Five things, January 11 Edition
Friday, January 11, 2013 at 05:00AM 
Thursday's Sunrise
1. I think getting Callum a phone was so worth it for stuff like this:
Cal: (1:38 PM) Hi
Me: (1:38 PM) Hi!
...
Cal: (1:43 PM) Gtg (got to go)
2. I think that if anyone is ever trying to tell you that they "call it like they see it" and that they consider that their personal credo, well, that's bullshit. I think that crap is just an excuse for being mean.
3. I think that I have been buffeted by sadness all week. Friends who are just struggling to put one foot in front of the other each and every day. Hard stuff, people. Deep pits that feel like you can't crawl out of. Not my stories to tell, but hard, hard stuff. A lot of hurt out there. That's why I'm happier than usual to tell you that Tequila Bill and his wife had their second baby on Tuesday. A new little boy in the world and on the 'hood. Those are good things. That helps. Plus, shopping is hope for the future.
4. I think that there's little that makes me happier than hearing my son having fun doing his math homework. Yeah. You read that right. Also, I did not get a lot of support from my family when I suggested that our city council could benefit from my presence, but that could have been because I (accidentally) nearly poisoned Neel with a "detox" smoothie this week. Sure, it's detox if your throat closes up, right? RIGHT? I kid! I kid! About all of it. Promise.
5. I think I've had such wonderful feedback and reinforcement about my work this week. Really. I can't begin to tell you what your words mean to me. You know how when you start to do something and it just feels right? Well, this feels right. I've been taking baby steps along this path, always hesitating to reach with both hands for what I wanted, but really? If I'm honest with myself, I know what I want. It's the figuring out how to get there that's trickier. I think it's time that I sit down with my partner (hi Neel!) and get serious about some stuff. Invest in some gear, invest in some business stuff (stationery! stickers!), and continue to invest in education. I have some personal goals for the year, but it's time for some business goals too. This is good and exciting stuff for me, and I can't thank you all enough for coming along for the ride. I wouldn't be here without you.
Reader Comments (8)
You inspire me, girl. Yet again.
I love phone conversations with teens. Short and to the point, but if it was a live conversation, it could feel cold. They LOVE texting.
One of my favorite lines from today's post: " Shopping is hope for the future." Even if you don't buy a thing, shopping is a marvelous excuse for imagining; I can see that lamp there, those shoes would work with that...etc. Fun and true, Lauren!
Shopping is hope for the future. My life's mantra. Doing some serious shopping today. One foot in front of the other, carrying a heavy heart. It sounds materialistic and shallow to think that shopping can cure something like this, but it helps. That's the long and the short of it. And times like these provide perspective for just how petty and bullshit-y other things are. ("I just have to say..." Really? Who's making you?) You're so right, it's just people being mean and calling it honesty. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Children know better.
But anyone. Positivity and light. That's what I'm doing. Though I seriously want to hear the story of how you almost killed Neel. What was the ingredient that did it? I once gave a high school friend strawberry kiwi juice before remembering she was deathly allergic to kiwis. Oops! Have a sweet weekend, mama. xo
Me: (7:53am): hi lauren, that first bit made me lol. 2 cute! :)
yeah, i know that part where you are happy because your kids are happy and they show you how happy are they even though they don't know they are doing it because they haven't learned how not to yet (you know to be cool, play it off). yep, those are my most favorite moments in parenting. those moments i never want to end, they are so simple and so perfect.
you go girl. you can do it. i like to look at everything as a learning experience and it seems you are ready for that next lesson and it sounds like you're not going to get it anywhere besides the thick of it; without just diving in and doing. it's so exciting!
Lauren, keep us posted on your business development plans and ideas. I'd really like to see how you think through them and the decisions that you have to make along the way
Ha, ha the shorthand of texting teenagers...I needed a translator for a text conversation I had with a teenaged girl recently ;) A former friend of mine also lived the"call it like they see it" motto. Her remarks were usually just plain rude. Guess why we are not friends anymore...Nobody likes a bully. I am so excited for you that you will be pursuing your business goals! True to your shopping is hope for the future comment I will allow my self some wandering through stores and maybe buying a little something after work to kill some time until I meet P for dinner....Have a great weekend!
what was cal's math homework? i loved algebra, but it wasn't really FUN. happy for him and you, too!
2. agreed
3. got that going here, too.
4. see above
5. GO LAUREN. can't wait to enjoy your work.
Aw, #1 is really making me look forward to T&E growing up (but not too fast now), especially if they send me cute messages like Callum. << He's such a cool dude.
2. Word, sister!
3. Sending Erin lots of positive energy, including anyone and everyone whose year isn't off to a great start. I think what's getting most people through these difficult times is hope for the future, in any form. (I've got a cart started on J.Crew. ;)
4. Detox smoothie? I might need to see a photo of that. ;) I once gave my nephew Crunchy O's cereal completely forgetting that they had peanuts on them. He's allergic to peanuts! I felt so horrible! Bad Auntie!
5. I'm telling you, Lauren, you've found your groove. You've got so many avenues you can pursue with your photography, It's so exciting!
Have a really wonderful weekend, Lauren! Bask in that happiness you're feeling right now. x (+ thank you for YOU. You're a true friend.)