Daddy's Girl

So, I know it's been awhile since I have posted. I lied in bed tonight trying to fall asleep. My mind began to race, and my Dad came to mind. Tears began to pour from my eyes. My father passed away almost 14 years ago from lung cancer. I spent so much time angry with him because of it. He chose to begin smoking at such a young age, and that meant I would spend my entire adult life without him. Now, 14 years later I'm not so angry. I'm just still very sad. I never really considered myself 100% Daddy's girl. In fact I spent my entire teenage years apart from him. My parent's spent so much time fighting, that it was necessary that they separate. My Dad of course was very protective and as a teenager was far from what I wanted. He traveled to many states, and even Greenland, with his job. It was fine with me because that meant he didn't have to know I was growing up. I did all of my growing up without him. Les was the only boy he ever met that I dated. I guess it makes perfect sense I married Les.
Now, I find myself crying over my childhood with my Dad. I honestly know he loved me with all of his heart. He lost a daughter many years before I was born. His oldest three boys felt I was the replacement and chose to not be part of our lives. It's ok though. I can't miss what I didn't know. I do believe early in life I was a Daddy's girl though. Since his first daughter was killed by a car that hit her, he took extra precautions with me. He went to work every morning after I went to school. He woke me up every morning, got me dressed, brushed my hair, and got me to school. I do remember those morning fondly. I also remember in pre-school I missed Mondays to spend the day with him. We went to the flea market, which resulted in a bunny on one trip, then to the feed store for cigar bubble gum, and then the rest of the day on his farm. I also remember the Daddy/Daughter dance with the Girl Scouts. I think other than graduation, it is the only event he attended with me. However, he attended it every year. As a teen, I hated the overprotective father he was, but know it was good intentions.
I still remember the day my Dad passed. I had a gut feeling I needed to go home. My Mom came to get me and bring me home. I know my Daddy was waiting for me. The next day my Dad entered the hospital and never came home. It was a very sad day, but also a day of relief. I watched my dad fight the evil disease of cancer for two years. I also learned a lot about my dad in those two years. He was at peace when he passed. He had many conversations with his daughter, mother and father. So, I know they were waiting for him on the other side. He was finally out of pain. He was also the Daddy I loved.
So, Daddy's girl? Maybe. The one thing I do know is that Shyanne is 100% his work in heaven. He knew she would  be here when I was little. He also knew the right time to convince God to give her to me. Not that I don't think he would love my boys, but he has wanted a Shyanne as long as I can remember. If he was still with me, she would be riding horses for sure and he would have forced her into a pile of cow manure, because a girl is not country until she has stepped in cow manure.

Do Know It Alls Really Know It All?

Admit it, everyone knows a "know it all". They are the ones that are doctors, nurses, teachers, poets, motivational coaches, personal trainers, and any other profession this world holds. No matter if you are 100% positive you have the correct information with proof to back it, they are always going to try and convince you that you are wrong. They can't ever let you just say "this day sucks". They have to reply with something to the effect of "this day is beautiful and what you make of it". Well, maybe events have happened to make the day suck. Why can't my day suck? I often want to ask them how many years of medical training they had to tell everyone proper diagnosis' and treatments. Maybe I'm just getting old and cranky and starting to notice it. Maybe one day I'll stop trying to be nice and actually challenge them. Who knows maybe one I'll try to be the know it all. Wonder how many people would still want to be around me if I was. I'm pretty sure not to many. I think one day the know it alls will wake up and realize their group of friends have decreased. But of course since they do know it all, it won't be their fault. Ok, I feel better now.

Good Product, Bad Product

I recently made a purchase that disappointed me extremely. My hair flat iron broke. It was a really good one. Since I needed to replace it without spending a lot of money I found the Revlon Multi Hair Style Iron. It was affordable and allowed different styles. Biggest waste of my money, in my opinion. I went to straighten my hair and it pulled every hair I had every time I ran it down. It also didn't not straighten well at all. So, I guess I look for my old one and just splurge.
Another product I found is a food item. It is great! I bought three different flavors of Quaker Quakes Rice Snacks. They are so good and I don't notice they are actually low cal. The caramel tastes just like Kracker Jacks. I also love the chocolate and the nacho cheese is a great alternative to chips.
So, I guess for every bad product I come across there is a good product to make up for it.

Media and American Culture

I've started my third set of classes. Of course being that one of them is a composition class, I almost dreaded starting them. I'm just not very excited about proper writing. I'm a freestyler! My second class is Media and American Culture. After I began looking over the material I decided I'm really excited about this class. Hey, any class that begins with discussing Facebook can't be all that bad. I've already answered two of my weekly questions and I'm anxiously awaiting others to begin to answer so that I have discussions to begin. I'm sure I will be asking friends their opinions when doing assignments since the internet era effects people differently. I find it very interesting what people think about the internet, social media, and technology.
I honestly put off school for a long time because I never expected to really enjoy it. Now, I'm wishing I would have started this earlier. I always thought of college as English, Math, History, you know all the basics. It does include all of those, but so much more. I'm so happy with the decision to go to school. It is going to feel really good July 2012 when I can say, "I am a Phoenix". Well, I guess I can say it now, but it will be great to say I am a graduated Phoenix. And it just crossed my mind that the phoenix was my high school mascot.

Ads: Love Them Or Hate Them

So, I know ads can be annoying. I personally don't mind them. They keep costs of goods low because more people are aware of items to purchase. They also keep businesses in business. I am a big member of Swagbucks. They paid for more than Christmas this year.  I searched the internet, visited their special offers, and I even signed up for a load of emails from companies. I get the emails and unsubscribe right away, but in the process received large amounts of Swagbucks. Yes, it is work, but nothing in life is truly free. Now after a lot of thought I decided to utilize the AdSense program with Blogspot. I need any extra funds I can get. I apologize to those of you that do not like ads, but if I can make money, then I'm adding ads. Please support any ads you find helpful. And if you haven't signed up for Swagbucks, consider it. I have a link on this page.

It's About More Than Just Kenny Chesney

Everyone that knows me is aware of how much I love Kenny Chesney. I think sometimes I may even appear to almost be at stalker status. Really I'm not though. It's about more than the fact that I think he's pretty hot. It's more about the opportunity for making memories. If anyone has been to a concert they know it is a really fun environment. There is a huge tailgate experience, often witnessing some pretty hilarious people. Each concert that I have attended comes with a memorable story. My first concert was at 18 with an old friend that I actually don't see anymore, but I still remember the experience with her. My second took place during a huge storm which I returned home with pneumonia. Not only did I get to spend this trip with two friends I knew well, but I also got the chance to get to know a new friend. Since that concert ended early, Kenny decided to return for another concert for free. That went much better, but came home sun burnt this time. My last concert was in Baton Rouge Louisiana. This was such a fun girls trip that produced some of the best memories. We will return there again this summer and are fortunate enough to add a number of girls to our memories.
Overall, Kenny Chesney is about great times with great friends. It doesn't hurt that he is good to look at too. :-)

Dance My Weight Off

At the beginning of 2010 I stood on a scale and cried because I weighed the most ever not being pregnant. I worked hard to lose 22 lbs. I felt good. I did good to keep it off until winter came around. I've now put almost half back on and it makes me very sad. I've used every excuse known as to why I put it back on, but when it comes down to it I just lost my drive. Not sure why, but it is time to quit making excuses. I know I can do it because I already have.
When it comes to exercising I have to make it fun or I just won't do it. I've tried all the DVD workouts, but just don't stick to them. I used the Wii the last time and found it successful. The frustration was the remotes though. Now we have a Kinect and I'm going to try the Dance Central game. I love to dance and think if I put this on hard, I can dance this weight off. I'm pumped up for it!

Best Friends Forever

So, I know I have blogged a lot about friends. Maybe it's getting a little old to some. I just find it so facinating. I really didn't have a lot of friends growing up. Of course as a young child I did, but as you grow older the number dwindles down. The doodles of BFF start to disappear. As a preteen I only recall about 4 or 5 good friends. As a teen, probably the same, but they were mostly guys. I didn't seem to mesh real well with the hormonal, drama filled girls. In fact I only recall two good girlfriends during High School. Now fast forward 15 years and I can not believe how many great girlfriends I have. I would never have dreamed of actually having girlfriends. Now that I have them, I can not imagine life without them. My best friend just spent a week away on vacation. I can not believe how much I missed her. I guess I even went into withdrawls to the point that I spent the last day and a half with her to make up for it. Last night an evening of games ended at 3:30 in the morning, and we could have gone longer. I guess that was to make up for the week apart. She knows me so well, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Now as an adult, I think every girl needs girlfriends. My life is so much better with them.