Stake Dance Memories

Last night, my roommate and I were in the car and all of the songs on my presets were just no good, so I switched over to the oldies station. It was playing "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" by Chicago. Please tell me that is NOT an oldie! It can't be because then it will mean that I might be getting older. Anyway, Kim mentioned that it reminded her of stake dances.

Ah, stake dances. Those were the days. I loved getting "dressed up" and hoping that one cute boy would notice me walking his direction at the beginning of the two-set slow song. Or avoiding eye contact with the boy I really didn't want to ask me to dance. Especially during "Forever Young" or "With or Without You" because that would mean at least 5 minutes of awkwardly rocking back and forth, keeping tension in your arms so he wouldn't try to pull you closer into the "bear hug" slow dance.

Some days I miss the giddy anticipation of those nights. Slyly glancing at the boys while attempting to stay cool and collected. Being heartbroken when the boy I thought I was meant to be with forever didn't even ask me to dance but feeling completely fantastic when the next boy I was meant to be with let me get really close while dancing. You know, less than "Book of Mormon space" close. Doing the Electric Slide or Boot Scootin' Boogie without any cares. Yeah, life was good back then.

Some of our favorite slow dance songs discussed last night were:

• The aforementioned "Forever Young" by Alphaville and "With or Without You" by U2
• "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion
• "Lady In Red" by Chris De Burgh (especially the whispered "I love you" at the end, because you knew it just had to mean something when the right boy asked you to dance with him to this song)
  
• "Uninvited" by Alanis Morrissette
• "Truly Madly Deeply" by Savage Garden

I thought of one other today - "You Are So Beautiful To Me" by Joe Cocker. I remember at one dance the boy I really liked at that moment not only asked me to dance, but also SANG to me. That's right. It was love. For like, a second.

Is our list missing anything?

P.S. I think we really must have had dancing on the brain last night, because as the dishes were being done (thanks, Liz!), an impromptu dance party happened in the kitchen. Complete with the "white person clap". Yup. We're good.

I Dare You to Watch This...

...and not get it stuck in your head. My roommates probably hate me for making them watch this commercial. Totally makes me giggle.

Reasons I Love My Mother

My mom is great. Sometimes she completely surprises me with the things she says. Like the time she told me she'd always wanted a tattoo. And it wasn't just that she wanted a tattoo, it was the thought that went into it! She knew the design and placement of this tattoo.

Anyway, I saw this video the other day and sent it to my mom. When I was young, my mom would drop me off at the rec center day care and go Jazzercise. So in my email I asked if this is what she looked like and if she'd do it again sometime. The picture in my head is quite funny, I was hoping I could see if reality was just as good. My mom's response:

"Are you KIDDIN' me? These gals are OK, but our choreography was far more complex and our costumes way cooler.

(BTW - consider yourself lucky that you can't recall such details)"

And this is why I love my mother (amongst other things). So, if you know my mom, just imagine her doing these moves. Maybe it'll make your day too.

Dedicated to Kim

P.S. Kim knows all the words to the song. She'll sing it for you if you ask nicely. Or find her a good man. Preferably someone I would label "beefy". If you would like to know more about my definition, or think you have someone in mind, please hit me up!

Good Read

"I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers."

This can be true for every reader of this book.

I enjoy most books I read. But I have to tell you how much I loved the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It's no secret that I love books having to to do with World War II. I find so many of the stories, whether fact or historical fiction, fascinating. However, some of them can be a little heavy. This book, while touching on heavy topics, does so in such a manner that just endears these characters to you all the more. I fell in love with this entire story and found myself sad to see it end.

If you are looking for a good read, I highly recommend this one!