Ladybug tree

I'm getting ready to go to a meeting in a few minutes, but wanted to post a quick hello this morning first.
I would be happy to send some of our very fall-like weather to Tulsa for you, Julie. It's just plain yucky here right now. But it is the northwest -- not like I'm surprised by the dreariness or anything. So sorry about your grandma, too, Juls -- we'll definitely keep praying for you all. I wish I could come to Ohio to visit with you...but I'm sure you'll just want some good quality time with your family. We'll just have to catch up at Christmas :)
So Jennifer and I were saying the other day that while the blog does allow all of us to keep up with each other in a new and exciting way, it doesn't really allow for many deep, personal thoughts and reflections. I know that posting our innermost desires out in the vast black hole of cyberspace is a little scary...but, on the other hand, it's not like we haven't all totally embarrassed ourselves in front of each other at some point. That's what friendship is all about -- looking ridiculous and having the other person still love you regardless. (example: "I like boys!") :p
That being said, I'm going to risk sounding cheesy and post something about myself that most of you may not know. It's nothing brilliant or extreme, but just a little tidbit from my past to liven up the blog a bit. If anyone else wants to share something a little weird or unorthodox, please feel free. Of course, the normal day-to-day stuff is always interesting -- especially with our being so far away from each other...but I really have nothing new at all to say...so here we go.
Until I was about 5, my parents and I lived in this big, old, drafty farmhouse, complete with a barn and surrounded by corn fields. We had a big collie/german shepherd mix that was like my nanny dog. She followed me everywhere. We had quite a few trees surrounding our house, and one in particular was really special to me because, for some reason, it attracted millions of ladybugs. Any time of the year, whenever you'd go outside, the first thing that would catch your eye was this huge old tree, its bark red and crawling with ladybugs. I used to scoop them up in my hands and let them crawl over my fingers, tickling me with their little legs. The tree has since been cut down, but I think I'll always remember it as my "ladybug tree."
Love you girls!