I'd Never Change...

The prompt for Day 11 of Sarah's 15 Day Challenge is: What's one thing you would never change about yourself?

I'd never change my positive outlook on life.  With that said, I will probably never stop trying to convince Ryan that you can be positive and realistic at the same time.

I'd also never change or erase the small scar on my left hand that is just between my thumb and index finger.  I got it as a kid (I have no idea how old I was) when I was at my Grammy's one day and trying to cut open a string cheese with scissors.  The scissors slipped and sliced my hand pretty good.  I see that scar everyday and it reminds me of my Grammy... And how thankful I am that string cheeses now have tabs at the top to pull apart.

Take Luck,

LP

Childhood Memories

Yesterday quickly came and went, and I didn't have time (or the energy) for the prompt.  So today, I'll play catch-up.

The prompt for Day 4 of Sarah's 15 Day Challenge is: What's your favorite childhood memory?

I don't know that I could choose just one memory, as I had a busy and very fulfilling childhood, but here are my top six:

- Playing dress-up or office with Rachel and my cousins at Grammy's house or at family parties.  I knew how to write checks at an oddly young age.

- Daily (yes, daily) trips to Dairy Queen with Grammy after school.

- Turning the front yard into a soccer field.  Empty laundry detergent bottles were cones for dribbling drills and the bushes on both ends of the lawn were goals.

- Playing in the yard with Josh.  He would terrorize me and push me into bushes but I always wanted to play with him.  Even if I cried a little.

 - Hitting balls off the tee from across the street into our fence.  My skills progressed into hitting balls into the yard, and soon I was hitting them over the house.  Dearest Daddio put Josh and one of his buddies in front of the windows (to catch any that got close) but I got a good one by them.  Dad tried to blame Josh but Mom knew better.  We moved down to my elementary school field after that.

Take Luck,

LP  

Warren Pierce

Apparently I have an alias: Warren Pierce.

I was returning a call from the doctor's office this morning and when the receptionist asked my name, I said it.  

Lauren Peters.

I expected her to say, "Hold on," or "One moment please," but something different happened entirely.  Either I had a momentary identity crisis and said Warren Pierce, or she heard Warren Pierce because her response was, "Warren Pierce?"

Uh. No?

I cleared my throat and clearly stated "Lor-ren Pee-terrs."

Thankfully, she got it right that time.  How embarrassing.

This isn't the first time I've (apparently) mumbled my name, either.  Every once in awhile (usually if I'm in a hurry and on the phone) I do not enunciate properly and it comes out sounding less than clear - and more like Warren than Lauren.

There was this one time when I said my name face-to-face with a customer service man at a Southern Illinois Mediacom.  Apparently that day I not only sounded like a Warren... But I looked like one too.  The dude was looking at me and still thought I said Warren.

And now, I can't even say Peters correctly?  I don't know what's wrong with me.  It's not like either of these names is phonetically challenging.  Right?  Right.

After this happens and I wonder why, I cannot help but go back to two stories from my childhood as a possible reason for the mumbling mess.

The first is when my parents (or any adult) would ask me my name and our conversation would go something like this:

Adult: What's your name?

Me: Woowen

Adult: Woowen?

Me: Nooo, not Woowen. Wooowen!

The second is that my favorite movie was An American Tale.  The villain in the movie is Warren T. Rat.  My favorite Uncle Dave started calling me Warren T. Rat for reasons that are unknown to me*.

*I've been told I was a tad precocious and slightly obnoxious but I like to think Warren T. Rat was a term of endearment.  But probably not.

Source

So considering all this information... Maybe I'm destined to be stuck with a Warren Pierce alias?

Geesh, I hope not.

Take Luck,

LP

Fill in the Blank Friday

 

It's time for another fabulous Fill in the Blank Friday with Lauren at the little things we do.

1. When I was a kid I wanted to be a comedienne when I grew up.

2. As an adult, my dream job would be to appear on Saturday Night Live or be a world-traveling-photo-journalist. 

3. When I was younger I wanted to be just like my brother. 

4. The childhood Halloween costume that I remember most was when I was a clown.  I wore a red turtleneck, black leggings, and I also had a perm.  I think Mom made me a hat and painted my face.  I was crushed this Halloween because my friend and trick-or-treat buddy Ali was Belle from Beauty and Beast.  She wore the dress, complete with white gloves.  I was totally jealous.  I think the neighborhood felt sorry for me and gave me more candy. 

5. My favorite childhood toy was a baby doll, named Rebecca. 

6. The time I got into the biggest trouble when I was a kid was when I was mean to my little sister. 

7.  I get daily inspiration from bloggers, Etsy, and my Hubby. 

That is all.  Happy Friday!

Take Luck,

LP

Day 14: Grow Up

Day 14: What did you want to be when you grew up?  What are you now?

Growing up, I had ambitions to be many things.

Of those, some were more entertaining than others.

[First] I wanted to be a boy.  I idolized my big brother and was a rough-and-tumble, always messy and dirty, little chub-a-lub.  I remember repeatedly asking my Daddio and Bubba, "Why can't I be a skin?"

[Second] After I started realizing I just wasn't going to be a boy.  I shared Sar's yearning for being Ariel from The Little Mermaid.  However, I didn't get all cute and dressed up like Ariel.  My longing to be a beautiful red-headed mermaid went as far as singing "Part of Your World" in the bathtub, and I would push myself up on the side (like Ariel did on the rock).  Then I would ask Mom why I couldn't sing as good as Ariel.

Dreams crushed.

[Third] I got over being a Disney Princess quickly and moved onto wanting to be a comedian.  I've mentioned before that my "jokes" were so bad, that my parents bought me a joke book.  I'm not sure if that was successful in helping that bad-joke-telling.  I wouldn't be surprised if I still thought I was funny, despite the bad jokes.  It is still my dream to appear on SNL. 

Today, I lead a super exciting life as a Logistician.

Most of the time when I say, "Logistician."  People respond with, "A what?"

I'm basically a logistics specialist.

But it is not special.

I deal primarily in configuration data management.  I won't go into the boring details of what we manage the configuration of, but I work for the US Navy and support our fleet everyday.

Did I ever think or dream that this would be my job/career?

Hell no.

Will it do for now?

Absolutely.

I'm still holding onto my SNL dream.

Take Luck,

LP

Day 7: Mi Familia

Day 7: Describe your relationship with your siblings/parents

I love my family.

So this will be fun!

Meet my parents.

I wrote a lot about my relationship with my Daddio and Momma back on Father's and Mother's Day, respectively.

They are amazing people, and parents.  Together they have taught me how to work hard for the things I want in life, be respectful, be humble, and be gracious.

My relationships with Mom and Dad are definitely different.  But I am happy to say that although they are different relationships - they are each wonderful in their own ways.

I love it when my Dad laughs so hard he cries and his face turns bright red (usually when he's watching Blue Collar Comedy Tour).  I also love the way his face lights up when he sees his grandkiddos (both two and four-legged).

He doesn't always listen so good.  But it is one of the things that I have grown to love and expect from him.  He is my protector.  Ever since I was a little girl, and even to this day, I know that my Dad will take care of me.  Along with Ryan and my Bubba.

I also love getting Mom all riled up and laughing hysterically.  This usually happens whenever Ryan and I are around her... And always happens when Rachy, Ryan and I are around her.

Just the other night while driving home from a wedding, Ryan and I told Mom that her car horn was lame sounding.  We then discussed my Subaru horn, and then Ryan's Mustang horn.  I declared, "Ryan, I don't think I've ever honked your horn."

Lots of laughter and tears followed as Mom said, "Well, you guys have been married over a year now.  I was sure you had honked his horn by now!"  Good grief.

I feel equally blessed to have wonderful in-laws.

Danny and Chris have accepted and welcomed me into their home and life since Day 1.

I feel very at ease around them, and know I can be myself.  I am thankful every day that they raised Ryan to be the man that he is today.

I am the third in a line of four.  Between my brother's marriage and Ryan's sister's marriage - I am the proud sister-in-law of another sister and brother.  One thing that I am completely proud to say is that all of my sisters and both of my brothers were a part of our wedding.

Moving on.

Haas Family Picture - 2009

Katie is the eldest.  Growing up I idolized her, and wanted to do everything she did, the way she did it.  Over the last few years, our relationship hasn't been what it once was - but I hope to change that.  She is raising her daughter, Jaiden to be a fantastic young girl.  It's hard to believe she will be 11 next month.

Joshy is next.  He is my Bubba, my protector.  Josh makes me laugh with his brutal honesty, and sometimes drives me a little coo-coo with how laid back he is.  He is a wonderful father to Mia, Kennedy, and Riley - and it has been so much fun watching him and Haley raise their kids, and see him turn into the family man.

I don't know where to begin with my baby sister, Rachel.  I need to write a post just for/about her.  But again, I wouldn't know where to start.  She is my best friend.  And our relationship has only gotten stronger as we've grown up together.  When we get together... Watch out.  Things can get a little crazy, in a show tunes singing, show tunes dancing, butt grabbing, hoot smacking sort of way.  We are completely silly, and like to drive Ryan crazy by singing  Super Troupers.

This is us together at Momma's birthday dinner.  We realized that both of our tops had little flowers or "blossoms" on them.  Since neither of us were blessed in that "region" we liked to think that the tops were a symbol of what we don't have.

Haley has been my sister-in-law for over 4 years now.  It is amazing how time has flown by.  I have really enjoyed watching her and Joshy grow their family (I say that like they are are growing a garden!).  Haley is so laid back, and I know that even though she usually has three kids running around her and asking her for something - I can talk to her about anything.  I only hope she feels the same.  I like to call her and ask how she's doing.  It usually takes her a second to process the question and then respond.  Understandably so.

Cara is my fourth sister.  She may be the newest to join my heart, but I love her just as much as the others.  I only wish we didn't live so far away.  I know that I can talk to Cara about anything, and she always gives sound, unbiased advice.  I can't talk to her and not laugh.  I know we didn't technically become sisters until Ry and I were married... But to tell you the truth, I felt like she has been my sister from the beginning.  She is housing a little nugget that should make his debut in mid-October, and I know she is going to be wonderful Mommy.  I can't wait to meet this little guy!!

Finally, meet Webb.  My lone brother-in-law (for now!).  This guy cracks me up, and we share a bond since we are the two in-laws to the Peters family.  I can't imagine a better guy to share that bond with.  He likes to use words like insufferable to describe waiting for us at a surprise meal, and he really loves the song Tonto.  I don't think I'll ever get tired of this guy bustin' a move to that song.  Like Cara, Webb is going to be a great dad when Baby Webb arrives.

All in all, I feel that I am beyond lucky and blessed to have the big family that I do.  They each hold a very special place in my heart and life, that I would not trade for anything.  I have learned so much in my relatively few years, but perhaps the biggest thing is to know that even though you can't choose your family - I wouldn't have mine any other way.

I love you, guys!!

Take Luck,

LP

Day 2: All About LP

Day 2: Share 30 "interesting" things about yourself.

Interesting?  

Totally debatable.

But I accepted this challenge - so list, I shall!

When I first started blogging, I produced a similar list, but will try again - and try for no repeats.

I make no guarantees.

Here goes nothing...

[1] I do not like talking about myself.

[2] I love musicals.

[3] I am fascinated by what people name their babies.  Sometimes I am more excited to hear the name than I am to see the kid.

[4] I get nervous and anxious around a lot of people.  Sometimes even a few is a lot.

[5] I am a list maker and planner.

[6] Growing up (and even now) I imagined ordinary cars transforming into police vehicles and catching speeders and bad guys.  It could happen.

[7] I am the kind/type of person who will tell you if you have food (or something) on your face.

[8] I hate traveling for work, but really enjoy traveling leisurely.

[9] I have an auto-immune disease; ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura).

[10] I am a tell it like it is kinda gal.

[11] I am a movie quoter.

[12] I love singing in the car and in the shower.  They are the two places that I sound good.  Or it sounds good in my head.

[13] I like to zumba.  Even though I almost cried during my first class because I couldn't keep up with the instructor. 

[14] When I first started following blogs, I was apprehensive to follow the blogs of people I don't know.  I felt like a major creeper.  After awhile I figured some of them have hundreds of followers - what's one more?

[15] I should have never watched "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant" on TLC.  That show = Paranoia.

[16] My lifelong dream of appearing on Saturday Night Live still remains.

[17] I try to think of fun/creative ways to tell Ryan and our families that we're expecting/pregnant (when that time comes), but I am afraid that when it does happen - I will be too excited and just blurt it out in a totally uncool and uncreative way.

[18] I am afraid of the dark.

[19] Pair my fear of the dark with my super-sonic hearing and sometimes I can really freak myself out.

[20] I love Target.  It can get dangerous if I am left alone in there unsupervised.

[21] Unlike most women, I have a really hard time spending any amount of money on purses and wallets.  I just can't justify (even to myself!) spending money on the things that hold my money.

[22] I really hope our kids get Ryan's teeth.

[23] I am pigeon toed.  It really stands out when I am tired.

[24] I cannot stand to eat or drink anything grape flavored.  But I love grapes.

[25] I am generally a very happy, positive and upbeat person.  Unless you call me honey.

[26] I avoid confrontation whenever possible.

[27] I love Christmas time.  Christmas trees + Christmas lights + Christmas music + gift buying = Happy Lauren

[28] I have never seen my Dad without a mustache.

[29] I love to bake.  Especially chocolate chip cookies, banana bread and monkey bread.  Those are the extent of my baking repertoire.

and [30] I wear size 10 shoes.  Sometimes I wonder if shoe makers/designers think that ladies with big feet don't want cute shoes like everyone else.

Well, there you have it.

30 "interesting" facts about, your's truly.

Take Luck,

LP

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!

I don't think any fathers read this blog, but still.  It's a wonderful day to celebrate and honor our Dads.  If you want to read my post about Mother's Day and my Ma, go here.

I think about a lot of the things my dearest Daddio has taught me, and my head instantly fills with advice, lessons, motivation, perspectives and wisdom.  He is the smartest man I know.  Period.  I like to think I get my "positive outlook" on life from him, because that is how he operates - positively.  

Daddio and I in Hawaii (2008)

Daddio and Bubba getting ready for the wedding

My Dad was quite the stud athlete growing up and through high school.  I know he wanted to instill sports and the disciplines associated with it in me and my siblings.  He did.  

Dad "Quarterbacked" CK to the State title in 1969

I started playing sports at the ripe age of four - soccer in the fall and tee-ball in the spring.  My Dad was always right there in the action with me, and it stayed that way until I graduated from college at 22 and finally ended my softball career.

Mom, Dad and me on Senior Day

My Dad and I didn't always have the smooth and great relationship we have today, and it was because of sports that our relationship became turbulent.  I had natural ability, and like most parents, my Dad wanted to turn my natural abilities into something special.

We joke about it now - the time we spent in the backyard pitching, hitting, taking ground balls, practicing free throws and dribbling a basketball around cones, dribbling soccer balls around laundry detergent buckets in the front yard, and math time together at the dinner table.... But it wasn't so funny to me back then.  I think I mostly thought he was slowly trying to torture me.  He pushed me so hard, and at the time I just wanted to be a kid.  Looking back I would not have changed a thing, because he made me into the athlete I was, and to the positive, hard working adult that I am now. 

I know how to work for the things I want, and know how good it feels to get what I deserve because I have earned it.

Some highlights I can vividly recall from our times together are:

-A video of me around the age of five, hitting off the tee.  The tee was set up across the street and my Dad would field the balls from the gravel outside my house.  The video shows us practicing together and at one point I say, "You're getting your exercise today, huh Dad?"

-Pitching to my Dad in the backyard, and him constantly telling me, "Oh, only 50 more" when I would ask, "How many left, Dad??"  By the time I was 15 or 16, I wised up and started keeping my own count.  Not that it mattered - we were done when he said so.

-If he thought I was being lazy (which may have been true after 200 pitches), he would tell me how slow I was pitching; that my little sister could throw harder than me and in fact - he didn't even need a glove to catch my pitches at all!  Well, me being his smart-ass daughter - that just revved me up (nice work, Daddio).  So I would throw the ball into his bare hands as abosolutely-hard as I could.  That'll teach him.

-Walking into a gymnasium with the pitching bucket, gloves and a bat, and a basketball (just to make sure we had all my athletic bases covered).  The other gym-goers probably thought, "What the world are these people doing with all that sports equipment??  I'm staying out of that gym."  

-Anytime I would say, "God!" in frustration.  His response was a simple, "God can't help you right now."  Thanks a lot for pointing that out, Dad.

-Me coming home in the summers from college and I was the one asking him to go outside.

Trust me, I could go on and on and on with stories of my Dad and I.  My poor Mom was usually right in the middle of our skirmishes - which were frequent.  Our relationship transformation happened around the time I was 17 or 18, when he realized he may be just a little overbearing.  It's been awesome and wonderful ever since.  The tables turned when I got to college, and I finally realized that all my hard work had paid off - I just needed to keep working harder.  Like I said, I wouldn't change most of it because it made me who I am, and gave the opportunities it did.  Without my Dad's persistence, I would not have ultimately met Ry-Guy.

So, thanks for everything, Daddio.  You are one-in-a-million.  Or maybe a billion.

I feel really fortunate to also have a wonderful father-in-law.  I have loved seeing Ryan and Danny's relationship grow and develop over the last three years, especially since Ryan moved to Washington.  My father-in-law knows me well.  Anytime we are visiting them, he stocks the house with Sugarfree Red Bull and bagels. What. A. Guy!!

Danny and Ryan

Father and Daughter-in-law

Take Luck

and Hug a Dad today,

LP

26 Truths and No Lies

1.  I was named after the models Lauren Hutton and Lauren Bacall, and my middle name came from my mom's best friend and my godmother, Marie Leona.  Hence, Lauren Lee.  My parents almost named me Berkley Claire.

2.  I am third in a line of four siblings (Katie, Josh and Rachel).  However, I have acquired two sister-in-laws (Haley and Cara) and one brother-in-law (Ryan) who I love just as much.

3.  I met my husband, Ryan while working as a Credit Manager at Wells Fargo Financial.  It was hands-down the worst job I have ever had, but I can't completely write it off the experience :)

4.  When I was in high school I drank three Mountain Dew's a day.

5.  I played softball at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.  I chose SIU over the University of Georgia, Penn State and the University of Virginia.

6.  I am collecting Disney movies for when we (someday) have kids.  So far we have Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Despicable Me, Enchanted, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, Monsters Inc., Oliver & Company, Pete's Dragon, Pocahontas, Robin Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3 and Up!

7. I have never been to Canada (but really want to see Vancouver and Victoria).

8.  This summer I hope to drive down to Astoria, OR and see the house from the Goonies, and the elementary school from Kindergarten Cop (one of Ryan's and my favorite movies).

9.  I have three nieces and a nephew - Jaiden, Mia, Kennedy and Riley.

10.  My favorite TV shows are Dexter and Grey's Anatomy.

11.  When I was little, I wanted to be a comedian.  Apparently, my jokes were so bad that my parents bought me a joke book.  I still aspire to be on Saturday Night Live (SNL) someday.

12.  My guilty pleasures include celebrity gossip, Teen Mom and Toddlers & Tiara's ("I want my ni-ni!").

13.  I love Haribo Gold Gummi Bears.

14.  I like to name our unborn children.

15.  I received my Bachelor's degree in Marketing.  I am pursuing a Master's degree in Engineering and Technology Management. 

16.  Our dogs, Brock and Sonny hardly ever get called by their actual names.  Instead, Brock gets called Brocky, Brocky Boy, B-Boy, Broccoli and Stinky.  Sonny gets call Sonny Jo, Sonny Bunny, Chubby Bunny, Sonny Bear or Baby Bear.

17.  My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip from Baskin Robbins.  Which when I was little, I called Basketball and Robbins.

18.  When we have kids, I really hope we have boys.  Ryan is convinced that we'll have girls.

19.  I am a super picky eater.  It is mostly the textures and smells that make me not like certain foods.  For example, I hate the smell and texture of mushrooms and consider them to be infectious.  By that I mean that I can't (and won't) eat anything that has been cooked with or touched the mushrooms, because the food has been "infected" with the scent and taste.  I also have issues with squishy seafood (or any seafood for that matter). 

20.  I swear I have super sonic hearing and this makes me "noise sensitive."  Lets just say that forks (or other utensils) scraping on plates make me nauseated and start to sweat.  The dentist is always a traumatizing experience too. 

21.  I prefer flats to anything with a heal.  They hurt my feet and cause me to walk like I'm intoxicated.

22.  I like to sing in the shower... And in the car.  Basically any place that (in my head) I sound like a fabulous superstar.

23.  Our house is currently a light pink(ish) color with maroon trim.  Yikes.  We are hoping to change that this spring/summer.

24.  I like to keep a planner.  How else could I keep my crap straight?  

25.  If you couldn't tell from my previous "truths," I was an interesting child.  Until I was five or six, I think I resented my parents and the fact that I was a girl, and not a boy.  I wanted to be like my big brother.  Apparently during an outside game one afternoon, I cried (like the little girl I was) that I had to be on the "shirts" team and couldn't be "skins" :)

and 26.  I wake up every morning thankful that Ryan and I have the things we have; most importantly - each other.  

Take Luck,
LP