Bean and Shmoo

First, a big fat wa-hoo because I'm off on Friday this week so I'm going to enjoy a 4-day weekend. Of course this also means that I will pay for it next week. Sometimes the shorter week almost isn't worth it. Almost. Hey maybe I'll get my August reading list finished. Ya think? Maybe?

Shmoo news...

Shmoo has started his EMT class. It's done in 8-hour sessions on Saturdays for 16 weeks. Yep. 16. Weeks. Lots of homework too. He's also in the process of getting a second job. Is it wrong that I'm so gleeful he's going to be so busy? I think it's great and the mother in me rejoices that he's working hard and building character.

OTOH now that he's going to have two jobs he's looking into buying a new vehicle. Like most guys in the fire service he wants a truck. Fortunately he's willing to start small because he can't afford it and doesn't want a Ford 350 right out of the gate.

I had to smile. Secretly. We have an agreement with him about how much money he has to have in an investment account, a savings/emergency fund and money saved for a down payment. I calculate it will take him at least a year to save enough money, added to what he already has, to meet our agreement.

Undeterred, and because he's the male of the species, he's already shopping. He's narrowed it down to a Toyota Tacoma. He walks into my room to talk to me a couple of days ago and starts the conversation with, "I'm so excited about my new truck." Dude. He's already gone online to get a quote for insurance too. Just so he knows what it costs.

Shmoo is like GG in that regard. He gets focused on something and Hannah-bar-the-door, he's going to do it. It's a good thing, I know, but the next year is going to be full of truck magazines, ideas for stereos, color, truck posters in his room. Mark my words. This is far from the last we will hear about "my new truck" in the next 12 months.

In other news...

Beanie called me yesterday. As I've mentioned a few times Bean is my geeky dorky comic book kid. While he loves working for Disney he's totally bummed that Disney bought Marvel comics. Suddenly Disney is not the "happiest place on earth". Bean is very concerned about what the "evil empire" will do to Marvelverse. Lordy.

We spoke a bit about his comic book project. I finally read his narrative for the first issue of the comic book that he's creating with about half the students attending Cal State Fullerton.

I keed, I keed.

Although, I think there are like 8 people involved at this point. I'm also ashamed to admit that I was surprised and intrigued with what I read. Yeah, I'm going to Mom hell for my tendency to roll my eyes when my kid's current focus during his 5th year of college is creating a comic. Great kid. Wonderful human being. Just in no hurry to graduate. Since he works and got student loans I guess I shouldn't can't complain. But, you know, I was hoping there'd be less comic book and more communications degree this year.

Besides I was a little worried because early on Bean had mentioned that his super heroes were getting their powers from an STD. Isn't that a delightful premise? Anyway, I had visions of myself having to lie to my sweet Little Beanie Boy if I really didn't like his comic book. I'm thinking it's also the reason why I may have procrastinated reading it.

Thankfully there was no mention of sexually transmitted super powers. The writing and premise were pretty decent. I actually (appropriately) laughed at some of the dialogue.

Silly me for worrying. Just don't tell Bean, okay?

With that I'm going to post a picture of the boys with their GFs. I finally remembered to ask them if it was okay to post their picture on my blog. Why I worry when they all post pictures of themselves right and left on FaceBook and elsewhere, I don't know, but I thought I should ask first.

It's Over...I'm Tired!

Here we are...GG & I all dressed up and ready for the big event.

My boys

Their girlfriends were with us too, but I don't have their permission yet to post pictures.

I did it! They're really married!

After complaining about not getting a photo of me to post on the blog. GG obliged by taking one after we got home... at around 12:30 AM AFTER much dancing and sweating. I'm a little worse for wear. My hands are out because I was having a "discussion" about the late night photo shoot with my darling husband at the time.

But really, who cares when you have bitchin' red shoes like these?

Poster Girl

I took all of today off from work at the last minute. What does that mean? Well, I didn't have a specific plan for today, just a plan to get my last minute stuff done for the weekend without being crazy, rushed or, did I mention crazy?

However, being the Poster Girl for Stuff Happens, I instead have been playing on the internet. Joyfully playing. Blog hopping and googling to my heart's content. All of which means I didn't write the post about WRITTEN ON MY SKIN by Meredith Duran that I set out to write when I sat down this morning.

Nor did I start some sort of post for Access Romance. Nope. I played. I even *whispers* Twittered a little bit. I know! I'm such a loose cannon!

Time to get back on track and ready for the Stairsteps and the new little baby in the family, happy little GW, to arrive. Can't wait. Although I have a couple loads of laundry to do, a bathroom to clean, a rug to vacuum, some bruschetta to make and much painting and spakling to make myself presentable.

Wedding rehearsal is tonight. I found out yesterday I'm facilitating it. Power! So heady!

What I'm Doing...

What I'm doing is blog hopping. What I should be doing is polishing the wedding ceremony for my niece. Our last meeting is tomorrow. Two weeks to go to the big day.

I'm typing fast and looking over my shoulder because GG is doing yard work and I should be out helping him and weeding my flower beds. Instead I'm in the air-conditioned house here with you. Shhhhhhhh... Don't rat me out! Besides, I've decided the weeding can be done in the early AM when the temperature is below 90-something degrees.

Here are the red shoes I bought this morning for my dress. I tried them on with said dress and they look killer. Red was definitely the way to go. Don't worry, they aren't too casual for the dress. (Hey I know you aren't really worried about it, but indulge me.) The dress material is light weight and cotton-y. No I don't know what it actually is and I'm too lazy to go look when I also have to be on the look-out for GG.

Wow, so many of you have your July reading lists up already. Look for mine to be posted around September. J/K. Hopefully this week...some time.

Crikeys, I better go. I have to finish this wedding stuff and get some stuff, and myself, ready for this wine tasting thing we are going to tonight.

The Junk Drawer & An Award

I don't really have a junk drawer. My sister forbid it years ago. She pulled open the catch-all drawer in my kitchen gasped and said something like, "You can't have a messy drawer like this. You always have everything so organized." It was a call to arms hidden in an intervention.

Anyway, I told you that just so I could say, I don't have a junk drawer. BUT, if I did, this particular post is the equivalent of what my only imaginary, not real, junk drawer would look like.

See how messy things are already and I've hardly started. So FWIW, here goes.

Remember that saying, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions"? My good intentions were to keep up with the posting and blogging once I returned from RWA. Apparently the universe had other ideas. I came home from RWA and promptly had the mother of all flare ups with my rheumatoid arthritis. Well, a mother of a flare up for me. Anyway one swollen & drained knee later I'm "fit as fiddle and ready for love".

(Don't you just love Singin' in the Rain?)

However, it did throw a major crimp into my good intentions seeing as how I had a leg propped up and was a sleep for at least half the week last week. For a brief moment Wednesday night I did throw myself a bit of a pity party imagining that I wouldn't be able to wear this dress...

or stand in these shoes...


What do you think? Should I go with red shoes to match the dress or stick with the silver?

Anyway, I chased those blues away because the knee is good. Mostly. New meds, good knee. I should be all kinds of awesome by August 15th when I will stand for approximately 20 minutes straight in those killer shoes to marry my niece and her fiance. Promptly following the ceremony I plan to change into something that won't cripple and disfigure my feet for life.

You know why?

Dancin' baby! Dancin'! It only takes a little coaxing and a few lurid false promises to get GG on the dance floor. What can I do but take advantage of the poor man? He just plain likes it so much.

Oh, and now that I feel better, I'm out in Romancelandia again too. Feels good. Mucho good. So, you know, HELLO EVERYBODY!

I'm lifting a glass of my favorite bar beverage to Ms. Lisabea who gave me an award in the guise of yet another call to arms disguised as an intervention.

Here's to you LB. Mwah!

Le Award

The Kreativ rules state that: Once you receive this award you are to list seven of your favorite things and then nominate seven other blogs.


1. Chocolate cake - it has to be moist and not be slathered in frosting.

2. A bright sunshiney day without wind. You have to live where I do to appreciate this.

3. Swimming. I feel so powerful and strong moving through the water.

4. Coffee. Slightly (a lot) addicted.

5. Buying presents. I love the feeling when I know I've gotten just the right thing for someone.

6. That moment every night when I lay my head on GG's shoulder and sigh. We just fit.

7. Books, of course. They've brought so much joy into my life not only in the pleasure of reading, but now with all the friends I've made.

Planning a Wedding

I may have mentioned I have another niece and family wedding this year and that my niece had asked me to marry them. With a family as large as mine we rarely have a year without some big event or other. Anyway I've been working my butt off on the ceremony. We had a very productive meeting this morning and got a lot of things finalized. Since I'm sworn to secrecy there's not a lot I can share at this time, but my sister, who's a genius when it comes to selecting music, chose this one for the bride's entrance. I love it.

The faster I go...

...the behinder I get.

My sister is coming with the stair steps. She'll be here until Saturday, and in between I'm working and walking and swimming... you get the drift.

Once again my participation in these here parts will be scattered. I might not make my TBR Challenge this month. Bummer that.

Tomorrow is Shmoo's 19th birthday. He's celebrating by going camping with his Dad for a couple of days. Yes, that does mean what you think. I'm home alone with my sister where we can talk books to our hearts content.

Yep, no more pity party...

And so it goes...

Whirlwind weekend with the Stairsteps is over. Fun was had by all. Well Aunt Ro-Ro had fun and I think the Stairsteps did too. Lots of junk food was consumed I can tell you that. Yes, I did also manage to get a couple of fruit and vegetable servings in but bribery is a very fine edge to walk.

We didn't get any yard work done because the weather wasn't cooperative. Bummer that. We did get lots of exercise running around though and Emily was in heaven with three boys to play with.

Our weekend included a visit to the bookstore where they each scored a couple of books. It's hard to argue with a kid who wants to read. My sister, before having three boys in rapid succession, taught elementary school, so her boys love books. We got a couple of Boxcar kids chapter books, a book on the rain forest, a book on reptiles, and the first two books in a series called the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod by Heather Brewer. Shmoo read the Vladimir Tod books and recommended them to our precocious 10-year old boy genius.

We had some moments of hilarity and high drama with the three of them in between stuffing ourselves with pizza, doughnuts, and ice cream. Fortunately GG and I restrained ourselves with the food, but not with the laughter.

I managed to get some reading time in and finished the reprint of TANGLED LIES by Anne Stuart. I have a lot of her older books, but they are of her single titles. TANGLED LIES was her first Harlequin Intrigue and was released in 1988 or 1989. It held up pretty well although at one point I found myself thinking 'why doesn't she use her cell phone?" Ooops. No cell phones. Anyway it was pretty good and a nice, easy, quick read. Of course the reading of this book called for a visit to her website which resulted in finding out that this little gem...

It's supposed to be a thriller involving a serial killer. Shades of Richard Tiernan in NIGHT FALL? May 1st release date and I'm really looking forward to this one.

In other news...

We have also finally subscribed to HD TV for the BATV. Alright, here it is... Life will never be the same. Holy guacamole! It's awesome, just awesome. Wonderful. You can still see the TV screen from Mars, but it's all kinds of WOW!, so you know, I'm almost glad we have it. Almost. Just gotta call the electrician back to hide some more wires. *sigh* It's always something.

Pet Names and the Busy Weekend

This weekend my sister is taking her husband to LA to a concert. Why is this significant? Well they are driving here from where she lives, near Santa Barbara, and dropping off my three nephews, who I affectionately call 'The Stairsteps' because of their closeness in age and size. I also call them kee-kee bobos, schmenkies and when I lose my mind and insult my beloved younger son, I even slip and call them Shmoo.

Which, indulge me a moment while I go off on a tangent, is interesting because when Shmoo was in about the 6th grade he said he didn't want me to call him Shmoo any more. I promised to try and not call him by his special pet name, especially in front of his friends.

Shortly thereafter we got a visit from 'The Stairsteps'. I grab one of my nevvies, give him a nuzzle and affectionately call him 'my Shmoo'. From down the hallway and the bowels of boy central I hear, "Hey! That's my name!" What? Huh? Your name? Alrighty then. Ever after I've been careful not to call anyone else Shmoo while not addressing my Shmoo as Shmoo in front of his friends. Complicated enough for you? Lordy.

Ironically Shmoo doesn't mind me calling him Shmoo now at the ripe old age of almost 19. In fact I think he kind of likes it. Weird, huh? I know nicknames, pet names, shortened derivatives of names aren't for everyone but they are just a by-product of my affection for someone. Poor Super Librarian Wendy has been given about three nicknames by me already.

Beware my fair friends, it can happen at any time. I may already have a pet name for you in my ever cogitating grey matter and just haven't been brave enough to address you by it yet. If I slip up and you hate it, tell me. I'll stop. If not...well you've been warned.

What's in a name? Lots of fun stuff. There's tons of places to get fun names on the internet. How about your fairy name? Mine is Fire Rainbowdancer. Or, how about my stripper name of for a good time call Sierra Sunnysizzle? Just call me Sunny... Sunnysizzle. Heh.

So, back to the busy weekend. My nephews will be staying over this weekend and I'll be pretty busy with them and don't expect to be around the blogosphere much. Try not to let too much happen, I hate when I miss stuff. In the meantime think of me enjoying spoiling The Stairsteps and conning them into helping me plant my flower beds.

Bribery, the cornerstone of good parenting, will play a large part in my nefarious plot to beautify my yard. Any ideas for 10, 9 and 6 year old boys? What would really float their boat?

And now for the News...

Yes, it's St. Paddy's Day. Since I'm mostly Italian I didn't grow up celebrating this holiday much. No big parties. No green beer.

When we adopted Shmoo we found out he's of Irish heritage which he loves to carry on (and on) about. He thinks it's very significant. That said when I was making pasta salad for the St. Paddy's potluck at work today, Shmoo chimed in with a "It's St. Patrick's Day tomorrow?" Ain't he somethin'?

I can't remember why I was telling you all that. To wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day? Probably. Let's go with that, shall we?

In other news, you may have noticed in the comments yesterday that Wendy the Super Librarian and I have purchased our airline tickets for Washington DC. Yippy, yappy and yahooey! Now it's real. Four more months. Since we are two and a half months into 2009 already, that's not that far away. Am I crazy or does it seem like it was just Christmas?

Beanie is officially working at Disneyland. He's a submarine driver on the Finding Nemo ride. He's also registered with an agent to do extra work and maybe, just maybe possibly get some work in commercials. What can I say, the boy's a big dreamer. He's also finally found a "good artist" to draw his comic book idea. I think this makes a total of 4 people collaborating on it now. Of course, I'm constantly asking motherly questions like, "And, how's school doing?"

Like most college kids he's burning the candle at both ends but seems to be thriving. I'm happy for him. Please Lord, one more year to graduation.


Shmoo is rethinking his commitment to the fire service. The kid I had to nudge, push and shove through his senior year of high school actually likes college. He announced to us over the weekend he thinks he will go ahead and get his 4-year degree. While I'd love to send up the halleluias I know his mind and attitudes changes with the weather. OTOH, I'd be a liar if I didn't say it made me happy that he's even considering a degree. It was a brief moment of bliss to think that maybe, just maybe some of the stuff we've been drilling into his head talking to him about since he started kindergarten has stuck.

GG has had some rocky roads and tough transitions at work lately, not the least of which was a co-worker being struck and killed by a truck in the freight yard where he works. The truck driver was where he was supposed to be, the co-worker in the correct crossing area, they just didn't see each other. Horrible, horrible accident. Knocked my GG a bit off kilter. His words to me, "You just never know what a day will bring. All the guy wanted to do was go to work to take care of his family." I love my husband. I really do.

Day one of my new job? Pretty darn good. Of course the transition is nothing like being brand new at a company. I know all the people and routine. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll be in my very own office. I got all kinds of keys today. That's one of those things you don't know how to feel about. Good=They trust me. Bad=Crap! They trust ME? Yes, this is my internal dialogue. It's so fun. NOT.

I didn't make my bed today. It was liberating because I didn't think about it once and got home and was surprised by the unmade bed. Okay you probably don't think it's significant, but if you've been reading my blog for awhile you know that it was b-i-g for me.

I'm walking. I'm swimming. I'm trying going to lose more weight before DC. Although I've pretty much conceded that if I want to read and blog I'll probably be sleeping less.

I told GG sleeping was overrated. He said, "Not when you aren't getting any." I hate it when he's right. And gets the last word.

And now a word from our sponsors...

My sister has her team pledge page up at the Wounded Warrior Project. They are still struggling to meet their goal of $500 for their race in May. If you are looking for a worthy cause that benefits our wounded soldiers, this certainly is one.

Better yet, you will give incentive to the Road Warriors to ruuuuuuuun and train.

THE GREATEST CASUALTY IS BEING FORGOTTEN.

Shmoo Talk

I stole this from Angie who borrowed it from her friend Penny. Sure my sons are lots older, but it was fun asking Shmoo (age 18) these questions. Lori? I'd love to see what your guys would answer.

Before I continue, let me set the scene for this little experiment. It was Sunday morning, Shmoo's GF was over and they were fixing breakfast. Fixing breakfast that involved them cooking. French toast. Enter Mom (me) sitting at counter and asking Shmoo these questions as he is cooking turkey bacon and whisking eggs for scrambled eggs.

Oh, and one more note. He didn't even question me or balk at answering. Cooking diversion and the GF are my friends. Heh.

1. What is something your mom always says to you?
You'll succeed no matter what.

2. What makes your mom happy?
When me and my brother don't fight.

3. What makes your mom sad?
When me and my brother DO fight and when I make racist jokes.
*head desk* (Ed. Note: He knows it really, really bugs me, so of course he does it.)

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
When she thinks she's funny.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
I don't know. I wasn't alive. She bossed around my uncles.
(Ed. Note: I have sisters too, but he didn't mention them. Hmmm...)

6. How old is your mom?
54

7. How tall is your mom?
Short

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Read. No wait... Work.

9. What does your mom do when you’re not around?
Hell if I know. Probably work.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Diplomacy

11. What is your mom really good at?
She's good at having random conversations with people and giving advice.

GF: Your Mom is good at loving you just the way you are.

(Ed. Note: Isn't she awesome?! I'm keeping her even if he doesn't.)

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Being mean to people.

13. What does your mom do for her job?
A lot of different stuff. Coordinate stuff.

14. What is your mom’s favorite food?
I don't know. What is your favorite food? Spaghetti?

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
She raised me and didn't kill me.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Uh... (turns to GF) what's the name of the nice Power Puff girl? You know, the leader with the red hair?
GF: I don't know who you're talking about.
Shmoo: Her. You'd be her, the red haired one.

17. What do you and your mom do together?
I do her shredding at work. (Laughs) We talk when I come home at night.

18. How are you and your mom the same?
We are the only two funny people in the family.

19. How are you and your mom different?
I'm A LOT funnier. I'm arrogant.
(Ed. Note: Amen to the arrogant comment!)

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Cuz she hasn't kicked me out yet.

21. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?
*tcha* *eye roll* The bookstore. You really going to put this on your blog?

Me: *Tcha* *Eye roll* Yes!

Running, Warriors, My Baby Sister

What do these three things have in common? Well in an effort to get in shape my youngest sister started running last year. You may recall she did a half marathon with a bunch of her girlfriends and my main squeeze GG.

They all had such a great time that most of them are doing it again this year. Some of the group are new and others returning. Only this year as an incentive they are going to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.

They have also set up a blog so they can let their friends, family and sponsors know what the group is up to. It's called Road Warriors. WarriorM is the leetle seesteer. Hopefully they will soon have their Wounded Warrior PayPal account set up so if you were so inclined you could stop by and sponsor them. It's a win-win. You get to contribute to a worthy cause knowing you were also inspiring people to get fit by running.

Here's Lil Miss Speedy otherwise known as WarriorM. She's gonna kill me when she sees I posted this.

Speedy WarriorM and GG at the half marathon last year.

WarriorM and the every amazing CSR, her military man. She cleans up pretty good, don't ya think?

So that's my pitch. I hope you'll stop by their blog and the Wounded Warrior sites and check it all out.

Cindy's Meme

Cindy tagged me for this one. Apparently this meme was making the rounds back in November, but I like to pay up when I've been tagged, so my answers are below. I won't be tagging anyone, but the scoop on how you can do be a part of this one is at the end of the post.

The books that have been on my shelves the longest:
How about RING AROUND THE ROSARY? Yes indeedy my dear friends. This is the book my Aunt C gave me for my First Holy Communion, as we called it way back in June of 1962. Take a look at this...

A book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time, etc.):

1. SHATTERED LEGACY by Lora Leigh. I actually purchased this from Ellora's Cave and printed the whole darn thing out on my printer and took it to the hospital with me. I read this book at my mother's bedside near the end of her life. I remember her waking and asking me what I was reading.

2. THE CARPETBAGGERS by Harold Robbins. Um...yeah. I read this one as a precocious 13-year old babysitter. The book boggled my mind. It was my first 'adult' book.

3. Within the year I read the CARPETBAGGERS I was staying at my grandparents and found FAREWELL THE STRANGER by Saliee O'Brien in the book case in the basement. I consider this book to be how I started reading romance novels.

A book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity in a used bookstore, prize, etc.):

I met Ann Aguirre at RWA and was so effusive and sycophantic in my praise for GRIMSPACE that she took mercy on me and gave me an ARC of WANDERLUST after I attended one of her workshops where she was presenting. I was over the moon.

A book that’s been with you to the most places:
My copy of Little Men by Louisa May Alcott.

I loved LITTLE WOMEN, but every time I read it, until I was an adult, I borrowed it from the library. When we lived in Japan I received a copy of LITTLE MEN as a Christmas gift. I honestly can't remember for certain who gave it to me, but I think it was my grandparents. Anyway, for a long time this was the only book I owned. It was mine. All mine. It was kept in my room and has moved with me ever since. RING AROUND THE ROSARY doesn't count because my Mom kept that one (who knows why) until I got married.

The most recent addition to your shelves:
Over the Fall I glommed Jodi Thomas. So I'd have to say TWISTED CREEK would be the latest addition to my keeper shelves.

Okay, that's it for me. Now it's your turn. Here are the rules if you want to participate in this one.

The Rules
1. Tag 3-5 people, so the fun keeps going!
2. Leave a comment at the original post at A Striped Armchair, so that Eva can collect everyone’s answers.
3. If you leave a comment and link back to Eva as the meme’s creator, she will enter you in a book giveaway contest! She has a whole shelf devoted to giveaway books that you’ll be able to choose from, or a bookmooch point if you prefer.
4. Remember that this is all about enjoying books as physical objects, so feel free to describe the exact book you’re talking about, down to that warping from being dropped in the bath water…
5. Make the meme more fun with visuals! Covers of the specific edition you’re talking about, photos of your bookshelves, etc

Shamelessly Proud Auntie

We welcomed our 60th family member into the collective. Have I mentioned I have 8 siblings with assorted spouses, nieces, nephews, who have in turn married and procreated? Well we are 60 all told currently.

Below is the Christmas card photo of my nephew and newest family member with his big sister.

This is his 3-month photo. Is he a sweetie or what?

Do you hear what I hear?

Happiness and joy abound. I'm ready for Christmas. Mostly. I do have the food preparation for the holiday meals, and some pesky house cleaning to do.

OTOH, shopping is all done. Gifts are wrapped. Packages and cards are sent. And, baking is done. Although I've been thinking that I might make some more biscotti and chocolate chip cookies. They are very popular around here and what I've made will probably be gone before Christmas Eve.

I'd like to get caught up with all of you. I see I have 637 posts again in google reader. *very big sigh* I also have a post to write for Access Romance. You know what I'd really love? I'd really love to read. I don't see any of this happening any time soon though. With my family all coming over on Christmas Eve, sisters visiting from out of town, and the actual holiday itself, I think real catching up won't happen until the new year.

Which reminds me... Throw me a crumb and tell me what you are reading. I just picked up Feehan's MURDEROUS GAMES yesterday. I don't know if I'll get a chance to crack it anytime soon, but one can hope. So give a chickie a break and let me know what YOU are reading. I'll have to survive vicariously on your comments.

So, did you catch the 'sisters visiting from out of town' remark? Yep, the fabbo news I received last week, on my birthday no less, (random??? I think not!) my sister is coming out from Georgia on December 26th! My sister Mary, who sometimes comments on ye olde blog, will come down from central coast Cali to join us as well. You know how I love to spend time with my seees-ters. Can't wait for that. I plan to take a couple days off the week after Christmas to really enjoy the bimbos.

Except for missing all of you these past few weeks, Christmas has been pretty darn swell here at Nobody Asked Me central. I love Christmas season. Yes, I'm busy and there's lots to do, but I really don't mind. It means family gatherings, catching up with friends, and reminding myself of what's really important. Yep, I love it.

I hope things aren't too frantic or worrisome at your households. I hope you are safe, and warm and surrounded by those you love. And, I really hope that you are having a chance to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Almost a month...

I realized this morning that it's been almost a month since I've been in my blogging groove. Four weeks to be exact. Looking back on the last four weeks I realize how many special events or projects I've had between work and home and think to myself, "no wonder!"

I was very tired when I did my post yesterday. Pretty pathetic huh? Lordy. I call those sorts of posts my shameless appeal for attention. Look away from the train wreck people...

Anyway, the next two weeks it's Thanksgiving and then the following week the annual banquet at work. Fortunately most of the grunt work and planning that I have to do for these two events is already done so I'm feeling pretty darn good about that.

Miraculously I have been able to do a little bit of reading and fit in our SoCal blogger get together. That's the stuff that fuels the rest of my life.

Tomorrow morning GG, Shmoo and I are going to a charity fund raiser. A pancake breakfast. A pancake breakfast where firefighters will be serving us. I can't wait. It should be fun.

I also have Beanie coming home for Thanksgiving to look forward to. He'll be home for most of the weekend. Things have been slow at his regular job so he's been looking for a second one. He called yesterday to say he got hired... Guess where. Toys R Us. If you knew my son that I fondly call 'Peter Pan' you would know why he's so wildly happy at 22 and a junior in college to be working at a toy store. I wish I could convey to you how hilarious and funny he was on the phone yesterday. What do you say to someone who got to put Legos together as part of the job interview?

That's it for now. I must be off to work.

The Scoop, The Dish, The Dirt...or what happened at the Wedding

You know your life is crazy when you post pictures of your niece's wedding and realize it was two weeks ago and you haven't even told the story of the event. You are all such good friends, and it was a bit humbling and startling to realize how much I tell you about my life and how invested we all are in one another. I adore you all. I do. I do. I do. Speaking of I do...

My story actually begins on Thursday. GG and I took the day before the wedding off to get the house ready and grocery shop because we were having much of my immediate family come to our house Saturday and Sunday for a BBQ and breakfast.

I tell you this because after we swam Thursday morning I called my brother, the father of the bride, and asked him to join us for breakfast. My SIL and the bride had already left for the venue and to run errands before the rehearsal dinner.

Anyway, we were having a great time until the conversation turned to the Dad update. I don't know if I've ever mentioned that my Dad lives half the year in Montana and half of the year (theoretically) here in SoCal. Dad was supposed to have left with HER to drive down here on Tuesday. Most people need two days to comfortably drive the route from MT to CA. My Dad always takes almost 3 full driving days because he likes to stop a lot. So if he left on Tuesday morning he'd be here Thursday afternoon.

So when I'm telling my brother the update, because he and Dad don't really speak any more, I let him know that Dad's been calling me about every 6 to 8 hours and updating me on his trip progress because he didn't leave MT until Wednesday NIGHT. He was only able to drive two hours out and stopped for the night.

Now call me crazy, but if I were a father estranged from most of my children and wanted them to accept my new wife and heal the rift, why would I tempt fate by leaving MT so late? Both my Dad and his wife are retired with no commitments or time constraints. Not to mention even though he's aggravating and irritating, he's also 77 years old.

Anyway I had been feeling sort of certain Dad might make it anyway because his wife is my age and she often does the driving. Well, my update to my bro was that my Dad says their pace is so slow because they are driving two separate cars. He bought her a new Prius to match his. But I digress and that's a story for another day.

My point here is that his wife has been here several times already. Why choose the time you are making the trip to go to your granddaughter's wedding the time you decide to move stuff down to SoCal and take two cars??? Huh? Why? Whatever though, right?
So my brother says, "Maybe it won't be an issue because he won't make it to the wedding." Sure I think to myself. What we wanted to avoid was making the wedding about Dad and drama and now we are all wondering and worrying about them driving and rushing and whether he will pull some slick trick and bring her at the last minute.

Throughout the day Thursday Dad calls. His progress and stops are pretty much status quo. I'm beginning to think he won't make it. Thursday night he's only half way. He says his pace is slow because of the two cars and he's going to press on ahead of his wife so he can make the wedding.

Long story short? They continue to drive together all day Friday and call and give me updates until I want to scream. Just as an aside, being the oldest sucks.

In the meantime, the rest of us are all gathering and getting ready for the wedding. Much happiness ensues. I try not to say anything to anyone about Dad because I don't want us talking and focusing on his drama. Of course that works pretty well with my brothers because they compartmentalize better than the sisters do. My sisters and I stew. And stew. And stew.

The wedding is at 6 PM. At 430 Dad calls and tells me to let my brother, the father of the bride know that he should go on without him. I almost swallow my tongue. Go on without them? Them? Uh-oh. I wonder...does my Dad actually think they'd hold the wedding for him? I'm amazed at the delusion.

I realize during this conversation that my Dad is still on Mountain time and remind him it's 430 not 530. He can still make the wedding if he really is already enroute. Of course, he wasn't. He had just arrived at their Cali home and hadn't showered or changed. He tells me his wife is too tired but he's going to try and make it.

Okay. It seems one disaster is diverted. No wife is coming. Whew! I move that message along to the masses and let them know to keep an eye peeled and their phones on vibrate because Dad isn't sure how to get to the Mission Inn.

We finish getting ready, kissing and shmoozing our way from our rooms at the Inn to the chapel where the wedding will be held. We're seated at 5:40. No Dad. More kissing and shmoozing as other family members arrive and are seated. No Dad.

6 PM. No Dad.

6:05 PM they close the doors to the chapel to prepare for the bride to walk down the aisle. My purse vibrates. It's Dad. I press ignore. 6:06 PM I'm now holding the phone in my hand to be able to shut if off because I know... It vibrates. It's Dad. He then calls GG. Dude! Look at the time! The music for the bride starts and I press redial.

I whisper, "Dad, the wedding has started. C is literally walking down the aisle. I have to..."

"I'm stuck in traffic. You'll have to press on without me."

I press 'hang up'.

Did he not hear that the bride was walking down the aisle???

The ceremony was beautiful and brief. Being Catholic we've had some looooog weddings so Shmoo trails out behind us after the ceremony and says, "Now that's my kind of wedding. Short."

*eye roll* I reply with a "Zip it."

The story ends with all of us looking for a half an hour after the wedding for my Dad. You'll be shocked to know we found him in the bar. Alone. No wife. He stayed for about 30 - 40 minutes. He barely saw the father of the bride and never saw the bride and groom. We were still enjoying cocktails and hors d'oevres before going into the reception when he left.

So no he didn't bring his wife. Just drama. We were all left wondering why he even came. And well it's easy to say he made an effort what he mostly did was cause another ripple and rift in his relationship with his kids. And while we did a pretty good job of diverting or cutting him off, he was still able to make part of the day about him.

Learning to let go is hard. It's difficult to let go of guilt and worry. All the normal things a child should feel about an elderly parent turn into something else when he is so reckless with our lives and feelings. We did make sure he didn't have more than 2 drinks and believe me that was an effort. It may also be part of the reason he left. That and his repeating to all of us over and over how much he was missing his wife. Not our mother. His wife.

There is a good part. We went on and had a wonderful time. Dad left and took his emotional vortex with him.

We laughed and danced and celebrated. My family. My blessing.

The Bride and Groom

If you live in Southern California it's not unusual you might choose the Historic Mission Inn in Riverside, California as a place to get married. My niece did. It was a beautiful wedding. Their photographer Cean Ornett of CEAN ONE PHOTOGRAPHY was just awesome and here are some photos he had up on his blog of the wedding. Excellent aren't they?

The father/daughter dance. My brother didn't want a picture taken of his face because he had tears in his eyes. Yeah, fire fighters don't cry...even when their daughters get married. Whatever, KM, you were a great father of the bride.

This one is one of my favorites. Okay, I admit I'm more than a little biased and I won't shamelessly solicit your concurrence. Kudos to Cean. This is a wonderful photograph of our little missy.

No pictures, no reading and no sleep...

Hopefully there WILL be pictures and there WILL be reading and there WILL be sleep, eventurally. Apparently I have to leave home for that to happen. I'm off to my conference in just a couple of hours. Better hurry too because I haven't showered and I haven't packed and I'm leaving in two hours. Ack! Maybe posting a blog shouldn't be a priority???

I don't know what sort of free time I'll have or how busy I'll be, but I'm taking Shmoo's laptop. Maybe I'll see you all out there. Soon?