Family Ties

Everyone loves the bunch of nuts on their family tree.

This past weekend Tee and I went to St. Louis for a hockey game. We stayed with his cousin and I was a little nervous, not knowing what to expect.  I'm really not sure what I was so worried about, it was a lot of fun. Tee and I did some stuff just the two of us, and we also spent a good amount of time hanging out with the others. It's only been more and more family since then.



A while back, (a couple years, I think) Tee's dad had a nasty type of kidney cancer. It doesn't respond to chemo or radiation, and basically the only option was to take the kidney out. He was doing really well, but at his last check they found a couple spots on his lung. Last week he went in for a biopsy and it's cancer again. So I've become kind of protective of Tee and his family. It drives me nuts that there's nothing I can do to help. There's a drug that they're going to try, but it's going to be a rough road. I know I said I wanted something to make me more sensitive and sympathetic to him, but this isn't what I meant. And now I'm stuck. I'm sure I'm driving him crazy being all concerned and hovery. Seriously. Google or Chrome or the internet or whatever it is that controls the words and spells on here REALLY needs to expand their horizons.

I was afraid to see him as I didn't know how he'd respond to this whole situation and everything. I tried to keep us kind of busy this weekend. On Friday we went out to eat with my sister and were out for a few hours. When we were in DC, we got a puzzle to put up on his wall, like an old world map, and we started that after dinner. Here are my mad puzzle skillz:

You may not think it looks like much, but you're wrong. And rude. Just sit there in your wrongness and rudeness. 

We (well, mostly me) worked on the puzzle for quite a while on Saturday too. We came back and he went to see his family, and I went home. I wasn't sure if I should offer or insist on going to support him; I tried to just make it clear that I would be happy to do whatever he needed.  Saturday night, we went out to a brewery with his brother. It turned out nicely because a friend of mine was playing that night, so there were a few people I knew. 

Sunday, I helped make some wedding favors while he stayed and hung out with my parents. I think he watched sports the whole time. Not sad I missed that. 

I was talking to a friend about relationships today and I had a revelation: Tee is like a dog and I'm like a cat. So, you know, it's not impossible, but it's a struggle. So sometimes it's like this:

   And other times it's this: 

Sad, but true. I even told a coworker about this and she gasped and said, "Oh you are like a cat, Laura!" I'm sure there's a way to get past this. Or not. As a cat trapped in a human body, I'm indifferent. I'll care when there are treats involved. 

DC

The Capital

Tee and I got back yesterday from our long weekend road trip. It started early Thursday morning; we started driving at 6 am. Well, I started driving, and I'm happy to report that I drove until about 1:30 in the afternoon. Three cheers for uppers! It also helped that I downloaded a couple of audiobooks and we started listening to In Cold Blood. Very interesting. 

We got to the hotel around 5:30 and checked in without a problem.Initially, we'd booked the hotel for 4 nights (through AAA) then decided to only do 3 nights and visit some friends (Rachel and Jacob) the last night. I tried to cancel the last night and AAA told me they couldn't do it, which we all know is complete bullshit. Boo on AAA. But when I checked in, it was all good (and ended up being a lot cheaper than I'd expected). Props to Marriott! 

There are two main things I'll say about DC, one good and one bad. First: the metro there really freaking sucks. The trains are really slow, the ticket thing is weird and confusing (albeit more environmentally conscious, I'll give them that), they were doing construction at the start of tourist season, and it was somehow dirty despite food and drink being banned. Second: Ah-maz-ing food! We had Italian, Mexican, Vietnamese, and seafood. And there was SO MUCH YUM. I love going places that have authentic, non-American-chain restaurants. 

We went to the Air and Space, Natural History, and Crime Museums. I enjoyed Air and Space to a point, Natural History would have been a lot of fun if it wasn't for all of the stupid school groups who didn't want to be there, and the Crime Museum was awesome. Also, I don't mean to brag or anything, but after this weekend I'm now an Ace Fighter Pilot AND a Top Detective. If any of you should happen to need those services I'll give you the friends and family discount. You're welcome. 

Visiting Rachel and Jacob was SO nice. I just adore those two, and they're such a good couple. They complement each other so well, and it made me a little jealous. I found myself subconsciously leaving Tee out; a lot of the time there's a feeling of him just playing follow the leader. 
Part of me keeps hoping that something will happen to jar my affection and adoration to the level that his are at. I really, truly thing I'm hopeless. 

The drive home wasn't as nice. We (I) again got up far too early. I started the drive again, but didn't make it as long. I was exhausted and irritable and I was really ready to get away by the time we made it back to Tee's house. 
I suppose it partly goes back to an email thread we had not too long ago. I think, when he can tell I'm pushing him away a little, he feels the need to tell me how amazing I am and how much he loves me. Well, at this particular time he told me he spends all day thinking about me and us...in true cold-hearted fashion, I said I hoped he was exaggerating because I didn't think that was healthy. I'm sticking with it, even if it is rude. Believe it or not, I don't want to be the center of someone's universe.