Disasters in Dating

There has been a lot of hype about the problem that our generation has with "hanging out" instead of dating. MAYBE we wouldn't hang out if dating was such a ridiculously horrid event that could possibly scar us for life. Looking back through my history, I wish I would have written more of the astonishing and yet true stories, a few with battle wounds to match. Some have been forgotten, blocked out for my own mental health to be sure, but I can remember enough to know that some of us just weren't meant to date.
I have my favorites of course. The boy that called and called and called and then finally called at work where there wasn't caller ID and left it impossible to get out of the date, and then said NOTHING the whole date. When I say nothing, I mean it was literally full time work to try to make him talk, and when he spoke it wasn't that pleasant either. Surprisingly it was a miracle ending the date, since the few things he DID say were to extend the date and my torture as much as possible.
There was the guy that came straight out with his past (not judging for that) including medical problems and diseases. (THAT I wasn't quite down with.) I can't forget the guy that after date one introduced me as his girlfriend and asked me to go camp at a family reunion (and this was after I explained my commitment issues). One guy ended up making me pay for the first date. Another that broke down in tears and sobbed about his ex girlfriend. Who can forget the guy that actually had a list of interview questions? That one was classic. Of course the ringer date with the middle aged man that told me all about both of his divorces, his children, his conversion, the marriage videos that he watches every night, how much he just wants a wife, and about how radio makes you stupid and that was why he only listened to motivational tapes. (I was tricked into going on this one.) That was one of those dates where I spent most of the time in that happy place I created in my brain.
These are only SOME of the dates I can just think of off hand. Yet, like child birth and bikini waxes, after enough time has passed and I forget the horror and pain of the whole thing, I end up saying yes to yet another one. My most recent attempt is not one of the worst by far. In fact, the guy was an old friend, a good conversationalist, and really laid back. I really couldn't have any complaints...except that one little moment when his somewhat girlfriend showed up to the same restaurant, and was invited to join us. Thankfully she respectfully declined. Yes, it was awkward, but the sushi was fabulous and I can't really say I was shocked. Seriously, when I look at my track record, it could have been a LOT worse.
And people ask me why I am still single. I'm just thinking that the alternative isn't really looking so great. (kidding about that statement of course, mostly anyway.)

I'm an Indian Outlaw...

It wouldn't have been a complete trip home without the flashing blue and red lights. Seriously, with my record, I was long overdue for some one one one time with the valley's finest.

Sunday I was on my way to my parents for a quick visit before hitting the road back to Mesa and was trying to decide which road to turn on when I hear that familiar siren. I was already finding my papers when a familiar face popped into my window. Thankfully it was a warning, and the officer was just laughing asking if I even knew how long they were behind me. That's when it occured to me that they were Thatcher police and had followed me all the way to Pima, apparently with flashing lights for the most part, but I was too focused on the cold wind and my radio, and that's why they had to turn the siren on.

Thank goodness for small towns. I doubt the Mesa police force would have the same sense of humor.

And They All Fall DOWN!

The picture doesn't look that normal. Not really. I mean, everybody loves to cruise with the window down every now and again, especially if you are from a small town. What nobody loves is having your window stuck that way!
Last night I got out of the car to run into a store and when I turned to check to see if it was locked, I just watched my window go down. At first I thought my car was possessed, and then reality set in and I new right away that it had fallen off the track. Not a big deal, but definately a pain in the butt, especially when I am working a lot so I don't have tons of time for this kind of stuff, and the city isn't where you want to cruise around without a window. Just not quite as relaxing.
What I have learned from this: I never want a fancy car that I can cruise with the top down. You can't hear crap!

Flips, Tricks, & Cheesters.

Just some pictures of when I got to see Tami and the kids. I had been really excited for their visit, and the didn't let me down.

Lilly's leap of faith.

Lilly's cartwheel/flip

A picture of Tami and Janna taking pictures.

Janna

Lilly mid flip.

I would explain, but like most things with Lilly,

you'd really just have to see it.

Tami throwing balls for "bowling."
She's a much better shot.

Janna wanted to smile, I just know she did.

Janna, Bob, Emma

Brook being a cheester. Not sure who taught her that.

??????

Brook helping me take my turn with baby Suzie.

This one just had to be posted! Erin taking her turn with the wig.

Brook did it first, but I really think it might be her look.

Totally seeing a new trend.

Saturday randomness

Pet Peeve:
This is a small thing, but drives me insane! Pumping gas takes forever and the last thing I want to do is wait while it prints my receipt, but I absolutely dislike when I got to retrieve my receipt and the last person's is still in there.

I know its a crazy thing to care about, but I do. I just don't understand what's so hard about throwing your own receipt away.


LOVE their music! It's a little girly, but it has this upbeat, modern 80's thing going on that I just adore.

So by the end of the week my butt literally varies between hurting and numb from sitting all day. NOT used to it. Even in non tax season I was up and down more. With tax season in full swing I rarely leave my chair and the phone. So I brought my exercise ball to work! I don't use it every days. Just Saturdays and days that we don't have appointments. It makes the world of a difference! It's more entertaining too!

Confession:

I LOVE Rock of Love! It is seriously the most entertaining reality show I have ever seen. Pretty bimbos doing ridiculous things to be with a man in his 40's that keeps his hair covered half the time and wears almost as much makeup as they do.

Kelsy was my fav and is gone, but the show still comes through and entertains me every time.

So even though I am sure I am an embarrassment to my family sometimes, at least I haven't done anything on public tv....yet.

Extraordinary Mothers Clip

This video hit close to home.

And of course the dog's name is Lily. It's a special name to be sure.

More angles.

Saturday night I got extremely homesick. I think I did pretty well and made it a good 3 weeks before it happened which considering what a hometown girl I am is amazing, but it happened. I hadn't been feeling well and couldn't be at my apartment for certain reasons and didn't know where to go and was suddenly aching for my home and the friends I left behind. Plus I was missing Tami and the new baby and NOT happy about it. I ended up driving around on the phone without any clue where I was going or what I would do. After talking to Mike I decided to suck it up and do something for someone else and get over myself (I forget who said the best way to forget your troubles is to serve others, but its the best advice I've ever received), so I headed to the closest Walmart, which was way over by the San Tan Mall because of my aimless wandering. I pulled it together and started to think of what I wanted to do and such, and then I ran into April, Roy's Wife. (Roy is the accountant at the Gilbert office.) She stopped and chatted me up and was SO kind, and without knowing what was going on in my brain, she let me know that they were always just up the road. In that moment, she was my own little angel, if she ever knows it or not. And I may never take her up on that, but she seemed sincere and just extending the offer made a world of a difference in that moment.

It makes me wonder about how many times I have randomly ran into someone and if I was as kind and congenial as she was. Either way, it was a reminder that someone is watching, and there are angels waiting to help you at every turn.