The Burlap Soulmate

Most who come here usually come here first, and so have an idea of how our vacation went in pretty intense detail. But as for me, I really enjoyed myself. There was the usual stressing about money but not nearly so bad as New York, when our ability to even get home was in jeopardy. Then coupled with the fact that it was close to where I grew up, and had an air of familiarity to it made it enjoyable too. I'd been to Mackinac as a kid, 4th grade to be exact. Then we went up and back in one day. We all crowded on the ferry and marveled at the sights around us. We were made to go to the fort and listen to all of the actors tell their stories of days past and watch the cannon firings and ooh and ahh over what a rich historical place this was. Let me tell you it's much more fun as an adult, being able to stay the night in a cozy B&B, go wherever you want, whenever you want, and most of all, not have to hear about a military post so inconsequential that most soldiers died from disease or accidents, or maybe boredom, then actual combat. You can't escape the campy tourist-ness of the place. In a way it sort of adds to the charm. Part of you wants to be the goofy tourist, gawking at the bridge on the horizon, smelling all of the fudge, taking snapshots of this quaint carriage, even though there are 20 more just like it around you. Another part of you wishes that part of you would shut up and just play it cool. We're not fudgies. We're regulars, with our own little cottage, and our own bikes, not these crappy rentals with the numbers on the side. I remember liking it very much back then. I knew I would love it this time. I knew she would like it too. I had no idea she would take to it as much as she did, but it makes me very happy to have a place we can share so close to my childhood home. Now she understands why I miss it so. That was why I proposed when I did. I had no grandiose plan to do so. I figured if circumstances were right, then I would do it. I'm such a rotten liar and secret keeper, I knew I could never surprise her if I actually planned something. So I kept the ring under wraps but always within arms reach. And when I was about to run out of time, when everything was about to end, it seemed right and everything fell into place. I jumped on the opportunity. I will always be glad that I did.

Most who come here usually come here first, and so have an idea of how our vacation went in pretty intense detail. But as for me, I really enjoyed myself. There was the usual stressing about money but not nearly so bad as New York, when our ability to even get home was in jeopardy. Then coupled with the fact that it was close to where I grew up, and had an air of familiarity to it made it enjoyable too. I'd been to Mackinac as a kid, 4th grade to be exact. Then we went up and back in one day. We all crowded on the ferry and marveled at the sights around us. We were made to go to the fort and listen to all of the actors tell their stories of days past and watch the cannon firings and ooh and ahh over what a rich historical place this was. Let me tell you it's much more fun as an adult, being able to stay the night in a cozy B&B, go wherever you want, whenever you want, and most of all, not have to hear about a military post so inconsequential that most soldiers died from disease or accidents, or maybe boredom, then actual combat. You can't escape the campy tourist-ness of the place. In a way it sort of adds to the charm. Part of you wants to be the goofy tourist, gawking at the bridge on the horizon, smelling all of the fudge, taking snapshots of this quaint carriage, even though there are 20 more just like it around you. Another part of you wishes that part of you would shut up and just play it cool. We're not fudgies. We're regulars, with our own little cottage, and our own bikes, not these crappy rentals with the numbers on the side. I remember liking it very much back then. I knew I would love it this time. I knew she would like it too. I had no idea she would take to it as much as she did, but it makes me very happy to have a place we can share so close to my childhood home. Now she understands why I miss it so. That was why I proposed when I did. I had no grandiose plan to do so. I figured if circumstances were right, then I would do it. I'm such a rotten liar and secret keeper, I knew I could never surprise her if I actually planned something. So I kept the ring under wraps but always within arms reach. And when I was about to run out of time, when everything was about to end, it seemed right and everything fell into place. I jumped on the opportunity. I will always be glad that I did.

I'm not the first to compare whats going on in Lousiana and Mississippi to 9-11. But I think it is an apt comparison. Certainly, in pure numbers this will probably be much worse. But what really makes it feel similar is my own attitude toward it: The frustration at wanting to do SOMETHING and not being able to do anything. Then the sobering realization of what those people are going through, right now, and how inconsequential my life and my activities are in comparison to it. It makes it very difficult to concentrate. And while I put in a typical work day and complain about this or that inconvenience, fellow countrymen (and women) are dying from lack of basic needs. I am deeply saddened, though optimistic. I will ponder and I will pray. No one is useless when they can say a prayer for someone. There is some small comfort in that.

Another weekend project comes to a successful conclusion.
It, like, rotates and lights up too. Sometimes I amaze even myself.

Wedding planning is in full gear...again. We sort of went through this back in January, but kind of burned ourselves out. Lack of money notwithstanding, it just didn't feel right. And we had a graduation to plan anyway. To tell the truth, I was surprised how much of an effect actually having and giving the ring made. It feels more official now. Maybe that's why we're planning a church ceremony: that feeling of official-ness, like we got that stamp of approval by God and Uncle Sam and everybody. Speaking of which, we now have a church booked, exactly the one we wanted too. How I ever got Staz to agree to a Catholic ceremony I'll never know but there it is. Even I am a little intimidated by the whole thng. So much documentation, so many things that need to be done, so much planning. One thing my faith does very well is document stuff, second only to making you jump through a million hoops. But at least it won't be a 10 minute ceremony. Man, I hate those..'Do you? Yeah. Do you? Yeah. Ok, done deal, let's party.' Money is the biggest concern...well DUH. Can we make an extra $15,000 by August? How about $10,000? It's scary now because money is just starting to change hands. Welcome to the land of exhorbitant non-refundable deposits. Thats just one of a million reasons to wonder what the hell we're doing. We see them all the time: bitter, miserable couples, fighting, yelling, or worse, just sitting in sullen silence, being told to put the f*&^% milk in the cart and shut the f%%#$ up. I know they didn't start out that way. Did they? Somehow we're different. And I don't mean that sarcastically. I don't know what it is or where it came from, but we are so respectful and so genuinely care about the other that we regularly put the other one before ourselves. In all forseeable scenarios, there is nothing but good in this that I feel. So bring 'em on: The outrageously priced vendors, the interfering family, the drained pocketbook, Even the 8 hour marriage encounter (Ugh) We're ready for you.