She's just not that into me?

When a guy you are dating doesn't return your calls or acts aloof with plans you can safely assume that he's "just not that into you".  But what does it mean when it happens with female friends? I know that in our late 20's and 30's we are busy with our husbands, careers, children (if we have them), and often our families.  People get really busy in the daily grind and they forget to make that phone call or arrange that girls' night out with their pals.  So that being said, I'm also asking myself sometimes...."she really didn't have 5 minutes to email me back?  During the whole month of September?"  Or I wonder when I repeatedly suggest getting together with someone who says "Sure, I'd love to" but then they never set up a date.  Are they just busy?  Or are they just not that into being friends with me?

I find in my 30's that friendships are harder.  It's harder to make friends because new relationships often require a lot of attention and that's something that I just don't have in surplus these days.  By the time I play mom taxi, run errands, clean the house, do homework with the kids, and deal with dinner....I'm exhausted most days.  The thought of actually putting on something other than sweats or jeans a t-shirt to go out is not appealing most days. And forget making phone calls when I'm not home alone!  The minute I pick up that phone, I will have both kids and likely the husband too urgently needing me to answer a question or referee an argument over the tv.

So while outwardly it might seem that I'm just not trying to be a good friend, it's not true.  I want to be.  And I am into you.  So the question is...are the friends I'm doubting feeling the same way as I am, or are they just not all that into me?

PostSecret

Last night one of my best friends took me to a PostSecret event at College of DuPage where we both used to be students. She bought the tickets for my birthday gift and I have to say it was one of the best gifts I've ever received. What's better than a girl's night out with one of your favorite people?!

I didn't get to take a lot of photos because pictures & videos were only allowed to be taken for about 5 minutes of the event. It was very interesting and inspiring event. Some of the secrets that Frank Warren shared were icky, some were incredibly sad and some were really hopeful.








I didn't get any good photos of Frank, so I'm borrowing these from Alycia (who is a better photographer than I)...

Thank you Pretties!

My fabulous friends at AMPF (a chat forum group) have been so supportive and kind to me through not only my cancer battle, but when my Dad recently lost his cancer battle. They sent me a check for $60 to do whatever with. I decided that I'd like to honor my Dad by donating that money to charity. My passion is Africa. My post-graduate plans include doing fieldwork in Africa. I would give anything for my Dad to be around to see my realize my goals. Since he can't be there, I want to honor those goals and him by donating to 2 causes I feel are important: girl's education and clean drinking water in Africa.

I am going to donate to Charity Water which has many projects to bring clean drinking water to developing countries, many of them in Africa. The other charity I am going to donate to is Save the Children. I have selected to donate to their Keep an adolescent girl in school in Ethiopia program. I really think the key to peace is for girls and women to be educated so that they can make better choices for them and their families.

An update

I've been trying to concentrate on Josh and the kids along with finishing up the semester. I have 1/2 of a paper written...the rest is due on Thursday. I have 2 finals tomorrow which I spent the weekend studying for. Wednesday I have to make a french test and take that final as well. I am almost done with this semester from hell.

I am doing okay most of the time. But I think I'm still in shock too. I can get through most of the day thinking life is normal and then something reminds me and I just miss my Dad. I miss him so much. I miss his advice. I miss talking to him about mundane things like which weather person we trust on ABC or where gas is the cheapest. I miss his stories about things that went on in his life. I miss his crazy beard. I miss the randomness of his affection. He always loved us, but he was more the type of person to do something to show you his love rather than saying "I love you".

I have a wonderful group of friends from the internets. Wow, I am just blown away by the kindness. Vikki drove down for Dad's funeral. Teiva sent me some thoughtful goodies that cheered me up. All the kind comments and well wishes you have given me mean so much.

I have been posting with a group of mostly ladies for almost 10 years now. We started out all selling on eBay and it's moved on from that. I've met a few of them in real life as well. They were so supportive during my cancer diagnosis and also have really been there for me through Dad's illness and his passing. They sent me beautiful flowers and restaurant gift cards so I didn't have to cook. They donated to the scholarship fund at my parents' church in Dad's honor. They also sent me a check to do whatever with. I am going to donate that money in honor of my Dad to help women & children in Africa because that's my passion. I am looking into some charities to see what is out there. I am so thankful for my internet friends. It's amazing how people who have never shaken your hand can touch your heart so deeply.

A lovely day for a picnic in the park

Yesterday (Sunday) we had a small gathering of family, my 2 best friends, their spouses and children for a picnic in the park to celebrate Abby and my Dad's birthdays. (Happy Birthday today Dad!)

Josh was the grillmaster and cooked up some yummy hot dogs and cheeseburgers. I enjoyed an iodine-inclusive meal....yum! We played bean bags, bocce and just enjoyed hanging out. Abby got some cool new Barbie stuff which she has been playing with nonstop since we got home and a beautiful bracelet made by Rob.

Abby and the Goldstein family....



My hubby, the cook.




Hanging out...







My Mom and sister....





Why do my kids always make such odd faces for photos?





Love this one!





The Greens!




"blowing" out the candles


Time for presents!






Naptime!

*THE END*

Hooray for 3 day weekends!

This past weekend was a much needed time for our family to slow down. Although we had originally planned to do some home improvement projects, both Evan and Josh were feeling under the weather with a cold so we changed our plans. Rather than working this weekend, we relaxed. I think we had sort of forgotten what that was like. It was really nice.

*We played at the park:

*Had our first fire:

*Toasted marshmallows and made s'mores:

*Played the bean bag game with our buddy Matt:



*Watched a beautiful sunset:

*Matt taught me how to chop wood and I chopped my first log. It was fun!

*Made blueberry muffins

*Read the Sunday paper front to back.

*Slept in

Puppy Love

While our friend Matt is away on vacation we have been watching his dog Teddy. Our dog Gracie loves Teddy. They are so cute together. They play together, snuggle with each other and follow each other around. Gracie isn't the only one enjoying having Teddy around. We are all enjoying having a second dog around to play with and pet. Abby and Evan want to keep him...but I think Matt would mind.

Here are some pictures of the two furry friends:

Wow, what a day!

In addition to my panic attack this morning, it has just been a rough day. I am already feeling the hypothyroid symptoms which is rough.

I also received some very upsetting news. A very close friend of mine just had a baby last week and is now in the hospital diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Not only am I very worried, but I am sad and shocked that this is happening to her. She should be at home enjoying her first baby, not worrying about having heart problems.

Despite all the negativity of the day, I am trying to find some positives. So...
*I seem to be one of the few people getting an A in french. Yay me!
*It's cold & rainy and I have my sweet Gracie to snuggle with.
*I don't have any homework to do today.

Here's my Gracie girl snuggling up in our bed.

Our last fire of the summer

Happy 1st day of fall everyone!

Friday night we had our last bonfire of the summer. We roasted marshmallows, made s'mores and enjoyed hanging out together. I wish I'd gotten a group shot but I think we got too wrapped up in having fun to remember to take a lot of pictures. I don't even have one of Evan because he was too busy playing with his friend.

Anyway, enjoy!









The guys:



Abby's kitty had to join us of course:


Abby also tried out her new roller skates.

Girl's Day Out

Yesterday I met up with 2 of my girlfriends from high school. I think it's really amazing that we are still friends 18 years later (even more amazing is that Amy and I are still friends after 25 years). It's nice to have friends that know you so well. Unfortunately we don't all live 5 minutes apart anymore and we can't get together as often as we'd like. How I wish someone would come up with a teleporter or something!

So Brandi, Alycia and I met up yesterday for lunch and shopping and got a chance to catch up. It was a really good time and kind of reminded me of the days in high school when we'd meet up at the mall and hang out. Although this time, we weren't talking about the boys we had a crush on or shopping for tapes and posters...it was talking about husbands and kids and shopping for them.

Here we are:


Brandi is really crafty and talented and she made each of my kiddos a cute little hat. I had Abby model hers for me already:

Abby's picnic party at the park

Saturday was Abby's birthday party for family and friends. We had it at a huge local park and it was a lot of fun. We played bocce, frisbee, & a bean bag toss. The kids played at the nice playset at the park. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate Abby's birthday.

The birthday girl:




Both kiddos, and of course Evan looks less than thrilled because he's 13 and too cool for photos:






Alycia and I:



Love this one of Alycia and her husband Rob: