Southern or nah

So I was born and raised in the south. I still live in the south but I don't think I fit the mold to what you think or maybe it's what true through and through southerners would say. I'll start with a list of ways that other than being born that I am a true grit. I am a biscuit lovin' girl. You can eat them for any meal. Breakfast with jam, dessert with honey, lunch or dinner as is or slap a summer tomato on that bad boy and ohhhh myyyyyy gahhhhh. My drink of choice is just like all you other southern babies out there- Sweet Tea! My mama (yea I call her mama...southern) has started drinking half and half and I am totally disgusted with her for that. No. Just no. I like my pearl but I also don't mind goin' mud boggin'. Pig Pickin' are the most delicious meals. My Mema was the absolute best cook. Yep, I had a mema. And a papa. My papa would pick me up from school and then go to a little rinky dink store and get the brown bag special. It would sit in his lap and he'd sip on it while I sat in the front seat unbuckled. Also, I knew when my folks yelled cops exactly what to do. I'd fall to the floor board because you know good and well, I wasn't supposed to be sitting up in that front seat. We'd eat normal lunches Monday-Saturday but on Sunday, we ate a dinner for lunch. My mema would cook up a storm and we'd all come. Even when I went to college, knowing good and well I couldn't come over for Sunday lunch, but I wanted to know what she had cookin' and I'd call her and then I'd get homesick. It was my Sunday routine. I can still dial that same phone number in my head. Okay, I'll shutup there bc I will cry. So I was raised baptist. We call it Southern Baptist. I don't know what the difference in b/t baptist and southern baptist but we were sure to say southern baptist. When I was 12, I was allowed to drive 4wheelers all by myself. It was the most fun. Do you think for a second I'd allow my kiddos to get on one?? Yea, I would. Their dad, who is not southern, would freak!!! I say y'all, reckon', yonder, and eat grits with butter or cheese...you come at me with sugar and I will slap it out of your hand. Sugar can go in anything and everything just like bacon grease but NOT in my grits. You can probably put bacon grease in my grits though...that doesn't sound bad. So now you're thinking, this girl IS southern. Right? Well, by "southern law", I don't check off all the boxes. For one, I don't hunt. Duck, deer, bird...nope not for me. Nor do I eat deer. Or ribs, or pork rinds, or anything on bone. Sitting in a stand in the wee hours of the morning and being totally silent...yea that ain't for me. And then when you kill your first, they wipe blood on your face. I'm telling you, I would gag and throw up. I can't even kill a roach or a spider without gagging. So obviously, murdering will never be my forte as I will vomit and there you have evidence and I'm away for life. Well, that kind of went in a different direction didn't it? Back to why I'm not as southern as southerners would say. I also don't eat okra or collard greens. Gag me. I don't go to the flea market. It's gross. I'm sorry, but it is. It's so dusty out there. Yea, I'll go mud boggin' and lay in the sand at the beach but no, I am not an outdoorsy, get dirty kind of gal. I don't smoke nor do I chew tobacco. I don't wear sweats or t shirts and I don't go to family reunions. I also won't go to walmart in my bedroom shoes OR pajamas....hahahha I totally would. But my hair would be fixed and I'd have make up. I'd totally confuse you. Now that I am writing this, I 'm thinking of more ways that I am southern. Like, I am looking out my front window, thinking I really want to sit on my porch as I watch the wind blow my neighbor's American Flag. Oh and no, I don't own a confederate flag. I'm not red yall. I said southern. Well, I guess this is what was on my mind this morning as I made my family biscuits for breakfast. Until next time, Bless your heart.

Dear old me...skinny me...the bill less me

Ever look back and think, how stupid was I? I was a size 4/6 and complained about my weight. My athletic build for being so active with cheerleading and dance ( don't label me just yet) and now I'm like twice the size I was and umm still the same height so umm old me...you're a flippin' moron. of course you're not supposed to look back because that's wrong to live with regrets...yada..yada. Insert inspirational quote about why the now is so much better and more important. But here I am, striving to get back to a body that I once had with an appetite that has matured and weakened at the same time. So I am going to write a letter to the old me that maybe the youthful you will get something out of. Just maybe so here goes: Dear Teenage Me, Hey girl, what's up? I'm just chillin. Actually no, I'm not. As I type this I am filled with guilt on all of the things I should be doing right now instead of this and I'm yelling from downstairs for your children to stop fighting upstairs. You are too young to worry about this kind of stuff and that's good. But, I'm gonna insert the sex talk here. You 90% will not marry the fool that you are willing to give your virginity to. It's okay. I'm not going to tell you to wait before marriage because we all know you are going to do what you want to do. With that being said, let it be both of your ideas. Be an adult about if you're going to do adult things. Talk about. Use you know so you don't get you know... It's an awkward convo that I am totally not looking forward to discussing with our kids. Anyhow, and really....not in the back of his car. That is so cliche and so not on prom night. Do you know how much that dress cost and how difficult it is to get on and off?? DO you think boy knows how to get it back on and omg all of the hairspray and bobbypins in your hair. SKIP THIS NIGHT. But SOOO go to prom. You won't remember it. Not because you were drunk but because it just really wasn't that great. Do these milestones though. I got to rambling there. Okay, BOYS. Do not date the same boy all through high school. Get a new boyfriend. Experience life but not in a spread the love kind of way. Just don't be tied down. Have fun. Enjoy your girlfriends! You likely won't see them after hs and chances are, you won't remain friends. It's okay!! You will gain new friends! Go out more. Don't , I repeat, don't lose your parent's trust. Having their trust is everything as a teen. Don't be stupid. Don't go places alone. Especially at night. Be kind. Like to everyone. Even those bitches that are totally skank. You will see why when you get older. Life does not treat them well and it's mostly because they didn't have their parent's trust. ok...maybe it's because they whored around, smoked cigs, and cut class. Don't be like them. Total losers. Don't smoke. It's so unattractive and it stinks and you can get addicted to it. There is seriously not a single positive when it comes to smoking. But seriously, you want to be known for being kind. So be kind. always. Don't be a cow and moo like everyone else. Your clothes do not need to be Abercrombie. Wear what looks good on you. Even if it comes from Goodwill. Tight clothes make your ass look even bigger anyhow. Oh! AND You're not fat. You will get bigger. Appreciate your curves and ability to eat Waffle House at midnight without consequences. When you get older, things head south. It sucks. OKay, I am totally going to mom out on you here. Your grades, study habits, and classes matter. They do. You will never use calculus. You won't but still, you have to do that crap in college and you have to do well in college to get a degree and you need a degree to get a job. So just suck it up buttercup, and aim for the stars...hahahhaa Just do good in school, okay? Appreciate others. Go to church. Be kind. Be honest. Be you. Be 100% you. Stay active. Stay involved. Stay Humble. Yell the loudest if you want to at games. Your opinion of yourself is the one that matters the most. Take criticism but know your self worth and don't forget it. Make goals but include a plan that will help you reach your goals. Travel more. Study abroad for a semester. Don't be afraid. Take chances on new discoveries and new adventure. You are worthy of all that you want and all that you dream. You are no less than amazing. Be amazing. Don't show the world, show yourself. Love, An amazing woman