THE ROARING TWENTIES: UHAULS & HAIR COLOR

July 28th, 2011 marked the last day of my roaring twenties and oh what a decade it was, a time line that could easily be measured in Uhauls & Hair Color.

As I stroll into my thirties it seems like an opportune time to reflect on the past decade. It started out a little rocky, hit a hight point in the middle, and thankfully remained pretty steady.

THE BIG 3 OH

Au Revoire twenties, you were fantastically fun while you lasted.

How does this Smalltownista feel about turning thirty? Well, I feel pretty damn good about it. The excitement of entering into a fresh decade is palpable!

AN ODE TO MY MATTY

Never one to shy away from my lot to live a life submerged in an abundance of strong women, I love my girls.  Never do I have trouble voicing my adoration for the hubs, but today there is another man in my life whom I simply must dote on.

My Matty, well I have to share him with what seems to be half the world, but nonetheless, in my eyes he will always be my Matty. 

Matt and I have been besties since the first day we met, over fourteen years ago.  We lived across the street from eachother and our moms introduced us in that awkward "Kristin will be attending your school in the fall, you two should get to know eachother" type of way.  It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship indeed. 

ROUGH DAY

(Steph, Adam, and Baby Lane)



Today is one of those days that makes it tough to live away from home. My friend Steph lost her grandad, his funeral is today. I hate that I cannot be there for her. I want to give her a hug, buy her a sheet cake and a bottle of wine, clean her house, cook her dinner, play with the kiddos, do anything that may ease those daily routines that are never the same after the loss of a loved one. Fortunately, I know she is surrounded by an abundance of love and support.

Steph is a hero of mine, not only for her loyalty and wit, but also for her selflessness in a world of looking out for #1ers. Mottoes of selfishness promote the idea of caring for ourselves before we can care for others. Which I agree with to an extent, but in a crisis, that concept becomes a luxury. It was a luxury that Steph did not afford herself when her grandparents became ill. With a full time job, two beautiful kiddos and a supportive hubs at home she made the time to care for her Grammy and Pops. Even on her days off she made the trek to Hot Springs to check on them, pick up prescriptions, walk their dog, whatever needed to be done. She gave them her time, of which she did not have much to spare. She will never have regrets that maybe she could have done more. That is the side of the coin I wish for everyone.

Nothing in life prepares us for great loss.

My heart is with Steph and her family today and all the days to follow.