we all have our fingers crossed around here. tryouts for the fall play were this week and my girl had a call back this morning. she's reading for it right now. there are four female parts--for her to get a call back is a very good sign, and she's glowing knowing that making it this far validates her talent. she can do it. she can do anything.

it's really quiet during the days without the kids. i work in silence much of the time, like a sponge soaking it in. i get distracted a lot--a throwback to trying to work around the summer craziness. so focus is my goal. sometimes, when i'm particularly distracted, i'll pick up a book related to my field (this includes conflict transformation and spirituality, how lucky is that?) and just sit and read. it sounds trivial to write about it, yet it is key.