Me and my sweet friend John.

I am leaving for the Inauguration today! Feeling happy, grateful and focused.

Carter cousins

Alexis and Madison.

hello friends

I've started this new chapter at work which has me working 70 hrs a week. Sounds awful and can be, and at the same time I'm within some sort of significant growth spurt in terms of leadership, patience, conflict resolution, simply coming out of my shell and blooming. Mentally I feel better than I have in a long time. I think I may be out of the picture for Book Tanque for a bit.


Ancient sage. Pat McD, Pat Smith, Patrick Neer and me went on a 5 day hike in Kentucky one summer. 3 Pats and Silvia.


Holly. This was in the house I shared with Gabi and Patrick N. On the corner of 2nd/Fess I think. Of everyone Holly was really the most fond of Ned. She was downright passionate in that regard.


Sweet Kate. Dancing in Chris's garage.





Pat McD and me visiting Jess during one of our adventurous evenings.

High school graduation and black peppered cashews

This thrills me.

I'm reading The Places That Scare You and am really enjoying it. Thanks Liz and B for mentioning it.

The temperature have been in the 50's the last couple of days. Awesome. All of the snow melted as of today. I went for a run along the canal this afternoon for the first time since it got cold -sometime in November I think. It was wonderful. I really love the changing of the seasons here in Indiana. I've been buying flowers to have inside my house every week in anticipation of spring. I bought some tulips and hydrangeas this week - the bulbs I'll replant in the spring.

Tried the Black Peppered Cashews from Trader Joes? Highly recommended.

We were hanging in the Carmel High School smoking lounge getting ready to graduate. I didn't smoke but always hung with my buds who did. Remember Chris and Jessica? Two of my best friends in high school. Chris and I still keep in touch. She has twins that are 4 years old.

The word from Michael is that Pat McD's annual holiday party is on! Date is Dec 23 starting at 6p. I'm planning to go and then on to the Patio to hear Otis Gibbs and Tad Robinson. (Btw, I've been in touch with Angie Watson (formerly Phelan) and she says to say hello to everyone.)

Below is a poem that Eliza, my neice, wrote when she was 8 years old. I love the line about the paint roller.

Shy

Shy is blue as bluebird's eggs
hidden in a bush.
Shy is a chipmunk
always hiding.
Shy is a cloud
always covering the sun.
Shy is a door
open to some and closed to others.
Shy sounds like a paint roller
rolling paint.
Shy moves like a bunny.
Shy lives in you

Reunited with friends

I had a wonderful visit today with Kate and Deanna. Deanna was in town from Texas for the weekend. It has been 7 years or so since I've seen either of them. I enjoyed every minute of our long talk. It was so good to laugh with them. It felt very much like back in the days when our close-knit group of friends all lived in the same town. We've grown up and our lives have changed but it was as if no time has passed. These are two women that I absolutely trust.

This is my neice Livi, short for Olivia. She and I are buds, always have been. Livi is courageous and spunky. She wears her cuteness well, one of those little girls who knows how to receive a compliment.

This is my house. I love coming home.