My four year old niece broke her arm. This would like to break my heart. But she is a spirited child and and resilient to say the least. She was rough and tumble in my imagination even before she was born. 

I miss my nieces more than words can say. I have two.

When the oldest was born I was a senior in High School and my brave older sister had just left her boyfriend maybe 4 or 5 months into her pregnancy because she realized it was not for the best. So she lived at home with my mom, my other sister and I. This is when Ann and I became really close. After the child was born, I would rush home everyday after school to make it in time to take a nap with the newborn and give my sister a chance to relax or shower or just to cope with her new life as it had been handed to her. The baby would sleep on my chest and wiggle her body, head first, up towards my neck until I could barely breathe and was sweaty all over. Bet I loved every minute . That one is 10 years old in a few short weeks. On her 8th birthday she made me promise to buy her a bra for her 10th birthday. She has no need for one but how could I break such an important womanly promise? 

Jesee is in labor, right now. This makes me antsy and inspired and sorry I can't be there to hold her hand, brush the hair out of her face and tell everyone else what to do. Admittedly, perhaps the person I may miss seeing most in this scenario, aside from the baby itself is Andy. Jess has thought about this for a long time and will be calm and graceful I imagine, collected and in control. Andy on the other hand, will likely be a mess. I could tell him to relax and comfort him. He listens to me pretty good. I am picturing him every step of the way. How priceless it would be to see his face and his new Dad tears. He is one of the sweetest guys I know. They will be great parents. Here's to Pony Brannin!

Today is my Gran's 96th birthday. I drank beers and ate fish and chips with her before I left. When we said goodbye, I probably don't need to say what we were both thinking, nor do I want to....she has a great sense of humor and I've never heard her complain, even about the weather. Which is exactly what I am about to do...

I am in Japan and it hasn't stopped raining here for days. Every time I go to or from work I get soaked. Completely soaked. Japanese people don't move on the sidewalk for you when you are trying to pass them and cars seem to try to drive extra close. I am feeling the foreigner scorn. A group of teen girls cut me off earlier today. We were all riding bikes, in the rain, holding umbrellas in the pouring rain and these brats were trying to pass me. They sped up and passed me just to cut me off. They had to get to the 7/11 super fast I guess. Time to stand up and read magazines for hours and socialize at the convenience store in your school uniform on a Saturday, while talking to no one. Tight. Also, as a result of the incessant rain I haven't been able to get to the grocery. I have eaten almost every last morsel in my entire tiny mansion. Tonight for dinner I had an egg and lots of raisins. I am rationing the remaining carrot for tomorrow in case the rain persists. Which it will. 

Night Vivian.