By way of noticing a friend of mine’s signature image, I came to realize that November is National Novel Writing Month.  And while I’ve known about it for a few years passing now, today, on a whim, I decided to jump aboard the bandwagon and hold on for dear life.

That’s right. I started writing a novel.

The funny thing about it is that I don’t have any idea what I’m going to write about. I mean, I have a small idea, but it’s strange to think that I’m going to run with one sentence and hope it leads me through 50,000 words.  So far, after about an hour of not knowing where I’m going but typing my heart out anyway, I have almost 1,500.  It sounds like a lot of words, but it really isn’t much.

I’ve always wanted to write a book… of poetry.  So this novel is quite a challenge.  I’d say, normally you’d start with a character or plot in mind, not a sentence relating to one life experience and then wondering how you’re going to make that interesting enough to read.  But do I always operate in what others would consider a normal fashion?  Not really.

Wish me luck.

Call me a nerd, or a politically-charged former social work major, but I absolutely love voting. While I am not a fan of the USA’s electoral college system (at all), the fact that we are allowed to help decide the future of our country is an enormous gift.

It really bothers me when people are too apathetic to take a few moments out of their day to vote. I hear all sorts of excuses every year, and, with the exception of life-threatening emergencies and things of that nature, I find them all to be very bogus and without merit.

WHen someone, on voting day, tells me they don’t know anything about either of the major candidates, I become pretty irritated, because (as you would know, since everyone seems to complain about hearing politics in election years), you have plenty of chances to learn about them and make informed decisions. Even on election day, you have time to at least do SOME research and make a quasi-informed decision. And you SHOULD. It’s not only your right to vote, but I think it’s your responsibility. And to ignore it offends me.

While I obviously have my own rationale for choosing who I would deem the best suited to run our country, even that is beside the point here. For to vote at all, whether with or against me, is better than not voting. I just want you to vote. VOTE. VOTE!

Today, after going to get medicine for my blasted fever and cold, I stopped by my old place of employment, on a whim. I miss a few people from there, and seeing one of them while volunteering on Sunday made me miss them a little bit more.

It just so happens it was a good day to stop by. Not only was my “best” friend from work in, but also, my boss returned from maternity leave today, so it was doubly a pleasant surprise.

I must say, visiting was full of nostalgia, good and bad. It was a huge relief to walk through the door, knowing I wasn’t going to be staying there working all day, but it was also bittersweet in that I really do miss many of the people, the type of work, and the goals I was attaining while there.

After talking to my former boss, who I also consider a good friend, and my other friend, I was reassured my change was for the best, I’m happiest, and, well… life moves on. It shook up the office a bit when I left, but they seem to be almost completely recovered, just hired my replacements (yes, three of them to cover for me), and my boss returned. And, it just so happens… I can hang onto those relationships, so long as we try.

My sisters are such an amazing part of my life. They’re almost a gift to me, from my parents. When I need a pick-up, and my husband can’t be found, I often turn to my sisters.

Tonight, on a whim, I decided to kidnap them both (but only keep one around) and spend the evening with them. Even just the small act of having them both in my car for half an hour and telling them about my week, the good and the bad, and hearing their copious laughter really turns around my mood. It gives me a lift, and brings such a smile to my face. They think I’m so funny, and I think the same of them. Samantha is 13, and Allison is 9, and they’re two of my very best friends in the world. They love me unconditionally, they trust me, and I them, and their age really gives them different perspectives on things than I have, which is an added perk.

Come to think of it though, I have more “sisters” than just Samantha and Allison. I have Shari, Rabeka, Tiffany, and Kandi, through my husband. And I adore them all so very much, as well. I love talking to them, hearing their stories and thoughts, knowing they care so much for me, and feeling their warm hugs. I wouldn’t trade any of them for the world. It’s amazing how life brought them to me, and found a way to keep them a part of my family.

And then there’s my other sisters, too. These are sisters not by blood, but they feel like they are my sisters. And these, I have many. I know that they too would be there for me in a heartbeat, and often have, to bring the smile and the lift that my ancestral sisters do. Michelle, Jillian, Rachel, Desi, Randi, Rena, Tarah, Courtney, Katie, Angela, Sam… so many. And then there’s the rest of my dear Jouxbies. :)

Just realizing I have so many sisters in my life makes me feel the luckiest woman in the world.

(And when you add my most amazing husband to the mix, I KNOW I am the luckiest woman in the world. I couldn’t ask for a better support system. I know, this part is super sappy and very cliche, but I think that in any marriage, it’s a woman’s dream to feel as I do.)

October 17, 1983. 10:41am. 7 pounds, 7 ounces.

That was me. Twenty-Five years ago!

I can’t believe I’ve been alive for one-quarter of a century already. I know how cliche it sounds, but it seems like I was just a little girl, not that long ago. So much has happened, so much has changed, but I can remember what it was like to be in elementary school, to spend countless days with my grandmother, to build forts with my best friends, to welcome four siblings into my family. Then, I graduated high school, moved, had jobs, got married, graduated college… and so much more.

I love my birthday. I always have. It’s my favorite day in the entire year, next to my wedding date. I often see my birthday on a clock, 10:17 am/pm, throughout the week. Despite how childish it might sound, I look forward to it for almost the entire year. It’s a great reason to celebrate the circumstances that brought me into this world, and helped me grow into who and where I am today. Who wouldn’t look forward to that celebration each year?

In honor of my birthday, my husband is whisking me away for a day and night together, and tomorrow, I’ll be celebrating with oodles of family and friends, as well as celebrating my dad’s 50th birthday, which is October 23, and my mother’s forty-fourth birthday, which was October 15. It’s going to be a wonderful weekend.

Thank you to all those who have wished me a happy birthday already, and who will in the future! And thanks for being a part of my life!