Monday, March 17, 2008

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder...

Pardon the recent absence. I was much needed on the homefront! It's good to take time to check back in with the family and all that goes on. It can get pretty hectic pretty fast. It'll knock you on your ass if you're not careful! But, I'm glad to be back. During my brief hiatus I learned a few things. I'm a big proponent that you learn something new everyday. Seriously...everyday. It may or may not be anything substantial or worth writing home about, but it's new.
  1. I learned that a good friend of mine, Lori, is pregnant. This wouldn't be such overwhelmingly amazing news if it weren't for all she and her husband have gone through to get to this point. She's not too far along...only a couple of weeks probably...and she's already glowing! They're about to experience one of life's greatest miracles and I'm so excited for them!
  2. My best friend Kristin just lost her daddy, Mike Cooper, to Cancer. He fought a hard fight and gave it all he could for as long as he could. The best part - he found his peace before he left this world. Read the story of how it all happened...and I suggest you get a tissue or three!
  3. I learned (as I have before and will continue to do) that relationships are hard. Whether you're talking about a marriage, a best friend, a parent/child or work related, balancing the art can be tough. It takes lots of hard work, mountains of patience and understanding.
  4. I was reminded of how much vacation is necessary. I'm working with a pretty tough deadline at work right now and I'm so looking forward to getting out of town and not worrying about a thing!
  5. I re-learned (cause it wasn't like I didn't know!) that I have fabulous neighbors! Seriously...I'll put them up against anyone's. They're just as much fun partying as they are sitting in the driveway putting together patio furniture, or hanging out on the deck in the afternoon. "Home" is so much better with great neighbors!!
  6. I learned that I have to take a break sometimes and re-group. Maybe it's just a book and a bath...but a re-group is necessary! It's easy to get caught up in making sure everyone else around you is taken care of. Easy, but not always healthy. Make time to tend to you - you're just as important!
  7. I learned, unfortunately, that "Rock of Love" with Bret Michaels is quite possibly the most ridiculous thing ever to grace the small screen...yet I can't make myself change the channel. What a joke...yet I'm mesmerized!
  8. I learned/realized that I haven't had my hair cut (not even trimmed) since November 2007 (over four months if you're counting) and that's way too long. I've got to make that a priority this week!
  9. I was reminded that if you want something, it might just be as easy as asking. I tend to overthink/overanalyze situations until I end up making them more complicated than they ever started out being. All you have to do is ask.
  10. I learned that hard work can payoff from time to time. You can work hard, save your money (or not), make at least semi-smart decisions and then.....you can reward yourself. And you should! You've only got one shot at enjoying this life....you should certainly be willing to take some chances along the way!
  11. Finally...I've been reminded that my kids aren't standing still. I have a picture on my mantle of each of them and I was saying something the other day about how I needed to update the pics within each frame. It dawned on me that I was having trouble remembering my little girl that little. In the picture she's about a year old and it seems like eons ago! Add insult to injury by realizing that I'm only about a head and some change taller than my little man and you've got yourself a 'sobfest'.

All in all, the "break from the blog" was beneficial. I missed it, though. It's a great release to be able to tap, tap, tap my way into relaxation. I'm flattered that so many even give a rat's "you-know-what" about anything I have to say...but if you go away laughing I've done my part! So, I'm back on track...and thanks for reading! There's some funny stuff coming up soon!

4 comments:

KristinRanae said...

Man, I miss him. I'm just glad that he is no longer suffering. He loved you so much Jennifen Swab! You always put a big ole' smile on his face:) Thank you for that.

Anonymous said...

Well April finally made the Blog!! Good job!!

Anonymous said...

Briana...I made the blog...however I paid for it for 2 long days. I am getting tooo old.
April

Jenn said...

Don't say you weren't warned about Lemon Drops. They're crazy!