Bridgey Speaks

I spent all of yesterday cleaning out/up the sun porch. It took me an entire day — literally from 9 - 6 with a 20 minute lunch break — to toss, scrub, wash, and sweat two years worth of neglect out of this room, under Leela’s supervision, of course. And now, despite the still-random array of mostly free furniture and the well-worn carpet, it is usable again. With the windows open and the fan going, it’s actually quite pleasant out there, even in this 90-degree heat. I suspect most summer meals will be enjoyed in this room this year.

In unrelated news, Laura, Ben, and Gretchen joined me for a Jonathan Coulton concert with opening band Paul and Storm. We were first in line at Club Cafe for the show and were rewarded with excellent seats. The sold-old show was amazing and so much fun that it was sort of sad when it was over. Jonathan, Paul, and Storm all talked to the fans after the show. They signed our tickets and even posed for photos. I highly recommend that you demand them on Eventful and go to see them at any opportunity. You will love it!

Leela had her first birthday on Thursday, and what did she get? A visit to the vet and a birthday hat, also known as the e-collar. Poor baby.

Last Sunday we went to the dog park at Hartwood Acres where she played with some doggie buds. Then we (and the doggie buds and their owners) watched the free concert there of the symphony. It rocked in a symphonic kind of way.

However, while we were there, one of her little doggie friends got a bit rough and punched her in the eye. It got all weepy on Monday or Tuesday, and so Dave took her to the vet. We didn’t know at the time she had gotten bopped in the eye; we just thought she had an eye infection. Turns out this “trauma” to her eye made it swell a little, which reduces the tear production, which made for thick, yucky (infection-looking) mucus. So, after a thorough exam, she was sent home with some prednisone eye drops and some goopy medicine for eyes and instructions to wear the cone (aka party hat) so that she didn’t rub her eye.

So, happy birthday Leela. You were going to get homemade peanut butter dog biscuits until you pulled the recipe off the fridge and ate it. I hope it was worth it. Poor puppy.

But this weekend we made up for her sort of sad birthday week. We headed out to central PA early yesterday morning. We arrived at Simon and Michelle’s with a dozen donuts from the Oakmont Bakery and had a wonderful few hours with them and their two kiddos, Emma and Peter. Such sweet, cute, smart kids! (Well, Peter is only 7 months, but he liked Leela. So he MUST be as smart as his big sister, who at three and a half talks like at least a five-year-old.)

Then we headed out to Waterfall, PA for a picnic at the Watkins’ house. We got to meet another new baby (this one only 6 weeks, little Jack), and catch up with the Watkins clan and Dave’s parents. We were not only celebrating Jack’s arrival but gathering to say hello to (via phone) and gather treats for Richard, who is doing a second tour in Iraq. Hurry home, Richard. We miss you.

This weekend Dave and I went to a Winter Ball hosted by his department. It was being held downtown at the William Omni Penn, and we parked in the parking garage across the street. As we wove down, down, down the winding levels of the garage, I asked Dave when he thought we’d reach the third circle of hell. He didn’t get my little reference to Kristan’s blog entry until I also asked him if he thought we’d see I Fats.

I only mention this sort of lame exchange because later that evening I ran into another one of Kristan’s blog entries, or rather, the subject of one. After a lovely evening at the ball, Dave agreed to get the car and pick me up at the door. The orientation of the lobby of the William Penn means that you can’t really see out into the street, so I took a swing out through the revolving doors to check the street. No Dave. But on my way back in, I caught out of the corner of my eye Kelly coming into the hotel behind me! It was such a crazy coincidence. Kelly, who is from Baltimore, was not only in Pittsburgh for a wedding reception, but she just happened to be entering the hotel at that exact moment I was leaving–at nearly midnight. It was so fun to see her and catch for a too-brief moment. Thanks Kristan, as I somehow feel your blog is at the root of this!

On Monday night, Dave and I got to have dinner with Kristan who is visiting from California. (Conveniently for us, she has family in Latrobe.)

We went to Don Pablo’s for some Mexican, where we had a rather intense server. She was quite nice but also very intense for a chain Mexican restaurant on a Monday night. Since Dave’s never been to a DP, she gave us a rather extensive “tour” of the menu that went on for several minutes.

Kristan wasn’t feeling well, but if laughter truly is the best medicine, she’s well on her way to recovery. As if we weren’t being sill and laughing enough, it turned out that our server also had a trainee helping her out, and this led to further amusement. The trainee’s name was Orli. Dave made her spell it. She said it was Hebrew for The Light Within, or something like that. I couldn’t think of anything but the Orly nail products. Maybe it was the margaritas, but it all seemed so silly: the intense waiter, silly stories, the trainee. So toward the end of the meal Dave addressed Orli. However, he called her Harlot. It was sort of fast and quiet, and nobody said anything at first. Then Kristan says, “Did you just call her Harlot?” We all burst out laughing. Harlot? Really?

Dave explained later that he meant to call her Harley, but he realized at the last second that wasn’t right and somehow, unfortunately, it came out Harlot. I’ve nearly started laughing at inappropriate times for the past three days. All I can hear is Kristan asking, “Did you just call her Harlot???” followed by tons of laughter.

We finally met Alexis! It’s about time, as next month, she’ll have her first birthday. We’ll be there, further making up for lost time. We had a great visit with Tiffany, Chris, and of course Alexis. She is a cute, happy, and sweet baby. She truly is. She is getting ready to talk and walk. You can just see it coming. She is always trying to pull herself up, and she walks with help. She also keeps saying things that sound an awful like words you know, particually “hi.” She likes to wave too.

We went to the zoo on Saturday. It was a treat as usual, and I think Alexis enjoyed it. I know the rest of us did. The highlight for me was seeing three elephants having a great time in the water. The little one (little by elephant standards of course!) seemed to be having a particularly great time. She would dunk herself completely underwater and her legs would come up out of it.

Just a week ago, we got to see Caroline’s baby, Ellie, (and Caroline!) again. This was great fun as well. She is also a sweet, happy, cute baby who is about to turn one! She is also on the verge of walking and says a few things that sound like “dada” and “no.” We also got to see Gwen and Scott, back from California for a visit. I’m happy to report to all mutual friends that Chris and Tiff, Caroline, and Gwen and Scott, and all aforementioned babies are all doing well. This weekend we get to see Kristan. Summer is great for visiting!

It seems that many of our friends and relatives are eager for us to have babies of our own. I won’t name names, but the pressure became all the more intense when even the waiter at Rock Bottom asked us if we had kids and encouraged us to get moving. He of course is “too young” he said, and then clarified that he is still in college. (Okay, I suppose we won’t take that “legitimate adults” crack too personally then.) Like I told my niece when she asked me, “Aunt Bridgey, when is your baby coming?” Not for a while sweethart. ; )