Year's End

As I sit here on the eve of New Year's Eve, I ponder the future. Will George really marry Breezy and live happily ever after? Will Tom and Charlie find jobs? Will Dan survive the divorce? Will my sister ever speak to me again? Will I see Fifi, Emmi and Krissy? Will Bailey come to live with me? Will my boys be OK?

Mo got a bad bite on his side that got infected. Wednesday I found him in the basement with a huge hole in his side from where the cyst burst. Shawn took him to the vet, who shaved my baby bald on his side and cleaned the wound. I'm sure it was Po' Boy - and I'm fairly certainly Mo started the fight. Thank goodness Mo is up to date on his shots. The vet said the wound looked good - I cried when I saw it. Horrible. Maybe Mo will stay away from Po' Boy now?

Well, this is the last entry for 2011 - may 2012 find us healthy, safe and happy in life.

Bailey, the Dog

Dan got his next assignment and, apparently, has had a talk with Kelly. He sent me an email saying he is going to Baku and will be in a small apartment. No one will be there to care for the animals during the day so he can't take them with him. He is looking for a home for Bailey and asked if we would take him. My instinct is, of course, to say absolutely. Shawn's instinct, of course, is to say no. There are pro's and con's but the biggest reason to do it is because Dan needs us to. I talked to Shawn this evening and he is struggling. He's asked to think about it for a bit. This won't be taking Bailey for a few weeks or months but for years - maybe his entire life. I don't know if Dan will ever be able to claim him again - and if he can, if Bailey will really remember being part of Dan's life. For sure we would have him three years as that's the average length of time an assignment lasts.

My heart is shattered for Dan. Obviously Kelly has told him she has no intention of going with him to his next assignment so one of the two will be filing for divorce. Dan has lost everything - his wife, his girls, his home, his pets, probably 70% of his salary and half his retirement. The only things he has left is his job and his siblings. His girls will probably always be visitors now - unless he retires before they finish high school and one or both of them decide to live with Dad. He's going to be halfway around the world locked in a small apartment with no family or friends. I am terrified he's going to start to get careless with his safety figuring there's no one he needs to protect himself for anymore. And all I really can do is pray for him.

No More Flexing

Word came down that we are losing our flex option at work beginning February. When Angela took over as manager and had all her let's-get-to-know-each-other meetings, EVERYONE told her the ability to flex our work hours was the most important perk of the job - the one we wanted to keep above all others (of course, it's pretty much the ONLY perk of the job!). She was so understanding, totally got our desire to keep that perk. "Yes, I hear you.' And now we find out her response is, 'fuck you' and take it away - for the good of the investors of course. God forbid they get a letter in the afternoon mailing rather than the morning mailing.

Yeah, she is SO working to improve the morale of the team. Micromanaging, taking away all the secondary roles we have so there is nothing to put in our ISPs (which translates to no reason for decent bonuses), and taking away the few perks we have left after years of losing them. I guess the good news is that the only thing left she can do (without firing us) is to make the telecommuters return to the office. And that would only affect four or five of us (of course I would be one of those numbers!)

We were so optimistic when Doug was fired and Angela took over. Management saw our disillusions, they were going to fix things and make us love our jobs again. Right; rather it's out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Count Down

So, we are mere weeks away from a New Year. Wonder what it will bring. I have always found the celebration of a new year a bit odd - for all you know, you are celebrating the year in which you will die. How cheery is that? Even if it's not the year of your demise, you are still celebrating moving closer to your end of days. Hooray, I am a year closer to my death! Let us drink champaigne and celebrate! But celebrate we do; even I try to stay up till midnight if only to offer the simple prayer, "Please, Lord Jesus, let me make something of this new year."

I have the Christmas lights on the house - actually, George came by and put the Christmas lights up. That's as far as I've gotten with the holiday decorating. I have the rest of the week off so hopefully I'll have a tree up and garland draped across the fireplace and down the banister by the end of it. I've started one of my famous To Do lists - this one for Christmas. Decorate, address Christmas cards, wrap gifts, mail packages.... I am seriously going to skip Christmas one year. But not this year.

The Holidays Begin

Got thru Thanksgiving. We had Charlie and Dan join us for the traditional meal and Tom and his clan came over for pie later in the afternoon. It was nice hanging with Charlie. Although he lost his job a few weeks back, he seemed in good spirits. Maybe not having the money to blow, he might actually cut back on his drinking nights?

Next up is Christmas. I have yet to find the spirit and am seriously contemplating not messing with decorations or lights. Why bother when I do all the work (putting up and taking down) and no one really seems to notice or appreciate them? Maybe I'll find the spirit this week-end - if not, the house won't be getting lights for sure.

I have yet to find a nutcracker ornament for Allyson (I have all the rest), a gift for Gayle, maybe one more something for Charlie and anything for Shawn. He's impossible. I have a tee-shirt ordered from Disney.com. I think that's all I have for him. I know I need to get cologne. Oh, I have a UV wand ordered, too. That's it. I am totally stumped. Maybe I can put together a New Years Eve package - that's a good idea. Hmmm. I have Thursday and Friday off and hope to find some gifts (and some spirit) then. Fingers crossed!

Breezy had a scare Sunday-she woke up to find her arm numb and unable to speak. She was rushed to the hospital where she was admitted to ICU as she was showing signs of a stroke. Long story short - it was a form of a migraine. Had a bunch of folks scared for her.

Surprise!

I helped Todd and Wendy pull off a huge surprise last night. Wendy had told me they were coming to town for a whirlwind week-end and wanted to surprise everyone. She asked if I could get Shawn and possibly Scott and Jenny to The Yard House for dinner where they and Abby would surprise everyone. And I did! And it was a great surprise - the looks on Shawn's and Scott's faces were priceless - even Jenny seemed a bit taken aback. They were all looking like they had just walked into a foreign land (totally confused as to their situation) when Todd went up to them and welcomed them to Alabama. Disbelief was the word. Then they all started chatting and catching up at once and we had a very merry dinner. Then we all walked into Del and Gayle's house to surprise them with their prodigal son and family. Gayle actually shrieked when she realized who was in their home. Very satisfying event.

Then we had Pippi stay the whole night with us - and she was great. She was asleep by 11:30 and only woke up once, at 3:30 for a ba-ba and diaper change. Then right back to sleep. George and Breezy came by for her at 6:15 a.m. The Pirate Band had a gig in St. Louis and they left right after the show. Pippi is the most adorable thing - just a beautiful baby.

Busy Saturday

Hmm, so I have Pippi spending the night Saturday - all night - AND I have to get Shawn and hopefully Scott and Jenny to The Legends for dinner where Todd and Wendy are going to surprise them all with a quick visit. I am exhausted just thinking about this week-end!

I'm not in the least bit in the holiday spirit this year. Most years I would be done with my shopping and most of my wrapping; this year the only gifts I have are the few Christmas ornaments I bought on sale at the end of last year's season! Nadda, Zilch, Nothin'. And I can't seem to find the spirit to get started. I am not sure what's wrong with me this year. I am very bah-humbuggy.

Tomorrow is Mom's birthday - she would have been 77. I can't even imagine her that old. I went by yesterday and put a sunflower on her grave and one on Dad's (for Veteran's Day). I will probably not go by again tomorrow. I also went to Mount Muncie to check out the new Hunt headstone Tony had commissioned to capture and recognize the Hunts that were in the old mausoleum. It is very nice. He went all out (and my two vases just added the finishing touch - now I can put flowers for the 1800's Hunts.)

Back To Work

Sabbatical is over and I'm back at work. Not much changed over the four weeks I was gone - guess that's a good thing. Means I have a job to return to!

My Disney trip was fabulous! The cruise I would recommend to anyone - though I'm not too sure I will become a 'cruiser', needing to hit the open seas every two years. The Parks were also fabulous - and I am DEFINITELY a Disney-eer. If I get to take the girls, I'll be back at the Parks next year - otherwise, probably not for another (gulp) four years. That might be hard, but there are so many other places I want to go. Seems silly to keep returning to the Parks rather than branching out. Hope I can make it that long!!

I came back to a new niece - Piper Shae Hunt was born the day I was transitioning from the cruise to the Parks (October 23rd). She is a beautiful baby and looks just like all the other beautiful baby Hunts. Scary thing is they want me to take her overnight in a few weeks so Breezy can go to a Pirate thing with George. Gulp. Shawn won't be happy - and I may ask Andrea if she wants to come over and help. I can handle the baby but I also need my beauty rest! I've never had a baby overnight before!

We spent the week-end cleaning out Mom and Dad's house. Pretty much everything we didn't take with us went in to the trash dumpster. It was emotionally hard - I couldn't be there when John and his boys took a sledge hammer to Mom's piano; neither could Dan apparently. Every time I tossed out a glass or a knick knack I wanted to cry. While I was standing out in the front yard looking at the pieces of piano, I quietly apologized to Mom for what we were doing. And a yellow butterfly flew near and landed on a flower. I've always associated yellow butterflies with Mom. It was like she was telling me she understood and it was alright. Makes me want to cry just thinking about it. Between myself, John and Tom, we managed to incorporate a lot of the stuff in to our own homes so that helped. My basement is now full of Hunt House! The day the house sells will be very hard - I'll probably cry and get drunk. Losing your parents is unbelievably hard.

Disneyland!

I made it to Disneyland! In the five hours we had at the park, we managed 8 rides and a parade - not bad! The only ride I didn't get in was the Raiders of the Lost Ark ride - a reason to go back again some day.

Sandra's reception was fun - full of women, though. If they weren't all lesbians, cousin David would have been in seventh heaven! Fortunately there was no PDAs - I think I would have been very uncomfortable if there had been smooching. But it was a lovely day, a lovely reception, great food and a fab candy bar. And Aunt Bobbie was ecstatic to have her entire family together on vacation in California. She was really happy.

Next is our overnight for Shawn's birthday tomorrow, then Hermann this week-end with the in-laws and next week - our Disney Cruise and Parks vacation I've been planning and dreaming of for four years!!! Let's hope the weather holds out for us!

Getting Ready To Fly

I leave bright and early (well, early - the sun won't be out to make it bright!) Friday morning for LAX and Disneyland - oh, and Sandra's reception. I am starting to get nervous about the pat down - and the name issue on the reservation. Maybe they won't let me on the plane at all.

I got Sandra's gift mailed out Monday so she should be getting it tomorrow. They are two cutting boards off her wedding registry - she had very little on the registry as she and Teresa prefer cash for a house, a baby (?!) and a honeymoon. I'm not going to help pay for someone's vacation, I didn't get help buying my house and a baby is an issue they need to deal with as a couple and not bring others in to it. And I don't like to give adults cash. So, I picked some cheaper things off the scant registry.

Guess I'll be doing some laundry tomorrow and packing. I'll be doing a LOT of packing this month. I also need to get in touch with Andrea to see if she would come by Saturday and put out cat food for the strays. And I need to get cat food tomorrow! And I need to update my iPhone and call Delta to make sure the memo is on my reservation. Got a lot to do tomorrow. I'm already tired just thinking about it.

I Think I Can - I Think I Can

One more work day left until I'm off for four glorious weeks! I am so excited I can hardly stand it!

OK, so on TOP of a week-end trip to Pasadena, CA with Tom (yay Disneyland!), a night at a B&B in Amish country with Shawn and a fabulous Disney Cruise and Parks vacation (yay Disney Cruise & Parks!), we might go to Hermann for a week-end. That would mean this week-end will be my last one at home until the last week of October! Insane? Yes! Loving it? YES! Now if I can just get through tomorrow without incident, I will be home-free!

Shawn and I are going to the Renaissance on Sunday. I had texted George to see if he had gotten any passes this year. He texted me back a message full of venom. Something about how we don't understand what he went through, what he sacrificed handling Dad, how we have all accused him of taking Dad's money (he did - he even admitted it at the time), yadayadayada. All I did was ask about passes! Then the next he day sends his 'I'm just a little boy, of course I can get you in' text. I didn't respond to either one. I am also not taking his passes. If he comes by, I'll just hide in the back of the house till he leaves.That was uncalled for and totally uncool. Not putting up with that crap. I also do not plan on watching his performance.

Are We There Yet?

Apparently this is my 100th blog entry. Only took three years!

I am hanging on till sabbatical and my Disney trips - one week and one day and counting! I contacted the airline about the mess-up of my name for the California trip with Tom (he reserved the flights as Laura Hunt Weissenbach - what was he thinking?!) They can't change the reservation but they've 'added a memo' to the TSA site - I have almost zero confidence that's going to do the trick. Especially when my bionic knee sets off the scanners. I'm going to get strip-searched, I know it. Maybe waterboarded. Solitary confinement. I'm not at all sure I'm going to make it to California. And if by some miracle I do, there's no guarantee I'll be allowed on the return flight. I'm going to call the airline again next week to make sure they've done all they can do and see if I can do anything or take anything addition with me like maybe a passport or my marriage certificate.

If I make it to LAX, I am going to Disneyland! For free!! I have enough Disney Reward Dollars to get both me AND Tom in without spending anything. Can't beat that!

9 11

Ten years ago the world as we know it changed forever with the falling of the Twin Towers, the attack on the Pentagon and the heroics of the flight over Pennsylvania. Time flies, even when you think it's standing still and nothing is changing. Babies are tweens, widows are new wives and parents have joined their lost ones.

Ten years.

We're All Going To The Zoo This Morning

Shawn and I hit the KC Zoo today - the weather was perfect, the company was perfect and the price was perfect (free!) What a great way to start training for Disney - and judging by how my feet felt after just a few hours of walking around, I'm doomed! Good thing I got a batch of prednisone from the doctor's last week!

Not a lot to report - working a lot of overtime not so much because I want to help the team but because I really need the money. I have Tucker still to get to the vet and I want to get my hair done for vacation. And we have estimated taxes due this month, next month we have car tags... it's never ending. I won't be able to put in OT in October (because I have it off!!!) so I need to do as much as I can stand this month. Did five hours yesterday and I am taking today and tomorrow off so I'll get something of a week-end. Then if it's offered, I'll be putting in 4-5 hours each Saturday and maybe some Sunday hours, too. Through September. What I really need is a raise.

Bailey is staying with us this week-end while Dan heads to Wichita to hang out with John. I found out John lost his Maxwell last week - Diane had taken him running in the August heat (it was over 100 degrees in Wichita) and he overheated, convulsed and died. Awful. He was a beautiful young dog, only 4. And John idolized him. Heartbreaking.

Another Year Older

Had another birthday yesterday - another overlooked birthday. I don't know why I get disappointed every year when Shawn does nothing for my birthday, but I do. The big thing yesterday was to go for ice cream - and I suggested it!

Did I mention that my manager, Doug, got fired a few weeks ago? Kind of out of the blue. ACI is still looking to lay off people to save a buck. And with the firing, my insecurities over job security returned. I could sign in tomorrow only to be told my job has been terminated or out sourced and to turn in my badge. Not good for my stress levels.

I just sent an email to the guys about planning a 40-Something reunion. I excluded Susanna from the conversation. If one of the guys wants to forward the email to her, that's their decision. It's not like I'm going to pay for her way (though I would gladly pay for the girls) and she wouldn't go even if she had the funds. Which, of course, she won't. Even if we sell the house and distribute the assets, she and Jackass will go through her inheritance faster than the check clears the bank. So I omitted her from the conversation. And I don't feel badly.

Fabulous news - I got my sabbatical approved by my new manager - I like her already! A whole 4 weeks off. AND Tom and I are going to Sandra's 'wedding' reception in Pasadena - about an hour away from Disneyland. And we land at 9 a.m. with no commitments till that evening. I think God wants me to go to Disneyland - don't you think? So I am on the hunt for discounted tickets. The trip is already costing me money I really don't have (I plan on working as much OT as I can get in September!)

Outta My Life

I now have two I-Hate-You emails from Susanna - just basically from out of the blue. I responded to the first one - I do not intend to respond to the second one. She's too far gone and wants to put me on trial. I refuse to be called to the stand. I can handle avoiding her for the rest of forever.

I also got a Butt-Out email from Felicia, and that shocked me. Accusing me of saying things about her Dad I never said (I have heard them, but never said them). She's decided she's going to stick around home after turning 18 and won't be moving in here. That's fine - I was only offering her an option, not making a demand that she leave home on her 18th birthday. At one point in her email she told me to 'open mouth and insert foot.' Pretty disrespectful for a 17-year old. I didn't get her on that but I did set the record straight about 'spreading rumors'. She sent a second email that I do not plan on responding to.

Suddenly that family has declared an all-out war on me. I don't know what I did - I honestly don't. When I was in CO, Felicia contacted me about swimming and I told her I couldn't take them that Friday because I was out of town. When I contacted her about going to see Harry Potter, they were suddenly busy. When I contacted her about swimming the following week, they had plans. Then I started getting bombarded with emails, first from Susanna and then from Felicia. I don't need that crap.

So, I am not responding to them and will just let this sudden cavern stay between us.

Another One Bites The Dust

After getting dismal results with the recent employee survey, my manager was fired today. Four kids. Wow - did not see that one coming. We are now under the management of Angela Johnson and her current team and will be moving back to the AS side of the business (where we should have been all along). Apparently Janet will be moving to LRC (thank God for little favors!) so I guess Kathy will be handling the editor job on her own (as it should have been). That should open up opportunities for the rest of us to contribute more than letters as Kathy will need some help. Now if we can just hold on to our jobs - things are always changing at ACI.

I went to the orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Bruce, this morning for X-rays and a year-out check. The knee is perfect - 0 degree extended (which is perfect - fully extended) and 125 degree bend, which isn't perfect but actually better than the left knee. I am suppose to go back in two years to make sure the implant is holding well. Hopefully I will remember that!

I think I'm going to go see Harry Potter again this afternoon. I have the day off and it's been eventful so I might as well do something other than sit in front of the TV.

Vacation News

Back from the mountains of Colorado with John and his family. Had a great time, though I felt like a third wheel when their friend, Dan, and his girlfriend, April, showed up. I was kind of out of the loop after their arrival. Oh, well, can't complain too much. The whole vacation cost me about $300. Not bad.

Next week we have to pay for our Disney trip - somewhere I'm going to have to come up with $1,600 or so. Guess I'll be pretty much cleaning out my Vacation Savings account. I think my planned trips next year are going to have to be put on hold - and I'm going to need to take a second job to get my credit debt down faster. I've been treading water for several years and am now drowning. Cost of living has gone up much faster than my paycheck and there's not a lot I can cut out without it affecting Shawn. He works too hard to have to give up cable because of my overspending. So, my only solution is to earn more money, which means taking a second job and working all the overtime I can get. Fun.

Off On Vacation

The girls are getting ready to leave for Alabama (they are staying with Kelly at the hotel tonight) and I am getting ready to leave for Colorado Springs with John and his family. I'll be heading to Wichita tonight and just riding with them as Charlie backed out, Susanna won't allow her girls to go and Dan has to be in class tomorrow. I feel badly as I had John rent a huge house with a big price tag and now it's only going to be half full. I try and fail.

Dan has decided to not stay with George if he can find a studio apartment for under $500. He has a call in to a friend of a friend of Shawn's who rents small houses and such mostly to military folk in for class. Fingers crossed he'll have one available for Dan because I don't think Dan will survive in that house. I'm going to miss having Bailey around to walk - I might have to go over to Dan's and walk him a few times a week! And I'll miss having Snowy tiptoeing around (Kelly's taking Snowy with them) and Reynolds demanding attention while I work. And mostly I'll miss the girls and Dan around keeping me company. It will be very quiet and still here when I get back next Friday.

But my boys will be glad to have their house back and Tom's kids are always just up the street.

House Full

OMG- I have a house full of people and more seem to be coming! I haven't had any down time since last Wednesday when Dan and the girls arrived. They were followed by Tom and his group and now John and his family are coming in. I've seen every Hunt except Charlie in the last 24 hours. It's been fun but - wow - glad it's just me and Shawn.

So far we've gone to Chuck E Cheese, swimming at the Weissenbachs (twice) got the girls manicures, had Susanna's girls over, eaten pizza, ice cream, IHOP. Tomorrow me, Dan, Mykenzie, Lindsey, Felicia, Emily, Krissy, Andrea, Ana, Alex and Miguel are going to Schlitterbahn for the afternoon. Should be fun but, again, exhausting! AND I still have a week to go with the houseguests! We have George's birthday party on Saturday and Independence Day on Monday. Next week Dan is going to be more on his own as I have to work every day (thank God!)

Then it's a week in the mountains with John and his family and Charlie (maybe - I'll believe that when it happens).

I'll never be so glad to get back to my regular routine in my life!

Check In

Still don't know exactly when to expect Dan - and I have a lot of work to do before they come. I have GOT to get these carpets cleaned - they smell awful. I don't know if one of the cats is still hitting it or what, but it's real bad. There goes a quick $300. Then I have to clean the shower head, see if I can get the cat smell out of the mattress (yes, it's there, too), and tons of other things. I'm tired just thinking about it all.

I still don't know what I'm going to do with them. I figure we can hit Schlitterbaun one day, maybe T-Rex for a meal another day. July 4th will take care of itself. I don't know - and it doesn't make me feel any better knowing I'm abandoning them almost as soon as they arrive. I have to make sure George entertains them while I'm in Hermann. Wish I could get out of that trip; the timing just sucks. Maybe we can hit the zoo one of the days. If it isn't too hot. Trying to think of things that won't cost an arm and a leg, too. The zoo would be free because of the passes. Wonder if they would be interested in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Coat at the New Theatre. That would cost us three tickets as we have two still from Shawn's folks. I'll have to check that.

I still have to confirm with Charlie that he's planning on going to Manitou Springs. He's been so quiet - I bet he backs out. If he does and if Tom and his kids don't go, I'll just drive my car to Wichita and catch a ride with John - save on renting a car. Wish I could back out of that, too. It didn't pan out the way I had hoped. I hate The Jackass.

Almost Set

The air line tickets have been purchased (and seats picked out), the Hyatt hotel room has been booked (for the first night), the Park tickets have been upgraded to include the water parks and the resort rooms have been upgraded to Preferred. All we have left to do is decide what we want to do on the cruise excursions and pay for it all! That first one will be easy - the second one a bit more painful!

Dan and the girls are due in a few weeks. Before then I have to get carpet cleaners over to do our living room carpet and the guest bedroom's carpet. I have tried just about everything I can think of and it still smells of cat spray. I'm going to have to replace it - again! But not this year as I can't afford it. Dang it.

I think we'll take them to Schlitterbaun - maybe on Felicia's birthday (as I have that day off). And then we'll hit T-Rex for sure, the Weissenbach pool (a few times as that's free!) - I'm not sure what else we'll do. I have to work that week after July 4 so they will be on their own for that period. And I'll be out of town the first week-end they're here. I have to plan a July 4th celebration, too. Tom and his group will be moved in (right down the street!) by then and maybe I can talk John into the drive and Charlie to put down the beer long enough to join us. Wouldn't it be something if all seven of us came together? Of course that would mean my inviting Susanna - I'll think on that.

I need to figure out what else I can do with the girls. Research!!

Wow, Not The News I Wanted

So, Dan has informed me that Kelly wants to separate. She and the girls will be living in their house in Alabama and Dan will be rooming with George at Dad's house for the year he's in Leavenworth for the Fort L course. Heartbreaking all around. I don't get the girls for the year (though they will be coming for a few weeks with Dan), Dan doesn't get the girls and the girls don't get their Dad. I don't know if Dan and Kelly will patch things up - I don't think they are actually fighting (which would indicate there were still feelings there); I think they've given up on the relationship. It's all so very sad. Very sad.

Dan has to room with George and Breezy because he can't afford the mortgage on the house and rent. I was over there this week-end to check on the cats while George was out of town and the place is beyond disaster. There's mold growing in the basement! Dan is going to have a very difficult time there. And Breezy will not like having to 'share her house' with a Hunt brother. Very bad.

And George can't possibly allow a baby in to that house - not in the shape it's in. The little girl (it's a girl!) will be constantly sick fighting all the bacteria and mold and God-knows-what. If the SRS saw the condition of the house, they would not allow George and Breezy to take the baby there. Very bad.

AND (yes, there's more!) Tom told me a few days ago that his family is moving - to Lansing - just down the road! Since Tom and Kathey are firm believers that it takes a village and not a parent to raise a child, I will live in fear that they will continuously send their kids over (and probably right around a meal time!) This is MY neighborhood; why do they have to crash it? Not happy with it.

Haven't talked to Susanna - don't intend to. She came out of her house to admire the car last week-end when I dropped the girls off and she acted like everything was fine. I'm sure Gregg (who checked it out from the porch) had some derogatory things to say behind closed doors. That I'm spoiled or demanding or something. Not that I care.

Charlie is not doing anything about the trust and we are all tired of trying. He is almost refusing to spend any time with anyone - the only person who's seen him at all this year has been George who had been working with Charlie's band on an album.

So that leaves John. The only Hunt sibling that I don't worry about.

Nuts.

Updates

So, Todd, Wendy and Abby are moving to Alabama this summer. They are getting out. I'm kind of jealous - I've been stuck here a lot longer than they have been! They say we can always go out and visit but I don't think we probably will. More likely we'll meet up with them someplace - DollyWorld or something. We'll see.

I said good-bye to the Camry and hello to my Midlife Crisis car - a solara convertible. I love it - I put the top down and drive around on my errands just grinning! Unfortunately, with gas prices what they are, I don't feel like I can drive around just to drive around. Experts are saying prices should start dropping in the next weeks so maybe I can indulge with a long going-nowhere drive sometime soon.

Devin's wedding has been put on hold. Apparently his finance's family feels she could do better. And they have made it known to her so now she's all confused and unhappy. They decided to wait until they both finished college - she finishes this month but Devin isn't even in school and he has a year of college left. I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up going their separate ways. Her mother seems to have too strong an influence on her still for her to get married. Too bad, mostly for Devin.

Today is Mother's Day. Not my favorite day anymore. I didn't make it out to the cemetery but I'm sure Mom hasn't noticed. I'll get out there sometime this week - or maybe next Saturday. Doesn't really matter when I go - they aren't going anywhere. I sure miss her - every day.

I have to go to the office every morning this week - I'm going to go shower now so I won't have to do it tomorrow!

Good Bye Sister

So, I have been deemed a total bitch by Gregg and Susanna and have been removed from their lives. Fortunately, I still get to hang with the girls (for now) but I don't expect that to last too long. I made sure Felicia had my email address before I took them home yesterday. Having Gregg out of my life is a blessing - having Susanna out of my life is tolerable. I hope I don't have to say good bye to the girls. But I'm prepared for it. Speaking of girls, the three came over yesterday for the Easter Egg Hunt. Tom and his family was a no-show. Guess that's no surprise. But Kristen declared it 'the best day ever' so I think we had a successful Egg Hunt and afternoon. Another visit when no one got on the computer; that always means a successful day!

If they get to come next month, we're heading to the Zoo! And we'll be going in A BRAND NEW CAR! Shawn and I are buying my midlife crisis car - a Solaria convertible. Silver, 2006. Shawn is bringing it home Tuesday. Very excited. In fact, I think we're going to get a vanity plate that reads, MIDLIFE. It's going to be very hard to say good bye to my Camry - what an incredible car that's been! My mom and dad have been in that car. Felicia practically grew up in it. The other kids only know me in that car. But, it's time. I'll cry when it pulls away for the last time and then I will move on.

One Year

I lost Cujo Kitten one year ago today. Sometimes it seems so much longer - sometimes I can't believe it's already been a year. I miss her so much it's almost unbearable at times. I miss so many people. Guess that's what it's like to get old - you have more loved ones on the other side than you do on this side. I'm in a knock-down drag-out with Gregg. I can't stand him. I can SO not stand him that I think I'm going to have to back way off on spending time with the girls. So far back that I may have to forego our Wednesday swims, and I've been taking them swimming Wednesdays since Felicia was 4. But I just can't handle Gregg and I open my mouth around Felicia and that isn't healthy for her. She doesn't need to listen to her aunt badmouth her father (even if the aunt is right). I need to either get it together or turn my focus on Mykenzie and Lindsey for the year they are here. I plan on working on snorkeling this summer. I figure if I can get comfortable enough in the water to snorkel, then we can snorkel on our vacation - either in the Bahamas or at the Disney private island (both sites offer it). Guess I'll be spending a lot of time at the Weissenbach pool this summer!

Just Checking In

Not a lot to share - all I seem to do anymore is work, eat and watch TV. Such the boring life - but it's all I can afford to do. Maybe if I stopped trying to take so many vacations I would be able to take in a movie every now and again. Right - don't think so!

Susanna wants to have lunch tomorrow. Great - not looking forward to it. She either wants to complain about the Idiot, agree with the Idiot or a bit of both. I cannot wait until Krissy's 18th birthday when I can wave good-bye to the Idiot and his brainwashed Dumbass. They are still saying no to the Colorado trip, he said no to my helping Felicia get her cat to the vet - I can't stay on the subject or my blood pressure will go up!

Speaking of blood pressure - mine is on the rise again, as is my weight. I have no idea why I'm failing miserably at getting this fat off. I sometimes feel like a shark when I walk in the kitchen and just go on an eating frenzy. Why? I am so disgusted with myself. All those people around the world starving and I am eating myself to death. Gluttony - may be the most deadliest of the sins.

Like I said, I don't have much to say so I'll just log off and go find something to do until I can fall asleep.

Fun Saturday

I found a house to rent on a Colorado horse ranch that John and Diane agree is perfect so I booked it. It's very expensive ($325 a night!) but John and Di insist on covering the cost - and I'm going to let them. My trip to the mountains is falling in to place - now I just have to cross fingers that Gregg will decide to let the girls go (he's saying no right now and Susanna is saying yes) and that Charlie doesn't back out as I really don't want to have to do ALL the driving. I am really thinking it's going to work out! I told Felicia to really talk up how excited she is to get back in the mountains and how much fun we are going to have - not to pressure Gregg but to make him feel guilty enough to relinquish them to me. He is such an ass.

I took the girls to Weston MO yesterday where we did the Irish thing. Roamed through Celtic Ranch store where we each bought a Celtic necklace that had our Irish 'sign' and then we went to O'Mallay's for an Irish lunch. I mentioned that I was planning a trip to Ireland for my 50th birthday and Emily said she wanted to go along. When I told her she wouldn't be old enough yet, she pouted for a minute. I told her I would go with her when she was old enough and her response was, "If you're still alive by then." Cracked me up! We had a real fun afternoon, and there was no TV watching or computer playing at all! We painted and played with Play-Doh and blew bubbles. Fun.

I've managed to make my $600 payments to Disney Visa for three months now (on top of the $200 payments to USAA Mastercard). I am committed to paying off Visa this year and the only way to accomplish it is to send them $600 a month. Then next year I will tackle and pay off USAA. In two years I will have $800 additional funds EACH MONTH! Then I will party!

Another Boring Week-End

Well, it is yet another boring week-end with nothing to do and no money to do it with. Is this really what God had in mind when He gave the angels the OK to create me? For me to sit on my tush day in and day out, vegetating in front of the TV or computer screen? I thought there were bigger things in store for me. I thought wrong. I will live a life of quiet desperation - just like most Americans.

Curly and Mo have had The Surgery and there have been no complications. I was worried about it - maybe because I had nothing else to worry over. I've been the responsible pet owner - good for me.

George and Breezy are expecting! They are thinking in October but haven't been to the doctor's yet for confirmation. It's great news of course, but... well, is anyone really prepared to become a parent? Maybe Sandra Bullock but she's about it. I hope they will do the quick court house marriage just to make things legal (you never know) and then they can have a lovely spring wedding after Baby is born. I suspect they will be leaving Leavenworth and moving at least a tad closer to her parents - but that would only be 30 minutes or so away. I'm happy for them but a bit melancholy over my non-moving life. The only one of us with a more boring existence would be Charlie- and his life might actually be more exciting than mine. At least he has friends and a hobby that gets him out. I have nothing. And really no one.

Todd and Wendy may be moving to Alabama. Another set of lives being lived while mine is wasted away. Great.

Doe A Deer

So, a few nights ago I looked out the front window at 3 a.m. to see if Mo Mo was home. He wasn't but, to my surprise, eight deer were! Grazing across the street, I sat in the dark and watched them wander over to my front yard. Eight deer! I couldn't believe my eyes! I heard Shawn moving around upstairs so I went up and dragged him down to see for himself. He was in awe. We watched as they roamed around the yard and eventually wandered east back to the wooded area they must have come from.

Later, Cujo Kitten came to visit me in my dreams. It was her first visit and she was in the front yard with a pacifier of all things. She was more tossing it around than sucking on it and she eventually tossed it aside, ran over to the front door where she played leapfrog with Tucker and then just ran around the yard. She was very happy - I knew she was very happy. All my loved ones have come to tell me they are happy. I woke up happy for the visit but missing her terribly.

Yesterday I had the honor of taking Emily to the St. Mary's Lincoln Lecture where she was presented with a certificate for first place in an art contest, entered by all the school children in Leavenworth. She won for best portrait of the president. She also got $25 and asked if I would take her to the store to buy something. Knowing that if that cash made it through her front door it would soon be in her mother's wallet, I absolutely took her to the store! She bought two Bionicals, a set of action figures and candy for her, Felicia and Krissy. She got the candy for her sisters without my even having to suggest it. Very thoughtful little girl.

Putt-Putt

I had a fun afternoon yesterday. I picked up Susanna's girls and we headed to Tom's where I dropped off Valentine treats for the kids and picked up Tom, Andrea and Alex. We all headed to the indoor Putt-Putt golf where we had a fabulous time laughing and swinging the golf clubs (Tom, appropriately enough, came in first). Then it was off to Applebees where we all stuffed ourselves. A very pleasant afternoon that cost me about $150. (And that is why I don't do that very often!!) I had challenged the kids that I would pay $10 for a hole-in-one; and Felicia got one! That amazed all of us (including Felicia!)

I think Charlie and I are taking the girls to Manitou Springs this July! If Charlie can go, and is willing to cover half the cost, then I can afford the trip. If he can't go, then we won't. If it becomes a 'go', I will let John and Tom know and they can decide if they want to join us with their families. It could be a fun week!

Got Devin's wedding date, also in July (but a different week-end). Wendy thinks it's an 11:00 wedding at the fort chapel. So that whole day will be busy (if they have a reception). I might look into paying for the bride's bouquet - that might become my 'thing' for marrying kids. And I asked Wendy to let me know where they end up registering so I can get them something they want. I can't believe little Devin is getting married - I think he's a little young (will just be 23) but it's his life, not mine. The Weissenbachs tend to marry young (except MY Weissenbach). I just can't help but think of all the things Devin is giving up - hanging with the guys at bars trying out pick-up lines, running off to Vegas for a week-end of debauchery, eating pizza for breakfast and beer for dinner. He's giving it all up - and he doesn't even know it. All to be a husband and father in the next two years (I'm sure). Not what I would have chosen for him but I know it's what his family would have picked. Oh, well. I'm only the Aunt-in-law.

Surgery Again

Well, I've scheduled another surgery - this time for Curly and Mo. About a week or so ago Mo went in to heat and Curly followed a few days later. They are spraying EVERYTHING and meowing CONSTANTLY. As cold as it was today (with a high of 10 degrees) I let them out after listening to them howl all night. And they stayed out most of the day. So, February 25 they go in for ball-removal surgery. I already hate myself. But even if they weren't in heat, it's the responsible thing to do. I donate tons of money to organizations that help unwanted dogs and cats - how can I not have my own neutered? It will be OK - they will be OK.

So I think Charlie and I may take the girls to Pikes Peaks this June! Charlie says he'll go (and help with the cost which is really the only way I can even consider it) and I'm hoping Susanna and Gregg will let all three girls go. Emmi and Krissy have never seen the mountains - the only trip Emily has taken outside the KC area has been to Omaha which she doesn't remember and Kristen has never been outside the area. We will rent a car, get a couple of rooms and hit Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds, the Cliff Dwellers Museum, the Zoo and Pikes Peak Cog. It should be a lot of fun. I think I'll let John know of the plan - he and his kids may be able to join us. I just have to keep my cost to under $700 (that would be $1,400 for the trip - I think that is do-able).

Tired

I have worked every Saturday this year - although it's only the last week-end of January, it's still a lot of Saturdays to give up. I am tired.

We have snow in the forecast...again. The last few days have been fabulous and the snow we got two weeks ago was finally starting to melt - ah, well, what's another 6.5 inches? How many weeks left of winter? Too many!!

Gregg asked me to start picking up the girls from school Tuesdays and Thursdays to begin in March - I said no. I have the new DEAD processing stuff coming up so that created the perfect excuse as to why I couldn't do it, but I wouldn't do it anyway. It's so he can go back to school 'again' to be a nurse. Right, this is his third round of 'education' while his eldest has been denied an education. He's worse than a parasite. I can hardly stand to deal with him - and Susanna isn't any better because she continues to allow it. She says she doesn't know what else to do - uh, kick him to the curb? Yeah.

Got a Valentine box out to Dan today, before the snow begins to fly. I have John's and Scott's boxes still to mail but it should only take a day or two for those to get to their destinations and I don't want them to arrive too soon. And I have to get Tom's out to those kids and Susanna's out to her kids. And I need to figure something out for Abby still. An Aunt's job is never done!

421

So I went with George and Breezey as they toured 421. I had not been in that house since 1979- the year Dad moved the family out. It was both exactly the same and different. The kitchen has been totally renovated, the laundry room moved out to 'Tom's room' and the half bath off the kitchen expanded into the 'old laundry room' site with access through the dining room. Other than that, the house was pretty much the same. It was a bit odd walking through it the same age Mom was when we lived there. George really wants to buy it - Breezey was not sold on the idea. It would be wonderful to get it back in the family but I would never be able to live there - too many memories. And my heart broke when I thought of all the folks I knew and loved that are no longer with me. I could see Chowkidar roaming the backyard and Mom and Dad sitting in the living room. I could see young Hunts climbing out the bedroom window and jumping off the garage roof. And that's all gone now - the young Hunts are old and the old Hunts are gone. I'm going to have dreams about that house for weeks now.

Happy 2011

So, we're expecting a snow storm to begin tonight and go all thru tomorrow, letting up Tuesday morning. Sucks for Shawn. Fortunately for me, I don't have to go anywhere or do anything outside the house. But I will worry over Shawn the whole time he's on the road. And it's only the first half of January - it's going to be a long cold winter.

Got the rest of our windows replaced (well, not the basement - we'll do those when we finish the basement). I don't particularly like the look of the new ones, I don't think we'll be able to put the wood blinds back up (and I REALLY like those) and it's costing us $8,000. All for windows. Even if they do end up saving us money with heating and cooling, it's going to take as long for those things to 'pay for themselves' as it will take to pay off the house! Hmm, wonder if we did the right thing in replacing them.

I have overtime most of this month. It's only three hours a week mandatory but I can put in more if I want. I don't want, but read the previous paragraph and understand that I will. Between windows, credit cards, Disney trip and maybe a new car - I need all the money I can get!