10 TyPes Of FriEndS & THinGs

I was recently talking to a few friends from High School on FB about how when we were teenagers we had different types of friends than we do today.
Today, I have the kind of friends that I go on double dates with, go shopping with (even dreaded bathing suit shopping trips!), have wine with whine nights, have dinner with in our PJ's, and are just REAL good friends. You ladies know who you are and I heart you all for being you....see you at wine night ;).

But today's blog is for my fellow thirty-something year old and teen readers, enjoy the walk down memory lane and see if you recognize someone from your life on this list. For my parent readers, knowing these types of kids can help you identify the kind of kids your child hangs out with. I have seen it in some elementary school students already!!!
1) Hanger-Oner
I had one of these in middle school. Remember the Hanger-Oner? That kid who just would not leave you alone. They dressed like you and showed up everywhere you went. I mean, they were nice, and you liked them, but it’s called
b-r-e-a-t-h-i-n-g r-o-o-m.
2) Frenemy
Maybe this is more of a girl thing than a guy thing, but there were definitely those people in High School who pretended to be your friend, and you pretended to like them, but in reality, you didn’t.
3) The I'm-Cooler-Than-You Friend
I had a few friends like this and I seriously wonder why. Although they were cool, smart, and funny they were always trying to impress everyone. Yes, we were friends, and I am grateful, but they always wanted people to live up to their expectations and coolness factor....whatever!
4) Make-Me-Feel-Good-About-Myself-Friend
Ahh, they are the best! In High School, and even now, everyone has to have a friend they can go to when they need to feel better about themselves. Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on every now and then or just a moment to vent or blow some steam with the safety of unspoken trust and non judgemental advice.
5) Wingman or Wingwoman
This is typically a best friend, which you of course can still have later in life. The person you always went on doubles, blind dates and to dances with because we always got along well and most importantly, had totally different taste in men.
6) Homework Friend
This does not have to be someone smarter than you (or a cheater-friend), this is someone who teens all have to go to when they need to make a study guide, plan a study session or as a homework problem. Those you talked to at least once a night on the phone, usually about only school related stuff but, still a good friend.
7) Secret Bitch/Secret Bully
Very similar to frenemies in that they are nice to you in person, but are different because they don’t want to be your friend, they just want to know you enough about you to stab you in the back. Unfortunately, we all know some of those!
9) Family Friend
This friend is who your parents want you to be best friends with because the parents are best friends or you are neighbors and it would just make it easier to carpool.
10) Used-to-be-elementary-school-friend-but-don’t-really-have-anything-in-common-anymore
Oh, these are awkward. You used to climb trees together, you had a Ya-Ya Sisterhood handshake and have really cute pictures of the two of you in a bathtub together, but it just isn’t the same anymore. They are a jock and you are a bandgeek, but you still say ‘hi’ in the halls and invite each other to your birthday parties. Mom and dad will forever be asking you, “how is your old friend ___, you used to be so close!”

We will continue to meet people all the time. Some people will become friends and some won't, and I can live with that. But hey, let Facebook and Myspace serve their purpose! Go find your old frenemy or wingman and invite them for drinks. I did and guess what?.......people really can change for the better =)

I'd Rather Be Scrapbooking

I just came back from a scrapbooking crop with Nikki, Sharon and Samantha. It was a lot of fun, we spent the day scrapbooking, socializing, and working on wonderful family memories. I came in with a heavy load of albums, stickers, and many many pictures wondering why I haven't bought myself a rolling tote!!. Part of the fun today was looking back on family pictures and remembering the days that I took those pictures. I enjoyed meeting a lot of new people and got some cute scrapbook ideas from everyone. I realized today, though, that there are many new scrapbook gadgets out there that I really want. My friends and I decided that we should crop at least once a month!!!
To avid scrappers the word crop is just common scrap lingo. However, when you announce in front of non-scrappers that you are going to a “crop” they look at you like you are nuts! So what exactly is a crop?
Crops have been compared to the quilting bees of the past. Quilting bees were a social outing for women to gather and work on their quilts. Scrapbookers may not be quilting with fabric but they are weaving their families memories into storybooks that will share their life with future generations.
Some people attend crops merely for the socialization while others go to complete as many scrapbook pages as possible. I got a lot of pages done and had a fun relaxing day with a great group of friends. No matter what your intent is, you will surely benefit from a fun gathering with like minded scrapbookers!

Rain, Rain...Go Away

Yesterday was a wonderfully beautiful day. The vibrant sunlight shone down on us all and we chatted in the late afternoon. I have some really good neighbors and it was nice to enjoy the sunny afternoon with them. Today however, is a different kind of day. The sky is gray and overcast and it rained on and off. Now I sit and hear, the wind whipping all around as the sunshine tries to peek out of the passing clouds.
The kids will be the most upset because they really wanted to go swimming today, they have been waiting for the pool to open for months. Today was going to be our first pool day, so we got the rain and despite the dreariness of the day and the nature of my personality today, I feel very thankful.
You know, not a day goes by that I don’t hear some awful thing on the news or shake my head at something I heard or see. Bad stuff seems to be happening all over the place and it’s enough to make an eternal optimist really sad.
Coming back to being thankful…
The way I see it, in the long run, I am thankful for my problems. Not that I love my problems but the grass is rarely greener on the other side. So on this rainy dreary day I think I will focus on how good this year has been for me and as the rain falls and the clouds mosey along, I will just be thankful!

Big Loser

YAY! Here I thought I would only lose a few pounds, but I have lost 17 lbs instead! I don't like to admit that but I can’t even begin to contain my happiness over this! I’ve been taking baby steps with this lifestyle change. My normal approach to things is that of “all or nothing”. Meaning, I overwhelm myself with every minute detail and stress over not doing things ‘perfectly’ the first time. However, now, I find myself taking slower steps and making smaller changes.
I like being held accountable for myself. I’m always so concerned about others and worried about everyone but me. It’s nice to worry about me for a change.

Eight is Great!

Naty may have our grown my lap, but she will never outgrow my heart.

My little girl turned 8-years-old today. I sit and think back to the day she was born. It was one of the best days in my life. I remember being so scared because she was born by c-section and I just wanted to make sure she was going to be okay. When I held her for the first time, i just cried and cried. I knew she would be a sweet girl. Growing up she was the girl who made friends everywhere she went. She would always take her big sister by the hand and tell her not to be shy, "let's go say hi to those girls over there" and a new friend was made.

Naty continues to be such a great little girl so full of life and compassion, always thinking of others. In school she collects her tickets for good behavior and uses them to have special lunch with her teacher or to read to the kindergarten classes, instead of trading them in for candy or homework pass.

I wanted to cut her hair for her birthday because it is getting soooo long. She usually is always up for a new do but when I went to cut it she said "wait! is it long enough to make a wig for someone?" She was referring to locks of love, my little sister donated her hair once to them and Naty remembered. I told her I wasn't sure and she said she didn't want to cut her hair until it was long enough to donate, so we will wait another month or so.
We ended her birthday out to dinner with family and watching tv in my bed, I cherish all these memories...they are going by too fast!

Happy Birthday Naty!