Hey SS:

We're being sued by my SIL! Ain't life grand?

Got served the evening of our 31st anniversary.

It's ridiculous of course (she's out of her f-in' mind), but I don't care 2 go in2 it here.


In other, better news: My W and I are finally able 2 talk more or less comfortably about the A, and we watch the Dr Phil show and comment on it occasionally. We had a great convo with our son a few nights ago, about the fact that love isn't a feeling, but a choice. He's only 19, so he didn't get it even though he's really bright. But I think he unders2d some of the main points. More interesting 2 me was that my W gets it.

I won't say I'm entirely at ease about our prospects for the fu2re, but I really don't worry about them either. Make any sense? We don't sleep the whole night 2gether - I snore and she's sleeping pretty lightly with all the stress over the other house - so I usually wait for her 2 fall asleep, then go upstairs 2 a cozy area in our full-height attic that lets me play with my telescope and computers. (she snores 2, not as loud, but it doesn't bother me).

Anyhoo.

-ol' 2long

We're being sued by my SIL! Ain't life grand?

That's one of the things I worried about. Darn, I hoped she had come to her senses, and left. You were probably too nice to her.

How about MIL? Is she still there?

If you are talking with W about A, she must be pretty withdrawn (from A) by now. What holds things back still? I mean, what are your concerns mostly now?

SS

MIL is still there. Appears 2 have abandoned her application for some really cool senior apartments (restored craftsman and Victorian bungalos) 2 stay in our 2nd home and support my SIL in her lawsuit against us.

Affecting my W very deeply. Neither one of us will have anything 2 do with SIL after this is settled, and I won't have anything 2 do with MIL either, if she supports SIL like it looks like she intends.

I think my W is pretty withdrawn from RM, but it was only last May she asked if she could collaborate with him professionally. I'm still on guard. I don't think there's been any contact, but I did discover she hasn't deleted his email from her contacts list.

She's thinking about applying for a full-time faculty position, but this lawsuit is going 2 make that difficult. She's also wanting 2 start a PhD program (distance learning in the UK), but it's also going 2 be hard 2 apply for if we're still dealing with my fool of a SIL.

I'm being supportive of her goals, because that's who I am. But she still seems a tad selfish 2 me at times - possibly my triggerability even now.

-ol' 2long

Makes sense to me -

Whatever happened to marriage as an equal partnership, where each spouse seeks agreement before making plans that will affect the other?

Sigh.

I am learning to say "That bothers me, and this is why........" I used to just say "whatever you want dear."

Funny, both of us are happier now, not just me.

SS

Well, it's probably not like you envision.

The faculty job is something I hope she applies for. The distance learning in the UK will only require that she spend a 2ple weeks a year in the UK, with her research being conducted at OOSP.

Of course, if RM were 2 consult in any way in that, I'd be so went...

But I've told her that, and she understands.

Anyway, though I think she's come a long way, I don't think she's done with withdrawal from RM quite yet. I can see the progress, though, and I'm liking it.

-ol' 2long

Better is always better.

SS

Hi SLH and Appy and everyone! I'm so glad the posts here are a little lighter than the posts "out there." I think that's why this thread, and Idiotville, and the Neak family threads are so popular. They're islands of real life in this sea of chaos. People need that. 2Long, I'm sorry about the SIL suit. I don't think I know the history there, but perhaps it's not important to the overall conversation. I think you should know, though, that you sound a ton better than you did a year or two or three ago. You've changed and I think your wife has, too. (2). <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

And as promised, here's the next installment. I only made it through Tuesday, can you believe that? A whole post and the most interesting thing is that DD has a cold. I truly know how to make a story out of nothing....

So I left off on Tuesday morning. There was the post-Christmas activity (picking up all the stuff that built up all over the house) and not much else. My parents, sister, and cousin made their way out of the house to go downtown to see the Rembrandt drawings. The brother who works on the Hill went down to his office for a while. He’s a legislative correspondent – which means he answers substantive letters from constituents -- for his Senator and prides himself on getting out letters quickly. I suspect he wanted to clear his desk before going home for the latter part of the break. My other brother said something about working, but ended up sleeping the whole day.

So that left me, DD, and HoFS. We did the usual morning things early on and then got ready to go to DD’s doctor appointment. We talked about various ways to handle it; I was pretty sure that I don’t want to face my ex’s husband in a doctor’s office, so it didn’t seem fair to have HoFS come to an appointment. At the same time, I wanted him close by. My mom had asked HoFS if he wanted to go down to the exhibit with them, and he chuckled and said, “J has this six-foot rule when I’m around. I don’t think that’ll work.” I chimed in with, “He’s mine. I’m keeping him.” And that was the end of that.

So I wanted him close by – but couldn’t bring him to the appointment itself. So he came in far enough to find out where we would be (it’s a big medical office building) and I gave him the keys. Off he went.

The doctor spent five minutes looking at DD just so we would feel like she’d done something, but it was pretty obvious that she made her diagnosis within five seconds of walking into the room. “The good news is that there’s no sign of pneumonia or bronchitis even though she’s coughing a lot. She has a bad cold and the cough is caused by post-nasal drip associated with the cold. The bad news is that she has a cold and medical science hasn’t figured out anything to do about it. You’re ten days into what should be a ten to fourteen day cold. Just wait it out. Give her benadryl if you can’t sleep and put a humidifier in her room.”

I was relieved that it hadn’t converted into a sinus infection – DD has had them in the past and there’s virtually no difference between a sinus infection and a bad cold unless you’re a doctor, near as I can figure. They’ve told us what to look for, but really, a runny nose and circles under the eyes? It’s kinda hard to tell whether those are from a sinus infection or it being the day after Christmas and you have a cold!

Anywho, DD got a chance to see mommy again, which she appreciated. When we were done, I sent HoFS a text message and then DD and I walked my ex to her car. And then I discovered that although HoFS had the car keys, he’d walked over to the nearby shopping center and left the locked car there. So DD and I had some time to kill. We used it by jumping over puddles. Well, “over” is a relative term. I said we should jump over them. DD decided we should jump in them.

By the time HoFS returned, DD was more than a little damp.

HoFS, wonderful man that he is, brought me coffee. I hadn’t had any all day and HoFS doesn’t drink it. But he knows that I drink half-caf with sweetener and milk and did his darndest to get that for me. Isn’t that cool? It made me unreasonably happy, let me tell you.

When DD got in the car, she really learned why it is that one jumps over puddles unless you’re close to home. She didn’t like sitting in damp clothes and shoes on the way home, not one bit. Somewhere on the way to or from the doctor, HoFS suggested that we find time to go for a walk in the evening. I said that sounded like an excellent idea, and said that DD would probably want to go along. He said no, he really wanted some one-on-one time, which I thought was just fine. I said we could leave her in my cousin’s capable hands.

Oh, come to think of it, we didn’t go directly home. By that point we were out of children’s Nyquil and cough drops, and I didn’t have any Benadryl in the house. My cousin had also recommended Airborne as a good way to prevent and reduce the effects of colds. So of course we had to stop at a drug store. I also wanted to pick up a couple of bottles of wine for gifts for friends we were going to see on Thursday, and HoFS had made the excellent suggestion that we ought to have some champagne on hand for New Years.

DD was more than a little tired and crazy by the time we finished in the drug store – it was well past nap time by then and she was still running a fever. So I made a snap decision and decided to wait on the liquor store trip until later in the week. We headed home, where HoFS threw himself into making dinner. Mom had asked us to boil eggs for deviled eggs, which are a tradition in my family this time of year. I told my mom to tell HoFS to do it, because I would forget. Sure enough, I forgot completely. But HoFS did that, and sliced vegetables and did various other things related to dinner while I fell asleep with DD. When I woke up and came downstairs, I was astonished at all that he’d accomplished. And thought, sort of vaguely, that maybe he was trying to impress my mom or something. (He’s mentioned before that he’s a little intimidated by my parents, so I thought that might be part of it.)

Somewhere along in there, my brother called and asked if there was anything that they should pick up for supper. I said I didn’t really know because I hadn’t worked on it, and HoFS took the phone out of my hands and said, “Here, I did the prep, let me talk to them.” He walked into the kitchen and started talking to my brother about various things that were in the fridge and I went back to doing the mental holiday stuff that I was doing. I think I was reading e-mail or surfing the web or something like that. And I thought, “Golly, it’s nice to have other people take care of cooking and shopping without me having to do it!” I really liked having the help over that week. Over the several days that everyone had been around, I’d been taking care of the underlying cleaning stuff and making sure that the bathrooms and kitchen stayed pretty clean. But that was taking me a lot less time than it usually does to do all the cooking, all the cleanup, all the laundry, and all the other household chores that are part of general life when you’re a single parent.

So anyway, soon there were many adults in the house, all putting things away and getting supper ready. There was a blur of people trying out the various forms of Airborne that’d been purchased (my family got some too) and lots of discussion of Rembrandt, parking in downtown DC, and DD’s cold. Eventually we all sat down to eat – leftover ham, deviled eggs, sliced veggies, chicken salad (or was that another night? I can’t keep track. Maybe that was Christmas eve…), and assorted side dishes. I recall asking for steamed broccoli because although my mom is a healthy cook, she tends to serve much less green vegetables than I do and I was missing them. I also had a craving for brussel sprouts, but I didn’t satisfy that until just the other day.

DD wanted me to sit next to her, so I ended up sitting across from HoFS rather than next to him. I thought that was all right – it meant that I got to look at him much more than when I was sitting next to him. DD took a lot of my attention at dinner, though, and I enjoyed sitting and eating with everyone. About 20 minutes before dinner was over, HoFS started making motions that we ought to go out and get some fresh air. It took me quite a while to find a good break in the conversation to do that – everyone was still sitting and chatting, and I’m not one to just get up and walk out while the family is still around the table. Eventually the phone rang, though, and after I answered it HoFS pulled me out of the room with the words, “Come on. I -really- need a break!”

So we went out for a walk, which I’ll have to talk about another time. It’s time for bed now. I will say, though, that it was a lovely evening for a walk, if a bit chilly by then.

Wow, go away for a week or two and look who crawls out of the woodwork! my, my, my...

BINDER, you old coot!...I just knew you were still fogging a mirror. I just knew you were still straddling a saddle. I just knew you were alive and kicking. I just knew you were three sheets to the wind. Oh no, that one's not right...oh well.

How is your little son and daughter doing? Did you all have a nice Christmas?

You have to give an update Binder...it's not fair if you don't.

SLH it is so good to see you too!

FAR, hey!

2long, regarding what you said about your W taking this SIL thing very hard (and who wouldn't, it is just awful), and then what you said about her still striking you as somewhat self-centered or selfish (can't remember your exact word) -

I would guess there is a lesson in there somewhere for her. A painful lesson no doubt, but I hope it is merely a veiled miracle in the making. In fact I am sure it is. A lesson learned is often a miracle, don't you think?

I know the lessons I finally learned were nothing short of miracles. Wasn't many more self-centered than I was until I got those painful lessons. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Jenny,

You helped me so much when I first came that day...

Your best wishes mean a lot to me, I hope you know that.

And TT,

I thought of you over the holidays. Are you and the girls still enjoying your happy, peaceful home?

Have you been doing any modeling lately? And not re-modeling, I mean clothes modeling.

I most definitely agree. I think that's why I've said so many times before (though not much recently, since I've avoided talking much about my sitch on here of late) that it's been interesting 2 watch.

We're learning a lot, 2th of us.

-ol' 2long

Weaver! 2 Long! Appy! How wonderful to see you too! It is good to be back, and doing well, instead of moaning! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

FF, it has been good "seeing" you online! :wink, wink:

Ap, I am so pleased I could help you in any small way. You were halfway there, you know. More than halfway.

To answer y'all's question, we are still in Hou-Tex. Yes, still. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I guess I have just learned to bloom where I am planted. Learned a lot of hard lessons, in fact; ones I thought I had conquered long ago. But it's a new year, with new opportunities and new blessings, and I fully intend to make use of every chance to move forward!

Ti is finally at a job where his myriad talents are recognized, utilized and rewarded, and although we are still owed close to 8 paychecks from his former employer, we are climbing out of the financial hole we are in. It feels good to stand up again and feel the wind on our faces. So good.

So SS, I was hoping I could persuade you to part with that delicious popcorn and nut recipe. . . my kiddos were jonesing for some this year! LOL

I got a jar of dip for Xmas that is really yummy - what's left of it!

Habanero and roasted pineapple!

YUM!

But also HOT!

-ol' 2long

It's probably a nice warm wind down there too, eh? Up here we try never to let the wind blow in our faces. LOL "May the wind always be on your back" is what I'm thinking. Well it'll freeze the breath right to your face if it isn't.

Yep, everyone at the ole campfire is diong good nowadays...recovering is what we are all doing. We are so blessed. It is just amazing how blessed we are. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Me, I seem to get up quicker and quicker every time I get knocked down now. I read something where someone was saying that people were amazed at how fast she recovered and her answer to that was "well at my age, if I don't get up [email]d@mn[/email] fast, I might not be able to get up at all". <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well, a cool wind for us, anyway. . . at 62 degrees, LOL!

Weaver, I can see I have some reading to do on what has been going on with you. Should I go back on Gray's thread, or have you been posting elsewhere? I feel terrible for being so out of the loop.

2Long, I don't dip, but that does sound like some good stuff!! ROFL!



I love it!! Rule to live by!

I don't have that recipe in my head, but I'll get back to you.

Hi Weaver !!

SS

SLH!!!!!!!! Hi hunny!

Lovely stories, J. 2long, sounds like your W is slowly coming into reality. Wow! Hi appy my dear, dear friend.

It started like any other last Tuesday before Christmas. My shopping list was still being prepared. I had bought more things on-line this year than any other year but I there were more people on my list than any other year before because I was also shopping for J’s family. I left work after six that evening, far too late for all I had to do. I had been there since 7:30 that morning. I decided if I was going to get through most of my shopping list, I didn’t have time to stop at home and make something to eat. I did make a quick stop to drop off somethings. While I was there, my middle son called and asked me to drop off one of his Chicago Bears jerseys he wanted to wear to school the next day. My two youngest boys are on the Bears bandwagon right now and they try to wear Bears apparel as frequently as possible to school. So one more thing before I began my shopping adventure in ernest.

I headed east from home and stopped by Subway to pick up a sandwich. A sub isn’t something you can eat easily while driving and yet it was probably the most healthy food choice option before me that I could devour quickly. I ordered a turkey breast and ham on wheat and finished it quickly. I had 2/3 of my drink remaining after I finished my sandwich. That is itself very unusual since I usually drink quite a bit with my meals. This was not going to be any ordinary evening shopping adventure.

I hopped back in my big blue van and continued heading east. I needed to get to the Canton area to be able to pick up as many of the things on my list as possible. There was one item in particular that was a priority. I decided to call J on my way. She needed another HoFS’ call. Her daughter wasn’t with her that evening, her parents and sister were arriving the next day, and she had a bit of a cold. We had a good chat. I think it was pretty cheery. She had some idea of where I was headed but she wasn’t exactly certain. I told her that I’d probably need her advice on gifts for her family from the store I was headed into (think big red spot).

I found some of what I was looking for near the front of the store. J thought what I was looking at was a good idea for her sister. I believe that J got a call on her other phone that she had to take. She said she’d call me back soon. Sure enough, she did. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

We continued to chat as I moved through the store. It was crowded for a Tuesday evening. I wasn’t doing a good job getting things for people on my list. And I did have a list! J’s helping me work on that habit. At some point, J and I ended our phone conversation. I think it was because I was having a hard time staying connected to J and having a conversation while I was trying to hurry through the store. I’m a serial processing kind of guy.

I headed to the check out area seeing that it was much later than I expected. I really needed to move it if I was going to get to my next destination before they closed. It was only across the parking lot but I wanted to drive over there and I knew traffic was going to be a problem. I checked my watch again. I only had 30 minutes. Suddenly, I saw an opening in another checkout line. I moved out of my line and headed to that cash register and got there before the clerk could even ask for the next customer. I was able to check out quickly. Phew. I was going to make it.

I headed out of the parking lot. There was only one exit out of the parking lot that had a light to help me turn left onto the cross road. I was nervous. The line of cars was long. One cycle of lights. Two cycles. Finally, on the third cycle I was able to make my left turn. It didn’t take me long to make it to my next destination from there. I was later than expected but I arrived with 15 minutes to spare. The security guard was pacing near the door. I think he was hoping to lock up soon. It wasn’t to be.

I sat briefly after I turned off the engine. The radio was still playing but I turned it off also. I was nervous. This was big. I was headed to the jeweler.

The sales clerk that had helped me pick out my selection was busy when I walked in. Another asked to help me. I told her that I was waiting to pick up something that evening. She took my claim check and tried to find the item. She couldn’t. For a moment, my heart sank a bit. Then, my original sales clerk showed up and pointed out that she had set aside my selection and had it steam cleaned. Perfect. She found it and brought it over to show me.

My sales clerk was very interesting. She said she was happy to have an engineer as a customer. She had a wonderful time explaining the different qualities I had to choose between when making my selection and about all the technical terms. She told me about the graduate thesis that was used to describe the cuts on the ideal cut stone. We spent 90 minutes together the first night I was in the store. The second night it must have been at least another hour. I was pleased with the time and attention. That was one of the main reasons I decide to make my purchase from this store and not others or on-line.

The clerk presented me with my purchase under bright lights. All of a sudden it seemed like none of the other sales clerks had anything else to do but stand around admiring my purchase. Wow. It was gorgeous. It really sparkled. “Like my girl’s eyes,” I said. My sales clerk rolled her eyes. Others smiled brightly and sighed, “Aw, that’s so nice.” I blushed a bit and grinned. My sales clerk commented to the others about the size of the table. Another clerk chimed in, “I think that is a two table diamond.” My sales clerk and I had joked about the term ‘table’ being used to describe one particular physical dimension of the jewel and about how many ‘tables’ away one might notice the stone in a restaurant.

As my clerk was packing my purchase, others were asking me if I had a plan for presenting it. I said I was still working on that and they all laughed. I said that I still had a few days to think about it. As I turned to leave with my purchase, all wished me well. The security guard had to unlock the doors so I could leave the building. I don’t remember my feet touching the ground. I was very excited and very nervous. I was carrying the diamond solitare. Next, I had an important call to make.

I placed a called to J’s family from my van parked in front. They weren’t expecting my call and were probably even surprised that I knew their home number. J’s mother answered. I introduced myself and asked how she was doing. I asked about the packing they were doing for their trip the next morning. Then I asked to speak with J’s father. I introduced myself again and exchanged pleasantries. I finally got to my point and told him that I was planning on proposing to J in the next few days and I asked if he had any objections. He replied, “No. I can’t think of any.”. I explained my plan or at least what I had so far—to find some time when J and I could get away alone together, perhaps on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 26 and propose to J. I explained that I didn’t really want to propose on Christmas day. He thought that would be good. I wished him luck on his travels and told him that I would see him on Christmas day.

I had two more stops to make that evening. I needed to purchase gift cards and seasonal coffee at a certain coffee store and get some food at the other large, even larger and scarier chain store. My tasks finished, I headed home. J sent a text at some point asking me how I as doing. I think the silence from me was making her a bit nervous. I called her on my way home and we chatted. I was tired. It was after 10. I hadn’t accomplished nearly enough of my shopping but I did get the most important item.

In the coming days my sons and I went to see the Mannheim Steamroller concert and traveled to Indiana to visit with my family before Christmas. I didn’t tell anyone about what was about to happen. That was my way. I wanted to wait until I spoke with J. My sons and I returned home in time following the visit to my family to make a few more Christmas goodies and go to midnight mass. We were late unfortunately because I messed up the time that the service started. Still, we were only ten minutes late. After the service we returned home and the boys opened one gift. This is their Christmas tradition. The other gifts would be opened Christmas morning. I think I finally got to bed about 1:30 Christmas morning. Good grief. I had a six hour drive ahead of me later that morning.

My sons woke up early and we had finished going through the presents under the tree fairly quickly. I had kept hidden some wrapped gifts that I preferred not get shaken or dropped prior to Christmas morning. Following the festivities, I dropped the boys off at their mother’s home as was the holiday parenting schedule. Soon I’d be off, headed to visit J and her family.

Unfortunately I left later then I expected because it took me a while to wrap the remaining gifts and I had to find an open gas station. That last part wasn’t as easy as I expected it would be. I was eventually on my way. I called J to tell her I was headed her way. She was happy about that but the disappointment about my later than expected arrival was clear in her voice. When I arrived, she greated me, ummm, warmly. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Her family had held dinner for my arrival and her daughter’s other mom was visiting at the daughter’s request. It was busy to say the least. Perhaps it was a good thing I wasn’t going to make my proposal this evening.

On Tuesday, Dec. 26 I still wasn’t sure when or how I was going to propose to J. Her family announced they would be out until 6 pm and then they help prepare dinner after that time. J and I had to take her daughter to the doctor’s office and to do some shopping. I tried to help with as much dinner preparation as possible before 6 pm so that we could move things along and so J and I could get some time alone before her daughter had to go to bed. Her youngest brother called from t he road asking if there was anything we could think of that we needed for dinner that they could pick up. I said I thought champagne would be a good idea. A few minutes after we hung up J and I discovered that we also needed salad dressing but it was too late for the family to go back to the store. We made due with what we had available.

Dinner prep moved along quickly. We had fresh veggies, ham, and some fruit. I think there was also some cheese. J’s father asked for dessert when we were finished. Good grief! Dinner seemed to take a very long time. We needed some ‘alone’ time. Earlier in the day I had told J that I really would like to get away for a walk in the evening, just the two of us. She thought that was a good idea. However, it seemed like J was in no hurry at the dinner table despite my obvious suggestions that we should leave! Finally, we got up and prepared to leave. J told her daughter that her cousin was in charge of her. We left the rest of the family to clean up after dinner and we hit the road.

J turned left out of her house and asked where we should go. I said that I’d like to go as far as the House of Pancakes in downtown Bethesda. We turned around and headed in that direction. I was walking very fast knowing that we needed to return before it got too late and that it was something like a 25-30 minute walk. At one point J asked me to slow down because I was walking very fast. I slowed, only a bit. At some point, a few blocks from my destination, J suggested that we had walked far enough. True, we had walked a good bit and it was a little cold out. I said that I’d like to continue and go up the steps to the plaza area in ‘Rocky’ fashion. J reluctantly conceded and we continued our brisk walk. The entire way, I kept trying to rehearse what I was going to say. I still wasn’t sure but boy, that ring box sure seemed to make a huge bulge in my sweatshirt pocket.

We arrived at the plaza steps and I even forgot to run up the steps in ‘Rocky’ fashion. We headed for an area we had visited before. The area was lined with some huge rocks. We had visited the same area the first weekend that I visited J in September 2005. I teased about playing on the rocks so we helped each other up on the rocks and then jumped from rock to rock like kids. The rock path led us to a circular stage like area that the little kids always run around on or play ‘train’. J grabbed my hips and started making train sounds and conga around the circle. We were off! After encircling the stage once, I led J to a big rock that she was very familiar with. It was the same rock she slipped on and fell that very first weekend together. She liked to tease that she fell head over heels for me that weekend! Truth be told, she nearly broke her neck.

I led J to that rock, held both hands and asked her to sit. She slipped off the rock in the process but I managed to catch her this time as I was holding both hands. At this point I got down on one knee and looked her in the eyes and began the speech that I had been drafting in my head but had not quite finished. It went something like this,

“I’ve been really happy the last year and a half. J, we’ve been through a lot together. You’ve helped me so much and we’ve grown a lot together. I’m even able to be down on this knee partly because of how much you helped me. J, I know we have a lot of tough stuff ahead of us on our journey but I want to do this together. I want to show you my commitment to do this together. Would you walk through streets of fire with me? Would you walk through fields of clover with me? Or daffodils? Would you walk even closer? Would you help me tie up the ends of a dream? <pulling out the ring box and opening it in the dimly lit plaza> J, would you marry me?”

J never really had a look of surprise on her face. She had a big smile most of the time and her eyes were wide. She lost the smile as I spoke, and her eyes got bigger. She wasn’t aware of the cold, crisp December air any longer. When I was done talking, she pushed the box to the side and said something like, “We’ll get to that, but there’s something more important here. I’ll walk through streets of fire with you. I’ll walk through fields of clover – and daffodils. I’ve been very happy this last year and a half too. I love you.”

I put the ring on her finger and she leaned down and gave me a big hug. We stood and hugged more. She was very happy and seemed to be floating. She wasn’t crying.

I led J to a nearby store that had enough lights on so that J could see the ring clearly. She was very happy. :dancing:

We started for her home, me holding her ungloved, ring hand. It was about one-third of the way home before I reminded J that she had not really answered my proposal. She turned and looked at me and said, “Yes. Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!!!” With a kiss after each word. We embraced again, as we had done several times already on the way home and would a few more times before we reached her door steps. At one point I picked her up and swung her around and around. And then I picked her up in my arms – for the first time ever. I might’ve walked home with her that way, but it was still half a mile away and she wouldn’t let me.

She wondered aloud how she would announce the news to her family. Little did she know that her mother and father already had a good idea what was happening and that champagne was chilling in her refrigerator...

HoFS <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Woo Hoo!!!!!! Two engagements here at the campfire! J, you let him tell us! Congrats to both of you.

Well I'll be dipped!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

-ol' 2long