Ridiculous Girl

I love how kids live in the moment. They have the ability to channel what they're feeling without any other cares in the world.  And one of the most interesting qualities about children, I think,  is their ability to fall in love with people the minute they meet them, regardless of who these other little people are. Just recently I took the girls to the library.  Lola, my social butterfly, immediately meets another girl her age and they start coloring together.  When I walk over to check out her drawings, she excitedly announces "Mommy!  This is Madelaine!  My new BEST FRIEND!" I start laughing. Only a 4-year old would make a new best friend within 2 minutes of meeting her. 2 days later, we meet our new neighbor and his 2 little girls.  Tim comes over and introduces himself.  Lola is already jumping off her bike, staring at the girls the entire time, with her mouth wide open. "Hi.  I'm Lola.  What's your name?", she says in a very matter-of-fact

My eyes are shut. I hear loud music. I'm being forced into a chair. I can't take it anymore.... "Can I open my eyes NOW?" "Yes!!"  they all answer. I slowly open my eyes.  Everything is a blur.  Bright lights are flashing directly at me.  I'm squinting now.  Wait......I see something.......no.....someone.  It's a man.  He's walking towards me.  I finally gain my focus. Oh.............my.............God................. "Ladies!!  Are you ready for the night of your lives??  Welcome to the stage.....our main attraction......RICKY LOCO!!!" ------------------------ 12 hours earlier. I'm lying on the couch. The kids have just left with their Dad for the weekend.   It's been a rough week.  I'm exhausted.  This divorce is draining me. I want to run away.   I want to get out of this stupid town and escape it all.   I'm tired of this fight.  I'm tired of court, of lawyers and of my life.  But alas..

On August 20th, it will be exactly 1 year since I separated from my ex-husband. A lot has happened in the past year.   Without divulging any details......let's just say that it hasn't been the easiest year of my life.  No.  Let's say that it has been the worst year of my life.  No, I can't say that either.  Hmmmm.....let's just say that my life has COMPLETELY changed in the past year.  When life throws you a challenge, you have no choice but to run with it.  If you don't, you get trampled.  In my case, I would have gotten trampled by a herd of lions chasing a gazelle!!   (I'm the gazelle, if you didn't figure it out.  I kind of look like a gazelle actually.  No.....maybe a giraffe.  I'm not limber and sleek and fast like a gazelle.......I'm more awkward like a tall giraffe.  Not even an adult giraffe....I'm like a tall, awkward, newborn, baby giraffe.  Ok......I digress.......) So for the past year, I was thrown numerous challenges.