First Book Deal

Well, today I was offered my first children's book deal. Yippee! It was thrilling to get such great feedback from an editor. However, as I reviewed the contract, there were some definite red flags and questions that I had. So...I'm going to chew on the details for a couple days, ask questions to some of my writer friends, and hopefully by next week I'll know if Cinderella's slipper is a size 8. If not, I'm still thankful for God sending me some (much needed) encouragement.

As a good friend reminded me today: "Sometimes the Lord doesn't give us what we want, but what we need." Amen.

Angel Updates

Angel is no longer moving. (((WHAT?!?))) Well, they sold their old house in anticpation of relocating, so they are now moving into one, approximately 2 miles from the old abode. Mixed feelings run rampant. I do enjoy the girl, a lot. But I will forever feel terribly guilty if I decide to quit the program. This is something the case managers really needs to warn you about beforehand.

She spent the night with me last weekend. Yes, I caved. But only when I thought she was moving. Oh, and her little brother wanted to come. What? You think I’m that crazy? I picked her up at 7:00 p.m. and two movies, three brownies, and lots of gabbing later, we finally were ready to go to bed. As we were washing our faces and brushing our teeth (despite her pleas that she didn’t have to brush her teeth before bed…yeah right), I noticed that her play makeup bag was next to my real one, her brush was strategically placed next to mine, her shoes were lined up, yup you guessed it, next to mine. We spent the next five minutes making sure everything in her backback found a home comprable to mine. My best friend called it “cute”. I called it “pressure”…not to mess her up more than I help her. Ahh…a taste of the endless stress parents have.

Her birthday was yesterday. I called to see how she was celebrating. She thought they may have a get-together today. “With your friends?” I asked.
“I’m not sure,” she replied, her voice oozing with disapointment.
Changing the subject, and hoping for ideas for the present I haven’t bought yet, I asked, “What do you want to get?”
“A laptop.”
“Wow, anything else?”
“A cell phone or a scooter.”
Yikes…how about anything under $10? I’m on a tight budget. (((Help!)))

Old Friends Rock

I’ve always been blessed with amazing, true friends, male and female. And, yes, I do believe it is possible for men and women to be best friends. Boundaries are a beautiful thing. When I tell folks now about my relationships with my high school buddies, most shake their head in awe. (Jealous or skeptical? :) ). Most of the cattiness and hatred that seems to pervade schools now (Think Mean Girls) miraculously skipped my class (or perhaps I was too naive to notice it).

As one of my best guy friends was married a couple Saturdays ago, I was once again surrounded by all of my fabulous buddies from back in the day. Our days of old included wasting countless hours swimming, eating, procrastinating homework, driving around, and living a relatively carefree life. Two hours into the reception, when my cheeks ached and belly was strained from excessive giggling, I was once again reminded of what we had and never failed to take for granted. In an effort to reclaim lost feelings, here is my list of why old friends are the best.

-You never have to make small talk
-Inside jokes
-The only hand shakes used are the elaborate ones made up in junior high, and sadly you still remember them
-All the stupid mistakes made are now fodder for poking fun
-Time passed between visits is irrelevant
-No pretenses allowed
-Any silence is inevitably broken by “Remember that time when…”
-Their parents are now your friends too
-They are the family you’d choose to have
-Blatant honesty, whether you want it or not
-Unconditional love and forgiveness

2 Weeks Left

To end the panic I am sure all two of you are feeling about my last post...it was the B and F combination that oddly lent to a delightfully entertaining evening. I fondly remember the night as a high school reunion with only the people that I really wanted to see.

I just received word that it is now legal to have overnights with our littles. As much as I'm a fan of what the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program represents and accomplishes, I still cannot figure out why they would want to torture their adult volunteers like this. Angel has been counting down the days for months like it's Christmas, and her grandmother has mentioned it no less than the last ten times I have dropped her off at home.

Let's put this into perspective, shall we? I'm not a mother and my youngest sibling is 26. Therefore, I do not store toys, kid movies, or anything even remotely entertaining at my house. And while I understand that shattering lamps, crystal vases, and my Irish pottery can be thoroughly amusing, no one wants to see the evil side of me emerge. Trust me. (There are no witnesses...)

So how do I entertain an 8 year old, who never sleeps the night through (and I thoroughly enjoy 8-10 hours of blissful uninteruption on the weekends), for an entire night?? Come on BB/BS, give me some ideas or rescue me!! Or how about abolishing this ridiculous rule? Seems fair to me. But alas, she is moving to Arizona in 2 weeks, so I suppose it's possible I cave. Just call me the dream giver. Okay, now I feel bad. Great, we'll probably have two slumber parties now, just to make up for my sarcasm.

I'll be tired and grouchy for the next 2 weeks. From the slumber parties, of course...not from her moving away. Right.

Another One Bites The Dust

Well, I'm going to throw the truth out like I just did my breakfast leftovers. I hate weddings. For many reasons, of which I'll spare you the details. Phew, speaking the truth is thoroughly cleansing. Any valid excuse and I decline attendance. However, I readily admit this past Saturday was perhaps the lone exception to the rule.

How is that possible?

A) The hottest man in the room was on my arm
B) I witnessed a random streaking incident
C) My dance lessons paid off and I showed off all night
D) The maid of honor tripped walking up the aisle
E) I secretly tied the knot
F) I ran into an ex-boyfriend or four
G) I'm a sucker for bubbles