It was a wedding weekend.  The kids registered, ordered invitations, and the 4 girls went wedding dress shopping.  We were exhausted, but made progress.  Kate narrowed down dresses to 2, but wants to look a little more.  This week we'll touch base with flowers, photographer, caterers.  All in all, we've had a very productive time with Emily and Satomi.  Today they are on the mall doing tourist stuff -- museums, the Capital, and I'm not sure what else.  

I also finished my classes last night -- got all my grades in and wrote final emails to participants.  Now I really feel out of the professional loop.  I had enjoyed reading discussions about plans for next year and lots of my folks were very fired up.  So, I hope they can implement at least a few of the new things they learned.  One night last week I felt unappreciated, and just got online and downloaded some applications.  When you have a job, you get some feedback from people other than your family that you have value.  I mean, today I ironed Doug's shirts -- should he thank me?  Well, not really -- I'm living on his salary so I think I should do house stuff.  But, he isn't my boss, or the one that tells me I have value.  I do think there's value in doing his shirts -- because I'm home and he's not, because it means they don't go to the cleaners, and hence may use fewer chemicals and also cost less money.  I've cleaned the bathroom several times too -- I feel like I should get a medal -- really.  I was quite pleased with myself because I did a better-than-average job...but will clean bathrooms sustain me?  Well, obviously, I'll need to get out more if they do.  I guess I want to like myself without a job -- without people telling me I'm wonderful, thanking me for whatever...can you feel good about yourself without external pats?  You should be able to, in fact, it seems like a better way to live.