I guess I'll just start at the beginning.
I got the news that my Grandma had died on Monday, the 7th and headed back east to attend the services.
I conquered my first red-eye flight. Seattle to New York. Take off was at 6:40pm and landing was at 6:30am. Did I mention that I find it just about impossible to sleep on a plane? Yeah. I guess the best part of that whole ordeal was the in-flight trivia game. I won three times, and my high score was yet to be beaten by landing. I am SO cool.
I took the subway and train from the airport to my hometown in CT. The Parental Units were not too thrilled about that. They knife people in the subway all the time, you know.
New York City smells like piss. If I made a list of all the major cities that I have ever visited (including a few in other foreign-like countries) and ranked them by pleasantness of sight/smell/sound, New York City would come in last. That's all I have to say about that.
Although it was not the best of reasons for us getting together, it was really great to see all my relatives. Some haven't changed a bit, some have changed too much. I miss you all and send you big hugs.
In the rush of getting to CT and attending all the funeral "events", I guess I really didn't have time to think of what had actually happened. It wasn't until the graveside service was over and I had to lay a rose on the coffin that it hit me. Damn rose. It got me last time too. I'd like to thank my Uncle Bri for helping to unleash the torrent of tears. One hug and I was balling my brains out.
After a post-funeral family laugh-fest at a local restaurant, I hopped on a shuttle van back to the airport. Shuttle van, you ask? Why not the subway/train plan again, you ask? Um. I, uh love my parents very much and always do as they ask of me.
My flight got into Seattle at 12 midnight and I hopped on another shuttle van back to my house. I got in at about 1:30. Finally got to sleep at about 2am and then woke up at 3:30.
You see, Huzbend had a bike ride from Seattle to Portland. Yes. Seattle TO Portland. 200 somethin' miles. In one day. Crazy F'er.
Katie was quite irate that we had to wake her at 4am to drop Daddy off at the start line. For a good 15 minutes, she was yelling at us that she wanted to, "GET BACK IN CRIIIIIIIIIIBBBBBB!!!!"
Huzbend, and his riding buddy, were on their way. Katie and I drove back home to pack, which is just about totally impossible to do with a tired and cranky almost-2 year old. We ended up leaving the house to drive down to Portland at about 1pm. I had to make one rest stop as I thought I was going to pass out at the wheel because of sleep deprivation. A glass of lemonade, a banana muffin, and some cookies helped me get back on the road.
Katie and I managed our way to the finish by about 6pm. We were able to cheer him on and watch him cross over the finish line. Boy, he looked tired and totally hot. Not hot as in, like, warm. I mean HOT. Sigh. Sorry, was that T.M.I.? Just because we've been married, like, 2,000 years doesn't meant I can't get all googly-eyed over my husband.
Post-race, Huzbend polished off two large pieces of pizza while Katie ran through some water fountains. She was completely soaked, but have no fear, Super Mommy is here! I had a change of clothes for her. I ALWAYS have a change of clothes for her.
Exhaustion was quickly setting in: Huzbend, from his ride. Katie, from waking up so early. Me, from not sleeping in forever. We ended up sleeping about 12 hours. Katie refused to sleep in the hotel crib and so, she slept in between us.
The next day was spent at the Oregon Zoo. A good time was had by all.
We've reached Monday, the 14th.
On this day, I realized that we lost our digital camera. It must have been dropped somewhere in the zoo. I called lost and found, but no luck. It was gone. Damn it all. We had pics of the bike ride finish, Katie destroying the hotel room, and lots of cute zoo pics on there. My only consolation was that the person that might have it will have to pay for batteries for the thing 'cause they don't have the charger.
On Tuesday, Katie tackle-hugged a 1 year old at Library Story Time. Ooops. I tell ya, our little girl just has TOO much love to give.
Thursday was Huzbends birthday. We went to a pizza joint for dinner. I got him a new rain jacket for cycling. Oh, I'd like to take this moment to say "Thank You" to all the present givers. You know he'll totally forget to say it to you.
The rest of the time this week has been spent doing the following things:
researching digital cameras
deciding where to have Katie's birthday party
finishing my mulching project
attending multiple community kiddie events
exercising
and dealing with Katie's weird-ass toddler mood swings
Plans for this weekend include:
a visit to Thomas the Tank Engine
a voyage out to The Company Picnic
most likely a trip to REI for Post-Birthday shopping
maybe the purchase of a new camera
Before signing off, I'd like to send a "Belated Happy Birthday" to Uncle Junior. I'd also like to send a couple of "Happy Birthdays" to my sis and to Dad C. Hope you have good ones.
Gotta go. I've got to obsess a bit more about birthday party planning.
