Hey Faithers! Have a good time on your trip to see the dolphins!

We are having TD in GB. I'm really excited to go to the mall. I never get to go to the mall and GB seems like he really wants to go on Friday after TD.

I just can't believe my good fortune of meeting a man who likes to shop with me. He loves antiquing too!

He's been in New Orleans quite a bit this past month and when ever he is down on Bourbon Street he calls me and tells me about everything he sees, even in the stores. He even calls and lets me listen to some of the musicians as he passes by them.

And he brings presents! Perfume in beautiful hand blown glass bottles...oh I am so falling in love now. Not because of the presents, I mean because he is still so nice, and good, and sweet, and fun... and he loves me!

He stays at a place that is supposed to be haunted every time he goes (for many years now, and in the same room) How fun is that?

what's not to love?? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Oh LOL, you'd be surprised.

When are you going on you leaving for your trip, Faith?

Yes, when do you leave on your trip?

Hi Weaver !!

SS

Hey SS!

Are you having your whole clan over for Thanksgiving?

Leaving tomorrow <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi SS!

We are having dinner at MIL's house this year. She lives three and 1/2 blocks from us, so not a big deal.

She is the best MIL in the whole world. It's hard to say enough good about her.

Lets see though, that didn't answer the question. All of our children will be there except one. I can feel a party coming on.

Hi Faithful, have a good time. I am so glad you get to go. The trip itself is lots more important than the location.

It sure is nice to know both of you are doing well. I don't worry near so much now.

Except about Graycloud. When he's quiet, I wonder. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

SS

PS - and Appy - he's still thinking too much.
And 2long - even though he's doing better.
And J, who has very hard decisions to make, or else she can stay in limbo. Limbo is not nearly as much fun as happy ever after.

SS

Happy Bird Day 2 you,
Happy Bird Day 2 you!
Happy Bird Day everybody!
Happy Bird Day 2 you!

...and many more!

-ol' 2long

Thanks 2long. I did have a happy bird day.

You sing well too - ever think of going pro? I'm sure you could be on the b-day singing staff at red lobster.

FAITHFUL FOLLOWER - WHERE'S THE TRIP REPORT ?????
I'm sure you didn't think we would forget to ask?
I CAN'T BELIEVE you would make us wait like this (LOL)

Hi Gray.
Life is good?

Hi Weaver - you are doing so well. Your advice, care, and concern ROCKS !!!

J is quiet lately. She's grounded, (meaning she is on a solid foundation) so that's OK. I just always wonder.

Happy, Happy.
For our date tonight, we're getting some of our shopping done. After dinner, of course.

SS

I found some of our old hardware on Mars this week.

They're filming at our house 2morrow.

I'm supposed 2 drive my Model A in our local Xmas parade on Sunday. Guess I'd better find out where and when I'm supposed 2 show up.

At least it's running pretty well right now!

-ol 2long

I found some of our old hardware on Mars this week.

So, tell us about it !

The rover found it, or it started transmitting, or what?

They're filming at our house 2morrow.

You an extra, or just the house?

I wish I was running as well as your model A. Maybe I need a new mechanic.

SS

Can't, I just helped with the press release.

I'm not an extra, just the house. We'll see if this one goes "big time" unlike the previous ones.

Or new parts! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

-ol' 2long, wenting now.

Have a good weekend 2.

SS

Ain't that the truth. Sigh.

Today I have the mully grubs. (A family term meaning someone's grumpy and surly.) HoFS was in St. Louis for their little winter storm on Thursday and Friday. So he sat in the airport for ten extra hours yesterday. He made it back to Ohio, but after the last flight to DC. I couldn't ask him to make the trip today after his saga yesterday. So I'm surly, grumpy, and generally no fun to be around today.


I think that there are many days when I'm not entirely on solid ground. Today is one, though I know it's a passing phase.

I've been quiet mostly from being busy and being away. I took my first week-long vacation in four years over Thanksgiving. I went to Wisconsin to see my family and attend the feast in my dad's home town. (50 relatives at the VFW club. It's a lot of fun and the food is fantastically unhealthy.)

Friday we drove back to Chicago (3 hours) and I dropped DD off with my ex (ex's parents live there). Then flew to Cleveland to spend the weekend with HoFS and his boys. I could have gotten to Cleveland earlier, but HoFS asked me to wait for my scheduled flight. Then he ended up being late to the airport so that he could make sure the driver's ed instructor picked up the oldest son on time. I was, uhm, tired, cranky, and disconnected by the time he got there. By the time we finally had quiet time at bedtime, I was leaking tears all over him.

We had a good time on Saturday -- went to the Football Hall of Fame, shopping, and then out to eat. Going out to eat took all three boys asking their dad, and me finally saying, quietly, "I'm really hungry too. I know there's chicken at home, but can we please eat now?" I think HoFS wasn't fully enthusiastic about it. I don't know how to do that stuff very well yet.

The weekend kind of went downhill from there, though. HoFS' sons were getting stir-crazy after four days without seeing their friends, and the oldest finally had had enough and went to his mom's house. The middle one, who was particularly restive, continued his antics on Sunday. That in combination with some changed plans, finally led to middle son refusing to go to the airport and then melting down completely while he was at home by himself. It was really hard on HoFS to be in the car on the phone with his son listening to him losing it.

Hard on me, too, to want to support HoFS and want him to have time for his sons -- and yet also want to be with him and have time with him myself. It wasn't an easy good-bye.

And now we have this weekend. DD and I are here by ourselves -- HoFS is in Ohio, my brother is in Indianapolis, and my other brother has guests in town this weekend. So DD and I put up the Christmas lights and finished raking the leaves. We scrubbed the dining room and swept and vacuumed the floors.

Now she's taking her nap. When she gets up we'll go to Target to replace the strands of lights that have failed. We also need to put the red bows on the picket fence (we already put lit garlands on it).

Sometime in there we'll make supper and maybe we'll have a fire in the fireplace.

HoFS went home to some storm damage -- the Christmas lights we put up last week came down partway, and there were a lot of branches in his yard. So he cleaned up and repaired, and then he went to the Christmas parade and craft show. Tonight he's going to take his sons to buy chicken feed and spend the evening with them. Tomorrow he'll go talk to God and do some more of the things that he needs to do around there. He mentioned Christmas shopping. All good stuff to do.

And yet... he's not here. And I'm tired of being alone.

And yet... he's not here. And I'm tired of being alone.

Even if you know it might be this way, it still hurts.

I don't have time to stay and talk. Thinking bout you guys though, and wishing it was better.

Problem with wishes ........... is........ well, you know.

What do you see as your options?

Sorry for asking, but I'm sure Penny would approve.

SS

Hi SS et al. I keep writing stuff and not posting it. I feel more private as time passes.

I'm doing well. I do not like the holidays but I'm looking forward to next weekend which I'll spend with a friend in Tahoe.

2long, my talk got downgraded too. I'm a poster. Let's hoist one in SF one night. I haven't been to the Edinburgh Castle my last couple of times out...

GC

Oh SS, caring much more than good advice...but sometimes that means just as much, doesn't it? They have the answers already they just need the courage to believe in them.

I believe so strongly in "brain storming" as a way to come up with ideas, but sometimes if you jump in and give whatever comes to your mind on this board the other posters can be so harsh with you that brain storming is not used often enough here.

The awesomeness of each and every human beings mind...well it's awesome, and I wish we gave each other the license and courage to use them more, in public, out in the open with others appreciating the awesomeness of every single one of them.

I think a person who posts because they are in crisis, or just stuck, should have the benefit of many different POV's.

Brain storming, why are so many people scared of others who have a different POV?

2long, I am almost done with "the Golden Compass" and I just love it! I think it puts me up into "advanced child" class. Couldn't be advanced when I was little, but I can be now, at least at the child reading level! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I am looking forward to reading the others now. It was a fun read, especially the little daemons the humans all have in the book, and the references to church and the soul and the church not wanting any advancements, or new thoughts. Oh and the way the daemons stopped changing when the children hit puberty, and then they were defined at that point forward as to who they were. Great book!

Have a good time Gray! I took scuba diving lessons in Tahoe from a bartender friend of mine when I was working in Reno. I am so jeolous of your trip!

Do you know the Trucky river flows down from Tahoe to Reno?

If it were summer you could tube on down to Reno while you are there!

Weaver:

My W's reading The Subtle Knife right now. She didn't much like the first book, thought it was 2 slow. But she's enjoying the 2nd one.

Figure out what the daemons are?

Pretty nifty concept when you do.

-ol' 2long

gc:

We've got 2 remind JL 2 set aside a beer evening. Not that swill in the barrels at the poster session (though I'll consume that stuff 2!). Real beer!

A friend of mine found a nice brew pub in Haight Ashbury, but you have 2 take a bus 2 get there. Consumes a long lunch, but it's worth it.

Then there's the warf for dinners. Trolley car rides and stuff.

During the blackout several years ago, they let everybody ride the trolleys for free. They're so crowded most of the rest of the time that it's really a crap shoot finding a seat.

-ol' 2long