Friendship and Smiles

Kayla and Valerie have been trying to work out a time for her to come over all summer. If finally worked this week. Valerie has had swimming every night until this week and Kayla starts marching band next week, so this week it was.

Pretty girls. We love Kayla, she is so friendly and chatty. She plays with Asher and all of us love her. She is a good kid.






Valerie was playing in the tubby while I did Kayla's makeup. That is one service I can do for Valerie and her friends that they love. I remember how nice it was to have someone do my makeup. In fact, it is a special treat I still look forward to every time I have a little extra money to spend at the MAC counter.






We are just sort of doing the same things every day- playing outside, having bath time, bubbles... Nothing too exciting. Last week I left the house to go to work 2 times and that was the entire list of being able to leave the house. It sure is interesting.

I have been thinking a lot about timing this week though. When I was a little girl and my mom and "dad" were together, we were really close to his sister, Janet. Janet has a daughter, Cari who is exactly one year younger than I am. Anyway, my parents separated when I was 7 and soon after, craziness ensued. The last time I saw the aunt and Cousin who had been a major part of my life was one spring day when I was in second grade.

I found her in Facebook 2 weeks ago. We have been catching up and sharing a lot. One of the traumatic and unfortunate things we endured was being baby-sat by Mr Carter and his wife. Long story short, Cari and I got to act out on fake cabbage patch dolls the things he did to us when his wife was out. We were both involved in his prosecution. I still don't like role-playing. In fact, I hate it. That exercise pretty much ruined me. I would very much rather just talk about it than feel like I am violating poor dolls. Anyway. Cari and I have been talking about that some, but mostly about crazy family relationships.

I have felt so alone for so long it is nice to have someone call me cousin and send me silly pictures of us when we were 5.


I am on the right, Cari is on the left. Look at that 80s styled yoke dress. Ick.

Anyway, I have been trying to find her for YEARS and I am so glad I finally did. Even my mom was thrilled. She likes being called auntie by Cari and was REALLY close to my dad's sister.






This is Cari's daughter, Hunter, she looks JUST like Cari at the same age. She has another daughter, Thomie and a son, Gunnar.