My Memere

My memere died today.

I'm going back and forth between tears and shock.

There were no better family times than those that were held at my memere's house. They are my favorite childhood memories.

Here is a bit of her and her five children:



The house was always filled with singing.

Easter Visit

I feel like I just ate for 24 hours straight! I'm stuffed, but I made it home in record time.

My sweetie came with me which means that my daughter stayed absolutely glued to him the entire time. We got a few good shots of the three of us, but my desktop is still out of service so I won't be sharing yet.

She wasn't home when we got there. Once she got home, she pretty much played with my beau all night. I don't mind. It's a lot of pressure off of me and I get to enjoy her just as much.

Last night, we had a delicious dinner and birthday cake for me (very sweet as was the drawing I got from my daughter).

Before bed, my daughter tried lifting up my beau's shirt, then lifted up her own.

Him: You shouldn't be showing people that.
Her: But you can show your birthmom cuz you're born naked and you're my birthdad.
Him: I'm not your birthdad.
Her: (turning to me) Who's my birthdad?
Me: His name is *****

This morning, she wanted to know what my beau was to her and later asked if he'd be her family if we got married.

The good news was that that was the most difficult exchange of the weekend. After the last few visits, that's nothing.

I did get some unsolicited cuddling. We went to Easter mass and she snuggled up to me a few times. At one point she laid her head on my lap and I patted her belly and she grabbed my hand to get me to keep patting. It reminded me of my pregnancy (which ended up on my mind a lot this weekend).

Overall, she cuddles up to me more when my beau is around. As for him, she doesn't leave him for a minute. He loves it.

It was a nice visit. A few weird things with her parents, but overall good.


And as a side note, she's reading pretty well and seems to enjoy the new power it gives her. She likes to try to read the things around her, but doesn't make it through many books. I'm guessing that her comprehension isn't yet good enough for her to want to read the books. She's so focused on the words that the meaning is lost. Plus, easy reader books don't have great stories as it is. She's also still saying that she doesn't like the bilingual program though her mom says otherwise. Her accent is terrific though.

My Marlboro Gift

I love my birthday gifts from Marlboro. Really.

I was disappointed last year when they sent an ashtray. Usually, the gift is not smoking-related and comes with some catchy saying.

This year, I'm supposed to "Let the good times roll" with some awesome metal dice and a sweet little dice bag.

The geek in me is so thrilled.

Easter, Birthdays, and Phone Calls

Tomorrow, I'll be heading out to see my daughter.

We've been playing phone tag all week, and although I returned every call, her mom still sounded annoyed when we finally got in touch last night.

It was also the first time she didn't put my daughter on the phone.

And they didn't call me for my birthday this week.

It's making me a bit unsure about the visit.

Luckily, my sweetie is coming so I'll have some moral support.

I'm sure it will be fine. I can't wait to see her.

Having the Family Over

Last night went very well.

The family was impressed with the place. The conversation and food were good. Everyone left at a reasonable hour. I was surprised at how fun the conversation was.

His grandparents gave us a little housewarming card and gift which was incredibly sweet. We really love them.

I was a little on edge having everyone in my space, but it all worked out in the end and I would love to do it again.

I'm also quite pleased to have the house looking so spiffy.

Computer Update

It'll probably be out for awhile. It wasn't the power supply. We'll know tonight if it's the processor or motherboard. Neither is still under warranty which means buying new parts. We're thinking it's overheating and burning up my parts so we're getting a new case with more fans. Hopefully that'll be the end of it. Of course, fixing my computer wasn't exactly in my budget, but I suppose I'll manage.

Cleaning House

When my sweetie was little, his dad used to grab a flashlight to look for dust. That was his way of deciding if the house was clean enough.

If it stopped there, fine, but my beau likes to tell the story of the time his dad brought the flashlight to a relative's house. The relative was mortified.

His dad (and 8 other family members) are coming to our house tonight.

We had them over right after we moved in, secure in the knowledge that our recent move would easily excuse any mess. We haven't had them over since. The thought of dad-proofing the home was just too much.

It's amazing how previously invisible messes suddenly scream out at you when you're expecting company.

I've washed spots off the walls and floors and appliances, dusted baseboards and chair legs, vacuumed and mopped the floor, hidden all evidence of daily life (laundry, my computer projects, my schoolwork, the broom), and re-alphabetized our DVD collection.

My bathroom was the hardest part. I always keep it mostly guest-ready, but even if I sweep and scrub the floor today, it will have dust or hair on it by tomorrow. I keep scooping up stray hairs and dust bits.

I've never understood how some people's houses always manage to look perfect. Mine have always looked good, but never perfect. Who has that much energy and time?

Anyway, I hope we pass inspection. We're counting on dear old dad for some help with buying our future home. They already know I don't cook, so I have to at least be able to clean.

Oh, and I took pictures (I wasn't about to let all that hard work go to waste!) so maybe when my main computer is up and running again, I'll be able to post them.

The Would-Be Proposal

Saturday morning, over a nice breakfast, my sweetie told me he'd been planning to propose to me when I graduate this May.

He was going to take us away on a little spa retreat.

Unfortunately, he also told me on Saturday that this is no longer his plan. He can't afford it, and he wants to give me another six months or so to continue focusing on getting healthy rather than adding the stress of planning a wedding.

He told me there's no doubt it'll come, but for now the plans are on hold.

I had pretty much figured out that he had planned it for then. Last August, he excitedly shared his graduation plans for me with everyone so I had guessed that that was why. It looks like now I'll have to wonder.

Workout Update

When my beau and I moved last October, I had to say goodbye to my beloved treadmill. I haven't exercised since.

I sold the treadmill to a friend with a plan to buy an elliptical trainer instead (I figure it'll be quieter for the downstairs neighbors). Space, weather, and time have prevented us from making the purchase, but for my birthday tomorrow, I'm finally going to get it.

My spare room has a space cleared. The weather is nice, and I get to choose what to do for my special day.

I bought my treadmill pretty much half price at an outlet store so I was hoping to do the same for the elliptical. Unfortunately, I went by there today and neither the price nor selection fit my desires.

I've narrowed my choice to two models available locally. I tried one of them out Friday night and fell in love so I'll probably stick with that one. The downside is that it's the pricier of the two and really long when unfolded. The plus side is that my friends at The Treadmill Doctor give it a thumbs up and it does fold up to about half size. My other choice is smaller and cheaper and has better customer reviews on the store website, but it doesn't fold at all, and I didn't test it out yet for comfort.

I hope that we'll be able to purchase and put it together tomorrow so I can get started. My body is craving the exercise and I think I need just that little bit of boost to get me past the bit of a funk I've entered.

Computer Woes

My computer died again. This time it doesn't turn on. (And yes, I checked all the cords.) So it's back to my laptop. Unfortunately, my sweetie just password-protected our internet so I'm on someone else's internet and it's a bit slow. It's nice to live in an apartment complex though so I at least have internet.

Let's hope my computer can get fixed for good this time.

The Wardrobe

I did some more organizing this past weekend so I'll have to take some fresh (and non-blurry) pictures, but I thought I'd share the beauty anyway:

You can see all my playing-around-with-video equipment, too. And my flubber!

Amusement

The Battleaxe Deliberate Brutal Love Master (DBLM) Sharp. Hardened. Dominating. The Battleaxe sweeps all before her, smiting and what not. You've had a number of serious relationships, so you obviously have many attractive qualities. You're well experienced in dealing with other people's weirdnesses, and it's likely you're good in bed by now, too. Also, like the drunken housewife chucking Heinekens at her no-good husband, you've got a lot of energy. People can tell you're sophisticated, and so you find yourself the object of infatuations quite often. But it's how you handle yourself in your relationships that gets you the 'brutal' tag. Controlling? Imperious? Overbearing? Yes, please. Remarkably, you don't mind the same from your men. You've experience enough to take whatever you dish out. Overall, you're a very good person and a capable lover, and when the time comes you'll make a fine divorcee. Your exact female opposite: The Nurse Random Gentle Sex Dreamer Always avoid: The Poolboy (RGSD) Consider: The False Messiah (DBLM), someone just like you.

Link: The Online Dating Persona Test @ OkCupid - free online dating

Oh Hi There!

I'm around.

I went away for the weekend and then entered a bit of a funk when I got back home.

This week should get me back to normal again.

Except that grades close on Friday which means it's time for report card craziness.

In other news, I'll be spending Easter with my daughter.

And my computer is cured.