Happy Wrapping!

Thank the LORD for my mama! She wrapped about 10 gifts for me last night, getting me fully out of the weeds...I owe her so big time. So much so, that her gifts this year do not even do her justice. For, without her, I am not so sure I'd be vertical at this point in the year. She has not only been there since Luke was born, but even before when I was on bed rest, and all through his short 9 month (yes, 9 month) life. She has been my LIFESAVER, my best friend, my mama mentor, and so much more. I love her more than words could ever express. I hope you all (all 4 of you) have the same love for your mama's as I have for mine. Happy Holidays, Patty! xoxox

To Decorate or Not to Decorate?

We have a tree now. A real, living Christmas Tree. We got it at this place in our neighborhood called Under the Sun. The lady there was really nice and even gave us 25% off because we had a cute kid. ANYWAY. It has been sitting now for 2 whole days in our living room. Sitting in water, and totally nude. I am trying to decide if I decorate the tree BEFORE my brother gets here, or should I let him help us decorate it since he didn't get to decorate a tree this year? (He lives in London for all 4 of you who may or may not have forgotten.) The house is lit on the outside and the inner part of our home has some Christmas flare, but the tree. Naked. Butt a** naked. Thoughts?

635W and Midway

Today, while driving in this area of the city, I got trapped at a red light. No biggie. I had my radio on, Beyonce was telling me if I liked then I should've put a ring on it, and all was good in the world. Until I looked over to the right. That's when I saw the most depressing thing. And normally, I would not write about such sadness, but it really hit me and I didn't even know what to do.

There was a man, probably in his late 30's, early 40's, in a business suit, tie, jacket, nice shoes, sun glasses, the whole nine yards- holding a cardboard sign that read:

"Jobless Single Dad. Please take a resume. No obligation. I have a good car. God Bless."

Now what am I supposed to do with that? I cannot judge him for standing on the street trying to find work in this crap-inksy economy (thanks Barack), but it made me SO sad. He was legitimately trying to find work by passing out his resume to people going to work this morning. I admire that. I truly do, and it saddens me that the world has come to this. That we do not have enough work for everyone, and that we are forced to do things in which we would not normally do.

I couldn't bring myself to roll down my window for fear that I would not know what to say, other than to offer to print and mail him more resumes and pass his name and contact info around to a bunch of my friends, who would not be able to really help him find a job either. I mean, we are ALL trying to make ends meet here. But this is something that is weighing heavy on my heart. And even more so, now that I am a parent. I know that if I didn't have the means to make a good life for my son, I would go to the ends of the Earth to find a way. That's exactly what this Dad was doing.

So, if you happen to drive/live/go in that area of town, and you see that guy with the sign and resumes, take one for me. You just never know.