I'd like to buy a barn....and a creek (pronounced crik)....and a pond. a few sheep, maybe a horse. some chickens, a dog and a few cats who will have kittens in my hayloft. land where I can run free. I thought I was wanting to buy land so that my children would grow up feeling the freedom that space has to offer, but I'm realizing that's probably just an excuse to get me what I really want. I'm trying to learn that it is just fine to want things for myself. and I want this barn. A LOT. Its just a bit north of Rose Creek, Minn....about 8 miles east of Austin....and it is the barn of my dreams.

We have been working overtime in order to get our house ready to go on the market so that we can perhaps put a conditional offer on this barn, which, by the way, also includes a house with heat, running water, and a finished basement. nothing fancy. just a simple rectangular structure that would make it possible for me to wash my dishes while looking out at this barn.

Walking down St. Peter late Sunday evening....I had just left the hotel after finishing up a 3-11:30PM shift....and I don't normally enjoy working this late at all. I'm a morning person. But, the night had acutally been a busy one and went by quickly making it much more bearable. So, my spirits were high...and instead of walking out in a grumpy daze, I chose to take note of my surroundings. I looked up at the Landmark Center clock and it sparked a fantastic memory of biking downtown to get the coffee on for St. Paul. Biking was always the quickest transportation option and so I usually arrived a little early....I would lock up my bike and sit down on the wall alongside Landmark Park....eat my orange and take in the morning air. Sunday night, my car was parked directly along St. Peter and across the street from the Lawson entrance....right where I used to eat my oranges. I took a peak inside and saw Alan, the same overnight security guard that would be sitting there there when I arrived so early in the moring. I realized. Nothing has changed. Except for Thelma, Anne moving back from Iowa, Paige adopting Verla, Amanda welcoming new life....and I realized. My life is incredible. I am blessed. And I rememberd my old philosophy that I am not defined by my employment status. This re:realization renewed me. (I know....that's a lot of re.s) I got in my car and turned on the current. The perfect song was just beginning....I drove home....hit every green light perfectly. Gas at the holiday station was $2.41/gal. Not a good price, but my perfect numbers. More green lights....and the song ends just as I pull into the driveway. A perfectly orchestrated ride home. I go inside to find Delip (the nearly perfect companion) fallen asleep on the couch trying to wait up for me. My life is good.

There are no words to describe what a beautiful experience the maiden voyage was for me. I am so blessed to have such incredible women in my life...

The timing has been perfect in more than one way...recently I have given a lot of thought to what I should teach Thelma regarding her "woman parts", and at this age, verbiage is all I need to address. Yoni came into our vocabulary just when we needed it! OK, so its not quite in Thelma's vocab yet, but when I ask her where her yoni is, she knows! I am so proud.

Never mind the fact that I still can't get Yonni Meron (from my fourth grade class....he had a green mechanical pencil that he lovingly referred to as "green machine", which he was constantly swinging through the air like he just hit a grand slam, home run.) out of my head.