There was pain and there was bleeding and I currently look like a mugging victim. I won't be going back.
My dear friend, Emily, had taken my "tagged virginity."
I guess there's a first time for everything.
1. I love diet soda. Especially Diet Dr. Pepper and Diet Coke. No matter how much I try to convince myself that I need to drink more water, there is something totally irresistible about this fizzie goodness, poured over ice, with a straw. Nothing refreshes me like sweet, bubbly caffeine...and all this with a price tag of ZERO calories. Can it get any better?
2. I have a completely irrational fear of birds. Snakes, spiders, and bees don't really get to me. But clicking beaks and flapping wings terrify me so deeply that i want to vomit. Seriously.
3. I HATE to be cold. If I go to Hell when I die, it will be cold there, and that will be punishment enough for me. When I am cold, I become very irritable and revert emotionally and socially to a five-year-old child. Let's say I am standing with you outside of a restaurant. And it's cold. And windy. The cold will render me completely incapable of laughter, conversation, and the ability to listen. Chances are, if I believe you are somehow responsible for making me stand in the cold, I won't even look you in the eye.
4. I had the same boyfriend from 1st grade through 5th grade. His name was David and he was (and still is) extremely tall. We always held hands at skating parties and he kissed me on the knee once. He used to give me lots of gifts, but the one I remember most vividly was a red gum-ball decorated with frosting to look like Santa Clause. Strangely, I don't remember ever "breaking-up" with David. I wonder if he thinks we are still together. Maybe I had better check on that.
5. I find the word "no" to be very uncomfortable. I've made it a point in my life to say "no" as little as possible. Because of this, I've experienced some very amazing things, met interesting people, and grown through challenging situations. I've also learned to live in a state of constant over-commitment. As much as I hate to say "no", I also don't like to hear it. Sometimes I avoid making invitations and asking for help, just because I am so afraid that the other person is going to say no. It's a bad habit. I know.
6. The first time I ever used a curse word out-loud was in fourth grade. I was in line at the four-square court and a 6th grader cut in front of the line. I called her a B**ch. I wasn't brave enough to say it to her face, so I just made the comment to the poor, innocent kid next to me. I later confessed to my mom while she was brushing my hair before bed. The second time I recall swearing was at soccer practice my sophomore year. It was cold (see #3) and I was the goalie. Standing all alone. Just freezing. I yelled "D*mnit" into the air. Ironically, no one heard me, which made me feel even more cold and alone.
7. I love to dance. Line dance, booty dance, techno dance, 80s, 70s...all of it. Because I am a terrible dancer, it usually takes me a while to "bust out" and "let it go," but once I get going, look out! I would say that very few people have truly witnessed how much fun I can have on the dance floor. So next time you are going dancing, give me a call. It might take a while, but I'll let you witness the magic if you really want to. :)
Now I tag Courtney E., Magen C., Beth B., Tarah N., Kari V., Ashley F., and Alexis P.
P.S. I'm going to cheat a little here. I'm not going to leave comments on their blogs. Nope. I'm just going to let them discover their names here in this post. That way, I'll know if they are actually reading my blog.
Good job, girls! You really brought your "A" game tonight. 
When his finger started falling asleep, he began inquiring about what he should do. How do I stop the PAIN!? The answer? Get a straight pin and a lighter, heat up the straight pin, and shove it through your fingernail. I'm sure that many of you have done this before, but neither Mark or I had. We kept hearing stories of people passing out during this process or of blood that squirts out from the nail all over the place (actually hitting the ceiling in one case). So to avoid either of these mishaps, I made mark sit down on the kitchen floor...
...and perform the procedure inside a large ziplock bag. I was willing to hold the bag for him, but no cleaning blood off the ceiling for this girl! 
The procedure went well. All pressure was released and the throbbing has stopped. No need to worry.
While I am looking forward to having more "free time" and time with my husband, I am really going to miss seeing these girls everyday. 
Last week, we took advantage of one of this year's last warm afternoons and took our nephew, Caden, out to ride a mini-sized four-wheeler. 
Micah and Katey wanted to join in the fun too and the four of us took a crowded ride down the sandcreek. 
Good times. Good times.
My sister's school hosted their homecoming dance at my brother-in-law's barn, east of Colorado Springs. There were buggy rides, a huge bonfire, hot chocolate, and the best high-school dance I have ever seen. Seriously, the dj, one of the school's seniors, provided four straight hours of boogie time, complete with strobe and black lights. Everyone participated. For the entire four hours. 
My niece, Katey, even got in on the action and literally could not stop shakin' in for a good thirty minutes. 
It was a real, bonafide, party-in-the-country-til-the-sun-comes-up. (Or until-your-parents-show-up, whichever comes first.) 
