Sorry they're sideways

These first two photos are from Rita's I felt like having ice cream for lunch, and Malcolm so sweetly obliged me. My Realtor told me I needed to be out of the house for a showing between noon and 1:30. It actually turned into after 2 because they didn't get there in time. I did not get to do my 7 mile run. I did not get to do an amazingly killer pumpkin. I did not get my nap. But, someone did look at my house. I did get to spend some quality time with one of my best friends. I did get ice cream for lunch. I did get to stab myself with a scalpel. See? fun all around.

I have a list. A list of all the good people I have found in the world. Genuinely good people. People who will put you first, and set aside themselves for a moment. People who care about your happiness. People who are wholesome, and genuine and good. I keep this list close to me. It is a very short list. I have also been making a list of people I will keep in touch with when I leave. That list is even shorter than my good people list. Some of the good people are on it, and some of the people on my list are still good people, if not the more normal and naturally selfish variety of person.

Tamara and Russell Haines, who I am sure do not waste their time reading things like this blog and who will probably never see this, have made both lists. I am so fortunate to have friends who know that I am having a hard time, and who will allow themselves to be inconvenienced for my sake. I am grateful that they will just say, "it's not a big deal." I am grateful that Tamara will suggest getting pumpkins at her grocery store, or will watch me eat ice cream for lunch and scold me that I need something else because ice cream is not a proper lunch. I am grateful that she will give me a funny look because I really am not very hungry. So sweet. I am grateful that Russell will act concerned when I stab myself in his kitchen because I am hastily carving pumpkins at their place because my house has a DO NOT DISTURB sign on it. I am so grateful that they suggested me carving there, even though they had other things they could be doing for themselves. I am glad that they didn't make a big deal over my wound, although it was a pretty good cut.

The point of my gratitude list is that I am grateful for people like them, and like my wonderful neighbors Merry and Lucas, who have also made both lists, though we have known them the least amount of time of people on both lists, because I know they will care now and 6 months from now when the freshness of this has faded, and it is still just as hard, if not harder. Good people are hard to come by.


I also have a few cute (but sideways) photos from the YMCA kids carnival. Malcolm always asks for a green heart when he gets his face painted. You can thank Kai Lan for that. He also won these hilarious fun glasses. Groucho glasses are a total treasure. I LOVE HALLOWEEN. Oh, I miss Jen. She has also made both lists, though they no longer live here.

I am now addicted to zumba, and though it may end up being just me and Tara, at least I will be at the Y. I think my neighbor Merry would love it, as she is a dancer... I may trick her into coming with me. I have been so busy that I haven't packed much since Tim left... I really can't get myself to think about it. There is just a little stress in my life. I am grateful for my trials. I know what I love and appreciate now more than ever.