Dance like nobody is watching.

phone call today...
me: "Good afternoon Crossville Tile and Stone"
response: "Um yes, is this Planet Fitness??"

A big part of me wanted to say "You got me! It sure is...I was just trying to throw you off by saying an entirely different companies' name"

The other part of me wanted to say "No dummy!! I just said this is Crossville Tile and Stone!"

I decided to just go with "No, I am sorry you have the wrong number"

Oddly enough, even with that they still sounded confused.

A question that has always come easily and effortlessly. Lately however, it doesn't seem quite as easy of a question to answer....

John suffered through American Idol Season 1,682 with book in hand. During the home town visit episode John, who I had no idea he even knew the TV was on piped up with, "Ok, so if you were on idol where would your home town visit be?" He smiled. A tiny part of me felt like it was a set-up, but the other part just a question and without thinking I said "Birmingham I guess!?" his response was "Ouch, really?!".....my response wasn't intended to offend. As if some how denying the life he has provided for us? Then I was just confused. Well, I don't know. I am from Birmingham? In the past tricky part was if I felt like getting technical and saying "Homewood", now I don't even know the answer.

Sunday it occurred again. I was introducing myself to a friend of a friend at lunch. I knew she came in town for the day, so I asked "Where are you from"...her response "Oh, I am from a little town outside of Birmingham, Leeds"(it's not that little most people in the state are familiar right!?)....my reflex reply "Oh great, I am from Birmingham, I know exactly where Leeds is" Then the confusion began...Did you drive up this morning!?

Hmm....so my post marital response when this question has been asked has always been. "I am from Birmingham, but I live in Montgomery."

AND MY SOAP BOX BEGINS

I am starting to think there might be some kind of expiration date on this answer?!?

But when asked, "I am from Montgomery" feels like a lie. I love Montgomery. I do. I am very happy living here, something I could not always say, but I am not from Montgomery. Those of you who know me well know that I am beyond loyal to what is mine. My boiling point is typically a result of challenging what I consider to be "mine". Arrogant yes, but what I consider to be mine typically, I am so loyal and partial to that I also consider it the best....for example try telling me that Homewood High School is not the best, the same applies to Alabama, and do not even touch Alpha Chi or my friends and family. I think it is just the way that I am. Needless to say, I also have this feeling towards Birmingham. Birmingham to me is the best because it is home home(different from one home). It is where my family is. It is where lots of our friends are. It is comfortable. Beautiful. Easy. Generation after generation. History. Memories. Roots.

Ok, so now I have to be really honest here. I have major issues with people (stereotype not individuals)who say, graduate college, get a job and buy a house and say, "I am from Birmingham".....umm...no, pretty sure you are not. Yes, you can find your way to Surin and At home, you know the backside of Crestline, the difference between English Village and Mountain Brook Village, and you may even live in Edgewood...but really!? Are you now from Birmingham?? Does a zip code automatically answer where you are from!? If some one moves to NY or LA to pursue a career in music or acting are they now from New York or California!? Confused.

So now, I am in a really tough spot. True "Montgomerians" should say "I am from Montgomery" with pride. Unfortunately, that is not what I have encountered from the majority here. People do not seem to take pride in what is "theirs" as I think they should. Sure, Montgomery has its flaws. It is very different from lots of places, but if it's home...it is home! Now, for the few like me who's ownership is tangled up in history and pride are sure to be offended by people like me. Montgomery is becoming more and more like home to me and my zip code is 36117...BUT who am I to priss down I-65 and now claim that I am from Montgomery!?!

So please oh please help me find the balance. I do have pride in Montgomery. I used to think my quick boiling point was just jealousy that I no longer live in Birmingham, now, not the case, but I just feel stumped. So how in the world do I answer this question without denying the place I now call home?

I need your help.... Maybe I read too much in to the question.

I am quickly approaching my 27th birthday. Officially my late twenties. I am not funny about age. I am okay with getting older. Birthdays should be celebrated whatever the number may be. In my few years I have already learned life and age is about perspective.

Growing up I thought at 27 life could possibly start getting a little boring... boring probably is not the word, not boring in that it isn't enjoyable, just boring in that I thought 27 year olds would have all the little "life details" figured out and would almost be shifting to some kind of cruise control to ease in to my thirties....and forties... Wrong. I am so encouraged by how my life is still evolving in so many areas.

Last weekend for some reason several places I went there was a reoccurring concept of being old. This is an idea I hardly associated with myself...but it is odd, there are a few things I have noticed all of a sudden....starting to wonder if it comes with the "late twenties"

1. Suddenly college students look young...even seniors...that is scary
2. Bridesmaids look like junior bridesmaids and couples getting married look so young it is almost silly
3. The kids in our youth group view us as actual chaperons...wow. when we started volunteering with the youth at our church I constantly told John that I bet the youth thought it was so cool and so much fun to have young chaperons instead of random "real adults" and parents....that lasted until we went to their senior dinner celebration and one of the seniors toasted to us saying she "never knew old people could be so fun"....ouch
4. John tutors high school kids in math and science. When he was taking on a new student one of the mom's asked him when he graduated high school...her response was "oh you are getting up there then"...yikes
5.This May makes FIVE years out of college...hmm...that means I have been out of college longer than I was in college..strange
6. My peers are now doctors, lawyers and dentists....who knew that kind of time passed!?

My favorite TV show would probably have to be "How I met your Mother". One of my favorite episodes was "I'm too old for this stuff..." (info from BuddyTv)

Neil Patrick Harris) tried to complete every task on the Murtaugh list, a list of the things Ted (Josh Radnor) feels the gang is too old to do (inspired by the Roger Murtaugh, a fictional character in the Lethal Weapon films whose famous catchphrase is “I’m getting’ too old for this s**t). Ted, on the other hand, wanted to prove Barney wrong by completing Barney’s “Old Men List” of the things he is too young to do.

Ted’s Murtaugh List:
1. Pulling an all-nighter
2. Get ear pierced
3. Hanging posters without frames
4. Crash on a friend's futon
5. Eating an entire pizza in one sitting
6. Do laundry at mom's house
7. Put off going to the doctor
8. Drinking shots with strangers
9. Leave an annoying two person message on your answering machine
10. Help someone move out of a sixth floor walkup in exchange for pizza and beer
11. Beer Bong
12. Going to a rave

Barney’s Old Men List:
1. Yell at neighborhood kids
2. Put on reading glasses
3. Eat supper at 4pm
4. Go to bed at 8pm
5. Get up at 4am
6. Take forever to answer the phone

Personally, I think all of us have some pretty good stuff to look forward to! The Old Man list is sadly pretty darn appealing...

A few other things I might add to my own "I'm too old for this stuff" list...
1. Rolling out of bed for a day of errands...this one just settled in recently. A hard one to swallow. It was normal to roll out of bed put on a hat, and maybe a little lip gloss and look ready to go. No more. Still do it? yes, but instead of looking like a fun college student foot loose and fancy free, I now look like a disheveled young adult who takes little pride in personal hygiene.
2. Marathon road trip weekends. While I enjoy the occasional "roadie" I have noticed that scooting to other cities is starting to take a lot more effort. I wouldn't bat an eye at jumping in the car and going to Birmingham and back within in a few hours, or to the beach at the drop of a hat...now it just makes me tired.
3. Having plans every night...it used to be you could almost fight embarrassment if you didn't really have plans for the weekend. Something was scheduled for every night of the week. Now, in my old age, I almost require what we call at our house a "down night" a night full of eating at home, laundry and tivo...sadly this is sometimes my favorite night of the week.

What would you add to the "I'm too old for this stuff" list?!

"Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh."

W.H. Auden "Notes on the Comic"

tagged by Shea
I tried to think of things that some of you, even my closest friends really may not know about me. You all know I fall asleep in movies and that the blond in my hair is a birthmark, and I completely understand if we can no longer be friends due to my little quirks!

1. I love getting haircuts! I mean I ABNORMALLY love getting my haircut. As soon as the appointment is scheduled I have a mental count down to the day, and really look forward to it. I love getting my hair washed, brushed, cut, and styled ALL by someone else. I think it also has something to do with instant change...haircuts always make you feel better...the only problem is when I get really stressed, I crave instant change... I think it is pretty safe to say I got pretty "stressed" in college because there were quite a few haircuts that didn't make me feel "better" but it really does grow back!

2. I have been a self proclaimed "dog un-liker" (not hater jur) for the majority of my life. I just did not understand the dog thing. Despite having dogs growing up I honestly could take or leave them. I remember saying out loud that I would NEVER have a dog in the house. Then I accidentally went to the humane society one spring morning and accidentally fell in love, and my life was changed forever! Now, I am not saying I love all dogs, but I get "it". Barley and I are best buddies and I love him alot. We have conversations, our routines and I miss him when we are away and find myself wondering what he is doing.

3. I currently drive my SECOND 16 year old car! I feel like very few people can say this...and even fewer under the age of 82. My Volvo turned 16 the year we got the green jeep. I told myself, if your car is old enough to get its license, then it is time for a new car. The dreaded air condition-less, radio-less, seat broken, squeaky squeally, stinky, run down red jeep turns 16 this year so I only can pray that something great (or just something with air conditioner) will roll in for its "Sweet 16"

4. I am weird about resolutions. If I make one that is it...it is gone. I have gone for a decade with out carbonation, years with out chocolate and french fries...but why!? because I am stubborn. No one cares if I have these things or will be devastated if I have a sip of coke, but it is something quirky about me. The ironic thing to me that I cannot cross this stubbornness over to diets, daily workouts or quiet times. Strange....In case any of you are concerned with my mental health french fries came back in to my life when someone brought me the wrong lunch at work. I was so frustrated only a french fry could fix it, and chocolate was reintroduced on my wedding day after six crazy long years away from me...and what a glorious day that was!

5. I love a project. I can not say that I am always in the mood for a project but when I am I AM. My favorite days are days that I can wake up, not shower, and get started working on something I am excited about. The problem is sometimes I do not finish my projects promptly (I understand Carrie, but I can't blame it on being left-handed and can't tuck them away in a closet!) I have walls, doors and trim that still need painting, tile that needs grouting and china cabinets that need finishing....

6. I have issues with the concept of "Favorite". I can handle favoriteS but I am really not a fan of declaring ONE thing my favorite in any category. Food..ONE food?!? season?!? I love all four! It has taken me twenty something years to say "green" when asked my favorite color, but in my head I am thinking...."but I love orange...and sometimes yellow is great..." I guess it is a commitment issue I should work on, but in my weird mind I think it is rude to the other songs I love if I say another one is the ACTUAL favorite. I really like to be able to change my mind....I guess I live a mood based life. Strange I know.

7. I have a weird imagination. If I am in a room I am rearranging furniture in my head or making things different colors or mentally knocking out walls. Outside of my own home there really is no purpose in this, but I find myself doing this lots of places. Another strange unintentional imagination game I play is about money. If someone wins money on a game show, or a billboard declares someones earnings, I find myself mentally spending that amount of money. It is a little worse than a what would you do.."give to the church, save some, help the poor..." I actually calculate real items I would like to have and see how much of "my imaginary earnings" I would have spent.

8. I went to The University of Alabama started in the College of Arts and Science and my major....was Pre-Med. You can laugh..I think it is funny too. I had just finished AP Chemistry and AP Physics in High School, and I had aspirations of becoming a pediatrician...maybe I just wanted a pink stethoscope and to marry a hot doctor, either way....four years later I graduated with a degree in Interior Design.

9. I REALLY love the tanning bed. It is the perfect, warm, 20 minute nap. I know it is terrible for me and that is why I have not gone since 2005, but if it was not a health hazard I would go all the time...I think this one falls under the instant change thing too..I am a recovering tanorexic....but I know I have a problem.

10. I am weird about meat. I am by no means a vegetarian, but I am very weird about cooking meat. I get really paranoid about the temperature, expiration date, how long should I have cooked it, if it was frozen is it okay...If I cook meat 99% of the time I can not eat it. What is strange is I am 100% okay in a restaurant or someones home...the only time that gets me is when I am the Chef! This quality hinders my desires to become a domestic goddess and has resulted in way too many macaroni and cheese nights.