Oh this Crazy Life

You know that "How are you Feeling Today?" poster? Well today I'm writing in my own little emotional vote: Neurotic.

I just folded my underwear, friends. I'm pretty sure I haven't done that since I was 12, and even then it didn't last long, because I knew it was over the top.

I am just slowly coming to realize that I have not allowed myself to be even the slightest bit high maintenance since I was about, well, 12. In other words, I haven't allowed myself to make anything inconvenient for others, and unfortunately in the meantime I have often made things inconvenient for myself.

So I'm letting myself fold my underwear. I'm allowing myself to be a little neurotic. Because you know what? As much as I hate high maintenance(-ness?), I think that as humans we all need to possess it to a small, healthy degree. Healthy, people, meaning asking for 1/2 of a Splenda packet in your latte is taking it TOO FAR!! Ahem, I mean...

But really, this is huge for me, you need to understand. And I will not be surprised if I talk myself out of this in a couple of weeks, so you as my friends need to keep an eye on me. It is your responsibility to make sure I am taking care of myself and not eating fruit snacks for meals because I'm scheduling my social life in a way that interferes with my basic nutrition (although please note I might snap at you because I am in my 20s only the one time and beer and nachos really make a fine dining choice on occasion).

Growing up my family moved three times by the time I graduated high school. This made me 100% able to make friends, and has made me who I am and has grafted me to my family for life in a way that I will never want to trade in. But. I have tried to let other people's schedules and priorities interfere with mine. I wouldn't say I've allowed my values to be compromised, in fact I would argue those are stronger as a result, but at some point I just said, "oh well, I'll just do whatever's easier for everyone else." It's not that I don't have opinions (see what I mean, this back and forth talk? Neurotic. It should have been on the original poster).

Basically what I'm trying to say is that when you're 16 and your dad becomes a pastor and moves you for the 3rd time, you think, "I understand that this is the right thing, and that God's hand is obviously on this, and there's nothing I can do to change it. And besides, I'd miss my family if I didn't tag along with them to Kansas." But the problem is I've let that carry over to an unhealthy level. It hasn't been entirely negative in the shaping of my character, but it's time to start taking care of myself. Having some confidence not only in my own opinions, which I have practice at, but in my own ability to create motion in my own life, and the world.

Thank you to all of you for your continued support.* Keep it up, my awesome friends (seriously). And I will try to do the same for you.

*(Particular shout outs to Braden, Nick, and Sarah this evening. And Riley, for putting milk in the fridge. And Lorri and Phil, for providing the last of their milk before Riley replenished our supply.)

Bad Mood Bailey

Today is a day off for me. While I L-O-V-E love days off, I never quite know what to do with myself when I have one. Today my parents are in town visiting, but they left to run errands, so I lost my potential playmates for the day. I have plans for this evening (to see author Tobias Wolff!!), but only one plan before that, which was no fun at all: a dentist appointment.

I was driving to my dentist appointment, thinking, "I am grumpy! I don't want to go to the dentist on my day off." Then I got there, and aside from the good news that I have no cavities, I just wanted to be left alone. The hygienist, bless her heart, was so sweet, and trying to make conversation--about books, even, and I love books--but I just wasn't havin' it. Then the dentist and the patient next to me were having the most syrupy sweet, pretentious, pleasant conversation (okay, it was very genuine and kind, I just didn't want to hear it), and I refrained from rolling my eyes.

So following the appointment, I decided to get some coffee at Borders and look around. I found a book on sale written by Isabella Bird, who I did a project on in fourth grade, and another little bound beauty, narrated by a girl with whom I think I will become a fast friend. Her name is Judy. Judy Moody, to be exact. Title of the book?:

Judy Moody was in a mood. Not a good mood. A bad mood.

I couldn't relate more. In Chapter One, Judy embraces her bad mood and sarcastically writes "I ATE A SHARK" on her t-shirt. In Chapter Two, she meets her new teacher, Mr. Todd. "'Hello, Mr. Toad,' said Judy. She cracked herself up" (This particular line made me think of Brad). Needless to say, I think we can all look forward to future readings of Judy Moody on The Daily Bailey.