Sharing

I read this and loved it and wanted to remember it. What better way to remember than to share? I hope Ryan doesn't mind.

...Sometimes, the leaps are what count. Not the take off, not the landing, but that moment when you are suspended in the air, grinning like a fucking idiot at the one you love and praying that you're doing the right thing.

Playing Favorites

I have 265 subscriptions on my Google Reader and man does it make life easier. But, who is to say enough is enough? In honor of that, here are my top 10 favorites- the ones I read first every time. In return, share your favorites with me.

These three women are my favorites. I never can remember which two already have their babies and which is pregnant until I read their post, but they never fail to disappoint.
Quarter Life Crisis
She Likes Purple
She Just Walks Around With It

Oh Me, this girl sure can write. She's funny, sassy and thoughtful.
Girl's Gone Child

Take funny women, add kids and get endless entertainment
Amalah
Not That You Asked

It help that I've known her since kindergarten, I guess, but she takes beautiful pictures of her adorable (and precocious- Jacob!) kids.
voz.kiz

Photographer blogs I dig:
Jasmine Star (I just want to hang out with her)
Jessica Claire (She's planning her own wedding - a wedding photographer's wedding = delish!)

This one. Oh, this one. Her son (same age as Carter) died last month or 6 weeks ago from (all they can determine) SIDS. It's sad. It's heartwrenching. It's changed the way I mother.
Gorillabuns

The Night's Just Right

I thought, for once in the recent past, I'd actually write without having a doctor's appointment prompting me with news. Not counting today or the day of, my son will be here in 13 days. Lucky number 13, forever yo. My coworker said, "But what if his birthday ever falls on a Friday?!" Eh, it'll make him tough.

Lately my response to people telling me not to do something has been, "What's it going to do- make him come out?" At this point, it would be emergency surgery, but what I wouldn't give to have my hips back. It almost ticks me off that I'm going through all this "natural" childbirth pain- the normal stuff that happens to everyone- for naught. I've been lamenting to C about not being able to hold a 27 hour labor over his head, but I guess having a scar is just about as good. If "good" is even the right word.

The only part I'm anxious about is the surgery- just because it is major abdominal surgery and let's face it. I haven't been admitted to a hospital since I was five years old. My mother the health nazi will have me doing sit ups and walking several miles as soon as she possibly can, so I'm not too worried about the recovery. I'm a little worried about the possible harm I may do her, but that's the risk she runs.

Here's something I haven't told anyone-- we have a semi-complete nursery! We bought a crib and dresser and my beautiful bedding is all ready for my baby boy! C bought me a glider for Christmas that will be perfect for mid-night feedings and we replaced the ceiling fan. I'll take some pictures after I get the valances hung. Nothing is on the walls yet, but I'm working on it. Well, I will work on it at some point.

In all appearances, we're ready for the baby. A place for him to lay his noggin, a place to rock him, a place to change his stinky hiney, a place to swing him and a seat for him in the car. (My sister and mom bought us the carseat/stroller combo for Christmas.) And clothes- lots of precious little clothes, thanks to my dear friends. I've washed and folded just about everything I need, so now we wait.

All this talk inspired me to buy some Todd Snider. I've had some difficulty downloading it, but hopefully Amazon will be snappy in remedying my problem. I also bought Rodney Crowell's Sex and Gasoline. I guess I was feeling a little militant or something. So far, I highly approve of S&G.

I'm not doing a darn thing today and I almost feel guilty for it. I reckon it'll be ok, right? We have NO plans for NYE and I'm pretty ok with that. We'll probably buy some fireworks and try to light the world on fire. Yeehaw.

Whatever your plans are, please be safe. My hope is that all of my angels will have a kiss on NYE and a smile. Happy 2009... I'm positive it will not be boring.

Let's call it 29 weeks.

The lady in the office next to me keeps telling me I should write a book or at least keep a journal with all my witty-ness regarding being pregnant. I know I should've been keeping a journal all along, but really- how much is a BOY going to care?

• I was just in the copy room and a lady walked in and said, "Wellllll, whatchu got goin' on here??", gesturing towards my belly. Then she proceeded to tell me that by the looks of it, my boy will be extra big and healthy. Thanks.
• I went to the bank and to Walmart during lunch and at both places women asked me when I was due- or more specifically, "how much longer I had". I love that I'm obviously pregnant now and not just sporting a questionable beer belly. I totally should have rick-rolled them and said I wasn't pregnant at all. I just swallowed a bowling ball...
• The other day, I came out of the restrooms here at work and went straight to my boss's office. I told her that in a couple of weeks, I was going to have a bathroom emergency where I'm stuck in a stall because the doors open inward and, well, there's just not going to be enough room for it, me and my belly when that happens. Can't you see it now? Me standing on the toilet just to have room to open the door? Handicapped accessible, I think not.
• There are certain things I just can't do anymore, but new skills I've picked up. Like, I can't wash my hair in the kitchen sink or over the side of the tub anymore (not that I did that often, but sometimes you just need to wet it and start over). But now I can push a shopping cart with no hands!

Goodbye Snowman...

My baby's namesake has left us. You can bet I'll be grabbing my greatest hits album as soon as I can get to iTunes.

We live this life like what’s down here is what it’s all about. We’re temporary, son, like a wisp of smoke. - Jerry Reed


No, I will not actually be naming my child Jerry Reed, but how badass would that be?

I'm gonna love you back to lovin' me again...

I AM … blessed.
I WANT… more time.
I HAVE… two pimples.
I KEEP… receipts.
I WISH I COULD… take a daily nap.
I HATE… waiting.
I FEAR… the unknown. And taxes.
I HEAR… voices telling me what I should and should not do.
I DON’T THINK… I'll ever be thin again.
I REGRET… regrets.
I LOVE… completely.
I AM NOT… perfect.
I DANCE… rarely. Unless a shoulder wiggle counts.
I SING… classic country in the shower.
I NEVER… watch the news, but listen to GMA on XM daily.
I RARELY… go a day without doing dishes.
I CRY WHEN I WATCH… pitiful animal movies.
I AM NOT ALWAYS… right. Don't tell him though. ;-)
I HATE THAT… that weight-gain part of pregnancy.
I’M CONFUSED ABOUT… how to calculate PPV.
I NEED… Tylenol for this headache.
I SHOULD… go pee.

*I stole this. You should too.*

Another 2.5"

Every man's desire, right?

That's the amount of rain we've gotten on the Ponderosa in the last 24 hours. If you could see me, you'd see me doing a happy dance. Not really, but I'm doing one in my head. I don't know what kind of total that makes for the last week or so, but I'd say we're over 6", which was much needed in my neck of the woods. My pond was low and my grass was crunchy- the woes of living in the country, right?

Speaking of my head, it's congested. Apparently, that's one of the many curses blessings of pregnancy. Aw who am I kidding? It's a curse and it's driving me batshit crazy. I know Afrin isn't recommended especially because it's addictive, but it's my only salvation for the one-side-of-my-nose-that-won't-let-me-breathe. About 60 seconds after using, the rain stops, the clouds part and the angels begin to sing. I really am trying to use it sparingly, and have only used it for a couple of days, but find me a saline nasal spray that will light my world on fire and I'll switch. My child doesn't have a PRAYER when it comes to allergies, so I prefer to think that I'm teaching him early.

Yes, I referred to "it" as a "him", but I won't know for sure until Monday, August 25 at approximatly 2:30pm. Let's all say a prayer for "open leg vibes" so we can see the weiner that I know is in there. Good Lord if it's a girl, You better help us all.

We are in the process of painting our bedroom Chocolate Chip. We're also convinced that the paint smells like an M&M. And by "we", I mean "him", because (and I quote) "I don't know how to paint". Fine, whatever. I need to schedule all household projects during pregnancy- this rocks. The room looks awesome- dark brown walls with eye popping white trim. I can't wait for a finished product to post a picture of. No before pictures, but I'd rather not remember it anyway. He's also going to turn the built-in "vanity" that looks like it should be in a 1950s hotel room into shelves and storage. My man is so handy. IFyouknowwhatImean.

For those of you dying to know, Shiner in the dog house is going very well. I only feel guilty about once a day, but he's taken to it like a pig in slop. Especially with all this rain, I'm so glad he's got a safe and dry place to rest his paws. He's such a good boy. Kit, on the other hand, (remember, she's the princess?) is slowly losing her marbles. Last night, I opened the door and told her to go potty. She looked at me and without hesitation, ran out of the room and down the hallway to her bed. She did this not once, but twice. It left us both scratching our heads... silly dog. He finally convinced her to go outside where she took yet another dinosaur shit after getting into two leftover sausage patties and a breakfast taquito. Yes, it was my fault for leaving it on her level. Yes, I was pissed at her, but I really couldn't justify it because she did exactly what I knew she would do. So now she's perfect and predictable. *eye roll*

Part 3 - Surprise!

My goodness, where does the time go? This has been month end close and it has been nuts, but seriously- I'm a slacker and I apologize to my 10s of readers. Here's a rundown of what's been going on.

• I have a list of blog topics. Literally. It's on a little yellow sticky by my keyboard at work. Yes, I'm making this list from that list.
• Sometime last week, I had a delightful dream about John Mayer. Don't ask me why, because I was happily sleeping next to my handsome fiance, but it was John Mayer just the same. And he was in love with me. I kept asking him why me because he didn't even know me, but he never would answer. He was flying me all over for shows and giving me the star treatment and I happily went along- but I just couldn't believe that he was in love with me. Dreams, ya know?
• I'm currently digging a band called The Steeldrivers. They're a little bit country and a little bit bluegrass and a lot wonderful. Check 'em out.
• I have on my list to bitch about the lack of rain, but thanks to Eduard Eduord Eduorad that tropical storm, we've gotten a few showers on our crunchy grass. It's no longer crunchy, but I wouldn't complain if it were to rain say, all weekend?
• My nearest and dearest (save for my Cori and June) are gone to Idaho for Brauns and Ragweed and RRB. I should've gone, but let's face it. I've got other places to spend my money. I know they'll have a great time without me, though. Doesn't mean I'm not jealous, though.
• This should probably be it's own post/rant, but let's face it- that may take another month. In case you don't know, I've moved back to east Texas. Land of two lane roads and speed traps. But, most highways are 70mph. And that's what I drive + 2-3 mph. I would like to issue a statement to other residents of the roads I travel of this speedlimit and the fact that WHEN YOU PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME, PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM GOING 70MPH, NOT 40, YOU M'EFFING, BACKWOODS, NO DRIVING, lovely, lovely people. It pisses me off to no end that waiting five seconds for me to pass is too much to ask, so I should be happy to slam on my brakes or defensively weave around you, hopefully not into on coming traffic. I'm carrying precious cargo, you fool.
• Speaking of, I'm pregnant. Surprise! (If you know my mother, please do not forward the link to my blog to your mom who will then read the whole thing and tell my mother about all of the un-lady like things I've said, mmmmk? Just tell your mom the news- no details about where you found out needed, ok?) I'm due in January and let this be the warning that baby talk will soon be invading this space. FINALLY.
• Also please know that just because I'm pregnant does not mean that's why C & I bought a house and are getting married. Yes, it's the ultimate shotgun trifecta, but it was all going to happen eventually- we just got put on the fast track. We can't be happier- and, well, you should be too.
• Sorry, SLM, for making you shit just now.

Update

I added a list of several favorite/friend blogs on the sidebar. Did you know blogger will let you import from Google Reader (there's that thing again!)? Sheer genius! Please feel free to recommend others or your own if I've somehow left you off.

Big news coming, people. Just warnin' ya.

MeMe, MeYou?

So I was tagged by Diane- thanks. I may sound ungrateful, but I really am because my blog fodder is lacking. I read tons, but never manage to get my thoughts to the screen in a timely manner. So for lack of a better post, here's my five habits.


Five Habits Meme

What was I doing 10 years ago?
Hmm... I would've been 18. I also would've just finshed high school and would be preparing to move to college in August. On any given Tuesday, I'd say I could either be found at the river or at the neighbors pool. I was a spoiled child, what can I say?

Five snacks I enjoy in a perfect, non-weight gaining world:

Campisi's Pizza - I can thank V for this obsession since she first introduced it to me back in 2004 or 2005.
Cheese Enchiladas
Red Rind Cheese (rediscovered this weekend- Heaven!)
Miller Lite
Buffalo Wings

Five snacks I enjoy in the real world:

Fiber One bars - Oats and Chocolate, please
Pretzels
Red Rind Cheese
Green Apples, preferrably Granny Smith
Calamata Olives... or any olive for that matter

Five things I would do if I were a billionaire:

Make sure our families are set, even my sister who won't work

Never worry about the cost of gas or mortgage payments

Travel and photograph the world

Buy the Texas Rangers and pay for decent pitching (ugh!)

Hire a personal chef, housekeeper and trainer

Five jobs I have had:

Summer School Teacher
Tutor
Sales Tax Auditor
Expense Account Auditor (so fun!)
Accountant

Five habits:

First thing every morning, I check Myspace. No access at work, so it's done every morning.

I'm obsessed with chapstick. So much so, that I think my tender, overly moisturized lips were chemically burned by the hot sauce at Wing Stop. Ooops.

C has turned me into a hair-face-body washer in the shower. Same way everytime. You don't want to wash your butt before your face, people! He's making me as neurotic as himself.

Google Reader! I think I've said enough. Although, I rarely check it over the weekend.... it makes for a very fruitful Monday morning.

I start every morning with a Diet Dr. Pepper. If I don't get it, the day is fouled.

Five places I have lived:

Nacogdoches
Tyler
Dallas
Pasco, Washington (no, I don't want to talk about it)
Joaquin

Five people I’d like to get to know better:
(Meaning, you're it!)

Addie Baby (or her mom)
Building My Ladder to the Stars
Going Away
Life On the Run (every time, I want to sing Bannnnnd on the Ruuuuun)
A Million Miles From You

I aim to please.

Blame this one on Stan. He said my old template was more "becoming of a sofa" and it hurt his poor eyes on his iPhone. Hopefully this is better?

Recommendations

Since I've divulged my google reader obsession, I thought I'd follow up with some of my favorite new finds. I have lots of photographer blogs that I follow just to gain inspiration, but I won't bore you with those.

• Confessions of a Pioneer Woman - I'm well aware that I've been missing out since oh, 2006, but I've finally given her a shot and oh my gosh. She is my latest blog crush. Recommended: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - the story of how she met and fell in love with her husband.
• Bring the Rain - Nicole first recommended this one to me and it promptly broke my heart. Now, I find inspiration in every post and look forward to it. Recommended: The beginning Oh, and have some kleenex handy.
• Girl's Gone Child - A pretty irreverant look at motherhood.
• better now - because it is. I just love that.
• mackin ink - Diane over at Martinis for Two toasted mackin ink recently and I've been a fan and reader ever since. She's an American living in the Middle East and raising three beautiful girls. Her posts always include great art, too.
• Matt, Liz and Madeline - Thanks for the heads up, Meg. Liz, Matt's wife, died of a brain anneruism shortly after giving birth to their first child. His words, while simple, really show a great deal of love and heartbreak over now having to raise their first child alone. It's another one I read as quickly as possible. Recommended: If you haven't been here before.

So, there's a few to start with. I love new suggestions though. Feel free to leave one of your favorites in the comments. :) TGIF, everyone.

My favorite part of the morning

It's logging in and seeing my Google Reader overflowing with new items. Seriously, I don't know how I lived before just clicking random links only to be disappointed that it wasn't updated. Also, the reader shows me other blogs that I might be interested in based on my current subscriptions. That Google...they really have a finger on my pulse, don't they?

The only links I have to click now are Deidre and Woodrow. Deidre's private, so I get that, but W? I guess I just like him that much.

For lack of a better word...

For the first time in my adult life, I actually give a shit about what interest rates are. I care about the Fed meeting in hopes they're going to cut them. Unfortunately, they're not meeting and rates aren't going down. Can you tell I'm in home-buying mode? The only trouble is that I'm ready to sign my life away, but my better half is having a hard time taking the leap to being a grown up and spending the money to actually have a house of our own. I'm being patient, dammit.

It is a huge responsibility- I get it. So is the rest of my life. It's daily and you get used to it and I bet I'll only get nauseaus once a month when I have to pay the bank that ENORMOUS sum of money. If'n.

Last night, I spent the better part of an hour with the Rangers game on mute (since we LOST) buying songs off iTunes. Here's what I bought. It's ok to admit you dig my tunes. I'm also looking for more suggestions- please and thank you.

• Sail On - The Commodores
• Drinkin' My Baby (Off My Mind) - Eddie Rabbitt (off the album "Great Divorce Songs for Men)
• Kentucky Rain - The King
• Something in the Way She Moves - James Taylor (not the Beatles song)
• Country Road - James Taylor
• And So it Goes - Billy Joel
• She's Got a Way - Billy Joel
• Oh Girl - The Chi-Lites
• Operator (That's Not the Way it Feels) - Jim Croce
• With a Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker

Today I'm wearing a "maxi dress", which to me is pretty damn close to a mumu, but it's considered fashionable. I've gotten several compliments already, but it's probably just because they're glad I'm finally wearing something different.

For the third time this week, I've brought my lunch. Twice it's been in a cooler packed with a pb&j sandwich, carrot sticks (with ranch), apple slices and cheese cubes. It's better than fast food, which I'm very tired of. Go me!

I have a doctor's appointment in the morning, so chances are I'll only have to work half a day. Woo-woo! It's practically Friday, bitches. (And Kathy Griffin is on tonight! Speaking of, I made C watch Tori and Dean with me and I'm convinced he's hooked. I had to fill him on the backstory for everything. Next thing you know, he's going to be watching it at his house by himself. ha!)

She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
She's got a way of pleasin'
I don't know why it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason anyway

So...

I'm still here. There's so much going on, but really nothing to talk about for fear of jinxing things.

• Galveston was great and I have pictures which I'll upload just as soon as I'm home long enough.
• I love short weeks, but damn if they don't end up feeling longer than a regular one.
• Thanks to those of you who sent me birthday wishes. It didn't feel any different than a normal day, especially since I drove over four hours home. But, I'm 28 now and all grown up.... if you only knew.
• I'm considering taking some classes at a local junior college. Maybe they'll get me closer to living my dream.
• Brandon Rhyder had a baby girl yesterday... I can't wait to meet her. Hell, at this point, I'd just love to go to any show. For you DFW people this weekend, Radney Foster is at the Horseman Friday night. Color me JEALOUS.
• My life is a snore. Which now that I mention it, a nap doesn't sound to bad right now.

I am very much looking forward to:




It premiers tonight at 8pm on Bravo. Yippee!!!

Yes, I'm a tv dork.

New year, new look

• There's nothing better than a little change. Don't you agree?
• This evening, C and I are driving to Galveston for the weekend. It's not as good as Mexico, but it's as close as we're going to get this weekend. I know it's a dirty beach, but the hotel has a great pool.
• I feel sorry for the people who will have to see me in a swim suit this weekend. I apologizein advance.
• I received my first gift this morning from a co-worker. Lunch is at noon. Yay!
• My drivers license expires Sunday. I could renew online, but Lord I need a new picture. Does anyone remember me having long hair? Yeah, it was awful.
• Did I tell you I made C a ringtone of a donkey braying ? He thinks that's the best sound in the world - well, maybe not the best, but it makes me laugh everytime he hears one. I have it set as his ringer when he calls me, which prompts me to answer the phone "Hello, Don-key!"
• We're looking at two houses on Monday- with an actual realtor. Yippee!!!!
• Oh, and I'm taking Monday off. I don't have any reason why, pretty much just because I can.
• Happy Graduation, Little Sarah. I promise I'm going to get something wonderful in the mail to you. Or maybe money, which is also wonderful.
• TGIF, internet.
  

My funny Gemini...

I think today's horoscope applies to everyday for every person.

Gemini (5/21-6/21)
Focusing on what is holding you back or what is missing is not going to get you anywhere! Right now, you need to forget about the things you don't like about your life -- because the more you think about them, the more power you are giving them. So today, put a smile on your face and be confident. And if you can't feel confident, then fake it until you do! If you can convince yourself of your value, then other people will be convinced of it, too -- and things will start changing.

I hope it's not genetic.

So, I've been very open about how wonderful my mother is and how much I love her. She truly is an amazing woman and the best mother I could have ever asked for.

That being said- the woman is driving me insane.

Let me explain. I've been on her car insurance since I got my first car. And she's paid it. Yeah, yeah, I know I'm spoiled. Whatever. When I bought my new car, I told her I was going to get my own insurance. That was when- in February? So, she kindly paid the interim fee to extend my coverage to the end of her policy, which is May 26. Since then, every couple of weeks, I've been asked, "Are you thinking about insurance?" "Have you looked into insurance yet?" I blew it off by saying that I was getting estimates and that I would take care of it before the end of the policy. The past month, the nagging has really increased- to every phone call. I've told her repeatedly and very calmly that I'm going to take care of it. Last night, I had all I could take.

Yesterday, was our annual physical inventory at work. It's no secret that our monthly inventory is my most stressful day of the month- and only 1/3 of the part numbers are counted. For the annual inventory, every single part in the plant is counted. Production was shut down, lunch was brought in- it was a big damn deal. I left my house about 7:20 yesterday morning and got home about 7:50 last night. From 1:30pm on, it was hell. I literally had the weight of the plant on my shoulders because everyone was waiting on ME to finish. No one could leave. There was a lot of pacing and sweat. My face got very red and my blood pressure was very high, I'm sure. Regardless, I was tired to say the least.

Hers was one of the many calls I didn't answer yesterday, so on my drive home, I called her back to see what "things she had to tell me". As soon as the usual niceities were over, here it came. "So, I guess you finalized your insurance the other day?" I just had to be honest and say, "Actually, no, I keep forgetting, but I'm going to take care of it before the 26th. " "SAAAARRRRRRAAAAAAAAA! This is IMPORTANT! THE 26TH IS MONDAY AND IT'S A HOLIDAY! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ISN'T DONE YET!"

I responded not so calmy by yelling, "I'M GOING TO TAKE CARE OF IT TONIGHT. AS SOON AS I GET HOME, I'M GOING TO DO IT. PLEASE DO NOT NAG ME ON TODAY OF ALL DAYS!"

That went over like a lead balloon, but I did what I said I was going to do and took care of it last night. C actually added me to his policy, so it's going to cost me half what insurance on my own would cost. Yay!

The icing on the cake came this morning. She calls me at work to inform me that she's going to be paying her insurance bill in full. She didn't want to bother me about it any more, so she's just going to pay it. What? Did I miss something? Did I stutter when I YELLED that I would be handling it last night? So, I calmy told her that I did, in fact, handle it last night. I was insured. She was speechless, I think. Finally.

After another call to make sure I told Toyota Credit about my new insurance and my world is at peace, once again. I may not have peace with my mother, since I'm an ungrately, spoiled, bitch of a daughter - my words, not hers - but at least the insurance topic is OFF the table.

Praise the Lord and pass the gravy. Y'all have a good, long weekend now- ya hear?

It’s Memorial Day in America
Everybody’s on the road
Let’s remember our fallen heroes
Y’all be sure and drive slow

Life Lessons

Sweet Heather sent this to me via email, but I think it's too good not to post. Sorry for those of you who also got it via email, I'm just thieving!

This was written By Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer Newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio:

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 70 in August, so here goes:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11 . Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness, except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29 What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of whom God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative--dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39 Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone Else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Slacker

Apparently it's been eight days since I last updated. Forgive me Internet, for I have sinned.

Let's see...

• Last weekend was C's sister's baby shower. Everyone, including his grandmother, was asking when it would be my turn.
• Still no real forward movement on buying a house, though something will happen soon or I'll buy my own. My lease is up 05/31 and I'm going "month to month", which means paying the "market rate" which is almost $100 more a month. Crap, I say.
• Tomorrow, I'm driving to Dallas for my dear Gabby's wedding. I'm so happy that she's found Robert, who seems to truly love her. I hope to get some good pictures.
• I'm turning around and driving home on Saturday because it's Mother's Day weekend! Before I leave Dallas, I'm going to get my mom and C's stepmom some fancy windchimes. I got my mom some last year and she adores them, so I'm going to get a different "tone" this year.
• Sunday, we're supposed to fry fish at my mom's. C's parents are invited. This will be the first meeting. Yikes!
• I get to see Heather this weekend! YAY!

I'm really sorry I'm so lame, y'all. I'll write more soone-- or at the very least, I'll post pictures.