Old Years End

2010. Ten years ago, that seemed like a long time from now. But yet, here I am, hours away from it.
The last 10 years have been crazy and eventful. Sometime, I look back and think "how sad", and sometimes I look back and think "frickin' awesome"

In the last 10 years, I have:
-lived in 3 different states
-lived in 9 different houses,
-been engaged twice, married once
-carried 2 babies in my belly
-given birth to said babies.
-changed careers (drastically)
-taken over 15 tests to do those careers effectively,
-lost a parent
-lost a parent in a different way
-gained some parents
-gained 3 cats, 2 of which are still here
-owned 2 houses
-driven over 150,000 miles
-driven 6 different cars
-had 3 accidents, only one of them was bad.
-been in the hospital too many times to count
-become a sister-in-law 6 times
-added 3 new sisters and a new brother by way of Prouty
-become an aunt twice
-made so many new friends, and lost some
-renewed friendships through facebook
-traveled to 3 countries
-and many many states
-loved, loved, loved.
-made November 29, 2002 the start of Elizabeth Prouty
-been loved overwhelmingly and without measure by Jayson Prouty
-been touched indelibly by Dallas and Addison Prouty
-met Robert Joseph, who fills that part of my heart left vacant when I lost my Daddy
-met you or deepened my friendship with you. (and you know who you are). You have made my life better or complete or more full of laughter than I could ever imagine.I thank God for you.

The last 10 years have been life-changing. Awe-inspiring. And in the words of New Kids on the Block circa 1994 "Let's make the next 10 even more Wicked Awesome"

Love, Elizabeth

Not a cheerful receiver

Warning: Seriously embarrassing internal flaw to be revealed.

I LOVE to give gifts. I love watching people open the gifts I've bought for them and can't wait for the moment they see their gift. When I'm shopping and I see something PERFECT for them, I'll buy it...regardless of budget or season. I really do love to give. But receiving? Not so much. It's not that I'm not thankful, I am. The fact that someone thought of me is so great, it's just that I never react well. I can't look at a present without FIRST seeing something wrong with it. "Oh, it's not my color....What do I do with this?....What the hell is this?...." These are all the first thoughts that go through my head. I have to go with this is learned behavior from somewhere, because quite honestly, I am appalled that this is one of my character traits. I can't even manage a simple "Thank you" without going through this knowingly screwes up process. Example: Picture it 2002, St.Louis, our first Christmas...Jayson gives me a gift. A WATCH! (backstory: I'd been needing a watch) I open it....and the first words out of my mouth: "Roman numerals, really? A Blue face....hmmmmm" I couldn't just freaking say THANK YOU???? Of course, Jayson's feelings were super hurt (UNDERSTANDBLY) and actually a couple of minutes later I realized that the watch was great and that I did love it. The point is that it wasn't my FIRST instinct to be thankful. This has caused a PLETHORA of awkward situations even after I have tried with all my might not to be that way. I mean I'm sure that even if you bought me tickets to Wicked, I'm sure my first thought would be "I'm not sure I like where those seats are". What is WRONG with me?

Please understand something if you are reading this and you have or were planning to give me gifts....I ALWAYS END up being thankful and appreciative of the gift, It's just my initial reaction that is so jacked up. Except when my sis-in-law gave out dollar store douches at Christmas...I never really liked that.

And then you get this

While I was still amazed by my little students wish for his parent this Christmas, today I asked what their Christmas wish was and one student said "Revenge". WHAT?

Put in my place

Nothing puts you in your place more than asking students what they want for Christmas and most asking for PSP's and DS's except for your one really quiet and shy student who whispers "my mom and dad...I really want for them to get out of jail for Christmas". Count your blessings and hold your loved ones close.

Learning to read

Today in drama class, I gave students "who" cards which gave a personality trait. They also got "where" and "what" cards with which they were to create a short scene fitting these three pieces together.
One student came up to me and said "Mrs. Prouty, I don't think I can do this "who" card, it's pretty inappropriate." I struggled to think of what card could be considered inappropriate and I asked him "Well, what did the card say?" He leaned in closed and whispered "Titty". I quickly grabbed the card from him only to read the word "Tidy".