So...puzzles and pee

People, when Ol was sick last week, I ordered two new White Mountain 1,000-piece puzzles. Cuz that's how I roll when illness courses through our house. Ol has pretty much zero interest in puzzling, however, so I didn't start in on Wacky Packages until Saturday. I schlepped my trusty card table from the garage to the basement, set up shop on the couch and laid out about 80% of the border and a few of the silly packages before taking a break. Hours later, or was it overnight, I returned to the table, eager to continue.

What I found was the aftermath of a Tasmanian Devil's spin through the 1,000 pieces. Seriously, none of the pieces remained together, some were back in the box, the floor was littered... it was like some lunatic had tossed a giant puzzle salad with frenzy and then left as quickly as he'd arrived. But wait, what's that? Why are some of the pieces in the box wet? An anxious, investigatory sniff alerted me to the completely unwelcome presence of pee. Cat pee. Nutmeg, he of the UTI, had apparently gone apeshit in my puzzle and then iced the cake by wetting it. I dare say I was more offended than I've been in some time.

Tom was repulsed and suggested I throw the puzzle out. But I could tell just how challenging and enjoying Wacky Packages would be, and so I refused. I put that sucker together, piece by soggy piece, until I finished late yesterday afternoon. Disgusting, but I was not about to let Cat get in my way: Wacky Packages did not disappoint. Then I scoured my hands 85 times because really, it was kinda gross.

It's always something.

Oliver finally returned to school today, and it is unbelievable to have all this time on my hands. I took myself out for a quick breakfast and then exercised. And showered. And actually filed my nails. As our home would have been condemned had any non-family member seen it, it's good I have also had hours to clean.

Have y'all read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? I have been reading it aloud to Jack and Tom for the past two nights, and it is fabulous. Very edge-of-your-seat with innumerable opportunities to teach J new words. We've been lighting a fire and cuddling round the hearth. Thank you Verne!

Mio nipote

Could you die over those perfect lips??!! I cannot wait to hold him!

My nephew is here, Ol is well

I am the proudest auntie ever! My nephew, Leone (pron: Lay-oh-nay) Paul, roared into the world about two hours ago. He is absolutely precious, and his parents are besotted. I cannot wait to meet him in person in a few weeks when I head east across the pond. Thank you for all the good wishes and happy vibes sent my family's way. I do not yet have a photo that isn't R-rated in some respect, so you will have to wait to lay eyes on L. Thank you also for checking in on Oliver. He is almost completely back to his non-sick, mischievous, funny self, and that is a relief although I think Jack could do without some of O's naughtiness as it usually plays out in his stuff being pilfered and hidden, but alas.

After a twenty-minute crisis on Halloween evening, Oliver gathered his glorious Wonder Woman self and headed out into the chilly night with us. My dear trainer joined us, sportingly dressed as Princess Jasmine, and lovingly wrapped him in a fleecy jacket between each house. Although we didn't stay out long, Green Ninja and Wondy managed to procure a great deal of candy which they have been sneak-eating since, no matter how high up I pitch their bags. Alas again.