Sunday, January 4, 2009

Oh, Sorry, Is It 2009?

Brave Sir Robin has been remiss during the Holidays. I have neglected all of you shamelessly. What with fabulous Holiday parties to attend, a gorgeous new girlfriend to keep me occupied, and jet setting away to a sunny locale I just haven't had time.

Oh, what's that? None of that happened to me? That was all other bloggers?

Well, then I guess I was just lazy.

Or busy.

Or a combination of both.

So, what has happened in the past few days?

Brave Sir Robin rested.

A lot.

This was my year to have the kids for Christmas, so I took the last two weeks of the year off. 17 days in a row without going to work.

A guy could get used to this I tell you.

Alas, it ends tomorrow, back to the routine I'm afraid. Luckily, I have had the chance to ease into it. Clinton had a basketball game Friday the 2nd, so school has intruded into our lazy time a bit before work will.

I spent a lot of time in the car, traveling back and forth to Houston, but I don't usually mind the drive. We visited Scottie quite a few times, including yesterday. I'm elated to report that his is progressing. His progress tends to go in spurts. He will make several advances in a short time, then plateau for a week or two, but his overall progress is readily apparent. He is feeding himself now, and can dial a telephone. His speech is getting better, but it is still far from good. His therapy at his current facility is primarily focusing on getting his left arm and leg fully mobile. His leg is showing progress. He isn't walking yet, but I feel certain he will in the next few weeks. His left arm isn't showing nearly so much cooperation I 'm afraid. He still has pretty much no mobility at all in that arm. His spirits, however, were very good throughout the holidays.

Did I mention I rested?

The photo detectives among you may have noticed a pattern in the pics I posted the day after Christmas. Yes, everyone is wearing pajamas. Bee lamented that she didn't spend a couple of days in pajamas watching movies. Rest assured dear friend, Brave Sir Robin's clan more than made up for your lack of sloth, with our excess of same. I let the family open one present a couple of days early so it could be enjoyed all week. Enjoy we did.

Christmas Eve, we awoke early and went to Houston. We visited Scottie, and brought him an order of enchiladas, rice and beans. We then went shopping for Christmas Dinner at the newly opened Wholefoods right across the street from my children's absolute favorite restaurant, (no - not McDonald's) - P.F. Chang's. After stowing away our Wholefoods booty in the ice-chest, we went and feasted across the street. That's about all we did in Houston that day, we drove home and while I prepared Christmas Eve dinner - Tamales, rice, beans, assorted cheese, crackers and finger foods, the kids immediately got back into PJ mode. The entire family remained in PJ mode until Saturday when I had to take them all to their Mother's. I prepared Christmas Dinner in my Pajamas, and it was consumed by all in the same manner. The day after Christmas I watched about 10 hours of TV straight through. All told, while all four kids were here, I watched about 5 movies, 4 seasons of That 70's Show, and as much football as possible.

The Saturday after Christmas, I loaded up the kids and took them to their Mom for her half of the Holiday. I was prepared to stay in Houston for several days and do New Year's Eve out on the town with friends.

Didn't happen.

For some reason, she wanted me to pick them up New Year's Eve morning, so I did. Clinton used the opportunity to attend a party at the home of a young lady he is fond of. Unfortunately for Dad, said young lady lives almost 25 minutes away. There is no way, no how I was going to be on the road after midnight with even a drop of alcohol in my system, so I spent a sober night at home, alone, watching football.

I spent the rest of the week either driving to Houston or working on my redecorating project, which - btw - is coming along nicely.

Yes, I did spend more than a few moments this weekend thinking about She Who Must Not Be Named, but it was more bittersweet than raw and painful.

That, dear friends, is the kind of progress that makes me hopeful for 2009.

14 comments:

Bee said...

BSR - I'm so happy that you had such a pjammy Xmas holiday! You deserve lots of time in your jammies watching mindless (or mindful) television. (I'm coming to the pj thing kind of late, but I'm happy to report that I'm still not dressed at 11:42 this am . . . and it's snowing!)

Hey, that new Sugar Land Whole Foods is really fancy!

Lots of good news about Scottie. You are such a good brother to visit him so faithfully - not to mention bring Tex-Mex. I know that was healing.

Best, best, best of everything - luck and wishes - for 2009.

GourmetGoddess said...

Yeah, for resting. Yeah, for healing all around. Yeah, for 17 days off!

Boxer and I spent NYE visiting the beasties at the zoo and having a dinner at a suburban joint. Home by 9, I think....

Brave Sir Robin said...

Bee - Are you back in sync yet? Between the travel and entertaining you must be frazzled!

And yes, the Whole Foods is amazing, and only about 2 hours away. I forsee many more trips to that mecca of wonderful things.
btw - I thought of you when I bought that beautiful piece of meat, (although it wasn't Scottish, it was dry-aged and ......)
:)

GG - Happy New Year!! Did you and Boxer stay up 'till midnight?

SaoirseDaily2 said...

Sounds like a busy but fun holiday. Don't blame you for not wanting to even drink a little and drive, they were out in force here. We never go out. Just watched movies and ate (like piggies)

I want to wish you a wonderful new year. You know, Pido, gave me a new deck of tarot cards. We should do a reading and see what's up for you in 2009.

Have a nice Monday.

Jennifer said...

It all sounds very...normal.

And I say that as someone for whom "normal" is pretty high on the list of my fondest desires. Just normal, everyday life - it's really all I'm after here.

And in that vein: Hooray for bittersweet! Bittersweet is good.

Brave Sir Robin said...

SD2 - :) The last time someone did a tarot reading for me, it was disastrously accurate.
:)
Proceed at your own risk.
:)

Jennifer -

Normal is good.
Very, very good.

Audrey said...

You had a similar holiday to me in the tv and pajama kind'o way. I too feel totally blissed out but this will completely disappear when I have to get the troops up and out the door on Thursday morning. Dreading it.

Steve said...

i take no responsibility for what SD2's reading says!

Such great news about Scottie.

My version of PJS is sweats and not sure I got out of them once on new years day.

Hope 2009 is good to you and your family

Chris said...

We need a favorites feature on your sidebar so we can follow you!

Whole Foods is all well and good, but there's nothing like a good Trader Joe's...

Anne said...

Hooray for Scottie's progress! I'm so glad to hear it.

Hooray also for your luxuriously relaxing vacation! 17 days off... amazing. I am envious!

And another hooray! For Whole Foods! Now if only we could get you a Central Market. :)

TBM said...

BSR, low key that it was, it sounded like 2008 ended on an excellent note. I am ready for a bit of PJ time myself. Actually, I'd love a long country ramble, but it is just TOO cold for me out there. Jammies, Tex-Mex, and a good book will have to do the trick.

Happy New Year! Good wishes and much happiness to you and your kids.

lisahgolden said...

That sounds so relaxing and, frankly, perfect. A real holiday. We had a couple of pajama days and I'm already thinking back on the fondly...

I'm so glad to hear that Scottie is progressing. I hope that 2009 brings good things to him, you and the whole clan.

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