Fun and Frolic With Long-Term Love

[Bluebird]

PunkRock's cousin got married today and we went to the wedding. I was really worried about it being October and outdoors, but the weather was wonderful. The ceremony was nice and I had a lot of fun at the reception. PunkRock's brother, LordTenderHeart, wasn't there (I think he might be in rehab right now, again) and PunkRock's dad and stepmom left right after the ceremony because she wasn't feeling well. So we hung out with his cousin most of the night.

PunkRock danced with me! Like, I cannot express enough how good this made me feel, and how happy I am right now. Seriously, over the moon happy. Not just a slow dance, but plenty of fast dancing. He wasn't excited, but he did it because he knew I really wanted to do it. That to me, is just amazing.

So I had a wonderful time out tonight with my husband! We are staying overnight in Baltimore at a hotel, just because. I had prepaid for it (non-refundable) a while ago. This is one of the things I would have canceled and put toward Stuart's vet bills, but since I couldn't back out, well, here we are enjoying it, at least. Tomorrow we plan to go to the Walter's art museum (I think that is the name of it) since that is a fun free day out for us as well, while we are over this way.

Oh! There was a photo booth tonight at the reception! We had a series of 4 pictures taken with silly props - I put a sparkly purple boa on PunkRock, while I wore a black top hat. The company said the pictures will be online later, so I am going to swipe ours, if possible. We got a free copy but I can't take a good picture of a photo strip to share. I think we look cute.

 

[Bluebird]

Looks like it could take weeks before anything is posted, so here is a crappy picture of a picture strip.

Today PunkRock and I went to the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. It wasn't what I expected, but we had a good time together. We saw a dance performance for the Day of the Dead celebration they were hosting, and PunkRock and I made paper chrysanthemums. I'm going to save them for our Christmas tree!

We had lunch at this Indian restaurant called Lumbini's and though it wasn't spectacular like the Mango Grill, which is my all time favorite restaurant, it was still Indian food and yummy!

Overall, this weekend trip was great. However, we came home to some sad news, that Stuart is not pooping. I am afraid of what this means. The vet told us that the obstruction had moved into his intestines, but maybe it has gotten stopped up? We are going to call the vet tomorrow morning, first thing. He is passing urine and doesn't seem to be in distress yet. I am thinking yet another set of x-rays will be in order, but we are seriously reaching the limit of what we can afford. My daughter is very upset.

 

[Dagferi]

Tonight give him Miralax. 1/8 of a teaspoon desolve in water. The instructions will be on the package. Use a syringe to get it into him. YOU MUST GET IT ALL into him. Confine him to a room with a litter box.

If he is constipated it may help pass it. Hair ties are dangerous things for cats. I will keep my fingers crossed for you guys.

 

[Bluebird]

I didn't see your post until after calling the vet. They told us to give him canned pumpkin mixed in with his food. It worked and he's pooped twice now, yay! No hair tie has been seen yet, however. So we are on a wait and see basis now.

We had some crazy last night - well, I guess it was this morning - and I am dead on my feet at the moment. Last night was a sleepover with PunkRock and at 4 am, his cat Stormy started meowing. I was like, ugh! Go to sleep! And then like a minute later the carbon monoxide detector started squawking. Startled the shit out of me and woke up the entire house. I went downstairs as it has a note on it to "carry to a clear area" and the kitchen was just stinking of a natural gas smell. I freaked out, handed the detector to DarkKnight, who had followed me to the first floor, and then I raced down the basement stairs. I was terrified that the baby kittens would be dead.

They weren't though - they were just giving me a wtf? look, so I was much relieved. The house was stinking though, and the stove wasn't on (we have a gas stove) so I called 911. They told me to get everyone out of the house immediately, and that made everyone grumpy, but we complied, waiting for the fire department to arrive, in our pajamas in the dark driveway. Everyone else had slapped on shoes and a jacket and was wearing long pants, whereas I had been the one running all over the place and I was just in a hoodie and boxer shorts with bare feet. It was fucking freezing out!

Soon, 3 fire trucks with sirens blaring arrived. Normally, I'd be all gaga over my sexy heroes, but they were all suited up in heavy gear and masks. After taking a reader into the house, they told us we needed to relocate further away as the count was REALLY high. So we moved across the street to watch 6 or so guys move through and all around the house, as best as we could see through windows.

Long story shorter, they ended up opening all the doors and windows, to vent the gas so the house wouldn't explode, and a next door neighbor invited us in to sit and wait until the gas company arrived. The rep promptly shut off all the gas to the house and installed a cutoff meter. I called the property management company, and an HVAC dude is here now.

He just told me that the gas valve on our furnace is "leaking like a sieve" and he left to go get a replacement. Our other next door neighbor just messaged me and invited us over to stay warm at her place, but I had to decline. PunkRock left for work, DarkKnight is working downstairs and my daughter is snoring in her room under her electric blanket. So I have to remain here and awake for the HVAC guy to return.

So crazy. I am so very glad we had a carbon monoxide detector! I actually thought we had two, but there was only the one outside our bedroom hallway. We will be remedying that shortly and getting one for the basement!

 

[breathemusic]

Wow, that is insane! Good thing you had that sensor and I think that's a smart call to get a second one for the basement!

 

[Bluebird]

Yeah, the HVAC guy looked pretty horrified when he left.

True story - this is the second time in my life I have had to call the fire department due to carbon monoxide. 5 or 6 years ago we had a detector go off in the middle of the night, when we were living in upstate NY. The smell then was overwhelming. It turned out, my dad was in the garage in his truck - with it running and the door closed - listening to NPR. It was winter. This garage was attached to the house, and my parents - who were living with us at the time - had their bedroom directly upstairs from the garage.

There was a CO detector in their bedroom, AND MY MOM HAD SHUT IT OFF BECAUSE IT ANNOYED HER AND SHE WAS TRYING TO SLEEP. Holy fuck, DarkKnight and I were so angry. If we hadn't had a second detector, we all would have never woken up ever again. The firefighters then were just flabbergasted that both of my parents were so fucking dumb. If something is going off, you don't ignore it and go back to sleep! And you sure as hell don't run a truck in a closed garage. Aiyiyi.

The counts on that visit were astronomical. The firefighters told us they were surprised that my mom was still alive, since she had gone back to sleep. She absolutely refused to go to the hospital. It was crazy.

The good thing about that visit is that the firefighters were REALLY hot. We weren't polyamorous then, but damn. Lol This time the firefighters all had on their gear and I couldn't check em out. Lmao

But yeah, this was scary and I am glad we had at least one CO detector! Seriously people - go check out your own houses/apartments and make sure you have one. They are different from smoke detectors!

 

[PinkPig]

Oh, wow, Bluebird! How scary I'm glad everyone (kitties, included) is safe. And I'm sorry you couldn't see the hot firemen I have a thing for firemen, lol.

Thank you for the PSA...I do not have a working carbon dioxide monitor. And, two of my 7 smoke alarms need fixing. Sounds like a good project for tonight!

 

[Hannahfluke]

When we built our house, we were required by building codes to have a carbon monoxide detector on each floor, so the ones in the hallways are dual smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. Those and all the other smoke detectors (one in each bedroom, and one per open area) are all tied together, so if one goes off, they all do, which is really loud. I'm glad it is though, at least this way no one will sleep through them.

I'm glad you are all okay. That sounds so scary!

 

[Bluebird]

I believe all new structures are required to have one - and rental units as well - on the floor where there are bedrooms. So our house meets code at the moment, but if someone had still been using the basement bedroom, they could have had CO poisoning.

 

[Bluebird]

I was able to catch up on my sleep last night. Prior to going to bed, I did make my way over to the Waynesboro game store and played two games to start off their Journeyman league. I won the first easily, and then lost the second, just as quick. PunkRock picked me up and we had dinner at Waynesburger together.

Today I have to teach and it seems that I will be down a couple of students. Two of them are apparently vomiting. I definitely want to keep that out of my house! I'm trying to get caught up on laundry this morning before class, so I have some things to pack when DarkKnight and I leave on our trip to NYC tomorrow.

 

[IndieSolo]

Did Stuart poop that thing out yet? I thought about him today. Won't tell you what I was doing that reminded me...

Hey, about your trip - I forgot the dates and didn't realize it was happening so soon. Caan you PM me any windows open in your schedule if you have a moment? And I'll see if I can meet, even just for a quick beverage.

 

[Bluebird]

I honestly have no idea if Stuart pooped out the hair tie or not - my daughter is supposed to be checking. I do know we've had no further issues, thank goodness.

We left for NYC this evening after DarkKnight got off of work - at 3:30. We just made it to the hotel in Newark, NJ. I drove very leisurely, and we stopped for dinner along the way. I'm happy about the trip so far.

I did send you a PM with my phone number so you can text me, NYCindie.

This morning was pretty great - I had some amazing sex with PunkRock. Anal and everything. �� We hadn't done that in a while so it was exciting. True story - apparently right after we finished, the HVAC guy showed up to repair our furnace. lol DarkKnight told me that he could hear me having a good time and then nothing, and then the doorbell rang. Lolololol

I ran a bunch of errands today - bank, two different places for groceries, lunch with PunkRock at the Dutch Market, and I dropped him off to get his haircut. It was actually cut pretty short and wow - I thought he looked sexy! Also took my daughter to work, did some paperwork for the 2 remaining PeeWee's Playhouse kittens. I arranged with a friend to pick them up Saturday morning since I will be out of town. She is going to drop them off at the adoption event at PetSmart or Petco. I hope they get adopted finally, but I also hope I get to see them again. Heh

Oh! Today I got a phone call inviting me to act as a judge at a Lego/Robotics Building event at Shepherd University later this month. You know, because I teach science. Lol I am excited to do it. Apparently they need judges, so DarkKnight is going to go as well. Honestly I think he is a better choice of judge as he went to college for Chemistry at Drexel, and he's a huge Lego nerd besides! Anyway, I think this is going to be something super fun.

Um, anyway, back to my trip! Tomorrow DarkKnight and I are going to catch an Uber to the train station which will be a new thing for us to try. We don't really have a schedule, other than some highlights we want to hit each day. Tomorrow is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park and some shopping around Washington Square Park. Saturday we are going to see the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street & the 9-11 Memorial. His friend's surprise party is that evening, so we'll see Times Square then, since it is near there. I've been to NYC quite a few times in the past, but it's been over a decade. DarkKnight has never been.

 

[Bluebird]

My feet hurt.

 

[Bluebird]

Busy day yesterday and today looks to be no different. Not having a schedule to stick to made things fun. We spent a couple of hours at the Met, some time in Central Park, and then walked 8 miles to see the New York Public Library, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, Madison Square Park, Union Square Park and Washington Square Park. So lots of sights! At one point DarkKnight and I took some time to play Backgammon - in Bryant Park. He won.

My feet were killing me and I had a rather large blister by the end of the evening - I had worn my walking sneakers but they weren't up to the challenge, I guess! Today I am wearing boots but hopefully we won't be walking too far. I can't wear sneakers since we have this fancy party to go to at dinner.

I will post a few photos in a bit.

 

[Bluebird]

Overlooking the Turtle Pond in Central Park

DarkKnight outside the New York Public Library

In the midst of beating me at backgammon

Selfie while waiting for the train this morning

I have tons more photos, but honestly, looking at someone else's pictures of landmarks is kinda boring, dontcha think?

 

[Magdlyn]

I'm envious of your itinerary! What fun! (Except for blisters and soreness.)

 

[Bluebird]

Saturday was another busy day in NYC, and just as fun. We took the train into Penn Station, and then the subway to Wall Street. We decided to walk down to the 9/11 Memorial and it made me cry almost instantly. I have been to the location a couple of times, after the attacks, so I have seen different stages of the area. We didn't go into the Museum - it was emotionally so difficult that just the Memorial was it for me. I knew this before the trip, and we were both ok with that decision.

After the Memorial, we walked down to Picasso's Pizzaria and had lunch. While we we hanging out, we spotted a Downtown Connection bus and realized we could hop on for free to take us to our next destination - Battery Park. So we did that, and saw the Statue of Liberty from the shore. Initially we had planned to take the Staten Island Ferry to go close up, but it was such a beautiful day, and the boats looked so crowded - we just sat on a bench in the gardens and relaxed.

And then I got stung by a bee.

Seemed surreal to go to the most populated city in the US and then get stung by a bee, but yeah, it happened. Luckily I am not allergic and it just hurt for a minute or so.

After a while, we hopped back on the subway and rode back uptown to Times Square. We stayed in the vicinity there for several hours - there were some street performers to see and DarkKnight loves people-watching. We then walked over to Greeley Park and sat there for a bit to people watch some more. There was an open air market there as well. We went in to a couple of souvenirs shops and then found the restaurant the party was going to be held at. It was in a section of Manhattan called Koreatown, or K-town. We didn't explore that much because it was getting dark and there was an accident blocking the street.

The restaurant was in the penthouse of a 39 story building. The view was incredible! Gaonnuri was the name of the place. It was really swanky and expensive, but the party was catered so everything was free for us. I had never eaten Korean food before, so it was fun to try new dishes. DarkKnight's friend was very surprised - her husband pulled off the party without her having a clue about it, so seeing her so shocked was entertaining!

After the dinner, we walked down to the station and headed back to the hotel, where I passed out quickly. Not from drinking - I only shared a single glass of red wine with DarkKnight! - but from just general exhaustion. I am not used to walking so much. Even now my legs hurt. My feet are fine but the sides of my legs are achy AF.

Today I am back to reality and about to shower and then prep for my 1 pm class. My to do list is crazy though - PunkRock's car is making a funny noise and we think it might need new brake pads. We have a lot of medical planning to do for next year, this week as well. My head is spinning just thinking about it all!

Overall though, I am very happy. DarkKnight and I had a wonderful trip and anytime I have time alone with either of my guys I feel cherished and loved. So it's all good.

 

[Bluebird]

A couple of photos from our second day in NYC:

DarkKnight in Battery Park, with the Statue of Liberty in the background

The view from the penthouse

Me at the party

 

[Bluebird]

Today is my 'get shit done' day this week. Holy crap, y'all.

I am awake because last night I was with DarkKnight, and he starts work at 6:30. So, I rolled out of bed and now I am curled up on the couch with my laptop, plugging away at my to-do list.

Yesterday was nuts - seriously spent the entire morning prepping for my Astronomy lab and then teaching. I had a short break after class while I waited for PunkRock to arrive home from work, and then he and I went to see Rashoman at the movie theater. If you recognize that name, then you'll realize it was a black and white 1950s film from Japan. We just joined a film league that meets once a month here in town - they show interesting movies, and then have discussion about them right there in the theater. We didn't realize that was a thing, but now we do. The movie only cost $4 each, and includes free popcorn. I came away with a Rashoman button too, which was cool. I think next month they said will be the early 2000s flick, Brick. I've never seen that, so I am looking forward to it. Oh! The other thing that was funny - the owner of the game store we hang out at was there with his partner (I don't know if they're just dating or it's his wife) and the guys that run the film league are two dudes that just started playing Infinity with PunkRock every other Saturday. They were like, hey! we know you! Small world.

So, anyway, back to today. I have some specific goals in mind. PunkRock doesn't leave for work until 9 am, so after that, I plan to go hole up in the master bath and give myself a decent pedicure. My feet are beat to shit after the NYC trip, and it'll help me feel relaxed and centered. I need some pampering in preparation to all the crazy coming up!

This morning though, I am doing some serious budget breakdown. A lot of my money this month is kind of in flux - until we know for sure what is going on with PunkRock's car, I don't how much I will have to move around. How much do brakepads cost? I am going to be calling a couple of places today. I also need to get a handle on Christmas presents and figure out timing when it comes to buying everything. Since I go to NY to see my extended family prior to the holiday, I have to have the shopping completed early.

My paperwork desk seriously looks like a bomb exploded and that is my #1 priority today. I haven't filed anything since before I broke up with WarMan. All my papers are there, they just aren't put away. Before we go for the mortgage pre-approval, I need to be able to lay my hands on our tax forms from the last couple of years. They're stuck in the piles. So filing is a must. My two desks in the game room are built-ins on either side of the fireplace, with bookshelves to the ceiling from the tabletop. What's funny is that I actually packed most of the bookshelf nonsense on both desks, so they are empty from the top down, but then the tabletop is stacked high with disorder. I need to remedy that today!

I also need to finish putting away Halloween - most of the yard decorations were trampled when the firefighters came, and I picked all that up and put it in the storage tote, but we still have some swag by the front door. I need to take 10 minutes to take it down and then go through the rubbermaid tote and decide what is coming with us and what needs to be donated.

I need to take my daughter to work a little before noon, so i will do that and then make a run to donate some crap from when I cleaned out my closet the other day. I thought about saving it all and having a big moving sale...ugh. maybe I should wait. I like the idea of having a moving sale in my empty house when we move. I will talk to the guys about this, I guess. Anyway, I also need to go to the grocery store and pick up some kitten food, and some side dishes for dinners this week.

I honestly have about 10 other things on my to-do list, but I am not going to list them all here. I am going to go vote today! The plan is that DarkKnight will go when he gets out of work, but my daughter, PunkRock and I are going to go around 7 pm, when PunkRock is home from work.

 

[Hannahfluke]

Good luck on your to do list! Mine is huge too, but unfortunately, mostly stuff I can't do with my dominant arm in a cast from wrist surgery. Only one more week with the cast though!

I'm so glad that we voted by mail this year. I don't trust myself driving one handed and trying to find a time when my older son could take me and his brother to vote just sounds stressful. I hope that the polling place isn't too busy for you today!