Weekend and Catching Up With The Stuffs

[teddy_radiator]

Whew! Work finally tapered off to something that wasn't killing us (although next week might make up for it - yay, it pays bills), but it was nice to be able to relax this weekend and enjoy the 4th of July weekend happenings around town. We kept thinking on Friday night that the fireworks were a bit of a no-show, only to discover that they were scheduled for last night. My home town was rocking with them then.

Poor Hubs is on tenderhooks over a part in next years production of Spamalot - the theatre has told him he has a part, and they've sent out his contract, but it hasn't arrived yet. In the director's words, "Be patient and you'll be a happy boy on Christmas!" has served to both excite him and drive him mad - the contract hasn't arrived as of yesterday, and he's about to go insane, poor guy. I'm hoping they've given him a decent part, or after all this buildup, he's going to be so very disappointed. He just finished doing a voice-over for a fun musical called SHOUT! and our local theatre group, The Milltown Players, launched their brand new season this week - A Christmas Carol, Treasure Island and Alice in Wonderland all have possibilities for him. I'm glad - when he's in a band, he misses the theatre, when he's in the theatre, he misses playing in a band. I'm happy when he can do both. He's so talented, and I love seeing him in productions.

We got together on Friday with Mom to have a little family get-together for the holiday, and although it was nobody's idea of a zany July 4th par-tay, it was nevertheless a really lovely day. We cooked hot dogs and enjoyed fresh corn on the cob (which is so incredibly cheap here they're practically giving it away, and it's very good), baked beans, strawberry shortcake... And of course, iced tea, the house wine of the South. We finished the day by watching Despicable Me (which I love, but I think I like DM2 even more - I have such a soft spot for the minions).

We were eating at my Mom's table, and I just was filled with such a feeling of contentment: I'm sitting there in my childhood home, with the two people in this world I love, and it was so good. It's a great feeling, when you know you are in the place you're supposed to be.

We are hoping to take a few days away in September, the three of us, and head down to the beach. None of us have been there in years and years, and I need a little sand in my shoes, ya know what I mean? Being summer, the local radio stations are playing 'Beach Music', and it's making me nostalgic for Myrtle Beach. We're actually planning on going to Holden Beach, which kmhmd and her Hubs introduced us to several years ago. I can't wait!

We are still having problems finding lawn maintenance, so much so that TheHubs™ is planning to find a cheap electric mower and DIY it. We looked around all day yesterday, but they are pretty much sold out in the neighbouring Home Depots. Heck, we even went to Wal-Mart on our day off (I know - gluttons for punishment, much?) but nada. Still, it was a fun day out in the sun - the humidity dropped this weekend, so we can actually enjoy the weather without feeling like we're breathing through cotton wool. i also bought a couple of citronella torches so we might be able to dine Al fresco without being innundated by bugs. The house is full of those little gnat/flies that appear out of nowhere during this time of year. A friend said they come up through the drains, so pour bleach down them. Another said to put Apple cider vinegar and a drop of dishwashing liquid in a jar and that would attract them. I'm doing it all. They are a major nuisance.

Writing wise, I've just finished my hp_silencio fic, and trying to start the motor on my samhain_smut fic. I'm tempted by the minerva_fest, but I think I might be pushing my luck. Samhain_smut is due a little sooner than I'd anticipated. I'm working on chapter 30 of the novel, which looks like it will end around 32 or 33 chapters at the most. The end is in sight!

Well, there's still plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the weekend, so I'm off to do a little eating, a little writing, and a little enjoying the day. It probably wouldn't hurt to do a little cleaning, but why harsh the mellow?

Hugs to all who needs 'em, and enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

Comments

[lemonade8.livejournal.com]

Yay for a quiet 4th. I had one as well. LOL, 'sweet tea is the house wine of the south' is so apt, I think someone should embroider that. I spent the 4th with my family as well, and Mom and I went to see Maleficent at the theater. We had curry chicken for some reason, so we didn't have the regular Independence Day barbecue fare. Which is weird, because I live in a huge BBQ-loving city.

Sounds like your muse is riding on your shoulder again, good to see!
Lots of fests you've conquered, lady! That's a lot of work you've done, I can't wait to read them! Speaking of,I read an amazing, detailed, awesome story yesterday at the SSHG promptfest and now it's been removed. Talk about ripping my heart out with a dull spoon! Don't ever do that, Teddy. I just let out a Darth Vader "NOOOOOOoooooooo..." when I saw that.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

I am hoping to be able to participate in a lot of fests this year. Someone challenged a group of us to participate in fests we normally wouldn't write for, and I've done a couple so far and loved it.

Yes, yesterday's promptfest was a strange occurrence. Loads of controversy. It wasn't my cup of tea as stories go (it was a bit too repetitive and redundant for me), but the drama around it was quite disturbing. That's all I think I should say about it, as passions are still running high and I don't want to be accused of anything through no fault of my own.

[lemonade8.livejournal.com]

It's good to stretch your wings. I don't blame you for trying new stuff. Sometimes it's hard for me to do it, but I force myself and it always ends up at the very least being a learning experience even if I don't succeed in what I was shooting for.

Um... drama? Really? I don't understand how there could be drama over a story, but okay. Glad I missed that part.

[akatnamedeaster.livejournal.com]

It probably wouldn't hurt to do a little cleaning, but why harsh the mellow?

Seriously, the mess will still be there when you're ready.

Hope thehubbs gets the role he's hoping for and you two suss out your grass issues. It sounds like you had a really nice, relaxing weekend, exactly what the holidays are for. :)


And yay for trying new fests. I've done Samhain_Smut for years and it's always good to see new people. I'm sussing out my entry now, I'm going to try to fool everyone as to my identity, but, we'll see.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

This is my first time at Samhain_Smut, although I've enjoyed reading it all these years. I think it was on one of your posts that we were all talking about stretching and trying new fests, etc. In fact, for this Silencio I wrote characters I've never written before, so it's been really exciting to do. I'm not sure I'll make it to Minerva_fest; I think I'll run out of time. I'm having to get Samhain sussed out, and I'm a little challenged on the premise. I think I'll be okay with smut bit.

[beffeysue.livejournal.com]

I didn't do anything special for the 4th except sleep late, take unscheduled naps, read fanfic (SSGH_Promptfest mostly), wash a load of towels, and I did nothing I didn't want to do.

There is something about getting older that makes being lazy okay, ya know? Folks will ask "how was your weekend?" and I always reply that I didn't do a damned thing I didn't want to do. That's not to say that I wanted to do laundry, but I did want clean towels, so technically I wasn't doing anything I didn't want to do. *hedgy, no?*

I'm glad you and TheHubs™ and your mom had such a good day, and I really hope the contract arrives soon!

As for those little gnat/flies, if they are drain flies, there is a fact sheet on them posted at one of Clemson's web sites:

http://www.clemson.edu/cafls/departments/esps/factsheets/household_structural/moth_drain_flies_hs12.html

Hugs to you and Trev

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you for that information, Beffey. Someone suggested pouring bleach down the drains so perhaps we'll do that. We have the applecider soap out on the counters, and the smell is nearly running me out of the room. But hey, if it gets rid of these varmits, I'll be happy to endure the vinegar smell.

There is something about getting older that makes being lazy okay

And thank goodness for that! ;) I am trying not to feel too guilty about just how messy our house is.

I've been delighted about my prompts being answered so wonderfully last week. But I'm already getting nervous about when my fic will be posted. I know I'll be just as bad as TheHubs™ until my fic posts. I always do.

[minaharker87.livejournal.com]

I was equally distraught to see that the story that I had started reading yesterday before going to bed had suddenly been removed.

Anyway, good to read that you had a lovely 4th.
And I'm really impressed that you manage to participate in both hp_silencio and samhain_smut while being so busy - can't wait to read your stories!

And I agree with akatnamedeaster, the mess will still be there when you're done enjoying the weekend :)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid the mess has been there longer than the weekend! LOL I love a neat and tidy house, but I hate housework, so I have to compromise with myself!

I haven't finished the Samhain_Smut fic yet, but it's pretty straightforward. The Silencio was so much fun. It was an unusual challenge, and I loved doing it. I'm waiting for the verdict from Jules as to how it scans.

Akatnamedeaster is talking about another Snape-centric fest, and if she does it, I want to participate in that. You know what they say - sleep is overrated! :)

Re the fic - less said, the better, I'm afraid. I personally didn't care for it, but I'm sorry it was taken down.

[minaharker87.livejournal.com]

Re Sleep being overrated: As long as you're sacrificing sleep for something you truly enjoy (such as writing fanfic) and are not wearing yourself out, I totally agree :)

The Snape-centric fest sounds really interesting!

I haven't even started my Silencio fic (if I'm writing anything this month, it will be my term paper), but I hope I'll manage to finish it ahead of time because there's another prompt that I like a lot.

[darklotus1211.livejournal.com]

"We were eating at my Mom's table, and I just was filled with such a feeling of contentment: I'm sitting there in my childhood home, with the two people in this world I love, and it was so good. It's a great feeling, when you know you are in the place you're supposed to be."

That, my dear, is definitely a good day - it doesn't get much better than that, does it? They're the ones we remember. I'm so happy you had such a well deserved happy holiday.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

It really doesn't get any better, you know? We didn't do anything special, but it was special in a tiny, peaceful way, and I loved it.

Thank you for your sweet comment. I feel very fortunate.

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

"We were eating at my Mom's table, and I just was filled with such a feeling of contentment: I'm sitting there in my childhood home, with the two people in this world I love, and it was so good. It's a great feeling, when you know you are in the place you're supposed to be."

*Nods* That's how I feel in my home. The feeling of contentment is priceless. Surrounded by the person, creatures, and objects that I love, with good food in the kitchen and lots of good books in the livingroom, the sounds of birdsong and the splashing of the pond fountain coming in through the windows... it's these simple pleasures that are the most meaningful.