Friday, November 11, 2005 Veteran’s Day
Ironic that it is Veteran’s Day. I am now a veteran mama, of nearly one year. I feel like I’ve been through a military campaign!
We’ve had a peaceful week – no more contretemps, after Monday’s conflagration. Alesia has been good all week. Well, this morning she didn’t want to wear a jacket, even though it has finally turned cold, but I glared at her and she did it.
Mother was upset this morning, because her brother Don and his wife will not be able to visit this weekend. Don is sick. Mom was really looking forward to seeing him. She was crying this morning when I went in her room. She had been up early looking at her e-mail. I know she is worried about him. He has been sick a lot in the past few months, and has been hospitalized. She hates that he lives so far away [North Carolina] and she doesn't get to see him very often.
Mother didn't leave the house today except to pick up Alesia. The morning was taken up with Patrick, who came to polish the silver. He had to stop and cuddle Coco for a few minutes because she was going nuts. He is a sweet man. He did a good job on the silver, which was horribly tarnished. We just haven't had time to get it polished since the move.
After work tonight we went out to dinner at Bambinelli’s, a little Italian place very close by, a neighborhood eatery. It’s family owned, and the food is excellent. We went and got an ice cream afterwards at Baskin Robbins. Alesia got her usual - vanilla. It cheered up Mom a bit to get out, I think. We came home and Alesia had her shower, and we watched Roman Holiday. I had never seen it all the way through - wonderful movie.
We’ve been on an Audrey Hepburn kick all week – took 3 nights to get through My Fair Lady, but Alesia loved it. She had to have the English subtitles, though - no way could she understand the English accents.
I am planning a Gotcha Day party for Alesia on Monday, and we are going to fix hors d’ouvres, and have balloons, and cake, etc. A number of my close friends are coming over, and Alesia’s friend Elena. Miss Kerivan, Alesia’s wonderful English teacher from school, accepted my invitation, to my surprise. I hope it will it will be fun. I bought Alesia a beautiful silver Fossil watch to commemorate the day.
We have soooo much to do this weekend. I want to send off the box of letters and small gifts to Alesia’s friends back at Topolevo, but it requires planning and money. She has written letters and we’ve gotten photos copied. We will pack a box with some candy and toiletries for the girls tomorrow, and try to get it to the post office by noon.
I got in 5 new cases at work in the last few days. Yikes. I am horribly busy. There are never enough hours in the day…
When we were leaving the restaurant tonight, Alesia was helping Mother into the car, and I heard mother chuckle. Alesia opened the door for Mom, looked at her, and said “Do your best, Granny.” We thought that was a hoot. We’re always saying to her “Do your best!”
