3 Weekends in 3 Paragraphs

I'm going to try to fill in the gaps of the last three weeks using only my weekends. My weeks have been nothing but work and writing but my weekends have been filled. The weekend of May 12th and 13th included the culmination of three years of very hard work for Jeff. He graduated as an actuary that weekend. To celebrate, Jeff's parents came in to visit. We spent Saturday at the Farmers Market, shopping, and then having dinner and playing games with my parents. Sunday was the graduation and then we spent the evening at my parents house to celebrate mother's day with both mothers. My parents cooked steaks and we had a wonderful feast. Both sets of parents, both of my sisters, and Jeff and I spent the rest of the afternoon eating, talking, and playing games. It was a fantastic weekend. I couldn't be prouder of Jeff. He's worked very hard in school and I was proud to see him walk across that stage.

Jeff's parents left Monday morning and on Friday morning Jeff and I jumped in the car to head south. My nephew Callen was celebrating his first birthday and his parents were throwing him a party. We got down to St. Louis just in time for dinner and then a movie with Jeff's parents. The next day was the party. There were quite a few people there, including some family I hadn't seen in awhile. They provided lunch and then cake. Callen got his own cake to destroy and eat. Below is one of my favorite pictures from the day, although the picture I got of the cake in his bellybutton is right up there. After cake we relaxed on the front lawn, talking and sitting in the shade. Callen wasn't terribly excited about opening presents so we helped out a bit. And then had dinner. It was one of the most relaxing afternoons I'd had in a while. The next day we had breakfast with everyone and then headed home.

This last weekend was of course the long holiday weekend. Friday night I left work for join my brother, his family, and my parents for dinner. We sat and chatted after dinner until late. The next day we met for some shopping and lunch on the patio at PF Chang's. While sitting there, a heron landed at the pond. We all had a wonderful lunch and then some book shopping (my favorite). After lunch we headed to my parent's house for nerf wars, sidewalk chalk, and fun. I have a blast playing with my nephews and niece. I got shot with nerf darts, started a pretend bakery with my niece, and decorated my parent's driveway. The next day was lunch at a taco place in town, then I went to the theaters with everyone to see Avengers. The movie was incredible. I loved the humor and the dialogue. Joss Whedon is a genius. It was one of the first action movies I've seen where the banter was not only good but actually overrode the action. It was hilarious. I hadn't been to a theater in years but this was worth seeing on the big screen. After dinner that night my brother and his family left to head home. I spent Monday reading and Tuesday at the golf course with Jeff. Four days of fun. I came back to work relaxed and refreshed. These last three weekends have been busy but wonderful. And those are my last three weekends. Trust me, my work week have been much less interesting.

Sick and Guilt

If I'm quiet today it's because I'm not feeling great. I was home all day yesterday with bronchitis and am only today starting to feel well enough to be at work. I cough a lot and my chest hurts and I'm a bit whiny. But that seems to be the standard for the last week or so. The internet is finally back up at home. Jeff finally badgered the company enough that they sent out a technician yesterday to find that someone had screwed up our wiring. Jeff felt vindicated that this wasn't our problem and happy that the company had finally sent out a tech. We'll see how long access lasts. I'm hoping this is fixed for good now.



I've been kind of selfish this week and I'm feeling bad about it. My parents have been taking care of my neice and nephews all week and I have not been over to help out yet. I had not planned to go Monday because I was meeting friends for drinks and then had a guild meet that night. The drinks fell through and I couldn't attend the guild meet because of our internet issues. I had planned to go Tuesday but Jeff was in such a bad mood that I hung around the house to try to cheer him up. Wednesday is traditionally my knitting night but after spending all day in bed coughing I thought I should stay home. So tonight I'll head over and spell them a little. I'm sure they are in need of a break.



So I've been home most of the week and not able to do most of my regular things. I've been reading a lot and watching a lot of TV and feeling pretty selfish. I did get a huge surprise last night when I finally was able to log into WoW. I guess on Monday they did some promotions and I was one of the players who was supposed to be promoted. Since I couldn't make the meet, they waited and promoted me last night. I'm now an officer in the guild and can help make guild policy. I know for most non-players that doesn't sound exciting but I'm thrilled. I look forward to helping out as much as I can. It was a nice bright spot in what has been a bit of a crappy week. (did I mention I've been whiny). Now I just have to catch up on the officer portion of the forums.

At Work Vacation

I have a friend with two young kids who always used to say that she went to work to relax. I never quite understood what she meant. Today I do. My brother and his family came into town this weekend and I spent the whole weekend playing nerf wars and running around. This morning I could barely move. (which shows how incredibly out of shape I am). So today I'm at work, and it actually feels luxurious just to sit for most of the day.

I've never been in great shape but a couple years ago I was in good enough shape that I could run around with the kids outside and not get terribly winded. I could walk for miles without getting tired. Not so much this weekend. Friday night was quiet, with just dinner and some quiet games at my parents house. My nephew has been a very good chess player and was trying to stir up games with anyone who would play. He beat me easily but the larger shock was that he beat my father who is a fairly decent player. But that was quiet.

Saturday was a bit more boisterous. There was lunch and then shopping. Jeff and I had to get a new battery for his computer (WoW destroys his battery and we have to get it replaced every year or so). But we walked that mall back and forth with my brother. Then at home the kids were interested in a nerf war. We ran around on the front lawn with nerf guns, shooting each other and having a great time. I finally found a nerf gun I like. Then after dinner, another nerf war. Lots of running around on uneven terrain in bad shoes. In the evening we played Sardines (a hide and go seek variation) and had a blast. One of my favorite games.

Sunday was exhausting. I had a bout of insomnia again Saturday night and didn't get to sleep until 4 a.m. Sunday morning. I had already promised a friend that I would walk with her at nine so it was up at 8 with just 4 hours of sleep. We walked a trail near my house that's about 3 miles and I was awake after that. Jeff and I headed out for breakfast alone and then joined a lunch already in progress with my brother and family. Then there was more playing and more running around. My brother and his wife left to head home around 4, leaving the kids with Grandma and Grandpa (my parents) for the week. So Dad and I headed down to the park with the kids. Where we ran around more with nerf guns and shot each other. My feet were hurting by this point and I was due to raid that night so I finally headed home after dinner and a quick stop at the hardware store. We raided Ulduar last night until 11 and I finally dropped into bed exhausted at midnight.

Today I woke up to find that my legs didn't want to move. I'm a hurting girl today with both of my quads screaming in pain everytime I stand up. I'm enjoying my office chair immensely. Tonight I'm meeting some friends for drinks and dinner and then heading home for a late night guild meet. Tomorrow it will be more nerf wars and running around. I'm going to start looking at work as a vacation. I had a great time this weekend but man am I tired.