The WTIT Tape Radio Blog promised to tell you of the birthday party of my granddaughter Lindsay’s FIRST birthday. The review is just my opinion of the events. It does not necessarily agree with the opinions of: My girlfriend Mimi, granddaughters Lauren or Lindsay, an exwife AKA Gigi, my ex-mother-in-law Mimi 2, my son Ben or his wife Maria, my daughter Heather or her husband Alec (outstanding with barbeque, BTW), various step-family including Marleen & her sister, step-brother Jason, bloggers of “Reason Enough” or “Plaid Sheep”, a bald guy who never said “hi”, or Grand Dad Morty, or an aunt or a step-grandfather who didn’t show, or any of the various children who ran around in circles. And speculation as to whom read whom’s blog, or even why there were AWOL people, was kept to an absolute minimum. Before we get to our story, happy birthday Lindsay! I love you!
ng my trip to North Carolina to visit Mimi, I met both her parents, the people and friends she worked with and some other friends as well. When you are younger you tend to worry about the impression that you will make. One of the benefits of growing older is that you really don’t give a rat’s ass about what anybody thinks. It is not I did not want her folks and friends to like me, but I am way beyond putting on a show for someone. When I met Mimi’s Mom, she started talking to me about needing someone to help with the garden since she and Mims’ Dad are getting older. She leaned forward as she stated that they would need help and then stared me down. In my younger years I would have made some effort to allow her to think I might help and worry about “an out” later. That day, I just leaned forward right back at her. I said, “Good luck with that.” 
Mimi met my folks on separate nights (they are divorced) in April. They really hit it off. Mimi wrote posts on meeting both my Dad and Mom that were both funny and touching. My sister (whom has not yet met Mimi) emailed Mimi to say that she loved the stories about our folks. Diane especially thought
that Mimi had captured the “spirit” of each our parents in the two posts. Up until now, we had not met each other’s children. My four live in four different states and her son wasn’t available during my time in Banister. On Saturday my daughter of Epiphany Alone fame threw a birthday party for her younger daughter, Lindsay, who turned 1 on Monday. Heather and Mimi have emailed and commented on each other’s blogs and Heather plays The Comeback Challenge quite a bit and has won a bunch of times. But meeting is very different. Heather did not know what to make of Mimi, because she didn’t look like her picture. Fortunately, I suggested that Mimi hide half her face since Heather hadn’t seen both sides before and that did the trick!
Mimi met Heather’s Mom, (t
here’s nothing like meeting the ex. Wait till she meets my others!) Mimi also met my son Ben and his wife Maria who came to celebrate Lindsay’s birthday, and planning to go off to Atlantic City after the party to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. My son James lives in California, so they probably won’t meet until the holidays. My daughter Julie lives in Connecticut, but has some serious health issues and chose not to make the trip. Mimi also met my former mother-in-law, who has her grandchildren call her- you guessed it – “Mimi”. “Nice to meet you,” Vicky said, “but I am the original Mimi”. God, I’ve been divorced from this woman’s daughter for almost as long as I was married to her and yet even an “ex-mother-in-law” can still be annoying.
It is a three-hour drive from Downtown, CT to Exit 9 in New Jersey. I was going to drive down and Mimi back. This arrangement would allow me and my Smirnoff to be able to be together at t
he party. But, my back was out. I wouldn’t take my pain meds, so I could drive. I was hurting and Mimi knew it. She insisted when we got about an hour into the trip to drive both ways. We stayed and visited with Heather, her husband Alec, my granddaughters Lindsay and Lauren and some close friends of Heather and Alec. By the time we left it was later than we expected. Our fancy dinner out became a truck stop. As Mimi told in her version of events, the highlight was as we were leaving I said, “Listen”. Mimi said, “So it’s loud, we are leaving.” I said, “No listen”. The music system was playing “our song”. She dared me to dance. We danced. (I am the wrong guy to dare. As I said up top. I don’t a rat’s ass what anybody thinks. Except those I love. Trust me, Mimi was the only person in the train wreck of a truck stop who qualified.)
Mimi was so tired driving home I had to keep joking with her to keep her awake. I also had to tell her that her constant “site seeing” (“Bud look, how pretty”, etc.) was scarin
g me. “I’ll look at pretty you drive.” She said, “No romance in your soul?” I said, “Lots of romance and I would rather live through this trip than see a sight.” I am doing my best comedy to keep her awake. We drove through a town in Connecticut named Windsor. All the pavement was grooved ready for pavement. I explained that Windsor had become “The Grooved Pavement Capital of the World” and I interviewed the mayor. I played both parts. How funny was I? Mimi roared. She stayed awake. We lived. I know Mimi loved my kids and grandkids. I’m pretty sure they were equally impressed. Lindsay had a great birthday. Heather and Alec threw a terrific cookout and party. It was a special day with special people.
WTIT: The Blog 
Hey…who’s the hottie in the Sabres sweater?
You had better be careful, Karen. The Hockey Gods have got your husband’s soul. Or you guys are HUGE Sabres fans. Oh right. I heard you cheer. Yes, he is yours. We hope he is housebroken.
*laughs* I have to admit all the posts about our odd blended family have been hilarious. “The bald guy who never said hi” is Morty AKA Poppy.
Note to expectant parents out there: Never let your parents pick what they want to be called. You end up with things like Tutu, GG, and Poppy. You realize, Dad, you have the distinguished honor of not having to have your relationship explained when Lauren talks about “Grampie Weiser”…the rest of the time, Lauren has to say things like “Tutu isn’t a skirt I wear, she’s my grandma”.
First you and Mimi make a terrific looking couple. Thanks for sharing a personal part of your life. Loved the truck stop part. Lovely family.
Wow – that was quite the long list in your first paragraph disclaimer!
Loved your version and Mimi’s both – it’s so nice to get different sides to the same story!
Heath-
I think I know who Morty is. He and I visited. We always chat. The bald guy was from NYPD Blue.
Sandee–
I’m lucky. Family is a big strength for me…
Bud – The party was special and memorable. The ride home was priceless. Can’t wait to make more memories. You do keep me laughing.
Constantly.
Ohh. You mean Uncle Warren. He used to be a tax attorney for the IRS. He decided one day that he really didn’t need heart medication. About a month later, he had a stroke. He’s never been the same.
No, I am not making this up.
But when Mimi covered half her face…. it was the wrong half… and Heather still recognized her… WOW Heather you are good!
I still think ya shoulda done the kissy kissy in the tunnel
Vinny-
Would you believe there was a debate amoung my daughter’s blogger friends as to which half? I am saying “People get a grip. It’s a photo for a joke on my blog.” By the time a took the shoot someone was shouting “No the right side!” The response? “My right or your right?”
Heath-
The old “Uncle Warren” trick. OK, I’ll buy that…
Mimi-
That drive took six days. We did a lot of laughing…