November Recap

Let's just take a moment to recap the month of November, shall we?  In no particular order...

1. Sold my wedding rings.

2. Got my name changed back.

3. Got a new roommate, whom I adore.

4. Had a great cake month.

5. Bought J. Klaus

6. I did my Trash The Dress photo shoot.

7. Thanksgiving with my family.

8. I got all my Christmas shopping done early.

9. I signed off on my house.

10. I turned 25.

Overall, I've had the most amazing month of my life.  Here are some pics to document it all <3 <3

Me & Joolia at Loree's Little Shack

Zach & Manuel (Bean) - These boys and I go back 5 years already!

My Brown Sugar. My Main Squeeze. <3

Cassie & Jason

The lovely Bpicks and myself

Hayley & Hilary!

Me & one of my beautiful brides, Christina <3

Me & Cass before The Park

Ashley & Kallie kisses are the best.

No one buys the "cow" because I give the milk away for free.

Emily, gorgeous as ever!

And Vicky.  My friend of over 20 years.  <3 you girl!!!


Thank you so much to everyone who came out and celebrated my birthday with me.  You all mean the world to me, and I can't fully express my gratitude.  I'm happy to know each and every one of you.

Now...I wonder what December has in store for me...

High School is Over

Do you ever want to just grab some people by the shoulders and scream,

 "WHAT DID I EVER DO TO YOU?!"  

It's come to my attention that there are some people who just really don't like me. But they have zero reason to not like me.  They've even blocked me on Facebook for no reason.  They probably don't have any reason TO like me either, but whose fault is that?  There are plenty of you who remember me as a huge bitch or someone who had a whoooooole lot of attitude in high school.  Well, here's the kicker.....

HIGH SCHOOL IS OVER.

If we were all the same now as we were in high school, the world be a sad, sad place.  We've all grown up.  So why are some of you so set on your opinions of me, or anyone else, from 8 years ago?  There are some of us who have married each other, and some who have had kids together, and some couples have formed that would have once deemed the most unlikely pairs EVER.  But that's what happens when you give people a second chance.  That's what happens when people grow up and become adults.  That's what happens when you stop bullying me and give me a chance to be normal without always feeling like I have to defend myself.  

Challenge: 
Befriend someone from your past that you normally would have never been friends with.  You really might be surprised at who has changed, and who you're insanely compatible with.  Don't be so close-minded.  And stop being mean to people based on what you used to know about them.  

You never know who might turn out to be the doctor who saves your life, the policeman who pulls you over, the nerd-turned-porn star in your favorite "movie," your kid's teacher, or your server at a restaurant.  Rule #1 of eating in restaurants: don't f*** with people who handle your food, right?  Make amends, be nice, stay humble, and kiss your favorite sushi chef.  Just because.

"Someday, I'll be livin' in a big ol' city. And all you're ever gonna be is mean."

Kiss a Veteran

In honor of Veteran's Day, I want to take a minute to thank all of the military members, past, present and future, for their dedication to this country.  A few special people for me are:

My dad, Joe Siegfried, Air Force
James G. Brady, Uncle, Army, Purple Heart, killed in Vietnam <3

Rick Waldron, Uncle, Marines

RJ Waldron, Cousin, Navy

Tim Waldron, Cousin, Marines

Gerry Rose, Great Uncle, Navy

Valentin Bakalor, "Brother," Marines

Will Coukoulis, Friend, Navy

Kevin Murphy, Friend, Army

Francisco Valencia, Friend, Army

Jason Porter, Friend, Marines

Kelvin "Kutter" Powell, Friend, Navy

Jesse Ferguson, Friend, Marines

Kevin Naturale, Friend, Army

Adam Luber, Friend, Air Force

Daniel Crozier, Friend, Air Force

Amina Smartt, Friend, Army

Anthony Stewart, Friend, Air Force

Brian Sherrill, Friend, Army

David Martin, Friend, Army

Jessica Harris, Friend, Marines

Jon Polante, Friend, Army

Justin Cole, Friend, Navy

Mark Conley, Friend, Army

Michael Conklin, Friend, US Coast Guard

Leah Killingsworth, Friend, US Coast Guard

Tommy Huynh, Friend, Marines
Randall Small, Friend, Marines

I'm SURE I missed a bunch of people, but please know that I appreciate every one of you. Take a minute today to thank someone in the military.  Give them a smooch :-)

11/11/11

Chivalry is Back!!

Well, what do you know?!  Chivalry is NOT dead!!

I've seen a growing trend in gentlemanly activity recently, and I feel the need to take a moment to give credit where credit is due.  Last night there were an overwhelming number of men holding doors for people, pulling out chairs for women, and paying for drinks.  I'm sure some of you are thinking, "Well, duh. They're trying to get laid."  This really went beyond that though.  They were engaging in genuine conversation, showing real interest.  It was amazing.

For years I've thought that guys are all jerks and only after one thing.  Honestly, some of them still are.  But lately, I've noticed a significant change in the way men are treating women.  They're actually trying to "court" their love interests instead of going for the easy girls.  They're looking for something real.  Sorry to bust you out, guys, but you all seem to have a soft side.  Ladies like it, so show it off a little more.

Let me reiterate: ladies like it.  Whores won't care.  Just depends on what you're looking for.

I won't fake it anymore.

In comparison to where I was a year ago, there's no question...I'm the happiest I've ever been.  

My Uncle Rick used to ask me every time I'd see him, "Are you happy?"  My answer was always, "Yes."  But the truth is, I wasn't.  I was content, but not happy.  I hadn't been happy in weeks...months...even years.  But I put on a smile, laughed when I needed to, and I faked it.  Well guess what?

NEVER AGAIN.

I am not perfect, and I make a lot of mistakes, but that doesn't mean I have to settle for fake happiness.  I'm done lying about my feelings.  I'm done pretending that I'm ok with being treated like crap.  I'm not some second-rate, back-burner option.  I have a lot to offer, and lucky for me, I get another chance.  

If you're not happy, do something about it.  You're the only one who can change it.  No one should ever, ever settle for less than what they want or deserve.  My FB post yesterday said, "When you settle for less than what you want and deserve, you end up getting less than you settled for."  It's so true!  When has any good ever come from settling?  And furthermore, no one should ever settle for me.  I don't want someone to fake being happy with me either.  

Now is the time to figure out what you want and don't want in life.  Not everyone is lucky enough to get a second chance like I am.  So figure it out.  I'm no advocate for divorce, but it has opened my eyes and my heart to so many new and exciting things that I wish I would have seen sooner. 

What makes me happy?

Dancing | Singing | My friends | My family | Cake (#fatkid)
Meeting new people | Going out with new friends

 Trying new things | Going new places | Smiling and laughing for REAL

Everything I do, I do because it's going to make me happy.  And from now on, I won't settle for anything less.