The one where Sean and I are ridiculous...

I know what you're thinking ... which post aren't Sean and I ridiculous in? And you're right. We're pretty ridiculous on a regular basis. But some incidents of ridiculousness just scream, "Blog me!" And I have two of those for you today.

One day a week or so ago (it was a Wednesday, not that it matters), Sean and I drove CJ back to his house in Macomb. Someone usually rides with me because I get a little teary when I drop him off and if I have to drive the hour back home alone, I get more than a little teary. So, more often than not, Sean rides along to distract me. Because he's a sweetie like that (but don't tell anyone because it will ruin his street cred).

So, after dropping CJ off we decided to swing through Jimmy John's and get sandwiches to take home for dinner. After I park, I realize Sean is not making any move to get out of the car.

Me: Aren't you going in with me?

Sean: Why?

Me: I don't know what you want.

Sean: The same thing I always get.

Me: Can't you just come in?

Sean: *huge sigh like I'm killing him* Fine.

Now, by that "fine," I know something is up. And as I swing open the door to JJ's~

Sean: *very loudly* Well, I'm not the one who sells my body for money!

Me: *quickly thinking* How else was I going to pay for your gender re-assignment surgery?

All conversation had stopped in Jimmy John's and I turned to the counter to see everyone's mouth hanging open. We got some weird looks, but they certainly made our subs quick. The moral of this story is A) making Sean do something he doesn't want to do ALWAYS has consequences and B) if you're going to hang with us, you better have lightening fast mental reflexes. I like to thing that evening's work went quickly for those JJ employees since they had something so juicy to discuss.

And yesterday Sean and I got tattoos. I got a special one in honor of CJ. My favorite tattoo artist designed a Claddagh symbol using the autism puzzle pieces for the heart and put CJ's initials in for me. And I got a little star for Dylan added to my foot tattoo. Sean got Marvin the Martian on his leg. His Dad has one there and so does his Uncle.

 

My CJ tattoo

 

 

The purple stars represent my children, so I added a little blue star off of Mo's star for Dylan.

 

 

Sean's Marvin.

 

 

If you're near the Quincy area and need a tattoo, I can highly recommend Pleasurable Pain. Jerry is a fantastic artist, everything is sterile, and they're nice guys. Mo has had all five of her tattoos there, I've had three of mine, and Sean's had his two done there.

 

So we go in to get our tats and we're a few minutes early. So Jerry is working on paperwork and Sean and I sit there quietly. But on his laptop he's got Youtube up and so I start watching the video for the song that's playing. To see the video, click here. It was Avenged Sevenfold's A Little Bit of Heaven.

  

Then I look at Sean and we both chuckle. Jerry turns around and I say~

 

Me: Your choice of songs leaves me vaguely uneasy.

 

Jerry: Why? What do you listen too?

 

Me: Pretty much everything. It's the video for this one ...

 

Jerry: What? Having sex with dead people is weird?

 

Me: Funny story. (At that point, he looks uneasy) I'm actually putting out a book of zombie erotica. And after reading the vast amount of submissions for it, necrophilia actually doesn't sound weird to me.

 

Jerry: *laughs* I bet a lot of people will read that book. Someone told me the other day I looked like the kind of guy who keeps dead girls in his basement.

 

Me: I don't think so. Besides, looks are deceiving.

 

And it works out that I'm going to take copies of 50 Shades of Decay to his shop to sell. You just never know what kind of networking will pay off. But later, after Sean gets his tattoo, I get mine. And just as Jerry starts, Sean gets a phone call and walks outside. He comes back in and this conversation ensues~

 

Sean: Are you doing work emails?

 

Me: Um, no?

 

Sean: You are the only person I know who can work through getting a tattoo.

 

Me: Well you weren't here to talk to me and distract me, so it seemed like a good way to distract myself. By the way, I'm really thirsty. So if you go outside again can you get my soda out of the car?

 

Sean: I wasn't planning on leaving you.

 

Me: You just did.

 

Sean: Yeah, I meant again.

 

Me: Why? I think I'll be fine. Granted, that might be how little girls disappear. But those are skinny young girls, not chubby grandmas in their forties.

 

Sean: Ha! You're a grandma getting a tattoo! *he and Jerry both laugh* And besides, those girls don't disappear; they're in his basement.

 

At which point I start giggling and get admonished to "hold still."

 

And that my friends, is a glimpse into our ridiculousness. I kid you not, it knows no bounds.

 

And for those who may not have seen Mo's last tat- here's a picture. I told you Jerry does great work!

 

 

 

 

Yes, it is HUGE. She better not have too many more children or her whole body will be covered!

 

Hugs to you all,

 ♥Spot

The one where I catch you guys up...

Catch you up on what's been going on around here lately. Its not really much but of course there are a few ridiculous conversations to throw out there. We've had a lot going on in the last couple of weeks- CJ's graduation (which was awesome). I cried when they showed the slide show. I can't believe they grow up so fast. Of course my Mom and Lu were crying in the row behind me as well. We took CJ out to eat after. We also had him home this week for a while and got to do some swimming and other things he loves.

My Graduate

We also had the first of Lu's baby showers. This one was a Sleepover/Shower for the younger crowd. Luke's mom brought his sister from Iowa so she stayed too (and us old ladies slept in beds not on the living room floor!). It was a huge success. She got some nice things, we had too much food and everyone made her a customized onesie using fabric paints. There were some talented artists among this group!

Lu and her future in-laws

Plus I'm trying to squeeze work in there! This week we have Lu's dr. appt, a bachlorette party, rehearsal dinner & wedding of friends. There are still two more baby showers for Lu and the rest of the house to paint. I think things might settle down come September. At least I'm hoping!

Now for ridiculousness~

Me: I'm submitting a couple of poems to this press. Want to hear my favorite"

Sean: *huge sigh* I suppose...

Me: *reading the poem to him*

Sean: Wait just a minute! That poem doesn't rhyme!

Me: Real poetry doesn't have to rhyme Sean. I taught you that in English.

Sean: I don't like poems that don't rhyme. Look at "One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish". That's a classic! Know why? Because it rhymes!

Me: Um. Again. Poems don't have to rhyme.

Sean: That's where you're wrong. Its a state law in Illinois that poems have to rhyme. Violation of that law is a federal offense.

Me: If its a state law, how can it be a federal offense?!

Sean: It just is! And the punishment is beheading. *whips out his sword he bought on Ebay and begins chasing me through the house* (no worries, the blade is not sharp)

Me: *running* That's it!! No more "Law & Order" marathons for you! Or "Tudors"! No one gets beheaded anymore!

I haven't heard back about the poems. I hope they didn't want them to rhyme...

Have a great weekend,
♥Spot

The one where I totally planned a dress rehearsal and no one believes me...

So picture this...Mike takes the afternoon off (before a huge camp-out, meaning this is a really big deal), Lu takes the day off work and Sean shaves and trims his beard. We all get up, get dressed up and pile into two vehicles because Mike & Sean have to be back earlier than Lu & I. Then we fill up said vehicles with gas (which is pricey). Then we drive two hours to Springfield where CJ's school is located. I call my parents (who live in Springfield), give them directions to the school. Then we arrive, find great parking spaces and enter the education center. I go up to the receptionist desk and this conversation ensues~

Me: Hi! We're here for graduation but we're waiting on two more people.

Receptionist: *crickets chirping*

Me: We're CJ's parents...

Receptionist: *completely blank look* Graduation?

Me: *beginning to wonder about this lady* Its in the activity room?

Receptionist: Graduation is next week.

Me: Um. I don't think so. Jayne told me it was today.

Receptionist: Its next Friday.

At this point, I can see her calendar on her desk and "Graduation" is clearly printed on next Friday's square. I felt ridiculous. And guess what? I went back and checked the email and the teacher did give me the right date. I have absolutely no idea how I made this ginormous mistake. Mike, Sean & Lu are all giving me dirty looks. Lu has to work next Friday. Sean has a training for CRC next Friday. Mike is unsure of his schedule.

The receptionist asks if we want to go to the other campus and visit CJ anyway. I tell her no, that if we do he'll only get upset when I don't take him home with me. No sense in needlessly upsetting him. I'll be back next week. So we go outside and meet my folks, who've just arrived. We tell them what happened and everyone laughs hysterically at me. They take us out to lunch anyway, which is great. Then Mike & Sean jet back home. My folks take Lu & I crib shopping and then we have pie & coffee before we head home. So it was a good day. Just not the day I'd planned. I try telling them it was just a dress rehearsal but no one is buying that story.

A mistake of this magnitude is completely unlike me. I will admit to being caught up in work lately. And having too many upcoming events to keep track of and plan. But sheesh, what the heck was I thinking?? Did my brain take a vacation the rest of me didn't know about?? And what about all those people at Prom last week that I said "see you next week" to? Nobody asked me what I meant. CJ's teacher called me and apologized. I assured her it was in no way her fault. All my screw up. She said when she went back and read the email I sent yesterday morning, she could now tell I had the wrong date. That doesn't help much though.

But hopefully Lu, Sean & Mike can all get things situated so they can attend. My parents & I will be there for sure. And it was really really good pie.

Happy Weekend,
♥Spot

The one where I take a new job...

Mike and I had this conversation the other night~

Me: Do you think I'm crazy?

Him: We've been together 23 years. I know you're crazy.

Me: Yeah. But that's not what I meant. I meant for taking on more work when there's so much going on in our lives. There's Lu's baby, you're getting ready to be busier than a cranberry merchant at bogging time and I'm trying to get the house fixed up.

Him: Crazy? No. I just wonder why you want to start fixing other people's books. Won't that cut down on your time to write?

Me: It could I guess. If I let it. But I usually divide my day into pieces. I'm most productive at my own writing in the late afternoon/ early evening. I do most of my other stuff in the morning. Or late at night. Writing my own stuff is still the goal. But I really really enjoy editing and proofreading. And I'm really good at it. And it's just for me. Does that make sense? For the first time in a long time, my self worth is less connected to you and the children and more focused on my own abilities.

Him: You know I back you in whatever you want to do. If it makes you happy then you should do it.

And so I did. I took a job as Editor at Angelic Knight Press. I'm very excited to join their staff. And they did a lovely announcement. If you get the chance, please read it. I'm really looking forward to the challenge.

And guess what? CJ graduates today. I can't believe he turns 21 this year. So much is happening so fast. So many good things have happened this week that I find myself waiting with breath held for the ominous portents to start showing up. Crazy, huh?

Happy TGIF people,
♥Spot

The one where we talk about the weekend...

So first off...here's the picture of Morel mushrooms that everyone asked for. The Mountain Dew bottle in the picture is to give you a visual for size. Yes they were gigantic mushrooms. I'm still convinced gnomes are going to come after us for stealing their homes.

But whatever! So Lu and I went to the movies last Tuesday night to see "Water For Elephants". We had both loved the book and I was convinced they would screw up the movie as they so often do. Fortunately, I was wrong. They did a really good job. Oh, they changed a few things, left things out, ect. but all in all, it was well done. I highly recommend seeing it even if you haven't read the book. Lu and I had eaten dinner before the movie so we'd only gotten a soda during. Afterwards, I said I was going to the bathroom before we left.

Me: Don't you have to go again? (C'mon, she's seven and a half months pregnant. She goes a lot!)

Lu: No.

Me: Must be because you leaked all that water out of your eyes during the movie.

Lu: Don't talk to me.

I had to laugh at this because before pregnancy, Lu almost never cried at movies. I used to call her the Ice Princess. Mostly because I cry at movies all the time. Hell, I even cry at animated movies. This gives my family no end of entertainment in making fun of me. Once when Sean was about nine and we watched "Monsters, Inc" I cried when Boo had to go home. Small Sean looked at me and said, "You know this is a cartoon, right? These aren't real people." Other times they'd just pass me a tissue box as soon as we sat down. So now that Lu's hormones are kicking in, I'm enjoying the payback.

We went to CJ's prom on Friday. It was bittersweet, knowing it will be the last one. Not that CJ has ever seemed to really care about Prom itself, he's just happy to see Lu & I.

 

He did not win king, but no matter, he didn't seem to care and the boy who won did care. He was very excited. CJ was more interested in the hors-d'oeuvres. Can't say I blame him, they were delicious. Many people stopped by our table to talk. The principle of the school stopped to shake my hand and put his arm around me.

Lu: Is that someone important?

Me: He's the principle.

Lu: So that's what kissing ass looks like.

She said that because I've been called multiple times by the school after they mail out their survey forms. I don't pull any punches and they get my honest opinion. Its not always favorable. There is always an apology call and a look what new opportunity we've opened up for your son. Its sad, but that's the way the world works. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Don't get me wrong. I'm never mean. That doesn't get you anywhere. I'm polite but firm. And I back up my opinion with facts. And since I worked in the field (eons ago), I'm still on good terms with important people. As Sean once said, "I've never seen anyone say 'things are going to change for the better in this situation or you're going to be very sorry' with a soft voice and a smile on their face before." Naturally, those weren't my exact words. But mess with my kids, and I'll show you Mama Bear. And now, we have to find a new place for CJ since he's turning 21. He transitions from school to adult care. I'm not looking forward to the transition. He doesn't like change much.

I'm sure some people are wondering why we don't just bring him home to live. Don't think I haven't thought about it. I miss my son dearly. And saying good-bye when we drop him back off at his group home never gets easier. Ever. Its like leaving a piece of your heart somewhere. And more times than not, tears are streaming down my face the minute I get in the car. The only thing that makes it bearable is knowing that he has good people working with him and he has a good relationship with them. And now we have to find a new home. And the reasons we don't bring him home are many. Mostly because he craves routine. He likes to know exactly when things are happening. Unfortunately, our house is usually chaos and its nearly impossible to keep to his routine. Also, he is more independent at the group home. He does things there he refuses to do at home. Mostly because he knows I'm a sucker and will do it for him. And the biggest reason is this...if anything happened to his father or I, he would be okay. He would miss us but his life would continue on in a predictable manner. If he lived at home and something happened to us, his entire life would change and he would be devastated. See, it really is about thinking realistically about what's best for him.

Other highlights of the weekend included getting to see my uncle from Arizona some more. Getting to visit with my sister and her family. And doing some shopping with Lu. Baby Dylan is going to be the best dressed kid on the planet because I can't seem to stop buying him clothes. We had to get some more for Lu too, since she just keeps growing. She's super uncomfortable now as Dylan is taking up most of the room in her abdomen and keeping her awake at night with his nocturnal rolling and kicking. He's going to be a wild child.

The downpoint of the weekend? CJ flushed the ring Mike got me for Christmas down the hotel toilet. I freaking loved that ring. CJ has a fascination with flushing things down the loo. If its not nailed down, he'll try to flush it. And he's quicker than I am, and crafty about it. Mike says he'll buy me a new ring, but I loved THAT one. You should have seen the look on the face of the desk guy at the hotel when we told him. I'm sure he was wondering how our room looked and what else had been flushed.

Also today there are posts up at my other blogs. Stop over at See Spot Read and find out about zombie goldfish. Visit The Author Spot and read an interview with Lisa McCourt Hollar. Start following her blog, if you aren't too squeamish.

Happy Monday Y'all,

♥Spot