Jeez, why do I keep forgetting the 'More Inside' button. Sorry!

1. I am on my way home from Florida.

2. Currently I am in Atlanta -- I agreed to get bumped from my flight in exchange for ticket money for another flight.

3. Thank goodness ATL has wifi.

3a. Ugh, the hand lotion I just bought feels gross and smells worse.

I've had a pretty good week, even with a hurricane brushing our coast.

1. I'm drafting a project for a great boss plus it's a type project I love doing.

2. Getting back into full exercise after recovering from a bout of shingles is easier than I thought and I'm regaining strength quickly.

3. I tried fried green tomatoes for the first time tonight (storm knocked some off my vines) and don't find the flavor worth repeating.

Is this the same super creepy neighbor you had the chilling stories about in the past? If so, yay, he's moving out.

1. Took advantage of having Friday off to go to Huntsville and visit some friends. Yay!

2. Back home, and all the animals are settled. Every time we leave the bunny home for an extended period of time, I always worry something will happen. (esp. on holiday weekends!)

3. now, if only I could find my motivation - I brought work home to work on, plus I have DragonCon costuming to get started on, and there's always the usual chores!

Is this the same super creepy neighbor you had the chilling stories about in the past?

That's the one. The woman next door and I will be dancing a jig on the front lawn when he finally drives away.

1) I have 2 new cats.
2) They are hiding so I can't take pictures.
3) What more is there to say?

1. Weekends lose their meaning for me in the summer (obnoxious, I know). It makes all the aggravation of the school year worth it, mostly (every job has aggravation, after all -- at least mine's only for ten months, less with other holiday breaks figured in. I can't complain. I fear Jon is very jealous). I have been having work nightmares lately, though, of the I-can't-find-my-classroom-and-I'm-late variety, or a-pack-of-evaluators-in-suits-with-clipboards-just-came-into-my-classroom (this has happened, actually; sometimes I never do find out who they were or why they were there -- very Kafkaesque). The dreams are so vivid and real I'm greatly relieved when I wake up and see they're not real. In one of them I was getting so upset looking for my classroom I told myself in the dream that it's not real and woke myself up. Thank goodness.

2. Last week, I went to see the broadway musical, If/Then, with Idina Menzel, who was awesome. Great show, and I was so close to the stage (front row) I could have patted the pit conductor's head. I did get a bit of a crick in my neck, but I love being able to see the performers' expressions. And I can tell you Idina has no cavities, if that's something you want to know (none with silver fillings, anyway!). Music was great-- gotta love a show with a song called, "What the fuck?"; the song, "You Learn to Live Without," which I heard Idina sing on Letterman, is why I went to the show, though. Had me in tears. A cathartic cry. Next week I'm going to see Cinderella. Pure fun. Balcony seat this time, so I can get the full ballroom effect.

3. I bought a guitar today. A Seagull Maritime Rosewood SWS SG. I spent half of today researching guitars and which model to buy online (I actually know what SWS and SG mean now -- Solid Wood Series and Semi-gloss finish, if you're curious), but I'm really happy with my choice. It's a great guitar, for only about $600 (an early birthday present). : ) I had trouble deciding between the Maritime rosewood or the mahogany Artist Mosaic for a little more. Ultimately, based on Youtube demonstrations, I just loved the tone of the rosewood. Rich and bright. Lots of bass. Now I just have to learn how to play it! ; ) I played a bit years ago, and my plan is to learn every scale and chord -- naive, I know; I may need some lessons, too.

(Looking ahead, I leave for my writing retreat in New Mexico in two weeks, and then, in August, Jon and I are going to Alaska! It's like it may be my last summer and I want to make it a good one. Let's hope not! ("Knock on wood.") Maybe it's a product of turning almost 50 -- I'll only be 48, but I can taste the big 5-0. Sorry this is so long. Feeling a bit restless.)

You bought a guitar I was lusting after for a long time, Pips. I love Seagulls - I think they are just excellent. The feature I like best is that the necks are slightly narrower than many other dreadnought models and so comfortable in the hand. They're also just elegantly detailed. Excellent, excellent choice (I'm a little envious but OK in the end...I like the guitar I have and a Seagull on topof that would be gravy). Enjoy playing!

1. Went hiking in Port Jervis, NY which was fun. We happened to be there for their first ever town fireworks show on July 5, and got last minute tickets to their rec center outdoor dinner with samples from all the local restaurants. We felt very much part of the action.

2. My boss said this morning that there will be some big good announcements at work this week and I am NOT a patient person so I am just DYING to know what is happening.
He also said some things about changing my role slightly and taking an annoying account off my hands which I think is a good thing but I am not sure if it is related to these announcements or not or what. TELL ME ALREADY

3. A friend who moved to Shanghai last year is in town visiting and I am seeing her this afternoon and very excited. She has been unlucky in love but seems to have just rekindled something with someone from Fall so I really hope it works out or at least is fun for a while.

1. Had a great weekend in Ocean City. The town fireworks on the 5th (postponed for weather) were great, and overall we just had a really nice time hanging out at the beach, shopping, and trying new restaurants. Can't wait to go again!

2. Good to be home, too. Still have lots of unpacking and decorating to do at the new place! And fixups, too; the place has been a rental for years and needs to be exorcised of all the half-done fixes previous tenants left behind. Painting the peeling garage door and the rusty medicine cabinet are two of my next projects.

3. Going to Florida in about two weeks to meet my nephew and see my sis and BIL who are in town from China. Excited for more beach time!

The woman next door and I will be dancing a jig on the front lawn when he finally drives away.

And then the new neighbors will have a story to tell about their crazy neighbors ;)

1. 35 weeks along.

2. Working from home most of the time, which is bliss -- I can skim over my lack of things to do and just nap.

3. Can't eat a dang thing.

You bought a guitar I was lusting after for a long time, Pips. I love Seagulls... Enjoy playing!

Thanks, Miko-- Turns out the one I want is backordered, but I'm sure I'll get it in the next couple of weeks or so.