Finding Ninee » Sharing our parenting and special needs stories with heart and humor.

The best laughter is when you’re curled into it, unable to breathe. You can’t stop, even when you try. Maybe you’re in church, or at a work meeting. You’re not supposed to be laughing which makes laughing even more desirable. Especially if somebody of authority gives you The Look. You stop laughing. You’re not disrespectful, […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Kenya G. Johnson - I will seriously be sad if you’re not on the east coast anymore and I had the chance to meet you IRL and I blew it. Dang that makes ME sad after I did laugh about the Beavers having sex and you were wondering if they fight. LOL!

    But waaaaaah!

    The drawing up there is seriously how my mother looked at me from the choir stand in church on a Sunday that I’d brought one of my friends and then we had a fake cough about one thing or another. The fake cough is THE WORST when you’re in a place that you’re not supposed to laugh in.

    Waaaaaah COLORADO!!!!March 15, 2018 – 10:09 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I’ll seriously be sad about it too. Stupid government. I mean they train him for like 30+ years to do one thing, then… OMG. I’ll have to text you. It’s so weird and confusing. Anyway. I know. I’m with the WAAAAHHHHH too. Totally. And to your mom looking at you like that. Have we ALL had that look? LOL. The fake cough. It’s the worst and the best because I wish I had to do it every day, you know?March 15, 2018 – 11:09 pmReplyCancel

  • Don - Beavers. Lol. I haven’t laughed like that in a long time. Not sure if it’s because I’m an adult or what, but it sucks.March 15, 2018 – 10:19 pmReplyCancel

  • Lizzi - I’d laugh, but you might give me The Look…

    I laughed the best laugh recently, but not as hard as my Sis (I know, she said hard) – we were in a restaurant and I told a funny story about myself.

    We got given The Look. We laughed anyway.March 16, 2018 – 4:50 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - LOL to the look. I wouldn’t give it to you if you laughed at ME unless you know, you were laughing AT me. I love you had this recently with your sister. Those are the very best laughs. The ones you can’t stop.March 16, 2018 – 9:29 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - It’s even more important to laugh when we don’t feel like laughing. Right? And envisioning you flipping channels to watch beavers get busy made me laugh, probably more than it should.

    I just messaged you, because Colorado.March 16, 2018 – 5:47 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - LOL about switching channels for beavers. Wait, I didn’t mean it like you know, *that.* Obvi. And yeah, laughing when we don’t feel like it… it’s therapy and preservation and all of the things.March 16, 2018 – 9:31 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - PS got your message. Replied. SOON. I’m thinking next friday unless Tux gets out early for spring break??? Will IM again.March 16, 2018 – 9:31 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - That New Yorker piece IS perfection! I love laughing and happened to be out last night with two girlfriends and I laughed so hard and loud that at one point, tears were streaming. I love that kind of laughter and it just doesn’t happen often enough! But, I suppose if we laughed like that all the time, we wouldn’t enjoy it as much or at least I’m going with that rationale…March 16, 2018 – 5:50 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Isn’t it awesome? I love it so much and have read it each time I need a boost over the past couple of years. It’s SO good! I wish it happened more (laughter like that, I mean) but maybe you’re right and if we got it every day? It wouldn’t be so special (although I think I’d like it every day).March 16, 2018 – 9:33 pmReplyCancel

  • Linda Atwell - I want more laughter too. It feels so dang good to laugh so hard it hurts. When it happens, I think I feel the most alive. Your story about the beavers cracks me up. I think it is those inappropriate situations that create the most laughter.
    On a different note: We are headed to the Caribbean tomorrow for 11 days!!! Yippee. I’m hoping for some belly laughs on this vacay.March 16, 2018 – 6:38 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - OMG weren’t you in Mexico like two days ago? I’m jealous! I think I feel the most alive laughing like that too. Or crying like that. It’s the extremes, I think. Have so much fun (and a billion belly laughs) in the Caribbean for 11 days!March 16, 2018 – 9:34 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerry - Where would I be, without times where laughter shook me and my family? We do it often enough, thankfully, but it’s getting more and more common for me to see what’s happening in the world and yearn for a laughter workout, on demand, because all that shaking and I feel it must burn some calories at least. I hope you laugh a lot more Kristi and good luck, if the move does indeed happen for you and your family.March 19, 2018 – 2:23 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Oh the “Laughter workout” description. On demand, even. YES. I want that. I want that more for all of us and never thought about what a workout it is. I hope you laugh a lot more too, my friend. That we all do. And thank you to the good luck if we move. I’ll keep you posted for sure.March 21, 2018 – 12:01 amReplyCancel

  • Tamara - I remember the first time I laughed at one of your posts. It was probably the first post of yours I ever read and you drew funny stick figures of yourself from back in the 80’s. True love since!
    We need all the good laughter back.March 19, 2018 – 9:08 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - You do? That’s really sweet. I think I used to be more funny. I should re-explore that. The stupid drawings and all that. Thanks, Love! <3March 21, 2018 – 12:05 amReplyCancel

  • Pat B - Oh, I am so late in reading and commenting, but starting with the commenting on FTSF is so fun this week. Thank you for the laughs, and reading about Chief brought back memories. We didn’t have a dog when our children were toddlers, but it is easy for me to imagine all the scenarios.March 20, 2018 – 11:17 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Pat, I’m so late in responding so no worries. It is fun this week, I agree. I love the laughter posts (but I also love the sad ones and everything between so there’s that). Ah Chief. He was the best dog ever. Truly. And so glad you linked up!March 21, 2018 – 12:07 amReplyCancel

There are few things like music and scent that bring back past memories. Today, when I hear certain pieces of music, I remember crying, being swept completely into the song, and exactly where I was the first time I heard it. Here are 10 songs that make life better. 1. While watching the 1976 Olympics, […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Emily - Ahhh you brought up so many favorites of mine as well….but when you mentioned Simon and Garfunkel, I thought of the toast my dad made at my wedding. He spoke about how he always used to sing to me when I was little and used to continue to sing to me even when I was a teenager, including when he used to drive me and my friends to various places and I used to say, “daddy, don’t sing!” because I was embarrassed in front of my friends. He then ended his toast by saying that Simon & Garfunkel came to his rescue because they wrote a song called, “For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her.” He would constantly recite the first two lines of the song to me:
    What a dream I had
    Pressed in organdy

    Then he joked that it was ironic because the only clothes he ever saw me in were denim! Anyway, just thought I’d share that memory because that song clearly made my life better.:)March 8, 2018 – 10:13 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I just pulled that song up and am listening as I type – it’s so gorgeous. Simon and Garfunkel. What voices. I love that he made a toast at your wedding using that song. You’ll have to be sure to play it for The Dudes (although you likely have, as we do the songs that make our lives better). Thanks for the memory. The “organdy” part reminded me of Scarborough Fair, and for years I thought it was “parsley, sage, rosemary is mine.” I never could figure out the parsley part. Only they can sing a song about plants/spices and make it beautiful.March 10, 2018 – 12:22 amReplyCancel

  • JT Walters - I love this blog because it is apolitical, uplifting and most of all healing. I never took you for a Metallica fan but I agree with the song choice.

    Top one hundred next time!!😊. I love this week’s Finish the Sentence Friday!!March 8, 2018 – 10:17 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - You didn’t know I was a Metallica fan? I’m a HUGE one. Funny, how we don’t know stuff about our friends, but also, why would we? I used to write about them more, and drew a picture of me wearing a Metallica shirt when I’m 89 but that was before we knew each other! A good reminder I suppose. Thanks for that!March 10, 2018 – 12:23 amReplyCancel

      • JT Walters - Sometime it takes the quiet moments to get to know each other. When the iron is burning no one learns anything but pain, but striking when the iron is cold allows those simple moments to come closer together. I was totally into The Cure and Depoche Mode, did you know that?

        I normally hate country music but Alex likes Luke Bryant. Eminem, The Weekend, Korn and metallic. At three he’d kick the back of my chair, in the car to change radio stations. He now just reaches forward and pushes my arm to change the station if he doesn’t like the song. Thank God I don’t have a CD player. Tucker will share and then change your tastes in music because there can’t be two Metallic fans in the house.

        I basically liked any European Rockband because I was over there for a bit in the 1980(s).
        Great to get to know you better.March 10, 2018 – 5:55 amReplyCancel

        • Kristi Campbell - I didn’t know you were into The Cure and Depeche Mode but I loved them both! I hate most country music, but there are songs I adore. LOL to not having two Metallica fans in the house. I hope you’re wrong about that! 😀
          I don’t have a CD player either. Great to get to know you better, too!March 10, 2018 – 10:44 pmReplyCancel

          • JT Walters - Does that make us cool or dorks we loved The Cure and Depeche Mode? Or maybe it just means we are us!

            The iron is cold so we can find common ground and see how much we are alike and not different. This ground work is the fundamental building blocks of diplomacy and consensus can only be reached through diplomacy. That is why this FTSF is so important.March 10, 2018 – 10:52 pm

  • Lizzi - Reminds me of the old Twisted Mixtape Tuesday days. Used to love those; all the songs, and their relevance to each of us.
    Wonderful.March 9, 2018 – 1:06 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Right? That’s why the TMTT Goddess Jen is hosting with us. I miss it too. A lot.March 10, 2018 – 12:24 amReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Yes I have 1001 too! This was a hard assignment. I love your choices and what they mean. If I could play the piano I’d want to be able to play Fur Elise and Greensleeves. I didn’t know Greensleeves was the name of that I just know it. But now I can buy it since I know the name. Anyway I have an app called Piano Tiles that Christopher and I play. That song is on one of the earlier levels and I’ve never been able to finish it without messing up. Maybe I’m too into it. You just used your thumbs and you have to hit the black piano keys as they scroll by and it gets faster and faster, but that one is soooo pretty. DId we think up this prompt that time we were talking about Nina Simone? I forget to go look for an autobiography. So the search is on again. Love Tucker drumming on the kitchen table!March 9, 2018 – 7:21 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Such a hard assignment (and LOL to you calling it an assignment because we gave it to ourselves but it’s so accurate but well, obvi more fun). I wish I could play the piano. Tucker got a keyboard for Christmas but I haven’t signed him up for lessons yet. I keep meaning to while he’s interested (he’s been asking for one for about a year now). Greensleeves has also been converted to a Christmas song called “What Child is This” which may be where you’ve heard it. When I was a kid and bored at church services (shhhh), I looked up the lyrics in the hymn book and could cry just thinking about the notes. LOL. Piano Tiles sounds cool. And I can’t remember if we thought of it talking about Nina Simone. Maybe? It feels likely but also it feels like we talked about that way longer ago than we were doing new prompts, so I’m not sure. I want to read her autobiography too (which I remember saying in that conversation whenever it was also!).March 10, 2018 – 12:28 amReplyCancel

  • Dana - I learned to play Fur Elise when I took piano lessons – that was my goal! Of course I quit not soon after and can only remember the first few bars. You have such varied musical taste – I appreciate that!

    Oh, last year I saw Paul Simon in concert. I’m not a big concert goer, but that one really moved me. So many songs, so many memories.March 9, 2018 – 7:42 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - WOW. I’m even more impressed than before. I do have pretty varied taste (but have a hard time with most country). OOOH you went to Paul Simon? I thought about it but I like them so much better together than I do them separately. I’m not as big of a concert goer as I used to be but some? So so worth it even though they used to be like $20/ticket and now the cheap seats cost what the floor used to!March 10, 2018 – 12:30 amReplyCancel

  • Paul. Brads - We all have a list that moves us. Greensleeves and Fur Elise are on mine. Love your list. Good postMarch 9, 2018 – 9:30 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Paul! I’d love to see your list here in this linkup! Greensleeves and Fur Elise should be on everybody’s list. So beautiful.March 10, 2018 – 12:31 amReplyCancel

  • Debi - I can’t believe I’ve never heard this Nina Simone song, which reminds me of “All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies,” an old mountain song (“all ye fair and tender ladies, take warning how you court your men…”) and also the Irish Lullaby (too ra loo ra loo ra…). It’s like my old fiddle teacher said once: there are only so many ways to arrange the eight notes we have. Eventually, math tells us we’ll run out. Until then, these variations are great!March 9, 2018 – 1:17 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Ok now I have to find the Irish Lullaby that has that in it. I wonder if Nina Simone used that for this? I’m not even sure whether she wrote this song (she didn’t write most of what she played from what I understand but OH HER VOICE!!!). I love the idea of there only being so many ways to arrange the eight notes we have. Amazing to think all music is based on those same eight. Truly. May we never run out! I also need to look up the All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies. Thanks for that!March 10, 2018 – 12:34 amReplyCancel

  • Pat B - I remember loving to play Fur Elise on the piano. The tune of Greensleeves is also the tune of What Child is This. I was familiar with the Christmas carol before I knew of Greensleeves. I loved watching Tucker. That is so great that you have that on video.
    The Simon and Garfunkel music brought back so many memories of another time.

    Thank you so much for this prompt for the Listicle post!March 9, 2018 – 11:27 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I’m so impressed that you can play Fur Elise on the piano, Pat. It makes me want to learn the piano but I’m not very gifted when it comes to playing music. I briefly tried the flute but well… I’m hoping my son will have more of an ear for it than I. He got a keyboard for Christmas (after asking for about a year) so we’ll see once he begins lessons. Thanks for the Tucker video comment – I love that I have it on video, too. His sweet little hands warming up. And oh, Simon and Garfunkel. Is it possible to not love their voices? I think not. Thank you for participating!March 10, 2018 – 12:38 amReplyCancel

  • Kerry - I love 80s music, mostly, but I do admit my list was a lot of sad stuff. I don’t know where I’d be, if not for such songs though.

    Simon and Garfunkel are quite good, but nothing beats 1987’s Graceland, solo Simon.

    I’m sure Tucker will never forget. I still love, even with having developed my own musical taste, a lot of the music my father listened to when I was growing up. I’ll never forget.March 12, 2018 – 3:54 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Kerry! I liked your list of mostly sad songs. I tried to play the flute, too but am simply not gifted that way. I hope Tucker remembers and you’re right – I still have fond memories of the music my parents listened to and even have some songs in my playlist today. Ah, 1987 Graceland. Good.March 12, 2018 – 4:05 pmReplyCancel

  • Sara - Good choices, good post. A couple of random comments: So Metallica’s One is based on Dalton Trumbo’s Johnny Got a Gun (which is why they used those movie clips). They recently (2016?) made a movie called Trumbo about how he got blacklisted in Hollywood. He’s played by Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad dude). I haven’t seen it yet, but I heard it’s really good. …My dad got to see Nina Simone in a small club in NJ, maybe 40 people in the whole place and he was sitting right in front of the stage. How much do we wish we could have been with him THAT night??

    Love love love the Tucker hands video. Spot on.
    Love you. Write on, sistah, write on! (Right on!)March 16, 2018 – 7:52 pmReplyCancel

  • Matt - Don’t laugh but whenever I hear Spandau Ballet and Human League the memories come flooding back.
    I’m 46 now and my fave time was the 90’s!!!
    Love this article…very well written!March 22, 2018 – 6:23 pmReplyCancel

Life’s lessons are difficult. They come with pain, and sometimes, regret. But ultimately, to live life with content, and enough-ness, there are a few things we can each remember. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned during my own (longish-by-some-standards, shorter-by-others’) life. The Most Important Life Lessons for Contentment You’re never utterly alone, even when […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • JT Walters - Brilliant again! And yes, we don’t agree on everything but that does not mean I do not respect your opinion and love you despite our differing opinions.

    I actually love you enough to try and show you the other side opposing your position. If I didn’t I’d ignore you but I don’t because I love you dearly and respect you.

    You are only as old as you feel. You are not old. I lift bags clean house and after prayer group which many of our military personnel have received promotions, I went out and handed out flyers for a military concert. I was a mess and then target offered to find out charity to send care packages to the military. How cool was that?

    Wise words from a lady I love dearly!!March 1, 2018 – 10:54 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw thank you!!!! I agree that we’re only as old as we feel, and that we feel older when we’re unhappy with something. It’s okay to not agree on everything. I believe that. WOW to Target offering to send packages! You go, GIRL! WOW. See? You’re so amazing.March 2, 2018 – 8:21 pmReplyCancel

    • JT Walters - Me amazing? No. I am ordinary with a wonderful son and some fantastic friends.March 2, 2018 – 8:29 pmReplyCancel

      • Kristi Campbell - Well it’s amazing to get involved with community and military families, and not everybody does anything even close, so yes, I think you’re amazing.March 3, 2018 – 10:18 pmReplyCancel

        • JT Walters - They are amazing but I’d never argue with the administer of FTSF😊March 3, 2018 – 11:13 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - And your post made me smile – and Tucker saying “What matters most is what’s inside you.” Sweet! Be, you, completely is the way to live. We can’t compare ourselves to those we see in social media because most of the time when we share, we are sharing the best part. I almost resigned to re-pubilish too. I’m glad we both managed, I think at the least hosts should follow the rules 😉 though I was sooooo close to a listicle.March 2, 2018 – 6:40 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I so love that that’s what he said. So sweet. Funny that you, too, were resigned to re-publish and thought “listicle!” but we prevailed as hosts and your post made me smile too. I’m glad we both managed. Wow, it was close though, at least for me. Seriously, at 9:20, I was like “I am DONE!” then, I dunno. Weird, this writing bug we’ve got.March 2, 2018 – 8:23 pmReplyCancel

  • Debi Lewis - One of life’s lessons is that sometimes you just have to start DOING (or WRITING) to know what you really want to DO (or WRITE)!!! I tell this to my web design clients all the time: “sometimes, you don’t know what you want until you see the thing you really, REALLY don’t want.”March 2, 2018 – 10:44 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - YES, knowing what we don’t want is SO HUGE. It’s such a part of finally finding what we do want. I didn’t realize you do web design. Are you familiar with ProPhoto theme at all??? Just checking 🙂March 2, 2018 – 8:24 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - I just love how Tucker really gave your question some thought, paused and really, really thought about it…so great and of course, he came up with the best answer of all…must be that awesome mom and dad who teach him these important life lessons. 🙂March 2, 2018 – 12:49 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Right? I almost paused the video because I thought he was going to say “I dunno,” like he does with most things but I love that that’s what he said. So cool! You’re so sweet. Thank you!March 2, 2018 – 8:25 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @TheGoldenSpoons - Great list! We had some similar ones. I love that you asked Tucker & his answer was just precious.March 2, 2018 – 3:31 pmReplyCancel

  • Lizzi - Ah. Because I don’t have to fill in the fields. That’s why I haven’t used this one often. #Lazy

    I kind of love this. It feels like reading what I’d really like life to be about – what I’d really like life to be full of. I suppose the challenge is finding andcreating richness and joy in the in-betweens.

    I suppose I have to think, ‘if there’s never any more, at least I had…’ and keep finding new experiences to fill in the blanks. And do the best I can in the meantime.
    ❤️March 2, 2018 – 5:51 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I like the filling in of fields, because the FB comments don’t “count” as much but I get that. You kind of love this? Makes me so happy. Maybe it’s what I want to be full of, too. Or a reminder to fill my bucket with stuff like this opposed to the anxiety and worry I have over so much? I dunno. I LOVE the idea of “if there’s never anything more, at least I had…” and then, filling in the blanks. You should write about that! For real. How much have you done that you never thought you’d have done? Who knew you’d find purpose online, and in the USA???? Or, whatever, ‘Murica,” and stuff. xoxoxoMarch 2, 2018 – 10:14 pmReplyCancel

      • Lizzi - Weeellll…I wrote a poem a few weeks back about some of it. Some I don’t want to write about because the breaking down of friendships I thought of as solid has been hard – a ‘never meet your heroes’ kind of thing, but in reverse, I think. Anyway, that has sucked.

        But the best bits, the deepening of friendships, the influx of love, I could maybe write as long as it was couched in loose terms and no fingers could be pointed or feelings hurt from exclusion. As glorious as America has been, it’s generated a lot of thin ice in places and…you know me – I dislike destabilisation.

        I hope you get to fill your bucket with those wonderful things. I hope you keep finding your bucket’s at least half full already xoMarch 3, 2018 – 3:09 amReplyCancel

        • Kristi Campbell - I remember your poem (if it’s the one you published) but I’m intrigued. Tell me more? Not *here* obviously, but I’d like to know if you’d like to talk about it. Also the think ice in America… destabilization (with a Z, Brit!) sucks no matter what… I hope I fill my bucket. That you fill yours. That we all find ways to do so, with the most wonderful things, knowing that sometimes, the most wonderful things happen out of sucky somethings… oxoxoMarch 3, 2018 – 10:22 pmReplyCancel

          • Lizzi - Only ‘z’s for you, my dear. Webster went out of his way to create a new and janky lamguage from what is proper. He wanted distinction, and my goodness did he get it. The crassness is all yours 😜

            Here’s to full buckets, someday.March 4, 2018 – 1:40 am

  • Kerry - I am trying to resist what needs resisting and to write the thing I want to see because nobody else will do that quite like I’m looking for.

    Feeling alone is the hardest one. That and not caring what another thinks of us so much. I am super guilty of that one. It’s hard, as a writer, not to go searching for approval from writers that seem to know more, only to mostly end up feeling disappointed and confused. Lessons abound. Thanks Kristi. Thanks to you and to Tucker for that answer. These kids really are the future, clearly and thankfully.March 3, 2018 – 2:56 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Kerry, I remember the first time my dad told me that it didn’t matter what other people think, and I was horrified. I must have been in my early 30’s at the time, and going through a divorce, and deciding on whether to take a job pretty far away from my family. He told me to be friends with people I thought were too good for me, and at the time, there was one friend at work that intimidated me, and I took his advice and we became amazing friends. But oh sweetie, the whole not knowing what to resist and feeling alone? I know it’s so so hard. The hardest. I feel alone so often. With Tucker’s not-autism-but something like it. Not in the autism community. Not really in the “typical” community. I’m so glad you’re writing. Your voice gives such new perspective to so much. I’m also so glad to know you, at least here, online. Oh! And yes, these kids. WOW. to the kids doing so much, like this girl Emma Gonzalez. WOW. Maybe things will finally change!March 3, 2018 – 10:27 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - Writing is weird. Often your last minute posts are my favorites – unfiltered and pure Kristi. And Tucker seems to be inheriting your wisdom, which is awesome. As is his hair. And his You Tube name.

    I try really hard to find and keep contentment. I remind myself to count my blessings, because there is always someone who is walking a more difficult road.March 5, 2018 – 8:14 amReplyCancel

  • My Inner Chick - **Act on your ideas. Wildly, because nobody else will.**

    I love this quote & everything else about this post!

    Tucker is stunningly adorbs!)))

    xxx from Duluth.March 11, 2018 – 4:38 pmReplyCancel

Tonight, I’ll tell you about the feeling of jumping from a perfectly good airplane. Here’s how it happened for me… “Wanna see a video of my friend and me skydiving?” he asks. You watch. “I wanna go!” you say. Wait. Really? Maybe. No way. Okay, yes. A few months later, you’re on a flight to […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Kenya G. Johnson - Smiling big at your last picture. As I was reading I was going to ask if you’d do it again. Would you do it again now? I tend to get afraid of something all over again after time passes and I know what to expect. Amazing that your brain remembers what to do.February 23, 2018 – 7:12 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks! I did go again (about seven times) but no, I wouldn’t go again now. Something about being a mom has made me WAY less brave than I used to be. I know exactly what you mean about being more afraid after knowing what to expect. Brains are weird.February 23, 2018 – 7:55 pmReplyCancel

  • zoe - you ARE superwoman!!!February 23, 2018 – 7:22 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - You are Superwoman! And a weeniebutt. Which is kinda a cool combination. 😉February 23, 2018 – 7:55 pmReplyCancel

  • Kelly L McKenzie - I love how skydiving has its own vocab! “Ground rush.” Who knew? I’ve never gone skydiving but I have gone hot air ballooning. I didn’t have time to prep for it as it was a surprise gift from my maid of honor. One minute we were going out to dinner and the next I was scrambling into the basket. Terrified for the lift off and then, like you, WOW! So amazing. Didn’t you feel SO alive? And yes, I’d do it again.February 23, 2018 – 10:27 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Oh I’ve so always wanted to go hot air ballooning. What a cool surprise gift from your maid of honor. Truly amazing. I did feel SO alive. Just remembering it gives me that feeling all over again.February 23, 2018 – 7:57 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - What an amazing experience! I would never do it, but I don’t doubt that it is the most exhilarating thing you could do. I’m just happy to read about YOU doing it. 😉February 23, 2018 – 10:43 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks Dana. It really was exhilarating and amazing. But I think I’m done with it now 🙂February 23, 2018 – 7:57 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - BRAVE BRAVE GIRL! I love how you told this story and even more impressive is that you did it again! And I thought I was brave to just go parasailing – ha!February 23, 2018 – 11:19 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Parasailing is scary! I went years ago in Mexico… in some ways it was more scary than skydiving because you’re so much closer to the water you might hit!February 23, 2018 – 7:59 pmReplyCancel

  • Debi - I feel like I just did this WITH you! (which is great because now I don’t have to do it myself!)February 23, 2018 – 6:18 pmReplyCancel

  • Pat B - I feel like I did this with you!. Thank you for that exciting experience, because I am pretty certain I won’t be doing that myself. My sister-in-law did it several months after her husband passed away and loved it, but I have never had such a desire to do this. Your narrative was just great and that concluding photo sums up your enthusiasm perfectly.February 24, 2018 – 1:22 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - You do??? Thank you! I felt like I did it all over again although it’s been YEARS… I’m not sure I’d do it again now, with an eight-year-old, but wow, am I glad I have and I can remember the feeling of power like it was this morning.February 24, 2018 – 11:06 pmReplyCancel

  • Echo - You are far braver than I could ever be, my friend! There is no way in hell, LOL!February 24, 2018 – 6:56 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - But you know what? I’m a total wimp. Like from inside to outside and all the ways between. I think that maybe before I had a kid, this was just my way of feeling alive, and I know you get that… anyway, I bet you’d love it. Like for real. I bet you’d love love it.February 24, 2018 – 11:07 pmReplyCancel

  • My Inner Chick - WOW.
    Amazing.
    Exhilarating.
    And empowering to have “No Fear.”
    Would you do it again? xxFebruary 25, 2018 – 9:11 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I don’t think I’d go now… but I’m so glad I went when I was young and braver than I am today. Thank you! <3February 27, 2018 – 7:18 pmReplyCancel

My son and I walk past shop windows and I catch an accidental glimpse of myself. Bad posture, bra straps showing my backfat (there ain’t no sucking in backfat), a too-big belly, too-large breasts and too many wrinkles on my face. Sigh. My Body is Ugly and Perfect. I refrain from flipping my ugly body […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Kenya G. Johnson - I love the beautiful way you wrote what your body is for, some only a mother can do. I got at 1am text this week and it’s been a long long long time since he’s done that. I wouldn’t have normally heard it but I still had on my apple watch so it buzzed in my ear and read “Come her please”, of course I jumped up and feel like I just appeared in his room. He’d had a bad dream. And I think with this body and mom powers I would have heard that he needed me even if it didn’t buzz in my ear. ❤️❤️❤️February 16, 2018 – 11:31 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw thank you! And too sweet that you got a text saying “come here please,” and I bet anything that even if your watch didn’t buzz in your ear, you’d have known. Tucker still hollers “MOM!!!” or “MOMMY!” (depending on how scared he is). It makes me happy that Christopher still wants you when he has a bad dream. Maybe I have a few more years of that left. <3<3<3February 16, 2018 – 8:13 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerry - Great Kristi. Tricky subject matter. I have a lot to say on it, never ending, so I will go to work on my own post.

    I love what mothers say about what their bodies have done, but sometimes I put myself down by saying I have nothing so great as a human life to give credit to such a thing. Then I feel badly, but that’s just life. I see it all around me. I see my own amazing body achievements and I try to focus on those.

    Love how you almost did and then you realized other people were on the inside of that window, not just you and your reflection. Haha.February 16, 2018 – 1:08 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I’m glad you’re going to write about it Kerry. I look forward to reading. And you know… I didn’t have Tucker until I was 40 and remember feeling as you described, especially after I had a miscarriage (and then a divorce) and wondered whether my life was worth the same. But it was. It is. Yours is and you have SO MUCH time. Look at how much amazing life you’ve already lived. LOL to not flipping the people off by accident! Glad I thought about it! 🙂February 16, 2018 – 8:15 pmReplyCancel

  • Tamara - Mine too.. is ugly and perfect and all mine. It’s funny to me that sometimes I think it’s wonderful and other times hideous. What’s changing. A few pounds of water weight can’t be that drastic. The problem is ME – but only my mind, and not my body.February 16, 2018 – 4:50 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Here’s to loving our bodies no matter what. What are a few pounds? Looking back, all of my past bodies were just fine. This one is fine, too. I need to get over myself. Love to our bodies!February 16, 2018 – 8:32 pmReplyCancel

  • Pat B - Shop windows often reflect what we don’t want to see, but perhaps it is just the nudge we need to stand a little straighter. Unfortunately doing away with a few extra pounds isn’t so quickly remedied.
    Compassion pulls out of us the motivation and energy needed when we thought it was all spent.
    To still have mobility, good health, and memory are all things to celebrate.
    I love that photo of the boy dancing in the sea at twilight. Beautiful, as is the description.
    Seeing photos of hands of all sizes and ages is something so awesome.
    Thanks, once again for these writing challenges you and Kenya provide for us.February 16, 2018 – 9:03 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Here’s to mobility, health, and memory. I think I’d rather have my body fail than my mind… Thanks – that photo is one of my favorites ever. It’s Tucker and his two cousins this October in Florida right as the sun was setting. There’s another I took of a huge flock of birds chasing a school of fish. I keep meaning to get it printed and framed. Thanks, once again, for taking part of the FTSF writing challenges!February 18, 2018 – 8:15 pmReplyCancel

  • Jamie Miles - agree. None of us are perfect but you are beautiful— maybe not just as fixed up that day. My dear sister, beautiful inside and out for 51 years, always in perfect shape and weight, is battling cancer for the second time. A healthy body physically, emotionally and spiritually is a gift that money can’t buy.February 17, 2018 – 8:29 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I’m so sorry to read about your sister, Jamie. Cancer has a way of stealing our bodies from us. I hope she kicks its butt for this second time. Hugs and healing prayers to her.February 18, 2018 – 8:17 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - Perfectly said…sometimes we need perspective (ie, reality check) about how we see ourselves and not how we hope to see ourselves — thank you for providing that.February 17, 2018 – 7:15 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Emily. I need that every day, all day. Sigh. It was easier younger, although I wasn’t very nice to myself then either!February 18, 2018 – 8:24 pmReplyCancel

  • Linda Atwell - You have the BEST words. (Really, really, yours are the BEST words!) Love and hugs to you!February 17, 2018 – 11:48 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - You’re SO SO nice. Thank you thank you thank you. Love and hugs to you! Any news on a book tour in DC??February 18, 2018 – 8:26 pmReplyCancel

      • Linda Atwell - Not looking good for a tour on the east coast. 🙁 But I so appreciate you asking…and even wanting that for me!February 20, 2018 – 11:39 pmReplyCancel

        • Kristi Campbell - But of COURSE I want that for you. And I want it to happen… sorry it’s not looking good. Keep me tuned into which tours will happen outside of Oregon? I’m in Colorado a couple times/year…February 21, 2018 – 7:58 pmReplyCancel

  • Debi - One of the things I work hard at remembering is that bodies that are bigger/softer/older are beautiful and perfect and important whether or not they have made and raised children. A friend of mine who adopted her two beautiful children and who is plus-sized often rails at this sort of thinking, that she can only love her above-average-sized body if it made babies. Bodies are amazing and beautiful for all kinds of reasons, yours included!February 18, 2018 – 1:57 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I have a tendency to forget, but when I speak with somebody who’s in their 70’s and they say “you’re so young,” I get a new perspective and realize that I say that to people in their early 30’s when they’re thinking college graduates are so young…etc. Same goes for old though, sadly! But yeah, all of us are beautiful and perfect (and ugly). Thanks Debi!February 18, 2018 – 8:28 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @TehGoldenSpoons - Ugh! I wrote this post in my head, but didn’t type it out. Couldn’t type it out. I have pretty much nothing nice to say about my body. I try to put a positive spin on it, but I usually fail. It gave me my three girls, though, and I am certainly grateful for that!February 18, 2018 – 2:18 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It’s so hard, right? Ugh. I was thinking you might link up your old post you’d written about body image – it was a good one (feel free to link it up). I know what you mean about usually failing to put a positive spin, but so much of that’s in your head. I saw that vibrant photo of you teaching preschool at church and you looked gorgeous!February 18, 2018 – 8:29 pmReplyCancel

  • My Inner Chick - There is NOTHING, my darling, Absolutely nothing…
    ugly about you.

    Appreciation & Love from MN. xxxxFebruary 19, 2018 – 2:02 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - Yes to all of this. I started to write, and then didn’t feel like it. I found an old post and didn’t like my writing style, so I bagged it. But I’m glad YOU wrote – I have similar feelings about my ugly and perfect body.February 19, 2018 – 8:55 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Ugh to ugly and perfect bodies. Speaking of them, we should feed ours together, soon. Yes?February 20, 2018 – 11:20 pmReplyCancel

      • Dana - Yes! I drove by our usual place last week and it made me miss you.February 23, 2018 – 10:46 amReplyCancel

I was six, the first time I fell in love. Not much is better than being in love. His name was Ricky, and he lived next door. We hid behind the bushes to share secrets and imagined futures. His was to become a fireman who only helped people and didn’t hurt them. His dad was […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Kenya G. Johnson - Several posts here to click back to. Definitley the “on the shelf” one. I might have read it but I said, “No he didn’t!” like that was the first time I’d heard it. LOL to Robert’s happy face, but I can see it in his eyes. Y’all were so cute! And anything about our babies really comes close to better than anything. Love the picture of Tucker “dancing” and “snapping” his fingers 😀

    “Refraining from making some humorous but true-ish self-deprecating comment” – I’ll try – but the next prompt will be a tuffy.February 8, 2018 – 10:12 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - To the “on the shelf” one… I’m not even sure that’s the best to click back to. It was the “real” one before Robert and he was mean, but I didn’t even know it, you know? I think there might be other posts that talk more about how cruel he was, but maybe not that much…
      The whole no self-deprecating comment… I have texting with you to thank for that line. Because I was sorta lost on that one but then thought how often we all do it. So thank you for that. And also, I can’t even remember the next prompt. Gah.February 8, 2018 – 10:17 pmReplyCancel

      • Kenya G. Johnson - “This body of mine….” ugh!February 8, 2018 – 10:18 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - OH! DUH. This Body… GAH GAH GAH. It’ll be hard for sure.February 8, 2018 – 10:18 pmReplyCancel

      • Kenya G. Johnson - LOL! Is it possible to lose 10 pounds before I write it?February 8, 2018 – 10:19 pmReplyCancel

        • Kristi Campbell - Well that’s more likely than me losing 10 before the weekend, so I vote yes.February 8, 2018 – 10:21 pmReplyCancel

          • Kenya G. Johnson - I’m going to go to the gym for blog fodder.February 8, 2018 – 10:34 pm

          • Kristi Campbell - OMG now I’m inspired…February 8, 2018 – 11:01 pm

      • Kenya G. Johnson - I just remembered that we only have to write for minutes. Wooohooo! Easy peasy. LOL!February 9, 2018 – 9:16 amReplyCancel

        • Kristi Campbell - Easy peasy for sure. We can just write about this. In fact, this exchange probably qualifies for the few minutes. 😉February 9, 2018 – 9:58 pmReplyCancel

  • Lizzi - *
    Ha!February 9, 2018 – 5:51 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Right? Clark didn’t seem to notice though 🙁February 9, 2018 – 10:01 pmReplyCancel

      • Lizzi - You can bet he will have noticed you overthinking it though…

        (The pregnant t-shirt is THEE CUTEST 😂)February 10, 2018 – 4:20 amReplyCancel

        • Kristi Campbell - Aw! Thank you! My friend Sara sent it to me. Her sister, Julie, and I were the queens of the blonde jokes back in the day.February 11, 2018 – 7:22 pmReplyCancel

  • Valerie Newman - I fell in love with you falling in love. Come on, that Tucker smile in #3, sends Cupid’s arrow right to my heart. You tugged at my heartstrings and left me laughing with the asterisks.

    Happy Valentine’s Day.February 9, 2018 – 8:20 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw thanks, Val! Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours. And yeah, Tucker’s smile in #3 leaves me weak too. Totally. Gah.February 9, 2018 – 10:02 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - You made me laugh a few times in this post…this is his happy face, your pregnancy t-shirt, your perv comment, your conversation with Kenya in the comments.

    I wonder if Phil or either Ricky know what they missed out on…probably better that they don’t know. It would just make them feel bad.February 9, 2018 – 9:35 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Phil probably is likely very successful… both Rickys are likely in jail (or not, who knows!!!). I guess the pasts of us are that way by design, or so I prefer to believe. My IRL friend Sara sent me that t-shirt when I was pregnant and the first time I wore it in public was the first time I got the unwanted belly touch from a stranger so I stayed with it at home after that. Funny the things we remember.February 9, 2018 – 10:04 pmReplyCancel

  • JT Walters - Cute FTSF with an excellent message of “Love yourself first” and then you will be more forgiving and lovable.

    I had the child without the husband and falling in love. The husband was a child. But I adore my son unconditionally. I miss him soooo much.

    I am working on loving myself. It is a healing process. As for marriage I believe it is such an idealist institution that it could never be executed to perfection therefore I have never taken the big plunge.

    LOL on the weight. Sisters, I have both your ten pounds covered between the flu and the root canal.

    Both my parents have had cancer and my Mom died of rectal cancer so I have learned to love myself today because there may not be a tomorrow.February 9, 2018 – 9:55 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Loving ourselves is always a healing process, maybe. Maybe, we’re conditioned to think less of ourselves than others, which is sad. It seems the only alternative is to be a narcissist, and that’s not good either. LOL to having our pounds covered. I wish it worked that way. A good friend of mine recently had a double mastectomy and not enough body fat to make new boobs from. I wish I could donate my fat to her!February 9, 2018 – 10:17 pmReplyCancel

      • JT Walters - I have extra boobs to donate! How about this Valentine’s Day we all just love ourselves and each other unconditionally and who wants to be heroine addict or meth addict thin anyways.

        Let’s just shake things up and ourselves and each other this Valentine’s Day otherwise the world sucks!!February 9, 2018 – 10:51 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerry - Me! I’m crazy enough.

    Here’s to stardust and the future. And to love of all kinds.February 9, 2018 – 9:58 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - YES! To stardust and the future, and being just crazy enough. To love of all kinds. <3February 9, 2018 – 10:18 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @TheGoldenSpoons - I love your list! Makes me remember that I forgot to put “traveling to new places” on mine! 🙂 I have a really hard time with that loving myself part, but I’m working on it – always working on it.February 9, 2018 – 10:05 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I have a hard time with loving myself too, but here’s to working on it. Always.February 9, 2018 – 10:23 pmReplyCancel

  • Tamara - How on earth do you find yourself next door to TWO Rickys to love?? Magic. Hopeful is like being in love. And so is everything here. Ah, a good dog. A pregnancy that isn’t safe but you feel safe. Just everything. xoxoFebruary 9, 2018 – 12:24 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - No idea about the two Rickys but it was pretty perfect, in its own weird way. In high school/after high school, I love three Bobs. I married a Robert who used to be a Bob. Gah.February 9, 2018 – 10:36 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - Great list and really great pics…my favorite — the blonde with 2 brain cells t-shirt – hilarious!!February 9, 2018 – 5:14 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - LOL thanks, Emily! My friend Sara sent it. 🙂 The first time I wore it in public was the first time I got the stranger touching my belly. I kept it at home after that but still have it because how could I ever get rid of it?February 9, 2018 – 10:37 pmReplyCancel

  • Pat B - What a great list! Your baby does look like he was snapping his fingers.

    Being able to accept oneself, the weaknesses along with the strengths, is important because if one isn’t able to do that, it is difficult to love others completely.

    Thank you to both you and to Kenya for providing these prompts.

    Beautiful post!February 9, 2018 – 11:10 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - So true, Pat. Why it’s easier to accept flaws in others than in ourselves is a mystery but realizing it’s so is a step toward self-acceptance I think. Thank you!February 11, 2018 – 2:49 pmReplyCancel

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