weekend update.

Finally back home after a crazy weekend. Mostly bad news all the way around. Saturday got off to a start by raining. Miranda took the children to the Young Authors Conference where it sounded like they had a fun time. I took Patrick and Nellie down to get Grandpa and Grandma Allen in Vinita since they missed the birthday party. Grandma Jeanne is not doing well. Hospice has been called in and apparently she has a maximum of about 2 weeks. While I was down there, I started coming down with something. That night I was running a slight fever. Unfortunately I probably gave it to Grandma so instead of "sitting at death's door", after I gave her my bug, she is now doing the equivalent of "knocking on the door, ringing the door bell, and trying to get Death's attention by shouting obscenities at him". I would say "Sorry Grandma" but "Sorry" just really doesn't quite cut it.

Sunday was Paul's birthday. I'm not sure the exact age, but it's another year older for him. He smoked some pork and it was GREAT! Very tasty. He is a great cook. I kept my portions down for Weight Watchers but I'm having a problem. I've adjusted to eating smaller portions and now I can't stop losing weight. This irritates Miranda to no end. I'm starting to look like a Holocaust victim (not that bad but getting there). So I'm going to have to adjust my diet some more.

Stubby Clarence Allen is about at the end of his life also. Stubby is Miranda's miniature Rat Terrier that is about 11 years old. He has taken to yelping whenever he moves so we are going to take him to the vet this week. I'm guessing that it isn't going to be good news. I don't mention him much because he is a detestable little dog. I have disliked Rat Terriers ever since my Grandpa had them when I was a tot. They are territorial, grumpy, dislike children, etc... Him and the children have kind of fallen into a "truce" state where they leave him alone and he leaves them alone. After he passes on there will be no more pets at the Bill and Miranda Allen household.

Now some bright news...

Apparently Nellie has decided to learn French. She is counting from 1 to 5. Must have learned it from Patrick (who can count to 10). Unfortunately I can't teach them a whole lot except for snippets of the language. I can say elementary stuff and even put together simple sentences. Example: Je tombe sur le poisson violet, mon chemise a un trou, et je veux un chapeau s'il vous plait.

This translates as: I fell on the purple fish, my shirt has a hole, and I would like a hat please.

You would be surprised as how little this phrase pops up in a typical conversation.

nc