How the eff did that happen?

I mean, hello.  How’ve you been?  I’ve been doing well, thank you.  Except for having to deal with this for the last month:

Can you guess what that is?

That isn’t snow.  That’s pollen.  Pollen-covered grass.  Holy crap, that’s disgusting.  And it’s been wreaking havoc on me.  Seriously.  I’m stuffed up, all itchy (eyes, face, everywhere), and a weird thing has been happening while I sleep: My top lip swells up.  I’m not sure what’s causing it, but it’s clearly some sort of really gross allergic reaction.  So it’s all swollen and raw and dry on top; I look like a duck.

Speaking of ducks, I didn’t post a happy birthday message to The Duck, who turned two last week!  Happy birthday, sweet little girl!  I can’t wait to see your funny smile tomorrow!

That’s right, I’m headed to see the northern nieces and nephew tomorrow.  The Pie and Mowgli were in town last week with their father (#1 b-i-l) for a stop-by and to drop off Mama, who was there visiting for The Pie’s special prayer book ceremony in school.  I’m so proud of all the kinders!  Anyway, we had a nice little visit, which included a trip to Hoffman’s, of course.  No trip to Mama’s is complete without a trip to Hoffman’s!  Unless it’s winter, of course.  Good times were had by all, except The Pie when riding on the roller coaster.  I told her that now, by being brave and trying it, she knows she doesn’t like roller coasters.  What I should’ve said was, “Now you know why I wouldn’t go on it, kid!”  By the way, if you’re paying attention, you’ll know this also means that we returned to the scene of the crime.  We did not see our long-lost friend, though.

We miss you, Phil and Ted.

Other happenings from the month of May:

Library rats: When Miriam and I were in elementary school, we spent every afternoon as library rats.  No, we didn’t  fight with each other and gnaw at books in the basement of the library (that’s not entirely true; we did fight loudly enough one time to be thrown out by the mean librarian, after which my mother made me write an apology note that, I can tell you now, was completely insincere); however, we did hang around in our local branch of the public library, which was attached to our school, waiting until someone would pick us up.  Did I mention that we only lived about a block and a half from school?  My mom didn’t let us walk home until the end of fifth grade.  In the meantime, we hung out with other library rats and supposedly did our homework.  I can still tell you where the Nancy Drew books were (upstairs all the way in the back corner to the left) and where the Stephen King books were (downstairs to the right before the tables).  And I can still picture the card catalog near the front desk!  That’s all gone now.  The school has been redone and the library was removed.  So very sad.  But also exciting because a brand new library was built instead!  The grand opening of the new branch was a few weeks ago, so Miriam and I walked up to relive our youth.  Obviously, it’s completely different.  No more Dewey Decimal System!  Many computers!  DVDs!  But oh, I love the library.  It’s true.  Nerd alert.

Loss: We’ll miss you, Aunt Dorie.  You were a funny lady.  I lift a glass of Crown Royal in your honor.

Happiness: There’s a new baby boy in our family!  I love seeing the photos of my cousin’s beautiful boy.  Yay for babies!

Long weekend: It was a good one.  Actually, let me go to the weekend before, which was a regular short weekend.  Mama and I did some shopping, and there was a lot of hanging out on the patio.  This past weekend was Memorial Day weekend.  That’s when the kids were here.  Miriam and I made Friday night dinner.  Saturday was the day we spent at Hoffman’s.  There was also a Target trip (another of course!) and some homemade pizza:

Thanks for your help, sous chefs!  The Pie put on the vegetables, and Mowgli sprinkled cheese on his side. 

And now another long weekend for me!  I’m excited to spend time with the kids and relax a bit also (I hope).  But first comes lots and lots of driving.  And with that comes lots and lots of coffee!  So this jittery lady will see you from the other side of the border!  I hope you all had a good May, and let’s talk more in June, shall we?