Thirty Days: Day 18

your favorite childhood book

I loved reading when I was in first grade. For some reason from second through fourth I didn't so much. Then just before fifth grade I started getting a series of books called Girl Talk. All of a sudden I was in love with reading.

There were 45 of them and I love them all! From there I was hooked on reading and still am to this day. Here are some others that stand out in from my childhood as favorites:

I can still go into a book store and spend hours in the children's department.

Here Comes the Bride

Clearly my invitation to the wedding was lost in the mail, but the lovely couple was forgiven. So, yes I was one of those crazy people that set her alarm for 2:55 am to watch the Royal Wedding. You might ask why on earth did I do this?

Well I wasn't planning to. I honestly don't think I decided to until the day before. First of all, I am a history buff, I have a degree in it and a lot of that was British history, so I have an interest. Second, I wanted to be a wedding coordinator for a long time, so I have an interest in weddings in general. Third, I love princesses! Yeah, it's corny, but it's true. Kate, pardon me, Catherine is living out every girl's dream: she met and fell in love with a prince and she is marrying him!

Here is my play by play on the wedding:

I loved the hats. There were hats everywhere, and I loved it. I hate that we live in such a casual society where you would be looked at as a freak by all the people wearing jeans and flip flops. I want to move to England (as nobility, of course).

I loved that as you looked at the attire of most of the guests for the most part they were timeless. Well maybe not timeless, but they looked so classic, like the wedding could have taken place in the 1950s. I loved that, I might be the only one, but I did.

I loved that the men were all in tails! Oh my gosh, nothing better!

I loved all the pomp and circumstance. It was so classic and traditional, and I love that. I know I want to save the world and I should be disgusted with the amount of money spent on this wedding, but you know what, I'm not. If you've got it, spend it. You only live once. I am certain that Will and Kate will do great things for humanity through their lives, so I say live a little. God willing, they'll only get married once.

I loved that the wedding was at Westminster Abbey, the site of Princess Diana's funeral. I love that there is a positive spin on that location for William. One of the commentators remarked that at the funeral William and Harry walked to the church, but did not make the return trip, and at the wedding there was a joyous return. I think it was very fitting.

I loved the Queen! Now I am not a huge Queen Elizabeth II fan, she's always seemed a bit uppity for me, however at this wedding she was just so cute and happy. I loved her yellow dress, and of course her hat.

I loved that William was in his uniform, but changed into a tuxedo before the second reception. I thought that was a nice balance.

I loved the ceremonious change from commoner to royalty of Kate. The fact that she went to the church in a car and then returned in the carriage. Frankly I loved that all of the Royal Family went to the church in cars.

I LOVED THE DRESS! Say what you will about it if you didn't like it, but I loved it. I knew that she was going to go with her hair basically down, which is very modern and I just knew that the dress would remind me of Grace Kelly's. Grace Kelly is my favorite princess (though Miss Catherine is moving up there). I love that her dress from 1956 and Kate's dress in 2011 were so similar, yet Kate's had many modern elements to make it just perfect for this era. I don't think we will look back in 30 years and think the things we do about Diana's dress. Not that Diana's wasn't beautiful in its own right, however you have to admit it was slightly dated.

I loved the bouquet, though it was small, it had sweet Williams! I thought that was cute! Plus it had some flowers that were in Diana's bouquet, which I thought was a nice tribute to her.

I loved Pippa's dress. Wow! She looked beautiful (though not as beautiful as her sister).

I love the British idea of bridesmaids. I love that there was one maid of honor and then a handful of adorable children. I am seriously thinking about this for my wedding in the future. I think it would cut back on many headaches for many people involved, plus we all know I have a ton of adorable children in my life and choosing between them for flower girl and ring bearer would be awful!

I love that Kate held her father's hand (and then William's) as she walked down the aisle instead of linking arms. It was just so elegant!

I love that when Kate made it down the long aisle to William they were talking and laughing. That made me very happy. You can just see that they really do love each other, and that makes me happy.

I love, love, loved the ceremony. (Chris, if you're reading this, I'm going to need you to work on a British accent, get a fancy Anglican robe, and one of those nifty gold hats (which you must learn to flip) before I get married. :)) I did think it would have been funny if the priest would have mentioned the 2 billion people watching at home when he said something about performing the ceremony for all the guests! This was my favorite part (yes I have watched the ceremony at least three times, and no I didn't memorize this...yet):

Considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained. First, it was ordained for the increase of mankind according to the Will of God, and that children might be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of His Holy Name. Secondly, it was ordained in order that the natural instincts and affections implanted by God should be hallowed and directed aright that those of who are called of God to this Holy Estate should continue therein in pureness of living. Thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual society, help and comfort that the one ought to have of the other both in prosperity and in adversity.

That was just my favorite part. I also liked the gold hatted priest that asked them if they knew of any reason that they shouldn't be joined. I think that's kind of a good idea. We'll leave it at that. :)

I love that you could tell that they were probably thinking of Diana getting Charles' names wrong when Kate said William's names.

When they were saying their vows they looked like any other couple that is in love.

I love that he kind of struggled to get her ring on. That just made it look real.

I love the individual kneeling rails. (That's probably because of the famous photo of Grace Kelly)

I loved the priest flipping his hat (though I kind of wanted it to go flying across the room, that would have been funny).

I loved Kate's brother's reading (Romans 12: 1, 2, 9-18). Although I'm pretty sure you could put any halfway decent looking guy in tails, with a British accent, reading a scripture slowly and I would be in love with it!

I loved that the Right Reverend Richard Chartres gave the wedding address, as he also gave the address at Diana's memorial in 2007 and was one of the executors of her will. I love that he said this:

Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire. Marriage is intended to be a way in which man and woman help each other to become what God meant each on to be: their deepest and truest selves.

I'm sure I could go on and on and on, but those were my highlights of the day. Overall I thought it was a perfect wedding. I would gladly have the same one! Though I might need some anxiety medication to deal with 1900 guests and 2 billion watching on television.

As exhausted as I was all day yesterday (leaving work at 10:50 after moving 11 workers and sleeping the majority of the day) I'm glad that when my children as if I watched the Royal Wedding of 2011 that I will be able to say yes. I am excited to see how William and Catherine are as a couple, as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and ultimately how the monarchy is when they are King and Queen. It was an exciting day for history and I wish them nothing but happiness for all the days of their lives!

And anyone who knocked the kiss, there was more affection that Charles and Diana, and really they are royalty, they can't exactly make out! I'm sure they did plenty of that later! :)

And I also loved that Brittany woke up to watch it too and text messaged me, and we both commented on all of it, until the wedding started and then all texts stopped, because it's just rude to text during a wedding! :)

Thirty Days: Day 17

a photo of somewhere you've been

I bet everyone thought I was going to post a New York picture! In 2002 I went to Hawaii for a week. Most people when going to a tropical paradise want to spend as many hours as possible on the beach, but not me. I had two things on the agenda: Pearl Harbor and Lilo and Stitch. Pearl Harbor was appealing because I am a big history buff (have a degree in it and all). Lilo and Stitch just looked like a great movie. Plus it was opening the weekend that we were there. I did miss the premier by two days (it was on Tuesday and we arrived on Thursday). Boo. It was still great. If you haven't seen Lilo and Stitch you should check it out, it has a great story. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip. I even looked into grad school there. Alas it didn't happen, but I look forward to going again!

Thirty Days: Day 16

the meaning behind your blog name

The blog was originally named My Organic Journey because I started blogging to follow the trials and tribulations of switching to organic foods. Well that was short lived as organic is expensive and the pool took all my time and money. So then it was Floating Through Life...and Trying Not to Drown. That was when I really started blogging. Recently I changed it again. Little black dresses and pearls are two of my favorite things in the world and staples in my wardrobe.

The original little black dress was created by Coco Chanel, which is a woman who I greatly admire. The dress became very popular when Audrey Hepburn wore one in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a favorite movie of mine.

Pearls are classic. I wanted my husband to be to buy my first strand of pearls for a wedding gift. Since the wedding didn’t happen and we had already purchased his rings I was able to exchange them for my pearls. My pearls were a sign that I was ready to move on (though not as much as my diamond necklace), and so they mean a lot to me.

Thirty Days: Day 15

another picture of yourself

From a long, long time ago. Senior year of high school to be exact.

So much has changed since this was taken, yet so much is the same. I spent many years trying to be a grown up, so I thought. What I've realized, however, is that when I was in high school I didn't care what other people thought of me, I just was who I was. For many years after that I was exactly opposite and cared too much about what others thought. I think I am a little in between now. An equal part of the rebel who didn't care and the conformist who does.

Thirty Days: Day 14

someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

Leigh Anne Tuohy

Hands down, no questions asked. I adore this woman and everything she stands for. She has done so many wonderful things for the world and I pray I can do half as much as she's done. Not to mention she has published a book, which is one of my goals in life. I was blessed to have met her last fall, which afterwards I cried for a few hours because I felt like I was doing nothing and she'd done so much. Luckily I have a wonderful best friend that talked me off the ledge and reminded me that I will do great things like her, but I am laying a foundation for that right now. I don't generally look up to people very much, I kind of see everyone as on an even playing field. Leigh Anne Tuohy is someone I aspire to be like.

Also if I really got to trade places with her for a day I would right a hefty check to my non profit! (Hopefully while she was me she would see the good things that I want to do and would continue to write those checks when she got back to being her!)

(or Jill Goodacre so I could make out with Harry Connick, Jr. for a day and have him sing just to me!)

Thirty Days: Day 13

a TV show you're currently addicted to

Anything that has to do with these two!

I have never really been one for following the Royals from across the pond, but with this impending wedding I am obsessed! Granted like every other girl in the decade surrounding my birth I wanted to grow up and marry this particular prince. I mean really he had the best pick up line ever: I can make you a princess. Yeah melt my heart. I still remember where I was when I heard that Princess Diana died. I still remember her boys at the funeral. So sad. I am glad that Prince William seems to have found true love. I think Kate is just one of the most beautiful women ever. Not to mention all that she has put up with to get here. I do feel sorry for her to a point (even though I should hate her for becoming a princess!) because the wedding will be such a spectacle (of course I will be one of those watching!).

To William and Kate, good luck and congratulations this weekend!

Thirty Days: Day 12

your celebrity crush

I could go with someone obvious like Brad Pitt or George Clooney, however that just wouldn't be me.

Rocco Dispirito 

All I have to say is YUM-O! He's beautiful and he cooks, healthy food. I love him.

Matthew Morrison

He's beautiful and he sings. Need I say more?

Combine these two and we may have the perfect man!

Thirty Days: Day 11

a photograph of the town you live in

Norman, Oklahoma

how I love you

Though it could almost be call OU, Oklahoma

However you look at it I love it just the same and it is home now.

Thirty Days: Day 10

a song that takes you back

It was a Friday in June. The year was 1998. I had spent the day in the pool with Haley. When we were done I was trying to put the ladder back up and it ended up crashing into my head, leaving a big gash. Because of this little incident Heather, Holly and I decided to have a low key evening. The plan was to stay in pajama pants and grab some food at Taco Bell, then go back to Heather's.

Many time I have talked about the best laid plans, however this evening that didn't go how we expected turned out to be one of the most memorable nights ever.

We finished our dinner and headed out to the parking lot. There was a guy at a white mustang convertible. I made the comment "if he is leaving a rose on his girlfriend's car I'm going to be mad." Upon further inspection of this situation it turns out that this guy wasn't putting a flower on his girlfriend's car, nope he was trying to break into it. He looks up at us, realizing that we are watching him, and asks if we have a coat hanger. He explained that he had locked his keys in his car (yes the top was up). Being me, I had one of everything in my car and dug out a wire hanger for him. He introduced himself at the back of my car, though I was a little jaded about guys and didn't bother to remember his name.

The girls and I went inside to the bathroom at which point we mentioned that this guy was hot and that I didn't have a clue what his name was. We headed back out to the car, where the mystery guy still hadn't been able to get into his car. Being the stupid 16 year olds that we were we invited him to go riding around with us. (Don't judge, he was hot!) We all introduced ourselves and our new friend's name was Cliff. We end up meeting up with some "friends" and I explained to him that when we got out of the car he would need to flirt with one of us because one of these girls would maul him otherwise. Well he picked one of us: me. (Not that I was complaining) One of our other friends hopped in the car with us and Cliff hopped in the front seat of my car and made the girls sit in the back. He and I ended up chatting. He had just graduated high school and was going to OU in the fall. He was from a smaller town to the east of Ardmore, hence us having never met him.

We make it back to Taco Bell and somehow managed to get his car unlocked. We then we riding around in the convertible. Well that was just fun. Not our normal Friday night.

Here's where the song comes into play. There is a big bump south of the old Blockbuster in Ardmore. Song 2 was on the radio and as we hit this bump the song blared "woo-hoo." All in all it was a pretty awesome night. Then it got better.

We made it back to Taco Bell, because it was almost curfew time, and Cliff pulled up on the driver's side of my car. The girls got out and headed to the passenger's side (2 door GMC Jimmy :)). As I was getting out of the car I leaned over the door to chat for a few more minutes, and to convince him to come to our car wash the next day. Before I was about to get in my car he looked at me and said he needed to tell me something, but he didn't want me to get mad about it. I was thinking what on earth could he tell me that would make me mad, we'd only met him a few ours before. I said okay and then he said "you have to pinky promise." Really? After probably rolling my eyes I put my pinky out, which he grabbed with his and pulled me down and kissed me, and kissed me, and kissed me. Yeah it was awesome. Even at almost 30 that has to be one of, if not the best first kiss ever.

In the meantime the girls were on the other side of the car, Heather and Kristen were tired and ready to go and not paying the slightest bit of attention to what was going on. Holly, on the other hand, was watching through the car window and kind of hit Heather and said, are they kissing. Heather was ignoring her, so Holly hit harder and said "they're kissing!" I got in the car and had to explain myself, not that there was much to explain, he was hot, after all.

The next day, at the very end of the car wash he showed up and he, Heather, Holly and I ended up going to the lake. We proceeded to make out for the afternoon, in the water, on the towel, yeah it was a good day. He told me I had pretty eyes, probably the first time I'd heard that (though not the last). I gave him my number, but didn't hear from him...



Until the following year when I found his email address on OU's website, was mad at an ex, and asked him to Prom. There is a pretty good story about that too, but that's for another day, though I will leave you with a picture from Prom.



Right Where I Belong

For those of you that have been around me the last few months they haven't been, well, great. I have not been happy in Norman. Of all places I was happiest when I was in Ardmore. I loved being in Tulsa when I was there for two weekends for class. Norman just has not been cutting it.

The last few days have been really bad. When I am in Norman my life is very structured (example, today: drinks after work, Maundy Thursday service, Stella and Dot/31 party, movie at Travis'). It's like this most every day. I thought when my Research class was over I would slow down and have evenings free. What was I thinking? I don't seem to remember what free time is or how to get it (people keep saying it is by saying this word that is foreign to me: no).

I also have not felt like I was fitting into my own life very well. I am involved in all kinds of things (work, school, Junior League, church) and I just didn't feel like I fit. Granted there were a lot of other things in my life falling down around me and I allowed certain people to get the better of me, when I shouldn't have because they are not worth my time and energy.

Though certain aspects of my life haven't really gotten much better I have learned (or been reminded of) a few things this week:

• I have amazing friends that love me just the way that I am
• I am smart and other people recognize that (one of my classmates, who I don't really know, emailed me her paper for our Research class for me to check over for her)
• I have a lot to offer the world
• I have a lot of good ideas
• People talk about my drive and ambition behind my back (which is a good thing)
• I am a social butterfly
• I have two of the most amazing friends a girl could ask for that form the standard "we" in my life these days
• I make friends easily and it is awesome when new friends call you up to go out randomly
• I probably take for granted the people in my life that I have acquired in the last two years, but when you look back and count them I can't imagine my life without them
• I am on the verge of doing great things
• I think I may have found my, selfish, way to make an impact
• I am constantly finding people that want to help with my non profit and who encourage me to keep going even when I feel like giving up
• I have an amazing church family that I wouldn't trade for anything
• I made an A in my Research class (it was touch and go I thought, though I thought I bombed my last test and got a 93 on it, so not too bad)
• I am done with two out of three classes for the semester and only have three assignments to go in the third
• I have a boss that really, truly cares about me and my well being (and who I can go into her office crying and she hugs me and tells me it's going to be okay and it's fine not to be perfect)
• I know there are genuinely good people in the world that believe the same things I do and I am glad to have found another one of those tonight
• I have friends who will let me cry, but tell me I'm ridiculous for the reason I'm crying and tell me I'm amazing

All of that being said I am tired. Unfortunately it seems when I get to the point of complete mental exhaustion it seems that I take on a new project or two (yeah that's the case this time too). Some times I feel like I am starting to get a handle on things and then something else falls apart (read: pool). I am thankful to have a wonderful group of women in my life, most of whom I am still getting to know, that always seem to put a smile on my face when I am around them (and I have really needed that the last two days).

Overall, even with all the stress life is good right now. I think I am just in a juggling phase. Two years ago I was left with no social life besides a few (wonderful) friends that stuck by me when I gave everything up to be in a relationship. I think I have over stimulated myself to make up for those years. The problem is that I have thrown myself into a lot of things that I am very passionate about and that I want to do. Luckily some of those things are temporary (read: school, only 6 hours of class and 6 hours of internship and I'm DONE) and those that are true passions are going to become more and more prevalent in my life. We shall see where the road takes me, but for now I'm pretty sure I am right where I belong.

NOTE: if you would like to donate to the "Save the Pool" fund just let me know. There may be details on what happened to the pool if I can ever say or type it without crying.

Thirty Days: Day 9

put your ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play

I don't iPod (because it's a cult, but here are the first ten songs that came up on media player)

1. Just the Way You Are - Harry Connick, Jr.
2. Living in Fast Forward - Kenny Chesney
3. When the Stars Go Blue - Tim McGraw
4. My Last Breath - Evanescence
5. A Blessing and a Curse - Harry Connick, Jr.
6. Breathing - Lifehouse
7. Bustopher Jones - From Cats
8. Eternity - Big & Rich
9. Livin' Our Love Song - Jason Michael Carroll
10. (I've Had) The Time Of My Life - Glee

Thirty Days: Day 8

a song to match your mood

It's a toss up. Take these as you will...

(explicit lyrics, proceed with caution)



Where Were You?

Eighth grade, English I, Mrs. Graham's class.

Clearly I am referring to where I was when the bombing at the Murrah building. It was a Wednesday.

That Friday my mom and I went to Oklahoma City for the weekend because I was performing at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. I remember being at dinner on 63rd and watching the death toll rising.

Who can forget the Pulitzer Prize winning photographer of firefighter Chris Fields carrying out poor little Baylee Almon? Can you believe that she would be driving now if this atrocity had not happened? Thinking about which colleges to go to. Planning for prom. The bombing happened the day after her first birthday. Do you think they had her party planned for the following Saturday?

Can you even begin to imagine being excited for your baby girl's first birthday party and then lose her a few days before? I think as I reflect on this, with as much desire as I have to be a mother, it is harder to get a grasp of the evil that plotted and executed this act.

As the years passed after the bombing I have as many memories.

My sophomore year Mark Medoff premiered a play at Ardmore Little Theatre: A Christmas Carousel. The story, based on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, centered around the bombing, with Scrooge played by woman, specifically played by deaf actress Phyllis Frelich. This was when my interest in American Sign Language returned (I've always loved ASL and can remember an interest since I was little). The show was amazing.

Three years later, my freshman year in college, I was part of the theatre department (albeit just by taking a Stage Crafts class with a professor that wanted to prove the point that non majors could be an asset to the department) and they were doing A Christmas Carousel, again with Phyllis starring. The show had changed some in the three years since it premiered in Ardmore, but it had only gotten better. The scenery was very simple, designed by Phyllis' husband, and the infamous fence was a part of it. I was honored to be the assistant stage manager for this amazing show. The show is written in an amazing way where the entire show is spoken and signed simultaneously. One of the most awe inspiring moments was that the ghost of Christmas past looks at Scrooge and says "9:02 that morning...boom", one night during a dress rehearsal we looked down and it was 9:02 pm. It happened like that every night.

That semester I was also taking an architecture class (yeah I was a little major challenged that semester). We were honored to have Torrey Butzer, the wife of the husband and wife team that designed the memorial. We got to see all her sketches. I still remember President Clinton dedicating the memorial on April 19, 2000.

I remember going to Mexico with friends in high school and some of the locals in the market asking where we were from. When we responded Oklahoma they said "ah yes, Oklahoma, big boom."

I am sad that my state is remembered by many only by this act of evil, as we have a lot more to offer, however I am proud of the way our state pulled together for one another following this disaster. I am proud to be an Oklahoman on this day more than any other.

Two friends posted this on facebook today, and I have to share it as well. President Clinton said this April 23, 1995:

"If anybody thinks that Americans are mostly mean and selfish, they ought to come to Oklahoma. If anybody thinks Americans have lost the capacity for love and caring and courage, they ought to come to Oklahoma."

I know my children will ask where I was when April 19 happened.

Eighth grade, English I, Mrs. Graham's class.

Those of us that remember are a part of history. Like those that can answer "where were you when Pearl Harbor happened" or "where were you when Kennedy was shot," we are a part of history. It is crazy to think of how many people I know that weren't even born when this happened and how many don't remember it because they were too young.

If you have never been to the memorial you should go, it truly is one of the most powerful places ever. If you can talk to someone who worked on the site, listen to their story.

April 19, 1995: we will never forget.



I remember where I was, where were you?

Thirty Days: Day 7

your dream wedding

For the longest time I had my wedding all planned:

In Ardmore at my home church and reception somewhere down there.

Then I saw Sex and the City and changed and wanted to get married at Wesley UMC in OKC (because it’s pretty) and have the reception at the Petroleum Club.

Well that got vetoed by a few people when I actually tried to plan a wedding, so it was going to be at Goodrich UMC and the reception at the postal training center in Norman (ps I was never happy with that).

Now two years later here are my three possible scenarios for a wedding:

Destination: on a beach somewhere, come home and have a reception in the backyard.

Church: big wedding at a church (probably McFarlin UMC) then reception in the backyard.

Formal: small wedding and reception at the Skirvin in the Venetian Room on the top floor, plated dinner, then a huge reception in the backyard a few weeks later.

my pretty backyard makes an appearance in all three :)

I think it’s good that I don’t have complete set expectations anymore (hopefully less arguments when the time does come). Regardless I want the people that mean the most to me to be with me and that is the most important part (oh and the photography and having a photobooth :))

I guess it will also depend on who I marry!

Thirty Days: Day 6

favorite super hero and why

I'm not big on the super heroes, never really have been. The only super hero movies that I have seen are a couple of Batman movies and that's just because Val Kilmer and George Clooney are hot. That being said a new super hero has entered my radar recently: Spider Man.

I've already written on this subject, so go check that out here. I guess Spider Man gets to be my favorite by default. I also know that I want to see that show again and would love to be at the premiere (if there are any readers out there that could hook that up for me well just let me know!)

Here are a couple of youtube videos from the show.

The first is the promotional video for the production:

And the second is from the Late Show with Reeve Carney, TV Carpio and Jennifer Damiano performing Rise Above, an amazing song from the show.

Bridging the (Age) Gap

So last night I realized how much smaller the age gap gets as we get older. When I started keeping Haley she was 8 and I was 16. She had just finished 3rd grade and I was about to start my senior year of high school. That was a pretty big age gap. Worlds apart really.

As she hit middle school I was in college. Her freshman year was the same as my second senior year of college. She got in a wee bit of trouble around Christmas that year and for all of break I was the only person she was allowed to see outside of actual family.

She graduated high school the year I bought my first house and then she came to OU. It was fun having her in Norman and she would come over and do laundry and I would cook dinner (when she wasn't super busy with school and sorority life).

Last year she turned 21 which meant a huge (and incredibly fun) party. Finally she was old enough to go out (legally :)).

This all seemed quite natural with Haley. She had never really acted like a little kid, so it was easy to think of her as a peer and not a baby sitting charge. What snuck up on me was while all of this was going on her friends were also getting older.

The first instance of this realization hit last December. Kara and I went to Ardmore for a play the night before her friend Tyler's birthday. I texted Tyler to see what he was doing and he and a few friends ended up meeting us for dinner. After that we went out to a local bar. At the bar were several of the kids that Haley graduated with, all completely there legally. Good grief. I'm not sure if this made me feel old or not. I think it kind of did because I was in Ardmore.

Last night was a little different. I went out with Kristin, Travis, Dana and Timmy. We met up with Emily and Jennifer. Well Jennifer had invited some friends, including her cousin. Well her cousin just happened to be one of Haley's close guy friends from high school. We also had another guy that was a year older than Haley, and to make matters worse, Haley's high school tennis partner, who is a year younger than her! This was a little peculiar situation because it was completely spontaneous. I was out, they were out, all in the same group.

I guess as we all get older being eight or nine years younger really isn't that big of a deal. I know when I'm 40 and Haley is 32 it won't be that big of a deal, nor will 50 and 42 and so on and so forth. It's just funny to think that this little girl and all her little friends are old enough to just naturally be part of my social circle.

Thirty Days: Day 5

a photo of something that makes you happy

Yes, that is a picture of Austin, Texas.

Yes, I am a huge OU fan.

Yes, this makes me happy.

For some reason every time I have having some huge life questioning moment in my life I end up in Austin somehow. I don't know what it is about that town, but it always seems to clear my head.

Thirty Days: Day 4

a picture of someone or something that
has had the biggest impact on you

Britton Austin Drake Sperry

Britton was born November 20, 2000. Never in a million years did I expect him to change my life as much as he did, Haley yes, Britton, no. I kept Haley in the summers, but I was never supposed to have Britton, until his baby sitter quit. Cindy found a baby sitter for him, but she couldn't keep him during the summer. Since I was keeping Haley anyway guess who got offered the job.

My mom and Cindy were certain that after a summer with a baby Haley and I would NEVER want to have kids, well you know what they say about the best laid plans...

After a very quick baby tutorial one Sunday after church I was ready to jump into keeping a six month old. On the first day he threw up on me, my baptism into babies.

I kept him that summer, the next and then a little bit when he was two and a half. The second summer I realized that as much as I had fought it before I really wanted to get married and have kids. I loved being with him all day, running errands, playing, all of it. Before that I thought I might want kids in the future, but wasn't really 100% sure. After having Britton I was sold.

To this day I can't wait to be a mom. I get frustrated that the time is not right at this moment in time. It is sometimes hard to be around my friends that are pregnant or have new babies. I know that the time will be right in the future and when it does I can't wait!

Thirty Days: Day 3

your idea of the perfect first date

This is actually a tough one.

Dinner for sure, somewhere nice that I don't go to ever, or have never been to (sushi is always a perfect option).

I think it would have to be on a Friday so we could have a Sara Sara Cupcake Date (on Fridays 2 cupcakes and 2 glasses of milk for $10, plus it's the cutest thing ever!).

Then some kind of activity where we could talk, like putt putt or bowling or laser tag.

I don't know! Heck I hate dating and don't do it much, so it wouldn't really take much to totally impress me! :)

Thirty Days: Day 2

a picture of you and your friends

I have lots of friends, so here are a bunch!

 Heather, Crystal and I senior year of high school

Jacquelyn, Emily, Kim and I at Kim's 21st birthday in 2002

Sarah and I freshman year of college

Megan (aka personality twin) and I last fall at an OU game

Melinda, Lucy, Jenna and I in Enid in 2003

Mary and I at our Academy graduation

Skylar and I at Melena's wedding

Brittany, Valerie and I at a Redhawks game

Kara and I at her birthday last year

Kristin and I at concealed carry class

 And last, but certainly not least, Haley and I at her 21st birthday

Thirty Days: Day 1

a photo of yourself and a description of how your day was

Well that's part of me. My day was mucky. Take that as you will. Work was kind of mucky and working on the pool was really mucky. I'm not sure if I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel of the pool yet. Hopefully in a week it will be swimable. :)

Much love to my beautiful friend Kristin for getting mucky with me. She totally has an all access pool pass for the summer!

Coming Soon: 30 Day Challenge

Hopefully I will get these started tomorrow and start posting. I really like these posts because I can write them all at once, or for the most part all at once, and since they are already written I have a reason to log onto Blogger, which makes me want to write more. I have found three 30 day challenges (this first one, a photo one, which has been all over facebook, and a music one) so that should keep me blogging for the next three months!

Grammar

I am not a grammar expert, however I know BAD grammar when I see it. My friend Adrienne is lovingly known as the Grammar Police. Plus she hates cutsie words like hubby and preggo (reasons that she is one of my favorites).

I hate when I see people type on facebook, or an email, or a text in just horrible grammar, or using abbreviations for every word. Does it really take that much longer to type "your" as it is to type "ur"? Really? Now I use bc instead of because or btw and omg (those are more because they are fun to say with lots of emphasis) so I am by no stretch of the way perfect. And I am not perfect with my its versus it's on texting, but if I have a real keyboard in front of me you better believe it will be right.

I just think that it makes you look completely unintelligent when you either use horrible grammar or abbreviate everything.

Okay, stepping down from the soapbox and going to bed...

Oh, and spell check your blogs! That is all (this is not aimed at anyone I follow, but when randomly surfing through blogs looking for new ones to follow I have seen A LOT of misspelled words).

(If there are any grammatical errors in this I'm sorry, it has been a long day and I'm sleepy!)

Blogs, Blogs Everywhere

I have gotten into the habit of blog collecting the last week or so. I guess it was when I redid my blog, I want to "follow" bunches of blogs! Well in the meantime apparently a lot of people have started or restarted blogging that I didn't know had blogs. Well I am just super excited to have new blogging friends! Welcome to the Blog World, or Welcome Back to the Blog World!

A New Ten Day Challenge: Day Ten: Recent Picture Of You

Last one...

Not a very good picture of me, but I love it. This was from a night at the dueling piano bar in Bricktown. After this we went to CityWalk and had a blast. Hands down one of my favorite nights recently. (and yes, I am clutching my phone :)) We need to do this again...very soon!

A New Ten Day Challenge: Day Nine: My Worst Habit

I'm going to be light on this one, since day one was pretty serious.

Kristin and Travis would say this is my worst habit:

I would say this is my worst habit:

If I was stranded on a deserted island it would be a toss up of which I would need more. :)

Moving Forward

I love my life.

I love it just the way it is.

I love all the experiences that I have had.

I love all the experiences that I am having.

I love that there are more experiences to come.

I love that I had a great childhood, a great high school experience, a great time in college, and a great time after college.

I love that I had all of that.

I love that I am not still in any of those times of my life.

I love that I have a great life now.

I love that I am moving forward and not sitting in the same place that I have been.

A New Ten Day Challenge: Day Eight: A Photo You Took

I'm a photographer, so you get a person and a thing!

My precious niece Eby! I was honored to do her first photo shoot! (and yes that is a Tiffany's box in the background! :))

West 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue: The New York City Public Library


From my trip at Christmas this year. This is one of my favorite places in NYC. I love words and I love books, so it is natural. One of these days I hope that I publish a book and you better believe when it shows up here I will have a picture with it.

A New Ten Day Challenge: Day Seven: A Photo That Makes You Happy

Haley and I when I was Sara in A Little Princess my junior year of high school. This was before I started keeping her, but I already knew she was going to be an important part of my life.

A New Ten Day Challenge: Day Six: A Photo Taken of You Ten Years Ago

Emily, Sarah, myself and Kim at my first OU/Texas game.

We were cold and miserable, but I started to love football that day.

I really came to love it at OU/Nebraska that year.

Prepping for our night before the game.

Making posters for the game (I was on ESPN GameDay!)

Then there was the Orange Bowl, when my friend Brad was so confused that I loved football now.

(Oh and I had walking pneumonia...the things I do for football!)

And then I spent Valentine's Day with Josh that year...

So that's where I was ten years ago...how about you?

BOOMER SOONER!