family bonding- beer pong

And there you have it. Memorial Day we had a nice little family lunch in the back yard, with our dogs all having fun, and all of a sudden, George decides she wants to learn to play Beer Pong. Mind you, in a month, George will be 54. FIFTY-FOUR! But she wanted to learn to play. So we obliged. Even EA, who generally disdains and scorns anything having to do with George. Of course, EA had already been drinking some, and continued to do so through the game, so perhaps that was her sneaky way of it being OK. As you can see, EA and Slim were on a team and George and Christopher. Later I played with EA against SisterK and Christopher, but I wasn't very good. It was interesting to say the least. My father sort of just watched in disbelief. Drinking games with one's mother. Hum.

In other news, getting new glasses, as my vision has changed again. Will post pictures when the new spectacles arrive. Had to get a wider set of frames to accommodate my giant head (stupid steroids) but they're cool. It is funny that NOW my reading vision is fine, but my distance (ie driving, movie viewing, trying to read the clock) is awful. Lovely. This time we went with brown, but still Nine West. Expensive buggers (especially since stupid Aetna doesn't cover it). 

Also, began dog obedience training with Viv. Disastrous thus far. She is afraid of the clicker and training in general- continuously runs away from me and acts as though I'm trying to "get" her. Ratty dog. And, being that I am the LEAST patient person in the world, I'm already getting frustrated with her. But trying not to. Really. We'll see how it goes.

gray gray go away

It is incredibly dark outside right now. Like mad cloudy yo. I'm trying not to let it drag me down....aka trying to not be completely unmotivated to do anything, including running to the store for tp and butter (two things we are out of that are kind of crucial. yes it may be gross that we love butter, but whatevs. loves it we do, and we're out). If I obtain said things, then I can return home and make breakfast. Which is less fun nowadays since I'm the only normal carb eater around. Mom and EA only eat GF, and dad doesn't eat pancakes or french toast and whatnot, trying to be all healthy like. BOO. So if I make breakfast, it is just for me, and then I feel like a cow. Which, in all honesty, I am right now. But I finally got to lower my steroids a bit so hopefully that will be changing soon. A little less puff, please.

In other news, got a pedicure from a nice little fellow yesterday....Kat wanted to get a manicure and I figured since I haven't been able to really reach my feet to do a good pedi, I could let some stranger do it, do a nice job, massage my feet for a while, and in return I would tip him very very well (like too well, good thing my math skills suck I just made that guys day). It was nice, and now my toes are adorned with a fun bright shade of summer pink, and my heels aren't covered in dead gross skin. It is amazing how much they exfoliate you in these places.  And how much comes off, ick. I shouldn't spend money on such things, but having well taken care of feet is actually one of the things diabetics are supposed to do, so I consider my once every million years pedicure that I let myself get to be a medical thing.

Also, I had the stellar idea of the TRON family taking a trip in an RV....which sparked the conversation that S actually HAS an RV (though the bathroom is broken, perhaps we can get it fixed for cheaply....since knowing me and our group, it would probably be best to have a working bathroom) though I don't even know if her parents would be even remotely ok with us taking it. Nor do I know how large it is, and there are like 7-8 of us at any given time. Good thing we all love bunking up? Well, it is just a thought. I really had this vision of a great cross country (perhaps not the whole country in one sitting. That is a lot of miles and a lot of hours with the same people in one tiny space) trip with us chillin out, and we could find campgrounds and make s'mores and stuff at nights, and basically everyone could drink to their heart's content except whoever had to drive the next day, and it would be great. We'd see things we haven't seen yet, and we would totally TRONonize the whole thing. Plus frankly, I miss spending time with these people as a group. And if we had an rv, the whole notion of everyone getting up mad late the next day wouldn't even apply. Only the driver and navigator would have to wake up and everyone else could just sleep in the back until they felt like getting up. Ugh it would be perfect for us. Anyway, I know it is a long shot, everyone is busy, poor, etc, but I still thing it would be awesome. 

That is pretty much my round up. For the memorial day holiday, having a basket lunch at Harkness Park, we'll have to go early and stake a spot (near trees and a griller) and then we can play with the dogs all day and then have food and fun and (not for me) sun. And perhaps a walk on the beach, or through the lovely mansion gardens. I'm pumped. I think the count is me, Kat, Chris, Beth and maybe Wills, then the parents if they so choose to come. Our parents that is. Not the boys'. Should be nice. 

commencing to....?

So Friday I went over to Purchase to witness the remaining children of the TRON clan graduate. I was shocked to have the benefit of seeing Stevie walk as well, and was most upset that I hadn't known he was going to, so didn't have a gift for him. So his will be sent via post. But KHawk, Al and A I had their little commencement presents and it was wonderful to see them. Of course I, being the Momma Meg that I am, just starting crying. Didn't get all crazy though because 1-no need for drama, and 2-I don't actually produce a large amount of tears unless under extreme duress. I also got to see JoseMiguel who was there to see his bf graduate, and a few professors. It was rather nice on the whole. I miss them. I was informed that Cole and Phil live in Brooklyn, about 4 blocks from A and S, and then Stevie is like 10 minutes away. So I guess it is true about everyone living there. Almost. KHawk will be on campus for summer, and Al home in Queens, so I am hoping we can all get together soon and have a real family type dealy.

Then I returned home, and had a McG girl night with my sisters. At C & K's. It was very amusing. A bunch of folks, good drinks, good times. Then Saturday lazed around feeling poorly (not hungover mind you, but might as well have been, since I stayed over and missed two med doses I just was icky. boo) then later took Viv's to the park with cousin Levi, then went over to help with the cupcakes for sisterK's wedding tea for her friend today. They came out ok. Then today, Pablo, EA and Ab's drove down to DC to bring Ab's back to her new residence, and EA will stay down there for a bit. So since I'm home alone con los perritos, I did a shit ton of laundry (still going), did dishes (have another load to toss in), and baked banana bread with some bananas that weren't long for this world (came out rather tasty). So now to finish the chore stuff, and make dinner, and find a good film to watch. 

Have been feeling pretty good lately, hopefully can cut the steroid dose down, since the weight issue is annoying. The face and tummy fat needs to go. I'll probably get to the gym this week, hopefully, but it will be better if the steroids are down. Not 100% yet, but I will be soon. And then, back to life with a renewed sense of vigor. Or something like that. Still waiting to hear back about job interviews, and working on the grad school list. Whittling down the 15 to how many I want to visit. 

That's all, folks.

aaaaaalpaca!

So Mom and I trekked up to the Adirondacks to visit my Uncle A, Aunt J and the twins Z&T. The girls will be 3 June 10th, so they are in the worst part of toddler-dom, and of course tantrums are rampant. But it was pretty good, even little T, who is the screamer, is getting better. J is trying the "no whining" rule, and prompts them to ask for help with what it is they need. They are doing pretty well. And Z, for the most part, isn't all that high maintenance. They just both want their mom at the same time. Like all kids that aren't only children. We went on many adventures. We went to visit alpacas (the girls put a lot of emphasis on the AL part), we saw some deer and ibex, we went out for really good mexican food, and we had a campfire. And searched for raccoons. I got to relax a bit in that fresh mountain air, got compared to FDR, and my feet are finally almost normal again. I actually felt really good. I'm hoping the good breathing keeps up with the new meds and that I can feel up to par soon. I need to go back to the gym. It might be hard, and I know I won't be motivated, but I have to be. The steroid weight gain does not need to be as bad as it is. I could put in much more effort. Anyway....I'm beat from a weekend in the mountains, and not too inspired to write a lot, but pictures I can give ya. enjoy!

Easter pics finally

So those are some of our Easter memories. It was a really really nice day having brunch and dinner with Kat, Chris and his bro Will. It was sad that our twinsies weren't there but it was still great. I was in charge of dinner and all the tastiness, and it just turned out well. In other news, been in and out of hospitals trying to get my stupid body stable....and it is just turning into the impossible task. See the other blog for more information on that. I'm a bit concerned about being healthy for all the stuff I need to do. I know that the PC commencement is around the corner, and I will not miss seeing the rest of my kids graduate. I can't wait to see them all again. From the looks of things, Culture Shock was as nutty and awesome as usual.  I miss them all a lot. I wonder if their end of senior year is like mine was....last spring was so amazing. It was the birth of the TRON family and the time when we all became real family. That and of course the summer. In any case, I am determined to be healthy to see them commence into life. Can't wait. And hopefully we'll all be there together to see the remaining kids graduate. I hope so. I need my friends. 

Other tricksy things....I guess the divorce is under way, which is causing all sorts of family drama. Basically things are all sorts of tense, and despite the fact that this is supposedly an "amicable" divorce, things come up that indicated there really is no such thing. My dad is a lot more angry and bitter than I realized, but then again, I understand his point of view sort of. Like a couple weeks ago, a bunch of their mutual friends (like the long standing best friends) were going to go see a band they like play at this happy hour where they have food and dancing and all of that. Mom had gone with the group like a month ago when dad was out of town, and had a great time, and thought they should go. Well, dad had a good point about it. He was like "ok so you're divorcing me, but you want me to come out to a bar with all of our friends, buy you food and drinks, and then what? I don't want to dance with you because frankly, you're divorcing me. and if I don't dance with you, I'm going to look like a schmuck in front of everyone, as if they don't all know anyway. so what is the point? we're just going to play the faking game?" and I guess I would feel like that too. They don't communicate well anyway (half of why this is happening) and now it is even worse, because mom seems to think that everything is just going to go all hunky dory fine, that we'll still be a family and that they will still be able to hang out when in their groups of friends, and I just don't think dad thinks like that at all. Plus the drama it is causing with the kids is insane. Kat and I are doing ok. Me, I'm in therapy, and am trying to learn how to be a self-sufficient adult, given that I am in fact 24 and it is about darn time. Kat is starting her own family, she has a serious bf, an apt with him, and they have a dog. All they need is a ring and a kid to complete their family life. So she has less need of a family unit in that way. But the twins? They aren't even 20 yet. Not that they aren't adults, but frankly they are still at an age where they feel they need a stable supportive family, with parents who actually parent them, and that are in one place. And now that is being broken up and it isn't fair to them, but the way it is being handled is a mess. B it just a disaster. Especially towards mom. She treats her horribly. Like worse than dogshit on her shoe. Or just flat out ignores her. and basically mom said if she continues to act like that, she can't live here this summer. A is living in DC and probably never coming home, avoiding the whole situation like the plague. But at least she fakes treating mom with some semblance of respect and kindness. B not even close. It is stressing me out. I'm trying not to let it get to me, because it doesn't help with the physical health bs, but it is a little hard. Perhaps a bit much for my plate right now. My therapist thinks I should ask about getting adovan for when I'm under periods of high stress, so that I can calm down enough that it won't affect my diseases. Who knows. Maybe I just need to go live in a beach house in Maine and watch the waves crash for a while. I keep having dreams of Maine. I think we need to go back asap. 

Anyway, this was a ton of info. I think I'm done blogging for like a week. Now, since I'm home from work because of my stupid piece of crap body, going to rest . I hope. 

So the week has been a big old mess in terms of lupus nonsense. For the long and short, went to the ER, have to be on narcotics, and next week's plans include finding a pain specialist to try and help me stay more stable.

In other news, tomorrow is EASTER!!!!! I love Easter. I love love love dressing up. And this year's dress is PERFECT! I got it from JCrew (just like Mrs. Obama!!!) and it is adorable. Pink and sweet. Pictures tomorrow. We're going to Church, then Polish food brunch, then later big family dinner. I'm really looking forward to it. My menu includes a glazed ham (yes the kind with cherries and pineapples), twice baked potatoes, my grandmother's famous and wonderful rolls, asparagus with neufatchel cheese and prosciutto, Amy's salad and then for dessert, rice krispies treat eggs decorated to look all Easter-ey. I'm really pumped.

Let us see, what else. In the middle of plans with some certain gals for next weekend. We'll see how that gets going. If I'm able to. I hope so.

That is about it.

nobody knows the troubles I've seen...

getting mad discouraged with the health stuff. If you want to read about that, go to healthysickchick.blogspot.com and see that. basically my liver is a mess, we haven't found the precise cause yet (and thus, can not take real action to repair it- other than removing some things that are known to aggravate livers), and some adjustments have been causing massive pain and depression. Also, being lactose free AND gluten free is taking a toll, since I can't have comfort food. fml. 

Bethey was home this week, really good to spend time with her and see her. And because she was here, sometimes I got to chat with Abster because she was chatting with her.

Kat and Chris are closing on an apt. in Quaker Hill (right by MY vulture flock) that they get the top two floors of this big old house, so that will be nice for them and the pup. The pup, who once again demonstrated that he can not for the life of him watch where he is going when he runs, nearly taking out some strangers at the park today.

Other than that, things are low key. Going to the organic store in OS later to find some lactose free gluten free foods that don't taste like garbage to cheer me up a bit. After a nap though. My body is exhausted. 

Also, a recent hike in my steroids is probably going to give me a giant moon-face, so I'll be not taking photos much, but at easter we always do, so if you see them, try not to be freaked out. I'm going to have to keep going to the gym to try and balance it out, but there is no way to avoid prednisone moon-face. I'm sorry if I start to look like the girl who ate meagan again. 

I'm very proud of A for being a finalist for senior speaker. that is really quite an accomplishment for him. 3 cheers friend.