To a special 40 year old

Renee,

My first impression of you, after reading your blog, was that you were an introspective woman and a dedicated Mom. After winning your "Pay It Forward" post, I realized how incredibly creative you are when I received my package that included beautiful earrings, handmade by you! I remember reading your pre-BlogHer posts, about how hesitant you were to be thrown into a situation that involved meeting a bunch of new people, and I expected you to be shy and quiet in person. Girlfriend, I was wrong. You are one brave woman, who did not let any introverted tendencies keep you from putting yourself out there and being a friend to people like me - and I'm so happy that you did! I had such a great time getting to know you better in person at BlogHer this summer. It made me wish that we lived closer to each other, because I think you are a treasure to have as a friend.

Christy, me, Renee and Kirsten enjoying lunch in Chicago

Renee, me, Stacey and Issa in the lobby at BlogHer

So, on the occasion of your 40th birthday, I wanted to take the opportunity that the wonderful Issa put together for all of us - your bloggy friends - to tell you how very special you are, and to wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Welcome to the 40's!

At the age of 20, we don't care what the world thinks of us;
at 30, we worry about what it is thinking of us;
at 40, we discover that it wasn't thinking of us at all.
- Anonymous

Personally, I think 40 is the age that you truly come into yourself and focus on what really matters to you - whatever that is.

Love and Friendship,
Kari

Literally

Milly cracks me up. I have to document some of this stuff for prosperity.

Milly to Daddy: "I'm not going to jump on you, I'm going to land on you."
(said after Daddy asked her to please not jump on him - I see law school tuition in our future...)

Milly to Seesa: "If you don't move your legs, I'm going to break them."

Milly to Mommy after we pull into the driveway of our house: "Mommy, don't say okey dokey."
(it then occurred to me that I actually do say, "okey dokey" every time we pull up to the house and are about to get out of the car...what is up with that?)

Milly to Mommy: "Mommy, let the man sing the song."
(said just about anytime I sing along to the radio, which is every time the radio is on)

Three years old... the teenage years should be fun.

Because she says it better than I can

Crystal Ball, by Pink

Drinking wine and thinking bliss is on the other side of this
I just need a compass and a willing accomplice
All my doubts that fill my head, cascading up and down again
Up and down and 'round again, down and up and 'round again

Oh, I've had my chances and I've taken them all
Just to end up right back here on the floor
To end up right back here on the floor

Pennies in a well, a million dollars in the fountain of a hotel
Fortune teller that says maybe you will go to hell
But I'm not scared at all
Of the cracks in the crystal, the cracks in the crystal ball

Sometimes you think everything is wrapped inside a diamond ring
Love just needs a witness and a little forgiveness
And a halo of patience and a less sporadic pace
And I'm learning to be brave in my beautiful mistakes

Oh, I've felt that fire and I, I've been burned
But I wouldn't trade the pain for what I've learned
I wouldn't trade the pain for what I've learned

Pennies in a well, a million dollars in the fountain of a hotel
Fortune teller that says maybe you will go to hell
But I'm not scared at all
Of the cracks in the crystal, the cracks in the crystal ball

Irony, irony, is hating love, hating love
For what it does to me, what it's done to me, what is done

Pennies in a well, a million dollars in the fountain of a hotel
Broken mirrors and a black cat's cold stare
Walk under ladders on my way to hell, I'll meet you there

But I'm not scared at all, I'm not scared at all
Of the cracks in the crystal, the cracks in the crystal ball

My conversation with Las Vegas

I spent the weekend in Las Vegas recently, to celebrate one of my girlfriend's 40th birthday. I thought I'd share a transcript of my conversation with Las Vegas...

4:00pm Friday, arriving in Las Vegas

ME: "Oh, Vegas. You don't scare me. You're just a little town in the middle of the desert. How tough can you be? You think you're such hot shit, but I know better. I can handle you."

VEGAS: "Just you wait little girl. Just you wait..."

2:30am Sunday morning, as I'm laying down to sleep FOR THE FIRST TIME all weekend

VEGAS: "You thought you could take me, huh? HA! How you like me now???"

ME, waving the white flag: "Ok, I give up. You win."


On my way out of town, I bought t-shirts for my girls.

...because they didn't have any that said "Vegas Kicked My Mom's Ass"...


As strange as it may sound after reading the above, that weekend was exactly what I needed. I've felt like I'm swimming under water lately in my life, and Vegas was like coming up for air. No schedules, no responsibilities, no worries. Just me. And my girlfriends. And the fun nightlife. And the warm air. And the cool pool water. And that's about all I can say, because as I'm sure you know...what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Lish, Lisa (the birthday girl) and me

Ready to hit the town - Lish, Mandy, Jeanette, Lisa, Turia, Monica and me

Let's Talk Period

As someone whose life has been personally effected by cancer, I was excited to learn about an opportunity to make a difference for the 22,000 women who will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year.

First, have a laugh and watch a hysterical video from “Aunt Flo”. Then check out letstalkperiod.com and sign up (it only takes a minute and three clicks!).

Seventh Generation will make a donation on your behalf to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Lastly, for imaginary extra points, guess who plays "Aunt Flo"...?