Person: Stephanie

Ohhhh Stephanie.

Stephanie is one of my very favorite people.  She's so much fun, but she's also very driven and responsible and so she's got this natural ability to make the people around her better.  

It's pretty cool.  

She and I met when we became suite mates our first year of college. 

If I remember correctly, we are both 100% sober in this.  I almost didn't include it because my face is awful, but had to because it cracks me up real hard.  Whatever, at least I look good south of my neck.  (As someone who shows as little skin as possible now, looking at this picture I'm simultaneously like "damn, get it girl" and "Charlotte wtf, you heathen, cover up.") 

We lived in different buildings sophomore year, but I suppose we just couldn't keep living without each other because we opted to get an apartment together (and with one other friend!) for the remainder of our college years.  Our friendship lasted despite a very bad haircut given to me by Steph in which I had varying levels of bangs.  Very bad. 

There's something really wonderful and beautiful about living with someone for years.  You have to be a grown up and think about others and be mature (and all that dreadful shit).  We never really fought, but we disagree on a few things and I know I annoyed Stephanie many a time while we lived together and she annoyed me a few times and instead of it ruining our friendship it made it stronger.  I think we both learned to be more empathetic, to be mindful, and to compromise.  If necessary we'd have a heart to heart, try and change a bit, and move on.  I'm sure that doing those kind of things make us better people and relationships better.  (You know, the whole "through thick and thin" thing.)  

For the most part, living with Stephanie was awesome.  We had so much fun.  There wasn't anything particularly bad about it, though I do laugh thinking back to the days when we'd eat lasagna or mac and cheese for dinner every night for a week.  (When I lived alone, I meal planned, but I broke the meals up and froze them so that I could have variety.  Stephanie would make a huge tray of homemade mac and cheese and throw it in the fridge.. and that's what we'd eat.  For a week.  Ah, Steph <3) 

Steph is very motivated and... I don't even know.  I suppose she's like a mini-Oprah.  She'd try to do yoga, she'd make green smoothies, she used to have "dream boards" etc etc.  She was the poster child for all those "ways to enrich your life and be happy" books and websites.  Naturally, she'd try to get us on board.  I'd be like: 

"I'm not going to do yoga with you but yes!  I'll walk to the library."

"Is this green smoothie just celery?  Maybe can we have a less-green smoothie?"

"OKAY YES!  ARTS AND CRAFTS!  I WILL MAKE A DREAM BOARD POSTER." 

She was a very good influence on me.  

  

Stephanie can be..... blunt.  Brutally honest.  I like honesty, I just aim to soften it sometimes.  I remember one day we were all sitting in our apartment and I said, "I need to lose a tremendous amount of weight."  

She replied, "Yeah, you really do."  

DAMN, STEPH.  

I wasn't hurt by it, I was just taken aback.  I think I laughed and told her I'd appreciate a slight filter, though I do always want her honest opinion.  When I know I need a reality check or I'm unsure of whether I'm doing the right thing, Stephanie is one of the first people I go to for an opinion.

She's occasionally spontaneous, but for the most part she likes to have things planned.  Or she looks for a reason to do something.  (I think, after living with each other, she became a little more spontaneous and I became a little more responsible.  I'd get momentarily excited about something and insist we do it, and she'd be like, "Charlotte, we both have huge projects due this week, we both are broke, and it's zero degrees outside.  Maybe we should fly a kite another time.")

Fun fact about Steph: She does not like the cold. 

Though she may not be the absolute most spontaneous person on earth, she's always down for (eager, even) going on an adventure.

Our personalities and interests are similar in that we're both just slightly boring.  You know, bed early, movies/books over partying (most of the time). 

She's infuriatingly good at pretty much everything she does.  I swear, I've never seen her set a goal and not reach it.  Wants to play guitar?  Teaches self to play guitar.  Wants to invest in stock market?  Reads about it and invests.  Wants to knit?  Learns to knit.  Wants to get into great nursing school?  Gets into great nursing school. 

Ugh, vomit in my mouth. 

I have fond memories of movie nights, library trips, fishing trips, and so much more.  We had so much fun, man.  During Christmas we got in the car, bought hot chocolate, put on Christmas music, and drove around looking at all the Christmas lights.  There was one house that was just beautifully done so we (creepily?) wrote down their address and sent them a Christmas card telling them how nice their house looked and that it made us happy.

We were both hired by the same company once and could not stop cracking up during the group portion of the hiring process.  Luckily it was just us, one other girl, and the woman who interviewed us, who laughed along with us.  (I think it boiled down to me making one bad joke, Steph laughing at me for making the bad joke, and then... neither of us getting over it.)

I'm completely comfortable around Steph (no choice after sharing an apartment with one bathroom) and I'm fairly certain she feels the same way.  I can hardly believe we've known each other for over six years, but we've already established that she's the Godmother for my first kid and that, while it probably won't happen, it'd be so much fun to live next to each other.  

Steph sent me a birthday card once and wrote that she didn't think she'd have loved or enjoyed Albany as much as she does if it weren't for me and my insistence that we do things (and my annoying habit of pointing at things and being like "LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS" even while operating heavy machinery).  I was touched but I also think she's crazy to not realize that she's half the reason I'm even like that.  To put it plainly, Stephanie can be a pushy mother effer.  I had some serious lows depression-wise during college, and she'd make me do all these things.  We'd go to concerts on campus, poetry slams, even the occasional game.  Also, walks.  Ugh she'd make me go on so many walks.  But a lot of that stuff forced me to develop similar habits.  So yes, I guess I helped Albany become a great place for her, but it's really only because of her that I'm like that.   

She is also the one that introduced me to chicken tikka masala, so I'm sort of indebted to her forever. 

I can't wait for the next 6x10 years of friendship.  

xoxo. 

__

Charlotte 

Steph Visits

Stephanie came to visit! 

And it was really fun. 

The last time we saw each other was a year and a half ago.  She came to Albany and stayed in my apartment for a few days and it was wonderful! ...except I got the stomach bug.  So there was a lot of sitting on the couch and doing nothing.  Still, it's always so nice just to be physically around the people you love best.  BUT it was a bummer not to be able to do anything.  

Wellllll well well fast forward a bit.  Steph and I had been talking about visiting for a while and then two days before we embarked on our trip to Disney I get a text from the lady herself - 

"What are you doing Wednesday?"  

I said something like DAMMIT to myself, worried that we'd be in an entirely different state the one time Stephanie could travel.  But!  I looked at the calendar and phew, we'd be back in time.  Superb.  

I responded and it was set.  

BUT there was a storm and another crazy turn of events (don't want to get into it here) and we were held up a bit.  Instead of returning on Tuesday, we returned on Wednesday.  And instead of returning early Wednesday, so I'd still be home before Steph's arrival, we returned late Wednesday.  There was a lot of traffic.

(Side note:  I feel like I've become really patient as I get older, and I'm so glad.  This traffic would have been so much worse if I had been in a piss mood from it.  The kids were asleep during it [God is real and cares about me] and I spent most of it hoping/praying people in the accident were okay, listening to my Glee soundtrack (go on and judge), and cracking up because my gps asked me if I'd like it to switch over to pedestrian use.  Over all - not bad.)

Stephanie was cool about it and we pushed her visit back a day.  And then she overslept, and she arrived HOURS later than planned.  I laughed at how smoothly everything went.  

SO, the visit.  We went hiking/walking in a nearby park, we played tennis (wow I need practice.  and to lose weight.  and just general life changes???), we looked at goats.  We did my two favorite NC things: watched the sun rise while sitting on a cliff and we went down Sliding Rock - mountain turned water slide.  

It was so, so nice to see her again.  There were times we were in the car and I felt like everything was back to "normal" even though living together hasn't been our "normal" for years.  We've both changed in some ways, of course, but some of our tendencies have remained the same.  I rolled my eyes real hard when we got in the car and she turned off the air conditioner and said, "Can we just open the windows and have real air?!"  smh.  JUST like old times.  

I sooo enjoyed the whole thing.  The conversations, the drives, the cracking up during Spy. (btw - go see Spy.)  I was so surprised that she made it through Sliding Rock.  Stephanie is fun and adventurous... but she does not like the cold.  No sirree.  As we were driving deeper into the forest the temperature kept dropping and I hoped she couldn't see it on my dashboard because I really, really wanted her to try it.  I didn't want the fact that it was 70 degrees change her mind.  But!  She did it and it was hilarious.  We didn't take pictures, but omgosh.  It's like ice when you hit the water.  Luckily, you go numb, so you can't feel it long, but damn it's cold at first.   The video makes it look tamer than it is.

We hung out on a creek for a while and she skipped rocks for the first time ever.  We ate some overpriced ice cream and chatted and it was lovely.  Nothing like running mountain water for background noise.

She's also a vegetarian now, which miiight have brought on a few eye rolls and a couple rounds of "well, she can just eat cookies."  But it all worked out and I made tomato tortellini soup (one of my favorites) and kept the vegetarian-mocking to a minimum.  Good friend that I am and all. 

I was sad when she had to leave, but I'm so super glad we were able to visit before I head back north.  And I think I need to start making it a point to see my friends more often when possible.  

I also just realized I haven't done a person post for Steph!  That's got to go on my to-do list this month.  

* * *

Oh, you want to see a ton of low-quality phone pictures?  Your wish is my command!  

Til tomorrow. 

__

Charlotte

    

Nickname-able

My name, obviously, is Charlotte.  

It's unclear what my full first name is, though.  On some birth-related documents, "Charlotte Patricia" is listed as my first name with "Anne" (with an e ;) as my middle, others have "Charlotte" as my first name with "Patricia Anne" as my middle name.  My family, including my parents, aren't clear on this either.  (How?  I don't know.)  

Of course, Charlotte is what I normally go by.  As a kid I badly wanted a nickname because I'm named after someone, so I was always called "Little Charlotte" or "Baby Charlotte."  Alas, I never had a real nickname.  

That said, there are a lot of names I answer to.    

"Char" and "Charl" are used frequently, but neither are nicknames so much as shortened for ease.  (Like "Em" when addressing an Emily or "Cher" when talking to a Cheryl.) 

"CP" is used occasionally, for Charlotte Patricia.  It was used much more often in my pre-college years.

"Charlotte Patricia" is used by certain friends.  Especially Olivia and Stephanie.  I think they just like the sound of it.  I actually like it, too, but it's so long and cumbersome that I never refer to myself as this.  Stephanie swears I introduced myself as this, but I have no recollection of doing so.  (Maybe I did in an attempt to get away from the "Baby Charlotte" dilemma?)

"Char Patty" was used for a bit while I was in school and... I don't miss it. 

I had an uncle who genuinely thought my name was "Scarlet" and........ no one ever corrected him.

I'm also called "Red" frequently (my hair).  

Olivia calls me "Charlie" a lot.  Others have used it, but she does so consistently.  

"Char Char" is used by two friends, but again, not exclusively.  (As in, they call me Charlotte, but sometimes fondly [I think?] go with this instead.) 

In fifth grade - and I know this because a few years ago I looked at my old yearbook and the notes were almost all addressed with it - I was, apparently, called "Chestnut."  I'm not mad that this moniker didn't last. 

For a while, "Charla" was huuuuge.  I'm indifferent to it, but no one really calls me this anymore.

*Edited to add* "Sippee" - Liz read this post and decided she's calling me "Sippee," like for "CP."  She then asked me if I get it, so I'm assuming she wants to know if you, dear reader, also get it?  C-P, Si-ppee.  

And because everyone's got a sense of humor, I'm called "Annie" from time to time: 

Source

Rant: There are different shades of red hair and mine is not the same as orphan Annie's and, STOP CALLING ME THIS. 

Also, I get called "Red Headed Step Child" too often for my liking and while it's fine now, as a kid I hated it because, uh, I was a red headed step child.  So. 

BUT those are the main variations of Charlotte and Charlotte Patricia that people have used for me.

Other nicknames I've heard used for Charlotte are Lottie, Harley, Arlo (in the trend of using boy nicks for girls), and Carla/Carly.  Of those, I like "Lottie" best.

I'm always a fan of hearing new nicknames!

__

Charlotte 

2014 --> 2015

Oh Lord.

I opened a package from Stephanie, one of my closest friends, a few weeks before Christmas.  Inside was a notebook with a picture of Dr. Seuss on it.  I opened the cover and saw that Steph had written "The Parking Lot" on the first page.  Other than that, there were just blank pages.

"So, is this like a little game?  She gives me a title and I have to write a story or something?  That's very cool.  And a little demanding..."

Alas, that was not the purpose.  I found a letter she had folded and stealthily placed in the back of the book.

Something you need to know about Stephanie: she is one of those people who believe in "positive thinking."  I mean, I believe in positive thinking.  I'm pretty positive this glass of Coke I'm about to have is going to be delicious.  My point is that Stephanie would read The Secret and believe it.  I'm a little more cynical and don't know if writing down things that I like about myself are going to make me happier or more confident or productive, you know?  But yes.  Steph has always been into making lists and reading positive quotes and all that.  She is also very organized and she does have really good habits that I probably should have picked up on while we were roomies, but hindsight, right?

"The Parking Lot" is a blank book where you write any random thoughts or notes you may have throughout the day and want to think about or dive a little deeper into later on.  I make fun of Stephanie (and other positive thinking followers...) but it's a good idea.  So good that I've actually told all three people I talk to about it.  YOU MUST DO IT.

I bring this up because I have a case of procrastination, and I keep meaning to put this book into my bag, but I continue to not do that.  Because God forbid I have to walk back up a flight of stairs to get it out of the drawer and place it in said bag.  Since I haven't done it yet, I haven't written down any of the blog post ideas I've had over the last few days-weeks.  Which means I sat down at my computer a little while ago and had absolutely no idea what I wanted write. 

Which brings me to another close friend, Liz.  Liz, bless her soul, is pretty much my go-to person when I am experiencing any problem or non-problem.  Sorry Liz!  So I go on Facebook and I tell Liz that I want to write a blog post, but I have no idea what to write about.  Liz suggests using a topic generator.  So one google search later, and I get this:

"How to take a screen shot" in my screen shot.  I am a real professional.  (Also, I am good about reading emails.  Also, in case you're really looking at the pic and want to know what I was reading, go check out this post about Catholics and politics.)

After looking at those suggestions, I was like............ what.  So, obviously, I looked up another generator, and it suggested I write about people who cut in line.  This is hilarious and I will be writing it.  Just not now.  But I mean, something to look forward to, amirite?

I don't have an idea for a nice cohesive post to write, so time for everyone's favorite thing to read: rambling.

I know it's January 10th, but I guess a good thing to do is be a huge follower and do what every other blogger on the planet does - reflect on 2014 and lay down some hope and plans (hahahahaha) for 2015. 

Semi-quick vent about a big part of 2014.  Skip if you don't like whiny vents.

This may be a bitch thing to do, but I have not written much about someone who really screwed me over this year, and I am going to do that now.  I haven't because I'm not really into the idea of talking about people and not to them, but now that I am thinking about it, this blog has maybe two regular readers and both of them know about this person.  Pretty much this is venting to no one, and my hope is that I stop fucking dwelling on this one person's horrible effect on my life this year.  Also, I don't use names, so really, who cares.    

I had a few "bosses" at my job.  One of them, the one most involved in our work, hired me with the understanding that I was going to work in the main office 2-3 days a week and in the other offices (each between one and two hours away) 2-3 days a week.  That was the deal.  I did that for a while, and it was a strain, but it was doable.  A few months into the job, and this person told me I needed to start going to the other, distant offices five days a week.  Well, I got sick (like, to the point of being hospitalized and needing surgery) and was not physically capable of doing that.  It would mean never being able to get to the doctor because I'd be out of my city from 8am until 6-8pm.  On top of that, it would have cost me $800 after partial reimbursement every month.  That's literally half of what I was bringing home every month.  So, I was "let go" because I couldn't do DOUBLE what I was hired to do.  And the explanation was that the 2-3 days/week plan was only temporary.  Seems like something I should have known, no?  But then, just to make it worse, during the meeting in which they let me know I was being let go, this person guaranteed me that I'd still have the medical reimbursement program.  Guaranteed that for the rest of the year, I'd be able to get my health costs paid.  So, I sent in my receipts for various appointments that totaled around $500 only to find out that nope, I was not allowed to be reimbursed.  Ha.  I know $500 is not the end of the world, but when you're trying to figure out how to pay your rent and you would have put the appointments off until medicaid kicked in a month later, that shit can hurt.  I can't even explain how angry I was an sometimes still am.  I do really need to just stop thinking about it though, because there's nothing I can do about it.  But not thinking about things that shouldn't be thought about is not my strong suit. 

Vent over.  

So yes, 2014.  Of course there were a lot of good things, but overall, the things I remember most are rough.  Needing surgery, losing my job.  Finding out there was something wrong with my liver, then my spleen, then finding out there is something wrong with a lymph node in my abdomen.  I've had abnormal blood results every time I've had blood drawn this year (20+ times).  Finding out there's a mass on my ovary (and stressing about what that could mean when it comes to having kids).    

One of my coworkers lost her son when he suddenly passed away.  Another found out her dad has cancer.  One is struggling to survive financially.  One whose family is losing their home.  Just a lot of bad things. 

There were some good things, which I'm going to write because good God I just put myself in a bad mood.  Guardians of the Galaxy came out.  Also Maleficent.  I became closer with some of my friends.  Even though I ended up losing it, I had a job, which is good because now I know what that feels like, and if I didn't I wouldn't be motivated to try hard to get one I love.  I bought a car that I love.  Liz got a job that isn't (I think?  Liz?) completely 100% her dream job but is basically it and is what she is good at and loves and that makes me happy.  Stephanie is in nursing school and reaching her goals.   Emily is student teaching.  I got over the whole paranoia thing (still a nervous person, but I don't turn on all the lights and check every crevice of the house if I hear a noise at night).  And after gaining waaaay too much weight, at the very end of the year I started to actually lose some of it.  So there.  Good things.  

Now for the fun part.

Things I want to do?  I still don't know the answer to that question, really.  I have some ideas, though.

1.  I want to write more.  I don't mean just on here, but in general.  I mean submitting articles to different sites, bidding for freelance work, actually formulating a plan for my own book.  You get the idea.  

2.  Read more.  I made a reading list last year, but didn't stick to it at all.  I did read more than I usually do, though, so that makes me happy.  This year, I think I am going to make monthly lists instead of one list for the whole year.  

3.  Get back to my healthy weight.  I'm not sure what that exact number is, but it's in the 165-180 range.  I think the bmi chart says I should be more like 145-155, but no.  I think I'd have to basically eat lettuce and run 20 miles a day to maintain 145, and I don't think I'd look that good.  I've been at 165 and felt great, mentally and physically.  The same for anything up to 180.  Since I'm in an idgaf mood right now, I'll go ahead and say that I'm at 235 right now, so I have a ton of work to do.  But a month ago I was 246, so at least it's happening.  

4.  Get a job?  I mean, I definitely want and need a job.  What I'm worried about is what kind of job.  I'm going to be in the south for a year living with family while I get my health together and try to save money.  I've had to suddenly move twice in the last two years, and it's meant losing most of my stuff.  It is emotionally exhausting and I can't handle that again, so I'm just staying here for a year so I can save enough money to move back to New York with enough money to hold myself over if I have any sort of emergency.  I miss my friends and my life, but it's not really an option anymore.  So I haven't decided if I should get a job that can turn into a career or look great on a resume when I move, or if I should just get a job that has nothing to do with what I'd theoretically want for a career but will pay enough.  Decisions, decisions.  

That's pretty much where I am at.  I'd say get into a relationship or something, but I don't know if I want to do that only to move away in a year.  Ugh.  

And to continue the theme of "what every blogger has done" here are my favorite posts of 2014:    

1.  Open Letter to Mindy Kaling

2. Pope Francis

3. Spiders and God-Given Talents: Education Policy in America

4. DIY Map Coasters... for the Lazy Person 

5. Good and Uncomfortable

6. Weekling: W.8, W.9, & W.10

7. The Pragmatism and Privilege Arguments - NY Election 2014

8. Black Lives Matter

9. Being a Burden

10. And for this one, I'll do the most popular post (well, the second most popular, but since the #1 post was only really aimed toward NYers I'm gonna go with this one): Twenty PERFECT Pairs of Baby Girl Names for Twins

Whew.  Time for 2015-specific fun things: 

Saint of the year: Saint Anne.

Since apparently e'erybody does a word for the year:  Persevere.

I could not come up with a word, so I googled that bad boy and landed on a website (my one word or something) and it had an image filled with words.  I closed my eyes and pointed to a word (think Cher choosing where to relocate in Mermaids) and it was "persevere."  So there.  In case you're interested, two of my friends who are doing this chose "growth" and "change."

Necessary image of mentioned movie. 

January book list:

1. Wicked by Gregory Maguire
2. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
3. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
4. Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery
5. The Book Thief (I am almost done with this, but stopped reading it for some reason.  Time to finish.)

Annnnnd I think that is it for now.  8:49pm aka 49 minutes past my ideal bed time.

Thanks for hanging around for the world's longest blog post.

This is Olivia, my oldest friend and guaranteed maid of honor unless she becomes an ahole.  She helped with this post.  In theory.

__
Charlotte 

A Simple Way to Mitigate Some of the Problems of Adulthood

My friend Stephanie and I were roommates for our last two years in college.  We were suitemates a year before that.  We graduated, she moved to the south for nursing school, I moved to another apartment.  We went from talking every day to talking maybe once a month.  That’s no fun. 

It’s pretty common, though.  Most of my friends agree that one of the hardest things about becoming adults is maintaining friendships with the people you’ve grown close to over the years.  It’s one thing to grow apart from a friend, realizing you’re just not as interested in being friends as you used to be.  It’s another to never see your closest friends, to only ever hear their voices when you reach their voicemail.  (Phone tag.  We are never near our phones or able to talk at the same time.  Grrrrr.)

So then what?  Facebook.  It’s good for knowing when to congratulate a friend on some achievement.  “Hey, a picture of you receiving an award popped up on my newsfeed.  Congrats!”  “Whoa, you’re engaged?!  Wait… you’ve been engaged for three months now?” 

Yikes. 

So that’s one main struggle of being (sort of) an adult. 

Another?  Bills.  All of the bills.  I swear, there is at least one bill in my mailbox every day.  Copayment for this doctor visit, electricity went up, student loans.  You get the idea.  It’s so stressful.  Every day, this happens:

I was talking to a friend the other day about mail – how when we were younger, we would run to the mailbox hoping there would be something with our names in there.  

You may be thinking, “What would a kid get in the mail??”

I’ll tell you.  This, my friends: 

 

THIS.

Reasonable or not, running to the mailbox was exciting as a kid.  When you saw nothing with your name on it, you were disappointed. 

Well, that’s changed.  I avoid my mailbox like the plague.  If I pass it and there’s stuff in it, I pray that it’s for my roommate.  (Sorry, roommate, for wishing bills from hell on you.)  Retrieving the mail is just no fun anymore.

But guys, there’s a way to fix this problem AND the long distance friendship problem AT THE SAME TIME. 

PEN. PALS. 

I think Stephanie thought I was kidding when I first asked if we could just be pen pals from now on.  I was sick of calling her, getting voicemail, seeing a few hours later that I missed her call back, and then repeating that.  It’s like that God awful gym game from elementary school: never-ending tag.  Oh how I hated that game. 

But once we went back and forth, Steph was all, “this is fun!”  And I was surprised that we both stayed on top of it (at least for the most part). 

The first pay off of being pen pals is that you get to talk again.  When it’s a phone call, IF you ever actually achieve such a thing, it’s usually a limited amount of time.  Not so with a letter.  We talk about funny things: I was elected to the board of this club!  I’m so proud.  I mean, sure it was uncontested, but whatever.  We vent about stressful things:  Dude, I’m having job problems.  We think about what the future will look like:  Hey, maybe we’ll end up being neighbors!  (I hope so!)  Of course nothing is as good as actually physically being with friends, but getting to write long letters in which you can cover ALL OF THE THINGS is pretty nice. 

The second wonderful thing about having pen pals?  Retrieving the mail isn’t so depressing anymore!  Oh sure, there’s hundreds of dollars worth of bills in that box, but – but! – there’s also the exciting prospect of getting a letter from your friend.  (And let me tell you, even the more serious letters can brighten your day.)

So no, I don’t know how to solve all the problems of adulthood…

“Income taxes?  You’re taking a third of my income?!  When GE doesn’t pay anything?!”

“Wait, so like, when did walking up the stairs become a strenuous activity?”

“What’s transmission fluid?  More money?  Isn’t an oil change enough?!”

“Do I need to get out of bed… and make breakfast… and put clothes on?  Ugh.”

But, having a pen pal is a way-fun solution to the “We never talk anymore!” and “Oh my God, will I ever get a piece of mail that isn’t an advertisement or a bill again?!  EVER?” problems.  

Me and Steph

__

Charlotte