Confessions of a 6th Grader

My little brother is in sixth grade, and just entering the 'dating' world.

A conversation: 

Me: David, are you going to see your girlfriend over the summer? 

David: Well, she was supposed to come over Friday. But we didn't specify which Friday, and there are a lot of them. I forgot to get her phone number. I have her address though. 

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Me: You didn't kiss her, did you? You're too young for that. 

David: No. We talked about it, but then she almost puked. 

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David: My friend is dating my girlfriend's twin sister, so we're brothers. 

Me: Well, you'll only be brothers if you both marry them. 

David: I'm working on it. 

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David: I want to save my money so me and my girlfriend can go on vacation. 

Me: Where do you want to go? 

David: We can't decide between Hawaii and Paris. Hawaii is really pretty, but Paris is really romantic. 

On Sisters, and Graduations

Disclaimer: There is nothing in this post that I haven't already discussed with my little sis! :)

In a few weeks, I will fly up to Michigan to attend my little sister's high school graduation, AND my 10 year high school reunion, on the same weekend. (In full disclosure, as former class President, I selfishly scheduled our reunion to be on the same weekend I would already be there...convenient, eh?)

My sister and I are 10 years apart, if you didn't pick up on that. We are quite close and, though we have lived many states apart for many years, we've made it a point to have extended visits each year since she was about 8.

We are SO alike in our personalities. Kinda self conscious and shy at times, good students, and we approach so many situations the same way. We even look more alike than any of our other sisters. People in our family used to joke that I was her idol. We've always connected because we just 'get' each other. I've loved getting to be better and better friends as she has gotten older.

As Britt has grown up, she has often come to the hubs and I for advice and guidance on life issues. We love that we've had that open relationship and can talk real life with her, and she appreciates our opinions and perspective. We've had some really awesome conversations each time she's stayed with us. She has some pretty great opinions to offer as well. She's a smart cookie.

A few things have changed this year that have affected our relationship. 1. I had a baby, putting me in a completely different life point that she can't (and shouldn't!) relate to...and making me VERY busy. 2. She decided to not go to college right away after graduating.

Writing this out, I realize it sounds petty, but this has really disappointed me.  It disappoints me because Brittney has big dreams. I love that about her. Dreams to work in an exciting field that she's passionate about. Dreams to travel the world. And I'm terrified that deciding not to go to college right away will put a cap on those dreams. I'm scared that she's making that decision just because she's scared to make a decision about what college to attend, and what to major in. She's deciding to not decide. And that is so unlike me. For the first time, I feel like maybe we aren't so much alike. And that kind of makes me sad.

I was the first person in our family to get a college degree. I always thought she'd be the second. And she still might. I just fear that 'taking a year off' will turn into taking forever off. Or taking a year off, and then stumbling through and having a bad college experience.

I told her that this is the first time I've ever had someone I love make a decision I really don't agree with, and I dont really know how to deal with it. I really don't want it to affect our relationship, but it somehow feels like I agree with her decision, if I act like everything is normal with us. Ultimately, I know it's her decision and she is the master of her own future. I just want an awesome future for her.

So I ask you, readers, how do you support a family member through a decision you don't agree with? Say your peace, and then drop it? That's what I'm leaning towards.

Whatever happens, Britt, I love you and will always love you, and our time together!

And just for fun:

Chillin like a villian:

Garage Sale Finds

I went to the World's Longest Yard Sale this past weekend with my family, and had a grand ole time.

My finds:

Telephone Table (I want to redo this somehow...)
Marked $15.00, paid $10.00


Vintage Suitcase
Marked $1.00, paid $.50


Vintage Mirror
Marked $22.00, paid $15.00 (more than I wanted to pay, but I've been looking for a mirror like this for a long time.)


Bird Statue
$2.00 (I'm going to paint this to match our livingroom.)


And my favorite picture of the day:

Off We Go

Last weekend I made the trek up to Michigan for the third time this summer. This time was in a van filled with my 15 year old sister, my 10 year old brother, and my mom.

4:03 am
My day started when I awoke to my normally quiet neighbors singing. Loudly and drunkenly. Along to a CD of Spanish music. Is that the correct genre name? Now the singing did irritate me, but what irritated me more was the fact that their dog, Lucky, who barks at me through the fence anytime I take out the trash or start the grill, seemed to actually like the singing and sat quietly watching.

4:03-4:59 am
I sit awake listening to the singing with a piercing headache. And watching Josh sleep soundly.

5:00 am
Josh and Brittney wake up well rested and ready to go. I curse at both of them quietly. Josh thinks the neighbors tried out for American Idol this week and were celebrating. Brittney thinks it's really weird that someone would get up in the middle of the night to sit outside and sing.

5:45 am
We leave the house just as the amigos next door go to sleep for the night.

7:00 am
After dropping Josh at the airport, driving to Lebanon, and a stop at McDonald's, we're finally officially on our way. Mom's driving, I'm eating.

7:08 am
The minute I'm done eating, mom yanks the car to the side of the road so we can switch drivers. I did not see this coming.

7:32 am
Have to stop for a cow in the road. Then a squirrel. Then I ran into a butterfly.

8:45 am
2nd McDonald's stop for a bathroom break. Brittney gets a large drink. Mom gets a large coffee. I glare at them.

9:17 am
3rd McDonald's. When we're back in the car, I ask that we make it our personal goal to not stop until at least 10:30.

10:43 am
Goal met! And slightly succeeded, but let's not get too excited. Bathroom break and gas fill up.

12:02 pm
Lunch stop. We hit McDonald's for the 4th time, AND Burger King. Highlights: I have to show Brittney how to get in the restaurant. Guy at McDonald's gives my change to someone else.

12:23 pm
I get flipped off after honking at a lady that pulled out in front of me. Brittney is outraged. I laugh.

1:34 pm
Brittney tries to tell me how I can improve myself. Just as we're passing a prison and see this sign:



I stop the car and try to drop her off, but mom forces me to keep driving.
We stop at Dairy Queen and she buys me ice cream. All is forgiven.

And other than mom denying me a 5th stop at McDonald's, and David asking if he can drive, and then chanting 'kick Ashy's butt, kick Ashy's butt' after I tell him no, the rest of the drive was uneventful and we arrived around 5 pm.

The rest of the weekend was filled with lots of fun with family: Birthday party for my cousin, family reunion, and family girls' night at the Three Rivers hot spot...Apple Bee's!

I'm flying next time.