Things that have happened since I last updated:

1. On August 25, 2002, Stephen asked me to marry him. I said yes. We’re engaged! I have the ring and some pictures to prove it!

2. Stephen and I spent an amazing week in Portland, Oregon in September.

3. I adopted a fourth grade class at a local elementary school. I’m a room mother!

4. I began mentoring a wonderful young boy named James at the same school. I would adopt him if I could figure out a way to kill his crack head mama and not get caught.

5. Stephen and I decided on a childfree wedding and reception. My family, with the exception of my mother, hasn’t spoken to me since about October because of this decision.

6. I found out Chris is getting married.

7. I put down a monster deposit on our monster reception hall. Stephen called me approximately 30 minutes later to tell me he had been “downsized” from his company. Much weeping, hyperventilating and panic attacks ensued. Mostly mine.

8. Christmas was a very sparse affair. I became very Little House on the Prairie and hand made all my gifts. My friends were nice enough not to laugh in my face when they opened their gifts.

9. As of January 2, 2003, Stephen moved into my house. I moved back into my mom’s house, with my step-monster, even. Yes, I’ve developed a permanent twitch and my tongue is bloody from where I’ve bitten it so many times.

10. Drama at work. Drama with one of my friends. Drama about the wedding. Family drama. Drama, drama, drama. I’ve taken to sleeping…a lot. And eating…a lot. These are not good things.

11. A beauteous friend gave me a buddy pass on Delta/Comair to go get the hell out of Dodge, whenever I need to, wherever I want to go. I love her. I think I want to marry her instead of Stephen right now.

I promise I’ll go back and post entries for several of the items on the list, especially the engagement, Portland and the family drama. I want to write about my darling fourth graders and some decisions brewing on my horizons. I just wanted to do a quick update first.

Thanks to Melody, formerly of flp, Amy of parsley, Dorothy of kilts and sheep, Amanda of precipice and Melissa of Planning a Sky for kicking my butt about writing again. These are good women. But you probably already knew that.