Susan Senator

Going to New Jersey (Laura’s) for Thanksgiving, so today we begin our trip by heading to Connecticut, to M & D’s first. We’re going as soon as the pie is done and also as soon as I’ve xeroxed the Lincoln Lines and distributed it. Also, as soon as I’ve packed. (None of them pack. It’s always me, and because of that attitude, it always will be.) I was hoping to work out, because I don’t know when I will next, but I doubt that will happen (besides, my hair is behaving and sweat would ruin that).

Last night we had C & W, perhaps our oldest friends, for dinner with their radiant little boy. They now live in Florida, so it’s been a while. I made meatballs with spicy pork I had frozen left over from my birthday party. They were bland, but still good. Also lots of wine — they like red, we like white, so each couple had their own bottle. And three different Ben & Jerry’s — Ned’s favorite is Chunky Monkey, (banana and chocolate chunks, too bad about the walnuts) so I had a few bites of that, but not too much. I bought Half-baked with cookie dough and brownie mix chunks (!) for the boys and peanut butter cup as the default. (I must admit to nicking a few chunks of peanut butter cup as well. So incredibly good!!)

It’s one of those relationships where as soon as they walked in we fell right back into conversation as if we’d just seen each other yesterday. A is the same as always, sharp witted and funny, on the opposite end of the political spectrum from me in some ways, nose-to-nose in others. C looked beautiful, and there was a lot of news to catch up on. She teaches aerobics and we talked about the idea of combining our talents and wishes to have our own studio. But how? She’s way down their in Florida, and I’m up here! I’m going to visit her in February and maybe we’ll find a way. If any of you have an idea that doesn’t involve moving, let me know!

Benj played with their little guy the whole time, even though M is half Ben’s age! M is a bright and chatty little boy and interested in the same exact video games as Benj somehow. So, a match made in heaven. Nat was nearby, and there was a lot of giddy silly talk and fast walking, the latter of which is sometimes a precedent to mischievous behavior, but we are not in a phase like that (knock wood) and my heart goes out to Lisa in Nawlins who is, right now. (Trust me, Lisa, it will pass, and you will still find fun and happiness during this time!)

I’m thinking of getting Beast a 504 plan so that his teachers will know to accommodate him in certain ways academically. I wish I could instruct them not to give him assignments that force him to write about mushy emotions, that just throws him. He gets in the blackest moods whenever he is asked to “write about something you are grateful for.” “LAME!” he says. Ah, Little B.

But I — Mushster that I am — love that assignment, so here is mine:

I am grateful for my friends A & C
Also Ruth, Lisa, Miriam, Beth
W and E
College friends John A, Bruce, Danny
Paul and NancyBea
And newest friends, Don and Sonny
And of course, for Nat, Max and B
For L, J, K, and P
B & A, Grandma O, S & E, Y and P
I love love love my M & D
Brookline Schools
Brookline pols
my therapist and Ben’s Dr. P

I love all my readers who are friends
I hope your kindness never ends
Thank you ASD Mom, Autismville, Teresa, Maddy,
Jan, Jen, Melinda, Lisa, Tina G
Also big thanks to Guy Rude
You must know he really is a lovely dude

I love Silly Talk (hoom, heem, and feen)
And Daffy Laughies and sideways hair
And overgrown beards I adore
Large stinky Vans
Left to fester near the door

I am grateful for Atkins Diet
If you want to lose quickly, you should try it
I am also grateful for carbs like bread
cake, ice cream, and the fact that Ned
is not a carbie

I am grateful Max once bought me a Barbie

I am grateful for bellydance
and that my abs no longer cause a jelly-trance
I am so thankful for Arabic pop
Especially Natacha Atlas and Hakim
Who send me over the top

I am grateful for love, laughter, and life
And of course to God
Who made me Ned’s wife

I wish happiness to all of you out there
Who may have just a little too much to bear
Be good to yourselves
Be good to each other
That’s about all
I intended to cover.