Devich's Xanga Site

November 29, 2003

Can’t Buy It

I love my friends. They are always inspiring me. Unfortunately, we are all spread all across the globe! I get bored with all the people I am acquainted with in my town, as they are always depressed and always complaining about their parents. I cannot relate to disliking my parents. I think my parents are cool. Even when we argue, I know it’s because we care about each other’s well-being.

I admire my mom because she’s so independent. She never had to depend on her husband for money, as she educated herself prior to getting married. She’s a woman who was raised to be proud of her own self-sufficiency. She doesn’t like to take handouts, but will give to those who need it. She’s not afraid to try new things, from running her own business to waterskiing and learning to rollerblade in her 50′s. I love my mom.

I admire my dad because he’s the only one of his family who got out of his little podunk town on his own hard work. He is into everything, from furniture refinishing to photography to brick laying to painting. I have never heard him say that he is “bored.” Maybe irritated. But never bored! Currently, he’s off in Asia distributing clothes and toys to the kids in his hometown. He makes a great pepper steak and “eyeball soup” (tapioca balls in sweet coconut syrup) that Matt has got to try! I love my dad.

I cannot even relate to my girlfriends when they complain about their in-laws. Hell. I love my in-laws, every single one of them!

Matt’s mom is a really cool woman. She’s not a potpourri fanatic, even though she’s in her 60′s. She has a living room that people are actually allowed to sit in. Their ranch-style house is really homey, but not overstuffed. I don’t feel as though I can’t put my feet up on the table, although I wouldn’t anyway. She’s just a really laid-back lady, who still goes white water rafting with her daughter. And she makes a mean green bean casserole as well as pork chops from a recipe she got off The Naked Chef.

Matt’s stepdad’s not a blood relative of Matt, so he doesn’t have the cooking gene. However, he is still an awesome guy. He used to work as a railroad engineer, but his hobby is collecting old gas lamp parts and remaking them into stunning electric lamps. He has great stories of how the railroads used to operate, and all the things that used to go into maintaining them. He also has great stories about the Depression and Prohibition.

I hope to be like Matt’s sister when I grow up. After working for a newspaper for years, and then quitting her job as a registered nurse, she now works as a forester on Mackinac Island. Over the winter months, when there is no traffic coming across the frozen Lakes, she finished writing a novel, and publishing it. In the summer months, she goes sailing on the Great Lakes around Mackinac. She’s too busy to cook, but she made an incredible pumpkin pie cheesecake last Thursday.

Matt’s middle brother is a sweet guy. He and his new girlfriend travel together across the country on business. He makes a mouth-watering cranberry salad, and has the same warm demeanor that Matt does.

Matt’s dad is the sweetest guy next to my own dad and my husband. I’m glad he was there to give Matt fatherly advice especially on sexual matters. I agree with almost all of his political views, and he makes great chili!

Matt’s stepmom is such a great mother. If I want to get into a holiday season, I go to her house. She loves decorating and loves to have people help her decorate. She loves the little perks of life, and she’s the one who gave me my African violet, which is one of the few plants that can survive in my house.

Matt’s oldest brother I’ve only met once. But he has sailed in Seattle, so he can’t be all bad!

I love having such great parents and in-laws. My parents and in-laws are all my role-models of independence and love and good cooking skills. Blood is not thicker than water.

Speaking of in-laws, KMS posted a funny joke about cats.

A friend of mine spent a few days in South Africa, where he is from. For a measly 600 pounds/night, he stayed in a luxurious hut on a game reserve and shot leopards all day from his Land Rover. He showed me his gorgeous trophies, all digital. (I cannot post them here because he may publish them.) (1.7 American dollars = 1 English pound)

Frankly, I would have used the $4000 for a down payment on a sailboat. But this bed in the Amber suite of the Earth Lodge is really something else.