E-mail from Aunt D

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio:

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay cheque.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry..
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion, today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Too cool for school

LOVE the glasses; the bib? Not so much...

Papa- what?

Ever looked at the clouds and think how comfy they'd be to lay in? (Granted, that is, pretending you wouldn't fall through.) But seriously, lay in a bed of clouds? Yes please, sign me up.

Or better yet, a cloud-bed minus the long trip to get there? Well, I give you the Papasan Chair:

I am proud to say, as of today, I am the proud owner of one of these beauties. Ooohhh how sweet it is. I've been wanting one for some years now; had one once, mom was tired of holding onto it for me and got rid of it. She's not the fan of these ridiculously over-sized yet amazingly comfortable space-eater chairs; can't blame her I guess.

But I, on the other hand, LOVE THEM and plan on frequenting my new one quite often. Saturday morning, book, coffee papasan? I just can't wait.

Thank you Craigslist for your wonderful deals that made this all possible.

It's about that time again

That time that I start to get the itch. That itch to change things up, to move, to experience something new.

Contrary to what most of you know me for, however, the itch is not taking me to a different country or a different career, so don't get too excited. Same career, same state (city even), just a new house and a new desk.

Desk first. I am no longer Pam. Actually it's been brought to my attention that I might be even

 more like Pam now. I'm no longer the receptionist at Ception Therapeutics, the small Pharmaceutical company that I work at; I've been promoted! (much like Pam) This means a new desk (check out my new digs!) and a new fancy title. Now I support our Clinical Development department. I have no background in Clinical Pharmaceuticals, but it's been so interesting learning the ropes and new things every day. I'm excited.

Now house. I know, I just moved a few months ago (I can't believe it's been 5 already!), but after 10 long hours of Mom and I working yesterday (Dad had to work, so the girls had to take on the task alone), I'm now moved a few blocks down the street. A couple of my other roommates were leaving for the summer and I was about ready for a new place, so it worked out to be perfect timing. My new house and roommate, Justyn, are wonderful so far. More pictures and updates to come.