You Know You Went to a Legalistic/Fundamentalist High School if....

1. Everyone played on every sports team regardless of ability.

2. You could count your classmates on 2 hands.

3. The reproductive section in your health book was repeatedly skipped leaving you completely clueless. (This made me look like a total idiot in my anatomy lab at the University of MN--yep...I listened very carefully when the TA was explaining the external female reproductive system to the guys in the class...I didn't want them to know I had never learned much of what he was talking about.)

4. Either you dated everyone in your class or your first date wasn't until you left high school. (This wasn't the case for me...but I know it was for plenty of people who attended fundamentalist schools)

5. Everyone THOUGHT they knew everything about everyone else...

6. Jr/Sr (Prom) consisted of eating a large dinner-Definitely NO DANCING!

7. When you filled out college applications you needed two extra pages because you were able to say you were involved in so much (ex: you were able to write Class president, Salutatorian, captain of the volleyball and basketball team, yearbook editor, 1st place in piano competition)

8. You only knew 200 people in your town....which were the 200 that went to your school (K-8). (oh...you might know a few people from the church affiliated with the school also)

9. You thought that all public school kids were on drugs and having sex all of the time. (So..that's a bit of an exaggeration....but slightly true)

10. You can say that you still keep in touch with 50% of your graduating class....(that would be five people for me!)

How to Depress a Blogger

So, I'll admit it. I've had a bit of the case of "blogger blues." I know you are all wondering how an author of such a great site could ever come down with "blogger blues," but alas, I have a definite case of it. Here's what leads to blogger blues.

1. Fail to comment on blogs...no matter how insightful they are :)
2. Fail to reciprocate when a blogger adds your site to their link list.
3. Fail to give "kudos" to a post.
4. Fail to answer questions the blogger has asked of you.

Yep, I think that pretty much sums it up...Ha...I know all you bloggers out their know what I'm talking about!

Is It Legend or Fact?

Here's a few things I've been wondering about lately....

1. Is it true that your hair grows in darker and thicker after you shave it? I used to say it was legend...but my leg hair is definitely darker than it used to be.

2. Is it myth that people have really had tumors with teeth and hair growing out of them? That couldn't possibly be a fact could it?

3. Is it true that you can never make up lost hours of sleep? I feel like I'm pretty good at doing that...just give me a worry free afternoon and I'll make sure any sleep I've lost over the past few weeks is made up within a couple of hours.

4. I only wonder this b/c we're discussing it in nursing school...this is not where my mind usually wanders off too....Is circumcision really cleaner and healthier...or is it just a custom of our culture? (and Israel's too of course)

There's Just Something about KALEN!

I was asking my sister for ideas on lists of things that I should write about. Of course she thought I should write a list about Kalen. I think this will be one of the easiest lists I've written because she's so amazing. I've also decided to add a weekly "There's Just Something about _____" to my blog. So watch out...next weeks blog may be about YOU!

Kalen's List.
1. Kalen's smile will brighten ANYONE'S day.
2. Kalen knows more sign language than I do. (She's only 2)
3. Kalen has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen!
4. She says "I hold you!" when she wants a hug....I think that's about the cutest thing ever!
5. Kalen LOVES church...which is something I wasn't excited about at her age.
6. She's funny...when i was watching her the other day I was throwing her up in the air and twirling her around. I was tired and dizzy so I told her I was too tired to try again. She said "okay" then two seconds later she patted my leg and said "AWAKE!" Of course I couldn't say no to her.
7. She's so outgoing. She says hi to all of the neighbors and is always excited when "Uncle Joel" comes over.
8. I think she may be a child prodigy someday :)
9. She's the cutest and I love living with her!

26.2 Reasons to Run a Marathon

1. You gain a sense of accomplishment.
2. You make new friends.
3. You get to buy new shoes every three months.
4. You get in shape.
5. You are able to see a lot of new scenery when you are training.
6. It's a source of conversation.
7. You get a medal!
8. It teaches you discipline.
9. No more flabby legs!
10. You get a tan.
11. People cheer you on like your a star when you're running it!
12. You win a free t-shirt. (after you pay all of the fees of course)
13. You're able to do a lot of people watching while you run all of those miles. (I saw someone run it in jeans?!? What were they thinking? I can't even imagine the chaffing.)
14. You can make it a mini-vacation. (I ran the Chicago marathon when I lived in Minneapolis)
15. People think you are a beast! (in a good sense of the word)
16. You get to eat more when you are training!
17. It impresses people on your first date. (Joel..I know you were sooo impressed when I told you I had run one)
18. It makes you feel like your an athlete even when you aren't able to participate in college sports.
19. It gives you time to mull over your entire life...at least 3 times!
20. It makes 1/2 marathons look wussy.
21. Carbohydrates...mmm...lots of them.
22. You truly have a RIGHT to drink gatorade if you run 26.2 miles....it's not wasted calories anymore!
23. It's a way to fizzle out any anger issues you've ever had...you'll be so tired at the end...you won't care WHAT your significant other said to you before the race!
24. You are able to witness amazing people run. (ex:I saw people who had lost 200 lbs through training and other people who beat cancer.)
25. You'll have an amazing set of lungs when your finished training.
26. Getting up at 6 will seem late to you (I used to train at 4:30a.m. to beat the summer heat)
.2 It's just an AMAZING experience.

Devastations Related to Hairdressers.

1. One time one of my hairdressers asked me if I'd like to try some red in my hair. I thought she meant a hint of red. So I said "yes" Two hours later and I looked like a fire engine. It was awful. Luckily she redid it the next week. I didn't want to go anywhere with that ugly do.

2. I recently wanted a bob like Jennifer Anniston had a few years ago. (See picture above). I said I did NOT want my hair to flip out. Did it flip out?!? Of COURSE. I ended up having an old woman hair cut...I'm still trying to grow it out. Plus my hairdresser told me she couldn't cut it too short because "I have such a strong jawline." I'm still upset about that. I want my bob...but I have to wait till after I get married!

So...I don't have a lot of hair stories...but I figured this is one area that women could really relate to...Tell me your bad-hair stories.

Wish List Books

I have a few books in mind that I really want to read. Unfortunately, with school, wedding planning and ect...I don't have the time to do it right now. These books are on my wish list. If you think there is something I should add, please tell me! I'd also like to know what books are on your wish list.

1. Peter Pan
2. My Sisters Keeper
3. The Vanishing Act of Esme
4. Such a Pretty Fat
5. Lord of the Flies