Short Girl Problems.

Okay.  So, I have spent my entire life being short.  If you know me I am short; if you don't know me, all you have to know is I am short.  You all think it is so adorable and funny how short I am as if you have never been my height before.  Well, let me remind you, you were my height once too.  Hey, I am not hating on all you 5 feet and plus people or anything.  I like who I am.  Actually, I love who I am.

But in case you have forgotten what it is like to be my height, I just want to touch base on a couple of things:

1)  I am not in junior high.  I am not in high school.  Nor am I in college.  And no, I did not graduate at an insanely young age.  I know you're laughing now because I look "young" and all, but let's see who is laughing when we are 45 years of age.  Yeah.

2)  Cabinets, closets, and pantries were made for giants.  How about next time you can't reach something, I just sit, point, laugh, and tell you to get a ladder.  Trust me, it does wonders for your self esteem.

3)  Yes I have small feet.  And yes I can buy kid shoes.  My shoes are half the price of yours.  Who's the sucker now?

4)  Let me stand in the front at the concert.  Your view will not be disturbed.  You won't even notice I am there.  Help a sister out.

5)  If you run into me because you "didn't see me down there", you can at least apologize or something.  No need for the giggles.  Didn't your mother teach you anything?

6)  Jeans?!  You want to go jean shopping?!  How about I go stick a needle in my eye.  That would be 95% more enjoyable.

7)  I love to hug.  But I apologize in advance if it turns into a side hug.  Don't take it personally.  It is an across the board rule.

8)  You want me to order a kids meal for you?  Sure.  I would absolutely love it if you could order off the senior discount menu.  It would make me the happiest girl in the world.

9)  WHAT?!  I am short?  Thanks for letting me know.  I completely forgot that I live in the land of giants.  I really needed that daily reminder.

10)  Yes I can reach the pedals.  Yes I sit on a pillow when I drive.  And you can bet your bottom dollar that I have the most comfortable seat in the car.

11)  I am allergic to the floor, so sitting in chairs really helps me out.  No need to worry about me.  It is all good.

12)  Short girls throw other short girls under the bus.  The moment they find another girl who is shorter than they are, you become their best friend because they feel tall around you.  As if one inch is THAT big of a difference.  Pft.

13)  Just because we are taking a photo, doesn't automatically mean I am in the front.  I can go stand on that chair in the corner.  While we're talking about taking photos, there really is no need to take a "raising the bar" photo.  That fad is long gone.

Life is beautiful.  Go hug a short person.  Go hug on a tall person.  Just go hug on someone.  It'll make their day.

Have a happy Friday my friends!

The Insta Challenge: Photo a Day.

December 1st, my sister-in-law Sara talked me into doing The Instagram's "Photo a Day" challenge.  For those who do not know, The Instagram is a social media avenue for friends, family, and strangers to share photos of all the happenings in their life.  The challenge goes as such: every day there is a given theme and the participant is supposed to take a photo corresponding with the word or phrase that is given.

I have always been slightly weary of doing one of these things, not because I don't like it, but I just don't have to patience for these kinds of activities.  But I thought, hey why not?  It is Christmas time and I should have things to take photos of, or so I thought.

Here is the list of all the days and the corresponding photos I was required to take:

1. Red                                        11. Green                                 21. On the Door
2. Where I Stood                       12. Joy Is...                              22. Sparkly
3. Silver                                     13. Composition                       23. Tradition
4. Tiny                                       14. Drink                                 24. Wrapped
5. In the Cupboard                     15. Lights                                25. Best Bit of Your Day
6. Shadow                                  16. Makes You Feel Merry      26. Where You Slept
7. 6 O'Clock                               17. Tree                                   27. What You're Doing Now
8. I Shop Here                           18. Big                                     28. Something Awesome
9. This is the Weather Now       19. 'Tis The Season To..          29. Reflect Best Bit of 2013
10. R is For...                             20. I'm Listening To..              30. You
                                                                                                   31. Celebrate

So, I decided that I was going to try this.  I was going to take a list and be as creative as possible with my photos so I can share with the rest of the world.  I felt like I was beginning this awesome challenge and I needed to dominate.

But I have a couple of confessions to make: 
1)  I didn't do all 31 days during the challenge.  The 6th day, I had my wisdom teeth taken out so I did not participate on "shadow".  But after an event like that, I don't think anyone can really be creative with taking a picture of a shadow.  I mean seriously.  I also didn't do "where I slept" because who wants to see a photo of someone's bed?  Man, I am such a rebel.
2)  I couldn't keep track of the days.  I did not post "Day 27", but posted two "Day 28s" instead.  Each word/phrase for the day was numbered.  How I lost track of the day is beyond me.
3)  I thought some of my posts were more clever than they actually were.  I really do crack myself up.

Towards the end of the month, I began to lose my "oomf" for this photo challenge.  I have always had a love for photography, but this was a whole different ball game.  This was work.  This was commitment.  A crap ton of it too.

I began to realize I didn't want to have to "search" for the best photo to post on The Instagram.  I didn't want to be put in a small little box.  I didn't like that I felt like I couldn't post things that I wanted to post.

Then it hit me.  Hit me hard I tell you.  In the midst of this challenge I began to recognize God in everything.  I began to see that His hand is everywhere, even in the smallest of things.  Why is it that I didn't see it before?  Is it because this little electrical box is always glued to the palm of my hand?  Is it because I just want to take a photo so I am able to receive insta-affirmation that what I like/do, people like too?  Am I too consumed with other things that I can't look up to see around me?

We all get so wrapped up in social media and our lives that we forget to recognize the little things that God loves and does.  We need to learn to appreciate the little things and cherish them.  And maybe leave it at that.  I don't think we need to be Instagramming this and Facebooking that.  Yes, it is fun to share life's moments with others, but sometimes the best memories are those you can keep close with you.  Cherish the "awwww" moments.  Simply hug on others.  Take in the beauty of this world and give thanks.  

Here are a couple of photos of December's photo a day challenge.  If you like these pictures, please feel free to check out the rest of my photos on The Instagram (@angelamardock).  I think they're fun.