Your first time away from home.
Hmmm...don't know if the prompt is looking for sleepovers, sport camps, band camp, senior trip, but the first time I wasn't accountable to anyone besides myself was college.
I had some of the very best times of my life and some of the very worst times of my life during my first time away from home. College...you find yourself...kind of. But at the least you learn things about yourself.
I find great joy talking about some of the times shared with some of my forever friends. Dixie chicks, Panama City, Club 60, Offenhauer, Junction, Myles Pizza...your first time away from home is scary, but when you enter the next phase of your life it is equally scary...just like the book "The Places You'll Go"
"You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left."
Life doesn't come with a map...I'm directionally challenged so I probably would have been lost even if it did!! First time away from home...BG.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Jenni's Challenge Day 2
Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name
Public Look In
I have always liked to journal. I have journals and notes from high school, college I was more into scrapbooking but I do have one half ass journal that is funny to me, but a few years ago I started to journal again. I used blogger because it was the first site I clicked on. I would rant about my life and usually feel much better after I could read what I was upset about in black and white. I did not share the address with anyone, just used it when I wanted to vent.
When my dad was sick I shared a few posts and it was easier to write an update on my blog rather than telling everyone the SAME NOT FUN UPDATE over and over and quickly I had many people checking my blog often. Since I still like to rant about my life, I started a second blog that I use to post blogs that I don't mind sharing with the world. I continue to write on my first blog but have set it to private so that I can just write, not edit or worry about hurting feelings or whatever.
Public Look In is the title of this blog, that I share with the world, because the collections of writings here are a glance in at my life that I'm willing to share with the public. Bits and pieces of my messed up thoughts and ideas scribbled into short essays for people to read, relate to, debate, whatever...it's my space and I like it.
Public Look In
I have always liked to journal. I have journals and notes from high school, college I was more into scrapbooking but I do have one half ass journal that is funny to me, but a few years ago I started to journal again. I used blogger because it was the first site I clicked on. I would rant about my life and usually feel much better after I could read what I was upset about in black and white. I did not share the address with anyone, just used it when I wanted to vent.
When my dad was sick I shared a few posts and it was easier to write an update on my blog rather than telling everyone the SAME NOT FUN UPDATE over and over and quickly I had many people checking my blog often. Since I still like to rant about my life, I started a second blog that I use to post blogs that I don't mind sharing with the world. I continue to write on my first blog but have set it to private so that I can just write, not edit or worry about hurting feelings or whatever.
Public Look In is the title of this blog, that I share with the world, because the collections of writings here are a glance in at my life that I'm willing to share with the public. Bits and pieces of my messed up thoughts and ideas scribbled into short essays for people to read, relate to, debate, whatever...it's my space and I like it.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Jenni's Challenge...Day 1
Day 1: Introduce, recent picture of yourself, 15 interesting facts
If you want to join the 30 day blog challenge check out my friends blog here! If you don't have a blog, you can write a note on FB each day if you want to play!
Laura Leigh Runion Strong. Grew up in Woodville, Ohio. Went to BG and swore off living in Woodville forever. Got married, had three kids and will probably live in Woodville forever.
I am in the blue shirt with my favorite leaf earrings handmade by one of my friends:)
15 interesting facts...
1. I love the rockoplanes, elephant ears and the beer tent at the annual carnival... and I don't care if people think that's strange:)
2. Lily is my favorite flower and Lilly is the name of my first born child...yep, even when I try to hide my hippy-like roots I can't help it...daughter named after a flower...works well with the peace signs, leaf jewelry and other 70's things that are popular these days.
3. I LOVE to have parties...big, small and everything in between.
4. Growing up a rotating fan caught fire in my bedroom. My brother and I both slept through the fire alarm sounding in the hallway between us in the upstairs of our house. Luckily my mom heard it from the basement, woke us up and safely put out the fire. Camille uses the dresser with the burn mark on it.
5. I hate cancer, CF and MS...I love to raise money for charity.
6. I like to give presents, but hate shopping.
7. Often I wish I could build a time machine. The day I would go back to changes with my mood.
8. Being a caretaker for a dying loved one is both the hardest and most rewarding titles that can be used to describe me so far in life. I miss changing the sheets to my dad’s bed almost every time I enter the computer room.
9. I was voted the Most Valuable Soprano in HS choir...my kids fight over who gets to keep the trophy in their room. My choir teacher taught me life lessons at a young age...she continues to reinforce the lessons she taught me to this day and doesn't know she's doing it.
10. I follow quite a few blogs, but do not pay any attention to the news, politics or celebrity gossip.
11. I hate mating socks and cooking.
12. I like to scrapbook, but don't have time anymore due to children, work, life. I have a closet full of supplies that stares at me and yells like the toys in Toy Story to get them out! Someday, fun, cute, supplies, someday.
13. I usually blog when I'm in a sad mood...I'm not very good at happy posts.
14. My planner is color coded.
15. My children can make me smile on my worst days and cry on my best.
If you want to join the 30 day blog challenge check out my friends blog here! If you don't have a blog, you can write a note on FB each day if you want to play!
Laura Leigh Runion Strong. Grew up in Woodville, Ohio. Went to BG and swore off living in Woodville forever. Got married, had three kids and will probably live in Woodville forever.
15 interesting facts...
1. I love the rockoplanes, elephant ears and the beer tent at the annual carnival... and I don't care if people think that's strange:)
2. Lily is my favorite flower and Lilly is the name of my first born child...yep, even when I try to hide my hippy-like roots I can't help it...daughter named after a flower...works well with the peace signs, leaf jewelry and other 70's things that are popular these days.
3. I LOVE to have parties...big, small and everything in between.
4. Growing up a rotating fan caught fire in my bedroom. My brother and I both slept through the fire alarm sounding in the hallway between us in the upstairs of our house. Luckily my mom heard it from the basement, woke us up and safely put out the fire. Camille uses the dresser with the burn mark on it.
5. I hate cancer, CF and MS...I love to raise money for charity.
6. I like to give presents, but hate shopping.
7. Often I wish I could build a time machine. The day I would go back to changes with my mood.
8. Being a caretaker for a dying loved one is both the hardest and most rewarding titles that can be used to describe me so far in life. I miss changing the sheets to my dad’s bed almost every time I enter the computer room.
9. I was voted the Most Valuable Soprano in HS choir...my kids fight over who gets to keep the trophy in their room. My choir teacher taught me life lessons at a young age...she continues to reinforce the lessons she taught me to this day and doesn't know she's doing it.
10. I follow quite a few blogs, but do not pay any attention to the news, politics or celebrity gossip.
11. I hate mating socks and cooking.
12. I like to scrapbook, but don't have time anymore due to children, work, life. I have a closet full of supplies that stares at me and yells like the toys in Toy Story to get them out! Someday, fun, cute, supplies, someday.
13. I usually blog when I'm in a sad mood...I'm not very good at happy posts.
14. My planner is color coded.
15. My children can make me smile on my worst days and cry on my best.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Happy Father's Day
One of the reasons I haven't felt like writing is because my friends have pointed out that my posts are kind of depressing. I have re-read many of them and can't say that I disagree, but since it's my blog and I have admitted that it's my outlet, they're just going to have to live with it!! Tonight Lilly's softball game was cancelled so I voted for ice cream...ice cream from Pee Wee's makes anyone feel better, right? Since we were half way to Perrysburg I reminded Aaron that this weekend is Father's Day...his response, as expected, what are "we" as in what are "you" getting my dad?
My immediate response was, I don't know, I CAN'T (as in don't get to) buy a gift for my dad...didn't really think about what to get your dad. Not that Chris isn't a wonderful father to me, he is, I just really didn't want to think about the day at all! It's not like I used to make a big ordeal about Father's Day either. I would buy my dad a golf shirt and some golf balls and call it a day...but this year he can't really use a golf shirt or golf balls so I'm really not that enthusiastic about celebrating the day.
After our Mother's Day cookout all Aaron said he wanted for Father's Day was a day of nothing to do. Instead I will go to church, go to Lilly's softball game and he'll go to work...probably not exactly what he "wanted", but I'm not planning to have everyone over so that's a start! Honestly, I don't really want to think about the day at all and would prefer to think of it as just another Sunday. Not meaning to take away from Aaron or his Dad, but this year I'd rather it just be another Sunday.
Once I started looking at old pictures I can't help but to wish I was buying another dumb golf shirt that Jake would eventually "steal" from my dad. I can't help but to wish for one more Father's Day so that I could make it more special than a card, a letter or even sharing a cry in the hospital bed together. I can't help to wish for just one more hug, one more smile, one more grounding because I found fake ID's for Jake and Scottie to get into the club when they were in high school, one more I'm proud of you babe, one more.
I am sad that this is a "first" for Sara, Erin and Steven. I'm sad that it's a tenth for Grant. I'm sad that it doesn't make it any easier with any amount of years.
Still, my love love love blogger friend is having an angelversary only days after Father's Day. An anniversary date that I can't comprehend or find words to express my sadness for her and her boys and how I wish I could take just an ounce of her pain away. How once again I am humbled and grateful, even when she thinks she is only "existing" she is keeping Connor's legacy alive and proving that she is not only existing, but changing the world. I am grounded and forced to look at each day because of her strong and courageous words. I am once again forced to think of life in her terms, in words that she writes "If today was your last day, would the legacy you left behind be one your proud of? Have you made enough memories to last a lifetime? One day that's all that will be left of you is memories...make every moment count!" because she is inspiring
I can find comfort knowing that I will always be a Daddy's Girl and can think of the one million memories that he left me with. These are only a few of the ones that I cherish most. Make your days count.
The trip down Heaven Help me...from beginning to end.
The picture I gave to my dad the day before his first treatment..."Goodluck Pipi"
Thanksgiving 08
Thanksgiving 09
MOST of the Runions Thanksgiving 09
Mimi Pipi and Lillybug
Camille and Pipi
Keegan and Pipi
Even when he couldn't read to them, he tried.
Near the end of our roommate situation
One of the last good pictures...
Make your days count. Tell the people that are dear to you that you love them, that you appreciate them and the you don't want to imagine your life without them. Happy Father's Day Dad. I love you.
My immediate response was, I don't know, I CAN'T (as in don't get to) buy a gift for my dad...didn't really think about what to get your dad. Not that Chris isn't a wonderful father to me, he is, I just really didn't want to think about the day at all! It's not like I used to make a big ordeal about Father's Day either. I would buy my dad a golf shirt and some golf balls and call it a day...but this year he can't really use a golf shirt or golf balls so I'm really not that enthusiastic about celebrating the day.
After our Mother's Day cookout all Aaron said he wanted for Father's Day was a day of nothing to do. Instead I will go to church, go to Lilly's softball game and he'll go to work...probably not exactly what he "wanted", but I'm not planning to have everyone over so that's a start! Honestly, I don't really want to think about the day at all and would prefer to think of it as just another Sunday. Not meaning to take away from Aaron or his Dad, but this year I'd rather it just be another Sunday.
Once I started looking at old pictures I can't help but to wish I was buying another dumb golf shirt that Jake would eventually "steal" from my dad. I can't help but to wish for one more Father's Day so that I could make it more special than a card, a letter or even sharing a cry in the hospital bed together. I can't help to wish for just one more hug, one more smile, one more grounding because I found fake ID's for Jake and Scottie to get into the club when they were in high school, one more I'm proud of you babe, one more.
I am sad that this is a "first" for Sara, Erin and Steven. I'm sad that it's a tenth for Grant. I'm sad that it doesn't make it any easier with any amount of years.
Still, my love love love blogger friend is having an angelversary only days after Father's Day. An anniversary date that I can't comprehend or find words to express my sadness for her and her boys and how I wish I could take just an ounce of her pain away. How once again I am humbled and grateful, even when she thinks she is only "existing" she is keeping Connor's legacy alive and proving that she is not only existing, but changing the world. I am grounded and forced to look at each day because of her strong and courageous words. I am once again forced to think of life in her terms, in words that she writes "If today was your last day, would the legacy you left behind be one your proud of? Have you made enough memories to last a lifetime? One day that's all that will be left of you is memories...make every moment count!" because she is inspiring
I can find comfort knowing that I will always be a Daddy's Girl and can think of the one million memories that he left me with. These are only a few of the ones that I cherish most. Make your days count.
Make your days count. Tell the people that are dear to you that you love them, that you appreciate them and the you don't want to imagine your life without them. Happy Father's Day Dad. I love you.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Writers Block
The past couple weeks I have not felt like writing, I really don't want to today either, but I can't sleep, Aaron is working and I don't want to clean, so I looked at a writing prompt website. Number 40 was "Why I think friendships are important". I still don't want to force myself to think so I'm going to think of some of my friends and why they are important to me. Feel free to guess what your number is...I probably won't tell you if you're right, but you can guess anyways;) Most of these qualities/quirks we should try to offer our friends...a couple are just funny for a couple close friends;)
1. Can tell my mood by my posture, my appearance and my mannerisms...asks what's wrong before I speak.
2. Listens better than anyone I know and doesn't judge...ever.
3. Picks their nose and puts it under the seat of their car.
4. Puts on an act like she's a b (like someone else I know) but really isn't anything close to a b.
5. Came into my life at the exact second I needed her and I am thankful to have such an inspiring woman to learn from.
6. I have the most laughs when I am hanging out with her, it's like we're 15, but we don't care, we like it that way.
7. We don't have many complaints about our spouses, but we share one and we talk about it ALOT:) She keeps me sane.
8. Says it like it is and is more appreciated than he knows.
9. Unmatched father, friend, love, protector.
10. Favorite to talk to on my drive home, whether it's me complaining or them, we always end with I love you.
11. Cannot spell, but cracks me up with her honesty (and blondness):)
12. Annoyingly happy...makes some of our spouses question our relationships...throw up in mouth!
13. Finding herself, I think, well, I'm pretty sure actually and you can see the difference in her confidence:)
14. I don't know if we are considered friends, maybe just acquaintances, but I appreciate and can relate to her thoughts and ideas and want her to know it's ok to hope!
15. I appreciate her faith and wish we could do Bible study together.
16. So proud of her spiritual growth and desire to learn more.
17. Inspirational, best story teller ever.
18. Has more in common with me than anyone I know.
19. In order to have as much patience as them I would have to be heavily medicated.
20. Always has caring words of encouragement.
21. Says things other people are thinking, but would never say outloud.
22. Exciting when we get together...often trouble:)
23. Can't wait to give them a hug this week...survivor.
24. Beautiful, inside and out.
25. Genuinely wants to help, often misunderstood.
26. Likes to dance...like we used to when we were young, it's funny because I'm old:)
27. Blood sister, forever friend, talk for hours.
28. Had one of the craziest nights of my life with and I already miss them.
29. Exclusive for my accesories.
30. Thoughtful and crafty.
1. Can tell my mood by my posture, my appearance and my mannerisms...asks what's wrong before I speak.
2. Listens better than anyone I know and doesn't judge...ever.
3. Picks their nose and puts it under the seat of their car.
4. Puts on an act like she's a b (like someone else I know) but really isn't anything close to a b.
5. Came into my life at the exact second I needed her and I am thankful to have such an inspiring woman to learn from.
6. I have the most laughs when I am hanging out with her, it's like we're 15, but we don't care, we like it that way.
7. We don't have many complaints about our spouses, but we share one and we talk about it ALOT:) She keeps me sane.
8. Says it like it is and is more appreciated than he knows.
9. Unmatched father, friend, love, protector.
10. Favorite to talk to on my drive home, whether it's me complaining or them, we always end with I love you.
11. Cannot spell, but cracks me up with her honesty (and blondness):)
12. Annoyingly happy...makes some of our spouses question our relationships...throw up in mouth!
13. Finding herself, I think, well, I'm pretty sure actually and you can see the difference in her confidence:)
14. I don't know if we are considered friends, maybe just acquaintances, but I appreciate and can relate to her thoughts and ideas and want her to know it's ok to hope!
15. I appreciate her faith and wish we could do Bible study together.
16. So proud of her spiritual growth and desire to learn more.
17. Inspirational, best story teller ever.
18. Has more in common with me than anyone I know.
19. In order to have as much patience as them I would have to be heavily medicated.
20. Always has caring words of encouragement.
21. Says things other people are thinking, but would never say outloud.
22. Exciting when we get together...often trouble:)
23. Can't wait to give them a hug this week...survivor.
24. Beautiful, inside and out.
25. Genuinely wants to help, often misunderstood.
26. Likes to dance...like we used to when we were young, it's funny because I'm old:)
27. Blood sister, forever friend, talk for hours.
28. Had one of the craziest nights of my life with and I already miss them.
29. Exclusive for my accesories.
30. Thoughtful and crafty.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)