Kentucky Bluegrass

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From when we first started dating, Brian and I spoke of traveling. It was fun to think of the places we could go, finding (as with most things) that we were of the same mind about our ideal destinations, or that we could come to an agreement. It was also fun (and, I think, meaningful), that we were right away planning things two, three months down the road, from the first few dates.

Kentucky wasn't actually on that original list, but when he and I wanted to go somewhere within a 4-6 hour radius of St. Louis, it became the most appealing option. Doing a little more research makes us think we're really going to enjoy this road trip. It's beautiful country, apparently, making our choice to travel by car the best way to appreciate it. It's got horses, some interesting museums, good restaurants, and appears to preserve some of its rich southern heritage.

Although I'm very excited about the upcoming trip, I'm a little worried what we'll find out about each other. Even though we're together a lot anyway, being together 24/7 is not the same thing. When we first transitioned to phone calls, I was worried that we wouldn't have anything to talk about, because our emailing had been so extensive. We had great calls. When we transitioned to meeting in person, I was worried that we wouldn't have anything to talk about, because we had talked for hours and hours on the phone already. We have great dates. Now, I'm worried because we're transitioning to even greater contact... I guess I'll just have to trust that this fear, consistently proven to be unfounded, continues to be unfounded! :-)

Meeting his family

Not to brag or anything, but I've always been one of the kids that other parents like. I say "thank you" and "no, thank you," and call them "Mr. ____" and "Mrs. ____." So, generally, when I meet parents and family, I'm pretty relaxed. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Well, on the way over to Brian's parents, I was nervous and fidgety, and really kind of anxious about the whole thing. And then I was weirded out by being anxious, 'cause that's rather unlike me...

In any case, his mom made these cream puffs, see? These awesome things that are twice baked so the dough part doesn't turn soft when she puts the whipped cream in. And then she topped it all off with melted dark chocolate.

In all seriousness, the puffs, spinach-artichoke dip, cold cuts, etc., were great, but the important thing was how nice and welcoming everything was. His dad is great. Navy man who settled down when he found the right one. The kind they don't make anymore. His mom still called him "Babe" after 36 years of marriage (at one point, she said, "Babe, are you comfortable?" when his dad had changed chairs). His mom and I share our enjoyment of family pictures, so she took me around, explaining little tidbits of this uncle, that cousin. His little sister (now 27 yrs old) delighted in telling me stories of their childhood capers, particularly those that showed Brian in...shall we say, the least favorable/most embarassing light possible? She also promised to dig up childhood pictures and videos, of the kind that Brian would probably prefer be destroyed. he he he. Methinks I have an ally in that family. ;-)

Later, too, somebody started talking about Pooh. It seems Brian would NOT sleep without him, and so there were various anecdotes when this created a problem, such as when his mom had to go to the hospital in the middle of the night because Brian had had his tonsils out, couldn't find Pooh, and was thus unable to sleep. Or another time, when Pooh had accidentally been left behind in a neighbor's yard, so a search party, complete with flashlights and volunteers, had to be mounted to scour the neighborhood. I even got to see Pooh. I gotta say, a woman that can run downstairs and find a relic of childhood at a moment's notice must have a pretty organized basement (the one part of the house I didn't see).

Ultimately, the evening was very pleasant, and I came away thinking, "There's a lot of love there. A lot of love."

As my relationship with Brian continues to develop, I can honestly say that I look forward to getting to know his family, too. And to more of those cream puffs. According to his little sister, the verdict came back that I'm a keeper (she called us after we had left to let us know). So maybe I'll get some more! (Hey, you can see the pic. Do I look like someone that turns cream puffs down, particularly really good ones???) :-)

Meeting the 'rents

So this weekend, Alex met my parents and one of my sisters.

Normally, this kind of thing makes me break out into a sweat, but not this time...I knew they would just love her.

We swung by at 7:30 PM, and stayed out in the car for a few mintues, continuing a debate on buying property which I was immensly enjoying. When we got out of the car, I said "Mom's probably plotzing...saying 'they're here, why don't they come in?'" :)

We came in, and talked for a while and ate some very good spinach and artichoke dip. Everyone seemed to really like each other.

Mom took her on a tour of the pictures in the hallway and both Meghan and Dad said to me that they really liked her. I took her outside for a mintue to show off the backyard...she looked at me and said "So, how am I doing?"

"Baby, they love you."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

And to prove it, a little later, mom brought up from the basement my old stuffed Winnie the Pooh doll that I had as a child. No girlfriend that I've ever brought home got to see Pooh.

On the way back to her place, Meghan called and said "Okay, we've all talked...we really like her - she's a keeper!"

Well, hell, I could have told you that.

Anniversaries and Meetings and Jewelry, oh my!

So today is our two-month anniversary. Or, our second month-a-versary.

Alex is in Chicago with her family celebrating her sister's birthday and had I not had a relapse of the sick of Moltar, I would be there with them.

I've met Alex's mother, sister, and two nephews and a neice - they're all really great. She would have met my family on Tuesday, except for the fact of my sickness...we're hoping to reschedule for sometime maybe late this week.

I really want her to meet them. It seems like she would become "real" to them, instead of some random person I keep talking about. I felt lousy (in more ways than one!) when I got sick and was more or less banned from coming over to my parents house, so I wouldn't get dad sick(er).

Last night, I swung by Ray's Jewelrs and ordered (for the second time) a claddaugh ring for Alex. Sterling Silver, with a thin band. (The last place we ordered it from said they'd have it in a week - that was at least 3 weeks ago.) I cannot wait to get it and give it to her. (Obviously, it's not really a surprise, since Alex is probably the most faithful reader of this, along with myself...and apparantly someone in London and Yemen!)

Anyway, this is the beginning of our third month together. Two down, five hundred ninety eight (at least) to go!

I love you, my darling Alex.

The Keys

OK, so Brian and I have officially exchanged keys. We did so a mere five days ago, so you, my cher reader, will understand how freaked out I was last nite when I thought I had misplaced/lost them. Not that I thought Brian would wig out on me - I mean, if he did, that in itself would be a warning sign.

No, it was more a concern about what it would mean to him and me that I had lost them. It could have been interpreted as a carelessness. As a lack of interest. As any number of things, few if any positive. I even mentioned how worried I was about it to my co-workers. Then, I was looking for my cell and discovered that the new purse I'm using has a compartment that I wasn't even aware of. I must have put the keys in there, not realizing it.

The whole thing made me realize how anxious I am for this thing to go right. I'm also feeling pretty foolish about worrying that Brian would get upset, when by now, I should know better. Nevertheless, as I sign off this evening, I'm glad that all is well in Smallville. Good night and good luck.

Shrimp on the Barbie

Brian and I celebrated the Fourth of July last night by making shish kebobs (sp?) and watching a couple more episodes of "Lost." Such a simple yet pleasant evening. We started out by doing some grocery shopping. It was our first time. When Brian leaned in to give me a smooch at one point, some random guy says something - teasingly - about just having broken up and not wanting to see love in the supermarket. Then, he spontaneously says, "I'm getting a good vibe from you; I'm sure you'll be fine," or something pretty close to that.

This unsolicited comment reflects my feelings about Brian. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm some 16-yr-old with a crush who is unable or unwilling to see whatever needs to be seen. We're talking about things, figuring them out if necessary, dreaming and hoping.

We haven't had our first argument yet. Things have been going so well that it's unsettling to think that we'll get in to an argument at some point. I wonder what it'll be about? I wonder if I should look forward to it? I mean, the scariest part of disagreement and confrontation is usually that it will push the other person away, irretrievably, right? But Brian and I, although we've only had a couple of "bumps" in the road, have directly confronted them, and worked at it until we reached agreement. Neither one of us has remotely even considered walking away. So really, there's nothing to fear, and maybe there's even something to look forward to, in the sense of our relationship deepening and growing to include disagreement and reconciliation. I mean, we'd have to find ways to make it up to each other. he he he.

Sicky-poo

I have the sick of Moltar.

I rarely ever get sick, but Alex was sick last week and...gosh...could it be...the close proximity I spend with her...and she got me sick too? :)

Alex blames herself 'cause I got sick from her.

However, I do think that I had a large part in it. Here's how the conversation went, as I recall:

Me: (leans in for a kiss)
Alex: "You probably shouldn't...I've been sick, you know."
Me: "Uh-huh. Don't really care." (kiss)

Alex also has been amazing. We came to my place Sunday, she plied me with drugs, made me stay on the couch under the blanket (well, tried to), and basically catered to my sickly needs...food, drink, drugs, etc.

We sat and watched Lost for about 5 hours and then she headed home.

I just can't express how wonderful she is for that.

Moral of the story: I think I've got 2.
1) Being sick sucks, but if you've got someone as wonderful as my Alex standing with you, it's really not so bad.
2) Believe my girlfriend when she says "You probably shouldn't...I've been sick, you know."