Monday, November 30, 2009

This -n - That

Still buried at work. I'm beginning to think it's going to be this way until I go out on maternity leave...in March! The case I'm working on is causing multiple people in my office to have daily meltdowns. Having to manage other people's stress is draining, particularly when you're already trying to manage your own. All I can do is grin and keep paddling!

But, what else is going on?

Yes, we did go to Wacky P's for Thanksgiving. I have to admit, that by large she didn't bug me much. Except for the fact that she refused (yes, refused) to put the mashed yams I brought on the table because, after all, she already made mashed yams, and by golly, we didn't need two. (Of course mine were very different from hers, specifically in that mine didn't require one to pull hard seed casings from their mouth while chewing - seeds?!).

I did get into a bit of a verbal dispute with the Great Pontificator (also known as my FIL) during dinner. He accused me of being the reason that public transportation, green living and sustainability will remain a mere fantasy and will never come to fruition. Why? Oh, it's because I like driving my car to work. And because I'd rather pay $165 per month to park in the garage at work than pay $100 per month for a bus pass. He accused me. And he accused those like me of not wanting to give up conveniences. Well, my hackles were up and I launched back. Yeah. Nice, eh? That'll make for a pleasant Thanksgiving gathering.

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot, after the main meal, but before dessert, and while the adults were still sitting at the table, Wacky P's 6 year old daughter went and got her pet rat, brought it to the dinner table, and was one chair away from me with the rat in her hands when Wacky P told her to get that thing away from the table. Good grief (I was about to crap my pants).

Finally, may I remind you, I had to cope with all of this sober. I usually manage these gatherings by getting half bombed during the first hour. Egads.

In other news....

Baby boy thinks the best time to play, do jumping jacks and run through my uterus is around 3 am. And you know what? I don't mind. I love waking up and realizing he's awake too.
...

13 comments:

Fran said...

Oh dear! I'd love to have been a fly on the wall from your gathering at Wacky P!! Well done on standing up to the Great Pontificator, I don't know why there appear to be this unsopken rule that you cannot express your opinion if it differs from the in-laws..

Much love, Fran

just me, dawn said...

eeeeww, a rat at the table? who does that?
good for you for surviving without alcohol! and isn't it surreal to wake up and realize that your baby woke you up....your baby in your belly? :)

Finn's Mom said...

OMG, Wacky P is SO rude!!! Who doesn't put their guest's offerings out on the table?? WHO CARES if it's a repeat dish -- if you don't like duplicates, you put their dish - that they were kind enough to prepare and bring out - and you leave you own, gnarly, seed-ridden yams wrapped up. Wench. No wonder her kid brings rats to the table.

Glad you survived! I just hope you make it through soothing all your coworkers! I do the same thing, it's like a social experiment watching my coworkers meltdown while trying to maintain my own equilibrium.

Riley said...

Ok - I had to laugh because you prefaced all this with the statement that Wacky P didn't bug you that much, but after reading the rest of your post - wow!! I'm so glad she didn't bug you any more than she did - along with the rest of the family - I'm impressed you survived! Aww - baby boy playing - how sweet!

Eb said...

maybe your sil and mine were seperated at birth. or they are part of a wierd blog group!!

love hearing about the baby moving. so lovely. give him a belly rub from me!

EB

Jen said...

I, too, experienced Thanksgiving completely sober this year- no rats at our table though-lol!!! I just love you Wacky P stories- they always make my crazy family seem a bit more sane!!!

So glad you are enjoying Baby Boy's workouts- aren't they the BEST!!!

Hugs!!

Anonymous said...

I'm sure the only reason you are able to survive these family get-togethers sober is cuz you have BB inside rolling around, how sweet! Your inlaws crack me up - so glad to hear YOU personally are in charge of global meltdown! The public transportation where I live is ABYSMAL - your FIL should move here and work on getting a lightrail up and running! I'm sure it would be good for the environment and your sanity (if he's 1500 miles away!)

Glad things are going well health-wise, take care!

stillhopeful said...

OMG! Rats, squirrels, this family is crazy!! It's a miracle no one has some crazy disease in that house. I don't blame you for getting a bit drunk to make it through these family gatherings, I know I would have to do the same!

So cute your little boy is so active at night. I never get sick of feeling it. And once you get to your third tri, you're waking up every few hours to pee anyway, so it's nice to feel the movements. My placenta happens to be in the front, so I have a little protection for the really strong kicks, I don't ever think it's woken me up...

And your comment on my blog about having your mom and MIL in a class together cracked me up! Thanks for the laugh!!

Michele said...

The rat at the table in combination with dinner @ Wacky P's seems so normal... :-)

Isn't it crap that we have to "endure" these occasions??

Wishing you a great holiday!!!

Lorraine said...

Egads! I hope you enjoy the comedic value of your in-laws - at least you can get something out of it if you can see the funny.

Speaking of relatives, did you see the article about grandmothers and their chances of passing their chromosomes into the second generation? I thought of you when I read it, given your mom's preference for girls and also the donor thing. Seems like a grandmother is more about personality than hereditary connection, after all...

http://www.newsweek.com/id/222472

K said...

Ohhhhh....laughing my ass off. I love the whacky p stories. And the great pontificator ones as well.

Mad Hatter said...

Oy. Out of the frying pan (work) and into the fire (Wacky P's)! You are a rock, my dear - so much to contend with at the moment!
Your story begs the question: Who would you rather be stuck in an elevator with: The Great Pontificator or The Rat???

Gwynn said...

WOW! I totally remember my year and a half of sobriety. I feel for you! My in-laws were a lot to deal during those days. (Especially because "cocktail time" starts at 5pm on the dot and doesn't end until they're stumbling off to bed!)

And HOW RUUUUDE not to put out your yams!!! Absolutely ridiculous.

Hang in there!