The best laid plans

Well, Shopgirlove tried to post. Chez Shop has rather intermitent connectivity at the moment and it has affected my ability to share with you, my darling loves.

There is a large pot of chili on the stove and King Dutch has a new bone--one of those green and white jobs that actually lasts longer than 15 minutes.

Did Shopgirlove tell you about the mysterious case of the red shoes? Well, King Dutch doesn't like his antibiotics. They make him a little sick and he resents them and his Mommy no end when he has to take them. So, for a solid week, I came home to a different chewed-up red shoe in the living room each and every day. Not the second of a pair but one of a different one each time. Now, perhaps Shopgirlove is not au currant with dog psychology, but I heard they were color blind? How then, did King Dutch manage to find and destroy one of every pair of red shoes? He never varied. No black shoes, no brown. Only red. And, by the way, how did Shopgirlove end up with so many red shoes? I do love red, but I had no idea I owned so many red shoes. Who am I? Imelda Marcos?

I will be somewhat reclusive this summer. My professional situation is tenuous at best and my personal life is barely hanging on. Will you check in on me later? I cannnot express how much your loyalty has meant to me...Shopgirlove is going through quite a transition at the moment and she knows that the blogger-karma is not tilting in her favor, but she thinks she's worth waiting for. She/I is/am grateful for the warm and fuzzies you send this way.

Do you still love me?

No, Shopgirlove has not been very good at the whole communication thing. She has been trying her best to not get kicked to the curb in her new job. Which is harder than it should be. More about that when she has finished her probation period. It will be a good story, eventually.

Also, shopgirlove has to move. Again. It's a long, sordid tale which will be told eventually. Let's just say that some people will go to extraordinary lengths to secure the lease for an apartment in Cambridge. BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

King Dutch went to the hospital last week with a UTI. See, this is why I don't have children. I would never get any sleep! Never! He's fine, but he doesn't really like his meds. As though I like giving them to him...yeah, not so much.

Guess what, though? Life is a grand thing if you take it with a grain of salt and Shopgirlove has plenty of salt. To go with her tequila.

The goal here is to return to the daily postings and witty recaps to which we were accustomed. Lord knows, Shopgirlove has a lot recap.

So, let's meet back here tomorrow night and see what happens.

Love you all!

For the Fallen

Memorial Day Weekend

Talk about bipolar!

On the one hand, there is the original meaning of this holiday: honoring those who have died in the service of this country.

On the other hand, this is the kick-off to summer: a three-day weekend with barbecues, beaches, and booze.

Shopgirlove put on her chef hat yesterday and cooked for a wedding. Everything went well, but working the second day of a long weekend changes one's perspective. Day one is a school night, so no festivities. Day two was a school day, so bonjour fatigue. Day three, school night again. There you are, then.

A tired workaholic worked a holiday weekend. She is rather pleased with herself, but has little to report.

Here are two things to sum up my take on this holiday. The first came from the folks at Alternate Brain and reminded me of the tremendous debt we all owe the men and women in uniform.

The second thing was a series of spurious rumours floating across the web about the current administration and the many and varied scandals attributed to it's principals.

Delicious!

My new obsession

Her Name is Leah. She weighs 61/2 lbs. She is 18" tall. And she (unlike her father and her auntie) has a chin! I find myself utterly undone by this event, by my brother's happiness, by my own awe before this new little history waiting to unfold. I am surprised at how very grateful I am to my sister-in-law. I mean, I already worshipped the ground she walks on, but she has achieved a somewhat mythical, hero status in my mind. I find myself wanting to build some sort of shrine to her and make offerings. How weird is that? I sort of understand the whole Mary, mother of God, thing now.
Most of all, though, I am so excited that someone will be lucky enough to have my brother for a father. He is tender and fair and protective and encouraging and goofy and as smart as they come. Lucky you, little Leah. Your parents are amazing as will you be, I am sure.
Lucky me, for having you in my life.
I can't wait to meet you.

My name is Shopgirlove

And I'm a workaholic.

OK. So I just wrapped up week 5. I won't even go into the bizarre dreams I've been having. Hello anxiety! The learning curve on this job appears to be 12 months. Although my probation period is 3 months. Hopefully, my commitment and enthusiasm have not gone overlooked.

Whatever. My brother is still expecting his first child (my first niece) and is overdue. I cannot express how much this means to me. I am over the moon!

I do wish I had had more time to check in with you, my gentle readers.

Hopefully, I will be able to find some balance in the near future!

I adore you all!

Have you missed me?

Shopgirlove has missed you!

Here's the quick update:

• The job is nuts.
• Bollywood didn't work out.
• Shopgirlove will soon be homeless.
• She loves her new corporate masters.

Oh, she's not yet an Aunt. Soon, though. She hopes.

Shopgirlove love each and every one of you and hopes to return in full force soon.