Branson

We stayed at Treehouse Condos. They really lived up to the name! The complex is built in the side of a mountain, with trees all the way down - so when you step out onto the deck, it feels like you're in the treetops. Our place was a two bedroom, two bath condo at the top of the complex. We had a lovely deck with a wonderful view of Table Rock Lake and the Ozarks.

I did not take my camera, unfortunately. I did buy a disposable while I was there, and took a bunch of pictures, but I haven't taken them all yet, so I don't have them developed. Film seems so primitive.

It was a long drive getting there, with a frustrating "this will be funny someday" experience searching for Burger King in a suburb of St. Louis that cost me an hour - an hour I really didn't want to spend looking for a Burger King, but once I'd spent that long, I was committed, y'know? We should have been there in less than twelve hours. It took fourteen, with stops. The trip back was just about the same. On the upside, Little Boy was an absolute joy to travel with; pleasant and accomodating and cheerful except for about 20 minutes on the drive there, when he got cranky and unpleasant. I suggested that he should go to sleep, which he promptly did.

We really didn't do much while we were there. There is a lot to do in Branson - shows, shows, and more shows, plus Silver Dollar City, a themed amusement park that was about three minutes up the road. But it was $120 for the three of us, and I just couldn't see spending that kind of money on something I didn't know existed three days before. Instead, we just hung out. DH and Little Boy played a LOT. We had a nice Thanksgiving dinner. I read the Rolling Stone Interview with Bono. DH and I watched "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," because we found the tape under a table. We took a walk down to the lake, where Little Boy and DH threw rocks, destroying a good portion of the erosion control in the process. It was just wonderful being a family again, and doing normal things. I'm glad we didn't try to cram other stuff in.

In other news, I leave for home three weeks from today. No word yet on whether the guys will keep me on from down there.

I will post some pictures when I get the camera used up. I have a company "winter party" on Friday; that ought to finish them off.

Back

I have returned. Two very long days driving with three very short days together in between. But it was worth every minute and every penny. Details to follow shortly.

Recording

I have been recording training videos at work. I do stuff on the computer, and a lovely software package captures it, and I talk about what I'm doing. I love, love, love doing this. I would like to be professional "voice talent." Maybe I could get a job in radio. It doesn't pay squat, but my lovely voice would be heard all the world over.

I have a big meeting at work tomorrow. We're going to decide how to proceed on the project I'm working on, and, maybe, if they can keep me on after the first of the year from home. I won't be going to chili cook-offs, but they'll pay me.

Little Boy was very excited about the projected "blanket of snow" coming on Wednesday, wherein he could make snow angels, and also a snow man, if a grown-up would help him. He was distressed to hear that we were planning on leaving for The Condo that morning. Then, grandpa told us that it was not going to snow, but only flurry. Now he doesn't mind leaving.

Great parent-teacher conference. He's grown up so much in the last three months!

Bald

My DH shaved his head. Well, almost. He went to the barber, because the wind she blows in West Texas, and it was blowing his (beautiful, thick) hair. And because he hates hates hates to go to the barber, he got a buzz.

His head has TAN LINES. White spaces around where the hair is that USED to be his hair line. And there's a light spot of hair on top that looks like there's no hair at all there; just like a gap in the weeds or something.

I expressed my disapproval, but what can he do? Glue it back on? Maybe it's not quite so bad as I think; maybe the light glaring off of his scalp is just distorting the image in the web cam. Maybe.

In other news: Older Son got a job, and quit, within a space of five days. It seems he doesn't really want to WORK at a job, but rather, to be paid for his presence. But to be fair, the nature of the work was misrepresented, and they wanted him to be there tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. He was very specific on his application about what hours he is willing to work, and 6:00 a.m. was not among those hours. I have admonished him that if it was a really good time, they would call it "play," and he would have to pay them. And that he needs to get busy looking again.

Little boy got his first report card, and it was excellent. Performance meets expectations in all areas except his handwriting, with outstanding effort and very good citizenship grades. He is also his classroom's "W--- Winner," for which he gets a tattoo (temporary, I hope), a pennant, and a special pin to wear. There is a family breakfast for the parents and children to celebrate on Friday a.m.

I am helping out with cub scout stuff, being acting Den Mother while we're here. I ran my first meeting on Tuesday, and it went really well. The boys seemed to have a lot of fun. We played a Bingo game with the new food pyramid, and then made collages with pictures of food from the Sunday circular, then we (they) played freeze tag.

DH and Little Boy and I are meeting in southern Missouri, near Branson, for Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to it. I played the Katrina card and got a great deal on a condo, so it won't be too much like evacuating. We'll have a view of Table Rock Lake in the Ozarks. I hope it will be nice enough to take some short hikes and enjoy the view.

Hurricane stuff: Here is a commentary from a local that was on All Things Considered on Monday: The Mythical Month of January. It made me cry. Lots of things about thinking about going home make me cry.

Icky

I was sick yesterday - the illness that is Too Gross To Discuss. I took the appropriate OTC drug, which relieved the symptoms. However, I think I am not yet better.

My stomach is still "knotted." My mother made a roast yesterday, and just the smell made my stomach churn. Today, still, the thought of meat is most unpleasant. I had a toasted bagel for breakfast and vegetable fried rice for lunch. The fried rice may also have been a mistake. The "rice" part is fine, but the "fried" may have been more than my poor tummy can handle.

I did not go to work yesterday. I was feeling mostly OK this morning, but about noon I got tired of fighting my stomach and came home for the day.

On the upside, I got the programming done for the ESL section of the GED. That's $500 once I get it tested and deliver it to my customer!

Down

I've been pretty depressed for the last couple of days. I really like being able to go to work; it takes my mind off things.

I've figured out why, too. It's because the next 10 months have been clarified, and I have to go back to Louisiana. I was doing much better when I thought there was a chance I wouldn't have to go back.

And it certainly doesn't help that I haven't been taking my Wellbutrin as I should.

Mixed Bag

The weekend was a real mixed bag.

It was great seeing DH again, after five weeks (!) apart. It was a great reminder of why we got married. I've been on my own with little boy (and parental help - can't forget the parental help!) for a while, and I was starting to feel like I'm alone. Being together for a few days was a tangible reminder of how much I like being married to DH. He's fun and funny and very good company. I enjoy being together.

We're going to hook up somewhere - either at home, if the house is available or halfway between his city and mine - over Thanksgiving. That's just three weeks from tomorrow! After that, it's just three and a half weeks until we're living back home. So this is going to be pretty smooth sailing from here on.

Also, in other interesting news, DH was offered a new contract for the academic year from January - August. His employer terminated 40% of the faculty, and another 20% may be rehired pending enrollment. DH is in the 40% that was specifically retained. This is, of course, very good news from a financial standpoint. I have mixed feelings about going back to Louisiana, because it's been so rotten for me professionally. But the ongoing income will be a Very Good Thing.

DH's employer was not obligated to consider tenure or seniority in its hiring decisions, because of the emergency nature of the termination (all contracts were declared void). This is a little disturbing, because tenure is fairly sacrosanct. Several tenured faculty were apparently not retained. Also, several faculty were not retained who have seniority over DH (although they are also not tenured).

And on the down side, Little Boy was very sick. He spent most of Sunday night throwing up. He's still running a fever (three days later) and if he isn't better by tomorrow, I'm going to take him to an MD. I'm home from work with him (hence the blogging). I hope he gets better soon.

More good news - Older Son's mid-term grades were excellent. Now if he'd just GET A JOB.