Must have been feeling a little mushy

My best friend received his birthday presents today and he opened them while we were on the phone. I think I was hitsville with my choices, which were more sentimental than usual but he felt they captured him at this time in his life quite well.

The ornament is a quote from, of all the things, Winnie the Pooh. The passage actually reads, “If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember: you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you.” My friend is so hard on himself, so insecure professionally. And it's so unnecessary. He needs to remember these words, even when I'm not around to reinforce them

The book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, is because he's a dedicated and sensitive father whose girls are growing up. His oldest turns 13 this month. With adolescence he knows their relationship, and his role, will change, and I wanted him to have a reminder as we approach Father's Day that both girls appreciate and need him.

I loved talking to him, loved celebrating with him. Even though we can't be together, my best friend's birthday* is one of my favorite days of the year.

*His actual birthday is Saturday, but the gift arrived today and why wait?

New template

I was feeling rather bookish. Hope you like it. Or if you don't, hope you'll get used to it. Templates are like hair -- you can change them with the wind

Break my heart

Thanks to Erika at Endomental

I don't think "lol" is quite the right term...

Clean Me

Every day I am going to do something -- no matter how small -- to improve my standard of living at home.

This may not sound like much, but I think it should count as a two-fer: I threw out the coupons/flyer from Carson's and the coupon from Kohl's ... unopened and therefore unviewed and unused. For, as I admitted earlier, I have too much of everything I shouldn't and I really don't need to even contemplate using more credit to buy more stuff.

I hung a bag on the linen closet doorknob. Inside it is a padded envelope and some drugstore sample sized packages of tampons and facial wipes (which had been taking up space on the kitchen counter). I'll add the little things I come across for our soldiers overseas and when it's full, I'll just slip everything into the padded envelope and send it off to Operation: Shoebox.

A great 2010 moment

Cagey old Lou issued a stern warning to the offense before the game, saying, in essence, "Hit or be benched."

Team Leader Derrick Lee reinforced Lou's message by showing the other boys how it's done -- joining Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ron Santo in the Cubs' exclusive 300 Home Run Club.

This Tribune photo captures an important moment between the men who comprise the heart and soul of my team. Hopefully this big win in Milwaukee will be the beginning of a good, long streak.

And, since the Hawks have won the Cup, maybe now Lou will lose the old man beard.

Behold the Stanley Cup Champions

Cup de grace: Kane's OT goal beats Flyers 4-3, ends Blackhawks' championship drought

Congratulations, Blackhawk fans! Enjoy it.