Busy Week

I think I'm finally back to normal after last week's frantic activity....

On Tuesday, I took off for meetings in Japan. For those of you who have never been, it's a 12 hour flight from Detroit (if you get non-stop), plus a 13 hour time difference, so you land about the same time as you took off, but the next day. I was actually very lucky on the way over...my strategy of getting tickets as far back in the plane as possible landed me a whole row to myself, and my two-scotches-and-a-benadryl kept the ears clear, and me asleep for almost the entire trip. Meetings went well (I won't bore you that much), and back to Detroit on Saturday. (the reverse trip means that you actually land before you took off!)

Then, (those of you who know me well know I could never think about passing this up) it was off to Jen's house for TOGA!! I was happy to be able to spend a few hours with my daughter at my mom's house, then she helped truss me up (and added fabulous, appropriate accessories, natch) and off we went.

The Party marked the first time IN FIVE YEARS that Jen and Mark have had a night without their twin boys. Yeah, I know. I would have lost my mind somewhere past the 1 year mark, and I only have the one angelic little girl, not two boys whom Jen once referred to as "the Sh*tflingers." (for actual monkey-like behavior)

I wrapped Casey up as best I could (he didn't want to drive around in his skull toga) when we got to Jen's. Jen, unlike the infamous housewarming party, was perfectly sober, and of course, being Jen, had a fabulous spread of delectables for all of us. Much fun was had by all - and apparently, we got lucky in that the "Baccus" award winner restricted himself to removing only his toga, and leaving on his underwear. Apparently the attendees of the New Year's Party were privy to the removal of his diaper costume (baby new year) at that event. Perhaps that happened because he didn't have anything else to remove at the time. I know not. In any case, the strip show didn't suprise anyone who knew him. This is obviously a rocking neighborhood.

Jen made up for lost time, and was her normal, cutest-drunk-in-the-world self, and eventually decided that a drunken trampoline nap was in order. Casey kept her company out there while Mark and I picked up a bit. Finally, I rallied Casey, and Mark escorted Jen upstairs.

Jen does blow my mind, though, as she was up the next morning, reasonably mobile, and had a fantastic breakfast cassarole ready to go. Plus, she made chocolate-chip scones. Very very yummy. After we'd soaked up all the hospitality that was reasonable, (and probably some extra) we headed out to pick up our girl and see the homestead. All in all, a very successful week!