The memory-making machine in full gear

Staying on schedule VS Seeing good friends

Cleaning VS Making new memories

Getting enough sleep VS Catching up with long, lost friends

Thrifty VS Spending a little more $ than you have because you only live once

Working out VS any of the above (this is a tough one)

Tossing normal schedule out the window to spend quality time with someone very special?

This summer, after the last 18 months I've had....the last 5 years I've had....the last 8 years I've had, I've opted to focus on people rather than anything else.

I've gotten some criticism (including harsh words from myself because my to-do list continues growing and growing).

Then factor in the guy vs girl mentality. I know some great guys but if there is one common thread among 'most' men I know at least--they care more about 'things' and 'agendas' rather than people or memory-making.

I have one friend who is probably my best friend in the whole wide world. I love him to death. But he has the exact same schedule week in, week out --when he washes his car, goes to the grocery store, washes clothes, eats, gets up, visits with friends, blah blah blah. It drives me nuts. He'll come into town for a visit and I can pretty much set the stage for the week ahead.

Well, the last time he was in town, I tossed the rule book out the window and we had 'the best' week we'd ever had since he started coming back home.

That has been my summer and particularly this past week.

I know once the weather cools down, my nose will be to the grindstone to work in the yard, the house and attempt to catch up on everything I've neglected. It will get done.

Sunday I went to the Indians game with a girl from grade school and her daughter. What a fantastic time! Not only did we have a tremendous brunch together in the Terrace Club enjoying the Tampa Bay-Tribe Game, but I spent the rest of the day with Sheila, Loren and their whole family topped off with sharing a delicious home-cooked meal!

Monday night an old college friend, her daughter, and I caught up at the Yankees -Indians game. Kim and Lauren and I relived old memories and made some new ones as we got wrapped up in the "Will A-Rod hit his 600th home run phenomenon?" It actually was quite exciting whether you love or hate the Yankees. Every pitch to A-Rod, thousands of flash bulbs erupted just like a million points of light! I enjoyed seeing all the cars from New York spending money in our fine city!

Wednesday, I thought I was just meeting a friend to get my football tickets when we threw caution to the wind and decided to grab an impromptu lunch together to catch up. I had not seen Michael in over a year.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy 'things,' being organized, and having meticulous surroundings. I used to be the most organized person anyone knew and clean to a fault. That's a segment of my life which one day I will get back.

However, when you have 2 very close relatives taken from you unexpectedly, and your best friend is required to move 2000 miles away for a job, your outlook on life becomes slightly altered. You turn within to delve deep as to what is really important in life.

You seize each and every moment because the next moment may never come.