We got up shortly after 4 this morning, as we had to take my mother-in-law to the airport. She and my brother-in-law, who left Friday, had been here for Phillip’s High School Graduation this past Tuesday. We usually do our weekly grocery run Sunday morning and decided to go straight from the Airport to Walmart before everybody else got there and it got crowded. We probably arrived around 6:40 AM or so, did our usual, and had just loaded the first couple bags of stuff into the back of Eric’s Sequoia, when I heard a car and a man’s voice behind me saying ‘Ma’m’. I turned around expecting to be asked for directions or the time, but instead saw two guys with dark bandannas covering their faces, the driver also holding a small, silver handgun, asking for my purse and Eric’s wallet. My first thought was that this must be some kind of joke, but the second thought, luckily not far behind, disagreed. I did ask if I could keep my car keys (I only have one set, and I imagine it’s all kinds of a PITA to get a new one – and I wouldn’t be driving anywhere with my car while I waited for them….) but the guy said ‘no’. How rude. I did remember that the rule is to just give the crooks whatever they want, so I thought I probably should and gave them my purse. Eric tossed his wallet in the cab and threw a handful of bills behind them. He thinks he may have had about THREE (it looked more like five to me :-) !!) I had absolutely no cash in my purse aside from maybe a few pennies. But my debit card, a few credit cards, my driver’s license, green card, German passport, medical cards, library card, Sam’s Club membership card, several lip sticks, one earring (the other one is at home – what the hell am I going to do with that orphan now????) — my cell phone, the house keys, my employee ID card, and who knows what else, were in there.

This year is just flying by. So far, there’s always been something to do, something coming up to prepare for, something, something, something. But I’m really not complaining.

Over Christmas/New Years, my parents were here from Germany, and also, but just for Christmas, Melanie, Corodon, and Dave. During March, the in-laws and one of Eric’s uncles and his wife spent not quite 4 weeks with us, escaping their winter weather in Indiana and the northern end of Michigan, respectively. I cannot blame them, and they are welcome to try again next year.

Meanwhile, a co-worker of mine was out on medical leave for several weeks longer than expected, and I worked my butt off – long hours, a couple times even on weekends, and overall, pretty stressful. She’s back now, and things are starting to get back to a new normal.

… until the pool opens. I just love going there. Not that I swim much, but I love being in the water, hanging on my noodles and reading Reader’s Digest. And when I’m not in the water, I’m in the lawn chair, listening to Satellite Radio (I won the radio, but I pay $12/months for the service and only use it during pool visits -need to rethink that strategy), and am reading something else. And this year, I bought TWO bathing suits – I know, I’m getting carried away.

And —- we just had a new patio build. It’s done, just has to finish drying, and I like what I see (pics to follow). So next Saturday, I’ll have to have a celebration – first pool, then patio. I’m thinking there should be a nice steak on the grill, a huge salad, and some OJ and Rum.

Just a funny story:

A few months ago, I got an email from some guy who’d found me on the webdesign board I hang out on. Based on his yahoo address, he’s from India, so not a native English speaker. He wanted to pay me for some webdesign tutoring, but I referred him to the webdesign board and told him about all the free tutorials there. He thanked me – and then for Christmas, I got an email from him, sending me “Compliments of the Season” and his wish for me to: Have a refreshing moment all the time!“

So I’ve been trying to do that, and I’m wishing you the same.

It’s Saturday, 3:30 PM, and I’m sitting here, clicking around aimlessly. Eric is upstairs, fighting wars or something, and Phillip is at work. The weather is ugly – only 62° – and gray and cloudy. Definitely too cold to be outside and enjoy it. We’ve even decided to cook chili for dinner – it feels that wintery.

Other than that, we had company for most of March. Eric’s Mom and Dad from Indiana and an aunt and uncle from Michigan came to visit and escape the Winter. They were here almost 4 weeks, and it was quite fun. I enjoyed having dinner cooked when I got home from work and to have people around to talk to. The time just flew by. They are all invited back for more of the same next year, but we haven’t heard how they feel about putting up with us again. But just wait – give them a few more cold and snowy months between coming September and February…….