ok I know that home projects can get out of control, but the show I am watching is silly. renovation realities ... It is taking these people 30 minutes to lay one tile. Seriously?

Okay, so my father passed away a little over a month ago, which, you know, kind of expected with his health issues and all. My mother still hasn't said a word to me about it, although I did acknowledge it in a conversation a few days later. (Hey, the man may not have meant anything to me and I deeply resent that she tried to force their rekindled relationship on me, but I respect that she had a lot of feelings for the man and this would hit her hard.)

So--anyhow, I'm talking to my sister and she mentions that Mom wants Maria (sister) to take her to the Indian casino on Saturday. Apparently, this had become a bit of a tradition with my mom and dad in their newfound lurve. Seniors night at the casino or somesuch. So she wants Maria to take her to the casino so she can, get this, scatter some of his ashes on their favorite machine. She was telling Maria, "Well have to be careful because there are cameras."

Maria: "Where?"

Mom: "Everywhere."

Maria: "Well, Mom, it's not like you have to carry in the whole fucking urn!"

And as Maria's telling me this, I a) start laughing and b) immediately start wondering how I can work this into a story.

I'm going to the Special Hell, aren't I?

(((((((( Scola)))))))))))

Barb, I don't remember you telling us that your father died. (Not that you are/were obligated to, but I feel like a heel for not remembering it.)

So she wants Maria to take her to the casino so she can, get this, scatter some of his ashes on their favorite machine.

...Wow. Just, wow.

Barb, I don't remember you telling us that your father died. (Not that you are/were obligated to, but I feel like a heel for not remembering it.)

I hadn't said anything about it because, as I told Vortex and Maria on Friday, I did my grieving for him a long, long time ago. So please, don't feel bad. I only said anything now because, you know, context.

And yes, Wow.

Oh my lord, Barb. Just whoa.

There were a few callers today I just wish I could have hung up. One guy I almost did because he was on the verge of using profanity. He couldn't seem to understand that we couldn't do what he wanted because we had no authority. I gave him the number of someone who could help. He didn't want to hear it because he'd been given our number and the person said we could solve his problem so we had better.

Finally he took the number only to call back and angrily state I'd given him a non working number. He read it back transposing two numbers -- 555-525-0000 instead of 555-552-0000. It took me three times to get him to hear what I was saying and then he hung up.

Then there was the lady who called and had to spell a name because she couldn't pronounce either the first or last name. She then spelled out Hutchinson. I said the name Hutchinson and the best she could say back to me was Hutches.

Remember a few weeks ago, when I was freaking out about writing a fiction piece? It was accepted by Steampunk Tales! Wheeee!

Congratulations! I hope you'll give us a heads up when it's available.

Congrats Jilli, that's awesome!

Barb, that is QUITE a story, you really do need to write it.

PS: remember there are cameras everywhere!

PPS: I think I am joining you in that Special Hell.

really good salad for dinner - romaine, fresh corn, black beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado and lemon roasted shrimp with balsamic vinaigrette. mmmmmm. I'm stuffed.