Oh, my favorite phrase of childhood. It didn’t matter if I was spewing aortic blood, all difficulties were meet with a resounding, “Offer it up, Née Née.” Offer it up? Why don’t you offer it up?

My dad allegedly punctured his own eardrum by sticking a hairpin in his ear as a young boy (according to my late Grandma Arthur). Regardless, the expression "Huh?" is a common response anytime I (or anyone) address(es) my father from the left side of his body.

"Dad, what in the hell are you doing?" I ask, slightly annoyed. "I'm trying to find a blanket." "Just take the comforter off my bed" I reply. "No, Née, I'll just use a towel" he innocently responds. I'm too exhausted to even care…

I had hoped the tone of the day had already been set by that fun, flirty moment in the airport. I couldn’t be more wrong.

Despite it being summer, the Griswold Christmas Vacation references just keep a comin’. I mean—consider what I’ve got to work with here.

As if you need more evidence that I am likely adopted!

This entire blog began when I documented, by way of “help me” Facebook posts, my summer vacations with my parents. The only single person in our family, I was graced with the privilege of accompanying my parents to exciting vacation destinations.