Dad,

I just wanted to stop by and let you know how much I appreciate you and all that you do for me. I can’t tell you how much I value being able to call you and ask you about any technical issues I’m having. Thank you for always being willing to come to my house to fix broken lights and faulty toilets. I love how thoughtful you are when I come home to find that you’ve mowed my lawn for me. I always tell Grams you’re going to get me evicted if I don’t keep up my end of the work, but we both appreciate you and all that you do for us.

Thank you for being such a great example to us girls growing up. You taught us the value of hard work, and you showed us how beautiful a yard can be when taken care of properly. I clearly didn’t inherit your green thumb, but I hope to work on that some day.

Now that I think about it, I didn’t inherit your smarts or your way with words either, but one thing I did get was your chin dimple.

Happy Fathers Day.

I love you dad.

Just want you to know that.

PS you still can’t have Ollie. He’s mine.

You can borrow him though.

Xoxo

- Aub

IT’S KEVIN’S BIRTHDAY TODAY!

Wanna know something else that’s interesting?

It’s my half birthday today as well. Yep, we’re exactly six months apart. I couldn’t find someone more similar to me if I tried.

Happy Birthday Kevin, I really hope you liked the helicopter ride (pics coming later). You are amazing and I have so much fun when I’m with you!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LOVELY SISTER, SAM.

She is older by three years, which means she’s turning Twenty Three today! And look, she doesn’t even look any older up close. . .

I lived with her for a year when I was being rebellious against my parents. It really taught me a lot about what a relationship with a sister should be, and sometimes what it shouldn’t be. We were literally joined at the hip at her house and did everything together. Vacations to Vegas, horse riding competitions in Price, working together up the canyon to clean the mansions that she does, eating the same food, wearing the same clothes (she used to steal mine out of the washer, might I add. She could’ve at least waited until they were dry!).

Every night, Sam, her husband Mark, Dale and I would meet up at the arena and just ride. Those were the best times of my life, up there on the back of a big strong horse just trotting around with Sam.

Or we’d catch baby kill deers and then realize that this is the best picture of us of all time.

Happy Birthday Sam. Love ya!

Post note: I look like the Hunchback of Notre Dam. Just sayin.

I’M ONE WEEK FROM TWENTY, AND THERE ARE SOME SPECIFIC THINGS I WOULD LIKE. Now, before I go asking for the snazzy new iPhone, the shiny new car and the typical list of “I can’t afford this so can you get it for me?” stuff, I want to say something.

We all know that I’m a freeloader as far as healthcare, car insurance and rent goes, which leaves me with loads of dough to spend on whatever catches my fancy. But that’s not the point. Birthdays and Christmas aren’t about outdoing our outspending someone. It’s about celebration and the meaning behind the gift. I keep getting asked, “What do you want for your birthday?” but I already have everything I want (see my Two Weeks from Twenty post).

So what am I asking for to commemorate this monumental day? Here is a list of ten things that are all under five dollars, but would be priceless to me.

You really can buy my love – for free. Or at least, for cheap.

1: Homemade Fat Sticks. Mom, this one is your gift to me, because nobody knows how to make them, and even if they did, yours are always the best.

2: Cheesecake, but not just any scrumptious cheesecake-y confection. I want the store bought, boxed goodness also known as JELLO brand cheesecake.

3: A back rub. Bonus Birthday Love points if you give me a foot rub.

4: Dollar movie. Doesn’t matter if it is at the theater, or just your every day Red Box movie. Either way, I am sneaking in an enormous bag full of dollar store candy and canned soda.

5: Fridge magnets. I have a white fridge, hundreds of photos, and only three magnets. Get it?

6: Picture frames. About four of them – 5×7 frame size. I love the colors black, silver and grey, but I’m not going to argue if you get me some funky blue frame with polka dots. I have sneakers now for heaven sakes. I’m open to new styles.

7: Undershirts. If you go to that one Asian owned, Mexican run store that I can’t remember the name of – oh wait – Gen X, you can get me a new undershirt for five bucks. Size medium please.
Unless you’re shopping at Wal-Mart. Then please shop for my size in toddlers. Or whatev. (Refer to the shirt size fiasco here)

8: Headbands. I’m rocking them lately.

9: Mixing bowls, as cheap as they come.

10: Car visor CD holder-thingy. I’ve had mine for two years, which is possibly the longest I’ve owned anything. It is now falling apart and I’m not sure how much longer it will be able to restrain fifteen cds from falling on my head. And as long as we’re talking about CDs, you can always give me a mix CD of music you think I would like. I like surprises.

Don’t worry, I love the dollar store and all its merchandise. Feel free to get me anything from there. Yes, even bubbles, dog treats (not for me), junk food, and/or yard ornaments.

Scratch the yard ornaments. I’ll kill the first person that gifts me with a gnome. They give me the creeps.