We could not find Grey Cat the other night. It was getting late, and as Jay and I were walking in I gave him an “I wonder where she is” glance (married only 3 years and he can read my thoughts already!). His response…? “Don’t do it! Don’t even think about it.” Well that did it and I stomped over to the storm drain. (For history, reread the Fireman story)

I am greeted by meows. Translation…Mommy let me out!!! We try again. Jay is muttering something about her being stupid enough to go in there again so we are going to leave her there. I go inside so Gia and Pappou don’t come out wondering what is going on with the promise that Jay will get her in the morning if she is still there. I go out to check a few hours later and Grey cat scurries in. Damn Cat!

She did it again yesterday. Meowing the whole time. This time I saw her get out so she can’t play the stranded cat card anymore!!!

This tidbit was deleted from our original post about arriving in India. Jay made me delete it from there because it was very early in our trip and he did not want to unnecessarily concern our family and friends back home. In light of the recent bombing in India, thought I would post this now.

While I was sleeping [on the 3 hour drive from Bombay to Pune], Jay saw a Muslim rally with bus loads of men carrying wooden swords. They were also waving a large picture of Bin Laden. Out of shock and a little bit of fear, the scene passed before he could think to grab the camera.

I am glad I missed that one because our experience here so far has been a very welcoming one and I would hate to have it marred by seeing such an event.

Our trip to India was nothing but pleasant and welcoming. We met people of various social structures and beliefs and never felt ill at ease. I am happy that we had such a wonderful experience in India and my heart goes out to the people (and their families) on that train, as well as the people who live there, because that must be so very disconcerting.

It is good to be home though…

So, this always happens. I get behind. I don’t write new because I want to catch up on the old. Well, two weeks have passed and zippo. Sgggoooom. Out with the old, in with the new. (Remaining India pics to come, I promise.)

GiaGia and Pappou arrived on Sunday for a 3 week visit. So far, things have gone great. No fights with Gia, and considering, that is a feat worthy of the Guinness Book of Records (or just a pint of Guinness). I suppose a clash of old(ish) versus young(ish) is bound to happen though, and we were introduced to the generation gap this morning.

Call it a different generation, a different location, whatever, but my grandparents obsessively lock doors and check stoves. Well, Jay and I left this morning, already late for work. I was panicked. We left. Driving down the interstate my phone chirps. Of course, it is buried somewhere in my purse which is trapped under my laptop so I answer only seconds before voicemail kicks in. It is a strange number but a familiar voice…Gia.

She is at the neighbors..locked out. The sentence itself rings through me something like the joke of the man who locks his family in the car. How exactly can you be locked out when all our doors lock from the inside unless you have your keys to lock them with? Apparently, Pappou locked the front door immediately after we left (gotta beware of those daytime Williamson County bandits) then proceeded to have his coffee on the back patio. Gia followed him and closed the door behind her. Amazingly (Ta Da!) the door locked. No idea how it happened. Actually, I did not know you could do it, but leave it to Gia to find the bullet proof lock. She swears she did not do it…clearly the Patron Saint of Locked Doors came down and did it for her.

Jay, being the wonderful, amazing, and only level headed person in this marriage came to my rescue. He calmed me down, made me laugh, dropped me off at work (way out of his way-I always drop him off) and went back to rescue the 70-somethings from their outside confinement.

I realized later my car door was unlocked and the garage door opener was in there, but considering that they have yet to master the TV remote…

…Plus, the Patron Saint probably locked that door too.