If you like to talk to tomatoes...

OK, here we are!

Aren't we cute?

The Bob costume is actually a cheery-looking torture device. Simply getting in and out of the thing required the service of several people, and most of the time it was the guys who were helping me which was fairly awkward. I had to wear a large metal backpack which held the rechargable battery and provided structure to Bob's body. The backpack left bruises on the top of my head and my hips where they dug into my flesh. As you can see from the picture, my hands extended outside of the costume and it was impossible to adjust the costume, scratch an itch, or otherwise do anything for myself once I had the gloves on! Not only that, but I had zero peripheral vision and could not hear from the fan blowing inside of the outfit (it kept Bob inflated). I was blind, deaf, and helpless, not to mention ROASTING! So... that's the inside scoop. It was an interesting experience to say the least. I actually have respect for the poor souls who play Disney characters now!

But don't believe my whining... it was totally worth it...

News!!!!!

Sometimes I really dig a perfectly ordinary day. Like today. Slept in, exhibited at an event for my job, did a very small bit of shopping at the mall, then came home to clean out my car and do the bi-annual wardrobe swap where I exchange my cold-weather duds for my much-more-fun shorts and sundresses. Spring is in full bloom here and it's impossible to be in a bad mood when everything surrounding me is so beautiful!

I am so excited that I have quite a few things to look forward to. Here's a few:

- Tomorrow's the grand opening for our new store. Guess who gets to be Bob the Tomato?? Eric's playing Larry. It's going to be hilarious!

- Next month, my good buddy Tamara's getting married!!! I'm so happy for her. She's the gal who spent a week with me in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island a few years back. Tamara and her cutie fiance are tying the knot in Asheville at the Biltmore Estate, then having a dinner reception in the champagne cellar there. She deserves the royal treatment and I'm so glad she's getting it! As for me, today I bought a hot new dress for the occasion. I've had my eye on it for weeks and it finally went on sale. Woo-hoo!!

- The day after Tamara's wedding is my birthday. Don and I will go out and do pretty much whatever I want, and I know my gals from my Monday-nite get-togethers are going to want to do something to celebrate, too. We're a little crazy like that.

- The end of May/beginning of June is our annual vacation. We decided to go to Sanibel Island this year. We reserved a gorgeous condo for a week, plan to drive to Key Largo for some snorkeling one day, and hit Busch Gardens in Tampa on the way back home.

- In August, I START SCHOOL!!!!!! Yes, I'm finally going back! Full-time, even! I'll be working on my master's degree in information sciences at the University of Tennessee. I wish I could go ahead and start today!

- We just booked our flights to go to Costa Rica next January. My parents very generously donated their award miles to me and my dh. What an amazing gift! We selected Costa Rica for several reasons... volcanoes, rain forests and accompanying tropical wildlife, beaches, warm in January (we had no other choice of time to go - long story), it's relatively safe, and the American dollar has actually been increasing in buying power there over the past few years. I am so excited about all of the research I will be doing over the coming months to arrange our trip... dreaming about it is half the fun!

I am so happy and thankful for the way things are going. I know that the sun will not always shine so brightly on me... that's life. But I will bask in it for now, and be grateful for every minute!

Updates

I've intended to do better about posting, but I can't seem to find the time anymore!

The dh & I drove to NJ last weekend to visit his fam. The visit was very pleasant and truly exceeded my expectations in every aspect. Nothing against anyone personally, but the past few times I've been around Don's parents, there has been some sort of disaster involved! Not this time, though. We stayed with Don's cousin John and Beth, John's fiancee. I had not met her before, but had met many of John's friends in the past, so let's just say I had no idea what to expect! I was grateful to find in her a kindred spirit... she's so happy and friendly, and I liked her immediately. What a blessing she is to John and to our family!

I do enjoy visiting NJ. I can see how it would be appealing... the gorgeous old colonial neighborhoods, bustling downtowns, vibrant immigrant culture, authentic Italian pizzerias on every corner. However, I couldn't take being there long term... gotta have my space to stretch out and get away from people.

Today was moving day for our store... we've relocated from our cramped 35-yr-old building with overflowing toilets to a spacious, stylish, sparkling new facility. It's truly beautiful, but will take some getting used to due to its size. I actually cried today as I walked out of our old haunt for the last time. I have so many wonderful memories there... and I'm sure I will at our new place too... but the sentimental side of me really wasn't prepared for the way it would feel to leave! I know God has used the experiences I've had there to shape me into being a better person, and I look forward to seeing how He'll continue to mold me through my position there.

Got a call from a dear friend today. It was one of those strange occasions when you see the person's name on the caller ID and immediately know something is wrong. My heart dropped to my stomach, and as I answered the phone, I was so grateful that I was on break and had some free time for about an hour. Unfortunately, my instincts were correct. I really can't say much about that conversation other than by the end of it, I felt like dropping to my knees and thanking God for all the things I take for granted. And my heart is breaking for this precious girl who I consider to be my sister.

I have so many other things that I wish I could post, but it's not just time for that yet. ;) Hopefully soon!