My Facebook is private, and I like that.

We've been talking about hugging lately in my church community group. We've got people that hug everyone whether they like it or not, the indifferent ones that don't think about it they just embrace because of social acceptance, the others (the non huggers) that cannot stand the thought of someone touching them, and the last most important is the healthy hug.

I'd like to think I am in all four of these categories of huggers, even though I don't like them all.

1. Category One of hugging people whether they like it or not is so easy for me. Although I try very hard not to do it, sometimes I just have this incredible feeling of love towards people I just want to hug the begeebers out of them. It's an expression for sure, and definitely not for everyone. I only feel that way about certain people, they are usually the ones closest to me in relationships. They have taken the time to get to know me. It really feels like I fall in love with them. Not in a spousal way but in an endearing mutual respect kind of way. I look at them and I am in awe about how wonderful this person is. How much they care about me. And that's when people say, "Barf, cut the mush." So I move on.

2. Category Two involving social acceptance irks me. There is mostly no feeling to it. If you aren't really good friends with someone, that situation is so awkward! I really hate it when two other people hug, and now that makes me HAVE to hug someone I really don't want to. Social protocol: annoying and mindless if you ask me.

3. Category Three I relate to, and yet I don't understand equally. There are certain people I do not want to hug me. Rapists, terrorists, and Russell Brand are just a few. (Don't think RB is in the same class as the other two, I just really would not wish to hug him.) On the other hand, if someone wants to hug me I would not reject them because of their willingness to open themselves up to me. I would simply be accepting of it because I would not want the rejection if I were them. It makes it difficult at times because I do NOT want many people to hug me. I DO want my select people to hug me, all the time. Free hugs for them, and I'll give some to the others because I'm nice.

4. Category Four (as you may have guessed) is my favorite. The healthy hug defined by me is a hug of mutual acceptance. It is cherished because of its' unique quality to benefit both parties. And it doesn't have to be the same reason for being beneficial. Just like the hug Professor Maguire gives Will in Good Will Hunting. A well of emotion comes forth equally by both parties, for completely different reasons. Best scene of the movie by far.

Although I'm sure I could come up with more examples of why people hug, it makes me think about me as a person. Why do I have a need to hug someone? Why would someone not want to hug me? Why is hugging so important?

I think I need a hug.

I stole!

This post is inspired by Saturday Steals over at Archives of our Lives.

I used to be a fashionista. I actually used to look cool, get compliments all the time, and know what the heck to wear in the morning. Now...not so much. Gaining weight after getting married wasn't a surprise but how much was. So I had to do my best to clothe my bigger body. It wasn't fun, I don't recommend it.

Luckily my friends in Michigan have been very encouraging. They encourage me to wear things that are tighter since I've lost weight, they encourage me to wear makeup because it helps me feel more confident, and they encourage me to feel more comfortable with me. I thought one of the things I should get to dive more into divahood would be boots. Boots are so darn cute! Everyone, and I mean everyone looks good in boots. Just look at Drew. Cute as a friggen button.

So I was on a quest. A boot quest. I went a few stores, nothing. I went to a place my other friends found cute boots, nothing. I was very discouraged so Taylor suggested Target. Sure, why not?

We walked in the doors and I bee-lined straight to the boot section. Given the time of year it was (Fall) everyone and their annoying mothers were looking. Luckily with my mountain man feet being the size they are, I was able to look in a specific place. AND THEN I SAW THEM. There, in the middle of the rack. A box. A box that said size 12. I don't normally wear a size 12, I'm an 11 but given the blisters Target shoes have given me in the past...I tried them on.

Oh those pesky women! Get out of my WAY! Don't you see the potential boot gold I could possibly possess?! No, of course not. You're too busy whining about, "I don't like the color, I don't like the buckle," in that equally annoying nasally voice.

Well my friends with my humungo feet, I can't be a little whiner like you. Shoes my size don't come cute very often, and I've got potential with this box in my hand. Now get out of my death ray stared WAY! AHH! Freedom, at least I was able to get to the (too short btw) bench. Well, let's try em on shall we?

They fit.

Sorta.

A little big.

I knew it would happen, but they weren't so big that thick socks couldn't fix.

Crap, how much do they cost?

Out of the corner of my eye I saw the orange Target tag. OMG. Sale item!

And not just any sale item. This was a pair of boots purchased online for $49.99. A price I would seriously seriously have to consider if they were really that price. But they weren't that price. They were returned in the store, which means the price goes down significantly. I like to think of them as the floor model per say .

They were $13.00 Can I get a THANK YOU JESUS? THANK YOU JESUS!

Here they are.

I'm so cool in my boots, I know.

Cute huh? And that ladies and gentlemen, is a steal.

I am alive. At least I'm hoping people will believe me.

Hey. You know me. Right? Oops, maybe not since I haven't posted on here since April of last year. Hmmm. How out of character of me. No, that is not true. That is so me.

Here's a super mini updated for you, just so you know I'm not making up the being alive thing.

1. I just started school again. I know, can you believe it? I'm not jumping up and down excited THAT'S for sure. But it will be good to know I will be done with school one day. What caused this source of scholastic inspiration? Getting fired would do the trick. Yep. Yeah. Yes. I promise. Me. UH HUH. I, Amanda. Was fired. I know this will come as the same shock to some of you as when I got a yellow card for saying the f-word during a volleyball game. To this day I maintain my innocence. I really did say fricken...buuut....you know how everyone talks these days. It sounded like. You know.

2. Taylor is alive too, but barely. Poor kid is working so much. I feel bad for him but he's getting his Ph.D. for pete sake! He'll manage. Until then I'll continue my love and support complete with back rubs, healthy and delicious meals, and letting him play WOW or other games til his heart's content. You know, being the good wife that I am.

3. We haven't had cable since July. We haven't had a TV signal since then either. We can watch DVD's thank goodness. We've found such jewels as How I Met Your Mother, more 24, and our favorite favorite (like as in I've watched the first 3 seasons multiple times each) FAVORITE Big Bang Theory. BAM!

4. I've taken to the gym. That is my behind to the gym. I started playing volleyball again. This time around I'm not so upset about the past, or how bad some people are. This time it's been about having fun. Who would'a thunk? Not me for reelz.

5. We've learned a lot about ourselves through the ennaegram. This my friends, has been awesome. Look it up, I dare you. Actually no, let me send you to the right place. Here. It's just a personality analysis, don't get all voodoo on me mmmk? This type of personality assessment has been scientifically proven within the last few years and has helped me deal with a lot of issues. We learned about it in our church community group about a year ago, and we can't stop talking about it. It's not like other ones...you know... you're an extrovert...boring crap. This one sees your very core. It knew things about me I would never tell anyone, and it knew things about me other knew but I would never admit. It's been great and I highly recommend it. ESPECIALLY if you can talk to me about it!

I will be back tomorrow I promise. I can't go back on my word because Saturday Steals are tomorrow over at AOOL. I need to fill my commenting quota (or lack there of) from the past...eesh...ten...months.