Merry Christmas!

Looking back

Do you remember those girls in junior high? You know...the ones that everyone followed around like lemmings? The ones that could do no wrong in the eyes of their following? The ones that could be absolutely vicious and mean to a girl and that girl would feel like she was the one that needed to apologize?

Well, I know those girls. Or, maybe I should say that I KNEW those girls. But, as time has passed, today is the first day that they have crossed my mind in a long, long time.

I don't know why I just thought of it, but a particular situation from junior high came to mind just now and I had the sudden urge to use facebook to look up the two girls who made my life a living....well...let's just say it wasn't anything close to heaven--a sort of "where are they now" check-up.

One particular day, a group of us were playing "Wall Ball." I will try to explain the rules as best as I can remember. In the game, you can have as many players as you would like. Each player takes a turn bouncing a ball (we played with a tennis ball) against a wall (we played against the wall of the elementary gym at Duncan Elementary) in order. The next player had to catch the bounce back from the previous player, otherwise they were subjected to standing against the wall (face to the wall). While they were standing against the wall, all of the other players took a turn throwing the ball at them attempting to hit them with the ball.

(I in no way recommend this game to anyone...it's a dumb game.)

Back to my story. So, on this particular day as we were playing, I noticed that when the two "popular" girls (I will call them BB & BD) were subjected to the pegging ritual that the rest of the girls would miss them on purpose. I also noticed that when an "unpopular" girl was sent to the wall to meet her fate that BB & BD would hurl the ball as fast as their 7th grade arms would let them and show no mercy with their aim. They would also encourage the rest of the girls in the group to hit the other girls for missing. Let's be honest, tennis balls hurt!

I figured that since they were showing no mercy to anyone else, I would give them a taste of their own medicine. Why I didn't stop playing, I don't know! I tend to have this "save the world" attitude where I want to help others get out of bad situations even if they are content in said situation.

So, when BB didn't catch the ball and went up to the wall for her punishment. I decided to let her have it. Sadly, I missed by about 1 inch when it was my turn to attempt to peg her. After seeing my throw, BD exclaimed, "She TRIED to hit you!" The whole group eyed me.

"Well, isn't that what you're supposed to do?" I stammered.

"I can't believe you tried to hit her!" BD continued the tongue lashing. "You threw that really hard! Why don't you take a turn! When it's your turn, we will hit you hard and see how you feel."

I mustered up all my courage and said, "I need to use the restroom before recess is over."

"Yeah right!" BD shot back.

"I do! I've been holding it this whole time!" I said defensively.

So much for my courage I suppose.

Point is: I thought my life was over. I thought BD & BB would pound me for sure. BUT...drum roll please...I am still alive. BD & BB both had less than desirable home lives which I didn't take into consideration at the time.

I hope they are both doing well these days. And, I hope that if we ever play Wall Ball again, it will be a bit friendlier.

Hope you enjoyed a look into my junior high days. If you don't already know...there is life after junior high...and if the BB & BD don't beat you to a bloody pulp you'll see that it's much better when it's all over!

I didn't tell you...(sorry you're so out of the loop)

1) I didn't tell you that Jereld and I got our main Christmas gifts early...

2) I also didn't tell you that Jereld and I have been mopping and cleaning my floors a lot lately...

3) I failed to mention that #1 is causing #2.

Aren't they cute?





The Jack Russell is my puppy (it's the little one in case you don't know breeds). Her name is Rally.

The German Shorthaired Pointer is Jereld's puppy. Her name is Seek. She told me she wants to be a bird hunting dog when she grows up!

UGH! He deserves coal in his stocking!

This conversation has been paraphrased (because I can't remember word for word...but it's close):

Scene 1-Jereld has just finished studying for his MRI class in the office. He is getting ready for bed in the bathroom with the door open. Allison has already finished getting ready for bed and is waiting for Jereld to finish.

Jereld (matter-of-factly): So, you really need to be more careful when you're wrapping presents that you throw away the tags and the store bags.

Allison (surprised): Why?!?!? Were you snooping?

Jereld (annoyed): NO! I was cleaning up the wrapping paper mess you left in the office, and I noticed that you left some price tags and bags.

Allison (annoyed): I told you I wasn't done with the wrapping paper and to just leave it down!

Jereld: Sorry! I didn't know you weren't finished.

Allison: What did you see? Did you ruin your surprise? I'm going to be so mad if you ruined your surprise!

Jereld: I know that you bought something at Kohl's because you left the bag, and I know you bought something camoflauge because you left a tag that says "APG Camo."

Allison: First of all, the tag is from your stocking. Remember the camo stockings we bought?!?!?!? I took the tag off yours. So, no surprise there! Second, the Kohl's bag is from the tie I bought your brother. Ana and I went to Kohl's on our lunch break and while she looked around I got ties.

Jereld: Ooooooohhhhhhh...you got tieS. I thought you just bought one tie for Austin.

Allison: I did!

Jereld: But you said tieS...not tie. Plural.

Allison (jokingly...but kind of serious): UGH! I hate you!

CHEERS!

Here we are on our first time in OUR house. We had a little sparkling cider and replacing the doorknobs party. Also, buying lots and lots of paint party (which is a very expensive type of party that I would highly recommend if there are weird colors of paint on the walls of the house you buy). The house is currently being repainted (by a company...thank heavens...and not me!). Enjoy the pictures below. Oh, and Jereld cried when they repainted the princess room. :) We'll see if he ever reads this.

WARNING: Picture Overload Below!!!!!!!!!!!!

Homeowners!!!!!!!!