1st World Problems

 From the time our daughter was very young, we have (for the most part) let her make her own decisions.  This has led to a few different outcomes.  1. Very interesting outfits 2. A good sense of who she is 3. The occasional super stubborn streak. This may be more genetic-based than as a result of decision-making For the most part, she chooses what we would have for her, and I think that she is more confident because of it.  Then there are the other times. The times when she is incapable of making even the simplest decision. When she can't tell me where she wants to eat or go.  Right now she is on the precipice between junior high and high school. And with that change comes some serious choices that will impact the rest of her life. We have had her enrolled in a second language program since she was in kindergarten. We thought that she would be going all the way through school in that program just like her brother did. Then another plan was made by someone, I'm n...

I have never been a competitive person. I guess except for two things: 1. Name that tune and 2. Trivia. For the most part, I am just happy to be included. I don't really think of my husband as competitive either. Somehow though our daughter is a born competitor. When she was younger I enrolled her in gymnastics. The gym we chose did not participate in competitions and that is what we wanted. After about a year of tumbling and balancing, she asked me when she was going to get to a medal. I explained to her that this gym doesn't have medals. She seemed ok with it and changed the subject. After the next round, she informed me that she was "overdoing the same skills every time and not winning". After a bit of a conversation, we decided not to sign her up for the next one and that it was time to find a new activity. Coincidentally around that same time, my husband and I went to a formal dinner that had a performance. The group was similar to one I had belonged to as a chil...

It was bound to happen.  I knew it was coming and yet there was nothing I could do to stop it.  I grew my first few gray hairs at the age of 14. From there those few hairs became a patch that was easily hidden depending on how I parted my hair. I grew fond of this patch and started calling it my "racing stripe" (which some referred to as my skunk stripe, as I am not built for speed).  But mostly I paid little attention to my hair. Until one day around a year ago. I have fairly long hair that winds up in a bun on top of my head most days. Usually, I put it up without the benefit of a mirror. This day however I was looking in a mirror when I noticed that my racing stripe was not alone. Dappled through the sides of my head were many gray hairs. And I don't hate it.  I have always been told that I look way younger than my actual age. I mostly attribute it to my stature. I am quick to respond with "chubby don't crack" whenever I am told that I don't look my a...