And On This Day

Just a few days less than two years ago Auntie Blanche died. Exactly two years ago a small group of us were gathered in her room in the second nursing home eating delicious chocolate cake from Costco. She'd taken a big turn for the worse a week or so before and I really didn't know if she'd make it that far.  I was so grateful to her for allowing the rest of us this one last celebration. She clearly could have done without it. I fed her a tiny bite of cake, mostly frosting, and when she was done with it I offered her another one. "Maybe tomorrow," she said. As soon as she said that I thought she'd be dead the following day.

Had she not taken that final turn, Auntie Blanche would have been 100 years old today. After she turned 90 I had my sights set on 100. My logic brain, of course, understood that eventually she would die. My heart brain, though, had to make some sort of plan for how to handle something I could barely even consider. Without consciously deciding it I began to envision her turning 100. If we could just celebrate that, I bargained, I could let her go. Turns out, if you strip away my choices, I can do pretty much anything.

It's also hard to argue that things didn't work out exactly the way they were supposed it. It was a terrible year. Joe the Barber took his bad last turn in April but if he hadn't I wouldn't have been up north to share one last peanut butter and jelly sandwich dinner with Auntie Blanche in The Home For Old Ladies and a first unshared salad dinner in the new, hated, generic place. To paraphrase Mare Winningham in St. Elmo's Fire, "It was the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich of my life."

Auntie Blanche would have loved Eddie. She would gladly have plied him with snausages to keep him in her lap. His crying and whining wouldn't have aggravated her, she would have talked him into comfortable silence. His ridiculous head cocking would have made her laugh and laugh. She had a great laugh.

The stories I've heard about Auntie Blanche's childhood haven't been wonderful. They don't compute because she had such a strong hand in creating the best of childhood memories for so many of us. I suppose there's no way to make up for feeling unappreciated by one's mother but if there was I hope the love of all those she left behind would have done so. We were lucky to have her until she was 98 and, I know logically, that even 100 wouldn't have been enough for me. Someone recently asked me if my parents were ok, health-wise. I had to ask her to repeat herself because I didn't understand the question. In my, admittedly freakishly lucky, experience being in one's early 70s is hardly old at all. I am continually brought up short to realize how sadly untrue that is for most people. So I don't know if you can understand how perfectly vital and "with it" Auntie Blanche was up to the abrupt drop off a few months before her death. If you can possibly understand that then you can understand what a shock it was bound to be for all of us to see her decline so quickly. She was 97, what did we expect? She was extraordinary, anything might have happened.

I told someone yesterday that I don't have any idea what, if anything, will happen to me when I die but I can't help thinking that when dogs die they go somewhere that offers all their favorite things. While I know the ChemE's Sienna and my Emily wouldn't create a favorite place without us, I like to think of them lying at Auntie Blanche's feet, getting up only briefly to take from the endless supply of treats in her hands.

My Friend Titled A Song Once

It's been a long week. I've worn makeup for 6 days straight, very unusual for me. Also have had an alcoholic drink at least once per day for 6 days. That, too, is relatively unusual for me. Not sure whether I want to call either of them a trend.

The reason for my trip was that Nanny, Queen Bee's mother, died. The Bees are family to me. Losing Nanny, while expected on some level, was hard. With the timing of the trip and the amount of stuff that needed to be done and what's going on back here I never really found a moment to be able to truly mark her passing in feeling. (That's a fancy way of saying I haven't much cried yet.)

Usually my brain and my soul prefer space between things. I like to have one day per week where I truly don't have to do anything. This sounds wildly luxurious to most, I know, but it keeps me sane and (I'm willing to bet) off meds so I try to do it. I've been flat out since last Tuesday morning, somethings to do and someones to spend time with every day. The outings have been wonderful, no question, if I hadn't really wanted to go on them I would have stayed home. Heaven knows I had a good excuse.

Getting up today and getting myself together to go to brunch, though, was slow going. The weather is spring-like (read: impossible to count on) so I couldn't trust what I wanted to wear. I was cold last night and stranded waiting for the bus. We were brunching down by the water. I wound up in a t-shirt with a cardigan Queen Bee knit me and a jacket. Most of the day I was wildly over-dressed. Standing at the mirror to do my makeup I got a whiff of something off the sweater. I leaned down and took a deeper sniff of one chest panel and it smelled exactly like Nanny's house. Nanny hasn't lived in her house for almost a decade and Joe the Barber has been gone from it just over two years. Someone else entirely lives there now. That smell is, as they say, in the wind. I sniffed the other side of the cardie and it was just as good. With that behind me I could get ready and head out.

We had a lovely day. Pony Express and I arrived early and sat watching hoards of children chuck rocks into the river. Then our group of 8, some expected and some not, just the way I like it, sat down to a delicious meal. We took photos in a photobooth. Then we walked to the new park and checked it out. Despite a long line we persevered for the sake of ice cream and sat in that golden late afternoon sunlight eating our dairy delights. A long walk later found me at the bus and home again.

I smelled my sweater just before I left the house, not 10 minutes after I'd first gotten a wind of Nanny's house. It just smelled like me. For just a moment, though, she was here and thank goodness.

10 Good Things

A year ago today Joe the Barber died. Two years ago yesterday (or was it three?) mom's old man friend, Jake, died. Just over half a year ago Auntie Blanche took off for parts unknown. In January I let Mrs. X's passiversary well, pass, without note. OK, without note here on the internet, trust me, it was noted. Grandmother Biddy's 8th year away will come on May 8th, a red letter day of sorts.

Joe sent us a beautiful day today. So I thought it'd be a good Tuesday to do 10 Good Things about some of those people.

1. Joe and my mom and another neighbor used to have "tomato races" to see who could get the first ripe tomato of the season. The subterfuge involved is the stuff of legend.

2. Jake made pot roast that I sometimes still dream about. The guy would once in a great while have one solitary 7 & 7 but he'd deglaze the pot roast pan with PLENTY of sherry. Even Martha Stewart would vouch for this good thing.

3. Auntie Blanche used to bring roses to all the senior citizens in her home town on Christmas Eve.

4. Mrs. X had a really specific laugh for when she was being snarky. She could be Mistress of the Snark, which was very cool.

5. My grandfather, Robbie, (8 years as of Nov. 9th) was revamping a school project at the time of his death. He'd been invited to a local high school to be a sort of "Back in My Day" show and tell item and he felt he hadn't handled it perfectly so he was going to do it right the next year.

6. Mrs. X instituted "Homemade & Heifer" for our Christmas exchanges. Heifer stood for Heifer International but we expanded the definition to include any charity. We give a lot to the Lung Cancer folks now.

7. The gift we gave Auntie Blanche that she liked the most was a donation in her name to Habitat for Humanity. All my life she lived in a rented apartment.

8. After 9/11 Joe worried about me being prepared for another disaster and about how long my walk home was. After the blackout in 2003 he said, "It's not fair. She had to walk home twice!"

9. Robbie & Biddy's house smelled a particular way. It was sort of cool and earthy and delicious. It still exists very faintly on a coat of his that I have. I haven't worn it much because I didn't want to destroy the smell.

10. Joe used to go to the Bee's house to take the dog for a ride just because she liked it.

Do me a favor and enjoy the hell out of this day, willya? Thanks. I knew I could count on you.

Questioning

I really like the end of the year memes. I think I can find a couple more before we ring in the new year. If not I'll do them after the ringing.

I don't know if I originally got this from Linda but she's the one who makes it easy to do.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?


Sang a solo at a funeral. Planned a big birthday party for myself. Rescued a kitten trapped underneath a truck in the middle of rush hour traffic. Attended, nay participated in, the Mermaid Parade.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?


I kept a lot of them, I think, as shown by my 108 in 2008 list. (Update coming soon.) I will make resolutions soon but probably not 109 for 2009.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?


Yes, someone I just rediscovered fairly recently did and she let me be part of the celebration.

4. Did anyone close to you die?


Oh lord yes. Freaking hate. First Joe the Barber then Auntie Blanche and then, of course, my boss.

5. What countries did you visit?


Just America. My passport remains unrenewed and I remain trapped in America. Must fix.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

A passport, a job I love, an answer to my cat's health issues, sex.


7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?


Auntie Blanche's birthday since it was the last time I saw her. August 23rd.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?


I sang at Auntie Blanche's funeral and am not now in a loony bin for recovery purposes.

9. What was your biggest failure?


Can't write about all of them here but they're the same big failures I have every year. I don't work hard enough on supporting myself with activities/jobs I enjoy. I eventually snap when I've put up with shit for a long time and I inevitably do it in a way that makes me look like the problem. I feel bad for doing the thing badly. Very bad. I do not feel bad for doing the thing. You know?

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?


No, just repeated shavings off of my skin to make sure I don't suffer more illness and injury.

11. What was the best thing you bought?


My awesome camera which I love in a way that must be at least a little bit illegal.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?


Anyone who voted, especially if they hadn't done so before. Technically, though, I refuse to celebrate them until they make a habit of it.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?


Anyone who used the election season as a reason to treat others poorly. This group might include me, but I hope it doesn't.

14. Where did most of your money go?


You know, I'm not sure. I'm going to say travel and I'll probably be right. With two major deaths I made a lot of treks back and forth. Wouldn't have done it any differently. Wish there was a bereavement tax deduction, though.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?


Well, the election, natch. Almost everybody got really excited about it just that for some it was in a good way and for some, not so much.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?


The words to the 23rd Psalm even though I can't remember the tune right now, since I sang that for Auntie Blanche.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
 a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?


a. Weirdly happier. Or perhaps simply more resigned.

b. About the same. Need to shave off a tiny bit to be back at fighting weight.

c. Not sure. Probably slightly poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?


Work on my career.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?


Worry about my job.

20. How did you spend Christmas?


With friends and family in a wonderfully low key series of events up north.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?


No.

22. What was your favorite TV program?


Pick one? Seriously? How I Met Your Mother. No, Weeds. No! Mad Men! GAH! Those three and many, many more.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?


I wouldn't go so far as to say hate but I have stopped regular chats with a number of people after seeing their true colors. Another side effect of Election Fever.

24. What was the best book you read?


I read a lot of books this year. I couldn't possible remember. I did very much love Here If You Need Me from those I read recently.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?


I loved a hymn from Junebug. I think I might really like The Weepies even though I just heard that one song.

26. What did you want and get?


A new president from a slightly different perspective.

27. What did you want and not get?


For Auntie Blanche to get better.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?


So many choices, damn, since I've been seeing so many more movies this year than in years past. It might be between Milk and Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day. I received the latter for Christmas from ChemE both in movie and book form.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?


I was 39 and I drank champagne with friends to celebrate. Not sure if that was on the actual day or not but I think it was.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?


Submitting something for publication.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?


Does this fit? No? But I don't have anything else.

32. What kept you sane?


Friends & pets, a formidable fighting force.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?


This is so loaded. I mean, the most meaningful public person this year has to be Barack Obama, but I don't necessarily fancy him as such. In terms of fancying I'd have to go with more superficial choices like Robert Downey, Jr. and Neil Patrick Harris. My continuing desire for Josh Jackson and Lee Tergesen does not abate.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?


The whole election stirred me but, in terms of making me see both myself and others differently I think it would have to be the issues of reproductive choice.

35. Who did you miss?


Auntie Blanche.

36. Who was the best new person you met?


I got a lot of people back from the past but I'm having trouble thinking of many people I met new. Oh! I'm going to give it as a tie between Mrs. G and San Diego Momma because together they made my experience of the blogosphere more complete and more rewarding. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make myself fun when meeting people I loved from the internet but I was. Or at least fun enough that they fell for it. Because those ladies? Way fun.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.


It's an old lesson but it wasn't followed closely enough this year. Think. Breathe. Speak.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

I find this the most difficult one to answer. I really don't make these sorts of connections very well. Can't choose. Going to give you a selection of three.

From Jonatha Brooke's Back in the Circus:
And all the pretty horses
And all the pretty men
Well they could not put this pretty heart
Back together again, O no

From Colin Hay's Waiting For My Real Life to Begin:
And you say,"Just be here now
Forget about the past
Your mask is wearing thin"

Finally, back to Jonatha for a snippet of No Net Below:
My timing's all wrong
And the ladder is gone
And all I can do, is
Swing 'til it's all net below
All I can do, is
Swing 'til it's all net below
And I can let go

Sporty Traveler

My dog is what we call in my family, a sporty traveler. She doesn't whine or try to jump out of the car or crawl into the front seat or vomit. (The not vomiting is so nice. The dog we lived with when I got her was a carsick dog, even on short trips. So unappealing.) She actually likes to travel. Mostly it's because she likes to know she's going with her person and not being left behind but she also likes to watch out the windows and smell new places and she's a real fan of toll booths since that once guy gave her a dog biscuit.

The thing is, though, traveling really takes it out of her. She's nervous in new places and afraid of being left behind (my fault, I've had to leave her behind too often) and when we're moving around she doesn't always get her customary 20 hours of napping per day.

She was a superstar on this trip, truly. We were trapped in rain and traffic for probably over 8 hours on Friday and she was fine with it. When I took her out for a pee at a rest stop she got out, found a spot, peed and went straight back to the car. I didn't have all the right food for her so she subsisted for 2 days mostly on pizza crust and dog biscuits. Not having the right food meant not getting her supplements and meds into her either. Didn't matter to her. She probably wonders why pizza crust isn't a staple of her diet all the time.

She shone, however, at the nursing home. My mother, bless her, decided the dog should come with us all day on Saturday. I had been planning to leave her in Joe the Barber's empty-yet-unsold house for the day (see above re: my fault) but mom had a different plan and kidnapped the dog while I was having breakfast with ChemE. Unlike here in Brooklyn everyone in the nursing home facility is dog friendly. All the residents wanted to see her and talk to her and pet her. I'm not used to that. Visitors to Auntie Blanche's room kept saying things like, "She's 13? Wow. I never would have guessed." "She's in great shape!" "I need a dog just like Emily." "She's awfully good." "Hi puppy!" Auntie Blanche was able to feed her a few treats which was, possibly, the highlight of the day for both of them. It was hard work for the pooch, the entire day. I mean, every time she got settled and mostly asleep I'd do something inconsiderate like, I don't know, breathe and she'd have to pop up and check all the exits to make sure I wasn't making a break for it.

When we hit the highway on our ride home the dog lay down and didn't move for three states. Seriously, in the middle of Connecticut I began to plot out what I was going to do if I arrived in Brooklyn and discovered that she had expired in the back seat of the rental during the vet's closing hours. We went through the toll booth at the entrance to the Mass Pike and she didn't even stir. It was terrifying. Of course not terrifying enough for me to stop the car and hold a mirror up to her nose but terrifying nonetheless. Traffic snarled slightly at the bridge and she rolled over so I drove the last half hour with peace of mind. No dog has ever been happier to see my ass leave for work today and leave her alone!

I've said it before, I'll say it again, my dog is composed entirely of awesome and there will never be enough thanks to give to Pony Express for picking her cold, wet, nervewracked body up off the street.

*Photo is what my dog has looked like for the past 48 hours.

More of the Loyal

OK, so I'm back in the city.

The part I prefer only to give the overview of is that Joe the Barber has had a massive stroke and isn't expected to live long. I was up north spending time with him and the family. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation I suggest you hire Joe's girls to help you because no one does this sort of thing with a better mix of compassion, practicality, humor and love.

Serendipitously I found out when I got up there that a. Auntie Blanche was the last person left in her nursing home, which is going out of business, and b. that she was moving on Friday. I was able to eat supper with her on her last night in the old place and visit her on her first two evenings in the new joint. She had a private room and a lot of autonomy in the old home, which was close to where she'd lived for about 40 years. She is on the list for an independent living spot in the new establishment (about a 20 minute drive from our home town) but has to wait until one becomes available. In the mean time she is in a semi-private room in the no independence at all section which is a huge step down for her. At 97 she still walks over half a mile a day, teaches piano and gallivants about the area wherever we will take her. The move was really hard and I was so glad I was able to be there.

It was, however, crushingly difficult to leave her there especially on the first night when she was so unhappy. At the door I started to cry and so did she but when she saw me she rallied and said, "Oh, I'll be OK." I'm sure she will, she can do anything, but she deserves so much better than OK.

Missed Connection

I have a disconnect about time. At least one. I grew up between a compulsively on time person and a pathologically late person. I have no earthly idea how long shit takes and I'm petrified of being late or missing things. If I plan something special then it has to have a ton of padding on either side of it because WHO KNOWS what could happen.

A week or so ago Kath and I made a plan to take advantage of Dine In Brooklyn and go to a local restaurant. I blocked out THE WHOLE NIGHT! Remember, who knows what could happen. I went to work early so I could come home early with time to walk the dog and feed the pets before our 6:30 reservation since I might not be home until midnight, maybe later, I mean for the love of Pete the place is TWO WHOLE BLOCKS away from my house! Maybe three.

You want sanity? You've come to the wrong place.

First off, we had a truly lovely time. She had shrimp and I had a potato soup. We both had Sea Bass with a sauce that I can't remember. Kath, what was that sauce? I loved the sauce and the potatoes that were propping up the fish especially. There were two dessert choices, Key Lime Mousse and a rich Chocolate Tart, so we got one of each and shared them. Dessert was certainly the highlight, truly stellar. It turns out that restaurant, not one I think of as a staple in the 'hood, has actually been written up in national magazines. The joint was packed and hopping tonight. We had a good talk about art and learning and food and weight and fraud and Entourage and Buffalo 66 (Kath, the dude's name is Vincent Gallo, check out his imdb page).

Oh, and we were home by 7:45.

No sense of time, none at all.

So I was able to check in on Joe the Barber, do my 20 minutes of exercise and 20 minutes of cleaning, play a couple of games, check out some blogs and write this and it's only 10:00pm.

All in all a really great night. Thanks again, Kath!

Just Checking

I had to go over to Kath & Alex's and make sure that my new camera worked on their pets. Whew! (Just check out that one of Hula up there. I didn't do a thing to it, straight out of the camera. So clear, such colors, such a pretty kitty.) Really, could Bobby get any cuter? There ought to be a law.

I'm off to Boston for the day to check in on Joe the Barber and Queen Bee and the Bee sisters adn I've elected to leave my computer/safety blanket behind. I've done all my posting for the day upfront and I'll be back late tonight. Have a good Saturday!

Good Thoughts and Crossed Fingers

Joe the Barber took a spill on the ice last night leaving him with some upsettingly serious injuries. He's been moved to the local big city for extended expert care but I feel like, no matter how many experts he's got, some good old fashioned internet vibes can't hurt. So, please think a good thought every now and then for the man. Less pain and quick recovery are what we're looking for here if you can manage it.

Thanks!

Typical New Englander in Natural Habitat

This is Joe the Barber, Queen Bee's dad, on Christmas morning (That's D, sister C's partner, in the background). I don't know what kind of story he's telling but this is a pretty standard look for him. I'm not sure exactly how old he is but he's close to 80 and has come as close to retirement as I think he's able. He goes into the barber shop 2.5 days a week and makes the occasional house call to loyal customers who are no longer able to come to him. For Christmas his kids gave him a new TV, his first in probably 20 years, and he was amazed and pleased and can now see the whole field when the Patriots are playing instead of the whole field minus random pixels missing here and there. It was, as Chili says, the winner gift this year.


*Like how I worked the birthday girl into this post, too?

Like a rock star!

Before I begin, today is ChemE's birthday. She opened her presents yesterday, despite my best efforts to keep her from doing so. That in itself was probably the best part of her present. I just talked to her and she had a decent day. Chocolate, good food, flowers, the music I sent her. Some year I will manage to live up to the way she celebrates my birthday but I guess this was not that year. In the meantime I send her all the best birthday wishes and hope that this year craks wide open for her...in a good way.

So, last Wednesday I left the NYC to go on tour, just like a rock star. OK, so not so much like a rock star as like a 10th tier educational theatre company but whatever. I hear the "you never carry your own bags in the show".

I'm still in serious recovery mode so I'll just outline the schedule to give you an idea of what I've been doing for the past week.

Wednesday

Get up early
Go to Floor Barre
Pick up rental car
Drive home
Eat lunch
Pack car with stuff and neurotic dog
Drive north
see car accident
see car accident
Contemplate how crappy my ears feel
see car accident
see car accident
Arrive at Dad's 2 full hours after I expected to
Drop off dog while hiding from dad's bronchitis germs
Drive further north
Realize I've forgotten the one actual set piece for my show
Call PapaKizz who agrees to get a replacement
Visit with the Bees, collapse gratefully on the couch and sleep

Thursday

Get up REALLY early for my turn in the shower (4 family members, 1 guest, 1 bathroom)
Eat breakfast
Go to the high school
Meet up with Chili (with help from King Bee)
Teach 90 minute intro to Shakespeare to college-bound high school sophomores
Love that
Go to lunch with Chili & ProfDoc
Willfully fail to get ears looked at
Meet Queen Bee
Get eyebrows waxed for the first time ever
Back home to the Bees'
Sleep

Friday

Get up
Observe King Bee's class
See school nurse about ears
Hear a very calm assessment of why I might just want to consider going to the ER (I learned later that she was downplaying it)
Spend 90 minutes in the ER
Get diagnosed with a double ear infection
Drop of prescription
Pick up Queen Bee
Pick out sock yarn
Have yummy lunch
Back to pharmacy - no luck
Go to PO to send birthday gifts, Gilmore Girls tapes and a very pretty outfit for Alita
Cancel plans to meet with big honcho in NH theatre who, many years ago, taught me mimi (yes I am/was a mime, you learn something creepy about me every day don't you?)
Back to pharmacy - huzzah!
Antibiotics
Free wireless internet
Post
House
Crawl into bed
Stay there for the duration of the evening
Am later joined by the Bees, we eat and watch Weatherman and Capote (Vanx, I saw Capote! More on that later for sure)

Saturday

Up sorta early
Breakfast, meds, yogurt, cranberry juice
Head to County nursing home
Meet a bunch of oldsters
Perform my show for them (a couple of sleepers, one yeller, and a lot of good response)
To the strip mall for errands with Queen Bee and MamaKizz
Back to the house briefly
To small, local all chick bursing home
Perform in small room for a group of about 15 old broads, MamaKizz, Grammy Charlene, Mrs. X, Chili, Peanut Chili and Bean Chili
Sing along with the ladies
Home to rest briefly
Pick up Auntie Blanche
Drive to Newick's for dinner - YUM!
Drive Auntie Blanche home
Visit and look at cool pictures (NEED. SCANNER.)
Back to the Bees'
Watch Wedding Crashers - hee.
Sleep gratefully

Sunday

Sleep in (9:15am)
Dunkin' Donuts - mmm mmm good
See Blondie Girl play field hockey, she's doing really well, it's so much fun to see her play
Pick up Joe the Barber
Tour 3 separate beauty supply stores and buy all the things that will make me so stunning that I won't be able to post a picture of me on the internet for fear of starting a riot
Laundry
Dinner and visit with The Xs. Always so much fun. MamaKizz came, too.
Back home
Watch the last half of Brokeback Mountain and discuss (I still stand that it's a great story, beautifully told)
Sleep

Monday

Up
Shower
Eat more yogurt
Drink more cranberry juice
Delight in the wonder of antibiotics and their side effects
Wake The Athlete to say goodbye, he actually wakes up
Goodbye to the Bees
Drive south to MA
Meet PapaKizz
Drive to one campus
Perform for about 250 high school and college students
Drive to other campus
Find food
Take antibiotics
Perform for 150 college students
Collect check (yippee!)
Collect cool poster the college made for me
Collect dog
Drive south
Eat McDonald's because I am weak
Sleep in parking lot because I am bushed
Drive south
Take weird little Queens Boulevard detour because I'm almost out of gas
Get home
Drive around the neighborhood calling friends for help, looking for parking spot near house, no dice
2 longish trips to get stuff and pet into house
1 half hour session of pet hair removal on rental car to avoid getting extra charge
Collapse on couch


I was going to put links on this but I'm too tired still, sorry.
Ditto proofreading.
Ditto picture.
Ditto formatting.

Some more details later. The ears are better but for sure not cured and I'm starting to have low level panic that they won't be cured with this round of meds.

Back to work tomorrow. Could be ugly since we moved desks while I was away and both guys might come in. So I have to hit the ground running.

Thanks for the comments and good wishes!

P.S. Though I'm not the type to often wish such a thing, who can pick out the points in this outline where I wish I had a partner?

A little snippet of the trip

Here's an action shot of Mrs. X and Mama Kizz. We were ingesting copious amounts of sugar at the time.

Mrs. X has just been introduced to this blog and she says she keeps looking for herself and getting disappointed. Now, I've written about her before but she hasn't gotten that far, I guess. So, here's a little something for her. I hope she can come in out of the beautiful weather down there in FL for a couple of minutes to catch this entry.

Isn't her haircut great? Queen Bee's dad, Joe the Barber, did it. There's a long story about that which I'll tell later when I've got more time.



This is a hail, hail the gang's all here shot. OK, admittedly not the whole gang but a healthy portion thereof.

ChemE and I try to take Auntie Blanche out for lunch at some point in our home trips for the holidays. Well, we try to do it every time we're home but the holiday one tends to be a bigger deal.

We sat at this table and talked and laughed and got presents for probably close to 3 hours. At one point Auntie Blanche talked about how glad she was to be at a table where people were capable of conversation. Apparently at the home they mix up the tables instead of having all the wanderers and all the chatters and all, er, those who are non copus mentis at separate tables. I believe that right now she's seated across from a lady who giggles occasionally and that's about it. She's willing to pull her weight and do what she can but it's pretty depressing.

This group more than made up for any lack of conversation she's been having at table. Chalk the Auntie Blanche luncheon up as a Christmas tradition that I love.

And see that cool scarf I'm wearing? Queen Bee knit it herself. How long has she been knitting you may ask. Since Thanksgiving. Yes, she's a powerhouse.