Bitches already heard this, and some of the rest of y'all have figured it out, but for those of y'all that hang in other threads and might not have heard, me and him are getting hitched.

Next summer sometime. No, we don't have an exact date yet, nor a place, although we have a few ideas in mind.

Yes, there will likely be swords on the big day. After all, we can't very well not invite these guys -- they're how we met, not to mention the fact that they're armed and more than a little crazy. Betting pool is open as to how long I can stand by and not grab a blade and join in myself.

Yep, there's a ring. It was originally made from my great-parents' wedding rings, and it was the only thing my great-grandma kept when she sold everything else (really: house, business, jewelry, everything) to get the family to the US in the 1930s. The beloved is having it repaired/restored/watchamacallit with an antique stone that we got as a gift from a friend. And now I'm all teary-eyed all over again. Thanks a whole freakin' lot.

I have no intention of wearing anything white or frilly, although I find it's a really fabulous excuse for a new brocade corset.

That's about it for now. If I get to ranting about the whole wedding industry and how evil they are, you'll know where I'm coming from. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Back from my brother's wedding in Holland. Had a splendid time--my new SiL is sweet and warm and crazy about my bro and he feels the same. My mom held up well, even though she's midway through her chemo treatments and did get unsteady on her feet when tired. Mostly I spent time herding her and her BF and my Aunt, all over 75 around. VERY tiring. The bride is one of six kids and it was so fun to meet my new extended family who are very close. We were invited to her charming mom's house for a pre-wedding breakfast on Sunday--it's a tiny two bedroom apartment where she raised all the kids after her husband died. Four boys on bunkbeds in one room, two girls in the other and she slept on a fold-out couch in the living room. It's one of those Dutch families where all six of them are tall and slim and blonde and look like they could be models and seeing them all together was quite overwhelming.

Some good news, re my mother's breast cancer. Per her last MRI, she's just going in for a lumpectomy (sp?), so she'll be in and out of the hospital tomorrow. Health-ma, of course, is always welcome, as surgery of any kind is a risk, especially at her age. However, I'm feeling very relieved at this point.

Quick Frances Update (Tropical Storm that is):

We are still waiting for it to hit. Which should be some time this afternoon. Last night they were saying this morning but because Frances is dragging its feet and in no hurry to leave that was revised.

It's been raining steadily since last night. The coastal counties have closed several main roads due to flood concerns. There's lots of flooding and power outages here. Flooding is not a worry here since we are on a hill.

The power went off last night around 11:30 pm and we got it back about 15 mins ago (there were some areas of town that lost power yesterday afternoon and I'm not sure if they have it back yet) I don't expect the power to last, we lose running water when we lose power so I'm going to take a quick shower.

I have no idea if I'm supposed to go into work tomorrow.

some ~ma for my nana would be appreciated. she's already had a mastectomy about 10 years ago on one breast and they had to do 3 different scans on friday because they "saw something".

Hey there, LAistas!

I will be arriving in your fair city on Thursday evening, hanging out Friday, doing birthday fun Saturday (complete with dinner at a resturant TBD) and brunching on Sunday (possibly at Roscoe's).

Profile addy is good, drop me a note if you can play.

::mwah::

A couple weeks ago, I requested some job-ma. Well, it worked. I have a job interview today at noon board time. If you all could send some interview-ma this direction around then, I could use it.

I'm not sure if this belongs here, exactly, but since it's more personal, I'm putting it here, instead of Press. Some of you may remember that my husband, J, is in the Army. He's leaving again for a very dangerous and sandy country (although their destination is still classified, which is really dumb if you ask me. Where else would they be going?) He will be leaving in the next few weeks and will be gone for a year.

I've created an LJ to keep his friends and family aware of what he's up to and to give me a place to vent about the experience. I'm planning on not being very specific (with names, etc.) on the LJ because I don't want any of the Army public affairs people reading it and causing him trouble (likely but not very scary) or some terrorist getting ahold of him and it (not likely, but very scary).

Anyway, if anyone wants to check it out, it is mygijoe on LJ.

Not sure where this should go, but....

MASSACHUSETTS Buffistae!

I'm arranging a live "Q&A talk to the author" event with the Shrewsbury Public Library; apparently, their mystery reading group is doing Weaver.

I would love, love, LOVE for some local buddies to take part, but I don't know how far you all are from Shewsbury. The date/time would be 7 October, 3 pm eastern time.

Can the Mass locals talk to me?

Fuck.

My nephew's Guard unit is being deployed to Iraq as of January. I knew it would probably happen eventually, but still...fuck.