fullygoldy | Entries tagged with the girl

October 2013

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This week is already sucking beyond the telling. And most of the telling is way TMI. Suffice to say, DH has been back to the urology clinic 2 days in a row due to complications, and now he's attempting to fall asleep in bed with a new catheter/bag setup that is supposed to stay in until Monday (6 days). When he came home from the initial surgery, he only tolerated that one for 3.5 days. He's already so uncomfortable (for reasons) that I can't imagine this going well.

Also, he's got 2 new meds, and a proposed treatment plan for a 6-wk course of chemo that he can't undertake until he is fully healed from the previous surgery, and at least 3 follow up appointments next week.

In other news, the boy is attempting to buy a new-to-him car. He needs a co-signer of course, which, I guess I'm okay with, seeing as we co-signed for the girl's school loan.

And one truly good thing:
The girl had her 20 week ultrasound last week, and ta-da! Grandbaby is a boy! He's already tall, thanks to daddy, and everything looks good.

Current Mood: stressed
Current Location: home planet

The good news:
The girl is pregnant and due January 31, 2014. She hasn't had too many icky symptoms, and the first ultrasound (they do them at 10 wks now!) looked good. She and the baby-daddy have committed to parenting together, but they so far haven't decided they *must* marry, so I have hope that their eyes are as open as they claim. DH says we'll shorten "Grandma Goldy" to GG. :)

The bad news:
DH had a systoscopy on Thursday. They scoped his bladder, and the way they get in there isn't fun. There's a growth on the bladder wall which will be removed surgically on the 20th. He's scheduled to be admitted for 24 hrs "given his history." These "cancerous" growths come in two flavors, we're told. It could be sitting on top of the bladder wall, and the removal/biopsy process will completely eradicate it, OR it could be embedded and require further treatment. I spent the first 4 mos of this year helping him recover from cancer #2. I am SO not looking forward to spending the last four doing the same thing.

So, I've got a list of potential therapists for me, since I seriously need someone to rant to (and did so before this lovely discovery), and I'm staying flexible for our Labor Day camping trip (remote camping, paddle the canoe across the lake to get there stuff), because either he won't be up for it, or he will, but he won't be able to do any lifting or paddling. I'm cancelling our plans to go to Paso Robles in Oct. Even if the body is willing, the checkbook won't be. The next two weekends have fun stuff planned, so I'm going to try to focus on that and not start worrying about the surgery until the 19th. This weekend I'm reading an embarrassing amount of Teen Wolf fic. Go me.

Current Mood: scared
Current Location: still earth

They do this thing where I work called a PIP (see title), so if you're not performing well, instead of firing you, they demoralize you first with the pretty much impossible PIP process, but it gives you time to look elsewhere before being let go. Most people see the writing on the wall and bail before they have documented proof the PIP failed.

2013!! Why have you not found employment elsewhere?!?!

( ER visit the first )

( Bad Carma )

( Local Warming? )

( ER visit the 2nd )

( Subaruby is a sad panda )

( ION )

It appears we've hit our out-of pocket max of medical expenses for the whole year in the first quarter. Yay? Now I am eating steamed dumplings and drinking vodka. If I had a hottub or a bath deep enough, I might actually not feel like whining.

Current Mood: exhausted
Current Location: still earth

Weekend update:
DH went into the hospital for surgery at noonish on Friday. Surgery at 2:30, surgeon consult afterward at 5:00. He was pleased, thinks he removed everything, pathology needs to confirm. If the report is clean, no radiation needed (YAY). 7:30 he's up in his room, and going on toward 12 I finally went home. I'll keep all the TMI details to myself, but sheesh, hospitals are really not designed for preserving dignity. Thank goodness for private rooms with doors.

Saturday morning - took the girl, her maid of honor/best friend/foster sister, and a friend of mine to the Bridal Show. It was our first. Fun and interesting for me, fashion show was a little "meh" except for the end when one of the male models leapt off the stage to propose to his girlfriend. He was in a tux with a red waistcoat, she was in jeans and a t-shirt. I bet she's mad at him now that she's over the shock. Then we went for a sushi lunch. Yum.

Saturday afternoon headed to hospital again, and stayed til 11ish. DH had a weird reaction to the hypertension med, that none of the staff deemed was a reaction. He refused to take it after that. He doesn't normally have high blood pressure. Doesn't it seem reasonable that coming into the hospital for surgery, not eating since Thursday night, being poked and prodded and cut on, not knowing if the cancer is completely gone would all cause enough stress to raise his bp a bit? It would go right back down every time he got a decent amount of sleep or a dose of his anti-anxiety med. No food (feeding tube) for him on Sat even though they started talking about it at 9 in the morning. He's lactose intolerant. They kept wanting to give him Ensure, which he's had reaction to in the past. We'd been warning them about this issue (hospital only stocks Ensure) since the original surgical consult. Did they do anything to prep for it? NO.

Sunday: back to the hospital at 10 for another 12-hr day. Found out that the last pain med he'd requested was on Sat morning. Weird. Since the bone marrow transplant, he's been extremely pain-intolerant. Downright wimpy. So if he says he's not having pain, he's really not having pain. Everyone was very surprised because this is supposed to be a really difficult operation to recover from (for adults). This morning we can see why. He's finally able to open his mouth wide enough to look in there. Looks like something the size of a tennis ball was removed! Anyway, two more consults with the nutritionist finally produced one can of lactose-free protein drink for the feeding tube. It went fine. Then an observant night nurse came up with a cooled cup of coffee to dissolve his daily meds in, and administered that through the tube. Goodbye, headache!

Monday: Took the girl to work, retrieved my laptop from the office - I have to reload a bunch of stuff to get it back to where I like it, lunch, and back to hospital at 12. Where they informed me we could leave "in about an hour." Wow! Way to go on the healing, DH! Except at 4:00 the pharmacy still hadn't figured out how to fill the special liquid version of his immunosuppressant. So we came home and he skipped a dose. He's actually mostly taking care of himself, just asking for minimal support ("can you hand me that blanket?" etc). It's the most independent he's ever been after a hospital stay, so I'm encouraged. I finally went to bed at a reasonable time.

Today - gotta take the girl to work in a few - we still don't know when she'll get her car back from the shop.

Current Mood: hopeful
Current Location: still earth

I had a bizarre cross-generational experience today. My darling daughter, who is nearly 23, spent the summer with us (ostensibly between semesters, but that is another story), and inhabited the guest room which is the other half of my office (and formerly her bedroom). Today,
she called to tell me she finally got a job (yay) and she was on her way to a Gyn appt, to see if she's a candidate for an IUD. We casually and easily discuss contraception and Gyn stuff, sometimes even in front of her dad and brother. See me, the enlightened parent.

A little while later, I was straightening up some things on the dresser in the "guest room", and came across a folded up piece of paper. I popped it open to find a packing list from an online order that had been shipped to the girl at our address, and seemed to have arrived within the last week she was with us. It had been ordered in her boyfriend's name (his credit card).

The packing slip itemized a handful of (his and hers) sex toys and a bottle of Probe. I seriously need brain bleach.

I just never really needed to know what kind of kinky things she might get up to with her guy, yannow? I mean, sure, it's theoretically good to know that she's sex-positive and able to explore new things/embrace her preferences/yadda yadda yadda. It's a hell of a lot weirder to realize that in addition to our partying/flirting/drinking similarities, we might also have sexual similarities beyond the "attracted to men 8-15 yrs older" kink.

And while Cordelia might crow to Aral about having acquired this bit of intelligence, I in no way am looking forward to having this discussion with DH. I kinda want to share just because I don't want to be the only one not-imagining the ramifications, but that temptation is SMALL compared to the reality of that conversation.

#I may not be Betan but I'm definitely not Barryaran

Current Mood: weird
Current Location: still earth

The girl called yesterday for a Mom's Day chat, and asked if I'd heard about "50 Shades of Gray." Of course, I've heard of it, know that it's based on Twilight, but have no interest in reading it. KL on the other hand, had loved Twilight when it first came out, so she is giving this one a chance. She said, "Mom, the whole time I'm reading, I keep hearing your voice in my head. You're ruining the book!"
"What am I saying?"
"You're saying, 'this is terrible, why does the woman have to be so wimpy and helpless? Why does she need to be rescued by a man?' You know, all that stuff you pointed out about why you didn't like Twilight."
Mom, FTW!!

We discussed a lot of media that we're both interested in seeing together, and we can't wait, cause it's just 8 more days now, and I'll be showing her White Collar and Sherlock, and we'll try Downton Abbey together, and we've decided on a marathon viewing of all the Marvel movies before I see Avengers (she's seen it, and liked it even though she's only seen Iron Man and Thor). We're gonna do both new versions of Sleeping Beauty, but she's not sure she'll be able to handle the Charlize Theron version because "Kristen Stewart is so terrible."

She's incensed that people are saying "Hunger Games" is the new "Twilight" because "...Katniss is *badass* and Bella's just a whiny, helpless wimp." She loved the books and was quite impressed with the movie, and was telling me that this is a revolution in movies, to have a young, strong, female action hero, and she can't wait to see where we go next. She's also very excited for the new Hobbit movie to arrive.

LOL, I LOVE my girl! Sure, it could still theoretically be fun to be swept up by a rich handsome prince and kept in a glass tower, but she's much more likely to climb down the tower on a rope made from her discarded petticoats, strap on a sword and go on her own quest. She may be more girlie than me, but she didn't fall TOO far from the tree.

Current Location: still earth

I woke up with this little bit in my head:

Draco: I'm glad you like.
Hermoine: Mmmm, I do. I like you so much right now.
D: You can tell me, you like me way more like this.
H: Well, I do, but I also liked the old you.
D: 'Mione?
H: He got my attention, didn't he?
More snogging and snuggling ensues.

Also: Archive of Our Own Draco/Hermione fic and Draco/Ginny

And: Polyamorous Recs compiled by shrift and nestra, two of the most awesome BNFs in fandom. They always have good recs, and if you're not careful, you'll end up with more fandoms than you know what to do with.

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Location: still earth

I've only ever done this once before, but I'm going on vacation to CA without the spouse. The first time was because we were in the throes of opening our business, strapped for cash, and my BFF (for realz) was getting married. So it was a whirlwind trip to attend the big event and get back home before DH had a total meltdown.

This time it's my 30th high school reunion, and DH might have come with, but since his 40th reunion was at the end of Aug, we were again a bit cash-poor (compounded by helping the girl with tuition for her first semester of college), and he's been having health issues (Thrush *again* and Bell's Palsey of all things and this post isn't about that). So my sister and the girl are going to drive in from the Reno area and hang with me in the old home town. It will be my first ever "girls' vacation."

I'm leaving at dinner time CST on Wed, arriving at SFO at 11:45 PST, then driving down to Santa Clara and the hotel. I expect to sleep *a lot* on Thurs. The girls will arrive no sooner than 8 pm due to class schedules. Friday will be a lazy-ish day I think, with sushi for dinner and a trip to the Black Watch in Los Gatos, for old time's sake. Sat. there's a tour of the old high school (haven't decided if I'm going) and of course the official reunion in the evening. Sunday afternoon is a BBQ at the park we all used to hang out at. Then I'm at loose ends all evening because my flight departs around midnight, with me arriving home at 9:00 am CST. I expect to sleep *a lot* on Monday as well. The weather forecast says it will be gloriously sunny and warm until about Sunday, so YAY!

I'm expecting some fangirl interaction with the girl - she's started reading HP (Hermoine/Draco) and is looking for recs, and I found a bunch of her CDs (mixes) in the basement and have ripped them to iTunes so I can transfer them in person. I'm also expecting that my period will start while I'm there because my body hates me, it always wants to start while I'm traveling, and my cycles are getting shorter. blech.

I'm shooting for daily yoga practice while I'm gone, because this twice a week schedule isn't nearly enough. If I get into the routine there, maybe it will stick when I get home.

I'm going to wear the same dress I wore for my brother-in-law's wedding two years ago, a floaty brown chiffon with ecru polka dots, but I've got new accessories. Coral necklaces and a stack of bracelets and coral nail polish. I don't know which shoes yet. the white bandolino slides (last time for the year, yeah?) or the brown patent peep toe pumps (understated and seasonally appropriate). I need to pack tonight!

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Location: still earth

If you put M&Ms into a half-empty tin of Altoids Dark Chocolate Dipped Mints, teh M&Ms will take on a minty flavor!

I'm finding that I like Mavis as a person very much. Of course, I already love her very much as a daughter, but it's heartening to know that she's a person I'd want to know anyway. (I think Rupert is finding his way to this place too, but it seems slower because he's a boy *and* she's had a 3 year head start).

Almost, but-not-quite catching a cold is good in two ways - the not catching the cold way, and the giving yourself permission to take the day (afternoon/evening) off way. Also, DH's cold tea kicks ass! And colds!

Finding Fat Tire Amber in the supermarket in Joliet almost makes up for having to sit here alone in my undies (or should I say 'small pants'?) drinking it. It also goes well with salad bar salad and minty M&Ms. Dinner of champions. What?

Although I would love to have read HP7 all in one go, we're only at chapter 21 now. First the boy read it, then the girl, then I finally started reading it aloud to DH. I won't be the last to read it either - our copy is already promised to the neighbors. My voice doesn't last more than 2 chapters at a time, so the most we'll do in a day is 1-2. With me being out of town 3 days/week, it's really slowing us down. OTOH, he says he prefers the way I read it to the idea of getting the audio book. I try to do some voices, but nothing major, and I do try to get some of an English lilt into the phrasing - years of watching BBC and now listening to podfic made by foreign fans helps me get the emphasis on the right syl-la-ble. heh.

I've been having a lot of kissing dreams lately - at least once a week. Just dreams of sweet sweet kisses. I wake up all smiley from them.

Current Location: not my home planet
Current Music: a/c vibe

Tonight at dinner, Mavis said,

"to hell with being ladylike, I'm getting what I want, dammit!"

I said, "eeeeeeeeeeee!! eeee eeeee" (dolphin noises! ) and ljafdalkfjlajdfaslj!

then I high-fived with DH. I believe we have done our job.

Current Location: home planet

I'm only a month late posting these, and I don't even have all of them, but here is a small sampling of Mavis's Junior Prom pics.

For those who don't know, she went with her best girlfriend, because the girlfriend's boyfriend dumped her a week before the prom, and Mavis's boyfriend had already announced he wasn't going, and agreed that she could go with whomever she wanted to go with. Too bad for the boy who had originally asked her. When he found out she wasn't going to break up with T, he broke off their date, and ended up not going at all. She had a great time, and I didn't have to worry that her prom date would get her pregnant :)

On to the pics

It's funny how our tastes overlap. For my Jr. Prom, I had a burgundy off-the-shoulder gown and an up-do. For Sr. Ball, I had a cherry red halter dress.

Current Location: home planet
Current Music: espn

Mavis's wonderful adventures in MLW.
Wicked - the audiobook (unabridged) - what a weird-ass book.
Found! Luzon Jumilla back on the shelves at Woodmans!
It's not Pneumonia, but it still required 2 trips to the Dr. this week.
The care and feeding of a 14-yr old vegetarian.
Hot showers, Yay!
The new PM, the new project, and loads of work to do.
Kitschy salt & pepper set (photo)
Crocuses!

Current Location: third rock
Current Music: news

I haven't had the emotional energy to post much lately, mainly because most of what I've been thinking about posting has been a long string of whining. Or whinging, if you're on the other side of the ocean.

( Let me 'splain: )

No, it will take too long. Let me sum up: I think I need to get laid. Preferably in a tropical paradise.
At least tonight they'll be giving us the 2007 Dream Home in CO ::g:: Well, if they know what's good for them, they'll be awarding it to us.

Current Mood: aggravated
Current Location: home planet

The other night at dinner, the girl was being particularly silly. This isn't a rare occurence by any stretch, but she was certainly doing her best blonde impersonation. Finally, I couldn't take it any more, and I asked, "what are you on?"

the girl: Um. The chair?
me: ::boggle:: Oh. Nice!
the boy: Hey, I want some of that chair.
all: LOL
the boy: Seriously, move over! As he slides off his chair and half onto hers.

Of course by then, we were all laughing so hard that the rest of the meal devolved into a silliness competition.

Today, I am "babysitting" for the girl. She has brought a "Baby Think It Over" home for the weekend, but she works from 7-11 am today. Supposedly, I'm being paid for this job, but not in cash. :) We've dubbed the little boy "Peanut." He's very sensitive to having his head un-supported - any time you let his head tilt back at all, he wails hysterically for 30-45 seconds. I don't think that's terribly realistic, but the sleep, diaper, eat, burp, diaper, coo, sleep cycle seems familiar.

Current Location: home planet
Current Music: quiet

I'm having a hard time believing that the girl was born 17 yrs ago today. At the exact moment of her arrival, we'll be sitting at a table at Ginza of Tokyo doing the sushi & hibachi thing with her boyfriend along for the festivities.

I remember my 17th bday, and I have to say, I'm really glad her friends don't have the tradition of TP-ing the bday kid's house the way mine did. I can still remember sneaking out to help unroll about 75 rolls of TP onto June's house in Dec. of 1980. My house was a much tougher target, so there were usually only 2-3 rolls on my bday. We also would make banners to hang in the quad of the school on each other's birthdays. SEXY 17! was always our favorite.

I think that DH and I are much more involved and cognizant of what's going on with Mavis than my folks were with me. I used to just head out to "so and so's" nearly every night at 17. I turned 18 the middle of Senior year, and pretty much quit having to account for my whereabouts, as long as I took care of my sisters when I was supposed to, got all my chores done, and kept up with my grades. Of course, I ran with a bunch of AP students, and weeknights were actually devoted to our studies, so our grades showed that we were doing what we said we were. But we were kind of hellions on the weekends, and I'm sure my folks would be surprised to know just how much we got up to back then.

Mavis isn't the dedicated student I was, but she's got a job and her modeling night-school gig now, plus frequent babysitting, so she's not just running wild. She seems to be doing well. Last weekend, a bunch of her friends wanted her to go snowboarding, but she had to do 3 loads of laundry first, so they came and took her to the laundromat to do them all at once, LOL. They even paid for the machines, because they wanted her to go with. Unfortunately, Sat. at a laundromat is peak time, so they didn't finish in time for her to go after all. But they promised to take her tomorrow (no school) for her birthday.

Current Mood: nostalgic
Current Location: earth

I went to a baby shower yesterday, for a 16 yr-old girl due in 2 weeks. She's one of Mavis's best friends. I've got to say, this girl has been heading for trouble for a long time. And it's really a sad thing, when you realize how smart and capable she is. Even now, she's maintaining nearly straight A's at school. My kids are also capable of doing that, but choose not to.

( Background )

( Shower )

I'm thankful that Mavis is smart enough and self-aware enough to not be pregnant at 16. I can only hope she manages to not get pregnant until she's absolutely ready (or convinced she is). So far, she's conducted herself pretty well. She doesn't take too much crap from anybody, she's got a healthy self-image and sense of self. I think she'll be okay. The boys tend to be overwhelmed/surprised by her attitude towards relationships. She's willing to play by mono rules at this time, but she's not willing to be stifled or controlled. She doesn't let anyone get in the way of established friendships. She absolutely loves babies and kids, and her plan to be some kind of teacher will allow her to get her fill. I think she's got a healthy, well-balanced view of what she wants out of life. Yay, Mavis! Also, this semester, she's taking the Parent-Child class and has to bring home the model baby for a weekend. That will be interesting.

Current Mood: surprised
Current Location: still the earth
Current Music: Futurama

Wow, I can't believe it's been a year since we started worrying about B's health. I can't believe it's only Dec. first either, because it feels like we're much deeper into the holiday season than the calendar says, even though we don't really have any holiday plans to speak of. I also can't believe I totally blanked on sending best wishes to all my November birthday friends. Happy belated birthday, November-heads! I love you! There are a couple of December birthdays coming up too, and hopefully I'll do a little better with the timing for them ;)

I'm still loving the new kitchen, even more now that the floor outlets are wired, and my goal is to get the cabinet doors painted this weekend. Maybe they'll get hung back up too... A good christmas present to myself would be to get the remaining kitchen work finished. It's all finishing details now. Paint and paneling and finding the right baskets for the cubbies, stuff like that.

Currently, I'm sitting here worrying about Mavis, because she's driving herself to school in the snow. The plows haven't been to our neighborhood yet, because it's still snowing, so it's going to be a bit trickier than she is used to. We had a chat about being careful and taking it slower, and steering through slides before she left. She's got to learn to do it sometime, right? And this is why we got Subaruby, that all-wheel drive is supposed to make these lessons go a bit more smoothly than they would in some other car. But I wish I had thought to say "call me when you get there." I don't want to call her and distract her from driving if she isn't there yet, but I want to know she's okay. ::sigh:: Rupert chose to ride the bus this morning - he prefers being able to hang with his buds before school, so I know he's probably safe and warm by now.

Current Location: snowy planet

It's nice to be appreciated, and to get recognition for stuff. I've been thanked twice in three days by DH for stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with the events of this year. :)

1) On Friday night, Mavis came home well before curfew and asked if Jubal could spend the night in Rupert's room. His mother had called him on his cell phone and told him not to come home, he was officially disowned. We'd been asleep for an hour already, so instead of jumping up and prying into the poor boy's private life, I just said "yes." DH turned to me and said, "thank you."
"For what?"
"For never introducing that kind of drama into our lives."

(Don't really know what all is going on with Jubal yet, he only spent the one night, but he's eating over here pretty regularly, and he spends a lot of his time just hanging out with our kids. He also helps do chores and still has plans to help me finish the kitchen project, so he's pulling his weight.)

2) On Sunday night, we were watching "That 70's Show" because there was literally nothing else worth watching. Donna was considering threatening to withhold sex from Eric. DH said, "thank you." This time I knew he meant for never using sex as a weapon. I personally just can't grasp the concept of sex as a commodity. I see other people using it that way, and sometimes I even wish I could do it too, but it's not for me. Sex is just something you do because you want to do it, and doing it will be enjoyable. Hmm. Maybe this is why I don't really grok the D/s thing. Maybe the power exchange is too closely tied to a commodity exchange for me.

Current Mood: okay
Current Location: earth
Current Music: AFHV

Is it just me? Are these kids super-photogenic because they're so beautiful, or all young people this photogenic? I used to take really beautiful pictures too, and now I've always got my eyes closed or look exhausted or puffy. The last really good pics of me are about 8 yrs old!

( Pretty )

I'll have to add some pics of Rupert too, because he's pretty gorgeous also.

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Location: planet earth
Current Music: quiet

Yesterday was the Homecoming Dance for Mavis & Jubal. Early in the day, Jubal & his friend Toast came over to help with demolition. Around 1:00, Mavis left to get ready in town with "the girls." Jubal and Toast stayed to eat pizza, take naps, and get ready. Mavis said to me, "you make sure they leave here on time for pictures. Pictures are at 5:00." LOL

When they first arrived, Toast asked to wash his black pants so they'd be clean for the dance. Mavis made sure they got washed & dried, while I fished them out of the dryer and hung them to make sure they didn't wrinkle. When Toast got up from his nap, he went looking for the pants and got confused because the dryer was empty. When I told them they were hanging up, he looked very surprised, and he thanked me. Then Jubal came and asked for towels so they could shower. Then Toast came back, slightly damp and half-dressed, to ask for an iron. He had a black shirt with a ruffled front. The ruffles were edged with white thread. After digging around in the junk room, we came up with the iron, and Toast proceeded to iron the ruffles himself. :O I asked him who picked out the shirt, and he said it was his choice, but his girlfriend got to pick the color. I'm really impressed with young men's senses of style these days.

After awhile longer, the boys came out of the house looking majorly handsome. Toast's nearly all-black ensemble was highlighted by the white on the ruffles and white leather moccasins. Jubal had on black pants, a striped dress shirt with french cuffs, a black tie with teal and aqua polka dots (to match Mavis's dress), a black hat, cufflinks and a tie bar. I noticed the jewelry and commented (it's been a long time since I've seen a non-bridegroom wearing cufflinks). Jubal said, "yeah, I have to be careful with these, they're my grandpa's. My mom said she'd kill me if I lost them." They're really pretty - enameled and sort of asian-themed. I'm betting grandpa picked them up in Japan during war time. They let me take their picture, and then we had the curfew and safe behavior discussion. Well, it's a habit, just because they weren't my kids, doesn't mean they didn't need the talk. Off they went, and even a bit early. About 2 min. later,

busman1994 says, "whose flowers are in the refrigerator?" Oops! Mavis's corsage was left behind. I didn't have Jubal's cell #, so I called Mavis and she called Jubal and he came back, looking chagrined and grateful.

Mavis came home around 12, and she'd had a good time, except she reported that everyone who had the chicken alfredo at Tutto Pasta on State Street was struck very ill during the dance. Poor kids. I'm glad her evening wasn't ruined. She's promised me her pics, but I'll have to wait until she uploads them to add them in here.

ETA: I think I fixed the picture link...

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Location: earth still
Current Music: fountain gurgle

We had a lovely, almost surprise visit from DH's sister, brother-in-law and grown nephew this week. They arrived on Wed night and we just sat around chatting and watching TV that night. Thursday, DH had oral surgery, losing 4 teeth in preparation for his hospital admission next week, so we didn't get to do our autumnal equinox dinner with our friends busman1994, bzdchris, mc_beth and drstarbuck. We're sorry we missed out on the evening and on introducing them all to some of our family. The family arrived at the house mid-afternoon and DH was pretty tired and out-of-it, but unwilling to miss out on catching up, even though his mouth was full of gauze. It took until after dinnertime for him to stop bleeding completely, and he's on a liquid diet until Monday, poor thing. That of course meant he missed out on dinner at the Great Dane with the rest of us, but he needed the rest. More TV and chatting in the evening, and really, it sounds boring but it was so nice. I woke up Friday morning thinking about how pleasant and relaxing it was, and that it was so nice to be in the bosom of our family again. DH & this particular sister have always clicked with each other and we both love her husband and all of their children, and now their children's families. They are just genuinely wonderful, lovely people. So yeah, sitting around for a couple evening with them was like a balm.

On Friday, after the weekly Dr. visit, we worked on the house some. For a full description of remodeling progress, go here. The family left today around noon. It was later than they had originally planned to leave, and we really appreciate their willingness to tie up the loose ends before going. I think SIL was a little tearful as she hugged me goodbye, but I resisted joining her in that - enough time for tears later, you know? BIL gave me his usual warm hug, and I was truly touched and surprised by the fierce hug from nephew. He was such a skinny little kid when I met them all, no more than 4 or 5 at the time,and now he's married (last year's trip to SC)! and Tall! and a wonderful man. Both of his younger sisters had to stay behind this trip, but they've all promised to come back in the spring. I can't wait.

Shortly after the SC contingent headed out, Mom called. She had sent a huge box of See's which arrived yesterday, and she had read our to-do list over on pint_of_cheer. Of course she's worried about us and nervous for us, that's to be expected. I didn't expect her to offer to come out while DH is in hospital, but she did. I hope it works out. She's a little nervous about not looking for another job right away, but she also wants to help us out. Whatever she decides will be fine. She's a fiend with cleaning supplies, so I know if all she does is clean things, I'll be tons better off for it, LOL. But she's also offered to paint things, and that's terrific.

Mavis's boyfriend has been officially inducted into the family I think. He's been given a southern nickname, Cletus Jubal, which I've shortened to Jubal. He's very excited to help with the remodeling stuff, since he's in the construction trades program at school. I think it's cool, but then I would ::g:: I never could get my own kids interested in construction stuff. Jubal is a good kid, and I'm sure we'll miss him when he goes off to the National Guard after graduation.

Current Mood: grateful
Current Location: home planet
Current Music: ND vs MSU

On Thursday, my friend, S, from work, asked me to take her saltwater fish, because her husband didn't want to maintain the tank any longer and she couldn't bear the thought of outright killing the fish. I am an easy target, so I said OK. I also believed that DH had previous experience with a saltwater tank, so I thought it would be no big deal. Also, we have a neighbor whose hobby is fish, so at the very least, we could gift him with the setup. Ah, rationalizations, what would we do without you?

So I brought home a small aquarium with a small, bright blue fish in it. S assures me the aquarium could house 2-3 more fish of a similar size, but this fish is mean, and has killed every other fish they ever tried to put in with it. Of course, on Thursday, we were running off to little league and didn't have much time for conversation about fishy things, so it was Friday before I learned that DH had not actually dealt with the saltwater variety before.

On Saturday, Rupert announced that the fish's name is Phyllis. Mavis exclaimed, "no! I named him George! Hi, Georgie!" And then DH later addressed it as "PhyllisGeorge." So there you have it. Our household has become quite taken with the bright blue fish with the bad attitude, named for a mostly forgotten actress. Rupert calls her Phyllis. Mavis calls him George. The 'rents call it by it's full name. The fish in question swims in clockwise circles almost exclusively. It causes quite the commotion whenever anyone notices it varying it's path. And the commotion tends to drive PG right into hiding. LOL

Current Mood: content
Current Location: still the earth
Current Music: Funniest Home Videos

Tonight's dinner conversation was wide-ranging and hilarious.

Mavis's boyfriend was here, so that added to the hijinks. I had to do a synopsis of the Grimm Brothers' Seven Swans fairytale, because Mavis said that swans turn into princesses. She didn't believe me when I said "princes too." It turns out she has only read the HCA versions, so isn't aware of this fairly dark one. Neither were any of the guys, so yeah. I'm weird.

Then Mavis told us that her BF does a great Gollum impersonation, but when we asked to hear it, she left the room. BF was embarassed, so DH decided to do his version. Then Mavis came back, and DH off-handedly mentioned "we're pervy hobbit fanciers" meaning him and me.

Me: nuh uh. I'm a pervy Elf fancier.
Mavis: What???
Me: Legolas!
BF is laughing
Mavis (turns to DH): You're a pervy Gollum fancier?
DH: NO. Pervy HOBBIT fancier.
Mavis (turns to me): You have pervy thoughts about Frodo?
BF: No, she said "elf"
Me: Legolas!
BF laughs harder
Mavis (turning back to DH): You have pervy thoughts about Frodo? ::semi-horrified look::
BF stops laughing
DH: No! SAM!!
Me, Rupert and BF: ROFLMAO!!
Mavis looks at us all with an even more horrified expression before bursting out in laughter too.

Seriously, she's much too easy, but that's what makes it all so fun. hee!

hey, does anyone know the plural of "Anus?" ::snicker::

Current Mood: full
Current Location: still the earth, dammit
Current Music: MLW vs. HOU

That girl. Sometimes she makes me snort wine right out of my nose.

Last week sometime, we were eating dinner, and Rupert said he was studying the human digestive system in science. Mavis said, "I"m studying the human digestive system in biology!" They high-five across teh dinner table and begin to recite the parts of the system. Mavis says, "sphincter is my favorite word. It's fun to say." She transitions into a 'Ralph Wiggim' voice and starts listing the sphincters in her body. ... "And the last sphincter is your anus!" Both DH and I had to close our fish-mouths over that one. Then everyone breaks out in giggles, and Mavis keeps murmuring "sphincter!" until it doesn't even sound like a word anymore. ::sigh:: I tell them, and tell them: no potty humor at the dinner table...

Yesterday afternoon, she announced that Easter is next Sunday. I said "no, it's the one after that." She said, "not this Sunday, next Sunday." In my mind, they're the same thing. What do you think? Anyway, she suddenly claps her hands and squeals, "Candy!" ::clap clap:: "Easter Sunday Brunch!" ::clap clap:: "Candy!" We're looking at her like she's possessed, and she sobers a bit, looks at us quite earnestly and asks, "Candy?" ROFL Picture the gulls in 'Nemo:' "Mine." "Mine." "Mine."

Now there's a new commercial on TV for the Honda Element. The Element and a crab are bump into each other on the beach. There's this whole "I pinch," exchange that is amusing, but it becomes HI-Lar-I-ous in the hands of DH and Mavis. You've got to hear the voice, though. It's that classic, mexican, sly voice like the guy in the box (S'Alright? S'Alright.) DH goes more for the visual gag, first using his pincers on my boobs in front of Mavis. She looks startled, so I say, "hey, no traumatizing the kid." DH says, "she's not Rupert." So I say, "then no traumatizing the Mama!" Next, he puts on both of our new silicone oven mits. They're long, they're blue, and up till now, they've mainly been used to simulate Penguin flippers. He holds up his hands and says, "I pinch." Mavis is ROFL. ::headdesk::

It's been like this for the past 19 years, but I've been getting it in stereo and even triplicate for about the past five.

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Music: teapot steaming

Some of this stuff is a repeat for regular readers here, but this is the update I sent out to my family's yahoogroup today:

Well, as you can see below, Wayne has gently kicked me in the butt to get me to post an update about

barley52 (thanks, Wayne). The real kicker is, Aunt Jean had to call this weekend and ask for an update to get me to sit down and type. Sorry about that.

( long, repetitious update of the past month )

For my part, I've been on the receiving end of such kindness from so many people from strangers to dear friends, that I find myself attempting to be more patient with other people, and more giving of warmth, affection and kindness. I'm finding a lot of wisdom in the motto "love shared is love multiplied." Today was the first work day after the time change, and it was truly a delight to be able to take a walk after dinner (after 7 pm), with the sun above the horizon the entire time. Mavis joined B and me for the 'short block,' ~ half a mile, which we had to do at B's reduced pace, but that just means we had more time in the sun :) We talked baseball strategy for most of the way (the new season is now underway), because B and Rupert are co-managing a fantasy league team. B used to do this yearly, back in SC, but had dropped it. He got back into it this season at my urging. I figure if you've got to be cooped up in the house, you might as well have something fun to pass the time with. Baseball is his favorite pastime, so.... brilliant, right?

Ok, I guess that's a month's worth. I'll try to do better in the future, but no guarantees. After all, I'm related to people who take 3 yrs to write a letter, then give it up for a phone call <wicked grin>. /family post

I've got stacks of old holiday cards that have handwritten messages in them, but never got addressed and stamped. You'd think that would be the easy part! LOL So, LJ pals, you can see that this format has actually improved my communication skills. OR at least it has increased the frequency of communications, FWIW.

Current Mood: rejuvenated
Current Music: SG-1

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