staring down my childhood

Yesterday was my second day in Colorado visiting my parents. One of the main purposes of my visit this summer is to go through my many belongings in storage and consolidate so that my mom and dad don’t have to drag my stuff with them when they move this year.

There’s something kind of a sadness digging through these boxes. Fortunately, I had Sarah around yesterday and she kept me laughing, reading diary entries aloud and drinking tea out of my extremely practical tea cups.

Sarah and I have been friends since 8th grade and sitting in my old bedroom, on bed sheets I bought in high school, reading old notes we passed each other, and finding trophies from summer camp and Avril Lavigne posters…it felt a little like time travel.

I don’t know why it’s painful exactly but it is. Sweet but ache-y.

Here are a few of my favorite things we uncovered. Things like my learner’s permit, my grandmother’s brooch, and one of my first love letters from Kyle…

What have you uncovered from your childhood?

love, elizabeth

we are travelers together

I spent the first half of yesterday in airports and on airplanes on my way to Colorado. I kind of love airports. There’s just something unspoken-ly great about a place designed totally the passing-through. The airport feels like a portal.

There’s something else I’ve inherited from my mom (besides her incredible good looks and sense of humor). The ability to talk to strangers.

Yesterday, I met Joe.


Joe is 80 years-old and a Korean War veteran who served on an aircraft carrier in the Navy for three years. While on board ship, he survived a typhoon but told me he only got seasick once. His wife was a professional exhibition and ballroom dancer who performed at famous supper clubs in the 1960’s (places like the exclusive Friars Club in New York City) and he tells me with great pride, that she was “the prettiest girl in town” and that they had danced together in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. “I’m not much of a partier anymore,” he laughs, “But I do love to ballroom dance.” Joe was a dance teacher, and later an EMT. One of his good friends wrote songs for country star Tammy Wynette. He has two daughters in California. And these days, he tries to keep doing new things. He’s learning how to play the piano and reading a biography on Charles Lindbergh. “I’m a jack of all trades and a master of none,” he tells me. When we get off the plane in Denver, I ask if I can take his picture and he says, “Sure.”

“I hope you have a good time with your family,” he tells me as I walk away.

“Safe travels,” I say.

“You’re a sweet girl.”

You never know who you’re traveling with…
Who’s the most interesting person you’ve met on a trip?

love, elizabeth

today I am not here

I am somewhere in the sky probably or sitting in an airport somewhere. I’m flying home to Colorado today to spend some time with my family. And don’t worry – as per usual, I will be documenting every eensy teensy moment of the trip! Expect some pictures from the most beautiful mountains in the world (although the fires are really bad this year so we’ll see if that limits travel in any way).

Since I’m traveling today, I asked if Sarah would write over here today. It struck me that I talk about Sarah pretty much all the time but I never really talk about how we met. So she said she would.

 

Once upon a time in middle school, there was a girl named Sarah who lived in Colorado, and there was another girl named Elizabeth who had just moved to Colorado. They were both in Awana and they both hated game time and they met when they were trying to make the other one go ahead of her in the kickball line. They spent the rest of the evening bonding over the fact that they had both loved Star Wars and had both read a book called The Courtship of Princess Leia. This made them nerds, but they didn't know it yet. (They know now, and they don't care.) And then they were in high school, and there was Drama, and then some more Drama, and it involved other people who are not as cool as Sarah or Elizabeth, and it was all very stupid and high school-ish (as one might expect of high schoolers), but they stayed friends. And then Elizabeth went to college like a grown-up, and they didn't see each other as much. Then Elizabeth got married, and Sarah was a bridesmaid, which was a pretty big deal. And there was Wedding Drama, because there's probably no such thing as a wedding without drama, but it was okay, because everything was beautiful. And then Sarah went to college like a grown-up and they were far away from each other and didn't talk very much. They saw each other on breaks and that was all. But they stayed friends. One summer, Sarah went to visit Elizabeth at college, and while she was there, she got a tattoo. It was a bonding moment. Then it was the summer after Sarah's junior year of college and she met Elizabeth at Barnes & Noble and that was the first time they talked about feminism. And that would become a Big Deal to Sarah later on, because the conversations they had that summer totally changed the way she looked at the world. And then Sarah graduated and was living in Colorado again, and Elizabeth moved away to Ohio, and it was sad. And then Sarah said, "you need to get on MSN messenger more often." And then they started chatting all the time. Pretty much like every single day. And then Sarah was like, "We should upgrade to Skype, so we can feel like people who are living in the 21st century." So after Sarah taught Elizabeth how Skype works, that's what they did. And they still talk every day. Literally. And every day they don't talk feels really, really weird, because they're best friends, and have been since that one night at church when Elizabeth said, "I read this book about Princess Leia, where she and Han get married. It's really good," and Sarah said, "oh yeah, I've read that too."

And then in the summer of 2012, Elizabeth told Sarah that she was going to be visiting Colorado at the end of June, and Sarah got really, really, really happy, and stayed that way for a long time. And then Elizabeth was like, "Sarah, can you write a guest post on my blog for the day I'm flying back to Colorado?"

And Sarah was like, "Okay, what should I write?"

And Elizabeth said, "Well, it could be your thoughts on airports or on coming home when you've been away for a long time or why Colorado is better than Ohio or why we're friends. Or whatever you want."

And Sarah said, "Okay. I'll write something good."

Here are my thoughts on airports: There is a feeling in airports that you don't get anywhere else. It's a feeling of connection. The people you see in airports past the security lines, when you're at the gates, those are people who have stories, just by virtue of being there. Airports are different planets (and I'm not just saying that because of how trippy DIA is with its freemason murals and demon horse statues and underground alien colonies). When you're at your gate in an airport, it's not weird to ask a stranger about their journey. Where are you going? Where have you been? What was it like? Was the food good? And when something goes wrong and your flight gets delayed because of weather there are automatically people around you who understand the exact feeling you are experiencing at that moment. I just want to get to where I need to be. And everyone is thinking that - I mean, everyone in the world is, everywhere, not just in airports. But in those moments you share it with a specific group. And after you've waited and waited and then they get up and tell you it's time to start boarding, the look on everyone's face at your gate is the same one of relief. Finally. Finally. Finally. We're going. We're moving. I'm on my way.

Here are my thoughts on coming home when you've been away for long time: This is a feeling I'm overwhelmingly familiar with, because I went to school in Texas. For a lot of the time I was there, I was miserable, and while I didn't cry my freshman year when my parents left me at the dorm, I cried a lot every single other time I had to say goodbye to them, even after I had a car and I would leave to drive away. I just missed them. And I don't consider this a failing of mine, I don't consider it pathetic. I consider it allowing myself to feel the way I really feel, to let myself be the person who was raised by those people and who loves them and knows they are loved by them and is grateful for it. To let myself be a little kid again, just for a while. I never want to lose that, and I never want to not be able to appreciate the feeling of coming home again. When I was on the plane flying home last Christmas, I couldn't stop smiling and I couldn't stop shaking and I couldn't not cry. Home is the place that makes you feel like that.

Here are my thoughts on Colorado being better than Ohio:

 

Here is why Elizabeth and I are friends: The first time I ever heard the term "kindred spirits" was when Elizabeth's mom told me that's how Elizabeth described me to her after we first met. I've never been able to think of her as anything less than that. Right now she is on a plane, and she is flying to Colorado, and I can't wait to see her. We're going to hang out and take pictures and do things and talk about everything and laugh, a lot. And after her visit is over, she'll fly back to Ohio, and then we'll go back to talking to each other on Skype every day. And we'll stay friends, and stay friends, and stay friends.

Want to spend more time with Sarah? Too bad. She’s mine. But I guess you can read her blog if you want. It’s called Sarahcastically. Go there.

love, elizabeth

Interview with Ashley from A Recipe for Sanity

 

What adventure can you not wait to have?

The first thing that comes to my mind is becoming a mom. Ever since I was a little kid, I knew that I was put on this earth to be an awesome mom someday. The key word there is "someday". I am in NO RUSH to have a baby, much to my mother's disappointment. It's just one of those upcoming adventures that I look forward to the most.

What makes you feel brave?

Knowing all that I've overcome so far in life. Whenever I'm scared about something, I try to think of where I've been and what I've managed to get through so far. It reminds me that I can get through any situation, and it makes me feel brave.

What one thing would you if you felt even braver?

I'd probably do something adventurous like jump out of a plane or go zip lining. Or sing karaoke. That scares

Name three books that changed your life.

The Diary of Anne Frank - I try to read this every single year. Ever since my mother gave the book to me as a kid, I've been inspired by Anne's courage, her compassion, and her love for writing. I aspire to be someone half as amazing as who Anne Frank was, and her journey will always affect my life.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli- I adore this book. Stargirl is one of the most unique characters I've ever met in literature. She is a teenage girl who is not afraid to be herself, and while at one point everyone loves her for who she is, eventually they turn on her for being so different. Through it all she is true to herself and embraces exactly what makes her so beautiful and unique. I'd encourage everyone to read it if you haven't yet.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold- This is such a sad book but it completely changed my view of heaven and of the afterlife. It's an amazing story about the grieving process and what it means to let go and move on of what once was. (You still need to read the book if you've only seen the movie!)

If you could pick three words to describe what you love about blogging, what would they be?

Creativity, self-expression, and connection.

Go be friends with Ashley over here.

So what makes YOU feel brave?

love, elizabeth

Girl Confessions

Alright, Sunday. I have a confession to make…I have been trying to write this blog post in my head since yesterday and stuff’s just not flowing like it should.

1. My to-do list keeps getting longer without ever getting shorter. This does not speak well of my productivity or motivation.

2. Never watch Mad Men when you’re trying to fall asleep. Last night I dreamt about an ad campaign that combined perfume and eating by the pool that Betty Draper was somehow running. And then I turned into Betty Draper. Yeesh.

3. I’m nervous to be going home. I haven’t been back to Colorado since we moved out here and I am anxious about it. I’m nervous to see people. I want them to be proud of me, to think I’ve done well, that I haven’t let myself go or changed too much or not enough. I don’t know. It’s freaking me out a little.

4. I’m on a quest to like my hair again and trying really hard not to just be sad every time I look at how short it is. So I’m experimenting to find something to love about this haircut. Any tips?

5. I really need to be reading faster. My candidacy exam is going to be here faster than I can possibly imagine and I am so not ready.

6. My neighbor Melissa is moving to South Carolina in a few weeks and I am so freaking sad about that. I am reallyreallyreally going to miss her.

Also, she would be super mad if she knew I posted this picture. So…Melissa…if you’re reading this…hi.

7. I’ve had less desire to blog this month than normal. Maybe it’s the lack of stress I suddenly feel. Maybe it’s the lack of structure in my summer days. Maybe I’m feeling reluctant to be vulnerable lately. I’m looking for my spark. Maybe I’ll find it in Colorado somewhere.

So what’s your girl confession this week?

love, elizabeth

how to pack a carry-on

Some of you might remember over spring break when I blogged about how to pack a suitcase. I had so much fun, I thought I’d try documenting my attempt to pack an airline carry-on for my upcoming trip to Colorado.

1. Wallet, thrifted.

2. TSA approved 1 quart zip bag with Pacifica Sandalwood solid perfume, calming lavender scent inhaler, Burt’s Bee’s lip balm, tinted lip gloss in coral and lipstick in temptress by Cover Girl, Panda Pear anti-bacterial hand gel and Wild Berry Tulips hand lotion from Bath & Body Works.

3. A lady can never be too prepared.

4. Paper tissues.

5. Asthma inhalers. (I might have forgotten this but Kyle reminded me that the High Park Fire is still going strong and the air quality in Loveland isn’t the greatest right now.)

6. Raspberry Emergen-C packet.

7. Pens.

8. My journal.

9. Travel book-light.

10. Cell phone.

11. Wintergreen chewing gum.

12. Eyeglasses case.

13. Sunglasses.

14. Unsuitable for Ladies: an anthology of women travelers by Jane Robinson. I just started this one but so far it’s wonderful.

Not pictured: travel-size contact solution and extra case. Camera (she’s shy).

So what am I missing? What is your indispensable travel purse item?

love, elizabeth

Knick-Knack Paddy Whack

I can’t remember the last time we bought furniture. Pretty much everything in our apartment (with the exception of our couch and armchair) is secondhand. I’m a big proponent of dumpster-diving and also of having friends with great taste. So when our friends Andy and Chelsea agreed to trade our antique croquet set for this adorable shelf…this happened.

Originally, it was made to hold CDs but since the blistering dawn of the iPod, our albums have mostly been relegated to a storage closet. So instead I decided to fill it with all the little curios I have hoarded for the past seven years.

1. Brass alarm clock that belonged to my mother in high school.

2. Beach Grass candle from Bath & Body Works. (You’d think they were paying me to talk about them this much.)

3. Crooked blue vase from Rainbow’s End, the local thrift store where Kyle and I went to college.

4. Wind-up toy bird from my parents’ house.

5. Painted owl I found in a box that had belonged to my mother as a teenager.

6. Miniature working slot machine (and pencil sharpener) that Kyle found in high school.

7. Hand-blown glass piano and bench from Silverton, Colorado.

8. Painted wooden cat wearing a dress. I found her in a box of things headed for a garage sale and saved her.

9. Russian nesting dolls from my mom.

10. and 15. Ceramic salt and pepper bowls from Paulova. Sarah gave them to me for my birthday last year.

11. Red elephant from Emily. Elephants with their trunks pointing up are good luck.

12. Myrtle Beach snow globe from the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove.

13. Beatles trading cards passed down from my Aunt Joanne.

14. Painted floral vase from Beth.

16. Wooden trolley car from our trip to San Francisco.

17. A jar of pens. Yes.

18. Medicine balls from my parents.

19. An elephant from Kyle.

20. Hand-painted dish from South Korea.

21. Clay pot my mother made in school, circa 1962.

22. Sea shell from somewhere in the Carolinas.

23. The rubber chicken my friend Em and her mom hung from the rearview mirror of our car on our wedding day.

24. A final elephant.

How do you display your favorite knick-knacks? Are you a knick-knacks kind of person?

love, elizabeth

kyle is my calm

I was distracted. I was stressed. I was exhausted. So I wasn’t paying attention to the drinking glass teetering precariously close to the edge of the counter until…it totally fell and smashed dramatically into a thousand tiny dramatic pieces all over the kitchen floor.

Before I could cry or scream or react, there was Kyle on his hands and knees beside me, gingerly picking up shards of glass and telling me not to move until he’d swept. And watching him…I was just hit by this overwhelming sense of calm. I held the dustpan for him and all I could think was, “Oh, yeah. I forgot we’re a team. I forgot that when stuff breaks, we deal with it. Together.” And remembering that was like taking in a big, clean breath after not breathing for a long time. I don’t have to figure everything out alone. I always wonder why the stereotype of manliness is in enormous outward displays of strength and bravado. For me, there is just nothing sexier or more manly than watching my husband clean the kitchen floor or check the soles of my feet for broken glass. Thank you, God, for Kyle.

Where are you finding your calm this week?

love, elizabeth

that time i got my nose pierced

Make that the third time I got my nose pierced. That’s right. I’ve done this before. I’m a nose-piercing veteran. The first time I kept it in for about 8 months. The second time for about 2 years. And here we are again. My nose is just destined to have holes poked in it.

My friend (and neighbor) Melissa and I went to Piercology which is one of the snazziest piercing parlors I’ve visited. The staff was awesome and I highly recommend them to any Columbus readers.

Melissa is way tougher and less squeamish than me, being a veterinarian and all, so she totally let me hold her hand when they put the needle through. That’s what friends do, yo.

Incidentally, this is also the first picture of my recent haircut. True story, the stylist did not even ask. She just started hacking it off. It’s a lot shorter than I wanted but like my mom said, hair has a funny way of growing back.

I have been super lame about blogging this last week but am focused again and back to blogging with a capital B.

How was your Monday??

love, elizabeth

lessons from my father

If this list is short, it’s because I was dangerously close to crying. Some stuff my dad has taught me.

1. If one solution doesn’t solve the problem, try another.

2. Real men cry.

3. Reading out loud is an art form.

4. You can learn how to do anything. Just read the manual.

5. Do things the right way even if no one else will ever know the difference.

6. Sing in the church pew like you’re singing in the choir. Offer your best even if only God and your daughter can hear you.

7. Sometimes the most important thing to do in an argument is listen.

8. Attending church isn’t just a priority; it’s an occasion.

9. Following God’s plan for your life might mean joining the Navy or going to the mission field or working in an office building in Colorado, but following God’s plan will always bring contentment.

10. Education is meant to uplift, not to patronize or condescend or look down on others.

I love you so much, Dad. Happy Father’s Day!

What about you? What lessons have you learned from your dad?

love, elizabeth

Side-Splitting

A few nights ago, Kyle and I were driving home when he made a joke and I proceeded to laugh.

I kind of dislike my laugh. Not my regular haha-that’s-sort-of-funny laugh or my heheh-laughing-to-be-polite laugh but the long, drawn-out old man wheeze that comes out of me when I think something is really, really funny.

“I love your laugh,” Kyle said.

“I don’t,” I said. “I sound like a hundred-year-old man!”

And Kyle made a mistake.

He laughed.

And so then I laughed.

And then he laughed because I was laughing.

And so of course…I laughed again.

“Stop—gasp—I can’t—“

“Can’t-breathe—wheeze—stop it, Kyle—wheeze…”

“Shut up! Ow! Haha, stop it!”

“It hurts! It really hurts—wheeze—“

“Elizabeth, cut it out! Ow, ow, owie!”

“I’m going to die—wheeze—help me—ow—“

“AAAAAAAAAAAA NO MORE NO MORE—gasp—I CAN’T—gasp—TAKE IT…”

We actually had to pull over on the side of the road because Kyle couldn’t even drive the car, he was laughing so hard.

I can’t remember the last time I felt so good.

love, elizabeth

The most romantic PB&J you ever did see

Whenever I’m tempted to wish for a different life – one with more world travel and fast-paced goings on, Kyle reminds me that it’s the little things that make your heart race and the little things that make you fall in love, all over again.



What little thing made you feel alive today?

love, elizabeth

Girl Confessions

Haven't done one of these in a couple weeks. Thought it was high time.

1. I was listening to an old mix tape in the car today and heard this. I forgot how epically awesome this song is. And how epically awesome Gwen Stefani was in No Doubt.



2. Had to have blood drawn this morning and I was kind of a baby about it. I hid it well (thank you, theatre degree) but it hurt more than I remembered it hurting last time. Is it possible I am getting less hard-core in my middle twenties?

3. Major girl confession: I just sucked it up and scheduled my annual exam with a brand new OBGYN. I have been putting this off for a few months because who seriously enjoys THAT visit? But my previous doctor was really terrible and I needed to go see someone new. I was a little nervous but then I remembered I'm a strong, grown woman and I can totally handle this. Right? Right. Girls, if you're not getting regualr pelvic and breast exams, just do it. Nothing more important than your health! Dudes, you need to go to the doctor, too.

3. I am now unashamedly addicted to America's Got Talent. I can't decide who I love more...Nick Cannon as host, the host of weirdos who think they can win a million dollars and a Las Vegas show, or the host of weirdos who totally CAN.  I have never seen more unusual and creative work. It's such a fantastic show and reminds me why I'm writing my dissertation on popular entertainment. Check out one of my favorite acts from this last week. This kid is so charming and polite. And what a VOICE.


4. I read a romance novel this weekend. There. I said it. And it may or may not have been about a Navy Seal who  has to be a bodyguard for a woman on the run.  And because she's special and different, she totally melts his bad-guy-snipering heart and there is passionate kissing  and he's all "you don't understand, I'm a KILLER, BELLA!" and she's all "I don't care! Drink my blood!" Whoops. Wrong book.  It was no 50 Shades of Grey but you know...what is? (disclaimer: this is not a recommendation)

5. I've been terrible about keeping up with blogs but expect to see much more of me now that I'm officially on summer hours!

Alright, lay it on me. What's your girl confession today?

love, elizabeth

PS: Have you voted in the sidebar yet? Help me decide which charity should receive the June sponsorship proceeds!

Help Me Decide!

Part of my decision to offer paid sponsorship opportunities on Love is the Adventure was to have a chance to not only make a difference for the growth of other bloggers, but as a potential way of giving back to communities. So here’s where you can help me…
100% of sponsorship proceeds for the month of June will be going to a non-profit. But I can’t decide which one!
Here are the choices:
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network)
Their mission statement:

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization and was named one of "America's 100 Best Charities" by Worth magazine. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,100 local rape crisis centers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.

Safe Horizon
Their mission statement:

Safe Horizon is the nation’s leading victim assistance organization and touches the lives of more than 250,000 affected by crime and abuse each year. Whether we are responding to child abuse, domestic violence, or other violent crimes, we help victims and their families heal and rebuild their lives.

Safe Horizon takes action by providing practical services like a new lock, 24-hour hotlines, safe shelter, and food as well as supportive services like mental health counseling. Our dedicated staff offers compassionate, expert support, helping victims find hope by offering a chance to tell their story in their own words, a guide through the criminal justice system, and a safe place to sleep.

Our services are models for programs across the country and around the world, and our staff provides critical technical assistance, education and training to service providers, government organizations, corporations and the media worldwide. Our experience for over a quarter of a century gives us a credible voice for leading change in systems, policies, and legislation. We are recognized as national leaders and are sought out as experts on violence and victimization.

Safe Horizon also raises awareness of issues of violence and abuse, and its impact on the home, the workplace, and communities. Through speaking engagements, media and online outreach, integrated public awareness campaigns, and distribution of public service materials, Safe Horizon reaches millions of people each year, educating the public and inspiring them to take action to help move victims of violence from crisis to confidence.

 

Childhelp
Their mission statement:

Childhelp is a non-profit organization whose mission is to meet the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children. Childhelp is not affiliated with Child Protective Services, any governmental agency, political party, religious denomination, or any other entity, organization or institution. Although Childhelp promotes the right of children to be free from abuse and neglect, we do not endorse or oppose any political or legislative action, or affiliate with any outside organization. Our primary purpose is to focus our efforts on advocacy, prevention, treatment and community outreach.

To vote, scroll over to the sidebar on the right and choose which organization should receive a donation from Love is the Adventure this month!
Want to sponsor for the next 30 days and have your sponsor fee apply towards one of these charities? Click here to find out how.
love, elizabeth

Link-Up: Cool. Not Cool. Undecided.

Heeeeeeeeey, Saturday people! I’m linking up with Janette over at Janette the Jongleur today. If you haven’t visited her blog yet, you really need to. She’s an extra great brand of awesome.

Cool.

The mix tape I had made the summer Kyle and I got married. I re-discovered it in my car this morning and proceeded to rock out to Panic! at the Disco (back when they still had the classy mid-title exclamation point) like it was 2006 all over again.

Our new neighbor! I just met her when she was unloading the U-Haul and found out she’s getting her PhD from the same university as I am. O-H. Go Bucks.

Not Cool.

How messy our apartment is. I JUST cleaned. Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy….

Sleeping through my alarm which I did twice this week.

People eating people and sending parts of them in the mail. Just saying.

Undecided.

The weird in-between feeling I’m having. I don’t have a job this summer so technically all I have to do is read the 245 books on my candidacy exam list. I’m really going to have to impose some structure on myself or this is going to be a wasted summer.

The amount of time I’ll be spending in Colorado. Too much or too little? I’m incredibly homesick so I feel like more time is better…but I know I’m going to miss Kyle horribly. In fact, this is the longest we will have been apart since we got married six years ago.

Thanks, Janette, for the link-up and the inspiration today! If you want to link-up, go here!

love, elizabeth

the most important moment of your life is this one right now

I never cease to amaze myself with my COMPLETE INABILITY to just exist in the space I am right now. I just had an incredibly productive week, completed the last of my PhD coursework, blogged consistently, spent time with people I love doing things I enjoy, and still...here I am...Friday, cursing myself for not doing more, not being more. I am so consumed with list-making and calendar-writing and planning the future, I am missing out on loving this moment here in the right now.



I guess, ultimately, that's why I blog. It feels like a way of being in the moment.

So here I am. Trying to be more by being here.

How are you today?

love, elizabeth

I Don’t Care That You Don’t Care

Alright, time for another serious relationship question. Kyle and I had this talk in the car the other day. Am I the only one who gets SUPER ANNOYED when their spouse or partner says, “I don’t care”?

“What do you want for dinner?”

“I don’t care.”

“Do you want to go see that movie?”

“I don’t care.”

“Which kind of laundry detergent should I buy?”

“I don’t care.”

And yes, I realize that about 93% of the time you say, “I don’t care,” you actually mean that you don’t care.

Here’s the thing. I DON’T CARE!!! I don’t care that you don’t care. You need to care. I want you to care. When you say you don’t care, I don’t hear “Gee, honey, I don’t really have an opinion either way so since this decision is more important to you, why don’t you go ahead and choose?” I hear, “The outcome of this decision is not worth the effort it takes to land on one side of the fence or the other and so therefore, I abstain from caring.”

And quickly, let’s address the other 7% of the time when you actually do care but tell me you don’t. That’s my move, by the way. I never don’t care. So when you fake don’t care, I can totally tell. This brand of not caring usually comes in the middle of a fight (it doesn’t matter who’s winning). This kind of not-caring is also super hurtful because I know you know that I want you to care.

In conclusion, please care. I care. I want you to care. And if you don’t, if you really, really don’t, if you have to fake it…fake it. If I say, “Do you like the teal or red cardigan better?”, just. freaking. pick. one. (Yes, I know that you know that I know I’m going to pick the one you didn’t. It’s part of my process! Go with it.)

CARING IS SHARING. HAVE YOU LEARNED NOTHING FROM THE CARE STARE??

Alright, thoughts? Does this happen at your house?

love, elizabeth

Tea Party

It’s finals week and that means much caffeine and little sleep (and a whole lot of teeth grinding – my jaw has been popping all day from the stress). But God gives us solace in the little, quiet spaces between things. And this was mine today.

What about you? Had a little moment of solace this week?

love, elizabeth

My Indispensable Summer Beauty Products

I’m not a huge believer in “the indispensable.” I’m pretty sure I could live with very little (and certainly way, way less than I have) if I had to. But in these humid Ohio summers, there are a few beauty products I’m totally thankful for.*

1. Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner.

I’ve talked about this stuff before. Sarah introduced it to me and now I can’t stop raving. It smells great and my skin is soooooooo happy. Since I’ve pretty much sent my foundation packing, this toner has been my best friend.

2. John Frieda’s Frizz-Ease Curl Perfecting Spray.

If you like my hair in this picture, you might also enjoy this fine hair product. It’s kind of a miracle for a girl with wavy, frizzy hair (emphasis on the frizz) like me. If you don’t like my hair, then you might still enjoy this John Frieda concoction. I don’t know. I’m not omniscient.

3. Intuition Plus Razor by Schick.

This is totally my beauty splurge. I realize that we all define “splurge” differently but since the replacement blades for this razor are kind of on the expensive side of the drug store (they actually lock them up now), they’re a splurge in my book. And um…totally worth it. Since I’ve switched from the old-fashioned razor and shaving cream combo, I have completely eliminated razor burn and the 25 minutes of shower time it used to take to achieve it.

4. Women’s One multi-vitamin from Rainbow Light.

A bajillion thanks to Kate for introducing me to the Rainbow Light line of supplements. I have a sensitive stomach when it comes to vitamins but these are whole-food (rather than synthetic) and I can totally take one of these on an empty stomach, no problem. I realize that not everyone is a vitamin person but I’ve noticed a difference in my complexion and energy levels so…I guess I’m a vitamin person.

*This is a totally sponsor-free ad. That’s right. I am just THAT in love with these products.

Alright, share with me. What is on your “indispensable” summer list?

love, elizabeth

PS: Did you get a chance to meet these bloggers? They’re awesome.

Women to Know

Time to meet our wonderful June sponsors!

Ashley at A Recipe for Sanity is my long-time blogging pal and has one of the warmest, most sincere blogs on the web. Ashley writes a lot about positive body image and self-care like in this post and this post. She and her partner Rob also have a fantastic love story. AND even though she’s a busy graduate student working on her degree in counseling, Ashley finds time to cook delicious food and share her recipes on the blog like this one for tostones! You will love her. I promise.

In my totally biased opinion, Sarah over at Sarahcastically is one of the funniest writers in the history of the interwebs. So take that for what it’s worth (a lot). Sarah writes lots of stuff like Captain America, Girl Posts About Girl Things That Girls Like According to Other Girls,  Ice Skating Tips from a One Day Veteran, and The Awkward Revolution: You’re Using This Word Wrong. Want to laugh really hard or think really hard or geek out over hockey and comics and Dr. Who? You need to go be friends with Sarah.

Amy’s blog Delightful Witticisms is new this year and I’m already loving it! Amy writes the way I think she lives –with vigor and vim. That’s right, I just used the word ‘vim’ in a sentence. Amy will be so proud of me. She’s an avid reader and writes hilarious book reviews. She does an awesome feature called Wednesdays are for Writing that is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Be sure to check out some of Amy’s great posts like From One Princess to Another and I Did An Adult Thing and be sure to say hi! You’ll be really glad you did.

Courtney at Baxtron {Life} is one of my blogging inspirations. This girl is a social media genius and has taught me so much about networking and connecting with other bloggers! Not only is she a superstar blogger, Courtney is also a hard-working mom and has so much cool stuff to share about that. I especially love her Unscripted posts where she goes deep and really shares her heart with her readers. She recently shared some of her summer reading list on the blog and I’m considering adding to my own. And as a wife, I can so relate to her posts about marriage like this one or this one.

So don’t spend another second here! Go visit these blogs and say hello!

love, elizabeth

Anniversary Picnic

If you didn’t catch the last post full of pictures, today is our sixth wedding anniversary! Kyle has to work today so we’d been racking our brains for a unique and romantic way to spend our morning together. So while Kyle was sleeping, I snuck out to the kitchen and made a big pancake breakfast to pack up in a picnic for the Park of Roses. The park is probably one of our favorite spots in Columbus and June is the month when the hundreds and hundreds of roses finally BLOOM…

Thought you all might like to see some pictures from our picnic breakfast.

love, elizabeth

A Wedding Six Years Ago

I’ve been staring at these pictures this week and carrying them around in my purse. Every time I look through the album, I feel like it’s still my wedding day. I can’t even believe it’s been six years. In honor of the day, I thought I’d share some photos. These were all taken by Jennifer and Rich at Candy Apple Photography. If you live in the Colorado area and are in the market for a photographer, I can’t recommend them enough.

Dad and I before the ceremony

Mama and me pinky-swearing we won’t cry…totally broke THAT promise.

Our vows…

A private moment after the ceremony. More than any picture, this one makes me feel like I’m there.

We got married in downtown Denver in an old converted warehouse/art gallery called the Walnut Foundry. Sadly, it’s no longer a public venue but we were so glad to have it at the time.

If we ever start a band, this will be the cover art for our first album.

I may or may not have accidentally bit Kyle’s finger about five seconds before this picture was taken. Oops?

Dirty Dancing 3: Hot Denver Nights.

Our last dance of the night to this song. Sarah picked it out.

Happy 6th Anniversary, Kyle Surname. I love you at least six times as much as I did then (which is a gosh darn awful lot, in case you were wondering). I think our 7th year is going to be the best one yet.

love, elizabeth