Back in the Saddle Again

Like most teenagers now days, I got my driver’s license on my 16th birthday. I was so excited to have it. It meant I was growing up! I wouldn’t have to ask my parents for rides to the movies or to hang out with my friends. I could have gotten my very own parking space at my high school. I could leave the house and go wherever I wanted whenever I wanted to. Yup, I got my driver’s license on my 16th birthday. That was also the day I swore I’d never drive again.

I know I know, it’s not very logically of me to swear such a thing. But I had an experience that shook me up so badly that it brought me to swear just that! I tried to drive after it honest I did! I would get into the car, buckle up, check my mirrors, and start the car. On one occasion about a year later I even managed to back out of the driveway. But I could never do more than that. Then I moved to England where it’s common not to drive. The bus systems there are excellent, filled with odd characters, but excellent nonetheless. So you would have thought that maybe living there for awhile would have help, maybe it would have let me calm down. But oh no, you would be wrong! Have you seen the drivers in England?! It’s understandable that someone wouldn’t want to drive there. It’s just crazyness man! Plus, I never did get a handle on the whole opposite side of the street thing. I can’t tell you the amount of times I looked the wrong way before crossing the street only to be pulled back by whomever I was walking with at the time.

Driving is still quite a terrifying thought to me, to be in control of a 1.5 ton vehicle going 70 mph…*shudders*. I’m 21 years old and I haven’t driven in roughly 5 years. Should I have stood up and said my name first? I’ve unofficially checked myself into driving rehab. Or I suppose really it would be de-rehab since I’ve stayed away from driving rather than been addicted to it. I’ve begun my Step program either way! Tonight I started by driving around in a deserted parking lot with my mom and John. I reached a top speed of 25 mph. Oh yeah, I’m a rebel baby! Well, I may not be ready for NASCAR but I’ve begun the recovery process.

In other news, I made a chef salad for dinner tonight.
That picture is of John’s, hence why it’s all meat and no veggies. Mine had carrots and cucumbers but I passed on the cheese and egg yolk (yuck!). It was actually my first chef salad as I’ve always been a little iffy on having meat in a salad (unless of course you count bacon bits, which I seem to have an addiction for). I’m a self-proclaimed picky eater. I only like one kind of salad dressing, Catalina, and I was frightened of what that red dressing would taste like on meat. But I dared go where I would think not many picky eaters have gone before! I sliced the round steak super thin, chopped up crispy bacon, and threw them onto my normal every-day salad. My oh my! I was quite happy that I did. It was delicious!

To ease the memory of John’s stinky socks.

When I started this blog I had full intentions of annoying my readers with a bombardment of post after post. However, one tiny little move out of country and that objective goes up in smoke. Well, I stand (well technically I sit…quite comfortably) here in front of my computer screen today to tell you my aim is true! I will try like a mad woman to post all of my happenings from here on out! The good, the bad, and the ugly, you shall all know the occurrences of my life. I pray for your sanity for I have lost all hope for mine.

It’s been quite an eventful start of summer! John has only been to America once during Christmas time so everyone was so excited to show him a proper summer. We’ve been camping, had at least 10 BBQs, and been in the pool as much as humanly possible. We’ve done the late night ice cream runs, the early morning garage sales, and the mid-day vegges (a vegg, for those of you who may not know, is when you sit on the couch with the AC on full blast and the shades drawn. You vegg because it’s too hot to move). He’s experienced the 118-degree weather and I’ve been there with a big HAHA and a loving hand to push him into the pool. It’s been great!

Moving on to New York; quite simply, we are not yet. I guess all I can say for that is God has other plans for us right now. New York hasn’t been forgotten about but it’s been put on the back burner. I’m not sure when we’ll get there, but it won’t be til at least October. My mom might head on over there sooner or she might give up on it completely. Her choice. All I know for sure is John and I will be New Yorkers one day. It may be 10 years from now or (fingers crossed) it may be before Christmas. John has to go back to England for 3 months because it’s illegal for him to stay in the U.S. for more than 90 days. I’ll wait it out at my dad’s house in Phoenix until he comes back home.

My oldest sister, Lindsey, is getting married! Her wedding is Oct 3rd of this year. My other sister Katie, my cousin Sarah, 3 of Lindsey’s friends, and myself will be her entourage. She’s full of wonderful ideas; it’s going to be a beautiful wedding and reception.

I finally got to meet my nephew, Davin! He’s just as cute as could be. At 5 months he’s already got the world wrapped around his tiny pudgy fingers. He’s got car door ears that you have no choice but to love and he smiles constantly! If he didn’t vomit on my shoulder the first day I met him, I may have considered stealing him.

It’s strange being back home. I didn’t realize how accustomed to England I became. I even sort of miss it now. It’s hard for oneself to be thrown from one world to another in so quick a fashion. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like for my poor Geordie. Although, I have to hand it to all of my dogs, they have been a million times better than I thought they would be. There are still a few scuffles every now and again but for the most part, they seem to be getting along.

My bed has begun to whisper sweet slumbering words. I shall answer it’s call and save the rest of my tales for another morn.