Can I eat fish on Fridays during Lent?

[Underdog]

Lunchtime ocean journaling--in the form of our latest alien interaction:

Mr. Wonderful called a few minutes ago... announcing he was back from CA. He sounded tired. I asked him what time he arrived and he chatted about the logistics--letting me know he didn't even land at LAX until 1 am on Monday night (technically Tuesday, I guess), had a full day of controversial meetings and then walked through his apartment door at 11 pm last night.

I opted to validate, saying, "No wonder you sound really tired. You must be exhausted."

MW: "I really am, Bets. This project is really tough. But I really called to see how the girls have been."

Me: "Really good. D7 went to the bathroom at church yesterday all by herself--poopy and all. Too bad she did it in the boy's bathroom."

MW: Chuckling. "That's funny. Yes, she's doing pretty well consistently lately. This is promising. How was your morning with her?"

Me: "Oh, REALLY good! She's on top of the world. They'll both be happy to see you this afternoon."

MW: "Why?"

Me: WTF? Well, they really miss you when you're gone. And today is a big day for both of them..."

MW: "I never guessed. Hey, what's on the menu for tonight?"

Me: "Since it's D7's birthday, I chose pasta bake--it's easy and it's got noodles in it. Something to make everyone happy. Especially since the party crowd will start arriving around 6:30."

MW: Shocked! "Her birthday is Sunday!"

Me: Silence is golden.

MW: "Isn't it?"

Big pause.

MW: "Oh, I thought since she was turning 7 and her birth date was in 1997 that it was the 7th."

Well folks, looks like it's time to get rid of the Julian calendar.

MW: "Crap, I don't have a present for her. Do you?"

Me: "Yes."

MW: "I feel bad. I really thought her birthday was Sunday."

Me: "Well, regardless, we're celebrating tonight. We made the cake last night, I bought more stuff for sundaes, and N & her mom will be at the house at 6:30. T&J will be here at 7:00--this gives us plenty of time to eat, open presents and let D7 and N play before we eat cake."

MW: Still stuck on his faux pas. "I guess we'll go shopping for her present on Saturday."

MW: "Oh, I got 2 more golf teams for the tournament...."

And we finished that convo until I announced that I would see him later on and hung up.

There you have it!

Bets

[Hud]

Hey Bets,

Picture me shrugging with a shake of my head - hey, alien fatigue causes forgetfulness.

Shake it off and have a great time at the party tonight.



Hud

[MovinOn]

Betsey,

Is that what they call tunnel vision??
Hope D7 has a great day!!

[seattlehopeful]

Hi Bets

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR D7!

You are making it a great day for her. What a wonderful mom!

Now only if our WAS would make some efforts for us.

You are already making it a great day for your family. Take heart in all the love you are creating for them. You are the rock and the foundation right now. Keep up the PMA.

Your H sounds like hes pretty frazzeled about work, I know I used to get that way when the pressure cooker is turned up. His explanation sounds honest and what a great job you did of not jumping down his throat. Kinda a weasley way of him changing the subject to golf, but my WAW does that every time she feels uncomfortable.

Avoidance of the problem instead of confronting it. Does this sound like him?

TJ and I can come over and do a group man hug, D7 would get a BIG SMILE out of that one. TJ, keep your hands to yourself, I know you haven't gotten any lately but neither have I. Down boy.

[Underdog]

Seattle--You guys are already drawing notice here at work. I keep busting out laughing for no apparent reason, and it's becoming very noticeable.

I'm invoicing and D (my boss) is wondering why snorts are necessary doing such a mundane task.

Thanks for your nice words. Bob is going home with me tonight, because frankly, he is expected! Uh, D7 would probably include herself in the hug, but Triple J knows she has a fondness for WWF....

Do you mind putting on the spandex and heading into the ring with him? After all, Triple J's BB namesake is our friend, Triple H.... I don't see this being a problem for either of you, do you?

I promise not to look down....

For longer than is deemed polite by society's standards

Yes, your description of Mr. W. in the pressure cooker is pretty much dead on. I've been practicing validating all week, working really hard on D10.

She was complaining on the way to RE yesterday that she hates the choreography her music teacher is doing for their spring performance. Actually, her words were, "Mrs. C keeps having us do the same dumb moves. THEY SUCK. And not only that, they're boring."

The old mom would have been appalled and reminded her that Mrs. C is the teacher. The "VALIDATOR" showed up and said, "It sounds like you are pretty frustrated with her, huh." That opened up a dialogue to more reasons why school totally bites, as do the people who go there, teach there, clean there, blah blah blah.

I just smiled like a dumbass... actually, because I looked like one. One of the screws in my sunglasses came out, so I was wearing glasses with one side on my head and the other off in space.

Let's hear 3 cheers for doofy moms! How about another one for mutant dads who forget birthdays! And other for guys who hug! And one last one for the guy who cheers everyone up on the BB today!!!!

[TripleJ]

Do you mind putting on the spandex and heading into the ring with him? After all, Triple J's BB namesake is our friend, Triple H.... I don't see this being a problem for either of you, do you?

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!

First of all, it was only a 3 second hug. How'd it transform into a wrestling match for a world title?

Second, I don't look good in spandex, so that's out!

and Third, lets just keep them as visuals so that nothing can be provided as blackmail material.



At least now I know not to give seattle a congratulatory "slap on the rear" for a job well done!

Triple J

[Underdog]

Spandex is out? What a pity.

You guys could do what I used to do with my Barbie and Ken dolls.... and have a nude wrestling match. My sister and I had them engage in nude weddings as well.

And since we all know that Barbie grew up to get the hots for GI Joe, and discovered that Ken was leading a secret life in the closet, this sort of ending sounds sort of, well, sordid and too damn funny to visualize!!!!

Who votes for 2 naked Ken wrestlers????????????

[seattlehopeful]

Too much like Queer Eye for the Straight Guy for me. lol! or is it Straight Plan for the Gay Man. lol! Wait, I'm confused now. Or is it the gay people that are confused?

I know, it is the WAS that is confused. Aha! Gy Borge he's got it. Or is it Boy George? Getting too silly, I got to get some work done today. Have a great evening.

[CMNM]

Hope you have a wonderful evening. Happy Birthday to D7!

I hate to sound greedy, but you know that Happiness that D7 was spreading around? Well, it seemed to make its way to Mer, but needs to move a bit further north....

Really though, hope you're having a great time right now. And I especially hope that Mr. Wonderful has rested and is a little less alien...

[Underdog]

Pam--You bet. She's sending some cheer your way. Don't forget to look for it, because it is undoubtedly wrapped in a pretty bizarre looking package!

Ocean journaling...

Before I left the office, I got an e-mail from Mr. Wonderful's uncle--the husband of Paulette, who was his mom's youngest sister (she passed away in November).

I called Mr. W. from my cell at the house to tell him...

Me: "Hey, I got an e-mail from your Uncle Dick."

MW: "I don't have an Uncle DICK."

Me: "Um, Paulette's husband?"

MW: "I DO have an Uncle DICK... Why did he write you?"

Me: "He sent a picture of his newest granddaughter. Deanna--your cousin--had a baby girl this morning."

MW: "Son of a gun."

Me: "I wrote him back and congratulated him on his grandchild. I told him we'd celebrate with D7 tonight."

MW: "That was nice."

What I'm nice or because I just told you your cousin's name?

We had a good dinner and cake thing. D7 and N (her best friend) were wild and having fun. Before the festivities began, D10 asked me if she could spend the night with her friend across the street (flaky dentist neighbor, who always convinces D10 to turn my NO into a YES).

There is no school tomorrow or Friday. I said NO.

Ms. Tween Thing started protesting and asked me why I said NO. I reminded her that her friend broke her foot and was not going to gymnastics, so the chauffeur job was all mine and I didn't want to go out of my way to stop by the house to head there.

When we were opening presents, the neighbor girl called to speak to D10. Know that tween girls are very secretive about their inane phone calls--she took it in her room.

The next thing I knew, she was shoving the phone at me, saying "S wants to talk to you." S is B's mom...

I put it on hold and said sternly, "D10, if she's calling to convince me to turn a NO into a YES, I'm going to be furious."

I got off the phone and Mr. W. was standing there, along with N and her mother. I was angry and turned to her saying, "D, you lied!"

She went running off to her room and left me with a room full of puzzled people. Note to me: call N's mom tomorrow to apologize for my outburst. They left... and I phoned S back to talk it through. She agreed to help me by dropping D10 off at my office before I had to leave for gymnastics--if things get a little hairy. So my NO did become a YES.

Mr. W. piped in, "Bets, I think you were a little hard on D10 after the first call."

I knew he was bracing for an outburst from me, so I pulled a 180. I replied, "Yes, I will agree that I didn't handle myself very well. I was very upset and frustrated."

MW: "I can see that. And I don't blame you."

Me: "K, I swear to God that they are the only people I know who are friends with her and whose parents ultimately try to talk me out of my NO. Why do you think this is true? Because A's mom would rather die than tell me to say yes to D10."

MW: "I think B is sweet, but she's also very stubborn and self-centered. I think she probably fights her mother on just about everything, so it's not just you. That girl just doesn't know how to take NO for an answer."

Me: Nodding. "Maybe that's it."

MW: "I think D10 (who was sitting on the steps listening at this point) comes across as very tentative, which gives her a way in. Maybe we should talk to her and tell her that when B tries to get her to cave in to say, "B, NO! My mom/dad said no, and that's final."

D10: "Dad, that's exactly how it is. She makes me feel dumb for not trying to get Mom to change her mind. Mom, it's okay, I won't go."

Me: "D10, B was jumping up and down when I said yes. You can go with my blessing, but I'm really looking for some words from you."

D10: "I'm sorry."

Me: "Well, I like those words and your apology is accepted, but I was hoping for thank you instead."

D10: Smiling. "Thanks, Mom. I just wonder what kind of people can't accept the word NO."

Me: "Well, you're talking to one of them."

Mr. Wonderful and D10 turned to me in surprise. I knew this was going to be good.

Me: "Just ask Dad."

Mr. W. stood there with his mouth hanging open.

Me: "Dad used to say no to me on lots of things, but I refused to hear it. I pushed and I pushed until he caved. Then he got mad. Then he left. Now you see how this story ends."

MW: "Huh?"

Me: "Yep, Dad said no to lots of things but I only saw them as a means to convince him to say yes. Just ask him how resentful he was of me."

MW: "Uh, yes. D7, want to watch a movie with me?

Ah, the old switcheroo!!!!

D7: Shakes her head yes and signs for movie.

And off D10 went to the neighbor's and off Mr. Wonderful and D7 went to the TV. See Hud's thread on how this went down...

He was just getting ready to leave when I said,

"Hey, Mr. W., would you like to take the cake to work for your vultures?"

MW: "Vultures? Oh, yes, the work vultures. I don't have as many of them now that I've started my new job. But yes, I'll take it if you don't want it and put a sign on the pan next to the coffee pot."

Me: "Well, make sure you put on that note that it's not a wedding invitation."

MW: "Huh? What?"

Me: "Remember?"

MW: "Remember what?"

Me: "Many moons ago when I was baking a lot, you took my cakes into work. Some guy washed the empty pan and put a card to me in it that said 'Betsey, will you marry me?'"

MW: Chuckling heartily. "Oh, yeah. Jason. He DID love you, didn't he?"

Me: "Yep, and I cost a lot more than a cake."

MW: Puzzled. "Uh, okay. I think it's time for me to head home for a nap."

He was hovering in the kitchen. Weird feeling.

MW: "Bets, if you need me to do anything tomorrow, let me know. Maybe I can go get D10 for gymnastics."

Me: "Thanks, maybe I'll take you up on that."

MW: Pacing a little nervously. "Uh, I feel bad about offering and then saying this, but I need to make sure it doesn't make me late for bowling."

I was looking down and smiling... but he started stammering.

MW: Talking a little faster than normal. "Uh, I told Gary I'd bowl for him tomorrow. He and his brother are going to his grandmother's 97th birthday party in WY."

Me: "That's really sweet of Gary. K, I'm okay with things. Really."

MW: "Well, I feel a little bad about the fact that you have to drive everywhere and I can't help. It doesn't seem nice."

Me: OMG! You've finally realized this? "I'm really fine. I'll make this up as I go."

MW: "Did you tell me that the girls were off school for the rest of the week?"

Me: "Yes, but it might have been right before your mom died. It's okay. So go to bed."

MW: "Uh, okay, I'm out of here. Guess I'll see you sometime. When?" I shrugged. "Uh, I'll call you tomorrow. Bye Pee Wee (D7)... give me a kiss."

And the alien left the building... with Elvis.

Weird stuff....

Time to check on my own MVP--Most Valuable Primate!