Si. Vale.

I have the best best friend in the entire world. Not only is she the most excellent friend anyone could ever want, she is a kick ass mother who has raised two beautiful children. One of those children, the boy, is a surfer and is about to turn 21. The other child, the girl, is 23 and is currently in Spain being a nanny. What's that? Oh, right. Excuuuuse me. An au pare. It's soooo European. Call it what you will, she's there. And now she's blogging about her experiences. Do you see where this is going? Of course you do.

I was so honored to be one of the first three to be instructed to read the aforementioned blog (the other two being her mother and her dog), that I felt the need to mention it here. I gave it a read and she's pretty funny. Granted, there's only one real entry at this point (if you don't count the part where she recounts accidentally calling "fruit" "bitches" in Spanish, as her mastery of the language has not yet peaked), but I anticipate it turning into quite the continuing saga. Give her a read if you feel like it. http://haleyclanton.tumblr.com/

Oh, and I was also instructed to mention that her mom loves her very much. I thought I could squeeze it in somehow above, but that didn't turn out so well. Her mom really loves her and is really super proud of her. So there.

Happy Birthday, My Friend

Look, I don't often use this blog as an outlet for me to wax poetic about my personal life (other than stuff that irritates the holy crap out of me), but I'm making an exception today.

Yesterday was my BFF's birthday. I have no idea how old she is because she won't tell anyone. (OK, fine. I know exactly how old she is, but I'm not telling her that I know! If she wants to live in her odd little world that way, let her.) And she's really the most incredible person that I've ever known. But lately, things haven't been all that great for her. But in spite of all of the non-greatness, she still manages to hold it together. Somehow. I'm not sure exactly how she does it, but she does.

The point here is this: If there's someone that you love and/or respect who is having a hard time and you have the means or the ability to be able to help them out in some fashion, please do it. Don't do it with any strings attached. Don't do it expecting anything in return. And for cryin' out loud, don't make it about you. Do it because the person is awesome and because it would mean a lot to them. Do it because they deserve it. Do it because it will help them. Do it because you can. And do it because the enjoyment that you will get from watching them be so happy will be more rewarding than you ever imagined. You never know; you could just change their life. And that, in turn, will change yours. Trust me. It feels pretty good.

But don't worry. You can go right back to being snarky, surly and pessimistic right after you're done being nice. It's still there, which is a good thing because I'd really hate to make a choice.

Happy birthday, my friend.