Hello Life, It's Sandrine

I have had a few days this week, where I wake up in the middle of the night and think - where have I been? In some ways I feel like I've been checked out for a while. I went to see my Mom in South Carolina, but that was only for a few days.

I am aware of what's going on in the world around me, but aside from Lindsay, Monica, & Jennifer - I am almost completely disconnected from my friends.

When I was moving around all of the time, one of the few things I prided myself in was maintaining relationships. Regardless of where my friends were I did a fantastic job of keeping up with them. But strangely it feels like being stationary - settled in one place has made me lazy.

Shana - my best friend lives in the same city and we talk maybe once a month - and see each other every 2 months or so. Granted we both have crazy jobs and we both realize that we are complete slackers - so we're working at spending more time together.

Hilarie - also in the same city, just on the other side of town. I think it's been 2 months since I've actually spent time with her and I talked to her briefly last week when sharing the news of my new job. I keep up on her life via facebook and her blog.

Amy - my bff in Kansas City. The person I used to spend every single day with. The friend that lived with my Mom in Louisiana, while I lived with her parents in Kansas City. I never imagined a time when I wouldn't know what was happening in Amy's life. But as it turns out - I am way out of the loop. She had her bachlorette party this weekend. I didn't even know about it.

I could go on and on about the friends I've lost track of. Sans Shana and Hil all of the rest I at least have the excuse that they live in a different city/state. I think Amy's bachlorette thing kind of snapped me to attention just how far removed I've become.

I don't have a reason why - I don't have an excuse. It's kind of like I just checked out. I have to admit it made me very sad. And yes it is all a two way street, but I can't help but wonder if I made more of an effort, would they? And where do you go from here? Has too much time passed to try and catch up? I'm not used to this. I'm not used to maintenance. I'm used to friends like Shana and Heather - that yeah I might not talk to you for a month maybe more, but it's ok - when we catch up, we're ok - we're right where we left off.

So, to Shana, Hil, Amy, Miriam, Lisa, Ashley, Alma, Cassandra, Sarah, Mikey, Rachel, Alisa, Regina, Robin, Stacie, Tiff and whoever else I'm missing. I'm sorry I've been MIA! I'll try to be better!

The Nana

When I moved back to Texas I moved into my grandparents house. Being that we lived with them most of my childhood it didn't seem like a difficult thing to do, and it hasn't been. I have to admit that when I did move in, I only anticipated being here (in their house) for a few months. But as we all know - things never go like we plan.

In the 2 years that I've lived here I've looked into moving to a more "convenient" side of town, moving away from San Antonio, etc.... And even though I've looked into all of these things, my biggest reason is not wanting to leave my Nana. I love my Grandfather too, but my Nana is special.

If you've never met my Nana, you have no clue how awesome she is. And if you have met my Nana, you still don't have a clue.

Helen is my next Best Friend. She is witty, understanding, and kind - but if you cross her she's amazing at putting you back in your place. When I was a kid and she was the uber rule enforcer and sometimes disciplinarian, I never thought that someday she would be a bff. But here we are all these years later - we live together, we talk throughout the day, and we do things together.

Tonight a Co-Worker had tickets to The Color Purple that she was trying to get rid of, so she called and asked if I wanted them, and I of course said YES! And without ever giving it any thought I knew exactly who I wanted to take with me...The Nana! She's lived in San Antonio over 40 years yet somehow had never been to a play at the Majestic Theater. (?!?!?!?!?!) The play of course was AMAZING, but there was something that more special about it because I was sharing it with Nana.

My Great-Grandad lived to be 104 years old, the Nana is much younger than that. Tonight as I was enjoying my time with Nana I found myself wishing and praying that she will exceed that 104 years. That she would be here as long as I'm here, even that she would just keep on truckin' until Jesus returns.

I have The Best Nana In The World! And if you don't believe me, she could probably fight your Nana for the title. (Smile)

I miss my things!

In November it will be 2 years that I packed my car and moved back to San Antonio from Kansas City. What I couldn't fit into my car went into storage or stayed in my bff's Amy's parents house. (Who I was living with at the time) When I decided to move I asked Mom & Dad if I could keep a few things at their house for a few months and I'd be back to get it.

It's 2 years later. I have shoes I have not seen in 2 years. I have clothes I have not seen in 2 years. I have not slept in my own bed in 2 years. I know what you are thinking "Why haven't you gone back to get your crap??"

Well there's a couple of reasons - I don't know if you've priced a UHaul plus gas from Missouri to South Texas lately, but it's not cheap. Second - I can't drive that thing on my own and I don't know anyone who could or would have the time to drive it back.

I miss my things - I hate that I hastily left them there to begin with and I hate that I haven't had the time nor the finances to bring my stuff "home".

Today for some reason I am really really missing my madras Converse High Tops and I can see them sitting in a shoe box in the Climate Controlled Uhaul Storage Unit in Raytow on Nolan Road. *sigh

Hopefully I can get up there soon - before the full 2 year mark and get my stuff.