you once told me that
i was your mirror
and so one day
i looked in your eyes and I thought
if my reflection is this beautiful then maybe
it is is worth trying
to love myself.

we’ve been together
forever, i think
swimming in a vast ocean
and one day the waves
crashed us onto this dry, dusty
desert
and I know that
you are
my gift from the sea

thank you for helping me
to see that
sometimes
(if it’s done right)
co-dependence can feel
healthy

we don’t know everything
about one another
we don’t have to share
all the details
of convoluted pasts and presents and futures
we don’t even have to talk
with you
the silence is full of
a million secrets

your hands are so soft
and so small
and so strong
and although they carry so much
they always
have room for
my hands

on the outside
we look different
and I think that
we sometimes confuse
other people
they don’t know
that underneath it all
we are the same.

you understand my libra heart
and you know that
one can be
both insecure
and narcissistic
at the very same time
and also that
it is not unreasonable
to always expect
to get what you want.

so what if deciding where to
eat dinner
can take us
three hours
because
i never
notice
the time pass.

loving you
is the easiest
thing
I have ever done.

Happy Birthday Mani

I want to write more (much more) on this topic - but I’m supposed to be spending quality time with my husband, so it will have to wait. In the meantime, read this and then this.

Sometimes I just cannot believe the extent of the brilliance, wisdom, inspiration and humanity I stumble across reading blogs. It blows me away.

Hello lovely blog readers,

Today I’m posting to ask for your donations as I prepare to take part in the 15th Anniversary of the Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure. The Phoenix Race is one of the largest 5K runs/fitness walks in Arizona, benefiting breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs. For more information about the Phoenix Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Phoenix Race, visit www.KomenPhoenix.org.

I am walking as a part of the Arizona Birth Network Team. Most of you know that the ABN is my baby, co-founded by myself and Mani over three years ago. One of the founding board members of the Birth Network, Kristan Landry, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in early 2006. Her inspirational and courageous fight against this disease is what initially brought me to this event, and I walk this year for Kristan, and for all the other women who are fighting the same fight.

I have set a donation goal of $500.00. If each of you would consider donating just $25-$50 I can easily surpass this goal. Please use the link below to donate online quickly & securely. You will receive email confirmation and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation. I thank you in advance for your support, and really truly appreciate your generosity.

http://www.active.com/donate/phoenix2007/JLeBlan39

PS: Thanks to Dawn for being the first to donate! You rock my friend!

Have you missed me, my sweets?

We finally moved in on Labour Day - and we are slowly (ever so excruciatingly slowly) digging our way out of the pile of boxes. We had a yard sale last weekend and got rid of an entire room full of crap (causing me to come face to face with my pack rat mentality AND my shopping problem) and made pretty decent money. My home currently has greater resemblance to a slovenly hovel than a newly remodeled mid-century ranch…but such is life when moving with kids.

We went a week and a half with no gas (so no hot water or cooking) and still don’t have a bathtub. It took almost as long to hook up our internet, and we still have not gotten around to installing the microwave, hooking up our telephone or getting the ice maker/water dispenser on our fridge working correctly. There are huge drywall patches everywhere, and we’re going to have to repaint almost every wall. It’s coming together though, slowly but surely, and I’m over the moon to finally be living in our space. My shower alone makes the year and a half wait worth it, it is that divine. Whenever I actually get it cleaned, I promise to post pictures.

This place is going to kick some serious butt when it’s finally finished, and you’re all invited to my housewarming party (so long as you bring alcohol, and presents).