This is such an important and worthwhile cause that I’m having Zachary walk with me. I’m so looking forward to Zachary meeting my friend’s son, Will, who was born premature (at 25 weeks) and has his own share of challenges. From what Janey has said, Will is a funny, precocious, lively and dear kid and I think he and The Goose will get along famously. I hope The Goose can keep up with him!

I need some help, though.
As you can see if you look over there ————————————>
I’m a little short of my goal. Every little bit helps. $10, $15, $25, etc. Please open your hearts and your wallets and donate a little coin to this wonderful organization. Help me and Zachary help babies in need. Just click on the badge. 🙂

If you’re interested in learning more about Will, Janey is always too happy to talk about her wonderful son. Check out Confessions of a Middle-Aged Suburban Diva.

Coincidence? I think not.

So MM and I met for lunch. It was great seeing him and the hour flew by. During that time we did a lot of catching up, and our conversation inevitably led to ST. There were a few of us that had been trying to reconnect with her, but up to this time no one knew what had happened to her. At lunch he shocked me by telling me that only a few days earlier she walked into his best friend’s work (who also was a super-dear friend of mine), totally out of the blue. Not only that but ST got MM’s number and had called him, while he was driving to meet me for lunch! Coincidence? I don’t believe in coincidence.

I didn’t want to put MM in an uncomfortable position by asking for ST’s number so I asked him if he would give her my number when they met next week. He said of course he would, and we had to wrap up lunch so I could go back to work. Of course the first few days I couldn’t check my phone fast enough when it rang to see who was calling, or to see if I hand any missed calls when I was away. After a few weeks, however, I stopped waiting for ST to call. While MM had given ST my number, she obviously didn’t want to use it. This made me sad, but I understood. Afterall, we’re talking over 10 years with not so much as a single word. And as I’ve mentioned. I wasn’t always the greatest friend.

Fast forward five months. I’m going about my everyday business when I get a text message from MM asking me for my email address. I quickly sent it to him, but didn’t dare hope he was asking on behalf of someone else. Why set myself up for that again? So it came as a complete shock when only a day or so later, I get an email from ST stating that she heard I wanted to get in touch with her, and asking me how I was doing. I guess patience really is a virtue!

Since then we’ve passed a few emails back and forth. They’re tentative and kind of awkward which is, of course, understandable. ST asked right away if I was trying to reconnect, or if I was just curious about what had happened to her. I felt it was a test question and I didn’t have the right answer. Which answer did she want? Did she want to reconnect? I know she was probably just reaching out to satisfy her curiosity–what happened to that selfish girl? Did she end up in prison? Divorced for a second time? A street walker? 😆 I’m pretty sure that’s all she wanted and then she’d be on her way again. I’m trying to make sure that doesn’t happen. I do want to reconnect. I know we’ll never be as close as we were all of those years ago, but ST was the most important person in my life for many years and I’m still selfish enough to want to hold on to that.

I’m hoping there will be a part 3 to this little story. There have been several more emails since I wrote this, and with each email we both seem to be loosening up a bit. Stay tuned.

I look back with regret on the friendships I have lost; some of them were substantial and one was the most substantial of all. I’ve tried to move forward as a better person, and to some extent I’ve succeeded. I’m not perfect and I have many lessons to learn before I’m done. but losing some of the most important people in my life made me realize that living selfish and in-the-moment is not as fulfilling as living selfless and for the present (and the future).

It’s been over 10 years since I’ve spoken with my best friend from those days. (She’s in the pic of me above, but I cropped her out–I would never post someone’s pic without consent.) She’d had enough of me during my divorce from my first husband (that’s a story for a different post). I guess she got tired of my behavior, and I can’t say that I blame her. Of course, there’s a part of me that thinks if you are truly a friend you stick it out, for better or for worse. I’d like to say that I would have, but who knows. I was a bit of a selfish bitch 15 years ago and maybe I’d have had enough of me as well.

15 years later, I still think of her. Not every day, but often enough that she’s usually very present in my mind. I dream about her a lot too, which is kind of odd (and all you perverts out there can sod off–they’re not those kinds of dreams 😆 ). Since moving to FL four years ago I’ve often toyed with the idea of trying to get in touch with her. I’ve even gone so far as Googling her and attempting to find her on Facebook and other networking sites. All to no avail.

Then, one sunny September day I received a Facebook message from another old, dear friend that I thought I had lost long ago (we have reconnected via Facebook) asking if I wanted to get together when I was visiting Denver. I was thrilled, and we set a date for lunch. Little did I know how much that lunch would turn out to mean to me.

I’m going to leave you in suspense here. I didn’t realize how long this post had become. Look for part 2 in the next couple of days.

I’m a Woman (Peggy Lee)

I can wash out 44 pairs of socks and have ’em hangin out on the line
I can starch & iron 2 dozens shirts ‘fore you can count from 1 to 9
I can scoop up a great big dipper full of lard from the drippins can
Throw it in the skillet, go out & do my shopping, be back before it melts in the pan
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again

I can rub & scrub this old house til it’s shinin like a dime
Feed the baby, grease the car, & powder my face at the same time
Get all dressed up, go out and swing til 4 a.m. and then
Lay down at 5, jump up at 6, and start all over again
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again

If you come to me sickly you know I’m gonna make you well
If you come to me all hexed up you know I’m gonna break the spell
If you come to me hungry you know I’m gonna fill you full of grits
If it’s lovin you’re likin, I’ll kiss you and give you the shiverin’ fits
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again

I can stretch! a green black dollar bill from here to kindom come!
I can play the numbers pay the bills and still end up with some!
I got a twenty-dollar gold piece says there ain’t nothing I can’t do
I can make a dress out of a feed bag and I can make a man out of you
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, and that’s all.

Think you’re bodacious enough for this? Check out The Diva who started it all and link up your own post.

Viva Las Vegas! I know, really cliché, but really true! Chris and I spent 4 wonderful days in Sin City, celebrating our TENTH wedding anniversary. We planned it for a year, actually followed through, and had one of the best vacations ever. Maybe because the kids were back at home? 😉 For those of you interested in our fantastic trip, or if you just want to hear about a totally cool, new off-strip resort and see some fun photos, read on!

I will probably spend most of this post discussing a fabulous place called The M Resort. ((Of course it’s fabulous–it’s named after me 😉 )) I came across the resort while trolling the web looking for great Vegas deals. And a deal I got! We paid $74 a night (including Fri and Sat) and even though the resort tacks on a $25 resort fee per day, our deal actually gave us a $25-a-day hotel credit to be used anywhere in the hotel! Of course Chris and I had NO problem spending that!

The M is truly a beautiful place and we were thrilled to see $5 minimums at the craps table, and find that the six restaurants offered competitive pricing. I guess being 9 miles off the strip you have to make some concessions! We spent our first evening (Thursday) really just hanging out and enjoying being a) in Las Vegas and b) kidless! While Chris went to play in the 6:00 Hold ‘Em tourney, I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of two of my eFriends (who I am proud to call my friends now), Perpelina and Cajun Vegan.

We hung out at the Lobby Bar enjoying a pitcher of something very summer-ish and just chatting. I truly felt at ease with them both and was disappointed when the time came to say good-bye. ((I was on vacation, and they, unfortunately, were not.)) Believe it or not, our first night in Vegas ended pretty early (by Vegas standards). That 3-hour time difference is a bitch!

Good morning Friday and Happy 10^th Anniversary! Chris and I spent a leisurely morning reading in bed. Yes, reading in bed! No kids, no work, no nothing. We could do whatever the hell we wanted! After an über-delicious breakfast buffet we hit the pool. AND WHAT A POOL! I felt like I had just walked on to the set of a movie. Sweet cabanas in the middle of the pool, ivy-lined walls, gaming tables outside…it was pretty fantastic. We grabbed some chairs by the water, grabbed a few drinks ((Hey, we’re on vacation!)) and proceeded to do more of nothing!

Our anniversary dinner at Hugo’s Cellar in the Four Queens casino on Fremont street was amazing. Chris and I made our own surf ‘n turf. I ordered seafood, he ordered steak, and we chowed down. It was great enjoying a meal in a place where I’m not allowed to write on the table with my crayons. 🙂

We did make it to The Strip on Saturday thanks to The M’s free shuttle. Of course it dropped us at the Fashion Show mall and the Puma store was just calling my name. So was the iPod custom wrap cart and Sephora. 😆 It was definitely hot, but we certainly weren’t complaining. No humidity!

Chris also scored us a free dinner at The M’s Japanese steakhouse at the top of the resort by charming the pants off of the craps pit boss. We may not have come home with any money, but we certainly came home with some great memories!

Viva Las Vegas!!

Maybe this sweeping blog change is a reflection of all the other changes we’ve been going through as a family. 2008 has proved (thus far) to be a very challenging and whirlwind year for the Johnsons.

We’ve had some personal crises to overcome. There are a few of you out there who know what I’m talking about. For those of you who don’t, just know that we are overcoming them and that things are going well. As Longfellow wrote, “Into each life a little rain must fall…“. I also like Lord Byron:

The thorns which I have reap’d are of the tree
I planted; they have torn me, and I bleed.
I should have known what fruit would spring from such a seed.

Of course, if you want better fruit, you simply plant a better tree.

I will not wallow, nor will I expound upon the situation. It’s done and we are moving forward as a family. So, let’s talk about the family in June:

Zachary

Zachary turned 5. We spent the evening at grandma’s pool having a picnic, opening presents, and swimming. It was a great time and Zachary loved his gifts. Then, the next day he got to go to Chuck E. Cheese with his cousins. So far I’d managed to avoid that place for 5 years, but now that he has a taste of it, I’m sure there are more excursions in my future. Is this place one of Dante’s 9 circles of hell?

On the same day as his birthday, Zachary also “graduated” from preschool. He’ll start kindergarten in August. Unbelievable!

Jonah

Jonah continues to be a source of pleasure and a source of frustration. While he is SO smart, and really funny, he does have a temper. There’s usually at least one tantrum a day over taking away something he’s not supposed to have. Thankfully, the tantrums don’t ever last very long and he’s easy to divert. He loves playing with Zachary, and of course all of Zachary’s toys. They do play together well and both love to build with the big legos.

Chris

This year we celebrated Father’s Day at the zoo. It was hot, but it was nice. Zach didn’t want to feed the animals at the petting zoo, but Jonah loved it. Chris loved the elephants, and Zach’s favorite part was riding the train at the end.

Chris and I also celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. We went to Universal Citywalk to see the Blue Man Group, then had a wonderful steak dinner. It’s always so odd having an “adult” dinner without the boys. I’m already looking forward to next year. Chris promised that we’d spend our 10th anniversary in the place where it all started—Vegas baby!

As always, there are more pics and slideshows on the Eye Candy page. I’ve uploaded a ton of pictures since the last 2 posts.

Whew, that’s a lot to catch up on. Happy July everyone!