Sunday, May 31, 2015

I Guess She's Okay

Fourteen years ago today I was given a late birthday "present."  My dreams of having a little sister were fulfilled.

I've told her since then she's the best and worst birthday present I ever got.

For about a year she went through a stage of being the best, but then she went through a really long phase of being the worst because for a long time she went through a phase of being a mean, quick tempered, angry little child who drove me absolutely crazy.  She got on my nerves and got into my stuff.  I couldn't stand her and no longer understood why people thought little sisters were so great.  Recently, I ran into my 5th grade teacher at the Rec Center and when talking to her she asked me if I remembered how I couldn't stand Elizabeth Taylor back when I was in her class.  I laughed because all of a sudden that annoying, pain in the neck started growing up.  Her main goal in life no longer seemed to be to push all my buttons and it turned out my obnoxious little sister was actually kind of cool to hang around.

Looking back at pictures today it turns out she's been my partner in crime longer than I am willing to admit.

In the last year or so she's really started becoming my friend rather than my frenemy, a person who makes me laugh, who will swing dance in the kitchen with me, and who wants to talk drama about school and swimming and anything else in life.  

Thank you for knowing just how to make me laugh, for sending me those random obnoxious texts and for dealing with the current chaos that is me moving back into our room.  I wish for the next year to be your best one yet as you enter the next saga of your life, but never forget to be my crazy little sister who probably should have been blonde and who is confused as a chameleon in a bag of skittles. 


Happy Birthday kid!




Friday, May 29, 2015

They're the Best

God blessed me with two amazing best friends who are willing to go to great lengths for my birthday.  I mean it's not just anyone who after getting their car backed into still wants to go out and celebrate someone else's birthday, or just anyone who wants to make sure they have perfect spot because they want to have a picnic while watching the sunset and then watch the stars, and it definitely isn't just anyone who will drive all over for an hour try to find an open place to get ice cream. 

Needless to say, last night I had quite the adventure with Madam President and J making it a birthday I won't soon forget.  They had planned to pick me up after I got done coaching swim practice at 6 and then we would head to supper.  Unfortunately, J's car got backed into and the adventure was postponed about an hour. Finally we got on the road and headed to B-N to start the evening with some Potbelly's.  Then I was simply allowed to know we were going to picnic with our sandwiches. I guess we were supposed to watch the sunset from a park but that didn't really pan out because the first park we were supposed to go to had geese and J is petrified so we headed elsewhere.  After 15 minutes of driving around Bloomington, we arrived at our new destination, geese free.  Unfortunately, (again) the whole sunset thing didn't pan out because it was cloudy, but we did get to enjoy a lovely pond with a fountain and a lot of super nice houses.  

Next on their plan was to go get frozen yogurt so we loaded back up into Madam President's car and got to Orange Leaf, five minutes after they closed.  Siri told us Cherry Berry was open until 10 so off we went to find our frozen yogurt. Fifteen minutes and a real struggle for J giving Madam President directions and we discovered Cherry Berry was also closed.  Next try Carl's.  According to Google, they close at 10.  We arrived at 9:33, the sign on the door said they closed at 9:30.   A Google search informed us that Cold Stone was also already closed, but Baskin Robins was open until 10.  Madam President stepped on it and with help from J to get back to Veteran's we made it to Baskin Robins with 8 minutes to spare.  I jumped out and grabbed the door to pull it open, locked, ran around to the other door, locked.  Solution to our  situation drive thru.  Thank goodness they were still taking drive thru orders because after an hour of trying to find a place that was open we were starting to get desperate, like to the point of potentially just running into the nearest Walmart, getting a tub of ice cream and three spoons and eating that. 

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

She Made It

Tonight I was excited to sit in the pew and watch as my little sister graduated from eighth grade and became a high school student.  I realize that it's just eighth grade and she's only moving to the high school across town, just the same I was happy for her and her accomplishments.

You did it kid! You survived the first nine years of your education.  So in light of the next four years, I have some advice for you to survive the craziness of high school.

First of all don't be afraid to try new things.  High school opens up a lot of new opportunities for you, take advantage of them.

Second, there isn't an elevator so don't buy a pass.

Third, even though I tell you pretty much everyday that you're a weirdo or a dork, you're a pretty cool kid and don't let anybody tell you any different.

The next four years are going to go fast and they are going to be fun, make the most of every moment before you have to go out into the real world.


Oh and by the way, I'm still taller and you're wearing heels.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

What I Learned Today

Dairyland Seed paring knives can be used for more than cutting food.  For example, taking down whiteboards hung with 3M strips off the walls.

Thanks Big Bad.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

I Have Really Unconventional Ways to Make 15 Bucks

Or a really good way to procrastinate studying for my last final and revising my Rhet 105 argument essay.  This afternoon the RAs put on an event to give residents a study break. The event jousting. The prize $100 Visa gift card to the winner of each the men's and women's brackets. Unfortunately, the guys took quite a while and we only got part way through the women's side and had to stop because of rain, so they split the money based on how many wins you had.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Congrats Wiiman


On making your First Communion today. You did great bringing up the gifts.
Don't he and G.G. look nice?


Side note: I appreciate Mrs. S took some candids of us trying to get organized for a picture.