"Going to the Cats"

I came home and picked up my mail, and there was a card in the pile. I've been getting lots of wonderful cards from friends and strangers alike, and it always cheers me up to see one. When I saw the name on this card, at first, I thought it seemed kinda familiar but I couldn't quite place the name. Then I opened the card--it was from my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Taylor! And she wrote to tell me that she found a booklet that I made with some of my friends in the fifth grade when she was out sick. She color-photocopied the pictures that I drew for her, and sent them to me! I was so amazed that she even kept that, even after 20 years! So here are those pictures--and thanks so much, Mrs. Taylor, for remembering me for the eleven-year-old I was! The 31-year-old is very appreciate, grateful, and touched!

A Blast from the Past for a Laugh

My BFF's mom, Vicki, sent me an awesome picture from the early 1990s, when BFF Lisa turned sweet 16. She thought the picture would cheer me up, and it totally did! It brought back awfully embarrassing moments of being NKOTB fans to the core, tie-dyed peace t-shirts, and phasing into bandannas and flannel grunge. I asked Lisa if she would mind me posting the picture on the blog for kicks, fully expecting her to say hell no. I know how she gets mad when people post pictures of high school daze, because she thinks those days sucked and she didn't have much self-esteem. But you know what? We had a helluva a lotta fun back then. And the picture reminds me of the laughter--and I do think we look pretty damn cute anyway! Goofy, but cute too!

Much to my surprise, Lisa gave me permission to post the picture! This small gesture, I know, is actually a big gesture for her, and it really warms my heart.

So here's the picture, and here's to youth and joy and laughter and memories and cheeziness and NKOTB!