Hello!

I realized just now that I never got to properly introduce myself before hitting you all with my writing prompts from my Writers Group. I usually don’t have a lot to say about myself so I’ll try and think up as much as humanly possible…if those are even the right words.

My name is Lydia Roush. I am twenty-two years young. I was born towards the end of April in a town called Huntington, West Virginia. I didn’t live in WV at the time. My parents were going to college and living in Grayson, Kentucky. I’ve been living in Ohio ever since I was three or four years old, right before my sister, Callie, was born. My dad had gotten a job as a preacher in a little…and I mean little…town called Buford, Ohio. If you blinked, you missed it. Okay, I’m exaggerating, but you get the gist. I have so many memories there. Playing at the playground across the street, my horrid red carpet, the ladybug “collection” on my windowsill, going to church every Sunday morning and afternoon, and most of all, visiting my great-grandparents. I loved going over to their house. I didn’t like the smell, but the toys behind the sliding door, the piano, sitting on my great-grandpa Sam’s lap and hearing his stories, and the little toy monkey that had suction cups for hands and feet on the glass door were worth it. My great-grandpa Sam would always give me a Bicentennial Quarter every time I went to his house. I cherished those coins. Still do. I try to go out to his grave every so often to give one back. His funeral was not an easy day for anyone, especially so since he was buried on 9/11 when the Twin Towers fell. My great-grandma Bertha died on 1/20/13. I remember my dad calling me just a few hours after I had gotten my nose pierced telling me that she had had a heart attack in church. I remember thinking to myself, “Wow. What a way to go mamaw.” I got to be a pall bearer for her funeral. That part was hard. Not because I had never held a casket before, but because the family was getting together for possible the most sad reason anyone could’ve thought of.

I remember the house we lived in in Buford. The basement was one of my favorite places to be. My dad always had some sort of plaster mold going and I loved watching him. The real prize was when I found a blue suitcase with a rainbow wig, bowling pins, a big red nose, and clown shoes in it. That’s when I found out my dad could juggle. I thought he was the coolest person ever! I’ve always been a self-proclaimed “daddy’s girl” but my mom is my best friend. I remember wanting to perform the musical Cats for them every chance I got. I had that play memorized, songs and dances with the TV behind me, by the time was either three or five. It was one of those odd numbers. I know my parents are most likely reading this so this next memory is more of a confession. Three words: Matches? Meet carpet. I don’t remember how old I was, but I recall taking some matches and going upstairs with my brother, Benjamin, and seeing if we could get one to catch fire. I eventually did. The spark scared me to the point I dropped the match onto the carpet and I stomped it out with my feet. I was kind of a rebel child. I was the only one out of us 3 to tell our mother I hated her to her face. Boy, did I regret that. She told me I had hurt her feelings and I felt so bad after that. Never said such things again. Ever.

I was introduced to PC gaming at a young age. Humongous Entertainment made these games called Pajama Sam, Spy Fox, Freddie Fish, and Putt-Putt. I loved those games. Still do. I also loved how every time you started a new game, it had a completely different story line. You got the same ending, but the things you had to find and do changed. It was exciting. Aside from playing those and watching The Muppets and reading comic books, my father made me into a nerd by introducing me to Doctor Who. The reruns of that show were the coolest thing ever. The one I watched was the 4th Doctor. Mr. Tom Baker. The hat and the scarf. The hair! His personality and his quick wit. I was too young to realize it at the time, but he was the best. He and Elisabeth Sladen who played Sarah Jane Smith just clicked. K-9 was super cool too. I never thought in a million years there would ever be a functional robot dog. So, I guess you could say I was a Doctor Who fan before it was cool.

Growing up, I always said I wanted to be an actress. Now I’m a hair stylist. If you would’ve looked at my Barbie dolls from when I was younger, a hair stylist for a career would’ve been the last thing on your mind. It’s always been a passion of mine. I love making people feel and look good. I’ve been called a miracle worker before. It’s an acquired skill.

The number of celebrities I’ve met over the past few years is more than I think anyone meets in their lifetime. I don’t know the exact number, but it’s in the double digits. I’ve always been fascinated with their lifestyle and wanted to live that life, but then again, who doesn’t?

I have 2 siblings, 2 half siblings, 3 step-siblings, and an adopted brother. All younger than I am. Two of my step-siblings, I don’t claim. At all. They live in a different state and when you disrespect my mom for over 10 years and try to pin false blame on my sister to get her in trouble instead of you, yeah, I’m going to have a problem with you. The youngest is my half-sister, Amelia. She is the smartest kid I know. Fricken adorable too.

I moved out of my mom’s house when I was 20, so I’m still kind of new to this whole being out on my own type thing but I’m managing. I have no kids. No pets. Just me, myself, and I. I’m pretty independent. I think that scares a lot of people. Especially my personality. It’s weird, at least to me. I’m almost 23 and I still play video games, some PC games, and I have a VERY broad sense of humor. I get that from my dad. Tell me a joke, I’ll most likely think it’s funny. I try to be funny. However, people just think I’m stupid.

I’m a sports girl. Hockey is amazing. That is my number one sport. If you don’t watch a game with me either live or on TV, you will not know my love for the sport. If you don’t at least enjoy it, then that’s one less thing we have to talk about. I’ve been watching hockey for as long as I can remember. I love ice skating too. I’m not super good at it, but I’ve made it around the rink quite a few times without falling. It’s an acquired skill. However, if you watch or play basketball, don’t ask me. I don’t know and don’t care. I love football. I’ll watch baseball but I don’t really follow it. I usually only find out if the Reds win through Facebook. Soccer, or futbol, I only care about the FIFA World Cup. Vaya Uruguay!

Can I stop now? I feel like I’ve said a lot about myself and some of my past. I don’t even know. Whenever someone asks me about myself to get to know me better, my mind immediately goes blank.

I guess I’m going to go be an adult. Joy. Adulting really is the worst decision I’ve made in my entire life.

Until next time.

Lydia.