from thoroughly unlikely places. We were great tricksters and practical jokers – something that continues to this day, in retaliation, they claim, for my having “traumatized them” at an early age. (uh-huh., Sure I did. They had a GREAT childhood! Seriously. REALLY! ) 
ANYWAY they never miss an opportunity to shock and really surprise me. Never. Last night, I stopped at the market on my way home from work, picked up a few things, and went on home. Now, I had left the front door key under the mat, because my DD3 said she needed to pick something up during the day. Strangely, my DD2’s car was out front – not DD3’s. I get in the front door & DD2 says that “just coincidentally”, her computer has gone down, she needs a computer to use for some work-related, deadlined project material, so she is there using mine. Oh, so no problem! Should I make a pot of coffee? Why, yes – she’d LOVE a cup of coffee. So, I put the pot on, and sit at the kitchen table
. She goes into the studio (which is off the kitchen). I look up, and there is this VERY TALL individual of the male persuasion dressed in suit and tie standing in the kitchen doorway with a Halloween mask 
covering his head. I at first think it’s DD2’s husband. I say, “Oh, cut it out, Court!” (His name is Courtland, like the apple.) Then, he rips the mask off, and it’s my SON, from L.A.!!!! I let out a big whoop and jump up out of my chair and jump over and give him a great, huge bear hug 
, and he is hugging me back, and I am laughing 
and crying 
(and whooping 
). Okay. So now my DD2 comes in out of the studio and says “What’s WRONG, Mum?” (Voice very concerned). And I turn to her with great incredulousness….”What Do you MEAN, what’s WRONG?” (I’m laughing, not quite “getting” 
what she means.) I look back at my DS, only he’s not there! I look back at DD2, and she’s still looking very concerned. “Mum, are you alright? What are you saying about Richie? (DS) “I say, “Okay, WHERE’S your brother? Come on OUT, Rich!” And of course DD2 says, “But Mum. Rich isn’t here. You KNOW he’s in Los Angeles. Mum…maybe you’d better lie down? Are you okay? You’re seeming a little stressed. Maybe you should lie down for a bit?” And for a split second, she’s got me! Only for a split second, mind you, but within that split second was great confusion and self-doubt, and wondering if I was dreaming all of this – which is, of course, what they were aiming for. They LIVE for this stuff, I tell you. Okay, WE live for it. I’m as guilty as they are, but they got me good. (But only for a split second).
DS grabbed a last-minute flight (very reasonable price) and flew up for the weekend with his GF. Tonight they’ll be in New York with GF’s sister who is turning 21, and then back to us for Saturday night and all day Sunday. They fly back out Monday morning. And then, of course, I’ll be flying out to visit THEM in a week. Can’t wait!
We had Chinese food last night (DS's favorite) and it sure was good! Yes, I blew my diet entirely, and I'm ashamed.
Oh, and LYNN! Note quick subject change....
I got my gas this morning at $1.00 off per gallon! Filled my tank (I had about an eighth of a tank already) for $15.88!!!! How long has it been since that was even remotely possible? Now I get to start building my discount all over again by food shopping, which I can’t avoid, anyway, so this is a nice added little bonus.
Marylynn, there is absolutely NO WAY I could be alone in a kitchen with all those sweets piling up around me without eating at least half of everything I baked! You are a strong woman! I suspect you enjoy a challenge, eh? In my case, I'm weak, I know it, and the only way to avoid eating stuff I shouldn't be eating is to NOT have it available to me. I mean, if I hadn't been exposed to Chinese food, and been practically force-fed it, I would've had exactly what I had on my menu, which was appropriately high fiber, low fat, low calorie, etc., etc.
Trish, I've got to tell you, there are just SOME things in life that are WORTH gaining two pounds for!
We can ALWAYS take 'em off again anytime we want, right? Oh, Karen, what absolutely adorable pictures of the poms!!!! They are the cutest darned little things! Oh, how I wish I was home enough to be able to take care of a little doggie of my own!
LindaD, I'm so glad that you're safe - and your family & friends! Those pictures are downright frightening. It's so sad. My son is closer to Malibu, but says that where he is, there's no foliage to burn - they have a little strip of manicured grass and palms lining their street, but their condo is in an urban area, I guess. He says it's safe, anyway, which I was glad to hear.
Welcome, Pat! It's always nice to see a new face....hope you stay involved and become a part of the "crew".
Cat, I've dabbled a bit in geneaology as well - actually can trace my dad's family back into the 1500's before information starts to dry up, but I've had virtually no luck at all with my mother's family. My sister brought some pictures that she found in my mother's belongings after she died, and they were of our maternal grandmother & garndfather - and some other family members - when they were in their early 20's back at the turn of the 20th century. Very interesting pictures, but in very poor condition. My DH scanned and did some work on them in photoshop, and they're quite amazing. I'll post them here if I can. I think he's got to make them smaller first.
Meowee-Linda - I love hearing about your khats...mine do some pretty strange things, too. My DD2 & her DH have a khat that her DH got when he was 17. The Khat is 21 years old now! And she's in great shape, too. She's wiry and on the small side - black, like my Yoko, but lighter and more fragile. But she's great around people, and still plays with little furry toy mice when she's in the mood. I'm amazed at how well she's done, considering her great age.
Okay, enough from me for now. Hugs to Phyl, Jo-annie, Tee and Lyn... and Hugs to all the GG's
wherever you may be! Have a wonderful weekend!
Z
This a great group of people and you'll enjoy it here. You will find the right plan for you. Whatever you decide, it should be something you can do for life. 
on the 5 lbs. 
to all the 
Pat
. . . Hopefully things will be back to whatever passed for normal in my life really soon . . . 
