The Top 10 Things NOT To Say To Or About A Single Lady

     The following list is my recommendation of what NOT to say to single ladies in your life. Yes, unbelievably, these are all things that have been said to or about me. Sometimes I get downright puffy, lol. Don't worry, I don't stay mad very long. Now, I realize that most people mean well and just don't know what to say. All that said, this is just for fun!

10. "You must have dyed your hair to get a man. That's the only reason women change anything." You keep on thinking that, bud. 

9. "Did she get a boyfriend, because she lost a lot of weight!" Oh no he didn't!

8. "She's going to wait until she's 40, hahaha!!!" Haha, so not funny. 

7. "What's his name, because I know you didn't buy that car yourself?!" Excuse me?!

6. "You know, a good place to meet guys is at Lowe's." Do you think I'm desperate? 

5. Whenever someone is talking about a significant other, please don't jump at the chance to say, "Does he have a single brother, cousin, or friend?!" Singleness is not the only requirement for future prospects. 

4. At weddings: "You're next!" Awkward. 

3. Car salesman: "Yeah, all the guys have been asking me for your friend's number." Really, now? I'm the one that was buying a car. I'm single too. What a slap in the face. 

2. "It will happen when you are content with God." Not true.

And last but not least, my all time fave...........

1.  "No one wants you." Thanks. (And NOT true). 

Flashback Friday: My Daddy

     For this Flashback Friday I wanted to talk about my Daddy. When I was in the first grade, I remember my dad picking me up from school. When I got in the car, he had two (wild?) birds in a laundry basket. I really have no recollection of what kind they were or where he got them from. I immediately became attached. Well, a couple of days later, the birds unfortunately died. My seven-year old self was heartbroken. Crying. I really don't remember much about those birds. Not playing with them, not feeding them, not even if I named them. (What?!) The reason I remember this at all is because of what my Daddy did after they died and I was so upset. My Daddy took me outside for their funeral. He buried them by the birdbath in our backyard. I distinctly remember that it was raining. {Why does it always rain at funerals?} He held me close under the umbrella and prayed thanking God for the time we had with the birds and probably for me to feel better. What a sweet thing to do for his daughter! He didn't have to do any of that! But he did. I'm thankful for this memory and for my Daddy. Happy Father's Day!!! 

Flashback Friday: The Day I Got Effie-Pooh!

     Three years ago this week, my sweet little Effie came into my life. She was so little and cute! (And still is, haha) One of my friends always reminds me that she was hardly taller than the grass, lol. She really changed me and brings me so much joy! I love her so much!!!

Flashback Friday: My Most Embarrassing Moment!!!

     So, I thought it would be fun to flashback on Fridays and tell a story or share a picture from my past. And what better way to kick this off than to tell the story of my most embarrassing moment?!? I can't believe I'm doing this!!! 
     Ok, here it is......A few years ago, either my first or second year as an SLP at a small school, I was going through a typical day of speech therapy. Therapy at school, head start, lunch, bathroom break, more therapy at school. So, around 1:00 or so, I'm going to get a group of kindergarteners. I distinctly remember passing a group of junior highish boys pulling up on the awnings outside the cafeteria. And I also remember that said group of boys snickering and laughing. I kept on moving though. Get my kiddos, and head back to my room. When all of a sudden, one of the teachers followed me out and said, "Ms. Candace, check your back!" My eyes got really big wondering what in the world could be on me. So, I put my hand back there and felt. Oh. my. goodness. My eyes got as big as saucers then. I totally had a long strand of toilet paper hanging out the back of my pants!!!!!! Seriously. Not a short piece. I kept pulling and pulling and pulling until I got it all. The entire time thinking, "How in the world did this happen?!" How embarrassing is that??? I thanked her so much for telling me. My question was, "How many people saw this and didn't bother to tell me?!" As soon as I got to my room, a student brought me a note from the other kindergarten teacher to tell me. Thank you kindergarten teachers! 
     And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my most embarrassing moment. I have to say, I was mortified at the time, but now I think it is just funny. Moral of the story: if you see someone in an embarrassing situation, please tell them! Sure, it may be awkward, but the person will really appreciate it!  Now, what is your most embarrassing moment?? I would love to hear it! :)

My Unusual Story

     Each of us is living our life story so to speak. They are all unfinished stories until we take our final breath. Most of the time, we don't understand what is going on while we are in the middle of them. Sometimes I feel like I have a very unusual story. Here I am 30 years old and single. And not just single---I’m single with no past, present, or seemingly future prospects. Seriously. There were no awkward dates in high school. No going to prom. College boyfriends? Nope. No post-college boyfriends either for that matter. Sure, there have been a few to look at the “bait” as my mom says, but none to actually take it, lol.  I'm sure I'm not the only person this has ever happened to, but it feels that way at times! 

     Let me just say, it is SO confusing! I watch as all my friends get asked out on dates, get boyfriends, get married, and start their families. I wonder, “What’s wrong with me??”  There was a time in my life I honestly believed that I was too shy, too short, not pretty enough, or not skinny enough for guys to be attracted to and interested in me. I mean, I had to blame it on something, right?? Maybe I’m too this or not enough that. But, I've learned that this is simply NOT true. Women with different shapes and sizes and personalities get into relationships all the time. As logical as this may be to you, it was news to me. There is no magic formula, Candace!      
     Now, I have a different mindset. I believe now more than ever before that I am amazing. Yes, I said it. I am amazing and beautiful. And I am totally not being conceited here. Trust me, I know I am no Victoria’s Secret model. I am not a size 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and on and on. But you know what I am?? Uniquely me. One-of-a-kind. Candace. I'm the only me in this world. I am very short and curvy. I am awkwardly shy in groups yet talk too much when I am one on one with friends. I am sweet and loyal to a fault. I am a picky eater. I try to be a good friend, but I often mess up. I get angry and say things I shouldn't. I am honest, caring, and compassionate. I am intelligent and hard-working. I love kids and they usually love me. I am sincere. I am often unorganized. I have more unfinished projects and unread books than I can count. I try to be fashionable but can usually be found chilling in a t-shirt and shorts. I am not perfect. But you know what?! Beauty is not perfection. It isn't being who everyone thinks you should be. It is loving and living life confidently in who God designed you to be. 
                                     

     The flip side of this is that I now have nothing to “blame” my singleness on. It baffles me how other people seem to date haphazardly and get into and out of relationships on a whim and even enter into marriages so easily while I’m still dreaming of my first kiss. I scratch my head in bewilderment and ask, “What are these guys thinking?!?” It really hurts at times. My opinion has shifted from "Why would he want to date me?" to "Why wouldn't he want to date me??" The only answer I have is that God is ultimately writing my story differently than everyone else's. He is Sovereign and He knows what He's doing. This is such a cliché, but it is the truth. My story is so unusual and I know for certain that He has a purpose and a plan for this even though I can't see it or understand it or figure it out. 
     Even though it is difficult, I would not change any of it because I am on a journey that is bringing me closer to Him. Circumstances in my life are not just happenstance. God is working in the background orchestrating it all into a beautiful masterpiece. He is working all things for my good and His glory......whether or not my story ends with love, marriage, and a family of my own. I can't wait to see how my story unfolds. :)

 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work]and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. Philippians 1:6 AMP

And Your Bird Can Sing

     So, for Mother's Day/mama's birthday, I surprised my mama with a painting class! She has never painted a picture before and I think she was a little nervous about it. But, she decided to let loose and have a good time!!! We had fun painting our bluebirds, and despite how deformed she thinks her bird is, she did a FANTASTIC job! I love you, Mama, and I hope you had a blast! 

Concentrating

She's having so much fun!

Isn't she so cute?!

#selfiefail

I Am a Nerd

     Attention: I AM A NERD. A name nerd. I have an unusual interest in all things names. It is not uncommon for me to ask friends, family members, or strangers what they are going to name their babies whether or not they are expecting. It is also not unusual for me to know meanings of random names, lol. I love encountering rare and unusual names. Not a day goes by that I don't think about the perfect name combination. I wish I could be the official baby namer for some hospital or village, lol. Oh what a glorious job that would be! Better yet, I could be Candace, the Baby-Naming Fairy, complete with a set of butterfly wings to fly me to and fro across the world visiting parents struggling with finding the right name. I would wave my magic wand and dub children of the world beautiful appellations like Francesca, Milo, Atticus, Arden, Rowan, Betsy, Hugo and Juniper! The possibilities are absolutely endless!:! I know you think I've lost it now, lol.  Anyway, back to what I was saying. For all you non-name-nerds out there, last week the social security administration released the baby name data from 2013. They release the data each year and have since 1880. I LOVE poring over these lists and rankings. I completely nerded out over this data, lol. This probably sounds so weird, but trust me, I am not alone! I have discovered tons of other name nerds out there. Bloggers, vloggers, and instagrammers, all who love names just as much and probably more than me! So, join us in all the fun and discover a new passion! :)