THANK YOU MY SISTERS

I received the following as an email and was more touched than I expected. As a woman who has walked that valley many times, I couldn't have expressed my gratitude better. I am eternally grateful for the sisters who cheered me, walked with me and even carried me out at times. Thank you all for you love, loyalty, laughter and friendship.

"A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter. 'Don't forget your sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.' 'Remember that 'sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women always do.'

What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!' But she listened to her mother. She kept contact with her sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her mother really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, sisters are the mainstays of her life.

THIS SAYS IT ALL: Time passes. Life happens. Distance separates. Children grow up. Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes. Men don't do what they're supposed to do. Hearts break. Parents die. Colleagues forget favors. Careers end.

BUT......... Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family: all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would you. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other."

THE GENIUS OF CRAIG

What a smart smart man he must be. Sitting in his apartment a few years ago and thinking "Wow wouldn't it be nice if people could buy, barter or even just give away their stuff." Why yes I think that is a fabulous idea. And we have been lucky enough to take advantage of his genius here and there, buying and selling. However, today's purchase has to be the most exciting and favored of our dealings. But first a little back story. We finally found a great rental home and as we have barely any furniture we have been making the rounds to the local furniture stores. Well at Cost Plus World Market we found some stuff we really liked including a large picture. Now it is rare that the husband and I agree on art, we have similar but not exactly the same taste. That whole colorblindness thing gets in the way, haha love you honey. Unfortunately this picture was mildly pricey and as we have more need for dressers, desk etc. than art it was put on the "wanted but not needed just now" list. But being me, I came home and decided to check out craigslist.org and see if any of the stuff we like was on there used. Nope, not the dresser. Nope, not the bed. Nope, not the desk. Nope, not even the bookshelf. But wait, what's that... the picture!!! Yep, the picture. So this morning we drove up north and SCORE!!! The picture was ours and for about 40% of what it cost in the store. Oh yes, that is the genuis of Craig. Only three more weeks and we can move in and hang it, yay!

SO FAR SO GOOD

Well I have done a few tests so far. And so far, I have passed; or failed I guess whichever way you want to think of it. Bottom line though is it doesn't appear to be the dreaded "c." Although they still aren't sure what is wrong but something is wrong. Now if they could just figure that out so I can get on with my life, not a big favor to ask I think, haha. Oh well, there are a few more tests to take and hopefully one of them will answer the question. Until then I am staying pretty calm and very busy so that helps.

THE "C" WORD

No not that "C" word, who do you think I am. The other "C" word, that one that strikes fear into your heart. No matter that the Doctor rambled off 4 or 5 things it could be besides that. That's the one that is stuck on repeat in my head. As soon as I heard it I had horrible images of leaving my husband a widower and my baby motherless. I have spent the day near tears worrying at the worst. In tears, praying that's not the case. Please not me. I love my husband. I love my son. We haven't had enough time. But first tests; tests to determine what is wrong. Maybe it's not that word, maybe it's one of the other things I had never heard of but are supposedly less harmful. But before we know we must test; test and wait. Except I am not good at waiting, I am not good at not knowing. If this is a trial I pray I can pass, I hope I can. Until then I wait for answers and try not to dwell on the "what ifs."

DEAL OR BETTER DEAL!!!

So we are finally feeling back to normal, or close enough at least. And just in time for the annual neighborhood garage sale. I have actually never done the garage sale thing. Maybe driven by one a few times, stopped here and there but I can't recall actually ever buying anything. Well that changed today. We were finding deal after deal after deal. The two best being a bike for the little guy. Yes, it is a tad big but it is the same one we saw in the store a few months ago and joked about how it has to be his first b/c it is so darn cute. Well score, we now own and for the low low low price of $4!!! That's right folks my boy's first bike with dual suspension and even his own little water bottle holder cost only $4. And it looks practically new, the training wheels have a little wear but honestly can you believe that price. The other best deal of the day was for the bigger boy in my life. I found him a golf caddie for $5! Yes, it's a little old school b/c it doesn't have the inflatable tires but compared to the new price of $130+ I think it will work just find. Plus when I go with him I get to use it, haha. Don't worry I didn't miss out on the goodies, I got three books to read for a total of $1.50, and a super cute wood bead bracelet for all of .25 cents! Overall I have to admit I had alot of fun though I don't think this will be a new weekend hobby anytime soon. It helped that it was a neighborhood sale so it was like window shopping in my own neighborhood, haha. I am looking forward to next year though and a little regretful I didn't grab that $10 telescope, shoot!