It has been a while since my last blog.  Life has been just that- life.  I look back at the last few months and am thankful for the experiences I have had and thankful for my friends and family.  I look forward to spending some time with my little brother and his family this summer and am thankful for everyday I have my girls.  Ginny's eyes are worse but we deal on a daily basis.  She's happy, loving and thankfully still with me.  Gracie got to see her grandma last month so she's a happy camper.  Crossfit training continues to kick my butt (paying to hurt on a daily basis is INSANITY) and I am back to making some jewelry again- I haven't had the creative urge in over a year, so that's a welcome change. I am slowly getting back to myself.  I would say my "old self" but she doesn't exist anymore and that's not such a bad thing.

Spring is in the air...and Miss Gracie is so ready to be outside all the time!  Both girls are doing well and are looking forward to showing off their new digs this weekend. The realization there is always going to be something to do on the house is a bit overhelming but Ms. Ginny has the floor plan memorized by her nightlites and is not running into walls. The girls definately seem to enjoy the house and the "retirement village" it is sitting in.  My neighbors have deemed it such. I am one of the youngest residents in the neighborhood.  It doesn't bother me and Gracie loves the attention she gets on her walks.

You gotta have friends...

It's kind of funny when you look back and realize who has been with you through the years and who hasn't...funny after-the-fact.  Friends are wonderful people to have around.  Some people are better at being one than others.  Sometimes they are meant to be in our lives for a short time while some we can never get rid of.  There are friends who are only around when there is drama and those who steer clear of it.  There are friends who like to be casual and there are those who are in-depth with their friendship.  Sometimes they fit into your puzzle of life and sometimes they don't.  I choose to think there is a reason someone has entered your life and there is always something to be learned. Today people choose to use tweeting, emailing, texting etc. to connect with friends.  Whatever happened to writng a letter to a friend who doesn't live near?  What happened to in-depth discussions with your best girlfriend instead of texting each other?  Are we all "too busy" in life to put forth the effort anymore? 

Sometimes a pillow and blankie are needed...

As either of my girls can tell you, a pillow and blankie are all they need to "maintain."  Both are doing well and are not really enjoying all the snow.  Ginny gets lost in it and Gracie has lost patience with it.

2010 has begun with difficulties, but everyone has them it's just how you deal with them.  It is easier for me to just stay in with the girls (some would say anitsocial).  I think it's easier to figure things out quietly rather than talk about it...I get tired of hearing myself and really who wants to be around a sad person- I mean really!  Time is good to put things in perspective and to figure out what the priorities are.  When it comes down to it, Ginny & Gracie are right- sometimes you just need a pillow and blankie to make things right.

How the week goes....

"Love only comes once in a while
Knocks on your door and leaves you a smile.
It takes every breath, leaves every scar.
Speaks to your soul, and sings to your heart.

If I knew then, what I know now..."

So How Are You?

When you're eight years old the world is your oyster.  Life is good.  No worries really. At eight I was a goof- still am somewhat today.  That goofiness, sense of humor or whatever you want to call it has gotten me through a lot.  It still sustains me. I was asked today if the house was done and then how I was doing.  "Yes," I said to the house and then I paused and really didn't know what to say.  And for those who know me, yes, that is hard to believe. I am in a holding pattern for now.  The realization of a relationship, the finality of a remodel and the big gulp of change being shoved down my throat is too much sometimes.  So I keep going- being thankful for what I have- family, friends, the girls, a career and the intelligence to appreciate all of them.

My Challenge to You!!

No matter how many things go wrong or don't work out as planned, I just tell myself "It could always be worse."  When I see people on a daily basis who are homeless, who can't pay their bills, who have no one to care for them, who don't have coats, who are taken advantage of, who don't have a sound mind, who are sick and can't afford to see a doctor, who are lost in our system, who don't believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny because their life has been terribly miserable by age five, my problems are minimal.  I challenge everyone reading this to step up and help out any way you can.  Whether that is serving a meal at a shelter, making sure kids have coats, volunteering at an animal shelter, donating your time and not just your money to make sure people are taken care of and NEVER SETTLING to hear "That's just the way it is..." as an answer to some of these problems.  GET INVOLVED!!!  This is my challenge to you- ignorance is not bliss and ignoring problems only allows them to exist.