Don't Surround Yourself With Yourself

Here is Coadster with her friends, ever flashing gang signs. They must forget that they live in Iowa.

This weekend was pretty awesome too. I kind of like starting every Sunday post that way. I hope I can keep it up.

Friday night was me getting some much needed alone time. I still had to do some cleaning, and I had to give Q.'s interview questions all the time they deserved, but then I just putzed around and probably muttered to myself.

Here are her two best friends from junior high. I kind of miss seeing those girls hanging out in my living room and eating all my food.

After my haircut and my run, the rest of Saturday afternoon was devoted to meeting all of Coadster's Homecoming needs. Stinky and I tag teamed helping her get ready. We love her to death, but Coadster can be kind of a handful when she's stressed.

I had this plan that after the girls were dropped off at all their endeavors, I'd have a little staying in date with myself. So, when we went to Hy-Vee to buy a flower for Coadster's date, I picked myself up a six-pack. As we were heading to the register, a guy handing out wine samples asked, "Hey young lady, do you want a Jello shot?" Since I was with my two teenage daughters, I figured he was trying to be funny, so I asked him if he was serious, and he uncovered this container full of Jello shots. What the hell? When did they start giving out free Jello shots at the grocery store? I had to decline, because it was only three and I knew if I did one, I'd be asleep by four.

After I went to Coadster's best friend's house to take photos of all the kids, I stopped off at my friend K.'s house. She and T. were drinking wine. I was just going to stop by for a sec, and then order some Chinese take-out and go home and drink my beer and watch movies and play video games and do whatever else I wanted to do, but then my plans changed for the better. K. suggested we go to George's for beer and cheeseburgers, and what kind of idiot would say no to that? We only went down for an hour or so, and I was home by 10. Perfect.

I was just starting to play some video games, when Coadster called and asked if she could take the controllers over to their after-dance party. So, I was forced to watch a movie instead. I watched The Queen. I wasn't sure if I'd be into it, because I never got into the whole Princess Di hub bub, but it was actually pretty good.

This is Coadster and her date. Sorry it's a little dark.

Today was more football watching at The Vine. Our friend C. couldn't make it, because his grandmother died. They were pretty close, so I felt bad for him. The game was great, the Steelers won, and the other guys who watch football with us were a constant source of amusement.

The best thing about today, was that my friend K. called me later this afternoon to see if I would be her date to see Drive-By Truckers at The Englert Theater on October 19th with Dexter and his lovely lady, S. She had originally planned to go with this one guy, and as she puts it, she doesn't like him anymore. So, I'm the lucky girl now.

I know this is way too damn long, but I want to say one more thing. It's Columbus Day tomorrow, and apparently no one in Iowa celebrates it, but everyone in the Chicago area does. So, I will be away from my desk most of the day trying to sell our particular institution to several hundred parents and their high school aged children. I promise I will still try to read all of your kick-ass blogs when I get home, I just won't be able to check in until then. Pray for me.