Lost Season 2

For the record, I hate titles. I can't explain it, I just do. I would always write my most beautiful homework assignments and then I would wrack my brain over what to put at the top of the page. How can I sum up my work in so few words? I really didn't like teachers that were obsessed with titles. What happened to don't judge an essay by its title...well you know. So, I like to be random at times. If you don't like that...make your own title.

I've gotten behind on the blogging world. I haven't read one of my favorite blogs since Halloween. I'll get to it. Some time.

As for right now I'm taking it day by day.

I might have mentioned I got a job around November. It's a retail job, and those that have worked retail know what I mean when I say it's not the best fit. Not that I don't love working with customers, I'm just flabbergasted how negative people can be. If I work with someone almost everyday, I assume they would say hi or at least acknowledge my presence. Annnnnd, that would be a no! Not everyone of course. Like I've said before, there are some people that muster up the courage to make somewhat of an effort.

Having said that, I had a job interview today. I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch. I don't want to let my mind get too imaginative. I don't want to say this is going to happen, but I pray it does. I have such high hopes. I want this job so much. My interviewer said I had good chances. I'll be sure to post if I get a second interview. We'll see what this brings. In the meantime, I'm pondering the thought of having to wear makeup everyday again...

Oh crap.

Various Texts from Ms. Amy

So my friend Amy and I text all day long. It isn't the constant texts like high schoolers can do. Its more like "hey there hows it going," for a few minutes. Then a few hours later, and some other time during the day. If either of us are at work then we catch each other later but my inbox is always full. It really helps you know? I need it right now. Having a piece of my heart at home feels easier when I can KIT! We've been talking lately about lists. I decided to make one on here because lists are just oh so fun! It beats a ranting post from me :)

Soo... Amanda's Super Official List of People to Meet (Living only and famous)

Image from here.
1. Celine Dion. No eye rolls please. She is amazing. She is wonderful. She has literally changed my life. I will never forget when my dad got tickets for her 2009 concert in 2007! She's that popular, which I didn't expect but I guess there's more people out there that love her. Not as much as me though. So at the concert my parents were sitting closer and for the last few songs they switched with Taylor and me. The "Titanic" song came on. It was incredible. It was like I couldn't catch my breath because every time I breathed in it would mean another minute passed I wouldn't get back from that concert. I wanted to savor all of it. Drink it in. I had waited almost my whole life to be there, and there I was. What made it even better was I was there with Taylor, we held hands and laughed at the old fart behind us trying to tell us to sit down. Umm... I DON'T THINK SO DREAM KILLER LADY!!! Was it selfish, heck yes! No one was going to take that away from me.
Kate Winslet is in that image for a reason. She's probably #11 on this list because with my luck I will never meet her. Yep, I have a better chance of meeting #10 than her. Trust me.

Image from here.
2. Lauren Conrad. Enough with the eye rolls! First of all, I didn't even finish watching The Hills so don't think its because of the show. She grew up where I did, her dad is an architect, she's into fashion, her best friend left her because of a guy, her birthday is in February, she made Maxim's hot list. Ok I don't have that one in common with her. But I've always felt we would really get along and understand each other on a different level. I really hate when people are star struck. Its a PERSON. Born the same way and they live pretty much the same other than the fame part. Who knows, maybe I won't like her but I very much want to meet her.

Image from here.
3. Dave Matthews. My lucky son of a gun brother has met him several times. I would even put aside our political differences. That is huge but I'd do it for Dave.

Image from here.
4. Steve Carell. This would for sure be a fun one.

5. Camille.

My super funny Canadian blogging friend. We haven't officially met so I had to put this one in there. Somehow things will work out. Can you believe she's a youtube sensation? Pretty cool!

Image from here.
6. Bonnie Hunt. A lot of women do not appreciate the value of an older generation in their lives. Bonnie is perfect example of so much wisdom to offer. And wook how cuwt widdle Charwe is!

Image from here.
7. Ina Garten. Fabulous! I could probably stay a house guest with her for a year. She can make me all the roast chicken, scones, and gratins she wants!

Image from here.
8. Kelly Clarkson. I have met Kelly many times in my dreams. We're like best friends between the hours of midnight and four am. Every time I wake up thinking I have her number in my phone and I can call her. If I actually had it I would probably tell her she looks just fine and so many people forgot to remove a plank somewhere.

Image from here.
9. Dr. Laura. How can I express how much she's done for me? I can only live up the the great example and tell everyone I can of her awesomeness.

Image from here.
10. Osama Bin Laden. So I can kick his sorry you know what. Freaking pansy!

Thanks for reading :)

Me circa 2006. Pretty amazing where I was then and where I am now.

I hate football

I know I've left you hanging on the vacation thing. There's too much emotional crap to add in between all of it and I'm just not ready to open myself up to thinking about it. Let alone write about it for all to read.

I do have a question though.

What makes a family?

Does it have to be a mommy and daddy? Does it include children? Are pets involved?

Why is it I feel such a strong desire to be in a kinship with someone, and yet that person doesn't even consider me part of the family. At least that person's idea of family. Why are there rules? Why do I have to be blood related in order to be thought of as family?

I won't mention names. I won't complain much longer. I just want to point out that people get hurt feelings if they feel out of the circle. People hurt when they aren't included. People hurt when they know they will never be a part of someone's life in the way they want to be.

I know my answers and I know the answer I get. And it isn't fair. It just plain sucks...

A lot happened on that vacation of ours

As you know we were home for Christmas and New Years. It was a wonderful time and we were so happy to see our family. Our visit over Thanksgiving was too short so we loved some extra time to hang out. I really thought we would be able to eat at all of our favorite restaurants but we didn't have enough time! There are just too many good places to eat. Plus we were introduced to a little Italian dessert called Zapoles. With all the eating, there was no way I would post a picture of myself. They exist, but only in your minds people.

For a consolation prize, I posted the picture of us on the flight there. The one on the top. We were so excited! There's just no way of describing the feeling I get knowing I will be home. Of course we feel home in MI but this is completely different. There is nothing to replace that feeling of comfort. As we touched down in Santa Ana, it seemed like time was moving slower for us. I think it was mostly me thinking I needed to make mental snapshots so I would remember as much as I could. Of course there is never enough time to tell all the details but I hope to bring out all the highlights.

Taylor and his lego tower.
So we both discovered how much we love playing with kids toys. Three of our nieces were over at Marty and Julie's house and Taylor took the opportunity of developing more motor skills. I thought it was pretty creative actually. Hope (youngest of the three) and Julie we eating and snack and Hope thought it was hilarious to pretend she would give Taylor a snack but then eat it herself. Julie would ask, "Do you want to give a snack to Taylor?" and every time she would nod with a huge grin on her face as soon as she got the snack because it was already in her mouth. She's cute like that.

Aww. My darling British sisters. Yes that is a Chipotle bag. Jenny is very resourceful like that. They both blow me away how well they give gifts. I only feel guilty that I do not have that talent. I will try to make it up in the future when they move to Nashville. Nothing like a batch of tacos or chicken casserole to make you feel more at home. Mmm...tacos.

I would like to say I had more of a chance to see more friends but it just didn't happen. Between all the family we have I was amazed I got to see most of them. I find it difficult to balance it all out because in the end you just have to pick and choose. Most friends take the news as it is, sad but inevitable. Others take it to a level I find over dramatic and quite crazy. More on that another day.

This is Taylor's Grandmother Irma with my MIL Julie. Irma's been having a lot of troubles lately and we hoped this wasn't the last time we saw her. I wouldn't be surprised if it was though. I just pray for her health and safety. If God wants to take her then He can have her. For right now everyone is trying to do their best and keep her content.

Taylor and his animals! This is Phoebe. She's a very sweet chihuahua that loves attention. Taylor is the perfect person for the job!

Taylor's grandfather Bill aka Pop Pop. He's been through a lot over the last few years and I was happy he liked the robe Julie gave him. Although he's hard of hearing and walking a little slower, he's still got that spunk left in him that we all know.

I think I had Del Taco three times. My mom's lasagna, Marty's spaghetti, Julie's cookies, The Whole Enchilada, Portillo's, you name it we ate it. And it was so good!

On Christmas Eve Taylor's brother and SIL came over with the kids. They were all dressed up for the holiday like I used to do as a kid. Emma was telling us about her latest book because she is a great reader. Stephanie was so full of life since Christmas was the next day, and Hope was being her usual cute self. Afterward we ate sandwiches and went to the Christmas Eve service. We came home after that and put on our Christmas pjs. Since Del Taco was closed, we ran to the store and I made quesadillas for everyone. They were SO good! Went to sleep around 11 and woke up to a wonderful Christmas morning. And I think its safe to say,

TO BE CONTINUED...

Back with a smile on my face

Too much to update but I know I wanted to wish Taylor Girl a happy birthday. Her's might be the longest. And will most likely make me cry. Bear with me.

Taylor Girl has been famously named so because obviously there is another important Taylor in my life. I can remember the night she was born those FOURTEEN years ago, sheesh. I was in the hospital waiting room with my parents and a couple that was in my sister and brother in law's wedding. She was born just before midnight. I don't remember holding her until she was a little older because people simply do not trust 8 year olds with infants. Lame-o! As she grew older we had such a close bond. I was obsessed with people knowing I was an aunt as such a young age. I hate to say I wasn't as into as I got older, it was more of me not realizing how attached we were. I was certain I loved her. But I didn't realize she would want to sleep in the same bed as me when I visited. She always wanted to have a hand on my arm, or her foot next to my leg. She just always wanted to me with me or around me. I imagine this is how my sister felt when I was little.

Taylor G. was always known as the BRT. Bratty rotten Taylor. Oh man she was a brat! Her attitude was razor sharp. We had a rough time dealing with her at times because she just wouldn't listen. She shaped up pretty quick when she realized she wasn't a baby anymore, but a big sister. And she adapted to it so well. We always talk about how she's so great with children and certain people will only trust Taylor for the job. I can't remember half the times she was so rotten before because she's been such a joy for so long.

Taylor has come so far from where she was. I was looking at pictures from a few years back and she's not the same person she used to be. She's grown up and matured so much. One thing that will always remain the same is how positive she is. She's always had this unique and infectious laugh. If something is kind of funny, she makes it super funny. And then we can't stop laughing. While we went home for the holidays I was having a difficult day. To forget the situation I hung out with all my girls in the family and I felt so much relief. It made it even better when I got in my car and Taylor G. came to the window and said, "I hope you feel better. I know you were having a hard time but I hope we were able to help you with that." I smiled and told her she did. And then I cried on the way home.

Being away from my nieces is the most difficult thing I've had to do. Missing their birthdays are hard. Knowing they love me and that I have a close relationship with them makes the time pass faster. What I have are my memories. The time when Taylor was a baby and she sat in a car seat while we watched my brothers games and was as content as could be. The time she shaved her legs as a toddler. The time I cried like a baby because she was having surgery the next morning and I was scared for her. The time I took her to the gym with me because she was (finally!) allowed to go with me. Watching So You Think You Can Dance together. I will have all this with me until we come back and make more memories.

This is from that random day we took the girls bowling. She's lost a lot of weight since then! I see it so much when I look at these pictures.

Her watermelon smile!
She had so much fun at our engagement party, we all did.

I had never seen Taylor G. look so grown up as I did at the wedding. She was so excited to get dressed up and beautiful. She had been so nervous I would force her into an ugly dress because sometimes OTHER family members have a tendency to do that. Well I let her pick out the dress and let her wear a shawl to go along with it. And don't tell anyone but she was the only one allowed to wear her hair down besides me!

The two Taylors on the beach.
I am so happy they know him as their favorite uncle.

Sigh, before we left.
I miss her a lot. I miss her most today.

Happy Birthday to my oldest and first niece. You are more precious than you realize. I love you like the little sister I never had. I wish you happiness, I wish you joy. I can't wait for the future because I know it will be bright. Remember us because we love you, and know that you have put the biggest smiles on our faces today.