Ok girls, it's time for a pancake.

Last night I got together with several friends that I've known since high school. Twenty plus years make for an evening of great conversation and good laughs. As the cliche goes, some things never change, and that would hold true with this group. It was a wonderful night.

At one point someone asked me if I was happy. Simple question. Sometimes hard to answer. But it got me thinking. Sitting in a room for a couple of minutes or even a couple of hours with someone can only say so much. I mean, how can I explain to this person, this group, or really anyone at all, that the life I have really is happy? From the outside looking in, I think people would question my happiness - might doubt that I've made all the right choices. And maybe they'd be right to doubt me. But in spite of all the craziness that my life has been at times, I could easily look my good friend in the eye and tell him that yes, right now, I am happy.

That thought (that I am happy) pushed me back here this morning. Back to this blog. I started this blog a couple of years ago to show some people some of the pictures I had been taking. Looking back at those early images, I must admit I'm not as eager to continue showing them - my photography has taken me into a different direction than what I had shown here. But I like the name of the blog and I've kept it around with the thought that one day I'd return here and reinvent it - maybe as a way to throw a few thoughts out in the universe and see if they stick.

Listen, I know there are a million blogs out there where people are sharing and spewing all sorts of crazy things - so I guess this is mine - at least for the near future. I have another blog for pictures - this one is for words... and maybe a picture here and there. Maybe even a poem. Just as I own my life, battle scars and all, I also own this blog. And maybe my life and my blog can come together here and begin to explain this crazy question that people keep asking me: Am I happy?

So, this morning I got up and cooked my kids some pancakes. My son likes them with a little sugar and he prefers that I cut them up for him - I think it makes it easier for him to eat and play his DS at the same time. My girls are here, too. Maren just left for work and it's time to start the day - and everyone knows that every good day should start with breakfast. And every good blog has to start with a first entry. So, it's time to get moving. Breakfast is ready.