Let's Be Real...

The person who wrote the song "Easy like Sunday morning" obviously wasn't taking his family to Church. Ever have one of those mornings where everything is great, then you get out of bed?

So... waking up to a snow covered everything yesterday morning was definitely a temptation to just stay home. It was the first real "enough to play in it" snow. Though, my thoughts were leaning toward hanging out at the house, my husband's were leaning toward going to church. He was right, so we were going. Sometimes, I need that push out the door when it isn't the easier thing to do.

Then the fun started. This is when one thing after another started to happen, to delay our actually getting out the door to go. In short, the girls were ready until they ran out to make snow angels (without our knowledge) and came back in soaking wet. First, they were staying home. Then, so was I. Then, I wasn't and Larry was. Then, no one was going. Then, the irritation rose to a level of "What the heck is even happening here?". Then, it hit me... There is some crazy reason we are having a hard time getting to church today. So, to the devil I said, "You won't win!" We were ALL going, and arrived at church 7 minutes late, with clean, dry clothes, a big sigh, and smiles on our faces. Well, most of us. My Mom's face wasn't so smiley after her fingers were shut in the car door. Ouch!

We aren't perfect, we are real. When you seem to be struggling to do something you need to do, take a step forward and fight your way in.

10 Things you can do instead of being in someone's business...

We are all guilty of minding someone's business at one time or another. If you say you aren't, you are either lying or deserve a halo (let me know who you are so I can place an order).

So... here is a list of things we can do instead.

1. Call your Grandmother (or equivalent).

2. Make a shopping list. (btw... check out the app for this called "Out of Milk" <aWeSoMe!)

3. Get some Orbit.

4. Write a blog. (or read one)
       
5. Text someone an encouraging message.

6. Drink a(nother) cup of coffee.

7.  Bake something pretty and share it with someone.

8. Facebook, nicely.

9. Do some sit ups. (It's hard to talk when you are out of breath.) 

10. Pinterest.com (my new addiction)

Okay, I am being retarded, but my point is: YOU HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO.

I miss being a girl.

Those who know me from "way back when" could tell you how they would have never imagined me wearing an Army uniform. I was the girl who tanned year round (although my friend, Amy advised against it, daily), never had unpainted toenails, and wouldn't even check the mail without being in makeup and "proper" attire.

Seeing pretty faces and cute outfits makes have flashbacks to a time when it mattered a lot to me. I do miss it occasionally. It isn't that I don't care now. It's just not something I work into my schedule. It is expensive and time consuming.

But… I think it makes me feel bad about myself sometimes. I am not girly any more. I no longer have a closet full of pink everything and I am as pale as Napoleon Dynamite.  

And I wonder, am I alone?

Are you scared?

In honor of Halloween creeping in, here are my top 2 true life scary stories...

Number One... I have always loved scary movies, the scarier, the better. I will give a best guess on the year, maybe it was 1988. I was around 12 or 13. We (Shawn, Teresa, Ginger, and me), decided to watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre at my house one night. I'm thinking this wasn't Ginger's idea, but she was a good sport. Of course, everyone knows the story of this movie, the crazy family was attacking people in the woods with a chainsaw. So, as we are right in the middle of this scary, gorey movie, the living room door flies open, chainsaw roaring! Before we knew what was going on, Ginger had taken a mad dive under the coffee table and the rest of us we scattering for our lives. When the chainsaw stopped, there was only one noise left, the laughter of my parents, who thought we needed a good scare.

Number  Two... This story took place when I was a little older, but my sister, Melissa and her friend, Crystal were about 14. Every once in a while, I would take them places with me. I cannot remember where we had been, maybe to see the original "Scream" at the movies. We were on our way home and this car was following us. The road to home was not lit. There were not many houses. It was kind of a scary drive at night when you were alone. So, this car was on our tail. All I could see is headlights. Knowing that we were lived on a dead end street and we were going home to an empty house, I made the big sister decision to circle around the mountain once, instead of getting trapped by this for sure "murderer" following us. As I sped up and rounded the corner, I lost the headlights. Of course, having two 14 year old girls in the car with me was a buffet of screams, omg's, and drama. Since we had lost the "killer", we headed back to the house. As we neared the dark driveway, there sat the vehicle, facing us, lights out. The closer we got, we realized it was coming towards us. All of sudden, the lights popped on in our face! We were screaming, freaking out! Crystal was yelling "I CAN'T FEEL MY LEGS! I CAN'T FEEL MY LEGS!" Then the truck door opened, and Cory got out, holding his stomach laughing. Crystal had already peed her pants. Good times.

If you have any true life scary stories, I would love to hear them.

How many cans are you giving?

This morning as Lauryn is heading out for school, she reminded me that she needed $5 and a can. The money is for the dance tonight and the can is for the "can drive".  As I am getting the can from the closet, I  thought she should take at least 2 (any more would result in her complaining of the weight in her backpack). I put them in a bag and handed them to her. "Oh, I am only allowed to take one." She says. I was confused, "Why can't you take more?" Her reason: "Because I only get credit for one. They will only give me extra tickets for the games tonight for one can."

So... my question is why do you do nice things for people? Is it because it is the right thing to do, to help others? Is it because you are hoping and expecting something good to come your way because of your efforts? Is it to help you or to really and truly help someone else just because you care about other people?

The "F" Word

My closest friends may remember this story, but it is worth repeating, as it is one of my favorites. A story from one of my friends (Mary Beth Holley) on Facebook this morning recalled this to memory.

When Richie, now 16, was about 5 years old, he was much like a little man. We could have grown-up conversations, which I encouraged quite often. My favorite place to have our talks was in the car on the way to school. I would turn the radio off and let him talk about things that were on his mind.

One morning, he had something weighing on his heart. He started, "Mom, I have something to tell you, but you aren't going to like it very much." Of course, my concern was raised now. What could he possibly have going on in his 5 year old life that was serious enough to have him worried?

"What is it Richie? Just tell me, I won't be mad." Again, he warned me that I wasn't going to like it. Then again, I assured him it was okay. He finally came out with it. "Grandma said the "F" Word in front of me."
"Oh," I said, "I will talk to Grandma about that, but I want you to not ever use that word. Okay?"
Looking relieved at finally getting it off his chest, he says, "I can spell it." I told him no, that it was not necessary. He really wanted to though. So he sat there in silence for about 2 minutes. That is when it got the best of him, and he whispered loudly, "F - A - R - T".

Are my 'skinny jeans' worth it?

Everyone who knows me well, and some who only know me a little, know that I absolutely adore my coffee. I don't like just any coffee though. My favorite is the freshly ground Van's Blend mixed with Italian Sweet Cream in a "feels like home" mug. Yes, I will drink other coffees and other creamers, but this is the one I crave, the one I get excited about. I am struggling with this beloved addiction because the calorie and fat intake have made their mark on my 35 year old silhouette. I know that cutting back is the right thing to do, but I have a hard time saying no to this particular "fatty maker".

As I was pondering this thought the other day and wondering if my skinny jeans are worth "just saying no" (which they ARE), I was reminded of all the things I have given up in my life because there were better opportunities for me. I gave up things that used to mean a lot to me, but now, they mean very little to nothing. I have found a much more rewarding way to live. The things I got in exchange, make the loss insignificant.

What are you holding onto that is making your "skinny jeans" collect dust?

In the beginning...

Well, after procrastinating about a year now, I am finally ready to get started. What caused the delay (or procrastination, for my pals who like that word)? Time was always a limited resource, and still is, but I have a little more of it than I used to. About a year or so ago, different friends asked me to start a blog. Of course, I never sat down to research just how much of my time this would take. I assumed it was too much. However, I am willing to jump on (and not in front of) the blogging train now. I am not making any daily posting promises, but I promise to be entertaining when I post. I hope to make you laugh, cry (not too much), think, and say "hmm, she might be special". Enjoy.