So. Hi. It's been 2 weeks. Sorry about that.

A'hem.
Remember me?
The author of this poor, neglected blog?

Things have been a little busy around here for the last two weeks. I'll use that excuse because it never seems to go away and it always seems to apply. So, there.

Now, I flip through my pictures so I can remember exactly why the last two weeks have been so busy.

1. We had a "visitor."

One of Michael's friends' sons was doing a "Flat Stanley" project. So, I took Stanley around my little world.
You know, Wegmans, and work.

I did have the wisdom NOT to send this one. :)

I'm guessing Mrs. So-and-So's 2nd grade class wouldn't appreciate that...
2. Press Club Stuff.

I don't think I've ever been to the Press Club three times in a one week period before, but it has happened over the last two weeks.

I had the pleasure of sitting at the head table for a luncheon, I went to a class on search engine optimization (I also had dinner before that with some good friends from out of town who were in town being tourists), and I went to a lunch with Helen Thomas.


3. Brokaw's little issue.
Brokaw has a little tumor. We don't think it's a big deal, but it is something that has to be taken care of. It is going to cost a small fortune, but it's Brokaw, the priceless puggle. So, it is what it is. Surgery is scheduled for April 7th. I was hoping we could be done with this by now, but that didn't work out. B-dawg HATES going to the vet. He gets very nervous, hence the thundershirt. (Even though, when this picture was taken, he did not yet realize where we were going, so he was smiling, soaking up the sun..)

Then, once he realizes he's going to have to get on the big, giant, silver slab...

The whining, shaking, and hair loss ensues.
Then, when it's over, I get this face:

And... for those of you who want to actually SEE the "tumor" (ick) here you go...


4. Trip to Roanoke
Last weekend, I spent two days and nights in Roanoke. It was two very long days, but the trip went very well. While I was there I got to see my second family, the Grooms', and see my good friend and former roommate, Jess. I also got to stop by my first TV station for like 10 minutes to say hi to the 5 people I know who still work there.
So, it was personally a very encouraging trip for me, on top of a great trip work-wise.

Roanoke will always have a special place in my heart. It was where I had my first job, my first apartment. Where I first fell in love and had my heart broken. Where I was first a member of a church as an adult. I formed friendships that have lasted, for real, more than 10 years. I love that place, and I always love visiting! It kind of feels like home!

I actually enjoyed the opportunity to go to a traditional church for services. Love Rainbow Forest Baptist Church!

Loved seeing my best friend in the world's picture on the wall of missionaries. I'm so proud of Ann, and I so envy her commitment to spreading God's word. Ann, I look up to you, no pressure! :)

I loved getting a pound of Sinful Delight, a flavored coffee that I actually still like, from Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea. Ironically, I worked there to save money to go visit Ann in one of her previous tell-the-world-about-Christ journeys, in Slovakia!

5. Our Epic Fight
The day after I got back from the trip to Roanoke, Michael and I got into a big, nasty fight. I'm talking, I stormed out the door on my way to work, early, two days in a row, without eating breakfast together.

I don't even want to share with you what made me so mad because it is soo ridiculous and immature. I'll just tell you that it sucks to think you've learned a lesson, and then realize, yet again, that you are an idiot, and haven't learned jack. This week was filled with much sadness, anxiety attacks, space between us, tears, and deep conversations.
In the end, I think we're closer than we were before, which is the whole idea of marriage, but wow. It sure is tough some times. Glad that part is over, and now we're on the same page again.
6. Just Regular Life Stuff.
You know, like taking care of my man...

Working...

Shopping (bargain hunting, of course)...

Cooking...


and delivering meals, church lady style...

I also said goodbye this week to my little brother, Chris, who really is Sgt. Brown in the US Army.
He's headed to Afghanistan for the next YEAR which makes me this ultimate mixture of proud and heartbroken and worried sick.

Note, old picture from his boot camp graduation a few years ago. I doubt that dress currently fits!
Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks.

I could not do all of this without lots of this:

But, I'm going to have to figure out a way to do it with fewer of these:

Because all that weight I lost because of stress and depression and what not last year?
Well... let's just say, I'm apparently fat and happy now!
Yesterday, I had to take that trip to the mall.
You know the one.
The one where you break down and buy one pair of black pants and one pair of jeans in your old size.
Even though you don't want that size hanging in your closet.
Even though you hate to spend money on that size.
But, you do it because stuffing your ham-like thighs in non-fitting pants every single day of the week is a little uncomfortable.
I will lose this weight.
I know this.
In the meantime, I refuse to feel like a sausage.
So. There.
I said it.
I did it.
And, of course, I also bought myself a cute shirt as a "prize" for having to deal with this.
You feel me girls??

And, today, it snowed.
I don't know what in the world that is all about. Because it is Spring. And there are Cherry Blossoms (I think we're going to go next weekend to take the yearly photos, etc.). And snow is just wrong. And Winter has now officially over-stayed its welcome.
So, we stayed home from church today. Even though I haven't been in a MONTH because of all this work travel. And M didn't make it last weekend because of the thing I'm not talking about that led to the epic fight.

We had "church" at home. Just us. Singing Hillsong songs off of YouTube, and watching our Pastor's message from last weekend.
And, you know what?
It was awesome!
We had a great conversation about going "all in" individually.
And, I'm about to do my part, and send an e-mail.
Phew.
You're all caught up!
I think I'll do a small cooking post, then I'm done. For now.
Hopefully the next two weeks will there will be less drama, and more blogging.
Cheers!