Long time no blog

Yeah, it's been awhile.  This winter (and I use the term loosely) has been crazy -- in no small part because none of us can seem to stay healthy for more than a few days at a time, which has really put a crimp in our sanity and productivity.  The only reason Neil isn't hacking up a lung right now (as has been his constant practice for the last three weeks) is because he finally made it to the doctor and is now powerfully drugged almost to the point of sedation.

But I figured I'd better chime in with a few updates.

So, when last I blogged, it was my birthday, and we were planning to celebrate that evening with a Family Movie Night.  We were also closing in on an even Bigger Event, namely the wedding of some good friends of ours a couple of days later.  Well, it was a renewal of vows, since in every meaningful sense they've been married for the better part of a decade already, but the New York State legislature finally summoned up the sense and human decency last summer to legalize same sex marriage, which prompted the recent nuptials.  I'd been looking forward to it for months.

Just a few hours later, I was up in my office checking Netflix to see if they had Fantasia available streaming, when I heard Neil calling from the family room, "Need a little help here."  I went down and found Ben and much of the sofa covered in vomit.  Two regurgitations and as many loads of laundry later, we officially decided to cancel Family Movie Night.  Twenty-four hours later, Ben was showing signs of improvement, but I was still worried we wouldn't make it to the wedding the next day.  And then in the middle of the night, the same stomach bug or whatever it was hit me full force.  It wasn't pretty.  By the next morning, Ben was almost back to 100%, but I was a limp mess draped unartfully over one end of the sofa.  Beyond all expectation, I actually managed to pull myself together long enough to go to the wedding (which was lovely!), but I left it to Neil and Ben to go cut the rug properly at the reception.  [Ben recently referred to one of Neil's attempts at dancing as The Distracting Not Okay Dance, but I think that was a little harsh.]

Then there's the bizarre weather.  Spring officially started a few days ago, but of course that normally doesn't mean much here in western New York.  This year is obviously exceptional.  I'm hoping to get some time tomorrow to muck out the flower beds, which are in full bloom and dire need of weeding.

We bought Ben his first pair of ski boots and real skis this year, and were planning to get down to Peak-n-Peek as often as our work schedules would permit.  Well, the spirit was willing, but the snow cover was weak.  The week before last was Spring Break, and we managed to get in a day of skiing while visiting Neil's parents.  Here are three generations of Feit men, followed by Neil and Ben on the chairlift.