Category Archives: Family

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I Can Only Imagine

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Ever really think about getting old? Like, really really old? But good old? This weekend was my husband’s grandmother’s 90th birthday. We flew out to see the family and have a little party. She’s sharp as a tack. You have to speak up a little, but she can still beat you at pinochle. All of her six children and a huge part of her grandchildren were there. It was so neat to see her so happy.

We got to spend a night out with my FIL (father-in-law) too. He told us so many stories of things he’s experienced, my head was spinning. He saw Liberace. An Sammy Davis Jr. And Elvis. In the front row.
I’ve kept journals semi faithfully since I was a kid. Just a planner where I write down what we go do. I’m convinced that’s the only way I’ll remember anything when I’m well, 40. There was a lot of talk about age, about science and cures and health and living. We might live longer in this generation. We might see more craziness. Will we run out of water? Will it be too hot? It’s funny to think about what has changed in 90 years, and what might change in the next 90.

90 years old

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Not Again

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This won’t happen again, but since I did it here, I have to be fair. Some interesting birthdays:

February 4 Birthdays:
Alice Cooper – February/04/1948
Charles Lindbergh – February/04/1902
Clint Black – February/04/1962
Dan Quayle – February/04/1947
David Brenner – February/04/1945
Gavin DeGraw – February/04/1977
George A. Romero – February/04/1940
Lawrence Taylor – February/04/1959
Michael Beck – February/04/1949
Natalie Imbruglia – February/04/1975
Oscar De La Hoya – February/04/1973
Rosa Parks – February/04/1913

Just a guess, but I bet Dad likes the first one the best. Happy Birthday.

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Vacation At Home

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Returning to Austin after 7 months or so felt a little strange. It was also the best ever, since right after we got off the plane we were eating Barbecue. And calling MK to rub it in his face. I got off the plane with this excitement and uncertainty. I was in a place I knew so well, that wasn’t really my home any more. My friends, family, and as a matter of fact my furniture may all be there, but I was just a visitor.

We went out for a nice dinner with the MIL and PH and my family. Barbecue again. Mmm. And perfect iced tea and all that good stuff. We ran some errands and time was flying by but I managed to make it out for some delicious margaritas at Polvo’s. I appreciated so much that everyone knew I only had the one night to see them and made the effort to come out in the middle of the week. It hit me so hard that all my friends are there and I’m not, and they’re surviving just fine without me. We went and saw a show and said our I miss you’s and our see you again soon’s. I’ll be ready to book the pirate ship.

The next morning was great as I got a good run in and enjoyed the weather and environment before we set out to Wimberley. My aunt got us an incredible 5 bedroom mansion to spend our time in:

casaescondido.jpg

and we got to eat more good food and I got to have 2 sleepover parties with my mom and cousin. Aww. I think my aunt had a good birthday, and since that was the purpose of my trip (to make sure she did!) I’m glad. My mom uncle and grandma might be the most hilarious people I’ve ever met, and I think if outsiders saw our family engage in a battle of Cranium they might die laughing. It flew by and I was sad to leave, but I had other important parties to attend…

NANO TOTAL: 12614 words.
NaBlo Day 24: Check.

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Turkey Talk

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Gobble, gobble, gobble…no, not like a turkey, about turkey.

This morning the radio show prank called the Butterball help line right when my little radio alarm went off. I wish I could wake up laughing that hard every morning. “What exactly is a giblet?”

MK and I literally spent 30$ on this embarrassing list: a cooked turkey (like, just the meat), a bag of salad, a can of cranberry, cooked potatoes, pre-made gravy, stuffing, beans, a roll of pastries, two cooked pies, and fat free cool whip.

I would maybe some years ago mind sharing that with you, but I feel like we’re on vacation. It’s going to be just us, and we don’t eat much. Or want to spend all day cooking. It’s supposed to be really nice, and we’re planning a walk on the beach. We might go see a movie, I did it once with friends and thought it was hilarious.

Sure, I miss my family and all the food being made for me and sleeping in front of the TV and, well, that’s all we used to do…but I guess we have to start our own traditions. If the premade turkey is good, MK and I have decided that’s a good tradition. Jayne is having ham, I like that too. Sybotee is on a road trip. Tradition doesn’t have to dictate your good time. So what are your big plans?

thanksgiving food
www.jupiterimages.com

NANO TOTAL: 10162 words. Over a hump!
NaBlo Day 21: Check.

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Early Planning

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When do you start thinking about the holidays? This weekend, MK and I realized that we need to think. Besides this giant move and drive, I’ve got to write another novel. I’ve got to finish my first novel. I mentioned that I was invited to a birthday celebration. MK mentions the day trading convention that we went to last year. Are we going again? JH calls and announces his wedding, Dec 1st. Can we make it? I’d love to see Key West…Where are we going for Thanksgiving? Where will his family be? I haven’t seen my family back home since last year. We must get some skiing in this winter. Utah? Colorado? ARGH!

Not to mention I miss my friends. All of a sudden, our penciled in little monthly calendar looked messy. How do you sort out all your time?

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Internet Interruptions

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There are always so many things to learn about marriage. For example, last night I learned how to turn my husband into the scariest man in the universe.

I was just browsing the internet, minding my own business. Then something funny looking popped up, and I closed it. But my computer was running slowly.

I AM NOT DUMB.

I immediately shut down the computer. Something wasn’t right.
Of course, it did no good. I restarted and the program had weaseled its way into everything near and dear to me. So, there I am, thinking I’ve lost everything that ever mattered to me: mp3s, pictures, and oh yeah, that book I’m trying to publish…

So I flip out, hysterical. I have some virus. MK comes over to take a look. In record time, he is able to reset my desktop and browse the depths of folders with names like “computer/mine/backup/log/music/ifyourwifebreakstufflookhere”
and found my personal content. Then he gets on the internet, ’cause it’s not over…

after running a bunch of virus find and destroy crap, for hours and hours, my computer has a semblance of its old self back. My husband, however, is a MONSTER. I tried to fix it, I knew it was bad, and I didn’t even go looking for it, but somehow, I’m to blame. Made for one grouchy night.

computer virus
www.mathewingram.com

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Thanks, Brother

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www.toothpastefordinner.com

Yes, Mom, there’s a swear on that, but it’s not MY swear, it’s the cartoonist’s. And he kind of sums up my life nicely. Ironic, isn’t it?

The real irony is that my brother sent that to me. He does, indeed, think I’m a s****y blogger. Slash novelist. Sigh.

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Viva Mexico

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It always takes a week for me to get around to my travels, mainly trying to bug MK to get the pictures to me, since he is in the habit of hiding the camera cords. It rained and stormed almost every night we were there, which was great, as it made the days clear and cool, with just enough cloud cover to relax under, and a nice breeze to keep the heat and humidity at bay.
I needed this trip. It was great family time with MK’s step mom, dad, brother, brother’s gf (Potential Sister In Law?) and little step sister. They are such a fun bunch, and any time we spend together is for learning and laughing, penucle and partying.

We had great meals every day and night, and played ping pong, tennis, shuffleboard, and volleyball. One of my favorite things was painting with KK, and the place glazed and fired the things we made, for the perfect self made souvenir. Check out my little jar:

my-pot.jpg

Looks professional, doesn’t it? I had a little help.
Our place was the top floor penthouse with a great view, a private hot tub, grill, and chairs and tables. Our room was huge. There were four bedrooms and a giant lower level. You can see the marble floors and staircase in the pictures. We traveled into the town and down the beach, and even to the Mazatlan Aquarium, which was interesting.

Here are the pictures!

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Sad But True

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The last 48 hours have been spent mostly in bed. And cleaning a little. I only ate one meal since my parents left, since they kept us fed, and fed, and full and fed. Out of all the new restaurants we tried, the Pike Place Pub and Brewery was definitely my favorite. They sell 10% alcohol beer, party time. We also had chowder and clams and burgers and I actually managed to cook a few times on the roof.
I’m going to have to run twice a day for the next 100 days to undo the party damage. My only redeeming move was not eating at the baseball game. I saw more of this city this past week, and have to admit that my parents have been the most hard core visitors we’ve had yet. They never napped. I even had to take a time out one afternoon, I couldn’t keep up.

This weekend in Seattle for some reason Monster was handing out free drinks. I can only imagine my Mom and Dad were sneaking out when they said they were going to bed to find some and had three a morning or so.

This isn’t our picture, but I found it and couldn’t stop laughing, Mom REALLY loves Wally:

wally red sox
www.bostonbaseball.com

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Been So Long

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It’s been so long since I’ve had any visitors, that the house was a lot harder to clean this time around. That and our beach gear is permanently in the living room so we’re constantly prepared, we bought enough food for 25, SOMEONE drinks more than 2 twelve packs of Diet Coke a day, and I’ve had a pretty busy week. I’ve gotten myself on a (earmuffs, this is a dirty word) SCHEDULE, where I get up early, run, shower, make breakfast, clean, write, and catch an ER episode before lunch and activities. Might not be much of a life to you…but I’m loving it.

So what do I do? Interrupt it to play host to some VIP, very important parents.

playing host
www.hisuitestampa.com

More good Seattle times with company, yay!