misc.

I'll be away for a few days, collecting my children, seeing my cousin's (who was the ring bearer in my wedding when he was about 5 and is now a father and in the Navy boy does that make me feel old) new baby, and sewing the shirt with gussets in step two. No, I'm not taking the extra fabric; unless Eric did something with it, it's still in the washer.

I had to work again last night. It was a wedding rehearsal dinner that I've known about for months. Here are the highlights:

- 35 people, one of which was a hyperactive little boy (about 3) who ran back and forth over our hardwood floors all night. We all knew his name by the end of the night because his mom kept calling him away from the door. (Note to anyone thinking about a doctorate in physics: if you're stuck for a doctoral theme, consider the weight/noise ratio made by kids and cats. Chloe is my smallest cat, and she's the one we can hear when she's running wind sprints upstairs. How does a 5 lb. cat sound like a herd of wildebeest? Please send me the answer when you get it.)

- The bartender helped himself to a pitcher of flavored ice tea that happened to be in the same fridge as the wine. No, he did not ask, and yes, now they'll have to make more for our customers today.

- We threw away at least half a cake (evidently chocolate cake and Bud Lite don't mix--I wouldn't know), and then the mom of the groom wanted an extra piece to take home. Personally, I'd have skipped the extra chocolate (just once) in favor of a couple three cosmos, but maybe that's for after the wedding.

- The best man showed up in denim shorts and a t-shirt.

- There were three other kids who insisted on soda when it wasn't contracted for, but of course kids can't be expected to drink water.

- Did I mention there was a little boy who ran back and forth for two solid hours?

OK, I really have to go. I wanted to be on the road now, and I'm still on the computer in my jammies. I'll update with highlights of my adventures next week.

BTW, if you're in the market for books on CD, check out BAMM.com. They have a bunch for under $10.00, free shipping when you spend over a certain amount (not sure what it is now; I think about $30.00), and shipping is more reliable than what I've gotten from Amazon lately.

Have a good weekend, and Happy Father's Day, honey!

That was fast!

I know time flies when you're having fun, but apparently time flies when you work two weeks with one day off, too. It seems like I just got the kids to Mom's for the much anticipated visit, and now it's time to go fetch them home. It might be under duress, too; it seems that Vicky is now trying to decide if she really wants to come home. I leave tomorrow morning and will stay a couple of days this time. The family reunion/baby shower for my cousin is Sunday. (Note to me: don't forget the present.)

In other news, I have shirts to make for the next Rendezvous. I procrastinated for too long because I have never made clothing on my own that was more complicated than a drawstring skirt. Finally I decided I'd better get to it; after all, I'll either make the shirt, or I'll mess it up. The worst that will happen is I'll have a big pile of unbleached muslin scraps!

I got it cut out with only one major mistake and got half-way through step two of the sewing before I got stumped. Who puts gussets in step two?! I hate gussets.

My local sewing guru is swamped with college courses right now, so I did what any red-blooded American gal would do: I called Mom. Between her and Favorite Aunt, with whom I'll be roommates this weekend, we should be able to get the shirt together this weekend, and I have fabric for another one. If I come straight home and do the next shirt before I forget the details, maybe I'll have more success. Maybe I should just take the new fabric with me, in case we decide to start from scratch.

If you pray, please pray for travel mercies.

Oh, that reminds me! If you read/write science fiction, you'll want to know that Jim Baen (of Baen Publishing) has had a stroke and is in a coma. Please pray for him and his family.

Dizzy just thinking about it

A friend just sent this in the e-mail. I'm not a big fan of bridges and I really don't like heights; I'd need a bottle of Jack and a steady driver to tackle this one!

The Millau viaduct, part of the new E11 expressway connecting Paris and Barcelona, features the highest bridge piers ever constructed. The tallest is 240 meters high and the overall height will be an impressive 336 meters, making this the highest bridge in the world.

It is curved because a straight road could induce a sensation of floating for drivers, which a slight curve remedies. The curve is 20km in range. Moreover, the road has a light incline of 3% to improve the visibility and reassure the driver.

Designed by British master-architect Lord Foster in collaboration with French bridge engineer Michel Virlogeux, it is the tallest vehicular bridge in the world, with one pier's summit at 341 meters - slightly higher than the Eiffel Tower and only 40 meters shorter than the Empire State Building.

*shiver*

Vanity

I saw a truck in a parking lot today with a vanity plate that said "LOVEYPOO" with a frame that said, "Long story Don't ask."

I'll just bet it is!

I'd have asked if there was someone in the truck! (He he!)