Connections

 

It's the night before. Night befores leave me feeling wistful and nostalgic. The kids are getting ready to go out and reconnect with high school friends. I'm happy to be here at home, but I can remember how much fun it was when the cast of characters would reunite on this night every year. 

Pee just messaged me to see if we can rendezvous for our annual Turkey day coffee talk. Without hesitation I said, Of course because I love her and my cast has shrunk over the years. And really what is more important than honoring our connections. Making a little same time next year time for her is a given. Our bond was forged our first week at college and it's stayed true even though we live in different states and are not good at staying in close touch. The minute I see her, it's as if no time has elapsed. That folks is kismet.

And speaking of easy connections and high school, we're having breakfast with our oldest friends and kids on Saturday. Mike's childhood friend married my childhood friend and the rest is history. Not only ancient, but rich. It was the Shorewood girls and the Falls boys. Then we were two and they were two...K & M and J & C. Now we're four and four...the W's and the H's and I'm grateful for the way we still fit into one another's lives.

I reached out to another very old but estranged friend recently. We're meeting next week.  It's been long...too long and I tried to convince myself to let it go, but I know myself and that's just not me. I'm a holder on-to. I'll try, try and try again, but only when it's worth it. She is worth it. I won't say I don't have a host of feelings about it, but I know in my heart of hearts that she'll always have space in mine.

Today I took a brisk walk with my friend Candace who for many years was my mom's dear friend and also my boss. We traipsed through the trails and time stood still as we logged miles. I realized that I've not been making enough time for her lately and that is going to change because she is someone I can be completely unfiltered and raw with. We all need a friend like this. She is my older sister who knows me, has my best interests at heart and hears me without judgement. Btw I 'm her younger sister who gives her the same love and grace.Or at least I try to.

My younger frister, Jess, said yes to family date night last night. The five of us laughed through A Real Pain, but also left the movie having shared something powerful. It's true you can watch a movie side by side and leave from the individual experience with a communal understanding of the human condition. A little closer. We walked across the street, that's starting to look a lot like Christmas, for a little dinner after the show. And also to toast Lily who accepted her first choice internship for next summer. 

I'm feeling a tad happysad. I'm not sure it makes sense. My heart is so full with all of these beautiful bonds, and yet also mourning those missing pieces...my mom, Mark, and other loved ones so close and yet so far away. I'm also feeling the passage of time in a way that is visceral and fleeting. All I can hear is let it linger.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

A cozy night in after a busy week. I was home to take my cousin's call. It was along overdue catch-up call with him and his wife.

The ability to pivot. New York had to be postponed. Don't ask, but Linda. We've managed to come up with a clever plan to engage our customers from afar. Fingers crossed.

A movie date. The last minute change in plans meant I was home to celebrate Mike's b-day mid-week with my boys. We saw Heretic. Hugh Grant plays a psycho psycho.

We welcomed Mike to the Birkenstock Club.

We sure missed this girl, but she'll be home for Thanksgiving week before we know it.

A Sunday lunch to celebrate November birthdays in the fam. My mil, bil, nephew and husband are Scorpios.

Meryl is a marathoner. She completed the race in Madison last weekend like a boss in the rain.

 

Manny. When I was Face-timing the kids this week, he was rubbing all over the phone. In cat speak, that is love.

True and constant friends. We had a couple's date with Pete and Sue Saturday. It's the kind of get together that's easy, comfortable and necessary at least once a month.

Pete's a dog guy, but also a Gus fan.

I totally perfected the copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookie and now I need to burn the recipe because each cookie has like 900 calories. Pete and Sue didn't know that so I sent them home with the leftovers.

My Christmas cactus today. She hasn't flowered in years. This was a lovely early and unexpected surprise waiting for me at work today.

November. Second only to October.

These loafers.

Free and fair elections. Mandates. Time for change and healing.

Constant companions.

 

 

 

A throwback. Sully Teddy.

Weekending

Last weekend was such a very good one. Food, family, friends and football on another lovely fall weekend. There was no standout crescendo. It was all steady surges of goodness from beginning to end. We stayed close to home and escaped the noise and I so needed that safety and sanity. Casa Wags was busy with kids and cats coming and going. That is just the way I like it. Hazel is warming up to Manny. Gus still can't stop hissing when Manny is nearby and he sits outside Ted's door on watch when he's on break. They both bounce back soon after he leaves. That's progress and that's good because we love when he comes to visit.

Thursday I made a stop for a glass of wine with Candace before getting Lils and company from the bus stop. They were home long enough to pack up the Jeep with Caesar wraps and other goodies I had for their road trip to Purdue. Their golf clubs too.

Ted got word that he passed his audit exam and he'll soon find out about his TCP exam. Woot Woot! Hopefully, just one to go. We were going to go out and celebrate Thursday night, but Meryl was editing her story until way past dinner time even for us. I think she'll be glad when election season ends. We made a pizza and watched Ted instead. All good.

We did our shopping this week at Costco and Gloriosos. I dread going to the big box, but I love my little Italian market. The amount of money we spent is insane, although to be fair, we did splurge on some items. We were having friends for the Badger game Saturday night and I decided to keep it easy and delicious. Meatball subs and muffalettas for the win. I cannot do any better than they do. I tried a copycat recipe for Crumbl's Chocolate Chip Cookie for dessert and it was as good as the real deal.The game was meh, but the night was fun and I loved when Teryl came to visit with the old folks after their movie date. 

Sunday was sort of rinse and repeat. Meryl had another rally. Ted went to watch football with friends. I had fun in the kitchen baking my favorite new recipe to use up overripe bananas...the naughtiest double chocolate banana bread. Enough for everyone. I also cleaned out all the pumpkins and roasted the seeds. Enough to share. Then I put together a lasagna for Sunday night football. The girls came back through town starving so I made them some quesadillas and sent them back to Madison with bags of goodies because I love spoiling them. The Packer game was lackluster and the constant driving rain made me extra grateful for my warm cozy den and large screen.

Tomorrow I will vote and then hold my breath. I don't think it's incendiary to say that this is a watershed election. Time will tell whether or not I'll be in New York this time next week. Ted and Mike will vote with me and I am so proud that my girl sent in her absentee ballot long ago. I wish Hazel and Gus could vote too.