It's been really busy around here and I feel like I can barely keep up.  It's all good, and things are going well... it's just busy.  Here's the recap:

Our laundry stinks and I don't just mean because the laundry level is

but also mainly there's some kind of funk living in our water related household equipment.  We tested the water softener and washing machine this week and they're both fine.  So, that leaves the water heater.  Until that gets bleached and cycled through, all of our stuff smells like swamp.

I love my laptop.  It's the perfect size to fit on the counter, the keyboard is comfortable, the screen size is perfect, and it's super light weight.  But, after a few months of slowly escalating computer issues, I had to choose between getting a new system or having my computer reimaged.  Neither option was desirable - I love the system I have, but reimaging is always a hassle until everything gets back to just the way I like it.  So far, everything is going smoothly and my pre-re-imaging issues are resolved.  Only thing... the M fell off my keyboard today and I can't get it to stay in place.  This is a big hassle when you have these names in your family - Marty, Martin, Mitchell.

Last Thursday, for just a few hours, I felt a bit like a single girl.  I went to two parties on the same night - and on a Thursday, making it a revival of the old Thirsty Thursday.  Unlike my old single girl self, I made it to both parties and was home by 9:30PM.  And that included the 1-1/2 hour drive home.  Thank you to Meggie and Steph for the invites, it was a lot of fun to get out, be in the big city, and to eat food that I didn't have to prepare.

Last Sunday, mom and I spent the day in Minneapolis.  We went to the Farmer's Market to get plant and flowers for our yards.  It was a great day and fun to spend time together with no one to keep any eye on or entertain.  Except ourselves, and we're pretty easy.


We're in Week Two of a four week Long Distance Bridal Shower for Sevda.  It's being held over at ourbridesevda.com.  There are lots of stories, photos, and games - it's been a really fun way to get together to celebrate together despite our distance.

And, for the best news ever, Ryan and Carrie are having a baby!  Little Baby Mitchell is due on December 14th.  Dad says that whether his new grandbaby is a boy or a girl, he's going to call him/her "Hunter".  Marty predicts that mom and dad will buy a new vacation home near the Corn Palace to be closer to the newest twig on our family tree.  I can hardly wait for his or her arrival.