Welcome Andrew John!!

Congrats to Kelly, Greg & big sister Kaitlyn, on their beautiful little baby boy. Another little mini-Zag!! We are so happy for their family - what a fortunate little boy to have such a wonderful, loving, caring mom (& dad t00!)

Can't wait for Bea to meet Kaitlyn and her little brother someday - hopefully in Spokane - and hopefully before their first day of college together!

For only 3 easy installments...

...of $19.99, you too may own this beautifully handcrafted porcelain plate featuring the pug of the month, Oliver. His soulfoul eyes wil touch your heart and life in a way no other pug on a plate can.

Fall Feast

We are milking the fall season for all it's worth.

Today Bea, Ollie & I made pumpkin "creatures." We made a little pumpkin devil and squash bat. Here's a picture of Bea and her devil.

We also all hiked in Pattee Canyon this evening. As we were getting out of the car and approaching the trailhead Bea chirps,
"Actuwee I will need my mittens.....actuwee I will also need my hat."
She is constantly snapping my head around in double-takes.

Another trait of Bea's that continues to amaze me is her willingness to try darn near every food I put in front of her. She's such a kick ass little kid. By way of example, tonight we made a "fall feast" complete with Porcini & Lobster Mushroom Pasta, Baked Endive & Rosemary Foccacia. Bea totally chowed on the endive, calling it "baked salad" and "savored" two helpings of the mushroom pasta. She of course had no issue eating the pumpkin cookies. Here's a picture of her & Daddy eating the fall feast by candlelight:

Nannie & Pappy are flying back tomorrow from California with Auntie Lollie & Pop. They went down to surprise Great-grandma Mimi for her 80th birthday. Happy Birthday Mimi - we love you!!

On a sad note, Bea's surrogate Grandma, Donna, had to go the emergency room this week and ended up with a pacemaker. She called on Thursday afternoon to let us know, "I don't think I can babysit Bea on Friday, but I'll be fine by Monday." As George says, "That woman is as tough as nuts." It's true. She's 76, yet manages to get up darn near every morning at 5:00 am, hit the gym, have coffee w/ friends, then show up at our house at 8am to watch a 2 year old all day. To add insult to my seemingly lazy ass, during the day she routinely does all the laundry I never get done & usually cleans (I mean cleans ) my entire house. Then for fun she does stuff like bike the Hiawatha trail, run the Lutheran quilting club, and hit happy hour with her friends at the Montana Club. Although she comes across as a crusty ol' Norweigan from Minnesooota, she is a total softie for Bea. She bakes Bea cookies darn near every day she watches her and is always dreaming up little trips and projects for them. This includes introducing Bea to various authentic homecooked Scandahoovian meals.

At any rate, we were quite concerned for her and went to visit her once she was back at home. We put together a little get well basket for her and some flowers. When we showed up at her house she was up and about wanting to pick up Bea. Bea was dumbfounded that Donna actually lived in her own house. But in no time flat she was saddled up next to Donna begging for Donna's cookies with her eyes. She doesn't even have to verbally request a cookie from Donna any more. They operate on cookie ESP. True to form Donna had sugar cookies baked and waiting for the next time she was to watch Bea. We are praying for her quick and healthy recovery. Bea is so fortunate to have (yet another) person who cares so much for her. After our previous babysitting disasters, Donna is Bea's angel.

Bea's Halloween Costume

Pappy

Life is Oh-So-Skeetie-rific

Life is good.

I love the fall season, especially in Missoula.

Especially with Skeetie.
This fall we have been taking little hikes as often as we can.

We usually head out to Pattee Canyon or MacClay Flats.

As soon as Skeetie's little red crocs hit the dirt trail she typically squeals in delight, "I wanna run-a-run-a-run!!" and starts pumping her little arms like she's running. The little kiddo loves to run, hike, jump and now...skip.

Last Sunday Bea, Mr. O & I got up in the morning, made scram sandwiches then beat feet to Pattee Canyon. Bea walked (run-a-run-a-run) the entire way but took the time to search out, and covet, the best pinecones she could find. Her little sweatshirt pockets were crammed full of pinecones. She also brow beat Ollie into letting her walk him. Little champ played along and humoured her for a good portion of the hike.

Upon return we made pinecone pets, specifically pinecone owls, more specifically, Mr. Hoots.

I am particularly impressed with my ability to initiate and facililtate pinecone owl projects.

We're also in the throes of bathroom renovations. I love our house, but I will be happy to have the nasty little vermiculite pellets safely sealed behind tile. AND I don't ever want to tear up another goddamned lino floor as long as I live. I'm not sure which is more harmful: the toxic mold growing behind the cabinets, the vermiculite in the walls, or the JASCO chemical solution we used to pull up the left over adhesive from the tiles. Oh wait, I forgot to mention the "aggresive house spiders" that inhabit our downstairs bathroom that we haved moved into while the upstairs is being reno'ed. Ugh.

Those pleasantries aside, our whole family took a little jaunt out to MacClay Flats on Wed. Here's a few pics from that little adventure:

Frau recouperating by the car after a long walk.

That night George worked security at the Rolling Stones concert. He actually had "escort detail" meaning he drove out to the Paw Up Ranch to pick up and escort the band back to the U then worked the concert and escorted them back. Pretty neat. He looked very official with his gun on his hip and his Kevlar vest on. Rrrraarrrr.... Speaking of my husband in uniforms, congrats to him on passing his EMT certification test as well as sucessfully completing his firefighting training. Here is the aircraft fire George had to stroll up to and (attempt) to put out:

He made it back, uncharred, and in one piece. Now we are done with the long-distance training. Which is good, because I simply miss him far too much when he's gone.

Bea & I didn't go to the Stones concert instead we took Frau to the self-service "puppy spa" to get bathed and blow-dried. Now Frau is doing his little Broadway walk all around house with his tail tightly curled fluffy as a snowball. Oliver's baths have a direct impact on his pug-esteem.

So Monday we are leaving for a week to meet George's parents in Fairmont, B.C. Cannot wait. Hot Springs, Molson Canadian, Golf, Tennis, Molson Canadian, Ketchup Chips, Afternoon Naps, Morning Runs, Hot Stone Massages, Molson Canadian, but most of all.....good conversations & company.

Snubbed By a Puggy and a Hubby

Seriously, come on. My lack of intimate space with my husband, in my own bed, is verging on ridiculous.

Oh sorry, did I wake you two?

The Hills are Alive....

...with the sounds of cousins squealing.

George, Katie and I took cousies Bea & Gabe up to Snowbowl for the afternoon. George went mountain biking while Katie and I sat out on the Lodge deck and fed the kiddies pepperoni pizza (undisputedly the best pizza at Snowbowl), watched them pick non-poisonous berries (or so we think) and drank a few pitchers of Hefe.

By the end of the afternoon Katie was pretending to compete in the gelande and I was scoring her on a scale of 1-10. We think Bea & Gabe were still picking non-poisonous berries. George came skittering down the hill just in time to enjoy the last slice of pizza and glass of beer. Prost!

Greenough, Pet Rocks and a Little Paint

A relatively quiet Sunday, just the girls and Mr. O, as George had to work today.

We did the have the benefit of Sat afternoon and evening as a family. Last night we ended up making grilled panini together, then hit Big Dipper for some ice cream. Rounded out the evening with a beautiful walk in Maclay Flats; Bea & Ollie tossed rocks and romped in the river.

Some of the smoke from the forest fires has cleared out of the Valley, so its a decent day today. Bea, Frau & I went for quite a long juant in Greenough along Rattlesnake Creek. Bea and I collected rocks from the Creek so we could make some "pets" for our backyard. On the way home we ended up stopping by Bonner park so Bea could play awhile. Then we made lunch and commenced the pet rock project.

Bea got paints from her cousin Gabe for her birthday so we put them to good use. One thing I noticed about her though. She got really tweaked when her hands got dirty or if she got paint on the table or her t-shirt. I felt sort of bad since that is obviously a direct reaction to me always telling her to "wipe her hands" "be careful not to spill" "don't get ____ on the table." At any rate, I felt pretty guilty that a 2 year old would be so concious and preoccupied with keeping clean. So I made a point to get some paint on her and myself (...ok...and Frau too). I think I better lay off the control freak tendencies and let her just enjoy being a kid at the expense of a dirty t-shirt.

She seemed to have a lot of fun painting her "ladybug." I know I had fun painting my "turtle."

Here she is with our new backyard friends:

Afterwards she enjoyed a nice long hot bath (note the splash of brown paint by her nose, that's as crazy as she'd get) and is now blissfully sleeping the afternoon away w/ Ollie.

Just waiting for George to get home from work. Uncle Al and Sasha are coming over for dinner before they fly back to Seattle, then we're headed to a campaign party for John Tester.

Snug as Two Bugs in a Rug

Frau is becoming more humanoid every passing day and Bea is begining to exhibit pug-like qualities.

Clearly there is no pressing need for child # 2.

We're Back!

Been a very long time since I posted..in the interim our family:

• survived George's stint at the MLEA. (Monkey Toes!!)
• Proudly watched our Daddy graduate from the MLEA
• Enjoyed many wonderful days on Flathead Lake at the Meeks Compound

• 

• Transitioned from Elmo into a full fledge "Curey-George" (Curious George) obsession. Hey, at least it's not Bratz or Polly Pocket or some overly-feminized girly shit that has my daughter playing with dolls that are essentially dressed like tweeny-hookers.
• Had a whirlwind long weekend with Grandma & Grandpa Erickson, complete with Osprey baseball and backyard BBQs enjoyed (suffered) in 104 degree heat.
• Celebrated Skeetie's 2nd Birthday, Curey-George style in Bea & Ollie's backyard.
• Met baby Casey Weight for the first time, subsequently planting the seed of "big sister status" in Bea's brain.
• Finally, was a part of an incredibly sincere, beautiful and moving experience: Shonna & David's wedding on the Long Beach peninsula. :)
• Wrapped up Labor Day Weekend by relaxing in our family vacation spot, Cannon Beach, Oregon. Complete with sand, Drop-Top, Pizza-a-Feta, Tolovanna and lots-o-Crab and Chower for Skeetie.

Now we are back in the swing of things. George is enjoying his new job, and I must say, it is the coolest, most impressive, male-jealousy-inducing, job out there. He has the biggest and baddest guns, firetrucks, airplanes and any other toy you could think of at his disposal. To top it off, it is relatively low-stress, low-key, and best of all he has the benefit of working with very nice, considerate people. To say I am extremely proud and grateful is actually an understatement.

Another milestone....Bea has nearly finished her potty-training. The kiddo is amazing. Donna, her Norwegian-surrogate-grandmother-babysitter actually got the ball rolling and did a fantastic job. We finished up by buying her real panties this week. I actually found Curey-George panties and little panties that have dogs on them. Bea solemnly pledges "Bea do not pee-pee on Curey-George." "Bea do not pee-pee on Curey-George's doggie, Woof-Woof." She is doing great. She makes a definite point to never poop in her panties, she in fact enjoys doing so in the "toitee." At any rate, we're almost there.

All in all, life is good. Fall is near, pug-a-lug-a-ding-dong has been seen sniffing the fall breeze, and we are ready for a beautiful, crisp, Missoula fall. And we all know, with Missoula falls comes trips to the Hamilton House in Victor with the Hurshes and Cunningham/Thomas duo. Yippee for Guiness and fish & chips!! :)

Elmo Pancakes

I totally qualify as the mother of a toddler.

Yes, that is exactly what I made Bea for breakfast this morning: Elmo pancakes.

Striking resemblence, don't you think? Bea thought so - she loved my creation. Here is the commencement of the Elmo Feast:

Now feasting on Elmo's eyeball.....

...and finally, satiated Skeetie

Frau begging for a little piece of Elmo

After brekkie we took a long, hot shower, then Bea jumped on her rocking cow for a little nudie bareback riding - moooo!!

Quite simply, Georgie has no earthly idea what his girls are up to while he's away. Long leisurely breakfasts; nice hot showers wherein we use every single drop of hot water; simultaneously turning on the heat and opening the windows for fresh air; running around the house nudie (Bea, not me); trips to Target for no other purpose than to purchase potpourri. When the cat is away the mice will play!! And I know Frau ain't talkin.
Not like he doesn't indulge our every whims when he's here anyway...

Only 2 more nights until Daddy comes home!!! Then, 2 weeks down, 10 to go. Love you sweetie. xx00

George's arrival at home last Friday was far more thrilling for Bea than a visit from the Easter Bunny. He was the highlight of her weekend. Her Nannay taking a close, I mean very close, second.

Prior to that, last Weds Chowds and I had a particularly fun day. She dressed herself up in her riding gear and we biked downtown, hit Go Fetch to get treats for Ollie, Bella Sauvage, lunch at the Catalyst together and spent some time playing at Dragon's Hollow. She's hilarious now. She has a tendency to pick out one particular item of clothing to complete her outfit for the day. Last Wed it was a hat she used to wear as an infant. She insisted on cramming her Skeet head into it, then topped off the look with sunglasses.

We came home to a Easter package from Grandma (Mamaw) and Grandpa (PaPa) complete with chocolate eggs and bunny ears. I had to strap Bea into her carseat to get her to put the ears on for the first time. But then she warmed up to them, put them on and hopped around the house like a Bunnn-neee!!

Thankfully Nannie came on Friday to babysit Bea. Bea loves her so much that I actually got snubbed in favor of her Nannie. Here's why, I come home to find Bea sitting in her high chair eating ham for lunch while my mom is giving her footrubs. Seriously. My mom would finish with one foot and Bea would automatically stick out her other foot for another rub. Nothing like ham and foot massage before your nap. She also adores my mom because my mom actually slept in a blow-up Elmo toddler bed on Bea's bedroom floor with Bea.

Poor Bea was fairly confused when my mom left. Of course she's just generally confused about people leaving. The Thursday night before G got home Bea heard my mom talking about her dog Bella. Bea had a complete emotional breakdown crying, "Bellya, Bellya, Bellya..." She knew she missed someone (George) but couldn't quite figure out who she missed.

George made it home without incident on Friday. We went out to dinner at the Bridge then went to bed. Bea throughly enjoyed snuggling with her dad. She spent that morning doing yardwork/gardening with him moving piles of dirt from one corner of the yard to another.

We ended up celebrating Easter a day early; so that Sat afternoon we went to my Aunt Laura's house for Easter dinner. Bea and Gabe had a blast hunting eggs. Bea even hopped on a tricyle and hunted eggs on wheels. Egg hunting proved to be an instant hit which kept them busy while we at deviled eggs and drank wine.

Here's little precious pants just prior to the hair-pulling; egg snatching; trike-riding for advantage; who's basket is the fullest Egg Hunt.

George & I snuck away from Easter dinner to attend Elizabeth & Shawn's joint 30th birthday party. It was a good time: copious amounts of hot wings and a keg to boot.

Next morning Bea was mildly excited about her Easter basket, whereas Oliver was ecstatic about his basket. Frau wasted no time snarfing and scarfing down all his basket treats, including some Easter grass which I discovered the next day while walking him. I will spare you the deatails.

We spent the rest of the morning with my parents eating hot cross buns, drinking coffee and generally relaxing. It was really nice. Here is a picture of Bea hugging the bunny she got from Todd & Cakey, she loves that bunny!!

Well, George is back in Helena and we are making our way through another week. Can't wait to see him on Friday though. Love you Georgie - we think about you all the time. See you in a few days Babes.

The Easter Daddy

George's arrival at home last Friday was far more thrilling for Bea than a visit from the Easter Bunny. He was the highlight of her weekend. Her Nannay taking a close, I mean very close, second.

Prior to that, last Weds Chowds and I had a particularly fun day. She dressed herself up in her riding gear and we biked downtown, hit Go Fetch to get treats for Ollie, Bella Sauvage, lunch at the Catalyst together and spent some time playing at Dragon's Hollow. She's hilarious now. She has a tendency to pick out one particular item of clothing to complete her outfit for the day. Last Wed it was a hat she used to wear as an infant. She insisted on cramming her Skeet head into it, then topped off the look with sunglasses.

We came home to a Easter package from Grandma (Mamaw) and Grandpa (PaPa) complete with chocolate eggs and bunny ears. I had to strap Bea into her carseat to get her to put the ears on for the first time. But then she warmed up to them, put them on and hopped around the house like a Bunnn-neee!!

Thankfully Nannie came on Friday to babysit Bea. Bea loves her so much that I actually got snubbed in favor of her Nannie. Here's why, I come home to find Bea sitting in her high chair eating ham for lunch while my mom is giving her footrubs. Seriously. My mom would finish with one foot and Bea would automatically stick out her other foot for another rub. Nothing like ham and foot massage before your nap. She also adores my mom because my mom actually slept in a blow-up Elmo toddler bed on Bea's bedroom floor with Bea.

Poor Bea was fairly confused when my mom left. Of course she's just generally confused about people leaving. The Thursday night before G got home Bea heard my mom talking about her dog Bella. Bea had a complete emotional breakdown crying, "Bellya, Bellya, Bellya..." She knew she missed someone (George) but couldn't quite figure it out because she was just so tired and emotionally overwrought from a long week without Daddy.

At any rate George made it home on Friday, we all went out to dinner at the Bridge. Then the next day here's what I wake up to:

It was really cute, she was totally snuggling and hugging his arm. They spent the majority of the morning doing yardwork/gardening together. We bought her a little spade and hoe, so she followed George all around moving little piles of dirt from one corner of the yard to another.

That Sat afternoon we celebrated Easter early at my Aunt's house. Bea & Gabe hunted eggs and caught on really quick. In fact, at one point Bea hopped on the tricycle and hunted eggs on wheels.

Here she is being a little precious pants prior to the hair-pulling; egg-snatching; tricycle-riding; who's egg basket is the fullest Egg Hunt at Auntie Lollie & Uncle Pop's.

George & I snuck away from Easter dinner to attend Elizabeth & Yon's joint 30th birthday party. It was a lot of fun: copious amounts of hot wings and a full keg to boot.

Which brings us to Easter morning. Bea was mildly excited about her Easter basket, more interested in hunting eggs yet again. Oliver was ecstatic about his Easter basket and wasted no time eating every single treat, including some Easter grass, which I discovered the next day on our walk.

We spent Easter morning eating hot cross buns, drinking coffee and just relaxing with my parents. It was really nice and Bea loved having her Nannay & Pappy around to dote on her. Todd & Cakey were passing through town and left her the bunny she's hugging in the picture below. She loves this bunny!!!

Well, George is back in Helena and we are all making our way through another week. Very much looking forward to spending time together on Friday.

We love you Georgie. Cannot wait to see you in a few days Babes - hang in there. xx00

Ma Po Po

Nope, that is not a Beatrice invented/pronunciation.
That is what George taught Bea to call me. And does she ever. "Ma Po Po!"
What would cause George to create this name for me?
Because George lets her jump on the bed; I do not.
George lets her eat Krispy Kremes; I do not.
George lets her play with Magic Markers, unattended; I do not.

So when he's in our bedroom jumping on the bed with her, and I enter the room, George exclaims in his best southern drawl:
"Uh-oh Powerskeet! It's the poe-lice! It's Ma poe-lice man! It's Ma Po Po!! Can you say Ma Po Po?"
Mapopo. Mapopo. Mapopo. Mapopo.

Ok, so here's the kicker. Bea had a really, really rough day today. Everything was just pissing her off. Tonight I was with her downstairs and she's chirping, "MaPoPo" over and over. Simultaneously, I take my water bottle away from her. Bea hollers: "No, no, no Ma Po Po!!" with a feigned scowl on her face.

Seriously. It's getting to the point where Puggy is the most sane individual in this household.

On another note, I think we finally secured a nanny to babysit on Th/Fr while Georgie is away. We hired Big Sky Nanny Service to help us in our quest; they happily charged us a hefty fee and then gave us complete shit applications. Here is a real example of one girl:
19 years old
no childcare experience
Was fired from IHOP & Target, arrested from Target at her discharge for stealing.
Admits on her application to drinking weekly; has been arrested for an MIP.

Ma Po Po had a little chitty-chat with the Nanny Service today.

Honestly, WTF??!!! Not to mention we hired this service almost two months ago, and were left the week George left with no childcare. However, we appear to have found ourselves, what seems to be, a very good, reliable babysitter, no thanks to the nanny service. Hopefully nothing falls through. This whole childcare situation makes me feel like crap and a failure for not being able to just stay home with my baby more often. I feel so guilty just trying to "find" people to watch her. This week she has four different people watching her. We're always trying to piece together babysitting and it drives us mad.

She just has a hard time sometimes when George & I aren't with her. She tends to get absolutely wild by the time we arrive home and she's craving our attention so bad that she has a tendency to act out. Poor little thing, she's the best kiddo ever. We just love her so much.

Anyway, talked with my sweetie tonight. He's hangin' in there and still trying to run certain parts of our household from his cell phone in Helena. Miss his company and presence so much. It's amazing how fulfilled our lives are together. Feels pretty empty without him after Bea goes to bed. Amen for Frau.

3 more days until our favorite, #1 Daddy comes home!!!! Love you dearly Babes.

Mulligans, Krispy Kremes & Pink Eggs

I took Friday afternoon off work to spend some last valuable time with George prior to his departure. We went golfing with Bea. Her jogging stroller doubled as a caddy/beer cooler/kid tote. It was alot of fun, beautiful weather. We'd hit the ball, Bea would haul ass down the fairway in hot pursuit. She had a fantastic time getting to the balls before we did, plucking them off the green and dumping them into the hole.
















Then we went to Tower Pizza with Ben, Kelly, Grant, Elizabeth & Yon for a little pizza party. Which turned into a full night of drinking and bullshitting with Grant & Bea to entertain each other.

Saturday morning we went for a nice long walk, then George took us to Krispy Kreme for a treat. No sooner did we pull up to the drive through than did Bea starting chirping:
"No-nit! No-nit! No-nut! No-nut!!!"
"No-nut peas?" (doughnut please?)
"Dank do" (thank you)
. . .
silence, silence, silence, silence
. . .
"Mo no-nit peas?" (more doughnut please?)
Me: No Bea, no more doughnut (I don't condone KK for my daughter, but apparently G & B eat them on the sly when I'm at work.
"Dadd-ee! Dad-ee!! Mo no-nit Dadee?"

She has mastered divide and conquer at an early age.

After KK, we went to her friend, Sam's, 3rd birthday at the Missoula Children's Museum.
After we got home Bea went to bed early, and George and I made a nice candlelight dinner and spent some very cherished, and valuable, time together.

THEN.....Doomsday. Today Georgie left for the Law Enforcement Academy.
I mistakenly told Bea that Daddy would talk to her on the phone later, so she kept running and grabbing the phone and asking "Daddee?"

Then her balloon popped (because she bit it) which scared the living shit out of her and left her traumatized for the remainder of the afternoon/evening. She repeatedly returned to the scene of the popping and stared at me in disbelief exclaiming:
Ba-moon...pop?! (balloon pop?) Ah gone, bye-bye.
2-3 mins pass.....
Ba-moon ....pop?! Noo, ba-moon!! Ah gone, bye-bye.

And so the ritual went, over and over and over. The greiving process for the balloon.

To take her mind of Daddy leaving and balloon popping, we called Uncle Al (unca unca unca Al!!!) and dyed Easter Eggs.



















We ended the day by having Sunday dinner at Auntie Lollie's with cousin Gabe, Kevin, Uncle Fuzzy (Fuh-hee, as Bea says), Scary Cameron & her favorite Auntie Libby.

Oliver got his chance to shine by pledging to MTPR in "Pet Wars." Ollie's message was broadcast at 10pm and Georgie called me from Helena to tell me he heard it in his little dorm room too! Ollie mentioned that as Bea's big pug-brother he has introduced her to, and indoctrinated her with, daily broadcasts of the Pea Green Boat, on Montana Public Radio. Good little puggy, so socially responsible.

Every day is a Bea-tiful day, even without Daddy.
5 more days until Georgie comes home!!! We love you, love you, love you Daddy!!!

Cabin Fever

Bea & I had cabin fever today. So we pretended to go to Hawaii.












Today was my day home with Bea. We slept in until 8:00, had scrams & toast, then went for a hike with puggy at Blue Mountain. Oliver almost got snatched up by what looked to be an enormous eagle, or something. Actually, it looked more like a condor, but I know that's not right. Initially I thought it was a small aircraft, then noticed how it kept getting lower, lower, lower and circling right above Frau. Yikes! So I put puggy back on his leash, yelled at the bird/aircraft and we went on our merry way.

I also got to babysit Gabe today; we finally had one-on-one time. Bea was napping most of the time he was here. Gabe & I played, played, played, rocked, cuddled, he ate some lunch, then his Grandma Lollie came to pick him up.

I put the barrette in his hair because, quite frankly, Bea has no hair and I've been dying to use those barrettes. Also, to keep his hair out of his eyes while he was eating.

Well, 3 days until Georgie leaves. I'm stressed and sad, but Bea & I will just deal. Puggy will have to step up and be man of the house for 3 months. I'm really going to miss talking to George. After all, he is my very closest friend and no one else listens to me and understands me the same way he does. I'm also worried about Bea. She is very close to George and I don't think she's going to understand what's going on. She talks about him constantly when he's at work or out of the house. She is definitely just as attached to him as she is me. At least we get to see him on the weekends. Just makes me realize how fortunate we are to have such a close-knit family. The four of us really get along great for the most part.