We Are The People In Your Neighborhood...

Growing up, I was always amazed that my dad knew someone, who knew someone, who could handle any problem that arose. That man had contacts I never knew existed! He knew them from school, the country club, his service organization, and the bar he owned. If you needed framing done, he knew someone. If you needed jewelry, he knew someone. If you needed wine imported, he knew someone. You get the picture.

I didn't realize how wide my neighborhood had become until yesterday. Without going into specific details, the hubby and I had some issues arise that required specific, well-informed feedback, that would set us on the right path. I sent two emails. Two. And within minutes of sending these, I had the responses I needed. Both began with the same message...stop...breathe. Two dear women, one a personal friend, and the other a professional colleague, jumped in and immediately offered all they had to give. CT and LD, you are AMAZING! I cannot thank you for all you did!

But that wasn't all. I posted on Facebook that I was having a craptacular day. Friends came out of everywhere to offer hugs, support, humor, a shoulder, whatever I needed. I was so touched! Who am I to have people respond so kindly?

It hit me today, this neighborhood thing. I've been building my neighborhood person by person. I've kept the important people and weeded out the harmful ones. Through Facebook, email, and face-to-face contact, I've surrounded myself with the most loving, caring, encouraging friends a person could ask for. I hope these people know that the feelings are reciprocated. "Just call out my name, and you know wherever I am, I'll come running...."

Life Got In The Way...

So, the last time I posted my husband had just fallen off a ladder, was off work, and pretty useless. (Sorry honey!) He's had an amazing recovery, is doing fantastically well, and has returned to work. You would think that his being home would have given me more time for this blog. Such was not the case! Life continued to get in the way.

My life is far from exciting, so why should I keep up with this? My friend TTC posted recently about why we write. I write for a lot of reasons: to vent, to escape, to get ideas from the universe, to talk to someone over the age of eight... So far, though, none of these has been a good enough reason to keep motivated and keep going. Life gets in the way.

I've decided not to beat myself up about it, but to give it another go. I'm a huge crafter, scrapbooking in particular. I'm going to steal an idea for KC, another friend. She's doing a pic a day blog that I really like. I'm aiming for a pic a month. LOL I'm hoping it will feel a little like virtual scrapbooking because I don't have time for the real deal.

So here it is, my first picture post. I'm a better photographer than writer anyway! We've been having some pretty bizarre weather lately. We had snow, sleet, and freezing rain last Saturday and Sunday. Then, Monday and Tuesday were both at or above 50 degrees.

Frozen ground+ice+warm air = FOG!

This was unlike any fog I've ever seen! You couldn't see our barn. While driving, you couldn't see the car in front of you, and you only saw a hint of traffic signals as you were right under them. But, Tuesday morning, the sun began to burn off some of the fog in the more populated areas. I happened to capture this shot in my school parking lot. I think it looks like something out of a dream or a horror movie. I haven't decided which.