When the worry catches up with me

My grandmother lived until she was 101, and she would have attributed that, in part, to not worrying about the things that you have no control over. For the most part I live by this as well but I'm finding that as a mother, the older I get I'm less able to let go of the worry.

Son with asthma? Check

Husband with back and shoulder issues? Check

Daughter in college? Check.

These things I only mildly worry over, like when my son has an attack, or my husband dislocates his shoulder. (Yes, that happened 2 weeks ago and I haven't blogged it yet.) We take care of the problem and move on just like we should, but there has been something that has been nagging me.

That breast lump and pain I've talked about? It's back, well, it actually never went away and today I saw my doctor.

Despite doctors and imaging, and that sort of thing, they are still sending me to the surgeon. My appointment is for next Tuesday. Yay, I have a week to worry.

So with this, and a huge thing that is unbloggable, I'm swimming in the worry, and on the verge of tears.

But, Hey!, the weather seems to be cooperating and it's not 105 anymore, so there's that.

Just Curious-Favorie Feature

It's been a loooong time since I've done this. I'm bringing back my Just Curious series. For those of you that don't know, here are the rules:

• Each week I'll post a question that requires a one word or short phrase answer.
• You'll comment with your answer.
• I'll answer the following week and ask a new question.

Pretty easy, huh?

OK. For today's question:

What is your favorite feature (on your body)? Is it your eyes? Skin? Hair? Something else? We all need to have one thing that we love about ourselves, what's yours?

Can't wait to hear your answers!

More Just Curious questions and answers here. Read from the bottom to the top if you want to read the question before the answer. Usually the comments are way better than my answer!

I'm Honored to be Chosen...Twice!

My IRL friend who writes Just Breathe and For Your Tears has given me not one, but 2 awards in the last week.

First up is the Over The Top award. Here are the rules for the Over the Top Award:USE ONLY ONE WORD! It’s not as easy as you might think. Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It’s really hard to use only one-word answers. (I used 2 word answers only when they were phrases.)

1. Where is your cell phone? Charging
2. Your hair? Un-grey
3. Your mother? Patient
4. Your father? Generous
5. Your favorite food? Queso and Chips
6. Your dream last night? None
7. Your favorite drink? Changing
8. Your dream/goal? Sleep
9. What room are you in? Living
10. Your hobby? Blogging
11. Your fear? Alone
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something that you aren’t? Short
15. Muffins? Apple Cinnamon
16. Wish list item? Lens
17. Where did you grow up? Colorado
18. Last thing you did? Laundry
19. What are you wearing? Capris
20. Your TV? 52"
21. Your pets? None
22. Friends? Far
23. Your life? Headless
24. Your mood? Tired
25. Missing someone? Carmen
26. Vehicle? Mini-van
27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
28. Your favorite store? Anthropologie
29. Your favorite color? Green
30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday
31. Last time you cried? Last week
32. Your best friend? Mom
33. One place that I go to over and over? Grocery
34. One person who emails me regularly? Steph
35. Favorite place to eat? Home

(See below for who I'm passing it along to...)

Next is the Dragon's Loyalty Award for Commenters.
This award is passed along to loyal readers and commenters.

Since I have so many I could give these to, consider yourself all tagged. (heh) If you choose to accept these and pass them along please let me know.

Thanks, Deb!

I have a new post up at Draft Day Suit. Come check it out!

BFL-The New Season Begins

Yeah, so I'm a week late. Wanna make something of it? I finally won the last week of the season last year...I'm hoping for a better outcome this year!




Anyone can play! Just post your picks on your blog, with a combined final score for the Monday night game, (this is the tie-breaker,) then head on over to Amazing Greis' place and link up. Since Greis will be on vacation this week, Maura will be taking care of the spreadsheet this week. Make sure you follow everyone on Twitter so we can trash talk all day! BFL Twitter will also broadcast the tweets sent there. If you have any questions let me know...there is still time to enter this week, so get movin! (Also, more info here.)

My Picks are in bold.

Washington @ Detroit
Green Bay @ St. Louis
San Francisco @ Minnesota
Atlanta @ New England
Tennessee @ NY Jets
Kansas City @ Philadelphia
NY Giants @ Tampa Bay
Cleveland @ Baltimore
Jacksonville @ Houston
Chicago @ Seattle
New Orleans @ Buffalo
Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati
Denver @ Oakland
Miami @ San Diego
Indianapolis @ Arizona

Monday Night:
Carolina @ Dallas
Combined MNF Score = 38

I'm Not The Fun Mom

It's not fun to admit, either.

I'm the one that barks about homework. Normal, you say?

I also bark about dishes (put that in the dishwasher!, don't leave your dishes on the floor!,) getting dressed (just put some on! how hard is it? a tshirt and shorts is sufficient!,) eating (not in the bedrooms!, finish your food!,) and teeth brushing (just do it!, they're still yellow, try again.)

Some things are a given, don't you think? Getting up for school, dinner time, bedtime-the schedule has been the same for years in our house. Do you think that they should change when I'm not here?

OK, maybe on the weekends, but I don't like to bark during the week. Hate it in fact.

Many things have been going so well (dare I say it?) with homework and other schedules. Our afternoons are a dream compared to what we've had for the past few years. The homework is done quickly and the boys typically have most of the afternoon to play. Score!

But I'm still the hard-ass that ruins all the fun. I'm not the crawl-on-the-floor mom, or the tackle-into-the-couch mom, or usually even the dessert mom. I'm the one that ruins all that stuff with Reality! Someone's going to get hurt! Bedtime!

Doesn't someone have to take on that role? I guess if no one else will do it, I have to. That doesn't mean I have to like it, though, right?

Who is the heavy in your house? Do you have any tricks to 'share the burden' now and then?

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday-Progress

Several weeks ago I posted about our giant painting project. This is what the finished project looks like:


I could have taken a picture before HG moved all of her stuff in and then got busy with school and work, but where would the reality be in that?

Oops. I should have shut the blinds.


Here's the project that I started on Monday. Yes, it is my ironing board. (And no I didn't finish.)

We'll see how long this cleaning streak lasts, but so far so good. I may still be a little absent around here while I gather the mojo to get the boys rooms finished. We'll see.

I was just sitting here minding my own business...

...when the UPS guy showed up on my doorstep.

What could it be? I didn't remember ordering anything!?

Aaaahh. A book. Wonder what it is???

YaHoo! It's Stephanie's new cookbook, Make it Fast, Cook it Slow!

Whaddya know? My little ole blog is even listed!

And here's my recipe!

If you would like to order your own copy, there is a little box over there <---------- that you can click on. (Disclosure: That link will take you to my Amazon Associates page.) The official release date is October 13th, so order early for a great Amazon discount!

Thank you Stephanie! I am crazy excited about this, like jumping up and down in my empty house and laughing like a crazy person, excited.

Ironically, this is exactly what is in my crockpot for dinner tonight!

7 Blog Tips For New(er) Bloggers

I'm no blogging expert, but there are a few things that I've learned in the last 2 years of blogging. Yes, many others have probably said these things before, but I'd like to pass along the love, so to speak.

• It is easier on the eyes to have a white background with black type. Many people, myself included, will not read a blog that is opposite that, or they'll just read in their reader.
• Traffic is exciting as it grows, but it is not the be-all and end-all. Check it if you must, but don't put too much stock in it.
• Comment moderation is fine, capcha comment verification is unnecessary. I've never done it here and have never had a problem. In 2 years I've maybe had 3 spam comments and since I'm the boss around here they were easily deleted. Unless you're Dooce, you probably don't need them.
• Auto-play music is downright annoying. If you want to have your music widget, set it to play only when the user clicks play. I sometimes read while watching tv and when I click on a website that has music I usually just close the window rather than find a way to turn it off. Just sayin'.
• Long posts are great-occasionally. Learn to edit. Write short paragraphs: they are easier on your eyes, quicker to read, and hold attention longer. If you need to, break a post into two parts-interested parties will come back. Or use the ever-popular bullet list.
  
• If you want comments, you should leave comments on other blogs. Not every post will make readers want to comment: that's OK. Move on. Keep writing.
  
• Related: if you comment you should have easy access to your blog on your profile, or an easy way to find your email address. Nothing is more frustrating than wanting to respond to a commenter and searching for a sweet forever, and still not being able to respond because your information is lost in cyberspace. (I know that I use Blogger and being able to respond to comments, or not, is one of it's worst features, but there are ways that you can make it easier for a blogger to respond.)
  

What are some other blogging basics that you would include?

It's Confession Day

I must confess...

Today I spent way too much time on the internet. That means not enough time on laundry and making dinner and cleaning.

Yes, this is my kitchen counter. In addition to the boy's room, I've lost control of my kitchen counter. Because of all of the moving of bedrooms my living room doesn't look much better. I know. So glamorous.

I have decided to take a little break to try to get a handle on some of this sh...cra...STUFF! Oh, and it doesn't help that we have a lot of this going on, too.

So feel free to poke around my blogroll and my archives in the meantime.

Have a question? Leave it here and I'll address them when I return. Nothing is off limits. (Whether I answer all of them, that remains to be seen...)

See you soon!

Oh the Toys!

Today, Carmen is talking about organization, and it got me thinking....

Since I've been redoing the rooms for the kids, I have been going through stuff, purging, folding, stacking....you get the idea. My problem lies right here I'm at, though. I have come to a standstill. Each child is in their own room now, but there is still much to be done. In the last room, the one that the boys used to share, there is a crap-load of stuff left to go through. Oh my Lord. The Toys! The Books! The Trinkets!

In the past I've just hid it all and let it go. I want this time to be different. I want it GONE.

This is where you all come in.

I need your best tips, hints, products, and ideas for going through stuff and purging. What do you let the kids keep? What do you do with the stuff that's in good condition that they just don't want or need anymore? (Read: Legos.) What about the few baby things that a sentimental mom just can't seem to get rid of?

Any and all tips will be accepted. God knows I need the help, and there just might be a few Click for Clutter posts coming up!

Better late than never...

My BlogHer 09 set on Flickr. (Why, yes, I am a Flickr idiot and created two sets. With overlaping pictures! Double your pleasure, double your fun, I say.) Where you'll see more like this:

My love, the divine Miss Amy.

What have I gotten myself into? Part 2

The first half of this saga is here.

I think that the following week was fine. Well, as far as practice went. As team mom, I was working on that snack schedule that I was responsible for. The kids were getting ready for a scrimmage on Saturday afternoon. As it turns out it was the hottest weekend of the summer and the weekend that I went to visit Steph. It's probably a good thing, because Headless Dad called me at the end of the scrimmage to tell me that it was 111 degrees when he got in the car at the end. Yes, they made the kids play in that kind of heat. *

I know that kids play all kinds of sports in all kinds of weather. Football is notorious for this. However, since my kid has asthma it is safe to say that I am a little more anxious about heat and other playing conditions than your average parent. I'm not a freak about it. They have nurses on the field and his inhaler in their bag, but if I had actually been there I'd have been a ball of nerves.

Switching gears a little, have you hung out with 7 & 8 year old boys lately? Might I remind you that they are wiggly. They aren't very good at listening, nor is it easy for them to translate words into specific actions. If they stand around too long they end up playing 'grab ass', or 'screwing around'. It's the nature of the beast, right? For the most part, our coaching staff gets this, but it seems that in critical situations they forget it.

Evidence #1: during a recent practice they were starting to put together their special teams. They had a group of kids on a kickoff return team and a kick off team. The kids that weren't playing on one of those (about 5 kids) were left to sit on the sidelines for about 45 minutes. There was no coach with them, and obviously they ended up messing around, then getting in trouble for messing around. Uh, what else are 7 & 8 year olds going to do?

Evidence #2: HB#2 has primarily played center in practice and games. Last week he was put in at Right Guard for a semi-scrimmage with a team from another age group (9 & 10 year olds.) He has never played this position before. He was told to "play over there". Really? Is anyone surprised that he was pulled after 2 plays? The defense got past him and right to the quarterback. He had no idea what he was supposed to do. Listen up coaches, when you move a kid to a new position you need to actually explain what they are supposed to do, and preferably walk them through a play or 2 so that they can do the job that they are asked to do. Older kids might be able to handle this kind of direction but not 7 & 8 year olds.

Related: Don't plan a practice solely around the offense or defense. That means that there will be approximately half of the team sitting for over half of the practice. It pisses parents off that have busy schedules and other children that need attention, too. Those parents would rather be at home checking homework of their other kids, getting them all showered and in bed to be ready for school. (Honestly, other parents said this to me. I was not at practice the night that this happened. HD came home mighty pissed off.)

Also related to all of this is: 1) We do not have a full schedule for the whole season yet, 2) They decided to change the location of practice one day a week, starting this week, and told us in an email. At least it was 5 days notice this time.

Their first game was this past Saturday. Unfortunately they lost 7-0, but it could have been way worse. We'll see how things go when we have to drive to an away game and the kids have to get up at 5am or so. That should be loads of fun. Considering over half of our team couldn't be bothered to show up on time things could get very interesting.

I'll be sure to keep you posted, but in the meantime? Just say "No" when asked to be the team mom. In honor of me, ok?

*The kids lost the scrimmage. HD said that the kids didn't show up. (Ya think? Who can concentrate when it's that hot?) Ironically, neither did the coaches. I guess there can be no blame on the kids then, right?

Fitness Friday #6-A Recipe!

Do your tomato plants look like ours? You'll have to make this recipe for tomato sauce-it is the best, fresh tomato recipe I've ever tasted. Including in restaurants. (Adapted, er, copied straight from Joy of Cooking)

Use a large skillet-type pan, preferably a few inches deep. Heat 2-3 Tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat. Add: 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 medium onion finely chopped (I've used both white and red, either was fine,) 1 carrot finely chopped, 1 celery stalk, with leaves, finely chopped. Add to oil, stir and cook until onions begin to brown, about 5-7 minutes.

Add 2 cloves garlic minced (jarred or fresh works,) (I used about 5, actually,) and 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped and firmly packed. Cook and stir for about a minute. Add 2 1/2 lbs. of fresh, coarsely chopped tomatoes. (This many tomatoes is roughly 8 cups of chopped tomatoes. It seems like a ton but you'll be happy.)(You can remove the skins. I didn't.) Crush with your hands as you add them to the pan.

This was the fun part! Just make sure you've washed your hands well and are not wearing a white tshirt. Just sayin'.

There was also a bunch of juice in the bottom of my bowl of cut tomatoes. I would suggest only adding some of it, or it will take a sweet forever to reduce so it's not so juicy. Simmer, uncovered, until thick, about 10 minutes. (I simmered mine for about 30 because of the extra juice. Note: the book says that it is better the shorter you simmer. I agree.) I added sea salt also, and some fresh ground pepper.

Best ever. Try it, you'll see. The fresh tomato taste is out of this world. Seriously, you'll love it. I haven't tried to freeze it yet because there just hasn't been enough left, but hopefully I have at least one batch worth left so I can pull it out in about a month when we are craving fresh tomatoes.

So, not nearly enough fitness this week, but a whole lot of FRESH. Yummmmmm!

What have I gotten myself into?

We've been practicing football for over a month now. Yes, I said "we". (I'll get to that in a moment...) And the first real game is on Saturday. Thankfully, it's a home game. Kind of easing us into this mess-and I mean MESS!

The first week of practice (5 days, conditioning,) was ok. You've listened to me talk complain about eating dinner early (4pm) so that Headless boy #2 wouldn't get sick at practice from the heat. You answered my pleas for help when I needed meal ideas when we were watching the diet for weigh-in. Did I mention that I was suckered into being the team mom? Luckily, there are 4 of us, but still? Team mom? What was I thinking? To my defense, I asked what the duties were and was told "Oh, just making a snack schedule for the games." My a@@.

So, the next week, in the middle of the first week in pads, and trying to loose weight, we were told that we had to do a snack bar the following week. Yep, that would have been the first week of school! We had 5 days to collect money from each family, come up with a menu, do all of the shopping, and have volunteers for 4 nights. *sigh* So the first week of school looked like this: kids to school, walk, shop for the snack bar, ice the drinks, get kids from school, feed the kids at 4, get ready for practice, go early to practice, set up, sell, break down, get home, get the kids showered and in bed, collapse. Wash, rinse, repeat. For four days. We made $561, so I suppose it was worth it.

The weekend following that we were scheduled for a scrimmage. Aren't scrimmages supposed to be against one team? Gah! 10 plays us, 10 plays them, repeat, break, repeat 2x. Long break. Switch teams. TIMES 5. Oh, did I mention it is summer here? And we were not told that we would be at the field for 5 hours? Oh, and add to that the people that were asking me if I had brought X,Y, and Z because I'm the team mom? I actually layed into a couple of people that day because of the lack of information. I'm happy to do a job if I actually am told what needs to be done. Is that too unreasonable?

(I might insert here that we were told that on the first week of school we were going down to only 3 days of practice per week. Uh, NOT.)

So the next week on Tuesday, when we were supposed to be getting ready for the BIG WEIGH IN, I was told that they had to weigh in in their padded pants, tshirts, and socks. Huh? When we were first told about weigh in, it was shorts. I loooove being lied to! Makes me sooooo happy.

{You might remember that #2 is my big kid. He was 11lb. when he was born, and has stayed on that growth pattern ever since. The weight limit for 7yo's in this league is 90 lbs. He has been 89 lbs. for about a year now and due for a weight gain. He tends to gain a bunch then grow up into the weight. We held our breath all summer long.}

At the start of practice waaaay back in July he weighed in at 92 lbs. We watched what he ate. He busted his butt at practice. His pants added up to 3 lbs., depending on the time of day he got on the scale. Great.

The last few days before weigh in were a nightmare, but #2 was a trooper. The day before, he weighed in at 88lbs., and ate the following: breakfast-scrambled eggs (1 whole, 1 white), watermelon, lunch-rice cake, watermelon, dinner- half of a chicken breast with a teaspoon of barbeque sauce for dipping, water, and watermelon (2 bites). I hated doing that to my 7 year old. Seriously sucked.

The morning of weigh in he got on the scale. 87. Breakfast? A sip of water, 2 bites of watermelon. Then he peed. 85. Off to weigh in, and (finally!) he made it.

I handed him a bottle of water and a box of Cheeze-Its. Then we went to McDonalds for an early lunch of cheeseburgers and milkshakes. Well deserved, I say.

*****

Sorry! I can't believe how long this is already. So, I'm going to end here and continue later. I swear I'll finish. Really! Because I haven't even gotten to the real bitching yet. Aren't you excited? Heh. Come back soon!

Meme for Me

Mama Neena posted this meme and I'm stealing tagging myself.

What are your most common nicknames?
Around here it would be "Headless". Around home, it's "Mom".

What is today’s weather?
Beautiful, but a little too warm for my taste.

Where did you go on vacation this year?
To Colorado. You can read all about it here, and here, and here, and here, and here.

What did you do there?
Relaxed, visited family, also went to see Mt. Rushmore.

Where did you stay?
With my parents.

What job do you do?
I'm a mom and the household CEO and CFO. Too bad the cash pay stinks.

Describe where you live.
Hot, densely populated.

What do you usually do on weekends?
Sports with the kids, football on tv, church, eat well. (Headless Dad is a great cook!)

What food hits your ‘bliss spot’?
Tortilla chips with queso.

What drink really does it for you?
Red wine or champagne.

Describe the first friend that comes to your head.
Funny! Smart, and loyal, but too far away.

What was the last restaurant you went to?
John's Incredible Pizza Factory

Where would you like to live if you had unlimited moneys and nothing stopping your dreams?
Colorado.


What is the likeliness of your achieving this dream home?
Possible, in retirement, maybe? Or a lottery win....

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Duh. BLOG!

What’s your favorite genre for TV programs?
Medical dramas (ER, Grey's Anatomy, Crossing Jordan, etc.)

What’s your favorite genre for music?
'80's New Wave, Contemporary Christian

What’s your favorite song that’s sad?
Any country tear-jerker.

What’s your favorite soppy film?
Soppy? Does that mean sad? I don't know....

How about your favorite chick flick?
When Harry Met Sally

What are you looking forward to at the moment?
Having all 3 kids bedrooms done so I can FINALLY start on my own.

What are you dreading at the moment?
Paying the mortgage. Does anyone like it?

How would you describe your personality?

I think I'm quiet but friendly, (uh, until you get to know me, then I can talk a blue streak,) but have been told that I'm intimidating.

If you had a personality eraser, what part of yours might you erase?
My impatience, and I'm quick to anger sometimes.

You are given $5000 to spend in 1 day, what do you do with it? Remember, no limitations!
Pay off a bills. Seriously. It would just make so many things easier. Or save it for tuition next semester for HG.

What is your biggest fear?

Loosing my husband. Or falling.

Top Ten Reasons I Won't Be Watching Jay Leno This Fall

Have you heard? Jay will be on 5 nights a week in the 10:00 time slot, before the evening news. Here are my top Ten Reasons I Won't Be Watching Leno This Fall:

• 10-Pacific PrimeTime TV is on too late.
  
• 9-Even though his comedy is supposedly 'equal opportunity,' it's not usually.
  
• 8-How many times a week can we really see Jay Walking?
  
• 7-I would miss the "Dun-Dun" of Law and Order too much.
  
• 6-The drama on Grey's Anatomy usually wipes me out.
  
• 5-Are there really that many stupid people to sign the form to say, "Yeah! Show me on TV not knowing who our president is!"?
  
• 4-I prefer sitcoms if I want to laugh.
• 3-If I'm going to snuggle up with an older guy, I'd rather do it with my husband. Or Letterman.
  
• 2-The loss of ER at the 10 o'clock spot is still too much to bear.
  
• And the Number One reason I won't be watching Jay Leno this fall is.... He's just not that funny.
  

We Interrupt Regular Posting...#2

I have made this a sticky post so it stays at the top for the long weekend. Please continue to help if you can. Scroll down for new content.

We need some help.

My daughter's youth pastor was fired, quite unexpectedly, from our church a few months ago. He and his wife have been mentors for my daughter and dozens of other kids for over 6 years-we feel like they are a part of our family. They have dedicated their time, money, (what little they have,) and hearts to serving Jesus and our kids. Now, as they have contemplated what God has for them, they have decided to move back to their home state of Maryland.

They spent their last money on a shipping container to get all of their things home. Unfortunately, it didn't hold all of their stuff and they have been left trying to figure out how to get it all home.

My husband and I, along with our friends C from My Studio 13 and her husband, stepped up. With everything that they have been through, we didn't think that they should have to throw away anything else. We have figured out how to get it there, just not how to pay for it.

Here's what I'm asking. If you have a few bucks to help us ship their stuff, it would be greatly appreciated. The container will cost $1300 to ship from Southern California, plus 1 months storage until they can get to Maryland and get settled. I have a paypal account (button below), or if you would rather help in another way please contact me (headlessfamily5 at gmail dot com). Every dime contributed will go straight to this couple's moving needs.


For example, if each of my 100 subscribers contributed only $4, we would be 1/3 of the way to getting them home, with the rest being covered by us and our friends. Can you sacrifice your Starbucks today?

I know that times are tight for everyone, and if you can't help, I totally understand. It would also help if you could pass this post around via Twitter, StumbleUpon, Facebook, etc. If you read here often, you know that I've never done this kind of thing before, so know that my heart is to bless this young family (they have a two year old!) as they start over after devastating circumstances. Prayers, of course, are accepted, too.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Update: We have already received two four six over $100 in donations! Thank You!!!

Fitness Friday #5 and Other Updates

Uh, FITNESS FAIL this week.

Between the heat (over 100 all week except at about midnight,) and the awful smoke from the Station Fire (not to mention the ash all over everything,) I have done NADA this week as far as exercise goes. We have been eating great, but I'll have to get back on the wagon soon. Hopefully I will over the weekend but most likely will start again on Tuesday.

The good news is I've not gained (or lost.) So that's a wash, I suppose.

I need some inspiration! What have you been doing lately for exercise?

*****

Do you have fresh tomatoes in your garden? Next week I'm going to post the best recipe for tomato sauce evah. Our garden is bursting with tomatoes right now and I needed to use them, and this is the perfect use-and I can even freeze it to use for later. Granted I've never made fresh sauce before, but it was awesomely yummy. Each member of my family loved it, so watch for it!

*****

File Under Irony: Know how I've talked about Headless Dad's disdain for all things technology? Guess who came home with a Blackberry 2 days ago, and has already sent me an email from it? I've been looking at getting a smart phone, so at least I get to try before I buy, right?

*****

You have to go read Steph's posts about our weekend. (One and Two.) Hysterical.

*****

Please, please, please, (if you haven't already,) go over to help our friends move. We are committed to helping them but your help would help us, too. It takes a village, right?

Because I Love This Shot

Friends

One of the things I dreamt of when I started this blog was friendship. I saw lots of women all around the blogosphere with great friends to link to, stories of shopping trips and lunches with the girls, and lots of laughing at shared jokes, kids that are best friends.

I have made no secret that I don't have many friends. Well, let me clarify. I have LOTS of friends: many of them live in my home state about a thousand miles from here. I have some friends here, but they work, and it's a little hard to have friends on opposite schedules. I have time during the day while the kids are at school and many of them just aren't available.

Maybe it was a pipe dream, but I was really hoping to find some women close (relatively at least) that I could maybe, just maybe, develop a friendship with.

I have made lots of friends, and even met some of them thanks to BlogHer '08 and '09 but it has been nothing like I had imagined. No giggling phone calls or long lunches at some half way point between the two of us.

OK, here is where I insert that I know that I make my actual location pretty vague. (That is on purpose.) But I have also been pretty open with most people if/when they ask, and we have developed some kind of relationship. I feel like I've reached out in a number of ways to a number of different people without seeming pushy or stalkerish. (And no, I'm not talking to you. At All. Or you either.)

So I've decided that it's me. I don't know exactly what about me, but me, nonetheless.

Although I know that I can't blame it on bad breath. Unless they developed smell-o-net without telling me.

*****

Funny...having a pal in Idaho wasn't in the plan, but that is one of the best things about this that I didn't count on. I'm learning, again, that making friends is hard for me but the benefits, when they come, are more than worth it.