Beer = Church

Good times were had by all this past weekend and I've got some funny stories (and a few pictures) to prove it. But I'll start you off with a little light-hearted hilarity courtesy of my grandparents.

Grandma and Grandpap are hysterical. They are some seriously funny people. They've been married for 68 years and have cracked me up all my life. Grandpap is 92 and has Parkinson's; Grandma is 87 and in pretty good shape, although she calls herself "Flaky Sally" (and no, her name isn't Sally). And by her own admission, she was flaky before she ever got old. My grandparents now live in an assisted living facility are are thriving as a result. It's great to see them so happy and well and not have to worry about trying to take care of their house and property or just not having anyone right there to help out.

About two weeks ago, my grandfather was taken to the hospital with what was first thought to be pneumonia. Typical of his diagnosis, Grandpap usually has difficulty speaking and something of a stutter. While at the hospital, the nurses were asking him questions and getting some background from him. At one point the nurse asked him if, while he was working, he'd ever been exposed to hazardous materials. Without missing a beat and clear as a bell, he responded, "Just my wife." When I heard that, I knew he was just fine. (And he was.)

Over the weekend, we all took a trip to visit my grandparents. It was my brother, his daughter and her sister, my sister, her husband and their son and daughter, D and me. When we arrived, Grandpap was in the apartment by himself. We said hello and after a little while I asked why Grandma wasn't around. He responded that she was at church (the chapel in the facility). A little while later, he told me to go to the front desk and have someone get her. I walked down the hall and from a distance spotted Grandma talking to someone outside the common room. (Shocker--Grandma talking to someone? Seriously, this woman talks to EVERYBODY. She can literally strike up a conversation with anyone who will stand still long enough.)

As I approached, I called out to her, smiling, "Grandma, quit your yapping and get back to your apartment to entertain your guests." She looked up and was surprised (not knowing we were coming) and came running over. I got a big hug and a gentleman passing us stopped and had to harass her. "How come I never get a hug like that?" So of course, Grandma had to hug him, too. Just at that moment, one of the nurses came around the corner and said, "Come on, Grandma. Leave the boys alone."

Grandma: Hey...Whatever.

Me: Yeah, you gotta watch out for this one.

Nurse: You sure do.

On the walk back down the hallway, I told Grandma that we had all come to visit.

Grandma: Well, I didn't know you were coming. And here I am boozing it up.

Me: What?

Grandma: Yeah, I was at happy hour. I'm loaded.

(I must interject here that Grandma was not actually loaded. She was at happy hour and I have no doubt that she had a beer--or maybe 2--but drunk she was not. She wouldn't have been able to walk--even with the assistance of her walker--had she actually been loaded. But don't you love that my Grandma used that term?)

Back the apartment, Grandma shared her whereabouts with everyone else. D looks at me and says, "I thought she was at church? Hmm. Well, church, beer, it's pretty much the same to her!"

And I honestly don't think Grandpap was wrong. I just think it depends on your definition of church. And when your 92 or 87, that can be whatever you want.

Let The Games Begin

This evening, D and I will begin our trip to Pittsburgh for my Family Reunion on Saturday. We'll get into my parent's place tomorrow afternoon. My brother will already be there with his daughter and her half-sister. My sister will get in with her husband and two kids on Friday. We'll harass each other and have a great time and leave on Monday.

I'm really looking forward to it. Mainly because I'm sure I'll get blog-fodder, especially from my brother, J. He can't help but be funny and do dumb things. It's almost like a super-power. And he also can't help but get himself into trouble and think and can one-up my sister and I. So we band together and verbally bitch-slap him into submission until he's talked himself into a corner and is left with no choice but to drink more beer (or some random combination of liquor he finds in my parents house. True story--he once, (maybe more than once?) drank a pint glass with half milk, half Bailey's. Not a bad combination, it's just the quantity that kills me. He did have the presence of mind to use it to wash down a stack of cookies, though).

Anyway, to prepare for his antics this coming weekend, which I'm sure will be quickly checked by my sister, I thought I'd share this nugget. Especially because I'm sure this situation will be debated more than once this weekend.

My parents hold 4 season tickets to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They've had their seats since the mid-70s and have been going to games since then. Growing up, it was a BIG DEAL if one of us got to go to a game. Now, it's a matter of who can get their check to Mom the fastest.

Due to the deadlines of when the payment for tickets are due and when the season schedule comes out (usually within weeks of each other, sometimes payment before you know what the schedule is), you really need to commit to how many games you want to go to and send your check, not necessarily knowing which one you're going to get.

Last year, being that the Steelers had won the Superbowl the previous season, we knew the Steelers would have a home game and be the first game (read: Thursday night) of the season. What was unclear was exactly when the season would start. I got my check in to Mom first and secure my spot at first dibs. Lo and behold, the Opening Game was scheduled for the Thursday before my wedding. Woohoo! Let's kick off the wedding weekend getting crazy at the football game!

After several months of debate and a lot of grumbling on my part, it was decided that it would be best if I didn't go to the game and lose my voice. (Happens every time--what can I say? I'm a screamer.) What with having to do last minute wedding details, my sister and I decided to stay home with Mom and the kids and the boys (Dad, J, D, and my brother-in-law, N) would go to the game.

About 2 weeks before the game, I got a call from an aunt who's niece had two extra tickets and did my sister (A) and I want them? Um, hell yeah! Jokes on the boys now, because our seats were much better (let's just say my parents seats have a skyline view, and these seats were 35 yard line).


Never mind that A and I were fed a lot of beer from the two guys next to us and kind of forgot about eating dinner--we had a good time. As a result, however, J says I owe him.

Fast forward to this year. In February, I'd sent my mom a check for something that ended up falling through. She'd mention she would shred it, but I told her to keep it since it was the same amount for 2 tickets to a game. Score--first dibs secured yet again.

In April, the schedule was released and I immediately see two possible choices. And then I get a phone call from my brother.

J: Hey, did you see the schedule? What game are you going to?

Me: Not sure. What game did you want?

J: Well, I was thinking that Atlanta game looked good.

Me: Oh, you mean the home opener? You mean the game that falls on my one-year anniversary? Yeah, I don't know about that.

J: Ok,that's fine. I'll take the Patriots game.

Me: Oh, you mean the game my husband really wants to go to in order to irritate all our Patriots-fans friends?

J: Dammit.

Me: Yeah, I'm not sure, I've really got to think about this. Which one do you really want?

J: Well I would love to see Tom Brady killed on the field.

Me: Ok, well, what are you going to do for me?

It went on like this for a little while. D and I had already decided to take the Patriots game, but I enjoyed tormenting my brother, as is customary.

So I'm sure this weekend there may be some "discussion" related to the games, perhaps bribery may be involved. All I know is that I will continue to get my money in early and often, because tormenting my brother is hilarious.

First Project Completed

I don't usually do New Year's resolutions.

I know June is a random time to mention this, but trust me, I'm not going crazy (or crazier than usual).

Anyway, I don't usually do resolutions because I can't think of any that aren't standard (be healthier, work out more, stop eating crap) and then the next thing I know, it's February and it's too late to consider it a New Year's resolution anyway, so I don't bother.

But this year, with my 30th birthday looming, I decided I wanted to do something. Not make a resolution to not do something. I decided to take up a hobby. And I would give myself the whole year to figure it out.

Growing up, I watched my mom crochet on a regular basis. If a baby was being born, my mom was making a beautiful afghan. She made me a funky furry scarf that I love and even got involved in making matching scarves for her entire choral group. Evenings spent watching TV usually meant she also had hook in hand. I expressed interest after college and she gave me her old book (and by old, I mean from the early 70s) and showed me a few things. However, my lack of coordination was apparent and I gave up. Gave up, but never lost interest. That book, the ball of yarn and two hooks she gave me always had a place in my home for the last 6 years. Occasionally I would pick them up and then quickly put them down, knowing I couldn't figure it out.

So as part of the reinvention of me at age 30, I decided to give crochet a chance. In January, I bought two books (in addition to the classic from Mom), a skein of yarn, and a bunch of hooks. Diligently I read the first book, Chicks with Sticks Guide to Crochet by Nancy Queen and Mary Ellen O'Connell, without picking up my other tools. I needed to understand what I was doing. The pictures in the book were great, the language was interpreted for me, and I really felt like I was getting a good foundation of understanding how to do this.

Turns out my reading comprehension skills are not what I thought they were. I was able to successfully make my foundation chain and slip stitches, but could not for the life of my figure out how to make my fingers interpret the words to make a single chain crochet. Dammit.

So I opened the other book, just a basic guide with step by step instructions and illustrations. Moving right along, I got confirmation that what I knew was correct. On to the single crochet--do X (see figure 1.) Ok, success. Do Y (see figure 2)--yup, makes sense. Do Z (see figure 3). Perfect, this is where I screw up! Wait. Where's figure 3? ARGH! Yes, the book referenced a figure they didn't print. The exact figure that would have shown me what I was doing wrong.

So I put my books, yarn, and hooks into a bag and left them by the couch. I needed to step away and couldn't devote myself to figuring it out anymore. I blamed my abandoning the craft on my busy work schedule, since I was working long hours between February and May, but I left the materials in plain sight to taunt me into giving it another try when I was ready.

In May, a big, brand new JoAnn Fabrics store opened at our local mall. I had gotten an email saying they were offering 50% off all their scheduled classes if you signed up during their grand opening celebration. A class is exactly what I needed to tackle this beast. I went in, found they were offering a class on Basic Crochet and then learned it was going to be at 6:00 pm on a Wednesday. A day I was scheduled to work until 6:00 pm and after my commute, probably wouldn't be home until 8:00 pm. I declined, and then hemmed and hawed about it. I actually walked out of the store. And then I thought, "No, this is something I want to do, and I'll just tell them I have to leave early that day." I would never leave early when I was scheduled late (and overtime was involved) but this was something I wanted for myself. So I turned around and signed up.

The class was perfect. It was the instructor and one other student, so I really got the attention I needed. Someone to physically show me what I was doing wrong and catch me when I did it. In that 2 hours, I learned a lot. We didn't actually make a project, but I had a big piece with all kinds of stitch patterns on it and felt confident I could go back and do a project from my books.

I started with a bag, the first project in the Chicks with Sticks book. I've almost got one panel done, and then I'll start the other panel and put them together. It's a very relaxing hobby and I've been working on it in front of the TV and in the car (for long road trips, like when we went to L's wedding). My goal is to get to the point where I don't need the whole book and can do projects on the train.

Knowing that we have more road trips coming up (we're going to Pittsburgh this weekend), I went to Michael's on Saturday and bought a bunch more yarn. Another project in the book was a curly scarf and I thought it would be the perfect quick project in the car.

Sunday night, we were watching TV and I wanted to play with my new yarn, so I started the scarf. Within an hour and a half, I had almost finished it. Last night, I put in the last 30 stitches, tied off the ends and voila! My first finished project.


Here's a little more of the detail:



Not my best photos--they're from my phone. The scarf is 38 inches long. Which is not as long as you think it is. I think I'll adjust the pattern and make it longer. I told D last night that we have to stop at Michael's and get more yarn tonight. I'm definitely making this project again!

A Beautiful Day

This past weekend, D and I went to Philadelphia (ok, actually Conshohocken) for a wedding. My close friend L was finally getting married! I was thrilled for the weekend away and totally ecstatic to watch L and her husband (!), also an L, get hitched.

We left Friday morning, got through New Jersey before suffering through some rush hour traffic outside of Philly, eventually getting to our hotel. Shout-out to the Residence Inn Conshohocken--the rooms were great, the staff was very friendly, and the hotel looked really nice. The ambiance made up for the fact that it is situated right next to the commuter rail line.

After checking in and dumping our bags, we hopped back in the car to go to dinner with some other friend's of ours, M & B, and their sweet 2 1/2 year old son, C. We had a great time reconnecting and meeting C for the first time. He was very sweet and fell in love with D over dinner (of course D had bought him a truck that they played with across the table, so that may or may not have had something to do with it).

After dinner we took a walk around the King of Prussia Mall, partially to spend some more time and partially do let C walk off some energy. And I may or may not have forgotten my cardigan for the wedding, so I actually did have an excuse to shop. But I was well behaved (since we were with company and all) and that's all I bought.

It was so good to see our friends and I'm so glad we had an opportunity to see them in addition to traveling for the wedding. I always feel more productive when I travel somewhere and am able have more than one purpose.

Some of our other friends (M & K--the bump twins from our Vermont Girls' Weekend) got into the hotel late and stopped by with M's husband, N, before we headed to sleep. Waking up we got a great breakfast at the hotel to line our stomachs for an afternoon of margaritas, and inevitably, shenanigans.

The wedding was at noon and L had arranged for a friend to have a van shuttle guests the 1/2 mile from the hotel to the restaurant (good idea, L!). We arrived, met a few of our other friend's and got ready for the ceremony.

(I've stolen these photos from K because I don't have mine yet. D took a whole bunch of great shots, but is still playing with them, so I don't have them in my files yet. So it was either steal from K or wait on this post. I think K would have encouraged me to steal.)


The weather was perfect. It was a little overcast early, but very warm. It eventually got very hot and sunny, but no rain for an outdoor wedding is perfect.


L was so pretty. Her dress was perfect and everything was simple and beautiful. There ceremony, performed by her childhood pastor, was tailored specifically for the two of them. And her father, also a minister, read them their vows. It was a perfectly touching ceremony.

Upon being presented as husband and wife, L&L made a beeline for the frozen margaritas. The rest of the guests followed suit, and soon enough we had a real party on our hands. Well, actually a fiesta--it was a Mexican restaurant after all.

from left to right: M, H, B, L, me, and K. Yes, the two pregnant chicks appear to be holding margaritas. And yes, they are non-alcoholic.

The traditional dances took place and I love watching them. For L&L, you could see throughout the entire day exactly how in love they are. I think this picture captures it all.


D has a little issue wearing plain white shirts, so he decided to go for a fiesta-appropriate color. And so did K's husband A! I love it when boys coordinate.

mine is the bald one

And of course, about 4 weeks later, we have new bump pictures from the mommies to be:

M is supposed to find out what they are having this week, but K already knows they're having a boy! Congrats!

UPDATE 6/21/10: M & N are also having a boy! Yea!

After wonderful food, many margaritas, a lot of dancing, a lot of hugs and tears, and maybe a few more margaritas, the reception ended. We went back to the hotel, changed into more comfortable attire, and intended to hit up an after-party at the hotel.

Except the bride passed out and didn't make it to the party. Hey, it was hot, she had a long day, and several long months of planning (and being a med student and all), I don't blame her one bit.

So after visiting with groom L's family and friend's for a little while, we decided to hit up a nearby Dave and Buster's. Saying Dave and Buster's is D's favorite place in the world is probably pretty accurate. Anywhere he can get beer and play unlimited video games is a good place.

So M and her husband N, K and her husband A, and D and I took a little ride and started playing some games. Skeeball and racing are two of our favorites; our friends loved anything that gave tickets. K was a mission to get a lot of tickets and cash them in for a really good prize. Imagine her excitement when A decided to play the Spin & Win (literally, you spin the wheel and hit a button when you want it to stop).

notice that the green light is on the 1000 marker at the top

Yes, he hit it for 1000 tickets! What does 100 tickets look like, you ask? Like this:


Shortly there after, we cashed out. Most of the tickets were redeemed for SweeTarts, but a Bop-It was also awarded.

Back at the hotel, I realized I was actually pretty much hung-over. It was 10:00 pm, but since I started drinking at about 12:30 pm, it wasn't too unreasonable. Shortly thereafter, D realized he wasn't doing so good. So to bed with us, rising much better in the morning and prepared for our drive home.

It was a fabulous weekend and a beautiful wedding. I wish L&L nothing but the best in a life of love.

Reading for Fun and Profit

Last month I read a book that was not only funny, but made me think:

• Wow, this woman hates people more than I do
• Wow, this woman is crazy
• Wow, I wonder what would happen if I did that?

The book was I See Rude People: One Woman's Battle to Beat Some Manners Into Impolite Society by Amy Alkon. Alkon takes on the idea that people who are publicly rude (talking loudly on their cell phones in close quarters, complete disregard for the people around them, complete disregard for manners and common courtesy) and tries to teach them a lesson. She's not picky abut who she battles, whether it be telemarketers, cafe cell-talkers, the guy who stole her car or big businesses. It's funny and really makes you think twice about how you'll react when someone imposes their rude behavior on you.

Alkon does two things I really enjoy. The first is what she calls blogslapping. Alkon has a blog and basically whenever she sees rude behavior (cars cutting people off or a business that gives poor service, for example) she snaps a picture and loads it to her blog or relays the bad service story. Then everyone know who the offender is and can harass en masse. Sort of like what I did when the Ann Taylor clerk lost the ability to communicate regarding coupons. The other thing is that she bills offenders for her time. Alkon actually has posted on her blog her rates for being interrupted by telemarketers. And when one calls (despite her being on the Do Not Call list), she sends them a bill for her time. She's actually sent a lot of people bills for making her take time to sort out a situation they were responsible for. Her claim is that her time is valuable and they need to recognize that either by not wasting it in the first place or paying her for it.

Which brings me to my third bullet point, what would happen if I did that. Recently I was shopping in BJ's and had a reasonably sized order. It was a Saturday afternoon, so it was very busy and I opted to use the self-scanner. I usually use the self-scanner because I find I'm faster than the check-out clerks. But this day it was a situation of--hey there's no one in that line.

I scanned all my items, and began scanning my coupons. However, the coupon box wouldn't register that my coupon had been inserted and wouldn't let me proceed. A check-out clerk came by to clear the machine, but after trying everything she knew how, it wouldn't work. She called over a second clerk. He tried many different things to no avail. Apparently the entire machine just froze. His response, "Well, just get in line and we'll scan it for you."

Me: No, you can open up a register and scan it for me because I'm not waiting in line. I've already been here an extra 10 minutes because your machine failed.

Male Clerk: Um, yeah. Um, ok. Lemme see. (Calls the first clerk over to open a register. She says ok, but as I follow her to the register, she keeps stopping to help other customers. Um, Hello!) Don't worry about it. I got this.

Female Clerk: Ok (Still helping other customers)

Me: (Confused look on face) Seriously?

Male Clerk: I got this. I got this. Go ring her up.

Female Clerk: Oh, Ok (finally walks to the register)

She scans my purchases, takes my coupons and my payment. And then I make the big ask:

Me: Thank you so much. Who can I speak to about getting reimbursed for my time since I was inconvenienced here today?

Female Clerk: Um, you can talk to Male Clerk about it.

Me: Thank you. Have a great day. (Walking over to Male Clerk) Thank you for helping me. Now, who can I speak to about getting reimbursed for my time since I was inconvenienced here today?

Male Clerk: I can call a manager for you.

Me: Thank you, I appreciate that. (Manager comes over and I explain the situation and make my request, telling her that my time is valuable. At this point, I'm thinking that a $10 or $20 store gift card would be fine. Basically I just wanted an acknowledgment that there was a customer service FAIL on their part.)

Manager: Well, she rang up your order, right. It only took another minute.

Me: No, it took another 10 minutes until they figured out they couldn't fix the machine. My time is valuable and I want to know how you're going to reimburse me for my time.

Manager: Well the machines break and we aren't responsible for that.

Me: You're not responsible? I understand that machines break, but it's certainly not my fault. Even though...

Manager: (Oh no, she didn't just interrupt me.) I'm just saying there's nothing we can do if the machines break.

Me: Excuse me. I'm still talking and I would appreciate it if you let me finish. (Manager closes her mouth and nods). Thank you. Even though the machines have problems, I shouldn't have to be inconvenienced by it. My time is valuable and I want to know how you're going to compensate me for that.

Manager: Go to the front desk and she'll extend your membership for a year. (Walks away)

Me: Thank you very much. I appreciate your time.

Who knew? I really felt justified that I shouldn't just sit back and idly let something impact my day and my plans. All I had to do what ask. And by staying calm and rational, I got a free year's membership, worth $45. Not to shabby.

Will Work for Free ?

I've toyed with you long enough. I know I've mentioned the new job, so I've got to give you the updates.

About 2 months ago, the faculty member that runs the executive program I worked on asked me to apply to be the Unit Coordinator in her faculty Unit (she is also the Unit Head). Completely blindsided, I was flattered that she thinks so highly of my work that she wanted me to work for her. The position is a promotion over my other job, with totally different responsibilities and tasks. After getting support from both my manager and my director, I applied and made my way through 4 rounds of interviews, including one with the faculty member who was as perplexed as I was that we needed to do a "formal" interview since she was the one that wanted to hire me on the spot! About 3 weeks after the initial conversation, I was offered the position.

With the position being a promotion, it would seem a salary increase would be in order. Well, yes and no. My position with the executive programs was overtime eligible and when I had groups in, I worked a lot of overtime. I made good money, but worked 50-60 hours a week to get it. My new position, while eligible for overtime, it is not expected unless there is an unusual circumstance.

Going into the salary negotiation I felt prepared. I'd just finished reading a book by one of my executive program participants, Smart Girl's Guide to the Boys' Club by Gayle Bulls Dixon, and felt like I knew what I was worth and the points to bring up in a negotiation.

When I met with the hiring manager, she offered me the position and the starting salary, which was a significant bump over my base pay, but fell a little short of my "annual salary" including overtime (when I first took my position with this institution, I was told--erroneous as it might have been--to look at my salary as the base plus overtime, since it was expected as part of my job function). Now, I'm smart enough to know that it was silly for them to tell me overtime is part of salary, but I'm also smart enough to know that an error on the institution's part is an opportunity for me.

I counter offered, still lower than my "annual salary," hoping to create a buffer and anticipating a July 1st salary increase would seal the deal. I also anticipated they would come back with a counter offer.

They didn't. They came back to me and said the salary would remain the same.

I was so defeated. Who does that? In what business world does the institution not anticipate that the candidate is going to negotiate the salary and expect to give a little more? I said I needed to think about it. Later that day, the faculty member called me about other business. After our conversation, she asked if I'd accepted the offer. I explained that I was a little disheartened by the salary and needed time to reconcile the difference and see if this would be a smart financial decision for me and my family. She was none to pleased when I gave her the numbers on the situation and offered me her support and some talking points to bring up.

The next morning I received a call with a counter offer! Unfortunately it seemed better at first glance than in reality. The counter offer accommodated for the July 1st salary increase from the institution, which meant I would get the increase immediately and not be eligible for it in July. After 2 days of back and forth wherein I attempted to negotiate on points other than money (flexible schedule, time off, etc.), I got no where. Eventually I had to really look at what was more important--the money or the boost to my career and safety of my sanity from not working so many long hours.

You already know I took the position. Do I think they won from a financial perspective? Absolutely. But I truly believe I that I made the right decision for my career and I've already found an outlet to do a little extra work to make up some money and come next year, I should be back on top of where I was in the other position. And in the meantime, I get to leave at 4:00 pm every day and spend time doing things for myself in the evening, like cooking dinner and spending time with D.

So what's the job? Basically, I'm the administrative support for all the functions of the entire teaching unit. Each faculty member has their own assistant, but for projects and activities that fall upon the whole unit, such as seminars or recruiting, those responsibilities fall to me. It's quiet because it's summer, but I've met some great faculty and assistants already and I've truly been welcomed. And the cool thing is that I'm still on campus with all my friends from my old position, so I am still able to stay in touch and have the occasional lunch.

Don't think you're going to miss out on crazy stories, though. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before some faculty member gives me fodder.

Intruders Be Warned

As I told you last week, my disappearance was warranted, but I must now apologize for yesterday. As with most first days on the job, I expected (and did in fact receive) lots of free time yesterday to settle into my office, nest with my personal items and catch up on doing important things, like renewing my magazine subscriptions and blogging. Unfortunately, the transition of my computer was a little complicated for the tech staff here because I didn't have access to my computer until 3:45 pm and with the new job, I leave at 4:00 everyday. As much as I missed you, I wasn't staying late for you. Hugs & kisses!


I know you were all very concerned, so I will start with the conclusion of the on-going saga of the mice in the attic. I would love to tell you a witty story, but the email I received from my husband in the middle of a busy workday really says it all:

I know your blog readers probably want to know the ending to the mouse saga. The latest is: I win. Last time, I set 2 traps and this was after plugging the passageway in the corners of the siding. Both traps were “full” and there was peanut butter remaining on the one trap. I haven’t heard anything in the ceiling and you haven’t told me that you heard anything. Therefore: I win.

I'm Not Ignoring You

I'm just super busy. Really. And I can't figure out why.

Here's what's going on:

• A new program with a bunch of crazy executives started 3 weeks ago and I've been at their beck and call. I have had zero time for important personal business (i.e., blogging and message boards) since they came in (although I have made waxing and pedicure appointments a priority. The good news is: I have stories you'll love.
• I got a promotion! Yea! I start on Monday and I'm hoping that the first week I'll have a lull that will allow me to tell you all about. Although since that means I haven't had to work on any projects that go beyond this week, I still can't figure out why I've been so busy.
• I read a hilarious book and cannot wait to share all the fabulous things I learned. (I've actually read 4 books this month, but one in particular you'll love.)
• There is a mouse update. 'Nough said.

So, forgive me? If so, thank you. If not, screw you. Later!