One Year Down...Forever To Go

Chad and I have made it through our first year (go us!).   For those who follow us on Facebook, you know that we love each other very much on purpose and out loud, but has our "happy ever after" been perfect? Well, we're both human, so you can probably guess the answer. ;)

"How's married life treating you?"  I get that question ALL the time.  If I'm honest, that answer can vary day to day (sometimes hour to hour!).  If you ask me right after he's cooked dinner and cleaned the kitchen, you'll get a resounding, "It's AMAZING!"  But if you ask me after I've had to explain my schedule AGAIN, RIGHT AFTER I just detailed it for him, but he wasn't listening, the answer will be significantly different. And I'm sure you'd get different answers from him depending on what's going on with me too.

There's a few other things I've learned in year one:
*Men and women almost never see things through the same eyes...and that's okay.
*Talking...REALLY talking...is vital.
*Sometimes, a hug can go a long way.
*Communication only works when you are both listening.
*Laughing together is important.  And, being able to laugh at yourself can be even more important.
*Dividing up chores and keeping a tally is a horrible idea.  Feeling that what you contribute is acknowledged and appreciated can almost always provide "balance".
*Being in love doesn't necessarily mean you love everything about your partner. Loving them means accepting those imperfections (as they accept yours).
*Apologize...and mean it.
*Forgive...and mean it.
*Holding hands can help you weather storms.
*The amount of laundry you can do in any given week will far exceed your expectations!
*Your "to do" list never gets shorter.  Don't stress it.
*Don't skip doing devotionals together.  I know sometimes, it's impossible, but make every effort.  It truly makes a difference.

And, in answer to the question, "What's married life like?"...marriage is what you make it.  It isn't magically happy.  You don't automatically stay best friends.  There's actually more working against that than for it.  But when you make God a part of your marriage and you are committed to each other and the vows you made, marriage really can be amazing.  And...it doesn't hurt when he looks at you like this.  :)

I Want to be More Like Her

I had the privilege of meeting a beautiful, young lady a couple months back. She was helping backstage at a show my husband was doing.  She's friendly and a talker, so we hit it off right off the bat. :)

If you met Bailey, you'd notice pretty quickly that she isn't what most people would consider to be "normal". Some might call her "handicapped" or "special".  Yes...she's missing something that most people have.  A lot of things, actually.  Bitterness, sarcasm, jealousy, prejudice, envy, pride...these things mean nothing to Bailey. So many things that make us "normal"...things that make us behave (or misbehave) the way we do are simply not a part of her.

Instead, with Bailey, you get non-stop chatter. You'll hear about how whatever is going on at the time is the "best ever".  She'll talk about her favorite people...a lot! She'll tell you that you're pretty and how she looks forward to seeing you and talking to you.  She'll ask you questions about what's going on in your life...and if there's something bad going on (like a sick dog), she'll tell you she's going to pray about it.

Sometimes, Bailey will talk about other people in her life.  You may hear her describe someone was "more autistic than me" with such nonchalance, you'll look around to see if anyone is getting offended.  But this isn't a bad-word, or a put-down from Bailey.  It's a fact.  She sees the people around her as people...not as their disability, even though she knows it's there.

While she talks, you'll notice that she bounces from one foot to the other and her hands wave around as if she's part Italian.  Her face lights up with excitement as she talks and her words get faster and faster as she tries to share her joy with you.  And it works.

You can't help but smile as she talks.  And when you walk away, she'll have said something that makes you feel better...maybe about the situation, maybe about yourself, maybe about the world in general...but you WILL feel better.

The next time you see Bailey, you're going to get more of the same.  Whatever is going on NOW is the "best ever", she'll still talk about those favorite people and she'll tell you some of the same things she's already told you about them.  She'll still be smiling and excited and you'll still get wrapped up in her bubble of happiness.

Here's something that's a little different than what you might get with others...

She'll tell you she's been praying about whatever was going on before and ask how it is now. You may have even forgotten about the issue by now, but when you tell her it's resolved, you'll see the relief in her face. She'll bounce and smile and say, "yeah, I was praying about that"...and you'll know that she was.  And you'll know God was listening.

Pick-up let-down

Ok...so, it's no secret that I'm kind of sick of being single, but sometimes I come across little reminders of WHY being single is just...better (for now).  Tonight was one of those times.

While I'm putting gas in my car, I notice a guy a few pumps over who is well...he's also getting gas...cuz it's a gas station.  But...while he's pumping he is also checking me out.  (Ha!)  This is note-worthy because 1)  I really don't usually notice these things (and most often don't believe it even when someone else points it out to me) and 2) He's actually pretty cute (go me!)

So...fast forward and I'm getting in my car...and he's walking towards the building...and he says something to me.  :D

"What was that?" I say.

He repeats, "You buying the beer?"

:/

I'm sorry...WHAAAAA??

Ok. 1)  I don't drink (of course, he doesn't know that...but it's still true).

2)  I am NOT impressed with "adults" who still find drinking to be the highest form of entertainment.  Grow up.

and 3)  am *I* buying???  Are you serious??  Has this worked for you???

I mean....at the VERY least, shouldn't this guy be offering to buy ME a drink? 

Oh...and 4)  Once he was out from behind his car, I noticed...he was wearing crocs.  Quadruple strike-out dude.  Moving right along...with my happy, single self. :D

Sustaining Tissue Damage

Wow...it's been a while since I've posted anything on here.  I remember back in MySpace days when I used to post at least once a week.  *sigh*  Those were the days...BUT, there's no going back (I seem to have misplaced my Delorean)...and frankly, who wants to?

So...some of you may know that a big change has happened around here (my home, specifically).  This change has made me question the very roots of my foundation.  What have I been doing all these years??  It's made me laugh...it's brought me close to tears.  It's even brought on a sense of awe and wonder...to an extent.  I mean... HOW is this possible???

Some of you may still be wondering what I'm referring to.  I'll tell you. (brace yourself)  In the past nine days, we've used SIX rolls of toilet paper in this house.!!!! Whathaaaaaaa???  (I TOLD you it's been life-changing!)  Normally,  I can go up to two weeks never having to replace the roll.  Now, we're just whippin' right through them like they're going out of style!

Other than that, folks, life is just trucking right along...thanks for asking. :)

Oh...in related news, my sister and her kids are living with me now. :D  I love those people!

More soon!

To The Kai...

Watching you grow up I have often been moved to silent awe...not an easy place (I'm sure you'll agree). Handsome and smart, eyes set firmly on the goals you've set for yourself, you've given me reason after reason to love you...respect you...honor you.

Tears fill my eyes when I think back to the days when you could watch "The Lion King" over and over for an entire day...and then the very next day watch "To Kill A Mockingbird" just as many times (while reciting each word from memory!).  What a strange and wonderful 5-year old you were! lol

You were the laughter in our home from the time you realized you could make people laugh.  How blessed I am to have the memories of all the crazy things you do and say...and to know that God has a special plan for you.

When I see the man you're turning into...the courage, the strength, the grace...the talent and the dedication...I know without a doubt that God is smiling at you.

As you begin the last of your teenage years, away from home and the people who love you best, I ask you to remember a couple things...

1) Nothing would make me happier in the years and decades to come than to watch you love God the same way He loves you.  Don't ever forget about all the gifts He's given you.

2) Doing what you're doing now...serving our country....takes a special type of confidence, a rare gift.  You can do whatever you want in life. I am more proud of you than I could ever put into words...not because of what you do...but because of the type of person you ARE.

Even now, that you're grown up and out of the house...you rarely miss a day of calling even if it's just to say "good night" and " I love you"...and I know how very blessed I am to have been chosen to be your mom. 

You are a miracle...and I am grateful.
Grateful beyond words.

Whenever I wonder how much God loves me, I never have to look further than you.

Happy 19th birthday to my favorite son.  May this be your best year yet!

I love you more than you know.

What do you say???

I've noticed an alarming trend going here lately.  Not sure when or how it started, but I sure do wish it'd stop.  There is a growing number of people who don't know how to say "You're welcome."  It's frightening, really.

See, parents have no problem teaching kids how to say "thank you".  After anything is handed to them, some adult is immediate on them with "What do you say?"  It's drilled into them.  But, somewhere along the way, people have stopped teaching their kids to say, "You're welcome".  I wish I was kidding.

I've found that there are a few categories of people:

1)  The ones who get it right.  I say, "Thank you", they respond, "You're welcome".  Life goes on.  Everyone is happy...especially me (and as we all know...it's all about me!)

2)  The ones who respond to "thank you" with...."thank YOU".  Hmmm....well, this is ok, I suppose....IF you really have something to thank me for in return.  But, for instance, if you've just refilled my glass of tea and I say, "thank you"....what in the heck do you have to thank ME for?  Just say, "you're welcome".  It makes me happy. =D

3)  The alternate answers. =/  The most common seem to be "mhm!" and "no problem!"    Let's talk about "mhm".  Um....don't.  Just stop it.  It's rude and makes you seem completely disconnected.  I just THANKED you, dangit!!  And..."no problem"?  Well, I didn't assume it was a "problem" (cuz...very often, it's your JOB!)...so, no need to clarify that it isn't a problem.  Just...tell me I'm welcome.  I don't even care if you mean it or not. =)

4)  Lastly, there's the "________".  Yup...these people have NO response!  I say, "thank you"...they have NOTHING to say!!  Whaaaaaa????  Maybe I should shout out to their backs as they walk away, "WHAT DO YOU SAY?!?!?!"

And these people, my friends, are the people who very often decide to work as wait staff at our local restaurants and at many of our local stores.  The non-you're welcomers.  What is UP with that?!?!

We can turn this thing around, people.  If you manage a business....teach your employees these wonderful words.  If you're a parent...teach your children that the conversation doesn't end at "thank you".  If *I* thank you for something, just say "you're welcome". 

Oh....and when you do, please be sure that in your mind, you're spelling that "you're"...NOT "your"...or you're likely to be the subject of my next rant! =D

Thanks, guys!  (All together now.....You're welcome!!)

Turn, turn, turn...

In a few short days, I'll get to see the Kai.  I wonder what will be the first thing I notice.  I have a feeling, it will be all the things that are different...the change.

change/CHānj/

Verb:	Make or become different
Noun:	The act or instance of making or becoming different.
Synonyms:	verb.  alter - exchange - vary - shift - convert - transform noun.  alteration - shift - variation - exchange - mutation

 

At a glance, I'll see immediately that his hair is gone.  Sure..it's "just hair"...but his, for many years, has been part of his "look"...a part of his uniqueness.  For people who didn't know him, I've heard him described as "the one with the cool hair".  Well....he's not that guy anymore...

 

He's mentioned to me that he's enjoyed Sundays, when he gets to go to church, in part because it's the only time he can talk and smile without worrying about getting in trouble.  For those who DO know him, he's not just "the one with the cool hair"...he's also "sooooo funny!"  While I was working at the high school, this is what I heard most often from students when they'd find out that the Kai was mine.  "He is soooo funny!!"  And it's true!  My kidlet is hilarious...very quick-witted and sarcastic (can't imagine where he gets it). 

 

But...will we see that this weekend?  I know he can't become un-funny....but, I also realize that if anything can jolt a person into manhood, it's basic training.  Will I see that more grown-up, responsible, serious side this weekend?  Will some of that joke-for-everything Kai be forever gone?

 

I know I'm losing some of my boy...not of his love...not of the great person he is...these things will never change.  But....there IS change...and there will be more.  Overall, I think that he will stand a little taller, walk a little prouder, look a little wiser.

 

And though I thought it wasn't possible, I will love him even more.

Hypothetically Speaking...

It seems that a person's life pretty much revolves around what they do for a living.  When you meet someone, the subject usually comes up pretty quickly ("So...what do you do?")  I am, as most of you know, a dance instructor.  I love every aspect of this "job".  I could write a book filled with all the chuckles I get from the things that my students tell me on a daily basis.  (Kids ROCK!!!)  But...very often, if you hear me talking about work, it's not about my wonderful dance family...it's about the office I work at during the day.

Of course, I wouldn't dare write about those actual people...that would be nuts!  But...I can write about a HYPOTHETICAL office I might HYPOTHETICALLY work at....and the HYPOTHETICAL people that I might HYPOTHETICALLY work with.

Today, I thought I'd introduce you to the HYPOTHETICAL  cast of characters....like IF I worked in an office with a bunch of um...crazy people...this is who they might be....hypothetically. 

Top Dog - Older man, lives out of state.  In 7 months, I've only have seen him twice...maybe thrice?  He is the money bags behind the business...and I would wonder if he has any clue how things work here.

Lil Dynomite - Her title is "office manager".  I've not really seen her manage anything...nor have I seen her at the office much.  (about 10 times in my 7 months...never for a full day....usually 2 hours is her max), but she seems to like me (hypothetically) and so it's all good.  If she were a real person, she'd be a tiny woman...about 5 foot tall and petite...with a LOUD, booming voice and a vocabulary that would make a sailor blush.  EVERYTHING would be a big deal to her.  She would be the type to wave her hands wildly while she speaks and would start every conversation with, "LISTEN TO THIS @%!?#@  @#%&!!  YOU'RE NOT GONNA BELIEVE THIS ##@?!&!!"    Calls would come in for her all day-every day...and she'd always be "not here right now...would you like to leave her a voicemail?"  (I have no idea if she ever listens to her voicemails.)  She is a whirlwind of a person and her in-and-out visits leave things spinning in her wake.

Bear - Lil Dynomite's ex-husband and production manager.  A gentle giant of a person.  Remarried and seems to keep things together around here (hypothetically speaking of course).  He comes to work pretty much every day and stays pretty much  all day...except for during hunting season...but apparently, in this industry, that doesn't count.  I'd say he's the glue here.

Shifty - This guy would've been my boss at another company and if this were all non-fiction, he might be the one who found out I was no longer at my old job and he might be the reason I'm here now.  He doesn't spend a lot of time at the office. Rumor has it he's looking to move to "greener" pastures.  Rumor might be right...

Dwarf  - Not only because she's short...but because I've seen her shift from "Happy" to "Dopey" to "Grumpy" in a matter of moments....and her specialty is the 8th dwarf...."Cry-ey".  She is Lil Dynomite's ex-daughter-in-law (and the grandbaby's momma).  She almost always makes a daily appearance at work...almost...and sometimes even stays the whole day...but not often.  She is in charge of payroll...and is stand-in office manager...of sorts.  Her life is drama, drama and more drama...and most of that drama requires that she arrive late to work...and leave early.  Her split from the baby-daddy is fairly new (though it happened prior to my arrival here) and working around her ex-fam provides many reasons for regular emotional break-downs.  All that being said, she's very sweet and frankly was put in a position of authority here that she has no idea how to handle.  Her only job experience prior to this was as a restaurant hostess....hypothetically.

Phantom - I've heard she works here.  I've heard she shares an office with Dwarf.  Spotting her is kind of like spotting Big Foot.  A lot of people spend time being angry that she's not here...a lot of those people really have no room to talk.  I'm just baffled that she still draws a check.  It's after 10:00 a.m. right now....she's nowhere to be found.  On her rare visitation days, she shuffles around here in her flip-flops (or barefoot), loose track pants and an over-sized, unmatching t-shirt. She is pregnant yet still takes regular smoke cancer-breaks...and usually during those breaks, she'll receive a call that one of her other kids is sick/has been hurt at school and she leaves to go rescue them.  I do not understand this (hypothetical) person at all.

Worker Bee -   Yup...there is someone who works here that...works.  She comes in on time, stays tucked up in her office all day, working...and almost always stays until it's actually time to leave.  Wow!

The Lazy One - Lil Dynomite and Bear's younger son.  I asked him once to describe himself with 3 adjectives.  He immediately said, "lazy"...then after about 30 seconds, "I can't think of anything else."  And that just about sums him up. :/  He is the same age as my son...and his complete opposite.  His "job" here is to just tidy up...vacuum, take the garbage out, put paper in the copy machine (a made-up job since his mom is in charge)  He does nothing...unless he's asked for several days on end...and then it's with a scowl.  I'm fairly certain he has no idea which end is the business end of the vacuum cleaner.  More often than not, he doesn't show up...and honestly it doesn't make one bit of difference (though it IS aggravating to know he's getting paid anyway).

Baby Daddy - Lil Dynomite and Bear's older son...and Dwarf's baby daddy. He was laid off from another company and hired on here to do the same job as The Lazy One...but he gets paid more. (yeah...try to make sense out of that one)  He does accomplish the same amount of work...zero.  Pretty sure his only real function is to make Dwarf even MORE emotional.  Thankfully, he rarely shows up either....hypothetically.

Father Time - Much older man who worked in the field until the job ended.  Others were laid-off, but because of his enormous medical bills has been kept on...at the office...but has no real duties here.   So...he spends his days listening in on everyone else's job...and trying to get involved...in EVERYTHING.  This can also be described as DRIVING ME CRAZY!!  Buuutttt....he often provides breakfast...and is really sweet...just underfoot all the time. =^|  He rarely knows what he's talking about...and depending on my mood, this is either really frustrating...or hilarious.  (Two days ago, he was on the phone trying to tell someone where the office is:  "It's in Port Neches.  Yeah...it's Port Arthur...it's the same thing.  Yeah...Port Arthur, but here they call it Port Neches."  Um....whaaaa???)  Also, I have never in my life seen someone who can stand at the door staring out at the street for so long...unless we count wax figures at the wax museum.  He's a strange hypothetical creature, he is.

*****Sidenote:  It's 10:41...Phantom just walked in.  She brought one of her kids with her.  He looks very much like a Precious Moments...and asks a million questions.  He's "home sick"...and in one minute has already run back and forth 3 times.  Not sure what sort of "sick" this is. :/

Rah Rah - Nice man...probably in his early 60's.  His personality holds remnants of the high school cheerleader that he was.  Almost always peppy....when he comes out in the open.  But...his cubicle is seperated from everyone else and behind a wall.  I'm convinced that he spends a lot of his hypothetical time sleeping back there.

Johnny - Small, quiet, hispanic guy.  Not much to say about him, cuz he's so darn quiet.  He doesn't work on Fridays, but usually stays busy (doing I don't know what) for the rest of the week....hypothetically.

And then there's me....can we say about me....hypothetically?   I think we'll have to save that for another day...

***P.S.  The time is now 11:02...Dwarf just went home for the day.  Must be nice...

How I Roll....

I'm a girl.  If you ask me what I drive, I tell you it's a Chevy HHR.  If you ask me ANYTHING after that (about the engine, mileage, flips, switches or dip-dee-doos) I answer "it's blue".  Cuz...I'm a girl.  I DON'T KNOW!!!

So, about a month ago, it started to sound louder....hardly noticeable behind good music.  But progressively, more and more un-ignoreable.  (Please don't try to look that up in the dictionary.) 

As I'm planning on traveling to San Antonio for the Kai's graduation from basic training later this month, I thought it'd be a good idea to get my car worked on while my parents were away in Bogota.  That way, I could use my dad's pimpin' mini-van while they were out of the country.  (ok...it's not "pimpin'"...but it DOES get a person from point A to point B!)

I dropped my car off last Monday (as in, almost 2 weeks ago--today is Friday).

Fast-forward....my parents got home late Wednesday night and last night, the fam met up for dinner at Tequila's (I'll try not to think about that while I finish writing.  I'm kind of hungry now!).  As we're leaving Tequila's, I tell my dad that his steering wheel is a bit shakey...more when I'm driving slowly than when I speed up.

He says, "Did you check the tires?"

Blank stare.  "Um...I've SEEN the tires!"

He then explains to me that I need to lie down on the ground and check the inside and outside of the tires for "balls".  I ask, "ok...and then what?"  My mom pipes in, "then let him know when you give the van back to him!"  (*WHEW!*  For a second there, I thought I was gonna have to perform tire surgery!)

Today, my car is ready to be picked up.  I'm trying to formulate a way to make that happen without skipping valuable eating time.  So...thanks Daddy for letting me borrow your gray van!! And...for those who care what was wrong with mine....something about gears and brakes and money.  And....it's blue.

All Smiles (my kid can do that to ya!)

On the way to work this morning, my phone started ringing.  It was in my purse, and typically the only people that are brave enough to call me in the morning are people FROM work.  Since I was almost there anyway, I decided NOT to try to dig my phone out. 

I arrived just a few minutes later and pulled my phone out...only to see that it was the KAI who had called!!  After a mild coronary, I called him back....praying that he would be able to answer!!  HE DID!! =D

So...for those who've been asking (and for those who've accidentally stumbled onto this and have continued to read anyway)...here's the update on the Kai!

First off, he sounds tons better than he did last Sunday when I talked to him.  (at that point, he said his flight had been in a lot of trouble that week AND he'd also been given the worst duty possible...Latrine Queen. =/ ) 

So...as Latrine Queen, he has to stay up every night after lights-out...he gets 3-4 others in his flight to help him (he alternates people).  With flashlights shined at an angle, they lint-roll the entire floor of the restroom. =/  He says it's about a 40-minute job.  LINT-ROLL the floor!!!  This is a boy that I couldn't really swear in a court of law even HAS a floor in his bedroom...though I'm FAIRLY certain there's one under all the socks, shoes, gum-wrappers, etc.  (He's a GREAT guy...but he got his organization skills from me. =^| )

He also gets up early in the morning to clean again.  So...he's losing a lot of sleep (and by the way, he's mentioned that he has even LESS time to write now....so for those of you who haven't gotten letters, I promise he hasn't forgotten about you, he just really doesn't have time.)

BUT...despite having the "worst" duty...the duty he'd told me on Sunday that NO one does without getting in trouble, they made a 9 out of 10 on their inspection last night...which hadn't been done before!  So...go Kai!!

Also, next week is "Beast Week".  You can read about that here:  http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforcejoin/a/afbmtbeast.htm .  It is basically being out in the elements, putting everything they've learned about combat situations in practice. They go through simulated attacks and for four days straight have to be completely dressed with all body armor and carry all their gear (even when they're eating or sleeping as "attacks" could happen at those times too).  Their instructors don't serve as "leaders" during Beast Week...but instead watch from a tower above.  Some trainees are chosen as leaders for this week.  Well....the Kai has been chosen as a TDL (Tactical Deployment Leader)!  He will be one of the trainees responsible for the day-to-day "war" operations and scheduling the manning of the defensive firing positions.  Pretty cool! That's my boy!

Also, they were trained in CPR this week and putting up their tents and FINALLY, his flight did something right (they've been bringing up the rear for the first 4 weeks).  They were the fastest to get their tents up. =D

And lastly...everyone's been asking me about the food. lol  (And I'll agree...food is pretty darn important!)  He says it's pretty good...but just repetitive.  He says some people complain about it, but that he likes it alright. =)

So, there ya have it.  After his "down" call on Sunday, this call was GREAT!!  He sounds like he's in good spirits...and he feels good that he's been given some responsibility.  We're crossing our fingers for Honor Graduate!  Only 3 weeks to go!!  Thank you all for your support, for your letters...and especially for your prayers!!  God bless our troops...and God bless America!!

Taking vows...

So, a guy here at work says that his wife has decided there will be no more sweets in their home.

=^|

It is things like this that make me question whether I even WANT to find The (Oh So Elusive) One!  It really may be better to stay single, right??

"For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health,..."--all that is FINE!

No one says anything about him taking away your chocolate...or stealing pepperoni off your pizza (I should probably let that one go already).  That stuff is sacred...right??  Messing with my food intake would be something that would have me wanting to change my Facebook status to "It's complicated".  Is that wrong?

It's shocking that I'm single, right? =D

Well, that didn't take long at all!

Ok...so, I'm trying to figure this site out...and somehow reposted my own first blog...and can't figure out how to delete it.   I messed up SO FAST!!!  Yup...I AM an overachiever. =D

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again.  Fail again.  Fail better." - Samuel Beckett

I've never read that quote until just now.  And yet, I've been living it all my life!  Go me! ;)

*********************************************************************************
In the process of posting this, I found how to delete the re-post of earlier...thus negating the need for this post.  But, then you wouldn't get the awesome quote. ;)

Here we go again...

Well, it's been a while...a long while.  I'm not even sure how people will find this...or if you'll even care to.  Back in the Myspace days (anyone remember those?), my blogs actually had a small following.  Facebook "notes" just aren't the same.  And so...here I am. 

I'm here for a few reasons.  The first, is that I find writing therapeutic.  If you're a good dot-connector, you've already deduced that I've been without said "therapy" since Myspace days. :/  That's not good for anyone!

Secondly, I've actually had people suggest...and even request that I get back to writing!  And...since I love to anyway...I'm "complying". ;)

And lastly...I have a lot to say, dangit (and no one to listen)!  And so...we meet again (or maybe for the first time).  Welcome back...or aboard.  Feel free to leave comments....as long as they're nice and you never disagree with anything I say. =D  (ok...kidding.  But...I DO keep my stuff G-rated...cuz I'm oh so cool like that...so, be sure that you do too!)