all i want to say is this (and this and this)...

*that I've had some punches of good luck over the last two days. I don't want to say anything more about it and jinx it, but I hope to have good news to report to you at some point in the near future.

*that you should not buy those triple/double Oreo things with the three cookies AND chocolate filling AND vanilla filling. You will not want to stop eating them.

*that I got my first magazine article published(!) Two of them, actually. If you want to have a look...go here for an online sneak peek. I'm on 58-59 and 84-85. Can't say I especially liked working with an editor for the first time. She added some stuff that didn't sound like my voice, and took out some good stuff that I'd put in, but I'm still pretty thrilled that I now have a fairly major, non-poetry publication under my belt.

*that I am so happy it is Fall, even if only the mornings and nights are cold right now. Soup and hot chocolate and fluffy socks and cute hoodies and leather pants and scarves...I have missed all of you very, very much.

*between watching Top Gear and Arrested Development on Netflix and figuring out how to finally use Pinterest...I'm enjoying the occasional lazy afternoon. And I love it.

*my boys make me happier than anything in the whole world.

*that epsom salt baths work wonders for hips a little strained by rounds of continuous round kicks in kickboxing class. Of course, since only the boys bathroom has a tub, I have to pull all the toys out first, scrub it down, and light some candles so it doesn't smell like a hobo...but then the epsom salts do wonders.

*that every time I find a maxi skirt I love, I end up looking less like this...

and more like this...

(that's Mrs. Roper for those of you who don't recognize her and her house dresses :) ) Some fashion trends were just not made for every body. Also, enough with the skinny jeans already, please?!

*that, despite the rough patches, these last 6 months really have been spectacular. I have taken some huge risks and accepted some huge defeats. I have ran head-long, full-steam at love and just sat quietly waiting for it to come at me. I have had the highest highs and lowest lows. Some good friends have sadly grown more distant, and some new good ones have stepped in to fill the gap. I have grown to know my extended family better. I have learned to say no when I need to BUT also to say yes even when it's uncomfortable though still the right thing to do.

*I have learned just what awesome, adamant-like stuff I am made of, just what I am capable of accomplishing. And while I would still love my life to find a more settled, less scary place to hover for a while--even for just a few years while I catch my breath; how can I also not be grateful for this time when I've learned so much about myself and life and people, in general? I know what difficulties might still be ahead, but I think they will continue to serve as stepping stones to get me to that place I'm really supposed to be. And I'm ok with that.

Of course, check with me about those feelings in a week...who knows how I'll feel then ;)

*that I am looking forward to some fun, less intense blog posts

*that I am very tired now.

Good Night :)