Updates

Over spring break I went to the dermatologist to get some medicine for my eczema, and I'm pleased with how well it's been working. I used to have red splotches all over my lower legs, but now they're fading. It's actually gotten to the point where if you saw them you'd ask what happened to my legs, instead of just having an internal debate about whether I really had leprosy, or if it was merely the worst case of scabies known to man. However, my pleasure at this turn of events has not eclipsed my chagrin at the fact that soon we'll have...a minivan.

I should have gotten over it by now, and for the most part I have. I no longer get anxious at the idea of purchasing the minivan, but whenever I picture myself driving it, well...let's just say the "I'm not this old" jitters come rushing back. I was really surprised in that peoples' responses to the van is split 50/50 between positive and negative, and that two of the negatives came from Meghan and Kathy, who are highly pregnant and a stay-at-home mom, respectively. Damn, if they aren't ready for a minivan, how could I be?

Mike doesn't understand my trepidation at all.

"I've never had any minivan stigma," he told me. "I have fond memories of being in that van." He also keeps thinking of new things we could haul. Just yesterday he emailed me at work to remind me that we could use it to take our bikes places. And I have to admit, he has a point. Right now I can only fit my bike in my car, and that's only if I remove a wheel.

Of course, it may be awhile before we get it. His parents still have to find their new van, and they have standards. They want all the trimmings except leather seats. His mom really doesn't like them (I think they're too slippery for her, with her mobility problems) and wants regular cloth upholstery. Apparently it's tough to find a vehicle that's fully loaded except for leather seats.

Anyway, for now we're managing. Mike walks or rides the bus to work every day, and I pick him up in the evenings. It's not such a bad way to live.