this quick post goes out to rani. she was the first "baseball" wife that came up and talked to me, and i remember thinking "this chick is funny." rani didn't have kids when i met her. i didn't have kids when i met her either.

since then i've watched rani rally back against cancer, have four kids, struggle along with me to understand how to be a better Christian, a better wife and a better mom. she has this funny idea that i have it all together. he he. after helping me clean out my kitchen yesterday, i think she's feeling a little better about her own organizational skills. she's got me talked into a fancy spice cabinet, for sure.

which leads me to this. thank you rani and ryan for this weekend. when you say the word "moving,' people generally run as far as they can. or maybe that's just me. however, ryan showed up on friday morning with his muscles and a sense of humor as he helped the husband lug the washer, dryer, stove, beds and all the other stuff i could not carry. dear rani first sent a big basket full of HOMEMADE salsa and garden goods and then showed up herself, wearing a kerchief in her hair and carrying a bag of cleaning supplies. she is da bomb. we cleaned away an afternoon, yakking the whole time. thank you thank you thank you rani.

i am taking a break today in an empty house, getting ready to go mow the lawn one last time. but first, i think i will crack open that salsa and a mountain dew. i will go sit on my empty back deck and enjoy our view of this beautiful town one last time.

sigh. i wish i could take it with me.