What Do I Really Want for Christmas?

All.
Time.

Favorite.

Christmas.

Song.

What's yours?

Our First Kiss

Time to share another chapter from Our Love Story.

Last time, I shared the photos my Handsome Husband (then just my friend, Smart Ass Redheaded Kid) and before that I told you how he spilled his guts to me about having feelings for me...via Facebook.

So, Redheaded Kid was back with gifts aplenty and expecting somewhat of an answer to his question.  Essentially, do you want to be with me?

And I, the overthinking, neurotic, emotional female that I am did not have an answer.  I simply didn't know.  I knew I had feelings for the guy, but I didn't know if I was ready for that type of relationship yet.

I think I even mentioned to him at one point that I knew that our relationship would go one of two ways if we decided to become more than friends:

We would end up married.

OR

We would end up hating each other and never speaking.

At the ripe old age of 20, and feeling like crying at the thought not having the Redhead in my life, I wasn't sure I was ready for either of those options.

So, I did the next best thing other than give him an answer, or even a sign of what I was feeling.

I avoided him.

That is, until our weekend trip to Arizona came up.  We had planned it at the beginning of summer - my closest girlfriend and him and his friend would all go out to Arizona and stay at my parents' vacation home there.  We would drink, eat, swim and it would be fabulous.

And it was.

Best Friends: Swagger, Ms. Does it All, and Fashionista.

And me - and lets not talk about how many pounds have been gained since these photos, lets just not.

Euro Tripper, me and Smart-Ass Redheaded Kid/HH

We laughed, we drank 'till we acted like idots, we spent tons of time floatin' in the river, and it was amazing.  And something clicked.  Suddenly, throughout the weekend, it was like Redhead and I were us not just me and him.  I laughed harder than I had ever laughed in my life that weekend.  (My HH is the funniest person I know).

During one of our many river seshs, I drunkenly genuisely decided that this moment would be the perfect one to talk to the Redhead.  I sloppily sauntered over, and told him that I really liked him, but that we couldn't be together - it would be too hard with us living two hours apart.  I told him how great I thought he was, and how I wished things could be different, but I just didn't think it was a good idea at the time. 

And by the end of the convesation, it was like I had talked myself out of all those ideas.  Staring up at his kind eyes, that over the past few months had gained this warmth about them, all I wanted was for him to put his arms around me and never ever let go.

So, I did what any average girl would do.

After explaining to him all the reasons we could not and would not be together,

Me: Well aren't you going to kiss me?

Redhead: Wait, what?

Me: You're so stupid.

And then it happened.  That Redheaded Smart-Ass bent down (he's almost 10 inches taller than me), put his arms around me and kissed me.

The last first kiss I'd ever have.

This song ALWAYS reminds me of that day.

Next?  We get back to our respective counties in California, and Smart-Ass throws me for a bit of a loop.

Want to catch up on the story of how my Handsome Husband became my Handsome Husband?  Find out how we met, what it was like going to high school with HH, how he reappeared in my life after moving to San Diego for college, and how he went from a memory to a best friend in weeks.  Find out how I found out he wasn't thinking of me as just a friend, and what he did for me while in Europe.

Want to Know What I'm Doing Next Year?

Do you?

Well head over to Starving, Insatiable where I'm guest bloggin' away today on my plans for Twenty-Twelve!

Sometimes and Always

The ultra adorable Megan from Mackey Madness has been doing this super fun post (and now link-up!) lately called 'Sometimes and Always,' and I am so happy to be joining her this week for the link-up!

Sometimes: I paint my nails twice before I get them looking acceptable.

Always: I find something wrong with them the next day.

Obnoxiously imperfect.

Sometimes: I notice I have knarly laugh lines.

Always: I still laugh a lot.

Laughin' since the 90s.

Sometimes: I love necklaces, and want to get a ton of cute ones.

Always: They end up in my nightstand drawer, having been worn maybe three times before retirement.

Sometimes: I get overwhelmed with family drama, a packed schedule, and never-ending family functions.

Always: I realize how lucky we are to be able to see our families all the time.

Sometimes: I feel like a dork wearing a baby pink sweatshirt.

Always: I wear it anyway.

Baby pink sweatshirts all day long.

Quotable Tuesdays

Friends I Don't Want

I read this post a long time ago over at Girl Talk and it really resonated (don't be intimidated by my fancy language) with me.

I love my friends.  So much.  But that's not to say that there haven't been times where they weren't quite what I needed, or times when I have been friends with people who just weren't very good friends.

I've finally gotten to the age where I am no longer desperate to cling to friendships simply because I am afraid of change (though I certainly still am afraid of change).  I no longer need to accept poor treatment, a lack of caring and a one-way-street friendship. 

There are simply some friends I don't want.

I don't want friends who only call me when they need something.  Who are only interested in talking about things that relate to them. 

I don't want friends who think they are better than me.  I don't want friends who look down on me.

I don't want friends who don't try.  I don't want to be the only one calling, the only one inviting you to things, the only one making an effort.

I don't want friends who don't support my marriage.  You don't have to love the guy, but you have to respect that he is my partner for life.  When I was younger, I was always the girl who preached "Chicks before...Boys" but something changes once you get married.  I can no longer make my friends my number one priority, I have to leave that spot open for my husband.

I don't want friends who only want to hang out and get drunk.  I realize we are young, and hell, I like to drink as much as the next girl.  But if all we do is get drunk together, lets call it what it is.  We are bar buddies, not best buddies.

I don't want friends who are consumed with themselves.  I also don't want friends who allow me to be consumed with myself either!  This girl likes to talk, and sometimes I get off the phone wondering, Did I even ask her how her day was?  Interrupt me, girlfriends!  It's not that I don't care, I just get so caught up talking, sometimes I realize I was only talking about myself the entire time! 

I don't want friends who don't love me, care about me, and want the best for me.  I feel this way about all of my friends.  They are not perfect people, but I love and adore them and am always their biggest cheerleader.  I may not agree with every thing they do, but I always want to hear about it.  They might not like what I have to say, but I am always honest.

My Biggest Fears: Paper Cuts

OMG.  The worst.

I feel like I am ultra-prone to papercuts or something because I have had some super knarly ones.  Paper cut from cardboard?  Had it.  Paper cut on my face?  Had it.  Paper cut that got infected?  Right here, baby.

Now I am ultra careful when it comes to shuffling paper, because I am not interested in anymore of the these awful little suckers.

Do.  Not.  Love.

Things Thursday: Things I Don't Want for Christmas

1. Coal.

2. Family drama.

3. A wine opener - inside joke with the Hubs who got me a wine opener for my 21st birthday, when I never drank wine (it does come in handy now, though!).

4. An oops baby.

5. Homework.

6. Bad news.

7. 10 pounds.

8. Car troubles.

9. Attitude.

10. A cold.

A Giveaway is in the Works

That's right, ladies - I've got a celebratory giveaway coming up!  What are we celebrating, you ask?

200 Followers!

Still a few to go, so if you want to make me smile (and have a chance to win some sweet stuff), follow me!

And it's gonna be a good one, especially because I have a lovely sponsor for it!

And that sponsor is...

::drumroll::

My friend, cousin (through marriage, but who cares), blogging buddy, and mama of my beloved Lil C,

Hunnel Happenings

We are teaming up to bring you a sweet little gift in thanks for being a super blog reader, and following my lil 'ole blog!  (Rumor has it TG is giving something away on her blog too soon - might wanna keep an eye on that!)

Edited: These little elves were not expecting such a quick increase in followers, but check here bright and early on December 26th for a little post-Christmas present!

Welcome to This Stressy World

So, I have noticed a lot of new followers around these parts lately, and just wanted to take a moment to say hello!

Thank you for coming by,

and thank you for following!

I thought I'd tell you a little bit about me, so you know what you're getting into here...

I talk a lot a lot a lot about my Handsome Husband, my Family, and my Friends.

I am still recapping my February 2011 wedding...yes I'm that kind of blogger.

Sometimes I share goofy pictures of myself pretending to have fashion sense for What I Wore Wednesdays.

I really really really like American cheese, and I really really really hate velvet.

I love blogging, reading your blogs, and making new bloggy friends!

P.S.

Go check out Krystal's blog, which I am sponsoring for the months of December and January!

We are wedding month twins and therefore, blog friends for life!