Hermetic Physics

Now that I"ve had a chance to fall unconscious for several hours, I can post some things.

The 2 days with The Freak were pretty good.

Day 1:
Went to Great Times for most of the afternoon (imagine Crack For Kids with go-karts and a giant plastic ball pit), and 'bella had the great idea of inviting out gidsterand the clan as well. It was a bit too hot, and FAR too much sunlight, but all in all not a bad time. :-)
It was then off to let littlebella1980's mom have some Q-time with The Freak, then off to my parents' place for the same. Yes, my parents. It took 7 years, but the maternal-unit and I are at least talking again.
Then, back up to Muncie so The Freak could spend some time with the cats. Sadly, not many of the beforementioned animals had much interest in being visited. :-/ Jabber was a good boy though, and sat there disgruntled for quite a while before finding a quiet (and undiscovered) hidey-hole.

Day 2:
Off bright and early to go back to my parents' place to meet up and then ::gasp:: off to the pool.
Yes. A pool.
In snooty ~Carmel~ of all places.

Proof:


There were 3 pools other than this one, several slides, and a lazy-river... none of which I touched. It took a herculean effort of will (i.e. The Freak saying "please" for the second time.) for me to even snap this picture. She's in here, really.
Here's another pic of her to help to find her.

The pool-pic looks pleasant enough... assuming you like pools. And people. And sunlight. And 90+ degrees. And high humidity. And you're not allergic to chlorine.
Oh, and I was surprised by my sister arriving as well. The ~evil~ sister. The one I tried to kill twice as a kid (still don't know how I missed >,<). The Maternal Unit was manageable, until The Sister showed up. Together they form some kind of Wonder Twin of Negativity. So the Paternal Unit and I sat away from everyone and tried to keep our heads down. In the shade.

After the pool, however, we sprung the big one on The Freak. Horseback riding! I thought she was going to EXPLODE when I told her. In KY, she practically lives on a horse-farm and isn't allowed to ride (giving that she is, well, small). She is stubborn however (don't know where she got that) and that's pretty much what matters on a horse. So... up in the saddle she went. Solo. And for a little girl who is pathologically afraid of bugs, she looked pretty confident on a beast that out-massed her 40 fold.
About 70% of the way through the trail, her horse decided to take a different route... and she very quickly forced it back on the right path. It was over pretty much before anyone really knew what was happening. I suppose you really had to be there to appreciate it.
35 pound 6 year old girl forcing a 1200 animal to do what she wanted. Not bad for a n00b that is "too small" to ride a horse. ;-)
I called KY afterwards and told them what happened (better to ask forgiveness than permission, yes?)... and they were probably more impressed that I was. Perhaps she'll see a bit more riding in her future. :D

Oh, while we were waiting for the horses, I snapped this picture.  It's either proof that my father exists (despite his stupid poker hat) or proof that 'bella is afraid to sit close to him.


Then it was back to the 'rents for playtime with her cousin (the ~evil~ sister's spawn) and the feathered demon they affectionately call "Chi-Chi".
I grew up this this bird. The names I called it were far more descriptive. >,<

After that I was practically carrying her over my shoulder when I dropped her off at her Grandmother's place.
Once I made it back to Muncie I was practically carrying myself over my shoulder when I dropped myself off in bed.