Wedding Weekend: The Big Day

I get married TODAY!

(not my cake topper)

Sure, it's an untraditional cake-topper, but it's an untraditional wedding.

And as much as I'd love for every last one of you to be here to celebrate with me, that's just not possible. So, instead, I'm giving you a peek at our vows (part of them, anyway.)

As I mentioned, we didn't want this to be a super-traditional wedding, so we didn't have the traditional vows. We're not a "to have and to hold" couple and we're especially not an "honor and obey" couple.

We wanted to get more creative.

So we did.

In addition to writing each other a love-letter, which my pastor will read for the service, we were able to look through a book of more unique vows and adapt them to our style.

My favorite part of our vows:

"I promise to respect you as your own person,

with interests, desires, and needs as important as my own,

I promise to do my part,

to weather whatever storms lie ahead,

and joyously celebrate our triumphs.

I promise to love you,

In the only way I know how,

Completely and forever."

What I love even more is our ring exchange:

"This ring is a symbol of the strength and beauty of our love,

may it belong to your hand as my heart belongs to you,

separate yet close, simple yet miraculous."

My sister should be here any minute to start getting ready with me and help do my hair and makeup. Al is probably (dreadingly) putting on his class-A's and getting ready to join me at the church. And my mom is inevitably running around making sure everything is in it's place in true devoted-mother fashion.

All I can say is that I am truly, undoubtedly blessed. And currently walking on clouds.

Wedding Weekend: Preparation

Al came in this afternoon.

Since then we've been running around doing typical day-before stuff.

He made sure to get my car washed and make sure the camera was charged.

I went and got a mani/pedi with my mom and sister.

We confirmed everything else was ready and then we went to dinner.

Now we're just sitting here, freshly showered, enjoying some wine and each other.

Tomorrow, this man will be my husband.

How cool is that!?

Wedding Weekend: Preview

The time has arrived, dear blog-friends, for me to rid myself of the girlfriend and fiancée titles and assume my role as wife.

This whole thing has been a complete nightmare to plan. The craziness, the last minute planning, with all the uncertainties and accommodating everyone's lives...

The last two weeks have tested my patience and my sanity.

They have tested Al's as well.

It has even tested our relationship, our communication and our love for each other.

And I'm proud to say that we made it.

We pushed through and we are stronger then ever.

We are ready to take on this life together, as husband and wife.

It wasn't easy, but it was worth it.

Because in 48 short hours, I will be married to a wonderful man.

And THAT is worth more than my words can say.

Things I Like that Most People Don't

I have a LOT of pet-peeves.

A LOT.

Probably too many.

But this list isn't about that. Instead, it's about things that I like.

And they are things that most people don't.

1. People who tell you how much something was and where they bought it when you compliment their new skirt, shoes, top, etc...

Sometimes, if I'm complimenting you, I like it enough to buy one for myself. And I will ALWAYS be impressed if you got it on sale or at a unique store. In fact, I'm usually skeptical or at least disappointed, if you don't share the details on that fabulous article of clothing.

2. People who make noise when they walk (with their loud heels, for example)

I think this makes people look and sound important. It makes me feel important, like I am going somewhere. I don't see anything wrong with this.

3. People who talk on their cell phone/bluetooth in public places

{I do have to say that this is only OK if it doesn't affect their ability to do other things, such as navigate a cart through isles or check out at a speedy pace. If so, they it promptly goes into the pet-peeve pile.}

If, however, someone is capable of basic tasks while carrying on a cell phone conversation, it doesn't bother me. Why? Because my life is boring and yours isn't. I like a little stranger gossip. I like overhearing things that are interesting, juicy or weird. In fact, it is pretty likely that these conversations are the most entertaining part of my day. Better than TV most times.

4. Always being the one who is driving

I like driving and I like my car. While sometimes I want someone to drive so I can have a margarita with dinner (or lunch), most of the time I like driving. It doesn't bother me one bit to be the one who knows how I'm getting home and has the ability to leave whenever I'd like. Plus, so few people are actually good drivers, so I don't mind doing it.

5. Essay Exams

In all my years of school, it became very clear that I would excel in a class and do poorly on a test. I wasn't failing, I just didn't test well. So, essay exams are the best thing to ever happen to me. I can talk my way out of a paper bag and most of the time, at least in Undergrad, that meant I got an "A". It's been a little more difficult in law school, because it's a much higher BS standard, but the concept is still there.

Wordless Wednesday

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True Words

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My Beloved Army

In the course of a few short hours, I went from cursing the Army using all sorts of foul language, to jumping up and down with (happy) tears in my eyes.

We've Al's been busting his ass to get a pass to leave for next weekend so we can get married.

He put in some extra hours to make sure there was NO reason for them to deny his pass home.

I didn't really want to book a hotel, finalize plans, etc...until we knew.

Not just sorta-Army-style plans, but real-deal for-sure plans.

After spending all day waiting for the CO to sign-off on the weekend, Al left work with no information. Actually, he was told that no passes would be signed until Wednesday or Thursday next week. (Yeah, two days before we're getting married.)

I was pissed.

It's mind-boggling to me that the greatest fighting force in the world can't plan one week ahead to grant a stupid 4-day weekend. It's equally amazing the amount of BS hoops these guys jump through just to take a day off. Because giving your entire existence to the cause isn't enough sacrifice to warrant a day off, apparently.

{I want to be fair and clarify that Al's unit has gone through quite a few changes recently on top of the fact that they have switched Al from unit to unit because of the particular job he does (which he does so very, very well.) Al's CO is actually a great guy and has been completely in Al's corner on this whole thing. Many of the problems have come from farther up the chain.}

After our first weekend getting cancelled for a stupid school (which he's not even signed up for anymore) and all the other BS, I was seeing red. Both Al and my mother heard an entire array of unladylike expletives exit my mouth throughout the afternoon.

When I got home from work, my roommates heard them too.

A couple hours later, I missed a call from Al because I was downstairs pouring myself a glass of wine (I DID mention I had a bad day, right?)

He then texts: Call me right now, it's important.

I think to myself: Great, more bad news. Thanks a lot motherf@#!ing Army.

I call him back and mumble: What?

Al: I have a signed pass.

Apparently his CO was too busy at work today, but brought it to a Hail and Farewell this evening and personally gave it to Al's Platoon Sergeant to make sure it was delivered accordingly.

Me: Baby, that's got to be the sexiest thing you've ever said to me.

So, ladies, it's Army official now. I'm getting married in 7 days.

To the hardest-working, handsomest...

(and most patient - poor guy, getting it from the Army AND from me!)

most amazing soldier I know.

Mil-Spouse Friday Fill-in

I'm brain-fried, so you get this today.

Oh, and I'm fully aware that my meme lasted a total of ONE week. I'm cool like that.

I might keep up on it, but let's be real, there is A LOT going on right now.

What do you usually want to know about someone when meeting them for the first time?

It really depends. Most likely, I want to know that they are a good person. If so, we can hang.

Would you rather know everything about your spouse, or be regularly surprised?

I think you have to know the important stuff: kids, money, future, etc... But a little surprise is good. Keeps things interesting. I love finding out things that make me love him more.

If you could live in one city for the rest of your life, where would you live?

I don't think I could narrow it to city, but I would definitely stay in Minnesota. It's home. Even when it's god-awful cold and our sports teams always suck. It's still where I want to be. The list of places I want to travel to is a mile long, however.

When you go out of town, what one material thing do you ALWAYS take?

Hair straightener. I assume you don't mean clothes and shoes and the like. Yeah, hair straightener.

Using no more than 10 nouns, and ONLY nouns, describe yourself.

Lover; Fighter; Sister; Daughter; Student; Friend; Minnesotan; Scandanavian; Woman; and (almost) Wife!

{You bet your ass I referred to my Schoolhouse Rock days for what is a noun and what isn't. This was actually really difficult! Ha ha}

Link up and play!

My Dialect Vlog

Alright folks. I caved. I did the dialect vlog that's been going around.

The word list:

Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

And the questions:

• What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
• What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
• What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
• What do you call gym shoes?
• What do you say to address a group of people?
• What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
• What do you call your grandparents?
• What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
• What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
• What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

And now for my debut. Enjoy!

Migraines

My friend and I set up a "gym date" twice a week. I offered to pick her up so that I have the additional motivation to get up and go.

At 5:30am.

I don't do mornings well. And anything before 7 is unspeakably early.

But I thought it would get my blood flowing early in the day and keep me motivated throughout.

I have been struggling to get myself in bed earlier at night so I can wake up earlier in the mornings. I tend to stay up late reading or studying and therefore suffer through the mornings after my alarm goes off (usually multiple times.)

I'm already getting 5-6 hours of sleep each night.

I need to AT LEAST maintain that. Although, more would definitely be better.

The problem is that my schedule is just too full. I have so much on my plate that by the time I get home to even start my homework, it's 7pm or later.

Which is why I'm up until 2am.

Now add to the mix migraines.

I've always been susceptible to them when I get less sleep. If I go a couple nights in a row with 5-6 hours, I will most likely get a migraine which keeps me in bed for the morning.

Then I miss class or work or both. Which puts my day all out of whack.

So, last night when I knew I would up late studying, I text my friend to let her know that I would not be able to get up for the gym in the morning. I re-set my alarm for 7am instead.

And I STILL woke up with a migraine.

And missed going to the gym.

And missed class.

Clearly, something isn't working. I need to fix this, and I need to fix it NOW.

Here is my new plan -

I'll call it "PROJECT NO MORE MIGRAINE/NO MORE CRABBY-PANTS MELISSA" (Catchy, huh?)

• It is my new mission to re-evaluate my schedule and figure out ways of increasing my sleep hours each night. Even one more hour or so would be plenty.
• I need to revise my study schedule and look for some better ways of managing my time throughout the day so I can cap my studying at 11pm (or something.)
• My new priorities will include a good night sleep and regular gym schedule
• Once my military health care kicks in, go to a migraine specialist and see if there are other techniques I can use to help
• Evaluate whether my job is valuable enough at this point to take up as much of my calendar as it does - Will I be served just as well by making my health, my grades and my classes a priority over a job that is not a long-term value?

This weekend, I will launch my NO MORE MIGRAINES plan so you can help keep me motivated.

At the very least, by saying it out loud, I'm requiring a higher level of commitment.

'Cause now the universe (and blog-o-sphere) know. I can't turn back now!

Wordless Wednesday: The Archives

From the archives...Starting with my most recent past.

(I'll go back farther after I get my scanner and old photo albums up and running!)

Circa 2001 - Trip to London

Circa 2002 - Senior Prom

Purging

Since I had an extra day this weekend I was able to tackle one of the big projects on my

TO DO LIST: go through my closet.

I try to do it every 4 months or so.

Three piles: Keep / Toss / Sell or Donate

This time around, my roommate sat in my room and helped and she got first dibs on anything I was getting rid of. My other roommate went through the pile later and took a few additional items.

I was able to purge out 60 or so clothing items (20 more went to my roommates).

I purged 4 pairs of shoes, 5 purses, a couple belts and other random accessories.

I even went through my drawers and got rid of some un-opened lotions, body washes and the like.

It was incredibly freeing to get so many unused items out of my life.

My space is more organized, more accessible and there's simply more room.

And now, I get an excuse to go shopping.

And the Army Strikes Again...

Cardinal rule of milspouses...don't write something in pen on your calendar.

And you certainly can't count down to anything.

Like a wedding.

As it turns out that "promise" that Al's CO gave him about a 4-day pass the weekend we were getting married was one of those pesky Army-style promises and not the real thing.

To be fair, his CO didn't know that this would happen when he gave Al the OK.

In fact Al's orders came from higher.

He's going to a school. To train on their new vehicles.

Actually to train on how to train others on their new vehicles.

It gets better. Even though the class doesn't start until the Tuesday AFTER we were getting married they are requiring him to travel from Ft. Bliss to Ft. Benning the Thursday before.

And better yet, it's for 6 weeks.

That means we can't get married when he gets back because there won't be enough time to get the paperwork taken care of and an apartment squared away before I move down there this summer.

We're left with getting married sometime in the next month.

The next weekend he can get a 4-day pass to come home we're getting married.

As much as the Army sucks sometimes, Al and I and our families have really rallied through this. And honestly, this just means I get to marry my best friend, my soldier and the greatest man I know that much sooner. This just might be a blessing in disguise.

You can bite me, dear Army, and then I can give you a big hug for giving me all I've ever wanted. Our love-hate relationship will live on forever.

What I Love About My Man: Week 1

What I Love About My Man...

Is when he says just the right thing at just the right time.

The story:

You might remember the problems I've been having with my sister. And OF COURSE you remember that Al and I moved up our wedding and having a small legal ceremony in February.

With all the stuff my sister is going through, she is having a really difficult time being involved in the wedding and keeping positive about someone else's life.

It might affect whether or not she is even there for the ceremony.

Shortly after a conversation with her the other day, I was pretty upset.

We've been running around looking at possible times to have it and where to have it, just to accommodate her schedule. Somehow, with everything she is going through she has turned even the one day that is supposed to be about me, into something about her.

And I was pissed.

I called Al and he patiently listened to my complaining, my cursing, my yelling and my crying. "My whole life has been about her. My whole life the world has revolved around that girl. And on the ONE day it's supposed to be about me, it is somehow still about her!?!" I said.

And his quiet reply: "It's still about you. You are going through all this trouble because on YOUR day you want YOUR sister to be there. YOU know that having her there matters to YOU. These sacrifices are being made so YOU can have the happy day that you want. It's not about her happiness, it's about yours."

That is what I love about my man.

What do you love about yours?

Link up and tell me.

What I Wore Wednesday

Linking up here and gettin' All Dressed Up with No Model Lady!

Now, most weeks I dress up in business or business casual because of work or other things, but you happened to catch me on a casual day. But it was a day where I wore 3 whole outfits, so I thought it would be fun to play along.

{You'll have to forgive the camera-phone, dirty mirror and un-edited photos. I will be more prepared next week!}

My outfit for class...

Outfit:

Cardigan & tunic top - Both clearance Kohl's rack finds

Skinny Jeans - Old Navy

Boots - Z London

Wrap Scarf - Forever 21

After class, I headed to the gym

(Try sneaking pictures at the gym without getting weird looks. What a chore!)

Outfit:

Long sleeve tee, headband and shorts - Target

Armband courtesy of the US Navy

Tee courtesy of my law school bookstore

New Balances not shown

Then I showered and got dressed to go see my sister in Pinocchio.

Outfit:

Herringbone blazer - Charlotte Russe

V-neck sweater - Target

Dark wash jeans - Urban Sophisticate (Providence, RI)

Argyle socks - Target

Grey tweed and black stacked heels - Kohls

Because it's Minnesota and it's cold here I added:

Black Pashmina that I got as a Christmas gift

Black fleece convertible gloves

This also shows my awesome plum leather satchel bag from Shoedazzle

And this is what a look like in traffic

Shades from a market in Florida

That's what I wore today!

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A New Series

I would like to start a series/meme/segment about the wonderful men that we support in this carzy, mixed-up ride of military life!

I'll call it:

What I love about my man

Now, I need a few things from you.

One, I need someone who is willing/able to make me a button for the meme. I could figure it out but simply don't have the time. If someone is able to volunteer a bit of time to do it, I will send you a goodie as a thank you!

Second, I need volunteers to submit stories.

Basically, each week I will post a question/theme/topic and ask for stories you have about you and your man that fit in that theme. You will be able to post the stories on your blog and link up to a linky-list I will create.

I will start this Thursday with a story about Al and myself and pose the topic/theme for your links. I will leave it open for the weekend to share and close it Sunday nights.

Hopefully we can share some fun stories and enjoy learning a little more about each other and our men!

Semester 3 Scheduling

Well, day 1 didn't kill me.

In fact, I think this semester is going to be delightful.

Sure, it will be a LOT of work, but it's the first semester where I love all my professors, really enjoy the material I'm learning and feel like I'm interacting with professional, interesting people.

Finally.

I haven't started my fellowship yet, so I don't know how that will affect my schedule.
It will be a lot of work but, it should round out the spare time in my calendar quite nicely.

I have also scheduled two mornings each week to go to the gym with my girlfriend. I'll pick her up, we'll work out, get ready at the gym and head to class together.

It will keep me accountable because I'll be her ride and it will get my days going early.

Blood pumping = brain pumping = more productive days

My classes are spread out enough to allow me to get most of my homework done during the days instead of at night, so even though my days are still pretty long, I will come home to relax, unwind and hit the sack.

So, hopefully with everything this semester, I can have a happier, more effective semester to make up for the last one. It certainly can't be worse then the last one.

DADT: My Thoughts

I appreciate your patience while I put together my thoughts in my head on this topic. It has been difficult because I wanted to make sure I had a couple sources to use to back up my thoughts, and of course, that I had really thought about it from all angles.

So, here goes.

My first reaction to it is why the heck can't they serve in the military, freely and openly?

We don't have a draft.

No-one is FORCED to serve in our military.

And God knows I don't want to do what many of our service-members do.

So, if someone selflessly offers their service to our country, their sexual orientation is the LAST thing I'm thinking about.

But, does it affect the other service-members?

I don't think it does, or at least, should. I look at it this way. Sometimes you'll serve alongside someone with a different religion, a different family life or background, or a different culture or nationality...

Does that affect their skill as a soldier, sailor, marine? Not usually.

Does that affect how well you work with them? No.

In fact, you probably give the guy a little shit 'cause he's Jewish and not Catholic and then you pick up your rifle, head to chow and do your job together. With love and respect.

Why should sexual orientation be different?

Because it's icky. At least that's some views.

And it's fine if you feel that way.

I was raised in a religious home and I was raised to believe the homosexuality is a sin.

And for a long time I believed that. I know many people in my life who still do.

Those people are entitled to their opinions (as long as they have them respectfully) just as sure as I'm entitled to mine.

Good people should be able to look past something they think is "wrong" or "icky" and look to a person. Especially if that person is defending our great nation.

(And defending the very right to love who we love and live how we live.)

I know there are logistical concerns. This will probably cost the department of defense a lot of money in military contracts by allowing people out early or allowing early retirement. I definitely think it's appropriate for the military to allow service-members and families who are no longer comfortable serving under the new rules to get out. Just like it's not OK to force gay service-members to hide their sexual orientation, it's not OK to force others to accept it.

(Especially since the military runs on required contracts that the members often have little control over during the in-between periods.)

This repeal (which isn't guaranteed as of yet) might even cost resources, time and lives. I don't know how hard those sacrifices will be, but I tend to think they're worth it.

The bottom line: you love who you love.

And what-the-hell good is a strong military fighting for our freedoms when our freedoms are contingent on your sexual orientation. Not really what we're fighting for, is it?

Whether you agree with the lifestyle or support the decision, being gay should not matter when it comes to giving your heart, time and life to our great military and even greater nation.

Resources:

The actual law

The repeal

Commentary #1, #2 & #3 (from varying perspectives)

Wikipedia (a good overview)

A New Day

I start classes tomorrow.

It's another semester.

Heck, it's a whole new year.

It's 14 weeks.

Four months.

In those months I will:

Spend 130 hours in a law class

Teach 75 hours of high-school classes

Work 210 hours

Spend 180 hours studying

(And somewhere near 10 sleeping...ha ha)

During those months I will also:

Love my friends and family a little more

Take better care of my health and my body

Every once in a while STOP studying and do something fun or relaxing.

OH, and marry the most amazing man I've ever met in my life.

It's going to be an incredible 14 weeks. Here I go!

Family

With all the wedding buzz around here, I've had my cell phone permanently attached to my ear.

Getting all the plans lined up for even a small, intimate, informal ceremony takes work!

But what has made it SO absolutely worth it is my family.

Not only have they been supportive of our (slightly crazy and definitely sudden) decision to move things up a bit, they have jumped head-first into helping me put it all together.

Here's a good example:

Thursday, I get a call from my mother.

Mom: Do you want to go dress shopping on Saturday?

Me: For what? Can't I just wear something in my closet? It is just an informal ceremony.

Mom: NO! He's wearing his uniform, you can't just wear something grungy from your closet.

Me: Grungy? I have lots of nice dresses.

Mom: I'm buying.

Me: What time?

We found a beautiful dress.

It's champagne-colored, knee-length and fits just right.

Something simple and classic that will look great next to Al's Class-A's.

And of course I had to get a new pair of shoes too.

My aunt called from Florida (who has a winter home there and can't make it back for the ceremony due to dogs and house guests and various other complications/costs) and offered to help. She bought the shoes for me.

Considering I intended to pay for all of this myself, being that I'm a grown woman and Al and I agreed that we'd prefer it that way...I feel considerably spoiled right now.

And very, very blessed to have such a great family.

I'm getting married...

In 43 days.

{Blink. Blink.}

Yep.

We're making the Army work for us for a change and we're doing the stereotypical "two wedding-lollapolooza!"

{making all the arrangements has been a little crazy and it part of the reason I've been MIA from blog-land. Forgive me?}

The biggest motivator is that I am going to move to El Paso over the summer, then return to Minnesota for my last year of school.

This is right for us.

No doubt.

I am so very, very happy.

Wordless Wednesday: A Sneak Peek

My New Year Wish List

Al leaves today.

Good-byes suck every time.

Since I'm spending my last few hours with him before I bring him to the airport, I put together this little post in advance.

It's not a list of practical, emotional or realistic things I want.

Just a bunch of materialistic items that I would love to treat myself to.

Clothes, shoes and Accesories:

A pair of nude-colored, round toe pumps

(found here)

Furry moccasin slippers

(like these, or these)

Long Jane pj's

(from Vickie's)

Mid-High Minnetonka Moccasin boots

(found here)

A fur vest and fur earmuffs

(found here and here)

Things and Stuff:

A counter-top wine rack

(found here)

OR

A mini wine-fridge

(like this)

Books, movies and music:

True Prep - It's a Whole New Old World - Lisa Birnbach

Shoo, Jimmy Choo: A modern girl's guide to spending less and saving more - Catey Hill

Nancy Drew's Guide to Life; Nancy Drew Cookbook & The Official Nancy Drew Handbook

Planet Earth - The BBC Series

FRIENDS: Complete DVD Series

A Letter to My Sister

{She doesn't read my blog. She knows how to find it and that she is welcome to read it. But even if she never reads this, I've said what I need to say. And if she does ever decide to read my blog, maybe, just maybe, she'll hear me.}

Dear sister,

There are a lot of challenges I've faced in my life; a lot of jobs I've had and classes I've taken.

But the biggest challenge AND the one I looked forward to the most, was being your big sister.

And for the entire time I've known you, that role has made me happy.

But recently I am scared for you and I worry for our relationship.

On one hand, I'm angry. You are better than this. You have too much to give the world.

You are smart and beautiful. You are funny and charming.

You dance to the beat of your own drum.

I want the world to see those qualities like I do.

Instead, though, you are hiding those qualities behind other behavior. Uglier behavior. It isn't you.

I'm angry that you aren't listening.

I'm angry that you ask for help from me, from our parents, from others...and we help. We always will.

But then you don't want to change. Your habits don't change. Your attitude doesn't either.

On the other hand, I'm sad.

I am sad that you are hurting. I know you are hurting. It feels like there is nothing I can do.

I want to reach out and hug you. For hours. Because even though I'm angry, I still love you.

I'm still here for you.

And I don't judge you. I really don't.

God knows I'm not perfect.

I've made mistakes with men, with money, with grades.

And I know there are times I've hurt you.

But I am tired. I want our relationship to be better. I want you to trust me. To reach out to me.

Mostly, I want you to stop hurting. I want you to feel better. And I want you to DO better.

Do better for your family, for your future and mostly, for yourself.

Because just like the world deserves to see everything you have to offer.

You deserve the best this world can give you.

I'm here for you. Whenever you're ready.

For a hug, a good ass-kicking or a good laugh.

I can't go easy on you anymore. I have to preserve myself a little bit. But I will ALWAYS love you.

To the end of time.

With everything I've got.

Now it's your turn to love yourself again.

Your sister, always. - Melissa

1-1-11

Welcome to the new year, folks. It's 2011.

I am stoked to see what the new year will bring.

This time next year I will be ONE semester away from graduating law school.

I will be six months from having Al home with me, in Minnesota, for good.

And I will be 9 months away from getting married to my best friend.

Ok, so it sounds like all the excitement is happing in 2012.

Even still, 2011 should be a pretty darn good year.

And I can hardly wait to get started!