MY TURN TO STEP UP

Mark is home from the hospital.  He had an accident a few days ago and totaled his motorcycle.  Thank God that he was wearing a helmet because it could have been much worse than concussion symptoms.

His mother is coming to stay with him for the week, but until then, we're going to look after him for two days (me and Derek).  I made him dinner and cleaned his house for when he came home.  God forbid it looked like that when his mother came over.  He is not exactly a neat nick.  I didn't think that anyone could eat so much pizza and still look like he does.

I'm glad to be able to help him out for a change.  Between the car repairs, rides home, and last second babysitting, this was the least that I could do.  Hopefully, he will be back to himself after the week is over.  Right now, he is not.  He is cranky and bored--like an overgrown baby.  He actually tried to talk me into letting him mow his lawn for some odd reason.  I told him that if I saw him out there, I would break both his arms.  He pouted, but he listened.  It's nice to have someone listen to me, for a change.

I DRANK A LITTLE TOO MUCH THE OTHER NIGHT

It's was Mom's night out. Me, Chloe, Theresa (and unfortunately Roberta and a couple of her friends).  I met them there because Philip had to work on Saturday, so I was a little late.  I was drinking iced tea--I swear.

We were at a popular place called the Landing, which is a restaurant in another town.  It is popular because it has a deck that overlooks the lake.  There was a band playing old classics in the corner of the deck and we were at a table out there, having a good time.  Then I saw a friend of mine show up with a date, and suddenly I was agreeing to take a shot from a pitcher that two young men had sent over for the table of rowdy women.  Big mistake.

I really do not remember much after that, although I am told that I had a good time.  I had to be driven home (obviously).

Sunday is pretty much a blur.  Philip's parents, sister, husband and extremely loud kids came over for Philip's birthday party.  Luckily, I was well prepared for that.   Sometimes being organized has its advantages.  It was a bit noisy, and I was so thankful when they left and I could finally call Chloe and find out what really happened the night before. 

Highlights:  She told me that I dropped by Mark's table and ruined his date (he was the friend with the date, and I don't remember doing that).  She also informed me that when it was time to leave, I was adamant that I was fit to drive.  She enlisted Mark (the cop) to convince me not to drive home.  He volunteered to drive the van, and his date followed in her truck.  Talk about embarrassing.

I tried my best to avoid running into Mark, and did not see him until today I went to the old age home.  I went to visit Frank and Mark was there visiting his grandfather who is--get this--Frank.  Small world, isn't it?  Frank was not in his room at the time, and as we waited and talked, I made sure that I apologized to Mark, and thanked him for making sure that I got home safe that night. 

Regarding Frank, there was something alarming that happened.  Frank has been getting a little confused, lately.  I saw it before, and today, Frank was nowhere to be found.  After a search, we found him in another room on another floor.  At first, he didn't know who I was, then later, he thought that I was Mark's wife. I found this very troubling, and I could see the concern in Mark's face.  I hope that isn't a sign of things to come.

ANOTHER TWO DOWN AND A NEW SUIT FOR THE BEACH

I lost another two lbs.  Yeah, Victoria!  

I just happened to get my new bathing suit in the mail from Land's End just in time.  It's a blue one-piece, and it looks terrific, I must admit.  I actually wore it without the over-sized t-shirt!  Well, I didn't actually flaunt myself.  I was talked in to taking off the so-called "hideous sunflower t-shirt".

This is the suit, not me (I wish)

Once on the beach, I managed to avoid the other women on the beach with their wine and cheese, and annoying children who love to pick on Derek.  Or they purposely did not see me, like I purposely did not see them.  I sat in my usual spot, pulled out a book, saw that Derek was having fun playing with some other kids, so I started to read.

I think that I started to doze off, but then heard a very familiar voice asking if he could sit down. I saw that it was Mark, and I was surprised to see him at the beach, but I said yes.  Thank God he didn't bring up the dinner fiasco.  I was happy about that.

Two minutes later (or was it seconds?), Roberta came jogging over like she was auditioning for Baywatch, and invited Mark over for wine and cheese (and oh yeah, me too).  To my surprise, and probably his as well, he politely declined saying something about working the late shift.  Roberta smiled (fakely--is that a word?), asked if he liked her skimpy bikini (he said he did--I wanted to puke at this point) and then bounced all the way back to the woman's meeting on the beach.  It really wouldn't have made a difference if he joined them or not because I was there alone to begin with, however, it was nice to know that he wouldn't dump me for a group of adoring women.  I think that he's growing up!

Then he busted my chops because I was wearing the over-sized beach t-shirt, and he hates when I wear them (I won't tell you how he said it, but it was back to the old Mark).  He said that I shouldn't cover up the fact that I've lost weight.  I was stunned, because I didn't think that he noticed that I've lost twelve pounds (nobody else seemed to notice).   

I actually asked him advice on how to get Philip's attention, and after rolling his eyes,  he intimated that Philip should be more worried about getting my attention, which made me laugh.  Then he said that I should walk around wearing the bathing suit, and that would definitely get Philip's attention.  I think that I may have blushed.

THREE MORE--I'M ON A ROLL NOW

Another week, another three pounds.  Down eight now. Hooray for me!

I did not cave with the wine and cheese at the beach.  When I made lasagna for the family, I ate a salad with grilled chicken, and then I sent the second tray next door (owed him because he did me a huge favor). I'm walking twice a week, going to the gym once a week and doing yoga on the other days. I'm brainwashed, and I feel great.

WITH DAYS LIKE THIS, WHO WOULD WANT TO GET UP IN THE MORNING?

EVERYTHING WENT WRONG TODAY.  EVERYTHING.

Let me just start out by saying that Philip is on a business trip and is gone all week.  Chloe is also away.  So, of course it is the perfect time for disaster to happen.

I was at the mall with Derek, and it was about 100 degrees out there, so we went to the movies, stopped for ice cream, etc.  When we walked to the van in the parking lot, we were hot and sweaty and I wanted to turn on the AC immediately, drive home and make the lasagna for the church picnic tomorrow.  Guess what happened?

The van did not start.

So here it is, hot as hell, and we're stranded at the mall.  I immediately called triple A, and then I found out that my membership was not found, or it was expired--I don't quite remember what the person said, because I was too busy watching beads of sweat blind my eyes.  It didn't help that Derek started to complain that it was hot.

After going over my options, I decided to see if Mark was home and test this new friendship of ours.  Thirty minutes later he arrived with some woman named Barbara or Becky or whatever her name was.  He told me that I was out of gas, but in my defense, he said that it was probably a gas gauge problem?  He said that he didn't mind bailing me out, but I could tell that I threw a wrench into his afternoon.

I finally made it home, and was a little late to start making the lasagnas.  I put on the oven to heat up, but it didn't heat up.  The stove was working, but not the oven.  I tried to call Chloe, but there was no answer,  Then I remembered that she was on vacation.  Then I remembered that someone else was home.

As I arrived with the uncooked lasagna, Becky or Barbara or whoever was walking out the door, mumbling obscenities under her breath.  Mark tried to convince her to stay, but there was no use.  I don't know what her problem was.  I was only using the kitchen.

LITTLE TROPHIES

I'm so proud of Derek.  

Just got back from the baseball awards ceremony.  I know that everyone gets a trophy in this league, but it's his first one.  He was so excited, and I was ecstatic to see his little eyes light up.  

I love that kid so much.

BACHELOR UPDATE

When I found out that I was getting a new neighbor to replace the much beloved Girardi's, I was a little disappointed that a family wasn't moving next door.  There were no children for Derek to play with, and no mom for me to bond with.  My neighbor turned out to be a 40-ish year old bachelor, but I still figured that I'd give him a chance.

Well, on the night he moved in, there was a thunderstorm.  I should have taken that as an omen.  He was nice at first, but soon after that I realized that I didn't like him. 

He turned me off as soon as he sat down at my table and started to talk.  I don't know what it was about him--his cocky attitude, his tattoo or the way that he thinks that he is better than anyone else.

Derek and Philip seem to like him--of course.  I call it a sort of a hero worship. He has this enviable (to them, anyway) bachelor lifestyle.  Women everywhere, a pilot's license (used to be in the navy) and drives a stupid motorcycle that he restored himself.  He even promised to take Derek for a ride in both.  I can tell you one thing--he will have to drive over my dead body.