Wednesday, November 19, 2008

off the hook

First of all, I am thrilled not to be the only cousin posting on this blog. Not only does it feel less lonely, but it's been simply precious to share in such well crafted and hilarious stories... I've been wanting to answer back with a jaw-dropper of my own (detailing the time my Dad was freaking out having to drive Granddad's Cadillac while totally stoned), but I've got to do some fact checking. I always thought the chronic was supplied by his brother John, but my Mom swears it was my other Uncle John... (Don't tell Margaret...) Oh, and Sis, kudos are totally fine. This blog is whatever we want it to be. And I am also proud that Margaret had a chance to play such a positive role in this historic election...

I am also happy to report that our brother has managed to avoid going to jail for his recent bout of bipolar bad behavior. I'd been waiting to post updates until I knew everything was settled, and now, as of his court date this past Monday, it seems it is. His lawyer convinced the judge to drop all the charges (new and old) so long as Billy stays out of trouble for 90 days. I believe this makes his goal Sunday February 15th, though Billy wisely recognized he really needs to be on good behavior for life - or at least for two years, the length of his original probationary period. I am excited for Billy that he's not in jail, but I'm excited for me that I finally have a chance to add a countdown to this site. A countdown, some may recall, was a planned feature of the original "Don't Tell Margaret." At the time we were going to count down Marybeth's remaining days of living in sin. Billy's days of living without sin seems like a suitable substitute.

Billy's Good Behavior Countdown will end just a week after my planned visit north for the Aquarius birthday season. With Billy & Grace sharing a birthday on January 28th and Mom turning 65 on February 4th, it's a logical enough time to take a trip, but, in truth, I've never made a habit out of visiting during their birthday season. This year my presence is required as Grace has been planning her 5th birthday party for, oh, 8 months now. She's holding it at a bounce house where even grown-ups can bounce, so you know I'm all for that.

Grace has made an additional special request. She wants to have, "a sleep-over, at my house, with my cousins, and with you and Uncle Kevin - just like when I was 3!" I must say, that was quite a bash we had. It started out like any normal slumber party. We watched movies, ate pizza and made art & crafts (involving lots of scissors - those cousins just love scissors). Then it got a little frenzied. We made a huge mess thanks in small part to the apparently disposable pom-poms (which shed worse than Suzanne's menagerie of cats) and in large part to Madisyn (who decided to move everything from Grace's room in to the hallway). Later we read tons of books - potty training books (for Grace) and bedtime stories (five in total - one for each of us). We didn't read enough bedtime stories, it turns out, cuz the bedtime part didn't stick. We soon found ourselves out in the living room, dancing a jig to the tunes on Kevin's ipod, avoiding smashing in to Grace's worldly belongings, until we crashed out sometime after midnight. (Somewhere in between, of course, we had the whole "boo boo cream debacle" which I already blogged about here.)

So it's no surprise that Grace is looking for a repeat of such a legendary evening. Only now we're going to try to convince her to host it at the Great Wolf Lodge, this cool hotel / waterpark where we're planning to stay. We're also hoping to convince Savannah and Maddie that this is a superior alternative to replace their recently cancelled trip to Disneyland. Grandpa TT (as they call him) was going to take them there for New Year's, but it's been a bit of an expensive year (with all the car smashing and whatnot) and he's already making a trip to California (right now, in fact), so he's not really feeling the whole Disney thing. Billy hasn't broken the news to the girls yet but I suggested it's all in the way he frames it. Act excited about the alternative and they will be too. Act disappointed and betrayed and that's exactly how they'll feel as well. Here's hoping they're let down easy...

And, since my folks are in route and due to arrive tomorrow, I suppose I should get back to (or, erm, actually start) cleaning my house. At least procrastination always brings me back to the blogging world.

But before I go, happy belated birthday, Sis. Looks like yesterday was just peachy.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

It's 4:28am the morning after a historical election where Americans made a choice for CHANGE and I am so PROUD of Margaret, who, at 93 yrs old, made it to the polls and cast her vote for Barack Obama...She's lived through good times and bad times in this country.. she's seen more than any of us.. and today she voted for the candidate that most of her family opposed.. (except for us radical liberal west-coasters)...and i think that's amazing! (jenni, i know this blog is not for kudos but i wanted to give her some kudos tonight!)

Monday, November 3, 2008

Invisible Ink

First, let me start by saying I'm thrilled to have married into such a large, wonderful, conservative, Irish-Catholic family. I'm also reassured (and more than a little bit relieved) that I am not the only one to have a few bones laying around, just begging for the doggie to drag out.

As I'm sure you all may know, I came into this family with not just a carry on . . . I brought a full array of fancy-pancy luggage. Let's see . . . I lived-in-sin and had not one, but two children out of wedlock. There's the crazy ex, an evil step-mother the likes of which Disney could not even conjure up, and an Irish/Italian mom (no further explanation there). Lastly, I have, as my mom would say, "a sick appreciation for art" . . . Body art that is.

Now, before you all jump to conclusions . . . I do not have a copy of a 70's Rolling Stones cover running down the length of my arms. I do, however, have a very pretty sunset (designed by yours truly) with a few scattered birds in flight. Very tasteful. The birds represent loved ones I have lost that have had a profound impact on my life. The tatoo is a reminder for me of just how precious life is, how short it can be, and how I have to live my life to the fullest.

That being said, my symbolic body art was for me, so I had it placed where, really, it's only seen if I'm wearing a bathing suit. The very last person I ever wanted to find out about it was my very loving, but ultra-conservative mother-in-law. Now, I know she would not disown me for my love of art. Afterall, I do love her David very much. However, I was sure she wouldn't be jumping through any hoops to have a look-see either.

Now, it just so happens, I do go to the beach from time to time. Many of these moments are spent with my new family. I can't say I ever really worried about any of my hubby's siblings (or spouses) freaking out over my tatoo. But someone, and I am not sure who, let the proverbial cat out of the bag. I never mentioned I didn't want mom to know . . . I just assumed we were all on the same page. (wink-wink)

So one bright, beautiful morning at the bike shop a young lady came walking by. It wasn't until she passed us, going up the ramp to the boardwalk, that we all took notice that she was covered in tatoos. I kind of felt a little ashamed, considering my little secret (which I thought was kept in the "circle of siblings"). It was then, a voice came rising up from behind me, "Look, that's going to be Debbie in a couple of years!" You guessed it! It was mom!

Now, looking back on that moment I just laugh. Mom knew . . . My little secret was out. I could now stop fretting over how to pull off a "retro" bathing suit and just be myself. To mom's credit, she never brings up my tatoo. I guess she just wanted me to know that she knew. That, and the fact that she also knew how much I do love her David. I love him so much, in fact, that I decided to get another piece of art to commemorate it.

So now, no more secrets. I feel loved and accepted into this wonderful family. In return, I love each and every one of them. Just the other day Mare-bear (Marybeth) gave me a great big hug and said, "Thank you for loving my brother." Of course, that goes without saying. I have waited a long time for David. I have honestly loved him since I was 19 years old. So, I gave her a great big hug back and said just that. Then I gave her a wink and said, "I had better love your brother, I have his name tatooed where only his eyes can see." Just don't tell Aunt Kathy!!!!!