I survived my nephew's 5th birthday, dressed a pirate (Jack-lyn Sparrow- I'll try to find a picture of myself complete with blow up parrot) surrounded by twenty-five 4 and 5 year old classmates of my nephew. By the way, it IS like trying to herd 25 cats. They shifted quite interestingly through the activities (moon bounce, sandbox with buried bones, make a pirate hat, get a pirate tattoo, and pin the treasure on the treasure map). I was shocked that all 25 were not trying to all get on the moon bounce at the same time-- instead they ebbed and flowed in groups of 5-10 kids, with an occasional low tide of only 1 or 2 kids bouncing like popcorn on a pan in the inflatable world of Moonbounceland.
And nephew loved the tent from Aunt Ramblingspeech. We put it up together in the play room. Then we took it down. Then nephew put it back up (all except the tucking of the tent poles, which was beyond his great 5-year-old strength. I was pleased, mostly due to the fact that 5 days before the event I was at a loss as to what to get him.
Now, if I can be equally inspired for my Grandmother's 90th birthday which is VERY quickly approaching, I'll be even more pleased. Any ideas, anyone? I believe there are already photo albums in the works, so that's out. What more does a 90 year old need? Especially a 90 year old that has stated that her goal is to live to 90? She's not really a collector of anything (except, apparently, years), loves bridge but I've already given cards, card shufflers, card holders, etc. I need a really inspired gift. One that will assure her that she is one of the most amazing people in my life and that I do love her, even if I don't call often. Tell me if you think of one. I'll give you a $1 for any usable idea. Really.
Otherwise, time is marching on. I've become a regular at a local sushi place-- Sushi man stated yesterday that he doesn't need a calendar- he knows the day on which I come in. In a few weeks I'll have to mess with him and come on a different day.
Tonight I've found what will probably become a regular visit for me- a coffee shop with live mountain music on Wednesdays just a 5 minute drive from home. Never mind that I'm one of the youngest listeners-- it reminds me of Irish sessions from Augusta. Mondays/Thursdays have become exercise nights with a weekend exercise trip as my third day of sweat.
Work is flowing with the new computer system, though bugs are crawling out of the program left and right- none of them are large enough to cause panic or significant concern- sort of like a moth that has entered your house and is hanging out on the wall. You know it's not bothering anything and you know that eventually you'll open the door and it will fly out, but you keep track of it anyway.
All is well. Dating sucks here in Roanoke. I've made my intentions clear- find me a man and I'll stay. The work gang is keeping eyes open, but all agree that the dating pool in Roanoke is a bit more like a puddle. A much more shallow puddle than the great puddle of 2005 that totaled my car and left me stranded at Medical College of GA. Not sure why I jumped THERE in my thoughts, but stream of consciousness is working tonight so I'll leave it.
I'm going to go play on the internet more now. I miss having it at home, but since this is a time of saving up and not spending, I'm trying to save where I can. And break my tendency to go home and surf for the night. So far, it's working for me.
