Best Laid Plans, Part Deux

Doesn't take long for plans to turn all the way around, does it?

This morning, I got an IM from Meg at school saying that the research paper for a class that she had PLANNED to skip, carefully calculating what her grade will be without it, is now required in order to pass the class. Needless to say, that throws her weekend plans into a tailspin, which then telescopes to me. Rather than have Robin miss her Mother/Daughter Girl Scout campout because of Meg's unexpected coursework, it will be a Grandmother/Granddaughter Girl Scout campout.

Megan got Ryan handed off to Kendra tonight. He is going to Chicago to visit friends with her tomorrow or Friday. Robin and I took a trip to Walmart after supper to buy me a sleeping bag. (Threw my old one out a year or two ago. It didn't owe me anything.) We also spent a little time working on Robin's SWAPS. (SWAPS are little hand-made, pin-on, doo-dads that you trade with other Scouts as a memento of new friends, etc. We are trying to create little robins out of styrofoam balls, paint, glue, and feathers. Ask me later how successful we were!) Robin is in my bed, maybe, finally, sort of, asleep. (At 10:00!)

My back returned to bad today. Slept wrong, I think. Thankfully, I'll be sleeping on a cot at camp rather than the ground...

While Meg was delivering Ryan to the meeting spot in Fishers, Nathan called to talk to Robin. I only heard her side of the conversation, of course...but it was interesting. Her first comment was, "Hi, Dad. What's going on?" (She's six!) She then explained to him that she was reading in bed about how to make a rainbow without rain, then went on to explain why she wouldn't be with them this weekend (which he already knew). "I have a campout. There is no way that I can be there." She finished with, "I love you. See you next weekend!" Such a mature conversation for one so young...

I got kind of a perverse chuckle out of my on-the-air morning commute conversation with KB9RDO this morning. He was late getting on the road because he and his bride of six months were having what he called a "conversation," but I translated into "domestic dispute". Mike is married for the first time at my age. He is, like most of us, set in his ways...and (I affectionately add) a little on the stubborn side. His wife, in an effort to carve out a place for herself in his household...and, perhaps, put a feminine slant on things...has moved things around. At issue were some antenna parts that weren't where he had put them...and the fight was on. It was a little amusing because I could see it coming, but I can really sympathize. When my now-ex and I combined households, there was no longer a single spot in the house that I could call my own. Took me two years to adjust to that. Then, too, it seemed that he took care of his own stuff but had no respect for mine. (Once, before we were even married, he got mad at me for something and dumped a can of beer on the cushion of one of my expensive tub chairs, then turned the cushion over. I spotted it immediately because turned-over cushions never look quite the same. I couldn't believe it!) Then again, when Meg and the children moved in, we both sucked up the slack, not knowing what her plans would be. I wanted everyone to feel at home here, but we were sharing two bedrooms with four people...and all of Meg's things were in storage. When we decided to make it a permanent arrangement and remodeled the garage so that everyone could have his/her own room and get Meg out of the storage fees, we had to start the de-cluttering process--which is still going on to this day. I gave up some things and Meg gave up some things...and we are constantly trying to perfect the situation. Unfortunately, we still have too much in too small a space. I'm hoping that God lets me live long enough into retirement that I/we can finally feel comfortable that we have things under control. (Are you listening, God?) And Mike, if you are reading this, don't be too hard on Thelma. These first couple of years will be an adjustment for both of you. I seriously doubt that she has any idea that her moving stuff around bothers you that much. She knows now!

I got a disturbing phone call from my friend Major Pat (WW9E) this evening. He had taken his wife, Carmella, to the emergency room for a swollen leg and something else, in full Salvation Army uniform. I had to offer to call him back because there was too much going on for me to give his call the attention it deserved. It was three hours before I was free to do so...but I only got his voice mail. Now, I don't know what's going on and it worries me. Carm is one of those people who only seeks medical attention when she is in serious trouble. Until I hear more, I can only pray that this will pass. They are in the throes of trying to get early retirement arrangements made (like a place to live!) and don't need a health crisis right now. (Pat has had enough of those over the last two years to make up for all of us!) I worry...

The young'un a few blocks down did come and mow the dandelions today. That's a relief. I love to work in the yard, but I don't like to mow...and I am physically not up to doing it right now.

I guess I have too many expectations to get things done before school ends. With this campout and some other things, plus the Dayton Hamvention in mid-May, I must simply resign myself to just getting by. The story of my life!