Annual Sparta Friends Dinner

Tonight - with reservations made in September - dinner with our dear friends at a Swedish restaurant that did not fail to amaze and impress.

But first, my Bubbie....

And then off for dinner....

And the man I still find so wildly awesome, I just can't stand it.

And pudding shots.

And this girl, whom I love for ever and always

And her sweet as pie husband the chef, whom I'm in awe of for kicking diabetes in the A$$ as often as he can. Cause he rocks

And my friend and my husband...and I couldn't have had a better night. ahhhhh. tradition.

One More

Sometimes I can forget there can be joy in the smallest of things, like walking in a parade with little girls. Like seeing the world through the eyes of a six-year-old - which is pretty amazing sometimes.

And there are moments when I forget that it isn't about what's easier, it's about what she'll remember. Not always. Sometimes, I just need to sit and breathe for a moment.

But scrolling through Hubs' photos, I saw this, and it just radiated joy.

Totally worth it.

Mattresses

Sometimes you just gotta move a mattress with a mascot.

Glorious December

The last two days have been sunny and downright balmy.

We're still mowing the lawn to pick up leaves for crying out loud.

It's hitting almost 50* - and it's just glorious.

Jeans

When the jeans your mom bought for you in 2001 fit better now than they did back then. And you're over 40 at this point.

Do not ask questions. Just nod and say thank you.

Santa Parade

My little Daisy troop of six walked the Santa Parade today -

It's been over 25 years since I walked in a parade...so I will admit, I was quite excited myself.

The Girl Scout presence was OVERWHELMING! So excited to see so many girls walking the route.

And the candy they through out....

More than any parade I've ever seen. Good gravy.

So much that my little 6 year olds stopped walking to collect all the chaff - which stuffed their Daisy pockets to overflowing.

Pretty darn cute.

The Machine

I have been an education now for about 9 weeks.

And in that short amount of time, as I am only working 2 days a week, my heart has already been ripped out of my body.

You begin to attach yourself to these students. Every one of them a character from The Island of Misfit Toys. Every one of them a child from a crazy set of circumstances. Every one of them from a situation that is not like your own, not like what you're used to, not like what you can control.

It's almost impossible.

There are parts of me that wants to scream out in agony. How have we, as a society, stopped being human? How have we stopped being real people? How is it so impossible to get a child with a case of raging strep throat a simple antibiotic? Because the moment I offered him a cough drop, I was out of line.

It is infuriating.

It is the stuff that drives people crazy, and the stuff that makes social workers and nurses and teachers... My heroes.

It's the start of December today. It is about 50 degrees outside, it's sunny, it's gorgeous. And really all I want to do? Drive to where the student is, pick him up and take him to the emergency center. But instead, my life is full of other things. Because we have a roof over our head, food in our refrigerator, too many clothes to choose from, and a thermostat that probably needs to come down a few degrees. Luxuries.

When did food and clothes and heat become a luxury in my community?

It will rip your heart out. But I will show up on Tuesday, and I will text this kid before then, and I will push every button I know how to get him a free drug. I will Rage Against the Machine.