With and Against The Grain

So this is it. I’m blogging. Not so sure what about and or who would care. When thinking of a name I wanted something that reflected my life. I think my title does just that. At times I might seem very main stream; however those who know me I am all but that.  So who am I?????

I am Julie Klinner. Wife, Mother (yes a dog does count as a child), a daughter, a sister, a strong friend, loud, outspoken, horrible hair (thanks for that compliment Jenna and Mom) at the same time very loyal, vulnerable, and thankful.   I grew up mainstream in an upscale town. I went to a liberal arts college…then I graduated...and became an adult. I was raised to form my own beliefs and to always do what makes me happy….so I did….I waited for ten years to marry the man of my dreams. Many people said I was crazy.( those who know me notice I did not put waiting patiently in that statement. :)) I bought a bulldog. I always thought I would own a yorkie or some kind of lap dog. My roommates most likely thought I was on drugs when I asked them to come with me to get “sugar baby”.  I work in insurance. Who in their right mind grows up aspiring to be a surety bond underwriter. If someone would have painted that picture for me when I was five I probably would have cried…really hard… However...If you let life happen...you might be surprised. I would have nothing different. The wait for marriage was well worth it. While those who closely know Clay and I get it…I am very impatient and he is not. His decisions are always very thought out in a rational manner which I appreciate because I have confidence that our big decisions in life will be well thought out and not some kind of irrational craziness. I care about Lizzy (the bulldog) more than some people most likely care about their own children. She snores, she smacks...and obtains all of my pet peeves, but I don’t care when she does… because she is my little angel.  My job is what I thrive on. I love feeling challenged and successful and having such a relaxed environment (at times....) So I am doing this to document life as it really is in the Klinner family. The quote below is what sparked this whole thing.....

Wood grows in a way that makes it easy to cut (with the grain) but in the other direction it also grows in a way that is hard to cut (against the grain).

So that is what my family is doing....growing and living...with and against life’s grains.