dear boys

Not taking a break...NO WAY!!!  Too much to say!!!

also a song for your reading/listening pleasure





dear lonely
i know you are and i'll be here for you the whole time
in any way that you need me to be...no strings attached
love
friend

dear bell boy
soooooo soooooo glad things are back to normal
thanks for being honest with me and not thinking less of me
i'm trying to follow your advice...though its very hard and i've slipped up once already
i'm still trying...promise!
love
your hot mess friend

dear new kid on the block
boy boy crazy boy...keep cool boy!
and then...dive on in!
love
someone who has walked in your shoes before

dear us and them
i'm not saying we should hold hands and sing kumbi-ya
but there is only a perception of hatred...not actual
lets all get over it and just be kind to one another
love
the (self-proclaimed) "queen" of the island of misfit toys

dear addition
i love having you around. you bring the perfect balance
love
#4 of the fab five

dear shark number two
awkward!  sorry but that is gonna be a no!!!
like a big huge no!!!!
i have a "you don't have to always say yes to a first date" policy
you are kind but SOOOOOO not for me
love
girl concerned about becoming shark bait

dear big man on campus
ummmmmm ok this is all a little concerning
keeping an extra close eye on it all
but promising to not overthink it
love
worry-wart

dear dancer
well isn't this interesting
you are too short....and she ain't interested
but hey go for it!  who knows
love
girl who will tell you where she will be...but won't give you her number

dear espanolo
oooo...room has been made for you to swoop in
how are your swooping skills? you really should swoop
i'll help ;)
love
matchmaker

dear mr mystery
ummmmm so yeah didn't expect to ever see you again
AWKWARD
love
whoopsies!

dear eye candy
you may be too young...but you are sure good to look at
so feel free to stick around ;)
love
heres lookin at you kid

dear rule guy
ummmm she's not interested
and you are too excited...settle down honey!!!
deep breaths..lets do it together....smell the flowers...blow out the candles
ya gotta chill man!
love
cautious friend

dear baby brother
you are going to be here soon!!!
SOOOOOOOOOO over the moon excited!
love
big sis



Our fearless dear boys leader ;)

The Inspiration

Dr Suess once said,
"Don't cry because it is over, Smile Because it Happened"


You know those moments when you are incandescently happy?
When you feel safe..physically and emotionally?
When you feel loved and wanted and even needed?
When you are surrounded by those you love, doing things you love, in a place you love.

I call it contentment.  Contentment is more than giddy happiness.  Its deeper than that.  It means love and safety along with that happiness.


I've had these content moments throughout my life...and when things are really bad-all I want to do is go back to those moments.

But I've learned something recently (Thank you Dr Suess)  Its nice to remember those things.  Its nice to look back and remember how wonderful you felt.


But you know what else is awesome?  Finding those times everyday!!!!

There are so many moments of true contentment in this life.

We just need to find them.....

And then we will be less sad that its over...and more likely to smile because of it.

Be Happy Be Healthy

An Introduction

Hello everyone.

We are officially in a new chapter and phase for my little blog baby.

I've enjoyed being the Swilly girl in your life-but lots of life has happened since then, and I think we have outgrown Silly Swilly.


I won't say that I won't still continue to rant occasionally.  Or share my opinions and thoughts.
I will still find a certain joy in the silly and ridiculous....
And there will still be the occasional dear boys
And of course I will join up with nursing link-up or High Five for Fridays every so often.

But for the most part we are just going to remember.  And document for future remembering.
We are going to be happy and look for the good, without glazing over the bad the inevitably happens

I want to throw out a special thanks to all who have been with me through this whole journey.
I have so many loyal and fantastic followers, who are even more amazing friends and acquaintances.
Thanks for trudging through format changes and crazy rants, novel long posts, too much music, never enough pictures and more often than not TERRIBLE writing.

Ya'll are the best.  And I hope we can hang out here in the blogosphere for a while!



Be Happy Be Healthy!

PLEASE EXCUSE THE MESS.....

We are under construction

The Obligatory Happy Daddy's Day Post

Everyone does it....and trust me...I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Daddyo

(and yes I do call him that and yes that is how he is in my phone and yes the ringtone that plays when he calls is a swing song called "Go Daddyo!)


But it just seems so trite to write a post about him.
He's the guy I always have and forever will be able to count on 110% and I honestly just don't want to trivialize it.


So we will keep it short and sweet...and reluctantly cheesy.


My dad is the reason I am who I am today.
He has instilled values in me from the day I was born that have led me to the place I am in my career and to the place I am as a person.
He has protected me my whole life-from both spiders and heartache.

Plus he lets me be annoying and loud and crazy and always pretends to listen to my rants.

BEST DADDY EVER!!!!

BEST accidental picture EVER!!!!!!!

(not very flattering....but AWESOME!!!)

Backroads, Railroad Tracks and Fireflies

Ever had a night that you felt like was really close to perfect?


I've had a few times in my life when I have felt TRULY 100% content and happy.

and last night was one of those times.

I was hesitant to go out-just kinda in a blah.  An "I've worked all week and now I am cranky, tired, and pathetic" mood.  But my friends convinced me....so I went over and we chatted for a while, nothing fancy, nothing big.  And then suddenly....we were in the truck...windows down, music at full blast...heading south.

Now we all know how much I love my town.  The city of St Louis is STELLAR and my little corner of suburbia....AMAHZING.
But drive 45 or so minutes south-and BAM-yo South County...or SoCO as the locals call it....and if you know where to go-some of the best spots in town.


There is still an old railroad that runs right along the Mississippi river and if you go at the right time-you can walk along the track, in total still silence with nothing but the quiet rustle of the trees in the wind and the water  lapping against the shore.

If its a clear night, the stars are tremendous and if you are really lucky- you might see one or two shooting across the sky.  The smell of honeysuckle (aka the official smell of summer around here!) is almost intoxicating while the fireflies dance in the woods looking like a professional fireworks show.

It truly was an incredible night.

And though it is cheesy-this will forever be the song that will remind me of the night we left the crazy and just WERE...

Sometimes life can be lonely.  Sometimes it gets you down and there are hard times.

But also there are somedays when it seems like nothing can go wrong. 

And those days recharge you and make you remember.

If I ever leave this place-I will certainly miss it-but I will always smile at the memories.

Be Happy Be Healthy!

Favorite Things Friday--CHANGE

Alright...lets be real....I usually hate change.


But today..this week....this month...I LOVE IT!!!



Its what I need.


I've been a bit apathetic lately.  Just kinda easy-going and take it as it comes.

And its not been bad.

But now its time to make a change.


We are now going to flip it around.


I'm throwing myself into it now!

Work...church Public Affairs...my blog....my "projects"


Watch out!!!

Yes I am obsessed with this song.  Yes I am late to the party.  But by being late....I won't get annoyed with it as fast as ya'll.  Naner Naner BOO BOO

Be Happy Be Healthy!

dear boys-a melancholy one

Isn't melancholy such a perfect word?  Sometimes I feel like it describes my mood so much better than sad.  Cause its not really sad.
Its like sad with a hint of resigned and a dash of concern that things will never quite work out.

Somedays are melancholy days.  Luckily not all....but I never have been one to gloss over the negative.
Its a part of life.  Let deal with it and move on ya know?  No dwelling...but no glossing either!

And so with that introduction/explanation....I give you dear boys




dear bell boy
i'm not angry.  i just sad and disappointed.
i know this is what is supposed to happen.  and you did warn me.
but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.
love
left behind


dear tractor boy
i'm glad you were so sweet to her.
just wish i could get the same.
but i guess i will just have to be satisfied with the first
love
heart broken


dear big man on campus
i foresee not so good things happening soon.
now the question is...do i pull out now before the above happens for a THIRD time this year
or do i hold on for as long as i can?
love
torn


dear three piece suit
must you leave?  ya'll always leave!
its all good.  i'm excited for you..hopefully you will keep me in the loop with all your adventures.
cause heaven knows you will have way more than me!!!!
love
excited for you


dear rule guy and bubble popper
i'm sorry you were the brunt of their jokes.
it breaks my heart
please know-they are just insecure stupid...kids...who have no idea
love
trying to be lovely


dear felon
i'm fine just fine. happy for you i guess
it totally blows but...whateves. not much i can do about it right?
guess the whole "he'll realize what he is missing and come crawling back"
ain't gonna happen...as i predicted
love
3 years too old





Anyway everyone-enjoy your Wednesday.
Remember to always check out what is new in Elise-y land
And Be Happy Be Healthy!!!!!

The BEST movie ever!!!

Again a lazy post....I'm watching this movie...yes right now.....


BEST MOVIE EVER!!!  Always makes everything good...better...stellar etc.

It makes me laugh:

"I've got to do something about the way I look"

"Thursday! It can't be! It's too gruesome!"

"You could always tell what kind of a person a man thinks you are by the earrings he gives you. I must say, the mind reels."

"She's a model, believe it or not, and a thumping bore. But just look at the goodies she brought with her."

"Ahh... Do I detect a look of disapproval in your eye? Well tough beans buddy, 'cause that's the way it's gonna be."

"It's useful being top banana in the shock department."

"Turns out he was a super-rat in rat's clothing!"

BEST SCENE!!!!!

And sometimes cry:

"I'm like cat here, a couple of no-name slobs. We belong to nobody and nobody belongs to us. We don't even belong to each other."


"You know what's wrong with you, Miss Whoever-You-Are? You're chicken, you've got no guts. You're afraid to stick out your chin and say, "Okay, life's a fact, people do fall in love, people do belong to each other, because that's the only chance anybody's got for real happiness." You call yourself a free spirit, a wild thing, and you're terrified somebody's going to stick you in a cage. Well, baby, you're already in that cage. You built it yourself. And it's not bounded in the west by Tulip, Texas, or in the east by Somaliland. It's wherever you go. Because no matter where you run, you just end up running into yourself."


"You musn't give your heart to a wild thing. The more you do, the stronger they get, until they're strong enough to run into the woods or fly into a tree. And then to a higher tree and then to the sky."


"I'll never let ANYBODY put me in a cage."

BEST SONG EVER!!!!

Want a Couple of Movies on a Monday????

Just watch....they say it better than I ever could

(skip to minute 1)

And with that-Be Happy Be Healthy!

An explanation

Dear bloggy followers and friends

I am sooooo sorry I have been neglecting you!  There are some changes that are coming around the bend and I have been spending the free time I usually spend on blogging on that.


Don't worry-its nothing too drastic...just some major format changes.

anyway..please don't leave I promise things will get back to normal soon!!!


with love
me

ps...be happy be healthy

dear-sy boy-sy ;)

This will be a quick one...cause I worked last night and I have to go back tonight.  So I has to goes to beds!!!


But first!



dear all that....aka big man on campus
first i am thinking you are going to become a regular...so we are changing your name
second...thank you for allowing me a vicarious love life
sincerely
best friend


dear tractor boy
i am a great friend.  you are missing out.  cause lets be real i'm likely the the only person willing to be your friend...and by friend i mean TRUE friend who actually cares about you.
but i'm done cause its just not worth it.
love
yeah...done


dear three piece suit
thanks.   i'm grateful for a little....excitement is a strong word but...interesting whatevers???
yeah that is what we shall call it.
love
me

Be Happy Be Healthy

Sometimes I Wonder...

why I do the things I do.  Why on earth am I (and by I, I truly mean we) so stupid sometimes???

Some might say...you are human...and being human makes you stupid.
But you know what I say????  Humans make other humans stupid.
That is my official stance on stupidity.
My stupidest moments have been in reaction to another human.

Now I of course don't blame them. (Its not their fault they are human....and therefore cause stupidity)  But I also fully acknowledge that without that interaction with another human...I would not have acted so darned stupid!


And seriously sometimes you step back and ask yourself "Why the heck am I being so stupid?" .... aka the question I am asking myself tonight.



There is this really stellar jerk in my life right now.  And I don't mean he is stellar at being a jerk.  I mean he is a stellar person who for some reason feels the need to be a jerk more frequently than the average person.

I was this boy's friend...and still consider myself to be so..

And so despite the fact that this boy has hurt me quite badly (to be frank)...when others disparage him-I want to leap down their throats (metaphorically of course!).

And everyone (alright so lots...every is an exaggeration) rags on him.  And maybe in their minds he deserves it.  But in mine he doesn't and so I sit quietly-unable to truly defend him because all they say is technically true-but knowing they are so so wrong.

And so I sit in the corner quiet and pouty-being sad and mad all at the same time.

I've always been very protective of my friends.
But shouldn't the jerk part cancel out the friend part????

And alas I am double stupid....keeping the friend and then defending him.

Darned humans...you make me stupid!!!!!!




Not sure why this song is the one that goes with this somehow......but it does so...deal with it????????

Anyway everyone

Be Happy Be Healthy!!!!

Philadelphia

I like this song.

Also I like the.....
2 children's hospitals...nice
1 YSA ward and 2 institutes
The Phillies...i'll still cheer for my cardinals..but at least its a national league team!!!
Cheese-steaks and soft pretzels...well really just soft pretzels
Fairmount park..gorg!  and the biggest in the country
According to Wikipedia...its the 5th most walk-able city in the country

The City of Brotherly Love people!!!!!

pretty right???

Pretty water!!!!!

Its not Busch.....but it would do....

Just thoughts I am batting around...maybe Philly is better then Boston..or D.C.  or NYC.....


Cause as much as I love StL....its time to bounce!!!!!

dear boys..just can't get enough

dear 3 piece suit
um yum-za-doodles!!!!  you are totes adorbs
please continue to be fashion forward and look like you belong in an H&M catalog
cause it rocks!
love
fashion challanged


dear boys everywhere
I'M GOING ON A MAN CLEANSE.  AND YOU DO NOT MAKE THAT EASY BY PLAYING WITH BABIES AND CHECKING ON ME IN BAD WEATHER AND DRESSING NICE.
CUT IT OUT
sincerely
a girl attempting to cleanse


dear all that
you are great.
just treat 'er right k??
love
bestie


dear scorpio
that was really weird.  not sure why you called
i think i am glad you did.  not sure.
love
still a little stunned


dear tractor boy
i know i should get up the courage to have "the talk" with you
but seeing as it sadly won't change a darn thing....
i'm gonna skip it.
love
me



And that is all...because as I said above.... MAN CLEANSE ;)

Be Happy Be Healthy