Today my Zoe got her drivers license.

Typing those words absolutely blows my mind.

I have known Zoe, my niece, since I was 8 years old. My sister and her husband didn't work out, so Zoe and I were raised pretty much as sisters. Over the last couple of years, as our age gap begins to tighten, we have become very close - the very best of friends, really. Today I took her to the DPS to get her first license (after a failed attempt yesterday) and I am just SO.PROUD. I am so proud of her for so many reasons. She has grown up to be patient, caring, intelligent, beautiful, talented and just terrific all the way around. While I am not her mother, I would like to think that I had something to do with the way she has turned out and if it were possible, I would adopt her as my own. It would make me the happiest woman alive to know that my child would turn out just like her. I can tell now that Zoe and I will have the sisterly relationship that my sister (her mother) and I were never able to manage. It makes me feel so good to know that she and I will continue to grow and experience life together as sisters and as friends.

Congratulations to my beautiful bestie who is so
cute I just want to put her in my pocket!

Yesterday, after our failed drivers license attempt, Zoe came over to my house where I taught her how to use a sewing machine. She caught on very quickly and her first project was to make me a pin cushion. You can find the fantastically adorable and awesome result below:

Afterward, I encouraged her to make something for her mother to show off her sewing prowess and she made this awesome iPod holder thing she calls the "iSock."

Basically, Zoe is beautiful and gorgeous and wonderful in every way and I want to give her a ginormous hug. Since she isn't here - I'll have to settle for an internet hug via wifeymcool.blogspot.com.

On Tuesday, May 5, I was laid off from my job after 5 years of employment, and I was given a severance package which pretty much has me paid up until late July. I had really grown to dislike what I was doing, and had considered quitting as recently as a couple of months ago. For this reason, I am not sad that I was let go, in fact, I am really thankful that this has given me the kick in the pants that I needed to move on and do something outside of the inane routine I have been trudging through for the past 5 years.

Since I have been home I have been focusing on the hobbies that I have neglected so much between work and school. I made purses for my mama, sister, and niece/goddaughter for Mothers' Day and they came out tremendously. I am so proud of myself!

On Friday, Laura, Dave, and Rory - our favorite little family - came over to spend the night. It was so wonderful, and I wish we could do it all the time. Unfortunately, Laura's mom lives just a couple of blocks away and staying with us just wouldn't fly with her. I hardly took any pictures this weekend, but I did manage to get this little gem of Dave and Rory having Papa horsey time:

We hosted Mothers' Day Festivities at our house this year, and it worked out fantastically. My purses were really well received and the chocolate pie I made was all gone by the end of the day. That's success enough for me. Pretty non-traditionally I would assume, my mama exchanges gifts with my sister and I for mothers' day since we are the reason she is a mother. In addition to that, Zoe gets me something since I am her godmother. Here's mah haul:

this bag from my mama is ginormous and gorgeous and I love it.

salt and pepper shakers from Zoe and Kelly

Zoe put the giraffe on there for me because they are my favorite.

gerber daisies are my favorite

In an hour or so I will be off to the studio to partake in some hot yoga. Honestly, I don't ever want to go back to work again...

This morning we were driving on the freeway in the jeep and I saw a green element driving a little ahead of us. I said, "Hey, is that what I look like when I am driving?"
Cory says, "Yeah, except you would be singing."

This evening I was standing at the computer listening to Johnny Cash sing "Get Rhythm" and Cory came in and started "shoe shining" my "behind" with my dress, literally. It was really endearing.

Now we are listening to Thelonius Monk and pickling eggs while dinner simmers.

I love this man.

Last night after dinner we went for a walk which turned out to be what Cory describes as a 'kitty adventure.'

THAT.IT.WAS.

First, we came upon an orange tabby (my favorite), but it was unfriendly (as most cats would be when a 5'4, 120 pound human being is charging at them).

Consequently, right next door to that house was ANOTHER ORANGE KITTY, because, obviously this was my lucky day, right? I get all excited and Cory says, "I think you should look more closely."
HOLY HECK THEREWEREKITTENS! Cute little blue eyed orange kitties just begging to make my dream of being one's mama come true. Unfortunately, Cory was there to talk what I would like to define as good sense to me. For whatever reason, though, I still want to go and take one.

On the way back home, we came across a calico who ran up to us with at least 3.7 times more enthusiasm than both of our cats put together and demanded attention. Obviously, she got it because I am full of attention for kitties. She followed us more than half way home before she ran off to greet some super old man in his drive way. Cory says that kitties like that are for everybody.

You know what kind of kitties AREN'T for everybody? The little blue eyed orange ones that should live with me forever.