6/14 - a family reunion

Yay for me - a bunch of Jim's cousins, including the not-so-optimal houseguest Chester, were in town today for a mini-reunion. Present were Chester, a cousin, Ulysses, another cousin, and Penny, a third cousin. Chester had come in from Michigan (he said he'd hitched a ride with a trucker hauling mattresses, and he'd been allowed to ride in the back and bounce on them at his leisure, as long as he didn't remove the plastic or the "DO NOT REMOVE" tags), but the others were not forthcoming with their previous whereabouts. The bad houseguest characteristics have proved not to be a family trait - Penny and Ulysses have been wonderful to have. Ulysses has been visiting for a few days, and he's helped with the dishes, as well as cleaning up after himself. Penny has scoured the tub after Chester's baths and has generally kept him from making a nuisance of himself.

Any inconvenience on my part, though, is worth it. Jim has been so happy today. He has a constant grin, and keeps sighing contented sighs and saying "super duper" and hugging the cousins any chance he gets. It's good to see him this happy. When asked, though, Jim of course acts like it's no big deal that his family has traveled to see him. Gotta keep up that tough exterior, to hide the soft, mushy center.