Update - 10 on Thursday

Yes, Michael, I got your comment. And shame on me for not updating the blog. If I keep this up, you'll have to call me Becky.

Life's been pretty crazy in Maggie's World lately. Here's a little update of what's shakin' in my little corner of the universe:

1. I wear glasses. Not just glasses, mind you; bifocals. It's a huge adjustment, and really not one I'm making with a whole lot of grace, but I think eventually it will be a good thing.
2. I have a roommate, at least for another week. In mid-September, the ex-girlfriend of an old friend from college moved in with me. Emily was working at U of I, and got a job at Northwestern. Rather than hurry up and find a place to live, she's been crashing on my sofabed since then. She moves in to her place on November 6, and my home will be mine again. This is the only time I've ever shared my home with anyone except my family or my ex. It's been nice. Not something I'd want a steady diet of, but quite comforting to come home and have company.
3. I need to make chili, but I don't know when I'll have the time.
4. My sister Jenn finished her last round of chemo, and we're hoping leukemia has had the good sense to move on. Jenn's sense of humor and stubbornness have served her well as she's gone through therapy; I'm so proud of her. She has a bone marrow biopsy in November, so please pray for the "all-clear."
5. I spent last Sunday at Dad's house. Kathie and I frosted cut-out cookies in the shapes of leaves, and dusted them with fall-colored sugar. It reminded me of long-ago times when we'd help Mom put the finishing touches on cookies. There's something about being home that takes me back, and I kinda like it.
6. I sold the Jeep. My friend Amber's boyfriend bought it (and I hope he can keep it running!) so I'm now officially automobile-less. But not really; my sister Kathie generously offered to let me driver her car until sometime in January when I'm ready to buy. I love driving Kathie's car! I don't know if I can go back to something less luxurious, but I'd really like my next car to be my Wrangler. Time will tell.
7. I have decided on a Halloween costume. Twice. I think I've finally settled on it, and I hope it works. I have two parties on Halloween, one for a child and one for not a child ... it's hard to dress appropriately for both!
8. A few days ago, I went to dinner with a bunch of old friends. For sushi. Never was there a better evening; I'd forgotten how much I enjoy the stuff ... and the entire experience. The warm sake, the atmosphere, the sharing from plate to plate. The only thing more delicious than the meal was the company. Old friends really are the best.
9. It's almost time for Christmas music! Just sayin'.
10. There are Godiva truffles in a box on my desk. I eat one each day. Jut one. It took me 43 years to get this willpower, and I'm a little proud.

Along the Trail

I'm not really one to get into the whole historical reenactment thing. (Sorry, Charlie.) It was just never my thing. So while I enjoyed spending time at the Lincoln Log Cabin while in college, or delighted in the occasional trip to Blackberry as a kid, it wasn't something that I relished.

So when Shakespeare (aka Jessica) asked me to come with her and her boyfriend to Trail of History over the weekend, I said yes not because I was eager to go, but because it was important to her. And I had a historically fantastic time.

The property of Glacial Park in Richmond, IL is truly beautiful. The three of us spent the day wandering through history and meeting up with Jessica's old friends. You see, Jess' Aunt Mary has a long history (pun intended) with Trail, and she is the reason Jessica got involved in the first place. So each time we ran into another friend, they wanted to know how Aunt Mary was doing. And Jess would have to explain that she was not doing well, that ALS was running its course and if they wanted to talk with Aunt Mary, it would be best to call sooner rather than later. "Right now, she's just waiting on a miracle," Jess would say. And tears would fall and hugs would comfort and support would be offered.

And so it was on this perfect autumn day that Jess' boyfriend and I got to know Aunt Mary, or the history of her, at least. It brought both of us closer to Jess, and all of us closer as friends. It introduced me to some wonderful new people and gave me a new appreciation for history, and the people who offer up its lessons, live and in person.

It was a beautiful day full of heart and humor, and I'm profoundly glad to have shared in it.

The lovely Shakespeare, aka Jessica Keith.

Isn't it beautiful?

Puffy clouds and history ... the perfect day.

The scrapping experience

So off I went to Scrapbookland over the weekend. I thought it might be a little difficult, because the first album I was going to work on was the half-done book of my last trip with Christopher. But it wasn't tough at all. It was remarkably simple, and quite matter-of-fact, like turning the final page of one book, eager to get on with the next. Awesome.

And on to the EIU book. Before going to the hotel where the weekend was to take place, I stopped by my dad's house, and my sister Jenn was there. We all talked about the scrapbooking, and what I was working on, and Jenn says I have to go to her house to look through the letters I sent to here while I was at school. Holy crap, I was funny! Those letters will definitely get integrated into the album.

The album itself is a total labor of love. Most of the pictures are from my last semester, although I have none from spring break. But the memories absolutely crack me up on every page. I'm probably only a third of the way done, because there are a lot of photos of graduation, but that's okay. I'm taking it slowly, enjoying the process, and just really having a blast.

As the weekend was drawing to a close, a woman I had just met on Friday night held up a few sheets of scrapbook paper and asked me if I would use them. They had words all over them, phrases about joy and loving life and stuff like that. "It reminded me of you," she said, "so if you'll use it, I'd like you to have it."

Wow. I made that kind of impression in just two days? That's pretty amazing. Made me feel pretty good, that someone I hardly know thinks of me as someone who loves life.

So I returned home with renewed energy for working on my albums. I love my photographs so much, it would be a shame to let them sit in a box, waiting for someday. I'll be carving out a space at Chez Mags to serve as my craft spot. And why not? I deserve a space to do the things I love.

Scrap that!

I used to be an avid scrapbooker. My photographs came together in beautiful albums to tell a story. And then, I stopped liking the story.

The happy ending disappeared along with my husband and at least half of everything I owned, and I stopped creating books that told the story of my life. Then, a few weeks ago, a friend invited me to spend the weekend scrapping with her. I didn't even think about it; I just said "yes." If I'd taken the time to think it through, I probably would've backed out. I'm so glad I didn't think.

I'll be spending this weekend at the Sweet Scrappin' Escape with my friend Di. So last night, I had to go through photos and supplies to see what project I should work on. Realizing where my scrapping efforts ended hit me like a blow to the gut. The last album I worked on - which is now only half done - was the last trip to Disney I took with Christopher. The trip he admits was the last time he was ever truly happy with me. The trip during which my mother went through her first round of chemo. The trip before life began to unravel.

I'm going to finish that album this weekend. It's a story that deserves a place. And then I'll move on to either our trip to the Pacific Northwest in 2002, or my years at EIU. I haven't decided which, but I'll have all weekend to figure it out and work on it. And you know what? I'm excited. There's been enough time that I can look back and remember the good times. I can accept that it was a blast, even if it wasn't meant to last. And I'll create albums that tell the stories, knowing that there are more stories to tell every day. I can't wait to get my weekend started!