Ether bunny
We had a sunny, snowy Easter yesterday. Easter came unusually early this year, rather disappointing for all the girls who wanted to show off their cute spring dresses. We drove the new car to Rockford and obsessed over the real-time gas mileage calculator. Unfortunately, had to leave little Foley at home, because in two trips in the new car she has peed both times. I am convinced she is making dominance plays at us, showing her displeasure with the change in routine by lashing out with one of the few tools she has. Between that and the other stuff she pulls, I'm about this close to resorting to the anti-anxiety medication, or hiring a doggy psychologist. I never wanted to be one of those people who uses a doggy psychologist but she has a behavioral problem and I don't know what else to do :(

Anyway - standard Easter with the food and the conversation and some really excellent brownies, made by me (Ghirardelli is the best). The rest of my family is religious but nobody really talks about it or makes a big deal about it. This year, for the first time in my memory, grace was said before dinner, because a new addition to the family is particularly religious and is being somewhat assertive about it. I remain firm in the resolution I made to myself at a wedding long ago never to pretend to participate in prayer, so during grace I sat up straight, looked ahead, and waited politely until it was over. I respect my relatives' right to have their beliefs, but I won't play along. If they're following their own rules properly, they'll never see my heathen behavior and everyone will be happy.

But later, I was nearly thrust into an argument I didn't want to have. My husband had just accidentally eaten a walnut (this new family member isn't familiar with the nut rules yet) and had calmly but rapidly gone to the car to find a store where he could buy antihistamines. While he was gone, the conversation turned to which stores were or were not open on Easter, and the general consensus was that everything should close on Easter. I felt my ire rise instantly; had everyone forgotten that their own relative was at that moment looking for an open store to save his life?? (Not that his reactions are life-threatening, but some people's are, so I exaggerated to myself.) Yes, it's nice to have a day off if a holiday is important to you. However, compromises can be made to the benefit of both employees and consumers.

Only two dozen marshmallow eggs this year. I've been a real slacker.
- posted by Diane @ 10:29 AM