My good buddy Hellman (no relation to the mayonnaise), who is my most faithful commenter, mentioned in a comment a few days ago about me being a contender in "Hellman's Hottest Blogger" contest. I thought this was a big joke, see. But then last night I was talking to Mia, and she observed that we didn't win Hellman's Hottest Blogger. So as it turns out, there WAS such a contest, and with Hellman's blog readers, I placed -

drumroll ...

SEVENTH! Seventh out of -

drumroll ...

SEVEN! I am saddened and dismayed. It wasn't an honor just to be nominated - now that I know it was a real contest, I wanted to WIN, darn it! I did get a really nice description, however:

In seventh place, the truly special Kim from Ramblestrip. Kim is a really cool, sweet person who chronicles her life in a laboratory in West Virginia, has an obsessive order in her catalogue of music and has a science-geek boyfriend who likes to shoot stuff. But this does not do justice to what a great person she clearly is. She also looks fantastic as a man. I love Kim and want her to be my Republican confidante. What a sweetheart. I want your life to go really well and I know it will. You will continue to be blessed.

Say it with me - awwwww! Some guy across the pond that I don't know thinks I'm nice! Awww. :-)

I don't know, though - I'm hearing reports of disenfranchised voters - some had to wait four hours for the poll to load! And some accidentally voted for Pat Buchanan! Michael Moore is making a tell-all documentary about it, with no clever editing tricks! The race card was totally played! I demand a recount! The scenario is making Barbara Boxer cry! Right before she asks for money!

Seriously, Hellman, that was nice of you to include me. :-)

In other news, Scott will be graduating soon, and there was a snowball's chance in h-e-double hockey sticks that he would find a job in our area. Well, lo and behold, a local professor (who is ridiculously good at bringing money to the university) is applying for a grant that includes funding for a post-doc position, in Scott's particular field of chemistry. I think that this opportunity was so unlikely that it has to be sent by God (all good things come from Him, of course, but this one just really has His signature all over it for me, and I am so thankful for it) and I just know he'll get the grant. I really feel at peace about it. I would like to know if the professor has a certain timeframe he expects to hear something, though, so I know how many bottles of antacids to buy to treat my ulcer. :-) My brain and my heart may know everything will be okay, but my stomach lining doesn't. Stupid GI tract.

I've had enough of this long-distance relationship thing - 3 1/2 years is enough! I just miss him too much - I need him here with me and I want him back home with us where he belongs.

Romans 8:28 (KJV) - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Amen.