And the whole world has to answer right now, just to tell you once again…I’m back.

I have no idea how long this will last, but this afternoon found me looking for this old blog. So here I am.

Since my last post, something like 20 months ago, I’ve:

• Stopped being a nanny, which I still miss
• Started a job which even my Army Brat influence of needing a change every couple of years or so ago can’t imagine my leaving
• Turned 40 with a huge celebration and then 41 with no fanfare, just as I wanted
• Watched my father become healthier after a quad bypass
• Been incredibly saddened by my grandmother’s decline
• Celebrated 50 years of marriage with my parents
• Celebrated 50 years of life with my big sister
• Cried with laughter and out of sheer sadness
• Felt increasingly lucky to have had a wonderful and caring partner for the last 9 years
• Gained new friends
• Mourned a life cut short
• Reconnected with many old friends, one long overdue
• Mentored
• Been mentored
• Learned daily
• Watched my little sister go through a divorce, becoming even more impressed with her and proud of her for the woman she is
• Welcomed new life with parents who deserved it more than anyone I know
• Worried about things beyond my control
• Regained financial stability
• Been tattooed again
• Paid it forward a few times

All in all, things are things, good and bad, and I’m grateful to have had them all. I wonder–but not too hard–what the next 20 months have to offer.

My Sunshiney Day

The Crap:

1. I found out I really and truly didn’t get the job that I’d already decided last week I didn’t get.
2. I paid $300 to get my car fixed.
3. My washing machine broke. With soapy and sopping clothes in it. And because I spent $300 on my car today, I have no money to fix it.
4. Last, but most important: I’m worried about my father’s bypass surgery tomorrow. Even though I have no doubt it will go well. Hey, he’s my dad. I’m allowed.

The Rich:

1. I talked to my father, who is actually excited because he knows his life is about to be so wicked awesome.
2. RF wiped away the job angst by hugging me and giving me all sorts of reasons why I didn’t want the stinkin’ ol’ job.
3. Airycay is coming home tomorrow after being gone for a week. We’re planning coffee and gossip.
4. My car was fixed by noon, so I only had to bum rides for one day.
5. AJ hugged me when he found out about my day.
6. AJ also gave RF and me a gift of two rad floor cushions from Crate & Barrel. I likes to sitz my buttz on the floorz.
7. I emailed with sister Tiny Shay. She made me giggle at a high school memory.
8. I talked to sister DAM on the phone. We giggled about things better left un-blogged.
9. A former supervisor texted me to send him my rez ASAP.
10. I got to hang out with a happy baby all day, and we even went for a joy ride.
11. I got an email from friend LAK who sent along good wishes from her father to my father, even though they’ve never met.
12. At several points during the day, I felt not only needed, but necessary. Is there a difference? There is to me.

So the way I’m choosing to look at it: As crap as my day seems to have been, it was actually three times better than I thought.

Rock it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Today I’m thankful for turkey. In celebration, here’s some quick Haiku 4 U, the Dead Turkey:

Turkey Lurkey–thanks
for dyin’. Now I gobble
instead of cryin’.

It even rhymes, which was accidental. But you’re welcome.

Have a great day!

Haiku 4 U, The Unemployed Unwashed (a triplet of triplets for the third installment)

I’m slowly dying
inside. Letters, resumes—
leave me without hope.

Will I ever work?
I am the best candidate.
My great creds say so.

What is wrong with you?
I reinvent myself to
please you. So hire me!

Haiku 4 U, The Unemployed Unwashed (second installment)

I am not unique.
One-point-two million people–
exactly like me.