Where ya been?

From February to now is a long time. I’m sorry. It isn’t as though there hasn’t been anything to say, or anything going on. I guess life is just moving at this incredible pace and as usual, I’ve been a poor witness.

March 28 I was walking through the parking lot of a K-Mart in Effingham, IL when I got a call from Tim. He said that A had called with news. And then he said “grandma”. And then he waited. And then I got it. Lovely little birdie was announcing news of a baby… just 2 months from graduation from Wesleyan and with no ring on her finger. You’d have thought he’d just told me I was pregnant, couldn't have been any more shocked. After I got done hyperventilating, I called to reassure her that no, I would not be angry and yes we would do whatever we could do to help. This week she enters her last trimester. I have never been so anxious about anything. I will be on pins and needles until I hold this precious grandgirl in my arms. We are ready and delighted to welcome Dan in to our family, soon, we hope. This weekend I’m giving her a shower (yeah I know but rules are made to be broken). Dan is going off with 2 or 3 generations of McCawley men for a manly man get together which will no doubt include copious amounts of grilled meat, adult beverages and boyish behavior. We hens are going to do hen-ish things like have a girly lunch and shop. A has managed to land herself an office job with benefits (which she desperately needs) and she needs some office casual clothes for work.

The Cat is pregnant too—just a month to go. Let’s say she had a different idea about her 40th birthday than I had for mine. I can’t believe she’d starting all over again but yay for her.

Everyone else is whole, if not wholly well. Medical issues continue to plague the houses of my other two BFFs, so say a prayer there if you have a mo.

Oh, there was a cruise in Alaska in May. First time vacationing with anyone in T’s family and a lot more fun than I’d ever imagined. I’d do that again any time. In fact we might consider Europe or the Mediterranean year after next – and this, despite my dear SIL and BIL BOTH coming down with the Norwalk Virus. Norwalk is a nasty little bugger and we were all very careful about washing and sanitizing to the point where our skin was nearly raw. Unfortunately, it didn’t help. For the record, Norwalk is common in shellfish and downing oyster shooters 2 hours before departure might not be the smartest move ever. Although I attribute her illness to another passenger, not the oysters.

2 days after we got home, T went to the hospital with a kidney stone, a surreal experience, since neither of us have been hospitalized for anything as adults. And the joy continues on, since now I get to argue with the insurance company about all the stuff they refused to pay for. But he turned out to be fine with no lasting effects.

See… what else? For the first time in 13 years, I have a dish washer. LOVE that. I bought a car. My dear friend buried her father. T’s nephew got married. The sun set. The stars rose. We stayed married. And T and I have taken 4 ribbons in 3 barbecue competitions. I broke down and bought a pair of crocs. The minor events mix with the major ones in this wild-ass life soup. Eat up.

Now, let’s see if I can stay up on things a bit better from now on.