The Scream Mask...Where Trick or Treaters go to Die

Y'all have heard me preach my love for all things costume and Halloween. I have to say I get it honestly. Once upon a time my mom used us as her guinea pigs when she wanted to stitch random materials together and make a costume. And when I say stitch random things together, I mean like the time I stood there being encased in carpet padding, morphing into Gumby. It was like something you would see behind the scenes of a movie. Or remember the movie Splash with Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah?

(source)

Well, there was the time she hand stitched a mermaid costume to my body, and I had to hop to trick-or-treat. But I loved every minute of the insanity, and she won the contests!

1985-ish...brilliance by my mom.

Over the last 15 Halloweens, since Sam was born, I've whipped up most of our/their costumes. There were a few years where creativity and time were lacking, and I had to purchase costume pieces {gasp!}, but I was still able to pull off something thematic-ish with fun makeup and hair. 'Cause I love a theme, ya know.

2009-2013: The Mad Scientist, Igor, and Zombie - Cowboys and their pony - Mummies - Zombie Football Team - Fungus Zombie (super fun to make!), Dracula, and Grim Reaper

And then it happened.

Halloween 2014

Sam: "Mom, I just want to wear a scream mask."

Me: "I'm sorry, what? Did you say a Scream Mask?" {Tears. Runs and locks self in room.}

I'd be lying if I said I didn't beg him not to.

But I gave in. I set my son free!

Free to be the Scream Mask...in jeans. I knew this could only lead to one thing...they're all gonna want store-bought now.

Then, right before my eyes...

Halloween 2015

It had spread. My first all-store-bought-uncreative Halloween since 2002. And The Scream Mask started it all.

And just when I thought it couldn't get any worse...

Halloween 2016

I was officially down one trick-or-treater and my favorite holiday of the year was crashing down around me, like a thoughtless, themeless, uncreative, and random tornado. I was bewildered and posted this on Facebook at 5am the next morning.

But I was hanging in there with the other 2, clinging to the hope of next year.

Halloween 2017

This can't be happening.

The Scream Mask...in jeans emerges again. This time claiming Fulton. I know it won't be long before he shares with me that he doesn't want to trick-or-treat anymore either.

But there's one more! Hopefully, I've got a few years left with Oliver, before he utters those fateful words, "I just want to wear the Scream Mask."

In the meantime, with all creativity crushed and shattered, what's a Halloween-lovin' mom to do?

Old-School Trolls

Take it out on her husband, of course! {Don't let him fool you. I think he secretly loves it.}

So beware when your kids say they want to wear the Scream Mask. It's really the beginning of the end.

A quarter of a Century is a long time...So get a Counselor before you need one

October 24th marked 25 years since we first started dating in 1992. That was such a fun and fresh time in our lives. I've shared our "how we met" tale on here a couple of other times, but the main thing about it is that only a few days after I turned 18, this quiet, sweet, and super shy guy had captured my heart and I just knew he was "the one". I was young and dumb, but I had one thing right.

About a year before we started dating, I was a high school Junior and he was a Senior, and an amazing basketball player. I was completely bored with the boy friend options and decided to start harassing this poor guy with a girl's name, Shannon. I was determined to "crack" him, and get him to laugh and make him talk to me in SAT Math class. All I got out of my efforts was a detention or two and a new seating assignment. But I was still determined.

Any who... A year later we found ourselves as groupies for my brother's band and he finally came to his senses and realized he'd NEVER be able to get away from me. So I dragged this college freshman to all my stupid high school functions and we both loved every minute of it. And I realized I had my life's partner in crime...my ride or die. And Oh! the fun we've had over the last 25 years! 

We often talk about how awesome it is to have seen each other through so many phases of life so far. Fortunes and misfortunes. Victories and defeats. Beauty and plain ol' ugliness. As with most couples, we've had our typical ups and downs. In recent years we've been down more than up and we've found ourselves constantly pulling "us" out of the pit. If you've ever been in the pit, you know the questions that are being hurled around. I'd be lying if I said we'd never thought about throwing in the towel. But anytime we questioned if this was even worth it, our answer has always been "yes"! It may have been a quivering, squeaky "yes". It may have been a very quiet and delayed "yes". And it may have taken someone from the outside looking in to convince us of "yes". But however it was declared, we decided that YES, it is worth it. 

The work involved in the "yes" looks daunting sometimes, and has humbled us in many ways. But in 25 years we've learned so much about the mechanics of our relationship. So we sat down and made a list of 25 things we've learned in 25 years to share with you. I thought Shan would roll his eyes and snicker at the idea, but if you just ask,  sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised by someone's willingness to participate!

So here goes...

25 Things in our 25 Years

1. Get a counselor BEFORE you need one! Neutral third parties are vital. We have a fabulous person and we both go. Together and separately. Does it mean we're floundering and on the brink of the "Big D"? Not all. Just the opposite. It has strengthened us more than I ever imagined. Sometimes we talk about jobs, parenting, household projects, or big decisions. Sometimes we talk about marriage. It's FABULOUS! And surprisingly, lots of insurances cover it. So no excuses. If yours doesn't, it's worth saving for a monthly session at a minimum. It's cheaper than divorce.
2. Learn your love language and his. When we got married 18 years ago, my mom gave me 2 books. She said if you don't read anything else for the rest if your life, at least read these. One was the Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. If you fell in love with someone who spoke Swahili, wouldn't you try to learn the language? Same thing goes for showing and receiving love. If you don't know yours or his...take the quiz here and thank me later.  www.5lovelanguages.com 
3. Know his needs and your needs...for real. This was the other book mom gave me, His Needs Her Needs by Willard Harley. Men have 5 basic needs. Women have 5 basic needs. They make ridiculous amounts of sense. Know them!
4. Beware of the fantasy. I can 100% guarantee you that only the devil himself will plant a temptation in your life that will look like a great "opportunity". I can also 100% guarantee that that "opportunity" will not involve someone else's wife/husband, nor will that "opportunity" involve someone other than your wife/husband if God has anything to do with it. Accept the flattery of the attention as just that, flattery, and move on. The best way to destroy your marriage is to fall prey to the fantasy. That's all it is and it's not worth it in the end. If you're meeting each other's needs (#3) in the first place, the "opportunity" is less likely to appear.
5. Go on a date. We were terrible about this for many years, especially when the boys were really little. What we've learned...DO IT ANYWAY! If you can't afford a big to-do with a sitter and a big night, do a co-op with friends and swap-care, go on a lunch date while they're in school or at lunch bunch after preschool, go get coffee or ice cream, or get take out and sit in the car to avoid tips and expensive drinks. We've done it all! I love a cozy date night in too, if that's all we can do, but that gets really difficult with older children who never go to bed. And getting out of the house just does the trick. 
6. Use your words. The thing that sticks in my head the most that we've gotten from counseling is USE YOUR WORDS! You're a big kid. Tell each other how you feel! And do it nicely. Our person always says, "the more words, the better." If someone doesn't know something's wrong, they can't fix it!  I know there are some people who are challenged in this area. I married a man of few words, but he's getting better every day. And I get better at giving him a chance to use his words. 
7. Use more words. Who doesn't love a compliment? For the love of Mary!... If it's nice, and it just popped into your head, SAY IT! And then take it a step further. "You look nice/I love it when you...because...". And guess what? That person is going to start doing that thing a lot more often! It's a win-win. Same thing goes for apologies. Don't just say sorry. Say, "I'm sorry that I...because...". If you don't acknowledge their hurt and your foul, then it means nothing.
8. Explore your person's world. Go do what he loves to do. Golf, fishing, hunting, etc. Ask him to go do what you love to do. Play tennis, work in the garden, take a cooking class. It's fun to see your partner in their element. I feel like I've seen a different side to Shan after I've watched one of his basketball games...before his knees blew out. It gives each other a chance to show off their own bad-assery!
9. Marriage is to grow us. Y'all may have already figured this out, but it took me a while. God designed marriage to grow us into who He intends us to be. Every single day we learn something new about ourselves and how we relate to others. If it was aways comfortable, then we'd be Jell-O. We'd never change! So let yourself grow. If God's involved, it'll be beautiful!
10. Give 2nd chances. Our God is a God of 2nd chances. You are not above granting a 2nd chance. Unless abuse is involved, be willing to hear your person out and give grace. You may actually learn something about his or her needs. If we hadn't shown each other grace and given 2nd chances, we would have crashed and burned long ago. Plus, goodness happens when we give grace!
11. When emotions are high, discernment is low. We learned that in a couples Bible study once and it stuck with us. When things are intense, it is not a good time to talk about it. Your pre-frontal cortex is shot! You're gonna have to simmer down in order to reason and resolve the issue. Shan is rill good at this. He's sat on things for a couple of days before. I have no idea how he does that. Me?...Nope. But I'm still trainable. 
12. Don't say you're done, unless you're REALLY done. We have both said, "you know what? I'm done!", an obscene amount of times until we finally forbid ourselves to say it ever again. It is off-limits. And if you know it's off limits it forces you to deal with the situation and push through. So no, you are not "done".
13. Learn all about Moody Bitches. I encourage every woman, and everyone who loves a woman, or who is raising a woman to read this book by Julie Holland. We are all Moody Bitches and you need to know why. This book just may save every relationship in the history of forever. Once you read it, pass it along.
14. Stop Comparing. Social media has created this monster. Of course people are going to celebrate their good days on Facebook and Instagram. I don't fault anyone for that. I do it too. I only know a handful of folks who air it all (and it's super entertaining, I might add). But, no! The grass is not greener. We've learned if it appears to be, it is only for 2 reasons... 1) There's a whole bunch o' manure on the lawn. More than you want to deal with. Or 2) They are taking time to pull the weeds and feed the rough patches. So fix your own grass.
15. Gratitude. It's a fact that people do a better job when they feel appreciated. It's also a fact that people feel better about life in general when they offer thanks and gratitude. Say "thank you" periodically. It's not hard. Same thing as compliments...if it pops in your head and you're grateful, SAY IT!
16. Brag a little! Here I go with words again. Brag about your person. If you ate at a good restaurant you'd tell people, right? So why not tell everyone about the great meal your sweetie made? Or tell them about how hard they've been working on this new DIY project. Do it when they aren't around. It creates positive energy...a little flicker of pride and appreciation for what you have, and it'll stay with you. I swear.
17. There's power in a hug. I love me some words, but when words fail you, give a hug. A hug says I love you, you're safe, I understand, I'm happy to see you, I'm sorry, I appreciate you, and so much more! Even people who hate hugs, deep down, they need one too. Hug!
18. Take a trip down memory lane. From time to time, reminisce about how you met or what your favorite memories are from early on. I don't know what it is about going back to that happy place that reignites the spark and makes you feel giddy all over again. I love hearing his version! It makes me laugh and wonder why the heck I didn't scare him off. 
19. Romantic Love vs. Mature Love Mature love is supposed to be our ultimate goal. Romantic love is fun and frivolous. It's necessary to stir passion and win over a heart. Romantic love is fleeting, but mature love is constant and unconditional. I think of how Shan took care of me after 3 C-sections and how I did the same for him after 2 knee surgeries. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else, and he wouldn't have either. Mature love is cozy and safe. But it can also be boring, which is where the struggle comes in. At some point, healthy, long-lasting relationships turn into mature love, but it's important to keep some aspects of the romantic love in play. I'm a nostalgic person and love the feeling of frivolous romantic love. I'm conflicted though. I'd rather have the safety and security of mature love, but I still crave the butterfly-inducing thrill of romantic love. Striking the balance of settling into mature love, but simultaneously keeping romantic love new and fresh is a constant challenge. So here's what we've learned... Make plans to take a trip! That's a three-fold thrill...looking forward to it - actually going - then reminiscing. Surprise your spouse! With anything from a visit to work for lunch, a special night out with friends, or tickets to an event. Leave love notes here and there, because those are always fun to find. And tell your guy to buy the grocery store flowers if it means keeping the thrill in mature love!
20. In & Out - Over & Over It took us a while and a couple of doozies to realize you're not going to be on your "A game" all the time in your relationship. Sometimes you're in and sometimes you're out. And it's going to happen more than once. Just know that while one person is still in the game, you've still got a shot. But if both of you are on the bench, it's not going to end well. Nor is it going to end well if that one person tries to play the whole game alone. If you can just hang on until a timeout comes along, you'll be good.
21. Stay Golden. And scratch each other's back. Literally and figuratively. You scratch his back and he'll scratch yours. And joint back scratching can only lead to good things! {*wink* And we all know that's a good thing for marriage.} Payback can be hell, but this is your chance to make it really sweet. Seriously though. Good deeds and doing for others what you'd like them to do for you is a simple, yet dynamic and effective concept. That's why it's the Golden Rule!
22. Opposites continue to attract. If it feels like you're growing apart, you're just not leaning in close enough. The same things that attracted you in the first place are still there, they just might look a little different after 25ish years. The majority of couples are polar opposites...night owl/early bird, impulsive/planner, introvert/extrovert...etc. That never changes. Idiosyncrasies might. But do you really want a partner who gradually morphs into you? Ewww. No! If you feel distance, bridge the gap! Lean in and embrace the differences.  
23. Celebrate your person! This may sound dumb, but throw at least one surprise party. It's even better on a half birthday or a random 33rd or 47th... and offers a great reprieve in case you accidentally dropped the ball on a milestone. Same concept as bragging but with cake...and friends and wine. Shan got a 40th and I got a 40.5! Neither of us will ever forget it and we both agree that it made us feel super special.
24. Keep your friends. You need your friends to do your things. He needs his friends to do his things. And you need friends together. The best kind of couple friends are the ones who love their spouses and who equally support your marriage. It doesn't mean their marriage has to be picture-perfect. But it's the ones who believe in duking it out for the long haul, through the ups and downs. It's a lot harder to fall apart if you have a safety net around you.
25. Plan for the empty nest. What do you want your marriage to look like on the other side of raising kids? Start doing those things now. The experiences and moments may be few and far between while you're trapped in these wild, hairy days of carpool and athletic fields. But don't wait to reconnect after they're gone. It'll be too late.

Wow! You made it to the end. I know there are a gazillion articles on relationships and marriage, but hopefully there was a nugget you could take away from this list.

All-in-all, I have to say Shan and I love each other pretty darn hard and well. We muddle through the good, bad, and the ugly and try to keep perspective. This whole spending-the-rest-of-your-life-together thing is completely wild and unpredictable. I know this list will change as we do, and we haven't mastered any of the above, but we keep all of them in practice on the daily. Bottom line...I am his, and he is mine, and we will continue to work on the details.

A Letter On Your 15th Birthday

Dear Sambo,

I have no idea if I'm doing any of this right. I'm sure you think I'm failing miserably most days. But I promise you, I try my best, with LOTS of God's and my village's help! And I'll always apologize to you because you had to be my guinea pig on this parenting thing! It ain't easy. 

But when I take a step back from the day to day chaos, from being a "cringy" mom, our clashing tastes in music, and all your eye-rolling, I see the unique, amazing person you're becoming. Your sweet heart and the way you love your family, the way you recognize the hurt and needs of others, your passion for music and talent on the guitar, and the handsome young man you've become, are all things that make a momma smile. But more than anything!...I love that you feel like "fitting in" is not a good option for you, because you were definitely born to stand out. 

So about all this turning 15 stuff. First of all, that went by REALLY fast. "TBH", I really do NOT want to teach you to drive. That scares me in more ways than you can imagine. Until now, I've faced the challenges head on. But dad will just have to do that, and I will just close my eyes and rock in the corner. Remember...eyes on the road, hands at 10 and 2, and mostly, that no phone call, text message, Snapchat, or anything else is more important than your safety and the safety of the people you're sharing the road with! Pull over if you need to respond immediately. 

I know you're at an age where things will be offered to you. Things that are not safe, or healthy and things you aren't ready for...even if you think you are. People who say "no" are stronger than the ones who say "yes". The "nos", they're just blending in. As Muzzy always told me, "people judge you by the company you keep." Remember your faith. Remember your goals. And remember that in the words of Boppa that "it only takes one time" and "nothing good happens after midnight". And remember that absolutely no one got anywhere good in a body bag. So pick good friends. 

Speaking of body...your body is a temple. Trash in - trash out. Make good choices. What you do today effects your tomorrow. Keep up the great work with golf and weightlifting. And remember my obsession with Marky-Mark. He did not get those abs sitting on his computer or eating a whole box of Cheez-its, and the container of cupcakes his mom bought for his brother's class. 

I'm sure that you've already realized this, but I also want you to know that girls are awesome! They might smell good, be pretty, funny, and some appear smarter than others, but all of them are STRONG. So strong that they will crush your heart. Choose one wisely! You may feel particularly entranced by a few, but they are NEVER to be taken advantage of. I don't give a rip what the circumstances are...NO, MEANS NO. You're a boy, and it will without a doubt ALWAYS be your fault. Girls are to be respected and they are never objects to be exploited. I know you've heard this a million times already, but it's worth repeating. Thankfully, you've got an excellent role model in your dad. Keep watching what he does! 

Mind your manners. You are now old enough that your manners - good or bad - are becoming more of a reflection of you, than how you've been raised. It's still pretty basic. Say please and thank you, yes ma'am/sir and no ma'am/sir to your elders and authority figures, extend your hand, look people in the eye, open and hold doors for ladies, the elderly, and the disabled, and for the love of all things...surrender the parking place - the extra steps are good for you and please let people OFF the elevator before you get on (makes me crazy). Trust me! It's appreciated. Kindness always wins, and as always, just treat others as you'd like to be treated! 

I'm gonna talk about the "S" word now. Sorry! You roll your eyes when it comes up, but school really IS important. It comes easier to some more than others. I know you'd rather eat glass than get up and go most days.  But you HAVE to go or we'll go to jail, and you'll more than likely have to dig ditches for minimum wage to support your brothers and #BadArnold if you don't. Not kidding. Just do the work. If anyone gets it, I do! I got my Masters in Procrastination. It took me 5 years to get out of high school and 6 to finish college. I don't recommend it. Brady Souder and your dad lectured me in college one night, as I sat procrastinating in the same spot for hours and hours. Their message to me was along the lines of...Your other options don't look too hot without an education. So hurry up and finish so we can go out! I hope you're pickin' up what I'm puttin' down, Sam. And always remember how your first summer job felt. That's pretty much what life would be like without school.

At any rate...Keep the faith! God WILL carry you when you feel like you can't carry yourself. If you don't know what to do, ask Him first, then us. He will never steer you wrong and cause you harm. He continues to sculpt you and so far He's doing a fine job. You are precious to all who know you, Sambo and I hope you will never doubt your greatness! So CHEERS to 15! Make the best of it and the years to come. Oh Happy Day! We love you. 

XO,

Mom

P.S. I know Fulton and Oliver probably wonder why the heck I always write to/about you. One day they'll realize that because of the gigantic learning curve parenting you that there's really not a whole lot to preach about and apologize for with them. I can focus on the frilly stuff. So technically, they've been spared in the long run. 

You I love.

Carson told Robin when she was really little that instead of saying "I love you", she would rather say "you I love". Because if it's the last time you see that person, the last word you said to them was "love." There's so much truth and goodness to that! Just like the goodness Robin brought to our lives.

So today is the day. One year. "Miss" is too weak a word. I can't quite think of a word that describes this last year of firsts without her. The last time I saw her was August 25, 2016 at 3:22 PM at the gas station. The reason I know it was 3:22 is because I looked at the clock and couldn't believe that she wasn't already in the carpool line to get Carson at 3:45. She liked to be the first one Carson would see when she would walk out. We both smiled and waved, as both of us were on our phones, per usual...and I'm sure both of us were assuming that we would see each other after carpool in the cul-de-sac in the next 20 minutes anyway. But God had another plan. Since that time I have thought of 1000 things I wished that I could have said to her, if I had only known it would be the last time I would see her.

Supposedly, as I've read, "grief is just love with no place to go." This year of firsts has been hard. But I am forever grateful for Carson, Billy, Tricia, Cheryl, and Bergen, and all the friends who knew and loved Robin who have given me a place to put that love. Especially those who have asked how everyone is and who have listened to my Robin stories. Thank you! Sharing definitely eases the pain. She loved us all so hard and so fiercely. And she would also love knowing how frequently her name comes up in our conversations.

In her absence so much has happened. So much I wish we could talk about. There have been birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and every day life…teen drama, mama drama, she would have gotten a kick out of the third-world-like illnesses at the Baker house this year, car accidents, my exercise induced panic attack that sent me to urgent care, drama in The Acres, and all sorts of stuff. I have cackled and belly laughed by myself in my car thinking about her while passersby probably thought that I was crazy. I have sat silently and mindlessly recalling some of my favorite times with her, wanting to hear her voice again. There have even been times that I have said "oh my gosh I've got to tell Robin", only to feel the blow of reality. Then there are the deep moments of grief, I feel they have aged me…a lot. She would thoroughly enjoy the new wrinkles that have popped up on my face and the ridiculous amount of gray hairs that have sprouted. And then she would encourage me to let Billy color it...because he just LOVED to do hers! 😜 But I have also felt an urge to live life to its fullest. I have found myself seizing opportunities and having confidence to do things I wouldn't have ordinarily done. It's been a gift in this ugly, dark time.

Instinctively, I still look across the street and wonder when she's going to be home. And I also miss her phone calls first thing in the morning and her walking over to sample my dinners while I was cooking...because she wasn't. I am blessed to have had her directly across the street and in my every day life for 10 years. She may be gone, but I'll never forget the pizzazz she added to my life. I said in her eulogy that I have never had a friend quite like Robin, and I doubt that I ever will again. And I still feel the same way a year later.

I would love to think that she can see this post and know how much she's missed, but I know better than that. I know that where she is is far greater than anywhere here on earth. But I'm still waiting on that cell service to Heaven, or at the very least a Facebook page! It sure would take grieving down a notch.

Any who... we made it through the "firsts" and we're on to "seconds". And I'll always be wishing she was here while celebrating her memory every single day.

"You I love", sweet friend!

Summer 2017 Edition of "Have You Ever?"

Have you ever...

left your 14 year-old son for dead in the middle of the NC mountains, in a cabin straight out of Deliverance, at an all-girls camp to work on the kitchen staff, with one of his best buddies from birth?

 Facetime with Sambo at Camp Glenn-Arden, where he spent 2 weeks on the kitchen staff. I may or may not have cried when I dropped him off. SO thank God for Facetime!

 Sam and Harper's cabin...can you hear the banjo music?

Sam-Sam the dish-washin' man.

Sam and his buddy Harper who got him into this mess. 😉  But he came out with a pretty good paycheck and a solid skill set in the kitchen.

been in awe of a God-wink straight from Heaven?

Long story, short... At Worship Week Camp, Fulton was asked to sing a verse from one of my favorite praise songs, which happened to also be Robin's favorite and was played at her funeral. I have no doubt in my mind that she had something to do with that song selection for Fulton and I was so happy to have Carson standing right there with me.

In my last post I mentioned that it had been kind of an "off" summer. I've struggled to juggle it all - working from home, entertaining the boys, and taking care of the house, all while Shan has been traveling. My prayer each day is to "be signing when the evening comes." Most nights my singing sounds more like a sigh of relief that I survived another day. But in my heart I'm singing!

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord Oh My Soul)

And Oliver couldn't have made a more precious Blues Brother in his skit!

had a night that you didn't want to end, because it meant saying goodbye to someone you've loved a very long time?

You'll have to read it here on Facebook, because I don't want to start crying again.

  

  

  

  

reconnected with childhood friends for a wedding weekend and automatically turned back into a 12 year-old girl?

I love friends who are more like family and the fun weddings that go along with them! We had an amazing weekend in Charleston with two of my oldest friends, Christine and Dawn, and Christine's family.

  

had a Snapchat filter ease your pain until the meds kicked in?

Chronic Daily Headaches (it's a real thing...look it up) are not for sissies!!!

gone to an abandoned mall to ride the escalators and run the halls on a hot, rainy, summer day in Columbia, SC?

Well.

had a little red table that you purchased from the preschool where your boys went, and they have all out grown it, but you just can't get rid of it because they still like to sit there?

They literally eat breakfast and lunch here everyday.

had a little boy who brings the party be in so much pain that you will stop at nothing to find out what is wrong...even if it makes you look like the Munchausen By Proxy mom?

Another long story... basically what started out as a sinus infection, turned into a hellacious cough, that caused excruciating middle of the night headaches for this guy, and landed us in the ER and Dr.'s office a few times and then a brain MRI. We are happy to report that according to our family friend who is a neurologist that Fulton has a very healthy and "fluffy" 11 year-old brain. I am not happy to report that he still has his horrible cough 3 1/2 weeks later and that he has passed it on to me and Sam!

used your phone-a-friend to get picked up a block from your house and be taken to urgent care, during a run, in the middle of a summer day, because your heart-rate was 2,000,000 BPM, only to find out it was an exercise-induced panic attack and you were a little dehydrated?

Can't make it up. Discuss amongst yourselves.

jumped the batteries for two stranded motorists in one week - one of whom is a dear friend on a conference call for a meeting that both of you are supposed to be at, while you have bronchitis and are seeking mechanical assistance from YouTube and your "back-up husband" on the phone because your husband is out of town and her husband is in the middle of a deposition - and the other motorist is a stranger at gas station who caused you to miss your movie time?

Mandy will kill me for posting this. But it's amazing the lengths we'll go to for our fellow Junior Leaguers!

Funny tidbit...we both have the same car and neither of us knew how to open the hood. I had to watch a YouTube. 😳

had to call the FAPD because a lady with a husky on a leash comes into your yard repeatedly to "play with your dog", even though you've asked her not to, and then your dog eventually gets attacked...just as you thought he would?

#BadArnold is his nickname for fun, but he is really a great dog and I felt so sorry for him. But y'all it sounded like Call of the freakin Wild outside in my front yard. Poor buddy was pinned under the shrubs yelping. 😢

taken your children to be tested for Whooping Cough because nothing is helping this cough and it's been in your house for almost a month?

Just got the call...NO WHOOPING COUGH! Praise for small victories.

had a summer that sent you on a trip to the grocery store, that makes it look like you just broke up with your boyfriend?

But seriously. Have you...EVER?