Invasion of the Laundry Snatchers

Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Has something small, non-crucial, tiny and not a big deal in the grand scheme of things ever really BURNED you up?

That would be where I am right now.

About three weeks ago, as I prepared to leave town for Atlanta, I did some laundry. Four or five loads, I think. I live in a high rise building, that has the debit-card-operated machines in a laundry room on the top floor. You put your things in, pay to start the machine, and go back down to your unit to wait the 35 minutes for wash, 45 minutes for dry.

The benefit to this system, which at times is a bit of a chore, is that you can successfully wash/dry up to five loads of laundry in an hour and a half. With folding time, you're at two hours - and you can watch a movie in the meantime.

I do my laundry pretty regularly. I travel a lot, so it is often unpacking, into the hamper, washing and re-packing. I know the drill.

I don't, however, sit upstairs and watch my clothes as they wash and dry. My first two years in Chicago, we had to lug our clothes to the laundromat five blocks away, and that was enough laundry-watching for anyone's taste.

(That reminds me, there was a hilarious laundry push-cart incident when Jill's cart met a cracked piece of sidewalk and her 5' little body got thrown over the top of the cart, leaving her upside down on Webster Avenue. I know I shouldn't laugh at the image of her body splayed out across her white metal 'granny cart,' but I just can't help it.)

I digress.

So, this laundry night a few weeks back. I didn't realize it at the time, but as I went to pack for a trip, and subsequently un-pack, I realized that I was missing a few things. A black cardigan and a pair of black Michael Kors jeans, to be specific. Trying to be thorough, I retraced my steps. Which led me to New Jersey, naturally. I called the hotel in Princeton to no avail. They went all the way back to June to assess if I had any "found items" attached to my hotel room records, and I did not.

I then scoured my closet. I'm a neat person and tend to put things back after they've been worn, so it was unlikely that I'd find them there. It's not like I've been sleeping over at anyone else's place lately, so where could they be?

Then I realized, as I dressed one night for bed, that I was missing a pair of black PJ shorts that match a set I have. Never mind, I'll reach for the grey pair. Also missing. Both coordinating tank tops were in my drawer, which is a hefty clue to the fact that the shorts were missing. I'd never pack/wear the mismatched set. (That fact likely sounds far more unusual than it is, I assure you).

Then what?

A few days later, I realized I was missing my grey leggings and a navy tank top, which also goes with PJ pants.

Now I was just annoyed. Ticked off to no end. I had now counted SIX items of clothing, all in the dark wash family, that were missing.

Without suspicion, I drafted a little "Missing Laundry" sign for the bulletin board in the laundry room. Promptly went up and tacked it there. Offered a reward, even. Gave a "no questions asked" line. Suggested several ways to get in touch with me, and ways to return the items for said reward. Come on, you ladies KNOW how hard it is to find pants you like - and these were Michael Kors jeans that fit me perfectly!!

Anyway. I just went up to the laundry room to put a few loads in while I wait in anticipation for the ABC fall shows to premier.

AND....my sign is gone.

Did the clothing thief realize that I was hot on their (his? her?) trail and take it down!? Who would do that, unless they feared getting caught? The sign removal isn't until the end of the month! And it's only the 23rd!

(And yes, I'm totally staring at every person that is even remotely close to my size who wears black jeans to see if they're sporting an MK on the butt pockets. Just don't ask me what I'll do if I DO spot them!)

I couldn't be more annoyed right now. I immediately grabbed a piece of paper, a Sharpie marker, and made a new sign, listing the items and once again offering a reward and return options. I'm taking it back up there in 17 minutes when my loads are finished washing.

Please don't tell me I'm going to have to watch condo channel 94, the one that spies on the laundry room, from now on when I put clothes in? To keep an eye on the machines, on a look-out for clothes-snatchers AND sign-stealers?!

That would bring my single-living to a whole new low.

Changing the channel now...

A Toast to Lauren & George

Photos by Tom Smarch of A Wedding Tale where noted.

As you likely saw awhile back, my sister Lauren and her lovely George were engaged to be married, and the big day finally has come and gone. The week at home was really wonderful, but man, was it a whirlwind of activity!

George is from Czech Republic, and his parents, brother and sister-in-law were in town to celebrate the wedding with us, and it was such a joy to meet and get to know them. I know now very clearly where George gets his good looks, kind heart, gentle nature and sharp sense of humor. I also more fully understand what people mean when they say that a wedding is a merging of families, not just two people. We are fortunate to be a part of this union.

It was an emotional whirlwind - we met the family, prepared the details, put together the floral bouquets (which is quite a feat, but clearly feasible with some patience and creativity!), bought the party supplies, set up the venue and got ready for the big day. Friday, September 11th was the date for the wedding, and it was incredibly fun, hectic and beautiful.

The weather held out and we were able to have the ceremony outside on the green grass of the golf course, and the blue sky was revealed right before we descended onto the lawn. I was strong and not emotional until the very last moment - when I walked down the aisle ahead of the flower girls and my sister, on the arm of my Dad, it was at that moment that the emotions hit me. I began to shake, and tears welled up in my eyes.

As I watched my sister, younger than I by three years, walk down the aisle looking radiant, happy, gorgeous and smiling, I could hardly keep it together. It was as if there was no one else there, just her, as she walked our way. Time had stood still. Thank goodness Jill had the forethought to give me a monogrammed hanky before I left town - I needed it more than ever. Gripping my lime green roses with one hand, I dabbed at the tears that tried to fight their way down my face, and snuck a glance at George. His grin was genuine, heartfelt and huge - which was all it took to send me into a happy cry.

The wedding ceremony was lovely, special and intimate. The party afterwards, held in the gorgeous ballroom that was graced with all of Lauren's special and thoughtful touches, was part fun and part a blur. You know that feeling when you are in a moment, but can't seem to slow it down enough to really notice all of the detail? That was how I felt. My Mom and I wish we could go back and rewind it all and attend as a guest - just to take part in it all again.

My toast was sincere, and I managed not to sob as I delivered it. I believe it states concisely (yet not fully) how it feels to watch your sister marry the man of her dreams - it is not enough to say that you love her. She is part of who I am, and I am happily, willingly, letting go enough to watch her walk into her new life with George. I am fuller now, with him in our family, and know that lifelong happiness is headed our way.

I reprint the toast here, to share it with my family again for posterity, but also to try to capture in writing how I felt at that moment. For those of you that don't know us personally, George is a very tall man and fits in nicely with my tall family - anchoring us if you will. You'll get more out of the below you if you know that up front.

I am so honored, proud and in love with my sister, and couldn't be happier to have been a part of the day celebrating her love with George.

Congratulations to you both! I love you so much.

--

I am pretty sure they call you the Maid of Honor to make you feel better about having to get up here and spill your guts to a large crowd of people. No, really, it IS an honor to be a part of this day celebrating Lauren and George.

Having a sister is a strange thing – and by the time I started to figure out how lucky I was to have one, I had moved away.

First to college, leaving her to take over my bedroom and drive my car (both of which kind of irked me at the time). Then, to an apartment downtown, while she was still in Athens living life and growing up. And finally, I moved 1,000 miles away to Chicago, and we became closer than ever.

Life is funny that way.

But for most of our lives, Lauren and I struggled to cherish how incredibly fortunate we were to have a built-in, God-given friend living under the same roof.

We fought, likely over who got to be in charge, bad 80s clothes, use of the phone, and mirror time curling our bangs and spraying them into something unrecognizable. It felt like we were either too far apart in age to have anything in common, or too close to want to admit it. We were clumsy as sisters, and I’m talking about more than just that time that I accidentally ran over her with the riding lawnmower.

Come on, the blade was turned off…

But then, it all changed. When I was in college and Lauren was in high school, she met a lot of the people who are here today, and I remember looking at her differently. She was not following my footsteps, she was forging her own. Then she joined me at Georgia and continued to grow up. (Not just taller). I liked her not only as a sister, but also as a person. Which was a far cry from trying to kick her out of the car on the way to high school for being grouchy in the morning.

Sorry ‘bout that one, kiddo.

It wasn’t really until I moved to Chicago, and found myself missing her point of view, or her stories, or her wide-mouthed belly laugh, that I realized that Lauren was my friend. As she got a new job, I filled with pride as I knew how impressed her bosses would be. When she bought a new condo, I was anxious to see how she’d decorated it (in under 2.5 hours flat). When she met a new guy, however …that was harder.

As the parents or older siblings in the room can attest – there is this instant feeling of panic. Not that she’d make the wrong decision, or do something stupid – more that she’d get lost in the moment and get hurt. I wanted to protect her, to teach her, to help her avoid the heartbreak that comes with dating. And it wasn’t like I’d had it down to a science. But Lauren, true to her personality, grew smarter and savvier, and pretty soon had it all figured out.

I’m still waiting for her to teach me….

When she met George, she talked about him in a way that suggested that she’d found a mate. Not just someone with whom she could see eye to eye (well, almost!), but also someone that could challenge, balance, teach and love her. Someone who could protect, advise, laugh with, and adventure with her.

Apparently, it was true.

I’ve always been inextricably linked to Lauren. I now realize that I was never fully me without her. And now I’m willingly letting go, just a little bit, to share her with George. I figure it’s a win-win. We needed another man around the house, and I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a brother. Given the amount of legroom the five of us take up, though, it should be interesting just trying to GO ANYWHERE in the car together.

George, I couldn’t be happier to welcome you to the family, and know that you and I will become the best of friends – as well as family. You are a kind soul with a heart of gold and I know you will take care of my sister always. You probably won’t run her over with a lawnmower, either.

Lauren, I have never been more proud of you than I am today, and I have never been more certain about something than I am about you and George choosing each other. I have never been more thrilled to be included, and I have never been more honored to offer up this toast, to my beautiful sister, my friend.

I’m so lucky to have you in my life, and I know George feels the same way.

So let’s raise a glass to Lauren and George:

I wish you both a lifetime of lasting love, belly laughs, good health, smart kids...

and…extra legroom.

Na zdraví!
(Cheers in Czech)

If Only

This summer, my aunt was making me laugh as we talked about driving, getting lost, and wishing we weren't lost.

She's a realtor, so she's constantly in new areas, neighborhoods or towns, crisscrossing all over metro St. Louis.

I'm just in New Jersey.

Lost.

On the Turnpike.

Anyway, she mentioned that she's had the same GPS unit for years - why don't I have one of those installed around my neck? - and has always liked how the unit works, but had a few complaints.

It had a woman's voice with an American accent on it. She joked that she wasn't too fond of the tone or quality of the voice, but that the machine got her to her destination on time, and without sidetracking *unlike my stories* and was reliable to boot.

But she didn't really like having that lady, and her voice, accompany her on all of her ventures.

Until the day she dropped it.

The unit bounced across the floor, and she scrambled to retreive it, hoping that the damage wasn't irrevocable. The next time she plugged it into her car, headed for an appointment, the voice came on and announced the next move.

In a male voice. With a British accent.

She was startled, and then pleased. No one minds taking directions from a voice with such a lovely accent. And the Brits always sound smarter, so she trusted him immmensley.

Now, given my love for all things European, she suggested that if I didn't like a man I was dating, and dropped him on his head, the incident may quite possibly result in him speaking to me in British tones.

I may have to give that one a try. Any takers?

Devil in a Blue Suit?

Last night? I had dreams about high school.

Not the "I forgot my shirt and now I'm in class" or "I didn't study for the exam and now it is on my desk" or "I've missed the bus and now my mom has to drive me to school" or "I'm getting made fun of by the big bad senior girls" variety.

I think one part had people in it that I haven't seen in at least 15 years, and we were all just hanging out catching up. It was like a reunion, without the nametags or the rubber chicken. And, seriously? Her name came right to mind as I woke up. I may have to look her up.

One part had me playing basketball again, but I was this old, which should tell you something about the skill level. And the performance of my aching knees. I'm pretty sure I was in business attire, too.

And part one had me babysitting, or Dear God, maybe they were my kids? Either way, I had a baby and a toddler following me everywhere. I remember the faint smell of peanut butter and jelly.

The last part I can remember had me telling a girl "I was always picked last for sports in school." which honestly isn't true. I was tall, and on a Varsity team. Which didn't say much for my abilities when it came to soccer, rope climbing, Red Rover or other non-basketball/tennis/swimming events. But in my dreams, I was definitely the odd woman out.

Insecure much?

I tossed and turned and changed diapers and took jump shots all night.

I'm exhausted.

How Far?

My very first word doodle. Enjoy. Or don't. Felt good to me.


with impeccable timing
he* showed up
in my inbox
he was
so far away
yet
i
felt
so close
over
the course
i grew to know
him and his thoughts
somewhat
sometimes
it was a funny thing
really
this long-distance
something
that had potential
to heal
or hurt
in light of
how i'd been feeling
the words
that appeared
in the emails
or
the subtexts
were just
what
i'd needed
but didn't want
to fully
admit
to needing
the quick
wit
charm and compliments
made me laugh
and blush
and shiver
and dream
and smile
and more precisely
wonder
how far is too far
how close is too close
is it
ever enough
was i
deserving
of a
road trip
that required planning
or impulse
or guts
and mapquest
seemed to think
that the route
was walkable
and i know
he'd be
waiting for me
perched on a rock by the sea
because that's where i
picture him
wearing a
smirk
and a hat
i'm sure
about how i'd react
i am not as certain
about the hat
i'd be happy
of course
the bridge to cross
would be both
metaphorical
and
physical
to get there
but that's the fun
part
together
or apart

*Thanks for teaching me how.

Born to...Give Gap Prizes!

Well folks, the Gap Born to Fit contest is closed. And I'm very impressed! I got a lot of great entries on last Wednesday's post. In honor of Gap's new premium line of best fitting jeans, known as the Born to Fit line, I asked you to tell me what YOU were born to do.

On the line? Two prizes: a certificate for a FREE PAIR of Gap Jeans of your choice, and a $50 gift certificate for use at any Gap store.

I got quite a few great responses, and I had to choose the top two to award the gifts.

Let's get to it. Drum roll please?

The GRAND PRIZE goes to Lisa in Anaheim, California. Her comment was just perfect - honest, smart, illustrative of her personality and very, very fitting to the denim theme. Check it out below.

shuckiduck said...
I was born to be a jean break-in specialist.

I'm not kidding. If there was such a position, I'd be a great candidate. The jeans I have have gotten broken in to such a point - and past it - that in some spots they are threadbare and far too overloved. They get love at concerts when I'm working in the photo pits, they come along for the ride and get lived in when I jump on tour vans for weeks at a time. They are there when I go to my first string of rock shows seeing my favorite band for the first time, and mark on the tag that they were there with me (yep, happened 11 years ago, no joke). The stories that are woven into the cotton threads are numerous, and I never can let them go after they're well past their prime. To a revered spot in the closet or drawer they go, with hopes that they'll be patched and sewn up for more adventures.
-Lisa

Congratulations, Lisa!

You won a FREE pair of Gap Jeans - your choice of any of the styles - Perfect Boot, Sexy Boot, Real Straight, Long & Lean, Curvy, Always Skinny or the Boyfriend. Valued at $69.50! (See, it's a designer jean at a very reasonable price.) Email me at the address listed on my profile and give me your home address and I'll send you the gift card right away! Thanks for your entry. Keep reading, and have fun shopping at Gap.

---

The entry from the SECOND PLACE WINNER came in about an hour under the deadline. While much more straightforward than Lisa's response, I have to acknowledge the truth in it - she expressed an honest frustration that I heard over and over while hosting my Gap party. Girls of all heights fit great in the jeans we tried on, and I hope that you find a pair in which you were Born to Fit. (Trust me, it's not a lot easier to be 6' tall and buy jeans...you can't hem them longer, Susan.)

Susan said...
I was born to be a blog stalker, retail whore, and Petite advocate. Women 5'4 and under deserve great denim too! Can't wait to get to my local Gap and try these on. Great party!
-Susan

Congratulations, Susan!

You won a $50 Gap gift card, and you can use that towards anything your petite heart desires - a new pair of jeans would be almost paid for...in fact, right now, they are on sale, so this may be the best time to buy. I hope you find a pair that make you feel six feet tall and bulletproof. Email me at the address listed on my profile and give me your home address and I'll send you the gift card right away! Thanks for your entry, and now that you're no longer lurking, keep reading!

---

Thanks to all of the attendees, and to Sarah, Carrie, Krista, Katherine, Monica, Maggie and Kristen for your clever and fun entries. Next time!

If you've not left the house in the last few weeks, you may not know that the jeans are all on sale at Gap right now for $20 off - so now may be the best time ever to try a few on and see which one fits you best. Tell 'em Colleen sent you. (They'll look at you sideways and may even murmur something funny, but it sounded like a good idea, no?)

On a closing note...

I was...........Born to tell long stories. Clearly!

Gap Born to Fit Party & GIVEAWAYS!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had the privilege to host a Gap Born to Fit party last night. Gap is celebrating its 40-year anniversary this year, and to celebrate, has re-engineered its 1969 jeans line in all new fits, styles and washes. And was it ever a good time!

As a Brand Enthusiast, I was able to invite quite a few lucky girls to attend - and was fortunate to have Brenna host the event. We energetically (at least in spirit!) climbed the 59 steps up to her gorgeous home (guided by my motivational signs, of course.



At the top, the girls were treated to a full spread of goodies courtesy of Gap. The guests had no idea what was in store for them...


First, I asked each girl to don a nametag, since not everyone knew each other.

In order to make it more fun, I added a "I was born to________." line for each girl to fill out. Apparently my friends are born to Eat, Shop, Laugh & Giggle, Dance, Dominate Traffic, Photograph, Give Big Hugs, Draw, and more. (I was Born to Boogie - so says my Mom - since she went into labor while at a disco. Explains a lot, doesn't it?)

We munched on appetizer treats, including "Born to Snack" popcorn (served in the darling branded bowl) and "Born to Indulge/Shop/Play/Love" M&Ms, and other enticing splurges.


The soundtrack for the evening's festivities was provided by yours truly; I handpicked and made "Girls, Denim & (No) Blues" CDs for each guest, and only slightly tweaked the song titles to fit the theme for the evening.



See below for the full playlist. No judging - the songs were chosen for their fit!


Before we dove into the jeans and the full-fledged shopping extravaganza, we gathered on the roofdeck to enjoy the gorgeous Chicago sunset.





With a roofdeck like Brenna (and her fantastic husband) owns, we were all seated comfortably around and could talk. I gave a quick, highly unprepared speech about what the party was about - and answered questions about Gap, the 1969 Born to Fit jeans, how I was selected and what was required of them (pretty much this: pick jeans, love jeans, shop Gap).





When the sun had fully set, we descended to the kitchen/Gap Jeans Bar to check out the jeans. Don'tcha just like the sound of that? Gap Jeans Bar. I know. Combines my two favorite things, too. As shown at the top of the post, there were the Sexy Boot in a medium wash, the Always Skinny in a dark wash and the Real Straight in a medium wash.


The girls and I immediately noticed - these weren't your Mom's jeans. If anyone walked into the party with a preconceived notion of what Gap jeans were like, they changed their mind pretty quickly. All ideas were changed fully as soon as the first girl tried them on. Wow! Each girl was stunned to see how long, lean, slim, stylish and, well, FIT they looked in them. Each style, each size, each wash - all the same. Perfect fits!


And the fabric, stitching, inseam, cut and general make of the jeans was far more detailed than ever before - the medium wash is incredibly soft - those jeans you could wear all day at work or to Target on a Saturday; the dark wash is perfect for a night out with heels or a casual brunch with flip flops.

Knowing my girlfriends, they are a hip bunch. They shop a lot, they like designer jeans, they love to look good (what woman doesn't?) and they will spend more if they think it is necessary to get the right quality and the right fit. I think the trying-on process proved to each girl that these ARE designer jeans - at everyday prices.

I loved watching each girl choose one or two pairs, head back to the Born to Fit(ting) rooms and come out to model their pick.



Looking good, huh? Born to Fit indeed!


Catwalking was not required, but everyone seemed happy to strike a pose.

I was the proud mama watching each girl squeal in delight to realize they fit in a smaller size, or could finally love a skinny jean!, or could even wear THOSE heels with the bootcut pair. I was proud to be able to show these girls the way. Thanks, Gap.

After the try-on session, we indulged in Giordano's thin crust pizza - a Chicago staple. Shopping works up an appetite! As an aside, I loved watching my friends, from all different circles or times of my life, mix and mingle together. All in the name of good jeans.

As the night wound down, I made sure each girl had gotten the pair of their dreams - and if not, I made sure to send them home with a Jeans certificate good for a pair of their choice at Gap. Some of the bootcut sizes were awfully long (not everyone in my life is, ahem, 5'12"), but most opted to take the pair and have them hemmed to just the right length - when they are free, it isn't much of a splurge!

Finally, each guest got to take a Born to Fit reusable tote bag for their goods - another great idea by Gap - and they were more than happy to mug for photos with 'em.



I may be born to blog, or boogie, or host parties, or tell long stories, or wear LONG jeans, or stay up late, or drink wine, or love Macs, or eat french fries, or miss Georgia...

But seriously?

My girls are Born to Fit in with one another.

Hugging their new friends, and clutching their new gifts, they embarked on the 59 steps down to leave for the night.




Thanks to all who attended, and especially to Justine from Brand About Town for allowing us the opportunity to try Gap's new jeans and enjoy one another. Check out the full set of pictures from the party here.

I certainly think we've proved to a lot of girls that Gap jeans are hip, cool, stylish, comfortable, sexy and made for every body. They are worth a second look if you've not been to Gap in awhile, and if you have, stop back in and check 'em out! You may never spend money on designer jeans again.

But wait! Don't go!

What's in it for you?

I have a contest. I have two prizes to award: a certificate for a FREE PAIR of Gap Jeans of your choice, and a $50 gift certificate for use at any Gap store.

What's the deal?

By Monday at 7 pm CT, tell me (in the comments) what YOU were born to do. I will choose, in a highly subjective, entirely random manner, the top two answers, and will re-post your answer in a special Born To blog next week, along with the prize announcements.

Ok. Got that?

What were YOU Born To do? Get creative. This isn't just "work." or "breathe." This has to be something CLEVER.

Jeans and Gap shopping is on the line, people!

All you blog lurkers (defined as those that visit but don't comment) are free to come out of the woodwork now! Thanks again Gap.

You and I? We're Born to Fit.

See & Saw

It is both a blessing and a curse.

A convenience and an inconvenience.

A delicious luxury and a ridiculous time waster.

A connector and a separator.

A critical forum and a trivial outlet.

A privilege and a detriment.

A must-have and a should-do-without.

What is it, that sparks so many conflicting opinions in me?

What is it, that creates such a see-saw of emotions?

Do guess. I dare you.

*********************************

Ok. Since I haven't been all that diligent about posting this month, I won't keep you waiting any longer. Not especially since we all likely know exactly to what I refer.

Facebook.

Spend one hour perusing the pages of the social networking site, and you'll find yourself conflicted too, I bet. If you're honest with yourself, that is.

You'll likely be any combination, if not all of the below, of the following: wrapped up in other people's lives, overly concerned with the smallest of details, obsessed with how your life is being showcased for the masses, connected to people with whom you never would have rekindled friendships otherwise, back in touch with people that you no longer care about knowing, frustrated by the passive aggressiveness of the status update wars and any number of other results.

You'll spend time oohing and aahing at lovely children, dogs, cats, vacations, weddings, tourist attractions, renovations, first homes, in-laws, parties, graduations, childbirths, and, sadly, even deaths.

You'll find yourself comparing your life, meager or full as it may be in reality, to others' lives as they appear in the social networking version of reality.

You'll be shocked by gossip, affairs, job losses, new hires, career changes, marital issues, sibling rivalry and many other states of the personal union.

But nothing is personal anymore, now is it?

Today I realized that, while I'm as big of a fan as anyone else, that the social networking site that has brought us together is likely to tear us apart after all. I can't even carry on a conversation with anyone anymore that maintains any sense of pre-Facebook normalcy. No news is news anymore until it has hit the site's cyberspace. Nothing is real until Facebook confirms it is so. I can't even fill my mother in on anything anymore - what used to be a healthy chat filled with stories about my life, my friends and what's going on in our world, which incidentally is 1,000 miles from her geographical location, is now merely a "I saw that" and "I read that" and "I looked at those pictures" recounting.

It saddens me to think that this is what it has become.

I'm not above it, or morally objecting, or even withdrawing from it entirely - frankly, I feel like if I did, I'd lose the connections to the small social circle I currently have. No, on the contrary. I find that I need to just accept that this is the new reality, our new way of operating socially, and just adjust and move on.

It is just hard - I find that spending time on Facebook creates, or spotlights, other insecurities that I may have done well to stifle, or at least hide. I know now that I am one of VERY FEW from my high school graduating class that is not sad this week to send their kids off to school, to miss her husband as she/he travels, to take the dog/cat/hamster to the veterinarian, to indulge on a week's long vacation somewhere fantastic this summer, to visit the lake/beach/mountain house/cottage/cabin in the past few months, to buy/sell/rent a new car/house/boat or to change my appearance by cutting/dyeing/styling my hair differently, losing/gaining weight, running/biking/walking a marathon/triathalon/charity event in the past few months.

I know I sound bitter.

I'm not - it is just hard to realize that the good news I do have, or may possibly have, is so vastly different from my peers. I don't begrudge them a thing - I am thrilled for them, and honestly, genuinely glad to get to see how life has changed them and made them happy, full and rich with blessings.

For me, I do long to be in a relationship, not just so my "status" can change on Facebook, but so that I can finally find something real. I long to have children, not to just have albums filled with their firsts, but to truly experience the joy that a family can bring. I long to have a house and a yard and vacations and other things that my peers are fortunate to have - but it is just not my time yet.

It hit me hard today when I saw posted something that triggered old emotions that I thought were long since buried. Those emotions are less about what they refer to, and more about what they signify - I'm ready to have some news, ready to be able to announce to the world, in whatever format that pleases me, that I, too, have something to celebrate.

Until then, I'll continue to witness, read, browse, listen, cheer on, encourage, cherish and applaud others' exciting news.

Even if I only read about it on my Facebook news feed.

Addendum 8/12:
After reading the comments below, I feel obligated to confess that there was far less "whining, woe is me" intended in this post than people have picked up on. It was more "can you believe we never talk to each other any more (guilty as charged) but know everything about the loser from our high school class" and "I can't even talk to my mom without her saying something she read about so-and-so on Facebook"...but clearly you guys know that I've had a rough year and are great to comment to help. I just feel bad that you have to boost me up YET AGAIN. When I wrote this, I wasn't even really THAT bad off but I've learned that heartbreak, and the healing that ensues, is a bit like suffering a bruise - it hurts a lot at first, and then later it only hurts when you bump directly into it. Ya know?