This picture has absolutely nothing to do with today's post. However, can you see why I run from this tongue? Zeus explores the world, not to mention the cat box, with that tongue and he thinks there is no better way to say, "hi, how are you" than by dragging that monstrosity against any exposed flesh he can find. This time of year, that may be your face. A side note: see all that white on Mick's leg? Courtesy of Louise, who sheds more than any other dog I know.
Imagine my surprise when I came home this evening to find that everyone in my household was still alive, in one piece, and not yet certifiably insane. And to think I was plagued with guilt ALL DAY for having a good day at work while imagining Mick's intense suffering.
Yes, as mentioned before, Sam is home for the week. Conferences, followed by the Thanksgiving weekend, have caused Mick and Sam to be home alone together. Miranda, now in high school, does not get conference days and the world remains bitterly unfair. Miranda needs to see this in a positive light. Perhaps she will after she is home with her dad and sister while I continue to have good days at work (or so I fervently pray) on Thanksgiving and the day after.
After Sam's determined running off this weekend, I was filled with trepidation for what this week might bring. Granted, only one day down and four to go, but today was much better than expected. This tells you something about the human, or more precisely, the male psyche. The weekend was, UNARGUABLY, hellish. So today, when Sam ONLY RAN OFF TWICE...AND...CAME BACK WHEN CALLED, well, that can only be considered a huge improvement. But if the weekend hadn't been hellish, Mick would have been livid in the extreme. Everything is relative. I repeat, everything is relative.
But Mick did something else smart and resourceful: He raided two of the piggy banks. Make that one big piggy bank and a cup full of change. Those sources, though, contained mostly quarters. The only thing better than a piggy bank full of quarters is a piggy bank full of dimes, but we'll take what we can get (or pilfer in this case). Outraged readers: calm yourselves. These are not our children's banks. They are ours. Mick made a haul of $100. Sam got a trip to Safeway for lunch meat, cupcakes, and I didn't inquire what else. But this folks, is what piggy banks are for: the rainy days, the lean times, the emergency fun fund. Better yet, Mick didn't see the other bank that was sitting right there before his eyes, camouflaged with clutter. But we have seed money.
Hopefully tomorrow is as good as today, if not better. The day I picture possible trouble is Thanksgiving day itself. I, as mentioned, will be working my usual shift, but making that lovely time and a half. Miranda will be home and wanting to watch countless episodes of Bones, her new favorite show. Sam will be wanting to take off and spend money in Acapulco or something, and Mick is going to be trying to watch the civil war game between Oregon and Oregon State to see who gets to go to the Rose Bowl.
So Mick is going to want more help watching Sam than what Miranda is going to want. For their own reasons, no one is going to want to make Thanksgiving dinner, but SORRY, I JUST CAN'T DO IT AND I'D LIKE DINNER TO BE READY WHEN I GET HOME!
Oh, and Sam always wants to bring in the tree and decorate for Christmas during the Thanksgiving preparations. Have fun, Mick. Have fun, Miranda.
You just know all hell is going to break loose on Thanksgiving Day. You just know it.
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