TGIF

You just know it's gonna shape up to be a fantastic day when you get puked on before you're even out of bed.

Things can only improve from there, right?

Blaring Ben Folds on the way to work didn't hurt things either.

Also, the puke helped me get up earlier than normal so I didn't have to rush at all which was nice.

See? There is ALWAYS a silver lining, even if it's coated in bile.

The sweet smell of office supplies

I distinctly remember the faintly sweet odor of Eraser Mate pens.

In fact, all Bic pens have that wet inky scent that drove me to doodle during high school Algebra. Too smudgy for a lefty to use frequently, I loved Eraser Mates smelly ink and creamy erasers. I used to write just to feel the eraser glide over the paper and remove my confessions. Or at least to lighten them, because those pens didn't really erase that well, did they?

Go ahead. Try it. Sniff your pen; I dare you. Pull a Bic from your supply closet, scribble for a minute and then put your nose down to your paper - if only to see how your coworkers react.

...

One of my best friends from college met a lovely, beautiful girl. Then, he fell in love with that girl and eventually got married. Since they've been married I've gotten to know that girl pretty well and now I love her too.

After a couple of years of waiting, they decided to have a baby and last February when Amber announced her pregnancy, N and I were ecstatic despite being in the midst of dealing with a two month old CrazyBaby.

A week ago, I found out my friend's baby has cancer. They got the results of her MRI the same day she turned four months old. It was a devastating day for all of us who know and love them.

I can't say enough good things about these folks -- they are truly amazing.

Their daughter, Baby M, has had surgery to remove part of a tumor that infiltrated her spine and was causing nerve damage to her left leg. Yesterday, she started a vigorous round of Chemotherapy.

I've read that the more stubborn and cantankerous a person is, the quicker their recovery and discharge.

Baby M never got to meet her paternal Great Grandma, but they share a physical resemblance, and I'm hoping that's not all. Great Grandma B wasn't someone I knew well, but through my limited encounters and through the stories I've heard from Ryan, I know she was very determined, stubborn, and tenacious. The woman was built on resolve and she was wicked smart.

If the two are anything alike, this baby will beat cancer with energy to spare.

Please keep her in your positive thoughts.