Heading to Fargo for Joan and Keith's wedding in a few hours. With Labor Day/Lake/State Fair traffic both Matt and I decided to do our packing, eat dinner, and other prep work today after work. There is no point in getting on the road early, only to sit in traffic. We could leave at 4:30 and get to Fargo at midnight, or leave at 6:30 and get to Fargo at midnight. I pick the latter....

The weekend will be interesting. Joan has not been the best at making Matthew feel like a part of her "new life". Matt tries to not act bothered by it, but I know that deep down he is. With his father gone, and that side of his family pretty much out of the picture due to distance, he is really left sort of the odd man out now. Luckily my family has embraced him. In fact, I think they would take him over me any day!

The new undergrads are on campus now. It is hard to believe it has been nine years since I faced the fear and uncertainty of being a freshman in college. I sort of feel like a grizzled, crusty sailor now. It is also hard to fathom that I have been in "higher education" for almost a decade now.....as a student! I consider myself lucky that all of it has been paid for. Time flies when you are having fun.

Matt's birthday is coming up next week. I am doing my now annual tapas (NOT topless) party. Basically, I cook up LOTS of yummy spanish foods and drink tons of sangria. I am once again lucky that my mom can come and help with food prep/cleaning/and drinking, so Matt can play host and enjoy his b-day. We are coming home early on Sunday so I can get into lab. I have to take all day 9/11 off to start cooking for this thing....which me luck.