A spoon full of Sugar and a pinch o’ Pepper

Last Wednesday I met my mother-n-law with the kids at the worlds tallest thermometer. The thermometer read 108 as I rushed the kids inside Del Taco for cover from the burning soleil. “We’re across from the Alien Jerky,” I told her as we collaborated a meeting spot. The kids were anxious to get out of the car. I was anxious to get the whole drive over with since I had to work in the morning. Plus, It was our first night of freedom. What do people without kids actually do?

Wednesday night we just stayed home and rested.

Thursday I went out with the work girls to El Torito and had a delicious raspberry mojito.

Friday, dinner at Marisa’s Mexican Food followed by a quick stop into a local dive.

Saturday the heat was unbearable. We headed down for Venice Beach. I walked up and down the sidewalk with four blisters to find that our favorite spot had a line out the door with never foreseeing to seat people. We just wanted a cold beer and place to take off my shoes that were now torture devices for my feet. Damn it if i were to just wear flip-flops. The lack of pedicure dictated a loud “NO!” (Later Thom offered up his own shoes.) We finally settled at a place that had the cheapest hamburger and the most expensive pitcher. We were glad to sit some where and gaze at the ocean. Later on we went to our friend Brian’s where I had too many beers. Our landlord is flirting with the idea of selling our home. This and other pressures have made me sort of buckle emotionally.

Sunday the plan was kayaking with the jellyfish and a bbq at Thom’s co-worker’s place. The beer from the previous night made us miss the kayaking but I didn’t want to miss the bbq. Blue Sparks on the grill, smoke rising, and happy smells always make me feel good. We arrived at her cute place hidden away behind a beautiful old house that I desperately want to explore. Her place was decorated with beautifully selected low-brow art pieces with a mixture of framed vintage movie posters. I wanted to sleep and hydrate that day but our days were numbered until the kids get back. And even though the kids were gone other responsibilities were omnipresent. Cats were getting fixed to be picked up by 5pm. Monday loomed over us like a bolder ready to crush us.

So I had some vodka to kill the previous night’s pain. This hair of the dog was more like the whole dog. We had a great time and I most likely made an ass of myself and was really ill for two days afterwards. And all though I was convinced and mortified that I had humiliated Thom and co-workers alike. They convinced me otherwise. And my love for Thom has never been stronger. All of our faults and weaknesses smothered away in each other arms, in this house or any other place, we still have us. Oh and I think I have some new friends.