Book Club to the rescue!

I think the reason I've remained relatively (BIG emphasis on that word) sane from 2007 until now is because so many healthy support systems have been in place. AM runs with KK, the structure of Sophia, Girlfriend's Club connections, "Wacky Wed" craft nights and girl talk, day dates with Theresa and her kids, real dates with my husband... without these in place, I may have been blissfully crazy in some psych ward by now.

One structure that popped on the radar unexpectedly was a Book Club formed originally by my former teaching colleagues. It has grown to include several of their women friends. What a gift! #1) It allowed me the chance to be in contact with my school friends without school (woulda been WAY sad to disconnect from Liberty all-together during my leave of absence). #2) Each book club meeting involved food and adult beverages - need I say more? #3) Jackson stayed home with Daddy. #4) It "encouraged" (I refrain from the use of the word "required" because I was known to attend meetings WITHOUT opening the book assignment - oops!) me to stay on track with reading interesting books.

So last night was my last book club here in Columbus... THANKS girls for a really healthy outlet for me. I appreciate you inviting me to be apart of it! One of my first priorities upon arriving in Rochester will be to find me a book club!

Mom

Today marks one year since Mom died.

Dad came into town on Father's Day, so he, Scott, Jackson and I had a JANET JOHNSON SPECIAL for lunch: BLT sandwiches with cheetos as a side dish. These were two of her favorites. We woulda complimented the meal with a bourbon and coke if Scott hadn't had to go back to work for the rest of the day. (ha!)

I spent quite a bit of time journaling (thanks to Dad for hanging back at the homestead while Jackson napped, while I escaped to the library for some quiet time with myself)... and it brought me to think about the timeline leading up to Mom's death... it was so quick, her decline.

I love my Mom. Always will. One line in my journal reads, "I never want to forget the sound of her laugh." Sometimes it takes a couple seconds to find that memory/sound, but eventually I always do.

Thanksgiving '06 - opening the card that says "Will you play with me? Love, Your Grandbaby"

We officially told the family about our pregnancy that evening. Mom had wrapped up her bio-chemo clinical trial, and was beginning to get her weight and her hair back...
Christmas Day 06 - feeling more and more like herself
Spring Break 07 - By now we know that Mom's melanoma cancer had spread to her brain. She had grown quite weary around this time. We didn't know if this was a reaction to medicine or the disease itself.
Baby Shower in Louisville - April 07
Easter o7

Mom's last trip to Columbus for a shower - May 07

Officially Stressed

It's here. Stress has arrive on my doorstep this morning. And I feel like my head is spinning, as a result.

My friend Belinda called and said to pick a time to be together before I left. She said to look over my calendar and email the possibilities to her. I did just that, and could only come up with a couple, couple hour windows from which to choose.

When am I gonna go through my whole house and Goodwill what I don't want to take with me? When am I gonna say the goodbyes I want to say? When am I gonna have moments to myself to spend in the Park of Roses and the Caribou up the street and the cemetery with Duncan? When am I gonna eat up all the goodies in my deluxe freezer downstairs?

Wow. I'm in a tailspin. I guess the first step is to stop blogging and get to it.