Do, I'm sorry to hear your students are driving you crazy. I think it's in the water, or the air. It's also too bad you had to drop a class and I hope you don't have to take the F.

It sounds like you had a blast of time in Vegas. How exciting that everything went according to plan. I hope you have fun in Rome. Take some pics and post them when you get back.

Fi, the south is...well...wet at the moment. It's been raining since yesterday, but I'm actually okie-dokie with that. But, I do miss that creosote scent. Here the air smells fresh and clean when it rains, which isn't a bad thing, but it's not the same as that tangy aroma I’m used to. It’s warmer today than it has been, but I rather like the cold better.

We’ve been house-hunting, and looked at one down the street from my folks. We heard a rumor it’s a former crack house – oh joy! It’s so not worth the asking price, in spite of the new carpet, new paint, and bonus room. There’s a gigantic hole in the back yard that was once a pool; it’ll need to be filled in. The deck would have to be torn down, as well as the inner privacy fence. It needs a new stove, the plumbing needs to be unclogged from what I understand, and it’s just plain filthy – and not just from former residents, but from the guys who installed the carpeting and repainted. It’s just icky, and I don’t necessarily mind the work (I’d have help from my family), but the government would have to come down on the price, even with the VA loan and zero down. We’re interested in another house that’s one street over, and while it needs some work, we’re hoping not as much. I’m just waiting on a phone call from the realtor telling us when we can go take a peek. It also has more rooms than the “crack house.”

It’s good that you’re making progress on your thesis. All I’ve done is put some thought into what I might want to do. I’m seriously thinking of continuing with my tattoo project. I don’t know yet though. I am planning to finish my MA, but it’s a matter of time. I have to take the GRE, appeal for residency, get all my stuff transferred, reorder my transcripts, etc., etc. But, it may have to wait a bit longer.

I’m taking a break from the stressors of life and going to see my sister in Florida next week. I’ll be helping to get her new computer up and running (with Michael walking me through certain steps via the telephone), and I may get to see the tattoo for my back. The guy who did my first tattoo said he’s pretty much finished with the design, and he’s going to try to meet me somewhere between Orlando and my sister’s house so I can see it – and of course visit with him and his wife, who are both really good friends of mine.

I hope you both have a wonderful week…stay in touch.

So

I'm here!

Hello ladies! I'm afraid I have been lax as well. This last moth has just been wicked. My students are driving me crazy! It has been so physically and mentally exhausting. I registered and went to class ( 650 -Carlson/Aesthetics 18thC America), but decided too late to drop. So now I guess I'll have to take an F. I need to email Prof. Pigeon.

On the other hand, some other reasons I've not been able to focus on class- Superbowl weekend we went to Vegas. My daughter and her bf were celebrating his 30th bd (you remember, she planned this surprise party for him, he surprised her with a proposal). The entire weekend went perfectly! They checked in at the Paris and without her knowing, Gabe upgraded to a suite. They went to dinner and a show(Fri.evening), then back to the hotel to change. When they got there, he had arranged for the hotel to have a dozen red roses, chocolate covered strawberries and champagne waiting. He proposed and of course she accepted. She was completely surprised.

On Saturday, we all got to his uncle's house (about 30 people, his family and us) around 5pm. Gabe and CHris arrived at 6 in a limo she rented. He thought they were to meet just me, Vinnie, Michael and Annie, his mom and grandma for dinner. Instead, we were all outside when they pulled up. He was totally surprised! He announced their engagement to everyone as well (Chris called us right after he asked her, so we knew. His mom and stepmom knew he was going to propose, but not when. We didn't tell lol). On top of all this, everyone won in the casinos!

Now I have to start packing. I leave for Boston Thursday night (red eye), then Chris and I fly to Rome on Friday. We're spending the week in Rome, sightseeing, shopping (wedding gowns, baby clothes to start with), carousing around. Her college roommate is flying down on Wednesday from Germany to visit with us for a couple of days as well, so we'll be three wild women on the loose!

The baby clothes are for Michael and Annie's baby. Yes, me the grandmother oy vay! The ultrasound pictures told us it's a boy. He's going to be the best dressed baby west of the Mississippi!

Well, I guess I've made up for not posting in awhile lol. I definitely want to keep up the dialogue! Weasley found a friend, next time I'll post his pic. I hope your back is better Fi, I can definitely empathize (car accident - dislodged lumbar discs). And I definitely want to hear about your thesis journey. So, what are you planning to do about finishing your MA? There are just too many unresolved conflicts in this story for it to end!!

Ciao donne belle!

Do

Are we still doing this?

Hey kidlets...are we still blogging? Ive been lax I admit...but my thesis keeps me up at nights...its worse than going to bed watching Dracula flicks.
How's the south lately, So. I miss yer... I dropped the ghastly poetry class and took Rhode's WPA course instead. Lots of catching up but I feel at home and comfortable. I was never into creative writing. NO...I'm crap at it. Kim Costino wrote to me: "I would rather eat glass than write poetry" I share her sentiments. I am an essayist through and through. Ask me to come up with some poetic metaphor and I'm stumped...it's quite dreadful. I have nightmares about being a hostage and the hijacker saying soemthing like "make up a poem about flowers in springtime and I won't wack your kneecaps." I'd be dead meat...all the other hostages would be busy composing glorious odes and I'd be going "roses are red, violets are blue..." sheesh...enough with the rambling. Hope to see you both online soon......
Fi