Single + Childless = Boring?

**Disclaimer: this blog isn't the happy peppy, Becca that you all know and love! This is more getting something off my chest. I promise that my next blog won't be so bitter and gloomy.*



Over the past month, I've had two situations occur that have made me scratch my head and wonder why people have said things the way that they did. The first time it happened, I was curious as to why that person had said what they did and it made me think about it for weeks. The second time, I realized that these words more than made me think, they actually hurt my feelings a smidge.

I've recently had people pass judgment on me and my life because I am not in a relationship/married, and because I do not have any children.

*A friend asked me if I had the opportunity to watch a particular movie over a period of a few weeks. I had told him no, I had not watched it yet and immediately I was told "How do you not have any time to watch it? You don't have any family or kid type responsibilities to worry about."

*Last week at work, we had a Cupcake Bake-Off for our department. I was appointed the person to organize it and get everything set up. I had sent out an email to our entire group 3 weeks prior letting them know the details and all that good stuff to participate. The night before I spent (along with my sister and one of my best friends) cooking cupcakes, decorating cupcakes and making everything perfect for the competition. I spent a good amount of money, and a great amount of time in making them to perfection to win a prize for the bake off. I took them to work the next day, and many people who said that they would participate backed out at the last minute. That's fine, I understand that life can be busy and things come up. No big deal! However, someone saw my cupcakes and the only thing that came out of her mouth was, "Wow. We can tell that someone has a lot of time on her hands with no kids or family to worry about."

These two statements truly made me think about not only my current life, but my future as well. I don't know if they think that it is a choice that I have made to not have a significant other in my life, or if I don't want a family - but that couldn't be further from the truth. Honestly, I could potentially have a significant other and children in my current life, but I have chosen not to marry any of my boyfriends who I knew that we were not meant to be life long partners. I am not going to run out and find just anyone to fill a missing void. I want to know in my heart the person that I am going to spend the rest of my life with is that person. Until then, I will continue to be the single girl that I currently am.

However, does being a single girl with no family make me boring? I do not spend my time as a single girl going out to the bars drinking every night. I do not go out with friends every night. I do not spend my time in my bed crying that I am alone. Instead, I spend my time bettering my career and working as hard as I can from the hours of 8:30am - 5:30pm. When I leave work, I either run errands, come home and cook dinner, clean my place, spend time with my family, spend time with friends, go to Weight Watchers, go to the gym, and yes maybe I spend some time sitting on my couch watching my favorite tv shows. The weekends are busy doing housework, grocery shopping, helping my parents remodel their house, volunteering for the Food Pantry of Delaware County, etc.

Does this seem to be the life of a boring person who has all the time in the world on their hands? Additionally, why am I being judged for being single and alone?

I look at all of my friends who are married, with or without children, and I am the FIRST person to congratulate them for their relationships and growing families. I am happy for anyone who is able to create that cute little family and I am honored to watch their families grow. Everyone deserves to be happy, and everyone deserves the best life possible. I just hope that at some point those all around who have those single friends remember that being single isn't always a choice, and many of us want what others have. Until then, I will continue to keep busy with my "boring, single girl life with no responsibilities." Sigh.

In the words of my favorite "single" role model, Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City:

“Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.” --Carrie Bradshaw

Whooooo's Having a Baby???

There is really only a few times a year that I feel like I have "creative juices." The #1 event that would involve my favorite use of creative juices would be Christmas. I love Christmas cards. I love making my Christmas card. I love taking the annual picture to put on front of my Christmas cards. Let's face it, I just love cards in general. I also love that people look forward to seeing what my card will look like and look forward to receiving it! Makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over.

A friend of mine recently asked me if I would be interested in making some Baby Shower invites for her dear friend who is expecting twin boys. I thought to myself, eh - why not!? I enjoy this time of stuff and another event to hopefully bring a smile to people's faces with the final product. I agreed, and am thrilled that I did with the way that the final product came out! Thankfully, my dear sister helped me with every aspect of the invites - we were a fantastic team of two!

The inspiration of the card was the Baby Boy's Nursery. The Parents-to-be decided to decorate in green and browns with owls. I won't lie, I was scared out of my wits when I heard the decor in wondering what creative juices I had to create these invites!

Kate and I went to every craft/scrapbooking store in Central Ohio to find all of the perfect supplies that would create an invite that would make the Mama-to-be cry! :)

After about a week of non-stop working on the invites on the weekends and after we both came home from work, they were finally complete!

This is the front of the invite, with the ribbon that you actually pull off rather than un-tying. We have the two owls on the front to represent the Twin Boys Johnson.
And... the inside! This is the part that took a TON of time but at the end of the day, I couldn't be more pleased! Every leaf under in the center was handcut, the branches were hand drawn, the little placed owl was handcut and glued one by one! Green and brown are the dominant colors to represent the colors that are being used in the nursery.
Today, is the baby shower!

I received a surprise message from the hostess today which made me smile ear to ear! They used the front two owls of the card, the branches as well as the brown and white polka dot ribbon as the inspiration for the cake! Everything matches perfectly!
Though it was a long and stressful time getting all of these complete, I wouldn't trade it for the world! On the flip side, it was so much fun and seeing the final product complete made me realize how I wouldn't mind doing this again! Kate and I always joked around about how we should do things like this, but I am serious! I loved it and would do it again anytime!

I hope that the shower today went off without a hitch, and everyone enjoyed the themselves and that the soon-to-be baby boys know how lucky they are to have such loving people in their lives!

The Pacific Northwest Collection

If you were to ask me, "Becca, if you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?" Most people would likely say a sunny tropical beach, a little French village, a rustic Tuscan Vineyard... but if you were to ask me right now, I'd say Seattle, Washington.

As many people know, my family is originally from the Pacific Northwest (Washington & Alaska). I was born the Seattle area in 1981, and lived there until I was in the 4th grade. We packed up and moved to Sacramento, California until the end of my 8th grade year. Once again, live moved us to Columbus, Ohio. I hold very special thoughts and feelings for all of the places that I've lived and wouldn't trade my life in each place for anything. (However, I won't lie... there were PLENTY of things I'd like to erase from my time in Sacramento. Damn those middle school years!) I am now inching towards the ripeful age of 30, and as much as I love my life in Columbus, my heart wonders what it would have been like to have lived my life with family near by. So many Thanksgivings, Christmas's, Easters, the Warren clan was just us four. Occasionally, we would have family come to visit, or we would go to visit them. Although, majority of the time - it was just us. My Dad, My Mom, My Sister and myself.

My family is growing older. My cousins are having babies and our families are expanding. I'm missing Wedding Showers, Baby Showers, and major Holiday's with my family. I will admit though, I am very lucky to have the ability to go back and visit my family minimum once a year. Sometimes more. I've learned from my Mom, that a new piece of art everytime I go back is a way to bring a little piece of "home" back to Ohio. It's a horrible habit, really... and quite frankly, just expensive! I love the hunt during my trips to find just the perfect piece of art to hang on my walls. I joke that my bedroom is called the "Pacific Northwest Greenhouse." All of the art are flowers, from the Pacific Northwest and up until this past weekend - my bedding was green. (Hello, Crate & Barrel and new bedding this past weekend!)

Featured below, every piece of artwork that I have in my room alone that brings "home" closer to me.

Piece #1: This is my newest picture which came from Alaska. My parents went up this past Summer, and my Mom had picked this picture out for me. I still need to have it framed, but it is still pretty nonetheless!

Piece #2: Another Alaska piece: Pressed Alaskan Wildflowers. This picture is actually hanging up in my bathroom. I've decorated around it, and everything in my bathroom is yellow and green.

Piece #3: Nothing screams Seattle, like the Pike Street Market! If I lived in Seattle again, I would find anyway I possibly could to get there every weekend! The fruit, the veggies, the flowers... by far the absolute best Farmer's Market in the world. Oh, and did I mention the Original Starbucks directly across the street? The atmosphere is so lively and fun! I would be crazy not to have a piece of Pike Street in my collection.
Piece #4: Nothing screams Seattle to me than Springtime flowers. Whether it be tulip fields, daffodil fields, blooming daliahs, or budding hydrangea bushes... the more flowers in my life, the better! This picture is clearly still waiting to be framed, but will be by this winter. When it does get framed it will look like................

Piece #5: This! Same artist did both of these paintings. My favorite thing about this picture is not only the flowers but the mountain! I heart Mt. Rainier. As much as I love looking out my window in my current condo and seeing my pond and fountain, I'd rather prefer to look out my window to see the mountain. Awww, the mountain. This picture used to be the focal point of my bedroom... until........

Piece(s) #6: These came along! I bought these pictures of Alaskan Fireweed in Homer, Alaska last Spring. They were sold individually, but they were all so eye catching I could not decide between the three and buying just one. In typically Becca Fashion, I bought all three. These three pictures were the inspiration in purchasing my new bedding this past weekend.

I'll post pictures of the bedding and pictures together later... if you saw my room right now, you'd think a tornado just came barreling through Dublin.

Growing up, I have had tons of collections. I've collected Dreamsicles (my collection of 15 has now minimized to the meaningful ones given to me), I've collected [shamefully] Winnie the Pooh memorabilia (don't judge me! I was much younger and do not collect them anymore!), I've also collected college hoodie sweatshirts. However, as much as I still love all of my hoodies, my pictures are by far a few of "my favorite things."

The Beginning of Something New...

I've had this blog topic in my head for well over a month now, and I think it is just about that time that I sit down and waste some time at my parents house. (Cough, Cough - hide in their office, so I do not have to sand, scrape, or paint the garage anymore. Shhh!) Now is as good as time as any to enlighten you with what's happening in the ever exciting world of Becca. (Can you sense my sarcasm in that last sentence??) :)

About two months ago, my dear friend moved back to Columbus from the Cleveland area - which completely made my year! She's a happy girl to be "home," and I am a happy girl to have her "home!" With her moving back provided us with much more opportunity to run around Columbus and cause the trouble that we've caused from knowing each other over the past 14 years. While chatting one evening about what our plans were for the evening ahead, I realized that our plans have turned into something that is almost routine. Go to dinner, go shopping, go the movies, etc. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love doing all of the things above but I felt that maybe it was time to branch out and expand our horizons. Columbus has SO much to offer, and it's about darn time we explored those new things!

In an effort to expand our horizons and not end up at the same place every week, together we came up with a plan. An idea. A way to get get all of our extended group of friends together for some fun! With this thought was the birth of what we now refer to as the "Friday Night Supper Club."

The Friday Night Supper Club has officially launched off, and is in full swing!

What is the Friday Night Supper Club you ask?

Definition: In doing research, there are far more restaurants in Central Ohio than any of us ever could imagine. Every Friday evening, a group of friends join around the table of a restaurant on the schedule. It could be fancy. It could be casual. It could be spicy. It could be mild. It could be Mexican. It could be Italian. The choices are endless!

There is a schedule floating around the email of the core members of the club with where we will be enjoying dinner each Friday (unless other things have come up which prevent from occurring. Things like Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, etc.). Each Friday, a group of girls join at the table of the restaurant of the week to expand their horizons. Sometimes there are only two people, sometimes there is a group of expanded and new friends, it just depends. We certainly have an open door policy to our club and anyone is welcome!

New places that we've experienced so far are:

• Cap City Diner: Shout out to the ever famous Alfredo Potato Chips and Meatloaf. They certainly lived up to their name!
  
• Figlio: Bread & oil, good. Wine, good. Dessert, good. Company, fantastic!
  

That's just the beginning, and we're certainly looking forward to all of the fun places coming up and all the laughs throughout the evening. If anyone who reads my blog wants to join in the festivities on a Friday night, give me a shout and I'll forward you the schedule on where we will be in 2010.

In the meantime: thank you for the fun - Courtney, Kate, Mindy, Beth & Rochelle. We cannot wait for the next time, when we wine at dine at the Columbus Fish Market at the Crosswoods!

Once a fan, always a fan!

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 is a big day in Columbus, Ohio. This my friends marks the day of the beginning of Ohio State Football Season. If you're with the majority of the Ohioans out there, you're probably as expected as me to get this football season off and running full speed ahead. There are so many reason as to why I love this time of year! We'll get to why I love this great city, school and team in a second.

For a minute though, I need to get something off my chest about this time of year.

I would say that probably 75% of the state of Ohio looks forward to the football season beginning. There is a small percentage of folks who were born and raised who do not believe the hype. That is certainly their choice and I absolutely respect their decision to go against the norm and not spend their Fall Saturday's in front of the tv or sitting in a crowd of fans, cheering on the Scarlet and Gray. However, it is those people who lack respect for those fans who enjoy the next few months. While on Facebook today, I encountered various individuals who were annoyed with the excitement of Buckeye Fans and were very vocal about it. I am always a person to believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion. Whether we agree or disagree, that's life. Life wouldn't be what it is today if everyone just agreed with each other all the time.

One of the questions asked and the one that truly bothered me: If you didn't go to Ohio State or graduate from there, how can you be a true fan?

*When a person is brought up to cheer on the Buckeyes whether a graduate or not, it is the Ohio society who forms these fans. I don't necessarily think that this is a bad thing. It's about the excitement. The traditions. The community coming together to enjoy something that they all love.

*I didn't graduate from Washington State University like majority of my relatives, however I still cheer on the WSU Cougars (when their record isn't embarrassing!) when they play. Because I attended college in Ohio, does that mean it is not acceptable for me to like to the Cougars because I didn't go there? It's family tradition. It's what I grew up with. It's what I know. Same goes for those who may not have attended Ohio State. Optimum word here is: tradition.

*Professional sporting teams: how does one become a fan with the thinking of "if you didn't go there..."? I live in Columbus which does not have ANY major league football, baseball or basketball teams. Therefore, us Central Ohioans have to cling to either Cincinnati or Cleveland. Or, myself being a transplant from the Pacific Northwest, I typically cling to the Seattle teams. Does it not make me a true fan because I do not actually live IN Seattle right now at this very minute?

If you don't like Ohio State Football, and the things that go with it and the statuses that are posted, I ask that you please remember all of the fans who do get excited for this time of year. Where I may not care about the concert you countdown in your status for 25 days until you see your favorite band and I likely find it annoying, I would never bash you for your excitement. It's what you love. It's what you look forward to. It's life. Let's have a little respect, shall we? Additionally, I'm just going on a limb here but if you're living in Ohio you know probably that the game was approaching. It's to be expected that the flooding of statuses was going to happen.......

I'm proud to say that I am a graduate from Ohio State, and as much as I hated school and all the work that went along with it, I loved my time at the Columbus based campus every day of my life! Whether it was running from University Hall in the pouring down hot rain to my car all the way at Ohio Stadium, or skipping class and sitting on the top floor of the library watching the snow fall outside the windows, I wouldn't have traded it for the world.

As I sit here and watching the game come to an end, and my Buckeyes take a proud victory over Marshall (45-7) - I want to take a moment to tell you my favorite things about my favorite College Football Team.

*Campus is absolutely filled with people on home game days! From the Oval to the Hospital parking lots, every inch of the school can be filled with fans wearing their Scarlet and Gray.
*Every year during "Beat Michigan Week" campus is oozing with parties and festivities. One of my favorite, yet most ridiculous, things students do are the midnight jump in Mirror Lake. Swimming with the duck poop and bugs in the freezing November evening weather is something to be desired for everyone who attends the school or atleast a party during Michigan Week!


*The excitement of Coach Tressel and the players following his lead running out into the field gives me chills every time I see it! Everytime I watch it is like the first time I've seen it over and over again. I cannot even imagine how pumped the team is! I am pumped just being a spectator, I cannot imagine actually being a part of it! (Besides, who doesn't love Jim Tressel in a sweatervest?! Come on!)

*The singing of Carmen Ohio, and everyone in the stands and the players on the field doing the hand motions of O-H-I-O! I don't know if it makes me crazy, but it kind of makes me tear up everytime I see it. (Told you, I am a fan... I can't help it!)


*Just go to a game at Ohio Stadium once, and I am certain that you'll want to go back! This bad boy is so filled with scarlet and gray (possibly with a few visitors amongst the crowd), and it amazes me every single time I go or watch it from my living room or bar. I remember the days of parking in the parking lot right next to the Stadium and walking by the main entrance everyday.


*Lastly, Script Ohio. There is a reason it was voted the #1 College Football Tradition. It's because it is amazing and wonderful! As a former member of my high school marching band, it gives me goosebumps and chills! I love watching it, as well as all of the other Buckeye Fans out there. We're all proud not only our football team, but The Best Damn Band in the Land as well!

Now, you'll have to excuse me as I go do some online shopping for some new Ohio State apparel and a new part of red and silver Nikes to live up to my shoe shopping addiction to sport around for this years Football Season.

I leave you with:

O-H

Welcome to Canyon Creek

When our lease was up at Edwards Communities Times Square, Kate and I made the decision that we were not going to go on and live there for year #3. We were ready for a change of pace, and really wanted something that felt more like a "home." We came to this conclusion after we had been on a wait list at another complex for about a month. We decided that we really need to keep our options open and not commit just yet to something that we didn't LOVE. We've all been down that path before, and if you're just not happy or excited about it, it will be a miserable year for everyone.

We were beyond lucky enough to find our condo on Canyon Creek. I suppose that I probably could have saved my money to actually PURCHASE something, but let's be honest - I like to buy shoes and buying something so big is a huge commitment for someone who isn't sure that they want to actually stay in Columbus forever. Between the two of us, we decided to rent this condo until September 2011 and re-evaluate our life plans at that time. Until September 2011, we are happy as can be with our current "home."

Last night, I took a walk to the mailbox after finishing weeding my garden and I couldn't help but smile at our adorable little neighborhood. It made me think of all the reasons why I love our condo and why I am so incredibly fortunate to live there.

10.) The peace and quiet of the surroundings. Our previous apartment, you could hear highway 270 at night, you could hear planes flying over your head, and you could hear every move your neighbors made. The only noises you hear now are the random train every now and again, the water fountain in the pond across the street and the crickets that chirp through the night. How wonderful is this?

9.) Because people actually "own" in our neighborhood, you see that owners take pride in their homes. Even though we still rent, we still treat our condo as our own in which we care what people think and how it looks. You can pull up to the street and feel proud, rather than pull up and see cardboard boxes in the windows. (Yes, this seriously happened at our last place...) People plant flowers, people have cute little chairs on their patio, and all in all are serious about keeping their place pretty.

8.) Two words: Garbage Can! I cannot even explain to you how fantastically wonderful it is to not have to walk to a dumpster/jumbo compactor every time I need to take out the trash. Even more so, a compactor that is never in working order and trash bags are left through out the parking lot because renters could not get their bags into the compactor and instead there is a mountain of trash for days lurking into the parking lot. Now, every Wednesday - we wheel our little trash can outside our garage and it is picked up. You don't know luxury until you have a trash can of your own!

7.) Don't have to deal with a rental office, ever again! We lucked out with our living arrangements and the owner. He is the most relaxing guy in the world and trusts us like no other with his condo. He is never breathing down our necks, he isn't flipping out if the check arrives one day late, and he knows that we will without a doubt take care of where we live. If we have a problem, he is quick to respond but is never breathing down our necks. The most painful part of complex living is the office and those inside. Once they get you in the door and leasing their property, they just don't care anymore. You are just a # living in their complex. It's very sad... especially when we were paying Edwards Communities ~ Times Square Apartments over $1,100/mo for noisey neighbors, moldy bathrooms, un-working dryer and the most unfriendly group of neighbors I've ever met in my life. (Sorry, I had to throw a little complaining about our past complex in their at some point!)

6.) We have a GARAGE! I have my own garage door opener. I have my own parking spot. I have ever programmed an extra garage door opener all by myself. (Who needs Bob Vila, when you have Becca Vila?) Now, when we come home late in the evening we don't have to run through a dark parking lot up 3 flights of stairs. Instead, we can pull into the garage, shut the door and feel safe. I cannot wait until Winter... for once in my life, I will not need to worry about scraping or de-icing my wind shield. Ahhhh, yahhhh! Pure heaven.

5.) Our spaces... have names! Kate and I have figured out that our rooms are filled so much with particular "themes" that they now have names. Her room is covered in Paris, France decor, along with other aspects of International Travel. We refer to her room as the "International Sleeping Port." My room has more of a domestic feel and most importantly, a Pacific Northwest feel. I collect art work (typically pictures of flowers or Mt. Rainier) from every trip I take to Seattle & Alaska - and my room is covered. My room is now to be referred to as the "Pacific Northwest Green House." Cute, huh??

4.) This condo fits our personality to a T. It is modern. It is cute. It is divided up nicely and quite frankly it is just us. We have three floors, and I will tell you that every single floor is covered with flower decor. We've named it "Flower Power" because there is just so much of it. It certainly isn't the Bachelor Pad that we originally toured back in winter! Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, IKEA, they all fit nicely with our decor. :)

3.) It's a neighborhood made for evening walks! There isn't a day that goes by that we do not see oodles of people taking walks. Whether alone, with their pups, with their children, when their loved ones, everyone is walking around and enjoying the neighborhood. One evening, we found a street which we refer to as the "Wiggly Street" which is a very curvy little street with lots of adorable little houses. It looks like a quiet little village with lots of people on their front porches, sipping on lemonade like you would find in the old days. It's very charming.

2.) Directly across from our front door, we have a huge pond in our neighborhood. Not only is there a pond, there is a large area of grass with various benches for people to stop and take a load off. There are many summer nights when the benches are filled with voices of people who have stopped to chat on an evening walk. It is honestly a joyful sound, all of the voices of the conversations going on around the sound of the water fixture in the middle of the pond. Very relaxing.

1.) Being out of the way of the busy part of Dublin and Hilliard, we are a little more isolated. More "country." With being out in the middle of no where, we've started to notice the views of nature more. By saying that, I mean that the sunsets out our living room window tend to be breath taking and make us want to stare out the window watching the pink tints change into orange, change into purple until it is dark. Once that sun has finally set, our night skies are totally clear and we can see every single star in the sky. I would be lying if I said we've never gone outside at night time just to look up at the the clear, star-filled sky!

Welcome to Canyon Creek, Friends! You're always welcome!

Hi, I'm Becca...

...and I think it is very clear that I have a problem! Before I get into the details of my problem, let me first provide myself with a pat on the back that I am willing to admit my problem clear as day for everyone to know. This problem actually has been a problem for years. It's nothing new, and I am fully a believer that I am not the only one that has this problem. No, I know what you're thinking - it's not diet coke. That's a whole different blog topic and will be saved for another day!

I LOVE SHOES!

The problem likely started back after my high school graduation when I started working full-time and earning my own money (while living at home with no bills). The first addiction truly was tennis shoes - typically, Nikes. I can't even explain to you how many pairs of Nikes I bought back in the day. I worked at a preschool, so I didn't need to dress up or wear fancy shoes. It was all about the tenny runners. Honestly, I wasn't quite into the girlie things just yet after graduation. I thought I was still cool wearing my Nike/Adias T-shirts. Hey, it was the end of the 90s, so it was allowed! Right?!

Today, we're in 2010 and I'm still addicted to buying shoes. This time around, I've moved more towards the flip flops, flats and dress shoes over the tennis shoes. Since I don't wear the Nikes nearly as much anymore - the ones that I already own are perfect for the gym and any other reason that I would need to wear them.

A few months ago, I was at DSW (for all of my non-Columbus based readers - this is Discount Show Warehouse. The Mecca for all women in the Central Ohio area). The minute you walk through the doors, the scent of new shoes fills the air and let's be honest - gets your heart racing and ready to find the shoe of your dreams! I had no business being at DSW and I didn't need anything. However, while browsing through the clearance rack - I found a really cute, summery pair of Nikes. Since I haven't bought any tennis shoes in actually a few years, I thought I would try them on just for giggles. They weren't bulky. They weren't sturdy enough for the gym. However, they did look cute on my feet and that's what matters, right??


I love these shoes. They look fantastic with capris of almost any kind. I receive compliments on them virtually everyday I have worn them this summer. Makes me realize it was a great purchase and one not to feel guilty about in anyway. Who am I kidding? I never feel guilty about buying new shoes. I live for it.

A few weeks later, my Mom and I decided to go to one of our neighborhood malls and walk around on a weekend. We weren't truly there for a reason other than killing time and maybe to find something that we needed. I use the word needed loosely, we really wanted things.

On the clearance rack, I found an adorable pair of Marc Fisher flip flops. My sister owned a pair of Marc Fisher heels, and I knew how much she loved them. I decided to try on these adorable gingham flip flops and just see if they looked good on me as good as they did sitting on the rack. Did I need a new pair of flip flops? Nope.

I put them on...

I fell in love...


They were 50% off. I would be NUTS not to buy them and let someone else walk away with this deal! As luck would have it, my Mom felt that they were me too and offered to buy them for me. BONUS! I certainly wasn't expecting that - but am fully willing to let her buy me these beautiful shoes (...and anything else she wants to buy me!). I have lived in these flip flops since I bought them and they are truly one of my favorite pairs of shoes. However, I will warn you that if you ever purchase a pair - they are noisey! They like to FLIP and FLOP REALLY loud!

Yesterday, my sister and cousin went to a different mall. Jaclyn wanted a new pair of flip flops to take back with her to Washington when she went home this weekend. We go to Macy's, and head to the shoe department. I'll bet you can't guess what I did...

Yep, tried some shoes on!

(Thank god payday was on Friday!)

I happened to run across some more Marc Fisher's. I honestly didn't pick him, he picked me to try on his shoe! I loved some Anne Klein's, I loved some Michael Kors, and loved some Calvin Klein's. For some reason the sparkle of the Marc's were what caught my eye.

They were so sparkly, gold and shiny! Hmmm...

The question was, should I buy the silver or the gold?

I feel like I have a lot of silver shoes already, I don't own any gold so maybe I should try for those. I decide yes, I am going to buy the gold.

**Pretend these are gold, I couldn't find a pic of the gold ones I actually bought!**

I walk up to the cash register, the guy rings them up and says:

"That will be $14.28 ma'am."

HUH??? $14.28!?!?!?!?! THEY WERE ONLY $13.99 BEFORE TAX AND REGULAR $40???



At this point, I realize that I would be STUPID not to buy the silver ones as well! I ask the guy to run back and get the silver ones in my size and I refuse to let someone else scoop up my silver shoes while I decide to think about it.

End of the day I have learned: I love shoes. I have a problem and love buying shoes. I love Macy's and DSW for providing me 95% of my shoes. I love Marc Fisher shoes.

I LOVE SHOES!!

"I like the way I cry..."

Don't let the title of this blog disturb you - but the new Eminem/Rihanna, "I like the way you lie..." song came into my mind when I was thinking of how to title this masterpiece of words. By the title, I am guessing you're probably realizing that my blog topic is about my crying. Random, huh!?

I think that people would be surprised at some of the little secrets I harvest inside. I feel that I am a very outgoing (cough, cough - loud), caring, motivated, giving, hard working, and funny person. People may or may not think otherwise, but that's how I think I could best describe me. However, to add onto that list:

I love my job.

I love my family.

I love my friends.

I love Seattle.

I love Columbus.

I love to cry.

Yes, you read that correctly. I love to cry.

There was a time where I thought that I could possibly need a therapist for the amount of crying that I do on a weekly basis - but the more I thought about it, the crying just proves that I am sensitive. You would probably be surprised to know that I cry virtually every single day. Not because I am sad - it is almost always because I am happy.

Everyday, I DVR TLC Daytime. Shows including The Baby Story, Bringing Home Baby, etc. (If you're reading this blog, you are probably well aware that I LOVE babies!) When it comes to babies being born, I cry. I am happy for families who are so blessed to have their new little bundles of joy. I am happy for those around them who are lucky enough to see this new little person grow up into someone spectacular. Think about it - can you imagine how much I cry if it is actually the birth of someone I KNOW? I'm a mess. A hot mess.

Weddings, that's another trigger to open up the flood gates! This past weekend, I made the trip up to Cleveland to "assist" (I use the word loosely and really I was just there for moral support) Courtney with photographing a wedding. I've met the bride probably about 3 or 4 times, and knew who she was enough to tell her Congratulations when I saw her walk in. No way did I know her well enough to sob when the Maid of Honor was giving the toast to the new couple, and then the Best Man doing the same. I love Courtney - she noticed my mascara running and was convinced it was because I was hot and sweaty from the humidity. I could have easily gotten away with that, but I'm not ashamed. If I was at your wedding, I probably cried then too! Regardless of what people think, I am always thrilled for the new couple and the adventures that they will soon embark on.

Typically, the trigger of the daily water works are tv shows. I am not so much a commercial crier, rather a show crier. I've cried while watching the Cake Boss (Buddy got the key to the city where he grew up! How could you not cry!?), I've cried while flying over Mt. Rainier and leaving the beautiful sights of Seattle to come back home to the flatlands of corn fields, I've cried during pretty much every graduation I've ever been to, I even cried my last day as an HP employee and transitioning to a full-time Cardinal employee. I hated working for HP, so these tears were nothing less than relief in one light, but sadness of my dear Sales Recruiting Team parting ways.

I always joke around that I likely have the clearest tear ducts in the world. It is a very rare day that I am not sitting on my couch or in my bed watching tv that I am not crying at something going on in front of me.

Is it weird that I can say that I actually enjoy crying?!?! Don't worry - I promise I am mentally stable. Just sensitive and happy for particular situations! :)

Restoring my Faith: Story of a Blackberry

Back in 2007, I was happy girl. I loved talking on the phone. I loved texting. I loved the phone that allowed me to talk and text. It was such a trusty phone, and always treated me very well. I am not sure I could have asked for a better phone! It never broke (amazing!), it always behaved and enjoyed every ounce of gossip that came through it's line.

This was it, an LG Verizon phone. The front little square had a picture of shooting stars and a moon, which matched the inside screen (when it wasn't a picture of one of the 209409284 children that I had babysat that year!). That phone went through WWIII and was dropped, kicked, thrown and it never looked bad. You would have thought I kept it in a plastic bubble.

However, there was a part of me that wanted more. It wanted better. It wanted state of the art. I wanted email to my phone. I wanted internet on my phone. I wanted more buttons. I wanted... dare I say it... a Blackberry.

Did I need a Blackberry? Heck no. I am the reason that Verizon came up with the "get a new phone for every 2 years." By year 1.5, I had the new phone itch and just wanted bigger and better and newer. I had to get a Blackberry! For my own sanity!

I purchased this bad boy... the best Blackberry that Verizon had to offer. The price, a little steep - but I was in love and thought it was totally worth every minute of my being! The plan, again - a little spendy, I didn't care! I lived at home.... what was the problem?! (I thought this a lot while living at home... dumb dumb girl I was!)


Long story short, I had this phone for less than a year and I wanted to chuck it into Lake Erie every chance I had. It would drop calls. It would randomly call people and not hang up the call. I would have to take the battery out atleast twice a week to reset it from it freezing. It was the worst decision of my life. (Well, not the worst... but you get the point!) Was it functionable? Yes. It was. Did it serve a purpose? Yes. It did. Was it worth the $120+/month that I paid - hell to the no. Every time it did something stupid, I'd drive to Verizon on Tuttle Crossing and make them investigate. Every time, "There's nothing wrong with the phone ma'am." (Sure.)

At long last, I had had it. I took it back to Verizon - told them I didn't want it and wanted to go back to a regular old flip phone with NO bells and whistles. Nothing. I missed my flip phone that was made of steel. I told tall Mr. Red Headed Verizon Man with an attitude, "I just don't see myself having a need for a Blackberry anymore and I should have just stayed with a normal phone." His response: "Well why did you get a Blackberry to begin with if you never truly NEEDED it." Okay listen... Mr. Customer Service - I'm trying not to chuck my phone directly between your eye balls! I calmly reply, "I thought it was cool. Okay? Is that the response you're looking for?"

After he told me that that particular week to go back to a regular phone would cost me (sit down for this part), $300. Huh? Seriously? But if I wait until the following month, it was only $100. Fine, I'll be back. I'll suffer for another month. I had lost all hope in Blackberries, and vowed NEVER to get one again. EVER! My cousin and I both made a promise to each other and the Blackberries in the world that we would never purchase one again and that they were straight from the devil. (aka: Devilberries.)

That next month, I was back there when the doors opened and was ready to meet Mr. Customer Service to spend $100, rather than the $300 on a regular flip phone. This flip phone was nice, the LG Voyager. It worked well. It sent texts. It allowed me to talk. It had a camera. All in all, great phone.

Until........

Two weeks ago. The darn touch screen quit working! Everything I had to do could only be done on the inside flip and that was kind of annoying. But, I'll suffer. My upgrade is in August, and it still works - I'll manage to survive another month and a half without raising chaos.

Last night, my dear sister's phone broke.

Jump in the car, and head on over to a Verizon store. She decides to purchase the Android Ally. Pretty sweet phone! It does a lot and I won't lie - the Google map on it is fantastic! It is very fancy. After she bought her phone, the guy asked me if I had an interest in looking at anything. I said no. I wasn't going to spend the money and that it would have to wait. (Self control, I don't have it often, but when I do - it's a big deal!) He asks what I am looking for when my contract ran out, and all I could see was the rack of Blackberries. I was drooling. I wanted... the... Blackberry!

I look at the Android Ally that Kate had just purchased. It's nice... but is it ME?

It is similar to my current broken phone, and it's got the keyboard I really like. But that darn touch screen - I'm scared it will break like my current broken phone. Maybe. I'll think about it.

How about the Blackberry Tour? Do I like that one? It's a little "manly" for my liking but still very pretty at the same time. It's shiney... it's new... and well, it's the same phone my Dad has. Nope - don't want it. Don't want to match my Dad.

Finally, he brings me...
Something I couldn't resist. A deal I couldn't refuse.

I bought it.

I have no self control.

I am restoring my faith in Blackberry, and hoping I am not disappointed. Please keep your fingers crossed that this pretty violet beauty lasts me two years until I get the itch for a new phone again...

At this point: my Cousin and I both have Blackberries again. We both suck. We have not an ounce of fight when it comes to temptation and pretty things.

Happy 1 Year of Freedom to ME!

For those of you who know me, you also know that I have had a digestive tract that pretty much hates me and caused me pain for years. I could eat something, and be just dandy. However, the next time I ate the exact same thing - I could have been doubled over in pain. It's really dumb... but through the years, I have found a method of kicking this pain before it really starts OR I just stay completely away from anything that I know was going to hurt me. No one had really figured out what is wrong with me... so I learned to cope. I had every test known to man, and every single test comes back "normal." (Becca? Normal? Come on!) I've heard that it might be my Gall Bladder, or it might be an ulcer, blah blah blah. But, again - all tests would come back just fine. I spent some nights/mornings in the ER in the midst of an episode - and they could still not figure out what was going on.

Okay - so, let's fast forward a little bit. Two years, I was spending a weekend working. (For all of my friends at Cardinal Health Staffing, you would know this weekend as CAH2 Migration... and this is single handily the busiest day in the world). I was getting things prepared for this migration, working like a fool all weekend... all of a sudden, the pain starts. CRAP! I have too much to do to have an episode - so I just keep on working. Eventually, the pain took over and I had to stop. Long story short: This was the WORST ATTACK EVER! (So I thought!) I am sure that at this point, my sister is really sorry for signing up to live with me. She was a trooper... she went to Walmart for me for some Maalox. Gotta love that girl! But, the pain continually got worse... Here comes a trip to the ER. Ugh. (I fought, and fought, and fought - but the family forced me to go. The ER dr. tells me that oh - once again, my tests are NORMAL. Shocking, huh? But she does think that my Gall Bladder just doesn't function well and no test will ever pick it up. Fantastic. Thank you, for once again stating that my gall bladder sucks and there is no point in having it!

Alright - at this point, I realize it is time to see another Specialist. I saw one numerous years ago - but he wasn't helpful. Since then... I had just dealt with what it is and just let it go. I call a new Specialist and make an appt. I have to run all over Ohio to pick up my records from all of my other drs for my upcoming appt. Looking at my records I realize that I have been dealing with this since March 2003! Okay, that is over 7 years ago!

The summer of 2008, I met with yet another Gastro Specialist. All of my records in hand, I drive to meet this new guy who I am hoping is going to be my best friend! The nurses had to have been the most unfriendly people in the world, so I knew that this wasn't going to go well.

In walks Mr. Doctor... looks over my records, asks me questions, asks me more questions, pushes his hands into my rib cage and asks if it hurts. Hi, if YOU had a mans weight pushing into your lung - would it hurt? DUH! He asks me what I do for my job, what I did for the job when these pains started - blah blah blah. (Background: remember, I was the Lead Teacher in the Infant Room at a Preschool when this started...) Tells me to do some random stomach crunch and sits me up. His response "this is something that is absolutely not digestive related." (Is this guy serious?) My response: "Huh?" His theory: I have an injury to my stomach wall muscle. How did this happen in his opinion? Bending over wrong and picking up an infant while at Goddard. Uhhh... what the hell? How do I make the pain go away? His response: "Advil." Okay -- this dude is a quack! I was hooked up to 2 narcotics while in the ER through IVs for the pain and he thinks that Advil is going to take my pain away? I am not that much of a pansy that would go to the ER for a tad bit of pain that Advil couldn't handle. Why in the heck would I want to pay that Hospital bill?!Needless to say, he is not my new best friend.

We're going to fast forward once again to June 2009: Mary's Birthday Weekend! Courtney and I decided it would be a blast to to take Mary camping at Old Man's Cave for her birthday. Our plan was to leave bright and early on Saturday morning, come home Sunday afternoon. Friday night, I go to bed - all packed and ready to roll! At midnight, I started to feel the pain which I had dreaded... the pain of the mystery digestive tract. NOOO!! Long story short: this pain lasted from midnight all the way until 8am the next morning. Non-stop! Again, so bad that at 6am I called my Mom crying from being in pain for the past 6 hours. The lovely Mother that she is, she jumps in her car to drive 30 minutes to my place. (I love her!) 8am, the pain stops - just in time to pack the car and head onto our way to camping. I wasn't going to give this up if I didn't have to! I knew I just needed to be very careful and I was still a walking time bomb to attack at anytime. God loved me that day, and I had no pain at all the rest of the day... UNTIL... Sunday after I arrived back home. I was at my Mom's house (thankfully, already there) when the pain starts up again. This attack lasted from roughly 2pm to midnight. Again, crying, sobbing and doubled over. One would think that 7 yrs of this, I'd be used to it. I'm here to say, it is a pain that you will never get used to. Ever.

Here comes the great news: Mid-June 2009 - I found a specialist who believed me, ran an x-ray and found that I, Rebecca C. Warren had a gall bladder full of stones! WOOOO HOOOO!

June 29th, 2009:

I divorced my gall bladder! I was rolled into surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital, I had the best nap of my life, and that pesky organ was removed once and for all! I was so happy, I cried. (I like to cry...)

It has been one year yesterday since my organ was removed. I have never felt better! I'm not scared to eat. I can go enjoy Chipotle, Vaqueros, Chile Verde and always know that I will be okay! Thanks you, Dr. Raymond Fuller for providing me with peace in knowing that Mexican food will never hurt me again! May there be a very special place in life for you for making me one happy girl! This has been the best year of my life. I hate you, Mr. Gall Bladder. I hope that you're having a very miserable life where ever you are...

**Sidenote: I learned yesterday from a dear friend that they actually have a pill now that dissolves gall stones... where was this drug when I needed it?! It could have saved me from 7 yrs of pain. Eh. Coulda, woulda, should!

Adverse Reaction to Music

Music is suppose to be something that is relaxing that brings nothing but good memories, right?! I was driving down the road the other day on one of my various trips up to northeast Ohio and a song came on the radio that I had not heard in YEARS and as I listened to it, I couldn't handle listening to and had to skip over it on the radio. Then as I continued to drive, I was bothered by the fact that I couldn't listen to the song anymore. A song that I really used to enjoy but now, I just can't do it. Songs then were starting to run through my mind on songs that fell into this bucket of doom.

The first one that came to mind was a Rascal Flatts song. It's on the Me and My Gang album. I LOVED this album. Seriously... when it first came out, I could sing (not well) almost every word. One day while talking to one of my friends at the time, she says to me that there is a song on the album that reminds her of me. (Huh?) It's called, Stand.

Lyrics:
Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you’re made of
You might bend ‘til you break
‘Cause it’s all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you’ve had enough
You get mad, you get strong
Wipe your hands, shake it off

Hmm... I ask her what she means and how this relates to me. She says it reminds her of me because of how long it had taken me up to that point to graduate from Ohio State because I was on the 7-yr plan and taking too long. I'll admit it, I was offended. Did I want to stay in school for 7 yrs and pay for 7 yrs worth of education? No. However, because of some credits not transferring, my working to help finance my education (so my parents wouldn't have full responsibility since they have another kid who will be in school and so I wouldn't have a million years of loans to pay), and my inability to pass math classes, yes - it took me a little longer than anticipated. It happens.

Second song: Lose Yourself - Popular during the movie 8 Mile with Eminem. I love Eminem, I can't help it. I know he's a bad influence and isn't the nicest guy - but I think that we can all say that I turned out okay regardless of the fact that I listened to him on a regular basis. Right?? I will never forget driving down the road with my boyfriend at the time and Lose Yourself came on the radio. I was singing (cough, cough - rapping) along with Eminem when he busts out laughing. (WTF?) He says I was saying all the words wrong and wasn't even close. This resulted into a fight. Then into silence. Then just flat out annoyance. I know I got the words right and still this day - I am convinced he was wrong and I was right. However, it always turns my memory to the fight. Annoying.

Lastly, Alanis Morrisette. So 90s, and yet so amazing! I BEGGED my Mom to let me buy this cd. Her response was the typical "over my dead body" that I typically received. She thought Alanis was depressing. Well, she is... I give her that! Though, I loved her and loved her cd. I never went against my Mom's wishes and never bought it. Though, one trip up to Alaska for a family vacation - my aunt had the cd and let my sister and I listen to it in her car. (Though, I am now wondering if it was on cassette?? Eh, oh well - you get the point!) My sister thought that we were so AWESOME for listening to it in her car, and my Mom not knowing. Sneaky! Fast forward 10 yrs, through some family dynamics which leaves room for a whole new blog (aka: novel), my Aunt isn't the most welcome of family members to my sister and myself. So listening to Alanis wail and depress me, it truly depresses me that life has taken such a turn that I have a hard time even talking about my Aunt. Alanis always makes me think of the fun we had, but also gives me a heavy heart to the outcome of some other instances.
I didn't write this blog for you to feel sorry for me or any reason, and I know that this is truly one of my most depressing blogs and I am sorry for that! I just had some thoughts I wanted to jot down about music and how certainly situations can change a song that you used to LOVE into something that makes you want to drive hot pokers into your ear canal when it comes on the radio.

Are there songs that had a negative impact in your life, or do I need to go see a therapist? :)

Teamwork & Team Tiger!

Over the past year, work has been very interesting. We have been involved in a major transition from moving from being a contracting company supporting another company in Staffing efforts. Three and a half years of supporting the client, made for a very interesting relationship. For years, things were very divided. Us contractors would watch the client groups run out and have fun during Spring/Summer/Fall days - while we would sit back and watch them leave for the day. It was a tough pill to swallow considering our own company wouldn't provide us with fun things, rather they were more interested in giving us pay decreases. Fun. Aren't you jealous?!

Last August, we were transitioned to full-time employees of the client. Many of us had mixed feelings on how this transitioned would run, where as others were either doing cartwheels down the hallway or running down the hall crying scared of the unknown. I was one of those people with mixed feelings - only wondering how the new teams would be. But, at the same token was THRILLED to move full-time to a company who wants the best for their employees and pay for performance. Rather than work your tail off, to get no merit increase one year, to a decrease the next year. More importantly, I was SO excited for the team events that would we be able to participate in now! I did not have to sit back in my cubicle and watch the great divide of people getting to leave work early to go have fun, while we sat back working the afternoon away.

Since August, we've volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House as a HR Team. We've gone to a Columbus Blue Jackets game as a HR Team. Today, we had the 1st Annual Staffing Golf Tournament. When I say golf, I mean putt-putt golf. Imagine my surprise when my team was drawn and I was put onto Team Tiger Woods. I know, I know - he is a horrible and gross man, but I still think he's hot. Don't take that away from me!

To keep with the theme of the event, in normal Becca Fashion, I had to go buy some new threads! This started as a joke at work - that I was going to buy some new plaid pants, but my lovely co workers convinced me to really do it. I wanted to look the best I could for the tournament. Let's be honest - I am there to make Tiger (...and my Dad...) proud. Additionally, I just love watching golf. Playing, no way - I suck. Watching, I enjoy it. I wish I could have made it to the Memorial this year! Darn moving!

Anywho: back to the topic at hand. My new threads. While in Florida, I bought (as a joke) some bright pink Keds. I saw them, I thought - I'm in Clearwater Beach, I want to get some Keds like the 80 yr olds. So - I did.


But, when thinking about it I thought that these would be great for my golf game today! So, I needed to find some golf shorts to go with my shoes...

I head to Golf Galaxy after work to look for some carpis/shorts/something! Anything!

I found a few great pairs of shorts, but really - it all came down to these:
How cute are these!? Now, I was very worried about the length. They aren't capris, they aren't shorts - so what are they? I dunno. All I know is that my skinny ankles are going to look ridiculous in them! I try them on... and to my surprise I didn't look as horrid as I thought I would look!

End of the day: Did I make Tiger or my Dad with my mad golf skills? No. Did my ankles make me look ridiculous? No. Did I look dumb? Debatable. Will I wear my golf shorts again? Heck yes. I want to get back out of the golf course and MAYBE learn to golf. But to be honest - I'd rather driving the golf cart and watch YOU golf in my cute clothes.

Becca hates the Ohio State Highway Patrol

According to history, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. It originally started with our own American Civil War, but then through time and losses, it honors all who fought for the freedom of our country. Civil War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the mess we have going on now in the Middle East. It is an important day, and one that I do believe is a very special event for all of those individuals who deserve that recognition.


Memorial Day Weekend, 2010. I was looking forward to my 3-day weekend. I didn't have huge plans other than to get the current apartment ready for the big move the following weekend, and to have a Girl's Night Out with some dear friends. In order to start the weekend off with a bang, I left work around 2:30pm to head up north to pick up my dear friend Courtney to come home for the weekend so she wasn't trapped in her apartment alone for the 3-day weekend. Besides a Girl's Night without her is just NOT an option. That simple.

As I begin my journey up 71 North from Columbus, I realize that it is going to be a very traffic filled ride as everyone else has plans to head out of town as well. I don't mind - I have no problems sitting in the car in the sunshine with the iPod blasting my speakers. I actually find it quite relaxing. As I continue up the highway, I notice that the Ohio State Highway Patrol is out in full force and ready to hand out tickets to any deserving people who cross their path breaking the law. Being that I don't trust my foot on the gas in these circumstances, I put my car on cruise control. No way am I going to receive a ticket on this Holiday. I've had a ticket on the 4th of July years back, and I learned my lesson on Holiday driving!

I get to Courtney's, we load of the car, we stop for a bite to eat and some Power Ball lotto tickets and then we are on our way for the oh-so- familiar drive that I could probably drive in my sleep. I've got the cruise control on, the navigation system on in case we need to hit a back road for traffic and we're cruising the open road with Ron & Ginny (my Godkitties, Courtney's cats) in the back enjoying the ride as well. According to my speedometer, I am doing 70 mph. According to my navigation system, I am doing 70 mph. Glad to see that they are the same, and I am likely going exactly 70 mph.

Heading down 71 South, a little past our 1/2 way point to be back in Delaware - almost to Mt. Gilead in Morrow County.


When all of a sudden.......... I see this.......


A Ohio State Highway Patrol standing in the middle of the right lane of the road motioning me to pull over. Courtney says, "Is he waving you over?" My reply, "I think so." What the hell?? I look at my speedometer, still doing 70 and still on cruise control. Seriously?? Like the good law abiding citizen I am, I pull to the side. He comes to the window and, quite confused ask the skinny and tall officer if I was speeding.

"Yes, Ma'am. I clocked you going at 80 mph coming down the hill, and then again at 76 mph."

WHHAAATTTT??!?!?!?!?!?

At this point, in my head, I am giving myself a pep talk to be polite and not to get an attitude in hopes if I am nice, he lets me off the hook. I tell him that it is impossible as I had it on cruise control, and I have been driving on 71 for the past 3 hrs knowing full and well that it was crawling with cops and I wouldn't speed knowing this on a Holiday weekend.

He doesn't care, clearly. Asks for my license, registration and insurance card. Great.

I locate the license. I locate the registration. Where is my most current insurance card you ask? On my bedside table at home in an envelope. @$*@)(%(@$(@$!!! Thankfully, I did have an expired one from 2007 with the same info that I was able to use. Whew.

He goes to his little car, he does his little job of making me sweat wondering if I'll get a warning or a ticket. Courtney and I discussing how in the hell I could possibly get a ticket when I wasn't speeding and I was on cruise control.

He gets out of his car, comes to my car with...........

A FLIPPING TICKET OF DOING 80 MPH IN A 65 ZONE!

Is this guy serious?? Now my attitude is starting to spark. I was nice in the beginning, but now this is just flat out ridiculous. He lets me know that my ticket is $119. It's due June 10th. My court date is June 10th in Morrow County if I want to go dispute it. Oh, and if I don't pay it - they'll issue a warrant for my arrest. Do I look that dumb to not pay my ticket? Granted, this gift he is providing me is falling on the exact same paycheck of rent in my new place, rent in my current place, car payment and cell phone. Thanks, Officer String Bean. I appreciate it.

With every ounce of energy in my body, I bite my tongue as he hands me the clipboard to sign...
Of course, I do it.

@(*$)(@*$)(@*)(@@($!!!

Come to find out, yesterday I hear of a new law passed by the Ohio Supreme Court. Law Enforcement is now able to pull drivers over if they "look" like they are speeding. Radars are no longer required, and "trained cops" can just guess what your speed is and issue a ticket.

Thank you, Ohio Supreme Court. I am pretty sure it's your fault that Officer String Bean pulled me over guessing my speed since there was no radar in his hands and he was standing in the middle of a 3 lane highway.

Memorial Day 2010: I honor all military and public service individuals WITH THE EXCEPTION OF: the Ohio State Highway Patrol. May you enjoy the ability to pull people over with the guess that they "might" be breaking the law. May I find someone to provide me with an FOP card that I can abuse the privilege like other law breaking, cop related family members, people out there who are able to get away with speeding and other traffic violations.

It's the History Dork in Me

Many of you may or may not be aware that when I graduated from Ohio State, I did not get a degree in Business or Human Resources - regardless of what you may think since I do seem to enjoy my job and all aspects of it! Instead, I went the route that very few people take to study because most find it to be painfully boring. Not this girl - this girl finds it interesting and down right exciting! That's right my friends, my major was American History. (Boo's and Hisses can be inserted here if you must!)

All through my educational career, nothing excited me more than History. Cultural History, Religious History, World History, American History - it is all very exciting to me. I think a lot if has to do with my love for travel too and my burning desire to go work for the Travel Channel. In my ideal world, I'd work for the History Channel half the time, and the Travel Channel the other half of the time.

American History is probably my favorite area of History to study. Think about it - The Salem Witch Trails, The California Gold Rush, The Boston Tea Party, World War II, Nixon & Watergate... it all is super fantastic and gets me all excited. So imagine my surprise and excitement when I saw the preview for this:

That's right my friends, a mini series on our American History! It is by far the BEST series I've seen with the background to our country and the history behind it. Although the series is not over, I cannot wait to buy the video to keep as my own! (...and you thought that I wasn't a dork... Proved you wrong!)

What makes me laugh is I thought that I was the only one who was into History as much as I am, which I know that I get this from my Dad. He was always into History, as well as my Grandpa Jack. However, in doing some conversing with my dear cousins - I found two more History Dorks in the Warren Gene pool that too were excited not only for the series but who also watch some shoes on the channel for fun! I won't even lie, American Pickers is one of the best shows on the channel! Two guys driving the United States looking through people's crap, and finding a sign someone bought for $5 and turning around and finding out it is actually worth $5,000. Don't even lie - that is exciting! Wonder if I have anything laying around that I could have them come and sell from me... do you think that they would put an offer on a Coach Purse?

Ladies & Gentlemen - We have a Special Guest Today!

**So, obviously - I have not been too good with the blog writing lately, I am so sooo sorry for that! I am going to pick it up again, I promise. I need some topics! I feel like everything is completely boring and dumb. Let me stew on it a bit - and I'll be back. No worries! However, in the meantime... I am honored to introduce our guest writer for today! This note on Facebook was so amazing, that I had to post it for all of my dedicated followers to read as well. It's lengthy, I'll warn you straight up. Even if you love Summer, the blog should still make you giggle and laugh. I was lucky enough to see the rough draft while at work today, and it hit my funny bone so much that I had tears rolling down my cheeks from laughing silently! Ladies & Gentlemen: A Special Blog written by Courtney Ellen Scott.**

It's one of those days. I can't concentrate on my work at hand. Why you ask? Because I'M HOT. I turn into the crankiest most bitter little monster who can find anything wrong with anything. I'll completely b!tch out a bottle of water because I can't get the screw cap off fast
enough. I'll continue to verbally assault the thing as it begins to sweat all over me. Ugh. I hate summer.

As a kid I liked summer just as much as any other. School was out for almost 3 whole months! I remember asking my mom. "Do we have school tomorrow?" her reply "nope :)" But I didn't stop there... "What about the next day?" her reply, the same as usual, "nope :)" I would
literally ask her roughly 90 times. I recount her actually sort of counting in her head the days until her answer would finally become "yes, on that day you do." I'd run out the back door and start the summer off right with an old fashioned mud pie.

I recall having lightning bug houses that were homemade by my parent's neighbor friend Charlie. They were wood with a wire mesh enclosure. I loved catching those things!! I would never squish them because I thought it was mean. We also had a swing set while I was growing up. I could have sat on that thing and swung for hours. My dad would come home
from work around 3pm and I'd promptly raid his lunchbox for his left over thermos of coffee to enjoy on my swing. Sometimes I would bring out the boom box (yes, boom box!) and sit it on top of the slide and listen to 97.9 while swinging away. ♪ Every Little Step ♫ by Bobby Brown anyone? 1989.. I was 7 years old. Good times....

Eventually my Mom was able to convince my Dad to buy us a pool. I think I was in 6th grade at the time (1993) I loved it!! You didn't have to worry about going to a sick public pool wear dirty people used it for bathing rituals. And you didn't swim by an old used band aid or a big
gob of someone else's hair... Public pools are a breeding ground for sick and disgustingness. I have a pool at my complex.. never use it.

Summer didn't phase me as a child. It was when I was in school full days that I'd started to hate it. Recess. Sounds fun right?! Every kids favorite part of the school day! Not mine. It was too freaking hot in the summer to go play on a blacktop make-shift parking lot turned
playground. NO way! You'd get all hot and sweaty, head aches would soon take over. You'd try anything to get the play ground aids to let you go in for a drink, but there was no budging them. No way. Big Al and Phyllis meant business. YOU MUST HAVE FUN. Um no. Thank GOD the bell would ring and you'd line up to go back in the building when your teacher came for you. I would wish every day for it to rain so we could play in the classroom! Bingo anyone?? I swear it would take forever for me to cool back down. I'd sit at my desk and rest my cheek on the cool fake wood surface. Ugh. My face would heat up the desk. So I fan the desk with my hand and then even out the other side of my face. Finally when I cool down.. It's time to go home. Out in the hot abyss once again! Ugh. I hate summer.

I know. I sound crazy for hating the summer season. There are things I like about it, sure. Swimming for one. And uh.. hmm.. well... help me out here... ???? ... LIGHT! It's lighter for longer! I love that! I guess that's it.. I'm sure your thinking "Man where do you live, the Sahara?" Nope.. I live in Ohio. No, I do not vacation to hot places such as any sort of beach. You could not pay me enough to go to Disney World or California. Forget it. I don't care how clear the water is or how white the sand is. No way Jose. I wouldn't be caught dead. Not to
mention the "pretty" beaches are out of the U.S... those places you can't even drink the water with out crapping your pants Charlotte Goldenblatt style. That sounds like hell,those of you who don't know me. I have red hair and fair skin. I'm pretty glow in the dark come to think of it. The whitest cracker out there. I don't tan. I burn and I peel and I'm white again. I don't
wear shorts or skirts out of pure respect for the other residents. I could stop traffic the way the sunlight bounces of my legs. BAM! It's that bad. The sun doesn't like me and I don't like it. I went out today for lunch at work.. I was outside maybe 8 minutes total.. my arms were
pink when I got inside. DUMB. So while all of these tan senoritas are out and about in their little sun dresses and tanks and shorts and skirts, I'm walking around in long sleeves and pants. So not only am I grumpy as all get out, I look like an idiot walking around in long sleeves and pants when it's a million degrees outside. Ugh. I hate summer.

Summer is annoying for many reasons. Yes most view it as a time to be social. But how many BBQ's am I going to be forced to attend where I sit in a plastic chair and sweat my butt off (literally) and eat a hamburger? Why can't we just go to Applebee's and order a hamburger?
When you say "no thanks" people look at you like you have just told them to go straight to the firey pits of hell. I don't know how many times I've been literally laughed at for saying "I hate summer, I'm not doing that... no thanks call me in a few months... camping? It's July.. no.. How about late September? Picnic? um.. I'd rather not have bugs crawling all over me and possibly in my food while the sun beats down and burns me alive." Not kidding.. when I'm asked to do something during the summer months, my immediate response is .. "is it hot outside? Hmm no thanks" People look at me as if I'm the crazy one.. Uh.. I'm the one trying to not get sunburned, skin cancer, and prevent physical illness. I think I should be asking summer lovers "are YOU crazy? Look at that burn!" People physically hurt themselves for a bit of daylight? Yes, I get it. Sunlight makes people happy blah blah blah... I agree. Sunlight
is nice and pretty but not over 70°. I love fall and spring. I embrace cozy sweaters and corduroys and stylish boots with out the need of a coat or half nakedness. I love the crisp dry air and the smell of dry leaves. It's the best.

I'll take snow any day over this heat. It's not that I love winter, because I don't. I just find it easier if your cold, put on a sweater or gloves. No biggie. You can't walk around naked in the summer and there are so many people who are highly confused as to what is publicly
acceptable and STILL be hot enough to want to inhale a truck full of ice. Snow does not give me a headache, make me want to vomit or accidentally take possibly dangerous naps. I once participated in an art sale in AUGUST. That was dumb of me. That was before I realized it was
ok for me to embrace my hatred for summer. To not be embarrassed. So myself and my friend Becca set up our little vendors tent and set up shop. We were there I think 4 hours maybe? Towards the end I was not doing so hot... I swear my brain was about to explode!! I felt like I would spew at any given time all over our artwork. Thankfully her parents stopped by and said, "Courtney, maybe you should go get some food and some water.." So I hop in my Air Ford One and zoom off to the nearest food joint to get some water and some sort of food for us... I happen to look at the temp... 104° O__O NO WONDER!!! We left immediately when I got back to our station. Stupid me... as soon as I got home... I laid down on the couch to cool off and fell asleep. My parents were out of town. Becca was calling me nonstop... I scared the crap out of her! She was afraid that I had passed out from heat stroke/exhaustion. Such a good friend! That was the end of my embarrassment of hating summer. I'm proud of it.

The heat makes me angry. Constantly angry. I have a theory. The reason there is so much fighting in the middle east is because they are all so hot and cranky!! Do we hear of Eskimos fighting in Alaska?? NOO. I rest my case. Alright people, can we get some air conditioning units moved in there?!

Top 13 reasons of why Summer sucks.

1. Don't you just love it when you go grocery shopping and when you return from your trip your a sticky mess who looks like they just urinated in the car?! MEEEEEEEEEEEEE It's the best!

2. Mmmm ice cream and ice'y treats are the best in the summer! Especially when it's so hot out that the sugar makes you feel like you want to hurl because it starts boiling in your stomach. FUN!

3. I don't know about you, but I LOOOVE not being able to sleep in the summer from the heat. I'm so comfortable when my pillow gets all hot and steamy and then I have to flip it over to get a cool side, to only have it heat up within two minutes. So cozy! :)

4. Air conditioning is the best invention ever right? I especially love how it rakes up my electric bill. Good times.

5. One of the greatest things in life, is knowing you may develop an ulcer due to your over usage of Advil to deal with your constant headaches from heat exhaustion.

6. Is it possible that taking a shower can actually make you feel hotter? In the summer it can!

7. Oh oh oh!! How about when you are out and about shopping or what not, and it may be crowded and you get to smell all of the lovelies near by who sweat profusely and either don't know what deodorant is or just refuse to wear it? There should be a home fragrance made from that. It's my favorite.

8. How about when you do decide to go to one of those dingy public pools because you just can't take the heat and oops, your AC is out of commission... I know I love seeing people squeezed into bikini's that shouldn't. Maybe I'll buy one this summer.

9. This one is for the ladies.. How many of you LOVE the feeling when your face starts to melt off and run into your eyes and you swear for a few minutes there you are actually going to lose your eyesight from all the rancid burning? Awesome.

10. "Yes, it is too hot to hold your hand and cuddle. Don't touch me." Who has heard that before? I know I've said it.. So romantic.

11. You've heard the expression "you could fry an egg on that!" Welp, who wants to get into a car that's like that?! And if you have black seats.. OUCH! Don't get me started on leather seats. You literally feel your flesh melting off and becoming one with the seat. By the time
your through, your thighs are numb and you can use the seat as a
slip-n-slide within 3 minutes! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

12. Bugs. Need I say more? Bees love me. I think they can sense that I'm allergic and they all take a nose dive right at me. Mosquito? Those too. Hello west nile virus. I welcome thee. Lets not forget our little buddies the gnats! They are so needy. Always flying around in your face like "look at me!! over here!! Hey!! What are you doing? Hey look at me!"

So friends, during the months of May-Septemberish do not call me and ask me if I want to go to the zoo, go shopping (outside), go to an amusement park, go for a walk, go to a picnic, a cookout, a beach, camping, outdoor party, outdoor concert, festival or fair, or even sit in your back yard. The answer will be no. Please don't be offended. It's nothing against you personally. I just hate summer.