Bad Luck- You Can Suck It

    

     No no you dirty minded readers.  I'm talking about bad luck.  Walking under a ladder kind of bad luck.  Breaking a mirror bad luck.  Opening an umbrella inside kind of bad luck.  Salt spilling on the table kind of bad luck. Seeing an owl in the daylight kind of bad luck.  Stepping on a crack breaking your mama's back bad luck.  Your first kiss on Friday the 13th bad luck.  Killing a sparrow bad luck.  Yes, killing a sparrow. The bad luck I have had today couldn't have been more rile.

Alarm clock goes off 25 minutes late.  How does that even happen?

Shower rod falls off the fall.  Leaving me vunerable, cold and exposed.  With my dog staring at me at the door.

Shampoo gets in my eyes and I go to work bloodshot.

Was asked if I had been drinking by a colleague.  I replied, ' no, I got shampoo in my eyes'.
Realized my skinny jeans are still in the washer.  Wet.
Got all the way down my driveway and realized I forgot to shut the garage door.
Turned around and found my dog sitting in my yard.  She got out the doggy door.  Then she got out the gate.  Because I forgot to lock the gate.  Again.
My dog decided to play chase at 7 o'clock in the morning.  I'm already late for work.  Wearing leggins and heels. 
While chasing my dog I hear a snap.  Shit.  My brastrap just broke.
Driving to work I noticed my gages were going crazy.  Shit.  Really?
I dropped my delicious sweet tea.  Inside my truck.  All over my floor board.
I locked my keys in my truck arriving at school.
I just switched my insurance to where I cancelled Roadside Assistance.
I forgot it was one of my student's birthday today.  I never forget.  Never.
The copier got a paper jam as I was printing out tomorrow's lesson. 
Then it jammed again after I fixed it the first time.
I never got that lesson finished.
The basketball team was late to practice.  Then pulled out of practice for tutoring. Noone e-mailed me... or coach Mendoza.
Our first game is in two weeks.  And they all need tutoring.
Three of my student's sneezed on me today.  Three.
My ex boyfriend got married yesterday. Not that it bothers me.  I'm happy for him.
I forgot to take my kids to music today because I was too busy fixing the copy machine.
I had a headache from the hills of terror.
I had cramps that would make a woman in labor jealous.
I was pumping gas when three guys jumped in the back of my truck asking for work. " we work we work".  I thought that was the end of me. 
I walked in my house to find my flip flops, headband and lipgloss eatin.
I had the hiccups that lasted an hour.  Who does that happen to?? Me, of course.
My dryer lint tray spit out all the lint while I was at work.  It was as if washer and dryer were having a party.
My doorbell rang and by the time I got downstairs and answer the door, they were gone. Who waits one minute for someone to answer the door? Doesn't anyone have patience anymore?
I watched a horrible, terrible no good spoof of Twilight called "Vampires Suck".  It sucked.
So, suck it.  Bad luck.  You mean vengeance machine.

Cupcakes don't suck.

Passion

 I keep getting asked the question " what are you passionate about"? I don't understand why people continue to ask me this question.  It seems to come up in most conversations I have with them. So, my new Salon friends, I will create a list of I'm passionate about.  Enjoy.

God
Family
really fluffy clouds
loela (my pup)
sleeping in
snuggling
the way my mouth foams with my new state of the art toothpaste
love
holding hands
kissing
hugging
eskimo kisses
text messaging
listening to my messages
the way my mom smells
the way my dad laughs
my nieces
their "i'm too good for you now" attitudes
my students
the way they learn
the way they cut
the way they write
the way they say they love me
the way they love each other
the way they tell funny jokes
rain
snow
sleet
showers
rainbows
snowmen
louis vuitton
lips gloss
of all flavors
mascara
blush
strait teeth
men who smell good
writing
writing stories
smiling
lauging
my sectional couch that I have't broke in yet
my door that has three deadbolt locks
my garage door that never gets stuck
my neighbor who always parks behind my garage for some stupid reason
cool breezes
uggs
flip flops
education
did I say kissing??
your eyes
my first love
I was 18
the year I turned 18
my best friend
the way loela greets me at the door
the way loela eats my lipgloss and has healthier lips than me.
the way she looks all soapy and wet
the way she looks at me when im giving her a bath
like she wants to kill me
the way mom mother sounds on the phone
the way my dad gets distracted by the tv when talking to me on the phone
the way my mom texts in all lower case and doesn't use the spacebar
the way i still dream of sandra ann
wearing her bracelets
nachos
cheese
watermelon bubbalicious
dr pepper
airports
the way people behave in airports
being a mommy ( one day)
being a wife (one day)
my wedding day
when my dad gives me away
my first kiss
my last kiss
praying
eating
eating
waking up when its still dark and knowing i still have time to sleep
how he looks at me
the way he laughs when i tell a joke wrong
the homeless
the sun
Mars
the stars
the smell of grass
stepping on roaches
stepping on crickets
catching fireflies
dodging bees
the sound of bees
the wind
my home
my shampoo
dove soap
mac and cheese
pita chips
summer trips
memories
pillows
driving long distances
speeding
blasting the radio
music
chocolate brown
vintage
old hollywood
Bible
teachers
inspiration
miracles
leggins
skinny jeans
sports bras
water bras
headbands with big bows
ribbons
wall decor
hardwood floors
candles
plug ins
shampooing my carpet
curling my lashes
looking at you
catching blown kisses
watching infomercials
perfume
lotions
tank tops
plus size stores
plus size employees working at abercrombie and fitch
plus size employees working at plus size stores
the way charm bracelets sound
taking nails out of walls
romantic comedies
jokes
reality tv
drama
imagination
dreams
roadmaps
journeys
challenges
free stuff
circle yes or no letters
crushes
projectors
flu shots
the color red
the color yellow
crying
endorphins
guidance
birthday parties
dancing
Christmas
Frogs
watermelon
whipped cream
wine
crushed ice
snow cones
the smell of airports
sleeping on airplanes
did  i mention kissing??
mountains
hiking
skiing
water
beaches
sand
ocean life
the heavens
at night
night
moonlight
and..
 cupcakes.

Winter Drinking

Before you show those tastebuds some affection, be sure to snuggle up with someone you love for an added tingle!

     I remember feeling the cool breeze on my cheeks while conquering the monkey bars at school.  I remember the tip of my nose chilled with the presence of winter.  Winter was beautiful to me.  It was comforting and loving.  Winter was gentle and it frolicked through the towns of Southern Texas as if it was on a mission to seduce my senses.  Winter always had it's own smell.  Well, to me anyway.  It was so crisp, like an apple that had fallen fresh from its branch.  As ironic as it sounds, winter always made me feel......... warm.
 
      Hot chocolate is a child's favorite winter drink.  It's a cup of  ecstacy drowning under pillows of marshmellows.  My mother would add rainbow sprinkles. No special reason.  Just love.  I embraced the cup with all my chilly might.  It flirted with my fingertips.  It greeted my tounge with Holiday cheer.  It was good.  Really good.
  
      Last year, I realized I was the only twenty something "Austin-ite" who didn't have clue about Spiked Hot Chocolate.  "Spiked? Isn't that what they do at high school dances??"   I was totally clueless about making my "cup of cheer" a little more...... cheery!!  A good friend introduced  me to this magical brew.  A winter night cap that even Santa would love.  So, here are a few tips to consider when making your hot chocolate a little extra merry.  Enjoy my friends.

     Tip #1:  Play with your ingredients. I discoverd hazelnut liqueur  and Bailey’s Irish Cream  and let me tell you, I felt like Christopher Columbus when he touched land.  These are warm components for your spiked hot chocolate.
Are your chestnuts roasting yet??

     Tip #2:  The best part of hot chocolate could possibly be the creamy swirl of pleasure that ended up more on the tip of my nose than in my cup .  Top off your cocoa cocktail with home-made whipped cream. In a shaker, combine heavy cream, sugar to taste and ice. Shake vigorously with all your might for at least a minute, (some smootching under a mistletoe should pass the time!!!) or until the cream is thick.  Swirl on top of the hot chocolate, add a cherry, and fall in love ....with winter.
 Ingredients...

• 4 cups milk
• 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup dark rum
• 1/2 cup Frangelico
• Garnish: whipped cream

Grab a saucepan and combine the milk,  chocolate,  sugar, and the cinnamon and heat the mixture over moderate heat. Make sure you stir until the chocolate is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Add the rum and the Frangelico and heat the mixture.  Still stirring until it is hot.

Recipe and intructions courtesy of Epicurious.com.

If you like, introduce your Spiked Hot Chocolate to a cupcake.  Love at first sight.

If considered, my name and publication may be published on OS.

Megan Thompson

megcuppiecake

Just A Heart

Today,
  
      I witnessed a breaking heart.  I watched it cringe with sorrow and pain.  One by one pieces of it floated down onto the sidewalk.  An icy sidewalk.  I watched it shatter at her feet.  I held my hands out to catch it but it went right through them. A if it had been broken so many times, that it no longer exsisted.  Tears turned her eyes from a blissful blue to a soft grey.  Almost metallic. 
   
     Blush slumbered on her cheeks until torrant anguish spilt from her eyes.  Her happy eyes.  That became grey as rainfilled clouds.  Her tears mimicking the rain that poured upon us.  I couldn't mend her heartache.  I couldn't stitch up her wounds.  Her soul bruised.  I couldn't fix her.
  
     Not this time.   
     What happened you ask?  
     Her mother smiled and said .....  I hate you.

   Sigh..... no cupcake tonight.

My Ten Year Prison Sentence

Can someone call my mom and tell her I'm in prison?  Please...   Anybody??
  
     I remember being at a local  store in my neighborhood where we would go shopping every Saturday for groceries.  All I wanted was a birthday card for my friend.  I didn't have any money, so I hid it in the depths of my London Fog winter jacket.  I walked out of the store and hurried in to my truck.  I just shoplifted.  I'm a thief.  A dirty rotten thief. 
   
    Later that night, I received a phone call.  It was a man.  His voice was mysterious and deep. 
    Me- Hello?
    Voice- Is this Megan?
   Me- Yes
   Voice- You are under arrest for shoplifting.
   Me-  What?? No.. please.  I'll bring it back.
   Voice-  Cops arrive to take you downtown soon.
  Me-  Please!!!! No. This can't be happening.  Please!!! I can't go to jail. Whats gonna happen to me?? Please!!!  Are you there??..............
     
Hello???

      I was handcuffed and read my rights.  I sobbed and begged for a second chance.  I was put in the backseat where I was asked to remain silent.  Protective glass separated me and the driver.   I was screaming and kicking.  My nose bleeding from the stress and pressure.  He couldn't hear me. He wasn't listening to me.  I was going to jail.  Reflections of blue and red covered my face as we sped to the courthouse.  The sirens were so loud. Why are they making such a big deal out of stealing a birthday card?? I was terrified.  People were glaring at me and shaking their heads in disappointment as we met at stoplights.  Humiliated to the core.

       My trial was that day.  Trial?? I didn't murder anybody.. trial???? Oh my gosh.  People I never knew existed sat quiet and stern with their notepads and fancy pens.  As if they were ready to write in capitalized letters  GUILTY.  The judge bestowed no mercy upon me. He glared at me and degraded me with hurtful words.  He sentenced me with ten years in prison with no possible chance of parole.
   
     WHAT???? TEN YEARS??  There are people out there getting away with murder and you are sentencing me ten years for a birthday card???
  
     I was cuffed once again.  This time, it hurt.  I looked behind me hoping to see my family and friends.  Noone was there.  Just ugly, burgandy chairs.  Empty and desolate. Then I remembered, noone knew I was arrested.  My parents can help me.  They will get me out.  I dropped to the floor as the guards tried to pick me up.  My parents, they don't know where I am... please, can you call them? They can help me.  They can get me out.  Please, I'm begging you.  Call my parents.
  
      They finally got the strength to stand me up on two feet.  Tears were streaming down my cheeks, onto the floor.  I was alone and scared.  I had butterflies at the thought of spending ten years behind bars with scary people who had committed crimes much greater than mine.  We came to a stop as they opened the gate to my cell.  I made eye contact with one of the gaurds.  I spoke to him with my eyes.  My glassy, distraught eyes.  He looked away quickly.  I think he knew this was going a little too far. 
   
     The steel bars were so cold.  Each slam of the doors was a sign of eternity and hell.  We never slammed doors in my house, so I asked them to shut my bars gently.  They didn't.  It was if they were getting even with yet another crook in the world.  SLAM...  The sound of the key locking my bars was harsh, as if I was to be locked away from all mankind.  Even though it was only ten years, it was going to feel like an eternity. 
 
      I awoke to a man calling my name outside my cell.  I was dressed in a yellow jumpsuit with the number 56 on the back.  My socks were an ugly tan.  This is the attire of a theif.  Hideous.  I ran up to him as if he was my knight and shining armor.  I clenched the bars and stuck my nose through, as if I was trying to taste freedom. I couldn't see his face. I could only see his briefcase and top hat.  His voice was thick and raspy.  He sounded old and wise.  Your mother and father were reached.  They want nothing to do with you.  You mother wanted me to tell you that she will have no ties to you after you are released.  Good day.
    
     Wait!!! WAIIIIIIIIIIIT.  COME BACK...... PLEASE... PL...PLEASE.  My heart sounded like the bars slamming as it crumbled to the cold concrete floor.  I fell to my knees.  Then to my hands.  Then to my stomach.  The floor embraced me.  I was shaking uncontrollably.  I didn't feel human anymore.  I was no longer a member of society.  I was no longer part of my family.  I was just me.  
   
     I climbed in my bed and curled up like a catepillar awaiting its euphoric transition into a butterfly. I was gasping for air.  I was sick to my stomach.  I was .......was....... what's that noise?? where is that coming from??  It sounds like .... Loela.. my dog.  Loela?? Your here with me??? Loela?................ Loela?..........
  
     I awaken the sound of Loela scratching at the door.  I was sweating.  My pillow was drenched with fear.  Oh my goodness Loela.... I just had the worst dream in history.  Whew.  Okay,  time to get up, lets go potty.   

     Have you ever had a dream so real, that you feel as if you have actually experienced it?? I have never been to prison, nor will I ever.  However, this dream that I had last night seemed so real, that I felt as if I had lived a day in the life of a prisoner.  How scary is that?  It was scary.  No, horrifying.
  
     I should only be dreaming of cupcakes and Mars.. not prison and brown socks :)  

Honor a Teacher

" Your gonna be a teacher one day.  I know it."     
                                                                            -Mrs. Welch

        I was five years old when I walked in to her classroom.  It was bright and aestheticlly pleasurable to the eyes.  My name was written De'Nelian style on a name tag covered in rainbows.  I had my own nametag, on my own desk. Yessss.  She removed my Fraggle Rock backpack off  my shoulders and placed it in a little brown cubby, with my name written De' Neliean style on yet another name tag. A sentence strip.  Taped crookedly on the top level of my three shelved cubby. My own sentence strip, in my very own cubby. Yesss. I'm so grown up.
 
     I was assigned to sit next to Scott Studer, the class heartthrob.  Oh how he was charming.  With his shaggy black hair and reebok shoes laced with bright green shoe laces.  He was so cool.  I liked him.  I had a crush on him.  I wanted to share my Teddy Ruxpin with him.  He would always avoid me, until he wanted to use my neon glue.  I think he liked me. 
    
     Yeah, he dug me.
  
      Mrs. Welch wasn't like a lot of teachers.  Well, then again, she was the only teacher I knew at the time.  I was a brand new student, with brand new saddle shoes and a brand new Strawberry Shortcake lunch box.  She was my brand new teacher.  She borded the classroom in scripture.  I couldn't read yet but, I couldn't wait to read those words.  Written in cursive.  So mysterious.  Her love for us was laced with stringent and dedication.  She didn't believe in "counting to three".  If you weren't obeying by two, your behavior cloud had already changed colors and a note to your mother was already placed neatly in your folder.  With a big red line.  A line only made for a parent's signature.  So strait. So scary.  A line that... noone wanted to ever see. 
   
      She loved us.  She told us we will someday be something.  She had faith in us.  She was strong willed and passionate.  Her voice was high pitched.  Lyrics of a sweet song.  Words that guided us.  Encouraged us.  Praised us.  I was five but, I rememeber her.  I wanted to be like her.  I wanted to grade papers and draw scary red lines.  I wanted fifty red pens on my desk in my fancy pen holder.  I wanted a pink polkadotted coffee mug on my desk.  Except with hot chocolate.  Yeah, hot chocolate.  I wanted to be able to get ones attention with only three claps. 
    
     Mrs. Welch was inspiring.  The ultimate educator.  Leader.  She molded my path.  The path that I have followed for years now.  I never strayed off that path because it was made by someone beautiful.  Someone who taught me to find myself.  A role-model.  A friend of God.  A friend to my family.  A friend to me.  She framed my educational universe.  She planted road signs for me to follow so that I may be a successful learner.  So I would never be lost.  Scriptures became my map.  Her voice, my compass. She was someone everyone wanted to be.  Mrs. Welch.  My kindergarten teacher.  Today, I teach- because of you.
 
       My favorite grade to teach..... kindergarten. With my fancy pen holder and my pink coffee mug.  With hot chocolate.  I take off backpacks and jackets and hang them in cubbies.  With nametags.  I write letters home and draw big red lines.  But not so scary. And in my bookshelf sits a little green book.  With scriptures, highlighted by you.  That you kept all those years as you taught until you humbly passed it to me.  So, Mrs. Welch, like you...... I love.  I inspire.  I teach.
    
     With my heart and soul I  thank you sweet teacher.  You meant what you said-  " Your gonna be a teacher one day"... and you knew it. 

My favorite treat to share with my students........ cupcakes :)

I love to Eat, I love to Pray, and I love to........

"I disappear in to the person I love. 
 I am the permeable membrane.  If I love you, you can have it all- my money, my time... my dog.  My dog's money. I will assume for you all your debts.  I will reject upon you all sorts of nifty qualities  you've actually never cultivated in yourself.   I will give you all this and more, until I am so exausted and depleted that the only way I can recover my energy, is by becoming infatuated... with someone else".
  "I’m here. I love you. I don’t care if you need to stay up crying all night long, I will stay with you. There’s nothing you can ever do to lose my love. I will protect you until you die, and after your death I will still protect you. I am stronger than Depression and I am braver than Loneliness and nothing will ever exhaust me." 
"This is a good sign, having a broken heart. It means we have tried for something". 
 "L'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle- meaning
The love that moves the sun and the other stars."
  
"I want God to play in my bloodstream the way sunlight amuses itself on the water."
    I absolutely, truly, sincerely loved this movie.  I, like Liz, have embarked on my own journey to find balance.  For me,  is the realization that it is acceptable to have never been in love.  Acceptable to me.  Anything acceptable to me, is balance. 
  
     However, we don't have to be in love with JUST people.  Today, I ate a pomegranite for the first time in my life.  "I'm in love with this fruit," I said. And I was.  Yesterday, the breeze blew through my classroom like a thief. Except I could feel it.  I could imagine it's purpose for being there.  Bringing life to sleeping papers which await my adjourn of grading and red pen scribbles. Floating them gently to the floor and picking them back up, as if they were dancing. Teasing my cheeks.  My rosy cheeks.

     " I love this weather Miss Thompson". 

     "Me Too".
  
      Everything that surrounds us, that touches us, that fills us with joy is in someway a balance.  We all need some kind of balance to face life's unfinished novels.  Unfinished because life can't go on without love.  Our stories will not become history without love. 

       All of us have our own stories. Our own journeys.  We live each day loving something.  My favorite quote in this movie was " The love that moves the sun and the other stars".  If something as powerful as the sun and stars are constantly moving, shifting, rotating... then we, on earth are responsible. 

     How?

    By loving- something that doesn't just exist in the heavens. 

    Hello??        Anybody listening??


Heart cupcakes tonight. Sweet..... like love.

Meet Me in Tennessee

In the Mountains high above,
 family there, is what I love.

  My Thanksgiving. When I gave thanks.
1. Hugged my best friend as she dropped me off at the airport
2. Caught the red eye to Chicago.
3.  Got stuck in Chicago for four hours.
4. Watched a little girl persuade her dad for a cinnabun.
5. learned how to be a successful persuader.
6. Finally landed in Tennessee.
7. Changed three times.
8. Went with my orignial attire.
9. Hugged my cousin that I hadn't seen four years.
10. Hugged her on my tippy toes because she is all of a sudden taller than me.
11.  Realized four years was WAY too long without seeing my family.
12. Arrived at the condo.
13. Pretty condo, in the Mountains.
14. Hugged my family that was waiting for me.
15. Was told " you look great".
16. Was told "I thought you were taking diet pills".
17. Liked " you look great" better.
18. Visited, ate ( because I'm not on diet pills) and turned my phone off.
19.  Watched dancing with the stars in front of a fire, with my family. That I love.
20. Bed time at 10pm.
21. Girl talk with my cousins till 11:00
22. Woke up to the smell of cinnamon.
23. Mmmmm cinnamon rolls.
24. Still not on diet pills.
25. Dressed, hair curled and lashes to die for...done.
26. Off to Gatlinburg
27. Shopped, ate and ....ate.
27. Felt like I was 10 again..
28. Realized that when I turned around, Sandra Ann would NOT be behind me this time.
29. Memories.
30. Back to the condo.
31. Phone call from mom saying she was around the corner.
32. Text message from dad WHILE phone call with mom in progress.. telling me they were around the corner.
33. Waited for my mom and dad on the hill, like child waiting for Santa.
34. Hugged my mother.  She smelt good.
35. Hugged my father.  He smelt like... my father.
36. Brewery at 7:00
37. Ate and was merry.
38. Back to the condo.
39. Watched my dad try to smoke a cigar with his brother n laws.
40. He wasn't exhaling.
41. I laughed.
42. Watched "Get Smart".
43. Bedtime at 10:30.
44.Woke up to a wierd mixure of turkey cooking in the oven and coffee.
45. Discovered ho awesome bare minerals make is.
46. English muffins for breakfast.
47. Played air hockey with my mom.
48. Defeated her.
49. Leaving my with an undefeated record in the history of air hockey.
50. Watched my uncles, dad and cousin play H-O-R-S-E in the parking lot.
51. Hugged my mother.
52. Smelt stuffing.
53. Visited Ms. Grace, talked about men and how she wished her boobs didn't sag.
54. Made sure my boobs knew never to sag.. or else......
55. Cut potatoes with my mom.
56. Was the mash potato taste tester.
57. Amazed to discover how much how much football the guys of the family could watch in one day.
58. Gathered together.
59. Prayed to our Almighty God.
60. Thought of Sandra Ann- who should of been there.
61. Remembered she is with the Lord- the best place to be thankful.
62. Blessed our food.
63. Dug in.
64. Dropped stuffing on my shirt... twice.
65. Sat in agony.
66. Had seconds.
67. Laid in agony.
68. Witnessed the men wash dishes.
69. Rested.. watching football.
70. Went on a hike with my mom, uncle and cousin.
71. Jumped a creek.
72. Got lost.
73. Turned around to see my mother peeing in the woods.
74. Laughed at the thought of my mother taking "nature" seriously.
75. Found our tracks.
76. Back over the creek, slipped.
77. Got a blister on my heel.
78. Rode back to the condo with one shoe on.
79. Back to the condo.
80. Wishing we can watch something else but football.
81. Made funny faces on photobooth with my cousin.
82. Laughed till we cried.
83. Photobooth with my mother.
84. Discovered funny faces she can make.
85. Listened to my mother laugh until she cried.
86. Up till midnight laughing with my cousins.
87. Silence at 1am.
88. Up to the smell of scrambled eggs and toast.
89. Scrambled eggs with cheese, ham and toast for breakfast.
90. Put my eyeliner on too thick.
91. Kind of liked it.
92. Shared a sprite with my cousin.
93. Giggled when my mom told me "your drinking too much soda".
94. Rode the Earthquake ride with my cousin.
95. Totally lame.
96. Still had fun because she was by my side.
97. Got lost in a house of mirrors.
98. Thought how screwed I would be if I was actually being chased.
99. Ran into a mirror.
100. Found the bruise that proves it.
101. Smiled when my father asked " do you have enough money?"
102. I miss that question.
103. Lunch at Hellbender Grill.
104. Drank a sweet tea from the heavens.
105. Thought of Sandra Ann.
106. Alot.
107. Shopped at an outlet with my mom.
108. Found a coach purse.
109. Figured I might see that under the Christmas tree the year!
110. Sat in traffic.
111. Back to the condo.
112. With a Coach purse on my mind.
113. Sweet tea to drink... instead of soda.
114. Pita chips and ranch dip for dinner.
115. Fell in love with pita chips.
116. Wondered how I have gotten through life....without pita chips.
117. Pumpkin roll for dessert.
118.  More football.
119. Visited
120. Drank wine with Grace.
121. She told me about her push up bra.
122. Bedtime at 11:30.
123. Woke up to the sound of doors slamming.
124. Brushed my teeth with the wrong toothbrush.
125. Didn't even want to know whose it was.
126. Ate pancakes next to my dad.
127. Started thinking of diet pills.
128. Hugged my cousins.
129. Said goodbye.
130.Back to the outlet mall with mom and dad.
131. New Uugs.
132. New candle that will put you in a winter wonderland.
133.  Ate an ice cream cone with my mom.
134. Cookies and Cream.
135. Went back to Gatlinburg.
136. Watched lovers on the ski lift.
137. Saw couples smootching.
138. Saw couple holding hands- hugging.
139. Saw couples fighting.
140. Sam families.
141.  Loved my family
142. Bedtime in Lodge Hotel.
143. Slept on floor because " I'm still the kid".
144. Wondered when 28 will be considered an adult.
145. Slept like the stars.
146. Dreamt of Mars.
147. Not really.
148. Woke up to the sound of my father's voice
149. At 4:30am
150. Wondered if I was dreaming.
151. Nope.  Everyone was up.
152. Checked out.
153. Came across the hotel manager sleeping by the fire.
154.  Woke up hotel manager.
155. Said goodbye.
156.  Blew a kiss to the smokey mountains.
157. They kissed me back.
158. Six hour drive back to Alabama.
159. Chewed gum
160.  Slept.
161. Took one bite out of a Krispy Kreme- gagged.
162. Gave the rest to my dad.
163. Got picked on by my uncle for not liking Krispy Kreme.
164. Listened to Johnny Cash.
165. Talked about Johnny Cash.
166.  Took a bite out of an oatmeal cookie.
167. Gave the rest to my dad.
168. Wishing I liked sweets.
169. Subway for lunch.
170. Let my parents dog lick my face.
171. Felt the warmth of my parents home.
172. Put up the Christmas tree with my dad.
173. Realized that four branches had lights that didn't work.
174. Pulled a muscle in my back taking the tree down.
175. Mean tree.
176.  Listen to my dad verbally abuse the tree.
177. Told my mom my back hurt.
178. She gave me medicine.
179. Took a hot shower.
180. Was amused at their state of the art, futuristic shower head that was bigger than me.
181. Requested moms famous potato soup for dinner.
182. Smelt potato soup being prepared.
183. By someone beautiful.
184. Hugged my mother for making my belly full.
185. Forgot about the diet pills.
186. Selective amnesia really.
187. Got drowzy from the meds.
188. Tried to fight the drowziness.
189. I never win.
190. Bedtime at 8:00.
191. Dreamt of my dog Loela.
192. Toss and turned.
193. Woke up to the sound of my mother's high heels on the kitchen floor.
194. Packed.
195. Breakfast with dad.
196. Held the door open for a war veteran, barely walking, wearing his medals. Leaning on a cane.
197. Listened to American Pie by Don Mclean.
198.  Still wondering why they chose that as thier wedding song.
199.  Daddy- daughter time.
200. Much needed.
201. Got dropped off at the airport.
202. Hugged my dad.
203. Hugged him again.
204. Said I love you a dozen times.
205. Smiled at a woman who cut in front of me in the boarding line.
206. A fake smile- that said " I want to push you out of the way".
207. Realized I was being overdramatic.
208. Thankful I didn't say anything.
209. Because I realized I was in the wrong line anway.
210. Hit terrible turbulance.
211. Thought it was the end of me.
212.  Got stuck in Dallas for three hours.
213. Ate McDonalds.
214. What? Diet pills? What are those??
215. Saw a couple reading the Bible together.
216. I liked that.
217. Texted.
218. Updated my FB status.
219. Five times.
220. Landed in San Antonio.
221. Hugged my friend who picked me up from the airport.
222. A one hour drive to Austin.
223. Greet Loela at the door.
224. Loved Loela.
225. Re-cap on my week.
226.  Was thankful.
227.  Gave thanks.
228. Smiled.

That cupcake took forever to bake-  It's always sweet.