I Think I'm Supposed to Have a Mid-Life Crisis?

So much has happened since I last posted. First and foremost, I turned FORTY! Eric planned a suprise trip for me and it was so amazing. We spent time with my older brother and sister-in-law and then we went to Philly where 6 of my best friends were waiting to spend the weekend with me. It was a great weekend. So many important people in my life were colliding in a wonderful way. Some had never met each other and some had in the past, some were in our wedding and some were there for the wedding.

There is no better way to enter a new decade than with people who know you, who are your past and present and future, and who know what you need when you are so hungover that you want to sink into the ground. Y'all, it was a minor miracle that I was able to recover and enjoy some axe throwing within a few hours. We had a ton of great food, lots of laughs and so much lightness in being with those who know me best.

**I just spent 10 minutes trying to find pictures in my phone and I think Eric has them all on his phone. If I can find them I'll add them later. They fully encompass the relationship I have with some of these friends.**

Let's see what my 40's bring!

A New Day

First of all, thank you for all the sweet words, texts and messages following my last post. I'm trying to be transparent about what DH and I are going through. That's hard to do! It may not be the road anyone else has traveled, or maybe you're going through the same thing. But it feels very lonely even knowing other friends have had or are having the same issues while trying to have a family.

My Person and I were talking about this yesterday. One of the hardest things about being in this process is that you know people want to love on you, to make you feel better, to give you hope. But the hard truth of it is that I'm not promised to have a baby of my own. I'm just not. That doesn't mean we won't have a family if I can't, for whatever reason, have a baby. But I am being very careful to try and find hope in truth.

Today is a new day, as is tomorrow and the days after that. Today I'm choosing to see the joy in spending more time with just my DH. To make memories that would be impossible once life does change for us in time. To appreciate the time I have to curl up on the couch with a good book and a sweet Evie-Cake. To sip a glass of wine (well until our specialist tells me to lay off the juice) in front of the fire. To play chase with Henry through the house without worrying about tripping over any little ones, just my own two feet.

Today is a new day. Today I choose to see the joy before me.

Isaiah 49:16 "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me."

12 Insights into My Soul

Ok, so maybe that's not quite the line from You've Got Mail, but it sort of fits. There's been this game going around Facebook where friends give you a number and you have to post a list with that number of items people may not know about you. (I recognize the ridiculous length and roundaboutness of that sentence.) I have been so busy (no, not lazy) this week that this fad may already be over and I'm just getting on board.

A friend gave me the number 12. So here are 12 things you may or may not already know about me!

1. I Have a Fear of Closets
When I was a younger there was a live action Alice in Wonderland movie that was on TV. The Jabberwocky scared the underpants off of me. I became convinced that the Jabberwocky lived in my closet. To this day I cannot sleep if there is a closet door ajar in the same room with me. Let's take the crazy one step further. When I stay somewhere other than my own house I have to check the closet in whatever bedroom I sleep in. Ingrained weirdness.

2. I Had a Blankie
I was a blankie lover. I could have given Linus a run for his money if he weren't a fictional cartoon character. I would stand under the clothes line, sucking my thumb, while hanging on to one corner of it while it dried from washing.

3. Do Re Mi
I took private voice lessons for 7 years. For the majority of that time I had a voice teacher who terrified me into practicing every day. Which made me a much better singer. I wanted to be an actress when I was younger. I loved being on stage becoming another character. I loved singing through a show. I still love to sing. I just do it in the car or around the house instead of on stage. When DH is out of the house I'll hook up the computer to the TV, turn it all the way up and sing my heart out along with any musical soundtrack or some Sutton Foster.

4. Beets Taste Purple
They just do and I can't stomach that. Purple, people, purple. One of the few foods I cannot stand.

5. I Take My TV Seriously
When the Bestie and I lived together the very first year in Da Burgh, she had never watched Grey's Anatomy regularly. I adored that show. I never missed an episode, even if I had to record it on VHS. Yes, you read that right. VHS. One night after a day of clinic and class we were eating dinner and sitting on the couch. Every couple seconds she would ask another question. I calmly waited until a commercial, turned to her, picked up my fork and said "If you say one more word during this episode I will stab you with this fork." She took it pretty well considering I had just threatened physical violence over Mer and McDreamy.

6. Go Away Bing Crosby
I really really REALLY can't stand Christmas music until a couple weeks prior to Christmas. I feel this is a safe place that I can share this.

7. Hollywood Ain't Got Nothing On Me
My imagination is incredibly overactive. I can watch movies that cover any subject...as long as it would stay daylight forever. Maybe that's another reason to consider emmigrating to Scotland. It stays light outside for a looong time part of the year. Once the lights go out, I start to think of all the weird messed up things that happen in movies and then I'm too terrified to move. I have restrained myself from waking DH up and making him stay up with me up to this point, but it's probably not far off. I just try to avoid all horror and scary sci-fi movies.

8. Is Mom In the Room?
I am becoming more and more like my mom in weird ways. Like when I talk and cry at the same time, I sound just like her. I say things that she's always said them. Things slip out and I think "Oh goodness, there's mom." It's not bad, just a weird transition as I'm growing older.

9. Get In Ma Belly!
I can eat. A lot. Like, a lot a lot. I had to prove to DH that I wasn't all talk. He was duly impressed. I think it's because I'm a fairly small girl. Except for that booty. But otherwise I'm pretty petite. So when I say things like I can put away an entire large pizza in one sitting, or a half dozen donuts, or a whole batch of rice krispie treats in one work day, I have to prove that my stomach is as big as my mouth. Which in turn leads to that booty.

10. Dream On
I don't know if this is common, but I dream in all five senses. I also remember a lot of my dreams, dream almost every night, and I have recurring dreams since childhood that I can recognize while in the dream. I've heard and read different things about dreaming in all five senses. So I don't know if this is odd or not. I will say it's an odd feeling to be dreaming and find myself thinking "Oh, this frog guy again. Ok, so this will happen next. And then this. And here comes the flipping land rover right on cue." Maybe I'm in a real world Inception?

11.  Curse You, Pie Crust!
I am a pretty stellar baker. However I do have an arch nemesis. Her name is Pie Crust. Only a woman could be this cruel, hence Pie Crust is a she. I can get a good batch of pie crust maybe 10% of the time. Even the No Fail recipes fail me. Seriously?!?!? I was given a special pie fork by my original MAPC (Masters Against Pie Crust) which has proven ineffective. Pie Crust, you are my Kryptonite.

12. I Love Trashy TV
I will turn on Bravo or TLC on my day off and leave it on all day. It's a sickness.

A Day Off

It's been a busy couple weeks for DH and I, with no end in sight. I'm looking forward to a rogue snowstorm here in the Deep South to force us to just sit around! I think it's a fantasy, but a girl can dream. 

We went to Boston for My Person's wedding a couple weeks ago. It was a whirlwind five days full of pumpkins, parties, pseudo-family and love.  I considered the wedding day a success because none of us fell into the lake whilst talking pictures.

It was back to work when we got back to the Deep South, complete with my upcoming yearly review (probably another post for another day), a presentation due in a couple weeks and a meeting coming up. Not to mention all the emails and daily paperwork that piles up when you're out of the office for a couple days! 

Even the fun things took up some time this weekend! Friends of ours have an annual Halloween party, and this year we went as Fix-It Felix and Vanellope Von Schweets from Wreck It Ralph. The costumes were a success according to friends. I didn't feel as generous on Friday night when I spent time on a tutu for under my skirt, only to try it on and realize that the skirt didn't lay on top of the tutu but pulled over it. Thus giving me the largest bubble butt known to mankind. So I happen to have an adult sized pink, mint and white tutu should anyone need one. 

Alright, time to put this post to bed. I'm definitely still trying to figure out where I'm taking this blog. It used to be so easy to write a witty fun post. And lately it feels like work. Hopefully it will all click and I'll be writing more regularly!

Have a great week!

 

My Person...The Female One

Of course DH is my person. But I also have a female My Person. And My Person is getting hitched in 2 months! This weekend is her Bachelorette party and I'm sure that hilarity will abound. If from nothing else, the fact that I may be driving in Boston will be enough. I'm taking bets on how long and far we will be lost if I am behind the wheel. Although My Person will tell you that is Lady Gaga is in town, it will take us at least twice as long to get anywhere. Darn Gaga. She's always messing crap up. Add in Little Monsters and we just may turn tail and run to Maine.

In slightly related news, DH and I have been doing P90X. Mainly because we want to be healthier and we were starting to be "happy fat". But also because I have a bridesmaids dress to get into! The dress is beautiful...but it's got that dreaded column lining that is kryptonite to any girl with a booty and hips. My dress is 6 sizes too big for my body above the waist and is sqqqquuuueeezzing over my curves below the waist. I'm excited to say that there is a slight change in how it fits compared to when I tried it on in the store and how it fits now. We're really loving P90X! We're trying to stick to both the workouts and the diet. We've adapted the diet to fit our Walmart grocery budget by looking at overall amounts of protein, carbs, etc and making sure we're meeting the ratios but not doing all the Tony Horton bells and whistles. I even like most of the work-outs. I'm able to do regular push-ups which is exciting and as corny as he is on the videos, it does keep you going. Mondays have gotten harder since I'm starting to go to a bible study on Tuesday night...which means a double work-out on Monday. I learned last week to blow dry my hair on Monday night. By Tuesday morning I couldn't lift my arms above the boob line. Not good, people.

So watch out Boston here I come with my better toned P90X attitude!
 

Friendship Ain't Easy

I think I vaguely remember promising some pictures from our Scottish honeymoon. Today is not that post, though. Sorry friends!

Speaking of friends...that's what's on my heart today. Or maybe it's more loneliness. Maybe I can't really separate those two things. I've thought about this post for the past couple days, and it always flows better when I'm thinking about it in the shower. Since the laptop and water don't mix, this version is sure to be clumsier than I'd like. And for the record, my DH is exempt from the below post. He is truly my best friend. There's just something different about female friendships. And that's what this is about.

When I moved to the Deep South four years ago, I did it on my own. I didn't know a soul here. And I was blessed to have a job that surrounded me in women my age. It was such a blessing - like having built in new friends and a new job! The girls that I worked with were warm and welcoming. I was included in holidays and new babies and running and get-togethers. I also found friends through bible study and spent the better part of 2 years doing life with a group of women that were in every part of life from singledom to divorced and everything in between.

And those friendships stood good stead through a couple years. Some grew closer and some grew apart. Some flat out failed. Priorities in life change. Circumstances intervene. And before I knew it, I was squarely on the outside of most of the friendships that had been cultivated. I'm not placing blame here, I don't really even know what happened, to be brutally honest. Things changed in many of those friend's lives, including my own. Not all friendships withstand the test of time, nor are they always meant to.

In the last year I've worked on friendships with my beautiful sister-in-law who is close here in the Deep South, as well as with some of DH's friends. And those women are funny, strong, real and inviting. But it doesn't change the fact that I'm the outsider, still, that doesn't quite know where she fits in the circle that is already there. Maybe this is just something that takes time to happen...

Why is it so much harder to make friends when we're adults? I have a handful of close to the heart friends, the majority of which I have known 5+ years. And the majority of those friends are geographically far from me at the moment. My heart aches for those friends. From the need to spend time with those who know me inside and out. From the need to just wallow in the familiarity that comes from being utterly myself with someone else. From the need to be with those who get me in all my awkward quirky mean self-conscious sweetness. From the need to be with people that feel like home no matter where we are.

I believe that I can reach that place with those fledgling friendships. I'm just not sure how to do it.

Our Wedding Day...er...Continued

Have y'all ever woke up in the middle of the night with the kind of migraine/tension headache that makes you want to break a toe just to forget how bad your head hurts? That's exactly what happened the night before our wedding. I woke up multiple times that night and no matter what I did I couldn't get rid of the migraine. I finally got up super early, called my momma who was next door at the hotel, and used my last "Please come help me I'm sick" card of my before-married life. She came over with Advil, and electrostim machine and tea and fixed me up proper. I love my momma.

By the time we left for my bridal brunch, and after a quick trip to Walgreens for Excedrin and champagne, my head felt better and we could get on with the day! A dear friend from work threw us beautiful laid back brunch with tasty food, lovely drinks and lots of laughs. Then it was off to the races!

A whirlwind six hours later that were full of last minute fixes - "Oh I can fix that" was something that consistently came out of one bridesmaid's mouth...and she did! And a memorable "I need a pair of pliers!" in the groom's room... - laughter, especially when someone was up under my dress tying my petticoat, and tears for those who couldn't be with us, those who have passed on before their times and tears of happiness, and we were ready to get married. I was literally sitting on a chair that was under my dress when my coordinator came in at 6:05 and I said "What's going on? What are we waiting for?" and she replied "We're waiting for you!" I almost took the chair with me in my haste to get down that aisle.

*Our photographer, Monica Burkett of Freshold Photography, is the same photographer who did our engagement photos. We love her and her work!

I have never been happier to see DH than I was when we reached the end of the aisle. He looked so handsome and sure and not at all nervous. A short 20 minutes later I was allowed to kiss my man and call myself a wife!

From there on out the night flew and slowed down all at once. We had a lot of people tell us that their wedding is a blur, but for me I remember everything. It just went so fast!

And it all came about because a guy and a girl took a chance on one another...

The First Auntie Em of the Season and Part of Our Wedding Memories

It's the first tornado warning of the season here in the Deep South. So of course I need to blog about it...and the vision I have of DH and myself...and the cats....in one bathroom....without any power...and a hysterical me....and an exasperated DH....and two hyper cats... Well, you get the gist of it.

Instead of that visual imagery, let's talk about my wedding. My beautiful perfect wonderful wedding! Well, almost perfect. There were a few very important people that weren't able to make it for our day due to new babies and graduation and just life that tends to intervene, but they were there in thought...or at least I think they were! Beyond that, the day was wonderful.

Let me back-up though. My parents and grandparents came in a week ahead to help with details and crafting and final plans. My momma did a ton of the planning and we executed everything once they were in town. It was glitter and punches and craft paper and a million and one trips to Jo-Ann's, Michael's and Hobby Lobby. Colors were much debated and at one point I was left wondering why I didn't just go with blush and bashful. Surely that would have been easier than matching specific shades of turquoise and coral.

My bridal party starting alighting on my house like birds coming home to rest, along with out of town guests as the week went on, including my godmother. It was so relieving to have loved friends and family around us as the stress of getting everything done grew. There is no way that our wedding would have been half as beautiful without them! We were all covered in turquoise tinsel glitter by the end of the week. I'm still finding glitter around the house despite the multiple vacuumings since coming home from the honeymoon.

The rehearsal went off without a hitch, as did the dinner which we held at a local BBQ restaurant. We wanted laid back and fun for our guests! After dinner DH and I wanted to be sure we spent even a few minutes with our out of town guests. Y'all, I have never been so amazed as I was by the friends that traveled for our wedding! I had friends from every part of my life, birth through today, who were there! Our great idea was to invite everyone for drinks to BDubs. I felt like I was being pulled in 40 different directions but it was a fun time. One of our friends said that it was great because at the wedding reception the next day they felt like they already knew people and it wasn't just a bunch of strangers. Whew!

I wish I had pictures to share but they are all residing in various cameras and phones...none of which I actually possess. I'll write more about the actual wedding day but if I put it all in here it would be a loooong post!

On a side note, I'm glad to be back writing. I'm even more glad that my DH is content to do his thing while I do mine. Hmmm...maybe it's time to switch from Dark Horse to Hubby. I'll think on that.

Is That A Yeti or a Poodle?

Mama Kat's been keeping me honest this summer. Well, here is one more example of my honesty.

This week had some great writing prompts and I chose the biggest fashion mistake I've ever made. Just one? I'm already breaking the rules and giving you two options for your viewing pleasure.

When I was little all I wanted to have was curly hair. My mom had curly hair, my older brother had curly hair...why couldn't I have it to???? My aunt was a hairdresser and she often permed my hair to within an inch of it's life. But those darn perms always fell out soon after. I mourned my curls, I wanted to wail and gnash my teeth and rend my garments. Yes, I wanted to be Esther, if she'd had wanted curly hair. As a last dirch effort to make my dreams come true, my aunt gave me a spiral perm. Who needs Walt Disney when I have an aunt with mad skills? From what my chemically processed brain can remember the spiral perm shouldn't have worked. A normal perm didn't work, so why would a spiral? I'm sure there is more reasoning behind it, but that's all I can dredge up from those days spent inhaling hair products.

This is what I ended up with. 

I was the human poodle. Seriously. And it stayed that way for months. I vowed to never touch a permanent again. 

But nothing compares to this lovely Heidi ensemble.

 Is that me or a Yeti? I love that my hair is bigger than my entire best friend. And why in the world was I wearing a dress to play in a dirt pile?  I remember I loved that dress though. All I needed was a flock of goats and a kindly grandfather to be Heidi incarnate. 

I can finally say, my hair has been my biggest fashion mistake. I can't take full credit for this, but I do feel somewhat responsible. I'm not sure what I did to tick it off as a child, but after 30 some odd years it has calmed down and forgiven me. Maybe I'll look good into my 60s?

Link up, get the skinny, and find some new groovy blogs to follow!

London Calling...Or Maybe It's Just Me

I have a confession. I am bad at staying in touch. I suck at it. Majorly. If you aren't part of my daily life or if you didn't give birth to me, I am horrible at picking up the phone.

It's not that I don't want to catch up. It's that I worry about people talking to me instead of doing other things they need to be doing. I worry that I'm really not that interesting to talk to. I worry that I'll realize that there are friends who aren't friends anymore. And that's just sad, even if I know that it's a part of life.

One of my two New Year's resolutions was to be in touch more with my friends and family. I've pretty much fallen off the resolution wagon and into the procrastinator's den of laziness. So be warned, brothers of mine, grandparents, friends from childhood and high school and undergrad and grad school. This is like the public posting of my intentions. I may only have 20 minutes when I call, but I will try to be a little more consistent about this. Because it shouldn't be so so difficult to ask Siri to call y'all. So lock up your children and prepare to chat...no, seriously, lock them up. They make it hard to focus. Ok, fine, don't "lock" them up but just give them lollipops and soda and send them outside.

Thanks, Shell, as always for letting me pour out my heart.

A Little of This and a Little of That

I know, it's been practically forever. It's weird the way I go through times where I want to post every day and then I go through times that I can't think of one single thing to pass along. Today is a weird mix. Nothing is solidified enough to warrant a whole post on it's own, but there's more than a single blurb.

DH and I are running in his first half marathon this weekend. He's totally ready for it and is stoked to be doing this. I, on the other hand, am feeling less than ready. I know that running is a mental game, almost 99% of the game. And my mental game is waaaaaay off. This half is owning me right now. I've got to figure out how to beat the game and it's gotta happen before Sunday. Part of the owning comes from the fact that I have yet to run a race with pleasant weather. I apologize in advance for any adverse weather conditions in the Dallas area on Sunday.

I made a playlist for running, in a related note. It's 7 hours long. Please, Lord, tell me that it won't take me 7 hours to finish this run coming up!

My best friend got engaged this past week and I could not be happier. She deserves every second of happiness that she is given.

The allergies here are ridiculous and I have the red swollen eye to prove it. All I did was spend about an hour outside and it looked like I'd been punched. Ok, maybe an exaggeration, but it wasn't pretty and it felt really crappy. Maybe it's whatever the heck is blowing in from Colorado and New Mexico. My system has reduced itself to only handling the horrible Texas allergies and cannot handle anything new.

Work continues to be less than stellar in some ways and better in other ways. At least I know my manager has my back.

Puppy has worn herself out tonight. I love watching her play and figure things out. She came barreling into my room tonight with her Kong and tried to jump up on the bed. Which she can do when she doesn't have a Kong half the size of herself in her mouth. She dropped it next to the bed, jumped up and then proceeded to look over the edge of the mattress at the Kong, then at me, then back at the Kong. Clearly the look said "A little help?" She eventually figured out the angle that she needed to hold it in her mouth so that she could jump up and make it onto the mattress.

Well, spunky showkids, that's all I got.

Back in the Game

I've been away. Sorry. I was in Boston for our annual audiology convention. There will be at least one thought provoking post on things I think everyone should know. But in the meantime, here is a picture extravaganza, or a Humpty-Dumpty as Stef at iffyinklings calls it, of my time in Boston.

Just prior to Boston was my birthday. I am officially headed into my mid-30's. DH sent me my favorite flowers at work and bought me a Ninja blender, which I LOVE. I'm an appliances kind of woman. He also made me a very sweet gift that will remain unnamed.

Boston with my best friend and two very good friends! Great food, good beer, sore feet, sessions and CEUs, an exhausted brain, motivation to change things, a huge expo hall and views from Top of the Hub.

The convention center, one half of the expo hall and the giraffe genie...who did not make Charlie a real giraffe despite my rubbing his belly. Stupid giraffe genie. And check out how bulky I look in multiple layers!

Views of the city including Fenway and proof that I am not always photogenic!

My BFF with the boots that saved my life. I planned incredibly poorly for this convention and only took Target flats and Nine West heels. My feet hurt by the second day and my knees hurt by the third day. Limping ensued. Thanks D for the lovely furry lined spacious boots!

Our last night was spent at Faneuil Hall, eating the best clam chowder I've ever had, a Sam Adams seasonal and pictures with Norm.

And what would a morning trip to the airport be without breakfast? Yes, all those blackboards is the menu. And those would be my pancakes.

I love visiting Beantown. I especially love the people I get to see when I go there. I also love coming home.

A Little Look See

So there's not much going on in my world. I mean, there's a lot going on, but it's all the general things in life...not exactly riveting blogging. A few examples:

• Went to see The Hunger Games last night. Think it was a really great movie that stayed pretty close to the book. I appreciate the decision to not cast anyone super famous (before this past opening weekend). I tend to see an actor like Brad Pitt as Brad Pitt playing a role, not the role he's playing. Does that make sense to anyone else? Jennifer Lawrence was amazing, but I expected nothing less from someone who starred in Winter's Bone. If you haven't seen it, it's dark, depressing and moving all at once. The only decision I didn't really get behind was to make Haymitch more likeable than he's originally written. Or maybe it was the whole Katniss-Haymitch relationship that didn't ring true to me. Anyway, I have lots of friends who have yet to see the movie, so that's all I'm going to say. I hate it when others tell me all about the movie and what they didn't like or did like before I've seen it. Now, after I've seen it? Let's dish! 
• DH and I ran 10 miles yesterday in preparation for our first 1/2 marathon as a couple. We ran with one of his friends again this weekend. If the heat continues to build here then I am going to be miserable in 3 weeks when the race happens. Miserable. And I ate a bug again yesterday! True runner, I suppose.
• I am putting off packing. I hate packing and I am always convinced the inconceivable will occur so I end up packing a weird conglomeration of items. And then I wear approximately 10% of what I packed. 
• But once I finish packing and get through my work day tomorrow, 2 things happen:
• DH and I go celebrate my birthday!!!! Yes, it's the week of Awn. I accept all things sparkly. Not necessarily expensive, but sparkly. Totally kidding. I accept all gifts, sparkly or otherwise. 
• I get to go see my BFF in Boston! This is where both of us being audiologists kicks butt. We can go to the annual conference AND see each other!

Yeah, so not exactly riveting, as I said. And yet, I still ended writing a whole post. Hmmm...maybe I just like seeing my thoughts in writing.

Have a great Monday everyone!

Giraffes, A Rodeo Parade and a Photo Booth

I got to spend some time with My Person this past week. Our time included feeding Miles the Giraffe. He was a bit demanding and ate his lettuce at an alarming speed.

-Oh hi, Miles-

Introducing two Boston born drivers to what we call highways down here in the south while trying to navigate Houston in the midst of a Rodeo Parade and a marathon which made our hotel an island in a sea of street closures.

And a well placed photo booth at C and D's wedding

The feather boa and the hat was a must! I love that both My Person and DH are willing to have fun, no matter where we are.

Scenes from the Heart

This holiday season was busy! There was a trip home to the Far North so DH and I could spend time with my lovely family. It was a great trip and we were able to take a lot of time with my parents so DH and they could get to know one another. And get to know Primanti Bros.

He was amazed at the size of the sandwiches - he got the cheese steak with fries and coleslaw, of course. 


There was Christmas day with both DH's father and stepmother and his mom and stepfather. And don't forget Sissy - the spoiled pup! But first, check out the faces DH made as he was realizing that he held a skydive gift certificate in his hands...

There was a New Year/DH and I's 1 Year Anniversary weekend which included Truluck's and flowers and friends. Oh, and lions, tigers and bears...and turtles. Thanks DH for my beautiful James Avery hoops!

And finally there was New Year's Day with German/Eastern European traditions of pork and sauerkraut. DH was introduced to this tradition and made his meal slightly more southern. I couldn't object - it's about taking our family traditions and making them our own, right?

Up next? Best Friend and I will get to spend time together 2 months in a row after going a year and a half without laying eyes on one another. Can't wait!!!!