My niece HH (since there are two kidlets whose names start with 'H' I'm finally going to get on the ball and start referring to them by their initials: HH for my sister's girl, and HD for my brother's son) just left and for the second day in a row, third time we've talked in the past week, we have gotten along wonderfully. Spending time either talking or doing whatever at the same time (yesterday was watching the movie, The Abyss, and today we wrestled with the Knifty Knitters I'd gotten for Christmas (which we were laughing our butts off over because of how many times it came unraveled and we keep missing steps).

But we actually had a normal conversation about a variety of different things, one of them being the fact I don't ever expect more of them than what was asked of me when I was a kid and that all any of us want for them is to have a good life and that's why there are rules. She even wanted to read one of the books in my collection so I loaned it to her with the promise that she'd take care of it. If you have any idea about our relationship, you'll understand just how big a deal that is. I really hope she understands how much I'm trusting her with it because I don't have many books in my collection (nowhere near as big as I've had in the past) and the ones I have are very precious to me.

My dear flist... I am frightened that this is a sign of the end of times considering how this is happening so close to the new year. But even if it is, the fact that it happened was great. I'm trying not to brace myself for the other shoe to drop as it usually does after we've had a good few days but I've learned my lesson too many times not to. But for now I'll take what I have and tuck away this lovely memory for safekeeping.