Food update: Ribs were falling off the bone tender, spicy and smoky finished off with a light maple chipotle glaze spiked with dark rum. The blue cheese potato salad was seriously blue cheesy in and of itself, but as an accompaniment to the ribs, was pretty perfect, nice and cool in contrast to the smoky/spicy of the ribs. Fresh sourdough bread from Fresh Market to sop up the juices.

Husband quite pleased with his Father's Day meal.

On the downside, I just tweaked my back and whimpered like a little girl. So I'm pleasantly full, dosed with Advil, and watching baseball.

Oooh, Barb, be careful of you.

I went for a walk today. On purpose, as opposed to wacky walking thingies that happen when I'm at work and we park further away from the location of an activity for the clients than is convenient, or when we get lost at state parks on picnics with them. I used my $3 Sony Discman (Daniel scored it at a Habitat For Humanity rummage sale), and my alpine walking poles.

I'm saying this here, as a commitment. Tomorrow I'm going to make an appointment for a full physical examination. It's been a couple years, and I'm overdue for a papsmear.

I can't copy/paste yet on the iPhone, someone comm that please!

Done, omnis_audis.

I am still in London, pretending university does not exist. Work is *entirely* being ignored. I have finished Babylon 5 and need something new to watch. The Girl owns the whole of The West Wing, which might be a distraction.

Incredibly stressful but ultimately quite successful week with the nearly-in-laws. We saw them several times, and were actually invited to dinner in the end. Shir, you were right - the children thing seems to have swung it. For ages they've been worried that I'm going to be raising their grandchildren. Then their daughter threatens 'no grandchildren' unless they behave, and suddenly they show a small but definite improvement. I feel like my life is a badly-written sitcom - at least it's quite entertaining. Also, thank God they've left the country, and won't be back for at least the next few months. I don't envy people whose in-laws live down the road.

I hope F2Fers had a great weekend! Reports and pics make the whole thing look awesome (and made me miss UK Bronzer meets very much). Meet-ups are a shiny and lovely thing. Hope you all got home safely and comfortably, too.

Barb, ouch - I hope the back improves. Backs are an irritation.

So glad the week ultimately went well, Seska. It's a nerve-wracking enough situation when the relationship conforms to expected norms; when you step outside that box, be it cultural or societal or whatever, it just adds to the stress-factor. I remember being petrified at meeting Lewis' family because they were Jewish and I wasn't and had no intention of converting, nor did he want/expect me to. Worked out okay in the end, but it was initially rather scary for me.

The back's much better, thanks. Looks like it was a very temporary tweak, thank goodness. Waking up with a sandpaper throat on the other hand... Gah. So not what I needed.

Seska, I'm glad there has been improvement with the almost-in-laws.

Geez, Barb, if it's not one thing, it's another. Get better soon.

Geez, Barb, if it's not one thing, it's another. Get better soon.

Tell me about it. It's rather annoying for someone like me who rarely gets sick, but it just seems that the first half of this year has been all about putting my body systems back together. Bored now.

Falling over my own feet and injuring myself, that's another thing... Every time Jasmine tries to jump on the bed and misses (because she's a bit of a clod) Lewis says, "She really IS your dog, isn't she?"

I know I said I was going to make an appointment for a physical, but I want to change clinics, and now I can't tell who is best to see.

I have been improving everyday. But I know I should stay home Tuesday. It is a big day at work -- and I know I can't do it. But they will be way shorthanded. But I can't go in. I've been up an hour and it is time for a nap.

Aw beth, take care of youself. They'll be short-handed and it'll suck, but ultimately, they'll survive.