laughing

Tons of random thoughts are still running through my head from my reunion...

If there is one thing that stands out, it is laughing. People's laughs really define them. And with some people (Rachel!) it's just such a genuine laugh, it warms your heart.

We did a LOT of laughing this last weekend. So much so that I had absolutely no voice for four days. Today it's becoming a comeback, but still pretty raspy.

Anyway - I have great visuals in my head of people breaking into full blown laughter. SD was keeping everyone on their toes, her energy blasting everyone within 2 ft. Saturday night - I actually laughed so hard a couple of times that I thought I'd pass out from lack of o2.

At the end of the evening, we went to the martini lounge (yes, I'm still in my biker clothes), and sat there reminiscing over the geeky stuff we did in HS, and every story ended up in knee-slapping laughter.

What an amazing thing - to get together after all these years, and have that common ground that lends itself to geniunely enjoying each other's company. I guess it helps to have us to laugh at - we're pretty geeky.

coming out.

This weekend was my coming out party. In a way. It was my twenty year class reunion. I left high school as a brain, a non-drinker, a violin player, an actor, National Honor Society president, blah, blah, blah.

Meeting my husband was the best thing that ever happened to me. My husband is a biker. Not the pedal kind, the motor kind. Harley to be exact. We have an amazing life together enjoying our bike - traveling, getting away. It is by far the best thing that ever came into my life (that wasn't a person).

Back to the reunion. Saturday was a memorial ride for a dear friend of mine - who lost her son to suicide. I knew that if I chose to ride in the ride, I would not only be late for the reunion, but have to go straight there - in my biker clothes.

You have to realize that 90% of my former classmates had no idea that I was a biker. So fashionably late, I walked in - Harley bandana, jeans, and boots. Mixed in with the stilleto heels, the fancy dresses, you name it.

Now I've never really been one to be shy, or introverted, so being the only biker b()&^ there, I wasn't about to become a quiet wallflower. I threw my goggles on my head - and jumped in feet first. I was out. Closet wild woman no more.

segue

Ok, so work sucks. But this weekend I had my twenty year class reunion - and I think I probably have a half dozen blogs that will spew themselves out in the next few days as I reflect....

So sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy the ride!!!

from all directions

i am spinning and problems are flying at me from all directions. work, my husband, my kids, my brothers and sisters. all directions. i don't know which way to turn to avoid them. i want to go away.

friends...

I know how important friends are in my life, and am so happy that my dd has surrounded herself with amazing friends as well. She had 15 kids over for a campfire last night, and many of them peeked in the house to sit and talk with me a bit. I love that. I love that they are comfortable enough as people to sit with an adult and chat. I love that they take time to do that.

She has an amazing circle of friends - from great families - all able to have a good time without the need for alcohol or drugs. They're just good people. And that makes me happy.

random acts...

It's been a rough week. That is an understatement. I had such a rough day at work yesterday I sobbed. That is an understatement. I couldn't imagine having to go back today. I was so upset by what someone suggested to me, I didn't think I could face them today. What they honestly asked me to consider yesterday went against my morals, my values. They didn't ask me to do it, but just the suggestion was enough to make me question so much.

I had meetings all day today - and with the person asking me to make a horrible judgement call. I didn't sleep last night. I didn't eat all day. I actually became completely dehydrated, to the point where I got a migraine partway through the last meeting of the day. The worst meeting of the day.

When I got back from the last meeting, I stopped in HR to talk with the manager - an absolute sweetie. While I was standing there, two of her associates (both dear friends of mine) came over with a bright bouquet of dyed daisies. FOR ME.

They knew I was having a rough week, and knew I needed a pick-me-up. In their words, that's what friends do.

I was so emotional from the horrible week, I instantly began crying. That they would not only think of me, but actually drive downtown to buy me flowers. What an incredible random act of kindness. I hope that they know what it meant to me. I hope that I can find a way to repay them...

7/16/08

It's been SO long since my last post.. I fear I have nothing of inspiration to write about. So I'm hoping that in this moment of rest (it's been a hectic day) I will find that inspiration to keep me going.

It's going to storm today. And much of the weekend. While this can be a bad thing, it will free up a weekend planned for camping and doing yard work. It may actually allow me time to do some scrapbooking.

I haven't done anything creative in weeks. I haven't even been able to work in the gardens for over a week. So maybe a weekend of rest will be good. Even if we do go camping - rain will mean some time to rest and read.

I'll try to find inspiration soon - maybe even re-read my earlier posts - to find some!

independence day?

Fourth of July is big in our little town - a beautiful, small town celebration - with a parade, and carnival, and fireworks. We have had for the last 8 years, a huge party full of friends and family - everyone relaxing under the shade in the yard. It's one of my favorite times of year.

This year was bigger than ever - about 60 friends came off and on throughout the afternoon. It was amazing.

Unfortunately, my DH had to work the night shift, so he had to miss the fireworks. DD was off with her friends, DS was off with his. Which left me on a blanket on the hill missing my DH. I've always been a very independant person, but I didn't realize just how much my family means to me. It was surreal sitting there without them. It just wasn't the same. Is that a sign of a strong family bond? Or am I getting so dependent on them that I can't function as an entity anymore???

one simple word

It's amazing the impact of a single word.

I just went through the drive-thru at the local KFC for lunch. And when handing my order out, the young (MAYBE 18) man said "have a nice day, Miss".

I am constantly called Ma'am.

Hearing "miss" instead made my day.

One of life's Blessings

I was fortunate enough to have been surrounded by good friends this last weekend. A planned visit from one friend and her mom turned into a surprise with the addition of another. While the four of us were shopping I got a call from a high school friend back in town for a visit with her parents, and we made plans for lunch.

I cannot tell you what being surrounded by amazing people does for my soul. I reference back to the book "How full is your bucket". Our souls are buckets. Some people (high maintenance, crooked, coniving) drain our bucket when we interact with them. Others fill that bucket. If you are constantly in situations that drain your bucket, you become counter productive. It's not healthy.

I was surrounded by people all weekend that fill my bucket. No-nonsense, good, kind hearted, no game playing people.

MY BUCKET OVERFLOWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!