My poor neglected blog.
I was AWOL last week, but for really fabulous reasons. I attended a conference on supply chain put on by a company whose software I use at my job. They do their conference every year and a half; the last time was in Atlanta, and my company won an award and I had a videotaped interview about the software and the improvements we experienced by using it. This conference I had no responsibilities other than networking and pestering other folks in my line of work for solutions to some of the issues we currently face. And the best part? This conference was held at the Loew's Royal Pacific Resort hotel at Universal Studios Orlando. Yes, I found a half hour every day to bake my butt at that fabulous pool. And there really is a lagoon with that float plane in it.
I stayed an extra day, most of which was spent shopping for things for the kids and lounging by the pool. I also got to see my soon-to-be-former in-laws (which I suppose makes them outlaws?) for a dinner and a breakfast.
It was a working vacation, in many ways. Great conference, great experience. Lots of people that I met there to email this week reminding them that I am pestering them for things.
S stayed at the house and took care of the zoo, bless his heart. He's so nonchalant about the craziness of my Dr. Doolittle life. My folks and my ex managed the kids, and I had fun and even though I missed everyone, I can't describe to you the incredible feeling of sunning yourself by a pool full of screaming kids when NONE OF THEM ARE YOURS. Tuning out "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" by turning up my iPod because they're not talking to me!
I also got to see Blue Man Group in Orlando, which was INCREDIBLE and FABULOUS and I am telling you that if you ever EVER get the chance to go see them live, DO IT. DOOOOO ITTTTTT. It was AMAZING and totally worth the cost of the ticket.
By the time I got home, though, I was ready to bury my face in my children's hair and give them six days' worth of hugs and kisses.
Here comes the sad part.
Two things happened while I was gone. Bella got adopted. Which I supposed is both happy AND sad. Happy because she got this family that really really loves her (to the point that the husband has Bella as his wallpaper on his phone - not his kids or his wife) and yay, no more cleaning up puddles of Bella pee but sad in that no more Bella kisses and Bella Belly rubs and calling her Hellz Bellz and Stinkerbella and BellaBellaBella. Lexie also got adopted, but at least I got home just in time to take her to meet her new family and kiss her goodbye through tears. I didn't really get to say goodbye to Bella.
And I didn't get to say goodbye to Cin-Cin either.
The chickens have stayed out of the yard as a general rule. Once Penny got in and I got to her in time to save her from being gummed to death by Hercules, but I had figured that for the most part the Chickens understood that the pasture was theirterritory and the yard belonged to the big furry barking things. Until Saturday morning. That's when Cin-Cin for God only knows whatreason decided to venture into the back yard. And the dogs were there. And Cin-Cin is no longer with us.
S saved her poor little body for me and I buried her last night after I got home from work. I cried a whole bunch for that silly little hen. She was the sweetest thing ever. She would let you pick her up and cuddle her, when you talked to her she would cluck and chirrup back to you, she would eat food right out of your hand. She laid the most beautiful small brown eggs, one every day.
I buried her in the pasture next to Lady.
Now I can go sit out there and talk to both of them.
The kids were glad to have me back, and their dad said I can have them every night this week, even though its not "my" night every night. (I'm sure he's glad for a break.) He told them I would pick them up after school yesterday, and I think C misunderstood and when it came time for him to get on the bus to go to aftercare he had a complete meltdown. To the point where the school called me and said someone had to come get him because they couldn't put him on his bus in that condition. Thank God and all the angels for K, the director of his aftercare, who when I called her to explain drove straight over there to get him, soothed him and got him through the rest of the day. I was just about undone when I picked him up and his voice was completely gone from how hard he had been crying. Poor little man. We spent a lot of time hugging and cuddling last night, and had fun playing with the toys I brought him from the Universal store.
I am home. I am glad to be here.
