Top Ten Reasons I Think I Can Run/Survive a Half-Marathon

10.            I have an awesome playlist – I can’t stress how important this is.  Strangely, most of the music on my list is stuff I’ve stolen from my kids, but when I listen to it, I don’t really feel like I’m pushing 40.

9.            If Greg can do it, I can do it – I love my little brother, and if any of you know us Homer’s, you know that we weren’t exactly built to be runners.  I would say that we’re pleasantly plump, and plumpness is kind of funny to watch run.  Nevermind that, though.  Greg decided to run the Disney Wine & Dine Half-Marathon with his wife Sarah in 2011, and that pretty much started the fascination with RunDisney.  My point is this... he has worked really hard to be a runner and I really admire that about him.  Why he keeps signing up for these races, I don’t know that I’ll ever understand, but I’m glad he does, because it’s loaning me some confidence for this weekend.

8.            Ummmm, it’s Disney – Now I’m not a huge racer, but I have been to enough of these events to be able to say that all are not created equal.  The running community is awesome.  Because you mostly compete against yourself, everyone is super supportive and really works hard to encourage you to do your best wherever you are.  I have been the last person to cross the line and not the last person (never the first) and I have always felt supported.  Anyway, Disney races have characters, and marching bands, and DJ’s and cast members and all sorts of fun stuff.  I’ve heard Matt talk about it for the last two years.  I’m looking forward to seeing it first hand.

7.            If it is truly a bucket list item, I have to survive in order to check it off – 5 years ago, I would have said that I would have had to be facing certain death if you expected me to run..... now it’s pretty much just perceived death.  Gotta do it anyway.

6.            I have a cute costume to run in – Matt and I have some great costumes.... He’s running as Ralph, from Wreck-It Ralph and I am running as Vanellope von Schweetz.  Definitely check back for pics from the race.  I will try and get some good pics before we are all nasty and sweaty, but there will probably be some of those featured as well.  I even have cute matchy earrings.... just sayin’.

5.            I’m running it with my handsome husband - (something I never thought we’d do together.)  He will tell you that he’s always thought it was possible but never likely.  Well, here we go.  I know that if Matt’s at my side, I can do anything.  I know that sounds totally cheesy, but I must admit that it’s the reason I’ve stuck with my kids so long.  He has promised that he’ll stick with me and I have promised that I’ll let him take off if the course sweepers come through to kick us off the course.  It’s a mutually beneficial understanding.

4.            I have to be there to keep Sarah from going into labor – A year ago, when we decided to run, Sarah wasn’t pregnant.  Now she is and she’s been warned by several of us not to push it.  So, we’ve got a killer run/walk strategy that will hopefully allow us both to claim our awesome Donald Duck Finisher Medal without any medical complications.  Matt and I will carry her, if we have to.

3.            There’s a Dooney & Burke purse at the end if I finish (a.k.a. Matt’s bribe) - Every year, Disney partners with Dooney & Burket to create special edition purses to commemorate the races.  I told Matt that I wanted one last year when we were walking through the Expo.  He told me (jokingly I bet) that if I’d run, he’d buy me one.  Needless to say, that is the carrot that I’ll be dangling in front of myself between Mile 9-12.  Can’t you hear me chanting, “new purse, new purse, new purse?”

2.            Awesome music, crowd and entertainment all along the way – As mentioned before, Disney races are special and I’m glad to have such an awesome supportive environment for my first/last half-marathon.

1.            Bury any remaining doubts I have about myself doing hard things – This transformative journey I have been is not over, although I can say that I am settling into this new normal.  I still don’t know that I love to exercise; that may never happen.  I know that Hershey’s Kisses are still a very real slippery slope for me and that although I like protein, mashed potatoes have always been and will always be my favorite.  This race is my chance to prove to myself that although I’m not perfect, and will probably never be there, I can work hard, push through and accomplish my goals.  This paradigm shift has been hard, but oh so worth it.

You’ve Gotta Love It, Baby!

Jazz basketball!!!! Used to totally love it.  I say used to, because we are currently stuck in a “building pattern,” complete with virtually unknown players and a losing record.

Okay, so I actually still like basketball; it’s truly the one sport I enjoy watching, unless my kids are involved.  For the last few years, we’ve been lucky enough to have season tickets, which we have loved.  It’s been great to have date nights and to get out a bit during the winter; especially as the girls have gotten older and can help out with the boys.  This year, we didn’t get tickets because we spent a lot of our time last year scrambling around to get carpools for kids and to work around schedules.

Suffice it to say, we haven’t been to any games this year.... which was really okay, but we were thrilled when our friends, the Astling’s, called to invite us to the Oklahoma City game.  Mark had gotten some tickets from a client in appreciation for his hard work (he now has ours, as well.)  They were tickets to an executive suite..... one where you sit at a table, eat on real plates, have good food and all the drinks you want.  Sadly, I stuck to water, but I would have shut the place down if I had been drinking Diet Coke.  We had so much fun, although we almost missed the main course part of dinner because we were too busy chatting.  As we pounced on the guy taking the food away, we were informed that they would be setting out dessert for half-time.  YES!!!

After our food, we sat in soft, cushy seats and watched the Jazz.... wait for it.... win!  Gordon Hayward was AWESOME!  It was nice to watch him play.

We had a great time, Astling’s.  Thanks for inviting us!  Oh and it didn’t hurt that we had special parking and a mid-block police escorted crossing.

But..... this wasn’t our only brush with basketball this week.  Jack has just started Jr. Jazz again and he is so excited; as am I.  I love watching him play and when Matt is home, Jack’s games are like our special weekday dates.  We don’t take Will because he’s nuts in confined spaces.  Jack says that we are too distracting and that we spend too much time and attention telling him what to do, but how do you convince an 8-year-old that the second quarter of the game is not the time to bite/chew on nails/hangnails or any other body part that fits in his mouth?  Agggghhhhhh!

Needless to say, watching these little boys run up and down the court, chasing a ball is the best entertainment.  All we have to make sure is that we have a blue Gatorade for the boy.  Not too hard.

He’s really good at passing the ball in bounds.  Tries really hard to dribble, but usually only manages a few bounces before he freaks himself out and has to pass it to someone else.  When he can get a shot, he usually makes it, but he’s not the tallest kid on the court.... so that makes it hard sometimes.

Jack is really looking forward to his birthday; because his Grandma Homer told him that she was going to sign him up for basketball camp as his present.  Yes, he won’t get it until the su

I Want to Run Away

Here we are, less than 10 days into the new year, and as my mother likes to remind me, she’s been reading the same blog entry since Saturday.  I have fallen down on the job, yet again.  I started a post on Sunday, but then got caught up in planning my trip to Florida, and what can I say, Mickey is more fun than just about anything else.  They’re lucky we showed up at church that day.

This week has been a blur in trying to get ready to go on our trip.  We have been planning for a year to take a massive family vacation to Disney World with my family.  Granted, it’s not as if this has never occurred before, but it’s been a few years and as the grandkids proliferate and we are ever more involved in life, extracting all of us for a few days is hard, let alone planning 10 days away.  Fortunately, we all love it enough to try and make it work.

The impetus for this trip is actually my fault.  As Matt has gotten more and more into running, he has added a few Disney medals to his collection.  Last January as I stood along the race course for the marathon in Hollywood Studios, dancing to the loud music, watching the runners in costume and generally just enjoyed being in the crowd, I thought, “I think I could do this.”  Matt was all about it, so in that moment, our family was headed back to Disney in 2014.  We mentioned it to my brothers and my folks and they were in too.  Greg and Sarah even said they’d run with us.  Aunt Suzy wanted in too, so now, we head to Florida, a group of 17, to run a couple of races, eat a lot of food, celebrate a couple of birthdays and have the BEST time.

As I sit typing this on the airplane, between Jack and Allie, I am excited.  Not really for the race, because at this point, I’m more excited to just have it over with, but for the time together.  Time away from home, from school, from work and from all the demands of daily life.  Oh, and the air..... ‘cause it really sucks in Utah right now.  I hate pulling my kids out of school to travel, but more than that, I have the winter blues and boy, do they seem to hit this time of year.  Therefore, Florida is the perfect solution. 

Let me just say, for the record, that being the mom and trying to get 6 people ready for vacation is no easy feat.  Add to that the planning and coordinating for a group of our size and the last week has been a little stressful.  But...... that’s all the complaining you’re going to hear from me.  I felt a little guilty as I got out of the car at the airport this morning.  Matt is coming tomorrow with Erin and Will and I’m leaving him to tie up all the loose ends before the trip.... the dogs, the chickens, final school stuff and bringing anything that I discover that I’ve forgotten once I get there.  I all but pushed the kids into the airport as I shouted goodbye over my shoulder to Matt and Will.  Add to that the snow that is flying at home over the next few days, and I was more than happy to say goodbye for a bit.

I have to take this opportunity to say how grateful I am for a kid like Allie.  She has gotten ALL of her homework finished before our trip.  Although there have been a few panic attacks this week, she has emerged relatively unscathed and ready for a good time.  Erin has also made a monumental effort to get things done ahead of time.  As a parent, I hate it that my time with the kids seems to be regulated by schedules so much.  There’s part of me that feels that I should just be able to pull them out whenever I want to, to go wherever I want to.  I know I can’t, but I want to!  Jack has done some of his homework, but it’s been a fight and although I know we need to work on it while flying, I’m not sure that I want to subject those around us to the whining and fits that are going to ensue.

I’m not sure how the activities of this weekend are going to go.  I’m pretty sure that I’m not going to die, but you never know.  I plan on blogging a little bit about Disney races in general, and my race in particular.  I don’t think my fingers will be injured in the running of said race, so tune in later to find out how it went.

My Happy Place

The prompt for today asks, "Where is your favorite place to go and why do you like it?"  This is not an easy question to answer.  There are very few places that I have traveled to that I haven't found something to love.  I am so glad that I married Matt.... he likes to travel as much as I do (which is good since it's his job!)  We have been many places together and have plans to travel the world as our money and time allow....

When it comes to travel my philosophy is best summed up by St. Augustine.  He said, "the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page."  While it is true that there are several places that I have not yet had the desire to travel to, the list of places to go gets longer daily.  This list would be much more manageable if I didn't have my favorites.... but I HAVE to fit those in.

So, here in no particular order, are my favorite places to travel.  These are places that I've been and that I plan on returning to again.

• Oregon Coast - As mentioned in a previous post, someday I will have a beach house.  I have spent many weeks in Oregon with family over my lifetime and I will forever love it.  I love walking along the water, the sound of the waves lapping against the sand.  I love to look for shells and rocks and keep waiting to someday find my perfect Sand Dollar.  I love to watch the kites in the air, the small touristy shops that sell wonderful things like fudge.  I love to watch the fishing boats come in and out and have fond memories of the Sea Lion caves (although I have been told that my perception may be skewed by age on this one.)  More than anything, I love the diverse geography along the coast and the peace and quiet I feel when I'm there.  Can't wait to go back.
• Disney World - Obviously anyone who knows my family, knows we love Disney.  As we are landlocked in Utah, it is amazing that we go as often as we do.  But, I can say that it never gets boring.  I have never once gone and wished that my vacation was over sooner.  Matt and I often discuss the major things that have happened in our lives while at Disney.  It was the first trip we took together (with my family before his mission.) We spent our honeymoon there.  We decided while on a trip there in 1999, that just maybe we might be ready to have a kid or two.  We have weathered storms there (literal and figurative), had sick kids (oh, the stories) and spent time with friends and families.  We have lost loved ones while we were there, and there's not a trip that goes by that I don't remember my Uncle Dave. We are headed back this week with my family; it's always a bit crazy.  We all kind of go in different directions, but still try to keep the cousins together as much as possible. We will eat meals, run races, take pictures and eat popcorn.  I will sit back and watch my parents revel in the presence of their grandchildren and think to themselves that all the years they wanted to kill us but didn't were worth it.  Our time in Disney World is magical and yes, there may be times in the future that we choose to vacation elsewhere.  But for now, this is a place that we all enjoy and that we can all look forward to with eagerness.
• Gettysburg, PA - Just as we are Disney nuts, we are also nutty when it comes to the Civil War.  As a kid, while friends spent summers at Lake Powell or Bear Lake, we would fly back east and drive through the Mid-Atlantic looking at battlefields and museums.  Funny thing is, I don't ever remember not loving it.  Over the last ten years or so, my family has joined my parents and my brothers in a (mostly) annual pilgrimage to Gettysburg and the High Water Mark of the Civil War.  My dad and brother Ben spend time learning all there is to learn about the Civil War, and the rest of us enjoy the rolling hills, Mr. G's ice cream, fireflies, historic buildings, and seeing the battlefield.  My kids love climbing in "the castle" at Little Round Top and love exploring the hidden parts of Devil's Den.  The cemetery is an awesome sight and we have learned that there are a multitude of ticks just waiting to jump on little kids for a ride.  We have been lucky enough to rent a large home on the outskirts of town and the kids love spending time with their cousins, watching movies, playing games and just generally being together.  I love to look over the battlefield in the morning, as the mist sits in the valley.  The soundtrack from the movie Gettysburg always plays in my mind, as well.  All in all, a place I draw on frequently when I feel a need for peace.
• Wales - Although I have not traveled there extensively, I LOVE it!  The same could be said for nearly the whole of England as well.  I have been fortunate enough to accompany Matt on some of his work trips there and have loved the sights, the smells and the history that you can soak up on the streets.  I loved Cardiff this past summer, but also enjoyed our little trip to the seaside town of Llandudno in 2009.  The beauty of the sea and the pastoral quality of the land is mesmerizing. I will definitely be returning in the future.
• Cancun, Mexico - I have been there twice, but dream of going back nearly all winter, every year.  Specifically, I am in love with the JW Marriott and the fun times we have had in the pools and on the beaches.  Matt served his mission in Mexico, and while we have seen much of the Yucatan peninsula (and I would like to see much more,) I cherish *snicker* the carefree feelings of being on the beach.  We are able to spend time as a couple and I love to listen to Matt speak Spanish.  This area has a calming effect on Matt and is just a great place for down time together.  Can't wait to go back.
• Road Trips - while not specifically "a place," I love being on the open road with my family.  We have traveled to Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Yellowstone and all along the road to Ohio.  We have jumped off from Chicago and spent time in Wisconsin, traveled from Boston to Maine, from Pennsylvania to Virginia and throughout the South.  Strangely enough, we have never driven our kids to California.  I would love to take the kids and drive to Northern California to see the Redwoods and to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore.  I wouldn't mind a drive along the California coast or spending time in the Carolinas.  

There are probably dozens of other places I could list as "favorites" but these are the main ones.  I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to see so many places and look forward to seeing many new places in the future.

TGIF

Today has seemed incredibly long.  I hate that Allie has piano lessons at 6:45 in the morning.  I woke up with a headache and it hasn't really ever gone away today.  It's not even 8:00 on a Friday night and I am ready for bed.  I have spent my day today preparing for our trip to Disney World next week, working on kids science fair projects, doing dishes, making dinner and all the other various mom things on my to-do list.  I have four loads of laundry sitting in my bedroom that I should really fold before I go to sleep, but it's not going to happen.  My pillow is beckoning, and for once, I don't have to run around later this evening collecting kids from friends' homes.  We are all here; kind of doing our own things, but together nonetheless.  Does that make any sense?  I am grateful for nights like tonight.  I am grateful for comfy pajamas and warm socks and dogs that like to snuggle.  I am grateful for Tylenol and the relief it will offer my headache shortly.  I am glad we are all home together and that tomorrow is a new day.  I have to clean bathrooms, which is not my favorite, but I will survive and maybe even get the laundry folded.

This Not That

Clearly, I am much more creative and open to writing when my kids are gone.  Unfortunately, that time for the day has passed and still no blog post.... so I found this fun little list of things that I thought I'd answer for today's post.

• Toilet Paper over or under?  Something I didn't know you could really have an opinion on until I got married.  Matt prefers it over, so over it is.
• Minty or fruity gum?  Definitely minty!  I don't chew gum for the flavor, I chew it to freshen things up and fruity doesn't last as long.
• Diamonds or pearls?  This is a stupid question.  Either.  Seriously, ask any woman and I'll bet she'd just feel happy to get either.
• Hot chocolate or coffee?  I have to say hot chocolate because I don't drink coffee; although, I love the smell of coffee and Jamoca Almond Fudge may be my new favorite at Baskin Robbins.
• Roses or tulips?  I love to see the tulips poke through the ground in the spring, but I really love roses.  They are so fragrant and beautiful and I have such good memories of my Grandma Jones associated with roses.  Whenever I would travel to her house to stay, she would always let me cut a few from her bushes to keep in a vase in my room.  The purple ones are my favorite, but I also have a soft spot for Mr. Lincoln roses.  The bush is tall (nearly 6 feet) and produces really rich red blooms.  Yes, definitely roses!
• Sweet or salty?  Technically, you need both, but if I have to pick one or the other, I'm going with salty.  Current faves are popcorn, corn chips and nuts.
• 11:00 am or 11:00 pm?  Wait?  There are two of these in a day?  Definitely 11:00 am.  I am not a night person.  I would be (and often am) in my bed in jammies by 7:30.  If 11:00 pm happens, this girl isn't happy about it.
• Mountains or ocean view?  Ocean view definitely.  I love where I live, and I love that I can look at the mountains from nearly every angle, but my dream is to someday own a beach house.  I could walk the beach for miles, searching for treasure and the vastness of the ocean is great food for thought.
• Fiction or non-fiction?  Probably fiction, only because it helps you escape and in my mind, that's the wonder of reading.  However, I do love non-fiction as well.  Especially if I am sitting upright and am caught up on my sleep; otherwise I start to have college flashbacks.
• Silk or cotton?  Silk is too slippery.  I like cotton.  That would explain my love affair with jeans and t-shirts.
• Drama or comedy?  Make me laugh anytime.  There is no better emotion than laughter with tears.  
• Email or telephone?  Email.  I hate talking on the phone.  I would much rather communicate via text or email.  That's not to say I don't like to talk to people, but I don't have large uninterrupted blocks of time to devote to a phone conversation.  Sorry.
• Movies or theatre?  I like theatre (especially musical theatre), but spend most of my time during plays wondering when it's going to be over.  I have been known to leave at intermission if I'm not captivated.  This also happens with movies, too, but they usually move fast enough that I'm not bored for long.  I would like to spend some time rediscovering Shakespeare in 2014 and hopefully building up my endurance for theatre.
• Tent or caravan?  Not really sure about the definition of caravan here, but for my purposes, I'm going to assume that it's more of a camper/5th wheel/motorhome type of thing.  Definitely the latter.  Although I do not currently have any of these items at my disposal, I am certain I would enjoy the great outdoors more if I was warm and semi-comfortable.  Oh, a a few feet to the toilet would be an added plus, but not totally necessary.
• Now or then?  Definitely now!  Then was probably fine, but it doesn't do us any good to live in the past.  We can only move forward and make the present the best it can be.  Right now, I wish my present included a hot bath, folded laundry and an early bedtime.  I'm off to make it so!

The One and Only..... Rebekah

I know that I'm glad there's only one of me.... not sure that the world could handle more of us.  The challenge for today is to introduce myself.  Most of you know me, so the superficial route is out.  I thought about doing a Top Ten list, but that seemed a little insincere.  So, I thought I would give you the long version of how I see myself.  Keep in mind, that this introduction may change at any time, without any notice... but today, January 1, 2014, this is who I am.

My name is Rebekah Ann Homer Pierce.  Born in Bountiful, Utah in 1975 (a date that is getting farther and farther down on those drop down menus, I might add.)  I love my family, in all their various forms. I try really hard to be a good daughter and a good wife.  I spend most of my time acting as a mother and all it entails.  My favorite description of the role of a mother is "the dispenser of quick and dirty justice."  Life as a mom is not always pretty, and certainly isn't easy, but it's something that I take great satisfaction in.  I have a  long way to go until I would consider myself "great" but I would give myself a solid B in the subject of mothering.

My mothering philosophy is this.  I try really hard not to yell.... I hate the way it escalates and enhances bad feelings.  I much prefer sarcasm.  I am not one for passive-aggressiveness; I think you should own your emotions.  My kids know when I'm upset, but likewise, it's generally pretty easy to tell when I'm in a good mood.  I want my kids to know that they are special.  I do the basics.  I run them to their activities, make sure they're clothed (in mostly clean clothes), fed (although I may not actually make said food) and I make them do their homework.  I try really hard not to nag, and to let natural consequences take their course.  I feel bad that I have favorites (but don't worry, they change occasionally.)  I tell my kids that I love them multiple times a day.  I love to get hugs from my boys and am grateful that my girls choose our house to hang out with their friends.  I try to create special times; I've learned to set a very low bar for myself, however, because special times can kill you if you're not really prepared.  I like to think that I roll with the punches, but the truth is, I still struggle with this one; I'm better than I was, but still not good.

As a wife, I see myself as a confidante, comic relief, gopher and main source of my husband's frustration (see previous posts on depression.)  I like to buy things and make the house look pretty; but I fall short when it comes to laundry domination, sparkling toilet bowls and gourmet meals.  I have not given up yet, however.  I love my husband.  He's awesome.  I know I'm not everything he wishes I would be, but over the years, I'm sure I've gotten a few points for trying.  I support him in his work; I want him to be happy and fulfilled.  I appreciate the burden he bears as the "sole provider" for our family.  I would rather spend time with him (preferably without the interruption of little voices) than anyone.  I look forward to growing old with him and having adventures together.

As a daughter, I have to admit, that I am my parents' best.  I say that only because I have no sisters.  I always tried hard to be good (sometimes more dutifully than others) and I tried to set a good example for my younger brothers; or at least serve as a cautionary tale.  I enjoy spending time with my parents and am grateful that they haven't changed the locks on the house.  My parents do a lot for me and my family and I try to repay the favor (like that's even possible) in any way that I can.

Now onto the harder roles; sister, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunt, niece, cousin, granddaughter (these are the other forms of family I spoke of earlier.)  These are harder only because I have a big mouth and am incredibly outspoken.  I think that I have yet to learn my proper place in these relationships and I vacillate between overly involved and completely withdrawn.  It is sometimes really hard for me to understand why these other folks I love and who I'm also assuming love me, don't do what I think is best.  I have some very strong opinions and surprising as it may be, they are not always shared.  To all you folks, I hope you know that I love you, although I don't claim to understand you.  I will probably continue to tell you how to raise your kids, what not to say, how to solve your problems or why you're reaping what you sow.  It is not my intention to cause offense, but since I enjoy conversation and discussion, this is how I show my love.  Jacked up, yes, but genuine, nonetheless.

Which brings me to the one word that I would use to describe myself: genuine.  There is a big part of my personality that seeks to please others.  However, I have discovered that by indulging that part of myself, I actually end up doing myself a disservice.  So, I try really hard to be genuine; and it is hard because of those dang natural consequences.  I am certain that there are many people that I encounter in my daily life who feel as though I am inappropriate or offensive or selfish.  As I said before, I am not interested in being passive-aggressive and try really hard not to be subversive.  That said, I do try to be tactful, but am not always successful.  For those of you who truly want to know me, here are a few of my mottoes:

• You can't fix stupid.  I have very, and I mean VERY, little tolerance for stupid people.  
• Beauty fades, but stupid stays.  I really like this because I have never fit into what I perceive as society's norm for beauty and style.  When I'm 80, I may still not be much to look at, but we'll have fascinating conversations about interesting topics.  Those hot girls from high school, cute girls from college, and gorgeous soccer moms will be sitting in a chair somewhere, having their hair died blue and talking about the 10,000th edition of "The Bachelor."  Thanks, but I'm good with who I'm becoming.
• If you're going to look back and laugh, you might as well laugh now.  I stole this from my good friend Lisa.  This is such great advice; sometimes hard to do, but so important.  This is honestly how I get through motherhood.
• I do like a good swear word every now and then.  Probably more often than my parents would like and definitely more often than my kids enjoy, but I believe firmly that this is why I will never be called as Relief Society President.  I enjoy the line from "A Christmas Story" where Ralphie explains that "My father worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay.  It was his true medium, a master."  Now, I don't claim to be a master and there are some words that I will not use, but there are times where a good cuss word just makes me feel better.  Sorry Mom!
• I like it loud! Music, discussions, TV, whatever.  And no, I don't believe that I have a hearing problem.  I like to feel what I'm hearing and I like to know that people are hearing me.  I have become pretty good at listening, too, but I like to know that I'm getting my point across.  Also, there's no point in making sound if people can't hear it.  So, please know, I am loud.  And I HATE to be "shushhhed."  So don't do it.
• If I'm going to say it behind your back, I might as well tell you to your face.  This is a lesson I have learned the hard way, and sometimes is just a bitter pill to swallow.  The truth hurts and sometimes I am not very diplomatic (although I do try.) But, the truth shall also set you free.  In my relationships where I have learned to be truly honest, they have become the most fulfilling.

Okay.... enough philosophizing.  Here are the random facts that must be included in any post of this nature.

• I am a recovering fatty... I still love chocolate and hate exercise but think I understand the point of moderation.
• I really, really, REALLY miss Diet Coke.  I don't have it hardly ever anymore and that makes me sorta sad.
• I'm a bit of a history nerd and I think that it is sadly, something that is really lacking in future generations.
• I hate it when I'm offered unsolicited advice.  Ironic, yes, but maddening still.
• It really bothers me that people vote straight-ticket in our country.  I believe strongly in a two-party system and think no one party has a monopoly on good/bad ideas.
• I don't think that morality should be legislated.  I don't think it is good for us as a society.  There are a lot of things that fit under this umbrella, but I just think we should all pretty much live, and let live.
• I know that there are many people on this planet who know way more than me.  I hope that eventually I will be humble enough to seek them out and learn from them.
• I am a stickler for spelling and grammar.  It's important.
• I am incredibly grateful for good friends who accept me as I am and support me in everything I do.  Thank you for loving me enough for me to show vulnerability.  That's not an easy thing, but you guys make it possible.
• I miss my grandmas every day!
• I might be addicted to my iPhone and computer.  That's a real possibility.
• I would choose to stay in my pajamas all day and read a book if that were an option.
• I love all things Disney and think that if you don't, you're doing it wrong.

Phew!  That's a lot for one day.  Tune in tomorrow for more great and enlightening moments with yours truly.