has been pretty great but very busy. Which explains my extended absence from 43T. On to the visiting, this month was my 10 year class reunion which was actually pretty great, people told me not to go but there wasn’t that upstaging crap like you often hear about. I got to reconnect with some long lost friends and acquaintances. Best of all my best friend from 4th-7th grade Alex, she lives in the same town as me and we’ve already gotten together a few times since.
I met my friend K’s new daughter and had a nice visit with she and her husband and about a week later we got together for dinner. Sara moved back from NM and we had a great evening talking about her work and the possibility that Amaranth was actually the staple food of the people of the southwest, along with the typical alien conversations. I’ve also got to spend time with Pearl and Al. I even made it over to both of their houses this summer which is a pretty big deal for me.
Then there’s E, my wonderful fairy god son. He was up for a few weeks this summer and we spent time floating a boat down the streets after a rain, going to the park, enjoying him riding his bike with training wheels, the farmers’ market and swinging.
The Farmers’ Market has been great too, I’ve gotten to know some new people and we’ve been going out to dinner afterwords so that has been interesting, it’s so hard to make new friends as an adult but I think that we are well on the way. 8 months ago

A. Be a good friend by being there.

B. Never be too busy for loved ones. The more you put into relationships, the more you get out of them. Willingly repay the people who love you with time. Remember that one day, the people you love will not be here. Make the time today for them.

C. Let your kids make their own mistakes so they can learn important lessons about life early on and be able to bounce back. Don’t restrict their freedom in this way. Be there to help them recover. Be there to ask leading questions too so that they can think through their decisions and actions.

D. Respect and forgive your parents. They did the best they could, even if it was not good enough for you. Rise above your upbringing by being good to your parents.

E. Give your kids a break. Support and encourage them because it’s hard for kids in this world. They lack many rights. Give them positive reinforcement so they can believe in themselves. By constantly saying “no” kids can end up lacking confidence and self-esteem. Give them the resources to achieve their dreams. It is not your job to limit their dreams.

F. Never lend money or things, unless you are prepared to write off the money or relationship. Don’t give out things that you are attached to.

G. You can’t change a bad child, but you can change bad behavior.

H. Be cheerful around the people you love. It can be a simple change of heart for yourself and others.

I. Give your kids responsibilities. As they get older, give them more and with guidance. It will be messy at first, then different than how you do it, then they will master it.

J. Your children’s rebellion is necessary for them to be able to leave home and then return later. HOlding them back produces resentment. Taking it personally fosters guilt.

K. Accept that it is a good thing that your kid is hanging out with someone you don’t like because it’s a way to test our tolerance. It shows that we are raising them with less prejudice.

L. Be helpful, kind, patient, and courteous to your parents. Treat them well, pay attention, take them seriously.

M. Give your children the best of everything you can. 17 months ago

...imaginary lines that nobody should cross physically and emotionally.

-To gain decency, respect, kindness, love, truthfulness, privacy, and honor.
-Figure out what I will and won’t put up with.
-Boundaries will lessen people’s power over you. You will not be as afraid of others.
-They will help you realize that other people’s behavior is more about them than you.
-Respect yourself enough to figure out who/what you are and enforce your boundaries when they are violated.
-It makes it easier to recognize con-jobs, emotional blackmail, neediness, rudeness, aggressiveness, exploiters, insecurity, and blamers. 17 months ago

Base is…
-home. Where you started out, dreamed, and made plans.
-a place of strength and control
-where you feel relaxed, comforted, nurtured, and restored
-where you belong
-who you were before you got lost
-your roots (family, background, place you grew up, best friend)
-a sense of security
-a place where you are accepted and reminded of what’s important
-something you can remake, if necessary 17 months ago

Gave up on this one.They all live too far and I still have problems traveling. 17 months ago

was fun for the most part with the exception of our 2am trip to the Tacoma jail. Ezra is so big and counted to 10 and blew bubbles for the first time when I was there. Lauren and I are practically the same person and so it was so nice to be with someone who just “gets” me. George was as entertaining as ever. We went out to eat, on walks, to the park and out to the bar one too many times. I miss them already! 2 years ago