Where do I begin?

And I thought a 2 1/2 month break was noteworthy? Let's just say... nothing, shall we? Just as a refresher, for those who don't know me in real life (and for some of you as well), time has been rampaging past me like a whore in a hurry.

I'm currently transitioning into a new job-- three days there (M/W/F), two days at the old one (T/TH), through the end of the month. So even if I weren't flying at breakneck speed, trying to get work done, I hardly know WHERE I am most days, let alone have time to formulate witty posts.

I'm also attempting to train for the upcoming Ogden 20K Walk / Race which is rapidly approaching-- in 18 days to be precise. The rarely seen competitive side of me (yes Mel, I DO have one) is excited about the event, and looks forward to giving it my best-- crossing the finish line draped with roses & crowned in laurel wreaths. The pragmatic, SANE side of me keeps muttering "WHAT THE...!" every time I lace up my sneakers and log some more miles. Pray for me (and Melonie) as we attempt to tame the 12.6 mile course on 5/26.

This has also been a time of some sadness. One of my neighbors passed away unexpectedly two weeks ago, and as he was single and had only a limited, dysfunctional family to handle the arrangements, several other neighbors and I have had the unenviable task "settling the estate" and disassembling the packed contents of his 3rd-floor, walk-up apartment. His son (good guy) and daughter (witch) finally came and picked up personal effects-- he took family pictures, SHE took what she thought she could resell at a nearby flea market (and the twit stupidly left TONS of saleable stuff because she was too lazy to go through all of the apartment's contents!). I cannot say that my neighbor, Bromley, and I were close, but he was unfailingly kind & generous to me, and I'm thankful to have had him in my life, however briefly.

Another passing happened only yesterday. During recent months I have been trying (and failing) to be supportive (long-distance) to my darling friend Barb, during her sweetheart John's final battle with cancer. I don't care if its your oldest friend or practically a stranger, it is nearly impossible to know just what to say in the situation. I love you? I'll miss you? This sucks? All of the above? In addition to the inherent difficulty of the process, Barb & I are separated by slightly over 2.500 miles (she's near Seattle, I'm here in West Virginia). Maybe I didn't call as often as I should-- no maybe about it, let's be honest. I sent a few cards in hopes of bringing a little cheer into their day, but it never felt like enough. I wanted nothing so much as the ability to stuff myself in a Fed-Ex mailer and ship myself to their door. I want... That phrase thrummed in my brain, and I had to force myself to remember: despite evidence, life it is NOT all about YOU, Laura. But I'm selfish-- the baby of the family generally is... I wanted to be there, to sit in their back yard, drinking tequila & grilling chicken and stacking firewood and staying up till all hours watching movies and watching Barb cook gorgeous meals (somehow, I can't make myself WANT to cook in my self-absorption). John and I only had three all-too-brief visits during the course of his and Barbie's relationship, so I can't claim the loss of a long-time, intimate pal. What I do know is that he had a beautiful soul, was able to make me laugh (not everyone can), asked me all the right questions (that's what set us drinking the Patron, Barb), and giving me one of my all-time favorite nicknames, Oooh-La-La. He also brought a lot of happiness to my pal Barb, and for that alone I gotta love the man. Thank you, John, for everything.

In addition, I've been helping mom as she plans a small gathering to celebrate Grandma's upcoming 95th birthday, working in Mom's yard, and enjoying the usual round of Ghetto Fabulous drama that keeps my day-to-day life ever entertaining... Humorous note: I know I mentioned getting a comment from two different dealers in recent months, regarding my weight loss. This past weekend I ran into the couple I mentioned two posts ago, and after they both made further comments on my continued weight loss, the guy leaned in and said, "I just gotta ask... do you 'smoke'?" After a fleeting blond moment on my part, I realized he was asking if I was losing weight because I've been smoking crack. Gee I didn't think I looked THAT skinny... Score three entrepreneur points to Frank for trying to drum up new business.

So that's where I've been & part of where I'm going.