taken! LOL!
Those robots are really awesome!
I meant to leave a message recommending some music yesterday, but got caught up with other stuff. I highly recommend Greg MacPherson, “Night Flares,” if you come across it. We saw him live a couple years ago and bought the cd on the spot. My favorite is “California.” However, the songs listed on the CD get out of order, so listen closely and you’ll figure out which is which.
Hope Wednesday treats you well. All our best to you & Maddy.
That bag of robot goodness was mind blowing. What a great bunch of gifts for you guys!
I’m so happy to see that this Tuesday was a little less awful than in the weeks past. I hope that you guys have a great day today.
Gorgeous pictures of miss M as always…..she is growing so fast!
All my best,
Amy
Go Juanita – WOW! It has been awesome to see the love that is being poured out on you and Madeline by your family, friends, and people that have never met you. Your sweet family has had such an impact on so many people.
When Madeline is older I’m sure she will enjoy going to the places you and Liz used to go to.
I’m glad that this Tuesday was better than last. I know what loss feels like and I truly promise you that they do get better, but it isn’t fast, I’ll be honest. Just love that beautiful girl and keep embracing those happy memories. You are truly amazing.
Completely awesome gifts, across the board!
Next Tuesday will be better than this one, just as this one was better than last.
Hi, I feel really dumb for commenting several times since I’ve never met y’all. But I keep coming back. The creative-ness of your readers and friends (with the gifts they send) is just great and so fun to see.
I said a prayer for you and Madeline today.
Blessings,
Charity
hey Matt….
I was VERY awed today by the robot madness homemade! wow……
I keep reflecting on how (I believe) GOd is working through people for you.
I had a life changing nightmare 9 years ago, and when I look back, I saw that GOd truly cared, and he used SO many to help me through. Yes, you would give ANYTHING to have it different, I Can relate to this. YOu are making it, you are GONNA make it, you and Maddy too…..I think and pray for you SO often….
One day at a time…..
Tami
Matt (and Madelyn), we’ve been reading your blog daily. I wanted to give you an unsolicited “mommy tip.” (Get ready for tons of those, I’m sure you’ve gotten your fill already!) I noticed the Avent bottle in one of your photos. Not sure if you’ve gotten wind of the BPA-in-plastics issue that’s all the rage lately, but if you decide to look for a BPA-free alternative our baby girl switched very easily from Avent to Playtex Drop-Ins. They carry them almost everywhere, but definitely at the Toys/Babies R Us of Los Feliz. Many hugs to you both!
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2919733
just had to comment on how Maddie is holding on to her bottle in that picture where she is being taken care of by Awesome Anya… so cute and she’s becoming such a big girl right before our very eyes. Talk about awesomeness, you are doing a very difficult awesome job with that little blessing of yours.
Hey Matt –
I had to travel for work this week and I couldn’t wait to get back and check in on you two. I love the picture of Anya feeding Maddy – she is so cute with her little hand on the bottle – my Zoe started doing that when she would eat too – as if they think they can already do it on their own. She is growing beautifully!
I know people are sending you things every day but let me know if there is anything you still need that I could send along. Are you needing any new bottles yet? I know I just replaced some of mine – they just get worn out and scratched from all of the use and cleaning – and you really should replace them at that point. Others on here are much more resourceful than I am in finding a way to just surprise you and send a package. Send me an email when you get a chance and I will put some things together for you.
Thinking of you and praying for you often!
Jen and Zoe in MN
“Garden of Awesome” — the kid who coined that phrase (I think it was in Monday’s blogpost?) deserves a gold medal.
People are being so generous, and it’s a very sweet, wonderful, magical thing to read about.
Thanks so much for opening up your world to us strangers.
Go Twins! (They kicked butt last night!)
Yay for a little less sucky Tuesday!
@Juanita – you are AWESOME!
Wow, Juanita rocks.
Happy 8 week birthday Madeline! You are beautiful.
this Tuesday sucked a little less than last Tuesday.
When I read this my first reaction was a big exhale and I thought “well, it’s a start . . . ”
I know it will never be easy but I’m glad it is sucking just ever so slightly less sometimes.
hugs to madeline (who is getting cuter and cuter by the second).
Thoughts of you and Madeline and Liz affected my Tuesday as well, and I was glad to see this Wednesday post. I also married my “high school sweetheart” (sort of — we didn’t go to the same high school and he was in college when we met, but we were 17 and 18 then) and I think that may be part of why your story hits especially hard. But I keep reading. Your courage is mythic. I wonder if you and Madeline will have an especially dear and close relationship for a parent and child. I think so.
The photos of Anya and Madeline are beautiful. I too was glad to read that this Tuesday sucked a little less than last Tuesday.
I love the photo on the robot onesie. And the S is for Shorty One…Juanita is a very perceptive lady!
All my prayers,
Kristy in AR
What an incredible gift from Juanita!
It is amazing to see the love that has been poured out to you and Madeline, it is so very touching.
Liz has made an impact on so many more than she could have ever imagined.
Juanita is Queen of the Garden of Awesome! Especially w/ the S is for Shorty onesie… wow, that is good!
Another Tuesday has come to pass, and you’re still surviving, Matt. Hang in there. You’re doing a great job w/ Madeline… she looks great.
Wow! Juanita is the shit! How very thoughtful and love the garden of awesomeness website
Glad to hear today was a little better…that’s pretty much how it goes…a little better, a little shittier, a little better, etc…
Dang Juanita is awesome!
Ok, now I will go back to my lurker status
P.
Hi Matt and Madeline,
I’m glad you like the dolls I made and the Garden of Awesome. I liked seeing my drawing on the website! I already raised more than $100 for your fund and hope more people ask for dolls and donate. I am going to the Landscape Arboretum tonight to see more Gardens of Awesome.
Love, Piper
So glad that your Tuesday was a wee bit better than they’ve been…and that Madeline now has her own line of custom-made clothing, thanks to fabulous Juanita.
Those licensing opportunities keep piling up!
Glad to hear that this Tuesday wasn’t quite as awful as previous ones. They do get easier, I promise; they started getting easier for me a few months after my husband died…but it’s definitely a weird feeling when you realize you forgot it was the death-day of the month, or when you don’t notice for hours at a time that the death-minute passed and it didn’t even register…or when you realize you actually had a decent (maybe even good) day on the monthly death-date anniversary. Very odd stuff, I have to tell you…but you’ll make it, and it’ll get easier. Hang in there, Matt. You’re doing a great job so far. Liz would be very proud.
~Candice
i didn’t know it took so long to install air- worth the wait i am sure..
I am happy you had some little tidbits to brighten your eight week 3:11.- I hope your garden of awesome stays filled at all times.
Thought of you when I saw these today:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11500224
your site was passed along to me through a discussion board i visit (thenest.com). i am so sorry for your loss and through reading your blog i know you will be a fabulous father who will raise a wonderful, compassionate, and gorgeous girl who will personify her mother. you are in my thoughts and prayers. may each day bring you strength, joy, and peace.
Total garden of awesomeness! That onesie for Maddie is perfect… just like Momma’s. Glad your home is cool at least… and I hate that Rainy Days and Mondays song. (Now every time I hear it, I’ll think, “Sunny Days and Tuesdays.”)
Matt & Madelin
I’m glad to hear that its starting to ‘suck’ less everyday. My prayers are with you both and I know God and His Angels are watching over you. I hope you eat well today and have a good night of rest.
Treii
Oh man, you have the new National. I’ve heard the songs, but the need to see the movie has been killing me for months. Haven’t had time since Tuesday to get to a proper record store… I did swing by the Barnes & Noble by where I work today, but that didn’t work out so well for me. Don’t know what the hell I was thinking. Even their website has never heard of it :/
But *more importantly* I’m glad you had a couple of good Tuesday distractions. I’m totally in favor of whatever gets them behind you. One at a time until it’s maybe not quite so difficult anymore. I hope.
I hate Tuesdays, too. Always have.
Just caught up (from Madelin’s beginning) on your blog…I’m sorry. I hope I never understand, but I get loss. Lost someone I loved recently, too, and it’s a struggle.
So glad to hear that this Tuesday sucked a little less than previous Tuesdays. Thinking of you both!
Wow! What wonderful gifts you have received! I truly believe that is Liz throwing you and Madeline pieces of heaven letting you know that she will always be with the two of you. You are an incredible dad.
I do not know you, but I am from MN and heard about your story. I cannot even imagine what you are going through…..all I can say is that you are amazing. I have preemie twins and your story really got to me. You and your beautiful daughter will be in our prayers. Stay stong.
Glad your day sucked less. Hope that each day sucks less than the last. That’s how it is supposed to be. Love Little M’s robot onsie. Love her Shorty onesie even better. Tell her from a 5’1 mom , that it is cool to be short(if that is her fate) cuz all the guys think they are real shit cuz they can Pick you up. Ya ok, whatever. It was a good time.
I’ve stopped using kleenex and am just wiping snot and tears on my (thankfully) long sleeve shirt. There is just one beautifully captured moment after another in your writing, Matt. As I read my heart aches for you one moment and then leaps as you continue the celebration.
sounds cheezy but do you feel it..everyones energy..how soo many people are thinking about you and Madeline at the same time? Its a beautiful thing
I love your blog and you and Madeline are in my prayers every day but for the love of God could you direct me to some info about the robot. I can’t find it. Who, what is the robot? I love it.
I just want to say thank you for sharing. A friend sent me to your blog and I have read all the posts in one evening. As a mother, it makes me so thankful for having what I have…which sounds trite…but it’s true. Blessings on you and Madeline. You are in my prayers and thoughts.
I love seeing all these neat gifts people send you and Madeline! I’m glad this Tuesday was better then past ones.
Have a great day!
I am in love with the whole garden of awesome concept!!!! And Juanita, totally awesome. Isn’t it amazing what “strangers” notice and can give back to you? A testiment to the energy that both you and Liz have, it apparently is infectious!
Kat
What kind of lens do you use on your camera? Thes pictures of little details from your life are stunning.
Hey Matt,
You dont know me…I just saw the blog from a coworker who I think went to high school with you.
Anyway…Liz’s shirt rocks. I am only 5’0 myself and have a shirt that says “I’m not short, I am fun size”
Shorty’s rock! Good luck to you! Sounds like you have a lot of support and people that are thinking of you. You can now add me to that list!
Cheers!
Dawn
hi mr mom-
i just founf out about your story on city mommy los angeles. you should join there are blogs everyday and a lot of cool recources for things in LA. maddy is gorgeous! i read back a little bit and i hear ya about all the pink clothes. i had to work hard to find my daughter mechal (pronounced mccall) clothes that are not pink. sounds like you are doing better everyday. i am glad for you! take care!
melanie
that is a garden of awesome!
i’m still waiting on Madeline’s tutu. no tutu yet?