Turkey Day went swimmingly. It actually went far better than I might have expected. There were precisely the number of people who would comfortably fit in my house. The food was, quite predictably with Miss Java at the helm, amazing. We produced the projected offerings, plus some Maple Spiced Nuts and some devilled eggs. Nobody went hungry, ( Read more... )

I could have sworn we had a bag of unpopped corn. I guess the popcorn ball dream dies until next year ( Read more... )

I accidentally stayed up all night. I didn't mean to. I really didn't! Stupid plot bunny walrus ( Read more... )

Saturday was hectic but fun. I drove down from my sister's house, stopping on the way to grab a couple of small presents for Rachel. Jimmy and I were planning to take the kids to Soak City, so the presents would be mostly symbolic. I got home later than expected due to traffic, and despite my phoning ahead nobody was ready to go, so we spent too ( Read more... )

My sister is graduating from college this weekend. Woo hoo! I don't have the disposable income for what I'd like to get her: round-trip tickets to Paris, etc. What is a nice, reasonably-priced gift for a (grown-up) grad? Just a little something to say, "I'm proud of you, dammit!" I have been considering a monogrammed business card case.

It's going to be hard not to fall asleep before the children tonight. Jimmy gave me permission to put them to bed early. Though I usually avoid stress by not really having a specific bed time for them on weekends - let everyone relax, I say! We've all made it through the week in one piece, so let the babies fall asleep with a movie on if this ( Read more... )

Just got word from my father's sister and her husband, (the only relatives on my father's side that I communicate with), that my paternal grandfather, aka Granddaddy, has been hospitalized. He's not been eating and has fallen multiple times recently.

You think something is behind you, only to be reminded that it can still impact you.

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A couple of days ago, my mom said she might be able to come by today. "Yay!" I thought, "it will break up the monotony, and allow me the chance to make a run to the store." (No matter how well-prepared you might think you are, a couple days into taking care of four kids, you'll always be happy for the chance to make a store run. And yep, now I'm ( Read more... )

Just in case anyone's been wondering how I'm able to deal with Ken, the kid's grandfather, after that first, ill-fated, highly unpleasant meeting. Jimmy just forwarded me this e-mail from him, asked me to share it with the kids.

Hi I am just checking up on the grandkids. I hear Ericka is trying to get a job and can not watch the children on the ( Read more... )

My mom, sister, and niece are on their way here. Nora's going to stay with Jimmy and the kids while Ma, Jenn and I go see Brokeback Mountain. I don't really care too much about seeing the movie - just at the moment I'm more in a King Kong mood - but MY FAMILY IS VISITING. Yay! I wanted to see them and spent the morning baking presents and ( Read more... )