Just so you know...

I'm alive and well and have NOT, as I have may or may not have been worried about at one point or another, been chopped up and thrown in the Mississippi River. But that's another story.

And in case you were wondering, and are prepared should the opportunity present itself, there is NOTHING more amazing than watching your daughter stand on a stage, by herself, in front of the entire elementary school and assembled parents and sing like an angel. From the beautiful depths of her heart, without fear or apprehension. Her voice was sweet and strong and I was so proud of her.
(I know what you're thinking...give us a break already...don't worry, alien Mimi returned and promptly rolled her eyes at me before the hour was up. I'll take my sweet mommy moments when I can get them. They are getting fewer and further between lately)

In other news, I signed up to go camping.

In the woods.

In a tent.

With the bugs.

And the sweating.

And some other stuff. If you don't hear from me after next weekend? Check the river.

Hopefully I'll check in more next week; lots of stuff going on with this girl!

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." -- Lin Yutang

Ok, I'm late. That should surprise no one. Least of all my mother. Whom I thought of often as I spent a precious day with my two beauties. And how, since she is many miles away from her only daughter...I could not take for granted the simple act of sharing a wink and a smooch with my Rock star and a hug with an extra squeeze from my Princess. Mom, I missed you on your day and I wanted to say that out loud. You are loved.

I ran today. It was hot. That is all.

Reminded once again that my existence is barely tolerable to certain 9 year old...

The setting: Huge indoor pool hosting a high school water polo match and way too many babies in swim diapers. Humid & noisy. On my last nerve.

Mimi comes running over, drips cold water all over me,grabs goggles from the bag to the left of my chair, and puts them on. Looks at me while working her face to make sure the huge goggles are fitting tight enough to make her eyeballs pop out.

Me: "Mimi, have you seen your sister lately?"

Mimi: "Yes, she's *mumble* in the *mumble*-tex."

[Scooting away, trying not to run.]

Me a little louder: "She's playing with a boy named Tex?"

Morgan whips around and screams after throwing out her skinny little arms: "She's playing in the VORTEX!!!!!!"

Oh boy. The teenage years should be interesting.

******************************

Ima Hasher!!

Seriously, that was the most fun I've had in forever. Except for that trip to Idaho. So I'm gonna tease you and then put my throbbing head (hee, I said throbbing head!) back in the freezer.

I made the drive from home to Belleville IL via Collinville. WRONG! Made it just in time to be introduced to Dick Smith who dispensed with my "nerd" name and I took the customary Virgin name of Just Erin. As soon as the group heard "virgin" I was very quickly pounced upon and offered a beer and introductions were made. As someone who is horrible with names, I remember FeFe (Ironman, get it?), Meta Arsehole, AssBackwards,Hump Up the Volume, Pees like a Princess, Sexorcist, PMS, Postage Tramp and Cliff Bangher. I was told I was going to have to tell a joke, sing a song, or reveal a hidden bodypart...eventually. So I took them up on the beer. And got naked. (NOT nekkid...see prior post)

Is it possible that I could be seeing my pulse in my eyeballs? Ack, and I'm meeting Tori for a 2 hour ride in about 2 hours.

More later...or probably tomorrow. There were pictures...

My To-Do List Gets a Little Shorter

I am a slug. Today is a mental health day. It is 1:16pm and the only times my feet have hit the ground this morning were when I got up to get 2 diet cokes, a peanut butter sandwich and to use the bathroom. Dozing, reading, watched the two hour episode of Grey's Anatomy online (more tears...what the hell is WRONG with me!)and general wallowing. Good thing I'm not allowed to do this very often. Would probably stay here a few more hours except I can't stand myself anymore and the Princess requested me from afar and I must do her bidding.

And then there's THIS tonight; I will be crossing off something I added to my "to do" list way back in December. There will be running and beer and flour and/or toilet paper and funny names and rude songs. From what I hear. Oh, and hopefully laughing.

Through history the ways of truth and love have always won. -Mahatma Gandi

When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it, always. -Mahatma Gandhi

I have always been unapologetically moved and humbled by the men and women who have volunteered to protect and defend our country. I am thankful that I was born here. Even when, collectively, we manage to make some really questionable decisions regarding what is good and just. But for the grace of God, go I.

This VIDEO made me weep. (Make sure your speakers are on) Photographs do that to me sometimes. And emotions are raw.

I found this video on the day that it was announced that 4000 new US troops had landed in Baghdad.

The babies.