For those of you who have been reading for the last week or so, you know that Honey and I are going to Mexico. FOR A WEEK.
WITHOUT. THE. KIDS.
I may or may not be REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
If I actually stop to think about the reality of not seeing my children, or the chance that the plane could crash and I will thus plunge to my death, I then curl up into the fetal position and chant, “I am in my happy place. I am in my happy place.”
Let us block out that paranoia for a few moments.
While looking through our honeymoon photos for this post, I was brought way back in time. For I married my sweetheart, the love of my life, my Honey almost eight years ago.
On May 20, 2000, we pledged Til Death Do Us Part. The very next day we boarded a plane to embark on a one week honeymoon in the Mayan Riviera.
Looking back on these photos made me giddy and weepy all at the same time. I cannot believe that it was almost eight years ago, as we still talk about that week like it happened mere months ago. Walk with me down memory lane…
I sat under an umbrella, as the fruity drink in my hand did not come with one.
Me in a bikini.
While I may currently be about ten pounds lighter than I was in this photo, I have about 80% less muscle tone. And 100% less skin colour. I have started working out in anticipation of our trip, and may just hang that photo on the wall to keep me inspired.
Here is a photo of The Honeymooners. We were so YOUNG!
After developing this roll, Honey threw his bottle of Sun-In in the trash. Because SERIOUSLY.
Here is one of my all-time favourite photos of him.
It used to sit on my desk when I worked in an office. I still have it in a frame.
Here is one of me in the pool. I spent a lot of time in there to keep cool. (I am a poet and did not know it.) I use the same cooling technique (water) here during the summer, but summer ended many months ago.
Do you remember what blazing heat feels like? ME NEITHER.
Here are a few beach shots for you. The view South.
The view North.
We are heading back to the Mayan Riviera at the end of February. We will take the kidlets to stay at Matthew’s parents and then we will jet off to our second honeymoon. It is not the exact same resort that we stayed at on our honeymoon, but it is the same chain. The photos look identical, which has me clapping my hands in glee. It is a five-star, high-class, all-inclusive resort.
It. Will. Be. Amazing.
Of this I am sure.
What I am unsure of, however, are a few other peripheral issues. This is where you come in.
1. The Mop
You may have noticed that I had cornbraids. It took two women THREE HOURS to do my hair. My hair is that thick. I have had numerous hairdressers ask me how in the heck I am able to keep my head upright.
It is a struggle most days, but so far I am winning.
Should I do cornbraids again? If not, I need tips on what to do with my hair. My hair + humidity = a look similar to this.
That is also what my hair looked like when I took the cornbraids out. I kid you not. If I get them again, I promise to take a photo of the aftermath.
So. Cornbraids? Or slather my head in Vaseline? You decide.
2. The camera
We are planning on getting a point-and-shoot camera with our Airmiles (Hooray for free stuff!) to have for fishing/hiking/beach excursions to keep my precioussssss Canon 40D safe. I was first thinking that I would only bring the point-and-shoot to Mexico, but I have a feeling that I will get there and wish I had my fancy-dancy camera and other lenses with me. We have a safe in our room so it will be, um, safe…I am just wondering if it will be worth the hassle of carrying it on the plane with me.
3. The laptop
Speaking of hassle…
I do not plan on being on the Internet while we are away (Riiiiight. OK. I am serious. No Internet. I’ll be in MEXICO, people!) but I am thinking I should bring the laptop for the photos aspect. Even thought I have a big LCD screen on my camera, I always like to view them on the laptop to see if they turned out the way I wanted. I would hate to get home and then smack my head and say, “That shot would have been amazing if I had only (fill in the blank)!”
Should I bring it? (Tell Honey me it will be worth it.)
That is all for the questions. If you have no answers, that is totally fine. I will leave you with a final honeymoon shot.
Our last night out before we flew home.
Holy tans, Batman!
Are you half as excited as I am? Because if so, HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT?
52 Comments
Looks GREAT! You two will have a blast! I LOVE LOVE the walk down memory lane;)
Take the Canon, leave the laptop! Enjoy your time as hubby and wifey;)
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Comment by Randi on January 16th, 2008 @ 9:34 amYes to the fancy dancy camera, no to the laptop. You are supposed to be ENJOYING yourself, not worrying about how your pictures look! We will enjoy looking at your pictures whether or not they are perfect, because we will be so excited and jealous! And really, why would you want to be editing pictures when you could be eating, drinking, swimming, tanning, or making fireworks with Honey(:D)????
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Comment by Meg on January 16th, 2008 @ 9:37 amOK, here’s what we did (seven months off our honeymoon). We brought our Canon 30D (chunky thing) and the point-and-shoot. We have a camera bag that has enough room for the Canon, an extra lens and the point-and-shoot in its case. Plus all the necessary cords and cards and chargers fit nicely in the side pockets. It’s one of our carry-on items and stays with me, under my airplane seat at all times (and since our honeymoon we’ve flown twice this way).
We also bring Mike’s backpack and put the laptop in there.
It was such a great decision. We took so many gorgeous pictures. And we did take it to the beach with us and hung the bag from a nearby tree (from where I was tanning or reading) so the bag was never near the sand, but we could take beach shots if we wanted.
Every night we’d upload the pics to the laptop and then organize the pictures into folders by day (by excursion, basically).
It seems like a lot of extra stuff to bring, but it really isn’t. We have to keep track of basically one extra bag (camera bag) and it’s so worth it.
And for all boating day trips we had, we brought the point and shoot.
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Comment by She Likes Purple on January 16th, 2008 @ 9:40 amLooks like FUN!! WOW and beautiful!
Forget the laptop. Bring the camera!! Imagine how great all those scenes will look with your new photo skills?!
I haven’t been to the Mayan Riviera. Just Puerto Vallarta and Cabo twice. Mexico doesn’t treat my tummy very nicely.
I think all those scary thoughts before Andrew and I have left the kids! I say lots of Hail Marys (I’m Catholic) on the plane and kiss the ground when we land safely.
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Comment by LVGurl on January 16th, 2008 @ 9:56 amI AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU! (and not a bit jealous … okay maybe a bit … or a lot)
Okay, this may not be what you wanted to hear … but I’d leave the 40D and the laptop at home. Why? Because if you brought them, you’d miss out on some sweet Honey time! If I went away, I’d miss my camera and my laptop desperately, but in the end I’d be glad I left them at home … just like my kids.
But, if you had to bring one or the other … I’d bring the camera. I’d just be SO scared the whole time! But really, it’s just stuff, right? *Pot calling the kettle black, I know!* And about the plane crashing … you’re in God’s hands my dear! Did you know that you have a better chance of dying in a car accident? (I know, things you really want to hear, haha). You’re safer on a plane than you are in a car … just don’t watch some hijack movie before you leave … that would throw me over the edge.
Okay, enough rambling … you look SO GORGEOUS in your pictures and you still look gorgeous now … so HAVE A GREAT DAY MY DEAR!!!
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Comment by Jen on January 16th, 2008 @ 10:18 amYou’re hilarious. My only input is that you should think of the regret you would have if something happened to your camera while you were on your trip. What a bummer I am, eh?!
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Comment by Elizabeth on January 16th, 2008 @ 10:21 amMy hubby is planning a second honeymoon for us in Sept. (it’s our 5th anniversary)…and I’m feeling the same way about leaving my kiddo. I’m very nervous but at the same time SOOOOOO excited!
I say take both the camera and the laptop…there’s always 10 minutes of downtime a day that you can at least empty the memory on your camera…because how horrible would you feel if you accidentally deleted all the gorgeous photos on your last day? (this being the reason we’re taking our laptop on our trip!)…plus you can then play with all your photos on the plane ride home. 
I have to agree with most everyone on the laptop/camera thing. Take camera and leave laptop. As far as the hair, what about one french braid instead of corn rows. Wouldn’t that be less time consuming? I guess it would probably come out though when you washed your hair. I can see where the corn rows would be better for that.
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Comment by SouthernBelle on January 16th, 2008 @ 10:26 amPlease get those corn braids again! You looked awesome! Unfortunately, my hair does the Monica-fro if I so much as attempt to put it in a ponytail.
And I’d be worried about the camera, too, mostly about the sand getting into my preciousssss.
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Comment by mona on January 16th, 2008 @ 10:30 amI got cornrows in mexico and was hideously mocked by ALL because apparently “Anyone over the age of 20 should not ever do it. EVER.”
That said, I thought they were fun, but personally, I don’t think it’s worth the time and hassle. How about piggies, a pony or french braid???
And?
TAKE THE CAMERA.
TAKE IT.
You will miss it terribly and if there was ever a time to TAKE a good camera, a second honeymoon is IT.
P.S.
Leave the laptop home and enjoy the beach, woman!
Loralee’s last blog post..No, no, NO!
Comment by Loralee on January 16th, 2008 @ 10:47 amLong as you have a good sized memory card, no need to upload to the laptop. They have computers at the resort if you just have to label and organize them. Enjoy your second honeymoon!
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Comment by witchypoo on January 16th, 2008 @ 10:57 amBring the camera. You will likely regret it when you go to take that gorgeous photo of that amazing sunset and your point and shoot doesn’t cut it. Maybe just take your 18-200. And leace your nether lenses in the safety of your home. That’s what I would do. Take it. I wanna see SWEET phtos when you get back. PLUS, those lazy days you’ll want to wanter around photographing cute geckos and tropical flowers and your hunnys behind as he sleeps in a deck chair. TAKE IT!
Not than I’m pressuring you. I’d understand if you chose to leave it. Your preciousssss indeed.
I’M SOOOOO JEALOOOOOOOOSE!
You need this.
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Comment by christy on January 16th, 2008 @ 11:40 amTotally unrelated, because DUDE, so jealous of your upcoming vacation over here, but has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like Courtney Cox Arquette?
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Yes. Many times.
Especially when I used to blow-dry my hair into the “Friends” ‘do.
Do you like how I use words like…”leace” and “wanter” instead of “leace” and “wander”? I’m an awesome typer.
christy’s last blog post..Becky and Travis Fletcher
Comment by christy on January 16th, 2008 @ 11:42 amWe have the same dilemna. We’re going to Costa Rica “soon” and taking the camera, several memory cards but likely not the laptop. I’m praying we bring it home with us. Our last trip to Canada it got dropped in the salty ocean. My honey says: not taking the camera to CR would be like not taking your bathing suit to the beach. True. Have fun! And if you’re interested in seeing some pet pics go to roydenspetportraits.com…you’ll see why he really wants to take the camera:)
Comment by Ruth Thomas on January 16th, 2008 @ 11:43 amhmmm, just wanted to mention something about the camera thing. We took ours on a trip to Jamaica, and it was never the same afterwards (it was a point and shoot). I’m thinking the humidity? I’ve heard though, that you can use those little salt sachets to wisk away condensation, but maybe a less expensive point and shoot is the way to go.
Karla’s last blog post..Revelations
Comment by Karla on January 16th, 2008 @ 11:44 amGreat photos of your honeymoon! And I’m excited for you about the trip, it will be so amazing!
Personally, I would take the camera and leave the laptop at home. If you take the laptop, you’ll be tempted to blog and surf the web, and you really should be spending QT (quality time) with your Honey.
Oh, and if you can afford to, I say get the cornbraids. Because they looked awesome!
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Comment by Hannah on January 16th, 2008 @ 11:53 am I can’t believe the powers that be let you and Matthew get married when you were clearly only BABIES still! Whew. And to think I have been married four years longer than you.
bethany actually’s last blog post..Makes every sleepless night worth it
A WEEK with no kids?!?!?!? I’m jealous!
As for the hair…you only honeymoon once, er, twice. So I say go for the fun ‘do!
Camera and laptop…dude, you’ll be on vacation. Do what ever you want!
Okay first of all I totally said Holy tans Batman when I saw that last picture! Then I scrolled down and laughed out loud! We think alike my friend
The hair? I have curl too but not thick… I wear it in a clip and have a hat on all.the.time. Cornbraids would not work on me. Drowned rat is what I would compare it to.
And the laptop. We are NOT taking mine. It’s too big and just another thing to carry. Granted we’ll have our kidlets with us.
YIPEEEEEEE for hot holidays!
Oh and you rocked that bikini! Not jealous. NOPE.
Okay I am.
Because you still look that GOOD!
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Comment by Kami on January 16th, 2008 @ 1:01 pmYou both looked 16!
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Comment by Amanda Brown on January 16th, 2008 @ 1:07 pmHi there. I’m pretty sure this is my first time to comment here — I *think* I found your site by way of Secret-Agent-Jo, but I can’t remember for sure. Anyway, love your blog and just had to comment on this post! My hubby and I also went to the Mayan Riviera for our honeymoon in ‘05 and your pictures look VERY familiar. Did you guys happen to stay at the Secrets Excellence resort? If so, did you just LOVE it? That’s where we stayed and it was wonderful!
Enjoy your trip!!!
Brea’s last blog post..Still so much to be done
Comment by Brea on January 16th, 2008 @ 1:14 pmSo I am totally jealous the end of Feb will come around and you will be sitting on a sunny beach in Mexico and I will be pushing a baby out my whoo whoo!
Okay I am over it.
my answers to your questions. Probably I’d go with the braids, if only so we can see the picture you take once they come out. 
I’d take your good camera and I’d take the lap top too, especially if you have free internet, that way you can use it to know how the kids are doing.
You are going to have such a good time! I am happy for you really I am.
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I think my hubby and I will be planning a Mexico or Hawaii getaway for May. We have to wait until busy tax/audit season is over so he can have time off work! Let me know a little about where you are staying and such, so maybe I can use that to plan our trip. We’re terrible at planning vacations. Thus, we haven’t really traveled much; but we decided we need to get a couple of really big trips in over the next year.
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Comment by Jill - GlossyVeneer on January 16th, 2008 @ 1:50 pmWow you two are so hot!
I have no advice, my brain is fried today. Sorry. The pictues are so lovely though, I want to go too. Our trip to Mexico is Spring break 09….so the kids can come and have fun. So long off still…..blah.
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Comment by familymclean on January 16th, 2008 @ 1:54 pmOh yeah… totally do the cornbraids. And I would take the computer, just because of your photography hobby and how it is easier to see your work on a bigger screen.
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Comment by Jill - GlossyVeneer on January 16th, 2008 @ 1:57 pm12 days until Dominican for me! No to the cornrows, yes to the camera providing your other one doesn’t get there and no, no, no to the laptop!
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Comment by Robyn on January 16th, 2008 @ 2:11 pmHmm…I’d say:
1) Ditch the cornrows and bring some type of curl control serum.
2) Bring the 40D. You will most definitely regret not bringing it. Maybe just one lens though - don’t you have an 18-200mm or something like that? That should be pretty multi-purpose.
3) Ditch the computer, unless you think you’ll need to dump memory cards. I hate lugging mine around, so I only bring it if I think I’ll come close to running out of memory card space.
So exciting! I’m so jealous! =)
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Comment by ashpags on January 16th, 2008 @ 2:34 pmYay for Mexico! Be careful- the last time we went there we came back with a little souvenier we like to call Kayla.
And that picture of Matthew that you love? Could he look any more like Nathan is that picture? Wow! Very cool:)
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Comment by Vicki on January 16th, 2008 @ 3:31 pmWow. That rocks. Im so excited for you!
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Comment by Alexandria on January 16th, 2008 @ 4:29 pmYay! I am so excited for you. As a fellow photography junky, I would recommend taking the camera. I went backpacking around Australia last year and It was a bit of a pain to carry it around everywhere, but oh so worth it. Make sure you bring proof of purchase with you though so they don’t try to ding you with duty. As for the laptop, I brought mine when I went to Mexico in April and honestly? I never used it. Not even for photos. Can’t offer any advice on the hair as I have the thinnest, dullest hair ever.
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Comment by Martha on January 16th, 2008 @ 5:06 pmYou guys haven’t changed much! It sounds like you are going to have an awesome time! Definately take the camera!!!!
Comment by Michele on January 16th, 2008 @ 5:43 pmHey Angella,
You RAWK! I love your writing … in fact, I’d hire you
Take the camera!
MK xo
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Comment by mommyknows on January 16th, 2008 @ 6:46 pmi am totally excited for you. i need to live vicariously through someone going to where there is sun and sand. oh how i love mexico!
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Comment by sizzle on January 16th, 2008 @ 7:17 pmOh Ange, I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing trip! I am actually missing Mexico…or shall I say my mom…she’s been living down there for 1 1/2. We are going to visit her next Christmas, but I do miss seeing her. Take lots of pics for us! and drink a few margaritas too!
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Comment by Holli on January 16th, 2008 @ 7:47 pm1. no cornrows (i’ve never been a fan)
2. yes camera
3. yes laptop (you can play with it while lounging on the beach or by the pool…or when your hubby is napping…etc etc.)
i’m so happy you guys picked sun vs skiing!
joyce’s last blog post..New Year’s Resolutions
Comment by joyce on January 16th, 2008 @ 7:51 pm1. no
2. meh
3. no.
look at me, all negative nelly!
Have FUNNNNNNN!
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Comment by Victoria on January 16th, 2008 @ 8:36 pmLook how cute you two are! and sooo young!!
Ok, I really have no hair advice. I have straight hair and would have said just put it in a ponytail but it sounds like thats not a workable option so I’m sorry I have nothing for you!
I would definitely take the camera and the laptop assuming its not a huge pain to carry them. You’re a great photographer and Mexico would be a fantastic setting so I think if you plan on taking photos its worth the pain of satisfying yourself that you’ve got them right. I’d impose an internet ban on yourselves though! Have a ball!!!
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Comment by Robyn on January 16th, 2008 @ 8:48 pmThose are fantastic pictures, and you look incredible! I’m supremely jealous, but then again, I did just have a dream vacation in Hawaii, so I’m getting over it. You guys will have a fantastic time - all the rest and the sun is so good for the soul.
I have nothing to suggest hair-wise. I have very curly hair, but it always behaves when I’m in Hawaii, so I have nothing helpful to suggest.
Camera and laptop? Bring ‘em both. Since there isn’t Internet in your room, the amount of time you’d spend on the computer would (I assume) be very minimal - just to upload your photos, etc.
My only question is will the safe be big enough for those, plus anything else you’d want to store in there? That might be something to consider, if the hotel room safe isn’t all that big. The safe at our hotel was big enough to hold all our valuables, but I doubt a laptop and a bigger camera than our small digital cameras would have fit.
I’m rambling. Time to stop. I’m so happy for you guys - sounds like it’s going to be a fantastic trip!
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I don’t know how I found your site…but I like it!
Great for you and your hubby. My husband and I will be married 9 years this May…we are thinking of getting away as well this spring break. Actually, after I read your post I gave my hubby a big hug and said let’s go on a trip. We have been looking at Cancun and the Mayan ruins as well. He’s never been and I have…absolutely gorgeous.
OK…enough rambling…I’d say yes to the first two. Braids…not so much. I think a french braid or little ponies would be quite cute with your curls!
Amy from Washington State!
I am so excited for you…and it must be because it is 1:00 a.m. and I am still awake!!! So see how excited I am?? I loved those pictures - you guys did look very young (not that you don’t look young now, mind you…but you did look MORE young then)
I think you SHOULD take your camera. I would….I could never leave it behind, though I would be worried, I would still take it!!!
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Comment by Dana on January 16th, 2008 @ 10:56 pmI wouldn’t be able to sleep at night either! So fun!
I would be weird about taking the nice camera, I know Robin would, cause he’s fine about carrying it all the time, I hate that it’s so heavy to lug around. But you would totally miss it, so for you I say yes to the camera, yes to the laptop, and yes to what else was it???? oh yes the hair, i really can’t help you there, my hair is lame and NOT thick. Sorry, but good luck!
p.s. loved seeing your honeymoon pictures. Love pictures from the past.
Comment by Kaili on January 16th, 2008 @ 11:02 pmAdorable photos! I don’t have my 2 cents to put in on your questions, but have fun and feel 8 years younger in Mexico! I’m so jealous!
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Comment by Erin on January 17th, 2008 @ 7:34 amI am SO excited! And SO jealous!
Especially since I just got in from lunch and it is snowing. And my feet are cold.
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Comment by Kristabella on January 17th, 2008 @ 10:50 amAlthough I absolutely LOVE the photos you take with your camera and wouldn’t be disappointed one bit if you DID take it, the newer point and shoot cameras are getting better and better. Try to get something with an extended zoom, it’s a good substitute. Your vacation should be as worry free as possible. Don’t take the laptop, big memory cards are fairly cheap, fill them up. But DO take a nice new notebook with you to jot down your activities, etc so we can hear every detail when you get back. And please get the cornbraids: 1. Because you don’t look like you’ve aged at all since the first honeymoon. 2. I need to see the after picture. 3. For continuity sake.
Comment by reddirtroad on January 17th, 2008 @ 1:55 pmTAKE THE GOOD CAMERA. You will never get home and say, “Gee, I wish I had left my nice camera behind because it was such a hassle to take on the plane” but you will absolutely say, “Gee, I wish I had taken my nice camera along because I missed so many great shots!”
Comment by Leah on January 18th, 2008 @ 12:50 pmTake the D40 and flip a coin on the laptop!! Hurrah for 2nd honeymoons!
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Comment by nicole on January 21st, 2008 @ 11:49 amJEALOUS JEALOUS JEALOUS. The time alone and the tans…man I miss being tan. I use the fake crap and I hate it…but I hate being pale more than using that crap! Enjoy.
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Comment by Filtering Life on January 22nd, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
OMG a little jealousy has set in….but the good kind. I’m so happy you get a week away to re-connect with your honey. I think that you should comprise on the laptop. You loved it the first time w/o the laptop, but you’ve lived and grown since then. I would just try to imagine how much time you will actually have to play with the laptop and view the pictures. Ok…i’m done with my advice…now all I can say is have a BLAST!!!
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Comment by cndy on January 16th, 2008 @ 9:31 am