So, March happened...

March was busy!

I took the girls on a three week trip with me.--Not the most well thought out plan ever. Traveling with kids is my absolute least favorite thing to do. Just ask T. Thorpe! But overall, it was good!

I got spotlighted on Mommy Models Blog! I felt so honored! It's such a cute blog, and I love what they do. I was pretty nervous at first, but Emily put me right at ease. Love her.

Oh, I got in my first car accident! I totally got rear-ended...at a stop light...on Main St...in Springville. And I actually felt bad for the frazzled mom that hit me (in her white minivan, of course).

I reluctantly went to that widow/widower conference again. Surprisingly, I was glad I did. It was a lot funner this year. The two year mark really is a good place to be. :)

Oh, and despite the craziness, I got a 99.4 in my Health Care Management class. Yay for that! My GPA looks more like this now...

And I graduate on Ben's birthday, 2013.
Maybe I'll pretend I have a blog again then.

Maybe.

:)

Thank you, 2011!

Isn't this photo so cheesy?! Ha! So is my title!

2011 started off feeling a lot like 2010, but I'm really glad it didn't end up that way. I remember talking to a friend in May. She was talking about how much she loved being in her 50s, and it made me wish I could just fast-forward 20 years. But since that's not an option, I've decided to embrace each year as an opportunity to grow into who I should be. From that vantage point 2011 was everything it needed to be.

• The widow brain fog started lifting.

• And because I could feel myself thinking more clearly, I made plans.
  

• And because I had legit plans, I started school!

(I know I mentioned it already, but it's the best GPA I've had...ever! It's the first time I've cared about school too...)

• Getting proactive felt right (and good).

(Not that I didn't figure that one out 2+ years ago.)

• I learned to be kinder to myself; meaning more patient. Things don't have to happen as quickly as I want them to.

• I learned more of what it means to sacrifice for your child when they need you. It's limitless.
  

• I got a little reckless... And learned how much I love it!!

(And jumpsuits make everything that much more fabulous.)

• I cut energy drainers out, and replaced them with funner people.

(Side note: If you're playing the role of victim in your life, in need of a therapist, or can't stop being such a drag...we're not meant to be! But I wish you all the best! :))

• This statement couldn't be truer!
  

Hahahaha!! It's a T. Thorpe original.

• I adopted a mantra.

It will be.


Love.
xoxo

What have I been up to??

Hi, friends!!

I'm still alive! Shocker, huh?? I bet you thought I'd never post again, didn't you??!

Let's play catchup! And maybe I'll post in more detail later. (No promises! :))

In September Jocee started preschool!
+
She loves it, and has made a lot of friends. Everyday she begs me to practice writing with her, and can sound words out like a pro. At parent-teacher conference her teacher complimented me on working with her. But I really can't take the credit. She is so eager to learn.

October was fun.

Clearly I've been rockin' at this single mom business.

I jumped out of a Twin Otter with Hawt Guy again.

It was so much more fun the second time!! Everyone needs to do it...twice! And I've decided I need to get certified. Need. Soon.

On the 21st I flew away to Loma Linda (and San Diego). I just fit there.

And vegan cousins and funny aunts make for good distractions.
Side Note: If you're in an airport (like T.F. Green on October 21st) and you go to Starbucks...and order a soy chai latte and a fruit cup..it just might cost you...

LOVE :)

November was kind of unbloggable.

Buggy turned 3!! (I.O.U: 1 blog post!)
But I spent a lot of that time proactively worrying about her. It's all good now though! So, yay!!

I learned more uses for turmeric.

Seriously, try this! It's ahhmazing!

After being Supermom I went to my 10 year high school reunion.

Not my most photogenic night, but such a good one! After 10 years, 2 kids, and bucket loads of crapola, everyone thought I looked the same! Woot!


Oh...and the biggest reason why I haven't blogged...
I went back to school! Started in August.

12 credits: DONE! And I'm scheduled to graduate in less that two years. (Thennn I need a Master's.) So excited!

Ok, ok... So that and I've been pinning.

Best vision board ever!



So that's what I've been up to.
2011 really has been a good year.
I'll post more later.

I've missed you guys!!
xoxo

Because I don't really blog anymore...

I've been super busy, and I don't even want to blog about it.

This is my first time even logging into blogger all week.
See? Busy. But who isn't??

Hmm...how about an unflattering update?? ;)

On my hair...
It's way too short right now! I love the cut, but it's about two inches too short all over. If anyone has any ideas for growing hair out, please tell me about them! Please. I've added Biotin and silica to the my supplement regimen. I'm using a hair growth shampoo (I know! Probably a gimmick!). And I'm avoiding my straightener like the plague. (Sad face!)

On my complexion...
I'm really glad that the cystic planet that showed up on the side of my nose earlier this week, is almost gone now. Yay for salicylic acid! It was practically casting it's own shadow. I even contemplated renting out add space on it. Your local business would have gotten LOTS of exposure. ;)

On Big Foot sightings...
You would not believe the skeeze factor that has been seeking me out. OR how painfully naive I am! I'll take 90% of the blame on this one! It's foolish to think that members of the opposite sex, who spam your inbox and FB wall and ask for your number, just want something platonic. And then when there's mention of going to the beach sometime, because the beaches would love me... Yeah. Stop trying to picture me in a bikini!! (Patti Stanger would have a ton to say about that freak show.)
Super grateful to the friends who posed an intervention! Love you girls!!
Lesson learned: When faced with a Sasquatch, avoid friendly conversation.

On the weather...
I went to Walmart yesterday for some last minute essentials (i.e. my two week supply of water). The things I saw other people buy made me laugh, and prompted this status: "Milk, bread, popsicles, ice cream, microwave popcorn, Slim Jims, Diet Coke... I am so ready for this biatch!!"

On my BFFs...
T. Thorpe and some other favorites, didn't get that status. Within minutes she texted...
"How are u going to pop popcorn??"
Then...
"Oh wait, generator??"
Then when she realized that those are all foods I wouldn't eat ever, we went back and forth trying to think of even grosser, more random foods that the people of Walmart might stock up on for a natural disaster. Love her! And clearly my blonde moments are contagious! I felt just a little misunderstood. hehe :)

On my babes...
Just because I adore them, and there's nothing unflattering about them, and this post could use some of their sweetness...


Welcome to my silly life. :)

xo

Sometimes, I jump out of airplanes...

Here's the deal... With Ben's birthday creeping up on me, I haven't quite known what to do with myself.

So, my solution?? Something totally out of character. Something to get me way outside of my comfort zone. (For five minutes, I even contemplated a tattoo. But I'm too...noncommittal. And I can just picture the girls eventually wanting one...or 50. Yikes!)

Anway! Jumping out of a perfectly good plane, (while strapped to a guy, strapped to a parachute) made perfect sense! ;) And I kind of always wanted to. It's one of those bucket list items.


Dad and Laura jumped, too!
He has wanted to for...forever, and she actually went two weeks before we did (and loved it).


When I first met my instructor, and he was going over the basics with me, I asked him, "So, can we do a back flip?! I think that will help me be less nervous!"

He just kind of looked at me confused and slowly nodded, "We...can do a flip..."
(Maybe he wasn't expecting that! But eventually I think he got me. :))

I've decided that skydiving people are the funnest people! It was impossible to not have fun, too! Everyone laughed, joked, and chugged Red Bull on the way up!


Actually jumping was crazy, and too fun for words!

Once the parachute deployed, he told me I did really good. He even complimented me on not screaming. Ha!! I got to steer, too!

THEN he told me that I should look into getting certified, because I have the personality for it (??!!). After brushing him off, I realized he was completely serious! So most of the conversation down was about what it takes to jump alone. How much ground time... How many jumps... How safe it really is...

I think he talked me into it!


Anyway, I have over 100 amazing photos, but this video will have to do!


Apart from marrying Ben, and having two perfect babies....
Funnest thing ever!

:)

On being a hypocrite...

Since I've already owned up to being one, I figured I may as well go all the way. ;)

Here's the backup story...

Before I graduated high school, I had never been west of the Mississippi, ever (unless you count moving from SLC when I was two).

Most people go to school for an education, but me? I'm not really sure what I was doing back then. So, I decided to go to school in Idaho. I'd never been to Idaho before. And all those things I heard about Idaho being boring couldn't be all true.

When we landed in SLC, I was in love. Mountains are even prettier in person, and dry heat was a new concept. My hair was doing amazing things.

Then we had to drive to Rexburg. I was totally excited. But...as we got closer and closer, the landscape became more and more desolate looking. The biggest store in town was the smallest Walmart I'd ever been to. Instead of trees, there was sage brush, everywhere. I even teared up a little when I saw my first tumbleweed.

Really, Idaho wasn't that bad. I met lots of fun people, and had fun doing the most random things. People actually jump off of bridges for fun there, and the sand dunes were like the beach minus water. Yellowstone is super close. It was good to break out of my comfort zone.

But like most out of state students, I would become nostalgic and miss familiar things. (So lame!)

I would talk up Bean Town like it was the best place ever, and at the time I genuinely believed it was. For me, Idaho never felt quite right.

Fast forward to today...

While the three of us were playing outside; drenched in bug repellent with gnats flying in our faces, as trees were covering a perfectly good sunset like this one...

It hit me.

I was such a hypocrite!

Back when I was sugar coating New England, did I ever mention this? Did I mention how gross and oppressive humidity can feel? Or how the drivers are some of the biggest DBs you'll never meet? Or how I fully agree with GQ? (Of course not!)

Because now when I feel nostalgic, I really miss things out west (minus Idaho). I miss dry heat, and open skies. I miss sandstone, and mountains. I even miss Yellowstone sometimes.


But really, I'm not saying that "there" is any better than "here" (even though sometimes I might feel that way). I am openly admitting that each place has it's perks and pitfalls.

It's funny knowing that my opinions can be so opposite, 10 years later. So while I'm feeling (extra) honest I'll eat those bitter words, too!

The end. :)


(Ahh...I feel better now ;))

xo

Before my birthday month is over...

Since I've pretty much boycotted the New Year's resolution for two consecutive years, I need to compensate somewhere else. If I don't, I may never make a goal publicly again. And if I don't, who's going to call me out when I slack??

Anyway! Here's a list of random goals to begin my 29th year of life.

• Eat more Indian food. Not only is it delicious, but curry is super healthy. I need more.

• Go back to school for real. I have a direction. I just need to follow through with that initiative part.
  

• Potty train Sophie. (She knows how it works. She can be a pro when she wants. She just needs a little initiative, too...)
  

• Eat chocolate in moderation. (Ya know, instead of recognizing it as a major food group.)
  

• Meditate at least every other day.

• Yoga more.

• Stop sleeping with the TV on. (Those infomercials can wreak havoc on my sleep cycle.)
  

• Take more photos.

• Be a funner mom.
  

LOL'ing

I laughed a lot today.

I laughed at myself (and kinda screamed) this morning as a bottle of sparkling water exploded on me. Sophie laughed too... It was awesome.

I laughed when some classy broad flipped my off in Braintree. For the record, I'm not quite sure what I did to make her so angry. But I'll just blame it on her minivan and frizzy hair. I'd be having a bad day too...

I laughed when I asked Jocee why she was in timeout, and her answer was, "Because I don't like it, and you know it." --It's a good thing we talked about it after!

I laughed when Sophie yelled, "Mommy, Mommy! Let down your hair!"

It's her favorite movie, and the only one she'll watch the whole way through. She tells me I'm Rapunzel all the time.

I know! I don't see it either!

But if you're looking for a true likeness, I found this pretty accurate!

Thanks, T.Thorpe!

Oh, and I laughed really hard when I watched this...

Seriously, watch it 5 times. It just gets funnier! The poor kid...

The Rundown

Now that I've actually unpacked my suitcase, and done my laundry...

That trip was so fun! I miss it. (And because I miss it, I'm going to ramble on and on about it! ;))

Before I left I decided on two things.
1. I was going to take every opportunity to try new things.
2. I was going be semi-nomadic and stay with different people. (Ben Franklin did say, "Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days." True enough! )


So, I landed in CA around 1:30 on Friday, the 11th.

My cute aunt, Mary and her hubby, Ben took me on a tour around the Loma Linda University medical school. He teaches there, and has written text books. Impressive, huh? They showed me everything...even the cadavers. (NOTE: I was super proud of myself. The last time I saw a cadaver was almost 10 years ago. Back then I ran out of the room, threw up, and dropped my anatomy&physiology class. True story.)

Then we went out to eat with my cute cousin Linda. After that, Linda took me to Trader Joe's, where we discovered that we like all the same vegan foods. Who knew? Love it!!


On Saturday I went to church with Linda, and then we went horseback riding with her friend, Julie. (Again I was proud of myself. The last time I was on a horse, I was 13. That horse fell with me on him, bruising my left left leg and breaking my left ring finger. It's still crooked...) I stayed on the horse the whole time; despite the crazy trails and steep drops. I kept my eyes closed a lot!

We saw hawks...

and found their feathers (thanks to Julie!).

Love. :)

Later we had dinner with Mary and Ben.

When we got back to Linda's we Yogaed (yes, it's a noun turned verb now)...and laughed hysterically at the instructor guy!

On Sunday we all went to Disney Land for my second time ever (and took absolutely no photos)! It was fabulous, but I don't know how people do it with kids. Speaking of... I totally got offered the kids menu at the Blue Bayou!! And of course I ordered from it! Perfect portion size. I remember back in high school when the kids menu was a complete insult. And now I wish it to happen more often... Ha! It was a fun day. :)

Mary and Ben dropped me off at the airport early Monday morning. I was so sad to leave.

When I got to Salt Lake I ended up renting the ugliest silver Pontiac I've ever seen in my life! At first glance I wanted to cry, but I had to laugh! It was a good conversation starter in mall parking lots. Haha

I stayed with Terisa and Warren on Monday and Tuesday.... Terisa and I were soo happy Brad picked Emily! A cute little blonde widow is a way better option over a divorcee with a boob job. Just sayin'!

Tuesday I went to lunch with my FB friend, Jaime O. (That'll be her blogging alias.) And now we're real-life-friends. She's darling; love her!

On Wednesday I finally got to see T.Thorpe! She was in the process of moving to Iowa. Anyway (like I mentioned before) we went for Reiki massages, hit up our favorite health food store, binged on soy ice cream, and laughed much---just our much needed usual!

I was so sad to leave her on Thursday. But Jared took me to dinner, and that was fun. Although I was not offered the kids menu. [Sigh.] Ego, crushed. ;) Anyway, I stayed with my sister in Sandy, for a widows/ers conference.

That conference was on Friday and Saturday. I had been on the fence about attending, but decided to go at the last minute. I was glad I did! It was really fun to meet new people in similar situations. And to finally meet others who I felt like I already knew was good too. :)

On Saturday T. Thorpe texted to tell me that they had officially left state borders. Suddenly Utah became a lonelier place. Soo I blew off the "workshops" and went shopping with my cute (also now real-life-) friend Katie.

By Sunday I realized I was tired and did a lot of nothing.

On Monday I got all my hair chopped off, because you cannot get a bad haircut in UT. My hair is now the shortest it's ever been (shoulder length). I went to lunch with Sara in Salt Lake, and then went back to Springville one last time; to clean a marker that shouldn't look so neglected.

On Tuesday...I went back to my littles. I missed them so much.

The end.

The Bloggy Things I Don't Understand

Sometimes I just feel like I missed a really important blogging memo; one that I should have read when I was just starting to consider writing one.

And then I feel indignant, and I want to break trend.

Soo... Here's a list of things that you should never see here (because I've excluded them on purpose. ;)).


Anthro.
I'll be the first to admit that their stuff is darling. But even if I had the resources, I wouldn't shop there. Seriously. This is not a case of "sour grapes." It's all just...overdone. When soo many people like something, it loses it's luster for me. Kinda like Coach bags...


[TAKING]
[PHOTOS]
[FOR]
[EVERY]
[LITTLE ]
[THING]
I used to wish that I could do this. It makes a blog so much more visually appealing, and memories are captured in the process. So sweet. But then I started realizing that it actually detracts from the experience. For example... My mom has a FB friend whose daughter was recently engaged. Proud of her daughter, she posted all of the photos her daughter had taken that night. The candlelit dinner for two...the food...the ring...those arm-outstretched vanity shots... So romantic. I could seriously picture the poor girl busying herself with picture taking, so much that the poor little groom-to-be had to sit and wait. Mood Killer.
(Note: Any posts about my vacation won't have very many photos... :D)


Song lyrics.
Okay, so I know I did this once. But that was an exception (one that I could potentially make again). I understand and appreciate why some people choose to post them. But it just doesn't work for me. I genuinely try to put my own feelings into my own words. And if I can't, I usually just stay silent.


Just sayin'!

:)

Blah blah blah

Remember how I mentioned that I think too much?? And remember all those posts about the random things that go through my head? Want more?
(If that last answer is a "No!" you can skip this one.)

I'm starting to wonder if I have a legitimate hot chocolate addiction. Seriously. I've had no problem passing up any other sugary substance. I've been proud of myself; it's not even deliberate. But hot chocolate just seems to be my Achilles' heal. Someone may have to pose an intervention soon. For now I'll blame it on the weather. I've been doing that a lot lately. ;)

I insert those little faces a lot too; maybe too much.

I really need to paint my toes. I might go with red this time.

I reallllly need to email a recipe to a friend. I keep forgetting. I'll send it right after I finish this (if I remember). I think there was someone else I've been meaning to email, too.

I'm pretty excited for March, for the most random reasons. Maybe I'll post about them after that trip...

I've been thinking of downsizing to two columns. I don't know why I have three anymore.

Back in the eighth grade I swore I'd never ever break 5'. I felt defeated by genetics. One day out of frustration, I measured and marked 5'2" on the wall in my parents' entryway (just putting it out into the universe. :))

They still have all those pencil markings on the wall. Maybe I should take a photo for prosperity... Anyway, when I hit that 5' mark on 14 Aug 1997, I was thrilled. It felt like an accomplishment. Then I hit 5'2" on 26 Nov 1999 (and then I never grew again).

My sister is always telling me that I am shorter than that. I always disagree. Yesterday I decided to finally end the debate... I'm freaking 5'1.75"!! What??! When did I shrink?? I'm 27, not 87. Maybe I could yoga that quarter of an inch back? Whatev.

Ben would probably insist that I claim 5'1". He was(/is) 5'11.75" and he never ever told people he was 6' tall. He said it would be too much like lying. Hm..

Really, it doesn't matter. I have this weird personality quirk where I always envision myself as being eye-level with everyone else. Rationally, I know when I'm shorter (which is most of the time) or taller (that's pretty rare). But in my head I feel like I'm the same height as any other peer. Does that even make sense?

I always refer to my scatter-brained-ness as having "blonde moments." Really, I should just call them "Ginny moments." I'm pretty sure that widow-brain pass has expired.

That Diddy song is stuck in my head. Blah. Jocee sings parts of it allll the time. Love her. She practically lived in timeout today. Sophie was pretty disgruntled with me too.

Yeah...I'm just scatter-brained. And now you may or may not understand why.

xo

:)

The RMV

(NOTE: This is an old draft from mid December. I was clearing out my drafts folder, and decided to post it. I haven't quite finished it, but if I don't upload it now I probably never will.)

I had waited until the last possible day to get my UT plates changed. I got my number and sat down; only 5 people before me, and an open seat. Yays! I looked down at the death certificate, and covered it with another paper. No one needed to know or feel bad.

As I looked looked through my purse for my chap stick, I heard the cutest Irish accent just a few feet away. I looked over at a sweet older Irish lady talking to a younger girl. She was briefly explaining where she was from, and asked the young girl about herself.

The younger girl was 21 and in college. She like really wanted to travel to Ireland someday, and like totally backpack through Europe too. She had been to Spain with friends, and it was awesome. The older lady smiled and nodded as this young girl went onto explain how she to wait until her birthday to get the "over 21" license and a new photo taken. She was like 16 in the old one, and had braces and un-blown-out hair. Awful!

As I listened to her talk, I missed the 21-year-old me. I remembered when I was like her; when I had time to get all dolled up for a DMV photo shoot... Ben married me weeks before I turned 21... Such a sweet time in my life.

Anyway, before long her number was called and she was gone. Minutes after that, the older Irish lady, got up and happily greeted someone she already knew. I thought to myself, "How fun is that? I never run into people I know here!"

As they embraced they both started crying. [By that point the guy next to me was making small talk. It made eavesdropping tricky.] In hushed tones the concerned friend asked how she had been, and apologized for not visiting with her more. That cute Irish lady's husband had recently passed away. She went on to talk about how difficult it had been on her, how much she missed him....and I had to stop listening.

My heart broke for her. For a moment I found it odd that at 27, I probably had more in common with a 60-something, than that 21-year-old girl getting the new license. And then I felt humbled realizing that each of us in that small overcrowded room had likely experienced our own brand of heartache.

I only hope that mine makes me better than I was before.

Ben: the workout buff

With all those ambitions weight loss resolutions going around, I've been reminded of Ben a lot. He was notorious for it. But if he wasn't hiking or fishing or playing some sport, those goals were pretty useless.

Like after I had Jocee.... When she was about 4 months old I got serious about losing the baby weight. Ben saw my determination, and must have felt inspired. I remember playing with Jocee in her room one day. He was strutting around the apartment, eating an apple and holding one of my Pilates DVDs (a 20-minute ab workout). He was so cocky as he told me his plan---20 minutes a day and some better food choices would get him right where he wanted to be.

I warned him that it would be an intense 20 minutes (since I usually quit 10 minutes in...). He brushed me off and went out to the living room to get started. About five minutes into it, I heard him struggling. It took all the composure I had to stifle my laughter.

And just like I had done before, he mumbled some expletive and stopped the DVD...halfway through. He came into Jocee's room, told me Pilates was for chicks, and never attempted it again.

But I couldn't blame him. It was an intense 20 minutes... :)

OR

In the summer of 2008, when gas prices were sky rocketing... Ben was constantly complaining about how he was gaining weight then, too. (Whatever.) His solution was to buy a bike. Riding it to work would save on gas, and trim his waist line. (Whatever.)

I was totally against it. I knew exactly what would happen. Even my sister remembers me telling her my detailed predictions. With him always running late in the mornings and a weird work schedule, the outcome was inevitable.

I told him how I felt.
He didn't listen.
I was too pregnant to care.
He bought one anyway.
I was right.
He never used it.

Except for this ONE time....

Did I mention I was pregnant with Sophie that summer?? Hah... Well, I was usually annoyed and wanted him to help me with cleaning more.

He was super annoyed at me, too. I wasn't good at restricting myself to partial bed rest (doctor's orders). I remember following him out to the living room, as we went back and forth. We continued on, having two different conversations until he said he was leaving.
I thanked him. (He was getting on my very last hormonally-shot nerve, so I welcomed the break.)

For the first (and only) time ever, he grabbed that bike and walked out the door. He seemed extra annoyed at me too, so I figured he'd be gone a while.

No more than 10 minutes later he was back; out of breath and a little bit sweaty. I was sitting on the couch. He happily walked over to me, kissed me, and went to shower. Again, I had to stifle laughter.
Easiest argument ever.
~
And so lately whenever I pop a Pilates DVD in the player or see his once used bike in the garage...I think of these stories and smile to myself.

I love Ben.

Why I love Lizzie B

Remember how I said this girl needs her own post?? Well, here are just a few of the reasons why she's one of my besties...

• I've mentioned it before, but... We went to high school together, had a lot of the same classes and some of the same friends. But oddly enough, we never ever spoke to each other back then. Anyway, when she heard about the crash, we started emailing and both realized just how like-minded we are.

• I call her my "psychic twin." We're almost always on the same wavelength. Love it!
  

• She is always the first to be there for her friends. Always. If needed, she'll drop whatever she's doing to help someone.

• She's one of the most optimistic people I've ever met; especially when things go crappy.
  

• This girl can have a serious potty mouth. She's this delicate looking, classy girl, and yet F-bombs can come flying out of her mouth with a vengeance. I can't help but laugh when her Bostonian road rage surfaces. Oh, and she's the absolute only person I know who can use sometimes derogatory terms as endearment, and actually pull it off.

• She is the best at blowing off skeezy guys! Love her!
  

• She appreciates my Utard-ness, and tells me not to change.
  

• I admire her independence. Her hubby is a firefighter, so she's used to doing things without him. Whether she knows it or not, she has been a positive example of a strong woman to me.
  

• I'm not sure how she does it, but she gets kick-A tickets where ever we go. She is the funnest person to go to concerts with. It was also 100% her idea to take Jocee and her niece to see Princesses on Ice. Priceless!
  

• She has the most eclectic taste in music ever.

• I'm a big fan of her fashion sense (because it's so similar to mine!). I'm currently holding a dress of her's hostage... :)

There are other things I could add to the list, but I'll stop here. I'm so lucky to be able to call her a friend. I've said it before and I'll say it again! Everybody needs a Lizzie B!

More proof that I'm old

I remember making fun of prom dresses from decades gone by...

I used to promise myself that I'd never wear anything so ridiculous. I was glad that fashion had evolved for the better. My prom photos would be forever timeless.

Hah!!

I've been going through old scrapbooks, and I came across this beauty. (Remember when scrapbooking was the thing to do?)

Back in '01, I thought this dress was perfect. Kind of... It was a last-minute purchase. I got it at Deb for a whopping $30. (That was lame, even back then. But I've always been a procrastinator...)

But that's only part of the disaster!!

I'm sure the amount of product in my hair reached toxic levels. I probably could have kept it that way for an entire week. I can't believe I paid someone to slick my hair to my head and put some random barrel curls in it. And every girl at that prom (and every other prom) was guilty of the same. Why was it okay to do that??

Then there are the accessories!! I probably got all that costume jewelry at Deb too. [Cringe.] And remember, this was 2001. Christina Aguilera was huge. I was so, so flattered when people told me I looked like her. And since she wore crystal tattoos, I had to wear them too. I'm sure the one on my..decollete...screamed "super classy!"

And makeup... I was definitely wearing blue eyeshadow, and blue eyeliner....to match the dress!

The kicker: I thought I looked hawt.
But didn't we all??

:)

Stream of Consciousness: Dec

I've been super all-over-the-place lately. Is it obvious?? Soo this will be extra random.

It's so crazy that tomorrow is New Year's Eve already...

I am so so sick of snow. What can be good about anything cold and wet?? Someday I'll move somewhere where it never ever snows, and I'll never ever miss it. I just wasn't meant to live in a cold climate.

Jocee and Sophie have LOVED it this year though. I need to post about that. They are the cutest. Sometimes I wish they'd never grow up. I'm so lucky to be their mom. :) In my limited mommy experience, I've decided that 3 1/2 is my favorite age.

An old friend from high school emailed me today and took credit for that drawing I posted earlier! We still don't remember who The Kid was. But we decided that she drew it during 10th grade English class. I had braces then... Oh, and he had to be in a different grade too. But that's all we got!

I think it's funny how one of my best friends and I weren't even friends in high school. We had a lot of the same classes, and some of the same friends. But coincidentally we probably never said two words to each other. I have this one memory of her telling our 10th grade Biology teacher that her then boyfriend was going to make a six-figure salary once he got his Bachelor's. I thought to myself, "That girl is so not going to be with that guy by then. And he could totally change his major and do something else..." Ha! I have no idea what he does now, but I'm pretty sure I was right.
Love her! She deserves her own post!

I watched "Maid in Manhattan" tonight and cringed the whole time! I still can't believe Ben sat through that. I can't believe I sat through that, or even invited him to watch it with us. I must have looked really cute that night, or something... It makes me happy that, the post gets the most hits. It was the start of a lot of good things. :)

Oh, Christmas wasn't as awful as I thought it would be... I think of how and where I was this time last year, and I shutter. I'm grateful to be one year removed from it.

And really... I know I post about this a lot, but Ben is still the sweetest. I don't care how skeptical most people can be. Those little reminders I always get made December better.


That is all for now.

xo

Before there was Ben...

...there was, The Kid.


Here's the deal... There's this FB fan page for my 10 year high school reunion. It'll be sometime next year. This eerie realization is making me feel nostalgic (and old!). I was a total dork back then. Bangs, braces, Dr. Martins, sweater vests... Cringe. (For the record, that was just freshman and sophomore year, but still bad!)

So... Here I am! Living with my parents... Every once in a while I find something ancient that they've hung onto.

These trips down memory lane can be fun, but I cannot for the life of me remember where this was from. I can't remember who would have drawn this lovely...diagram (definitely not me). And why did I keep it? Why did my parents keep it?? This had to be a joke.

I'm guessing it was from freshman or sophomore year of high school. By junior year I had given up on those tacky uniform sweater vests, and boys that went to the same school.

Maybe this boy wore a black hat...and a CC sweater vest... He was obviously a big enough deal for me to talk about, and for someone else to draw a picture of. And then for me to keep it as a memento... Awkward!

Anyway! If anyone reading this is from high school and remembers "The Kid" please remind me! I have not a clue. And if you drew this masterpiece, take credit! You know you want to own this. ;)

Why I love T. Thorpe

Since she gets so much honorable mention on the blog, I figured I'd elaborate. Here are some reasons why this girl is one of my best friends...
:)

• Even though we went over three years with no contact, as soon as I needed her, she was there. And we picked up right where we left off. (Oh, about that... It's a funny story! I'll just say, it's a good thing that we won't ever be getting pregnant at the same time again!)

• We've been known to talk on the phone for 8 hours, straight. Usually about a lot of nothing, and laughing almost the whole time!

• Whenever we get together we laugh. Hard. I'm pretty sure neither of us are that funny, but we definitely think we are!

• She insisted that I compile a list of qualities to look for in Mr. OkayForRIGHTnow. It's a very competitive position. She has the list somewhere. Applicants need not apply for another....9 years! :)
  

• When it comes to constructive criticism, we are brutally honest. Most people could easily take offense. Ha! We call it love.

• We totally get each other. I'm so used to having to explain myself to people. So I'll preface statements with a phrase like, "This may sound weird to you, but..." Without fail her response is always, "Okay. How is that weird??" Love it!

• We discuss and study quirky topics ad nauseum. Think moon cycles, Feng Shui, numbers, shopping deals... Nothing is ever too weird for us!
  

• Even though I never got to meet her mom, I know she likes me. :)

• Our kids are the same ages. As soon as they met, they adored each other. Play dates are super easy. And when they can't play together, they talk about each other constantly.

• Old movies and soy ice cream.

• Peacocks and fluffy chickens.

• Even her hubby totally gets it. He says she's the Cristina and I'm the Meredith! Haha! (I've never seen Grey's, so...yeah!)

In short: I stinkin' love this girl, and I'm so lucky to have her in my life!


And especially for this long.
:)

Ginny is Currently....

...feeling slightly gluttonous.
...and scatterbrained too! :)
...grateful for the family and sweet friends who put up with her!
...certain that she is the mommy of two of the funniest people alive!
...wishing she lived in a warmer climate!
...wondering why she gave up on hot chocolate for so long.
...so glad she got a GPS! haha
...anticipating an upcoming UT trip.
...missing Ginger's Garden Cafe.
...almost done with Christmas shopping.
...thinking colored lights on the tree are soo tacky.
...can't believe how much the girls have grown in one year.
...thinking her toes could use a fresh coat or two of magenta.
...having too many blonde moments.
...listening to the same song on repeat.
...needing to do laundry instead.
...remembering the sweeter things.
...looking forward to 2011.

And ALWAYS...
...loving her babies.
...grateful for sweet memories.
...wishing he was here.

Stream of Consciousness: Nov

I totally spaced a Stream of Consciousness post last month. But I didn't like what I was thinking about most of that time anyway. Sometimes I think it's dumb to write one. But, whatever. Here's some mind puke!
:)

I feel really quiet lately. Is it obvious?? I feel like my writing skills have plummeted.

I'm really glad this month is over. I'll be really glad when next month is over, too. I keep having flashbacks of where I was last year. In complete shock. The holidays came on so quickly and I was too numb to care.

Call me crazy, but I kind of miss being numb like that. This year I get to be acutely aware of what my new normal is. Ben isn't here (physically), and that will become more and more normal. Yuck. Denial has worn off and reality is raw. There's nothing to shield me from it.

Soo I'm being super lame and listening to emo crap. I used to make fun of people who did that. Like My December.... I don't want it to be December tomorrow... Ha! Gotta snap out of it. Hmmm....something upbeat....

Oh! Thanksgiving was wicked fun (See that?? Hah!). I forgot how much I've missed holidays in New England. And my family is the funniest! I love them so much. :)

I wish my babies weren't sick. They're the sweetest. I love that they are best friends. It makes everything worth it. Sophie is saying the cutest things... I should write a post all about that.



And that's pretty much where my head is at. I'll be better soon.

Love!!