Life is a .... CAKEwalk

See here... the spoils from Peanut's 3rd grade elementary school carnival. Mom won YET ANOTHER cakewalk. Of course, I choose the brownies - but the chocolate cake was a pick from one of Peanut's girlfriends from next door.
Did I mention that I am happy? I am. truly. Situations that would have stressed me out to no end only a few months ago are poignant or amusing now. I am starting to feel like me again. I leave work at work - I get out once in a while now, I don't stress (as much), and my love life is finally satisfying (if a bit dogged by distance.) I have started seeing joy in things again, rather than frustration... or - when still faced with stress (which will probably still rear its ugly head on occasion for the next 5.24 months) I can let it go once the event has passed. I'm me! Oh thank you, Lord.
Peanut and I spent this past COLD, wet and windy weekend in Chicago.. and checked into a rather snooty four-star hotel (which obviously thought itself unfairly judged short of its fifth star) where, in short order, Peanut turned green and left her breakfast directly in front of the check in desk.
Somehow her accident gained their sympathies, for the staff was quite sweet after that (does she know how to make an entrance, or what?) We drank tea, purchased raincoats, took in Akeela & the Bee at the theater, and went to the aquarium before heading back the next day. It was a wonderful weekend... and I look forward to so many more like it in the future.

~Psyche