Jello, or why friends are so important

Knowing everything is impossible and thinking you can do it all is ridiculous. Limits are not a mark of failure, but rather, an honest look into oneself. Accept your limits and happiness will ensue, so long as you have friends to “watch your back.” One of the most frustrating things about single parenthood is not having an extra set of hands to help around the house or an extra brain to offer aid when a solution remains elusive. I can take care of myself and daughter quite well but I can’t move a Japanese tansu  on my own or deal with my new MacBook. That’s when friends come in and  fortunately I have friends that are both handy and brainy!

Two weeks ago I put my 5 year old PowerBook to sleep and bought a new MacBook and iPhone. Upgrades are fantastic! I can’t believe all the cool new features my new laptop has: photobooth, glossy screen, touchpad, superdrive, keyboard that doesn’t stick!  And though I really want to bury my old laptop I know I can’t. I have to transfer all my files, and photos, and music… No problem, I’ve done this before! Or so I thought! Something about portals and cords, and my disk drive is broken and I have to install a program on my old laptop before I can transfer files but my disk drive on my old laptop is broken so I can’t install the program, and there is no firewire port on my new computer because it is apparently a thing of the past, but do I have a USB to USB cable to make my old computer a hard-drive so I can transfer the files, and why can’t I transfer Microsoft Word, Quickbooks, Illustrator, Toast, etc… without the disk? Don’t you realize I’ve moved several times in the last couple of years and how am I supposed to know where the heck I placed all the start up disk? HELP!

I am so blessed to have my friend JoJo. JoJo is a brilliant musician, film maker, bbq-er, jokester and computer geek who will help in anyway, and in return, all he asks for is Jello. JoJo really likes Jello, especially if it is molded. So I call JoJo, make a date, and then rush to the store for Jello, tinned pears, tinned cubed pineapple, marshmallows, and maraschino cherries. When my daughter and I get home we set to work and make a very nice assortment of jello molds. The next day JoJo arrives with everything needed to get me writing again. Feelings of frustration and ineptitude quickly disappear as JoJo takes care of my techie problems. Once again, I realize that all I needed was the right tool (cord) but how can I possibly be prepared for everything? Well, I don’t have to with friends like JoJo. Just as it is important to have friends, it is equally important to be a friend. Thank yous go a long way.

JoJo Jello

• Follow instructions on Jello box.
• Allow the jello to lightly set before adding a second layer. If the first layer is completely set, the second layer will not adhere to the first and will simply slide off.
• It is best to put fruit in first or between the layers before pouring the warm Jello into the container.
• Experiment with sharply contrasting colors, it’s fun!
• Before unmoding, carefully place mold in warm water before flipping the container.

Enjoy.