B-r-r-r-r-ing! and BLING!

One I want; the other I got. [cryptic enough for you, Helen?] Okay, let me explain:

1) Br-r-r-r-ring! That would be the sound of my phone. . .ringing to indicate some form of test results. Unfortunately, the phone isn't ringing, or hasn't rung, yet. I called the doctor's office while as we were leaving the mall. No results, yet. I will try one more time, this afternoon. Then, after that, I'll wait until Monday. It's the weekend. (Naturally, it would be this way for me!)

2) BLING!

I don't believe I've posted about this yet. It's kind of sad, actually. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that my engagement ring had broken. The band snapped at the back of the ring. And, if I'm honest, this modest ring has been through the wringer (so to speak) with me. I am rough on jewelry. I do a lot of work with my hands, and because of that, the ring had weakened and cracked over time (nearly 19 years).

Since we're (kind of) believers in recycling, we talked about taking the original stone out of the first ring, and putting it into a new setting. I really like the 3-stone settings. And since there's Mark and two kids, it would be a precious setting to have in an engagement or anniversary-type ring.

Mark asked one of the drummers in our worship bands about jewelry stores, since we knew he had worked at one. He recommended Kay Jewelers. And, today, while happily munching on Chick-Fil-A sandwiches at the mall, I noticed that the Kay Jewelers was nearly within spitting distance of the Food Court.

I just suggested that we might walk over there after lunch--to see what they've got, and to get some kind of idea what we'd be talking about, if we converted my old diamond into a new setting. So, I walked over to Kay's while Mark changed Caroline's pants at the mall. (I still can't lift her. . .shucks) I talked to the salesperson, who assumed (incorrectly) that I had the broken ring with me. (That would have really been thinking ahead on my part -- not so lucky!) But, when Mark arrived in the store, we (sales gal and me) had figured out that it would be a more economical option to have the old diamond set into a pendant or some other ring -- and that a new ring would be (ironically) more economical.

She was right, actually, and (drum roll, please). . . . . I came home with a new 3-stone engagement ring. It's beautiful. And yes, when Mark gave it to me in the car, I started to cry. (Who'd have thought)

I think it's just the culmination of some very emotionally charged days and weeks. I have seen and benefitted from Mark's standing strong in the midst of fear, trial, frustration, and heartache over the past three or four weeks. He has kept things running smoothly for me (for a lot longer than 3 weeks) and has helped me maintain some sense of "normalcy" when everything else around me was spinning out of control.

So, even though I practically picked out this ring for myself, and he picked up the tab, I felt like I was being asked--all over again--to marry the most wonderful guy on the planet. And, just like August, 1989, you'll find me catching a glimpse of this new, beautiful ring, and staring at it for no apparent reason, other than it getting caught in the light.

Oh. . . and the best part of all? (Well, other than the fact that it's MINE???) I've lost enough weight that I was literally able to wear it home, rather than having it be re-sized. This is a good day. A very good day.

Now, if that phone would just ring. . . . .

Oh! You wanted to see a picture? Well, allright. Here you go:

I really don't have the world's most attractive hands. . . but I'll gladly "bare them" to you, in order to show you my new ring. (Praise God it's not a toe ring!)