Happy Birthday to Me!

Today I celebrate my 29th birthday!  

 {source}

This is truly exciting, because after this year I plan on celebrating the anniversary of turning 29, for years to come.  Without going on about how icky I could potentially feel about being almost done with my 20's, I give you a very special birthday treat: a post written by my parents.

I asked dear Mom and Dad if they would contribute and within 6 hours their post came, ready to go!  I wish I inherited their readiness and punctuality.  As a side note, before you read, I only had the privilege of knowing one of my grandparents - my Grandma Anna.  I cherished my time with her and am proud to read what is below.
And so, here's what Betty and Marty (don't you just adore their names?) had to say about the baby of their family, me:

Vicki - From the View of her Parents:

We named her after her two grandmas Victoria and Anna.  In  our mind we hoped that she would do credit to her heritage and memory of her grandmas, who worked hard and had the great respect as ones who helped others.  You never know what your child will do, but hope to instill some values that will serve to help your child as well as help others.  values of a work ethic and assistance to others, like her grandmas.

Growing up she captured the attention of many folks.  To illustrate, many wanted her to watch their little ones before she was even out of grade school!  What a good sitter for all those children in our neighborhood.  She gearned her "baby sitter's certificate" at age 11 or 12, who knows exactly the age because it seemed like everyone wanted to have Vicki babysit with her games and planned activities.  We wondered who this little business person and educator was.

In her senior year of high school she was president of chorus and showed great leadership abilities.  She could sing.  But more so, she was a leader and knew how to take care of others; like grandmas do.

Then she wanted to be a teacher.  How proud she made her mom, who is a teacher at a local community college.  Graduation from college and then on to a second grade teaching assignment.  Again taking care of children.  Like Grandma.

Now the wedding bells are on their way.  Hopefully God will shine upon you and give you children of your own.  Then a few children for Vicki's children.  Vicki then as a grandma.

Love you, and we are proud of you because you are you. 
HAPPY birthday!
Mom & Dad

 Baby Vicki and Mom

pppppp ssss: don't forget my two birthday giveaways end tonight!

Combinacion Surnames!

Friends commented on Facebook about yesterday's post, in which I mourn the loss of my current last-name, how there's a combo-trend.

Ya know, like making two last names into one?  Hilarious, yet striking.  It does not allow for lineage/legacy to continue, though - which is a huge letdown.  However the possibilities are humorous:

Wanalistamon.    -sounds Rastafarian!
Salista  -sounds Hispanic
Salamista -sounds like salami
Wanalamon -sounds like a designer shoe, or a watermelon disease


Laugh with me on these, and then post your created last name combos below in comments!
(don't make me look like a loser, go ahead and comment!)

Saying Goodbye to the 'Dubs

I will miss the big W, the 'dubs, the initial that defines my last name.  I plan on taking Mike's last name when I get married and I will dearly miss my unique, yet long and frequently misspelled, last name.

Hyphenation is not an option, as my maiden-name is ten letters long.  Combining the two surnames would result in eighteen letters.  I do not wish that on any of my hypothetical children.
I will instead move thy dear ol' W to my middle name...which will make my already long name even longer, but I don't care. I need the W.

My last name was good to me for so many years (28 and counting).  Sure, it lead to a little bit of teasing, but mostly conversation starters, as in "How the heck do you say that?" and "Where's that from?"
What's more, sporting the initials VW lead to "borrowing" VW hubcaps, receiving them as gifts, wearing VW memorabilia, and secretly coveting a VW bus for so, so  long.  I want a DC United soccer jersey not because we live in DC, but because of the VW logo.  I love representing myself with the letters V and W. 

I need a way to keep this VW alive, and perhaps permanently ingrained in me.
I'm thinking of another tatoo, here.
The risk excites me!
(but I'll probably chicken out.  Mom, you can breathe a sigh of relief now!)

 {source}