Sigh

It is a harsh reality that everywhere doesn't get to enjoy summer-like weather all year long.  And, that those same places that are have mostly summer-like weather don't get to enjoy the beauty of snow falling gently to the ground. 

We both had mixed emotions about returning to Minnesota after spending the past weekend in Arizona.

It was lots of fun to be with Ben's family this weekend as his youngest brother got married.  That means we are both up to date on meeting all of the Joslins (I finally met my last brother-in-law and his now wife, and we both got to see the new babies).  We also got to visit with Ben's "grandma" and my last mission companion.

Even as great as it was in Arizona, it was nice to come back to our own home and not live out of our suitcases and not worry about what we didn't remember to pack in the suitcases.  And, our daily routines are back to normal (even if it is work and school).  But, we came home to one car covered in snow and a little bit of a slippery drive home from the airport.

I guess we'll never be able to find one place that suits us all.  Ben would definitely miss the snow if we moved to Arizona.

Anyway, we are looking forward to Thanksgiving this week.  We have lots we are thankful for, like the following:

Law school being over soon
No more kidney stone issues
Being able to sit next to each other on the airplane
Our Sing-a-ma-jig babies :)
Getting a co-teacher in primary
Going back to Arizona after the snow starts falling
Only having to drive about 10 miles for Thanksgiving
Watching JAG online
Skype stalking

And that just barely scratches the surface.  One of my coworkes wishes all the customers a happy turkey day, and everytime he says it it makes me cringe a little.  We aren't celebrating a bird.  It's a day that has been specifically set aside to reflect on all the things we have received, will yet receive, and give thanks for them.  It makes me a little sad to think he only thinks about the meal.

Sigh.  So it goes.

I finally lived through one of my fears Monday night, and I've been waiting for it to happen since I was 16.

Unfortunately, I didn't pay this price for gas.

I had stopped on the way home to get gas at the gas station I usually stop at at the corner of the street.  Thinking nothing of it, I get out of the car with my debit card and keys (because I have locked them inside the car at this same gas station), and started going through the regular motions: slide debit card, take the gas cap off, etc.  I started pumping the gas, and read the adds there at the pump.  It got me thinking about a possible Christmas present for Ben, and while I was off in my thoughts, I heard a splurt, splurt, and then the sound of something spilling onto the ground.  It was the GASOLINE pouring out of my gas tank!  I just kind of stared at it for a minute not sure what to do and not wanting the get gas all over my hand, and then I jumped into action and stopped the gas from pumping and took the pump out of my car.

By the time I stopped the pump, over a gallon of gas had poured all over my car and the ground.  Luckily, since I have been paranoid about this for ever, I had been standing on that little raised part right around the pump itself.  If I hadn't been, mt pants would also be covered in gas.  Trying to be a good person, I went inside to let the attendant know.  All he said was, "Oh. Sorry."  I just looked at him for a minute, and then decided it wasn't worth my time to stand there waiting for him to offer me something.  I went back to my car afraid that I'm going to make a spark and explode and very carefully called Ben to make sure I wouldn't explode.  Luckily, I made it home in one piece, but my car smelled like gasoline for the next day.