"New Perspective" - Panic! At The Disco

What we see depends mainly on what we look for. ~John Lubbock

[feely post today . . . . . it's selfish . . . . it's for me to look back on from time to time]

I received a text from a dear friend of mine this afternoon.  I felt a smile come across my face just seeing her name appear on my phone.

She was "checking in" with me.
Asking how I had been.
Saying she missed seeing me.
What I had going on.
What was up next for me.

I told her. 

And

then asked the same of her. . . . . "How have you been?"

[Let me interject here and say . . . . if you even spent 2 minutes with this woman - - you would FEEL her strength.  She is not "wishy-washy" in anything she does.

Not. a. thing.]

She then told me in not so many words of an event that had recently occurred in her life.

I immediately had huge tears in my eyes.

Yes, I was sad with and for her. [for sure].  I told her this.  Asked if I could do anything & that I was here for her.

but

what moved me was her strength & her perspective.

 . . . . .

 . . . . . .

It's so easy to become discouraged.

Life, family, relationships, injuries, outside influences, etc.

but. our. individual. perspective. is. everything.

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail. ~Abraham Maslow

YTB. JB.

Smile - Uncle Cracker

Today, I love this song.

Went to visit with my parents on Saturday. [the homemade bread was just a fortunate "plus"].

My mom told me there were a few things for me on the bed in one of the spare bedrooms.

They made me smile.

This photo. Which I adore.
I love that we did this.
Me and my "circle of friends".

This photo from Peanut's Baby Shower.  Yes, still PLENTY of the 28 lbs I gained during pregnancy lingering, 3 weeks later [apparently ALL in my face]. 
 
 

This photo of me, S & K. [ My cousins.]

This sunset captured from my backyard Saturday night.

Leave Friday for Utah --- not really sure how this marathon is going to go.  Was training for a 3:15 marathon but . . . . . after being sick, yada, yada, yada ....... I seriously, have no clue where my body, legs and heart will take me.  But I'll take it. :)


Happy Monday.

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RN kimbo / the naughty nurse

"Are you upset little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don't worry...I'm here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you." -Charlie Brown to Snoopy/[RN Kimbo to Emz]

This post is for my dear friend "Kimbo".  A post I've dreamt of writing for nearly two years. 

We have a bit of a volatile history.  Why?  I'd say mostly because of this one word:  competitiveness.

Not like "I want what you have" / keeping up with the Jones's kind of competitive.  but like this,  this [where I actually had to remove her comment it made me so mad], this, this, & this competitive.  She's pretty great.  Four kids.  Crazy [like crazy amazing hiker {rim to rim anyone?!}], great cook, a nurse [like in real life] and training for her second marathon in October.

But, you know what?  I don't even want to think about what I would have done without her these past few weeks.

I adore you RN Kimbo.

“Friends are like bras: close to your heart and there for support.” - I am sporting the best bra ever.

Who's your "bra"?

you've got a friend in me

I'm not high maintenance.


My toenails are naturally purple 6 months a year. My last manicure was in 2008. And my commitment to daily leg shaving ended in 1992. Make-up is more of a passing interest than a normal routine. And don't get me started on my "eyebrow upkeep". That's a whole other post.

But the hair - the hair

My name is Emily and I consistently schedule my salon appointments.
I schedule for some version of a highlight (full/partial/brushlight) two months in advance on or around the 12th of each month.

I am a bit OCD about my need to be shlaquered [yes, it's a word] in bleach and aluminum foil.

I have had the same hairdresser for 10 years. She moves locations....I move with her. When she says "jump" i jump. Then something happened [little thing we call life] and she said, "I'm quiting" [stopping doing hair sounds nicer doesn't it?!]and whammo .. I need a new hairdresser [and psychologist/councilor] STAT.  I love you J.N.!

So how'd it go? Somehow . . . . Fabulous.  "HH" is an adorable 25 year old, blonde. As she combed through my hair, sectioning out different clumps and pinning them up in hair clips. She was careful to comb slowly so as to not tug on my super thick fine blonde mane and sweetly streaked tendrils.


She was young - "HH".  A head full of thick golden blonde [of course, natural] hair and a fringe of platinum highlights just around the hairline. She spoke fondly of her mom & boyfriend.

And I thought she was cool.

Then she said she was so happy her boyfriend was awesome because her girlfriends "completely suck". She went on to say, "I do wish I had some really great girlfriends."


I sighed.

If I had met her a year and a half ago I would have marched right in with my, "I know girlfriends can be rough" comments - and that's when I did what I do best . . . went to blonde-land where I act like I am listening but I am so NOT "there". I started thinking about my friends.


I told her I used to wish for that very same thing when I was her age [no, I'm not 84 but 25 seems a while ago] - and I've since learned that they [new friends] are worth seeking out. I explained how I now have friends I'd certainly call "friends" [even in the blogging world] that I just simply adore. I would help them out in any way I possibly could. They are "loyal". And loyal, is BIG with me.

And that's when she asked it.

How old are you?

33, I replied.

"Wow. Well you don't look your age," she said without a thought or hesitation [well, I suppose the thought of her upcoming tip COULD have crossed her mind].

As much as I wanted to ask what 33 "looked like", I refrained.

Instead, I said what I felt.


My "friends" will always [first and foremost] be my family & God. AND [not BUT] lately I am finding just how much joy, fun, laughter & support can be offered by friends EVEN {gasp} the girl types. Not sure how I would have made it through the last one to two years without my friends. To some I am "difficult" to others I am "easy" and to Judi, I am "too low-maintenance" [I'm sure she's going to take that one back after the lunch we had today but . . .].

To get in my car [while still at lunch destination] and get a text [she IS the world's fastest texter, I swear] saying:

You've got a friend in me.
You've got a friend in me.
If you've got troubles, I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and can see it through
Cause you've got a friend in me

[she went on with verse #2 .."bigger/stronger too" because she's like 5' and 90 lbs soaking wet]

What I love most is that she rented this movie ToyStory [#1] on Thursday night because I told her she "wasn't American if she hadn't seen it".  I'm awesome, huh?  She thought not having kids gave her a "free pass" to NOT see it.  whatever.  she [of course, loved it]

So to all my "friends" out there. I'm trying. I'm trying to be THAT friend.
*COME ON - I know you love my deer in the headlights photo.  And "no" you may not know what she was holding. ;)*

what can I do vs. doing

When a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it. - Edward W. Howe 

This is my do-er friend Ashley.

The one on the right.  At my surprise party.  She threw for me.  [The candy ---- that's a whole other blog post.]

No, today is not her birthday.  No, she doesn't even know I have a blog.  [I know, seriously, how come I don't advertise this awesome thing.] ;)  I'm just lazy and have just now gotten around to posting this.

She is a "do-er". 

I met up with her for lunch last week [as I do most weeks].  We usually talk about her [way younger than me] life as it is ALWAYS changing & eventful.  So exciting.  We got a little side tracked last week.  I was having a little less than perfect day [no biggie / no tears].   

What's on my door-step 4 hours later?  These:

[sorry, still not too fab with my camera]

And a note.  One of the best "friendship" notes I have ever received.  You'd think I'd have know this girl since birth.  I've known her two years.  We only started getting together more often in the last 4 months.


It's the little things to me.  The little things make me love/adore/appreciate people big time.

Thanks Ash.  Going to miss you come August.  Chicago or New York?  Which ever you two choose ----- I'm coming to visit.

It's just what kids do

I'm reminded [pretty much daily] how awesome children are by the one [and only one] I currently am raising.

What is she teaching me?

"Mom, I bet if you smiled at the lady . . . . she wouldn't look so grumpy."

"Mom, that girl lives close to us but doesn't go to my school.  We are friends now."  [me] "Of course you are - you've known her for 45 seconds."

"Wait for me Mom.  Wait here." she leaves me in the card aisle at Hallmark [literally runs to the door] and opens it for a gentleman holding way too many boxes.

In grocery store:  "I like your shoes." Thanks Pean.... [then realize she's not talking to me but rather to a teenager buying gum].

"Mom, have a quarter?"  [I give it to her.  She says she'll be right back.  I watch.  Gets dropped into the Haiti Relief Fund jar.

the next one is the best [if I can write it] why am I so freaking emotional?!

To woman crying in Basha's [in card aisle] on Saturday.  "Are the cards sad?"  [Me] "Umm, I'm so sorry.  Ellie come over here."
Woman says, "No, please don't.  Yes, the cards can be sad...but I am sad because my 4 month pregnant daughter lost her baby today."  Ellie looks into her eyes, "That happened to my mom last year too.  It sucks*.  I'm sorry."

Lady looks at me.  I thinking [man why do I let her use that word [sucks]?]  Lady says, "Thank you.  That was the most heart felt offering of sympathy I think I have ever felt."  Peanut hugs her waist [?!?] and there are now three people crying in Basha's.

Today.

I'm trying. 

To be more like my nine year old.

*After talking with Peanut [about how awesome that was and why she used the words "sucks"].  She reminded me of what I had told others was probably the best thing someone did/said to make me feel better during this time.  It was a "this sucks" gift from two dear friends.  "this sucks" slice of carrot cake and tulips.  a big "this sucks" hug.  and "this sucks" card.  I think "sucks" is/was totally fitting.

what's in a name?

I have two [very dear] friends who are both going through very difficult trials in their lives today. Both have lost family members, within a day of each other. For one, this is the second huge loss in 10 years. They both are two of my most favorite people, in the whole world.

They both share the same name: Amy

Amy by definition means: beloved

Amy by MY definition means something possibly even greater.

An "Amy" is/has:

• unwavering
• faithful
• opinionated
• devout
• a backbone to stand for what is right
• a heart full of compassion & understanding
• a chin to take the "blows" life sends
• hands to ease the burdens of others
• amazing at motherhood - it is an art
• never gives up [not on anyone / not on anything]
• perceptive to the needs of others
• "Wonder Woman" - thanks "Jillian's Mom" - so fitting.

There is nothing I can say that will take away [or even ease] this pain they are feeling. Just needed to say, "I love them", "I am here for them", "I adore them", "I admire them", & "I cry with them".