M&M

Today, at eleven o'clock CST, M&M became one! I can't believe they're married! And, since I'm in a sentimental mood, I'm going to tell you a little bit about my history with these two.

Mr. M is a long time family friend. Looooongggg time family friend. Our fathers went to college together and worked together. They've remained close ever since, thus the children of both are as well. It has been at least 25 years... I'm not exactly positive on the number, but at least that long. Mr. M is the oldest of the eight children and, for a very long time, wanted to become a priest. In fact, when his mother told me he was courting the then Miss M, I didn't believe her. When you meet him now, he comes across as a nice, mature, respectful, and altogether good guy. But when he was three years old... well, let's just say he wasn't quite the model of decorum that he is now.

My mother was at the grocery store with his mother. My mother was pushing the cart with Mr M in it, while his mother put stuff into it. He, being at that very mischievous age of three, was reaching for all sorts of things that he shouldn't have. When my mother told him not to do that, he grinned at her, leaned over, and spit on her shoes.

But I also have memories of him being very helpful and kind. One in particular was when I was about ten and he was 15. I was riding my bike around a dirt path, hit a bump and fell head over heels down a hill. I was quite traumatized and crying. Mr M picked me up, carried me to his aunt and uncle's house (where they were visiting) and deposited me at the door were my mother was. He was very nice about it, and checked up on me a few minutes later - just to make sure I was ok.

Mrs. M I met just a couple of years ago, at a Father-Daughter dance Mr. M's family was hosting. The two of them were not courting at the time, but Mrs. M was another close friend's roommate at TAC, thus she had become a part of the local family already. She taught us all the basics of swing dancing, waltzing, and polkaing...all with an English accent. :) I saw her again not much later, up at TAC, where I met her sister who is going to be in my class at college. Mrs. M is such a wonderful person...I remember telling her sister after M&M started courting, that if I was going to pick any girl for Mr. M, Miss M would have to be her. Her sister replied that if she had had to pick a guy for her sister, Mr. M would have been him. We smiled at each other, and then watched M&M waltz around the room at the dance. It was clear to almost everyone that the two of them were perfect for each other.

And now they aren't two people anymore. Mr. and Mrs. M are one... married until death do them part. And I am so incredibly happy for them. I wish I was there, but as I am not, I shall spend my day praying for them with all my might and main.

Miscellaneous

This post is going to be a conglomeration of stuff. Bear with me, please.

This afternoon I go in for my third day of work. The elusive HR department never officially contacted me, but my supervisor did. He told me to come in anyway, because HR had told him that my paperwork had gone through. So far, the job isn't terribly exciting or wonderful, but it is a job. It's what I need to be doing now. And I'm just thankful I have one at all...it was looking pretty dicey for a while there. :)

I have had an abrupt redirection of my attitude towards CAP stuff. I am no longer allowed to do things for my brother. I'm allowed to help him, but not to do things for him. Apparently, there is a difference. He's learning how to iron....hehe. It's quite an adventure. He's learning, but he is a boy. There are certain limits on their domestic abilities.

And I picked up this quote today from a great source for this kind of thing: "Dating is about seeing if someone is a good match, not about beating someone into being a good match." ~ Dr. Laura

And I only have approximately 41 days until move-in day!!! And I say approximately, because I've been naughty and lost track. But I think it's 41 days :D

But where I would rather be right now is Springfield, Illinois. I hope M&M have a wonderful wedding tomorrow!!! And I wish I could be there!!!

So it begins...

Yesterday I pulled a very dusty, slightly battered, book off of my shelf. I began flipping through, skimming slightly as I went along. First fifty pages are an introduction... considering the book, that is fairly reasonable. The next 110 pages are books 1-6 which also need to be read.

"What is this?" you may be asking. Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is my first reading assignment for school: the Lattimore translation of Homer's Illiad. Generally, freshmen are given two or three days to do it, but my class has the advantage of having a couple of seniors giving us early notifications. So, in between work, getting my brother ready for encampment, and myself ready for school, I have a bit or reading to do.

But I'm not worried...yet.

The Curse of the BDU

My brother, a member of Civil Air Patrol, is going to go to 8 days of modified boot camp between the second and ninth of August. Encampment, as it is titled, is a time for making friends, beds, and laundry. Since CAP is the auxiliary of the Air Force, they wear uniforms, follow customs and courtesies, and become experts in drill and ceremonies. All of this is done in a hardcore fashion at encampment. It's always very cool and rewarding for the cadets who approach it with the right attitude. However, due to the extensive physical training that they go through, two sets of the battle dress uniforms are required. And he only has one.

This one set of BDUs cost me many hours of stress, sweat, and consternation. They're REALLY into measuring things during the inspections, so if something is a tiny bit off, the cadets are expected to have it remedied by the next inspection. To make matters worse, different inspecting officers measure things differently and have different opinions on how it should be. So, I ripped off those patches over and over again, hoping to appease the different gentlemen. In all honesty, I was beginning to think they had some conspiracy to ruin my sanity going. But, after a month or two, I managed to get it right. Scott doesn't get barked at anymore, and I don't have to fight with any more inanimate objects.

Well, I won't until his new set arrives tomorrow. I have a lot of work ahead of me. His CA Wing patch has to be creased and placed three quarters of an inch below the shoulder seam. The non-creased, reversed, flag patch needs to be attached to a creased sleeve one half of an inch below the shoulder seam. The name tape and CAP tape need to be affixed above the breast pockets, touching the top edge of said pockets and the sides lined up with the sides of the pockets.

Then, they need to pass inspection, which seems to be a slightly subjective process. Ah, well. Even if I'm not in CAP, I get to experience all of the affects of being in it. :)

Maniacally Sewing

After months of plotting, planning, and coupon clipping, I have managed to buy the materials to make myself a formal dress for TAC! The fabric is gorgeous... just running my fingers along it sends a thrill up my spine. The main part of the dress (i.e. the bodice and skirt) is a rich, dark green crepe which is very simply, but elegantly, cut. The sleeves of cream lace are bell-shaped and long, but the final length of them is something which I am still deliberating.

It is a very formal, very chic, and very modest dress :) The best part is that it only cost me $25! I'm not quite done with it yet. I need to hem both the lining and the outer dress, install a zipper, and, as I mentioned before, decide how to finish the sleeves. But I am super excited and super happy with how it has been turning out! I can't wait to wear it!

People Singing

One of my favorite songs EVER. Be inspired!

Introducing the newest member of my family!!!

Captain MacCromber!!!

My mac

I'm very excited. And slightly befuddled. I've always used PCs, so Mac's are a little beyond my comprehension. But my sister has been helpful in my management of Cap'n Mac.

But it's fun

yay!