Life IS like a Box of Chocolates...

Well my boss has been gone on Vacay for the past week so I've had some free time on my hands.  To fill this time, I took to reading all my past Facebook messages and my old Blog entries on Xanga.  All of them. I know, I need a life.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that it was a very eye-opening experience and, if you have anything like that (old blog, old letters, old diary, old messages), I recommend taking the time to go through them.  It is amazing how much your life can change in just a few short years.  Things I never would've imagined happening to me have and things I could've sworn would happen, haven't.  Situations that I used to stress over now seem to be so stupid.

But the thing that struck me the most was the relationships I've had over the years.  People I would've sworn would be a part of my life forever have fallen (or been pushed) away.  Most of them were not intentional by any means.  It's perfectly natural to lose touch with someone when you haven't seen them in a few years.  You grow in different ways and don't have the same things in common anymore.  A few months ago, I got to spend some time with some of the girls I used to hang out with in high school.  It was a blast to talk about "back then" but it was also pretty apparent that we had all gone in different directions since, and now had our own, different lives. We had a good time reliving some of the fun and not-so-fun moments we had in high school but, other than the occasional "Happy Birthday" Facebook comment, I haven't spoken to any of them since.  But that's not a bad thing.  Like I said, we've moved on.

However, some of the relationships in our lives fall away because of carelessness.  While reading my old Xanga and all those messages, I realized I had more of those than I originally thought.  And it's kinda put me in a little funk.  I did quite a bit of smiling and LOLing at some of the comments and messages I received from people that used to be my closest friends but, now that I'm done, I'm sort of left with this weird void.  Unfortunately, I don't speak to those people anymore.  And unfortunately, it's not because they've just "fallen away."  Some of them I pushed away for good reason but some for what I only thought was good reason.  Either way, I really miss those friends.  And, if any of you happen to read this, I'm sorry if I hurt you.

Even though I know this post seems a little emo, please believe me when I say that I am not bitter.  Or sad.  I definitely miss those friends, but I also had a surge of joy, especially reading all those old blog posts and seeing how far I've come in the past 5 or so years.  I have the best husband anyone could wish for, a pretty good life and a great future ahead of me.  I really am very blessed.

I will tell you one thing though:  If I'm ever again asked the question, "Where do you see yourself in 5 (or 10) years?"  I'm not going to answer.  :)

Blessings,
Mandy

For Maggie

I was shocked to find out today that people still venture over here in search of some sort of life-affirming post by yours truly. Apparently, these people miss me so much, that they come over just to read my last post, hoping that, in some way, it will still speak to them in the here and now or I will magically show up and give them that hug they so desperately crave.

People, I'm going to say this as gently as I can: You need to know that I will never again be able to satisfy your deepest desires. I am married, for heaven's sake. Do you know what that does to a person? It turns them into the most sinfully boring person alive. There is absolutely NOTHING blog worthy going on in my life right now. Until Austin and I decide to move to Costa Rica, take hip-hop dance classes, jump off a bridge, or, God forbid, get pregnant, I have nothing to tell you. I mean come on, it should be obvious how un-noteworthy my life is by my constant Facebook updating. I'm even following the latest profile pic changing trend! Gross.

So, unless you really want to hear how I colored my hair for the first time ever out of some need for change, leave me be. I happen to enjoy stewing in my own boredom, thank you very much.

In the words of the great Dr. Perry Cox: “I suppose I could riff a list of things that I care as little about as [your need for my blogging]. Lemme see, uhh…. Low-carb diets. Michael Moore. The Republican National Convention. Kabbalah and all Kabbalah-related products. Hi-def TV, the Bush daughters, wireless hot spots, ‘The O.C.’, the U.N., recycling, getting Punk’d, Danny Gans, the Latin Grammys, the real Grammys. Jeff, that Wiggle who sleeps too darn much! The Yankees payroll, all the red states, all the blue states, every hybrid car, every talk show host! Everything on the planet, everything in the solar system, everything everything everything everything everything everything–eve–everything that exists — past, present and future, in all discovered and undiscovered dimensions. Oh! And Hugh Jackman.”

Sincerely,
Mandy

In Case I Die, I Want You To Know, My Wedding Was Perfect

I've been fighting off a summer cold the last few days so, if this post is a little disjointed, blame it on the high amounts of liquid Zicam WHICH I'd like to point out, is full of crap. I've never used it before but I was intrigued by a slogan on the bottle. (Clearly very different than judging a book by it's cover. This is a medicine bottle, people.)

Anyway, see that blue section with the white letters that read "The Taste You Choose?" As someone who has perfected the gag reflex due to a lifetime of NyQuil intake at the first sign of a throat tickle, I was intrigued. This bottle of Zicam claims that it is "virtually tasteless when added to any beverage."

And now, after 3 doses of the miracle liquid, I'd like to go ahead and call BS on that one.

"I also cure cancer"

So far, it's already ruined OJ, Diet Coke and hot lemon tea for me. If I don't wake up tomorrow it's because I OD'd on the sweet candy goodness of my old friend.

"I'll always take you back."

Anyway, since the Facebook photo uploader isn't working I love my blog readers more than anything in the world, I thought I'd give you guys the very first taste of wedding photos. Lucky? You bet you are!

More to come...

Not New Shoes...

New Hair!!! Check me out:




Oh yeah, lookin good!

I took that picture in my office. Today is one of the many days that my boss (the only other person in the building) isn't in. I guess when you're that close to retirement, golf is just more important than people's car insurance. I wouldn't know.

Anyway, since I still don't have wedding pics to show, I decided to take a picture of my everyday view for you too. I go home at the end of every day with terrible neck pain because I stare a computer screen all day that's a little high and slightly cock-eyed from the center of my desk. I'd fix that but I'm too lazy I've been so busy.




You can see I have the essentials: Tony Romo bobblehead, currently empty coffee mug (not for long), pic of hubby, post-its, window to outside world. What you can't see is the *broken marijuana tree to the left of my desk:




Somedays, I really wish it worked...

Hope to have those wedding pics for you soon! Patience is annoying a virtue.

Love love love,

Mandy

*Broken = Fake

New Name, New Look, New...Shoes?

Hello my long-lost Blogger friends! I am back in black! And white and red. I figured with the changing of a name comes the changing of a life and, therefore, a blog. I hope you like it.

I leave you with no promises of mutlitple updates per week but, when we have something going on, I'll try and let you know. I plan on posting wedding pics as soon as we have them.

In the meantime, if anyone knows a good school in need of a basketball coach, let us know! Coach Pratt will rock your face right the heck off. (Just because I'm biased doesn't mean it ain't true).

Love, peace and chicken grease.

~Mandy used-to-be-Smith-now-PRATT~

PS - KJ, if you read this: Help me get that stupid search box off my page! (I only have my diploma in HTML.)