Easter, Pops & in betweens

Easter was wonderful. I got my b'day books, a home cooked lunch and general pampering all around. There was a v. French theme running in selection I got (Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential, Julia Child's My life in France, Les Miserables, Julie Powell's fabulous blog turned book Julie & Julia). A bit on the late side :) but fabulous nevertheless. For lunch, he made braised goat & potatoes a la gratin for lunch and we had ourselves a store bought icecream cake and lovely white wine with it.

All I did was make breakfast of traditional appams & chicken curry, after which I got a whole weekend where it was all about me. I had a long lovely bath, manicure, pedicure, foot massages, and much reading in bed with the boy's cooking & company to sustain me.

The week after Easter was spent trying to clear projects before I set off for MO for the redhead's granddad's memorial. I bought gifts, arranged stuff around the house, tried finishing off most work, and got on a plane to the show-me state. And the minute I landed, the weekend of blurry activities started.

• Was picked up by roomie & giggly friend who made it from sunny Phoenix.
  
• Headed to roomie's place for a quick change before going out to hang out with ex-workmates and drinking till late.
  
• Back at roomie's for long talks and movie.
• Woke up early to head to the 'Burg for Pops' memorial. While I love that it was because of the 'Burg that I met the boy and the redhead, the place still reeked of the deep desolation I felt living there.
• Spent time with the redhead's family, and reminisced long about the person that was Pops. It all got a bit overwhelming for me at the memorial service because I kept thinking of FH, my ex-boss who had passed on a couple of months ago. Had to get out for some air.
• Then headed back to Nanny's place where we all had a shot of Pops' prized aged brandy in his memory and much laughter ensued.
• Stayed up all night and went out for breakfast at 7 am and then slept in for a bit before getting up for Sunday lunch, where old stuff was rehashed.
• Dinner with the redhead, her Bf & a forgotten acquaintance later, I was ready to drop, for it was 12 am & I had an early flight out - and I mean 3 am-in-the-dark-morning early.
  

As I sat in generic coffee counter at the Kansas City Airport, I thought of my life here in smalltownamerica - of the friends I made, of the work I did, of the relationships established, of the deep depression I was in over so v.many things; and I was glad for it. Because it makes me truly appreciate of what it made of me, and what I have now.

And finally, a v.v.v. happy B'day to my little sister!