We do apologize for the delay in posting. So make up for it, we are posting several back-entries today.

I have decided that I do not want to become the stereotypical ‘50s housewife when I get married and feel the need to host dinner parties complete with pasta and dessert. Don’t get me wrong, dinner parties with friends and couples are more than their share of fun and of course should be indulged, but I never, ever, wanted to be described as stuffy or predictable.

All of this rambling comes from a lovely dinner A and I went to this evening with a few friends who are newly married, and are honestly amazing people. It was good to meet more of A’s friends and for him to relive some fond memories of earlier years. It makes you realize that it’s nice to get all sentimental sometimes in life because time only speeds up as you get older. Yet aside from all the happy memories, the occasion just made me realize how I don’t want to live my married life.

There was no significant driving accomplished today. Just relaxing. A and I deemed today our “lay-around” day to take care of some laundry, and make sure to have a few hours filled with the Soprano mob family. After days of continual driving and lots of people-meeting, I said we had to have a day of doing mostly nothing (God definitely had it right when he said there must be a day of rest), as we had gone too long without one. Doing nothing rocks.

And while the laundry pile hasn’t quite diminished yet, A and I did accomplish one thing: cleaning out the increasingly gross truck. In serious need of some thorough grooming, we emptied everything, dried all the tent and camping equipment and then hurried over to the gas station to vacuum the thing clean. No longer will I dread getting back into the car for the long ride home tomorrow now that it has been scrubbed and de-cramped of too much stuff.   It shines almost like new.

Tomorrow is the beginning of the end of the road trip. Eighteen hours of driving through Oregon, a little in Idaho, Utah, and then Colorado. We will stop over just north of Denver to see my best friend and drop Russ (who will be coming back with us) and A off in Estes National Park. Should be some interesting times ahead.