Killed with conferences

I'm sort of recovering from my second cold. I got the first one as we returned from Hawaii and the second began last week, in time for the St. Louis conference. As unpleasant as my cold has been, Esteemed Spouse (always a one-upmanship contender) has been having a doozy. He caught it from me, presumably, and his has resulted in much nose-blowing and even more coughing. He coughs like he's got lung cancer. I fully expect him to double over and faint from the effort. We had to get room service to deliver an additional box of tissues.

But, as guilty as we felt for spreading germs, it was lovely to see my good friends. We spent a good part of Thursday with Liz, Don, and their gorgeous little Sophie, a sixteen-month-old delight. Such big blue eyes and long eyelashes! She hardly ever stopped smiling and laughing and goo-goo-ing and gurgling. She doesn't walk yet, probably because no one lets her out of their arms long enough for her to be on the floor.

We had dinner with Jackie, Dale, and Calvin Friday night. Calvin has turned into quite a charming and very tall young man. He made dessert for us from his Star Wars cookbook: Yoda Soda. Tangy and delicious! Jackie is as beautiful as ever, and Dale as handsome. But the reason we love them so much is that we talk nonstop and never run out of things to say. I miss having such good friends nearby. Probably because my husband's head cold had him mentally dimwitted, somehow we didn't get any photos of Calvin, but we did get a couple of Jackie and Dale.

Today, alas, I must return to school. In fact, I should have already gotten packed and dressed, but I'm lounging around, instead, prolonging the weekend. Yesterday I ran to the grocery store and got a few things to help my beloved suffering spouse through his long week (today, especially). I made him chicken and rice (his favorite comfort food) last night. Lots of leftovers, so he can have supper tonight.

Just in passing: both of us did a good job with our presentations, but I must praise my husband: his was brilliant. And he is a wizard with Powerpoint. I really think he is on to something big with his ideas, and the very small audience thought so, too. I wish he'd had a room full of people, but part of what I did not like about the Pop Culture conference is that it's just too broad. There's something for everyone, admittedly, which is why only two or three people attend most sessions.

Gotta get busy and go earn my paycheck.