Josh Vacation: Day 3

I spent the day at the Science Center. It was a little disappointing. The kids really weren't old enough to get anything beneficial from being there, and there wasn't time enough for us grown-ups to play around. It was kind of a teaser for everyone. Plus I was tired. I told Josh that my back wasn't carrying me, I was carrying it. We did, though, get to spend the day with Molly. Haven't seen her in a long time. We also got to see the new house she and her parents have just moved into. At first I couldn't believe she didn't end up getting her own place, but when I saw the house, I kinda wanted to move in, too. Somewhere, there is a Grand Duke looking for his chateau.... Just being in Molly's new neighborhood makes me feel inadequate. I got out to take a picture, and the whole thing wouldn't fit in the view finder. I've never been to that part of Lake St. Louis before. It's not far from where Josh lived in high school, but you might say, a world away. It had columns on the inside of the door. Well, I had a good time being in awe of Molly's new place, but I still don't envy living with Mom and Dad when one is a few months shy of 30.

I mentioned that I'm considering having a costume tea party for Abbie's 4th birthday this January. Molly's eyes got as big as dinner plates! She was happily planning finger sandwiches and mini-cheesecakes. Trust me, y'all, you might wanna make it to this party. The food is going to be excellent if Molly wants to cook. And I won't make you wear a costume. (Although Molly might wear one.)

Molly is seeing someone new. His name is Ryan, and she brought him to our house once before. Since then, he asked her parents very formally if he could court Molly. She found it adorable, and I suspect that her parents approved, as well. They are all a LOT more Catholic than I am. But I'm still undecided about parts of it. If she were under the age of 21, all well and good. However, doesn't this sort of behavior rather support the idea that Molly is somehow not in charge of herself? And then there's the choice of words...but I couldn't very well ask her if he meant dating or courting courting with him standing right there. I don't know much about Ryan, even after having spent now 2 days in his presence. He is quiet, but I didn't come away with the impression that he is a ponderer, or even a keen observer. Neither was he vacant in his expression. If I recall from our earlier meeting, he teaches at a Catholic school, and has at some point played drums, but I can't remember if it was trap, or just snare.

Still haven't heard a whisper from my cousins who were going to come over "Wednesday of Thursday". I left Kelsey a message, since she screened me when I called her cell. Well, the house is clean now, but with Josh on vacation, I can't promise it will be tomorrow. Actually, the more typical scenario is that I won't hear anything from them at all, and eventually will discover that they just went home. I say typical, because it has never been any scenario except that one. But I always prepare, just in case.

When my mom called from Colorado, I told her about the dark circles I had on Sunday. She said I probably had sun stroke. Hee hee! I think she meant heat exhaustion. My mom usually doesn't get stuff wrong, so forgive me if I'm a trifle amused. She also says that she wouldn't have believed that there was an ugly place in Colorado, but they seem to be staying at one. I wonder if she's trying to keep me from being sad that we couldn't go.

Josh and I were arguing in the car. Not to worry. It's sort of a hobby of ours. This time it was in reaction to an interview on NPR we heard. The topic was the unsuccessful candidate in the recent "election" in Iran, and whether or not he was a supporter of earlier bombing of US troops. I was listening, and announced, "HA! That guy flat out lied, and now the other guy has to cover for him!"
"No, he said that it's different now."
"Not that guy. The interviewer just began by saying that US intelligence found that this guy was a supporter of the bombings. The first guy said that it wasn't true, he wasn't involved, and now this guy is covering by saying that he was part of a revolutionary generation, many of whom are now less militant."
"No, that's not what he meant."
"It's what he said."
"Well, I was listening to what he meant."

Okay. It's journalism. You have to listen to what they actually say. And if you aren't capable of saying what you mean, you have no business being interviewed. Yeesh! I'd ask you if you agree, but I know you won't write, anyway. Punks.

I had a creepy dream last night. After Grant kicked me out of bed and I went to sleep on his bed (and blankets, and toys), I dreamed that I was moving in with a new and previously unknown roommate. That part was tense enough. Then, I had a baby in the nearly empty house, and the baby was missing some fingers. Josh was there, and I was crying and saying that it was so sad for the baby, who was a girl, to be odd looking when she had such a beautiful older sister and I wished people wouldn't compare them. (So, at this point in the dream I was married and had kids. Not sure about the beginning.) Then, as I was trying to feed the baby...it turned into a large, gray cat and barred its teeth at me. Anyone good at analyzing dreams? 'Cause this one's got me stumped.

The TV is still on the floor, but Josh picked up dog poop this morning. I think there is more project-ing scheduled for tomorrow.

I just took some Motrin. Josh is at class now, and I'm trying to keep the kids from playing too rough. I'm losing horribly.

I talked to my grandmother. Was it this morning or yesterday? I can't remember now. She's glad I have plans for the 4th of July. There is a barbecue she wanted to go to with my aunt. And she tells me that my cousin Hannah is dating someone. I had a rare email from Hannah just this week, but she didn't mention it at all. I wonder...is it because I'm supposed to inquire, or because she doesn't feel comfortable talking about it? Or maybe she's counting on her half sisters to tell me all about him. Also, she went on and on about a photo that my Uncle Pete sent her of himself, because he's been losing weight, and, more importantly for her, it's the first time she's seen him in shorts since he was a kid! She told me I absolutely must ask him to sent the picture to me, too. I emailed him. And he sent a totally different picture. But still a nice one. I wonder if he's bashful about the shorts!

By the way, in this one part of the Science Center, there is an animal section and they have some taxidermy in cases. Around the cases are little plaques with cross sections of bones, etc. and these really funny little chairs. Well....chairs might be misleading... I don't know what they are, actually. They are kind of like stools with weird, squashy, textured cushion-ish-es. Josh said it was like trying to sit on a basketball. But when I win the lottery, I am getting some. They are too funny.

And there was a fossil of a ginkgo leaf! I want one! Well, the fossil would be cool, too, but I want a ginkgo tree.

By the way, I made my omelet last night, and it was heavenly. I'm surprised I didn't dream about THAT!

So tired. I wonder if I will sleep tonight.

I have to leave you now, my back is too sore. Hope you are having a good evening.