Friday Fragments 11/18/11

Aaaaand let the shopping season begin!

Yesterday The Husband went grocery shopping (he thrives on this being the Coupon King).  He said everyone was out in droves - of course, there is that major eating holiday just a week away.  Now I have several bags of stuff to put away and I'm pretty sure I need to reorganize the freezer because he just shoves the stuff in there and my daughter who frequently reads this knows that just shoving stuff anywhere makes me twitch.

Our menu is mapped out and I have Wednesday off work - Woot  BAKING DAY!  Yeah I'm a little excited.

Of a little concern is my mother-in-law who rattled off everything that needed eggs in her Thanksgiving preparations.  By the time she was done, she's going to require 3 dozen!  I'm suspecting more than a few calories swimming in the bowls on her table.  I might bring a green salad.

Do you go to any of the Black Friday sales?  I've gone twice and thought it was an interesting experience.  That's saying a lot for this non-morning person.  Instead of being a shopper this year, I'm a retailer.  But I will NOT be opening our store before sunrise.  Hell no!  Our little furniture consignment store will open at its regular time, but we will be offering several items on sale.

We are quickly coming up on time to put up the Christmas Tree.  Do you have any traditions about putting up your tree?  In my family it was just something my mom took care of.  My ex's family always had a big tree decorating party and that was a lot of fun, even if I did manage to break more than my share of ornaments over the years.  I've tried to keep the tradition for the kids in our own way.  It's not a big party like their grandmother would host, but a small gathering.  I haven't really scheduled anything yet, but I guess it's time to whip out the calendars and find a time we can mutually agree upon.

Here's my latest facebook status:

He may not remember it, but Ian used to sit next to me when I would use the sewing machine. We didn't always talk, but we contently sat side by side doing our own thing. For as much as I detest having people in my bubble, he never bugged me. Tonight, I retreated to my sewing machine. Ian needed to study so he knelt next to my sewing table as we hashed out the details he had to review. Eventually, he fell into silence and just like ten years ago, we silently worked on our own projects. Granted he was there under duress, but it was a sweet memory for me.

Now everyone keep your fingers crossed that he actually passes the test that caused him to study at my side. 

Friday Fragments - June 3, 2011

WooHoo - another Friday where we get to share all the bits and pieces and little oddities that have happened since the last time we gathered.

*Last weekend The Husband's sister came into town with her 18 month old.  He was introduced to strawberries (loved them) and while trying to tell Uncle Jimmy to shush, Uncle Jimmy went "shhhhh" and shoved his finger up his nose.  Nephew mimicked Uncle Jimmy and since everyone laughed, he did it again and again and again.

Then we went to the park and Nephew went down the slide over and over and over and over again.  Gotta love toddlers!

*Saturday night we gathered with a few couples from our group.  The other part of our gang was gathered out of town.  It seems so disjointed when we're not all together.  Times are changing and our group is too.  One couple is seriously contemplating moving out of state, another announced that their parents are putting our beloved lakehouse up for sale.  Even if we could collectively come up with the money to buy it, the repairs needed are simply out of the question.   A few days later Piranha and I were emailing back and forth about the changes in our group and we both mourn "the good ol days".  I wonder if there are stages to group friendships?  Like in our 20's we go bar hopping, 30's gather on decks in someone's backyard, and in our 40's and 50's we go on group trips and cruises?  It seems we're headed toward group trips.  I'm sure that's not a bad thing, it's just a change I will have to get used.

*Have you seen the new group settings in Facebook?  Gotta say some FB changes aren't such a pain and this one is pretty awesome.  My senior class from high school has come together and is including the grades around us for possible gatherings.   I'm still coping with not recognizing names and faces with people who graduated with me.  With a class of 350 people it's impossible to know everyone, but I'm stunned how many I've forgotten.  I keep pulling out my yearbook to see if their teenage image jars any memory.

*The heat has settled in and summer is truly here.  Evidently this is the year of the thirteen year cicadas to emerge.  Their summer mating song is screaming through local neighborhoods so loud people think they've left their windows open!  With tremendous fortune, my little corner of St. Louis has not been impacted.  People everywhere are reporting their yards coated with the crunchy shells and the little bastards flying all over the place clinging to their hair and clothing.  I would be curled in a fetal position if I was getting bombarded between my run from the front door and the car.  Unsure of what sort of critter I'm talking about?  CLICK HERE  Skippy, it's gross, you've seen it before and was none-to-pleased that I violated your eyes in such a manner - so don't go investigating.