Ceramics

So the m-i-l is a giver. She loves to give gifts. I was the blessed recipient of yet another of her giving sprees a couple of weeks ago. We went to a ceramics factory about and hour-and-a-half north of Rio, and she decided that I needed a cafezinho set. She has been very vocal about wanting to send a gift for each of my showers, and I think she finally got the gifts bought.

Here is a list of what she bought for the D-man and me:

• a coffee/tea/dessert service for 6
• a plaque with our last name on it decorated in the pattern of my choice (it matches the tea service)

Things that I bought include a couple of plates (for decoration), two mug/plate sets with the Brasilian flag on them, and a dish to put my small jewelry in. We're headed back this week to see what else we can buy -- sensory overload can be fun!

Trashy. Gossip. Laughable.

I went to the State Board of Pharmacy website today and did something I haven't done in a long time. When I was working and getting the board's newsletter every month, I rushed to the administrative hearings section to see whose license had been revoked or suspended. I always wondered if I knew anyone.

Then always came the question, "What did they do?" I remember my partners and I speculating on how in the world people did something bad enough to get fined by the State Board. I mean, you have to really break the law. There was the one guy who, upon a narcotics inspection, was short 800,000 Lortab in his inventory. I mean, what is that if not using, trafficking, selling drugs on the street to make a lot of money?

What's your guilty pleasure?

Ike

Well, even though I'm still in Brasil, Ike had me worried. The D-man lives in Houston, in what will be our house after we get married. His house has flooded 3 times in the past 8 years, so hurricanes and heavy rains make him and his family pretty nervous.

I talked to him during the weekend and got frequent updates. He had power the whole time, except for an hour one night (I can't remember which one). He had internet and phone service until Saturday night, AFTER the storm hit. Blech. He had minor roof damage and a leak into the coat closet. But only the coat closet.

What saved him? Or the house, I should say.... He put boards up around the bottom of his fence coming into his yard (see picture at left -- the right side of the picture is the street side). That, by itself, kept the waves from coming into his yard and into the house. Props to a man who plans well for impending emergencies!

So many numbers!

In addition to the rapidly growing (MASSIVE) guest list, my mom has had several people tell her they want to give me (and the D-man, if we can get him up to GA before the wedding) a wedding shower.

The list is up to about 40. Only in C-town, not to mention the few in the 'Ham that have offered. I love that everyone is so excited. I love that more showers mean more presents (is that tacky?).

We're already going to delegate the privilege of giving a brunch for the out-of-towners on the day of the wedding. Any ideas for the other 36 people?