Two Years and a Check-In

I'm here. There has just been a lot going on (I know, I know, snore). I rarely go this long without at least a quick hello. But there was busyness at work and the flooded basement and the moldy carpet and the money sweats. There was yard work (finally!) and cross country travel.

And I am making plans. We are making plans. A lot of plans. And my mind is swirling and hoping. Overwhelmed by all there is to do but feeling boosted by the knowledge that when you really want something to happen and people are pulling and praying and rooting for you, you can succeed. I don't mean to be cryptic, but right now I have to be.

And in the midst of it all, this little blog, my often mundane, tiny savior and sometime (OK, frequent) lifeline, just turned a ripe old two years old. It's hard to believe. I've made some dear, dear friends and can't imagine life without them. I think/hope you know who you are. I've learned so much and have so much more to figure out.

It's crazy to think that when I started coming here, this is what those little people I write about so often looked like:


And now, look at Ellie.

So mature, she's hanging out in bars.
(Full story: Grandpa thought Ellie would enjoy shelling peanuts (Boy, did she! Good call Grandpa!) at the Lucky Lab Brew Pub during our recent--and I assure all you Portlanders out there who didn't get a hug--extremely brief visit).

More soon.