I... am... pooped.  Pooped but positive.  Work is still in the training stage, and will be through at least part of next week.  There is a lot, and I mean a lot, of training.  Had I known Starbucks trained this much about coffee, I would have been banging on the door!  OK so it's a lot of work, and my brain is fried, but whoda thunk I could actually learn stuff from Mr. Big Bad and Pretentious Corporation?  I'm having fun!  I've actually spent several hours learning how to taste test properly, and then taste testing and critiquing.  Cool. 
Course my family and I have gotten accustomed to a certain standard of living, and trying not to backslide has been pretty exhausting too.  I'm still trying to stay on top of the house, and all the meals, and the workouts.  My enthusiasm for working out has especially waned.  But since I'm in the rest week before phase three, now is a really bad time to quit.  Sigh. 
In other news, I'm so excited and proud and touched by the wonderful news from Erin and Carl.  Welcome to the world baby Adam!  I wish I could head down there now, but with a brand new job, that's not really doable.  I hope to come down in a few months, maybe after Christmas is over and work slows, and be a free babysitter or something.  In the meantime, my love to the new little family.  
And finally in Emily news, Rowen has picked out her outfit for Halloween.  She picked a dragon costume and delights in wearing it and "raaah"ing at people.  I love that little girl.