The Capped Crusader Strikes Again

"I am alive again! I am alive again!"

Yes, that's right--after a weekend that reminded me of being in school. Only I was still getting 8 hours (or at least 7) of sleep a night, which would have been really good for school. I guess I must be spoiled.

Friday began around 5 (a.m.)--not the best way of making for Happy Hannahs. This was an old job day--and I originally thought I might be home in time to get some work done on new job, but it didn't happen that way.

And then Saturday my mom and I took out for the eastern side of the state. I ran around frantically that morning trying to pack and print things and being stressed. Because I like to be stressed. My mom did almost all the driving and we had a good time on the road, and a nice time seeing cousins on the way, and cousins' children, one of whom was only two weeks old.

We stayed with 3 single ladies from the church. I told my mother that if I am single when I reach that time of life, I want a home exactly like it--except without the cats. It was a perfect blend of old and new and country elegance, with wooden floors and a stone fireplace and a cathedral ceiling with wooden beams, and bay windows...and a spinning wheel. And plenty of quiet good humor.

I had a marvelous time with the church the next day--they are just the sort of Christians it's easy to like. We had a wonderful time of real fellowship and joining in excitement about serving God. It was really wonderful being with them and visiting with their missions board.

We stopped and said hi to Jason and his mom. It was nice to see a good enemy again and have a little catching up and a little reminiscing. I was mostly nice.

And then we went on to another town, where my mom knows some folks who had invited people from their church to come hear about the mission. It was nice getting to meet them and share with them too. But on a side note: it is decidedly not pleasant to sit across the table from two people who know each other and spend the whole meal time discussing places and people in South Dakota. Remind me never to do that.

And a long trip home--but my mom drove. We changed into something more comfortable in a convenience store restroom and snuck out. I wouldn't have wanted anyone to see--my dress shoes and heart socks didn't coordinate with the pants sticking out from under my dress coat.

Monday more work--and then I took Charissa with me to my office after supper, where I had to stay to get this week's paper finished. We were there until 10:30--which I suppose would be early for school too. I needed the company--especially since I was writing about a murder trial, and the office can be a little spooky alone at night. I could tell it was late, though--I read back through something I had written and found this brilliant sentence: "it is our job to inform you, so that you can be informed." That one did get edited out. I'm beginning to think the office is "whereing" off on me--it sounds like something the guy before me would have written (the title of the post is a reference to his last column in the paper, in which he said "some fine, young, capped crusader" would replace him--I had visions of me in a various number of caps before someone pointed out to me that he probably meant "caped...").

So now I am celebrating my last day of old job by drinking coffee and writing on blogs.

And for those of you who think I'm from a small town, a note: we have a hip new coffee shop that doesn't close until 7 o'clock at night. I guess I have to make fun of it to you because I make fun of cities to people here. ;)