Irony - ain't it a blast?

Wendy's - yeah gotta love it.

But onto the irony.  As the fates would have it, we found out around 10 a.m. Friday that Friday (that Friday) would be Jon's last day.  His disability starts Monday.  It was either that or take a demotion/pay cut on Tuesday.  It was a no-brainer and his team lead was very supportive of his decision.

We made plans this weekend to just stay home and heal.  Neither of us felt particularly outgoing given the circumstances.  We're thinking of things Jon can do to keep him from being too bored until he settles into a lesser level of activity.

Enter the irony.  His computer broke.  OK, yes it's an older one.  When I started having to bring work home all the time, we purchased me a new laptop with imbedded 10-key and he took my old one.  It's been not wanting to charge for a while now; picky, finicky, and just plain stubborn.

So thankfully we have the Dell credit and for 20.00/month, we have a replacement one coming for Jon.  He only has to limp long (all puns intended) for a week without it and using mine if he chooses.

Life.  It's funny no?  It's preferrable to the alternative - or so I've heard.

We're still making decisions on whether to hit his 401K and pay off the smaller bills leaving only the utilities, car payment (thankfully paid off next year) and house payment.  Sadly, we shall be selling Baby - my 2002 Jeep Wrangler.  She has 100K miles and honestly, Jon cannot even ride in it anymore, let alone drive it.  Sad because she was the first brand new car I ever picked and paid for.  Then again, she's a bit of a gas hog and his malibu - while I don't care for it - is more commuter friendly.

Sucks being an adult don't it?

I took that photo earlier this year.  He's not hiding his face - he's gathering balance to get up and out of the car.  If fortunes allow, when it comes time to trade in the Malibu, we shall look for a small sized SUV which is large enough for him to comfortably ride in yet small enough not to be a gas hog.  They're easier for him to get into/out of.

extra garlic - tabasco optional

Two random thoughts:

I prefer spicy and savory over sweet
This photo - while not spicy - speaks to me of the relationship between fluid and stationary.

Jon has a meeting today with HR to discuss going on full time medical disability.  It's time.  His work is suffering and his health is suffering.

Still - it's sort of an end of an era.  We knew it was coming but wanted to put it off - and thus embrace the semblence of normalcy - as long as possible.

It's just no longer possible.

Harold - and the changing of the seasons - have helped keep my sanity of late.  Whenever I want to crawl in my dark black hole and hide from events that have overtaken, Harold spots a tree or a bird and I can see the wonder in creation.  That allows time for my type-A overplanning brain to take a break and for me to take a breath.

Amongst the other issues that are more than obvious, is the loss of sense of self that retired persons can face. Jon feels like he's let me down, so I spend an enormous amount of time building him up - his self-esteem, his sense of worth.  It's tough.  It's tougher for him though.

However, as I often remind him - We Are Together.  THAT is what counts.

This weekend we shall wander about The Grove and celebrate being together.  October 15th it will be 10 years since I moved out here.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Harold's Shopping Extravaganza

Sadly it was *my* credit card.  Still my muse knows how to find a bargain ... or is it me?

Either way 4 Lane Bryant shirts for $60.00 and yes 3 of the 4 were black.  It's ok - Harold swears it's my power color.  Frankly I think he likes the idea of black = tortured artist.  Either way, it goes with EVERYTHING so that works.  Then he gently reminded me that Jon loves me in camisoles and it was probably time for a sale at Ashley Stewart and wouldn't you know it was?  4 camisoles for $30.00 and wheeee lots of pretties.  I was looking at the jewelry but I really have enough of it and Harold keeps reminding me that 1) I rarely wear it and 2) The Wild Granny left me a ton of diamonds.

....and according to him everthing goes with diamonds.

Nice at at least one of us has decent taste ;) 

The photo says it all

Perception:

One of the cautions and warnings when you start a new job is to stay away from the friendliest person you meet.  They are a leech.  Beware Beware Beware.

...unless that person is me I guess.

I'm not exactly someone who can just sit by and let things happen.  After a point, I jump in a do it.  Most recently with our revolving door next to my office (on either side in fact), I've been the resident tour guide.  I'm already the go-to person for many things from location of items to information on employees (does such and such work here?  you get the drift) to goverment rules and regulations.  However, with the change in staff, I've become the go-to person for them to locate items, locate people, and touch base.

Is it my job?  no.

Have I been a temp before?  Youbetcha.

In the place I worked before this (a retail type store which is closed now), I was tossed at a desk, handed paperwork, signed on the computer, and not spoken with until the end of shift when I was told to come back the next day.  Lather rinse repeat.  This went on for nearly a week.  Then I was a temp to hire but still it took months before I knew anybody and I had to make the overtures myself.  It's a horrible feeling and one that I don't think needs passing on....

So just add The Welcome Wagon hat to my ever growing arsenal and Take That you assumption making magazine article....

....because you just.don't.know.everything now do you?

What a Weekend it Was

I took Harold to the woods over Memorial Day Weekend.  After plying him with (more than) a few Mich Ultras, he started to loosen up and have a good time.  Then he proceeded to tell the cigar smokers that not inhaling is like spitting ... ::sigh::  too bad my muse doesn't have an off button.

We saw friends, made new friends, yelled God Shave the Queen, heard music from old friends and new friends, and generally had a roaring time.  I was officially pinned Lucky M'Crack of the Clan M'Crack and watched our Laird High Chieftan nearly fall off his perch.

Good times.

I also got to hit the pool.  Where Harold's passion is beer, wit, and slightly inappropriate behaviour, mine has always been water.  He pouted off in the corner because we couldn't bring our beer to the pool but brightened up with an offering of Sonic later.

More photos:

Of course it wouldn't be faire if I didn't get a photo of the bartenders now would it?  Especially since they're the ones that helped Harold invent "remote ordering".  I stand in line, wave the mug, and when I get to the front, Harold's beer is ready.  Sweeeeeeeeet.

Now I wish I could just cross-post this blog ... I'm certain there's a way but it's beyond me and Harold ain't helping -- he's whining that we're at work before 5 a.m. and there's perfectly good Sam Adams in the fridge.

....and salt and vinegar chips on the counter.

Hittin The Road

This weekend we make our trek to Lake Anna Virginia to attend The Virginia Renaissance Faire.  While it's a bit of a drive, we've found the positives outweigh the negatives.

• Plenty of places for Jon to sit
• Nice lil pub - and as of two years ago, I invented remote ordering.  I'm standing in line, wave my mug, and my beer is ready when it's my turn.  Sweet.
• A very good friend runs the faire and we always support our friends.
• Sonic in Fredericksburg
• Cheap hotel (in Fredericksburg) with a pool !

So basically we go down early Saturday morning and stay until very early Monday morning coming back early to beat the traffic.  This faire is one of Harold's favorites.  It's in the woods but has clearings to watch the clouds.  Michelob Ultra is on tap at the pub.  It's a fun atmosphere but never too crowded.

As time has progressed - as has the Parkinsons - Jon and I have to make careful choices about where we go and what we do.  Airline travel is no longer an option.  Very long distances in a car isn't much better.  However, knowing we have a hotel to go back to and just relax helps set his mind at ease.  We've also learned that even if we're only somewhere for a couple of hours, the fact that we came at all counts.

Harold's been complaining that I've promised him a cruise for a few years.  With my work schedule (no backup for my job), taking a full week off work isn't possible.  The only cruises out of Baltimore are 7 or 9 day ones.  He keeps reminding me that I've paid my dues and I deserve an entire week off.  I keep reminding him that beer is NOT free.

....and he says "but the sunsets and sunrises ARE - as are the memories you need to savor NOW while everyone can still go.

all 3 of us apparently - 4 if we schlep The Divine Ms Em along.  If I get tired, she can go barhopping with Harold ... but with them two I'm keeping the camera safely with me. 

the photo above is from VARF from 2009 I believe.  Yes it's the sign signifying the pub - as if I couldn't smell Mich Ultra a mile away :)

As promised: Photos

The day was absolutely gorgeous - bright blue skies with big puffy clouds

And VERY sunny.  I have the sunburn to prove it.

Of course there was beer.  Harold wanted more but at $8.00 a glass I limited him to 3.

But look - we had Nachos ala Hard Times Cafe.  Of course we gobbled before I got the photo taken.

Once more the lovely puffy white clouds.  It was a beautiful day with loud music, beer, and a good friend.  What more could you possibly ask for?

all photos were taken 05/21/11 at the DC101 Chili Cookoff at RFK in DC.