I WANT health, security and happiness for the people of the world. </Miss America>

I HAVE miles to go spiritually.

I WISH that as a nation we would be more concerned with feeding, clothing, and healing the world than spreading our economic and political philosophies. (stolen shamelessly from ChicagoRev. Hey, you may say I’m a dreamer, but apparently I’m not the only one!)

I HATE few things, but probably more stuff than is healthy.

I MISS the West Wing during the Sorkin years.

I FEAR environmental disaster. And bugs that fly at me.

I HEAR polka-dots are all the rage this summer. (That’s just for R.)

I WONDER where R, C, Baby2 & I will be in ten years.

I REGRET quitting choir in high school.

I LOVE 73.8% of being a pastor.

I ACHE just a little bit, deep in the belly, every few days, as I feel the room being prepared for Baby2.

I ALWAYS make things more complicated than they need to be.

I AM NOT Spartacus.

I DANCE like a wave on the ocean.
And if you can name that band without googling, you’re as big an ‘80s geek as I am.

I SING a lot of the time. When I’m feeling stressed, I often realize that I’ve neglected to sing.

I CRY when nobody else is crying. If you’re crying, I don’t cry. It’s an involuntary first-born caregiver thing.

I WRITE stuff that I enjoy.

I WIN, and when I don’t I throw the Canasta cards across the table.
Even if we’re playing Scrabble. Really! It’s a sickness!

I LOSE weight when I follow the Weight Watchers regimen. Really. I recommend it.

I CONFUSE centrifugal and centripetal force.

I NEED to be loved, just like everybody else does…
‘80s band challenge #2, although an easier one.

I SHOULD find a more regular time for quiet and meditation, each day-ish.

[YES OR NO]

You keep a diary: no, I don’t like the connotation of “diary.” Like it’s a pink plastic Barbie thing with a silly little lock.

You have a secret journal: if I told you it wouldn’t be secret!

You set your watch a few minutes ahead: yes.

You bite your fingernails: no, I’m a ripper, along with ChicagoRev.

You believe in love: I feel as though I’m falling, like I’m spinning on a wheel, it always stops beside a name, a presence I can feel. I——-believe in love. Stop.
‘80s band challenge #3, and it’s the easiest one yet.

DO YOU:

Want to get married: no thanks, I’ve already gotten it.

Have any tattoos/where?: naw, I’ve never been able to figure out some symbol I would be sure to like, forever.

Piercings/where?: two in each ear.

Get motion sickness: like you wouldn’t believe. Stories, I have stories…

Think you’re a health freak: no, justa freak. Although it’s trimester 2, and back on the treadmill for me.

Get along with your parents: hey, I’m so good, I even get along with my husband’s parents… it helps that they are cool, the whole passel of them. (They also read this journal, um, hi there!)

[IN THE LAST 24 HOURS, HAVE YOU]

HELPED SOMEONE? yes. I helped C with her diaper change, dress, shoes, meals, toothbrushing, bedtime…
Unfortunately, I haven’t helped hundreds of people get off drugs, but then, I’m not a Scientologist.

BOUGHT SOMETHING? ice cream last night at Baskin-Robbins. I got chocolate truffle, R got a daiquiri ice freeze, C got cookies and cream.
I also just renewed my checks online.

GOTTEN SICK? no, but I did get a wave of uncharacteristic trimester-2 nausea this morning.

GONE TO THE MOVIES? no

GONE OUT FOR DINNER? no

SAID “I LOVE YOU”? several times

WRITTEN A REAL LETTER? actually yes! two pastoral care notes.

TALKED TO AN EX? You mean, like, Ex the Owl?
I’m sure I talked to somebody’s ex.

WRITTEN IN A JOURNAL? uh, typed, yes.

TALKED TO SOMEONE YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON? just the crush I married.

MISSED SOMEONE? yes

HUGGED SOMEONE? yes

FOUGHT WITH YOUR PARENTS? nope

FOUGHT WITH A FRIEND? nope

KISSED SOMEONE? yes

HAD SEX? ummm… (counting on fingers… 24 hours… carry the 1…) …no.

WENT ON A ROAD TRIP? no.

ATE A BURGER? no but sounds good! Check with me 24 hours from now.