September 19, 2011

My little view

Saturday night we went to a birthday party for a family friend’s 10-year-old daughter.  Double digits means, apparently, that one is too sophisticated to play with mere children.  At past parties, Zoe was snatched from her parents and sucked into the world of free-spirited play with all the cousins of this large, loving family.  Expecting much the same this time, I took her hand and climbed the steps to the playroom, where two of the girls had hidden from the boring adults.  As soon as we entered the room, I felt the chill as they stopped talking and looked at us.  I ignored it.  “Hi!  Would you guys mind if Zoe played up here with you?”

∼ Continue Reading ∼

• • •

September 11, 2011

Honor through helping

Ten years ago, I worked at the American Red Cross.  I was a measly little marketing specialist, doing my part to help my chapter raise money and awareness so we could help local families impacted by fire and flood, and send out volunteers and supplies to communities hit by natural disasters.  We trained folks in first aid and CPR and how to use an AED.  We helped people be prepared, and even learn how to swim.  Hurricanes and tornadoes and earthquakes were regular occurrences, and I was proud to work for a large, national organization that could quickly spin into action to help others while doing the daily work of making our communities safer.

∼ Continue Reading ∼

• • •

August 15, 2011

Welcome to your new life

Yesterday, we went to a morning mass because it was Packet Sunday.  This is the Sunday before school starts, and after the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. masses parents can head over to the music room in the school to pick up information for the coming school year.  I was very excited, and a little nervous, as I had been warned by veteran grade school parents that the packet is rather intimidating and requires hours of work and multiple checks.

∼ Continue Reading ∼

• • •

August 9, 2011

License to thrill

This morning, after six long years, I got a new driver’s license.  Normally getting a new license isn’t cause for celebration, but consider this: when I got my license renewed six years ago, I was 8.5 months pregnant.  And in desperate need of a haircut.  And pre-LASIK.  Essentially, for about six years, I’ve carried a license that looks nothing like me.  I’ve dealt with tons of skeptical TSA agents who take twice as long to scour my license and my face, trying to make the match before whistling, “Wow.  This doesn’t look like you at all.”  I know.  I’ve dealt with overzealous Kohl’s cashiers checking to ensure my license matches my credit card.  “You cut your hair!”  I know.  I’ve had friends laugh their asses off when entering bars, “Holy crap!  Look at that!”  I know, already.

∼ Continue Reading ∼

• • •

August 5, 2011

Crossroads

Crossroads

I grabbed the pile of invitations and Zoe’s new school calendar off my home desk this morning and brought them into the office.  I need to plug everything into my work calendar, which gets boosted to my phone, as that’s the only way to keep my family on track.

∼ Continue Reading ∼

• • •

August 3, 2011

hiding

I used the excuse that I hadn’t brought a lunch to leave work and come home.  “Be back later in time to pick up the rental car for my trip to KC!” I said cheerfully, as I breezed out the door.

∼ Continue Reading ∼

• • •

August 2, 2011

Silver lining

Today is a momentous day.  First, it’s my best friend’s birthday.  (O Happy Day, Pookie!)  Second, our nation’s political leaders are narrowly averting financial ruin by passing a marginally acceptable debt package that pleases no one and is likely to hurt many.  (Way to go, asshats.)  Third, this morning, I spotted my first gray hair.  And then my second.  And then I made myself stop looking.

∼ Continue Reading ∼

• • •

August 1, 2011

Normalcy

Fantastic weekend.  The sheer mediocrity…plainness…unscheduled except for those mundane tasks of housecleaning, laundry and grocery shopping.  It was heaven.  It was what I needed to feel like a normal person again.  Getting clothes out of a drawer instead of a suitcase, and sitting at my vanity instead of standing at a generic bathroom sink wondering what funky stuff is growing everywhere.

∼ Continue Reading ∼

• • •
1 … 3 4 5 6 7