3 days in one...
I am sick. Sore throat last night, a bit of snot. Today it continues. I am medicated, never fear.
I don't remember much about Thursday. No, wait, I lied. There was an emotional therapy visit (gotta love finding out you were temporarily depressed and didn't know it...), taking Dad to the airport to rent a car (good conversation), and messing around at home for the rest of the day, really.
Friday was much less eventful. Just me trying to offer help for the upcoming baby shower for my younger sister, babysitting my cousin (very good day, that...), and finally getting the latest bits of toiletries I needed, plus a free rental at Redbox (Katy Perry's Part of Me, good movie).
Really, the babysitting was completely atypical. We went out and played in the sandbox first thing, letting my charge's mom and dad leave surreptitiously, but then we were joined by his grandpa, which led to interesting conversation and staying outside longer than usual. J actually wanted to go inside after that! I made some lunch, we ate, grandpa departed, and then we played some in the living room.
J then wanted a movie (he is good at associating words with things, you just have to figure out what he's actually saying. He doesn't have all the liquid syllables down yet!), but before we could get that going, he rediscovered his claw game on his (his!) phone. Surprisingly fun game, but sitting together, mostly still in a comfy chair...well, naptime snuck up on us. I woke up before he did, managed to take a few photos without waking him, and not soon after he woke up mom returned. Easiest babysitting session I've had in a while. Usually I get bored of the outside before he does, and then he isn't hungry, usually picks at his food, and he never naps. I really must invite other adults around more often..
Saturday was exhausting. I got up earlier than my usual, only to find my younger sister freaking out slightly that her boyfriend's mom was coming before the party with a gift. Sis really doesn't like her, but it turned out fine. An hour and a half late, but fine. I then drove out and met dad after he returned his rental, then helped clean and plan the party stuff. Guests arrived, there was food and merriment. A fine party, overall. The social interaction exhausted me, though. So I hid in my room once all but one of guest groups had departed.
I was very enamored of the food. Simple but effective snacks: chips with four different dips (hummus, guacamole, cheese-y dip, and ranch+rotel, surprisingly good), little smokies in bbq sauce, and a veggie tray. Everything was just plain good. I used to hate hummus and guac...funny how things change. The cake was also delicious. We got it from a meritorious local bakery. They aren't perfect, but their cakes are to die for. The game was simple and non-awkward, opening the presents went quickly, and then there was talking. It's inevitable, almost the main point of parties and showers, if my experience is anything to go by. The other parts are important. Ritualistic? They set the atmosphere, differentiate this event from the others, but the "fun" part for the adults is supposedly the talking. Honestly, I enjoyed eating and playing with the kids there more...but it wasn't my shower. I've learned to take my enjoyment where I can. To do otherwise is to be a misanthrope.
And later, I managed to connect to the younger sis via sewing. Apparently, we work best together when one of us is the acknowledged expert (that would be me, sewing-wise). She's re-covering the cushions on a glider rocker. We managed to figure out that a) she didn't have quite enough fabric for the job, and b) to cut out the first cover. There was easy conversation, jokes, and random music references, as well. Life is good.
Today, as I said, I woke up sick. Not too bad yet. There was medication and wandering downstairs to find people/food. I was unexpectedly sucked in by the program my sister was watching...Nature, Animal Odd Couples, if you're curious. I couldn't help but draw parallels between that and our own, human, diversity of relationships. There are some people may not consider natural, but everything and anything is possible.