Wonder (what I'm going to catch) Woman

I've never considered myself a germophobe, but I found myself really squirming today at the kids' school. I sat there during reading group and when I should have been listening to kids, I instead became super aware of the cold, flu and general germy sounds filling the classroom - my ears were tuned to every sniffle, cough and sneeze, the scritch, scritch, scritching of the child sitting next to me with her fingers in her hair. But lets focus on the sneeze -
I developed this Bionic Woman-type vision, where I swear, I could see it all in slow motion coming toward me, yet I didn't quite develop the Bionic Woman speed to avoid the spit that landed on my sleeve. It was all I could do to back out of the room with the neck of my shirt pulled over my mouth.

So, as the latex glove fits - germophobia it is.

I am going to take a shot of Airborne and a hot shower.

Wow!

What a time we've had... We had an incredible week with our friends celebrating things I never knew would be celebrated. Last weekend, I had the privilege of shaving Tracie's head. The chemo treatments were taking their toll and when she called, there we were. As we've begun to call ourselves - The Usual Suspects. With snacks and the mixings for chocolate martinis in hand, we made an afternoon of it. Although, I have to admit to being much more relieved after the barber shop closed. At the time, I hated being the one to do this to my friend. But now, I am proud to be a part of her story - owning this cancer and doing it on her terms. What an incredible person. I am honored to be her friend and to have her in my life for the last 10 years.

Eric and I both celebrated the turning of another year! I can't speak for him, but for me, it was actually a wonderful day. With friends like ours, I find the number doesn't matter so much. I got to spend a lot of time with people who make me laugh and made me feel like birthdays are something to look forward to, rather than dread. The Jagodzinskes and Cullens actually made me dinner - Kristin, who is leaving for Ghana tomorrow to bring home her two children, I can't tell you how much your precious time this week meant to me. Your smile, your laugh. Thank you. Daron, who makes me laugh, shares my competitive spirit and love of a good inside joke. Merman, you are the man! Your card was one of the highlights of my day. I loved looking around my living room and seeing the four of you smiling and laughing in the midst of everything.

I feel lucky every day for the incredible people in my life, but particularly yesterday when I needed you! Thanks to everyone that stopped by or called for allowing me a chunk of your day. I know everyone has so many things going on, that my bday was probably the bottom thing on your list. Kristin leaving for Ghana tomorrow, Tracie in the midst of kicking Hodgkin's ass, work, kids, all the things that make our days so busy - Thank you for making me feel so special. You really did, more than you can imagine!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Your friendships are the world to me.

Love Story...

I love movies about love and relationships. Relationships between couples, friends, whatever. Growing up, I remember watching Pretty Woman and thinking how grand and romantic the Richard Gere character was - roses, limo, after a week in a penthouse suite... Wow, right?

We're so trained to look for the grand gestures when it comes to love. Look at TV with all the diamond ads - "How will you show her how much she means to you?" If your love is true, then you will commit yourself to a massive economic strain. I feel like that was what I was programmed to believe, but as I go through life, I've found the most love in the smallest things.

My friend is fighting Hodgkins Lymphoma right now. She finished her first round of chemo last week. At the appointment, the nurse told her that she should expect to start losing her hair soon, perhaps even within the day.

And sure enough, just a couple of days later, my beautiful, strong, amazing friend stood in my kitchen and said, "It started. I'm shedding like the dog." Even though she chose to make a joke about it (which is totally what I would do, too), I know that this is the hardest thing for her to say outloud.

Here is where the moment came in - It was her husband, standing next to her as she lowered her head. He reached out and gently touched her elbow. Then he smiled at his wife.

In the silence of that brief moment, I saw the volumes of love he has for her. And it was just a second. I was moved beyond explanation, and remain such.

This is where we find true love. It isn't in the house full of flowers, or the car with the bow on top, or the jewelry (none of which would be kicked out of bed, by the way...), I think it's in that small moment when you know you have a partner. When you don't need the words to speak for you - I will catch you if you fall. I will be your strength when you don't have it. I am here for you, sunshine or rain. We will make it through together. What can be more romantic than that?

And I have to add what endears me even more to these two - the conversation went on and he finished it with, "Well, I guess I'll be vacuuming more than every other day now."

Keep laughing through it all, my friends!

Turkey is as turkey does.

Yesterday, I painted the bathroom for Thanksgiving. Not with leaves and pilgrim hats, but I repainted the wainscoting because I didn't want my guests to use a bathroom with anything short of the whitest white walls.

So today, here I am, polishing and spit-shining in between cooking side dishes. Because that is what Thanksgiving is all about, right? The least dusty lampshades and whitest bathroom walls. I need to step back and take stock. I've lost sight of something here...

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! From a real turkey.

34 Days and Counting...

The kids have been getting antsy about their visit from the "Big Man" on Xmas Eve. We've heard their hushed conversations about what to ask for, their chances of getting stockings full of coal, we've even shot down Maddie's sly plan to get herself a cell phone - Bypass Mom and Dad and just go straight to Santa (won't work because we'll just talk to Santa ourselves - as grownups, our wishes trump her wishes).

But I had a very interesting conversation with Parker last night regarding his belief in Santa. It wasn't so much that he didn't believe in him as much as it was that he didn't know if he could get behind him still, knowing what he knows.

The conversation went like this:
"Mom, you know Santa?"
"Yeah?"
"How fat is he?"
"Um..."
"Why does he smoke?"
"Wha-?"
"What if I was Santa?"
"What do you mean?"
"If I were Santa, I'd be a good one. Santa, I've heard in some stories, smokes a pipe. And he's fat, too. I can show you." Then he grabs a copy of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas and asks me to read it out loud. He nods and elbows me conspiratorially when I read the passages about him being plump, the bowl full of jelly reference and the smoke encircling his head like a wreath.
"See, Mom. He needs to be healthier. If he didn't smoke and eat so many cookies. If I were Santa, I would never smoke, Mom. But I probably would eat the cookies... But not ALL of them."
"Okay."
"I'm just worried about him."

I can now only imagine what our trip to visit Santa will be like this year. Maddie slipping Cingular ads into his pockets and Parker giving him a physical. Let's hope he doesn't have cavities, that could open a whole new can of worms.

Please Watch. Please Think About It. Please Pass It On!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhDRVKDcXQo

It's truly our chance to change the world. Pay attention. We all count.

Family...

Somehow, at some point in my life I must have done something right because I get to laugh and smile with these faces everyday (well, 3 out of 5 of them...).
Everyday!
I am an incredibly lucky, lucky woman.