Easier said than done

Being happy for others
especially when they have the life you want (or think you want)
is easier said than done
especially when they don't seem to be enjoying it as much as you would (or think you would)

Happy Birthday Yolanda K.

I always wanted a best friend. I have always had friends--close friends even--but it wasn't until college that I met my best friend. It took a couple of years to get to add the "best" part but Yolanda and I became friends our freshman year in college. We bonded over crazy roommates and ER. And she helped pull me out of a deep, dark hole when my world crashed down junior year. Even though we haven't lived in the same city in over a decade, Yolanda K. is still my most trusted and dependable friend. She really sees me. That can be a little bit scary because I work pretty hard to hide some things. But it can also be pretty great because her insight helps me see myself a bit more clearly. I cannot imagine who I would be without her.

(If we were in 6th grade, I would totally get her one of those necklaces that say "best friends"--I have always wanted one of those)

Fall Break

3 glorious days off work!

Yesterday I had a pajama day. It was like a snow day without the snow. (snow days are my favorite thing...as long as the power stays on)

I did shower and get dressed today. Only because I really needed a peppermint mocha. Now I'm back home, back in the pajamas.

Happy Birthday Gregg!

I love my brother. (and of course I love my other brother and both of my sisters but it's not any of their birthdays today)

My brother Gregg was born when I was almost two and a half. One of my earliest memories was picking out a stuffed toy to bring to the hospital for Gregg. My dad took Sheridan and I to a store to pick something to give our new brother. I remember him trying to talk us out of the Oscar the Grouch we chose. He couldn't convince us that a teddy bear would be better.

Gregg loved his Oscar the Grouch but it didn't match his personality at all. It still doesn't. My brother Gregg is funny, giving, charming, and way beyond smart. Maybe that teddy bear would have been a better choice after all...

New normal

After that, things got back to normal. And normal isn't always easy.

I saw this line in the book I've been trying to finish since July. I couldn't say it any better. Things are trying to get back to normal. And normal isn't always easy.

Kid Quotes

Zach and Hannah let me come over and play on the wii they got for Christmas (2007). Zach tried to teach me bowling, tennis, and boxing. I don't think he was super impressed with my performance. He and Hannah played wii baseball for a few minutes to give me a break. Then Zach turned to me and said, "Hey, can I beat you--I mean play you--at baseball now?"

Mr. Zach

24 hours ago I was nervous about presenting in a professional development meeting for the teachers I work with.

Then the phone rang.

I would have given anything to have been nervous about presenting in a professional development meeting for the teachers I work with this morning.

Instead, we had a crisis intervention meeting. My friend Christina was in a car accident with her two children. Zach is with Jesus now.