Mission Accomplished.

We came. (It rained.)

We walked. (It rained some more.)

We finished. (We were wet.)

The Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support raised over $135,000 (and counting) to support those effected by cancer. I am very proud to have been a part of that effort.

Hidden Talents.

Lately, my very talented friends and family are coming out of the woodwork. It's amazing to me that I have known these people virtually my whole life and/or half of my life and never have I been more astounded at their talents.

I've always known my brother had a talent for singing, (he sang at my wedding), but last month he put out a gospel CD. It's amazing, even if I do say so myself. I'm so proud of him. My little brother, for the love of Mike!

It's inspirational and uplifting. Who couldn't use more of that? And he's not the only one in my immediate circle with amazing and surprising talent.

Jenny, my BFF for twenty (!!) years and Maid of Honor, has always had a artistic flair, but I had NO IDEA the extent of her talent. She is amazing. You have to check out her website. Her artwork is so unique. I definitely need to acquire a few pieces now before she reaches such a high demand that I can no longer afford to do so.

Master on Main

Slim

I'm very proud, but also envious that they have found an artistic expression that sings to their soul. It also inspires me to know that it's not too late for me. I just need to figure out what thing sings to MY soul. What talents are you hiding??

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We Did It! (Lo Hicimos!)

My college roommates and I raised over $7,000 to benefit the families of those affected by breast cancer. I'm so proud of my friends. I leave on Thursday morning to spend the weekend with my girlfriends. We have a luncheon on Friday and a 13-mile walk on Saturday. It should be a great weekend. I just hope my family will be able to fend for themselves.

I will be sure to post an update after I return home next week!

She's Just Not That Into You.

No, this isn't a post about gay "marriage." Or homosexuals. It's about girlfriends. I've been thinking a lot myself about friendships. How to make them. How to keep them. How to sustain them.

Meeting people and making friends is easy. You have things in common. You run in the same circles. However, sustaining and nourishing the relationship is the hard part. It is essential that both parties have a mutual trust and respect for one another. In order for a friendship to grow, there must be an underlying assumption that the relationship is a *priority.*

But sometimes, try as hard as you might, you just can't get it together. You may like the person. You may have things in common, but you just are not ever on the same page of music. It occurs to me that part of the problem in keeping and sustaining meaningful relationships is the inherent selfishness that some people have. They only want to meet or interact when it's convenient for them. They are only nice to you or speaking to you when there's something in it for them. It seems that there's a double standard of rules and that maybe their parents never taught them the "golden rule" of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.

There's got to be a give and take. There's got to be a foundation and belief that if you ever needed something, the friend will be there for you. Whether it's a listening ear, a carpool ride, a lunch date, parenting advice. Whatever.

Now that all of my friends have families of their own, I know that I'm not ever their MAIN priority. But I also know that with my true friends, whether it's a friend that I've known 20 years, or 8 years or friends that I've met in the last three years, I know that I AM a priority.

I want my relationships to be genuine and authentic. And when I come across someone who's just not that into me, I want to be able to move on without dwelling on the "why." I want to be secure in myself and know that I deserve relationships where I get back everything that I put into them. Period.

A Change of Plans.

Every year for the last one hundred or so, there has been a football game between two rival colleges in bordering states. The game so famous that for many years was known as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." (For some reason political correctness overtook some people a few years back, but for the masses it still retains its moniker.)

For the past two years (now that we're been back in the States and I no longer have a breast feeding infant), I have made a cross-country trek to join my girlfriends and attend said cocktail party.

From R to L (Carla, Peaches & Larry)

But this year, this year, there's been a change of plans. It was Carla's idea. Rather than go to Georgia v. Florida in Jacksonville, she has convinced the five college roommates and a dear friend to donate our time, money and energy in support of a wonderful cause. We decided to participate in the "In Their Shoes" a breast cancer walk to supporting families of breast cancer victims. Our roommate Cristy lost her mother to breast cancer shortly after we graduated. We decided to do the walk in honor of her mother, Cynthia Ray Burnett. Additionally, my girlfriend Larry (not her given name) has donated her frequent flyer miles toward getting me home to attend the event.

So far it has been very challenging. Each member of the team is charged with raising $900 in order to participate in the event. Initially, I didn't think it would be that hard, but I'm finding out that everyone has a cause that's near and dear to their hearts and also that it's difficult to raise money in this economy. Nevertheless, I won't be dismayed. On Friday, I was $100 from meeting my goal. I had hoped to blow the doors off my goal, but right now I'd settle for meeting it.

I've also been training for the 13 mile walk. Ok, probably not as much as I should. I did go on an 8 mile walk on Saturday and didn't actually die.

I can't tell you how excited I am to be back with my girlfriends. The five of us are usually only able to get together once a year when I'm home in the summer. What a bonus that we'll get to see each other again in a little over two weeks! (Phew! That reminds me, I need to get back to the treadmill.)

From R to L: J.D., Carla, Peaches, Larry and Cristy. Four girls I'd gladly walk 13 miles with.

***If you are interested in making a donation to the "In Their Shoes" charity event, you can visit http://www.intheirshoesathens.org/ they are accepting online donations until Friday, October 9th. In order for me to get credit, please include my Walker Number 42 and Team Name: Walking Down Mammary Lane.

A Little Help from My Friends.

I've been pretty stressed out about a lot of things lately, which might explain my lack of blogging.  You see, I want my blog to be a positive outlet and sometimes when the stress is too much, well, there just doesn't seem to be too many positive things to talk about even though I know I'm blessed beyond all measure.

I have some of the best friends in the world.  They make everything easier.  I'm hoping my stress passes quickly.  However, I'm sure my current stress will be all too easily replaced by new stresses.  One thing is for certain, dear friends are not so easily replaced. This, I know for sure.

[L - R] Forever Folding Laundry, Peach Out of Water and Mainly a Midwife.

Her Favorite Pants, Redux.

It seems that my best 5 year old girl has a favorite pair of pants, and if I'm being totally honest so do I.  She has worn these pants two or three times a week, more if I'd let her, all summer long.  After we got home from Atlanta, I realized that they were a bit worse for the wear and a small hole was forming at the knee.  I was worried she might want to wear them to kindergarten and I couldn't think of how to salvage them, so I put them up [read: hid]. It seemed a shame that they should go to waste, so that's when my I called my girl.  My crafty girl. My girl who makes all the cutesy stuff.

She turned these worn out pants into a full fledged adorable outfit.  Skeedaddle on over to her etsy store, she's got more talent and creativity in her little finger than I have in my whole body!

A Very Busy Birthday.

This past week, my sweet little Doodlebug turned five.  She is a wonderful and amazing little girl. She is a part of the reason for the sparkle in my eye and the sunshine in our house.

We had a very busy birthday for this girl.  We added a new member to our family: Chrissa, the American Girl doll.  We went to the movies to see G-Force with some friends, complete with snack bags.  We also went to Benihana for dinner, the birthday girl's favorite.

I cannot believe this precious angel will be starting Kindergarten in a little over a week. I will also miss all the "help" [real and perceived] around the house.

The Group Formerly Known as Bunco

I have remarked to my husband and others of late that our next move (from our current location) is going to be the hardest one yet.  It's not just that temperate California weather or the small town "Mayberry-esque" quality of my town.  It's the relationships we've made.  Not just me, but my children.  We're not scheduled to leave for at least another 2 years, but I know what's coming.  I can read the signs.  I know it's going to be very tough.  Especially for me.

Every month a group of my friends get together presumably to play "Bunco," or we used to presume Bunco, but not so much anymore.  This year our Ladies' Nite has evolved into "Hostess Choice" meaning whomever is hosting, chooses the theme for the evening.  Last night our gracious hostesses served a delicious lasagna dinner followed by board games.  Free-flowing stories, laughter and wine (much wine).

I love those Ladies' Nites.  More importantly, I love those ladies.  Yup, this next move is gonna be a doozie.