Saturday, September 10, 2011

911!!!! 911!!!!! Emergency

Well I've had an epic end, fricking got laid off this week, not unexpected but Giant Engineering Company and I have parted ways. Fear not Team Tuna, we've been hoarding our pennies and digging change out of the sofa so we'll be fine. Sniff. Really. Fine. I'm sure I'll whip up a hilarious post about security wandering off and allowing me to paint graffiti on the walls in all my spare time next week when its a little less raw. Instead, I'm going to run my September 11th Post from last year about Bebe, tomorrow's her 50th so lets all wish her a great one.



Bebe and I met over twenty years ago, innocently at a neighbor’s baby shower. There were six pregnant neighbor women at the shower, maybe something in the water. I certainly swore off tap water after that. Who knew at the time we’d end up being the sisters we never had. Well okay I do have sisters, but not one who wouldn’t steal my clothes or my boyfriends or eat the last Popsicle without asking.

Her little kiddies are only 14 months apart and Bubba was often out of town hunting and killing to fill their freezer. The Big Tuna often stepped in as the extra parent when we took our broods out to places like the State Fair or Sesame Street Live so we weren’t outnumbered. He began to spend so much time with us he said he felt like a polygamist and started calling her Wife Number Two. And thus became our life as Siamese Twins, drinking wine with ice cubes and play dates. I can honestly say I’ve never made a major furniture purchase that she didn’t sit on prior to writing a check.

One of the first things I noticed was that her birthday was September 11th, 911, 911. She claims to have never noticed until I pointed it out. My powers of observation are stellar. At least related to mundane unimportant things like whether someone’s socks match. She is the most positive cheerleader you can have, a direct counter point to my sarcastic but charming personality. Whenever she gets into her happy bubble, it’s my job to remind her of all those “special” moments that make 9/11 the perfect date for her.

• Remember the time we had the kids at the newly finished park and I said, “some little kid is going to walk up to that unfinished bench and get his arm stuck in that unfinished hole”? And Sean ran over and put his in and we almost had to call the fire department to get him out?

• Remember the time Bubba went elk hunting on your due date and you took a long hot shower? When you wouldn’t answer the door we boost Jim over the fence to peer in your bedroom window and catch you almost naked?

• Remember the time Nash broke his arm on the EXACT same swing his older brother broke his arm on the year before?

• Remember the time we went to the bar and I didn’t have my ID and they tried carding me at 38 years old and they insisted they carded everyone? When you offered yours up they said, no that’s okay madam?

• Remember Wally?

I could go on and on and on but I have to stop so as not to ruin the birthday moment. Here’s one of my fast and furious recipes that Bebe has come to enjoy.

Spicy Fettuccine
1 Tablespoon Butter
¼ cup minced onion
1/ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 can whole tomatoes (Progresso Basil)
¼ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup heavy cream
¼ cup shredded fresh basil

Melt butter in large skillet. Add onions and red pepper flakes, cook over medium heat until onion is tender. Run tomatoes through food processor and add with salt to onion mixture. Cook over medium heat for 8 minutes. Stir in cream and bring to boil for 1 minute. Cook fettuccine according to package direction. Toss with sauce and garnish with basil


Bebe had a birthday this weekend. She spent it getting wild and wooly as you can get in Salt Lake City. Now that my BFF is living in BFE we satisfy ourselves with endless phone calls and Skype wine dates. She tells her family that she is flying in to see them but we both know it’s really to see me and Sheldon. So when are you coming home? I need to go shopping for new guest room furniture.

28 comments:

Sandra said...

Oh thank goodness this was a happy post....when I read 9/11, I thought you were going to say something tragic had occured to Bebe on 9/11...phew! Going to read the last post now...I can't seem to fit in anything inappropriate here...

Janie Junebug said...

Happy Birthday Bebe! It sounds as if you and Mrs. Tuna make a very happy couple. Don't you just love having a best friend?

Love,
Lola

Lisa said...

I am new here and I could not tell which one is Bebe, both ladies look like they are in their late 20s, really.

Happy birthday Bebe, and enjoy the break Mrs Tuna.

Ami said...

So sorry about the layoff. I hope you're gonna be working again as soon as YOU want to. :)

And having a friend? One like that? Amazing. Not all of us are so lucky. (I am) But it took me 40 years to find her.

Kristina P. said...

Sorry about the layoff. Boooo. I guess your friend can probably use all the birthday wishes she can get on such a crappy anniversary!

DB Stewart said...

Sorry about your job.

Vapid Vixen said...

What the? Bebe's in the ole SLC? Tell her to give me a call. I'll take her to church. Orrr I'll buy her a beer. One or the other.

The Zadge said...

Okay, I'm going to be in the minority here, but YAY TO THE LAYOFF!!! It can only mean one thing: God, Allah, Karma, Mother Nature, WHOEVER, has something great planned for you. A door never closes without a bigger and better one opening!

Red Nomad OZ said...

So you got laid off? Bummer/Cool (strike out that which is not applicable) - the universe has a way of forcing her hand sometimes, and I bet your life gets WAAAAY better! For a start, you'll have plenty of time to visit my latest OZ scenic loo post ...

Facing50.Blog said...

Nuts! Laid off sucks but I'm sure there will be something for a lovely person like you-you can always come and be my personal chef. Happy birthday to Bebe!
Watch out for your big moment on Friday at my blog-I got your photo the right way round this time :)

Mark said...

I think I'd rather remember Bebe's birthday on 9/11 from now on.
Happy Birthday Bebe!
m.

Wife of Bubba said...

Thank you for the birthday wishes!! 50 seems like a really big number. However, having a Bestie to celebrate with makes the transition easier. . . . especially when it's over a glass of wine while providing her with more material for future blogs.

Happy day wishes to everyone!

Queen B said...

OH, ugh. Hang in there! I started my week off by finding out that the project I've been on for the past 10 months is suddenly over, so I'm scrambling to find something asap or will be joining you. sigh. sucks

Janie Junebug said...

Oh my goodness! I went to bed last night and thought, I commented on Mrs. Tuna's post and didn't even say anything about the sucky layoff. I hope you qualify for unemployment. It's better than nothing. At least now you'll have more time for your classes and for running around with the college kids, drinking beer and doing shots off some hunky young dude's incredible abs.

Love,
Lola

Annie (Lady M) x said...

How cool to have such a great friend Mrs T! she sounds like a total hoot! By the way is that you on the left in that last picture?

Sorry to hear that you haven't got a job any more - what are you going to do?

Kernut the Blond said...

Sorry to hear you lost your much-loved job. I have to tell you that being among the FUNemployed since last November is one of THE BEST THINGS THAT's EVER HAPPENED TO ME. I just know that wonderful are in store for you!

Happy Birthday Bebe! Go see Mrs. Tuna and start shopping for furniture :)

Kimberly said...

Bummer about the layoff. Hopefully you'll find something better soon! And I am looking forward to more frequent posts now that you're among the jobless.

Happy birthday to your bestie. You two are gorgeous.

Stephanie said...

I agree with the general consensus that something new and positive awaits you. Isn’t it good that you’re back in school?? Bebe is a marvelous friend!

Julie said...

I would never take the last Popsicle either.

A friend like that is a treasure. (And I'm not complimenting myself. I just don't really like Popsicles.)

But I'd sit next to you in your college class.
Yes I would...

Gombojav Tribe said...

I love a good BFF post! Thank the Lord for girlfriends! Better than therapy! :-)

Hilary said...

I am sorry about your job... Bebe sounds amazing.. you are very lucky to have each other...

Joann Mannix said...

Ugh, Mrs. Tuna, so very sorry about the layoff. I'll keep my fingers crossed and my prayers lifted that something will come your way soon.

And whew, I thought you were going to say you lost your friend on 9/11. So glad it was a lovely tribute.

I'll tell you something sad but a little funny at the same time. My father died very suddenly and unexpectedly several years ago on April 5th. My sister's birthday is April 6th. My birthday was yesterday. She said to me recently, "I used to feel sorry for you, that your birthday, for the rest of your life, will suck because of 9/11. But then Dad died and I won the suckfest prize."

I hoped that gave you a little smile today.

Shawn said...

Happy Birthday Bebe!

Sorry about the job, but now you have more time to focus on school! Geeeeessh, when did I look at the glass half full?

Nicole Leigh Shaw said...

No, that's terrible news. Sorry about the job. Fuckers.

On a happier note,Happy Birthday Bebe!

Ms. G said...

The lay off sucks! I'm sorry to hear that. But how lovely to have a friend that close and for so long. That is a gift : )

The Accidental Somebody said...

Could you please clone her (and yourself) and send 'em on over? I need friends like you!

:)

Sultan said...

Ugh. I am sorry to hear about your your misfortune.

Your friend sounds nice. It is wonderful to have such a close friend.

CanadianMama said...

Is that Big Tuna? He's pretty hot!!