Good Advice

Naomi: How come you sometimes treat me like I'm a baby?

Me: Well, I forget what a big kid you are. I used to have to do most things for you and I forget how much you can do on your own now.

Naomi: Yeh.

Me: Like crossing streets on the way to school....

Naomi: ...and calling friends on the phone....

Me: ...packing your lunch...

Naomi: ...letting me walk around the block...

Me: Yeh. Its hard for me to learn how to treat you like a big kid.

Naomi: You should practice, mom. Its the best way you learn new things.

Good Egg

My cousin, Jake, came home to Nebraska this past week. Its the first we've seen Jake in some time. He serves active duty as part of our armed services in Iraq.

There aren't words to describe what its like have him come home, joke around, play basketball in his mom's driveway and then pack up and return to his army post.

Next time you're with your own family joking around, or enjoying this amazing fall weather -- regardless of your politics -- I would appreciate it if you could send a good thought Jake's direction. Like many of his fellow soldiers Jake is a good egg. Our hope is to have him state-side by Christmas.

Late Night Googling Receipe

Step 1. Go to the Google homepage.
Step 2. Type my husband is a pirate into the search engine block.
Step 3. Select the "I'm feeling lucky" search option.
Step 4. Read the detailed account of a woman's dream sequence where her husband skirmishes with and is ultimately stabbed by a pirate.
Step 5. Notice that no one, not even the internet psychics, has offered a response.
Step 6. Laugh-laugh-laugh.

Auto-Racing Wishes for My Girl

I've been thinking about my friends a lot recently. One just welcomed a baby girl. Several showed up to help raise the high-beam of our cabin roof. One leaves on Friday for a two year stint in the Peace Corps. One with her kiddo in a Denver hospital this week. More found on my cell phone speed dial.

Anne Lamott calls that core group of friends your pit crew. Its made up of those people who put you back together, inflate your tires, and check under the hood before they turn you around to face the road ahead.

With the beginning of each school year I watch as my daughter makes and moves away from her friends. I can only hope she has the good fortune to collect a pit crew as amazing as my own.