Think Kit 20- who made a difference

Think Kit Day 20: Who made a difference for you this year? Was it a close friend or a stranger? A specific moment in time or the entire year?

I think it's hard to think over 365 days and pick a single one person who made a difference to me in 2013. this has not been the best year for me: I'm still in this crappy job so I worry about money all the time. I still live in dad's attic (which I'm thankful to have and not be homeless) but I'm 42 and live with my dad- it's a blow to my independence/ ego, and I feel like a mooch. Mac has run me through the emotional and financial wringer this year. I have no health insurance and I'm paranoid about getting sick, and I haven't felt all that healthy for about 5 months. My relationship with Sam, which was on again and off again felt like it was going in a good direction, then we started the relationship roller coaster in June and that's been tumultuous at best. I'm not complaining, though it sounds like it, I'm just explaining why my 2013 has felt crappy. And I've tried to change so much but after so much discouragement, it feels rough to develop the motivation to change anything and to just plod along. My life is the devil I know... so, all that being said I feel like many people made a difference, so in big ways and some in small because I think people can help me stay sane.

• my friends all make a difference in some way because they listen to me, I can listen to them. We laugh and cry and hang out. We talk seriously and are silly. We give and received advice and preserve sanity for each other (and this I've needed it!). They're the people who give me a reality check in a nice way but also know when I need to just vent. These woman- Curley, Mama Cashew, Lori, Steph, Mandi, Kayla, Jess, Kim, Other Kim, Rebecca- are the family I was able to choose.
• My family has made a difference- for many of the same reasons as my friends, especially my dad because no matter how ticked off he gets at me, he still love mes unconditionally.
• The minister at my dad's church made a difference. I realize it's technically "my" church but I don't go very often so I feel weird about claiming it as my own. Anyway, at the beginning of the year I was going to church a couple times a month and I liked it. I like his preaching style and his outlook. I like his "voice"- not the sound of, but his personality/ character/ brain. It might've restored my faith in "church" (even though most of the time I agree with Amy Farrah Fowler-"I don't object to the concept of a deity, but I'm baffled by the notion of one that takes attendance."
• Many of the people I met when I was going to Indy- for creative ideas and positive attitudes. It's fun to meet new people and learn things. Brittany, Lynn, Nancy, Sacha, Blare, Dawn, Jenn-- these are all pretty cool women from Indy who I met this year. It's nice to have them as acquaintances and if I would move to Indy, it's nice to know there are possible friendships to form
• My online friends and penpals make a difference. Most of them I've never met face to face- Patti, Sam, Jack, Bragger, Annie, Georgette, LR, Tony Mc, Nic- but either through my blog or USPS or email, these people make a difference- many for the same reason as my face to face friends and family. There is something to be said about sharing secrets with a stranger who can be completely objective...
• It might sounds silly but the staff at the local Starbucks make a difference to me because they make me feel like I matter. They know me by name and know my usual. They ask about my dad or dog or work. They ask about the book I was reading the last time I was in. I like that feeling of routine and belonging. (which we can armchair psych evals- after the year I've had, routine is good, duh! Routine means security- duh!)

I'm sure there are more people to this list... people have made a difference this year and for that I thank them all for being in my life, in some way... and for restoring my faith in humanity, one person, one kindness, one selfless act at a time...

Love,
Maggie

Think Kit day 5- a friend's 2013 look back

Think Kit topic day 5: Interview at least one other person about their favorite moments of the year. Why were these moments important? Were they major events, a particularly memorable minute, or somewhere in-between? Share what you heard.

I have a gal pal ("Baby Girl") at work who is 22 years old- I've become the mother she never had and she's the daughter I didn't think I wanted... and she's pretty happy with her 2013!

Her milestones this year have included moving into a new apartment with her Boyfriend of 3 years, a new "grown up" job, a miscarriage, and making lots of new "adult" friends. She hated the miscarriage and is sad and struggles with the "how are you supposed to feel" idea about this. She knows she's too young and financially not ready but, she said, it will happen when it's supposed too.

She left her high school job at Wal-Mart and is now a teacher's aide at the school where I work. She's great with our troubled teens. For someone her age, she has a great head on her shoulders, so she's young enough to relate to our students, but can still give sound advise and she's not afraid to discipline. She says, "I have friends of my own. I don't need these students to like me. Makes the job easier but I won't be a pusher over just to have it easy."

She's not overly thrilled with her new apartment but she said it could be worse.. And her dog likes it so that's important to her!

And she really likes that she's met me and several other women at school who have become a close pack of ladies who lunch. And see movies. And go out to dinner. She said having 'adult' friends, moving away from the ones she had in high school, is refreshing. Baby Girl said she can't beleive how into drama some of her friends from high school still are and she wishes they would grow up! So she loves her new in-and-out of work group of new Besties!

It was fun to talk with her. I love her youthfulness and her optimism and that she has the whole world in front of her- she's just really starting- she's 22! She's wise beyond her years at time, and then she's a goofy 22 year old- love that about her!

So cheers to Baby Girl and her 2013. I hope her 2014 treats her well!

Maggie

Wonderful day

I had a such a nice birthday! The actual day of I went to dinner with my family at McAlister's Deli which is one of the best food places in the world! I'm so thankful my family all got together to celebrate with me. And i appreciate the lovely gifts!  Curley sent me a stunning bouquet of flowers, too.

I got a special birthday surprise from fell blogger Evil Pixie! Thank you so much, dear! She made me a beautiful necklace, and also gave me a high heel cookie cutter!!! And the cutest notepad with pink shoes!

I had a pedicure with XRay Girl, which was so nice. And I had lovely texts, cards, messages, emails, tweets, etc from family and friends, near and it far.

Also, Photographer took me out for a wonderful supper at a local fancy-pantsy place, and the guy I see also turned a whole weekend into all about me with great food, a shopping spree, and a nice massage!

It was a lovely birthday! I think I'll do this once a year. Maybe twice!

Mags

Cool place to learn but no one to share it with

I spent several days in the capital of my state, hanging with my man friend and while he was at work, I just chilled, and I realized it's a completely awesome city but I have no one to play with there. I need a girlfriend to hang out with there, or to drag my friends from here there to do awesome stuff!

I do like my alone time, and I like my man, but sometimes I just like being with the girls, and when I have to be alone, it can seem a tiny bit lonely.

Mags

Random TGIT!

If I were still in Montana, we would be celebrating Thirsty Thursday tonight and let me tell ya, after the crazy week here at school, I could use it! I'm seeing Lilith tonight and if I didn't have a drive home and could sleep somewhere in Northern Civilization, it would be a 4 martini night.

It's been a good but busy week. Busy isn't always bad, right?

And of course I've had something going on after school everyday this week, which is my own planning fault, of course! But I love my GFs and sometimes our time together is scarce so I take it when I can get it and this week I've been blessed to see XRay Girl last Sunday (we got Pedi's and I got the best named toenail polish color ever: Mrs. Leary's BBQ), Photographer after school this week (Starbucks run!) and to hang with Lilith tonight! Yay girl time!

And for some reason, I have this deep throaty voice thing going that sounds either like Kathleen Turner/ Suzanne Pleshette (when she was alive) or I sound like I have the flu. I feel fine, overall, but the voice sounds rough (I was asked to audition for the musical Annie that our community theater is doing. The show's producer specifically found me at church and asked me but with this voice and this schedule, there was no way I could. And auditions were last night and I sounded not like Kathleen at that point, but like "swallowed a frog". No No audition, but I woulda been a kickbutt Miss Hannigan!). Add that to busy and the combination is one tired girl- me!

Mags

Lilith Love

I love Lilith. Lilith and I met in 2001. Funny story about that... and thankfully first impressions aren't everything.

I taught her Composition I class in college and I introduced myself to the class and about 3 minutes in on the first day I discovered I needed copies. I was really nervous and embarrassed and in high heels. So to hurry, I kicked the shoes off and RAN from the room to make copies. I just ran out telling them I needed copies and left, in my stocking feet, high heels on the classroom floor. I think the whole class wasn't sure what to think of their weird teacher. Later, Lilith said she thought I was "on crack"- I think I was a little more high strung (I like to think of myself as energetic) than the teachers they were used to having.

After that sterling intro, during the course of the class, she wrote a paper and it earned an F. I "gave" her the first and only F she ever received on an assignment. Yeah.....

And then there was that one time we were both into the same guy. Yeah....

After being her teacher, I was able to be her friend, in spite of being on "crack" (haha- not really!), giving her an F, a guy thing, and being shoe-less.

She is someone that I've had ups and downs with and she and I always come out on the other side. Regardless of our differences, we still are friends. Even if she and I don't talk for months, we pick up like I saw her yesterday.

No matter what, she listens to me. She is willing to give me sympathy and tears but she also knows me well enough when to say "enough is enough, suck it up." And even though at the time I might not like that, I still love her for knowing when I need love and tough love. I swear she should be a therapist. She's a great listener and she gives very well thought out advice and opinions.

And she's smart and knows stuff and teaches me stuff. She's a good mom.

If I died she's my Fort Knox; she knows all the secrets and can dole them out.

She's also not afraid to voice her opinion so I love having her on my side. She's no nonsense but never afraid to be silly.

I covet her purse collection.

She's willing to tray anything at least once so we can hang out, talk for hours, laugh, drink coffee, shop, paint pottery or even take dance lessons if we wanted because she's be the one to give it a try.

I'm blessed to know her and to call her friend!
Mags

Look at this Photographer...

I've known Photographer since 1996. She was the president of the not for profit board of directors where I worked as a case manager. Our friendship evolved from there.

I admire her so much. She has had some horrendous health issues but she still keeps on going and doesn't let it beat her up. She's an excellent English teacher and I love it that we compare lesson plans, talk classroom management styles and ideas and we love to analyze literature, too. We can also share classroom horror stories and we both "get it"; nothing like a little bit of teacher commiseration!

She's an extremely talented photographer and I admire her work so much. She still make pictures rather than photo shopping her photos into art. I love to work for her and I've learned so much from her as well. I think my love of picture taking comes from her encouragement and lessons.

She's really creative and has a positive energy. She's quiet but involved in some really cool projects: she took a photography class with world renowned photographers and paid for it with a grant she got from the Lily Foundation, she's authored her own cookbook, she's lost about 100 pounds in the last year, she's an amazing cook, a dog lover, so funny, brilliant, and an excellent friend. She's the person I aspire to be. She's go giving. Really. And she genuinely cares about her friends.

I love her and am blessed to have her in my life.

Mags

XRay Girl Rocks

XRayGirl is awesome. She and I also talk about anything and everything. We have lots in common and can relate to stuff, especially our pain in the butt 19 year old sons.

But we make each other laugh no matter what. I like that weeks can go by and we can start talking just like spoke a few hours before. She has a new job and works second shift in a town about an hour away and she also works about 5 hours of overtime, we rarely get to talk but when we do, it's just like we talk every day.

We can spend time together and tease each other. It's okay for us to laugh and cry together. I like the idea that you can't pick your family but can pick your friends and I'm so blessed that she and I picked each other!

Lovin' XRayGirl,
Mags

Spring Break Books and other vacay plans& dreams

So spring break starts on Friday!!! This is the big perk of education. That being said... what am I going to do with a week off? Well since I never have any money, I shall dedicate myself to the pursuit of fine literature. Or I'll read a bunch of stuff I have in my TBR stack that in no way, shape nor form is declared "fine" nor "literature" but I'm going to read it nonetheless.

Though... a brief aside... since I haven't been teaching for several years I feel rather shabby about the fact that i neglect reading anything considered to be a classic. Since I had to teach classics I was always reading such along with my personal selection of material but now I just read anything that suits my fancy and of late, that runs toward the... well... the beach reads, if you will. Cotton candy for the brain. something delicious and fun and that I can devour in hours or even a day. The running joke in my family is that no one reads what I like because I read "smart intellectual analytical" books, either of the fiction or non-fiction variety. But lately that hasn't been true at all, and the trend will continue through my Spring break. After all, I should read beach reads even if I won't be at the beach, right? I can PRETEND!

So the Spring Break line up of reading is Kill Alex Cross (Patterson, James- like I need to even put his name here?), Defending Jacob (William Landay), Home Front (Kristen Hannah), The Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern) and Explosive 18 (Evanovich). If time allows I'll finish my Pat Conroy's My Reading Life. This should take care of all the books I have from various libraries and will then let me dedicate my reading time to stuff on my Nook- either that I bought or that I checked out as a library ebook.

I have plans to have a girlie day with my friend Lilith and another one with XRayGirl, and a family day with some cousins. That's it, other than reading.

Unless a windfall comes my way, that is. If so, then I'm temporarily ditching the books and heading to Memphis- Elvis is calling my name.

Mags

What would you do for a concert ticket?

I'm not really a huge fan of country music. I know some, and like a little but when I lived in the Wild West it was country music overkill and I just have not been a huge fan ever since because I think I ODed.

That being said, I *heart* Tim McGraw. Yes, I do listen to him and buy his CDs and have him loaded on my defunk iPod and will even stop the radio on a country station if he's on.

He's the only country music singer I would pay to see in concert. And even better I don't have to "pay"... cold hard cash, anyway. But I do have to do something... grade papers. Yes, I feel like I should be holding a sign card that reads: "Will grade for Tim McGraw."

He's going to be in the capital of my home state this summer, with some guy called Kenny Chesney (something about a sexy tractor?????), live in concert. And my friend Photographer LOVES him. She and 4 of her friends are going and invited me along. I said I'd love to go. Tickets are $135 and I never mentioned money being an issue but since she KNOWS my life, her proposal is that I could grade in exchange for tickets.

I've graded for her before; she's a high school English teacher and our teaching styles and methods are very similar. As is the way we grade so I've graded for her in the past and she pays me. This time, I get Tim instead of cash!!!

Over the Christmas break, I agreed to grade some HUGE Scarlet Letter projects (technology meets Hester Prynne meets essays) for her AP kids because her father-in-law died. These huge ass assignments would've garnered me $75 in cash so I'm almost there!!!!!

The lengths I will go to for Tim McGraw....

Maggie Mae

Love some 'new' clothes! And I didn't even have to shop.

My friend the Photographer is on Weight Watchers and is doing a great job. She was wearing size 22 and is now a 14/16, depending on how the clothes fit her.

I've been really blessed because as she looses the weight, she gives me her clothes. She and I carry our weight completely differently. She has no butt and skinny legs and I have a BOOTY and have some weight in my thighs. We both have it in the belly. I have broad shoulders and large boobs and she had to have a breast reduction several years ago for medical reasons, one being that she has narrow shoulders.

Anyway, I can wear most of her tops. And almost all her skirts. It's wonderful- my wardrobe has grown exponentially.

So SHE has a friend who is also on Weight Watchers and that friend went from a 24 to a 12. This friend gave Photographer all her clothes- 8 trash bags of clothes! It was like Christmas came early tonight.

I went to Photographer's house and we went through all the bags and I took what I liked that fit me, and she took what she liked and fit her. I got a 30 gallon bag, overstuffed with clothes... all tops. Because not a single pair of jeans or trousers fit me. I have tons of sweaters, shirts, t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, dressy, casual... tops of all kinds and not a single pair of pants. Photographer, on the other hand, found all pants that fit her.None of the tops. We decided her friend had my upper body and her lower body. Well.... had because she's now a 12. And we reaped the benefits of her weight loss.

It's pretty awesome, too, because all her clothes are nice! Now, I own nice clothes from a boutique but I do not have a problem with wearing stuff from Wally World or Big K or Meijer. All these clothes came from exclusive boutiques, nice department stores, and are all well known name brands. Nice stuff. Not kidding- I probably got about $1500 on clothes today, for free.

I love it! I hate that I'm overweight but it's really nice to have some "new" clothes! My friends and I always laugh that when one of us is losing weight another one gains- this time I'm gaining a wardrobe!

The clothes horse,
Mags

Return

As you all know I've been missing X-Ray Girl like crazy since the horrid fight back in June. Brief refresher, ITSam and I got into a fight, he brought her into it and threatened to call the cops on her and she ended our friendship, and hasn't talked to me since then. I've called and left messages, sent USPS letters, texted... I was sort of a stalker for awhile and then I just knew she was done since she never responded. I walked away but I've hurt over this for a long time.

In addition to missing her, I've just been ... lost for awhile. I've even prayed about it. Like prayed to God.

Here's a story...
As you all know I hate Wal-Mart. I went there tonight to get my Daddy-O ice cream. ITSam and I just decided, spur of the moment, to buy him some as a surprise. There was no other reason to go other than I got a whim to get him some, just because he's my dad and I love him.

It was cold and raining and iTSam dropped me at the doors and went to park. I walked in with my head down, just no even paying attention and I get just inside the second set of doors and there she was.

We made eye contact, she held her arms open and said "I am so sorry." We just came together in the Wal-Mart lobby and stood there hugging and crying and saying we were so sorry. We hugged and cried some more and made plans to get together, and hugged and said sorry some more, and cried more and hugged and said how much we missed each other. Yes, we made a spectacle of ourselves right there in Wally World.

I think she and are I going to be alright again. We made tentative plans for Sunday evening (depending on her kids' schedules with their dad).

And, as I left Wal-Mart and drove away, it stopped raining. And right in front of me was a huge rainbow.

Do I need to state the obvious here?

Maggie

Big thank yous!

This college business is really expensive. When I heard Mac was getting a full ride (basically) this year I wasn't worried. But now we're buying stuff for his dorm room and I should've been worried! It's like furnishing a mini-apartment! I have no idea why this thought process didn't dawn on me before, but since it has, it's an incredible amount of money!

The school sent this huge list of stuff and we've started the shopping and gathering process.

I'm thankful for those who are helping! D-Nice sent Mac this awesome bedding set and it's beautiful! He loves it! Thank you! Curly helped with all sorts of miscellaneous things he needs like a flashlight and batteries, a blender, a set of sheets, some food, closet organizers, and all sorts of those "mom would buy" stuffs- thank you!!! ITSam got the microwave covered as a late graduation gift. Daddy-O got (is getting?) a new cord for Mac's Bose headphones and is sacrificing his beer fridge for Mac to take to college- thank you!!! Auntie Booknut is loaning her van for the take him to college on the first day, and because she's an office supplies lover like me, she's outfitting his entire desk with all the necessary supplies as a special to Mac from his Best Auntie- thank you!!!

This is all in addition to the stuff I got him like sheets, towels, laundry supplies, a desk lamp, an alarm clock, new clothes, a box fan (since he picked the only dorm on campus with no central air!) and all his toiletries. I can't believe all the stuff he still needs (an XL twin mattress pad... Wally World does NOT carry these!)!

I think when a school says full ride, they should also include this stuff! I'm really happy for the things he already had like a scientific calculator, pillows, a Bible...

I'm not complaining at all, I'm just amazed at the amount of things. It's been fun to shop for this stuff. Mac LOVES red so we've gotten all sorts of stuff in red and black, so it looks really cool. I think it will be fun to help him unpack all this and get his room set up. I'm really excited that he wants me to help him set up his room, too! (I had this dreaded feeling that I'd pick him up in 6 weeks for a long visit home and find stuff still in Wal-Mart sacks, boxes with tags still attached.)

Thanks for everyone who's helping (or helped!!!). I couldn't do it without you!!!!

22 days until take off...
Mac's mom,
Maggie

1000?!? Oh wow...

I've been thinking of this post for about 2 weeks now. I have no idea what to write. I've blogged 1000 posts, as of today.

1000 posts. Here at this blog.

It's funny because of my last blog. When I had my last blog, my 1000th post was my last. I was moving back here from the Wild West and I reinvented my blogger self. And now I've reached that magical 1000 again. I think it's cool.

I've posted 1000 times, here at "shoes/ purses." I feel like I should have some words of wisdom or do a review of my blog or of my self, some huge assessment, pointing out things I've learned about me. It feels like a blogging version of New Year's Eve... and you all know I hate New Year's Eve.

I thought about going through my blog and linking some of my favorite stuff here. But a 1000 posts is a lot, and I wrote some great stuff, and some shit. I'd rather let you all surf my blog yourself, if you feel the need. Do you have a favorite post?

For a 1000 post, this is rather disjointed and rambling, like I have some expectation that I can't live up to, which is my own doing. I feel like I should have something astounding to say but I don't.

When Lilith and I were together last, I told her I've come up with a new blog. I think if I ever get a new job and I move out of Daddy-O's attic, I'll start a new blog and a new identity then. I like reinventing myself online, though essentially, no matter the title, the moniker, the colors, it's still always ME when I post. Anyone who knows me in person or has chatted with me via email or phone, knows that my true self is revealed in my writing.

So maybe that's the amazing part of 1000 posts. I'm willing to reveal something about me?

Actually, what I think it amazing is that ya'll read me, over and over. That amazes ME. And pleases me.

So thank you to my readers. Thank you to all of you who blog and give me something to read. Thank you to all the friends I've made because of blogging. thank you for always commenting and giving advise, for being kind and funny and silly and insightful. I think I have the nicest blog readers in all of blog-ville. You all are wonderful; thank you for being here for me, for indulging me. That's how I feel. That there's a great group of people who indulge me by letting me write and blather and you all give feed back. I feel so blessed that you tolerate me! Thank you so much!

And because I love you and appreciate you, I have a little present. Leave me a comment and I'll send you a little something. You don't have to be a follower or join. Actually, I really am thinking of my peeps who are here daily (or every few days) and who've been around for awhile. I have addresses for many of you already. Watch your mail.

Here's to 1000 posts, and here's to a 1000 more.

many thanks to you all & lots of pink lipstick-y kisses,

Maggie Mae O'Sullivan, blogger

Random Saturday brain ramblings

I had a great idea to blog about when I was at the grocery store but I didn't write it down and now I can't remember what I want to say. You are now stuck with rambling.

Trying to pick a movie to watch with Mac on Netflix is a pain in the butt. Mostly he wants to watch documentaries, stand up or British television. I just want to watch a movie and laugh. He's such an ass about picking a movie, unless it's in a theater, then he'll see almost anything.

I love melted cheddar cheese on an apple. Bad on weight watchers but yummy on the palette.

I'm so tired I can barely see straight. I'm going to bed shortly, while it's still daylight, which is really lame for a Saturday night.

I have an awesome date story to tell you all.

I miss Curley. I'm just sayin'. She's not mad at me or anything but I haven't seen her in forever. We all know who's still mad at me.

Europe is calling my name. I wish is would also be giving me money at the same time, but she is calling. I want to go. I need to go.

My toes are swollen today. Gee, I love summer and humidity here in the Midwest.

Mags

Plans

I have some plans for the summer and I'm pretty excited about them

My friend Lilith and I haven't seen each other in about a bajillion years and we finally found time with our insane schedules to do something. In about a week and a half we're going to meet in Northern Civilization and spend a day together. Food (absolutely!), movie (maybe), the botanical conservatory (certainly!), and lots of talking and hanging out and books stores and shopping- it's going to be awesome! I can't wait- I've missed her. But that morning, while she's at work, I'm going to take a FREE scrapbook class at Archiever's!

My friend B from work and I have plans to hang at her house and watch The King's Speech together. We're calling it a pajama party. Her daughter is home from college and we're all going to meet at her house one afternoon in our jammies and eat junk food and watch movies!

Curley and I are gonna take a girls day and go do something, somewhere. And do some sewing- Maggie needs another new summer dress!

XRay Girl and I are gonna get pedis, paint pottery, and go to the zoo.

I have a list of festivals to attend this summer.

Mac and I are gonna hit the new IMAX theater and have supper together one evening soon.

Daddy-O and I have a card making date--- he doesn't know it yet.

My sister-in-law, the divine Ms K, Fab Finn and I all had lunch together and we're going to try and do that at least once a week.

And I'm going to see Princess for a visit one long weekend after she's gone home

And this is just what I can come up with off the top of my head.

Mags

People Update

Mac- he's graduating in 33 days. He's looking for a summer job albeit not to hard. He's ready for college, he says. I'm ready for him to go, too.

Daddy-O: he's leaving for the Lone Star State in about 36 hours and will be gone a month. I'm excited FOR him but every time he goes for that long, I really miss him. I wish him Godspeed and good times!

ITSam- though we're having our little growing pains as a couple, for the most part, things are well. He's having some interesting changes with his job soon so it looks like a raise might be on the horizon. All good things there.

Princess- she's doing super well in school, excellent grades and wonderful extra-curricular. She's struggling in her house and doesn't always do her chores so she gets demerits for it. She often breaks stupid rules and has to take the consequences. She's making choices so it's all on her. I don't see much of her because she's not earning the right to leave her house right now so I say a quick hello in the hallway at school and off we go. Part of that, I think, is that she knows she going home soon and it's her way of dealing with loss.

XRay Girl- she's doing great and will be done with college in August. She'll have an AA degree to be a Surgical Tech. Yup, that has nothing to do with X-Rays. She changed programs mid stream but I figured it was easier than changing her nickname here. Because she's at the end of her program, she's doing her clinicals and working part time so while we don't have our girls' night outs each week, we still chat all the time.

Photographer- she and I already have 2 weddings books to shoot this summer, one of them is an Ethiopian wedding. That should be interesting, and fun!

Curly- she had a birthday yesterday! Happy birthday, lady!

A different sort of tradition

I went to a Seder last night. A friend of mine who's a Quaker, invited me to one at her church. A woman who's a member of her church is a Jew turned Christian and she hosted a Seder as a get to know other religious ceremonies and for more knowledge for Christians about what is now Passover.

In my quest to become Jewish, my friend asked me along because she thought I would think it would be interesting and it was.

We had a chance to sample the ceremonial foods served at a Seder and the presenter explained what they all meant. That was cool. I liked learning what it all means, the whys and whatnots behind it all.

The other thing that I thought was amazing and actually gave me goosebumps was the fact that last night was actually Passover. If we look at our calendars, it says it's today but the start of the Jewish Passover began at sundown last night, like most Jewish holidays. So last night, all over the world, in homes and at tables, all over the world, people were gathered together and shared the same story, the same foods, said the same prayers and sang the same songs. I had chills just thinking of that, of how powerful that is.

It was awe-inspiring to think that people of nations who believe the same thing went through the same ritual. It's not a simple, small thing, but it involves so many steps. I thought that was amazing and moving.

I'd love to have a chance to go to a Seder in someone's home and go through not only the ceremony but then stay for the family meals and celebration that comes after the ceremonial Seder traditions.

It was educational and fun, and powerful.

Maggie

Spring Break so far

I've been a complete and utter bum since spring break started. Well, sorta. I did work a 15 hour day on Friday.

Saturday I slept late and hung out with XRay Girl for a little while. I ran some errands. i read a book. I made a card with Daddy-O. I just chilled.

Sunday XRay Girl and her hubby, and ITSam and I all went to see a movie (Source Code, which was pretty good) and then to Northern Civilization to hang out. We went to the bakery and used book store. The guys went to a hobby store. We had dinner and coffee. We just chilled out and had a good time and lots of laughs. Then we did ITSam's furniture and rent a movie we never finished because it got to be so late.

I was supposed to have a birthday lunch with my Sis-In-Law today but she's sick! (I hope you feel better soon!) I was supposed to have a day with Lilith tomorrow but she's going to visit with her mom who's battling cancer (so I completely understand that change of plans). I was invited to go shopping with Daddy-O and Curley today but since I didn't have any money I thought it was would be better to just stay home.

I slept in until noon and have just lazed around on the computer and made a pot of coffee. I'm going to read.

My big plan for the week ahead is to drive a return transport on Wednesday. I plan on reading and hanging out with ITSam in his newly furnished place. I want to watch movies and maybe scrapbook and maybe quilt. But my brain needs a rest so that comes first.

I love spring break.

Maggie

Thank yous and randoms on Christmas Eve

Thank you to Gulo for sending me all the yummy baked goodies!!!! And since your dog is now a sock terrorist, all mine (socks, that is) are in hiding!

Thank you Patti for the beautiful necklace!!!! I'll be posting a picture of said piece of shoe jewelry that she made herself using my avatar off this blog!! it's stunning- thank you so much!

Mac had a girlfriend for about 2 months (though I just found out that she was officially his "girlfriend" about 3 weeks ago) and she dumped him 2 days ago. He is now the world's most depressed teenager. I hate her and I'm really tired of his attitude, but what can I do?

I transported 2 boys yesterday. Pray for one. He's got a rough life story but the next three days he's going to a foster home. For Christmas. With his brother. yeah, this boy is in a placement facility and his brother is in foster care. And he's going to the foster place for three days, with a family he's never met, to celebrate this huge family holiday.

And speaking of driving transits... yesterday's ode... well the day I drove that, it was 16 hours long. The kids were awesome and kind. They were respectful. They sang. Someone found my Kelli Clarkson CD and we sang along at the top of our lungs. Some woman in a bathroom in southern My State thinks I have 7 teenage girls. She's an idiot. Overall, they made me laugh. It was a good day.

I just finished wrapping all the gifts I'm giving except for one. And I've filled the stockings. Now I'm going to help Daddy-O wrap. Ugh! Why do I wait until the last minute? Oh, don't answer that.

This year I didn't send Christmas cards. I usually do but didn't this year. I couldn't find any I liked really well. I either liked the picture and hated the message or vice versa. I thought about, around October, of making my own and of course, I didn't. Procrastination is a terrible thing. Maybe I'll send New Year's Cards? Or Chinese New Year cards in later-ish January?

I told Mac I've decided to be Jewish by next year. We can still have a tree but for Hanukkah we're calling it a Hanukkah Bush. He asked if would fill his stocking with yamakas and dreidels. He asked me if that means I would register with J-Date. He's not funny.

Because of the flu/ cold from hell, I've also not basked. I figured cooking and contaminating is not the gift I want to give this Christmas season. But I didn't really need to bake since Gulo sent a wonderful box of goodies, Curly made us a huge platter of yummies, and my Auntie in Texas sent an entire box full of treats! Awesome people and awesome cookies, candies, and such! I am going to bake next week, though. I'm going to make my mom's recipe of cut out cookies, some chocolate fudge, a pan of mint brownies, and some fold over jam cookies. We'll see what happens!

Marry Christmas Eve,
Mags