my first love

I always pause when asked the seemingly very simple question: where are you from? Born in Texas, raised in Rock Springs, Wyoming, Houstonian for nearly a decade, now an Islander. We moved a bit with my dad's oilfield job when I was younger, but ended up in Wyoming by the time I was nine. I went to school with the same people from grade school up to my first year of college. I made best friends, learned to drive there and subsequently wrecked my first car there. Drank my first beer there. (This is sounding like a country song). But seriously.

I feel lucky to be shaped by so many places, and blessed to be able to question where I am from.

I drive like a Houstonian (a little crazy), and can confidently navigate big cities. I expect 24 hour stores should I need an emergency Dr. Pepper in the middle of the night. I have a strong affinity for Houston baseball and basketball, and will cheer my heart out (a skill I learned in Wyoming). Clutch City forever.

I enjoy living at a slow pace and staring at the waves like an Islander. I love opening the windows and getting that salty air in my lungs.

But there's nothing like the oxygen deprived, clean air in the blue skies of high desert Wyoming. There is no feeling on earth like looking up into the blackest sky you've ever seen lit by more stars than you can even imagine. I still love the sound of a train horn because it reminds me of home. I miss the sound of snow crunching under my boots (but not scraping it off of my car). The watercolor sunsets in the west washing over evening sky, the moving sand dunes in the north, the freezing waters of the Gorge to the south. I miss how beautiful and green everything seems to turn overnight after a good summer rain (and then how it almost immediately turns brown again). I enjoy a good northerly wind because I know how to fix my hair to accommodate it (I still haven't mastered working with humidity and my hair). Hell, Butch Cassidy got his nickname, "Butch", when he was a butcher in Rock Springs. I mean, it doesn't get cooler than that, right?

I will be the first to admit, I didn't appreciate what I had when I had it. Sounds like a lot of people, right? I hated being in a small town, despised the wind, wanted the opportunities of the big city, felt like I'd overstayed my time there. Maybe that was true. A wise friend once reminded me that there is a reason and a season for everything. I remember the season of Wyoming fondly.

The song, "Thank God for Hometowns" by Carrie Underwood sums it up: "Thank God for hometowns, and all the love that makes 'em go 'round. Thank God for the county lines that welcome you back in, when you were dyin' to get out."

I thank God everyday that I was raised in such a great place. The older I get, I realize, Wyoming is, and will always be, my first love. I just didn't know it at the time. Wyomingite for life.

scrunchie blankets and "don't sit on me" furniture

It's been so long since I have seen them, that it is hard to pinpoint the exact moment in time, yet the most random things consistently remind me how much a part of each other's lives we were for so long. A red wagon. The word scrunchie. Any song by a boy band and/or Nelly. Even now, though we do not keep in touch as well as we should, the random text, Facebook post, Christmas card, or phone call connects us to the past and it's as though no time has passed.

We had the kind of friendship every little girl should have, and it sustained us throughout high school, and even though it is distant now, it is not lost. We spent endless hours decorating my parent's front sidewalk with a wide array of chide walk salk "drawings". Although in reality, we really just wrote our names over, and over, and over again. We rode our bicycles through the hills of the desert all summer long, and tried not to sled off of cliffs in the winter. In between a good old fashioned game of Roads (our own creation), we chased each other with earth worms, and battled it out in Night Games until our parents hollered for us to come inside. We spent our senior prom together in a very unfortunate "limousine," and took our first out-of-town sans parents road trips together to Cheyenne and Salt Lake.

Gradually, as people do, we drifted apart - figuratively and geographically. Even now, as the three of us are scattered across three states, two time zones, and a million lifetimes, I hope you both know how much you have meant, and continue to mean to me.

Emerald St/Carlyle Ct reunion soon?

XO,
E

Conscious Coupling

Today, we celebrate our fourth anniversary as a happily married couple. You read that correctly. Happily. Married.

I delight in marriage. I really, really do. I get to spend nearly every day with my best friend. What does that look like? Does it look like a perfect family photo? Is it our annual Christmas card? Does it look like loved ones gathered for Easter dinner? Sure. Sometimes. More realistically, it looks like two people hanging out in pajamas all day on a Sunday watching a marathon of Entourage, or a couple in the aisles of Home Depot debating about which grout matches the new tile best. He gets frustrated when I'm bossy. I get upset when he drinks the last Dr. Pepper. But every single day, I'm grateful to wake up next to him. It's a beautiful, messy, wonderfully insane life.

Love starts in the subconscious and morphs into the conscious. I make a conscious decision everyday to partner with the love of my life. We make our decisions together, from what to have for dinner to major life choices. We have fun together. We share our joys, our sorrows, our accomplishments, and our setbacks. People say that relationships take work. I beg to differ. It's not work when it's something you love. I love being married and I love my husband. Happy anniversary. Here's to many more to come!

Author's note: I purposely titled this piece "Conscious Coupling" as a response to a certain actress's recent post entitled "Conscious Uncoupling." I feel that so many people focus on the breakdown of a marriage rather than the success of one. If we consciously choose to keep things together, imagine how much more productive we could be, than if we spend so much of our time taking things apart.

The Return of Saturn

Of late, it seems like I am constantly hearing my friends say things like, "this year was so hard," or, "I just don't know what direction my life is heading into," or, "I don't understand why this is happening," and sadly, "I'm just not happy anymore." Should she continue her education? Is she dating the right person? Does she live in the right place? Will her family be healthy? Happy?

It's mentioned frequently in art, music in particular. Gwen Stefani talked about it years ago, and Katy Perry talked about it most recently on her new album. The Return of Saturn. 

After doing a little research on the internet, it seems that in our late 20s, Saturn returns to the point in the sky where it was at our birth. According to astrology, this causes a bit of an upheaval in our personal lives. If you don't believe in astrology, think of it this way: moving from one's 20s to one's 30s usually involves a lot of milestones that can be stressful and make one question everything. Careers, marriage, babies, the health of aging parents, etc. can all come into play at this point.

In my investigation, I discovered a wonderful little blog with a "Survival Guide" to your Return of Saturn. Check it out here: How to Survive Your Saturn Return. She has some pretty great advice for dealing with this major checkpoint of life, and life in general. I'm sure everyone has heard at least some of these tips before, but seeing it from another perspective is always useful. 

Borrowing a little phrase: Read, ponder, and pray. These three simple steps can bring you into a greater understanding of your world.

Sources: 

How to Survive Your Saturn Return

Saturn Return

The Veil

They say kids say the darnedest things. They really do. Random, darned things.

On Saturday, after his and Erianna's soccer game, I was hanging out in the bleachers with Eli while he ate his snack. Out of nowhere he said, very matter-of-factly, "Auntie, you're my mommy's sister."

"Yes, that's right," I replied.

"And my grandpa is your daddy and mommy's daddy."

"Yep, Grandpa is our dad."

"And my old grandma was your mommy."

"Right."

Wow, random soccer-field talk. Especially for a 5-year-old child who never met my mom. I guess Eli's just trying to put 2 and 2 together and understand our family web. I remember being a little kid and trying to figure out my family - which even as uncomplicated as it really was - was confusing enough for a kid brain, and they were all alive and kicking at the time.

___________

During our Sunday sermon this past weekend, our pastor was talking about how to pray and just be in the moment or in a place to experience God. We read the passage of the New Testament where Jesus goes on top of the mountain to pray about what he must do at the cross. In that passage, Moses and Elijah appear to Jesus. Oh yes, and they just happen to be dead at the time.

Our pastor talked about how very paper thin the veil between this world and the next is, and in his own words, how, if He really wanted to, God could just let our dearly departed "pop back in on us." The pastor spoke of how the church was full, and not only with the congregation, but with those who have come and gone before us.

___________

Then suddenly, Eli's comment wasn't so random anymore. Shortly after my mom died - I can't remember if it was the summer she passed away, or if it was later that holiday season - I'm pretty sure she was around quite a bit. Depending on the time of year it was, Erianna was either not quite a year, or just over that mark - she was still bald, which I guess covered her life until about the age of 2, though. She was in that phase where she was working on standing and walking, but would frequently hold onto things while standing.

In the front living room at my parent's house sat my mom's chair. Before she died, she would sit in it after work; reading a book, talking on the phone, or rocking Erianna. I remember one afternoon, we were all at my dad's house. Since Erianna was in the early stages of being mobile, she was still a bit difficult to keep up with. I found her in the front room, holding onto my mom's chair, looking right at the empty seat, her whole face lit up. She was giggling and "talking" to no one. Or to someone.

I don't always feel my mom around like I used to, but I know she's still here. It was evident when Erianna was "talking" to her seven years ago. It's evident when Eli casually mentions her.

It's always hard to lose someone you love, but as we were reminded of so sweetly this weekend, those that love us never truly leave us. The veil is paper thin, after all.

Abby.

I have a really great, long-time friend (not old friend, because we aren't old), who has been going through some rough times lately. She recently wrote a blog about 5 little words spoken to her by her dad. It's part of your journey, he told her when she spoke of her anger, sadness, and frustration. She said it was like 5 nails in a coffin.

Abby, my friend, don't think of these words, events, and frustrations as nails in your coffin. Yes, they are part of your journey, but more than anything, they are 5 strings that have been cut, snapped, and let loose, freeing you for that journey. You're now off where you were always headed, taking a turn down a road you never saw, but that was part of the plan, even if it wasn't your plan.

I've struggled with what to say to you, other than I'm here for you, which hopefully you already knew. We all get handed the short end of the stick at some point in life, but there's no point in comparing experiences because nobody gets the same stick. Even with some of the things I have dealt with in life, I firmly believe there is a reason why each and every thing happens. You can't always see it in the moment. You can't always see it ten years down the line, but it's there. Looking back on this years from now, you will probably remember life before the accident and after. There will be a huge differentiation; it will be like a mark on your very soul. It's going to change you, for the better. How do I know this? Mostly because you're a badass. You're caring, contemplative, thoughtful. You will take in each and every fractured fragment of this experience and carry it with you for the rest of your life. You are not the kind of person who will become bitter. You'll have hard days where you'll cry and wonder why, what if, and what could have been. We all do. But then you'll realize how amazing everything turned out anyway, and be glad that you were lead down this rocky, bumpy, pot-hole filled road. Life is never going to turn out the way we plan it. That's what makes things interesting. It's not always sunshine and laughter, but sometimes we have to weather the storm to really appreciate the beautiful days.

I love you.

Little Boxes

We moved a number of times growing up, and going along with my parents to look at new houses was always the most exciting part for me. Inevitably, we'd end up driving through one of those track-home neighborhoods where every other house looks the same.

"Little boxes made of ticky tacky and they all look just the same," my dad would sing in a high-pitched, almost staccato voice. He refused to live in one of those little boxes that was just like everyone else's. He sang it every time we looked at houses. He sang it when Harry and I were house hunting. He sang it most recently when I went with him to look for his new house a few months ago.

It wasn't until I started watching the TV show, Weeds, a few years ago that I realized that Little Boxes was a real song that my dad didn't make up.

It's funny how crazy I thought he was singing that song all those years ago, but at the same time thinking he was genius for coming up with it. I guess there's a part of us all that believes our parents are masterful beings, while still figuring they might be a little off their rockers.

The other day I told my dad about my belief that he created Little Boxes. He, of course, thought it was hilarious, but also had a look on his face of pride. Perhaps it was pride that his brand of crazy rubbed off on me.

He, in turn, told me that my sister confessed to him that she started yelling threats at her kids reminiscent of him and my mom. "I don't care who started it! I'm gonna finish it!" she apparently told them, along with my dad's favorite quote, "If you don't have time to do it right, how will you ever have time to do it over?" He liked that one so much, he had it framed and hung on his office wall.

It's a pretty common thing for people to say they don't want to turn into their parents. Even if mine might be or have been a little nutty, I smile when I start to do something like they did, or mutter one of their little sayings.

I, too, sing Little Boxes when I drive through one of those look-alike neighborhoods. I guess I'm working on turning into my dad. My parents aren't perfect human beings, but they are pretty awesome people. I'm cool with being a little box. After all, we are Smiths and we all look just the same.

This is the Story of a Girl...give or take 10 years.

Tomorrow marks ten years since I graduated high school alongside my fellow Tigers. Next week, my stepdaughter will walk across the stage at her own high school graduation. Somehow, the past ten years have flown by. So much has happened over the years, although it doesn't seem that long.

I still basically feel the same as I did when I was 18, albeit, my eyesight is slightly worse (but I've worn glasses nearly 20 years now, anyway), and my joints ache a bit in the mornings. I'm still the same height (shockingly enough, I never got that growth spurt), still like the same types of movies and music, and only just in the last few months stopped driving a Saturn. Hell, there's even a new Fast and the Furious sequel out this weekend and Nelly just did a duet with a Country act. Um, wait...did I actually travel back to 2003?

Kristen, Megan, Alyssa, me, Erin F., and Bethany
At our senior Homecoming Bonfire.

Alas, even if I do not feel different, I am sure that I am. If anything, life is different. Instead of working at the Candy Basket so I could buy clothes and CDs, money now goes towards mortgages, car payments, and groceries; which is okay by me. Life is good, and while never perfect and it quite honestly feels like a hot mess a lot of days, I couldn't ask for more than I have been lucky enough to be blessed with these past ten years...

Erin F., me, Andi, Kristen, Kaylin, and Abby on my and Andi's 18th birthday
Back in the days before everyone had digital cameras, when you never knew people looked crazy until you developed...

...including my friends. I'm so very thankful that several of the people who were with me on that warm May afternoon a decade ago, are still around in my life. I'm also thankful that I've been blessed enough to add some incredible new people into the mix along the way, too. Here's to my old classmates, far but not forgotten, and all of 2013's graduates who are going out into the real world - Welcome to the Jungle!

Raven, Kaylin, Erin F., and me at graduation

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, mommies-to-be, step moms, godmothers, aunts, older sisters,

friends'-moms-who-are-practically-your-mom, etc.

As always, I'm missing my mom today, so I thought I'd lighten the mood and share this fun photo. This is my mom, dad, and my sister, Alison, dressed up for an old-fashioned photo when my mom was pregnant with me:

Quite a good lookin' bunch, if you ask me.

Sending love this Mother's Day, to the heavens and back.

saying my piece on peace...

I fully believe that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. I believe that opinion is entitled regardless of whether it is deemed to be "too religious" or, on the contrast, "too ungodly".

I don't believe that one should be bullied for his or her opinions, no matter how different they are from yours. I do not believe it is right to bully a bully into believing what you believe.

Most people are too quick to judge. You have no right to judge someone because they do not agree with you, regardless of "what side of history" they are on. Have a productive, persuasive conversation with them so they might understand your side. Don't be a bulldozer, and say you're doing it in the name of a just cause.

All Democrats are not extremist Liberals, and all Republicans are not religious zealots. Stop pigeonholing the masses.

You will never win people over by belittling another human being, regardless of how ridiculous you think said human being is behaving.

The Good Things in Life

Earlier while I was at work, a woman named Angela came in and told me she was looking for an outfit to wear tonight when she went out with her friends. I asked where she was going and she said her and her girlfriends from high school had rented a limo and were going out to a nice dinner and then dancing at a club. We picked out some jeans and some fun tops and she got started trying on.

She modeled her outfits for her two young daughters and me. We debated what shoes to wear and whether she should wear a necklace. I told her she was going to look so cute and have such a good time with her friends.

"Yeah. I wish we were going out for a happy occasion, but hopefully we will have fun," Angela remarked as she got ready to change back into her clothes.

"Oh really? What's going on? What's the occasion?" I half expected her to tell me it was a divorce party (we get a lot of women coming out to celebrate that, or get their minds' off of it, one or the other).

"One of my friends just finished her 4th round of chemo, and there's been no improvement, so we're taking her out to have fun and prove to ourselves that there are still good things in life," she said.

I felt my eyes start to well up, but managed to hold back tears. Incidentally that would have been at least the 4th time I've cried at work in the last two weeks, so thankfully I managed to hold back. I expressed my condolences, but assured her of what a good friend she was and that I was sure they would all have so much fun spending time with each other.

At the register, Angela mentioned that it had been 12 years since high school and since all 14 of the girls had been together (which would only make her 30-ish), and that she couldn't wait to see everyone and have fun. She talked about where they were having dinner, and the tables and bottles they had reserved at the clubs. The excitement was clearly and understandably mixed with other emotions.

On one hand, I am so sad that it took something so tragic and truly life-altering to get Angela and her friends back together after all this time. On the other, I couldn't be happier that they are going to go out and live it up, at least one more time, to create some amazing lasting memories. When I think about how quickly life can change, and at any age, it really makes me appreciate the people I have in my life.

Realize that you are blessed. Appreciate who and what you have around you. Let those who matter to you know that they do. Understand that no one is perfect but life is too short. Know that there are still good things in life. Raise a glass to Angela and her friends. Here's to you.

what a day.

I am like a fish...
I'm gonna float a-way-ay.
I don't know where my road is,
I don't know where the yard is.

Sixteen to twenty-three

Okay, so obviously I have some work to do with this "blogging every day thing," which I guess is why I started this challenge in the first place. At least I know my flaws. Sigh.

To catch up, "things" sixteen through twenty-three will follow shortly. If you want to catch up on "things" click here.

Sixteen: What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?

1. my Bachelors degree
2. landing a new job
3. having a happy family
4. having great friends
5. being happy

Seventeen: What is the thing you most wish you were great at?


This is probably going to sound frivolous to most, but I wish I were better at video games, because I am (by far) the worst in my family and I fear I'm not very fun to play with.


Eighteen: What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?


I struggled with issues surrounding my mom's death for quite some time: forgiving myself for not being around more before she was gone, forgiving others for not being truthful with me about how sick she really was, forgiving doctors and nurses for not saving her, forgiving her for leaving (incredibly contrite words, no doubt, but ones you will probably understand if you have lost someone).


Nineteen: If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?


Just in case you were wondering, I answered this question first, because it is most exciting to me. I would live on an island in Maine (preferably one that I owned in its entirety). We would have a beautiful New England style house with a big, relaxing porch overlooking the Atlantic.


Twenty: Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.

1. Taking Mickey Mouse (Gickey Gouse) with me EVERYWHERE. Literally.
2. Playing "roads" with Alisa and Raven
3. The time Alison cut my hair for "dress-up" and hid it in the chair cushion. When my dad asked her if she had done it, and she lied, he told her he was going to send the hair to the FBI and they would fingerprint it and tell him if she had done it. Then she bawled hysterically and confessed. I had to get a super short hair cut to even it out, and Alison got a mullet for punishment. Seriously. I have pictures.

Those probably aren't as "significant" as the author of this question intended, but what the hell.

Twenty-one: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?


I would want to slow time to revel in the spectacular moments in life that are fleeting. I would slow time on the next amazing day that comes along.


Twenty-two: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?


Wow, in 5 years Sam and Mike will both be in college. That's crazy enough. But that's not me, that's them. It's really hard to think beyond that. Honestly, it's fun to dream, but I've learned that it's better to go with the flow and not worry about your 5- 10- 15- year plan because life never, ever turns out the way you think. I'd like to go back for my Master's Degree at some point. I'd like to advance at my job. It'd be cool to live on an island in Maine (see 19). A decade ago, when I was getting ready to enter my senior year, I would have never dreamed I'd be where I am right now. Which, incidentally, is sitting in the same chair Alison hid my hair in (see 20), listening to Harry, Mike, and Sam kill zombies on Call of Duty, writing a blog (I don't even know if blogs existed back then-if so I didn't know about them) about completely random tidbits about myself.


Twenty-three: List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.

1. Photography - so you never forget your past or where you've been
2. Writing - for the ability to express oneself, then hit the delete key and find a better way to express oneself
3. Gardening - this is a new one, but I love to watch something come from nothing and be able to personally reap the benefits of it
4. Sight-seeing - the ability to see new things, learn about history, or experience something new never gets old
5. Reading - because with the turn of a page I can be anywhere I want

Fifteen

Day fifteen: If you were an animal, what would you be, and why?


On a total superficial, fun level, I guess I'd be a dog, so I could hang out with mine, and figure out what they do all day. Plus, they just sleep, eat, and play all day. Exciting stuff.

On a deeper, philosophical level, I'd say a bird. I'm afraid of heights, so maybe with the ability to fly, without the fear of falling, I could see things in a whole new light.

Fourteen

Day Fourteen: Describe 5 strengths you have.


Strengths I possess:

1. Good at listening
2. Sense of direction
3. Extensive knowledge of song lyrics
4. Being awesome - it's a strategy
5. Proofreading

Too bad I can't just list these on a resume and be done.

13

Day Thirteen: Describe 5 weaknesses you have.


weaknesses (sometimes physical, sometimes mental):

1. Dr. Pepper
2. Cute dogs
3. Upper body strength (as in, I have very little)
4. A good home-cooked meal
5. Love - that's not really a negative though...

Twelve

Twelve: Describe a typical day in your current life.

Watch out folks, things are about to get wild. And by wild, I mean boring. A typical day for me...hmm...

Well, I usually wake up when Harry does and take Lola outside. Then, I go get Bridgette, Charlie, and Bella and let them out. Lola comes back in. I might piddle around the house, getting things done around here. Fun stuff like scrubbing toilets, vacuuming, laundry, dishes, your typical housework. Work in the garden. Hang out with the pups. Lunch. Maybe watch Ellen and/or Dr. Phil. Any other housework that needs done, or errands that need to be ran. Decide what to make for dinner. Take food out of freezer to thaw. Dinner. Maybe catch some re-runs of comedies that are actually funny like Friends, Dharma and Greg, Reba, New Adventures of Old Christine. Go to gym/bike ride/walk. Watch Harry and kids play Call of Duty or FaceTime with kids. Shower. Snuggle in bed and watch DVR'd shows or movies. Sleep. Intermix FaceBook, Pinterest, Blogging, Words with Friends, job applications, phone calls catching up with friends/family, in there, too. If I'm lucky, I'll get some reading or sewing or painting done.

I lead an exciting life, people, I really need to calm down before I hurt myself.

Six through...um...eleven? Geez, Louise.

Well I really dropped the ball on this one! So much for blogging every day. That definitely did not work for me last week. I resolve to do better this week. Here goes nothing.

P.S. This might be a long one. Please bear with me...

Six: What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?


I would be lying if I didn't say that my mom's death wasn't the hardest thing I've ever experienced. There's no need to go into detail about it, since I frequently write about it on this blog. I will say this, though: I believe that out of bad comes good, and I believe there was good that came from such a tragedy.



Seven: What is your dream job, and why?


This is such a timely question for me right now since I have been doing some soul-searching on this topic. I feel like so many things could be my dream job. I love to write, because it's a great way to express your feelings and get your point across without fear of interruption. It's also a wonderful outlet to create new worlds to travel to within your mind. On the other hand, I've always loved fashion and think it would be awesome to be a fashion merchandiser or buyer - though I have no classical training in this field whatsoever. And on the third imaginary hand, I would still love to work in the field of psychology, possibly as a family therapist. So basically my answer is, "I have no freaking clue." Try looking for that one in the classifieds!



Eight: What are 5 passions you have?

1. I am passionate about my family.
2. I am passionate about my home and making it "homey" and an inviting place for family and friends.
3. I am passionate about my friendships.
4. I am passionate about documenting our lives through pictures and written histories, like this blog.
5. I am passionate about learning about history, including my own.

Nine: List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

1. My dad has influenced me to work hard to support your family (not only financially but through actions as well), be frugal, and enjoy the small things in life.
2. My mom influenced me to follow my dreams, pursue my education, read, and put your children first.
3. Harry has influenced me to never settle for less than you deserve.
4. Samantha and Michael have influenced/taught me what unconditional love is.
5. Mrs. Kelly influenced me to never stop learning. Also, to play nice with others.
6. Professor K influenced me to have a "just in case" file - also to remember that every day above the ground is better than being under it. (She was my professor in my "Sociology of Death and Dying" class, in case you were wondering).
7. People reading this blog have influenced me to keep writing it.
8. Bella influenced me to put a border fence up around the garden. Bella is one of my dogs.
9. All of my friends influence me to be a better person, while always being myself.
10. The Homeowners Association influences me (and Harry) to cut our yard and weed the flower bed.

Ten: Describe your most embarrassing moment.


Um, yeah, that's probably gonna be the banana-peel slip whilst in the middle of a kick line at state cheerleading. Yes, the one you read about in Three, Four. Yes, I do have it on videotape. No, you may not see it.




Eleven: Describe 10 pet peeves you have.

1. People who don't signal while driving
2. Poor grammar and also the use of "text" lingo in actual letters and/or emails
3. Tampon commercials
4. I HATE when people misspell things to be cute. Example: daycares called Kids' Korner. Yeah, I'm not sending a kid somewhere that can't even spell it's own name. It's not cute. It's stupid.
5. When the weather forecast is wrong - I'm looking at you, Weather Channel!
6. People who don't leash their dogs
7. Generic brand Cheetos or Doritos
8. People who interrupt my Desperate Housewives time, although that has apparently come to an end...
9. Couples that share Facebook or email accounts and/or cell phones (even when they have their own cell phones)
10. People who can't figure out a 4-way stop

By the way, I asked Harry to help me out with "Eleven" and he said, "most of your pet peeves have to do with traffic, weather, and grammar." He knows me all too well...

Five.

Day 5: What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

1. My family: Harry, Samantha, Michael
2. My puppies
3. The killer new shoes I just bought
4. The fact that summer is almost here
5. The promise of a bright future

Three. Four. Shut the door.

Sorry, I couldn't resist the title.

Anyway, oops! I missed yesterday. I had a good excuse though, promise. I was at my niece's baby shower, which was tons of fun. I'll catch up today with both 3 and 4.

Three: Describe your relationship with your parents.


Since my mom is in heaven, I like to think that our relationship involves her being my angel. I believe it, too.

My dad and I definitely have our days, as any parent/sibling team does, but believe it or not, we have gotten much closer since my mom passed away. Perhaps that is part of the good coming out of the bad. He still likes to lecture me, but I have learned that letting him "teach" me things, like how to properly remodel a bathroom, is good for us.

I have learned through my relationships with my parents, and now my relationships with my step kids that part of really connecting between parents and kids requires both parties to realize that the other one is their own person - loving, learning, growing, falling down, getting back up -  just trying to make it one day at a time.


Four: List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

1. Next time you're driving and you smell fire, and wonder, "Is that my car?" it will be, so pull over.
2. You're struggling right now with who you can count on. The people you think you can't count on - you're right. The girls who you are thinking are probably your true friends absolutely are, without a doubt. They'll dance with you at your wedding. You'll share in the joys of their weddings, graduations, and babies. You'll comfort each other through death, divorce, unemployment. And through it all, you'll love each other like sisters.
3. Everything happens for a reason. You'll figure that one out eventually, but the sooner you do, the better off you'll be.
4. Argue less with Mom and Dad. You'll understand where they are coming from (in most cases) soon enough.
5. There is a reason why people make right hand turns into Emma's driveway from the center lane, but go ahead and try it from the right lane. See what happens. It's a good story.
6. Don't bother stressing out about the AP Chemistry exam. You're going to get a 1. The same score you would have gotten if you had only written your name on it. It's okay, you're not destined to be a scientist.
7. Call Grandma and Nana more often.
8. Take a deep breath of fresh, clean, Rocky Mountain air every morning. Even if it's cold and hurts your insides and freezes your boogers.
9. Practice your kick line. More notably, practice not slipping "banana-peel" style while doing said kick line.
10. Take comfort in knowing that you will have fun in high school, you will love college, but they are nowhere near the best things you have waiting for you. But you can't go wrong by carrying band-aids, extra bobby pins, and lip gloss in your purse. And I will leave the rest up to you...