My Office Smells

Of moldy carpet.

That is all.

A story of the she-wolf...

I never really realized exactly HOW ingrained the she-wolf response is in us mothers until this weekend. My husband and I had friends in town for the big college football game (USC vs Clemson...go tigers!!) for Saturday and Sunday. Chirodad and one of the friends went to the big game, and the other friend and I went to Harry Potter (neither of us really wanted to freeze, and as tickets to the game were sparse, the movie seemed a God-send). BeeBabe stayed home with her Mimi. BeeBabe is also a champion tooth-cutter as she is now cutting not one, but at least TWO molars at the same time. Needless to say, she is rather grumpy at the best of times and down right angry at the worst of times. Well, we all met back up at the chirofamily house after movie and ballgame for a few celebratory drinks and chit-chat. All was well. We made plans to meet the next morning at liturgy (the two friends are childless and don't like staying with us as the BeeBabe is quite vocal). All went well till lunch. We met up at a local restaurant, which was of course crowded. Beebabe hadn't had a morning nap (it was aproaching 1:00 pm), was hungry, and was in pain. She and I walked around the restaurant for a bit while waiting on our food to come. I hadn't planned on that much walking and had worn insanely high heels (dumb on my part), so we made a few stops back at the table for me to either sit her down or hand her to Chirodad until she started crying/screaming/being annoyed again. At one point, one of the friends (who had been reading the paper and taking absolutely no part in any conversation whatsoever) looked up disdanefully and said that if BeeBabe didn't shut up, he was going to leave. Well!! I was FUMING!! I managed to grab my daughter (along with the bread from the table), instruct my husband to get our food to go, and headed up the car. I think I may have pierced my tongue with my teeth, I was biting it so hard!! BeeBabe and I had a great time in the car, and she actually managed to fall asleep (which was a large part of her fussiness) while we waited on Chirodad to return. Then, I get the most absurd email Monday morning asking wheter an apology was necessary?!?! Um, YEAH, it was!! I can understand being tired and cranky, but that didn't mean that a freaking 35 year old should have acted that way. At any rate, I think we've mended the tear in our relationship via email. I always find that I am much more willing and able to express myself clearly in writing than by speaking. I guess it's because by writing something, you can be as crass as needed, feel better for getting it out, then erase it all and find a much nicer way of getting your point across. Eesh. A note to any childless people reading this diatribe...if you are around people with children and feel the need to give out parenting advise OR act childish and unsympathetic, JUST KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!

Now...on to the happy part of this message....a BIG CONGRATS to the Jensen Family!!!!!!

Armistice Day

In honour of Armistice Day (aka Veteran's Day to those in the US), here are several photos taken on our honeymoon two years ago. We were lucky enough to be in Scotland on Armistace Day and witnessed several parades and a multitude of paper red poppies.

My Weekend & Geriatric Derriere

So, after my series of anniversary posts on last Tuesday, drama hit the Chiro household full force. My husband and daughter stopped by my office around lunch on Tuesday to say hello and deliver my wonderful anniversary gift (a HUGE, framed portrait of beebabe). During their brief visit, Chirodad's phone kept ringing, but being in a metal building was registering some weird 'roam' message, he didn't answer the phone. Once they left, he was able to check the phone calls...well, turns out it was his dad...having a stroke...or, more accurately, a series of strokes. So he and the beebabe pick up my father-in-law to take him to the hospital. I get a frantic message from husband saying to come and get the little one as we seriously don't need her picking up a nasty cough, germ, bug, what-have-you from the ER.



The hospital finally admits my father-in-law around 10 pm Tuesday night. So, no anniversary celebrations for the chiro family, but beebabe and mommy did get to spend a pretty nice afternoon together, and for that I'm thankful. Fast forward to the weekend...I leave work early on Friday to deliver a sewing machine to Sweet Violet (still haven't figured out the links...sorry!!) and after leaving her wonderful home, find yet another frantic message from the Chirodad. Turns out, father-in-law was released at 4:30 Friday afternoon, and they made it all of 2 blocks before having to turn around and hit the ER yet again. He was having more strokes in the car, this time with minor facial paralysis. Out I go, making yet another fast trip to the ER to retrieve BeeBabe. They admit my father-in-law in the wee hours of Saturday morning. All seems OK with him during our visits on Saturday (even though the Dragon Lady (aka, my grandmother-in-law, was in attendance). We give him a call Sunday on our return from liturgy only to discover that he is having yet another stroke while on the phone (couldn't speak clearly, didn't know his siblings nor his son's name). Chirodad calls the INCOMPETENT head nurse, argues with her as to his father's state, drops me and the beebabe off at home and heads back to the hospital. After spending about 4 hours there with him FINALLY sees a doctor and is told that we can expect weekly minor strokes and that he will be released from hospital care on Monday.

So, now it looks like Father-in-law will be moving out of the inlaw suite and into the main house in short order. Hopefully, I'll be able to figure out how to knock down a wall or two to give us all more space. Poor chirodad now has not only beebabe with him at all times, but more than likely will have his father as well. At least he is GREAT with beebabe and really seems to enjoy being around her.

Oh, I'll bet you are wondering where the geriatric derriere comes into play, aren't you?? During our visit Saturday, Beebabe and I needed to escape the Dragon Lady, so we took a walk around the hospital. Turns out we were on the Geriatric floor, and none of these older people had a robe because at every open door, there was a butt staring at us. Why on earth everyone seemed to need to get out of bed at the SAME time and with an OPEN door is beyond me. Seriously, folks, after about the 3rd door, I was giggling so badly that we had to make a beeline to the elevator so I could regain composure.

Here's to hoping that this week is better...and that I'll finally get to see my husband (in a good mood) for longer than 20 minutes. I love you, babe!

Happy couple

 

Something Old, Something New...

 

All Saint's Day...and My Wedding Anniversary

Two years ago today, I married the most wonderful man ever. Chirodad and I were married at Citadel Square Baptist Church in Charleston SC at 6:00 in the evening, right at the end of hurricane season. We had beautiful weather for our entire weekend in Charleston and were surrounded by lots of family and friends. Actually, at this exact time two years ago, I was still trying to recover from a night of champagne and cookies with one of my bridesmaids and best friend of 7 years! We had a blast and I am so glad that everyone was able to make it to the wedding. The groomsmen had shots of Makers Mark in the parking lot while listening to the Clemson football game, the ceremony took all of 18 minutes (the best man timed it), and the reception was held at the William Blacklock House on the College of Charleston campus. We all had a blast! Chirodad and I danced to a great piano and bass duo rendention of Diana Krall's 'Swonderful', and at some point, i got rooked into playing Heart and Soul with my little sister. We will soon be celebrating her wedding, and I can only hope that she has as great a time at her wedding as I had at mine (and after the $200.00 I spent on the damn bridesmaid's dress and hip flask for her wedding, she had BETTER have a great time!). Enjoy the pictures!!

My co-workers show their true natures...

We have, starting at the top left corner and going left to right....
A Barfly
A Patient with an Absolut IV
Scary Guy and Flapper Girl
Goth Girl (aka Chiromum) and Barfly
Lorana Bobit (complete with a portion of John in the jar)
Barfly and Sadistic Boss
Big Pimp
La Fee Verde side shot (the Absinthe fairy)
And a set of Crooked Judges....