On things.

Things.

I have things to catch you up on, y'all.

(a) I think I got bitten by a tick (or two) last week. Woof. Waiting 'til morning for the Minute Clinic to open. Its on my mind so it gets top billing, OK? Say it with me now, "no lyme, no lyme, no lyyyyyme."

(b) I got these bites in South Carolina WHERE I GOT TO HANG OUT LAST WEEK!

(c) I got ten days with my fave human and her hubs, mom, diddy, etc. It was wicked awesome. Chad graduated and dominated English at the University of South Carolina. I am beyond grateful for the time away and time to rest with my people.

(d) I think I got my tick bites when I went SKYDIVING!! You guys. It was the best experience of my life. I think. I am fairly (90%) sure that, if someone else funded it, I would do it every day. It was incredible! I got to leap out of a plane at 14,000 feet and felt like the queen of the world. Just look!

 

 If anyone wants to go, I'm in. Seriously.

(e) I get to go see my friend Bill Harritt marry his bride, Janet, tomorrow in Memphis. Never you mind that their wedding is at 6pm which is when the world is supposed to end. Hope not. (ps. how bananas is that business? I found a website offering post-apocalyptic pet care. wow.) I'm so excited about seeing so many friends and celebrating with the Harritts. It will be amazing. :)

(f) Book club is next week and we are discussing "Hunger Games"... I am so excited! (Next month is "Bossypants" by Tina Fey, so I can't really decide which I'm more excited about.) I have more than met my challenge of reading this year and I am so thrilled about it. Any good books I shouldn't miss?

(g) The Cicada infestation of 2011 is only beginning, you guys. I hear we've not yet reached the "swarming phase", so that's neat. They have red eyes and I can't deal. 

(h) I wrote a blog post for work: check it! As some of a hair chameleon, pictures of my changing 'dos were featured. Personally, I think I look like sisters... triplets. Not the same person. Is that because I share a face with someone or am I right?

Gonna go google "tick bites", so I better go. If the world ends tomorrow, I love you.

I do anyway, actually.

xo

kk

On awareness.

I would say that, this morning, I am aware. Not like I am comatose other mornings (though some co-workers may disagree.) I only mean that this morning brought new awareness.

I was sitting on my couch last night (watching "ET", if you must know. "phone hoooome") when Kristin called and said, "did you hear? Osama Bin Laden was killed." I replied with, "For real? I'll remember this moment." I was instantly overwhelmed with emotion. I had the same emotions rush over me when I saw the images of Saddam Hussein being put to death.

Utter sadness.

Please don't misunderstand. I am a patriot. I am proud of America and prouder of people who dedicate their lives to protecting Her. I think we're a truly great country. That being said, I just can't celebrate anyone's death. I think Osama's death is what most consider a just end to a war with terror. I absolutely concede that he needed to be stopped but I am sad it had to be with death.

I'm not sad he's been stopped from doing terrible things. I'm sad because he is a man with a soul.

Yes, he made some terrible decisions but I believe in God and His Son Jesus. I also believe the Bible is true, so I believe he has to stand before God and answer for those choices and that makes me want to cry. I am much closer to tears than joy today. Regardless of what you believe, I think it is worth considering that a man has died and, as a nation, we are setting off fireworks...?

Those are controversial thoughts and I am, honestly, nervous about alienating those who don't agree. I also like to be liked. But, I'm honest with you here and this is what I'm dealing with today. I've also been the recipient of so much love that it is hard to think about people who haven't.

The next emotions in line are ones that remind me he was just one man. There are lots of people dedicated to terror (which is horrifying) and I just happen to think we're a bit *more* of a target now. I hope that isn't true. Its just feels like it may be. Fear is no way to live, so I won't give in to it. I just keep coming back to the sobering  feeling that life is short and we aren't the authors of it.

Mercy.