Day 23 - So Traumatizing

There have been a lot of traumatizing events in my life.  The reason I HATE camping is because of something like that.  However, THE most traumatizing thing that has ever happened to me occurred when I was in 1st grade.  Mom was in the hospital for something (I think it was after Jenny was born) and this left Dad to take care of us kids.  Usually that was a good thing because he would take us out to Frosty Freeze for dinner every night.  However, getting ready for school in the morning was most traumatic.  Dad would sit me on the counter and just stare at me trying to figure out what to do with my hair.  Finally, after much contemplation, he started brushing and brushing until his masterpiece was finished.  I looked in the mirror and I SCREAMED!!!  My dad had given me not one, not two, but THREE ponytails.  One on each side of the front of my head and one dead center on the back.  I looked like a donkey with long ears and a tail.  I cried and cried and begged him to take them out.  Louis came in to see what the fuss was all about.  In his logical tone he said, "Just tell the kids its the new style in France."  My face was blotchy from crying and I steadfastly refused to go to school, but having a big brother who had no problem carrying you the entire way to school kind of squashed my protest.  So during school I was teased and tormented relentlessly.  It was very traumatic. 

Day 24 - Integrity

Growing up, there were many things that I could depend on from my dad. One of those things was John Wayne western movies. One of the traits most regularly displayed in all of the endless black and white movies of bad grammar and hick accents was hard work and keeping your word. It’s the cowboy way I guess. That’s always been one thing that has really stuck with from growing up around old cowboys: Integrity. Keeping your promise is something that is of utmost importance to me and always has been.

 

"Well, we do exactly what we started out do do."

- John Wayne (Chisum)

Day 25 – The One With The Braces

Unlike most children in need of braces, I decided to wait for my awkward braces stage until I was in college, because nothing says “Hey, look at me, I’m 20 and have crooked teeth” like braces.  So ladies and gentleman, may I introduce you to “Brace Face Abby” :

I know, I know, I look gorgeous!!  There are SEVERAL of these kinds of pictures, but I decided to choose the most expressive.  Enjoy!!!!

Day 26 – The Celebrity Crush

C’mon, now I know that all of you have had one.  Back in the day, I've had friends who’ve crushed on this guy:

and this guy:

and this guy:

and oddly enough, this guy:
 
I listened as all my friends swooned.  I, however, went for this guy:
 
Oh yah, that my friends is Jared Leto.  Those eyes are to DIE for.  In my tween years, his poster was up on my wall.  Yup, my childhood celebrity crush was Jordan Catalano from “My So Called Life.”  Oooh, he was super fine!

 

Day 27 - Apple Cinnamon

Man I love that smell.  It not only reminds me of Christmas, but comfort, love and safety.  Back when I was in Elementary School, I would come home from school and mom could be cooking this potpourri:
 
This was before the days of Salt City and Scentsy.  She had that pot with the open flame (not too safe) bubbling and that scent would soak up the whole house.  I'd come home from school after having an absolutely horrible day and mom would be in the kitchen making something and I would sit on her lap and tell her everything that went wrong.  That smell even soaked into her apron.  I can smell it right now as I tell it.  It was the best smell ever.
So because of all the many memories I associate with that smell, I have apple cinnamon all over my house.  I'm not a potpourri person, so I buy the glade plug-ins and once that puppy is plugged in, I am transported back to those days of sitting on my mom's lap feeling safety and peace.  It's the best feeling ever.