Belly Laughs & Bonfires.

Well, we all succeeded in ending the day
back here at the house for pizza and a bon
fire. Even Megan’s friend, Sergio, made the
trip out. Gary put the rest of the red
Christmas lights up outside and got the wood
ready and put more chairs out front and
we truly believe that we solved all the
worlds problems. There’s just something
about a bonfire that brings out the most
engaging conversations.

Gary crashed on the porch, Jo slept in the
2nd bedroom and Megan and I slept in our bed.
Another late night. I’m gonna need a vacation
once everyone goes home!

Not sure how long everyone is staying but my
real life is beckoning. I have much to do in
the way of work and so if you are waiting for
anything, be patient. I’ll be contacting you soon.

No big plans today.

Full House.

Jo’s upstairs on her laptop.
Gary’s out on the porch watchin’ TV.
I had to come downstairs to use my
iMac cuz my laptop needs some TLC.
Megan will return later today from
her brother’s house and we will all
hang out tonight…I’m thinkin’ fire pit!

What a day yesterday.
I am so thankful to be near all of
my family members and friends.
Now my family is growing and my friends
are growing. Both Jo and Megan joined
us for a meal at Gary’s mom’s and at
my sister’s…it was awesome.

No malls today but there are 2 families
checking into the Hilton today and Jo
really wants to come along and see how
that all goes down so we’ll head out in
a little bit and grab a bite on the way.

Megan will be back later on.

How long does the ‘ol L-Triptophan stay
in your system anyway? I felt like a mid
morning nap a bit ago!

Thanksgiving Day Eve.

Today Megan arrives from Chicago.
She won’t get here until around 6 or 7
but that gives me some time to get
a little more organized and run and
get her some Sweet & Low.

These are shots from past visits.
Hope we don’t get kicked out of Macy’s again.

Megan is going to stay here tonight and
then head to her brothers and stay there
tomorrow night but will be encountering
a Thanksgiving like no other….a “CF”~
Craig Function…others in the family might
refer to the CF as a “Cluster _____”.
We LOVE the chaos and I can’t wait for the
merriment to begin!!!

Jo arrives tomorrow. She will actually hook
up with us in Northfield and Gary’s mom’s
home for Thanksgiving One then come up here
and head to my sisters for Thanksgiving 2.

Boo is anxious for the guests to arrive too!
Shredding toilet paper, arranging his toys
and practicing his “surprise!” from the empty
wine box…watch out!!!

Have a great Holiday everyone!

Albert Lea.

I finally arrived in Albert Lea around 1:30 on Thursday
afternoon. Rained all the way down..hard. Not fun.
I brought Boo along just because I wanted him to meet
Jo, Flora & Lizzy. Okay, truth be told….I would miss him.

We did the official introduction of the cats and frankly,
they did pretty well. Mostly a little hissing but no big
blow outs.

Jo and I hopped in my car and headed to the grocery
store, hit the liquor store and ran back to her place
to be certain that the cats didn’t kill one another.
They were just fine. With that hurdle over, we got back
in the car and grabbed a bite at Applebee’s down the
road. I just love that “fiesta lime chicken”! Crazy good.

Boo has been a VERy good camper…he has settled in
and loves Jo and her place. He would like to be better
friends with Lizzy & Flora but…well, it’s a territory thing.
Boo is very aware of his boundaries and is accommodating
their needs. Daddy would be very proud.

Jo and I talked about everything…laughed about
everything and photographed everything.
We talked into the weeeee hours and knew that
tomorrow I would be heading back to EP

She’ll come up to Msp for Thanksgiving and
again for Christmas.

Jo is the new black.

I’ll post images tomorrow….

tigger point healing…

megan, tho’ a terrific photographer
and friend has also turned out to be
healer as well.
last night, when she & i returned from
dinner (and skate buying..more on that
later), she talked to gary about
trigger points and they quickly
sat down on the porch and she located
one of them near his left shoulder
blade and started to go to work on
several. he slept really well last
night for the first time in weeks!
he & i are heading off in a minute to
see his surgeon who is coming off
vacation to meet with him.
for the first time, gary is hopeful
that it may NOT be rotator cuff after
all….thanks megan!
i’ll add more to this when we get back.

2 sick boys…

first, gary….
miserable.
can’t sleep, can’t do anything,
can’t get vicodin to work, can’t
see his surgeon until the 31st.
i sat him down this morning and
handed him the phone and made him
call the office and request another
surgeon to see. he MUST be seen.
this is just awful. more later…
(he’s on the phone with them now)

next, hobie.
the cat with a colon the size of
my forearm! poor thing.
we were at the vet yesterday to
see dr. ginger..2 enemas, some
sub-q fluids and some abdomen palpations
and nothing. nothing at the vet,
nothing overnight…back we go today.

my friend megan is here (from chicago)
visiting family west of here and is
having her mom drop her off here
around 10. can’t wait to see her
and hang out with no weddings to shoot!
just some hangin’, shopping, girl-time.

hope she knows that she’s entering
the psych ward! YIKES!!
i gotta run…more later!