Today and Every Day

current mood: happy

Forever could never be long enough for me
Feel like I've had long enough with you
Forget the world now, we won't let them see
That there's one thing left to do
~ “Marry Me” by Train

Recently, for a work newsletter, I was asked to describe my favourite vacation memory in 100 words or less. There was a time when I though 100 words was a long essay. In this case, I felt pressured to reduce a memory down to 100 words. Still, I did it, because I am a “rule follower”. This was the result:

Without a doubt, my favorite vacation memory is of the 2009 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day. While I have fond memories of other vacations where I was able to relax and sightsee, nothing compares to a vacation spent with my sister, doing something physically exhausting and emotionally exhilarating. Hands clasped, my sister and I joyfully entered Soldier Field after walking 60 miles for a cause close to our hearts. Those three days created a lifetime worth of memories for us to share, and unlike when we go to Las Vegas, we didn't have to swear each other to secrecy.

This small success inspired me to create a far more difficult challenge. Write more excerpts from my life – but in 25 words or less. Here are some of my results:

First Concert

I was 12. My jean jacket buttons tangled in a stranger’s hair when Debbie Gibson sang “Shake Your Love”. Imagine an arena of screaming teeny-boppers.

Pet Peeve

People who don’t know public restroom etiquette. Don’t sit in the stall next to me when the rest are empty. And wash your damn hands.

Love Story

Meet boy. Kiss boy. Spend 17 months enjoying a relationship without pressure and games. And he is smart and ever-so-handsome. I am a lucky girl!

Siblings

Sisters and brothers. Youngest to oldest, they are an entrepreneur, an engineer, a pirate, a social butterfly, and an academic. I love being the oldest.

Those are just a few I came up with. Soon, maybe I will be able to condense my entire life into one haiku. Who knows what wonders my future holds?

If you haven’t bought a Second Base Preservation Society t-shirt yet, please do. The Second Base Preservation Society is selling T-Shirts to support the 2010 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day. Participants walk 60 miles over the course of 3 days and raise a minimum of $2,300 each toward the cause. T-shirts are only $15.00 each and “everyone who is anyone” is wearing one in support of the fight against Breast Cancer! I have them on hand -- and can deliver or mail them.

You can pay with a check, cash, or PayPal (direct bank transfer only). Our PayPal e-mail address is: SBPS3Day@gmail.com They are available in White, Gray, and Pink! Please include $3.00 for shipping.




Also, visit our new website at: www.SBPS3Day.com

PERSONAL NOTE: What is a “Hills Print”? They seem far more relaxing that what we were discussing previously.

Family Matters

current mood: challenged

All these consequences keep running around your head
but who knows what they'll say, when it all comes down to...
through the moonlight glow I know, heart racing fast as it can go
our eyes meet instantly, you're on your way.
~ “Allow Me To Introduce Myself...Mr. Right.” By the White Tia Affair

There are many definitions of ‘family’. Some say it is a bond of blood – others may define it as a bond of legality, i.e. marriage or adoption. I am from neither of those philosophies. Instead, I choose to take my definition of family from the beloved children’s author, Dr. Seuss:

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

That’s family to me. Blood is only so thick and marriages can be dissolved. The unconditional acceptance of another person; that is a true familial bond. Two people who come to mind are Girl Twin and Boy Twin’s mom and step-dad. Truly, how much more dysfunctional can the concept be? The ex of my ex and her husband. Yet, they are as much family as my own flesh and blood. I cannot think of two better examples of unconditional acceptance. No matter where I go or what I do, I know, without a doubt, that they have my back. Circumstances may have brought us together, but choice keeps us there.

I have an amazing family circle which consists of friends I have chosen and relatives that were chosen for me. Think of the people you called “Aunt So-and so” growing up, only to find that they really weren’t your aunt at all. They were just close family friends who were given the “honorary” title of “Aunt”. I have a beautiful variety of “nieces and nephews” thanks to the honorary title system. It pleases me immensely that I am “Auntie Jillian”. That familial role allows me to share in the joys of all the milestones children have, first step, first word, first day of school, all those firsts that I most likely will never have with children of my own body. And I know in my heart, that I know what it is like to be a mother, with all its happiness and heartbreak, thanks to the generosity of the people mentioned above.

I guess what I am trying to say, in the most ineloquent manner possible, is that I have chosen my family and I love that I have been able to do so. I know that I don’t always show my appreciation in the manner I should. Life gets busy and I get distracted. But, you know who you are. I love you. I couldn’t get through life without you in it. I can only hope that my contribution to your life is half as valuable.

Now raise a glass to “family” and forget about all those relatives you’d rather not see over the holidays – because in the end, it is all “relative”.

CONFIDENTIAL NOTE: I think this sums up why I was hurt. Does this help explain it?

The Old Switcheroo

Current mood: impressed

Without you there's no reason for my story
And when I’m with you I can always act the same
Forever, yeah if we're together
We can make it better
~ “You and I” by Anarbor

I was so excited for my Tuesday dentist appointment. Why wouldn’t I be? I knew when I left that I would have pristine teeth and would have spent at least 15 minutes with ‘Hot Dentist’. Hell, after last Fall’s root canal debacle, I was looking forward to a couple bite-wing x-rays and a simple check-up. I have been flossing and brushing as directed, so I didn’t foresee any issues.

The hygienist was nice and she did a good job of chatting without asking questions while she was cleaning my pearly whites. When it was finally time for ‘Hot Dentist’ to come into my patient room, the teeth cleaner said ‘Dr. W’ will be right in. *Shut the front door!* My mind was reeling from the shock. “I’m sorry, who will be coming in?” That’s when she told me, “Hot Dentist” left the practice a few weeks ago. I feigned indifference, and muttered casually, “Oh, really, where did he go?” She responded, “Colorado”. Bloody hell! Are you kidding me? My end-all-be-all dentist moved out-of-state. “Ah, I see,” was my response.

Then Dr. W walked in. Any hopes that he would be better looking than ‘Hot Dentist’ were crushed when I looked up and saw a girl dentist. Lost in despair, I looked at her dentist coat and observed an embroidered pink breast cancer ribbon on the pocket. To top it off, she was really funny, told me I have beautiful teeth (as if I didn’t know), and almost made me forget all about my disappointment in never seeing ‘Hot Dentist’ again. I made the decision to keep going to her when I saw the Bright Pink font on her business cards. I cannot trust my teeth to “just anyone”.

Brush and floss daily!

PUBLIC SHOUT-OUT: Congratulations to NBF for getting accepted to Indiana University Law, a top 25 law school! You are amazing!!!!!

PERSONAL NOTE: Thank you for your assistance today. Sorry about Pajama Boy being sad.

CONFIDENTIAL NOTE: I hope you are not naming it, “Aloysius”.

The Rain Goes On

Current mood; transitional

My evil tongue
Does seem to run
With a mind of it's own
I must be cursed,
I always make it worse
You may as well just take me home
~ “I Talk to Much” by Just Jack

Life has been a little more “terrain-filled” than I generally like, but, my horoscope indicates that the backsliding should cease soon. I am all for a lack of backsliding. I feel like Sisyphus most days. I study, I work, I do not get enough sleep, then I “rinse and repeat” the next day. I have a nice leather journal with pristine (and empty) pages. I had someone ask me what motivates me and the only thing that came to mind was “maternal instinct”. Granted, I was asked this particular question on Mother’s Day, so maternal instinct was definitely on the brain.

I think I need a life coach. Wasn’t there a reality show that revolved around getting a Life Coach and creating the life that was meant to be lived? With graduation season upon us, I desperately want to address the graduation class of 2010 with words of wisdom which include “following your bliss” and “doing what you love” and “reduce dependence on material goods”. Easy to say, hard to live. I am not motivated by money – but perhaps that is because I have no money with which to be motivated. *sigh* I truly am motivated by my desire to be a good role model for the twins (all 3 sets of twins, actually). My incessant desire to be a mother is an excellent motivator.

I have all but given up on ever carrying my own child, even if I could afford the IVF treatments. I have a feeling that my body is a hostile one. Adoption, on the other hand, would be so beautiful and amazing. I read all of these horror stories of unplanned pregnancies which end in abused infants; abandonment; or even death. I would gladly take on one of those babies and love them. I wouldn’t even have to adopt them. I would happily serve as a guardian for one of those unloved children. I have two brothers who would happily serve as male role models for any child I brought into my home. I cannot imagine a child who could be so loved, while not living in a traditional nuclear household.

Anyway, someday, I will have the opportunity to be a full-time mother. I hope.

PUBLIC NOTE: For anyone who is waiting on Second Base Preservation Society t-shirts – they will be mailed tomorrow, I promise. Sorry for the delay.

PERSONAL NOTE: I will miss you.