Things that make you go hmmm...

• Middle schoolers that carry around their coffees during school.  I cannot believe this.  Did you know this is how it is now?  Alice talks about the kids who carry around there morning coffees along with their books and binders.  One hand holds their algebra book and the other their venti white chocolate mocha.  Is this crazy, or is it just me?  When I was in high school no one carried around their coffees.  (We did have a smoking section- but that was back in the 80's when smoking was not equal to high treason).  I didn't even know anyone who was a regular coffee drinker either.  Nowadays parents are getting their 6th grader a fancy coffee every morning as they swing through the Starbucks drive thru on their way to carpool drop off?  What's next?  Kindergartners having espresso during snack time?  Heck, I don't even let my kids drink caffeinated pop- that's reserved for adults.  Coffee?  Holy smokes, I'm really feeling my age.
• Character ties.  There.  I said it.  I cannot handle them.  I keep seeing them (at a place of worship I attend every Sunday) and it is making me insane.  Every Sunday I sit down and see a huge 'The Grinch who stole Christmas' on some guy's tie starring right at me and I, I don't know...I just cringe.  I know this is very controversial of me to say because some people who read my blog attend the same place of worship as me and will probably be super offended by this statement and will shoot me dagger eyes next time I see them, but I just can't hold it in anymore.  To me, character ties detract from the reverence of the meeting.  And, are ugly.  And look awful  There, I'm done.  If a man has a great desire to wear a tie that is a bit different and will get him noticed I advise a bow tie.  Please, go the bow tie route.  Please, I beg of you!
• How do people like this exist?  It is totally mind blowing to me.  Now let me say, I have never met her, commented on her blog, or have any ill will toward her.  Frankly, I have all sorts of admiration for her.  But, I don't know how in the world this sort of thing can exist.  Truly, I don't.  When I had two little babies at home (who were 2.5 yrs. apart, not 1.5 like hers) I never left my home.  I looked like a dowdy frump and marked it a successful day if I showered before Oprah was on.  I was covered in spit-up, had boobs the sized of watermelons (thanks breastfeeding!) and lived in a trailer.  Thank heavens there was no Internet back then, much less blogs to compare my 'trailer chic' life to.
• Over 10,000 people have clicked on my Grumpy Cat post.  I cannot explain this except for googling grumpy cat.  Right?  Because normally 43 people click on a post of mine, so 10,000 seems like a lot.  
• My next door neighbor just put a for sale sign in their yard. *crying loud sobs of sorrow*  What in the world?  I don't know why their moving.  I'm scared to ask (I'll make Wes do my dirty work).  The last awesome neighbor to move left because of divorce *:(*  What if this is the same deal-io?  You never know what is going on behind closed doors and I don't want to have an awkward conversation (I avoid those at all costs!)  But, I am truly heartbroken because my next door neighbors are the best.  Way better than us.  Oh, I'm so scared about who might move in there.  It could be some crazies.  Then I'd be stuck with crazies right by me and have no where to hide (except indoors).  Oh my, I'm crestfallen about this development.  You never know how good you've got it until it leaves and you have something awful.  But, I know how good I've got it, so no one will live up to these guys.  Criminy.
• Of all the presents our kids got this year (and it was a lot you guys.  iPhone for everyone!  You know us, we spoiled them rotten! j/k), the most favorite one is the present our family friends gave us.  It's a puzzle of the boy band One Direction.  Honestly, I should have just saved my money, because all they (the girls) want to do is put this puzzle together day after day.  Thanks Alison and Adam!  You guys are always on the pulse of what my kids really want.
• Pantspocalypse.  Did you hear about this?  If you live in Utah, then probably yes.  But, out here in 'the mission field' maybe no?  I heard about it from a blog of a blog of another blog.  And, I've thought about writing a whole monster post about it (maybe I will if you beg!), but I don't have the energy.  And, honestly, I don't relate.  And, this is why:  I grew up with a boat load of strong feminist mothers (mom, step-grandmother, grandmother, grand aunt).  But, they didn't call themselves feminists.  They just were who they were and made no bones about it.  I can't think of one doormat woman in my genealogy.  Honestly, we were/are basically the opposite of oppressed.  But, and here's the huge but, not everyone grew up in a situation like that.  I know that is the truth and I honor it.  I hear those women who have felt held down/slighted/oppressed/demeaned.  The women who desire change within the leadership and policies of the church.  The pantspocalypse, to me, was a cry to be heard.  To be validated.  To make changes.  Did I agree with the premise of wearing pants to sacrament meeting as a way of taking a stand?  Nah.  Not really, but I don't criticize it either because I have not felt the way these women feel.  There, that's it in a nutshell.  I don't feel that way, but others do.  I am not going to invalidate their feelings just because I don't feel them.  Instead I open my heart and head to hear them.  They want to be heard and loved.   
• My new best friend Ava seems confused about our BFF relationship.  She doesn't seem to understand how being best friends works.  When we are together (which is often.  I stalk her) we are supposed to cuddle, giggle, tell each other our deepest secrets, paint each others toenails and just generally hang out.  But, when she sees me (everyday) she doesn't act particularly jazzed.  She just goes about her day, in a rather above-it-all way, like she doesn't even care that I'm there.  I just don't get it.  Yesterday she kind of snuggled with me while she played on the iPad, but she kept scooting away from me and I kept having to scoot closer until finally she left.

And, then there's her relationship with Wes.  The moment he walks in the door she practically smothers him with love an affection.  Here they are cuddling and rubbing backs together like it ain't no thing.  Did she forget that I'm her bff? 

(Ava is under this blanket- apparently plotting ways to confound me and our relationship while getting a back rub from Wes.)

I don't know.  I'm in it for the long-haul.  It is rather one-sided as of right now, but the tides might turn one day and Ava may have to see how it feels to taking a back seat to my iPad someday.