Bleh. Nasty, nasty weather here, far too much rain and flooding. Hopefully it's nicer where you guys are, but I have a sinking feeling it's just as bad.

Went to Irish Fest on Friday with Chali (which was blessedly rain-free) It was a lot of fun. We watched the dancers and listened to bits of different bands; visited the dog area (I still desperately want an Irish Wolfhound when I 'grow up'); did some shopping; and sat out on Lake Michigan and watched all the strange things go by. There was a barge that was so big we thought it was a building until it started moving, and a group of 5-6 people riding around on the peninsula on segways. Those things are at least $350 a day to rent, so 5-6 people? Craziness, and all just to ride around a little strip of land.

Oh and there was a fire juggler this year! First he did three pins, holding two and balancing the third on his head. He let that one fall off behind him, kicked it way up into the air, threw the other two up and started juggling. And then he did six! We noticed about halfway through that he was conveniently located right next to the wading pool, you know, just in case ;)

Gaelic Storm was awesome. My throat still hurts from screaming so much, and my hands felt weird for a while from all the clapping, but it was so much fun.

Saturday I had my sword class, which is also in Milwaukee. I'm really starting enjoy it even if I do suck (Jim insists otherwise- Patria even said I was doing really well - but I feel silly most of the time) It was really annoying to do it inside, though. Usually we're outside because all the movements big, extended, stab the guy on horseback kind of things. But it was raining so we were inside and the room just wasn't large enough for it. I kept almost hitting the wall, the ceiling, the Beth- and every time someone actually did hit something, Jim would kind of growl at us. His son Noah had been there earlier, pretending to be a mummy (he's five) tottering around the room making the same noise. I guess it was just easier than saying 'Eyes follow sword!' every time one of us whacked a wall or an air duct (or in my case, the floor)

Sunday, Milwaukee again. By that point I kind of felt silly for driving home. ANYWAY my grandma, my aunt, my mom and I went to my cousin's bridal shower Sunday. She's getting married the 25th (we found out maybe two weeks ago) and expecting twins! I've honestly never seen her this happy. She's usually not my favorite person because frankly, I don't think she likes me at all, so we tend to keep our distance. At holiday things we both hug everyone else, but rarely hug each other. Yesterday, when we were leaving, I went up to her and said 'I'm sorry we won't be able to make it to the wedding. I just want you to know that I am so happy for you.' and we had one of those tight, genuine hugs. Made me so glad I opened my mouth for once.

So that was my weekend. In between there's been a lot of attempts at walking Bailey. We'll get halfway down the block and have to turn around because it's raining too hard. The first time it wasn't that bad when we left the house so we got further away and then once it started pouring, Bailey wouldn't move. I stood over him and blocked the rain while he cowered at my feet. Then we hid under a stand of pine trees and then- we ran home. Not as fast as he might have liked, but the last time I ran full out in the ran with him I almost broke my ankle. Not doing that again.

Oh and Wenxiao's coming home Wednesday!!! I am SO excited to see her!!