Friendship… The Yucky Stuff

Following a prompt from Tell Your Story Every Day… Journaling Challenge 9.

I honestly do not have many friends, close or otherwise. Sure, I have 500+ “Friends” on Facebook, but does that really count? Most of them are people that I went to school with some time between Kindergarten to Graduation – in fact, in a few cases we went to school together the whole time.

My first best friend, C. A guy on my street a couple of years older than me. During our childhood we were inseparable. Then the awkward teenage years, followed by my crush on him – not sure if he ever truly knew about it. He graduated, we lost touch. Enter Facebook years later – turns out maybe I never really truly knew him.

My other childhood best friend, T. and I had a falling out during middle school. She was popular. I wasn’t. ‘nuff said.

My high school best friend, T2. and I fell out of touch soon after I married my husband. We both met him on the same day at the same time at a youth group thing. Before I even knew his name I told her I was going to marry him. She claimed she would date him first. She did – one, maybe two dates. Then I started seeing him. No big deal, she started dating one of my former boyfriends around the same time. She even stood up in my wedding. Not exactly sure what happened other than I got married, moved out of town (just a couple of towns over), and proceeded to start my family. The last time we saw each other, she was involved but still single.

My current BFF, K. lives 3 hours away. We met on the internet in 2004. The distance prevents us from seeing each other frequently – but we talk on the telephone almost every single day – for hours at a time. Our husbands are baffled how we can possibly have that much to talk about. It’s funny, but some days we don’t really talk – we’re just there on the other end of the phone keeping each other company while we go through our day.

I’m here at home most days – alone, unless you count my five children. My husband, truly my best friend, travels with his job frequently. Even with the kids – I’m lonely. A lot.

I don’t enjoy big crowded parties/social situations. Anxiety.

My “filter” isn’t the greatest. A lot of times, if it pops into my head – out of my mouth it comes. This makes keeping friends difficult. I am honest. Brutally and bluntly.

I am also super sensitive. My feelings get hurt very easily. I can also hold a grudge. I’m still mad at one of my former friends for something she said & did at my wedding – this was 18 years ago. I know I should let it go, but in my head she nearly ruined my wedding.

Ok – enough about all of that. See? My life isn’t all sunshine and roses. I think I’m going to go outside and pull “winter weeds” for the next hour while I wait for the preschool bus to drop off my Katharine and my Benjamin!

HHS Mandate is UNCONSTITUTIONAL!

Ihaveasay, originally uploaded by sapphires2000.

The HHS Mandate violates my Constitutional Rights as a Catholic.

Why is discrimination against Catholic people and the Catholic Church still allowed, even encouraged??

Please visit http://www.catholicsistas.com/2012/03/06/video-cecile-richards-does-not-speak-for-me/ to see the "Cecile Richards Does Not Speak For Me video put together with the cooperation of several blogs. Please also read the materials they have about why the HHS Mandate is BAD for everyone - not just Catholics.

Project Life?! & BIG NEWS!

Ok, so I do a lot of reading of other people’s blogs and very little writing of my own. The majority of the memory keepers/scrap bookers and even the digital scrap book kit designers seem to be very into Project Life right now. I’ve been looking at the amazing documentation of the every day life that my “digital friends” are creating.

I’m intrigued.

I’m curious.

After serious deliberation… I jumped on the band wagon. Digitally, of course.

I purchased…

and

to get me started. I’ve got a ton of other stuff on my “wish lists” across the web.

Well – that’s today. I bought the stuff. We’ll see what happens from here. I really need to work on the habit of a picture a day. But with PL – I can just write something for the day if I don’t want a picture. I could even make miniature layouts (like brag book pages) if I want! So much flexibility here.

Now on to the big news.

We are officially a family of 7 now! The adoption of our little girl was final on Thursday, March 1!

Now, I’d like to introduce you to my beautiful little girl…

Layla Katharine! She’s 4 years old. She has the most beautiful smile and infectious laugh. She was placed with us when she was only 3 days old! We are her forever family… finally! So excited.

My apologies for the weird picture – she was just waking up from her nap with her favorite dog, Tyra. She and Tyra are nearly inseparable.

December Daily: 7th

I washed dishes today.

I attempted to scrub the kitchen sink today.

Yes, these are my first baby steps at getting back to my *pre-injury* home routines. Slow and steady.

I got injured in May. This is December. Six and a half months is a long time. Our home was not maintained properly during this time. We focused more on our day-to-day needs rather than the big picture. It didn’t get super horrible but I am definitely not proud of it right now.

Today, I begin the reclamation project – the final phase of recovery.

After lunch, I’ll wash dishes again. I might even scrub the dining table.

One foot in front of the other. Every little bit helps.

We decorated the Christmas Tree last night while listening to the “Seasonal Sounds” music channel on the cable (Music Choice – I think?). They played some great tunes which helped get us in the spirit.

December Daily: 6th

I took only one photo today. The sign outside the door of my orthopedic surgeon’s office as I was leaving for the *VERY LAST TIME*! I will be eleven weeks post-op tomorrow.

Exciting news, Dr. H. discharged me from his care and recommended no more physical therapy, continue exercises at home, gradually increase my lift and carry weight on my own. If it hurts, stop, rest, try again – if it still hurts, do not try again for a couple of days, etc. Common sense. Listen closely to my body. Start resuming the life I was leading *before* the accident.

Basically, I’m free to start living my life again.

Rotator cuff injury – mostly behind me.

Now to start the work of toning ALL of the muscles in my body. It’s amazing how soft and baggy everything gets when you’re parked for several months.

More great news – my cousin and her husband will be having their hearing to finalize their adoption of two siblings next week also!! So excited for Christa and her family, cannot wait to hug and kiss on my two newest cousins!

Need to take the bad with the good – we will be saying our final good-byes to our dear friend, Ken, on Friday morning.

December Daily: 5th

I did not take a single picture today. No real opportunity to. I spent most of the day in the car driving from one errand to another. I was so focused on my goals and what I wanted to accomplish I wasn’t looking for a photo opp.

While “Katie” and Benjamin were at preschool I took a shower, got dressed, and planned out my errands. When they got home I fed them their lunch. PB&J… always.

We got in the van and off we went!

First stop, Gramma Patty’s house to drop off a big tray of brownies to help satisfy the sweet tooth of any of her house guests. I also needed to find out the funeral arrangements as soon as possible.

Next stop, cancelled. Plan change. Proceed with next errand.

Headed to my parents’ home. I needed to raid my mother’s closet. I did not have a stitch of clothing in my closest appropriate for a winter funeral. Borrow skirt from mom. Check.

Visit with Mom and Dad for a while because I can! Didn’t think to get the camera out.

Arrive home in time to get Mary Ann and Nicholas off of the bus, load them into the van, and on the road again. This time just a short local jaunt to the bowling alley to pick up Christopher at the end of bowling practice. Next week, possibly some photos from a bowling match – however, Christopher doesn’t bowl in competition until sometime in January. Maybe a creative shot of the shoe rental or ball racks? It’s good to plan ahead, right?

Arrive home.

Starving. Realize I have not eaten anything all day. YIKES!

Grilled Cheese for dinner. Not in the mood for anything more elaborate.

Homework time.

Get ready for bed.

Good night!

December Daily: December 4th

Just one photo of the Advent Wreath at our church as we go into our second week of preparing for the Lord’s birth. We attended Mass at 8am as we usually do. After that, nothing about this day was ordinary.

We came home following the kids’ religious education classes and began preparing the Christmas Tree for decorating. We did not get very far before Patrick and I needed to get ready for a Christmas Party.

Patrick and I attended our first social event with the bicycling club we joined this past summer. We met a lot of great new people. I met some ladies that ride at a similar pace, so I will be trying to ride with them frequently when the Spring Cycling season starts.

Following the party, Patrick and I opted to head into the city to get some birthday shopping done for Nicholas. I cannot believe my “Middle Man” is turning 6 years old already! We are going to celebrate quietly at home on Saturday with grandparents, cake, and ice cream.

While we were shopping we got some horrible news. A very dear friend of the family passed away suddenly. His wife was at church, Patty is the sweetest grandmother-type lady you could ever meet. She and her husband, Ken, adopted our family about 8 years ago. Most of their children and grandchildren live out of state, so we became their kids and our kids became their grandchildren. We asked Gramma Pat where Grampa Ken was. “He’s under-the-weather.” “Oh, please tell him we missed him and we hope he feels better soon.” Patty arrived home to find Ken had died while she was at church.

We finished our shopping and rushed right over to their home.

“Who is going to harass me? Who is going to put their arm around me in church? What am I going to do now?,” Patty wondered aloud while we were hugging her tight. We offered to sit with her during Mass from now on so she wouldn’t be alone.

We’re all in shock.

My kids are struggling with this loss. If you are a praying person, please pray for the repose of Ken’s soul, ask for the necessary graces from our Lord for Patty and her family and for everyone Ken knew as they go through the difficult process of grieving. Thank you.

I am going to do my best to keep up with my December Daily… just a warning, for this week, it might be a bit low key and a lot of funeral, funeral home, and etc. talk. I promise, no morbid photos.