When I started blogging in 2004, someone posted this meme. I’ve answered the same questions for over ten years now, and I like to keep up the tradition.
1. What did you do in 2016 that you’d never done before?
Completed a Dungeon & Dragons 3.5 ed. campaign as the Dungeon Mistress
Sold a car (2000 Ford Taurus I inherited from my late Mother)
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions (NYR), and will you make more for next year?
I refer to NYRs as the Infinite Master To Do List, and yes, I made them. See the next blog entry for an accounting of what I’ve achieved in 2016, and what I hope to achieve in 2017.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No, unless you count fictional characters.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
After I did the 2015 YIR meme, my husband’s last grandparent died (my Mother-in-Law’s Mother) the day after Christmas, and Grandma Fleming was one of many in my husband’s family who made me feel welcomed and very loved.
Although he wasn’t close to me personally, I think anyone on the planet who heard his music was affected by David Bowie. My personal favorite song was “Changes” because a quote from that song was used at the beginning of my favorite 80s teen film The Breakfast Club.
In June, my dear friend Elle Janet Plato committed suicide. She told me the year prior that she was transsexual, and knowing Janet’s wicked sense of humor, I didn’t know whether or not she was teasing me. Nor did it matter to me what her birth gender was vs. what her true gender was. After her death, I found out she was born male (named Larry) physically and underwent surgery. I still miss her.
5. What states or countries did you visit?
Illinois to visit the zoo that was the Ikea (which I learned this year is pronounced “ee-kay-ah”) warehouse store on a Sunday. Thank the Gods they are opening a store in Wisconsin sometime in the future. This time we actually bought something: a hutch for the kitchen and an entertainment center for the master bedroom. We’ve even put the hutch together and are using it.
6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?
The list is growing longer:
-More money: either a better paying job or (preferably) a winning lottery ticket for a big jackpot
-a better governor and legislature, which hopefully will occur in 2018 now that the courts are saying no to gerrymandering because one can prove how bad it is
7. What dates from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 13, 2016: Celebrating 25 wonderful years of marriage to the World’s Greatest Husband.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
2106 was another year where my biggest achievements were surviving it and helping the World’s Greatest Husband survive, too.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not having the Mithril Party I wanted for our silver anniversary.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
In February, I caught a cold from the husband, who caught it from our son. The depression and anxiety has been rampant in Castle Curley, mainly affecting King Brian, but I’ve had my bouts, too. Especially in early November IYKWIM.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I bought several items to help organize our house, and anything that I actually put into use (such as the kitchen hutch) is a good thing.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Samantha Bee, Conan O’Brien, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and James Corden for their responses to the Orlando nightclub shooting.
Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton for their “When they go low, we go high.” responses to The Donald.
13. Whose behavior made you:
Appalled? Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House, and unfortunately from Wisconsin (District 1), for his cowardly response to the Firearm Safety Legislation Sit-in and his part in the 2016 presidential campaign.
Depressed? Every single person who fired a gun and killed or injured people with it for whatever stupid reason
Appalled and Depressed? Everyone who voted for The Donald for president, or who voted for anyone but Hillary Clinton, because now we’re going to have two-four years of a lot of damage to undo after that moron and the other repugnican’ts get out of office.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Paying bills (medical, water bill for leaky toilet, furnace repair, etc.), buying needed items like a new microwave (when I broke the old one) and a dehumidifier for the basement, and items to organize our house.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Our Mithril (Silver) Anniversary. I was hoping for a big party, but we settled for a very nice steak dinner.
16. What song will always remind you of 2016?
“Bruises” by Train
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Sadder
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter
c) richer or poorer? Poorer, and thanks to the elections, not going to be making more money anytime soon.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Writing my novel series.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Losing the lottery; playing games on my tablets.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Eve: With Prince Mekhi and the World’s Greatest Husband, then with the World’s Greatest In-Laws (mine!);
Day: With the World’s Greatest Husband (mine!) and our critters; We may go see a movie, but if we do, it won’t be Rogue One.
26th/my late mother’s birthday: Once again my brother Tom is on the ball about asking our siblings to get together in the Dells. Fran wants to go somewhere other than Moosejaw, and I agree. I only ask that we go somewhere that serves alcohol because it’s an evening with my siblings and their families. KnowwhatImean? Interestingly enough, they picked Monk’s, which I’ve been to locally and know that they serve copious amounts of alcohol.
21. With whom did you spend the most time on the phone?
I guess I could include texts on this one, so that would be Mekhi’s Bio-/Mom #1 Lisa. Early in the year when I drove her to a medical procedure, I referred to myself as “the closest thing she’s ever had to a sister.”
22. Did you fall in love in 2016?
Been in love with the same guy since 1989, and every day I love him more. Many days I truly am surprised that he still puts up with me. He still thinks he got the better end of the marriage deal; I know that I did. Seriously, that is one of the “fiercest arguments” in our marriage. ;} (I usually win when we compare in-laws because I definitely got the better deal there!)
Because of his severe depression and anxiety this year, Brian wondered why I was still with him. I honestly and sincerely reminded him of his being there for me during my tough times (loss of my parents, loss of my job and/or a job from hell, etc.) Plus, I love him so much that being there for him actually isn’t that difficult; I’m not going anywhere, and I will do all I can to help him feel better.
When one of my sisters-in-law was going through a tough time, she offered my brother the option of a divorce, which told me that she didn’t know as much as she thought she did about my brother and our family. We have fun with the good times; and when the hard times hit, as they will do, we build our bunkers around our loved ones and do our best to be there to care for them. That’s just the way our family always has been.
The hard part is knowing I can’t take away his pain or make him laugh as he does for me. One night, I actually made Brian smile when I said that I wished he had a spot on him like the white spot on our black cat Gleep, that we call her “sweetness button.” I said, I would press his “smile button” to make him happy and, well, smile.
23. How many one-night stands?
Because I am monogamous in my marriage, I only have one night stands in my dreams and with the strangest people/fictional characters (such as one of the instructors at my son’s dojo, who in real life is waaaay too skinny (and way too young) for my tastes). See #35 for further details.
24. What are your favorite TV program(s)?
Still love The Big Bang Theory as my current favorite, with the (about as believable but just as fun as a Bond film) Scorpion a close second. Now addicted to virtually all Marvel Cinematic Universe and Arrowverse TV shows. The DVR and the Netflix queue overfloweth, especially with episodes of Doctor Who.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Paul Ryan is a good start as he represents almost everything that is reprehensible about the modern Repugnican’t party. Also, every single person who voted for The Donald, and every single person who didn’t vote, or protest voted, and allowed The Donald to become our president-elect.
I no longer hate The Donald because he has done what I wish I could do: put a harsh magnifying glass in a sunbeam and show just how despicable the GOP has become. Now it is frying away after selling its soul to the extremists. I just wish that its demise was established on election day 2016. Now we have to wait another two to four years for it die.
26. What was the best book you read this year?
Staked by Kevin Hearne. It’s the eighth novel in his Iron Druid Chronicles, and I can’t wait for the ninth and final novel, especially because the two Irish wolfhounds are expecting puppies!
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The World’s Greatest husband keeps expanding my musical repertoire. This year it was the band Train and their album California 37, referring to the highway of the same name.
28. What did you want and get?
Can’t think of anything. 2016 was a bad year all around, and not just for the inhabitants of Castle Curley.
29. What did you want and not get?
More income; Bernie Sanders, or at least Hillary Clinton for president.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I have a hard time choosing between Deadpool and Captain America: Civil War. Both based on Marvel Comics, but only the second one is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Deadpool is considered part of the X-Men film series. The former was freaking hilarious, but the latter was extremely good and unexpectedly surprising.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Brian was out-of-town with a group of friends from high school. I told him to go because my birthday wasn’t a hallmark one, and we could go out anytime. Plus, I planned on doing a crafts weekend at home. (I didn’t do any.) See my blog entry for the day. I turned 28 for the twentieth time.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Impeaching The Donald or The Wanker.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?
A colleague asked me if I had lost weight, to which I responded, “Nope, I just bought bigger clothes, but thank you for noticing.”
I also was measured again for a bra-fitting because I’ve gained so much weight. Now I’m a 44-46 DDD. Still need to buy more bras and other undergarments.
34. What kept you sane?
Brian asked me how I keep my spirits up, especially when I helped him deal with his depression and anxiety. I sent him “linkage” e-mails: stuff from I Can Haz Cheezburger and other like sites, to make him smile a little. I said to him, “This is why I’ve downloaded about half the Internet.” Plus, I’ve spent a lifetime dealing with these conditions way before my diagnoses and prognoses, so I have developed a lifetime of coping techniques.
Of course, our puppies and kitties help.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Still fancy Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker. Granted, he’s 36 years older than the first time I had a crush on him, but so am I. ;}
However, in August I had a dream that I was at a gaming convention, and as I was crisscrossing the various secret passage ways of the convention center and its hotels, I came across a skinny-dipping Jack Black. Before he climbed out of the pool, the landline rang and woke me up.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Voter rights, and electing Bernie Sanders and Russ Feingold. :(
37. Whom did you miss?
My late father (“Poppy”), my late Grandmother-in-Law Fleming, Elle Janet Plato (see #4).
38. Who was the best new person you met?
The only person I can think of is my son’s fifth-grade teacher, Ms. Wolter.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016:
“I’m sure the universe is full of intelligent life. It’s just been too intelligent to come here.” – Arthur C. Clarke
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
These bruises make for better conversation
Loses the vibe that separates
It’s good to let you in again
You’re not alone in how you’ve been
Everybody loses, everybody loses, everybody loses
We all got bruises, We all got bruises, We all got bruises.
(See #16 above.)
-----
First Blog Titles Month by Month 2016:
January: Which Blog? I’ve Lost Count
February: What can I do today to achieve my goals?
March: Movies, Geekdom, and Race
April: The Fish is in the Tree…
May: Another Fine Mother’s Day
June: A Preacher Walks into a Grocery Store...
July: The Drunken Smiley Face in the Sky
August: Framily
September: Catching Up: Birthday 2016
October: Corn Maze – Football Nap
November: Meme
December: Lori’s Year In Review: 2016
Blessed Be,
-Lori
“Communication technologies are necessary, but not sufficient, for us humans to get along with each other.” – Arthur C. Clarke
Showing posts with label in-laws. Show all posts
Showing posts with label in-laws. Show all posts
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Friday, September 23, 2016
Catching Up: Birthday 2016
Okay, so despite my new year’s resolution to write more in my blog and journal, I’ve only written eighteen blog entries and no handwritten journal entries. Not only that, I haven’t even finished the report on my goals annual review 2016, which I started on August 1. I must improve.
So today, I am “Catching Up” on entries, starting with my birthday this year. Jack Black and I both turned twenty-eight for the twentieth time (I stopped counting at 28 because it was my Golden Birthday). Brian, the World’s Greatest Husband (WGH) was out of town that weekend because his group of friends from Wausau (where they all graduated high school) went camping that weekend. Brian was concerned about how I would feel without him, and I told him I would be okay. After all, I’m only in my late forties – not like it’s a hallmark birthday or anything. Besides, one member of the group just died young (cancer), so I felt Brian needed to be with his friends that weekend.
I didn’t realize how much I would miss my husband. I had a list of things to do (as usual), and Friday, August 26, started off well with me dealing with the person who came to do the furnace tune-up, as well as me assembling a small storage unit that we bought for the kitchen. Unfortunately that night I couldn’t sleep without the WGH in bed with me (and the dogs). I tried reading, watching TV, etc. Nothing worked. Saturday I was so exhausted that I stayed in bed dozing on and off. Mercifully, Brian kept texting me to tell me that he missed me too, and that he loves me.
Brian even texted me shortly after midnight on Sunday, August 28, proper, to wish me a happy birthday. That was very nice. I also received a couple dozen e-mails and Facebook messages, even one from my Father-in-Law. Awesome! I felt very, very loved.
Mekhi's bio-mom made me a special angel food cake (my favorite) that she dropped off that day - it said "momma" on it in those candy letters. We didn't eat the whole thing, so I took it to work along with the cinnamon rolls I made from my mother's recipe.
Neither I nor Brian bought me a gift, but this past weekend we went to visit my wonderful in-laws, and they gave me a belated birthday card (and an early card for Brian, whose birthday is later this month), with some money in it. This weekend, I’m going to add to my Munchkin collection.
Money has been even tighter than usual, so Brian and I waited until the next pay period to go out for my birthday: Samba Brazilian Grill, which was so worth the $100 tab, but they don’t do doggie bags (it’s a buffet).
Pog ma thoin!
-Lori
“Hug too much. Smile too much. And, when you can, love.” – Neil Gaiman
So today, I am “Catching Up” on entries, starting with my birthday this year. Jack Black and I both turned twenty-eight for the twentieth time (I stopped counting at 28 because it was my Golden Birthday). Brian, the World’s Greatest Husband (WGH) was out of town that weekend because his group of friends from Wausau (where they all graduated high school) went camping that weekend. Brian was concerned about how I would feel without him, and I told him I would be okay. After all, I’m only in my late forties – not like it’s a hallmark birthday or anything. Besides, one member of the group just died young (cancer), so I felt Brian needed to be with his friends that weekend.
I didn’t realize how much I would miss my husband. I had a list of things to do (as usual), and Friday, August 26, started off well with me dealing with the person who came to do the furnace tune-up, as well as me assembling a small storage unit that we bought for the kitchen. Unfortunately that night I couldn’t sleep without the WGH in bed with me (and the dogs). I tried reading, watching TV, etc. Nothing worked. Saturday I was so exhausted that I stayed in bed dozing on and off. Mercifully, Brian kept texting me to tell me that he missed me too, and that he loves me.
Brian even texted me shortly after midnight on Sunday, August 28, proper, to wish me a happy birthday. That was very nice. I also received a couple dozen e-mails and Facebook messages, even one from my Father-in-Law. Awesome! I felt very, very loved.
Mekhi's bio-mom made me a special angel food cake (my favorite) that she dropped off that day - it said "momma" on it in those candy letters. We didn't eat the whole thing, so I took it to work along with the cinnamon rolls I made from my mother's recipe.
Neither I nor Brian bought me a gift, but this past weekend we went to visit my wonderful in-laws, and they gave me a belated birthday card (and an early card for Brian, whose birthday is later this month), with some money in it. This weekend, I’m going to add to my Munchkin collection.
Money has been even tighter than usual, so Brian and I waited until the next pay period to go out for my birthday: Samba Brazilian Grill, which was so worth the $100 tab, but they don’t do doggie bags (it’s a buffet).
Pog ma thoin!
-Lori
“Hug too much. Smile too much. And, when you can, love.” – Neil Gaiman
Friday, June 17, 2016
No Mithril Party
We at Castle Curley have had to dig into our meager savings to pay bills (medical, water bill for leaky toilet, furnace repair, etc.) and buying needed items like a new microwave (when I broke the old one) and a dehumidifier for the basement to slow the rusting of the furnace we purchased in 2006. This coupled with our lower pay thanks to the Wanker Administration means we will not have a big party for our Silver/Mithril Anniversary. Thus, our annual Independence Day Party (IDP) is back on the calendar for Saturday, July 2, 2016, at 3:30 pm-ish until the fireworks are spent and the mosquitos overtake us.
I am having a hard time letting the Mithril Party go (case in point: this blog entry has been in production for about a month), as well as the second honeymoon we wanted to do afterward. When Brian and I married, we couldn’t afford a big honeymoon: a week in the Poconos in a suite with a champagne glass whirlpool and/or a heart-shaped tub. That was my dream from the adverts in Brides and other like magazines to which I subscribed from the age of eighteen to my wedding at twenty-one.
Well, the Poconos now have a lot of the same resorts as one would find in the Wisconsin Dells, and Brian and I decided that a dip in such peculiar tubs is neither necessary nor feasible at our age. When I asked the World’s Greatest Husband what he’d like for a second honeymoon, he mentioned Ireland or Greece. I like both those ideas, but I prefer Ireland because I’d like to look up our ancestors, and aside from a few places, they speak English in Ireland. Hell, I’d love to go on any vacation that doesn’t end in the word “Con”. Unfortunately, this is still out of our budget for both money and leave time (unless I win the lottery). Sigh.
In light of my friend Janet’s death earlier this month, and that her 50th birthday would have been the day after our party, I’m thinking of making a German chocolate cake (her favorite) in her memory. Otherwise, I refuse to stress-out regarding this party. Brian and I have been working on the house (more in a later entry), and the past several years have proven that once the invites are out, all I have to worry about is buying a bunch of meat (and their accompaniments) for the grill.
My parents had a lovely (but stress-filled to prep) party for their Silver. Then went on a cruise to Alaska for their Ruby (forty years). I was going to plan a Golden (fifty) Party for them, mainly because (aside from end-of-life-care for our parents) my siblings couldn’t organize a special brownie giveaway at a Grateful Dead concert. However, Mum and I disagreed on the date for the party (I reserved the church reception hall for the weekend of their anniversary proper; she wanted the weekend that Brian and I planned to attend Gen Con), and then they died shortly after their 48th wedding anniversary.
Conversely, when my in-laws celebrated their Golden back in 2004, , I designed the invites, and my MiL and I had a good time together shopping for the party. When they celebrated their Diamond (sixty years), I arranged a simple and successful potluck luncheon with their descendants.
The next hallmark holiday for me is my fiftieth birthday in 2019, and I already told the WGH that I want a special party. However, I’d like a nice celebration for Brian, too (when he turned fifty last year, all he wanted was a few good friends over to play games; we had a blast). I don’t’ want to wait until our Ruby or Golden anniversary for a big party or trip, but current economics is not on our side. I don’t see a change anytime soon, either. Sigh.
I can haz winning lottery tix now plz?
Pog ma thoin!
-Lori
“I hate being poor.” – Ronald Weasley, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling
I am having a hard time letting the Mithril Party go (case in point: this blog entry has been in production for about a month), as well as the second honeymoon we wanted to do afterward. When Brian and I married, we couldn’t afford a big honeymoon: a week in the Poconos in a suite with a champagne glass whirlpool and/or a heart-shaped tub. That was my dream from the adverts in Brides and other like magazines to which I subscribed from the age of eighteen to my wedding at twenty-one.
Well, the Poconos now have a lot of the same resorts as one would find in the Wisconsin Dells, and Brian and I decided that a dip in such peculiar tubs is neither necessary nor feasible at our age. When I asked the World’s Greatest Husband what he’d like for a second honeymoon, he mentioned Ireland or Greece. I like both those ideas, but I prefer Ireland because I’d like to look up our ancestors, and aside from a few places, they speak English in Ireland. Hell, I’d love to go on any vacation that doesn’t end in the word “Con”. Unfortunately, this is still out of our budget for both money and leave time (unless I win the lottery). Sigh.
So, back to the events of this summer: Brian and I plan to go out for a very nice steak dinner on our anniversary proper. I looked at the wish list I made for the Mithril Party and highlighted a few items that I wanted to do before and for the IDP. Unfortunately, we can’t afford the abbreviated list, either:
- Have a new family portrait taken, and with Mekhi
- Have wedding videos/photos scanned/converted to digital to display on a digital frame and/or laptop throughout the party
- Bring out wedding flowers, ring bearer’s pillow, etc. to display.
- Packers Shareholders Stock frame for us
- Silver Jordan Almonds
- Anniversary cake
In light of my friend Janet’s death earlier this month, and that her 50th birthday would have been the day after our party, I’m thinking of making a German chocolate cake (her favorite) in her memory. Otherwise, I refuse to stress-out regarding this party. Brian and I have been working on the house (more in a later entry), and the past several years have proven that once the invites are out, all I have to worry about is buying a bunch of meat (and their accompaniments) for the grill.
My parents had a lovely (but stress-filled to prep) party for their Silver. Then went on a cruise to Alaska for their Ruby (forty years). I was going to plan a Golden (fifty) Party for them, mainly because (aside from end-of-life-care for our parents) my siblings couldn’t organize a special brownie giveaway at a Grateful Dead concert. However, Mum and I disagreed on the date for the party (I reserved the church reception hall for the weekend of their anniversary proper; she wanted the weekend that Brian and I planned to attend Gen Con), and then they died shortly after their 48th wedding anniversary.
Conversely, when my in-laws celebrated their Golden back in 2004, , I designed the invites, and my MiL and I had a good time together shopping for the party. When they celebrated their Diamond (sixty years), I arranged a simple and successful potluck luncheon with their descendants.
The next hallmark holiday for me is my fiftieth birthday in 2019, and I already told the WGH that I want a special party. However, I’d like a nice celebration for Brian, too (when he turned fifty last year, all he wanted was a few good friends over to play games; we had a blast). I don’t’ want to wait until our Ruby or Golden anniversary for a big party or trip, but current economics is not on our side. I don’t see a change anytime soon, either. Sigh.
I can haz winning lottery tix now plz?
Pog ma thoin!
-Lori
“I hate being poor.” – Ronald Weasley, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Another Fine Mother’s Day
Long time readers of my blog will know that I used to hate Mother’s Day (MD) even more than I loathed Christmas. I can give the same reason why I like Christmas and MD now: Brian, the World’s Greatest Husband (WGH).
Knowing that money is perennially tight, I told the WGH that although I wanted “something special” for MD, I wanted something small and inexpensive. In years past, the WGH has bought a range of items from the silly: a Ratbert Doll; to the expensive: a pair of gold hoop earrings containing cats playing with balls, which were diamonds; to the “oh, he knows me so well”: a Gameboy Advance SP handheld with the original Legend of Zelda, which I still play.
The day prior to MD, we had gone to the local farmer’s market to buy marigolds that my late mother loved to plant every year around her home, but unfortunately none were available. We tried a local greenhouse that was so busy, the line to check-out was as long as one of the greenhouses, and only two cashiers; so I decided to go to the local Hy-Vee, which had the flowers and no waiting at the check-out. We visited the cemetery where my parents are buried, and I put the flowers in the vase my brother wisely ordered for their marker.
This year, MD was a tad early on the 8th of May, so the usual round of hideous jewelry ads mercifully was kept to a minimum. I don’t care that Kay Jewelers has a Star Wars line; the WGH knows that I prefer the offerings from ThinkGeek.com. One article in the pre-MD media was from an advice column from a woman who complained that every MD was spent visiting her mother-in-law. I guess the letter writer doesn’t have an amazing MiL like I do.
I can’t think of anywhere in the world I’d rather spend MD than with my in-laws; I’ve called my MiL “Mom” since the day I married the WGH. Mekhi was with his Mom #1/bio-mom, so he wasn’t with us, much to my MiL’s disappointment; she adores Mekhi. Mom did like the bouquet of flowers from Brian and the photo collage with a lovely MiL poem from me (I didn’t write the poem, but it was a nice sentiment). We had a delicious luncheon, too, thanks to Brian’s brother and sister-in-law.
On the way home, Brian asked if I wanted to go to our FLGS for my MD present: a copy of the Puppies booster pack for my Munchkin collection. Yes! The perfect gift: small, inexpensive, and meaningful: Puppies from our puppies! I called to make sure one was available before we drove out of our way, and the friendly staff set one aside for me.
Brian and I planned to mow the lawn that day, but we didn’t because we had to go back to Mom and Dad’s: he left his cell phone. When we finally made it home in the late afternoon, I had to fold three weeks of clean laundry and put it all away. Yes, I had to do housework on MD, but I didn’t care; it was still a nice day.
Because of a change in her work situation, Mekhi is taken to school by Mom #1 on some days, and by us only on the days he stays with us. Later in the week after MD, I found a beautiful card on the dining room table with a small plastic frame that said “Mom” on it from our son. I cried joyful tears at such a perfect gift. Now I have to find a picture of me and Mekhi to put in it.
Pog ma thoin!
-Lori/Mom #2
“Musical taste is like children: nobody thinks theirs is ugly.” – John Kovalic
Knowing that money is perennially tight, I told the WGH that although I wanted “something special” for MD, I wanted something small and inexpensive. In years past, the WGH has bought a range of items from the silly: a Ratbert Doll; to the expensive: a pair of gold hoop earrings containing cats playing with balls, which were diamonds; to the “oh, he knows me so well”: a Gameboy Advance SP handheld with the original Legend of Zelda, which I still play.
The day prior to MD, we had gone to the local farmer’s market to buy marigolds that my late mother loved to plant every year around her home, but unfortunately none were available. We tried a local greenhouse that was so busy, the line to check-out was as long as one of the greenhouses, and only two cashiers; so I decided to go to the local Hy-Vee, which had the flowers and no waiting at the check-out. We visited the cemetery where my parents are buried, and I put the flowers in the vase my brother wisely ordered for their marker.
This year, MD was a tad early on the 8th of May, so the usual round of hideous jewelry ads mercifully was kept to a minimum. I don’t care that Kay Jewelers has a Star Wars line; the WGH knows that I prefer the offerings from ThinkGeek.com. One article in the pre-MD media was from an advice column from a woman who complained that every MD was spent visiting her mother-in-law. I guess the letter writer doesn’t have an amazing MiL like I do.
I can’t think of anywhere in the world I’d rather spend MD than with my in-laws; I’ve called my MiL “Mom” since the day I married the WGH. Mekhi was with his Mom #1/bio-mom, so he wasn’t with us, much to my MiL’s disappointment; she adores Mekhi. Mom did like the bouquet of flowers from Brian and the photo collage with a lovely MiL poem from me (I didn’t write the poem, but it was a nice sentiment). We had a delicious luncheon, too, thanks to Brian’s brother and sister-in-law.
On the way home, Brian asked if I wanted to go to our FLGS for my MD present: a copy of the Puppies booster pack for my Munchkin collection. Yes! The perfect gift: small, inexpensive, and meaningful: Puppies from our puppies! I called to make sure one was available before we drove out of our way, and the friendly staff set one aside for me.
Brian and I planned to mow the lawn that day, but we didn’t because we had to go back to Mom and Dad’s: he left his cell phone. When we finally made it home in the late afternoon, I had to fold three weeks of clean laundry and put it all away. Yes, I had to do housework on MD, but I didn’t care; it was still a nice day.
Because of a change in her work situation, Mekhi is taken to school by Mom #1 on some days, and by us only on the days he stays with us. Later in the week after MD, I found a beautiful card on the dining room table with a small plastic frame that said “Mom” on it from our son. I cried joyful tears at such a perfect gift. Now I have to find a picture of me and Mekhi to put in it.
Pog ma thoin!
-Lori/Mom #2
“Musical taste is like children: nobody thinks theirs is ugly.” – John Kovalic
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
World’s Greatest In-Laws
My Best Friend Betsy RN MSN once asked me, “How did you get such a great mother-in-law?” Obviously she got a MiL who would be too cruel for a Grimm brothers step-mother.
I replied that the Gods took a look at what they gave me for a mother (a bully), and said, “Oops! We effed up. Let’s give her a good MiL.”
My husband Brian’s extended family have welcomed me so warmly. I can ask my MiL for advice that I never could ask of my mother when she was alive. His aunt made me a special Christmas necklace when we spent the holiday in California in 1998. His Grandmother (who died the day after Christmas in 2015) let me hug her and hold her for support at the wake of Brian’s Grandfather/her husband. My Father-in-Law loves to tease me about a lot of things, including why I refuse to shop at certain stores. I’ve been calling Brian’s parents Mom and Dad since our wedding day.
So when Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2013, Brian and I were devastated. Mom has been medically fragile for years, having suffered several mini-strokes. Although Dad was at times given six-months to a year to live, he still is with us thanks to the medical treatments he’s receiving. Unfortunately, these treatments will not cure his cancer, just give him more time to live, and no one knows how long that will be for either of them.
Mom’s birthday is tomorrow, and Brian’s SiL is planning a luncheon get-together on Saturday. Our original plan was to start his new Icons RPG that day, but Brian and I both feel that Mom’s birthday is more important. Only the Gods know how many more birthdays they’ll have, so we want to spend as much time with them as we can.
Besides, who wouldn’t love in-laws with quotes like these:
June (Dad’s birthday):
Me: “I have good news.”
MiL: “You’re pregnant!”
Me: “Uh, no.”
MiL: “Well, I still hope…”
I love that woman so much.
Me: “I think more pictures are taken of Quinton (my Great-nephew) than of Prince George.”
Devan (my niece): “Of course, he’s cuter than Prince George.”
Me: “Absolutely.”
On our most recent visit, Brian turned to me to ask if we had any news. Dad looked at me and asked, “Are you pregnant?”
I love that man so much.
No, I’ve given up hope of becoming pregnant, but I love that my in-laws still have hope. You can understand why I call them the “World’s Greatest In-laws.”
Blessed be,
-Lori
“What am I supposed to do at a time like this?” Brian asked me, regarding his father’s cancer worsening.
I replied that the Gods took a look at what they gave me for a mother (a bully), and said, “Oops! We effed up. Let’s give her a good MiL.”
My husband Brian’s extended family have welcomed me so warmly. I can ask my MiL for advice that I never could ask of my mother when she was alive. His aunt made me a special Christmas necklace when we spent the holiday in California in 1998. His Grandmother (who died the day after Christmas in 2015) let me hug her and hold her for support at the wake of Brian’s Grandfather/her husband. My Father-in-Law loves to tease me about a lot of things, including why I refuse to shop at certain stores. I’ve been calling Brian’s parents Mom and Dad since our wedding day.
So when Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2013, Brian and I were devastated. Mom has been medically fragile for years, having suffered several mini-strokes. Although Dad was at times given six-months to a year to live, he still is with us thanks to the medical treatments he’s receiving. Unfortunately, these treatments will not cure his cancer, just give him more time to live, and no one knows how long that will be for either of them.
Mom’s birthday is tomorrow, and Brian’s SiL is planning a luncheon get-together on Saturday. Our original plan was to start his new Icons RPG that day, but Brian and I both feel that Mom’s birthday is more important. Only the Gods know how many more birthdays they’ll have, so we want to spend as much time with them as we can.
Besides, who wouldn’t love in-laws with quotes like these:
June (Dad’s birthday):
Me: “I have good news.”
MiL: “You’re pregnant!”
Me: “Uh, no.”
MiL: “Well, I still hope…”
I love that woman so much.
Me: “I think more pictures are taken of Quinton (my Great-nephew) than of Prince George.”
Devan (my niece): “Of course, he’s cuter than Prince George.”
Me: “Absolutely.”
On our most recent visit, Brian turned to me to ask if we had any news. Dad looked at me and asked, “Are you pregnant?”
I love that man so much.
No, I’ve given up hope of becoming pregnant, but I love that my in-laws still have hope. You can understand why I call them the “World’s Greatest In-laws.”
Blessed be,
-Lori
“What am I supposed to do at a time like this?” Brian asked me, regarding his father’s cancer worsening.
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