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prev home archive next Momentary Thought Let's see, I think I remember how to go about this... High/Low High: We'll be seeing Michael tomorrow! Low: Still missing Grammy. Current Obsession Getting today's work over with so I can just concentrate on getting ready for San Diego. Grin Source Haven't received any new jokes, and haven't gone through my journal reads yet today for anything *snort*worthy. Singing "It's just emotion, taking me over..." Destiny's Child's version of "Emotion" Storyteller Bio Dramatis Personnae Who I Read Recipes |
I'm pretty sure I remember how to go about this. I type stuff, and save it in a file, and FTP it, and send out a Notification that I've updated. Yeah, I got it. This is the longest absence I've taken since starting this journal. Life has (drat it) been going on pretty much as usual, when I sometimes feel like it shouldn't. But, despite it all, bills still have to be paid and meetings still have to be attended. Laundry still has to be washed and grocery shopping still has to be accomplished. Some good things have occurred since I last updated. Calvin, upon experiencing life without me for a week, decided that he absolutely didn't like it. I was a wreck in Maine, and the phone calls between us weren't enough to convey the support he so much wanted to give. So as soon as I got home, finally, we had a very meaningful and emotional conversation which I will remember always and cherish close to my heart. The upshot of it all is that he wants to set a date for our marriage. We've always intended on formalizing our relationship, and I've had a ring for a couple of years now. But he insists that it was a Valentine's gift (that it happens to reside on my left hand and act as a defense against interested males is a moot point). We actually went looking at rings the very next day (Platinum is *damned* expensive). Didn't buy anything, but we sure saw stuff we liked. So, we need to figure out when Michael can take a leave, and what kind of wedding we're thinking of (non pomp-and-circumstance, we've both been-there-done-that), and when we can afford the rings, etc. etc. ad nauseum. The date'll probably be next spring sometime - I will, of course, keep you posted. Hee! Calvin thrills me to my very bones, yes indeedy. (Kind of smacks of what happened to Shelley, doesn't it? I swear I didn't set it up. Oh! And she happened to be my 10,000th visitor, too. So, Shelley, if you're reading, I need your address!) The next good thing is that Dawn came out for a nice long visit, the 24th through the 28th. And you know? We didn't do anything at all of huge consequence. We hung out, we talked, we went out to dinner a bunch of times (and breakfast, and lunch), she introduced me to Cape Cods (a beverage of cranberry juice and vodka, with fresh lime squeezed in), we made Watermelon Shots, and we just enjoyed each other's company. Plus, she brought me more of that milk lotion with the little cow bells. Chocolate this time. Nummy. Calvin and I are truly blessed with Dawn's friendship. We finally painted the house last weekend, so I guess that counts as a "good thing", too. Marie started 8th grade and slid back into the school routine as if summer vacation never happened. I brought some keepsakes of Grandma's home with me; including her recipe book, which I'm all excited about. The majority of the recipes are on hand written cards and note paper, with her comments in the margins. I even found a little card I wrote to her when I was, oh, probably four or five. Look for more recipes to be posted here soon, I'm sure. My sister and I are even thinking of publishing a cookbook, to honor her memory. *And*, while I was away, Calvin found a video tape we have of my Grandmother, playing with my dog and cat, that I shot when I was seventeen or eighteen. It was so much the Grammy that I remember and love, it did my heart good to see that so soon after the devastating sight of her in the hospital. One new addition to our bedroom furnature makes me grin. Over the weekend, we bought a mini-refrigerator and placed it under the TV in our bedroom. Yes, the ultimate in decadence, we no longer have to drag our weary frames the 20 steps it requires to get from the bedroom to the kitchen, to select the beverage of our choice. It is currently stocked with water, wine, beer (two kinds!), Schmirnoff Ice, smoothies (three kinds!), Kahlua and Milk drinks, soda (Pepsi and 7-Up!), tequila, orange juice, and Sobe. Readers: "Gee, you guys sure do work up a thirst in the bedroom, don't you?" Laura: "Wouldn't *you* like to know." Finally, at last, we're leaving tomorrow to bring Michael back from Boot Camp. Calvin's grandparents, mother, and sister are driving out with us. X(f) is driving herself and two of Michael's friends to attend, too. A Drill Instructor's dinner is being held on Wednesday night, followed by an afternoon of touring the base with Michael on Thursday, and his graduation on Friday. To quote Michael, he wants to "get the hell out of San Diego", so we'll be driving back immediately after his graduation ceremony. It's the ride back that I'm most looking forward to - it will be the first time we'll really have the opportunity to catch up with one another since he left back in June. So, of course, look for tons and tons of pictures when next I update - probably this coming weekend. Plus, we're having our family portrait taken next week. It's appropriate timing, I think, given the place we're all at in life. Calvin and I and our relationship revelation, Marie becoming a full-fledged teenager on the 18th (she's been one in her brain for at least three years), and Michael a Marine. I had a bad moment of it, though, when I included a copy for Grandma when I was tallying up how many photos we'd purchase. Damn it. I want to once again thank everyone for their support and messages of condolences. They've meant a lot to me, and if I haven't responded to everyone, rest assured that your messages were appreciated. I have a bunch of pictures from Maine, mostly of my sister's kids, that I'll post here and there as I update. And some experiences to share, some happy, some sad, as is the way of things. So, I'm back! Talk to you again soon! |
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Michael's Update Box
He's sent us several letters since I last transcribed one here. He also called Calvin while I was in Maine, and called me at work one day last week to make sure we would be there Wednesday night. He sounds really anxious to get home! Probably about as anxious as we are to get him home. |