Fae Briona

This is the perfect ending to the story. I love that the campers all joined in to watch the ceremony, love that they recited their own vows, and love that you got a hand-fasting ceremony correct [but you always do your research].

Dad's doing well with Physical Therapy, and my temperature is still up just enough to make me feel like 💩

Will have to start Trainwreck when I'm more coherent. Body temperature is down this evening to just 98.3F -- much closer to my normal (temp when I woke up Tuesday morning was 96.7F).

Happy New Year all -- mixed bag for me. My dad fell & broke his hip xmas eve morning and I developed a sinus infection yesterday, but I have a new boyfriend so....

Woke up from a brief nap and it's pouring. Joints still ache but they're not as bad as they could be so we'll focus on the positive.

Morning all. Still no rain here -- it's all saying just to the west of us. Temp slowly went UP overnight; we're about 20 deg. F higher now than we should be. Maybe we'll get rain later. Shifts are enough to make the joints very unhappy.

SP mentioned this morning that he liked older style R&B, so I told him to listen to Rebecca Ferguson and, in particular, this song: I told him it expressed a bit of how I'm feeling about "us" at the moment.

SP and I have had several conversations: about our pasts, our fears, our insecurities, our hopes for what this could be. Had a few small dates so far, and planning on something larger for New Years. I'm cautiously optimistic and I think he is too. We seem to be on the same page with things - where we are now, what we want going forward. To possibilities, hope, and the future. 🍾

UPDATE on Dad: He's doing pretty good, and will be moved from his room to Rehab on Sunday morning!

All the time -- something all adults should be more aware of; and not just to avoid the bad things, kids see the little good things too

Love this chapter. Orson is the only person to really love Elias, and shows how much Elias loves him as well -- though neither have used that word. Upset w. Joseph. I understand his thoughts, but don't think it's the right decision. You never know how much time you're going to have with someone. Make the time you do have count.

Going to the movies this evening. 😀

There is always an option -- but a lot of the time that option isn't practical or realistic. Sorry you're feeling stressed.

Dad, physically, is great. Think the only issue will be keeping his spirits up. Date was very nice. Will be more to come, I hope.

Is that the reason for his being a "freak"? that he can fully change form? Enjoying the story so far.

Thank you. I'm extremely nervous for some reason, even though I know I shouldn't be. It's silly, and my anxiety running amok and hijacking my thoughts.

Cake was a hit, but.... Morning before I left my brother called to say dad had fallen (again) and this time shattered his leg just below the hip. They did a partial hip replacement yesterday morning, using a spinal block instead of putting him out completely. Doc said his leg / hip bones looked like someone who was 48, not 98 so that was good. He was doing ok this morning. Came back home to find a car from the AirBnB across the street parked in my driveway. They moved it pretty quick after I used the word "IMPOUND" and I filed a complaint through AirBnB Neighbors. Have a date stopping by in about an hour. Need to eat a small supper. Nervous, and not sure why -- was nervous at our lunch last week too. Just want to relax this evening, with him in my arms, and forget about the rest of the last few days.

Cake was a hit -- other events I'll put in my blog

Ah family - the ties that bind. At least his brother finally found the courage to defy their father and make contact again.

Cake turned out pretty good. I put the cooling rack on top of the bundt pan, then flipped them both over -- but I guess I was't holding them together tightly enough because they slipped and half the cake ended up off the cooling rack and on the [thankfully clean] counter. So now, instead of a single round bundt cake we have four quarters. Sampled some of the larger crumbs and it tastes pretty good. Will taste even better with the frosting. Used a spatula to move the pieces over to the carry tray and arranged them back into a circle the best they could be. Not the prettiest, but still good. As mom said, "It does look perfect -- just not perfect in the way you expected."

My chocolate-orange Bundt cake is in the oven, and dinner is on the stove. So.... the fun parts of the holiday are over, and I just have to get through "the joy of family" all day tomorrow and Wed. through noon.

Ghirardelli has a "Blood Orange Sunset" dark chocolate bar -- which is what made me want to make a chocolate-orange cake. So I looked online and found this one. It looked too good to pass up. Will have to substitute triple sec for orange flower water, as there are no specialty stores nearby that would have that and I didn't have time to order any. I want to make a chocolate cherry gâteau using their "Cherry Tango" bar too, at some point. They also have a "Cabernet Matinee" bar that is my absolute favorite, but I don't find it around here anymore. It has a rich blackberry/grape flavor and an aroma that is to die for. Could always order a case of 12 direct from Ghiradelli I suppose. Hm.... I'm hungry now. lol

This one has to leave you smiling. 😊

Sweet and adorable!

Oh I love this chapter!!!