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In my seventy-two hour weekend, I plan to:

Bust out a giant breakdown of all events happening Oct 21st

Take some photos
Learn the mechanics of my camera
Bake muffins
Take in some sun

I feel pretty rejeuvenated and ready to get back to the grind tomorrow. Well. Let me rephrase. Not ready per se, not actively looking forward to it, but more ready than I have been in awhile. The powers that be have made some structural changes that should (hopefully) work in my benefit.

And now for some incredible geekiness: My priest hit level 56. That is all.

I’m already looking forward to next weekend. It’s a three. day. weekend. ‘Nuff said. We have no plans, and that’s how I like it. Oh, I’m sure we’ll knock some wedding stuff out. The caterer’s been awful slow about getting back to us on their revised price sheets. We still need to figure out what it will cost to rent speakers. We’ve found the place we’re having our rehearsal dinner at. All the tuxes and dresses have been purchased, but still need fitted. I need to buy miscellaneous things. Okay, so it sounds like a lot, and there’s more to it than that, but overall, most of the big expensive things are taken care of, and things are slowly coming together.

Did I mention there’s a three day weekend coming up?

Maybe in the next couple of weeks, I’ll get my shiny new pretty laptop, courtesy of Apple.

Maybe I’ll wake up in the morning, and tomorrow will be Friday.

Maybe I’ll win the lottery.

So, you remember me telling you about my iBook issues? It spans back about three years. You can read about them here and here. If you want the very short version, I got stuck with a crappy logic board in my iBook, and I’ve had it replaced four times. It died just recently, again, what would have been the fifth logic board replacement. Rather than sending it in, I called Apple, and got Tony. I wanted a replacement machine, because I was tired of dealing with sending my machine off every six months. Tony couldn’t help me. Tony told me he could only give me half off a new machine. Granted, that’s more than most computer companies would do for you, considering my machine’s three years old at least, and has been out of warranty for two of those three years. I wasn’t satisfied, however. I felt that I wouldn’t have to get a new machine, had their logic boards made for my machine not been ghetto. I had read about people getting their machines replaced for the same thing I was experiencing. I took on Apple. Got transferred around. Then came Nick. Nick was my guy. I talked to him today, and guess what? I won the Apple war. They’re sending me a purdy new Macbook . I have to say, I’m really impressed with Apple. I think I had this machine coming, what with all the trouble I’ve had with my other machine. I sort of expected a refurbished machine; not a brand new one that’s way better than my iBook G3. Nick, you’re the man. Thanks for really great customer service. Eat your heart out, Microsoft. I’ll always be an Apple Grrl.

Whatever happened to the housewife? Priestess of Homemaking? Goddess of Laundry? Back in the day, women didn’t have jobs, they had a house and children to take care of. Their husbands scuttled off to work every day, brought home the dough, and the chicks made apple pies and ironed cloth napkins. I ask you: Would having that kind of lifestyle be that bad to bring back?

I can understand women wanting to be in the work world. In no way am I saying women’s place is to be at home. In today’s society, unless you’re well off, financially, live somewhere really cheap, or are lucky enough to live off one income somehow, most of you would agree with me when I say it’d be pretty hard for ye average person to live on one income supporting a family. What spawned the change? Women wanted to work, things became more expensive since more and more people could afford things now that there were two incomes. I ask some people at work, for example, and a lot of them say they couldn’t give up their jobs; their independence. They don’t want to ‘rely on anyone.’ There’s nothing wrong with that, I suppose, but I think it all depends on how you look at it. I for one, don’t want my child growing up in daycare. Why have kids if you’re going to have someone else care for them? I happen to think that taking care of a home is a full time job. I could totally see myself cooking, having some time for hobbies, cleaning my house, and yeah, ironing my cloth napkins, if that’s what I have time to do. So I guess my question to you, is this: Could you give up your job to be a stay-at-home person? Guys, this is for you, too should you be in the position. Why or why not? What’s your take on it all?

I’ve got a lot to be thankful for. As of late, however, I’ve been concentrating on all the wrong things: how crappy the environment at work is, having a crappy diet week, etc. I need to get out of this mode, and right now, I’m trying to figure out how to get out of my slump. I’m thinking occupying myself more. Maybe I need a trip to the library. There’s one I’ve never been to near our church, a few miles from here. I need a good mystery. I should take more pictures. It’s amazing how much a few weeks of not taking anything will effect your ability to take any at all. This last set was pretty dismal, although I did get a few really good ones I’m happy with. I need to spend more time doing things, and less time worrying about things I can’t control. Worry is all I seem to do. I worry about things all the time, probably even in my sleep! A lot of it is work related. Like DW says, “It’s all just paper, my friend.” I never really realized how true that was until today.

Incidentally, in exactly two months from today, I will be getting married. I don’t even need to tell you what I’ll be doing at exactly this moment, two months from now. Bwahaha.

Dear Bean,

I had a fun weekend hanging out with you. It amazes me how every time I see you, there’s always something new to discover. Your latest thing is having your mama throw on a little R&B on TV, and you stand in the middle of the living room, and do a little jig. But then that gets boring, and immediately, you want everyone else up with you. So you run to everyone sitting there, giggling at you, and pull them up with you. Then you sort of flail your arms back and forth and spin until you’re so dizzy you can’t stand up. Hilarious! Try that in about twenty-five years, kiddo. You’ll vom.

One of my favorite things you do is give kisses. All anyone has to do is ask for one, and you’re right there, your slobbery lips glad to meet anyone else’s that might want some Bean love. Your smile is another fave. It’s radiant. It quite literally lights up a room. The happiness that radiates from your two years of living on this earth can turn a room full of sad lonely people into the happiest people in the world. I’ve never met any other little boy that could complete such a feat. Those girls need to watch out for you. I give ya fourteen more years, and you’ll be a heartbreaker.

It’s been awhile since I’ve written about you. Seeing you this weekend made the realization of having you in my life hit me all the more. I’m happy that I get to see you on a regular basis, and I consider myself pretty lucky to know you. You’re the coolest, smartest little two year old boy I’ve ever known. Tell your baba (haha) and daddy thanks from your auntie.

Love you,

Your auntie

If you have an extra buck or two, please consider donating to the big cats.

I know I’ve posted this picture before. Les took this one of Bean hooting. I mean, he full on hoots. Especially in public, because he knows it a.) mortifies you, and b.) it’s so funny that it derives gut busting laughter from anyone who has a soul. He basically sucks in his air as hard as he can, and that’s the outcome: the expression that is silly, precious, and just outright sweet. Not to mention funny, of course. Yeah, it’s a repeat. But it’s a goodie. And worth another post. In less than twenty-four hours, I will get to cuddle with him. I can’t wait!

I think this is the longest I’ve gone without posting. I’ve been swamped, both at work and in my personal life. There’s likely more to come on that. I’ve been feeling a little unmotivated, but I plan to get that back this weekend, complete with photos. A little Bean love goes a long way, folks. Stay tuned!

Matt’s birthday is today! Make sure you wish him a good one!