A sign

My grandma passed away yesterday morning. She was 91 years young and lived a full life. Earlier this week I learned she had taken a turn for the worse. I broke down numerous times and grieved for her before she had even passed. But after learning of her death, I immediately felt peace surround me. I know it's cliche, but I know my grandma is in a better place. She's with her 4 children that went before her, she's able to walk even faster than me and see even better than you. She's home, wherever that may be.

While part of me truly believed she was in a better place, another wanted confirmation. I wanted a sign that she had made it to her final destination. I actually prayed that she would come to me in my sleep, brushing my locks from my face and whispering in my ear, "I'm okay." I slept for 12 hours last night and 1 more this afternoon; I wanted to give her a large window of time to come to me.

But she had other plans.

Over two weeks ago, I met a new guy. He and I have emailed a few times and talked on the phone twice. We had already planned to meet today. But after my grandma passed I had to decide whether or not to keep those plans. After much thought, I decided to go along with it. Yes my grandma, my heart, is gone; but I still have to live. So he and I are enjoying dinner and out of the blue he tells me that his birthday was...yesterday! I've never believed in coincidences; as the saying goes, everything happens for a reason. I know that my grandma was sending me a sign. My date's birthday being the date of my grandma's death was my confirmation of her delivery to heaven.

Just as peace enveloped me at the time of her passing, may she forever rest in it.

My Favorite Things

1. A pint of half banana, half peanut butter ice cream with walnut mix-ins from Marble Slab Creamery
2. Hangin' out in Piedmont Park on a sunny afternoon w/take-out from Rolling Bones, a few bottles of wine, a comfy blanket, an iPod with a set of speakers, and a few pals
3. Fireworks
4. Receiving a card or hand-written letter in the mail
5. Visits from Kyrston
6. Uninterrupted naps
7. TiVo
8. My Cabbage Patch Kid, Selena, who I've had since I was six years old
9. Cedar Point
10. Frieda Falcon (okay, and Freddie!)
11. Ceiling fans in bedrooms
12. Drinking tall drafts with Kim and Jessica

Permanent Custody

Before, it was unofficial, just "temporary". But on Thursday it became official. Permanent custody. After reviewing the nearly five-year-old case, a judge, probably an old white guy in a black robe and bifocals, ruled that I should be in charge of her permanently.

I had a feeling this day would come. But I have to admit that I've always secretly hoped her mother would get her life back together again and petition the courts to reclaim her. When I agreed to do this, I honestly didn't think it would be forever. If I knew then what I know now, I wonder if my decision would be the same. But that doesn't matter now.

She'll loose her first tooth, start Kindergarten, get her period, have her first kiss, graduate from high school (early, I hope), and choose which college to attend...all with me as her mother. In my future, I've got dozens of boo-boo's to kiss, hundreds of bedtime stories to read, and countless pieces of advice to give. All this for a little girl who's not even biologically related to me. And I look forward to it all.

Crush

I called it a day around 11am. My car was broken (again!) and besides, it was Labor Day! Aren't you supposed to honor it by not working (or doing anything that even closely resembles working)? I wanted to further celebrate the holiday by not washing my face, brushing my teeth, showering, or changing out of my version of pjs - hot girl shorts and a cami. Get over it; Labor Day only comes once a year, duh!

Along with my car, my screen door was also broken. And from my position on the couch, the sound of it banging against the house was getting on the one nerve I had left. Despite my skimpy choice of pajamas, I decided to go outside to fix it. I was fiddling with the door handle, half inside and half hanging out of the house when I heard "Hey girl, I see you coming out here dressed like that!"

I looked towards my across-the-street neighbor's house and saw two people in the yard. Common sense told me the taller one was my neighbor, but my dirty contacts prevented me from figuring out who the other one was.

Until he started walking towards me.

****! That's him!

"Him" is another neighbor's friend from med school. Neighbor #2 introduced him to me almost 5 years ago. And I've had a crush on him ever since! He lives in Alabama and I only see him a handful of times each year. Over the years, I've had to deal with neighbor #2 giving me a play-by-play of my crush's dating life, including a proposal and then a calling off of the engagement. But all the while, I kept on crushin'.

He's walking towards me! ****! I dashed into the bathroom for a quick teeth check just as he knocked on the still-broken screen door.

We hung out for the next 45 or so minutes. He fixed the door, took out the trash, and even rolled up his sleeves and checked under the hood of my car- all without being asked. What a guy! Then he came in and we had a great conversation. Everything was perfect, except for the fact that I was absolutely disgusting!

This is the kind of luck I have. My crush didn't see me in my Easter best; instead he saw me in my Labor Day worst. Funny though, he didn't seem to mind one bit. What a guy! Now that's someone worth having a crush on!

Underdogs

Appalachian State 34 - Michigan 32

Who in the **** is Appalachian State? And how in the **** did they beat Michigan?

Arguably the biggest sports story of the weekend was this monumental loss by the maize and blue; it was the first time in college football history that a Division I-AA team beat an AP Top 25 ranked team.

Ha Ha, Michigan!

And I'm not just saying that because I grew up in Ohio, therefore naturally prefer the Buckeyes. I'm saying that because I know the Wolverines had all the confidence in the world, perhaps too much, as they went into that game.

As a graduate of a decent-sized school with a less than decent-sized chance of getting a Top 25 ranking, I'm very familiar with the money-making opportunity of smaller schools playing powerhouses. Everyone knows the outcome of these games well before they're played. But the financial benefits more than outweigh the 'L' on the scorecard.

But apparently Appalachian State had other plans. They realized that not only can they walk away with a gigantic check for their football program, but also with a 'W' on the scorecard! Those boys also had all the confidence in the world. They weren't going to let a Top 5 ranking and crowd of 100,000+ opposing fans intimidate them. They were the underdogs and were proud of it.

I'm not a huge college football fan, but this story intrigued me big time. I love when life works out this way. I love how it equalizes us every now and then. After all, we're all the same really. The ASU boys have probably played the game since they were seven, same as the U of M boys. Throughout the years the talent level obviously improved at a different pace. But the players on both sides ended up with equal hearts, pride, and most importantly - confidence.

From here on out, let's all go through life like we're the underdogs. You never know what historical feat is in your future.