a gift is from the heart

When I moved out my parent's house a few years ago, my mom decided to pack up what was left of my life and put it all in my closet. All of my belongings from 18 and under exist in that closet. My girl scout sash, my diaries, junior high notes passed between friends and picture upon picture from when I was baby through my teen years.

I took a single box from the closet which was filled with some of the pictures and took it to my new home. (It's about time, right?)

Isn't it cute?


My friend Laura made it for a few of her friends before we went off to college. As I was flipping through the photos of my early years, you know, the ones where your mom let you dress yourself because it was "soooo cute," I don't understand why I was allowed to dress myself.

Please notice the bunch of bangle bracelets and socks w/ jelly shoes (No idea why I have a black eye or why I am only wearing one color of the rainbow or why I have bangs from ear to ear.)


I stumbled across a few questionable high school pictures and it reminded me of one of my favorite presents my mom ever bought me.

My Victoria's Secret water bra.

You know you had one, don't be embarrassed. I can't post the picture because I'm actually lifting up my shirt to prove I have a water bra.(As if my friends didn't believe me so apparently I felt the need to show everyone. I'm sure these photos will haunt me one day.)

But I can remember when I requested the bra as my big 18th birthday present. I'm sure my mom was stunned, shook her head and said, "You want what for your 18th birthday?" Not a shopping trip, or a Tiffany's bracelet or a new pair of shoes. Nope, not for me - I needed a water bra.

Seeing as mother's day and my mom's birthday is coming up in a month, maybe I need to return the favor and buy her some off the wall gift.

What should I get my lovely mother for mother's day and her birthday?

Hide the presents

I'm terrible at surprises. I like and hate to be surprised at the same time. Last year, my friends pulled off the greatest surprise party -- I was fooled. I was completely surprised. And, let me tell you how many lies they must've had going to get it past me. They were so impressed with themselves that they were that great of liars for a month or so. Should I be concerned?

Anywho, I'm a snoop. Even as a child, I would search through my parents' closet for my birthday gifts. One year, I specifically remember finding a Barbie doll and She-Ra dolls I wanted -- I acted completely surprised of course. What can I say? I just wanted to know what I was getting. This, leads me to present day. I'm still a snoop.

Since the B.F. and I are living together now, he's going to have get creative with hiding and wrapping presents so I can't peek into them. He already made his first mistake. He showed me a box from Saks -- more or less teasing with me it. Jackass. Don't you know that fuels my fire even more now? I'd recognize that wrapping even when I'm blind with thick glasses and I'm 90--who can resist the snowflakes with the red bows.

Only 15 more days -- I can't wait. I'll try not ruin it this year. Really.