It's been twenty-four hours of sad news it seems, none directly affecting me but certainly all weighing on my mind and making me thankful for what I do have, as little and as difficult as it seems sometimes. Yesterday, a friend of mine lost her only child, her 29 year old daughter (also my friend), to cancer. It's been a fast and short progression for the illness, which can be simultaneously a blessing and a curse. I've watched my friend hurt the last five months or so going through this, watching her only baby suffer and disappear. It's saddened me, enlightened me and made me eternally thankful for the kidlet, and aching to do more with her, for her. Our time here is fleeting and we must make the most of it.

In addition, one of my daughter's favorite teachers told the kids yesterday that she has breast cancer and will be leaving next week for surgery. The teens spent hours last night texting each other, obviously affected and moved by the announcement, and today are showing up for school in pink shirts to show support for their beloved mentor. Watching the ongoings to plan for this again moved me deeply. How wonderful is it to see our children reaching out actively to help and support someone important to them? Sometime who so many of us resent in our school years? The sheer level of giving and caring that was evident made me thankful and hopeful for our future generation.

Finally, my good friend lost her heart dog a few days ago and just now brought herself to tell us. Many people never get to know the level of love that can exist for a pet, and I am sorry for them. Having recently lost both of my first dogs, and now having my first real, all-by-myself dog, I am saddened by the fact that our furry companions cannot have the same lifespans as the people they share their lives with, while being again reminded that we must live for now, love for now and appreciate now.

I'm revelling in the little things today. I'm reading for class, knowing that I'll be spending my weekend not out in the seventy degree sun but still on the porch writing my paper outside (maybe with a nice glass of wine). I am seeing the beauty in the simplicity of the daffodils that have sprouted all over my yard. I am happily anticipating the move in June, looking forward to a new house, new opportunities, planning the new vegetable garden and looking forward to decorating a new space. I am thankful to have a job at all, and even so much more so that it is a positive one that I enjoy. I have a wonderful, loving, supportive family (I need to call my mother...), good friends (that I hope to have more of in my new town) and a hope for the future that's admittedly been lacking for awhile.

Live. Love. Hope. It always sounded trite, but it's so, so true.

Little pleasures

One of the cooler things about working here at the new institution is the opportunity to take five classes a year free in the school of continuing studies. They have a culinary arts program and I love to cook, so I'm working on my culinary arts certificate now. Last night was the first class... sushi class! I made lots of cool kinds of stuff, including spicy tuna roll (one of which had a raw quail egg on top, very neat!), sake cured salmon, tuna and avocado roll, flying fish roe piece, quail egg sushi and miso soup.

They serve beer and wine while you're cooking and you get to eat what you make. I made about $30 or more worth of sushi and had a nice beer. Can't beat that for a free meal!

In May I'm taking the blue crab cooking class and hoping for some she crab soup!

With the current commute, I leave for work at an ungodly dark hour of 6:15am. This morning, I pulled out of the garage, closed the garage door, looked to see if there were cars coming before backing out of the driveway, then promptly almost ran over a man on a bike who I didn't see. Scared the shit out of me and made me feel like Queen Asshole. I did the "I'm sorry" hand sign and mouthing, but I don't think he paid any attention and was more likely muttering about what a crazy bitch I am. And now, the man I almost ran over knows where I live. Life is amazing!

Change is the only constant

We're moving in June! This city-born girl is returning to her urban roots. We found an awesome old house to rent, the kidlet will have great art opportunities at the magnet school and I'll reduce my commute from over an hour both ways just under fifteen minutes. Not to mention all the great possibilities for a single chick and a teenager in the city. Yay!

Oakley thinks everyone should get to stay in bed on snow days. Including him.