It Was Just Meant To Be

When I was trying to decide on a name for my blog, I was trying to figure out what best described myself and my personality. I thought about using Arabell, which was a nickname my roommate in college gave me or even Juliette, which is what people called me in France because Erin was difficult to say and meant "death" or something morbid like that. Yeah, I don't think many people know that the only individuals who called me Erin were those in the same house as me, everyone else called me Juliette. Anyway, I wanted something that I would love to see everytime I click on the site and so after 30 minutes or so I finally came up with "Joie de Vivre" which translates essentially into the "Joy of Living, or of Life".

As soon as I wrote it down, I knew that it was what my blog title would be. It fit me perfectly and whenever I click to see my blog, I just get a smile on my face when that title comes up!

Well, in December my roommates and I went up to Park City for a girls' weekend of relaxtion, shopping and fun. It was a blizzardy weekend but we were determined to enjoy it, piles of snow and all. We went to the outlets and begun the lovely process of going from store to store looking for bargains and deals. One of the stores I wanted to visit was J.Crew. I love that store, I love the outlet even more because it makes all those cute things actually affordable. Well this night there was a great sale going on and my friends and I rushed from rack to rack looking at all the fun clothes and discounted prices. I had looked through some sweaters and pants when I looked over and saw a bunch of t-shirts that were nicely organized in different rows on a table. I looked at the sign and they were on sale, so I began sorting through them and as I was doing so, all of a sudden I saw this shirt! I couldn't believe it! I think I even let out a little squeak of sheer delight, right in front of me was a t-shirt with my blog title on it.."Joie de Vivre" and best of all it was super cute! Course even if it wasn't there was no way I wasn't going to buy it. I picked it up and held it close to me while I finished the rest of my shopping. That shirt stayed nicely folded in my shopping bag for the rest of the weekend till I was able to get it home and then wear it with a cute sweater.

So you see "Joie de Vivre" was just meant to be for me and now I can advertise it everywhere if I want!



p.s I would have been wearing it myself, but it was starting to become awkward having my roommate take pictures over and over again, solely focused on my chest.

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Men, Men, Men, Men, Men, Men

As you probably read earlier, I'm writing a book. A relationship book to be exact or maybe I should say, lack of relationship book. he he It has been an interesting experience writing about these guys and I think I have learned more about men in the past 2 months then I had known my whole life.

You see, I've loved men since I was born. I think I probably crushed on the doctor that delivered me. I never knew a time in my life where I didn't have some sort of crush on some guy. You know how girls sometimes go through phases where they don't want to be around boys or they don't like them.....yeah, I never had that phase.

So I have been dealing with the up's and down's of these crushes and loves for a very, very long time. Now, unlike most woman who get a break from most of these emotions for the first 12-14 years of their lives, I've NEVER had a break! You can sort of understand why this book would be so important....there is a lot be said!

I remember while living in Japan, as a kid, having a crush on this Japanese superstar Hedeki (have no idea if the spelling is right) and thinking the neighbor boy was cute. This continued all through my childhood. My endless attempts in grade school to get my crush to fall for me (I mean who wouldn't want a personalized Valentines' card given to them?) to finally having a boy like me and almost being suspended because I sort of through a rock in his direction (I think he was cheating on me with my BF Suzi). Wow, that sounds so much more crazy writing it out then it did in my head! Anyway, I fall in like and in love, over and over and over again and have gotten my heart broken over and over and over again. Now I don't want it to sound like I didn't break a few hearts myself, I had my share of ignoring phone calls and "Let's just be friends" talks, but if we did a tally of which was done more, I think I would be the one who has given the Dear Jane letter more then the other way around.

So I have spent many years wondering "What is wrong with me?" and why is it that the guys I like and want to be with, choose not to be with me? I mean, I look pretty decent, I shower and wear deodorant, I brush my teeth and chew minty gum, I even make sure I don't have that yucky stuff in the corner of my eyes from eyeliner makeup. And yet still no offer of marriage. I have been in love and felt like I was going to marry the guy only to discover he imagined someone else taking on his name and calling him their husband.

Wow, I almost feel really bad for myself, that is some really sad stuff! I guess I could mope and be very bitter (i have been bitter at times, I'm talking, like, REALLY bitter) and even let myself go and become someone other people may pity......BUUUUUUTTTTTTT.....I haven't and I won't, I refuse to!!! I just can't go down that path of misery and regret. The best part about loving from such an earlier age is that it has brought me some wonderful experiences, amazing dates, life-long friends.

When I look back at all the men I have liked, loved, dated once, dated more then once, I find that I learned something from each one. Whether it was that, I like for a guy to open my door for me to get in the car, but hate to wait while he walks around his car to get me out, or that I prefer dates that are spontaneous and outdoors, I like guys who are cool, confident, funny, cute and affectionate or that the first kiss with someone you really love is just probably the most fantastical feeling ever. With each experience I have learned something that has helped me become a better version of me (I like to think so anyway).

I've learned that I am not very patient and it's hard for me to wait for the guys to call, text and make the first move, I've learned that I love being hugged (by the guys I like, not by the creepy ones), I've learned that I like being an open book and don't mind sharing how I feel, even if it does get me into trouble sometimes. I've learned that it's o.k. to be vunerable in order for the relationship to grow and that I like for the guy to take charge at times and not always leave it up to me. But most of all I've learned that I am a really sweet,fun, funny, spontaneous, loving and easy to be with type of girlfriend. I look for the best in who I am dating. Now that doesn't mean if he is a jerk I think "Oh, but he is a nicely dressed jerk!" It just means that I don't seek out his faults or weaknesses. I mean, I have them too. I want to be with someone who thinks I am the bomb and when I do mess up, he hugs me, listens to me, offers me insight and tells me I'm still the bomb! I want to be with someone who doesn't want to change me but helps me, in my pursuit, to make, who I already am, better. I think that's why I'd rather wait then just marry the first one who shows interest and could buy me a house. I know what it feels like to be in love and I won't settle for less then that feeling. Besides, I have had some of the most amazing experiences and opportunites in my life and I would have missed out on them had I just hid away and felt sorry for myself. I believe that I should continue to live a great life and when the time is right everything will work out.

When I was born my parents didn't give me a middle name and even though they confused me by adding the middle name Elizabeth to my full name when they were angry with me, it wasn't part of my legal birth certificate name. For years this sort of bothered me and at one point I was ready to legally add a middle name to my birth certificate, but then I realized that Erin McCann is who I am and that when the time comes for my husband and I to get married that I will just be adding his name onto mine, the one that has already been established. So you see, he won't be replacing Erin McCann, he will only be making her better!

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"The Red Skirt"

So I've had this red skirt now for about 17 years. I bought it as a suit back in the day, when shoulder padded suits were cool.(notice I don't have the jacket anymore) Anyway, I loved the suit. It made me feel so professional and it fit really well because it was a petite size. It also was made out of really great material and I think that's why it's stayed in great shape for so long. It also was the suit I bought when I lost 20lbs after my first year of college. I had gained the freshman 15+5 and came home feeling a bit like a pudge ball, and so I went on a very popular diet at the time and started running for my main source of exercise. It took me, I think, about 7 months to drop the weight. I felt great and figured I would celebrate by buying the red suit. Red was a good color on me and just made me feel super sleek and cool. I don't think that at the time I bought it, that part of it would have still been around today. I think it also signified what I had accomplished with losing the weight and so it was a bit of a symbol of success for me. I remember using it as a gauge as to whether I was gaining weight or not. If the skirt wasn't fitting anymore, it was time to hit the treadmill and lose the cupcakes!

So having it hang in my closet, always just made me feel a bit of security and hope. It would be there to act as a reminder of where I want to be, if I ever got off the healthy track.

Well, after all these years and many, many, moves, I finally gave it up! I folded it up and gave it to D.I., in hopes that maybe a girl will find it and connect it with it the way that I did and keep it for another 17 years. Course the only thing that makes it bearable for me to part with it, is that it's too big for me now! I did put it on one last time and took a picture so it will at least stay in my memory books for years to come.

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The Automobile Curse!

You've heard of families have some sort of curse placed on them. Example, every third child has a third arm, or a family member passes away every Valentine's day (kinda morbid sounding, but keep reading). Well my family had the automobile curse placed on us from the time we could drive. It seems that every member of my family has had to deal with the constant breakdown of their automobiles.

Whether it's a flat tire, broken window, engine failure, you name it, it seems to have happened to each one of us 7 kids. Now many of you reading this, including my dad,(o.k. my dad probably doesn't read my blog)or I will say my parents, will say that cars breakdown all the time and that everyone has had a bad experience with that, but it seems that if there was a problem to happen to us, it would be directly related to a vehicle. Now if I were to put in order the kids that have had the worst luck with the automobile curse it would be in this order

First Place

Steve and Carol - Their curse really started on their honeymoon. I think they spent more time in auto shops repairing the breakdowns then they did actually honeymooning. Good thing they were really in love, cause in spite of the curse they are still happily married, though I do think they should have just done and exoricism and just got rid of the curse immediatley.

They could write a book on the auto horror stories they have. I think I am going to ask that in the next life, they get either a never ending supply of new cars or an eternity of free repairs (most likely, I'll ask for the first because nothing should breakdown in heaven right?) ;-)

Second Place

Jerry and Melanie- Now Jerry and Melanie haven't had as many horror stories as Steve and Carol, but they could share some pretty crazy stories about dealing with steel on wheels. There would be only 2 reasons for my brother to justify swearing, The Cowboys losing a game and his car breaking. You don't want to be around him for either. LOL

Third Place

Erin (me) - I think the that in my situation I sort of bring the automobile curse on myself. Most of the problems I had with cars was due to my "temporary absence of intelligence." Like the time my engine blew, not because it was old, but because I forgot to put oil in my car for almost a year. Or the time it got towed, not because it brokedown, but because I forgot to register it in the state I was living in for over a year...(see the pattern here) I hope that when I purchase my next car (a brand new one, as my dad recommends) I will make sure that some type of holy water gets sprinkled across it for luck......course knowing my luck, it would somehow rust the paint.

Fourth Place

Andrew and Lauren - This placing is a little more difficult because I really have only heard about their car stories very sporadically, so it is difficult to say whether their placement is right or not, but Lauren did have a car that she was lucky enough to run to the ground, but not before, I think, putting more money into it then the cost of a pimped up Escalade. I praying you will one day get a pimped up Escalade.

Fifth Place

Eric- This one is tricky also because Eric really didn't have problems with his cars breaking down as he did so much with crashing them. I remember the time he flipped our truck one Sunday afternoon...it left him with a hole in his hand and a crunched vehicle, lucky for us he made it through alive and he was driving a Toyota. Both were able to be mending quickly. I know there is another story, but I am getting tired and my brain can't find that memory at this time.

Last Place

Randy and Michele- Their curse came later in life, much much later, but it seemed like I was getting a call once a week about something going wrong with their suburban. They had problems with their starter and it would just shut off while Michele was driving or the flat tire she got last week. I think they must have done an exorcism on their honeymoon, but the warrenty has probably worn off... ;)


And Finally......Honorable Mentions

Dad and Mom and Greg- I know they have had their share as well, but they don't seem to be has crazy or expletive inducing as the rest of ours.

So there you have it, my proof that an automobile curse does exist and did find it's way into the lives of my family. All I have to say is that it's a good thing that "you'll laugh at this later" works really well and that I know that after this life I most likely will have the option to fly (not drive) to anywhere I want!

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"You're doing What?"

January 24, 2010

I have always wanted to write a book. I think I am really good at telling stories. When I was a nanny in France the 2 girls that I watched had a difficult time getting to bed at night. The mom asked me to help with getting them to sleep, so I came up with the idea of telling them bedtime stories.

I would make them up as I went along, the only thing that was already decided was that the 2 girls were always in the story somehow and they got to pick what their names would be. Depending on how tired they were determined the length of the story. One time I went on for almost an hour, that was a test of my skills for sure. It was fun for both the girls and I to find out what would happen to the characters. I found that I just really loved it.

So fast forward to last year, after talking about writing a book forever I starting trying to come up with a subject idea. I wanted to write on something I knew about and could share funny stories about.

Well after many failed attempts to find a soul mate and future spouse last year, (and we're talking MANY), I decided that my crazy dating experiences from the past year would be my topic.

So that is what I am doing. I am writing a book about the men that I dated, liked, crushed on etc... and what I learned about men, dating and myself through the process. I've gotten most of my research done and now I'm just working on cranking it out.

It is scary, overwhelming, excited and fun to think about having it all finished and be available to be read by the public. The other funny thing is, is that I think most of the guys that I interviewed don't really think this book will come to light, that it was just something I came up with. Something that I used to find out the real truth. Well, I'll tell ya what, I'm really looking forward to the day when they see it's not.... ;) Wish Me Luck!!!!

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It's Picture Time!

January 24, 2010

Normally, I would separate these out and blog something different with each one, but since I am trying to be more consistent with writing, I am just going to put as many as I can for you all to enjoy, if you want the story behind it, I can tell ya later.

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REFRESH BUTTON!

I can't believe how fast last year went and this year just seems to be gaining speed everyday! I've been putting off blogging for so long mainly because I feel like I should post pictures along with my entry. Well, downloading pictures from my camera to the computer, from the computer to this blog is a huge time absorber, and you all are missin out on my adventures in the meantime! LOL! So, this year I've decided to write at least every other day, pictures or not, to keep it fresh in my memory and also to give my family something new to read. I have put a lot of my friends blog pages in my favorites file and so it is easy just to click and I'm there reading all these great stories. I'm not suggesting you all do the same (though I don't know why you wouldn't) ;-) But I do feel before I begin this new goal I should redcap last years activities and goals accomplished!

1. First and foremost, I went on lots of dates...32 to be exact. It's a good thing I keep a planner. ;) That's a record in my book. I don't think before that I had gone on more then 5 in a whole year since turning 18. Sad, but true. It was lots of fun and I met a lot of cool guys that I am still friends with and will be for a long time. Unfortunately, no love connections were made (I'll go into that a little more later) but I learned a lot about myself and what I like and don't like and what works and what doesn't. I also learned about something called "patience". It is a term that is quite foreign to me, but in the upcoming year I hope to somehow master this term in many ways.

2. I traveled a ton! I was lucky enought to be able to travel to Ohio, California (three times) Idaho, Arizona, and lots of places within Utah (Fishlake). I love traveling and so I was so excited to be able to do so even if some of them were very short. I realized that I could drive longs hours as long as I had my tunes, I can pack in a moments notice, I tend to take my entire closet and bathroom with me (even on a 3 day trip) and I have probably visited more bathrooms in different states then some people have their whole life. I am almost tempted to make a book about it, you know, kinda like the Covered Bridges one. ;)

3. I trained for, began, completed and beat my previous time in a sprint triathalon. I even did this all by myself, which at the time was so terrifying to me that I broke down crying on the day I left for the race. I was really proud of myself for doing that and overcoming that fear. It was hard not to have family and friends cheering for me at the end..( people did cheer, they just didn't know who the heck I was!) and I didn't feel the elation I felt the first time I had done it 7 years ago, but I felt relieved to have accomplished a goal that seemed so ginormous at the beginning of the year. I plan to do another one this year, but ask friends to join me in the training and race. It is a lot funnier to have people you care about with you through the challenge.

4. I made 100% of my goal at work. That was cool for me as well because I didn't do it the previous year. I worked really hard and long hours and felt good that I could prove that all my hard work wasn't for anything. I wish I could say I got a huge raise, but it's non-profit and well, that's just how it is.

5. I was able to go with my niece Dallyn to go see "WICKED" in Salt Lake City. I really feel that this was just one of those meant to be things. Essentially, all tickets were supposed to be sold out and I just decided one day to check the theatre website to find out when it was playing. I clicked on each day and sure enough all sold out, then when I clicked on Sunday evening, there were 2 tickets open!! Now I know it was Sunday, o.k. it was Easter Sunday, but we did go to church and I did go with family! :) I had the funniest time with Dallyn and what was even better is, the tickets I got were for 2 row from the front!!! Yup, it was meant to be.

6. My family celebrated all the birthdays and Jaxson got baptized. I love getting together with my family. We seem to find any excuse or holiday to get together. I'm surprised we haven't put Columbus Day or Lent on the calendar....o.k. maybe not Lent, that would defeat the purpose of celebrating, but I'm thinking we should ask mom to start thinking about baking one of her famous cakes for April 22, Administrative Professionals Day! :)

7. I said goodbye to family and friends who passed away. Joyce Anderson- May 5th, Casey Stolz-Feb 3rd, Paul Berg-July 21 and my dear cousin Bonnie King - Nov 14th. As difficult as it was to say goodbye and to see the tears shed, including my own, I know that I will see them again and it will be a fun reunion full of lots of hugs.

8. I helped plan and carry out 2 great reunions. A San Jose reunion with all our friends, from all the stakes in San Jose, that were currently residing in Utah. We even had people who traveled to attend! As crazy as it was, it was all worth it in the end to see familiar faces and dear friends get together and remember some pretty great times living in a pretty great place.

b. The Merritt reunion. I don't think I had seen many of my Merritt cousins for years and years. I was so happy that it all worked out and have to thank all those who helped in making that happen. It was tons of fun and we were finally able to update the 1979 picture, which I think was the last time we had photographed us all together.

9. I saw two temple dedications, which just continued to instill in me the importance of family and the power of the gospel that continues to move forward even with all the challenges and stones thrown at it. I know my family is eternal and having that knowledge is what makes me happy and brings me peace in turbulent times.

10. And finally...... I had a year of personal growth, humbling challenges, sad disappoints, renewal of friendships, an increase in new friendships, goals accomplished, goals postponed, more family memories made, testimony strengthened and many moments that built and improve my character. I look forward to 2010 with a chance to hit REFRESH and look forward to filling this years planner with many more adventures to come!!!

THANKS 2009 FOR EVERYTHING!

Erin

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Pick Up Lines

While hanging out with Trestyn and Michele's boys one day, they started giving me a bunch of pick up lines they came up with. Here are just a few!







And finally another favorite from Ryland "If you were a tree, I would be a tree hugger!" LOL! love them!

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