I'm starting to think Whit some sort kind of International Bug of Mystery (tm) off saving the world and shagging some rocket scientist/underwear model. It's the only logical explanation.

I feel you on the job search. Finding anything around here that isn't nursing or driving is pretty much impossible. I go through Craigslist and the newspaper every day, but I haven't had much luck. I think I've told you guys about most of the places I've applied to and it's always someone else with experience getting it. Where am I supposed to get this all important experience if no one will hire me!? It's ridic, I tell you.

Have you talked to Webb? You sound pretty reasonable to me and if he's comfortable he may not realize just how hard it all is for you. Even Wonder Deb needs a little help.

Holy crap. You *are* Wonder Deb. That's so great!! I'm so happy for you! You really seem to have a solid plan for all this, that's wow- I'm just so proud.

Baby weight... yigh. I know no one's vagina wants it, but I hear so many people say, 'yeah I was hoping it would be a 60lb baby...' Have you tried just walking? Vigorous workout is lovely and all- it's fun to sweat and be like 'HAHAHA I rule!!'- but it's really fucking hard when you're out of shape. You could take Malachi with you. There's a lady in my neighborhood who does that, I see her all time when I'm out with Bailey, and she's definitely lost weight.

As long as he's not a MARINE. They're the crazy ones. And the army's 101st (my dad's thing) Avoid that one. Awesome group, but they tend to go with the marines, probably as the voice of reason- and get blown up. I could ask my dad about the army thing, though, about the how the discharge will affect his chances. Just throwing it out there.

We seem to be well afloat here. Wenxiao brought nice weather with her even though I haven't seen her since she got home. My dad's coming home tonight. I haven't heard much more about the area he's in so maybe it's getting better. Fingers crossed.

Hello Hello Hello.

Mama...swim!!!!!!! lol.

But no, for real...please be careful, we had flooding for Hurricane Rita a couple years ago, and I worry about you!!!!!

Sooooo, the Buggy one has disappeared again, I see...lol...If you check in, Whitty...Miss you, love you...let us know you are alive, please!

A lot, and nothing has been going on with me. Malachi is wonderful, walking, talking a little and just being the all around monster that he is...we start potty training soon...should be interesting!!! It makes me sad though that he hasn't got to meet you guys yet...I want him to know his Aunties, and I want you guys to know him too!! :( Had his first haircut the other day...Webb said he was starting to look like Don King's illegitimate child...weird. I personally, thought it was adorable, but I guess that's my job. lol. Malachi says, Mommy, Daddy, Bye Bye, Baby, Nana(my Mom), GranDee(Webb's Mom),Hi, and I think that other thing is supposed to be Happy...but we're not quite sure yet...have to get back to you on that one. :)

The job search. Ugh, I hate looking for a job...Webb's mom is wonderful, I love her to death...but I want my own house, with my own rules...where if I don't feel like doing the damn dishes, I can wait and do them whenever the hell I want...The house has to be perfect by the time she gets home from work, which puts me doing a lot of the cleaning considering the fact that Webb has recently lost his fucking mind. lol. No, it's not that bad...I just feel...tired. I know it's not this way, but I feel like I do EVERYTHING...taking care of Malachi, cleaning up after him when he makes a sandwich and leaves everything all over the counter...laundry, make the bed, take the diapers out to the trash, do the dishes....well, you get the point. Maybe I'm just a little overwhelmed...the big move, everything being so different here...maybe I'm still adjusting, and he's more at home since he grew up here, so he's more laid back...maybe that's it...but I still want to kick the shit out of him sometimes.

I'm going back to school! Online. I thought about it, and decided it, and there's no stopping me now. lol. I found out that I can get a Bachelor's of Science with emphasis on Forensic Psychology in about 3 years, so I think I'm going to take a few online Criminal Justice classes and go take the test to be a Deputy of San Bernardino County...at least I'll get field work and be getting paid while I'm going to school...not to mention rigorous workout that should help shed the unwanted weight that I STILL haven't lost from having Malachi....ugh...I think I look horrible...Webb's says I look great...but I think he lies.

So thats me in a nutshell...Oh yeah...Webb's thinking about going into the ARMY....not sure if they're going to let him because he got an "Other Than Honorable" discharge from the NAVY, but we'll see...I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, the whole WAR thing and all...Jeez...I think he could have picked a better time to do the ARMY thing, like when it won't give me a heart attack!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE

My dad left today for western Wisconsin today. There's been really severe flooding, several cities are underwater and have been evacuated. Our newest bridge, less than a year old, was destroyed. Houses have falls off hills, or ended up on cliffs when the hill itself fell away. The Kickapoo River is already five feet above flood levels- and the weathermen (they can't be very popular right now) have predicated rain through to Sunday.

Where I am there's severe thunderstorms and flash flooding. We're watching a neighbors house while they're away so I've been on gutter duty, making sure everything is draining properly. I don''t want them coming home to a flooded basement.

I hope my dad's okay.

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!!