Category: feelings

feelings

scary 101

abby mumford

it’s a well known fact i’m a wuss. i blame it on my overactive imagination that takes a tiny seed of truth (a pineapple, a monster in the closet, a murderer upstairs while i’m babysitting, an alien, a man hiding in the dark corner, a ghost) and expands it until i am shaking and crying and LIVING MY WORST NIGHTMARE. knowing this about myself has helped me to be proactive about this over the years. i’ve stopped watching scary movies. heck, i’ve even stopped watching scary movie previews. when commercials come on (yes, i know. i watch commercials. i don’t have a DVR. i’m so ancient), i can hit the mute button faster than the first note of the scary music can finish.

i don’t have a finely tuned response towards scary books, though. sure,  i know not to read anything with stephen king on the title, but what about one that says susan beth pfeffer?

LIFE AS WE KNEW IT is easily one of the scariest things i’ve ever read because IT COULD HAPPEN. (it could totally occur within the next ten years. or fifteen. or two.  even with all the technology available today, weathermen are still wrong A LOT, so what’s to say an astronomer or NASA expert couldn’t be way off as well?) this book is also one of the most mesmerizing things  i’ve ever read. i couldn’t stop reading, couldn’t put it down, actually, wait, i did put it down once when i went to check the pantry to make sure there were enough canned goods in there. (read it, you’ll see.) i read this two christmases ago and i STILL think about this book on a weekly basis, which means it should be on my top ten list of great books, but for some reason, i never consider it. probably because it scares the bejeezus out of me and i do my best to forget it, but IT WON’T LET ME. just when i think i’m over it, something like the supermoon happens and i’m right back in the trenches with miranda. this doesn’t make it a bad book. it just makes it a bad book for those that are wusses like me.

although, honestly, even that’s a lie. (see what scary books do to me? they make me lie!) because as a “writer”, this is the kind of book i want to write. no, no, not a scary one, but rather one that drapes itself over your shoulders and covers you from head to toe and wriggles into your brain so you can NEVER FORGET. NEVER. EVER. EVER. NEVER. NOPE.

in fact, i think it makes it my next recommendation of what YOU should read.

note: there are two other companion novels in this series: THE DEAD AND THE GONE (book 2) and THE WORLD WE LIVE IN (book 3), but  i didn’t realize that at the time, so i read book 3 before book 2 and was a bit confused at some of the missing details. i actually haven’t even read book 2 yet. hmm, while you read book 1, i’ll read book 2. deal?

feelings

pressure

abby mumford

i am one of the few people i know who does NOT work well under pressure. the few times i’ve procrastinated, something has come up at the last minute and i’ve had to choose — finish the model of Westminster Abbey/pass the class or skip school for a day/with mother’s help in both skipping school and with model building (hey, i was in the 4th grade). that was a tragic day because i had to SKIP SCHOOL and ask my mom for help. sure, some kids would be cheering, but i was just worried about all the work i’d have to make up.

another time, i choose to wait to fill up my car’s tank of gas until the day of departure which resulted in having to wait 45 minutes at the gas station (long story) plus, that 45 minutes allowed all the other cars to leave work and hit the road which added up to two more hours on the highways.

the reason why i have pressure on the brain (other than this cold i developed on friday) is that i witnessed two of the best procrastinators i know at work. one being brother G and the other being my uncle T. and they pulled off the best videos/presentations of the night (i’ll tell you about the party at a later date). i don’t know about uncle T, but i know brother G has my mother’s ability to stay up until the wee hours of the night, which helps when your deadline is only hours away. me? i’m a sleeper. a napper. a go to bed early-er. a wake up later. i’m pretty much always tired which severely hinders things when a deadline is only hours away and which is a driving factor of why i don’t adhere to the “why do something today when it can wait until tomorrow” but rather to the “why do something today when i could have been done yesterday.” (i wonder if being a night owl (or a really early bird) helps with this procrastination thing…?)

yes, i’m the girl who, when applying to undergraduate colleges, told my mother that if she didn’t read my essays by week’s end, i was going to mail them in without her comments. she’d had them for two weeks, but yes, i gave my mother a deadline, which was still weeks ahead of when the actual applications were due. me, who had lacrosse practice and games six days a week plus all sorts of school work plus friends to see plus books to read for fun on top of all that.  my mom still laughs about it to this day mainly because she was the one nagging my other siblings about writing their essays whereas i was the one nagging her. (oh man, how early are the signs? i am becoming my mother!)

this is the only “good” way i differ from my siblings: i stay on top of things (tee hee). i blame G and J because they are both so naturally smart, i had to study extra hard to be able to match the grades they brought home. and then there’s the whole blushing thing. it’s bad. still is. but i figured if i was prepared with the answers (well, except for math class), perhaps i wouldn’t blush when the teacher called on me. didn’t work, but i didn’t stop trying. some call this tenacious or ambitious. others call it stubborn. it depends on if your glass if half full or half empty.

what’s the point of all this? there isn’t one, really, but everyone either is a procrastinator or knows one and in my cold medicine ravaged brain, this is the post you’re getting. talk to me about your procrastination efforts. ever get into a jam you couldn’t get out of or are you the type who spins gold out of dust?

(seriously, talk to me here. i want loads of comments. this is a general topic, so i KNOW YOU CAN RELATE TO IT. speak up. your voice is important! *offers cookies*)

p.s. speaking of pressure, i don’t recommend flying when you have a cold. the part where the plane descends for its landing? yeah, the pain will radiate downwards from your ears to your jaw to your teeth and back up to your sinuses until you’re forced to check your ear to make sure it’s not dripping blood from a ruptured ear drum.

feelings

90 reasons why

abby mumford

maga is my mom’s mom and TODAY SHE TURNS 90. a celebration of epic proportions is clearly due, which is why i find myself surrounded by family in the great state of colorado. tomorrow’s the big party, but today, her big day, this blog is all about her…

*throws confetti*

first, there’s this post, which, yes, i wrote it, but that doesn’t mean i’m not allowed to admit it’s one of my favorites.

second, because we finally got her out from behind the camera (photo circa visit in 2009).

third, because lists are so much fun, here are 90 reasons to celebrate maga. (this is slightly revised and smoothed out from an earlier version i posted at this time last year. except that one only had 89 reasons, because, yeah…) and here we go!

(1) Because she’s lived 90 incredible years with grace, class, and perseverance.

(2) Because she graduated from Wellesley College, earning a degree when many women didn’t.

(3) Because it wasn’t all work and no play during her college years. She knew how to have fun. By gathering up the girls and playing round after round of bridge.

(4) Because she said “I am” when a friend asked who was free to go on a blind date with a boy from MIT.

(5) Because that “I am” turned into an “I do” when the date was with one Joseph Searles Bowman.

(6) Because she moved to the west coast so she could be “closer” to Jobo should he ever get leave from the war. (A leave was apparently quite short and they wanted to maximize their time together. It would have been severely diminished if she had a 3 day train ride from the east coast to the west.)

(7) Because she didn’t know anyone on the west coast. She moved there for love.

(8) Because it’s a brave woman who can follow her heart like that.

(9) Because it’s a strong and true love story that can withstand a war.

(10) Because that love became the foundation of this family.

(11) Because she has expanded her horizons, traveled all over the world, and decided home is the best place to be.

(12) Because she took a house and turned it into a home.

(13) Because she created a family and cherished them completely.

(14) Because her strong opinions, formed from years of studying, traveling, and living, challenged her children and molded them into who they are today.

(15) Because she is fragile and feminine and fabulous.

(16) Because she still gets around town.

(17) Because she always puts on lipstick before leaving the house.

(18) Because she eats dessert with gusto.

(19) Because she has pictures printed into hard copy form at her photo shop down the street which makes the memories tangible.

(20) Because she instilled a love of card games (and competition) in her children, which then got passed down to her grandchildren.

(21) Because she can still whip my butt at cards.

(22) Because she has a hard time letting go of magazines and cards and trinkets and whatever else you can fit into a basement, but what she really doesn’t want to let go of are the memories.

(23) Because she opens the doors to 353 Ivy Street 365 days a year.

(24) Because she makes a decision and sticks to it.

(25) Because she has seen and experienced the world, but loves nothing more than spending time with her family.

(26) Because she puts a smile on her face and makes it through another day.

(27) Because she is grateful for the smallest gestures, like regular phone calls.

(28) Because she really listens to what you are saying.

(29) Because she loves gardenias.

(30) Because she has more courage than she realizes.

(31) Because she has so much to teach us and share with us.

(32) Because she likes to laugh.

(33) Because she still finds creative ways to travel the world (visiting museums and going to the theater) despite the limitations her age now puts on her.

(34) Because she is embracing the detour life has given her.

(35) Because she still writes and sends Christmas cards.

(36) Because she keeps the candy jar full of lemon drops.

(37) Because she gets dressed up when the occasion presents itself.

(38) Because she has a reason to get dolled up, which demonstrates how active her social life is.

(39) Because she gets her hair done every week.

(40) Because she has a computer in her house even though she has no idea how to use it.

(41) Because she has a cell phone even though she has no idea how to use it.

(42) Because she has an address book full of names and she knows how to use it.

(43) Because she is honest about how she is feeling.

(44) Because over the course of a conversation, her voice can go from sad to happy.

(45) Because she is continuing to live, and possibly even thrive, despite the passing of the love of her life.

(46) Because she is an incredible role model.

(47) Because she is stubborn.

(48) Because she has all of these memories to share.

(49) Because she shares them willingly.

(50) Because her mind is as sharp as ever.

(51) Because she loves to take pictures. The old fashioned way. With film.

(52) Because she then takes one more picture for insurance. (As do we all.)

(53) Because she has the best nickname, Maga, which makes people go “What do you call her?” which gives me a reason to go ahead and gush.

(54) Because she is stronger than she even knows.

(55) Because she doesn’t ask much, just that we visit.

(56) Because she would do anything for her family.

(57) Because her heart is full of love for us.

(58) Because her legacy is one of love, laughter, intelligence, and family.

(59) Because she has 12 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

(60) Because of Greg.

(61) Because of Jane.

(62) Because of Jennifer.

(63) Because of Peter.

(64) Because of me.

(65) Because of Heidi.

(66) Because of Emily.

(67) Because of Gib.

(68) Because of Caroline.

(69) Because of Anna.

(70) Because of Jack.

(71) Because of Joey.

(72) Because of Madeleine.

(73) Because of Aaron.

(74) Because of Liam.

(75) Because of Christian.

(76) Because of Kaelyn.

(77) Because she’s happy when we’re happy.

(78) Because she gave us the means, motivation, and preparation to succeed.

(79) Because she sends us a $2 bill on Valentine’s Day.

(80) Because she sends us handwritten cards.

(81) Because she deserves to have the love she sends to us returned to her tenfold.

(82) Because she generously shares access to the Dillon condo, the dude ranch, the fishing spot, and Cherry Hills Country Club.

(83) Because she answers the phone with a “Hello, Abby dear” and an excitement in her voice that can be felt from 2,000 miles away.

(84) Because she teaches me something new every time I talk to her.

(85) Because she is loyal.

(86) Because she always observes the proper etiquette rules and expects nothing less from us.

(87) Because she’s given us roots at 353 Ivy Street, but allowed us all to have wings.

(88) Because she checks the weather where we live so she can keep tabs on us by knowing what type of weather we’re dealing with each day.

(89) Because she is a survivor.

(90) Because while she may not express her emotions verbally, we can feel her affection through the way she listens, the questions she asks, and the tone of her voice.

we love you! happy birthday, maga!

feelings

love child

abby mumford

i’ve decided that if i could be anyone when i grow up, i want to be the spawn of LINDSEY LEAVITT and JANDY NELSON. well, to be precise, i want my writing to be a combination of the two. think of the amazeballs books i’d produce if jandy’s luscious and vivid prose + lindsey’s startling and hilarious life lessons = MY WRITING.

i’ve still got time to grow, right?

although, if that dream doesn’t work out, i wouldn’t mind becoming a chef so that i could make myself a different type of pizza every day. and i also assume my taste buds would be more worldly thus removing the embarrassment of having to say, “eww, spinach? broccoli? mushrooms? pineapple?” so perhaps what i need here is for my taste buds to hit maturity rather than my cooking skills.

if you could be anyone or anything but yourself when you grow up, who would you be?

feelings

winner winner chicken dinner

abby mumford

sometimes you feel like a winner.

and sometimes YOU ACTUALLY ARE.

and by you, i mean ME.

the evidence is right here.

AND HERE.

AND HERE, but that one i originally lost (in fact i didn’t even enter). but adriana had won and i jumped into the fray when bria couldn’t remember adriana’s twitter handle. i steered her in the right direction, but then, i won because i have a kindle app on my phone which is a smidge more than what adriana has. (thank you, droid incredible). SEE, i’m even winning when i’m losing (hmm, that sounds like something charlie sheen would say. and HMMM, he’s making a lot of appearances in this post.)

seriously, the first link is hilarious and is all sorts of awesomesauce. not that anyone should be surprised considering it’s tawna fenske who hosted the contest.

what? it’s too much to click a link? ok fine, here’s where i’m declared a winner via a handful of cheerios, a fish, and a stop watch reading 58.8 seconds.

thank you, tawna, mom & pop fenske, malcom, and dana, who’s guess was so hilarious, i voted for her to win.

and in other news from the interwebs, check out what i can do on my blog now:

what did YOU accomplish today?

and by you, i mean YOU, my blog readers.