Thursday, February 21, 2008

High school's never over.

I was watching The Jane Austen Book Club a couple of days ago (good chick flick, by the way). And, one of the characters, Prudie, had to go back to her home town to handle a family situation. I won't give away a bunch of details in case you want to watch the movie. But anyway, Prudie runs into some old foe of hers. She starts to tell her husband about the awful thing that this girl did to her back when they were in high school. Her husband interrupts and says, "Prudie...high school's over." To which she poignantly responded, "High school's never over." How true. I can remember being in high school thinking, "I can't wait to get out of here, be an adult, and never have to deal with this stuff again." But, we never really get away from it, do we?

Military wives are a bored bunch of women. You can do two things...find something constructive to do with your time, or succumb to the salacious rumor mill and gossip like a bunch of high school girls. That's why I scrapbook, and why, by and large, I don't befriend other military wives. I don't really care who's cheating on who; who got so-and-so pregnant; who spent all of their husband's deployment money, then filed for divorce. But, I certainly hear about it all the time. And, the guys are just as bad with the chatter. Rumors run rampant in the military circle. I guess that's what happens when you put a bunch of mostly immature individuals together with nothing but time on their hands. So reminiscent of high school, isn't it?

Then there's the scrapbooking industry as a whole...don't get me started on how clique-ish this hobby can be. It brings back all of my old insecurities from the teenage years. They just manifest themselves in new, slightly less-upsetting ways.

And, my final high school run-in of the week...snarky, inappropriate comments about the way somebody looks. More importantly...about the way my child looks. Some friend (and I use that term LOOSELY) that I was having lunch with the other day, looks across the table at Hazel. She scrunches up her nose and says, "I can't believe you can still see those veins around her temple. It's so gross! I hope that they go away before she gets to school. Kids are going to make fun of her for that." Oh, yes...because a grown adult making fun of her is SO much less painful. I know you can see the veins, but I just don't notice it anymore, I guess. That is, until it is so rudely brought to my attention. But, I still think my daughter is beautiful. Don't we all think our own children are the most beautiful things on earth, though?

Much like I did in high school when someone made fun of ME, I just sat there crying inside, but really wanted to reach across the table and knock this girl's teeth down her throat. I didn't say anything. Mostly because I was shocked that somebody would make such a rude remark. Also, because I knew that anything that came out of my mouth at that point would be completely inappropriate to say in front of my child or anyone else's. Why am I so surprised, though? This is the same girl that thinks it appropriate to call me at 8:30 in the morning EVERY FREAKING SATURDAY. Not for any reason in particular. Just to talk. And, the same girl that invited herself over to our house for Thanksgiving one year, and spent the whole night complaining that the food was homemade and DIDN'T come out of a box. Wha? Obviously, she was never taught any manners or how to behave towards others.

Rule number one...don't make fun of my child (or my husband, for that matter). It's the quickest way to end a friendship with me. My husband and I have already cut off a friendship with another couple due to some remarks made about Hazel's temper tantrums that started right after Bryan deployed. You try being 3 years old, having a new baby brother born 4 days before your daddy leaves for over a year, having Nana come and spoil you for a couple of weeks and then leave, AND have your grandpa die. All of this happened in the span of about 2 months, mind you. Hell yeah, she had some behavioral issues for a while. You probably would too. Her world was turned upside down overnight. I doesn't make her behavior okay, and we got it under control. But, it is also NOT APPROPRIATE to call my child a brat, and make snarky remarks about how perfect your kids are in comparison. Friendship effectively terminated.

Rule number two...DO NOT, under any circumstance, call me before 10 am on a weekday, or noon on a weekend. Unless you are related to me, your name is Kasie, or somebody is dead or dying...I don't want to talk to you before that. That is my quiet time in the morning with my family. That is our time to get our day started. Who calls someone at 8 am anyway? I can remember being about 6 years old, and being REALLY excited for one of my friends to come play on a weekend. I think it was about 9 am on a Saturday, and I was begging my mom to let me call said friend to come over and play. I very distinctly remember my mom telling me that, "We don't call people before at least 10 in the morning. That isn't very nice, and some people actually like to sleep in on the weekends." Words to live by.

Okay, so it's not all anger and bummed-outed-ness around here. Some pretty flowers for some pretty ladies:





These are those chipboard flowers with a vase kits from Doodlebug Designs. I had SO MUCH fun making them...totally addictive. And, the perfect gift, don't you think? Who doesn't love getting flowers, after all? And the best part...these flowers don't die! You can enjoy them forever! Or as long as paper will last anyway. ;0) I'm thinking that these are going to become the standard birthday gift for the birthday RAK group that I participate in over at Poppy Ink. Of course, I'll change them up so that they all look different (and so I don't get bored). Tee hee!

My favorite part was making these rosettes for the front of the vases:



And, finally, some pictures of my new pergola.



Don't mind the dead grass...we're in the middle of a drought here. This was my Valentine's gift to myself, and what I spent my V-Day doing. Well, of course, I didn't build it. But, I spent V-Day watching the workers build it. I have some great outdoor furniture and decorations that I am going to set-up out there. I need to finish planting those jasmine climbers, and hang my lanterns first, though. Eventually, those jasmine plants will climb all over the top of the pergola to create sort of a leaf "cealing." I'll take some more pictures of it when it's all complete. Imagine a little outdoor living room. Oh, and that cobblestone patio it's built on...I built that ALL BY MYSELF last summer! :0) I love gardening, and working in my yard...so relaxing, and so rewarding. Now, I can't wait for Bryan to come home so that we can actually enjoy it. We're hosting a big BBQ for some of the families in his company once they get home. Should be lots of fun! Actually, here's a photo from Martha Stewart that I got the idea from. It will look somewhat like this when it's done. I even have a few cases of Ball canning jars to make the little candle lanterns from!



Let's see...what else? How about some new pics of my sweet little ones...





Finally...a little help, please? Sadly, I am in search of a new kit club to sub to (I won't go into details). Here are the ones that I am considering: Studio Calico, Label Tulip, and The Scarlet Lime. I'm looking for any tips or experiences that anyone has had with these companies...good or bad. It's such a tough decision. I can only afford one monthly sub because there are other kits that I pick up here and there each month. Decisions, decisions...

19 comments:

Unknown said...

Ok first of all...That bitch! Excuse my language but im sorry that was totally wrong and uncalled for! I dont understand why people cant live by the golden rule "if you have nothing nice to say dont say anything at all"! I mean yeah that friendship would be so over. I must agree with the whole high school thing. THe fact is that most women are catty. You get them in a group setting and they let loose and hurt feelings. Its everywhere women are. Myspace, scrapbooking, work, pta, I mean I wish i was wrong (being a woman and all) But thats the way it is. We should be sticking by each other instead of tearing each other down. You dont need ppl like that in your life. All we can do is be who we are turn our backs on that kind of rubish! ;)

As for the kit club...Ok what happened? Is it all the drama over at PI? I know they have terrible cs and have had issues. I dont know those other kit clubs. I did sub to Jenni bowlin's (loved it) Umm The dozens (just started that one) Red velvet (This has to be my fav) and SOML (pretty good). Sweet spuds is one I would love to sub to. Gotta stop somewhere tho right? LOL! Hope you find something ultra fab my dear! Big HUG!!! Oh and thanks for saying I look beautiful! That made my day!!

Unknown said...

AGH and your lil ones are adorable!!! Your daughter is a ray of sunshine! Beautiful!

Dena Rooney-Berg (SugarShop) said...

OMG! I can't believe someone would actually say something like that out loud. Your daughter is beautiful! Usually people like that are so so so insecure that they have to go around trying to make other people feel bad to make themselves feel better. Who wants to be around someone like that. Eww. Your back yard is going to be great, I love that photo from the MS mag. Last summer I did the mason jars and candles. It looked so amazing in fact I nicknamed that little section of my yard Firefly cove because at night it was like a bunch of little fireflies, I loved it!

mushroommeadows said...

I'm so glad that you're not drawn to gossip. It's such a waste of time and it's bad all the way around.

Secondly, your daughter is amazingly cute. I'm not just saying that. I think both your children are adorable!!! Honest!

Lastly, you are very, very talented. I buy a ton of scrapbookinging stuff, but I never know how to use any of it. You have a gift. :D

Oh wait, one more thing, your pergola(sp) is amazing!!! *happy sigh* just beautiful. :)

Anonymous said...

hey sweetie,
you already know my thoughts on inapproprate bitchy chic so i'll skip to the rest. Your pergola looks great! you have such great decorating ideas in & out of your house. the kiddos are getting soo big (& adorable but that is a given), hazy's hair is getting long! love ya chicky =0)
~k

Melonie said...

OMG! I can't believe she would say something so rude. I hate rudeness. I tend to keep quiet when someone says something so off the cuff too and then I get home and get so mad at myself. UGH!
Anyway, you know your children are beautiful and so does the rest of the seeing world. Don't let one inconsiderate person ruin your day. You have too much going on in your life without that added drama.
On a brighter note, love the new Pergola. Is there anything you can't do??? You are amazing!
Love the new pics of the kids too! Fantastic!
Hope you have a super weekend!

Anonymous said...

Your children are gorgeous! That person needs to just shut their mouth. No wonder soo many of us grow up to be self concious with people like that in the world!
You are soo talented!! I love the chipboard flowers and vases and oh my the pergola is beautiful! Good luck with the search for the new kit club and right on about not calling before 10AM weekdays and noon on the weekend!! More people need to learn that.

Sharie said...

Holly, I am so sorry that someone who claims to be your friend would say unkind things about your child. She is a beautiful little girl, you know it, but the words still hurt - hugs to you.
Your pergola is wonderful!
About kits - In addition to PI, I subscribe to Studio Calico - love the geneously-filled kit with its variety of new product, classic colors, cardstock, fun embellishments and vintage touches, not to mention a wonderful online community. I also like Jenni Bowlin and Cocoa Daisy kits - have fun deciding.

Elisa K said...

oh high school... Yup I agree those years never go away... Oh and don't get me started on Military wives.. lol That is why we always live as far away from the base as we can. I went to one meeting one time and got up half way through it because I was tired of listing to all the crap that had nothing related to deployment etc. I'm like you... I don't associate with them often. lol

Comments about children should not be made at all. It's a child and doesn't know how to speak for them selves but believe you me if any one ever ever said a rude comment about one of my children I don't think I could hold my breath...

Love those flowers... so stinking cute... One more thing to add to the list of things I must have. lol

Hugs

Shelley said...

i don't have time to fully explain all the reasons i just now totally and 100% adore you... but this post sold me. i am now officially convinced - if we lived enar one another - we'd have coffee regularly together and behave so non high school like. you rock girl. you just plain do.

Zoe said...

i'd go with the scarlet lime. there stuff looks pretty cool. i've already given you my opinion on this bitch. i can't believe anyone would say something like that about hazel. sadly, women tend to not be very nice to each other. this is a fact that peyton, a mere 6 yrs old, has already figured out and questioned me about. now that is jsut sad.

Anonymous said...

HUGE HUGE HUGE congrats dear on the design team. so excited for you!! your picture on the site is ADORABLE!! and your kids are so cute. and i agree...girls will be girls. so excite for you. seriously.

you rock.

xx
jill

Anonymous said...

Ignore that. Her evil is very strong. Your daughter is adorable, and she obviously has nothing better to do. I'm so glad we met, and as far as your kit decision, I say go for the Label ; ) I hear they have a rockin' DT!! (This is Ruth by the way, I have no login)

jennihaywood said...

Your kids are adorable. I noticed that you live in Anchorage. My husband lived in Alaska for 16 years. It is so beautiful there. I love your Pergola. My mom just finished her backyard and she put a Pergola in her Zen garden. When it gets warmer and all the snow melts in Utah I will e-mail you some pictures. I love to see what other people have done with their yards. As far as kits go...Scarlet Lime 100%! There are stamps that you get in the kits that are one of a kind and everything is jus beautiful The guest designers are amazing and it so so reasonable. Good luck!

kathleen said...

Hey there Girlie...looks like your new kit club found YOU!!! Hoothoot : )Your kids are absolutely gorgeous and so is that pergola! And for highschool...you're way beyond and above....f-that and don't look back!!!!!

Chrissy Le said...

Hey Holly, Congrats on being the new Tulip Girl! Very excited you're on board, and I can't wait to see your work in future kits!

I live in a very small town, and I'm not oridginally from the area (only asian in an all white town, lol.). I'm from the city of southern Calif, moved to the wilderness of Pennsylvania, you get the idea. hehe. I don't hang out with the women here, alot of them wait for the weekends so they can get drunk and watch...well, adult movies. LOL. Not my cut of tea. So yeah, I get my load of 'bad press' for not being part of the gang, kwim?. No harm done. Just as long as they talk about me behind my back, but if it's in front of me, someone's teeth is gettin knocked out. :)

dani j. said...

The pergola is BEAUTIFUL! really lovely... man I can't wait til we get our own place...

kit clubs, kit clubs, hmmm.... right now I'm subbing to Red Velvet, Studio Calico and Paper Pixie, of course. LOVE them all. Once in awhile I buy from Story of My Life....
I'm kinda picky though!

Love the pics of your kiddos, they're gorgeous!

danijohnston.typepad.com/dj

Unknown said...

Way to go girl...good riddance (sp?) on the so called friend. You need to surround yourself with better people than that. You are an awesome chick with awesome kids (and 100% adorable) and you don't need that kind of junk in your life. HUGE Congrats on your new design team position...I can't wait to check it out. I've recently done Scarlet Lime and am enjoying it. I just cxld out over at PI...too much drama!! MAybe I'll consider Tulip now!!

♥♥♥ jEn ♥♥♥ said...

screw mean people! sorry someone treated ya'll like that. you dont need people like that in your life...there are plenty who love you & dont judge you. man, if only you were closer...we'd so hang all the time! =)

and your kiddos are the cutest i've ever seen... xoxo