What’s on the iPod: Ten Thousand Words by The Avett Brothers
Sometimes the busy weekends can be busy in good ways. After a slightly rocky beginning, my weekend ended on a high note. Friday night I barely remember. I stepped away from this computer exhausted, having had a week that started before 9 am and stretched well beyond dinner hours with very short breaks in between. I do remember collapsing on the sofa as my stepson was packing his things all around us. He moved his things to West Virginia for a job he starts tomorrow.
We had dinner with him and his girlfriend late Friday. None of us were quite awake enough for a good conversation, but it was nice spending time with them. She’s in residency at a local hospital, so she may have been the only one of us used to long hours.
Saturday he moved everything out. I went for coffee for the troops, then right after he left, my dear friend from high school arrived. I’ve known her since first grade, and we discovered a few years back that she was an hour away in New Jersey. We spent much of the afternoon together, and vowed to make it more than once a year.
That evening, my husband came down with something — I suspect kidney stone — that had him screaming in pain. It was somewhere around midnight I’d asked him if the hospital was a good idea, but he had turned onto his other side and just collapsed in exhaustion. Since then I’ve been plying him with homemade lemonade. If it’s a stone, the citric acid will break it up before Phase Two. We don’t want Phase Two. Either way, he’s seeing a doctor.
Sunday I was up early and off to church. It’s funny that I’m in church again. I had left just around the time I’d divorced, not really sure what fit me anymore. I couldn’t reconcile myself to a process that included paying for an annulment before you can be accepted fully again. But it was a combination of things that took me back — I’d been doing a good deal of genealogy research, and I realized just how much my Irish ancestors had gone through just to be Catholic, how many times they’d been ostracized or tossed out of their own country, not accepted in this one, etc. Seemed rash of me to just turn my back on it so quickly.
Also, my niece is about to be confirmed and she asked me to be her sponsor. That was the push I needed. I’d been wanting to reconcile myself one way or the other, so now is the time. And I’m fortunate to have walked into the local church and found a warm, open group of people, priest included. I’m here for now. We’ll see what transpires.
Since I was out of church by 8:30 yesterday morning, I had plenty of time to come home, make some breakfast, and then drive off to meet my daughter and her future mom-in-law at a wedding boutique close to where she’s thinking of having her wedding. (She was at her future in-laws’ house that weekend, so they rode together to meet me.) The goal was to get ideas and have a girly day together. The result: THE dress. She put it on and the look on her face was enough. We soaked through a few tissues — all three of us — then I whipped out the debit card. It was surprisingly inexpensive considering how stunning she looked and how many accessories we bought for the big day. Then again, the boutique is in Lancaster, PA, and things are just more affordable there than in Philly.
So husband is feeling a bit better, daughter is glowing like crazy, and stepson starts a new chapter. And I just got a huge check via FedEx this morning that makes me feel temporarily rich. It’s been a good weekend. 🙂
Today, work. I have a radio script and web copy to get out, plus I’m expecting at least one more phone call on another client’s magazine work. Plus there’s another article assignment — not due until December 21st — that I’d like to start on slowly.
How was your weekend? What’s on your agenda this week?
Congrats on all the good stuff, and hope your husband feels better soon.
Roller coaster weekend, but great stuff inspired by the Coursera work I'm doing — it's going to pay off in all kinds of ways all down the line.
Disappointed by the students, though. The lack of commitment and ability to meet deadlines is unacceptable.
Sounds like a lovely weekend, Lori (except for hubby's health issue-not fun).
I'm loving the fall weather and the changing of the leaves. I took pictures of the trees on one of my walks this weekend so look for them at the personal blog.
My vision remains the same-blurry in right eye. I am trying not to obsess over it and let healing take its course.
Hope you all have a good, productive week.
Sorry to hear about your husband, Lori (BTW-did NOT know citric acid would break it up!). Hope he feels better soon.
Cathy, I hope your eye gets better; be patient as it heals (I know, easier said than done).
I'll remember the citric acid tip in case anyone I know develops kidney stones!
I just scanned some clips requested by an editor who replied to a recent LOI. Next I need to write a couple more executive bios, get some invoices in order and start a new article. Then I'll write a column.
Oh – I also need to choose siding and trim colors. Only problem? I don't love any of them. The greens are too gray, and everything else is a variant on gray, tan or off-white. What happened to color?
I had a relaxing weekend for the most part, which is good because this week is going to be very busy. I have articles to write, parties to attend, a doc appointment and dinner with a family friend who is coming from out of town. Mostly fun stuff, just more hectic than I'd like all in one week!
Sorry to hear about your hubby's troubles. I hope he feels better very soon!
congrats on big check and other stuff…
Re your husband… kidney stones are no fun… my son went through that and the second time they hit went for the surgery,which worked.
Oh, and back to church… interesting… I recently rejoined a Buddhist Center I had left awhile back… sure feels good.