Lately...

• I've been reading: The Trouble with Magic, A Charmed Death & Mermaids in the Basement.

• Enjoying all the "Happy Mommy's" from my amazing, little daughter.

• Visiting family.

• I'm happy that despite the rain, the temps seem to be going higher and higher.

• Trying not to get sucked into yet another tv show (True Blood) by my Hubs.

• Listening to The Ragbirds.

• Playing Angry Birds on my Nook.

What have you all been up to?

Early Birthday Gift

So, my birthday isn't until the end of the month. But the Hubs and the Wee One went, out Sunday afternoon and bought me my birthday present. Now, I wasn't expecting it. In fact, I didn't realize they had left the house last Sunday until the Hubs mentioned they went to Costco. (Granted, I was out of the house from 10:15 - 3pm.)

Anyway, the Hubs mentioned that he bought the Wee One a book. She told me it was a Tinkerbell book. Or rather, "Daddy. Book. Bell Bell." Which means the same thing in 28 month old speak. Turns out they left it in the car. I told the Hubs I'd go get it. No worries, right?

Well, the Hubs left my present on the front passenger seat. I played it off. But he asked me point blank at dinner that night if I'd seen it.

"Yes. But I'll be surprised." (For the Munchkin's sake. Since we don't get birthday presents for each other anymore. The Daughter does. She pays the other parent in Smiles, Hugs and Kisses. LOL)

So later that night. Hubs gives my present to our daughter. She comes running out to me, saying "Happy Mommy Birth. Happy Mommy Birth." And is so excited.

I of course play along. And she snuggles up next to me on the couch and eagerly watches me open it.

What is it?

Why my Nook Color that I wanted. I had to go plug it in. So I took it into the kitchen and when I came out without it, my Daughter starts crying. I soothe her and try to explain that it has to be charged in order to work. After some time, she calmed down.

Needless to say, the whole thing was very cute. And I've been addicted to my Nook ever since. I'm still not sure how all the bells and whistles work. But, I'm having fun, nonetheless. And I bought this cover.I wanted one that had a few pockets, had a closure and was only a bi-fold. I was a little sad to see that they only had black. No flashy colors to choose from. But alas, I took function over style. Maybe sometime in the future they'll come out with Style and Substance.

So, anyone with a Nook want to explain the LendMe feature?

Books and Friends

I just finished reading The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen. And while it was a good book, I don't think it was her best. It got me to thinking though about friendship and what true friendship really looks like.

The book focuses on a small town in North Carolina. The main character Paxton is the President of the Women's Society Club and she's always striving to be perfect. The other main female character is Willa. She's from a family that was wealthy in the beginning, but lost their fortune when the logging trade dried up.

Anyway, they both went to high school together, but weren't friends. One night while driving home late, Willa sees Paxton in trouble and comes to her rescue. After that, Paxton can't figure out why Willa hasn't spilled the beans to everyone in town. She thinks Willa must be planning to use this information against her at a later date. Willa is very confused by this, since it's not how she operates.

But to be fair that's the only kind of friendship Paxton has ever experienced. At the end, Paxton comes to understand what true friendship is, and she sums it all up in this quote " One way or the other, Paxton knew that those who decided to stick with her would be her true friends. The others would just be scenery."

I've dealt with a weakening or loss of friendship over the past year. And it's been weighing on my mind. I sat down a while ago and really thought about who I could lean on if I needed to. And it turns out that I don't really have many.

I'm talking about:

• calling at all hours of the night/day


• being there for them when they need me


• being able to talk about whatever and knowing they won't spill the beans to anyone


• them being there for me


• helping each other out


• listening to problems and automatically knowing to offer advice or agreement


• being willing to drive to see me, just as much as I drive to them

I also include the usual talking about whatever and joking of course. But just to have one woman that you can always go to, to talk about whatever, whenever, is amazing.

I have that.

I do.

It just surprised me that it wasn't originally who I though it was. And I'm so thankful that I have both of them in my life.

Jeanie & Mom - you are both all sorts of AWESOME!