I’m Home and Apparently Married
So I’m home again and it’s 66 degrees outside. Quite the contrast, like 50 degrees warmer than in Pennsylvania.
I’m still feeling kind of out of it, though. I didn’t get a ton of sleep while I was visiting Lisa, and that was by choice. Mostly. Man, kids get up early for school. Her oldest daughter was out the door before 7am, which meant there was a lot of prep noise by 6. And when you go to bed after 1am, well, you do the math.
Had such a great time being with Lisa and her family. I survived a million apologies from Lisa, threatened to knock her out somewhere around 999,000 times if she didn’t quit apologizing, and probably cried more than I have in a while. See, the days are fairly good for Lisa, but the nights…oh, fuck, the nights are rough.
Getting up out of bed, sitting on the couch a while, playing with her laptop and iPhone, hitting the bathroom a few times…all that shit really wipes her out by around dinner time. And she pays dearly for it. And that is hard to watch. When someone you love is in pain and there’s not a fucking thing you can do about it…well, that’s the very definition of powerless.
Thank God for pain meds. And thank God for great people like Lisa’s neighbors and Black Belt Mama, who made dinner for the family so all they’d have to do was stick it in the oven or microwave. Dude, Lisa’s husband, is taking care of most everything lately – the laundry, the meals, the dishes, getting the kids to school, being Lisa’s official Pillow Fluffer and morphine giver, not to mention working from home. As he told me, there’s not much time for anything BUT microwaving meals.
Lisa and I spent a while on Thursday talking about blog specifics. I made sure I had my login for her blog, she gave me her hosting information, passwords, etc. and took care of her domain for the next few years. And her husband and I exchanged our cell numbers and email information.
I think the Power of Blog was a brilliant idea for Lisa and I to come up with. Now I need to find MY Power of Blog since I lost mine last year.
Thursday I went to hang out with Jessica, aka Black Belt Mama at her secret new lair. Had a blast. Her kids are a riot and lots of fun to be around. You can see some of the photos at her blog. I have a new wife now, which is difficult since she lives in Pennsylvania and I don’t.
Isn’t she lovely? She put on her best princess dress just for me. After feeding me wet chocolate chips. Now that’s romantic. She proposed marriage after only a few hours, calling me Eric and herself Ariel. I’ve seen “The Little Mermaid” enough times to know not to get her wet or she’ll be flopping around on the floor for a while.
And there’s the beautiful Black Belt Mama, who is a fantastic cook. Hopefully, Jessica will hook me up with her friend Nancy, who she insists is perfect for me, but couldn’t make it to Jess’ house while I was there.
I didn’t take any photos at Lisa’s house, by the way, because I didn’t think she’d want me to. Lisa’s not happy with how she looks lately, even though I think she looks nearly identical to how she did at TequilaCon last year, just with a turban. Still, I (usually) honor my friends’ wishes.
One thing I learned, aside from being reminded how much Lisa can make me laugh, is that cable Internet sucks when you’re in a decent sized neighborhood. It’s fine late at night and early in the morning, but since you’re sharing bandwidth with the neighborhood it can really be slow at times. I think I’m sticking with DSL, though I probably wouldn’t have that problem in my neighborhood. I don’t have a ton of neighbors like Lisa and Dude do.
I think I turned Lisa onto “Kath & Kim,” which follows “My Name is Earl” on Thursday nights. It took a while, but Thursday is certainly Must Watch TV night again. And we all need all the laughs we can get.
I got to meet Lisa’s dad and stepmother the other morning and they were very cool. Her dad is on Facebook. I’d just about flip out if my parents added me as friends on Facebook.
And Lisa and Dude have some wonderful girls. The littlest, who is 8, she’s a huge help around the house. Wednesday morning she went outside and shoveled snow off the walk and driveway. Without being asked! I suspect she inherited those qualities from Lisa, because she also frequently took my meal plate from me, even though I planned on taking it into the kitchen myself. That’s Lisa through and through.
I feel honored to have spent a few days with Lisa and her family. Great people. I know they’ll be fine through all of this shit, no matter how difficult things get. After all, we all do whatever we have to do to get through our day, as Dude said to me.
Whether that be taking multiple doses of morphine, GIVING multiple doses of morphine, shoveling the sidewalk, or going to karate class. We do what we need to do.
Filed under Bloggity Blog, Local Goings On | Comments (40)40 Responses to “I’m Home and Apparently Married”
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Well Karl, Lil C really knows how to pick them. Thanks for coming to visit. You’re a good friend to Lisa. Glad you got home safe and sound. You know it’s like 50 degrees up here today?
Black Belt Mama’s last blog post..Clothes and Earrings and Lunch
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February 7th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
@Black Belt Mama, Of COURSE it got up to 50 today. I know the weather was waiting for me to leave. It’s cool, though. Glad I got to see the snow after many years.
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Seriously – today was awesome!! I only wore a turtleneck and a wool vest, in fact! (Well, pants, too, of course.)
Anyway, I’m glad all that shizz is settled and out of the way. It’s nice to hear an update on Lisa and the family, too.
Sybil Law’s last blog post..Lazy Blogger
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February 7th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
@Sybil Law, Got down in the 40s here last night, and that’s cold I can deal with.
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Glad to hear your trip went well and that you got to spend some time with Lisa and apparently some other hot ladies.
I’m also happy that you arrived home safe and sound.
Sarah’s last blog post..Emerson
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February 7th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
@Sarah, Thanks. Yep, had a great time hanging out up there.
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Your wife is just too cute for words! I love when neighbors do nice things for each other. I’m glad you had a good time and were able to get out and visit some awesome women and their families:)
becky’s last blog post..Golden Birthday
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February 7th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
@becky, She’s adorable. Yeah, the bloggity goodness of people is amazing.
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Thank you so much for the update. Glad you too had a good time. Your new wife is cute. Hope that long distance thing works
Leslie’s last blog post..What You Can Do With A Closet
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If she cooks half as good as her mom, I’m in great shape.
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Glad you made it home safe, and that you are giving Lisa the peace of mind she needs to keep from worrying about what will happen to her voice.
Angel’s last blog post..Getting There ~ #Blissdom09
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February 8th, 2009 at 11:24 am
@Angel, Yeah, I had a good time with her. Hopefully, you’re right about the peace of mind.
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All I can say is
DaDuck’s last blog post..Swooning
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February 8th, 2009 at 11:24 am
@DaDuck,
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I think your wife is just as cute as a button! I hope you treat her appropriately. Mermaid princesses deserve the best, you know. Just be careful – guppies and all that… ;D
I’m glad you had a good trip overall and go to spend some time with Lisa and her fabulous family.
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February 9th, 2009 at 10:26 am
@Kris, Yeah, she’s a cutie, all right. I’m glad, too…enjoyed Lisa and her fam immensely.
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Sometimes we need a wake-up call… sometimes we just plod along doing our very best to be our very best… when HE hits us on the back of the head and says… YOU are where I want you to be…!
So that’s it in a nut shell…. no matter how we run around jumping through hoops in circles upon unending circles,,, no matter how we try to avoid it… or step in it,,, no matter how many round pegs we pound into square holes,,, WE are where HE wants us to be!
We just have to recognize this… and L@@K around to find out what HE wants us to see, what HE wants us to learn, what HE has us right where we are NOW to learn…
WE are HIS hands,,, WE are HIS feet,,, WE are HIS heart -> HE is trying to show us -
… but most times WE are just too self-centered to stop and L@@K to see what HE wants….
…it’s not about US…. it’s about HIM~
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February 9th, 2009 at 10:27 am
@Just Meee~, Yes, we just need a lot of reminders sometimes.
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My dad took care of my sister through her cancer, and she called him the Father Fluffer. It was a funny joke at the time, and with cancer, you really need to keep your sense of humor. It’s one of the reasons I like Lisa. She has a great sense of humor about it all. In a lot of ways, she reminds me so much of my sister, which is probably why I cry every time I read a post about her or written by her.
My internet is awful with the DSL, but my parents blame the old wiring. I don’t think I had nearly as many problems with the cable service.
Also, I don’t blame you with Facebook. My whole family started joining and adding me, so I had to add my parents. Sometimes I think of making a second, family-free, facebook zone. I guess I can go back to Twitter though.
You’re wife is very cute. lol
Lynda’s last blog post..A Calem Bullet List
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February 9th, 2009 at 10:27 am
@Lynda, A sense of humor IS a must in most every situation, I think. I think cancer patients typically have killer senses of humor.
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Sounds like, all things considered, you had a great trip. I’m glad for you.
SciFi Dad’s last blog post..An Open Letter
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February 9th, 2009 at 10:28 am
@SciFi Dad, I did, thanks.
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I’m so grateful you came to stay with us last week. I enjoyed spending time with you so much and I miss you terribly already!!!
Thank goodness my children behaved and left a positive impression too.
I still need your mailing address, Mister!
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February 9th, 2009 at 10:28 am
@Lisa, I miss you right back. Your kids are marvelous. And you need my mailing address? Why?
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Hey bro, give me a call on my cell xxx-xxx-xxxx. I am heading to San Antonio today and thought you could give the girls a call and see if they might want to get together for dinner soemtime this week. I’ll be there from tonight to Thursday morning when I fly back to Ohio. Call me….
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February 9th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
@Chris Lorenz, Dude, don’t leave you cell # HERE! Are you insane? I’ll call the girls to see if they’ll be home during the week, but they’re at school right now, not in San Antonio.
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I can’t tell you the number of jokes I have thought of about cancer or my sister’s death that would make me laugh about cancer. But I know that people who haven’t been through it wouldn’t really get it, either. They probably would look at me like I was a cold, heartless, uncaring bitch.
But my sister would have understood and laughed right with me.
I would bet you and Lisa did the same thing.
Lynda’s last blog post..A Calem Bullet List
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February 11th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
@Lynda, Yeah, you tend to get a pretty sick sense of humor when you’re, well, sick. Fortunately, I already have a sick sense of humor.
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The Power of the Blog is an amazing idea. And I’m sure you’re honoured that Lisa has chosen you. She is one strong lady.
We have a princess Ariel in our house too but she has chosen an unsuspecting five year old boy as her prince. Being Ariel’s husband is also a great honour.
You are one lucky boy!
Shawna’s last blog post..An Interview
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February 11th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
@Shawna, Indeed I am.
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Glad the trip went well, Karl. And it’s nice to see you own long pants
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February 11th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
@Janer, Heh, yeah, I have a few pairs.
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oh GEEZ, Karl. I was sitting here, reading my feeds and having coffee, and now I’m sniffling and wiping my eyes, and not because I’m getting over a cold. I’ve met you in person, several times now, and you never fail to amaze me with the depth of your loyalty and love for your friends. I think anyone fortunate enough to know you is a truly lucky person.
Your wife got it right when she pronounced you a Prince.
Elizabeth’s last blog post..For a Monday, today is pretty good
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February 11th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
@Elizabeth, Aw, thanks, Elizabeth. I do my best.
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I’m thinking a lot about the Power of Blog. Seems as though a few options are needed for different situations. I like your name for it, too.
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February 11th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
@Deb ont the Rocks, Yep, it’s a good one.
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Is this all part of your plan to make me leave my husband because I’m so enamored with your awesomeness? Keep it up, it just might work.
You’re beautiful.
Faiqa’s last blog post..Lagging Administrivia and the Elusive Yeti
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February 12th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
@Faiqa, It’s always about me trying to make you leave your husband. Haven’t you figured that out by now?
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Karl,
I just finished the podcast that you and Lisa did last summer. I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed it. It was Lisa at her finest.
I know you could not attend Lisa’s funeral in person, but I know you where there in sprit. John told me about the virtual service you were having on line. I have D/L it but as yet have not had the chance to listen.
Thank you keeping Lisa’s sprit alive.
It was pleasure to meet you when you visited Lisa and we shared some donuts.
Lisa had another expression that she used a lot. “You made me laugh”. I don’t know how many times I heard that, but it was her that made us laugh.
Thank you
Bill AKA Lisa’s Dad
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March 17th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
@Bill, Thanks for dropping by the blog and commenting. Glad you enjoyed the podcast. We had almost 80 people in the chatroom at Lisa’s virtual memorial. 8 or so called in, so it was mostly me talking for 2 hours, and not all that well.
Hard to carry a show for 2 hours.
As far as the laughing, my recent memories of hanging with Lisa in PA were laced with her laughing and saying, “Oh! Don’t make me laugh! It hurts!” She made me laugh, even during my visit.
Miss her greatly.
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