IMTDL

Some would call them goals or New Year’s Resolutions. I’ve been setting them for years, and I even achieved a few, such as completing my bachelor’s degree (thirteen years after graduating from high school) and buying a big house. Now I simply refer to these as the Infinite Master To Do List (IMTDL).

You will recall that I posted an extensive list of goals in my first Word Press entry, as well as a “progress report” of sorts in my Annual Review post in my private journal. Yesterday, I checked a lot of items off the IMTDL:

• Paid bills, including the Costco annual membership fee and the U. S. Cellular additional fees from buying new phones last month.
• Called DirecTV’s customer retention and asked for the NFL’s Red Zone Channel. It should be up by game time on Sunday.
• Sent my siblings an e-mail about my son Mekhi’s school fundraiser. (If you wish to donate money, please let me know.)
• Also arranged to attend the school’s Fall Family Night with Brian and Mom #1.
• Contacted the landscaper to schedule getting rid of the detritus around our house and garage.
• Contacted the contractor, who contacted the roofer, and scheduled repairs of the bathroom roof and the garage roof.
• Contacted my D&D group about the games in October.
• Put our Badger tickets on StubHub because we won’t be able to attend Saturday’s game.
• Bought a math workbook for Mekhi to do as homework, per his teacher’s suggestion (and after I cleared it with Brian, of course).
• Checked my lottery numbers; didn’t win, but I sent in tickets for the second chance drawing.
• Ordered a book from Scholastic’s book club for Mekhi, just like I used to order when I was his age.
• Printed my blog entries to date for the year (I like to keep print copies just in case).
• Searched for a new job and applied for four jobs on campus.
• Worked on the shopping list, which includes lists for groceries, Target, Costco, and Farm & Fleet.
• Scheduled the DVR to record both the Badger and Packer games this weekend.
• Picked up books I had on hold at the library.
• Attended the Fall Family Night at Mekhi’s school to learn more about what he’s learning (and it’s awesome!). Mom #1 didn’t make it.
• Put another load of clothes in the washing machine.
• Scanned in medicine refills to our local Walgreens.

And I still have more crap to do today.

I can haz nap nao plz?

Pog ma thoin!
-Lori

Me: “Some days, I think I’m losing my mind.”
Brian: “Other days you’re sure?”

BTW: the answer to the previous entry’s riddle was “violin.” Go figure that the person with no musical skill whatsoever couldn’t find the right answer without asking someone. -L.

Weekend Wonderful…

… but still too short.

Friday/Ladies Night Out
My Best Friend Betsy RN MSN and I try to get together once per month, but it typically works out to about 3-4 times a year. Friday night we met at Saigon Noodles on the west side of town, and had a lovely time. Of course, she told me more stories of her three children. B., the middle child and oldest boy, is very smart; but doesn’t always do his homework, preferring to coast on his intelligence. Betsy made him attend summer school, which he hated. As she told me this story, she reminded me that she doesn’t wish to be offensive, but B. complained about the stupid kids in his class “who have to wear helmets;” i. e.: they have physical and developmental disabilities. Betsy reminded him that it was his fault he was in summer school by stating that “stupid people” included him because he didn’t do his homework. Betsy’s youngest A. asked her if he would have to go to school in the summer, and she said only if he didn’t do his homework. “Good,” he said, “I don’t want to go to helmet school.”

Okay, Betsy and I can chuckle at this because 1. I have epilepsy, and 2. A. is a medically fragile kid who was born with a congenital heart defect, since corrected.

Saturday/Mekhi’s Blue Belt Test
To recap: Mekhi has been taking American Tae Kwon Do lessons at Kicks Unlimited in Sun Prairie since December 2013. This past weekend, he tested for the next belt in the progression: blue, and he’s about halfway to his black belt. During tests in the past, Brian has tried very hard not to cry because he is so proud of Mekhi (and I forgot to put extra tissues in my purse). Lisa/Mom #1 and I are proud, too, and take plenty of pictures during the belt tests (though hers turn out much better than mine).

Saturday’s test included a module test for those going for a second- or third-degree black belt, which included using and wooden and padded swords. When Brian told me the name of the wooden sword, I thought it was spelled “Bokun”; nope; it was Bokken. Go ahead and Google the first word, but know that the Urban Dictionary definition is NSFW.

After the tests were complete, some of the instructors gave inspirational speeches. One, who has lost over seventy pounds since the beginning of the year, talked about reaching a plateau and how to go beyond that. At first I thought he was talking about a Fat Toe; maybe I need to have my hearing checked again.

Pog ma thoin!
-Lori

“If you don’t get the ‘Leather Bear’ thing, remember to put safe search on when you Google.” – R.K. Milholland “Something Positive”

Fricking Fabulous

My Mother’s Day gift for myself this year was an R2-D2 flared dress from Think Geek.com. When they advertised a red sheath dress with the twin suns of Tatooine on it, Brian, the World’s Greatest Husband (WGH), encouraged me to buy it.

The WGH and his classmates from high school (along with my brother Fran and his wife Tammy) hit the big 5-0 this year. I’m planning a party for the WGH; Fran already had a dinner at a local Famous Dave’s, and the WGH’s best friend Todd had a fun party where all the guests were encouraged “to kiss Todd anywhere.” I chose his beautifully bald noggin.

Saturday was the birthday party for Chris, one of the WGH’s high school friends, at a friend’s home near Minneapolis. Not knowing how long the party would last, we reserved a hotel room close to the house.

I tried on the red sheath suns dress, but even the WGH agreed it was too tight, so I changed into the R2D2 flare. I looked adorable in it, despite my hefty size. We tried taking the dogs to a local kennel, but the place wouldn’t let them stay without the kennel cough vaccine. One emergency phone call to our friends Ed and Sarah Jean, and our puppies were happily playing with their puppies.

My cell phone bill probably is going to be huge next month due to roaming charges. The trip to Minneapolis is easy from Madison, Wisconsin; but once there, I used my phone’s GPS and Google Maps to locate our hotel and the party. Didn’t help when Sarah Jean kept texting me photos of my dogs playing with her family. I thought Nibbler only smiled that way for me.

Because the party was potluck (I love potluck parties: so economical, so down-to-earth, and a much better variety of foods available), we planned on buying our dish to pass at a local market. After we checked into our hotel (and received a “think about us” message from our puppies when the hotel key card had a picture of a dog on it), Brian re-read the e-vite which suggested bringing lawn chairs as well. Oops. A Costco was on the way, so we shopped there. Found two pasta salads that would be perfect, but their lawn chairs were either way too expensive or had Vikings or Golden Gophers logos on them. Sorry, but that is an absolute NO for anyone at Castle Curley. Seeing my dress, a fellow customer stated I looked “fricking fabulous!” and our cashier made me go to another cashier to show off my outfit.

When we arrived at the house, we noticed they had a Vikings canopy over part of the backyard. Well, me and my Packer tattoo didn’t burst into flames walking under it, but I didn’t take too many chances. I also didn’t take any chances with the 2×4/life-sized version of Jenga set up outside; I am a klutz in the extreme. The day was hot, so I spent most of the party indoors, where the birthday boy was playing Dominion with some of his guests. We’re talking a group of gamers, members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and other varying flavors of geekdom. My R2D2 dress was a hit. We ate and chatted and had a lovely time, especially when two of the three critters (a dog and a cat, the other cat was hiding under a bed) came up to us for attention. Yes, we missed our canine and feline children very much.

We left earlier than we thought we would and could have driven home that evening, but we figured since we had the hotel room, we’d stay and enjoy the Twin Cities. We headed to The Source Comics and Games, where they have an excellent Munchkin collection, among a wide selection of games, comics, and other nerd paraphernalia. I’ve found more than one item for my collection that is out-of-print, but when a fellow customer was asking me about the game, I thought it ironic that The Source didn’t stock the base game.

We went in search of something to eat, and even though we saw “Gas-Food-Lodging” signs for restaurants, Brian proved to be a little navigationally challenged because the signs didn’t tell us which way to turn upon leaving the highway. Again, my Google Maps Fu saved the day, but I only can navigate with a GPS; never from memory. Finally after almost giving up, Brian found what he was looking for: the ubiquitous Taco Bell.

In the morning, we headed home at our leisure, listening to the “Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff” podcast along the way. When I wasn’t re-reading my journals of the past year for the Annual Review (more on that in a later entry), I was fighting falling asleep. We made at least one stop an hour to keep us both awake and safe.

When we picked up Nina and Nibbler from Ed’s house, their dogs Pedro and Lady Chatterley did not want us to take them. Sorry, but I cannot go so long without my puppies!

Pog ma thoin!
-Lori

“Shut up and let Brian drive.” – my inner voice every time I wanted to tell Brian he was going the wrong way

 

Party Planning

This Saturday is the Annual Independence Day Party at Castle Curley. Even though I’ve done very little prep work for it, about fifteen years’ experience has shown that I could run this party in my sleep. I’m not worried; I expect to have a lovely time; and Brian, Prince Mekhi and I are planning on going somewhere fun on Sunday.

Next year’s party, however, will be quite different. In 2016, Brian (aka the World’s Greatest Husband (WGH)) and I will celebrate our silver wedding anniversary: 25 years of wedded bliss. The WGH and I want to have a big party, inviting as many people as possible, especially those from our wedding. Planning more than a year in advance means I won’t have to worry about the cost too much because we can save up money between now and then. No, the big problem is the party/wedding anniversary industry.

Google “Silver 25th Anniversary” and you will find a lot of beautiful, elegant crap; especially if you click on “Images.” Then ask yourself: does this reflect Brian and Lori? The answer is a roaring “NO!” When we’ve actually done something special for our wedding anniversaries in years prior (typically, Thanksgiving is a more important holiday at Castle Curley), it’s been going to a “Weird Al” Yankovic concert for our third anniversary; going to a Packers Tailgate Party for our fifteenth anniversary; or going to the Parthenon on State Street for gyros on any anniversary because we did that late on our wedding night after we checked in to our hotel. We had a party for our tenth anniversary at a park shelter in Madison, but otherwise, we have celebrated our anniversary in non-traditional ways.

As I started thinking of our Silver Party and our unique nature, I looked to many party sites for ideas. Maybe a Tolkien–Hobbit–Lord of the Rings theme? The WGH loves these books and I thought maybe guests could dress up as their favorite characters. Brian nixed the idea and rightly.

So, I thought of other ideas: a big tent with lots of lighting to play games all day and well into the night. Cakes from Carl shaped and decorated like some of our favorite games: Dungeons and Dragons, Settlers of Catan, Munchkin, Mansions of Madness, and (of course) Cards Against Humanity. Perhaps gyros for lunch (see above, re: Parthenon on our wedding night), and a pig-roast for supper.

Yes, I want a few elegant touches such as some Silver/25th Anniversary balloons and decorations. I really wanted Jordan almonds at our wedding, but they weren’t in the budget; so I’ll probably have them as party favors. For overall theme, however, I’m drawn more to Think Geek than Party City or even Oriental Trading Company.

When the WGH and I married in 1991, I looked through tons of invitation books and again thought they were all crap. Thank the Gods that I have graphic arts skills, so I designed our wedding invites and RSVPs. Now I’ll probably have to do the same with our Silver Anniversary Party.

In the meantime, have a fun and safe Independence Day this weekend; and if you want an invite to the Curley Silver Anniversary Party in 2016, e-mail me with your contact info: lorianncurley at gmail dot com.

Pog ma thoin!
-Lori

Me: “Are you as happy as I am?”
WGH: “I don’t know; I’m not married to me.”

Holidays at Castle Curley…

…where Geekdom reigns supreme.

For the uninitiated, Brian and I refer to our home as Castle Curley (CC) because of the old saying “a man’s home is his castle.” Brian (the World’s Greatest Husband (WGH)) is the King of CC; I am the queen; and all the critters are princes and princesses. Mekhi, too, is a Prince of CC, and his Mom #1 is a duchess.

We have a very different view of the holidays here at Castle Curley. Closer to the end of the year I’ll give you more information on the major holiday season, but let’s talk about this time of year for now:

Valentine’s Day vs. Gamemaster’s Day

You must understand that the WGH is allowed to buy me jewelry from only one store: the Packers Pro Shop (PPS). Recently I had to include the caveat that he is forbidden from buying anything by Pandora, when the PPS announced they started to sell the ugly and expensive charms. Ugh! Every December I rant that not all women want diamonds or other jewelry for ‘insert holiday here.’ Valentine’s Day is just a candy holiday, so a simple heart-shaped box filled with chocolates is more than sufficient. Brian and I tell each other “I love you” every day (like this couple), so we don’t need a hallmark holiday to remind us to say it.

What’s more important to us is Gamemaster’s Day (GMs Day), celebrated on March 4^th. Usually during our RPGs closest to this day, we’ll have snacks to celebrate, and the PCs may bring gifts for the GM if they so choose. Brian and I attend Plattecon every year, typically convened on the first weekend of March (This weekend!), because UW-Platteville is where we met when we were college students. Every gaming convention has a dealers room, and Brian and I usually buy our GMs Day gifts to each other at Plattecon. One year he bought me a Duck of Gloom; another year I gave Brian more expansions for Mansions of Madness. In another blog entry, I’ll discuss our “no practical gifts” rule.

Critters Day Party

Every spring, we celebrate the birthdays of our feline and canine children with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Once when a friend of ours took his dog to the same vet that we utilize, he overheard the staff discussing a couple that has a birthday party for their cats. Our friend laughed because he knew they were talking about us.

Independence Day Party

This started when our friends the Stewart Brothers came to our home on July 4^th many years ago, and we lit fireworks and watched Wimbledon. Now we host a barbecue where we provide all the meat (including vegan), some beverages, and some fireworks, and the rest is potluck. We try to keep the fireworks on the ground because we live a block from the local police and fire departments.

Anniversary vs. Thanksgiving

This year, our wedding anniversary is on a Monday. Wazoo. Plus, it’s our 24^th wedding anniversary. Wazoo. Our anniversary is not a big deal (See above re: saying “I love you” every day.). Case in point: the year we moved to our current house, we took off the day of our anniversary (it was a Wednesday that year), and spent the day in bed (the majority of the time devoted to actual sleeping). We’re thinking of doing something big for our Silver Anniversary, but that’s not until next year.

No, the major holiday to celebrate us and our family is Thanksgiving, despite the fact that we almost divorced our first married Thanksgiving (long story short: Brian taught me how to drive). We always have the day off, so now we stay home in our jammies, cook our own meal, and watch football (especially if the Packers are playing) or the Lord of the Rings Extended Editions. We also share our meal with our critters, who nap with us as we watch TV.

My Birthday vs. Life Day

I’m still a pink hatter, which means I’m not yet fifty and eligible to join the Red Hat Society. Unless the Packers play on my birthday again, we’ll probably go out for dinner at our local Nitty Gritty, then watch Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II on Netflix. Seriously, that’s all I want to do.

I tried to commit suicide when I was fifteen (December 5, 1985) in a desperate plea for help. Since then, I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders and now am receiving the appropriate health care for these conditions. Now every year I celebrate Life Day (no, not from the hideous Star Wars Holiday Special, which despite being a SW geek, I never have seen) by watching the sunset, then going out for dinner. This year, I’d like to go to the Melting Pot if Riff Trax isn’t having a special live showing that night, as they have done previously with Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

Curley Con

The WGH hits the big 5-0 in September this year, and the AARP already is sending him membership offers. We’re going to have a party at CC called Curley Con, which basically is a day of games, friendship, food, and celebration. Need I say more?

Pog ma thoin!

-Lori

“My lovely wife, Cristi, sought to get the perfect 3rd year anniversary gift. Consulting the Ms. Manner’s Guide to Geek Husbands, she found that a new graphics card is just the thing!” – Aaron Williams

Prince Mekhi

For those who don’t yet know, Brian and I help take care of an eight-year-old boy named Mekhi. His biological mother Lisa, aka Mom #1, is a single mother of five kids to four fathers. Mekhi’s biological father is the only one of these who is a deadbeat. To make matters worse, Mekhi is the exact middle child, the oldest boy, two of his siblings are special needs (his younger brother is highly autistic), and like President Obama, Mekhi’s mother is Caucasian and his father is African-American. Lisa describes his skin as “caramel-colored.” He is a handsome boy, growing like the proverbial weed.

Years ago, Lisa worked as a live-in aid to Don, who had severe diabetes. Don was a father-figure to Mekhi until he passed away because Don didn’t have health insurance to take care of his disease (this was before the ACA). Lisa asked my Brian (the World’s Greatest Husband) to step in and be a father-figure to Mekhi, and she since labeled me as Mom #2.

Brian is just Dad. Sometimes Mekhi talks about his “real dad”, i. e. the deadbeat, but I try to get Mekhi to use the term “biological dad,” saying that a real dad does more than just contribute genetic material.

Helping to care for Mekhi is both fun and challenging, in that order. Most of the time, he is an energetic and playful boy. Sometimes he gets into fights at school or his after school program (he once was annoyed that his female classmates kept singing “Let it Go” from Frozen), and we have to ground him from all electronics (TV, PlayStation, Nintendo, etc.). He especially has been concerned about police, considering recent race-related events.

Summer 2013, we took Mekhi to a lot of church and community festivals, and he was enthralled with martial arts demonstrations by local dojos. In December of that year, we signed him up at Kicks Unlimited (KU) in Sun Prairie, and now he is a green belt about to test for his next belt. Also, his ninth birthday party at the end of March will take place at KU. When Mekhi earned his gold belt, Brian said, “It was all I could to not start bawling.”

A year ago and on a whim, I bought Mekhi some sticker books, especially from The Lego Movie. He loves them. We’re also encouraging him to read, so he has a subscription to Highlights for Children magazine and their Hidden Pictures books. He lets me do the three sticker pages in those latter books. Yes, I’m still a kid at heart.

Recently Mekhi’s school had a fundraiser, and I asked my siblings to contribute because I contributed to a lot of fundraisers for their kids. Of course, the only one who responded was my brother Fran (more on my siblings in a later entry – maybe).

Sometimes it’s hard being Mom #2: Mekhi still clings to Lisa when he needs motherly love. I’ll take what blessings I can get, though. I love Mekhi very much. Last year was the first time ever that I truly enjoyed Mother’s Day.

Probably the best quality about Mekhi is his quick wit. Recently I was cleaning my home office; lamenting that it had been so long since I did that, the calendar showed October. Mekhi asked, “What year?”

Pog ma thoin!

-Lori

“FTR: the calendar said October 2014.” – LAC