Southpaw Problems

Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it

I'm left-handed (very, very, very left-handed).  Honestly, I'm sort of proud to be a lefty, but there are some major obstacles.  Most right-handed people don't even realize how many things are specifically designed with handedness in mind.  Just a small list of my many troubles over the years:

• Scissors - using right-handed scissors is THE WORST!  The thumb-hole angle is all wrong and is pretty painful to use for very long.  I have a pair of lefty scissors that I got when I was in elementary school and I am very protective of them.  

• Sports - maybe I'm just uncoordinated (probably the case), but it was very difficult to learn sports when pretty much all of the coaches were right-handed.  In PE class, we all had to perfect a right-handed lay-up, even the lefties!  Not fair at all.  Equipment is also harder to find and usually more expensive.  A few years ago, I was interested in learning how to golf, and I had to buy a set of lefty clubs online, because I couldn't find any in stores (and I couldn't borrow any from all my righty friends).  In college, I played intramural softball, and I didn't have my old lefty mitt at school.  They said they had extra equipment available, but they didn't mention that the only lefty glove was no longer laced together (and also smelled funky).  I couldn't catch anything! 

• Writing - even if you find a lefty notebook (which I used all through school), writing is still a mess.  I don't hook my hand over the page like some lefties, so I almost always had ink stains on my hand and smeared writing on the paper.  In high school, my English teacher decided that we needed to hand-write our papers for a few months, instead of typing.  I still don't know the purpose of this other than to make my life miserable.  I frequently got points docked for sloppiness because the ink was smeared.  I wonder if life is easier for left-handed people who live in "right-to-left language" countries.  And don't even get me started about trying to write in a 3-ring binder! 

• Eating - at sit-down meals, I try to sit on the left end of the table, but it doesn't always work out.  When my neighbor and I inevitably bump elbows, everyone always blames the lefty.  

• Basic items - again, you've probably never noticed this, but several basic household items are made for right-handed people.  Can-openers, measuring cups, pencil sharpeners, tape measures. Even a plain old sauce pan is designed to pour out of the left side, meaning I have to use my weaker arm, or twist my left arm awkwardly to pour anything.  

• Desks - those stupid desks that pretty much make up every classroom from middle school through college.  There was usually 1 lefty desk in each classroom, but more than 1 lefty student.  True story, during my accounting final in college, I was sitting at a righty desk, and twisted sideways in the chair to write my answers.  In a moment of frustration (and back pain) I sat back regularly and propped my right elbow up on the desk, not realizing the catapult situation that would happen.  My calculator and pencil flew across the room.  So embarrassing.  I should have told that story the other day.  

• SAT/ACT discrimination - I hope this isn't a common occurrence.  When I went to take these big important tests, they corralled all the left-handed kids into a group.  I assumed they would take us to a magical room filled with left-handed desks.  No.  They took us to a dark, creepy room in the basement that still had long table desks.  It was pretty unnerving.  I maintain I would have scored higher if I had been in a normal room!  

So there's my big sob-story.  I try to make the best of it, and most of the time, it's not a big deal, but I like buying lefty-specific products when I see them!  Rumor has it that left-handed people have a life expectancy 9 years shorter than right-handed people, so that's sort of unpleasant.  It's probably because we have higher stress levels trying to work around this crazy right-handed world!  I also read somewhere that lefties have smarter kids, which I completely believe (my mom is left-handed, too!).  

close-up to prove the polka dots are stars

It's also Third Thursday Threads time!  The theme for this month is WORKWEAR, which is super easy, because most of my outfits are worn to work.  My office is pretty casual, so I decided to pick one of my dressier recent outfits.  I also learned that I shouldn't stand in front of red brick when I am wearing a coral cardigan, because it will look very orange.


Blouse: Alfani via Macy's
Cardigan and Skirt: Old Navy
Belt: Chinese Laundry via TJ Maxx
Shoes: Born via Dillard's

Missing Persons

The whole family - Christmas 2009

Today's BEDIM topic is What do you miss? (a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life...)

This is easy for me to answer - I miss my family!  My parents, siblings, nieces and nephews all live WAY TOO FAR from where I live.  We usually see each other at least once a year, which is never enough, and visits always go too quickly.  I'm so grateful for technology that allows us to stay in touch, but even a FaceTime call isn't the same as being there in person.  It's especially tough with all the kids, because they aren't great phone conversationalists.  Every time I see them, they seem so much older and I feel like I am missing out on all the fun!

I think this picture from 2009 is the last time we got the whole family in one photo.  We need to do a better job of gathering for pictures when we are together!  (this picture also makes me miss having red hair!)

PS - Happy Mother's Day to that lady in the middle!  I wish I could be there to celebrate with you!

So Embarrassing

Today's topic is:  Most embarrassing moment.


My official most embarrassing moment happened with I was in middle school.  You can read that story here.  I wanted to think of a more recent embarrassing moment, and it was tough.  I'm a walking contradiction when it comes to embarrassing moments, because I do embarrassing things all the time, but I tend to forget them pretty quickly.  Most of my embarrassing moments involve me crying in a situation where any normal person would not cry.  Here's an example from a couple years ago:  

I had been out all day running errands, and was just a few blocks away from my apartment.  There's a stop sign, so I stopped (I promise, I stopped!).  I saw a police car down the road, and he proceeded to pull out behind me and follow me down the block.  I was nervous (because I always get nervous when a cop is driving near me), but knew I hadn't done anything wrong, so I just went on my way.  Right at the turn to my apartment, he flipped his lights on, so I pulled over.  He came up and did the standard spiel of "License and Registration!  Do you know why I stopped you?" and I said no, and he said I didn't stop at the stop sign.  I didn't argue, because I was too busy trying not to cry.  He took my documents and went back to his car.  At this point, I broke down sobbing - like I can't breathe, totally upset.  When he came back, I was trying my best to keep it together, and I had my sunglasses on, so I thought he wouldn't notice.  The cop said "Ma'am, are you crying?"  and I was like *sob*gasp*sniff* "NO!"  He sort of raised his eyebrows at me and then I say "Maybe!"  I was so embarrassed.  He just gave me a warning and sent me on my way.  Probably the most embarrassing thing about this story is that I keep telling people about it.  Any time the subject of getting a ticket comes up, I have to tell my only story of getting pulled over!  (until last week, when I got caught at the check-point and totally didn't cry!  I'm getting so tough!)

Top and Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Old Navy
Sandals: Carlos Santana via DSW

My Advice - BE NICE

Day 8, Wednesday: A piece of advice you have for others. 

Here's my #1 piece of advice to everyone in the world:  BE NICE!!!!

There are many reasons for this advice.  

1. It's nice to be nice!  If someone is being rude to you, and you are rude back to them, they will probably keep being rude.  If you are nice anyway, it might change the dynamic of the whole situation.  It might not, but being mean back wouldn't make it better anyway.
2. You never know what that person is going through.  On any given day, we all have a lot of stuff going on, with friends and family, and health issues, and job issues, etc.  Or maybe they have just been dealing with rude people all day and finally gave up on being friendly.  One of my favorite things is to actually ask a fast food worker or grocery store cashier how they are doing, and then wait for an answer.  Or I tell them to have a good day.  It's amazing to see how surprised they look, and I think they must deal with grumpy customers all day long.  You may never know how much a smile or kind word means to someone.    
3. You'll probably be happier if you are nice.  I'll be honest, sometimes I am a jerk to rude people, and I always feel worse about myself.  This doesn't mean you have to be a pushover, either.  If someone is being terrible to you, you can point it out without being terrible back to them.  It's difficult, but possible, and they will probably be more receptive to your comments if you are being nice, instead of like "HEY, STOP BEING A JERK FACE!"  If you nicely point it out to them, maybe they will actually stop being a jerk face.  

There's my two cents.  What advice would you share with others?


Shirt: Sunny Leigh
Scarf: H&M
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Loft

I've Got a Number of Irrational Fears

Only a week in, and I think I need to admit that I won't be participating in the challenge every day.  I'm just going to jump in on as many days as I can manage.  Day 7's topic is the thing(s) you're most afraid of.  (dun dun dun).

• Spiders - and really all bugs except for maybe roly-polies). 
• Birds - particularly ones in buildings, like Lowe's - terrifying!)
• Lots of other animals, like snakes, bats, 
• Drowning - I love being in the ocean or a pool, but if my head goes under, I flip out!
• Getting Alzheimer's or dementia when I get old  
• Taking outfit photos in public (but I'm overcoming this one!)

If I'm not careful, I can really spiral into being afraid of every possible thing that could happen.  For example, if I call my husband, and he doesn't answer, I pretty regularly assume he has probably died.  BECAUSE WHY ELSE ISN'T HE ANSWERING???  Perfectly reasonable!  Seriously though, that's probably my biggest fear - bad things happening to the people I love.  

I'm also afraid of over-sharing on the internet!  One of the reasons I decided to join in on this challenge is because I read the topics and was sort of intimidated by them.  But then I thought it would be good for me to get out of my comfort zone and get a little more deep on the blog.  But then I realize that I'm like "hey guys, I'm sort of crazy!" and kind of want to delete this whole post and just say I'm scared of spiders.  So, I hope I'm not alone in my irrational fears.  (And if you noticed my title is stolen from a Weezer song, let's be friends!)

PS - this outfit is 100% stolen from Kendi.  That girl can rock a camo jacket!

Jacket: Old Navy
Shirt: J.Crew
Skirt: Gap
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Favorite Quote

Blog Every Day in May is intense, and it's only Day 4!  (and I skipped the Day 2 topic).  Today's topic is Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it.

Most of my favorite movie quotes are from ridiculous comedies like Waiting for Guffman ("Why are you whispering?  I'm right here!" and "There's a saying in Missouri, if you don't like the weather just wait five minutes. In Blaine, with hard work, I think we can get that down to three or four minutes.").  Why do I love those quotes?  Well, I don't.  They are just funny.  And I like throwing weird quotes into every day conversation because most people don't notice. 

For today's topic, I figured I should be a little more serious.  Actually, the first quote that popped into my mind was from The Chronicles of Narnia.  I don't remember which book:

Crying is all right in its own way while it lasts. But you have to stop sooner or later, and then you still have to decide what to do. 
― C.S. Lewis

Honestly, I'm a crier.  I wish I wasn't, but I can't help it.  This quote resonated with me, because it reminds me that it is okay to cry when life is hard, but I can't just sit around and cry about it.  Eventually, I need to get myself together and deal with whatever is going on.  It's good to remember.

What is one of your favorite quotes?  

Wearing Red and Being Uncomfortable

 

It's the last day of the Pantone Spring Color Challenge with Marissa and Heidi, and also the most difficult for me - Poppy Red.  I have a long and complicated relationship with the color red.  It was probably my favorite color from about 3rd grade through high school (in large part due to my enthusiasm about Nebraska Cornhusker football).  In the last almost 10 years (what?!) since I have lived in Nebraska, I very rarely wear red.  I still like it, but it's too common around here, and everyone assumes you are wearing it because of football.  My living room has an accent wall that is red (visible here), and a lot of people have asked me if it is a nod to the Huskers.  No, it's a nod to the fact that my accent pillows have some red on them!   Long story short, I don't have a ton of red in my closet.

I'm jumping into the "Blog Every Day in May" challenge, and today's topic is "Things that make you uncomfortable" (Yes, I skipped Day 2 - I might go back and do it).  In no particular order:

• Pants - I prefer skirts or dresses.  I think I have worn pants (other than jeans) exactly 3 times since starting this blog (Exhibit A, B, C).
• If I see a stranger with toilet paper stuck to their shoe, or a tag sticking out, I will usually get my courage up to tell them, but I feel super awkward about it.  (Update - this applies to the internet, too.  If someone gets a name completely wrong, or a terrible spelling mistake, do I tell them?  Or would that be mean?  PANIC!)
• Speaking in front of groups of people
• Hearing myself on a recording.  
• Seeing myself on a video. 
• "Ice Breaker" activities.  I'm pretty outgoing, until someone says I have to be, and then I go blank.  
• Trying to pick a favorite anything.  Favorite Movie?  Favorite Band?  Favorite Color?  I have no idea!  There are so many great things, it's impossible to pick one favorite.  And then I feel boring, because why don't I have a good answer??  I guess there are a few topics where I can pick a favorite, like "Favorite Guy" is easy:  John.  
• Reality Television - I can't get behind reality TV, because WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?!  I don't know why anyone would sign up for it.  It is especially bad if there are kids on the show.  I mean, Honey Boo-Boo?  It would be funny, but it's too disturbing! 

I'm probably forgetting something, but that list seems long enough!  What makes you uncomfortable?

Tee: H&M
Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Old Navy
Boots: BareTraps

Story of My Life

What?  Another post today?  Well, I'm playing catch-up on the Blog Every Day in May challenge.  I hadn't heard about it until yesterday, and I think it is an awesome idea.  I already blog almost every day, but this seems like a good chance for me to be a little more interesting (instead of just "I'm wearing a striped dress!  And a belt!  Yay!").  I'll plan on keeping up with outfits, but my text will follow the prompts each day.  

Day 1 - The story of your life in 250 words or less.

I was born on Oct 24, 1984 in a small town in Nebraska with two older sisters and one older brother.  My family moved to Wichita, KS when I was about 8 months old.   

Me and my siblings - 1985?

As a kid, I was smart and outgoing and very, very tall.  I went to a Christian school from 2^nd grade through high school.  I went through phases with extracurricular activities, first thinking I was a great singer (I’m not), then thinking basketball was my forte (it wasn’t), and finally realized that organized hobbies aren’t my thing.  I just wanted to be friends with people, so I focused on that!  

Awkward Family Photo - 1994?

For college, I headed back to Nebraska.  Then my parents moved to Indianapolis, where I spent a few summer breaks and holidays.  Sophomore year, I met a boy named John Smith and we quickly became good friends.  About two years later, we realized we should probably get married, so we started dating.  I graduated in December 2006 with a Marketing degree, and started working at a job that I can’t explain in 250 words or less.  John and I got hitched in 2007, and bought a house in 2011.

Over the years, I have accumulated 2 nephews and 4 nieces.  They are hilarious and I love them! 

Most importantly, I’m a Christian.  I don’t go into a lot of detail about my faith on the blog, but I can’t write my life story without including it.