10 Things I've Learned From My Mom

In honor of Mother’s Day I decided it was time for another 10 things post.  Today, obviously, 10 things I’ve learned from my mom…

1.  The importance of an every day call home to check in…several times.  If I don't remember to complete this task on my own, my mom will remind me.  A morning never goes by when I don't have a "good morning" text within the first hour and a half of my day.  

2.  Lipstick is that important.  My whole life people have made fun of me for my lipstick application.  But my mom is right, it makes all the difference.  

3.  You’re never too old to chase your dreams.  New dreams, old dreams, it doesn't matter.  Chase them.

4.  There is nothing wrong with coming home from a long day at work and changing right into your PJs. And if there is something wrong with it, we don't want to know.  Right, mom?

5.  Never underestimate the power of a Diet Coke.  Not Pepsi.  Coke.

6.  Always have a plan.  And a back-up plan.  And make a list.  I'm so glad she's on my wedding planning team.  What a great MOB she is proving to be.  

7.  No distance is ever too far when someone you love needs you.  For the last seven years of my life, I've lived six hours away from my mom, but it's never felt that far.  She's always here when I need her.  

8.  Being an aunt is one of the coolest jobs in the world.  She goes above and beyond for her nieces and nephews, and they adore her for it.  I can't wait to put everything I've learned from her into action.  

9.  Beauty comes with age.  She is literally more beautiful today than she was yesterday.  I pray I look like her when I'm her young age of 35.  

10.  You can never love someone too much.  So love them.  Love people with everything you have.  For as long as you can.  And make sure they know how much you love them.

10 Reasons Why I Love Kentucky

      I’m fresh off another fall adventure to the great state of Kentucky.  And I thought it would only be appropriate to chronicle some of the many reasons why I love the Commonwealth (especially in the fall) and hope to one day call it home…

The fabulous fall colors.



More Bunning’s than you can count.


Although not on this trip…fireflies. 


Graeters’s ice cream.  Raspberry Chocolate Chunk to be specific. 



The memories and stories that can be found around every corner.


The people.  From the Rite Aid clerks to those I share all my time with.  They are just plain more Southern, and, well, that makes me really happy.


The necessity of a really adorable fall wardrobe. 


The family rivalry that is becoming less and less contentious



The crunch of leaves under your feet.


The great men it has given me…

10 Things I Learned on Summer Vacation

My summer vacation has officially come to an end, so it’s time to reflect on all the things I learned from it…(and some of the pictures I took).

1. As unfair as it is, the pool reader’s punishment is a really awesome sunglasses tan.
2. You’re never too old to bust a move on the dance floor!  

3.  I have absolutely NO self-control when it comes to J.Crew Factory Store.  Especially when there are really attractive men working there.

4.  You can only watch so many episodes of Pretty Little Liars before you start to go a little crazy.  (And by “so many episodes” I mean approximately 50.)

5.  The greatest thing about still having a summer vacation is getting to spend more than a weekend at your childhood home.

6.  30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She is 30.  (More on this later…)

7.  Sometimes it is totally worth it to wake up early and run.  Really, it is. 

8.  Time and distance don’t make much difference when you have amazing friends and family.

9.  Talking about, reading, and watching the Harry Potter series will NEVER get old.  

10.  Inspiration can be found every day.  You just have to know where to look.  

(all photos courtesy of my iPhone)

10 Things I've Learned from my Dad

In honor of Father’s Day, I wanted to take some time to share some of the lessons my Daddy has taught me over the years.  A man of wisdom, he never lacks in advice to dole out, and I thought it was time I shared some of his tidbits with you. 

(photo by Erin Blinn)

1.              He taught me how to dance.  Specifically, the pretzel.  More generally he taught me how to shake it to the rhythm.  He brings out the crazy in me on the dance floor.  I can’t bust a move without contributing the skills behind it to my dad. 

2.             He taught me how to do math.  Addition, subtraction, geometry, algebra, calculus, trig…Anything with numbers, I know because of him.

3.             Because of him, I have an appreciation for good music.  There is a significant portion of my iPod dedicated to “oldies but goodies” as I like to call them.  On any given day, I have been known to rock out to the Eagles or Elton John, then it’s time to bust out the dance moves (see number 1). 

4.             He challenges me to be brave when it comes to spicy food.  I have a hard time letting him win out when it comes to salsas, pepper jellies, or anything of the sort. 

5.              He has taught me there is always a solution.  I have been known to say on many an occasion, “my daddy can solve any problem.”  And I truly believe this is true.  I truly believe there is nothing he can’t do. 

6.             He has taught me sarcasm.  I’m fluent in the language because of him. 

7.              Because of my dad, I can embrace the silly.  I know it’s okay to randomly make up songs about Wal-Mart, dance a jig to a song from Harry Potter, be known as “Happy Thighs” on the dance floor.  When it comes to making a fool of myself, I really have no shame. 

8.             Work hard.  Nothing comes easily.  He is a shining example of doing all you need to do to provide for your family.  Working long hours, being deployed for long periods of time.  He puts his family first, and because of this I aspire to be just like him.

9.             Most recently my dad has reminded me how to dream.  He has taught me that you’re never too old; it’s never too late.  Sometimes it’s a risk, but anything worth having in life is worth working for.  And when you’ve been dreaming about something for as long as you can remember, it’s never a bad thing to chase after it. 

10.           He’s taught me what it means to be a man; what it means to care for a family.  I know what I want in life because of him.  I know what I deserve in life because of him.  He taught me the measure of a man, of a father, and now I will settle for nothing less than the high bar he has set. 

10 Things I've Learned from Teaching

As my first year of teaching draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the things I've learned:

I've learned to drink wine. One glass and I'm utterly relaxed. Two glasses and I sleep like a baby.

I've learned the advantages of a routine, and the bliss in breaking it.

I've learned the value of prayer. Whispered prayer, shouted prayer, fervent prayer, tearful prayer. Any prayer is a good one.

I've learned that eleven is the new eighteen.

I've learned that few things are as essestial as a good night's sleep.

I've learned patience.

I've learned to live without J.Crew.

I've learned the persuasion of one piece of Laffy Taffy (except banana, it has no power).

I've learned that plans are only valid when preceded by the word "lesson".

And most importantly I've learned that even when I'm sitting on the couch by myself, there is always someone who understands me, and I am never alone.