<p>Raising a pickle to mmaah’s 100th post! Occasionally, my number goes up, but only in a moment of weakness when I venture out of the Alley. Three elk just walked in looking for Curm, and they’re not in a very good mood. According to my dear, sweet mother, elk hunting season is over, and she and my stepdad were unsuccessful at bagging one. </p>
<p>They spent all of their time driving their truck around old mining towns and isolated canyons, occasionally stopping for ham sandwiches and mac salad from the cooler. I’ve never seen my stepdad aim at anything bigger than a rattlesnake, and he can catch rodents like nobody’s business, but an elk…I don’t think so. I told them not to get eaten by a cougar or trampled by an enraged elk. I warned them about falling into abandoned mine shafts and getting trapped in the mountains by a freak snow storm. They’re like a hundred years old, and he’s diabetic and can’t see. Somehow, they managed to become volunteer fire fighters and First Responders, and my mom can back a fire truck into its bay. Still, I think an angry Jackalope could take either one of them. :)</p>
<p>Bowling shirts are styling! Ooo, brain blast from the past of my gramma’s sapphire-blue, glittered bowling ball engraved with her initials. ;)</p>
<p>When I informed S we were starting the exterior house painting today, he suggested we get it tie-dyed. Or barring that, glow-in-the-dark electric green.</p>
<p>Sliding into Sinner’s Alley for a nip - far too much work to do and little time to do it. </p>
<p>Y’all can laugh - but I decorated the house for Christmas this weekend. My roomie laughed at me - said it was too early. I pointed out that after Thanksgiving is finals time, and I want a little Christmas cheer before then. So there’s garland (with little twinkly lights and pine cones) around our staircase; an angel on the table; a mini tree; and mistletoe. Non-boy (odd situation) inquired about the mistletoe and was put out when I responded that it was a “seasonal decoration.”</p>
<p>I’m usually a wine drinker, but after my son’s IM, I think I’ll go for the whiskey… Just informed me that he’s applying for a part-time job at a music store about 20 miles from campus. I said I thought it would be better if he waited until after the holidays, worried that they’d schedule him for the day after Thanksgiving, days adjacent to Christmas Day, etc., that he wouldn’t be able spend any time at home for the holidays. He let me know that it didn’t matter, that he wanted the job. Ouch. Make it a double… triple… I wonder if kids know how much they hurt the ol’ mom sometimes. Okay, I’ll stop wallowing now - I should know it goes with the territory.</p>
<p>Excuse me for wandering through parents’ turf, but I wanted to reply to People that sons (like me) tend to say really bone-headed things to moms sometimes. Don’t take offense - We guys aren’t always too good at realizing how we’re coming across. I’m sure he’s just really excited about that potential job, and didn’t stop to think how much you’re looking forward to him coming home for the holidays. The lightbulb will probably go off in his head before Thanksgiving, and he’ll be there as always.</p>
<p>I’m sliding in for a lager! My son just let me know that at 19 he has just opened a Roth IRA! I have laughed so much, the neighbors must think I’m psycho. He is using his work study funds! He loves catering and the oboe on the side. I think he must be in school…maybe. But the least I can say, he has a view towards the future. Bless him.</p>
<p>Help. Is that the theme from Welcome Back Kotter I’m hearing? Red wine, please. I heard it’s healthy. It will be for me, anyway, after I drink some. OMG, I turn into a pumpkin after 5 p.m., and the boys in the band are still practicing. There’s a full moon, and the beasties are howling. :o</p>
<p>Hi all. It’s a bit early for me to be hitting the cyber-booze but this packing and moving stuff is driving me to drink.</p>
<p>Doddsdad and I bought a house in Germany and we are packing and moving ourselves. It’s amazing the stuff you accumulate over the years. Our goal is to have all the “stuff” moved from the rental to the house this weekend.</p>
<p>Pray to the weather goddess for dry and sunny skies this weekend.</p>
<p>Good thing you aren’t in Wisconsin! Snow has already begun. I was on ichat and son said, “just have to go out and run around, bye.” Nothing like your first snow and a full moon!</p>
<p><em>takes big swill from wine glass IRL</em></p>
<p>Need a relaxant here. This mom who so often laments the infrequency of hearing from DS just got her comeuppance. Much weeping and gnashing of teeth from said DS over the unattractiveness of the Spring schedule he just registered for. Imagine the insult! An 8 am class ONE morning of the week. Etc., etc. Wants to just forget the whole thing and join the circus, I think. I bet <em>they</em> don’t make anyone get up at 8 am on a Thursday! </p>
<p>Shake it off, jmmom. Bartender, the glass needs refreshing! Can’t wait all night!</p>
<p>I believe after reading this thread that funny observations can be shared. Went on vacation with the hubby and we found ourselves taking pictures of our cocktails since there were no children to photograph. Managed to position some drinks/bottles to include the more scenic parts of the trip. A bottle of wine overlooking Laguna Seca Raceway, a Cosmopolitan perched next to a seagull on Chincoteague Bay, and, my favorite, a pyramid of Bud Light cans in the hospitality tent at Richmond International Speedway. Yes, alot of frequent flyer miles were cashed in and many adult beverages were consumed. I think the photo albums will show an interesting transition from S and D to Corona and Cosmopolitan(s). It was a nice indulgence before the no travel until D is all done with her apps policy went into effect. Luckily, that policy only extents to moi, hubby is racking up the miles and deciding on Talladega or Martinsville.
So, when you even think of a vacation and you sigh, that’s a good vacation.</p>
<p>Bartender, might I trouble you for a Lemon Drop Martini?</p>
<p>wife - good job finding us over here so quickly:). Lemon Drops allowed. If you ever come out to Shanghai you can photograph the soju overlooking the Bund.</p>
<p>I haven’t been around SA for awhile, too afraid of going on a bender. After the week I’ve had, a bender sounds mild…</p>
<p>What type of sick twisted joke is it that one can be ripped through with the hormonal flushes of early menopause and dealing with a child’s senior year at the same time? A deadly combination for sure.</p>
<p>No glass for me. Just pass the bottle over this way.</p>