Some things will never change.

So, we went to Indiana this past weekend for the last time! I will admit, I didn't realize how many things are in that town that I have huge memories of. Me and my sister took a big portion of the day on Saturday and drove around taking pictures. We did some really serious things but also took the time to enjoy the day and laugh a lot. I went to New Castle A LOT growing up. Not only did I go at the obvious Holiday times, but I also always spent a good portion of my summers there. I do think because of that, I have a strong feeling towards not only my grandparents, but also their home town. It is so fun to talk to them both about the upcoming move. They are like 2 kids in a candy store. Papaw freely admitted though, that he is positive he will cry a lot when pulling out of town for the last time.

I could go on and on and talk about the trip... I really had a good time. But instead I want to share a story...

We went to one of my favorite places, Memorial Park to take some pictures. While we were there, Teri, my sister and me, took a walk around to look at and comment on all the different toys we would climb/play on. We took some fun pictures and talked about how I always got stuck with the crappy toys nobody else wanted to use. At this park, there is a huge twisty slide. OK... I thought this thing was massive when I was a kid. I didn't go down it for years after all the other grandchildren had. Well, when we got to the park I noticed that it was still really big. The pictures really don't do justice. And also, keep in mind, I am very much so scared of heights. And, not like really tall places... I like hate climbing up bigger step ladders. I know... its sad! Ha. So i decide to climb halfway up the ladder and have sis take a funny picture. I get up there and literally start shaking. She takes a picture and then I realize I have to climb down. That took a few minutes to say the least.

We talk for a few minutes about how I wish I could go down the slide one more time. Teri finally convinces me to go for it. So, i climb back up, and this time I go all the way to the top. OK... people, I could barely stand. You would think I was 100 feet in the air or something. My body is about to fall out, and I start yelling to Teri. If you were there you would hear these phrases over and over again.. "SIS" "Sis, I can't do it" "I am gonna fall over the edge". "For real, how am I gonna get down" " OH MY WORD" "Its too big"... Poor Teri had to hear this for a good 5 minutes. Well, I finally decide to go down and I get around the first turn.... I look down and there stands a teenage boy. HE HAS BEEN RECORDING ME WITH HIS PHONE THIS ENTIRE TIME!! I turn the second loop and stop myself long enough to look at Teri and ask, "is he really recording me?". She says yes with a huge smile on her face and takes my picture. So, not only did that boy catch my crazy scared out of my mind moment... he caught a girl (who should not be trying to get herself down a little kids slide) flying down the slide, in a way I am sure was not my best moment. Needless to say, you may see me on YouTube or America's Funniest Videos.

I really wish these pictures showed how big the slide really is... But yes, i am a wimp. And I am totally fine with it.

I have this friend...

There are some friends that come into your life that change you as a person. I mean, I know everyone has some effect on you...but there are those few people that have a lasting impression on your life. I think that if you have a handful of those people that you should consider yourself really blessed. I am thankful to have many people that I call a "true friend". But, this post is about just 1 of those people...Lynsey. I know that she will hate this post and I will receive a call tomorrow talking about these pictures of her or something I have said... but oh well, get over it Lyns! Ha! We met in high school for a few different teen activities through our church denomination. We weren't too fond of each other...to put it nicely. I thought she was stuck up and she thought I was annoying. She will try to deny this... but she wears her true emotions all over her face. Then we both ended up at the same college...and wouldn't you know...we were suite mates. We ended up on the same traveling music group for our freshman year also... so we were just thrown into the same activities together. It was an instant friendship from that moment on.

There are few people that I remained friends with all 4 years in college. Friends came and went.. I changed a lot... But, through every year, there was Lyns. I ask her all the time why she stuck with me. I was a crazy girl and I am sure I took her down some crazy roads she would have never seen otherwise. She will NEVER understand how much her advice (loving and harsh), laughs, talks and tears meant to me at that time in life.

She got married right after college. This is a funny day to look back on. At that point, every friend of mine that got married fell into "the marriage trap". They became, to put lightly, sucky friends. They forgot all about other people and let friendships die off. Trust me, single people get this a lot. I cried the entire day... and i mean entire day. I was so worried that I was "losing" my best friend. Boy was i wrong. Lynsey has been a wonderful, faithful friend. Yes, it did change, as it should... but she has never made me feel weird for being single, or like I was not important in her life.

There are not many people that I am really honest with in my life. Lynsey is one of them though. We have a Monday night ritual of going to dinner or coffee. As i drove off tonight I couldn't help but thank God for putting her in my life. He knew that I needed that friendship. So, thanks friend for everything. The good, the bad and the ugly. You are an amazing friend, and I am privilaged to call you one of my best. 

I mean...seriously...how am I single?!?!

MOST of the time...I don't really care what people think about me. This can refer to really serious decisions in my life....that's another blog for another day, but it can also refer to "me just being me". You will always hear me say in a very sarcastic tone, "I mean, seriously, how am I single?". I am usually up for anything. I love making people laugh, and to be honest, I love being the center of attention(unless it is for something serious). Bless the man that decides to marry me one day.

 I am very blessed with a wonderful group of friends. Some I have literally known my entire life, and the others...well it feels like they have always been there. I recently told someone at work, I am so glad to be out of the stage where you worry about what everyone else thinks. Man, did that get me in trouble in high school (Again, another blog for another day). Ha. I would much rather enjoy life and have fun being silly and being who I am, then being miserable worried about other peoples thoughts. Just my random thought for the day! Enjoy the hideous, embarrassing photos...they all brought back fun memories!

Truth be told...

So, I had 3 different conversations, with 3 different people about THE SAME exact thing today. My life. Weird thing being... I didn't bring it up any of those times. All of them ask me the same thing... are you happy/content where you are? This got me thinking... I know, I know, scary! I went back over the past couple years in my head. I am at a job that I honestly took as a "tie me over, while I look for something else". I planned on staying for a few months, and then finding something in the business world. Well, 3 years later... here I am. For my boss that may be reading this ( no worries, i do love my job!) ha! People started to ask me when I was starting college, "What do you want to be?". I have never had a good answer for that. I love so many different things. It is the running joke of how many "dream jobs" I have had. At some point I wanted to be: a teacher, a cook, a receptionist, a missionary, an organizer, a stay at home mom and preschool director. I still cant decide which one I love the most.  If I am really honest, I love the simple things in life. I decided on a business degree, because i love office work. Like the kind that everyone else hates. I love the tedious, time consuming, organizing jobs that happen in an office.
But on the other end... I absolutely adore kiddos. That is one thing i hope my future holds. Many kids of my own one day! So, being a preschool teacher isn't half bad. There is not much better in this world then 19 kids each week loving me and I am sure fearing me at different times. Is it what I planned to be doing in life? Heck no! So, i get the question ALL the time.."why do you work in a preschool when you have a business degree?". Well, people... I have no idea. All i do know, is I enjoy my job and MOST days there isn't anywhere else I would rather work.
I also thought today about my relationships and friendships over this past year! WOW! Life certanitly took me some weird places. But, as i look at where i am today...it almost all makes sense. Many situations are for sure in the "Thank you Lord column". Things seem to be changing daily in this area of my life. I am realizing that life happens very quickly and i need to sit back and enjoy things/people while they are here. People change... I change. But, I am very thankful for the handful of friends that stick through all of lifes ups and downs.
So, to make this long rambling blog come to a close. Truth be told...  I am very happy! I don't understand where I am going and sometimes I dont like the answers I get. But, hey... it is in God's hands, and i am perfectly content with that. And, I am choosing to enjoy this ride.

Well, Praise the Lord!!! Finally!

So, this post may not be as humorous as some others... but there was a big announcement today! My grandparents have been trying to sell their house for a little over 2 years now.
Some background on this...

This is the only house they have lived in as a married couple. They have now been there for 56 years. Wow!! It is in a small town in Indiana. When i was growing up, i referred to the state as, "the old people state". I hear stories from "back in the day", when their small town of New Castle was booming with people and businesses. My mother has great stories of her childhood there. Now, this blog will not be exact on every detail, but this is how i understand it. Over the past several years, plants were closed and businesses kinda went downhill. The roaring town from yester-year, is not really there anymore. I always tell people how much my grandparents street brings a smile to my face. Over the past few years, many of the houses have been abandoned or have just been poorly taken care of. But, there in the middle of it all, is my grandparents "little blue house", with their American flag waving and perfect looking yard. Oh that house! The memories that I have from there. From piling all the grandkids on the living room floor, to playing with "the outside toys", the whole family gathering at the small dining room table, singing around the piano, watching Cool Runnings on vhs, jacks doughnuts, the awesome gas station cappachino, walking to granny's house, the smell of their home, wonderul home cooked meals, sitting around for hours after a meal and telling stories and so much more. It is safe to say, that is one of my favorite places. There are few places in this world that instantly make you feel like you are "home". This will always be one of them. I guess you have guessed by now what the big announcement is. They got word from the bank that it is 100% for sure sold. We have known for a few weeks now, but we got the definte from the bank today. In a little over a month, my grandparents will finally be residents in Nashville, TN. We are so happy to have them down here. The running joke is that they have more friends than any of us do. They are very loved and many people cant wait for this move. I will make my final trip to Indiana next weekend. I plan on taking my video camera and also taking many pictures. I am sure as i pull away for the last time, i will have a good cry. But, I couldn't be happier for them. Please pray for them in the next few weeks. Not only do they have a lot of work ahead of them, but they have a hometown, a wonderful church family and many friends to say good-bye to. Welcome to Nashville Mamaw and Papaw... You are gonna love it!!!!

I am the youngest...no doubt!

I want to preface this by saying... I AM NOT A BRAT! Ha! I am definitely the baby of my family. I show this every single time we are all together. Some call me a brat, like my sister... but I just think I am smart. For example, we had family dinner last night. My mother asked me to go upstairs and grab the extra folding chairs. A few minutes later, my friend Amy looked at me and said, "didn't your mom need those chairs"? My response...."yea, if I wait long enough, someone else will do it". OK, I am being really honest here! Ha! It is kinda sad how easy those thoughts come to my head. We have family in town, so I was back at my mom's tonight to see them. She asked me to do something, and I just sighed and looked at her... she did the task. I know how this makes me sound... I really do! My family has always given me a very hard time about it.
When I was little, I always disappeared when it was time to do ANYTHING i didnt want to do. I can't help it... I am the baby, it just comes natural. My mom loves telling stories of when I was young. She says that when she needed me to do something, I would literally stand there and close my eyes. I would act like if I couldn't see her, then she couldn't see me. I was so creative even back then. Lol.
Now, here is the funny thing. I expect people to help when they are suppose to. In fact, the number 1 rule in my classroom is, HELP!! Wow!
Please dont think less of me, I am just trying to be honest here! HA HA!

Things you SHOULDN'T say...

OK... so for some time now, different people have been telling me I should start a blog. Don't ask me why... i bore myself half the time with my dumb stories. Also, most of the time i think something is hilarious and nobody else does. So, we will see how long this last. Like, for instance, i am cracking up at this very moment cause i know this sounds so stupid...cause i have NO clue what to write on this. Bless you few people who take the time to stick with this. I promise you will always hear exactly what i think...that is one thing you will always find with me. I don't hold back like i should...oops!

Ok, so the title of this entry...
I find that there is a big difference with being honest and then just saying too much. I have had this happen to me many times, like i am sure everyone has. So, i have decided through this blog i will entertain people with the uncomfortable/funny comments that come my way.

The 1st has to be one of the most jaw dropping times in my life. I started a diet last year..it was like the 20th time to start one. But, this time it was a little successful. A lady that I have known most of my life comes up and says this statement: "You are looking good. You use to be huge, now you are just bigger"... First, finish laughing...Ok, lets talk about this for a second. Why in the world would anyone think this was ok. Now, the good thing is, I laughed immediatly and it has since become a favorite story among friends. Someone should warn her. Maybe she will read this!!

2nd favorite: My family is concerned that I am single. I get comments alot about my mother never having grandkids. Keep in mind, comments are all made in good fun. My grandmother recently came up to me and told me she had been thinking. She said she knew the reason why I was single. My mind went crazy thinking of all the countless reasons there could be, and what comment was about to exit her mouth. She told me not to worry.."All the good men are off at war, like back in my day". Sure, Mamaw, we will go with that! Ha!

Alright, enough rambles for one entry. We will see how this goes!