Chase's friends have arrived in Houston - and what a smile. Was he really afraid they wouldn't recognize him? Naw, he was just being silly. Your limo awaits...


Here's one Ashleigh took on the plane:


Too cute.

So tonight they're out on the town, with only the occasional "Mom, I'm lost" phone call. *g*

Back to knitting that sock monkey dress for Judith... Shhhhh!

Griffin and Ashleigh should be at the airport by now and will arrive in Houston around 8PM, just in time for a late dinner with Chase - and without his Mom!?! How could he do that??? What will she do??? All alone in the apartment with nothing but a pint of Ben & Jerry's to keep her company. Oh wait, that would be me.

Chase got his bloodwork done today, but when I talked to him, he actually seemed rather chipper, so I'm not too worried. His friends will keep him busy (and if I know Griffin, laughing), so the break will be good. The weather in Houston's not to bad, and it beats what we had up here today. It sure was cold and rather drafty in my house today. Having work done on your house is ever so much fun!

So to keep warm, I've taken up knitting. My first project was going to be this, but Judith said she wouldn't wear it. So I'm starting out doing afghan squares for a group Warm Up America project. I think Judith should do a square too, don't you?

I was going to have so much fun with this post, but just like last time, Judith shut me down. I can't make fun of her. Okay.

Judith went to a local school to volunteer her time. I think boredom's really setting in about now. She was asked if she'd like to tutor some kids in math, and she said "That's my favorite subject!"

:: snerk ::

Oops, did I say that out loud?

But as long as it's an elementary school, I'm sure those kids will be fine. ;-). They don't get into percentages until later, right?

The good news is - Chase is halfway through his radiation treatments! More good news - the cables arrived and both computers are now connected to the internet. The bad news is, Chase is just not feeling well today. Some bloodwork, etc. is scheduled for tomorrow (hey, why not today???) At any rate, I do hope he perks up before Griffin and Ashleigh fly down tomorrow for the weekend!

10 down, 10 to go!

Not much happening today. I tried to eek out some more details about radiation treatments from Chase, but the monosyllabic answers meant he really needed to get his homework done before the Carolina/Duke game - and Carolina won, so I'm sure he's happier tonight.

Judith seemed entranced with what she was told were Purple Martins flying around, roosting in trees, and hanging out on the power lines. I tried to find out if they were indeed Martins, but I haven't gotten too far.

My bird book is for Eastern US, and Texas is decidedly...not Eastern. Everything I've seen on the web so far says that Martins hang out in huge flocks in TX in July prior to flying to South America for the winter.

Scout reports indicate they're just now starting to trickle in to TX on their way back for the summer. Since I saw these flocks back when I was in Houston in January, I'm even less convinced they're Martins.

This survey from last winter has a list of high population birds in Houston, and I'm wondering if these are the more boring starlings?

Aaaand I've wasted an hour of my life and about a minute and a half of yours - sorry!

9 down, 11 to go - Thursday's the half way point!

One more treatment completed, but the bad news is that Chase's computer still won't work. But Judith's will, so at least I know it isn't my router. Whew! Calling Geek Squad! Um, wait. I just checked their prices. Nevermind... How 'bout IBM's Lenovo support pages? Hmmm... I hope these links aren't still dead in the morning. No warm fuzzies from Lenovo. Well, Chase, if your computer didn't come with phone support, you must know a computer geek or two at school. Or send me an airline ticket!

Some pics from last weekend:

At Emeril's Restaurant

In Jackson Square

And at a Mardi Gras parade!

8 down, 12 to go! Why that's...2/5ths done!

It's still Monday somewhere, right?

They had a great weekend, and now they're back in Houston, away from family and friends again. :: wipes tear ::

I'm a bit worried because Chase says Judith's sick. Then again, I shouldn't be too worried since she had enough energy to stop and shop at the Tanger Outlet Mall on their way from New Orleans to Houston today. They enjoyed that so much they almost missed his treatment appointment! Well, between that and the traffic, I suppose.

Chase called me tonight and I thought he was going to regale me with a weekend's worth of stories for the blog, but no. He called because the internet is down. Again. And trying to remote troubleshoot makes me feel like pulling a Catbert. So, trying to make my life and theirs both easier, I ordered a 75' and a 25' ethernet cable - look for the DHL truck on Thursday! Please make it work.

If the cable modem's not up by Thursday, we're gonna see if "smooothoperator's" router is within 75' of Chase's bedroom window ;-).

7 down, 13 to go! Hey Chase, you're over 1/3 of the way through!