Sigh

Busy day. The first thing I did this morning was visit Zeus out on the front porch. He's just a puppy, and he'll follow you anywhere, but he doesn't do any exploring unless you go with him. He just sits on the porch. And I think that there might be something wrong with his back legs - a malformation of some sorts - because they are noticeably weak. Zeus doesn't run, he rarely barks, he won't eat unless you're there to watch him eat (and that scares me). But I love him, so that's that. He's so sweet! If he's left alone for a while, he whines for a bit when you come back. If you sit next to him, he lays next to you and flops his head in your lap while pawing the air. He's just so dog-gone cute!

My Grandmother is visiting (for Rebecca's graduation). She keeps dropping hints about someone going back to California with her, or going to Spain with her over the summer, or going to my cousin Brad's wedding in August. That's all well and good, but it's not the family she's inviting - it's me, or my Mom, or the girls, or my Mom and the kids. That's what really gets me - I feel that Grandma excludes my Dad. She didn't invite him to Disney World when she took my Mom and us kids (and she didn't invite Darren either!). She didn't invite Dad to go to New York City with my Mom and us kids one summer. And she's not inviting my Dad to go to this wedding. It's like he doesn't matter. And Mom lets he get away with it! But I'm putting my foot down: if Dad doesn't go, I'm not going, end of story.

We went and sat for some family pictures today at Sears. I just don't get all the pomp for pictures - it's just a picture, and shouldn't people want to see you just as you are? Why do you have to get all dressed up? Dad wore a suit and tie! I was dressed in jeans, sewing up my sleeves as he walks out all nice and dandy. Becca walks in wearing pinstripe slacks and a nice top, Rob's wearing a shirt and tie with slacks, Mom's wearing slacks and a coat and blouse. Grandma's wearing a nice shirt and slacks. I'm wearing a faded glory button up shirt, jeans, and sandals. So I changed my clothes just before we left. I just don't get it! I absolutely hate wearing anything but jeans when I leave the house - no slacks, no khakis, no skirts, no dresses (except for occasions where I'm a bridesmaid), just jeans, and preferably a T-shirt. I don't look bad and I'm comfortable, so why bother with slacks and some fancy, non-functional, non-durable blouse? I never have any qualms about getting down and dirty and wrestling with the dog or doing something of the like, but I can't do it in fancy-smancy clothes. That's that rant over with.

We went to El Cerro Grande for dinner - it was their 3rd anniversary and they had a Mariachi band and all drinks one-half price. Needless to say, there was a crowd. I had the carne con papas, and if you ever want a spicy dish - that's the ticket right there. Four glasses of iced tea into the meal and I was only half way through with the beef tips. Spicy!