Rantings

I seem to have the touch of death for laptops. Recently, my laptop was replaced because it died three times within 3 years and the deaths met the insurance policy's replacement criteria. The replacement is in the shop after only a few months. Grr. I miss it, it is bookmarked, some of my passwords are automated and it is mine. I am tired of losing it for several weeks at a time. I dare say I'll survive.

More in the life is tough theme--Boy A took the flash drive (or whatever the heck it is called) out of my camera to download the pictures to his. He gave it back to me, and I have no idea what I did with it. That means I can't take pictures of Spring or the leaky pup. I miss my camera. I miss my computer, but I don't miss my job.

Yesterday hubby and I went through model homes for the age 55 set. Condo townhouses that were big and plush. They made me drool. We almost qualify, we're old enough, we just need to get rid of the boys.

Nothing Much

I have been trying to take a picture of Cole, but he is too bouncy. The pictures I tried to take today are all too blurry. So instead I'll just post a couple more pictures of Boy A's trip and a short update on retirement.

I have finished the vacation part of retirement (goofing off and catching up on sleep) and I'm ready to move on to having a more structured day. I'm still working on the structure, I find I would rather spend my days doing fun stuff and forgoing cleaning, so right now the structure is laundry and cleaning, and walking the dogs and cleaning up after the puppy. I miss the cleaning lady a lot. I hate doing the cleaning, but love having a clean house.

Rome at Home

I transfered Boy A's pictures to my computer. I really like them, I think he has a good eye for photography. My favorites are of the Colosseum, there is such a strong feeling of history in those pictures. I wish I had gone with him.

Of course I get the same feeling of history just looking at my hands.

Boy A Is Home

Life is good. He had a great time, saw a million museums and historical sights, was way to busy to call home and spent all by $13.00 of his money. He came home exhausted but having had a great time.

The started in Italy with the Vatican. They even had a chance to see the Pope (at a great distance. Since it was a school trip they saw what they consider too many museums and historical sights, but they also had a chance to go to a club and a few other fun places. Albert's favorite country was Italy but he loved all three countries they visited.

The getting there and back was a bit tougher. Well, not the whole trip, the problems were on this side of the ocean, flying between National Airport and the Newark airport.

On the way up Boy A, being Boy A (and taking after his mom) almost didn't make it out of Newark. He left his passport on the plane from Washington to Newark. Luckily he was smart enough to tell the teachers as soon as he realised what he had done and the teachers told the airline staff, who eventually found his passport. Boy A earned a round of applause when he was finally reunited with his passport and allowed to board the plane.

On the way back the plane was delayed for three hours, stranding tired, anxious to be home passengers on the runway and equally anxious parents at the airport.

I'm glad he is home. I missed him. I'm just as glad that he had a great time.

This, That and Tother

This

Not that I'm counting, but it has been 121 hours since I last saw my son. In fact it has been 5 days and an hour (not that I'm counting) since I last talked to boy A. I tried to call twice. Once at 10 p.m. and once at 11:00 p.m. (Florence time) on Monday night and no one was in the room either time.

I know he is safe. I know this is a sign he is growing up. I miss him. I am worried about him. I wish he would call.

Tonight I'll try to call him in Paris. Or maybe I should go visit him in Paris tomorrow. I wonder how much it would cost to get a flight to Paris last minute.

That

GL - I knit a scarf for you. It is made of ribbon yarn and looks fantastic. I hope you like it.

Tother

I'm working on felting projects. I have 2 bags made ready to felt and I'm working on another bag and bootie. I guess I have enough of "depression era babies" parents in me, that is seems wrong to felt just one or two things at a time.

And yes I like making feltable bags. I figure I can use a lot for knitting, keeping individual projects in small to medium sized bags and putting several of the ones I am working on in a larger bag. And they make nice gifts. If they turn out really well, I'll give them as gifts and If they are less then wonderful, I'll use them for me.

Loser Alert

I love this tree.

According to the pot smoking kids down the street I am a loser! Hrumph! Everyone knows they are pigs!

Every night Cole and I take a walk down the street to wear off some puppy energy. A few nights ago we walked by a parked SUV (motor running, lights off) and as soon as I came within a hundred feet I could smell the strong odor of pot. Obviously the kids weren't concerned about the consequences. Not only were they in no hurry to leave after I walked by, they were sitting in front of their own house.

Tonight Cole and I were walking when the same car drove up and as the kids got out I could clearly hear one of them call out "loser alert". Since Cole and I were the only ones out, I sure I was the loser they were alerting each other too.

Oh well, I don't think I really mind be a loser to the pot smokers around.

Boy A still hasn't called and he has been away from us for 61 hours. Phone home boy A, phone home.

Phone Home

Boy A has been away from me for over 50 hours and he has not called. I tell myself that is good. I tell myself that means he is having so much fun he can't find time to call. I tell myself if he wasn't safe we could have been called. I wish he would call. I wish he would call.