You know the trepidation you feel when you move into a new neighborhood? It brings back all those insecurities that haven't reared their ugly heads since your first day of school many years ago. Will they like me? Will I make friends? Do they even want a new friend? Will they notice that giant zit that unceremoniously emerged last night?

Well, much to my relief I couldn't have asked for a more perfect friend and neighbor to move across the street from. It was like having the most popular, cutest, nicest, girl come sit by you at lunch on your first day and you know that things are going to be ok.

So, it is with much sadness that I have to say goodbye to this friend who is leaving to join the sun worshipers in Arizona. I started thinking about all the things that I will miss about having her right across the street.

1. Knowing that I can go over literally 24 hours a day and barrow just about anything; jewelry, shoes, shirt, diet coke, zit cream, cleaner, air mattress........you get the idea.


2. Watching our recorded trash TV, eating treats, and nursing down Diet Cokes from Maverick.


3. Having a go-to home decorator with uncanny vision and know-how to transform any room.


4. My personal fashionista that knows where to find anything and find it on sale.


5. Comparing how long it has been since we washed our hair (she always won).


6. Starting and breaking numerous diets together.


7. Late night walks around 'the loop' and talking about life.


8. Knowing that I could tell her anything, I mean ANYTHING, without fear of judgment or embarrassment.


9. Having someone who continuously teaches me the art of laughing at yourself, not taking life too seriously, and taking/making the time have fun with the people you love.


10. Learning by example from someone who continuously strives to be a better person through quiet perseverance and without recognition.

Mel, I will miss you and your freakishly small ankles more than you will know.

Choosing Sides

Today I had to make a decision between protecting our planet's valuable resources and spending valuable time with my son. He won.

I was getting ready this morning in the bathroom when Jackson climbed from the toilet onto the counter, turned on the faucet, and started playing in the water. I almost got him down and told him to go play somewhere else, almost, then changed my mind. We talked about the water, the soap, hot, cold, and when his limited vocabulary was exhausted we started through the alphabet, numbers, names.

All the while the water ran.

He looked at me, really looked at me, wanted to interact, called me mom, smiled, and laughed. The yelling was gone, no crowds, no anxiety, no schedule, just us. These are the moments when the autism is forgotten, when no barriers or worries plague the future and I can cherish these moments with my perfect little boy. These are the moments.

Side note: Charlie unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper during this time and I just threw it away right beside the newspaper. Berkenstock clad, tree huggers will surely be contacting me via recyclable hate mail.

Finally

Race Day....Da Da Da

Before.....


During...


After....

Pretty uneventful huh? Yeah!!! Finally, no blood, no crashes, no bike problems, and stayed on course. The curse is broken.

Drastic Measures

Tonight I used this.....

To clean this.....

Yes, that is none other than the Husky 1500 psi power washer and yes, it was very necessary. The car seat may be it's next victim.

Round 2

I may have to resign myself to the belief that I have the dreaded Race Day Curse. Remember this? Well, yesterday was more of the same. The swim fortunately went off without a hitch and the bike was looking good. I was following a couple of guys who were keeping a good pace and then realized that these fine riders were not in the race and I was off course. Upon realization of this predicament I attempted a U-turn via an all too large curb, then changed my mind, got stuck in my clips, and went down still hooked to my bike. Bruised hip and elbow, bloody knee, but back on course.
This Saturday was supposed to be a good training session for next Saturday's race but instead it left me sore, scraped, and seriously looking into a race day talisman.

If you put on your reading spectacles you may be able to see the bloody mess on my left knee.

I did finish first in my age group and yes the sound you hear is me patting myself on the back.