http://www.ranablog.com Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:11:36 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Beth pointed out that I haven’t updated you all on the Empress. I’m sorry to say I honestly don’t know much more. She is still in the hospital and I haven’t been able to talk to the Grand Duchess again. The Empress is, indeed, an icon, not just ... http://www.ranablog.com/?p=3842 You know those ads? The ones that suggest you can build a whole architectural concept . . . a whole life . . . around Moen kitchen faucets. Do you ever wonder what’s coming out of that faucet to make them think that? Our kitchen faucet could have been ... http://www.ranablog.com/?p=3841 Day before yesterday, about six in the evening, the phone rang. It was the Grand Duchess, the Empress’ daughter, calling to tell me her mother is in the hospital. I knew when I stopped her from going up to the pool the other day that the Empress wasn’t well. ... http://www.ranablog.com/?p=3840 Don’t ask me where the last week has gone. I couldn’t even begin to tell you. I’ve given up on taming the “to do” list and am just trying to appease it, offering drops of blood to the legal pad on which it is scrawled – on the full moon ... http://www.ranablog.com/?p=3839 Yesterday the Empress tells me she’s been having digestive issues for two weeks, a scary business at her age and one that necessitates a lot of tests. I hadn’t seen her face to face in about ten days, and she’s lost weight and just in general doesn’t look good. ... http://www.ranablog.com/?p=3838 Thanks for all the emails asking if we survived. We did, I’ve just been too exhausted to do much in the way of writing. Remember, I ran around in West Texas August heat for three days in boots and blue jeans ‘cause I’m just not ready for MBT shoes and ... http://www.ranablog.com/?p=3837 It’s hard to come back after a four-day trip and pick up the beat of “normal” life or even to figure out things scribbled in the margin of my “to do” list like -- {indecipherable word} medical assistant school {indecipherable word} asterisk. Well okey dokey. I’ll get right on ... http://www.ranablog.com/?p=3826 Oh, and before I forget, I don’t know if the Wookie is passing out Oliva cigars or not, but there is much joy at the new arrival, who is doing well for all her teeny tinyness. Papa Bear’s Facebook page reports that Mama Bear makes funny noises in her ... http://www.ranablog.com/?p=3825 With the possible exception of taking out laptop insurance, I've done just about everything I could think of to ensure a smooth excursion. I’ve also consciously attempted not to over pack. Let me give you an example of how bad I am to prepare for Armageddon.  Not long after ... http://www.ranablog.com/?p=3824 I’m just about ready to throw back the hot tub cover and climb in with a large adult beverage . . . except we don’t have a hot tub . . . and I’m so tired, if I took a drink, I’d be out like a light in three sips. ... http://www.ranablog.com/?p=3821