Top 10 Things You Should Know About Lisa by Laura

I specifically wrote these before reading Lisa’s post about me. I’m the typical younger sister and if I read what she wrote, I would most definitely want to copy. Plus, she’ll know I checked because she’s StatCounter obsessed. There’s no fooling Lisa.

10. Lisa is in kick-ass shape. If I ever dare try a workout class with her, I get all black and fuzzy like I’m gonna pass out and she just kick, kick, kicks away. She looks funny doing it (who doesn’t?), but she could probably hold her own against Billy Blanks. Plus, she refers to a specific period of her life as, “Tae Bo skinny” where she existed on egg whites, water and Advanced Tae Bo. Watch your back Billy.

9. Lisa is very witty. Okay, you probably already know this, but she is. She can always think of something to say and it’s always clever. I KNOW that if our book ever gets published, people who know me will wonder if I had any part of it. The one-liners are all Lisa’s. She’s made of one-liners.

8. Lisa is a great therapist. I share. A lot. If you know me, I will tell you. Lisa is my favorite person to tell because her advice usually has to do with talking it out and doing something for myself like getting a manicure or joining a gym with childcare. She likes to remind me how important “training” is, whether I’m training Lydia to sleep or my husband to do what I want him to do. Solid advice.

7. Lisa is a mini-version of our mom. We call our mom “the regulator” and Lisa is exactly like her. She is a total control freak and likes to think things were her idea even if they weren’t. If you want Lisa to do something, it’s best to make her think she thought of it first. Lisa has a set schedule everyday which makes me feel like I’m flying by the seat of my pants. By the time I’ve brushed my teeth, Lisa has worked out and napped both kids (including a 4-year-old. Do 4-year-olds even take naps anymore?).

6. Speaking of “the regulator,” our mom is Lisa’s kryptonite. She always fears “the regulator” is judging her and draws crazy conclusions after harmless conversations. She’s a mom-pleaser to the bone and will be that way for the rest of her life. Let’s hope some of that rubs off on her own kids.

5. Lisa is a great mom. She always gives herself a hard time (mom-fails) but she’s the type of mom I’ve always wanted to be. She’s involved but not too involved. She’s planned but not too planned. Her kids will be those well-rounded kids who aren’t ridiculously over-scheduled and actually enjoy downtime. Plus, I’m sure they’ll be really funny. And cute. She makes ridiculously cute kids.

4. Lisa is Driven with a capital D. When she sets her mind to something, it happens. Anyone who has ever worked with Lisa comments on how hard a worker she is (okay, except Dr. Gregory of Dr. Langstaff and Gregory our high school employer. He didn’t consider housing a dozen bagels on a Saturday morning “work.” I beg to differ.) She’s determined to succeed at whatever it is she wants to do and that makes her a great writing partner. If she wants it and I want it, it should happen. Right?

3. Lisa is a great wife. She cooks dinner every night (something I can’t say for myself) and keeps her home neat and tidy. She’s always picking up after me when my diaper bag explodes or if Lydia pulls out each and every toy in their toy box. She’s easy-going (something I can’t usually say for myself) and supportive. I’ve learned a lot from her.

2. Lisa is a writer through and through. When we were little I used to go through her stuff and find stories written in journals. She was good then and she’s great now. She double-majored in English lit and has always had a passion for it. She keeps me focused and confident, but more than that, she keeps me writing. She says she couldn’t do this on her own, but I know she’s wrong. It wouldn’t be nearly as fun (please don’t ditch me) but I know she could do it. She’d come up with some fabulous book that everyone would want to publish. She’s good like that.

1. Lisa is an idea machine. When she says we’re idea whores, she really means SHE is an idea whore. She texts me in the wee hours of the morning, calls me, emails me, etc. with her range of ideas. I don’t know where they come from, but they come. She always has something cooking, which is extremely reassuring to me. I never know what she’ll come up with next. I love it.

0 (sorry, I have one more). Lisa loves anything wolves, especially sweatshirts with wolves on them. Just kidding. Lisa is a great big sister. She always invites us over and keeps us well-fed. I singlehandedly contribute to her large grocery bills. When she calls, I always want to talk and I can tell after the first word out of her mouth what kind of a mood she’s in. It must be a sister-thing.