Things I learned in June

In an attempt to broaden my blogging horizons, have some light hearted fun, meet new writers, and be link-up neighbors (or be in close proximity) in yet another fun spot with my new-found friend K, I’m joining Emily Freeman from Chatting at the Sky in reflecting on some of the random – and sometimes quirky – things we’ve learned in the month. This completely appeals to my introspective nature, and my ability to notice the incidental and the mundane and elevate it into something that might be enlightening. Or then again, just kind of odd and eccentric, and very much me.

One – I’ve apparently been to a lot of fun places without my husband and I need to make a list and start taking him to said places immediately. Whether for business lunches or girl’s nights out, I seem to have hit a lot of neat hang-outs around town minus the company of my best friend and best guy. Sure, I’ve always been good about bringing home a doggy bag and plenty of stories about these little restaurants and eateries, but somehow, we’ve never really gotten around to going ourselves. Until recently. And it is just so much fun to take him – and sometimes our daughter too – to these places for sushi, cheese plates, and other treats.

Two – Gillian Flynn’s writing is fantastic. Her novels are deep, dark, challenging, and kind of amazing in the most twisted way imaginable. But I will only read them once. And they will never be ones I own on my bookshelves.

Three – S’mores made with gluten-free peanut-butter cookies instead of graham crackers are seriously the bomb and I’m not sure I want to go back after tasting this insane combination of mouth-watering deliciousness.

Four – I am continually overwhelmed and amazed at the community of women I’m meeting through the (in)courage website. Anyone within a five mile radius is probably tired of hearing this from me and will be fighting the urge to smack me for gushing again, but you have to understand: friendships with women have never been my forte. Many of my experiences have seemed to be mired in seventh grade antics and politics and have resulted in me throwing up some serious walls and barriers and instituting my own “just say no” campaign. Sure, I have real life grown up girlfriends, but it’s a small circle, and I don’t expand it easily. Maybe it’s the nature of being online, but this community is one of the most nurturing and welcoming that I’ve come across in a while. I think part of me is still holding my breath, but so far, it’s amazing.

Five – A & W Root Beer can run out of root beer. It’s ridiculous, I know. But on June 5, the one day I really needed the pick-me-up of a root beer float, we drove up to the drive through and were told that they were out. Of root beer. I don’t even understand how that’s possible.

Six – I still need to be sold on how fabulous Twitter is. I’ve come a long way from “never gonna touch it” to a tweeting a couple of times a day and being a regular attender of a Twitter Party every Thursday night, but I just don’t get the appeal of being that tied to a communication tool. Maybe it’s flashbacks from an old job and the days of my pager, but if I’m going to do this, I need it to feel effortless. And obviously, it doesn’t quite yet. Working on it!

Seven – There are twenty ingredients in McDonald's scrambled eggs. We quit eating fast food a long time ago (about the time Fast Food Nation came out), and this just reminds me why. Great googley moogley! How many Michael Pollen rules do you think that breaks?

Eight – I still don’t miss having cable television. I love that we can still get the movies and shows we want to watch. But I sure don’t miss commercials, and in some crazy way, I love the insane intensity of watching a new series back to back to back. It's a continual inhale; an unstoppable crescendo. Yes. I said it was insane.

Nine – Putting a cat (or cats) on a trampoline is one of the funniest things ever. Don’t worry. No one got hurt. But it was pretty hilarious.