I is for....

Honestly I really struggled with the letter I. What on earth could I possibly write about that starts with I? I mean I knew it had been a while since I had written here. So I needed to get busy. But I?

So I started going through my mind for words that started with I. Idiot, Ice Cream, Irritating, Illness, Illinois......nope none of those worked. Then it hit me. It was right in front of me but I was missing it. Or was I? Maybe I was overlooking it on purpose?

I is for Independance. Which is a big thing around here lately. Madison has been stubbornly asserting her independance recently. Suddenly she's a pre-teen. Suddenly she wants to ride her bike around the neighborhood alone. Suddenly she wants to have privacy. Suddenly she doesn't need help picking out her clothes or getting ready in the morning. And just as suddenly, I don't know what to do. This is unchartered territory for me. Having a pre-teen isn't something I have practice at. And I don't want to baby her. Well okay maybe I do. But I won't. Yet at the same time I don't want to give her too much freedom. She's still young. Freedom can be a dangerous thing. So we've had battles over her newfound independance.

I, myself, am also trying to assert my independance. Trying to pull myself away from these feelings that want to hold me down. Trying to break the chains that have bound me for so long. I thought I had already done that. I was doing well with it. I rarely thought about it or felt it anymore. Then out of nowhere it is back. Yet I know it is pointless. But here I sit. Waiting. Aching. Thinking. I've never been fond of thinking too much.

So around our house the word of the month is independance. Perfect for the letter I. And sadly enough, I am having to compromise. Madison can now ride her bike around the block alone WITH permission. She can pick out her own clothes and get ready without my interferance. I try to let her have privacy but I do cut that off when she has a fit for me going outside because I am invading her privacy lol.

As for me...I am just taking it day by day. Knowing that eventually the feelings will subside and I will be whole again.

H is for......

Happy Birthday.

See all this talk about friends over the last few days has gotten me to thinking about a very close friend of mine. The person who was/is my best friend. Today is his birthday.

Sadly though, he lives 900 miles away. So I can't take him out and buy him a drink for his birthday. I can't go to whatever party he is surely a part of. I can't even say Happy Birthday.

Sometimes I miss being there. Being able to just hang out with the one person who unconditionally accepts me as me.

But then I think....our lives have changed so much. If I was there we may drift apart. We live two completely different lifestyles. So in a way I am glad I only see him once or twice a year. Because then the bond is still there. For those moments I get to spend with him, we are still the best of friends. I'd hate to lose that. And life surely would get in the way.

So I will take my diet cherry drink (yes I live in Michigan and NO I don't say pop lol) and offer a silent toast. Happy Birthday Erin.

G is for....

Good Morning.

Yeah, that theory goes out the window with Madison around LOL. Especially on Mondays. I hate Mondays.

She loses her schedule over the weekend so mornings are volatile around here on Mondays. What are the issues you ask?

Well today we had the following problems:

* It's not fall enough to wear jeans (even though its only in the 50's)
* She's tired of me asking if she is finished with her hair after only 20 minutes in the bathroom
* Her pants are too long and she wants me to cut them off
* Her shoes have something icky on them
* She's NOT going anywhere and she doesn't care what I say

And when I say they are problems I mean it! We finally got her to walk out the door at 7:40. Which means again she will be late for school.

Ahhhh.....its always fun to get ready in the mornings around here.

Good Morning everyone!

Taking a reading break....

I decided to take a break from the ABC's to do my book reviews. I had some wonderful ladies send me some books to read and I've been quite obsessive about it LOL.

The first book I read was My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I could not put this book down. It was very good, thought provoking, sad...all at the same time. I read it in my typical I am obsessed 2 days.

Then I moved on to the widely known TWILIGHT series. Now I am not a vampire kinda girl. And I don't usually enjoy those type of books. But let me tell you...I am sooooo obsessed with this series. The first book TWILIGHT....I read in 2 days. The second book.....NEW MOON....I completed it in ONE day. Yep that's right. ONE day. Granted I got nothing else accomplished. But thats a small price to pay right??

I will say though, New Moon brought back a lot of memories for me. No I didn't date vampires ....although some of them could qualify as monsters LOL......but the feelings of the book....I have been there...I could relate to it. I remember those feelings all to well when I let myself think about it.

I am now working on ECLIPSE. I wont get it finished as fast because I do HAVE to get some work done. I did manage to get through photos of 2 tubs of stuff today. Tomorrow I work on the other 7 waiting for me :)

Well there you have my expert opinion on the books I have been reading. If you haven't read any of these....YOU SHOULD. Take my word for it. I wouldn't lie to ya.

F is for.....

FRIENDSHIP

Do you ever wish you could turn back the clock? I admit it...I do. I am a 30 something mom, working full time on ebay, girl scout leader. And don't get me wrong. I love my life. For the most part. And I have friends. Obviously if you are reading this, I consider you one of them. I have people I could call if an emergency arose and I needed a sitter for Madison. I have people I can call if my car breaks down in the middle of the night. I have friends that mailed me books just because they knew I wanted to read them. I have friends that have loaned me 20 bucks when I didnt have the gas to get madison to school. I have people I enjoy chatting with. I have friends. What more could a boring old 30 something mom ask for?

But the thing is...do you remember being young? That friendship bond that was unbreakable? Back when people didn't drift in and out of your life depending on circumstances of theirs? Back when you would not know of any place you would rather be or any person you would rather share it with? Before conversations turned to school or scouts or soccer? When you knew that no matter what someone had your back?

I miss those days. Don't get me wrong. I am still friends with the same people. But over the years we have drifted apart. So even though in my heart they are still my BFF. In reality, I don't know much about their lives anymore and vice versa. I miss the fun. The spontaneity. The craziness. And knowing that that person can see me at my best or at my worst and still love me just the same.

Just a fleeting thought in my overflowing mind. Friendship. Does the definition of it change over the years? Or is it that what we need from it changes as we grow?

I think Madison has the friendship thing right. She has many many friends. But there is that one very special friend. And they have 'grown up' together. They've known each other for five years now. And just last week on her birthday, that was the one person she wanted to spend it with. Much to my dismay, it didn't matter if I was there or not LOL.

But as a 30 something working mom and girl scout leader.....and very avid reader....I am glad for the friends I have in my life now. And glad for the friends who have been there for years no matter how distant we may be. And glad that those wonderful memories are burned in my heart forever.

In a sort of "ode to friendship" fashion....here is my baby growing up with her BFF Tori. May they be 30 something moms and still the very best friends....

and for all my friends who read this...dont worry...I got ya back :)

E is for....

ELECTIONS

Of course. What else could it be? After all this is a major election year. It's the end of the Bush era...thank heavens. It is the beginning of something new. But yet I find myself sad this year.

I am sad because I don't have a candidate that I can truly get behind. As most of you know, I was/am a big Hillary fan. She was who I wanted to see make it. I believed in her and her plans. But she didn't make it.

Yes I am one of "those" people. The bleeding heart liberals. LOL. I always laugh at that description. But yet I have serious concerns about "our" candidate this year. Concerns that most often get met with brushing me off as overdramatic. That makes me sad too. I feel very strongly about some things yet feel I can't really say much to my liberal friends about it.

Then of course the 'other' candidate. I have nothing against him so much as against his stance on issues. So I am stuck. I don't know where my vote will end up, if I even vote at all. And that makes me sad.

I say all the time I want a do over. I want new choices.

But what saddens me the most is seeing people I love and care about and respect change in front of my eyes. Suddenly the candidate of choice becomes a personal issue. If you question things, you are questioning them. In return your thoughts/beliefs/morals get questioned. When in reality it has nothing to do with them. You love and respect them just the same. You just don't believe in their candidate. And I see this on both sides. And it makes me sad. I don't respect them any less, but I don't like the side of them I am seeing either.

So thats why this election year is hard for me. I am ready for it to be over, yet scared at the outcome.

I liked my protective bubble and it seems to have popped. Is this what growing up feels like? If so, I don't much like it!

Prayers...

I needed to take a break from the ABC's to say a few words.

For starters I want to say my prayers are with everyone out there who was affected by Hurricane Ike. I can only imagine what it must be like to recover from this.

But I want to request prayers for two very special ladies who are still dealing with the aftermath of this hurricane.

The first is Becky. She is an amazing woman, wife and mom to beautiful Abby. Her and her family are still without power. They have struggled over the past few days.

The second is Wendy. She is also an amazing woman, wife and mom to 4 gorgeous kids. Her family is not only without power, but facing damage to their home.

Both of these women are the classic definition of what I want to be when I grow up. They are truly inspirational women. And while it is in their nature to find the good of any situation, I am sure they are struggling at this moment with all that is going on. I am certain the kids are having a rough time being displaced as well.

So when you offer up your prayers today, could you throw in a couple for Wendy and Becky and both of their families. I am sure they would appreciate it very much!