Oh What A Day

This was one of my first posts. Only a few people read it (Thanks Mrs. G, Deb, Grandy and Kate), so I'm re-posting it. This was one week before my sister died. Grown-up Girl, and I were visiting my sister, BIL, and nephews in Camas, Washington. Step-sis, TT, was due in town the next day.

January 05, 2008

Oh What a Day

I'm not sure I can string sentences together for a coherent post, so I think I'm going to just share some random happenings:

• My sister shoplifted several items from a store today. I guess she figured no one would suspect anything from a 95 lb. almost bald woman with a cane. She was right. My head is still reeling from trying to figure out what my moral imperative is/was. So far I'm going with total inaction and denial.
• My daughter and I have successfully managed to avoid using the bathroom in my sister's home for 2 days now. I don't believe I've ever gone out of my way to use public restrooms before!
• My 14 year old nephew has such an aversion to broccoli (and apparently vegetables in general) that he had to push himself away from the table at a restaurant while the offending vegetable was removed from his dinner plate and the dinner plate was wiped clean. New flatware had to be found because it is possible that the fork closest to his plate, while not actually involved in the broccoli removal itself, may have been contaminated by broccoli molecules.
• 
• My sister wanted to take us out to dinner, and chose a particular restaurant because she had a gift card. She put down the gift card when the bill came and went outside for a cigarette (because really, why should stage IV lung cancer stop you from smoking?). Now other people might have seen it as a problem that they only had a $50.00 gift card for a $135.00 bill, but not her. I guess she just figures these things have a way of working themselves out.
• Even though she's 22, holds a degree in Chemistry, and could handle Stephen King and Michael Crichton novels by fifth grade, the only movies my daughter, Grown-up Girl, likes to see are Disney. Despite this she grudgingly graciously agreed we could take my nephews to see "I Am Legend."  Apparently I'm now on the hook for several therapy lessons. SPOILER ALERT: I guess if you know nothing about the movie, the dark seekers might be a little shocking. Bright side note--the boys liked it.
• GuG and I managed to have one of those "we're totally exhausted and stressed out so let's just laugh hysterically sessions until we cry," while reflecting on the aforementioned happenings, so I guess it all worked out in the end.

Well, it's late. I think we're each going to take one of these and get some sleep.

Who knows what tomorrow will hold? My hope will be for no felonies.

Comments

[Mike Golch]

the laughter medication I can use as well.
sorry for the loss of your sister. Had I been blogging in aug 08 I would have had something to say then.Hugs and God's blessings. Mike G.said that!

[Hilary]

I'm sorry that you lost your sister, Jenn. I didn't realize you've only been blogging for a short time. What an emotionally tumultuous time that had to be for you and your family. This post expresses that well.

[grumpy momma]

Wow.....that sounds like such a rough time. Thank you so much for sharing so much of your life with us, Jenn. I am so glad your daughter and you were able to laugh about a little of it.

Hope you are having a great vacation, peaceful and relaxing.
I've tagged you at my blog, when you get back and if you are so inclined to play.

[Little Miss Sunshine State]

I have been reading you from the very beginning (Thanks, Mrs G!). You are in my top 5 morning reads.
I enjoy your sense of humor and your insightful posts.

[Suzanne]

Wow. I don't know what else to say.
You have been through a lot. You write so darn good. I want to be like you when I grow up. :)

[Fannie]

While my sisters occasionally drive me batshitcrazy, I can't imagine going through something like this. And you're still picking up the pieces; I admire your strength.

[MamaHenClucks]

I'm so sorry you lost your sister. I can't even imagine. And yet your ability to write about it with humor and grace astounds me.

[Just Jamie]

You have such a strength within you Jenn. Strength splashed with humor and class. You inspire me.

[Janet]

I remember reading this...you really are amazing!

[Claudia]

I just got The Empty Room. So far it's beautiful. I think you might enjoy it too, love.

[oliver rain]

You are amazing.

[melissa]

I think you are a good sister. And I totally identify with the avoiding public bathrooms. I do the same with with airplane bathrooms too.

[gina]

This post had such a raw "If I don't laugh I'll cry" emotion to it that I am overwhelmed.

I am so sorry for your loss.

[Trooper Thorn]

It makes you wonder if you would be friends with family members if you weren't forced to?

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and commenting on how movie idols make me feel old. I think monogamy is cool too.

[denise]

I've been reading you for awhile now....but I missed this one.

I've been out of town for the weekend and totally miss your blog!!!

[Minnesota Matron]

Wow. Staggering, what life tosses us. I'm so sorry, just thinking about your sister. Superb post, and I'm talking: superior writing.

[Jason]

This is the kind of thing that you can't believe is actually happening to you. Keep bringing out the old posts, because I haven't read them!

[amy]

oh my goodness!

i have been away for a while - i missed your posts!

[debbie]

I remember this post so well. I realized from the very beginning that you were someone I wanted to stay in touch with...to read every time you posted. You write with such feeling and emotion and humor...I feel as if we have been friends for years!!!
Keep blogging, baby, and I'll keep reading!!
deb.

[JCK]

That's quite a post. You could write a book about all this. Yes, you could.

[Tammi]

Broccoli, wow. Does he eat any veggies?
Sending good thoughts...

[Jen M]

I second what everyone is saying...so sorry about your sister. I hope that blogging gives you the outlet you need :)

As a side note - our first house was in Camas!

[Angie @ Keep Believing]

not at all meant to slander your dearly departed sister's name, but at least she provided family lessons learned and entertainment value. Tragic.

KEEP BELIEVING

[myra]

I'm so sorry. I hope your blog has provided you a bit of therapy working through your loss. It's certainly one I enjoy.

[stephanie (bad mom)]

I'm truly bummed that I didn't have an opportunity to know/meet you then. We were probably only miles, maybe yards, away from each other during that time.

I am sorry about the occasion that brought you to my neighborhood; hoping you can come up again on a brighter note someday.

[kcinnova]

I somehow missed this one in my archival reads. This post emotes some pretty raw stuff (and not just the broccoli!). And I think I love GrownUp Girl.