Saturday, May 6, 2017

NOVEMBER 2016


Technically, this was Halloween week, but I didn't get any trick or treaters.  We did get a pretty cool delivery of treats and sunstaches in the mail which I most definitely wore to every meeting.   Meanwhile, my mom wrapped full size candy wrapped in dollar bills - she got decidedly more trick or treaters than I got. 

I think I've mentioned Laina's cat Tom Selleck. https://www.instagram.com/tom_selleck_the_cat/
Well, the real Tom Selleck found out about Cat Tom Selleck using his likeness live on TV, and it was awesome. 

And then I voted for Hillary Clinton, full of hope and love for America right before I jumped on a flight to New York for Morgan's confirmation.  After my nap, I headed over to Sean & Stacey's where Sean decided to oh-so-amusingly engage in a political conversation with me (I suspect mostly to get a rise out of me.) That's when Morgan reminded me it was time to go to church. 

When we returned from practicing how to walk with my right hand on her right shoulder, we went back to the house for some Penn State ice cream because Sean brought back 16 gallons.  My kind of guy.  He also dressed up as Elf with Stacey for Halloween.

Me: Did you do the Russian dance?
Sean: I tried, it was hard.  I fell down. I did the worm instead.
Stacey: Yeah, he really did. 

I stayed longer than I probably should, but only because I thought maybe I could help in surprising Stacey.  Instead, Sean poured himself some iced coffee, and when Stacey asked what he was doing, he was all, "I need to go pick up Bailey from the airport."  This lead to a series of questions, where Sean and I answered honestly, but at the same time all of our answers sounded like we were joking.  Once it finally sunk in, Jackie exclaimed, "Oh man! I was going to sleep in her bed tonight - she would have killed me!"

I was (and still am!) genuinely honored that Morgan asked me to be her sponsor.  And I think it's super cool that she took the same name that I did - Brigid.  Patron Saint of Ireland, turned bathwater in to beer, and created butter out of thin air, pretty rad. When we got up to the alter, the Bishop said, "Brigid, Nice!" and definitely didn't say that to anyone else. 

I put together a treasure hunt for Morgan to find her present with bible quotes that I asked Frita to write in script because his handwriting is way better, and Morgan doesn't know to read script so it had the added benefit of having to decode the clues.  I consider it a success that she both waited until a friend came to do the treasure hunt and that she wanted to put the matchy match bracelet on immediately. 

Prior to leaving for Church, I put curlers in and they were super-hot so then my finger was really hurty.  When I mentioned this to my mother she was suddenly compelled to ask me who I thought was more like her, me or my sister.
Me: Me, of course!
Momela: Really? I think it's Maureen.
Me: Whoa, because I don't have asbestos hands like you...
Momela: Well you know when someone burns a bridge with Maureen and I, it's burned.
Me: Sure, but have you seen me plan for a trip?  Have you seen how I feel the need to set alarms for people and check bus schedules for them when they definitely never asked. 

I brought this same conversation up when I got to Sean & Stacey's, and asked for additional opinions.

Stacey: You and Sean are doormats.
Me: Hey! Sean and I totally have more friends though. They might not show up when you need them, but they'll show up for a party... if it's convenient for them!

Jackie: You don't want to know what's going.  There is a chunk of wood downstairs!

I really did want to know though, so I walked down and the "chunk of wood" was a deconstructed table like you might put a train on.  We might need to work on Jackie-O's descriptions.

Mo: I need to be up at 6 to pick up my kids.
Sean: Just stay here and drink some beers until 4.

The following day, Sean & Morgan picked me up in Sean's new Jeep.  We grabbed some bagels at JV bagels on our way to see Kevin's football game.  When Sean got back into the car, instead of backing out of the spot he drove right over the grass & curb, like a suburban dad in need of off roading.   At the game, I said to Morgan, "Look, we're both wearing our school sweats!" to which she said, "Yup! Oh wait, hey!" when she realized I was wearing my Hogwarts pants.  After watching Kevin play (which seemed to consist of him running until someone knocked him to the ground.  Seriously, he was on the ground after every play - it was impressive in its consistency!) we walked over to see Maureen's high school claim to fame. 

Before I knew it, it was time to fly back!

Update 11/7 - 11/13

Hi Friend,

First things first, the election happen and I was one of those sad saps that totally cried, got ridiculously upset, and had a seriously difficult time being pleasant on my morning walk with someone who voted for the other guy.   So when I got home, I had cheer myself up so I bought a Christmas tree and decorated the house because if the Christmas Spirit can’t help you when you’re in a funk, I don’t know what will. 

Zach came over and helped me finally put my TV on the wall.  He used all of the mounting bits saying that normal people never use all of them, but he knows how I am, and so he’s going all the way.  I’m not even insulted because I am that way, and I do need all the bits.  Then he made a sword, and I kept decorating.  Becky came over and we made some “Good Samaritan” Boxes. Only, I am not a good Samaritan because I got really frustrated sorting the chalk the moment it got slightly difficult.  And then, I wrapped puzzle for Shana with a note telling her that I took a piece out of it because she forgot to invite me to her party. 

Zach: If you were really mad, you’d put it together and then take out the pieces that spelled “FU SHANA”
Me: Haha! No one’s that angry – but ha ha! 

At the party, this happened:
Jamie: I almost ripped off my nipple at work today,
Laina: Me too.
Me: Do you get workman’s comp for that?
Jamie: Nipple therapy.

I’m pretty sure that this has a story around it, but since I can’t remember, but I still think it’s funny I’ll keep it- I also think Jamie said it: Two cups of coffee one sprite three glasses of water, two to three glasses of wine Metamucil and then I go to bed.

The following morning, I tried to put a coat on Percy and he growled at me so I did something I’ve never done, and he’s never heard before.  I picked him up and said, “I'm the boss!” He didn’t really believe me but he got that coat on, so point to me.

Picture time!

Much Love,

T O’B



Update 11/14 - 11/20


Tuesday was the 15th anniversary of Halo & Xbox - very exciting!  To celebrate, we had events going on all day, but also we did the Mannequin Challenge:
https://youtu.be/A2wpNuKCQ14

Plus someone gave me a shout out for my novel reading chief impression. :) 

On Wednesday, I woke up with my eye almost completely swollen shut with a stye on the inside of my eyelid.  It was so hurty, and the doctor sent me home with a heat compress instead of medicine.  I spent the next two days becoming BFF's with uber drivers so I could still go to the park and work and all that jazz.  We had a partner in down on Thursday, and I felt really bad b/c I was so grumpy.  I also reviewed Zach's cards, and was in such blurry eyed pain, I had to call my dad to help verify I was putting commas in the right place.  I had dinner with D&J on Friday night, and then they, very kindly, drove me home.  Luckily, by Saturday, I was feeling much better and on Sunday was back to driving. 

I also found time to send Thanksgiving cards, which were much cheerier than I felt at the time.  Being relatively house bound and with my go to entertainment busy or out of town I got down to being super productive.  First, I plunged into the depths of my delinquency and got 7 of 33 emails I need to get done.  Yeah buddy!  I also got pictures printed, cut them to the right size, filled out cards, addressed & stamped those card and now they are ready for me to send for Christmas.   I also made two batches of cinnamon sugar almonds & cashews (for holiday co-worker gifts), made brownies for thanksgiving, wrapped about 60 presents, did laundry, packed for Thanksgiving, ordered snacks and fun for our Gilmore Girls viewing party, watched a season (or more) of Gilmore Girls, cleaned my place, gave Percy a bath, and ordered some more presents.  So not hilarious, but um, uber uber productive. 

And I'm sending a Monday "email" on a Monday! Boom!
Update 11/21 - 11/27

Hi Friend,

This was one of my updates, but I think it covers a large chunk of what happened this week.

In 2004, the fam was out of town, and I was cruising the channels (that was a think we did back then) when I stumbled across a show my mom had told me to watch ages before. I watched the whole thing only to find it was a marathon! I watched all three seasons available to me, complete with commercials and everything. I proceeded to go out and buy those seasons on DVD and watch them again immediately. When Dawne got home, I made her watch those three seasons all over again - and there was a period of time that this show was the only TV allowed in the house so we all watched it excitedly, each week on Tuesday nights, as a family.  Years later, Jordan would reconfigure the theater knowing that it was hi-pri that we be able watch cable in the new theater - just so we could watch our show. When it ended in 2007, we all watch the whole series each year - sure season 6 & 7, with new writers was rough, but I insisted watching long after Lucas had bailed (he always tapped out at the end of season 5, or the dark time we like to call it.)  Whenever a friend told me they hadn't seen it, I gladly offered to watch it again with them. When the box set came out with the cool case and fun books, Jordan bought it for me... even though I already owned all 7 seasons.  Some days, when Dawne and I need company, we just put it on in the background, because hearing our friends makes us little less lonely. Alas, I just finished the last episode one more time and with fresh tears in my eyes I write.  I write knowing that in just a few more days I'll get to find out what happened in our friends lives the last ten years. The snacks have been purchased, the viewing party has been set. I really really can't wait. #gilmoregirls #oywiththepoodlesalready #copperboom #babetteateoatmeal #whereyouleadiwillfollow

Nater bought a house! That’s pretty gigantic news!

Dawne and Luke brought their cameras to the park one morning and took a ton of really great pictures (I mean I’m guessing because I never actually saw the final takes.)  That evening we all went to dinner at Pomegranate, which was delicious but a little weird because I always have Pomegranate for lunch.  And yea, I totally ordered the same thing.  While we were there I said, “The time has come the walrus said.” Because I’m weird and I say that a lot, only the table next to me heard me and ended up telling us that their kid was just in an Alice in Wonderland play and had those lines.  Crazy.  

Before I knew it, I was heading to NY for Thanksgiving.  I got in on Thursday morning, took a quick nap and then headed over to Sean and Stacey’s.

Mo: I once auditioned for a play and when I got up on stage the teacher said, “Lead singer, Maureen?! Stop messing around and go sit down!” and then Stacey got the role.

Michelle: Remember when you did the High jump and Dad went to see and said, “Man Carla, you suck at that.”

RE: Gilmore Girls
Jackie: I woke up this morning and told my mom I was more excited about Friday than Thanksgiving and she said, "are you kidding me right now!!!" So I didn't say it again, but I really meant it.
Me: me too!!!

And then on Friday while watching Gilmore Girls: Cookie dough time!
(Frita is Jackie’s grandfather)
Frita: Are you eating it raw?
Jackie: Of course
Frita: I thought you weren't supposed to do that I mean too much will make you sick It has poison in it!
Jackie:  Just a little salmonella So should I just give everyone spoons?
Frita: If the O'Briens girls get sick..
Jackie: Our mom bought it for us. Should I use paper plates
Frita: I've never had it before!
Jackie: It's going to change your world. Should I sprinkle it even though it's Raw?

Frita: Oh Tiffany. You think your mother will drink out of a can?
Me: I don't know you've been married to her longer than I have

Once, while playing capture the flag, we hid the flag in the back of Kevin's sweatshirt so he couldn't find it.

And with that, I’ll just say that Gilmore Girls was amazing, and Thanksgiving weekend was perfection. 


Much Love,

T O’B 

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