The new, slightly-improved… me. April 18, 2008

I’m trying to do whatever it takes to make myself happier with.. well, myself. In the last few years I have had a lot of confidence in myself, something that was treasured since my high school and pre-high school days were full of nothing but a huge lack of it. Of course I have always had my fat days (who hasn’t?), but I had an awful lot more of “I’m the shit” days.

Lately, I’ve found that has flipped. There are a lot more fat days than there are “I’m the shit” days. Part of it is definitely the whole nesting thing–for the first time, I’m cooking for two people, and I’ll be honest: I love it! I’ve found a lot of enjoyment in cooking and baking now that I have someone to appreciate it. Plus it’s just easier to cook for two people than it is for one. But with that has come a good number of extra pounds. I’ve been struggling slightly with my weight in the past few years, but only now have I truly felt that I need to do something. I know it’s a tough order to get back to the way I was in high school, but I’m going to give it hell! At least, I’m going to do that MY way. A happy way. No depriving, no sitting on my craving (and none of that “If you’re craving chocolate, eat broccoli instead!” crap).

I’m going to try and keep a log of things I’ve been doing and how my plans are going on this blog. Plus this post will be an outline of what I have done already, and how I’m going to go about Operation Make Katie Happy with Katie.

First, I’ve started running. This is slow-going considering my leg injury nine years ago that leaves me with a lot of pain. But I found a “Couch to 5k” plan online, and I’m going to do my best to stick with it as best as possible. It’s three times a week for nine weeks, each week getting slightly more difficult than the last. If I find I’m struggling with it though, I’m not going to worry. I’m simply going to repeat a week and keep going. Eventually I think I can make it.

Next on the list is toning. The running is great, but my arms could use a little help in getting a bit more shapely again (I once had someone tell me how great my arms were). So the weight training has begun as well. I’m not going all-out crazy, but I think two to three times a week should do just fine for now. I’m starting fresh, and I don’t want to overdo it.

After that comes some plain old cardio. With running only three days a week and generally only 25 minutes, I could use just a little extra nudge in getting myself shaped up and feeling healthy. The perfect way to do this is a little low-impact cardio on a stationary bike or eliptical. I’m not looking to over exert myself, but I don’t think a half hour a few days of this a week is going to kill me either!

So the above is my big plan. Of course, I have also done my best to adopt healthier food choices. However, here’s the big difference between me and a lot of other “dieters”: I’m not dieting. I’m not going to deny myself a cookie if I’m really wanting it, and I’m not planning on entirely giving up soda or other non-healthy options as well. Let’s me honest: I LOVE soda. I’d rather spend 150 calories on a can of Coke or Pepsi than spend the same number of calories on a snack. This whole thing is about making ME happy with ME, and so why should I deny things that do make me happy? I’m just incorporating little changes. For example, I’ve nixed the unhealthy snacks at work. I currenlty have some items such as grapes, apples, Special K cereal, yogurt, applesauce, and snack-size pieces of low-fat cheese at the office. No more cheetos, cookies, etc. If they’re not here, I can’t eat them.

I’m also making dinner a bit healthier. I’m using more light ingredients, cooking lighter meals, and experimenting with various healthy options that aren’t too weird that Jake won’t eat them (I have to keep him in mind, too!). I’m finding it a rather fun challenge to make healthier meals without sacrificing all the taste. So far I’ve done very well. Once again though, I’m making myself happy. When I made a roast earlier this week, I decided to not skimp on the gravy, and instead of substituting a lower-fat option, I used real butter. The reason for this is because I make killer gravy, and I didn’t want to sacrifice that.

So not totally denying myself things I want is probably going to hold up some of the weight-loss. I’m aware of this. But overall, I’m making healthier choices. Plus, instead of sitting around on the couch moping about how I’m blowing up like a balloon, I’m DOING something about it. So even if results don’t come immediately, at least I can be satisfied to know that I’m trying. And every extra step I take each day is going to push me closer to my goal of being happy with myself.

Cheney’s glasses April 11, 2008

Okay, so I’m the first to admit I’m not Dick Cheney’s biggest fan. However, the latest “controversy” going around the web is a load of crap. First, who actually studies reflections in glasses? I understand he’s a public figure, but geez. The fact that this was headline news is ridiculous!

For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, please take a look at this picture: http://www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident/photoessays/outdoors/06.html. It is Cheney on a recent fishing trip, and he’s looking very happy. However, there is controversy about the image in his glasses (if you click on the picture, it will zoom in). Many people are convinced that this is a naked person in a tree.

Okay, I know he’s not exactly the most “politically correct” politician. I mean, let’s not forget the quail hunting trip. But seriously.. a naked person in a tree? Mmhmm.. it looks a heck of a lot like his HAND holding a FISHING ROD to me. I could maybe see where everyone is saying, “I see butt cheeks!” But in the end, no. It’s knuckles. Sorry to disappoint everyone looking for a crazy scandal. An old man with too much money went fishing, with the only naked ones present being the fish.

The Dog and I April 5, 2008

I’ve lost over two pounds in the last week, a feat for me that is somewhat impressive overall. I’m a little scared it’s nothing but water weight, but hey. A pound is a pound and I’m sure not going to complain about it.

I’ve been trying to exercise more too–okay, so Nintendo Wii Sports isn’t exactly high-intensity, but it’s me moving and not sitting my butt on the couch! Besides, anyone who has tried doing baseball on there understands that you can get your arms a decent little workout after 15 or 20 minutes of that. Either that or I’m so weak that it feels like it.. not sure which. Either way though, I’m being modest. I’ve actually been more proactive about taking the dog out on regular walks, and this morning I even got up and rollerbladed for 20 minutes. Unfortunately, my rollerblades are insanely old and about a half-size too small, which for a normal person wouldn’t be a huge issue. But for a person with a permanently slightly swollen left calf due to a little horseback riding incident nine years ago, a half-size too small pair of rollerblades is like trying to squeeze into those jeans you wore in high school while convincing yourself that they still look just as good now as they did then (and for all you skinny bitches, hush! I don’t want to hear it!). In other words: On a good day I can manage to do it, but it’s not exactly comfortable. After those 20 minutes were up, I was in complete agony. Thank you, Barney the horse, for giving me a lifetime of pain and irritations.

Speaking of the bum leg, yesterday I had to sit in the doctor’s office for about an hour, and then the hospital for another two to get the leg looked and and x-rays taken. I will admit, despite how much this utterly sucked, I’m really looking forward to going back to the doctor on Monday to see the x-rays. I haven’t seen what my bone looks like in years, so this should be fun! Or at least, it will be fun until they tell me that in order to live a semi-normal life, they’re going to need to rebreak my leg and set it properly. Cringe.

Bored yet of my medical crap? Thought so. Blackie and I are by ourselves this weekend because Jake went to a fishing tournament with his best friend. It’s been really, really boring around here. However, the dog and I have been passing the time by doing fun things like watching chick flicks that Jake would never watch, instead possibly preferring to cut out his own eyes (but personally, I thought Enchanted was cute!). I might not be giving him enough credit though–to my absolute delight, he actually enjoys some good chick flicks. Not all, but some. And I can’t ask for more than that!

Aside from the chick flicks, Blackie and I are just relaxing and not doing a whole lot. We’ll be going on a walk later, and tomorrow he starts class. That’s right, my dog is going to school! He’s going to learn how to become a Canine Good Citizen and a Therapy Dog. I’m very excited about that. I think he’ll do great.

Anyway, let’s hope the boys come home from the fishing tournament victorious. It’d be a wonderful thing to be able to book our honeymoon and pay for it in cash.

Back from the abyss March 5, 2008

It’s been a long time since I’ve written, and my apologies to those (Mom) who regularly check. I’m sorry to have disappointed everyone, and I promise I’ll try better in the future to keep this more updated.

 Since I have last written, the following things have happened: Boppa passed away, the wedding got moved to September, and the wedding also got moved to Oklahoma. Of course, the second two were a result of the first.

 Now that you’re up to date..

There’s so much I want to say sometimes, and I just can’t quite get the words out. It’s not that I’m incapable of it–I know I can write as well as the next person. My problem is that I don’t know how much I truly want to share some of this, and I feel that a lot of it might come out a jumbled and confused. But oh well, I say. I’m just going to write. If it’s a mess, I won’t apologize. Call it ”raw writing” if you’d like.

Anyway, my life recently has been dominated by both Boppa’s death and the upcoming marriage, with the usual servings of job stress and other issues both good and bad on the side. Boppa passed on January 17th, and since then life has been a whirlwind. I’ve had good days and bad days in regards to my coping mechanisms, and I don’t doubt that I’ll continue to have both for a long, long time. The last two weeks for whatever reason have been particularly hard, and I’ve found myself struggling to come to terms with how my life has changed. Often, I’ve been finding myself having dreams that involve him, including one that I truly believe was him coming down to let me know he’s okay.

I think this all started two Sundays ago. Boppa always knew everything. Everything. And if maybe he didn’t in fact know everything, then he certainly fooled the world! But that was always one thing I truly adored about him: I could ask him so many random questions, and he always had an answer or at least an incredibly good guess. I used to store up questions in my head that I would then ask him at a later date. In early December as I was about to leave Oklahoma to visit him and Grandma, I realized I had one such question. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would know the answer to it. Unfortunately, I forgot about asking the question during the visit and never had a chance to ask him and get the answer.

Well, on Sunday Jake and I were driving and we happened to go past the airport. It was when we were driving past that I realized that I still had this unanswered question, and I was devastated. It broke my heart, not so much because I won’t be able to find out the answer, but because I won’t be able to have the opportunity to ask him anything again. Time is up for this, at least until we meet again someday (and I probably won’t need him to answer questions then–in Heaven, I’m really hoping to discover where Hoffa is buried).

Since the incident that Sunday, I’ve had a few other flare-ups. I’ve gone to bed in tears more than a few times, I’ve had a few dreams (including the one I already mentioned), I’ve broken down in church at the word “grieve,” and I’ve found it incredibly hard to discuss my grandpa, where usually it’s not so hard to let people know that he passed away. I guess this is just one of those bumps in the road for me during my grieving process, but I can’t help it: I miss him so much it’s physically painful sometimes. Combine this with my typical allergies and recent cold, and I’m starting to think I should invest in some Puffs Facial Tissue stock.

Anyway, this whole thing has made planning a wedding very bittersweet. Sometimes I’m having fun dreaming up ideas for the wedding, but other times I just want to curl up into a ball and not do anything for it.

I guess that’s all I feel like writing for now. It’s so emotionally draining to think about all this sometimes, and writing isn’t much better right now. Again, I’ll try to do better and keep this more updated.

Trying to find some peace December 4, 2007

You know, every year I look forward to the holidays. There’s something about this time of year that feels magical to me: eating tons of fabulous food and not feeling at all guilty about it, shopping for the perfect presents, having an excuse to get gaudy with little colored lights, and celebrating traditions with family and friends. I’ve always been a fan of Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it seems this year it’s been tough getting it kicked off properly.

 Even though I know I need to be thankful for my blessings, I have to admit I feel a little bit cheated. This is my first holiday season with Jake, and considering his record of crappy Christmases, I’m trying to give him the best he’s ever had. I think I’m doing okay so far because I can tell how happy he is. I’m so happy with him as well, and when we’re together it’s an amazing feeling. Unfortunately there are so many other things that are making this difficult.

 The day before Thanksgiving a man named Ray died of a brain aneurysm while on the road between LA and Vegas. I neve knew him personally–he worked at the radio station, and moved to LA very shortly before I went to work at the station. Nevertheless, I had spoken to him on the phone once briefly, and he was more or less a legend up there. He was 49.

The day after Thanksgiving was another blow. Martha, a woman who had been coming up to The Jack and Ron Show for years, finally lost her fight with cancer. She’s battled acute leukemia for two years, and I know the end was rough. She too was 49-years-old, and left behind a husband and son. I went to the funeral, which was devastating. Martha was an incredible person who undoubtedly left a huge mark on humanity. She will be missed, and the saying “Only the good die young” was created just for her I think.

A day or so after that, the brother of a woman who does some screening coverage for myself and the other movie whores was shot to death. Based on the way the situation played out, there’s little doubt that this was not a random crime. My heart and prayers go out to Rocky and her family because I cannot imagine to lose someone so close and in such an awful way.

 That leads us up to today. I’m in Arizona visiting my grandparents (the explanation of this whole mess will follow), and Michelle called me on their home phone. This raises some alarms as she would only call me here if something of huge importance (or a massive problem) happened. Of course, some of it was work-related, but the other part of it was that Mark, a man I had worked with at the radio station, put a gun to his head this morning. I was stunned to say the least, and this has really bothered me quite a bit. While I never considered Mark to be the nicest man on the planet by any stretch of the imagination, I did have a good working relationship with him, which is more than a lot of people could say. I treated him with kindness, and even though it took a while, he eventually returned the favor with me. I appreciated that, and in many ways I’d like to think that he did too. To hear that he had chosen to die rather than suffer through a Monday morning was shocking, and I wish there could have been a way to prevent this.  It saddens me so much to know that a life was wasted today.

While these deaths are troubling, the other problem with the holidays this year is that cancer has taken a lot of joy from my family. My Boppa is still battling, and I admire him deeply for managing to stay strong through this ordeal he’s been put through. However, it breaks my heart at the same time. He’s always been such a strong person in my life (both mentally and physically), and to see him struggling to even stand up, let alone walk, is one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced. I know the rest of the family feels the same way. It’s amazing the things I’ve always taken for granted, such as my grandpa being able to walk into a room. We went to a restaurant today, and one year ago I wouldn’t have thought anything of walking through the door with my grandparents. Today, I was wishing we had that simple thing back–not because I mind helping (I love helping), but because if we were able to waltz in there, then I would know that my Boppa wasn’t in the pain he’s in now.

I guess I should probably wrap this up. I needed to get some of that off my chest. It’s funny how things in the present make you remember small, once insignificant things in the past. I remember the last time I saw Martha. I ran into her by the milk in the back of Wal-Mart. It had been lovely to see her, and I’ll cherish that three minutes of my life that happened probably a year ago. The last time I saw Mark was just a few weeks ago outside the radio station. We didn’t say much aside from the usual pleasantries, but I remember him smiling. Even if it was just out of politeness, that’s something I’ll remember too.

 My apologies if I’m all over the place with this blog–I just needed to get this off my chest. Despite this all, I’m still going to work hard to give Jake the best Christmas he’s had. It’s the first of many, and I can’t wait to see where it all leads.

Saints and Wedding Days October 25, 2007

I went to a wedding between two acquaintances this past weekend. While I knew both the bride and groom through a mutual friend, I had never really spent any good quality time with them. But this mutual friend was a bridesmaid, and I ended up a guest at the nuptials (and yes, I did give a gift!). It was a pretty affair, and it was fun to get back into a Catholic church and sink myself into the familiarity of the whole thing. Jake and I have discussed going to church again, but as with most things people talk about we have not yet stepped foot into a sanctuary together. This ceremony was a bit of a kick in the pants for me in this regard. I was overly emotional throughout the whole service, and with present circumstances I don’t think it would be a bad idea to get a fire going under our butts and get ourselves to church!

Anyway, now that I’ve completely drifted in another direction than I intended, I want to steer myself back on course with what I meant to discuss in this blog. Last week I realized that I had absolutely no clue where the church was that I had to be at on Saturday. So I took a quick break from work, hopped on the internet, and a quick search led me right to the church’s website (which, thankfully, included “We are located at the intersection of ___ and ___.”). As I was browsing, I came across a link on their page talking about Saints and their days. I’ll be the first to admit that I had fun clicking around on this page, and with all this wedding stuff (the one I went to, plus the beginning planning of my own) floating around in my brain I wondered what Saint’s day I would be getting married on.

We’re tentatively planning to tie the knot on June 14, 2008. If we do, we’ll be marrying on Saint Methodius of Constantinople’s day. He died in 847 BC, started a monastery, and greatly opposed iconoclasts. Now if we choose to marry on June 15, 2008, we would be saying our vows on  the day of Saint Aleydis. After suffering from leprocy most of her life, she died in 1250.

So does it matter to anyone what Saint’s day it is when they marry? My parents married on the day of Saint Clare of Assisi, a close friend of Saint Francis of Assisi and the Patron Saint of Embroidery, among other things (Mom, you should take up embroidering! …hehe). My grandparents married on Saint Natalia’s day. Personally, for me it really doesn’t make a difference whose day it is. But to some it might, and I suppose I can understand that. But the Saints were all holy people, and that’s enough for me.

I think this blog might be turning into a marriage blog. Please bear with me because I don’t doubt there will be many more posts pertaining to it. But I promise to sprinkle tidbits of other things in between all this.

Let the planning begin! October 22, 2007

As most of those reading my blog know from a previous post, I got engaged about a month and a half ago. Due to not being able to know when my new fiance would be able to take vacation in the year 2008, we really had no earthly idea when this planned marriage would ultimately take place.

Cue now: Last week we figured out that our most-likely date is going to be June 14th (and, of course, this will only be confirmed once something for this date is officially booked and money put down.. no going back!). So in other words.. let the planning begin.

I’ve already got the dress, so at least that’s out of the way! I love it, it fits well (though I’ve lost about three to four pounds since trying it on, so hopefully this trend continues because I will be MORE THAN HAPPY to require it be taken in!). But now comes everything else: Engagement photos, save the date cards, booking an actual location, getting a good photographer, picking out flowers and hiring a florist, deciding on a cake, figuring out what to do about food, what about music? ARGH! So much to do! And on top of all this, I need to keep this whole thing as cheap as possible.

Luckily, I think I’m on the right track.. at least I hope so! My darling friend Donna has agreed to take engagement pictures two weekends from now. She’s not a professional, but she’s good, she’s cheap, and I’m really looking forward to it! I just couldn’t justify spending hundreds of dollars on engagement pictures. I’d rather save that money for the wedding photography. So that’s going to be set soon, and I can use the pictures for Save the Date cards. I think I really need these cards because we’re having an out-of-town wedding, so people need to make travel arrangements well in advance. I’ve found a few websites, and I think postcards will be the way to go–they’re cheaper, no need for envelopes, and less money spent on postage! The one thing related to this is the guest list, which at this point I have NO clue what to do with. I think Mom and I are just going to have to sit down–probably on the phone or online–and hash this out as best we can (psst–Mom: I know you’re reading this! Let me know!).

 Yesterday I told Jake that I wanted him to be in charge of picking a first-dance song. He was absolutely thrilled, and within minutes was already talking out loud about ideas. I think he loves the fact that he’s in charge of something really important, but at the same time it’s relatively easy and fun.

What else.. I have my two bridesmaids set, I believe I have the colors picked out, and so that should be pretty smooth sailing (and fun). I haven’t really given much thought to cakes and very little to flowers, but that will eventually come with time. I’ve decided that for decor, candles will be the way to go. They’re cheap, pretty, and will fit in well with the whole Arizona wedding thing. Plus I’m just really not into the foofoo white and pink stuff with the orchids and the marble pebbles and the big bows on chairs.. you get the idea. I’m just not cut out for the cutesy girly stuff, nor am I cut out for all the damn crafts! Forget it! I’m not a do-it-yourself kind of person unless it involves something ridiculously easy that takes all of ten minutes. And the cute little poems placed on everything from the sign-in table to the cake table to the baskets in the bathroom holding some tampons and hairspray? I’m sorry… but the following is just not me:

So happy you’re here to share in our special day,
But should something happen to go astray,
Please help yourself to the contents within,
Wet wipe, hand lotion, and even aspirin!
Take what you need and leave the rest,
It may be useful to another guest.
So repair the damage that has been done,
Then hurry back and join the fun!

Umm.. yeah. If I need a tampon, I need a tampon. And if I need one at a wedding, I probably don’t have the time to sit around reading some little poem about how I should only take one so the next person in dire need can have one too. I’m more of the straightforward type: “Wedding guests, take a maxi pad! Take a Tylenol! They’re here for you!” The sign-in table is self-explanatory, but if a sign is required it will simply say, “Thank you for being here! We really appreciate it.” And a cake is a cake, people. Want a sign? “EAT ME.” (hehe.. yes, I’m cracking myself up)

We’ll see how this whole wedding thing pans out. Honestly, I am having fun thinking of possibilities and searching for good ideas. But in the long run? I’m marrying this absolutely amazing man who loves me whole-heartedly. And I love him. So really, what else matters?

The plight of the cupcake September 26, 2007

This past Sunday in the New York Times, writer Sarah Kershaw wrote an article about the great cupcake debate. You’re welcome to read the article here, or I can sumarize it for you below, and follow up with my opinion on this matter.

 Basically, the United States is at war. We’re at war with cupcakes, along with the high calories, high sugar and fat contents, and low nutritional values they bring to the table. Remember in elementary school your mom baked cupcakes for you to take to school to share with your classmates on your birthday? Those days are quickly becoming a relic of the 1980s and 1990s because parents have a pressing concern (as they well should!) with childhood obesity.  PTAs are quickly jumping on the bandwagon of forbidding entry of cupcakes (along with other sweets) into their schools.

But before you break out the veggie tray in the classroom, there are some people who oppose this terrorism of the cupcake. What are a few empty calories if you get to enjoy this delectable treat that brings a note of happiness with each bite, along with fond memories of baking with mom? And then comes the biggest argument: It’s just a cupcake. Big deal.

 Do I feel that childhood obesity is (literally and figuratively) a growing problem? Absolutely. But in this instance, I’m going to have to side with the cupcakes. First off, what mother wants to make enough cupcakes that each student in her child’s classroom gets two or more sweets? I mean, really, the Mom, Version U.B.C. (Ultimate Betty Crocker) is disappearing faster than cookies at a fat camp. Americans are becoming increasingly lazy. And I really can’t imagine that one silly little piece of cake with a dollop of frosting is going to make or break a child’s fight against the fat.

 However, it’s when that kid gets home and absolutely gorges on ice cream and chicken nuggets that the whole obesity thing comes into play. Parents who are complaining that cupcakes in the classroom makes your kids fat: stop buying frozen pizza rolls for dinner and actually try cooking for once! You’d be amazed what a little elbow grease and a stove and/or oven can do. And stop buying your kids every damn video game that comes out, and instead teach them the beauty in low-tech games such as Kick the Can, Hide and Go Seek, Duck Duck Goose, Tag, Kickball, or any other mainly-outside game that involves them actually moving extremities other than their thumbs and forefingers on a video game controller. Teach your kids how to ride a bike (helmets, please!), take them to the park for some good old-fashioned monkey bar swinging, or teach them how to throw and catch a baseball. Oh, and on that bike comment I just made? Powerwheels don’t count. If the kid ain’t Flinstoning it, it ain’t real exercise.

 So before all you Yuppies of America launch this attack on the good old American tradition known as the cupcake, take a good hard look at your life. I don’t want to hear you bitching and blaming someone else for making your kid obese.

 GO CUPCAKES!!!!!

 (oh, and an afterthought that is both completely related and simultaneously not at all related.. don’t make cupcakes using ice cream cones. As good an idea it sounded, and as good as it tasted fresh out of the oven, the mushy, moist goodness of the cake made mushy, moist cake cones within a matter of hours. This just did not appeal to me.)

Life’s little mishaps September 12, 2007

Something strange happened to me today, and I found myself shocked and a little upset. With Boppa being in the hospital and everything that has gone on with my family, the fact that I got engaged on Saturday has not been at the forefront of my priority list. Am I happy about it? Thrilled. But is it the most important thing at this particular time? Definitely not because Boppa is the most important. There will come a time in the near future when this commitment finds itself at the top of my list, but for right now my mind is on things other than planning a wedding.

 Because of all this, I have not really had the time to update many of my friends on this exciting piece of news. Of course I told my family, but for the most part I have let others find out either from this blog or from Facebook, where you will notice my “relationship status” has changed to “engaged.” I figured there would be time to celebrate this with friends later as I begin to let everyone know on my own time. Unfortunately, this plan backfired today. In an e-mail to a friend, I briefly let her know the good news. She replied with a “Congratulations!” that was quickly followed with a somewhat sarcastic remark about how I told her five days after it happened and in an afterthought of an e-mail, no less. I understand how she might have felt hurt that I didn’t tell her sooner. But considering the circumstances that have been occurring, of which everyone important to me is well aware (including her as I consider her a very important part of my life!), I would like to think that people would understand if they don’t hear the news immediately.

 I pray everyone is considerate to the situation with my Boppa, and I promise you all that I don’t mean to hurt you in any way by not keeping you in the loop. Today’s mishap has deeply troubled me, and I’m really not sure what to think or how to react.

An Update on Life September 9, 2007

I’m in Phoenix right now. It’s funny–I was here just several short weeks ago, and even yesterday morning I had no clue that in less than 24 hours I’d wind up right back in the desert. It’s funny how things work out. Boppa is back in the hospital, which is the reason for my coming, and we’re really praying hard that we’ll be able to get him out soon.

Meanwhile, there has at least been one good distraction to all this mess! Yesterday, about six hours before I boarded the plane, Jake and I were laying in bed talking. It had been an awful day so far. I had to do work-related activities on a Saturday morning, I heard that Boppa was back in the hospital, and in my flustered state I locked my keys in the car for the first time in about three years.. while at a gas station.. and 30 minutes from home. Anyway, Jake had rescued me, and after we got home we went to make a valliant attempt at a nap. It didn’t happen for me though, as while we were having some pillow talk he said four little words that changed my life: “Will you marry me?” OF COURSE I said yes! And my ring is beautiful.

I’ll try to update as best I can in the next few days. Everyone hang in there.