I still think of you fondly. Every time I say Tobie's middle name a little image of you pops in my head. Usually making a face, like this one:

I've lost 10% of my body weight. Slow and steady wins the race to keep it off right? I'm still pudgy, but less pudgy and it feels good! Maybe in a year I'll reach my goal weight.

The little monkey started pulling himself up and cruising on his 8 month birthday. He is currently working on sprouting another 4 teeth all at once. Oh the joy. He grew again and is now in the 99th percentile for height. Poor kid will probably be like my dad and end up 6 ft tall by the time he's 12.

Just 2 more weeks until our 3 year Halloweeniversary. Time absolutely flies when you're happy. We were going to host a party but in the end decided to pig out on popcorn and watch a spooky movie.

Still no word on work, what I'll be doing and if they expect me to live-in.

Is there a US equivalent TV show to The Great British Bake-Off?

that is all.

We're coming home for Christmas! I know it's a busy time of year but if anyone would like to see me/us/meet Tobie let me know! He can charm you with his cute little dimple chin and sheepish grin. Or maybe just slap you in the face and drool on you :)

I can't believe it has been almost 3 years since Rory and I got married. Seems like yesterday!

I can't believe I'm turning 37 next week. I don't feel 37. I don't look 37. I don't think I can blow out 37 candles. I'd like to lose 37 pounds (times 2). There are 37 minutes until the show I like comes on this morning. I change at least 37 nappies in a week.

This Christmas is going to be filled with feel good homemade gifties! Not just because I like doing heartfelt things like that, but holy monkey butts flights are insanely expensive -and - they charge you bloody 10% of your fare PLUS about 400 pounds in taxes just to have an infant sit on your lap for 7 hours! Horse pucky!

In the last week Tobie seems to have sprinted down the growing development path. Babies are funny the way they seem to do nothing, then BOOM. Just in the past week he has:

• sprouted 2 teeth
• started frog crawling
• started sitting up on his own

With his new found toothy nubs he likes to bite my toes, the little weirdo!

Dear Joshua,

Some time has passed and my heart is healing. It was very hard to say good-bye to you, especially being so far away. The day of your funeral there was a man playing the bagpipe outside the station. It was a fitting song.

That night we went to dinner and toasted you. I tried to say it myself but I got too choked up and Rory had to finish it off. Even writing about it now brings tears to my eyes.

We were in the middle of a great conversation you and I, which will have to wait some time to be finished. When I gave you that book and your 'license', I don't think either of us envisioned this road trip.

I came across this poem and I couldn't help but think of you. It's a shortened version.


Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.

Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear.
So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire.

It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.

What will matter is not your success, but your significance.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence, but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.
What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you.

(An excerpt of 'What Will Matter' by Michael Josephson)

Jason, we think about you often and hope your heart is healing!

This is bizarre and a little scary!

This video is great!


I always wondered what the training video for Chuck E Cheese might look like, and now I know, with some entertaining voice overs.

3rd round interview with the folks in London tomorrow night! They said they were impressed with me after the phone interview, so maybe this is the formality to make sure I don't look like a spaz nut. I've never done a video interview before. First time for everything :) Stoked!!!

Was the opening plenary speaker at NAFSA last night. He was amazing! It felt so good to hear someone speak about human rights and literature. Plus who knew he's such a funny guy!

I have an interview for a job in London this Friday. I really want it. We really want it. Wish me luck!!

"Many women who do not dress modestly lead young men astray and spread adultery in society which increases earthquakes".....

According to an Iranian cleric: