chestnutcurls | this is where we used to live

I spent two hours at my parents' last night talking to my sister about marriage, jewelry, and politics, among other things. I told her how I'm close to not watching the Today show anymore, because Katie Couric is becoming almost unbearable in her liberalism. A few mornings ago, Kathy and I were eating breakfast in the dining area when we heard NBC Special Report music. Immediately we went to see what was going on. Since 9/11, whenever I hear special report music, I sort of steel myself to see more planes flying into buildings. (I don't think I'm alone in that, either.) So once most of the viewers were on edge, what was the special report for? A Kerry/Edwards photo op! Unbelievable. We flipped to the other channels, and of course, none of them thought this worthy of a break in programming. Kathy was disgusted. Now she keeps saying things like, "Breaking news! Kerry's brushing his teeth for the first time since he announced his candidacy! Look, he even got the back ones!"

I'm going to miss her.

Gandalf has been funny lately. Every morning just before I leave, I give him a cat treat. He's good at routine, so as soon as he hears me go to the door with my shoes on, he hurries over. Well, the other day I was walking into the kitchen, and he came barreling around the corner and literally knocked me out of my shoes. It was hilarious. Apparently the treat is the high point of his day. I explained that I couldn't give it to him if my arms were broken, but that hasn't deterred him from tripping me before.

Now that we're not getting the house, I'm rethinking our honeymoon plans. I realized that Destin, while cheap, quiet, and easy to get to, is basically a ghost town at the end of November. It'll definitely be too cold to swim, and maybe too cold to even lay on the beach. There are no other attractions there. I thought about a few other places, like Myrtle Beach and Tampa, but they'll be just as cold. My parents have been encouraging me to look at honeymoon packages, so I poked around online today and discovered the Sandals Montego Bay Resort. Oh my gosh, I want to go SO BAD. Everything you can think of is included. I could safely pay for it out of savings, but is that really wise? I just don't know. Everyone keeps saying "You can wait and take a big trip later," but isn't your honeymoon supposed to be at least kind of an occasion? Are we going to regret it if we don't seize the day? And how is that trip supposed to happen "later" when we'll have kids and probably only one income? I'm so undecided. Someone slap a waffle on the griddle. I need to talk to Evan more about this.

My ring is too big. It took me a week or so to realize it. I've been loath to part with it so it can get resized, but now it's constantly turning on my finger and I'm afraid of it falling off. Last night my mom said I should buy a guard for it instead of resizing it, because when I'm pregnant my fingers will get too big for my ring. ??? Advice, ladies?

I had lunch today with Alli, my third bridesmaid. She bought my lunch and gave me a copy of Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul. Isn't she nice? I'm so glad she's going to be in the wedding. And now I have something to read on the plane. Virginia, here I come...

Oh, and happy birthday to