DAY 1: A New Blogging Challenge and The Story of My Life....

I know...I know...I've been absent from the blogging world. But sometimes it's just hard to find something to write about. Although I do write down random thoughts in notebooks and journals all over my house, there are sometimes things that I just consider private and too personal to share. That was until I stumbled upon a 31 day blogging challenge. You all are so lucky, that you will get to read, live, and maybe even stand in awe of the story of my life told through 31 witty, candid, gritty, raw (ok...I'm just being melodramatic). The first challenge is to tell the story of my life in 250 words....so here it goes....

I was born in Paducah, KY on Thanksgiving Day 1980….make the Woodling family a complete family of 4.  I spent the first decade of my life making memories that included birthday parties at the skating rink, family nights on the rivers, and fun at MaMaw’s and Papaw’s. From there my family set off to Northern Kentucky where I would spend the next 3 years coming of age and being a student at TurkeyFoot Middle school. Northern Kentucky is still the keeper of memories for me like sunsets on the river, ice cream with my friend Elizabeth, and baseball games with the family. As high school started so did my new life in the suburbs of the Big Easy-the hardest transition of my life. But during those 4 years I found out who I really was and made a few friends along the way. Then it was time to gain independence and set off to college at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Those 4 years came and went with memories, friends, and nights that turned into mornings that I will cherish in my heart of hearts forever. In the years that have come and gone since my graduation in May 2003, I have earned a Master’s Degree in Education and have 10 years as a special education teacher under my belt. I have grown and changed in so many ways since that Thanksgiving Day 1980….and I can’t wait to find out where the next stop on my journey will be.

After 25 Years....You Still Make Me Squeal....

There are certain things that just get better with time. Things like wine, good friends, laughter, and our decision making skills. Also, for myself and many other young professional women....New Kids on the Block are also on that list. In 2008, a girlhood dream of mine came true and the 5 (sexy) boys from Boston got back together. Since they have reunited...I have seen them 4 times. There are some things that simply are just money well spent.

This past weekend, my dear friend Magen and I went to see "The Package Tour" (which I say should have been the '12 Packages' Tour). Boyz II Men, 98 Degress...NKOTB. Never in my life have I seen so much sexy wrapped on one stage packed into 3 and a half hours. Although our seats weren't as close as they were at the last concert (you know...the one where Mr. Donnie Wahlberg himself noticed, pointed out, and gave a pelvic thrust to my sign) it was just as much fun.

Boyz II Men took the stage first. For just a moment, I felt like I had gone back in time to my days at Turkey Foot Middle School (yes....that was the name of my middle school). They sang all the greats...Bended Knee...I'll Make Love to You...Motown Philly....just to name a few. It's funny how after all these years you never let go of the lyrics or how they made you feel at one point in time.

Next up was 98 Degrees. Now, I really don't know much about them. They pretty much came to the popularity of the American Girls' eyes when I was stuck somewhere between looking at Bop Magazine and figuring out my lot in life. But I did know a few of their tunes and Nick Lachey is easy on even the weakest of eyes. 

 Then after a brief intermission, they Heavens opened and the boys from Boston transcended. As usual, they were fantastic. They played all of the classics...Please Don't Go Girl...The Right Stuff...Step By Step...I'll Be Lovin' You Forever....Hangin' Tough. It was all that I could have ever asked for and more. After 25 years, they still make me feel the same. -

Although my big sister, Kellie, did not make this show, I know that she was there in spirit. I even felt a little sense of guilt when Joey Joe himself jumped into our section during Tonight. We may have pulled out each other's hair over some Tiger Beat posters, but these boys have helped to bring us closer together during our coming of age years.

Sorry Sister

But as usual, I wouldn't have traded my night for the world. For those of you who don't know, NKOTB has a song called Tonight...that starts something like "Remember when we said girl please don't go and how we'd be loving you forever....". Yes, I remember. And I also remember how it made me feel....young, energetic, free, and without a care in the world. Thank you Donnie, Joe, Jordan, Danny, and Jon for helping keep the girlhood spirit in me alive and well!