Sorry. I've been neglecting my journal. I was busy getting my kicks...

And delivering my best friend to her shiny new "grown-up" career. Doesn't she just look all grown up?

And attending some first rate sunset viewings...

My apologies for neglecting the journal. I've been out galavanting around the country again, trying to satisfy my wanderlust, which I've determined is a chronic condition that is only growing more severe with time. Three weekends ago I was in Minnesota for my cousin Katie's wedding. While there I beheld three lovely sunsets, (see photo) and visited the one and only Spam Museum (see more photos - the one is of my little bro - in the provided Hormel costume - and my little sister - too cool to put on the costume - racing to see who can get a better time producing and packaging fake Spam) A top notch museum. (Take my word for it...I've been to many a random museum...I know what I'm talking about.) The following weekend AJ and I took a killer roadtrip down to Phoenix. It was terrific. We traveled a bit of Route 66, ate at "Earl's Diner - World Famous Since 1943," and picked up many many hitchhikers. Just kidding. About the diner part. Okay, seriously - about the hitchhikers. To my middleschool and highschoolgirls: NEVER EVER EVER PICK UP HITCHHIKERS. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS AND I WOULD NEVER EVER DO IT OR LEAD YOU TO BELIEVE THAT IT'S A GOOD IDEA. Alright. That said, we honestly didn't pick up any hitchhikers. One, because her car was literally packed to the gills with stuff and there would have been nowhere to put them but my lap, and two, because in New Mexico there are signs every 75 miles that say "High security prison nearby. Do not pick up hitchhikers." Stupid NM roadsign putter-uppers. They should know better than to do that to a person like me. Lucky for AJ, we didn't see a single hitchhiker to pick up after that. Anyhow, we had a grand old time. Well, until the part where I had to come home and leave AJ in Arizona. (Did I mention all my favorite people are moving to Phoenix?) She does, however, have a lovely classroom (see photo) with lovely clean chalkboards and a little reading nook, and her name on the door, so I'm delighted for her. And a teensy bit jealous, because I've always wanted a classroom, even though I don't really want to be a teacher. So, those are some more tales of my journeys. I think I'm home now, for the rest of the summer. Unless I leave again. ;)

I should have said I was sorry...

Some things just "blow over." They say something, you say something, they're hurt, you're mad...or some variation on that theme. And sometimes it's best to just walk away for a little while. Let everyone cool down, take a breather, forget what it was all about in the first place. And it all blows over, like it never happened at all. But sometimes, it dosn't work this way...doesn't blow anywhere. It just hangs over your head, toxic and hiding the sun, tying knots in your stomach. And it doesn't matter who said what first or who hurt who, because if you don't do something about it, if you let it stay there long enough, it settles in and eventually the smog is too thick to see through, and the trees all die and you both get permanent lung damage, and your kid's kid's kids will all get cancer or be born with extra toes, because you thought it would all blow over and it never did.

Dearest Em: Whoohoo! You are getting married tomorrow! (Surprise!) I must confess, I'm a little disappointed. This probably means that we will never be roommates in a tree house (I am certain Jesse would not allow it. Actually, he'd probably go for the tree, just not the extra girl hanging around the house all the time.) However, I can look past this issue, and I want you to know that you are very much loved (by me, by God, by your soon-to-be-husband, and "all the other people whose names won't fit here but were essential, influential and indispensable in multiple aspects of the creation of this album - you know who you are.") You are also very much prayed for and will be greatly missed. (Why are all my favorite people are moving to Pheonix?) Know that you can come visit me in my treehouse any time you want. We will eat vienna sausages and microwave cajun rice (or not) and drink coffee and cranapple juice and listen to Carbon Leaf and talk about our mutual love for...certain color schemes, shady ethnic restaraunts, and "the outdoorsy type." If the weather's nice we'll go for a drive and get "lost" in a canyon in Colorado and be late for church. Until then ~ Peace, love, and lucky second-hand finds. See you tomorrow. ~ Marci