Am I CRAZY?!? Or is it just inherited?!?

It was always inevitible. As soon as we got the last suitcase packed in the car, our coolers full of grape soda, our map in our laps...and all 3 of my sisters and I buckled into our car my mom would yell.."WAIT?!? Did I turn off the iron?" I always thought she was loony for doing that...so here's a list of things I've decided I inherited from her.
1. I check my 3 alarm clocks 3 times before I go to bed.
2. I have to sleep with my door closed just "in case there is a fire"
3. I check to make sure my straightener is off at least three times before I leave every morning.
4. I rub my fingers together when I get nervous.
5. I inevitibly wonder if I turned off my curlers ect, when i go on a long trip..
6. As soon as someone stops on a road trip, I all of a sudden wonder if I really have to go to the bathroom...Usually, I'll sit in the car for a minute declaring in my head I dont'....and then my caution kicks in and I run to the bathroom even though I don't really need to go.

So readers, what do you think? Am I crazy...or is it just inherited...I'd argue that it's inherited...but then again I do check my straightener 3 times before I leave every morning. What crazy things do you do?

A List of REASONS to Use E-Harmony

1. You may actually find someone you get along with great. I did!!
2. Online dating is not just for losers. I used to go on a date with a different guy every weekend...I used to get hit on where ever I went...I just could not seem to find a guy 'worth keeping'..See entry "Several Lines that will Doom You to Singleness" below.
3. There are lots of fruitcakes you can laugh and tell stories about...(keep in mind there are good people on there too!)
4. E-harmony helps match you with people who have the same interests and priorities in life...which is great when you're at a job with the same people all day...and a church where you know all of the guys and would never date them.
5. You can tell people that you met your boyfriend the way 1 out of every 8 couples in America do...Online...:)
6. It allows you and your friends to screen out matches....just with a click of a button.
7. It is entertaining.
8. It makes your family happy. (My parents bought my subscription...it was all their idea)
9. You learn about your own personality through the entire experience.

What do you think of online dating services? I was always opposed to them...but I found the best guy EVER!

How to Make it Through March Madness when Your Boyfriend is a College Basketball Freak

First of all...Joel...you're the best...I just like to make lists and I actually enjoy watching basketball with you :)
1. Tell your boyfriend you'll watch basketball with him if....he rubs your shoulders while your doing it.
2. Discuss the horrible mustaches and ugly haircuts with your sister while you're watching the game.
3. Tell him you'll watch basketball game with him...if he watches a chick flick with you!
4. Watch the game at a sports bar...at least you can do a bunch of people watching while he's glued to the game.
5. Take a little nap...it's the perfect time to catch up on all your sleep...You'll have plenty of time since there's about 4 games on a day :)
6. Analyze the colors of the uniforms....Last night the coloring of the t.v was off, but Holly and I were sure XAVIER was wearing pink uniforms to support breast cancer.
7. Ask a bunch of questions...I'm sure this annoys my boyfriend to death,but at least I'm becoming more aware of the ins and outs of the game.
8. Drink a glass of wine. That will make any event a little more tolerable :)
9. Count the tiles in the ceiling....I always did this when I was bored in church...but I think it would help time pass with basketball too.
10. Decide you're going to enjoy it because it's so important to your significant other.
11. What do you do to make it through March Madness?

Why Blog?

1. Apparently blogging helps with depression...hmm...
2. Blogging lets others validate your opinions in writing.
3. Blogging relieves stress.
4. Blogging allows you to see that others actually do think like you do.
5. Blogging adds a tinge of excitement to life...it's cool to find out that someone from Zambia reads your thoughts!
6. Blogging lets long distance friends keep in touch with you.
7. Why do you blog?? Or maybe I should ask "why don't you?"

Caron's "Bucket List"

1. My blog will become a featured blog one day. :) (So add my blog to your profile!!)
2. A pull-up will be as easy as a push up for me.
3. Work with orphaned children in Africa.
4. Spend a week of vacation with all of my friends in a tropical setting.
5. Touch someones life when I become a nurse.
6. Do a triathalon.
7. Learn another language.
8. Become a very organized person.
9. Give back to the people who've given so much to me! (mom and dad for helping me through college...Holly and Bryan for letting me stay at their house! Those are just a few people)
10. Sponsor a child and give them a better life.
11. Work with disabled people for a period of time as a nurse.
12. I have more...and will continue to add them as I think of them....These are not necessarily in order of importance to me.

What's on your "bucket list?"

Yeah, Sure You BETCHA

Here's a list of things that Virginian's just don't seem to understand. Maybe because they've been speaking an adulterated form of English their whole lives, or maybe they just haven't had the opportunity to speak true English like native MN's do....I just don't know...

1. Oofta...no one understands this word. I don't know how anyone could live a life witout this word...it's the essence of expression in so many different types of situations.

2. I spose (translated...I suppose it's time to go home) The first few times I used this phrase my boyfriend had no idea what I was trying to say...If he lived in MN he would know that it meant I was about ready to go home for the night....there's no need to finish the sentence.

3. Bag, Tag, Agnostic-they should all be said with a LONG A...none of this awww sounding stuff. (or any other word with an AG sound)

4. I say potato correctly....so what if I annunciate my oooh's for a long period of time. At least I don't slur my words and sound like a hill billy.

5. Bill is said with a SHORT i sound...none of this BEEL stuff...A lady at the DMV once asked me for a BEEL to prove that I lived in VA. I replied that I did not know what a BEEL was. She looked at me as if I were from Mars and stated "you don't know what a BEEEEEEEL is?" I shortly replied "No...i don't know what a beel is" She then said "don't you have a credit card BEEEEEEL?" I said..."oh, you mean bill!"

6. Taboggen is something you sled on. It's not something you wear on your head.

7. Ya know..It's just a question you ask after you finish stating something you want your friend to agree with. ex: I like school better when we have clinicals...ya know?

8. MN's do not sound like Bobby's mother on Bobby's world. We sound sophisticated and educated.

9. Okey-Dokey...it should be part of everyone's vocabulary.

10. Cheese Curds...no southerner understands what is missing from their diet....

Ooops...did I just say that?!?

Here's a list of funny things my friends and I have said and done throughout our lives...I have a habit of getting tongue tied...so funny things come out all of the time.

1. "I have a really big crack" (I was talking about the one in my windshield)
2. Once I had to give a speech in front of the class...I was supposed to say "Amidst the guns below" It came out "Amidst the buns aglow"
3. I was calling to my friend to sit beside me....I yelled "S***" here..."S***" here...at least 5 times without realizing it.
4. My friend told my girlfriend Jessica..."get your hands off my buns" He was referring to the baked ones...but it was still pretty funny."
5. My girlfriend wrote a story about a jockey named "jock" in 5th grade...Neither of us new that there was any other sort of jock....we came to learn from boys in our class "a jock was a very gross type of underwear" Poor sarah, I don't think she ever lived that one down. We were so clueless.
6. I was trying to use a different word for born when I was writing a paper....I used the word conceived so I wouldn't sound so repetitive....I quickly learned that those were two very different things. Good thing I had my sister proofread that paper.
7. My girlfriend and I decided to give each other nicknames in 11th grade. We were very, very, very naive. I decided that since my friend liked cats I would call her "pussy" We both thought it was a very good nickname.....We quickly learned that it wasn't as great as we thought.
8. My girlfriend was trying to put a pizza in the oven but the racks were all mixed up. My boyfriend, trying to be helpful, stated.."You've got a really tight rack"....Good thing my friends don't get offended easily since that was the first time he'd met them!
9. My brother-in-law who was from Germany took some advice from my sister Holly and told his future wife, Paige, that she was very "voluptuous" Holly told him that it meant "pretty" Ha ha....He was very red...
10. You should all tell your stories of "oops...did I just say that!" They make me laugh.

This is my boyfriend and my mom....

Star in Your Own JibJab!

26 Reasons I'm Not the Girl I Used To Be-A Reason for Each Year of My Life.

1. I used to be the girl that worked out 2 times a day.
2. I used to be jealous of Britney Spears.
3. I used to never lift weights.
4. I used to ignore inappropriate comments at work.
5. I used to think that all men were pigs
6. I used to think I wanted to be a chiropractor.
7. I used to hide behind my mom's skirts because I was so shy.
8. I used to drive a car that was two different colors
9. I used to think that it was wrong to drink any type of alcohol.
10.I used to think that baptists were right about all religion related topics
11.I used to eat jelly and cheese sandwiches.
12.I used to think that giving a shot would make me pass out.
13.I used to eat too much.
14.I used to think Coke products were disgusting.
15.I used to think I only wanted to travel for entertainment purposes.
16.I used to be much more stubborn than I am now.
17.I used to date jerks
18.I used to turn down all desserts.
19.I used to think that people who were 26 and not married were going to be old maids.
20.I used to think I wanted 4 children.
21.I used to put off all of my homework until the night before it was due.
22.I used to wear dresses all of the time
23.I used to think people who didn't graduate in 4 years were slow
24.I used to think MN was the worst state ever.
25.I used to hoard all of my money (I was very very young when I did that)
26.I used to not be able to sleep without my teddybear.

10 Ways to Waste Time

1. Check out all of your friends profiles on facebook.
2. Then, check out all of your friends on myspace.
3. Take a few quizzes b/c you "need to know which Jane Austen character you are"
4. Check your e-mail every hour...just in case someone wrote you something interesting.
5. Decide the night before a test you need to do some spring cleaning.
6. Post random blogs...b/c "you need a break from studying!"
7. WATCH BASKETBALL....I swear, watching sports is the biggest waste of time EVER!
8. Read all of your friends blogs
9. Take a 15 minute nap....which inevitably turns into a 2 hour one.
10.Stay up late becuase you "don't feel like getting ready for bed."

Life is BUSY

1. Students say they are busy becuase they have too much homework. Life will be less busy when they are "just working."
2. Working people are too busy because their jobs last all day and by the time they get home it's "practically time for bed"
3. Stay at home moms are "busy because their kids are so crazy and they are volunteering in so many different activities"
4. Retired people are "busy keeping up with extra-curricular activities and grandchildren"
5. Single people are busy because "they have so many chores around the house that married people can share"
6. Married people are busy because well "they are married"
7. Children are busy becuase "they have so much to learn at school and their parents give them sooo many chores"
8. Teens are busy because they have to socialize and get ready for college.
9. Dads are busy "trying to support the family"
10. My sister once told me that we all think we are "REALLY BUSY!" I agree, becuase I've always thought I was insanely busy in school. I've always thought life will get easier when I'm out of college...but it's really not the case. I guess I just have to make time for the people who are important to me....even if that means I dont' get an A on a test....grades, work, ect don't matter forever, but people ALWAYS do...

She's Not Bitter

They tell her she's beautiful

that her eyes do not compare

yet inside she's miserable

b/c they aren't really there

She has so many goals ahead

yet so sick of the lines she's fed

was she the "best part of their day?"

then why do they just walk away?

She's just so tired of it all

the same game again and again

what is with these supposed "men?"

love-it's somewhere she just can't fall.

Is she another to accrue?

a name to put on a sick list?

so many men with this point of view

makes her want to show them her fist.

Taking a little piece of heart

it is really no place to start

If they were really truly men

they wouldn't feed lines again and again

So, don't tell her she's beautiful

don't make her think she's wonderful

leave that for the one who cares

just for the one who will always be there.


so...this isn't a list...and it doesn't really apply to my life anymore...but I think it is important to remember what our single girlfriend go through A LOT!

What's On Your Mind? A List of Things I Question Daily.

1. Why are there so many random shoes on the side of the highway....do people just get sick of them and throw them out the window?? I don't get it...and this bothers me daily.

2. Again...why do men think it's cool to honk at women??

3. Why text when you can call??

4. Why do old men wear speedos to sit in the hot tub?? Or maybe I should ask...why do they wear them at all?

5. Why do people put spoilers on honda civics??

6. Why do people like saurkraut (however that's spelled)

7. Why are there food eating contests? We eat enough food...why do we need a contest to see who can eat more?

8. Why is it that the most beautiful, quality girls I know are single?

9. Why are there locks on stores that are open 24 hours?

10. Why am I seeing tapered leg pants back in stores??

11. So this is a two part question I think about daily...Why the heck won't men go to doctors?? If your knee cap is broken, your hip doesn't bend anymore...it's not going to heal on its own and your not going to feel better...Just go to the doctor...they were in school 15 years for a reason. Second part continued in next point

12. Why is it that someone will look up some "Ancient Chinese Healing Remedy" on the internet and then swear by it even though there is no scientific research done by the "john brown" that probably wrote it. AGAIN people...doctors went to school for 15 years for a reason.

13. Why is it that people share their entire life story within a few minutes of meeting me...I'm not complaining...it's rather interesting to know the gory details of other peoples lives...but I still think it's weird.

14. This is kind of a continuation of the old men in speedos in the hot tub question...WHY would anyone wear a thong leotard to work out in....or any form of a leotard for that matter...and why do people sit around naked in the locker room?? This question really alludes me and many of my clients since they all ask me about naked people in the locker room.

15. Why is it that a lot of people with Bachelors Degrees still have sucky jobs....

16. Why do men put on weight when their wives are pregnant and then magically lose it when their wife has the baby? It's called "sympathy weight" and the whole concept is quite weird to me...it happened to my brother-in-law who wouldn't gain weight if he ate lard for every meal...but my sister got pregnant and he magically gained 15 pounds.

17. Why did God create goodbyes? I really hate them..I hate them more than I hate saurkraut.

18. Why do people put bits of canned fruit in Jello and consider it a salad. Yuck...

19. Does Jared from Subway still eat Subway daily?? Or even at all?

You Know You've Been in School too Long When...

1. You consider biking everywhere so you don't have to pay for gas.

2. You have hippie length hair b/c you can't afford to cut it

3. You have to give up Diet Coke for REAL...or it's gonna break the bank

4. You're surprised when you have dollar bills in your pocket.

5. You work a million part time jobs

6. The incoming freshman look like children to you.

7. You wonder why the heck you're studying so much when people with 2 yr degrees are making more money than you are.

8. You know what a docosahexaenoic acid is....and a million other minute facts that will never affect your future career.

9. You keep accumulating friends on facebook that are 10 years younger than you....b/c they are freshmen and you have class with them. (that's a bit of an exaggeration for me)

10. You've gained the freshman 15 and lost it at least 2 times.

....I'll add more as I think of them.

Are You Ready For Forever? I Need an All-Inclusive List.

As a young girl I remember asking people the age old question, "how did you know you were supposed to marry ______" It seemed I always got the same answer. "Oh, I just knew!" Well, that answer does not really cut it for me. There are things you can "just know." You can "just know" that you are supposed to take the bus instead of drive to work. You can "just know" you should eat oatmeal instead of rice cakes for breakfast, but how can you "just know" that you are supposed to spend forever with someone? This is a decision that will affect the rest of your life! I don't think you really can just know. Therefore, I gathered a list of answers that people have shared with me in the past. It's definitely not all inclusive. That's why you should comment and add what is missing. Pleases remember, just because I'm looking for an all inclusive list, does not mean that I'm getting married anytime soon! I just want to know why people think that they can "just know" the answer to that timeless question! It's something I've wondered since I was 16.
1. Trust. Can you tell that person anything?
2. Forgiveness. Does that person hold onto things from the past? Have they forgiven everyone that has hurt them in the past.
3. Common Beliefs. Do you both hold these beliefs to the same degree of importance?
4. Have you fought? How did you resolve the disagreement.
5. Are you attracted to this person? Have you discussed expectations for the future. (ex: frequency ect....I think you all know what I'm talking about *blush*)
6. Do you feel like you have to change who you are when you are around them?
7. Do both sets of parents approve?
8. Have you discussed chores. (ex: is he going to help you with housework ect)
9. Money. Do you have the same type of spending habits? Who's going to pay bills ect.
10.Are you both seeking God's direction for your life?
11.Can you pray together?

Tell me what's on your mind readers...what am I missing?

A List of Ways to Let her Know You Care

1. Dance Lessons...I think most girls would love this
2. Call her on your breaks during the day...even if it is only for a couple of minutes
3. Give her your old printer when hers breaks
4. Watch a chick flick with her
5. Cook her favorite meal. If you really want her to feel special, e-mail her mom and ask what her favorites are.
6. Add her friends on facebook.
7. Put a note in her mailbox and then tell her about it in the morning. (I know, it's illegal...just let her know b/f the mailman comes!)
8. Surprise her with a trip to NYC
9. Ask if you can take her home so you can meet her friends and family
10. Help her study for her final that's really worrying her.
11. Buy those shoes she's been talking about (shoes are a way to every girls heart)
12. Babysit with her. (Only if the childs parent is okay with this of course!)
13. Run with her.
14. Surprise her by stocking her favorite drink in your fridge.
15. Hang out with her family.
16. Tell her she's beautiful...all of the time.
17. Surprises...they are always good
18. Take her on a picnic
19. Play her word games...even if you think they are girly (I made my boyfriend play Would-You-Rather until there were no scenarios left)
20. Do her taxes.
21. Change her oil.
22. Ask the guy pictured in the top left of the blog. He seems to know what he's doing.

How to Start a Fight....

1. Consider every question to be a statement. Ex: Innocent party asks "Did you clean your car yet?" Suspicious person replies "No, why do you think I need to clean my car?" Reply "No, I just thought you were going to clean it today." Suspicious person "No, I cleaned it last week...why does it look dirty to you?" Innocent questioner "No! I just thought you were going to clean it today." Suspicious person-"Why would you ask me that unless you thought my car was dirty?"

2. Ask too may questions. Ex: "Do you think I'm being annoying?" Reply "No, I'm not annoyed with you." Interrogator "well, you seemed really annoyed...am I being too inquisitive?" Reply "No, I'm just not talkative right now." Interrogator-"Oh, well is it because I'm being weird?" Reply "No, I'm just thinking right now." Interrogator "Oh, well what are you thinking about?" Silence........"Are you sure you're not annoyed?" Reply "No, I'm fine." Interrogator-"Well, why are you so quiet?"

3.Use sarcasm online or over text message I don't think an example is necessary. I'm sure most are guilty of it.

4.Leave your dirty dishes in the sink without even rinsing them.

5.Ask your boyfriend if he thinks you look fat

6. Drink the last Diet Coke in the fridge.

7. Continually correct someones grammar.

8. Neglect replacing the toilet paper.

9. Set three alarms every morning and continually hit snooze for 45 minutes.

10. Ask your boyfriend if he is attracted to other women he sees....

11. Consistently show up late



I'll add more to this later

A Short and Easy List of Reasons not to Drink Diet Coke

Do you drink Diet Coke daily? Do you drink so much that people confront you about it? Have you ever hidden stashes of it in your car? Is it the first thing you reach for in the morning? Have you been wanting to quit drinking it for years, but haven't been able to kick the habit. If you answered yes to these questions, you may be addicted to Diet Coke. Below are five reasons you should pour that twelve pack your hiding down the drain...

1. It is linked to obesity (I know it's calorie free....but facts are facts)
2. It is linked to bad breath and acne (Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing by James F Balch and Phyllis A. Balch)
3. It causes dehydration
4. It is linked to osteoporosis
5. It wastes your money...I know it's only a dollar...but a dollar a day adds up!

18 Lines that Will Doom You To Singleness

These lines are some of the lines that have been used on my friends and I....They are TERRIBLE! So....if you use these lines...DONT! I wish I could remember some of the really cheesy ones...but this is the best I can do! Feel free to post your scary stories and lines!

1. Are you sick!?! Let me be your medicine.

2. Can you feel my feelings in your hair?..(after attempting to dance a little too close and lean head against mine)

3. You have a heart of stone...let me soften it with my love.

4. I'm rich...did I mention that I'm rich!?! and I have a good job (while huffing and puffing b/c he chased me out of a grocery store)

5. It's not every day that there is a beautiful women waiting in front of my car (While standing in a parking lot in front of a lot of cars)

6. You are as good looking as I am.

7. Have you heard of the temptations? me-"yeah..I know a few of their songs." Scary guy-"My girl...talkin about MYyyy girl.. (singing to me as loud as possible on a public bus).

8. I'm a great diver. Maybe someday you and OUR [future] kids can come watch me at the Olympics.

9. I don't really understand statistics...Do you wanna study together at Applebees? (Obviously...the man did not want to study Statistics since he asked me to Applebees...I should've known!! I still blame my B on that test on him)

10. "You're my shining star"

11. Never hand a girl a dollar when she takes off her sweat shirt. Need I say more....stupid boys.

12. Squealing your tires and waving...it's just not impressive. What do you expect us to do? Chase after your car?....Oh...even if you are on a date..still don't squeal your tires.

13. Old guys....seriously....if your old...we don't appreciate being hit on by you.

14. Any angel lines....just don't use those.

15. "You run marathons? That turns me on."
(why can't people learn to keep these comments to themselves?)
16. Making kissy noises in my ear...that's just not attractive...actually it's really freaky. I'm still freaked out by that.

17. My response to an initial hit on "No offense...but you're old enough to be my grandpa"....crazy short old man with accent response..."TRRUUUST mouii..I'm better than yer grandpa"

18. "Hey CA girrrrl.....You've got some beautiful eyes.....They are so bright...Are you high??"
(First of all, why would anyone ever call me CA girl? I'm as white as a MN girl in January...and why would he then follow that up by asking me if I was high? Wouldn't my eyes be dull if I was high?)

A Couple of Books that have Changed my Life....

1)How to Get a Date Worth Keeping
I'll admit it. I was one of those girls. You know, the girl that refuses to go on a date with anyone but still laments about the fact that she's single? I blamed the lack of love in my life on the fact that there were just no men anywhere. I concluded that all the good ones were married and the rest were "just pigs" I certainly could have given plenty of examples of men in my life who had acted as though they were equal to this mud rolling animal, and therefore began to believe that the life as a single woman was God's will for my life. Yet, after a life changing move across the country, a lot of extra time on my hands and no money in my pockets to spend, I began to hope that God did have something better planned for my life. I finally opened up to some dating advice some were offereing and bought a book called "How to Get a Date Worth Keeping." It completely changed my life....and I recommend this book to any single woman out there.


2) For Women Only
After I was in a relationship for a few months, my boyfriend suggested that I read "For Women Only" by Shaunti Feldhahn...At first I thought he was making a statement about my lack of dating skills and I refused to read it, but later I became intrigued and bought the book. It was eye opening and definitley stimulated some important conversations between my boyfriend and I....READ IT

To Arbonne or Not To Arbonne?

This summer I learned about this "great product." It helped old ladies look young and young ones look radiant. It was the cure-all in a bottle.....not only that it could also make you rich! I'm sure if the first sales lady had told me that it could simmer away unsightly cellulite with a dab of the product, I would have dropped a hundred dollars right there..j/k....but eventually I warmed up to the idea that some majic potion could cure me of any skin problems I might have. I was suckered in and I bought it. The first week I was using it, people did comment on the way my skin looked. I was ecstatic!!! My face was smooth, pores were clearing and there was no more unsightly dry flakes on my nose, but the same face, same product a week later and I was not so happy with the results. My skin looked just as drab as it had before I started using Arbone. So, I did a little experimenting and have discovered that switching between Proactive and Arbonne does the job....So, Arbonne is a good product...it just wasn't the miracle I was hoping for.