Franklinsanity

9:20 am, New Britain, CT:  In 48 hours I will be on a plane bound for SF; 48 hours after that I’ll be in Washington DC, and then 48 hours from then, back in New Britain.

While that will be a slight relief in terms of work, it will blow in terms of missing the bulk of the extended family.  However, that’s what the weekends are for, I figure.  Two sisters and one girlfriend arrive today – and there’s a grandad birthday at the Club – as in country club, not the “What Is Love, Baby Don’t Hurt Me,” kind.

Meaning, 4 kids under 7, 3 dogs, 4 siblings, 4 significant others and one set of grandparents.  Or, full chaos.

Ted and the Saucy Empress are already hyper – and Awesome Wife had to teach a Barre class (she’s converted the basement into a studio, with Grandad’s help as well as a little from Ted and me).  So we’ve packed the monkeys off with Ga for an hour or so, and I am writing this and prepping for the inevitable Saturday AM conference call.

Recent highlights from the last day or so:

• Saucy Empress learned to ride a bike, finally.  She’s been capable of it for at least 18 months, but decided it was more fun to have dad push her while she shouted directions – until 2 days ago.  God help any rickshaw drivers she encounters later in life.
• Saucy Empress also just learned what road rash feels like – she got distracted and raspberried her face and shoulder after wiping out.  A bummer, but also hugely ironic for me, as a child of the 70’s, because she was wearing basically full body armor – and still came out bloody.  I think she looks awesome.  She’s not so sure.
• Ted’s gone into full golf mode – it’s the sport of the male Devers – leaving me well behind.  Grandad is irritated because his swing has been tainted by the floor hockey he plays in Cali.
• Oonagh the Red Dragon has learned to squeeze herself through gaps in the fence in the large yard.  And taunt the other dogs, including the long-suffering, somewhat too-tubby, Kingsley.
• Oonagh also has crapped in nearly every room in the large house.
• I will never get tired of this house as a piece of beautiful early-20th-century construction.  10 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, multiple living rooms…go Stanley Works.  Perfect for large family gatherings, and after two decades of slow but steady repair by the in-laws, it’s now not only functional but comfortable.

Enjoying the calm before the storm.