24 posts tagged “family”
Here are a few more fun pictures from my trip last month.
Another view from my room at the Westin:
But clearly you can see that Missy's kid here also has some problems of her own. But that's Missy's fault. She was the one who fed the kid on a picnic bench, knowing full well that the kid eats like a dawg.
Now that my sister is a mama she doesn't like my baby eating jokes. But you can tell she's still a closet zombie. Here I found her trying to suck the brains out of another cousin's kid. She claimed she was snipping his hair to give to her own semi-bald child. Either way, she's one sick fuck.
The kids in my family are gonna be so messed up.
You know, this whole "aunt" thing is a breeze. The kid totally digs me, she rarely cries and she freaking laughs and smiles all the damn time. I may not go home and visit as often when she's thirteen, but I am lovin' every bit with her so far.
Don't mind my mother's couch. Those flowers will wilt and die someday. (Sorry Ma)
We went to the zoo on the damn hottest day of the year. We left and passed a sign that it was 100 degrees.
I just did some googling. Looks like they brought her a companion elephant in 2000 who gave her the herpes that killed her. Now there are two elephants at the zoo (no Kathy) and both have tested positive. So sad. :-(
At one point we wanted to walk up to the ice cream shop. On the way I was stung by a bee. I swear, my feet are usually very slender.
We fed the kid a lemon and she couldn't get enough. Of course at the table I was all like, "it's like when Data on Star Trek got his emotion chip and kept drinking Guinan's horrible concoctions." Sister thought that was terribly nerdy. But it's true. (Both).
I just got a call from the delivery room only moments ago from my Sister in Illinois. She's healthy, the baby's healthy, and my sister's voice sounded exhausted and awed. I could hear the baby in the background crying, she sounded just like our Sally Fran. I was only on the line for a second because my Mama had to quickly call and inform Grandma before her 11 o'clock cut off time! :-)
Congratulations Sally, I'm so happy for you...and for me, I can finally be someone's "favorite" aunt. :-) Love you!!!
Holy crap, you just pushed a bowling ball through a pinhole, that takes talent woman! A talent I certainly don't have. I love you always and want the best for you and your new little monkey!
It's hard to believe my two week vacation is up. I've only lurked around Vox -- hi strangers. I was hoping these two weeks would invigorate me but I feel sluggish and unprepared for the week ahead. Instead of bitching and moaning, I'll share a few more fun pics from the trip.
First up, my Aunt Maggie - she's crazy for Nascar. It's ok to make fun of her for that.
Here's The Dad, who has an exciting new addiction...can you guess what it is?
Be careful, this one is cute, but she'll eat your brain.
The trip home on Sunday was much more difficult than the ride out to Moline. I didn't sleep much during the entire visit so I was pretty tired when I hit the road. I took an extra stop to eat and I rested my eyes for about ten minutes shortly after Cleveland. About an hour and a half outside of Albany I felt like I was jumping out of my skin. That was sure a lot of fun. At an hour outside of Albany, just when I thought I couldn't drive another mile it started getting foggy and rainy. Oh joy. Not only do I hate driving at night, but rain makes it ten times worse. I had to make one final stop only 22 miles from home just to clear my head (and bladder!). I was so grateful to make it home in one piece! I slept most of yesterday away and have just been trying to catch up around the house today. I know I can totally make the trip again by car, I just want to make sure I get plenty of sleep before setting out.
Ok, so for the fun stuff:
Here's my Mama, makin' her gardens beautiful:
When I first arrived, Sister was helping me unpack my car.
Sister: Do I have to wait until Saturday to open my shower gifts?
Me: Well, yeah.
Sister: How come?!?
Me: Because I know it will drive you nuts.
I caved because I'm a good sister and she opened them the next day. She later wrapped them and then acted surprised when she opened them again at the shower.
Our lovely Grandmother crocheted a beautiful blanket for the baby.
On my last night there I walked Charlie and brought his present back home with me. I left it for The Dad under his bar in the garage. When The Dad returned and was hanging out at his bar he thought that maybe there was a dead mouse in the garage. He tore through the cupboards and drawers hoping to find a dead Mickey while nine of us who were in on the joke were busting up on the patio. Eventually he thought he'd figured out the problem - opened salsa in the fridge. Hmmm...that still didn't stifle the smell. And it seemed to get worse when he was behind his bar. He dug through the shelves on his bar a few times - not once noticing the black sack of dog shit right under his nose. Alas, eventually the jig was up and I was caught. He told me I moved up to daughter number one status.
I've been having a great time here with the family. Today is Sister's baby shower, it should be fun! Tomorrow I begin the long trek home and then it's a week off with Mr. Val. Here is some good local stuff:
I never thought twice about the name growing up...it was just the best place for ice cream. When Mr. Val first visited and saw the sign he was shocked!
My grandma went parasailing! My family is having *way* too much fun in Florida this winter. :-)
I'm sure she doesn't mind that cutie with the six pack helping her out either!!
My alarm had been going off for ten minutes before I awoke this morning. I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower. It was there that a dream from the night came racing to the forefront of my mind.
I dreamed about him again, I dreamed about Jimmy. It's been a long time...six months...maybe a year. When I dream about Jimmy the place is always different but I am always thrilled to see him. I never remember what happened when I'm dreaming about him. I can't believe how much he's changed since I last saw him. Last night he looked different than I remember him, he was older, maybe 25. His face had filled out, his red hair had turned more of a strawberry blonde, but he was the same Jimmy. The same grin. The same eyes. As he usually is in my dreams, he was all smiles, no words. I am always comforted by his appearance in my dreams. I feel reassured. But about what, I don't know.
It'll be eight years this May since we lost him at 16. I miss him so much.
Mine went parasailing!
It was really fun staying at Sister Sal's duplex. Mama is already in Florida in the winter (although she's far too young and vivacious to be considered a snow bird) and I typically stay with her when I'm home. As much as I love staying with Mum, it sort of felt like I'd crossed some sort of line as a grown up by staying with Sal. I had graduated and moved out of town by the time I was 17, and with Sal being two years younger, we really haven't had a lot of time together as adults. We're really close though, and I think if we lived nearer to each other, she'd be living with Mr. Val and I; or at least doing her laundry here like Aunt Jackie.
Anyway. We had lots of fun. The boys she lives with are fun to play with. There's Sister's BF, a really great guy who I love to call Brother.
Brother's best friend also lives with them. He was really funny and a lot of fun to hang out with (and watch Arrested Development).
And then there is Brother's brother who hangs out at the place from time to time. He and I made it our goal to get Sister to watch The Princess Bride. We were about halfway through when I fell asleep (it was midnight in a different time zone on the day I flew in, so at least I had a good excuse for being the buzz kill), but I gave her the DVD so I expect her to finish it.
Then there is Sister Salena. A girl with so much class, I just don't know what to do with her.
Don't worry, it's just a Christmas Margarita. Sheesh! Sure our family is totally gross (in a fun dick and fart joke sort of way), but not that kind of gross.
Oh yeah, I was there too and had the privilege of using my favorite childhood blanket (why yes that is a 25 year old Strawberry Shortcake blanket).
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