Finally. We meet.

Last year, I blogged about my not so secret crush on Buddy, the Cake Boss. Man, I just adore that guy, as does Caroline.

A few weeks ago I found out from my friend Sara that he is coming to Columbus. Tonight. TONIGHT. I called my friend Ryan, the best ticket broker EVER to get tickets. And since Ryan doesn't do anything unless it is in top-notch style, he got us FRONT ROW seats.

Ugh. It is only a matter of hours until Caroline and I are in our own little happy zone... Or as Caroline said "I am freaking out Mom."

More good-byes...

I'm sure I'm not alone in this, but dividing up friendships during a break up is hard. In any relationship I have ever been in I have had the chance to meet fabulous people and have been lucky enough to maintain some of those friendships over the years. My relationship with Brian has been no different. Through Brian I have had the chance to meet some AMAZING people, and consider myself lucky to have done so. And with me, any person who is as kind to my kids as they are to me is TOP NOTCH in my book.

In the case of Brian's friend Scott and his wife Sara I could not say enough kind things. From early on in our relationship Scott, Sara and their family have been nothing but great to us. Those kindnesses will never be forgotten. For anyone who has followed my blog, one of Scott's early starring roles in my life was when he was willing to come dressed as the stork for a baby shower I hosted. Not many friends would have driven a half hour across town to do that for someone, and when Barack Obama spoke at Tessa's school, Sara drove to come get Caroline for me so I could be there with Tessa at the event. Both Scott and Sara's parents have always been kind to our family, as well as having hosted us on vacations. Again, their true kindness will always be remembered. And in the case of Scott's amazingly funny step-father Chuck, one of the best story tellers of all time will always be remembered. A gift for making a good story even better is always appreciated!

Well, in addition to my moving, Scott and Sara are moving. For their family, this is a new opportunity and I am excited for them. And while both of our families may be changing in certain ways, I feel confident that our friendships will not.

Thank you Scott and Sara for your friendship, and to your families as well.

And if this friendship comes down to taking custody of anyone, I get Chuck.

What about Bob?

Well, I have to say our neighbor Bob loves our little family. I'm guessing not nearly as much as we love him, but love is love, right? When it comes to great next door neighbors I swear we hit the jackpot. Athanasia on one side, Bob on the other. I'm guessing Bob is 90 now, and still likes to clean out our gutters and repair things he notices need done. He always stops to talk to Caroline and loves to pet Quincy through the fence. Whenever we have him over for dinner he is a fabulous dinner guest, and just a true pleasure to know. So. The question is which one of us tells Bob that Caroline and I are moving and Tessa is leaving for college? The funny thing is that neither Brian nor myself wants to tell him. I offered to write a letter or email him. I have a feeling that is tacky and not appropriate. Ugh. Saying goodbye is WAY worse than packing.

Some things can't be bubble wrapped...

As I was packing tonight I looked out my window and saw my dear friend and next door neighbors house and had to close my blinds. I can not pack and look at her house at the same time. This is a woman who has been on vacations with me, babysat for me and someone I see every day. I have known her through two of her three pregnancies and can smell her cooking dinner from my house at the end of each day. She watched Caroline for me from the time Caroline was six weeks old, and had it not been for her I could have never left Caroline with anyone else and gone back to work. She is my friend, my neighbor and she has been a lifesaver and inspiration to me on many occasions. I realized as I looked at my packing boxes that I am only packing up my physical belongings. My memories are in my heart, and it does not matter where I live.

My future Hoosier...

After much debate (on both the part of mother AND daughter) the decision has been made.

Tessa is headed in the direction of Indiana greatness. I can honestly say that the other morning when Tessa sent me a text message telling me she had made her decision I was stunned. I could not imagine that she had gone to bed, been driven to school and then made up her mind. I was wrong.

When I asked her what prompted her to decide, she told me that she woke up and felt confident that this was the right choice.

My heart broke a little, but I'm excited for her. So much for my secret dream of her staying at home and going to school online from our living room or something where I could see her every day.

If I knew how to make a heart on a keyboard I could tell her I heart her.

Congrats my future Hoosier. Welcome to the legacy of great people who have chosen the state of Indiana. And while I know I lost my cool on a few of the college visits I wouldn't trade them for anything. Thank you for letting your old mom and little sister tag along for the ride.

*My favorite Hoosiers, not ranked in any order of priority or school affiliation

David Letterman, Bobby Knight, John Mellencamp, Kimberly, Sara and myself. Just for fun I found an old post from 2007 with my IU banner in the background. I've offered Tessa the banner as a peace offering for crying a little when she told me she was really leaving me.

Seven year itch...

Sometimes, I don't think we use all of our lifes best lessons when entering into a marriage. Or possibly any relationship. Why are we kinder, more polite, use better manners with strangers and co-workers? Why do we worry more about what people see on the walls outside of our homes or in our yards than what is happening inside? Why do we forget to focus on that person or the ideal that we spent so much time on in the beginning? If relationships are for grown-ups, how come sometimes when we are in one we forget to act like it?
Today is my seven year anniversary. We got married during Lent, therefore we were not allowed to have flowers in the church. We also had to get married on a Friday night and be able to be out before Stations of the Cross. We were so excited to get married that we did not let these things deter us from our common goal of marriage and hopefully starting a family. As I stood in church today surrounded by the flowers and the message of new beginnings I reflected on the day seven years ago where I was joined in hand and by heart to the person I felt was my new beginning.
Seven years. I could have run for office as well as re-election at this point. Unfortunately, I'm not being re-elected. Like a politician I am determined to smile and make the most of it. Shake hands, kiss my babies. (Even though they are not babies anymore, they will always be mine.) I won't be retired to the sunny state of California or even my home state of Indiana. But I'm OK with that. This is my life and I will make the most of it.

Suddenly...

I'm going to borrow one of Caroline's favorite words, "suddenly."
It kind of goes like this:
"Mom, I was standing there and suddenly the marker wrote on me."
or...
"I suddenly was playing with my DS in bed."
Well, I've realized a few things suddenly myself.
Suddenly, I am a dog lover. Man do I love Quincy.
Suddenly, I do not like feeling railroaded and I won't feel that way any more.
Suddenly, I will not be put down by someone else who is feeling frustrated.
Suddenly, I wake up each day and make a conscious choice to be happy versus unhappy.
Suddenly, I am a size 4!
Suddenly, I realized that this week is a time of rebirth and reflecting. I like this week.