Lil Miss Susie Homemaker and Man-Servants

What a wonderful weekend! I saw some friends that I hadn't seen in years, met some new people, and hung out with friends that I really wish I could see more often. I had people staying here from Thursday until Sunday, so for those of you that know me, you know that I had to try to be the perfect little hostess the whole time. I think I finally gave up sometime on Saturday--it is just too much work! :)

The holiday weekend began with me getting up on Thanksgiving morning to cook the family turkey, hence, me becoming Lil Miss Susie Homemaker. Never, ever do anything good--I made the turkey a couple of years back on a dare and now it is my job because it was delicious. Anyways, if you have never cleaned a turkey, you can't possibly imagine how disgusting this job is. In the process I managed to have turkey goo all over me and my kitchen. I think it took me longer to clean the kitchen afterwards than it did to make the mess. It all worked out well in the end--I was told it was my best turkey yet. Of course, they may have just been saying that so that I will do the turkey at Christmas also. So far, they haven't convinced me.

I spent a wonderful day with my family, of course eating too much. All of the food was so delicious that is was difficult to stop, especially when the desserts were brought out. Too much good food, fun, and family. I finally waddled my way home that evening, planning on collapsing on my couch, but my friends had other plans. Turns out that Chris and Shawn were in town and wanted to get together.

Let the party begin! The two of them, as well as Sean and Pat came over that evening and the drinking and poker playing began. That evening Pat also brought his cousin's husband, Lucas. So it was just me and the guys. Interesting times, to say the least. Men wearing my bathrobes, far to many sexual innuendos, and everyone being afraid to go near my ten pound dog. It was such a fun evening though, that I didn't have enough sense to go to bed at a decent hour. Normally this wouldn't have been important, but, when you are getting up the next morning to do an insane amount of shopping, sleep becomes very, very important. I somehow managed to survive Black Friday shopping though, even without sleep.

That evening we had planned for Sean, Shawn, Chris, Pat, and myself to hang out again. Little did I know that the stars had other plans for me that evening. Some of the guys were already there when I received a phone call that I never would have expected--my ex, Chris H. And Chris H. isn't just any ex, he is the ex, the one that I have gone back to many, many times and that I just get stupid about every time we talk. He was in town and wanted to get together. I explained that I had company and invited him to join us and as shocking as it was to me, he did. We spent that evening talking geek talk, and I discovered that I am not nearly the geek that I thought I was. Half the time I didn't have a clue what the guys were talking about. Being the only girl around had its perks. Before the evening was over I started calling the guys my man-servants, getting them to wait on me hand and foot. I got a foot massage from Sean, used both Shawn and Pat at various times for pillows, and I think they all helped to keep my drink fresh. Eventually they caught on to my little game and quit though. Too bad--it was fun while it lasted. The evening with Chris H. went well, though he left unexpectedly while I had a phone call. I am so confused about that situation that I am not even trying to figure it out.

Saturday I had some time to myself while the guys went to see Roger. I spent the day cleaning up the house from the previous nights, and then went out and did some shopping. I now have fabric and supplies to make covers for my floor pillows. I was going to make them that afternoon, but spent too much time picking the stuff out, so I didn't have the time to do it. I also had to sew up one of the floor pillows--seems somehow a hole big enough to fit my foot in (yes, we tried it) got in one of them. See, am I not Lil Miss Susie Homemaker--cooking turkeys, cleaning house, sewing???? I kept trying to get the guys to let me cook them breakfast, but they wouldn't let me.

Saturday ended with yet another night of drunken debauchery. Chris and Shawn had to leave back to Columbus, but Christina made it in finally. She brought Nora and Nora's boyfriend, as well as her boyfriend's brother with her. My neighbor's son, Josh, and his wife, Felicia, also came over. Pat was staying with me, so he had no choice but to be here, and Sean is a glutton for punishment, so he returned also. :) Poker was played, drinks were had, and the night progressed to drunken Twister and bodyslamming. I really need to realize that Twister is not meant for adults, especially drunk ones. This time I ended up taking a knee to my head, bruising the hell out of my jaw. It didn't stop me; I recovered and played a couple more games before we put it away. And then for some reason, people began bodyslamming other people. I finally had to stop that--I was way too worried that something bad was going to happen. Eventually we all decided to call it a night, making plans for breakfast in the morning.

Little did I realize that breakfast was going to be at nine the next morning. I was sleeping, happily curled up in my nice warm bed, when a strange noise awoke me. I sat there for a second, and there it was again. Eventually I figured out it was my doorbell. Christina and Sean were back, ready for breakfast. I could have killed them. I love them though, so I didn't. Pat got up and the two of us managed to get ready to leave, and the four of us headed to Golden Corral for breakfast. It was fun, but I was so freaking tired. When we got back, we visited for a few minutes, then Christina and Sean left again, and Pat and I returned to bed. It was a nice afternoon, without even any phone interruptions. I finally made it back out of bed at about four that afternoon, in time to see Pat off.

Monday, I slept, and slept, and did my best to recover.

It was a great weekend, even if a tiring one. Every time I get to see everyone though, it just makes me miss them more. I really wish that we all lived closer together so that we could see each other on a more regular basis. Every couple of months, or in some cases, every few years, just isn't enough. But, I guess I have to settle for what I can get. I miss you guys already!!!!

Good Times

It was pointed out to me earlier today (thanks Ken) that I have not written about my trip. So, here goes.

I had an absolutely wonderful time. It was so great to get to see Christina and Craig again.

Craig and I went out to dinner at DuClaw and to see The Polar Express Thursday after I arrived. Dinner was delicious and we both really enjoyed the movie. It wasn't the have to see movie of the year or anything, but it was a fun, feel good movie. And the animation was cool--sometimes it was difficult to tell if the people were real or not. The next morning we got up and went to breakfast at Eggspectation where I had a fabulous Crepe filled with eggs, ham, and cheese, with hollandaise sauce on the side. He then took me on a driving tour of Ellicott City, a little historic district. It was pouring down the rain, so driving through was plenty good enough that day. Then we headed into DC where we walked in the pouring rain to wait to get into the new Smithsonian Native American museum. I was cracking up and told Craig that he was lucky that I am not some high-maintenance girl who would freak out about jumping over puddles and getting soaking wet! The museum was amazing--something that I would really like to see again. I think you could spend days there and still not really feel like you have been able to see everything. We then headed back to his place to wait on Christina to come collect me. :)

Later that evening Christina and her sister, Rose, met me at Craig's place and I spent the rest of the weekend with them. We went to dinner and then to play poker with Jim, one of Rose's friends. It was such a fun, hilarious evening. The poker game ended with Christina winning the pot, but not without me putting up a good fight. I earned a new poker name, Frankengiggles, because I refused to die, and I just naturally giggle all the time. After the game, and after much persuasion, we finally convince Jim to sing some songs for us. He has a studio of sorts in his attic and plays in a band, so I wasn't about to let him get out of singing something for me. Even in the wee hours of the morning--somewhere around three am, I think, he still had an amazing voice. Christina and Rose joined in and did a couple of songs, and I sat back and enjoyed the show. Christina tried a couple of times to get me to join in, but I finally convinced her that I would scare her if I tried, so I got out of it. I think we finally ended up back home somewhere around five in the morning. Good times and funny conversations were the theme of the evening.

Saturday Christina and I started the day by driving to Aberdeen so that I could see where I would be working if things pan out with the job I applied for there. It seemed like a nice little place, only about a 20-25 minute drive from where she lives. In fact, Rose, Christina, and I discussed getting a place for all of us in the area where they live if I do happen to move up there. We then spent the rest of the day at Inner Harbor, shopping and touring the USS Constellation. We ended up having dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen--a must have if you ever get the chance. I had a white pizza with a butter garlic sauce, four cheeses, and spinach, and it was the best pizza I have ever in my life eaten. We thought about going downtown that night to check out some live bands but just didn't have it in us. The next morning we slept in and then went to IKEA for some shopping. I ended up with barstools finally, and a really interesting "piece of art," for lack of knowing exactly what to call it. It is this red, hanging, mobile thingy. Trust me, it is cool. The picture doesn't really do it justice. Then knowing that Christina had to work the next morning and I had to drive home, we rented a movie and stayed in for the evening.

It was so nice to relax and forget about "real" life for a few days. It was sort of sad to come home. It was great to see old friends, and meet a couple of new ones. Hopefully it won't be too awfully long before I can plan another trip.

Road Trip!

Woo-Hoo!!! I am going to Baltimore this weekend!

I am so excited! I am going to spend Thursday night and Friday with Craig, an old friend from high school, then get with Christina that evening and spend the rest of the weekend with her. It has been a while since I have taken a trip for me. All of the trips lately have been for work. I didn't even make it to the Halloween party in DC that I was invited to. Dani and Tamara, I doubt I will get the chance to see you this trip, but we will get something planned soon! I miss you guys and I hated to miss the party!!! Christina has the weekend off and I only had to take a couple days leave to have a five day weekend, so it was meant for me to get out of here, even if just for a few days. Plus, I miss Christina and it will be nice to see her again!

So, I will not be posting for a few days--hope you can make it without me! :)

Wish me luck!

You ever hear of Nanowrimo? November is National Novel Writing Month. The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel by the end of the month. I have just started mine and am up to 1852 words so far. The beginning and the end are done. Now I just need a little over 48,000 words to fill up the middle.....

Wish me luck!

I'm Famous!

This is the picture that was on the front of the Charleston Gazette today. If you look to the very top of the picture, at the back of the crowd, you will see me sitting in between my sister and dad. Woo-hoo! I made the front page of the paper! LOL

I am not sure how long the link will be good, so you might only have the chance to see it today!