Fall Is Coming.....We have Pumpkin Spice and Salted Carmel Latte.

I am so excited about Fall. This one is particularly fun. I already have tickets to Sip and Stroll this weekend, and a corn maze. A trip is planned to Asheville in October, and we are down to one soccer game a weekend now. I can't wait to get my camera out and start taking pictures of the foliage.

Cooler weather is invigorating. Let's hope all of my energy goes to good use.

I still have not been very good with my daily blog. So let's see if I can recount magical moments from September 2 through today.

9-2 Beach bound with my mom;
9-3 Kudzu Bakery (and Lyle's Birthday);
9-4 Back to Charlotte;
9-5 Day off work; Movie with Todd;
9-6 Breast Cancer awareness day for me;
9-7 Sick child - day working from home;
9-8 Mediated and settled a case;
9-9 Drive to Greensboro and learn more law;
9-10 Clean Pantry;
9-11 Movie with Todd;
9-12 Settled a case;

I have $50 on my Starbucks card, and I am set.

Slow down stupid!

Monday was a great reminder that the world has its own pace. Todd went to Texas. I asked him to get a ride so I didn't start the week out at 5am the first full week of back to school. So after getting up at 5:45, I go to feed the dog and discover the lights on in my daughter's car parked on the garage. (We won't get into why the lights were on at this moment.) Not a good sign. Test ignition procedures showed that the Rabbit was, in fact, dead. Sigh. So instead of hair and makeup, I went and found the extension chord, battery charger, call Todd to make sure I don't set it up to explode anything, and start charging the battery.

I show Stephanie what to do when she comes home so she can drive to the barn. Then we go get the carpool in my car. We wade through the line, I switch places with Stephanie and drive my car home (she can't park because they will not give her the parking pass with a temporary license plate), and head home to get Clay off to school. As I pull out of the school lot, two very large dump trucks bear down on the rear of my car, and an ambulance is coming up in the lane next to me. Of course, it doesn't pass me until after I pass the entrance to my neighborhood. So I had to U turn at the next intersection and get in the line of traffic heading past my neighborhood towards the high school.

I got home about 5 minutes before Clay headed to the bus. Since my hair was still a mess, I sent him off and got ready for work. Downstairs, I stop to make my lunch and I notice that my daughter, in the car battery confusion, left the school picture order form and check on the counter on school picture day. Sigh. I text her that I will bring it to the office on my way to work.

After my delivery to the front office, I back my car out of the spot and head to the exit. To my left, there was a gaggle of 50 geese who decided to cross the lane from one island to another. To my right, another gaggle crossing from one island to the opposite island, as if they exchanging homes. This exchange completely blocked my exit from the grounds for 5 minutes.

At last I left. As I went towards Southpark, I crept through streets clogged with refugees from Park Road courtesy of the sinkhole. I finally just stopped for coffee at my favorite Starbucks. Once there, I stood in a line of 15 coffee addicts. What I have always heralded as the fastest most efficient Starbucks on the planet, had been derailed by an absent barista and her substitutes. My usual five minute stoop took 20 minutes.

And such has been my week when it comes to moving from place to place. No trip has been smooth. I have been sidelined by wrecks, new school start times, road work, tree removal, student drivers and people who dress while driving. Let's not even get started with the people who check their texts at red lights, and don't see the light change for 30 seconds.

I finally gave in. I don't even try to get anywhere quickly. I am leaving an hour before I am expected or just telling people to wait longer for me to arrive. Apparently, I am supposed to slow down. Who knows why? But today as I leisurely returned from Rock Hill on SC Highway 51, I passed a building with a pen in the back which contained a live camel. I doubt I would have seen that last week.

Summer fades into Fall... or at least School

There are a lot of things to complain about in today's schools. But there are some fun things. New school supplies, back to school pricing on clothes (whether they are school age people or not), new lunch boxes, new schedules. All the friends and neighbors who scattered during the summer come back to the fold. It is a new beginning, nine months into the year. Sort of a second chance on that new year's resolution thing.

Plus, I get to look forward to apple spiced things and fall. So come on school year. If nothing else, that means fall weather, colors and smells are coming soon.

Some days, I really fail as a Mom....and it is a good thing.

How is it that you can love and abide by your family and still mess up. If good intentions and love allowed success, I would be absolutely fabulous. But despite prayer, love and good attentions, I screw up. Todd and the kids are the most likely victims. This week I got up very early to take our daughter to get her drivers license. Months of Todd and my inattention to the renewal issue with my plate, meant I needed to get the tag updated before she had to take the road test. I researched the procedures for both, found the office for the DMV and the times of operation and formed a plan. I got up at 5am and we were there by 6am.

Now, I didn't notice the address change so the DMV was actually closed and had moved 8 miles away. But we got to the new location and were still first in line. I didn't notice they had ceased to do both registration and licenses, so at 8am, I had to call Todd to come get the paperwork, drive to another DMV, get the tag and bring it back before Stephanie took the road test. I had proof of insurance, but not the DMV-123 form, because I misunderstood the website instructions. So at 8 am, I called State Farm to fax the form to the DMV and at 8:30 called to make sure they got the message. The day before I bought Stephanie a 100 question test so she could pass the "written" part of the test and Todd and I quizzed her on the signs. Turns out that she didn't have to do that again after the permit process. Oh,well. She didn't mind too much doing all of that unnecessary studying.

At 10:00, we had a proud new driver in our family. I came home to get Todd to the airport, took Clay to lunch, and let Stephanie drive my car to a friends and to work. Whew. I went to work, and Clay got to go to a Knights game with his uncle and a friend. A birthday present from his uncle. At 10:00pm i wanted to go to bed. So I called Clay, found out he thought they would be home at 11:00 and waited up to let him in and find out about the game. At 11:40, I called, found out they were just leaving, and in frustration exclaimed how tired I was and that I didn't plan on being up until 1:00am.

Day killed. Clay paid for my exhaustion. I made him feel badly about enjoying his night and his present. He walked in the door apologizing. And my brother called the next day saying he was sorry he let time get away too. Complete failure. Two people paid for my decision to get up at 5am. and my failure to communicate and ask what time they would be home. It was a double header and I didn't even look. Funny how a long and wonderful day or working hard to keep the family going and reaching milestones can still be best remembered for Mom being a grouch.

Then, I told my daughter that parking places at school were being assigned on Wednesday. I was wrong. She went to get ahead of the game and fill out her paperwork and discovered they were assigning them at that every moment. I was in the parking lot of the courthouse in York County. She called me very stressed out. Her computer was not connecting to any of the printers, she couldn't find her debit card or the checkbook, and she needed the registration to fill out the application. Turns out I left the debit card in the machine the night before, and had moved her checks some time ago when setting up an Etsy account for her. With her practically in tears, I had her brother run home to help her with the copies she needed, and called a neighbor to take her cash for her petsitting job. Stephanie got it all done in time and has a parking space, but I felt so helpless. Not only had I not really facilitated anything, I almost prevented her from getting one by getting the information wrong and being so distracted I left her debit card.

Now, all in all, this all could be God's way of removing me from standing in the way of their growing independence. I suppose the less reliable I am, the less they can rely on me. My son was compassionate and realized I was tired. He then reminded me he had a key and I could have gone to sleep instead of waiting up for him. My daughter got everything covered and did it essentially herself. That was a good thing. She probably will not rely on my memory in the future and she knows she can manage these type issues herself. She even went the next day and worked with the bank to get a replacement card for the one I left in the ATM when depositing her paycheck for her.

Of course I encouraged my son to walk to the bank parking lot and meet her so they could go to lunch together. Only so he could watch her drive off given she couldn't read my text while she was driving..... Sigh.

Summer Fling with Hubby

For Father's Day, the children and I purchased two tickets for Alison Krauss and Union Station for Todd. He loves them. They were to perform at the Biltmore Summer Concert Series and there is no better venue in the country that I have seen. Todd decided to stay a second night so we could extend the weekend and hang out. My mom came and stayed with the children in Charlotte so they could hang out with their friends.

The weather was wonderfully cook after weeks of excessive heat in Charlotte and Texas. The music was splendid. The dinners and meals we shared were great. We walked along the streets of Asheville with no particular agenda or destination, taking pictures and stopping wherever we felt like it.

It was such a pleasure to know the children were safe and happy, and Todd and I had no obligations to anyone but each other and ourselves. We love Asheville and always seem to relax when we are there, regardless of which hotel. Despite a few mistaken glances at work email on my iPhone, we stayed true to the plan. We stopped at the Wine Bar on Walnut, checked out the murals and graffiti in the alleys, stayed at the Blue Indigo, and found a new wine bar in a bookstore that is just great. (Yes, Wine was a theme)

I am so lucky that I have a husband that knows how important it is to preserve the marriage that started the family. As the children grow, mature and seek independence, I am glad that when they spread their winds and fly, Todd will be watching them right beside me. And then he will head back inside to look up the next weekend when we can get away and go somewhere fun.

Wordless Blog.

Storm...Limbs...Chainsaws.

Tonight we got hit by a pretty large storm in the area. They said the winds reached 50-60 miles per hour. I was at a friend's house when it hit and we were wondering about the trees as they were twisting in the wind. We even lost power and were forced to drink wine by candle light. I was secretly (ok... not so secretly) hoping the storm would take out my BRADFORD PEAR trees near my driveway. They smell so bad and always keep my driveway looking dirty.

Alas, it knocked the neighbors' tree pear onto our house instead. No harm done of course, to anything but their tree. So close., but some people have all the luck. The neighborhood was littered. My favorite thing. The suburban men rushing out with chain saws to clean the mess. Whoo Hooo. Power Tools!!!! Testosterone filled the air. I swear within one hour of the storm, there was a neatly cut pile of branches in front every house in the hood. One of my friends was laughing that his next door neighbor was actually out with the chainsaw and cutting before the leaves had settled on the ground.

It is easy to laugh because there was no real damage, and our guys got to play with their toys. You have to have your fun where you find it.

Peace... and music.

Today, a client settled his case with his ex wife. We fought for over a year and over the weekend he decided, and she agreed, it would be best to put down arms before the trial set for tomorrow. Since we have heard that before, the other attorney and I made sure the terms were reduced to an Order that both would sign before we gave up the trial date. Fortunately, they signed. I hope it works out for them. I know they have saved some stress and money. It certainly makes my day when people can work through things and compromise. It only works when both sides are willing to let the other side get something they want. If the goal is to destroy, then there is no reasoning with the opponent.

The added bonus, their peace, allowed me to relax and enjoy the concert with friends I had planned to attend. Had they not resolved their action, I would have been squeezing in a couple of sets and off to bed.

So off I went with three wonderful ladies from the neighborhood and my daughter with two of her friends. The weather held, the music was great, and the company even better. A true win-win.

Rainy days and Mondays.

Blogging by phone. This Monday brought me
1 hour alone with brother;
Lunch with Clay and Todd;
Call from daughter;
Sharing my weekend with co-workers;
Lightening storm;
Wine;
Call with friend;
No cable or Internet ....;
2 chapters of new book;
Early night.

Good Night Moon.

Treasure Hunting

I just got back from "The Antique Roadshow" in Atlanta. A friend, who is interested in antiques and spends weekends searching yard sales and estate sales for treasure, found an item she wanted to take. Friends and family members applied for tickets so she could go. And fortunately, a few entries resulted in the needed ticket. I was invited to accompany her on the big trip. During the course of the trip, we talked about this blog and her blog for antiques, Jazzy Poet. I recounted and remembered why I started this blog... why I call it, "Everyday Magic"

During a tough time I needed to remind myself that every day held moments of magic. I was facing clients pouring pain and anger over me all day. I had two wonderful children, one a teenager. My husband was delightful, but somewhat neglected by yours truly. I had one parent going through a second and difficult divorce while caring for my grandmother, one parent struggling to keep his resolutions for better relationships, a grandmother in declining in health, a brother struggling with his career, frown lines, a ballooning waistline, an aging house and a deficit of hours in the day. I decided that if I had to find something wonderful every day, I would become a more optimistic person who was more present to experience and enjoy the many gifts in my life.

Now, a quick look at my archive shows that I have missed a few days. I have taken note of the things big and small that made me smile. But I have not written them down, unless you count Facebook or Twitter posts. I didn't start the blog for anyone else to read. I started it for me...and I have failed myself. (I messed up my healthy eating routine and morning prayer routine too. But, one things at a time.)

This past weekend with antiques was wonderful on so many levels. The trip was a break for me. My friend is quite busy and so am I. I do not see her as much as I would like and it was so nice just to be in the car for four hours to talk and share. We stayed at her parents' home and her brother was visiting as well. They shared a favorite family restaurant that they love. Her parents opened their home and their hearts showing me true hospitality. I enjoyed being with them and felt right at home.

At the auction itself, I saw numerous items that held value for people. Ultimately, experts set values on those items that represented the market value. It is somewhat like finding money in your pockets. Everyone hoped that an item they already liked would somehow be special or valuable.... or both. For me, the excitement was seeing my friend realize a dream. My friend is smart, beautiful, an accomplished business woman, a great mother, wife, a church leader, a giving friend, and devoted daughter, sister, and aunt among other things. But she has a passion for beautiful things and a beautiful home place. And this love for interesting antiques planted a seed... a dream of sorts. Please remember that a dream and a goal are two very different things.

Her dream was to find an item which was a true find...something with unexpected value. Then, she could take this to " The Antique Roadshow" to have it appraised. They would find it to be more valuable than she imagined. Maybe, she could even be filmed for a segment on the show. Now, this is not curing cancer. And in the context of the meaningful things she does every day to help people, as well as the goals she has met regularly in life and business, this personal day dream made me very happy. I love it when people have a personal dream. Some people want to travel to a certain city, meet a personal hero, win a ribbon, finish a marathon, open their own bakery, write a book, or have a painting in a gallery. And I admire them all. My dreams have always stayed in my imagination, so people who take steps to make a dream happen impress me greatly.

After the appraisals of my own items, I search for my friend to see if her item, an old map of New York City pre-dating the Revolution, was authentic. Well, there she sits, waiting to meet with Producers to see if they will tape her appraisal. I could have dropped right there. Long story short, the map is real, her appraisal is taped, the value of her piece is well above her $50 investment and she is the big find of the day as of 1PM. I will save the detailed version for my friend to share. I won't even get started on how much the item fascinates me. Because there was something even more striking.

I was there. Me. She has many close friends and family members. But for some reason, it all worked out where I got to be there. I was able to witness something wonderful happen to someone. A dream come true. I could have gone my whole life and never witnessed such a moment. It was pure magic.

A little bit of magic goes a long way, if you just stay open enough to see it. So I am going back to my daily treasure hunting. Who knows the value?

Sincere Prayer

Prayer can be rote. As I hear and repeat, The Lord's Prayer, I have to remind myself to slow down and mean the words. As I recently listened to one of my children say a blessing before a meal, I was reminded how easily meaningful communication can become simply habit. For example, saying," I love you." to a friend or family member, "I'm sorry." when you make a mistake, or "Call me." when you see a friend in public. Our communication with God is subject to the same plight.

My prayer life ebbs and flows. It takes a larger position in my day depending on my discipline. But even when I have a renewed commitment to spend time in prayer, I pray for the same things and move dangerously close to form over substance. I do mean it when I tell my husband, children, and family that I love them. And when I pray I really do want God to hear me and answer my prayer. I probably pray for the same things most people who believe in God do...keep my family safe and sound throughout the day, give us wisdom and understanding to make good decisions, make me productive and effective in my work day, forgive me for all of the mistakes yesterday and help me not make the same ones, give me focus, let me see and meet the needs of people around me, help me manage my health better, help my Mom find a buyer for her house... you get the point. I really want God's guidance and ear. But do I take time to hear him throughout the day? Do I follow my instincts during the day? Do I live my day in such a way that my prayers can be answered?

Words always need actions and I believe prayer does too. Saying "I love you" means more when my actions show I love my husband and family. There is a song or saying that talks of being a living prayer. Perhaps that is the most sincere prayer. Live the prayer you make. Live the words you pray.

What do you pray for??

Growth

Everyday is an opportunity to grow. I love that you go to bed every night a different person than the one who woke up. How does each day shape you? Who moves you? Who changes you? You don;t need a lightening bolt, or a cosmic event to grow. You just connect each day with something or someone. Writes borrow from such literary themes. Todd enjoyed star trek. The "Borg" assimilated the best of some race or person for the community greater good. In Harry Potter, the sword only takes in what makes it stronger. But in life, you take in everything. Some things make you stronger, other weak, compassionate, frightened, vulnerable. Unlike fictional characters, we can;t pick and choose what influences us. What did you learn today? What had an impact on you. Did you grow? My career and my family grant me opportunities everyday. I do not always take them. But none the less... everyday, I change. Let's all pray that it is for the best.

Micah 6.8. A call to justice

He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

A wonderful Sunday School lesson today. An amazing group of speakers. The young speaking of their faith journey through high school, and the not so young, reminding them and us, that the journey starts again everyday. Marilyn Marks, retired recently from Saint Andrews Society. She used to be a teacher, a banker and then a soldier fighting hunger. She now searches for new ways to do justice in her life for God. Now, she says she wants to work less with policy and more personally with issues. But I loved how she talked about listening and following God's call every day. And not in the lightening bolt way, but in the small ways. And to do justice, not charity. It blended perfectly with Dr. Kort sermon calling us to decorate the world every day with small kindnesses.
Marilyn's path was not clear. I was moved when she spoke of how she had constantly moved from plain sight, to where she thought she could not be seen all through her life. And it took time for all the pieces of her life to fall into place to be have God use her life in a big way, while she simply lived her life. All while riding her Harley with her husband. At the end, one of the young speakers couldn't stop himself from exclaiming, "You are Awesome" as she finished. I agreed. Message delivered in a very personal and new way.

I hope I can show kindness and justice through both my work and my personal life. And by mentioning it publicly, I hope people hold me accountable.

March and almost April........Gone!?

My Husband started a new job at the beginning of March. He is happy, challenged and very motivated. It has taken him out of town for six, going on seven consecutive weeks. Of course, he hates the travel part and being away from home, but as far as jobs go, he is happy with the change. This change coincided with a particularly busy time in my practice, so I have used extreme powers of concentration to remember my name and what day it is. So it shouldn't shock me to wake up one day and find that it is Easter and the end of the month is this weekend. When I return to work after the Family Law Attorney's Annual Meeting, it will be May. And in June, I will have a rising Junior in High School. They sent a notice that she needs to order her class ring! Not to mention Clay will be 13 years old and I will officially be the parent to two teenagers.

While I was begging once again for someone to PLEASE slow the earth's rotation, it occurred to me that perhaps, I am missing the point. While the time appears to fly by, the proof of growth and change is all around me. My children are older, and they are constantly becoming more help around the home, more company to me, and more independent of me and Todd. How would I have gotten through the last six weeks if they were younger? So slowing time, would simply slow the growth and stop the change. So once again, I challenge and commit myself to enjoy each moment, even as it passes in a blur. But don't be offended if I drive by you in the neighborhood without waving or forget your birthday or even fail to show up for a dinner I planned. My powers of concentration are being used to stay in the correct lane and remember where I live.

Gone... with no reason.

In 1999, we sold our home in Cotswold. A neighbor had a friend who had always liked the look of the house. She saw it and made an offer. I had a toddler and a 4 year old. I had to keep the house clean for 1 day. I was thrilled. We moved to Hembstead. My only complaint with the new owner of my little home was that she tore out the boxwood shrubs we had so carefully nurtured back to health. She was moving her Mother in to care for her they lived there alone. She felt it was dangerous. Someone could hide behind them given how large they were and where they were located in front of the house.

She nursed her Mom through her death, moved on with her life, still lived in "my" home. My oldest Charlotte friend and reliable confidant still lives two doors down from my old home. So when Janet, its new owner disappeared on Sunday after dining with friends at the Liberty East, she called me. As the information has come to light, she has called. So I was so saddened to hear her body had been found not far from where her car was found days after her disappearance. The details are unknown, but it appears she was in the area related to her business and ran afoul of the wrong person/people. It took me back to the bushes. She was a careful and thoughtful person, who considered her surroundings and took heed for her safety. But it was not enough to save her in broad day light from someone who meant her harm. I feel vulnerable hearing of her death. I feel mortal. And yet, I feel resigned. We must do what we can to be safe... "Don't be a Victim" and all. But we have to live, love and give freely everyday.

A lesson can be taken from Janet's life. She was laughing with friends and headed to a family meal that last day. She spoke to her boyfriend and she went for food for her beloved pet. She was living right up to the end. And I hope she felt safe in the sunshine and did not see anything coming. I hope she felt no fear. I hope her family finds peace and answers. And I hope they can refocus on her life.... and not the manner of her death. I hope we all can focus on our lives and reach out to those around us.

God rest her soul and be with her family and friends again as they grieve anew.

Valentine's Day IS special.

The girl who does my nails, asked me what I was doing for Valentine's Day. Her response when I told her my husband had made dinner reservations at Fleming's, was, "Oh, what are you going to wear?". She is around 30 years old. I laughed when I told my husband that story. I did a good job applying fresh lipstick after working all day and taking Stephanie to her piano lesson. But as I walked through the restaurant that night, looking at all the couples in cocktail attire, sitting close and feeding one another dinner, I realized, it is a pretty great occasion. Not a bad reason to get dressed up and go out. Sure, it benefits florists, Hallmark, and Godiva more than anything, but an occasion to remember to tell someone you love them, is not all bad.

After over 20 years, Todd and I still remember the day with at least a card and dinner.. sometimes, gifts. But in our house, Valentine's Day is sandwiched between both of our birthdays and our anniversary. We tend to focus on the anniversary more than Valentine's Day. But the real opportunity of the day, is to share love with the ones around you. Valentine's Day tends to make those without romantic attachments feel alone. That is all the more reason to call friends and family who are important, wish them a Happy Valentine's Day, and make them feel loved.

Maybe next year I will go get a new dress. I suppose the occasion is only as special as you make it. And given my daily discourse with broken hearts, I should be an advocate for any opportunity to remind someone that they do matter and they are loved.

This is my kind of place.

I am sitting at Cabo Fish Taco. The gallery crawl is not until Friday night, but Stephanie is taking an art class at the Green Gallery in NoDa, so here I sit. I have already gone into two galleries and a shop. Even though it is not crowded, there is an energy to this area. The lights, the buzz, the people in dreadlocks next to the ones in Northface. I think the DNC got it right. Charlotte has a great deal to offer the people who come. Several arts districts, great food, suburbs and glitz, museums and a very shiny uptown.

If I had to make a list of where to take visitors, I would suggest the following, in no particular order.

Go walk the Plaza/Central area, enjoy Zada Jane's for brunch.

Visit the National Whitewater Center when they have summer bands.

Go see the Pops play at South Park.

Book at table at Zebra after a day of shopping at the South Park Mall.

Go check out the growing campus of UNCC and visit the observatory.

Drive through Myers Park and go to Freedom Park.

Walk the Greenway.

Go to McCoy's Saloon and Smokehouse and then go shoot arrows and the Barefoot Archery range to work off the mac n cheese.

Take the light rail and see the Mint, Bechtler, Harvey Gantt, New South and Discovery Place. Take breaks at Mertz Heart and Soul, and then Mimosa Grill.

See the NASCAR Hall of Fame and go see a race at the speedway.

Drive down Wilkinson Blvd and go to Dairy Queen.

Take in a game of some sort, Panthers, Bobcats, Knights, Checkers.

Try your hand at one of the golf courses if you can get someone to let you in.

Go to Camden and watch the skateboarders dodge cars from Phatt Buritto or Common Market.

Enjoy a movie at Ballentyne Village Theater.

See whatever is happening at the Knight Theater, or McGlochin just because they are such cool venues.

Go find a houseboat and take a ride on Lake Norman.

and go to NoDa and eat at Cabo, enjoy the music and people at a gallery crawl. It is not the suburbs.

Facebook lives.

On CBS this morning, they profiled a study that showed people became depressed and dissatisfied with their own lives when comparing them to the their friends' lives on Facebook. Their study showed that users overestimated the happiness and satisfactions of their friend's on Facebook by a very large percentage. Of course, most people don't post horrible or depressing things on Facebook. And I admit, sometimes, my life looks a little small compared to that of a few old high school friends who seem to be all over the world all of the time. But it appears that Facebook has taken , "Keeping up with the Jones" viral. Vacation Pictures, party pictures, concerts, ect. It could make you feel cheated. But if you were friends with real friends, wouldn't you know all of this stuff about their lives anyway?

There is a country song I have heard with a refrain "I am so much cooler online" The song is about a socially awkward guy living with his Mother, who had a dead end job. But on line, he chats as someone who is rich and handsome and successful.

I wonder what the demographic of the study was? Who is more honest on Facebook? Guys or Gals.... Teen or Adults?
I don't know, but I will try not to make any of my friends eat their hearts out when they read my posts. Well, at least not the ones who know me.

It is nice to be needed.

Clay is sick. He has missed two days of school and has been lying around and coughing his little head off. Other than Sunday, I have been at work. I make sure to set his medicine out before I leave and to place sticky notes telling him what times he can have a dose. I call and text throughout the day to check in. I leave lunch options out on the counter. (I should mention Todd is working from home and is in the basement) Before bed, I make sure that his vaporizer is all set, he has tissues and water. Clay loves the attention. And as soon as I am home, he is ready to ask for jello, grits, sprite or whatever else I can bring to him. Of course, I love it. I remember teasing my Mother as she broke up the Frosted Wheat for my brother into the cereal bowl when he was home from college! My brother was not protesting.

We all need a little attention and nursing from time to time. We all need to be the caregiver. We all need to let someone care for us too. And we should be grateful for the people we get to care for and who fuss over us. I am not sure what would be worse. To have no one to care for me when I was down....or to have no one to care for.

So use this cold and flu season to spread a little love and collect some too.

Another New Year flying by.

I haven't even had time to make New Year's resolutions. How is it January 19th? My calendar is getting so full. It will be spring break before we know. I have a new lens for the camera, my account set up on Flickr, my blog of course, plus a new autobiography by Mark Twain. Of course, I do need to finish putting up the Christmas boxes, clear the garage storage room, clean my closet, go back to eating healthy and exercising, get dentist appointments, ect ect.

But I still want to fill my weeks with a little creative fun that is unrelated to my work and separate from all of my family fun. My Dad keeps telling me Frank Lloyd Wright did his most famous buildings very late in life. Matisse felt he was just starting to understand how to paint near his death. That may be true, but they were both painting and designing long before. So he actually just makes me feel more behind. Stephanie keeps telling me I dont "need" to do anything. (Maybe I should act like a teen some days)

In 2010, I got in many more concerts and shows than years before. this year, I just need to watch a little less and create a little more. You guys just remind me before I volunteer for something else.