Trampoline!!

We bought Tim a Trampoline for his Birthday this year!! (yes, his birthday is in July....but he had to be able to enjoy it for the whole season!! And plus, you know Garnet and I when it comes to gifts and waiting ;)
Lots of videos and more fun pictures on the Web Album...we had a blast putting it up and jumping for hours tonight....speaking of which - anyone know a good masseuse??

Garnet doing one of his many tricks....

Jess doing her only trick; trying not to fall off ;)

Flying Tim!!

The face says it all!!

Starting to Grow! 

New Fence and "Chat Place"

One of Tim's favorite things to do is sit outside and "chat" (as he calls it). So after a long hard day in Kindergarten today we sat outside with his 'chubby' (special pop from Papa Little) and had a good chat. It's always been very enjoyable - but so much more pleasing to the eye with our new fence back there!!

(and yes, Patio furniture will hopefully be in one of the near future Little purchases ;)....but for now these will do just fine!)

"Cuz I said so"...

...sometimes just isn't enough. I should know - after all he is my child...he's going to have some of my genes! I needed to feel the stove just to make sure it's hot - I didn't believe it just cause my Mom said so.

But today Tim learned the hard way.

His little buddy was over playing and I was upstairs in the kitchen. I heard "I can lift it higher than you..." followed by a crash and screaming. I came running to find Tim on the floor crying a full out 'it really hurts' cry. I rushed over to him and asked what happened.

"I'm not going to tell you" he said between sobs.

I asked his friend what happened and he pointed to my 15 pound weight on the floor beside them. Then I saw the bruise on his cheek beginning to form. Tim knew it was not supposed to be touched - let alone played with, and that's why he didn't want to tell me. I gave some hugs and snuggles and started into my lecture about how important it was to listen to Mommy, how I make rules to protect him because I don't want him to get hurt....then I saw all the blood.

I rushed him upstairs and asked where else it hurt - trying to figure out where the blood was coming from all over his hand. He pointed to another bruise on his arm and then the blood dripping down the back of his head. I almost started crying - but held it together to figure out if it was a big enough gash for stitches, and to hold the ice on him. Luckily it was just a lot of blood for a really tiny cut - and we made the ice into a game counting to 10 on and 10 off. He thought that was fun and smiled through his tears.

When he calmed down we talked about it a little more and I knew a punishment wasn't in order because of the pain and because of the million 'I'm-sorry-and-I'll-never-touch-it-again' 's.

We were bringing Garnet his lunch at work and a little voice from the back seat said 'Mom, I think I'll just stay in the car so that Daddy doesn't see my cut, I don't want to tell him...'

Yeah, I don't think so kid...but nice try!

If only I learned my lessons that fast!

xo J

So, should I take it as a hint?

Or an obstacle to overcome?

I've been vigilantly working out for the past week - getting back on my regular routine. I've heard it takes 21 days to build a habit - only 3 to break it. So I've got about 17 more to go...again ;)

Today was the weirdest and most frustrating day I've ever had for my workout. I got my hair cut today before my workout. (I have to squeeze as much into an afternoon as I can when Tim's at school and Garnet's on a 10-10 shift!) When I left the salon - I was saying to myself 'She just put a whole bunch of crap in your hair, spent a lot of time drying it and it looks better than you're ever going to get it to look -- and now you're going for a run to get it all nice and sweaty and gross...?' (yes, I talk to myself quite often...so??)

But I fought my personal battle and drove to the gym - I'm not about to break the habit already!

At the gym I jumped on the last one of my favorite Treadmills. I'm not one of those freaks that needs a certain treadmill but I do prefer one row of them for running - the others make funny noises and hurt my ankles. Ok, so I'm one of those freaks.

Just as I start pressing the buttons I see the Volunteer approach me to let me know that he is just in the middle of washing it. So I chose the 'other' row. Right away I hear the inner voice again 'maybe you should just walk today...' but I shut it up and started my run.

Just at that hump in the running - (you know the one...about halfway in when your body is yelling at you to stop but you know that if you keep going the adrenaline will kick in and carry you to the end?) one of my fellow employees yells at me from across the room and nearly knocks me off the treadmill; "Hey Jess, kick it up a little will you? You look like your slacking!" I know it's all in jest but I'm not the best at dealing with embarrassment and I felt all the blood rush to my face (and thus away from my leg muscles.) I nearly gave out right then and there...except that now I had 50 pairs of eyes on me. So I picked my pride up, kept going and motioned to the treadmill beside me asking him if he'd like to show me how it's done. Then I smiled as I felt my adrenaline (mixed with pride and stubbornness) kick in to carry me through.
Two minutes later he decided to come over with his Tim Horton's Coffee and innocently let the aroma waft over to my hyperventilating nostrils while he tried to talk to me. Fifteen minutes into a run I'm not much of a conversationalist -- but I was really wanting a coffee. I think he got the hint from my mere nodding and shaking of the head (and maybe my slight glaring at his coffee) that I wasn't up for talking right then.

He finally left and I was in my personal mental space again until I looked straight ahead at the floor mat area to an old man doing his ab routine. Without too many details, his shorts were waaay too short and if he was wearing underwear - they weren't doing their job very well. I know, gross!!...all of a sudden the Daytime Soaps on the tv in front of me got A LOT more interesting.

I finally made it through my run and went downstairs to grab my stuff. I headed out the doors and made a cheesy mental note about the nice sunny day outside. Two steps out the door and I was hit by some immensely enormous raindrops. 'What the...' The sky was still sunny but there was this huge black cloud to the right of the sky that decided to pelt down painfully hard rain and hail...yes HAIL...while I ran to the car. I felt like I was in some cartoon where the black cloud just sort of follows you around. Steps away from my car when an old man stopped me to tell me the importance of always dressing for the worst in Sarnia, even in the summer, because you never know how the day is going to end. He was very proud to tell me that he always carries a coat...just in case... 'Thank you but I'm going to have some massive bruising from this hail...can we talk about this another time?'...I just smiled and unlocked my car.

It's amazing what I have to deal with just going for a little run, I mean, c'mon is it really worth it?!...unless I'm just looking too hard for excuses....hmmm Interesting.

I am known for looking deeper than I need to - and nothing looks pretty under a microscope - right? Maybe now that I think back, it was a pretty good work out after all.

So, despite my crazy day; no worries - I'm still on the treadmill...and the Pilates is starting to bring back the Ab muscles that have been hiding. :)
xo J

The mouth of babes...

Tim came home from school ecstatic on the weekend because his teacher had gotten engaged and shared her news with the class. Over supper he looked at me with a solemn face and said "You know Mom, Miss Wilson isn't going to be a teacher anymore --- cause now she has to be a wife!"

The Weighted Issues

It took me just over a year to lose almost 60 pounds. I started working out at the Y and the weight seemed to fall off faster than I could realize. I went from over 180 lbs to under 130 and it felt awesome. I stayed at that goal weight for about a year and then I got lazy. I haven't gained a lot of weight back - so the scale says - but because I'm short the pounds show easily. I need to get back into that routine. 2 years ago I didn't miss a day - there was nothing that got in my way. Now, I'll take any excuse to stay home.

Working at the Y doesn't help now - I feel like I live there some days and when I come back to work out I want to just get in and get my work out done and go home. But I see too many people and they start talking and my 1 hour workout turns into 2 hours and I feel like I've done nothing. So I've majorly slacked in the last year. I also see people that have been coming for years 4-5 days a week and haven't missed a beat. That can be depressing when I see my track record lately. One mom I know was on the treadmill the day she went into labour - then she was back into her running schedule 4 weeks after giving birth. Her 'baby' is now 3 and I could plan my week around her being there. One lady said today with a huge sigh after she told me how badly she didn't want to work out - "I wish there was a pill for this - like 'pick a size and stay that size and eat whatever you want'." How nice would that be.

I actually really love working out - once I get to the gym. I was never really active in school sports or anything - but I've learned that I really enjoy running. It feels like the best drug afterwards - my body is relaxed and my head is clear and I actually have so much more energy. But it's getting off my butt to go that I have a hard time with. I get home from work and have lunch and I have about 2 hours before I have to pick Tim up. But lately I'll choose laundry and dishes before the gym -- yeah, that's how bad it is!

I get lots of advice at work - I'm surrounded by workout crazed individuals! One person told me to take pictures of myself in a bikini and pin it up on my fridge and in visual places around the house. Yeah, thanks but just my luck and I'll forget about them when I have company over. I've heard to set my alarm 30 minutes early and go for a run -- (obviously this person has not seen me before a coffee.) I've heard lots of great ideas - and used a lot of them. I know they work - I'm just in a major slump and I hate being in this slump.

I know I can do it again - I was a lot worse off than I am now and I did better than I thought I would. It's a matter of making it a priority again and tuning into that mindset I had 4 years ago. And I might as well take advantage of being young and being able to shed the pounds quickly, cause in a few years it's not going to be as easy to yo-yo...I'll be more on a constant incline!

So enough of the sob story and excuses right? I've given myself enough pep talks - and sharing the struggles here feels a little embarrassing but I know so many people feel this way...and maybe it will make me more aware.

So, I'm back to the treadmill...

xo J

Building a Garden

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day. We spent the whole day out at Garnet's Dad's house and made a garden! We all look like lobsters - except Tim - and are feeling a few more muscles than we thought we had. But it will be worth it when we harvest our crop this summer!
After our long day out in the sun we went over to our friends house to watch fireworks and roast marshmallows. Yes, Tim will be sleeping well tonight!!
Lots more pictures on the Album for you to enjoy (some more blackmail stuff of course cause the Forsyth girls were in charge of the camera ;)

Little Helper

Hilsy Helper

Big Helper

Crazy Driver!

Crazy Drivers

Working hard...barefoot!

Working really hard....really....can't you tell?

Watering the seeds...or washing our feet.

Road Trip

Hillary has come for a visit this weekend yay! Everytime I drive to go get her we see this old schoolhouse and always say it would take a cool picture. It's just this old building out in the middle of a field. So this time we pulled over and took some pictures...

In the Field

Stopped in the middle of the road to pose and take pictures


Tim's happy to see 'Ant Hill' --- bonking heads

Trying to whistle 

A sunny afternoon finally!

It still feels a few degrees cooler than spring should feel -- but it was sunny so we decided to head to the mini golf course. And treat ourselves to some DQ after of course :)
(videos and more pics on the album)

Little Cutie!!

The Pro??

The REAL Pro!!

Daydreamer

Just living life

We have been busy the last few days but nothing really worth blogging - but I figured I should write something atleast to move the embarrassment into the past a little bit! The weather has been nasty so the tube top has been safely in my dresser, but I wish it was a little nicer. This is getting depressing! Especially with Garnet on nights - it feels like jail when we can't get outside, and have to just hang around trying to be quiet.

We were able to get out of the house this weekend. Tim (finally) has a little friend that is male. He has been very popular with the ladies but hasn't really found a little boy that he enjoys playing with until now. So I took the boys to McDonald's Playland on the weekend. It was suppposed to be the park but it was raining. They had a blast - I almost had a breakdown. I'm not used to having to look in more than one direction and I kept watching the door because I would always think one of them was taking off on me. They get so insanely hyper with eachother, it's cute and really funny to watch, but crazy when you're used to only one! But we all survived...and it was much better when I was back at his house and could relax with his Mom.

Then he had a birthday party on Sunday for a little girl in his class. That was an experience. I won't say much except that I will be more careful as to whose house he is going to in the future. I am definitely the farthest thing from an over-protective parent...but there are somethings that I would like to keep him away from. This house being one of them. Luckily another parent was staying for the party so I just decided to hang out with her and stick close by.

We decided to buy a second vehicle a few weeks ago. Our insurance went down considerably and we got a nice Income Tax return so we just bought a 94 Ford Escort. Just a little A to B car so that we don't have to drive each other back and forth and wake up early to drive Garnet to work. And since his bike doesn't work...uh...er...more like he doesn't work with his bike....get the picture? So we took a scenic trip to London last night to drop it off for some maintenance. We followed Garnet on all the backroads cause fifth gear is acting up so he didn't want to drive it faster than 80 and Tim slept the whole way. So I was driving in peace and quiet watching the sun hit the hills and thinking about life trying to stay awake - it was really nice. Kind of a change of pace for a Monday afternoon. Went out for dinner in London and enjoyed the family time in one vehicle on the way home.

Garnet is off this week so we are hoping to get the Kitchen completed - you can count on pictures soon if it actually gets finished! He also has a list of computers to do that he's been putting off - so we'll see what actually gets done around here ;)

So we're good...hope you all are too.

xo J

Long hard day...

...in Kindergarten!


Tim came home from school the other day and was conked like this downstairs on the futon within minutes of arriving home! I've been blessed with a child who loves his sleep and goes to bed every night by 7. He napped everyday until this past fall when he had to go to school -- and on weekends he still sneaks a nap in every once in a while!! He just has so much energy that he wears himself out faster than he knows!
We're thinking about getting him a Trampoline this year for his birthday -- which will be perfect for his massive amount of energy....as long as there's a bed nearby at all times!!

The Embarrassing Life of Jess...

I love the sun. Embracing my usual paleness at the beginning of the summer I decided to sit outside, have my lunch and read yesterday afternoon. Garnet is working nights - so he was inside sleeping. Tim was at school.

I was wearing clothes that I wouldn't normally be seen in public with. Ok, enough of the disgusted looks -- it wasn't a bikini. Just some short shorts and a tube top. But hey, I was in the privacy of my fenced in patio and no one was going to see me unless they peaked over or through the fence - in which case I'd be calling the cops.

So after about an hour of peaceful, warm bliss I could feel my white arms turning a little pink and decided I'd better go in before I looked like a lobster. I gathered my things and went to open the screen door.

It didn't open.
In fact, the push button on the handle wasn't even budging.

I felt my face go red as the realization came to me that I was locked outside. The door handle had been acting funny for a few weeks and now is the time it decides to completely give out?? Of course.

The next logical step would be to open the gate - except ours was padlocked and the key...yep, inside. And I could try to crawl underneath - but I knew that some of my better assets wouldn't fit under -- I figured that would add more embarrasment than I could handle. Any other day I would have climbed the fence but in a tube top I might have shown our neighbors more than they wanted to see of me.

So I did what I had to do. BANG, BANG, BANG. I pounded as hard as I could knowing deep down that Garnet could sleep through a hurricane going through our house....and wouldn't hear me. And then I ducked down as far as I could in case any of our neighbors happened to hear. I continued doing this for about 10 minutes. POUND, POUND, POUND....duck and hide....."I'm a complete idiot"....

And then I heard it "Ummm....do you need a hand?"

I felt my insides completely knot as I slowly turned to face our neighbor....that I hadn't even met yet. "Oh, Please....it won't open" (by the way, nice to meet you, I don't normally dress like this, I'm not an idiot and I don't normally lock myself out of my house)

I told him to try the front door I might have left it unlocked when I got home from work. But it was locked too. He came back and jumped my fence in one leap....(yeah buddy, I could have done that too...I'm just 5'2" and uh...oh yeah....half naked)

He continued to try the door, to no avail. "I think you locked it on your way out - it looks like it's locked"

"Oh really?" (ok, look, I realize you think I'm stupid, but I'm not that stupid...really...I'm not.)

Finally he decided that he was going to throw something at the window to try and wake Garnet. I somehow saw that going all wrong and I remembered that Garnet was waiting for a call from the autoshop today.

"Actually, do you have a phone?" (no, he lives in the stone ages, jess)

I called Garnet who woke up in a stupor trying to understand why I was calling him from a strange number telling him to open the back door. But finally came to the door with a look of complete bewiderment mixed with utter aggravation.

I said about a million "Thank you's" to both of them and rushed inside. Then I paused, stuck my head back out and said "It's not locked, it's completely broken! Time for a new door I think! haha" (yeah that will really redeem you at this point jess....way to go) Garnet gave me a quick up down said "Nice outfit." with a smirk and went back to bed.

That evening the neighbor was outside again while I was BBQing and laughed at me while I was duct taping the latch and setting my smoke alarm off trying to BBQ.

My sarcasm then took over "Yeah, yeah I'm having a bad day - d'ya mind??" We both laughed it off. It's always so nice to meet the neighbors....I've just got to work on the timing.

So, I'm not sunburned, but my face will be red for awhile!
xo J

Julia's Home!!

Yes, Baby Julia came home today!! She was released from Toronto's Sick Kid's Hospital today around noon. She'll still be back and forth from London on a regular basis -- but we are so excited!!! Can't wait to see her!

The local Newspaper did a special story on her Homecoming.

Happy Mother's Day

I never really understood my mother until I became a mother myself. Suddenly, I saw a different side to her that I hadn’t even realized was there when I was growing up. Mom is human. She is struggling not only with the burden and joys of living her own life – but of raising her children, thinking of them and putting them above her own struggles. I read a story today about the realization of being the adult once you become a mom. When you really don’t feel like the adult. The part that caught me was;

“It's not that I particularly want to be a kid again….But I will always struggle with the way time screams by faster with each passing year. I cannot believe I am the one signing the permission forms and enforcing homework rules now. And how can I be trusted to dole out reasonable advice to a broken-hearted little girl who's been looked over by a classmate throwing a party, when I can still remember the same sting of being snubbed myself?”

The struggles that Moms face behind the closed doors and the mysterious things she does or thinks about when her children aren’t around aren’t something that crosses our minds until we get older. It’s then that you realize what a selfless job mothering is. And sometimes moms are forced to deal with problems that she is facing in her own life – to a different degree - through her children. How does mom tell the sobbing daughter that it will all be ok after being snubbed – when a co-worker or friend has just treated her unfairly as well? It takes a strong person to be able to put everything in her life on hold and give advice or a hug while feeling pain as well. It also takes a smart Mother to know what they can share with their children and what should be shared later. I’m still learning as I go and I know there is no way to be a perfect mother – just a million ways to be a good one.

Some days I feel like I’ve got this whole ‘mom’ thing down. I look at Tim and know that he brings meaning to my life. He can smile – and my heart melts. I can spend every waking second with him and feel complete. But sometimes I feel like I’m failing him when I have a bad day and just need a few minutes to myself. I’ve snapped at him unfairly and broken promises, I’ve yelled when I should have hugged and I’ve cried when I should have laughed. I’ve apologized countless times and we talk about ways that I could have handled it better. I feel it’s only fair if I’m telling him to use his words to explain how he’s feeling that I should too. I also know that it will only be a matter of time before he realizes that this Mom is only human too – and if I can be honest with my struggles that maybe it will help him to come to me with his own. I know that some Moms are able to pretend that nothing is bothering them – and nothing ever goes wrong. I can’t – so I don’t. He doesn’t know the details of what goes on in my life – but he knows that just as he feels….I feel too. Being a Mom is the most rewarding and fulfilling – and definitely the hardest thing that I will ever do in life.

And it’s now that I realize the sacrifices that Mom made for us. Now I can see that while we expected her to be there to help solve our childhood dilemmas – she had her own to put on hold. Mom’s life didn’t stop when she had us – it just took on a different role. I admire her for being there after school with cookies and a warm hug. We were lucky to have her there. I remember plenty of times falling down in a sobbing heap about my own life – not once thinking about what was going on in hers. Now I am blessed to be getting to know Mom on a deeper level. Trying to understand and love her as a person and a friend – as well as a mother. She is always encouraging me, telling me I’m a good mom and she thinks I’m doing a good job. (Which I really need to hear some days!) But I do owe so much to my mom. I learned so many ways to be a good mother from her.

"No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mother's love." ~Edwin H. Chapin

Thanks Mom. I love you.

xo J

The Best Gift

my little sweetheart

daddy was being silly taking pictures and got some funny faces out of us ;)

My Early Mother's Day

Since Garnet is working nights this weekend we celebrated Mother's day early. And the celebration was stretched over 2 days ;)
They took me out for Dinner on Friday, let me sleep in on Saturday morning, made hot coffee and waffles and then cleaned the whole house (spotless!) while I had a bath and did nothing. It was perfect!! Just what I needed. My hubby is a sweetie!!
They also spent Friday morning making me a very special Mother's Day Card ~ which was extra special because Garnet isn't into the whole 'craft time' thing. I'm a lucky Mommy :)

Happy Mother's Day to every Mom that I know --- and especially my own Mommy ;)

xo J

Kites Under the Bridge

Tim's School had a Kite flying expedition on Friday afternoon. The whole school came out to fly kites under the Bluewater Bridge and celebrate the arrival of Spring. It was so pretty to see all those kites by the water, in the sunshine and hear all the laughter. It was a very neat experience.

Dad getting it up

Tim the Kite Master

Showing off his girlfriend Olivia


Miss Wilson trying her kite out
(Garnet was more than happy to help when she needed some tips ;)
Olivia and her Mom

Spring is Back!!

So what do we do?????

aaaahhh...enjoy the sunshine

Chase some ducks...

Make them fly...

Take a minute to ponder life...

Pose with Mom (only shot without silly faces!)


Roll down the hill (with mom - but no pictures to prove it ;)

Say hi to the squirrels


And SMILE!! ;)

personality of a pig

I was blog browsing today and came across this link; Draw a Pig

I love personality tests - but I must say this is the weirdest that I've ever come across. Funny though because the Personality Description seemed pretty close to me. Although, the more general the description the easier to is to fit people into the boxes right?

Anyways, just thought I'd share it with you all - go draw a pig and learn more about yourself. It's cute.

I think I'll stick with Myers-Briggs for now...even if my pig was cute!

xo J

Baby Julia Update

Just wanted to let you all know that she is doing amazing!!

It's unbelievable what we take for granted with healthy children. Mike and Charlene began counting the number of cheerios she ate because it had been so long since she actually ate! When the numbers got up into the hundreds they started counting the number of bowlfuls! Incredible!
They are also hoping that she will be released from Toronto very soon...maybe as early as next week! She's such a fighter!

xo J

what?!

Somehow I see this going all wrong....
Mind reading machine. Hmmm.

Mars and Venus?

Or completely separate solar systems??

The relationship of Man and Woman is hilarious. You ask any man and they can't - for the life of them - figure out their wife. Any woman wants to know what is going on in the brain of her husband - because she has no clue what the reasoning is behind anything he does!

Don't get me wrong; I love marriage - and I even love men! The world would be a pretty boring and catty place without them (....and pretty unpopulated now that I think of it). But men are perplexing individuals too, and sssooo different than us women! And I'm definitely not trying to put them down - because there are plenty of characteristics that I wish I could steal from the opposite sex. Just as I know that men love women...it doesn't however, mean that he can comprehend or appreciate everything about his woman.

We are completely opposite creatures...and yet we keep wanting to live with eachother and subject ourselves to this utter confusion and frustration about the opposite sex. Maybe it's because marriage can be the absolutely most amazing and rewarding relationship we will ever have. Maybe it's as simple as a biological craving to have that emotional and physical intimacy with someone. Maybe it's because we balance eachother out to create a perfect atmosphere for children. Maybe it's because we enjoy the personal survival challenge ;)
...and maybe a mixture of all of these.

I was reading about marriage the other day and this doctor had been counselling couples and talking about the importance of communication, honesty...all those other things that we all say are important. He asked every couple to list what was important to them in the marriage - and then came up with a list of 8 general things in which all of their needs could be classified. The list was; Admiration, Affection, Conversation, Domestic Support, Family Commitment, Financial Support, Honesty and Openness, Physical Attraction, Sexual Fulfillment, Recreational Companionship.

When he compiled this list he then asked his counselling patients to list them in order of importance. The funny thing happened when he found that women listed them in almost complete opposite order of their husbands!! (I think we can guess which direction the men went in vs. the wives!) I think when we look at it like this it can make a lot of sense why we are so frustrated. We just value completely opposite things in the relationship.

So a reasonable assumption is that the trick isn't only communicating what we want in the relationship; I think it's fair to say that everyone already does that. (perhaps some a little more often and more loudly than others...) But rather to actually take what is important to them and make it important to us. Definitely not to substitute our own wants and wishes, or deny what we still need. But actually, conciously say 'I may not think that taking the coffee cup out of the car is a big deal, but I know it drives him nuts...so I'll find a garbage.' In the end, we aren't compromising anything - or even missing out if both partners could learn to place the others needs in high importance.

All of sudden it becomes not just saying I love you - but actually showing them that they are important enough for us to listen, respect their dreams and values enough to bring them into our own. It turns 'what have you done for me?' into 'what can i do for you?' And isn't feeling special, valued and loved the one thing that both men and women can agree on?

I'm constantly learning at this whole marriage thing. Even after almost 5 years it's still pretty difficult to wrap my head around things that he does....probably doesn't help that I chose an OCD freak of nature. But hey, that's why I get to be the semi-comatose, let things roll, nothing-gets-to-me kind of person. Which, oddly enough, is the one thing about me that drives him just as crazy!! Aaaahhhh, isn't it great!

Coming to you from venus, it's nice here - you should try it sometime;)...

xo J

You are.

The positive side to the poisonous people blog; the medicine.

Those friendships that are like an antidote to all the poison we run into in our lives. The ones that with just a smile or a phone call can reassure us that everything is ok. Sometimes life gets in the way -- we can go months without talking and when we reconnect we remember why we love them all over again. The true companion that you can't picture your life without...ever. They know you so well it's like they can read your mind sometimes. It's the friend that through the years even though life changes and you run through different paths and stages - they are still there. Maybe it's these people that make us wonder why we put up with the others, or maybe why there even have to be others. Coming home from my weekend at Emily's I was flooded with appreciation and love. I felt like she had physically and emotionally lifted me onto a cloud. And I thought, this is a friend.

The friends that when we are out of words - sometimes all we need to say is Thank You.....over and over again - because they are a rare find.

Thank You.

xo J