My 50th Post!

Okay! This is my 50th post! To celebrate, I want you all to post a comment chronicling 50 reasons you admire me . . .

;)


But really now. Get ready to be flabbergasted by 50 fun facts about me! (I'm sorry this is another post about me, but the main reason I started this blog was so it could be a personal history. For posterity. And of course for anyone who feels inclined to read it now. If you think 50 is excessive, a while back I read some random blog post belonging to a complete stranger who was celebrating her 300th post with -you guessed it- 300 things about her! And I read them all. And by the end I felt like I'd known her all my life. But you know me so, theoretically, this listing shouldn't be too cumbersome for you to wade through.)

Without further explanation, in no particular order:


1.I always return clothes to the hangers after trying them on in dressing rooms. Even when nobody checked my things upon entering.

2.I love tiny polka dots.

3.I think classic cars are the coolest. My favorite since junior high has been a '66 Mustang.

4.I have this annoying, unintentional habit of changing the way I talk depending on who I'm speaking to. It's like I subconsciously try to match my intonation with theirs. It drives me nuts, and I'm sure people pick up on it, but I hope not. I can't help being so versatile! I bet I'd make a pretty good impersonator. Or a bad one. Sorry to anyone who has noticed. And sorry I mentioned it, since everyone will now be listening for it and punch me in the face when it happens.

5.I am physically incapable of "flipping the bird". I guess I don't have very flexible phalanges. I can't make my middle finger go up straight while holding the surrounding ones down. It bends forward. Not that I would ever feel the need to make such a gesture at anyone.

6.I love a nice, meaty artichoke with hollandaise sauce. Mmmm . . .

7.Or a big plate of mashed potatoes and gravy. . .

8.I finally "stepped into the present" last summer when I got my first cell phone. I resisted for a long time, but decided it was getting to be a nuisance having to stop at gas stations to call home whenever I was out. I got a cheapo Net10 phone for $20 that came with 300 minutes to use in 60 days. I have to add minutes before the time is up to keep it active. That doesn't seem like much time for 60 days, but it's more than enough. Only the first month or two did I run out of minutes before the days were up. After that the novelty wore out and I have had leftover minutes coming out my ears at the end of every 60-day period. I guess I'm just not as popular as I thought... Or my friends and family are tired of me mimicking their speech patterns.

9.I never thought I'd get into texting because it bothered me that other people couldn't go two seconds without doing it. I didn't get the allure of it. Now I understand that it's handy once in a while when an entire conversation (if I were to call the person) can be condensed into a few short, to the point lines.

10.I am a stickler for spelling. And proper apostrophe placement. And good grammar.

11.Water is the only drink I need.

12.I will always love Mad Libs.

13.I can't stand listening to people talk with a large accumulation of spit in their mouths. Swallow already!

14.I cringe at the sounds of chewing or swallowing. No matter what, they always seem to be in stereo.

15.Banana is my top choice for Twin Pops. Blue raspberry is a (distant) second.

16.I may have wrinkles and stretch marks, I may have imperfect "parts" according to society's unrealistic standards, but I truly have nothing to complain about. Every scrap of me functions the way it should. I can breathe, I can see, I can hear, I can walk, I can sense humor, I can digest, and I can think. I don't have allergies to anything or any other physical limitation or ailment. I am in awe over the miracle and intricacy of life, and I feel so fortunate and grateful for what I have.

17.I like making lists.

18.I like browsing through stores for hours. By myself. That's some of my best "me time", and I love it when Ryan or someone else makes it possible for me to embark on such outings.

19.I wonder how many friendships I've missed out on as a result of my tendency to be introverted.

20.I think non-smokers should get to take 10-minute candy breaks at work. It's only fair.

21.I like arranging things.

22.I think I have changed more in the last 12 months than I have in the last 12 years combined.
23.I don't know what I'd do without music. It makes me happy. Except when it makes me sad.
24.I like Kristen Wiig from SNL. I don't watch it very much, but I've seen most of her skits. She is hilarious!
25.My favorite color is turquoise.
26.I'm the one who keeps sloughing off the old red paint on the curbs leading to our apartment complex. I can't walk past without peeling off a section. I love it when a big piece comes unhinged. There's something so ap"peel"ing to me about it.
27.I miss being a part of a big, good choir.
28.I still haven't learned how to properly handle stress. Some days I do better than others. It doesn't help when I can't hear myself talk or think when things get crazy with the kids. :/
29.I hate saying or hearing the word "bra".
30.I only have one functional brassiere at a time. I wear it every day until fails to perform, then I get a new one. I don't see the point in having a whole bunch of them.
31.Roughly 97% of my shirts are a solid color. Anything else is mini polka dots or floral print. Oh, or Beatles. I don't think I even have a striped shirt at the moment. I try to branch out once in a while, but I just don't like wacky, asymmetrical prints. I'm all about nice, even proportioned designs. Solids are my comfort zone. I'm sure everyone I know thinks I am the most drab dresser out there.
32.I want to go on a hot air balloon ride.
33.I love the sky, day or night. It's so beautiful.
34.I like Reader's Digest. Especially the little anecdotes people send in.
35.I've always liked neat stacks of fresh, blank paper. And I like new markers and pens with pretty colored ink.
36.Nectarines and raspberries are my favorite fruits.
37.I only went to college (BSU) for 1 semester, and I only took 2 classes: Psychology and English. I hope someday I'll go back.
38.I was one measly credit short of graduating from the Boise LDS Institute of Religion. I can't remember why I didn't just finish it.
39.Wow, now I'm remembering all the other things I didn't accomplish... =(

40.It bothers me when I see a picture hanging crookedly. I straighten it if I can.
41.My forehead is wrinkly from years of too much glowering.
42.I don't have any TV shows I'm watching since the season finales of Smallville and Glee. It's not that I don't like watching TV. I just don't make the time to watch a bunch of shows. Don't tell me what your favorites are. If I don't know what's on, I won't know what I'm missing. :) In general, I've found that not knowing what I'm missing out on is a good thing.
43.I don't ever type LOL (except to illustrate my point here). I much prefer a hearty "Ha!"
44.My dreams wear me out. Every night I'm on some aimless road trip or lost in an airport or trying unsuccessfully to locate a bathroom.
45.I thrive on validation.
46.I wonder what would happen if I listed really private things about me.
47.I wonder what would actually happen if I went outside naked. With people around. I mean aside from the horrified shouts and everyone fleeing the vicinity, what would happen?
48.I think I should keep myself busier doing things for other people rather than sitting around wondering what would happen if I did something completely uncharacteristic of me.
49.I try to explain myself too much.

50.I like people, places and things. (I stole that from a Parks and Recreation re-run that happened to be on the other day at Shirley's house... See #49.)

Now go make a list like this about yourself so I can read it!

10 Days In Pictures

The past week and a half has been crammed full of photo opportunities. I thought I'd jam all of them into one post so I don't get too far behind. I know how cranky all my readers get when I don't regularly keep them up-to-date on my life's happenings.

Thursday, June 3rd, was the day before the girls' last day of school. Ryan was working the evening shift and the weather was beautiful, so when Ollie woke up from his nap I took the kids to the Garden City Library per Cora's request. Then we grabbed a Little Caesars pizza and headed to Fairmont Park. I've been wanting to take the girls there for a while, so I finally made time to go. They loved it!

Oliver's look of "slide approval".


This thingy rotates with the weight of its passengers.


These pedestals also spin around. Cora looks like she's training for a future night job. Luckily, she's a smart cookie and won't need to resort to that sort of employment...


I'm not quite sure what the purpose of these recliners is. It's a playground, not a lounge-ground!


It would be scary to get tangled in this piece of equipment. Luckily, it looks like Jane is in complete control of the situation.


The ever popular wood chip store.


At one point Oliver and I were sitting on a bench so I could tie his shoe. He kept trying to show me something exciting, so he was yelling, "Mama, see!" I told him to say "mamacita", and he willingly and loudly did, just as two women were strolling past. They looked over and laughed. What a cute little guy! He makes me so happy.



On Saturday, June 6th, we went to the Boise Institute's production of The Ark by Michael McLean. It was a cute show with good singing. Ryan's mom, Shirley, was the "Set Master", which means she designed and built the stage set. She painted it all to make the wood resemble the interior of the ark. She is so talented. It looked awesome! Sorry the picture is so dark.





This flowering shrub was in front of the library. I often pause to appreciate pretty blossoms.



These pink peonies are in Shirley's backyard. They're so lovely and fluffy.


More pretty flowers surrounding a tree in Shirley's yard.


Ryan's sister, Jackie, is in town with her new baby girl, Tomi (pronounced Tommy) and her almost 4-year-old boy, Ethan. They are staying with Ryan's parents, so we've been over there a few times in the last week. We've all taken advantage of our chance to hold the wee one. She is a sweet baby. Cora especially loves toting her around.





Tomi had such a cute little outfit on, and it just so happened to coordinate with what I was wearing, so Jackie offered to take a picture of me with her. It looks like she's waving at someone.
:)

We were having dessert after Sunday dinner and Oliver took charge of the chocolate ice cream. I love this picture. He looks so totally enamored by the treat before him.


This was right after Grandpa confiscated the ice cream scoop. He looks so sad. I felt his pain and I wanted to give the scoop back to him! Poor honey bun...

Don't worry, he got his own dish of ice cream and was content with that arrangement.


Ollie and cousin Ethan playing an impromptu, post-dessert duet.



Tuesday, June 8th, was the season finale of "Glee". My sister, Erin, hosted a dinner party at her house. She decorated it like the restaurant on the show, Breadstix. She went all out and it looked great! Like a real Italian eatery.


I made the obligatory Rachel Berry "I'm Sorry" cookies.


Erin's husband (who is a talented graphic artist) designed the tri-fold menus. How impressive!


Erin even curtained off the kitchen entrance for effect.


My nephews were the waiters. Don't they look cute?



A yummy Italian feast.


Megan (my sister) and Maren (my sister-in-law) .


After we ate, it was time for the show! I loved the music, and the plot developments were touching. I really enjoy Glee.

Some of Erin's friends.






Friday, June 11th, was a fun day. Jane had a friend from school over to play. The first time I saw this girl I was amazed by how similar she and Jane look. It's no wonder they're such good little friends.




The other night, Ryan got home from work and sifted through the pile of laundry on the bed to find something more comfy to slip into. He came into the kitchen a minute later, wearing a little more than he bargained for. He had a sock tucked tail-like into the waistband of his shorts! He didn't seem to mind when I whipped out the camera. Maybe because I spanked him first. ;)





Okay, I veered off topic. I was talking about how Friday the 11th was a fun day. The highlight was going to Flying Pie for Cora's designated day to make a free pizza. A few days prior, my good friend Rachel told me Cora's name was coming up on their website! How exciting! Who would have thought a name as rare as Cora would be chosen?
We waited for the evening time slot to go, so as to not interfere with Ollie's nap. Ryan had to work from 2 to 10pm, so he unfortunately missed out.



She was kind of sheepish about it. She had to choose a fun hat from their collection, and she picked a parrot one. She said she was thinking about choosing the hot dog hat. :) Life is filled with tough decisions.



That's why they call it Flying Pie! The dough is nearly unpictured.


She tried to toss the dough like the employee, but dropped it on the counter. Oopsie.



Such concentration!



She applied plenty of Canadian bacon, pepperoni, cheese and olives.



All done!

Oliver and I were watching and taking pics, and we wanted to get in on some photo fun ourselves.

Oops! I forgot the camera was in zoom mode.


Ollie doing a long, happy blink.



Third time's a charm. Depending on your definition of "charm".


Waiting patiently for the pizza to arrive.



Ryan's sister, Jackie, and her baby.


Pizza monster


Ryan's parents, Ethan and Oliver devouring a party size pizza. It was so yummy!


The next night we went on a greenbelt walk with Shirley, Jackie and the kids. I was babysitting my nephew, Fletcher, so we had him as well. It was likely the slowest walk I've ever been on. We had strollers for Ollie and Fletch, but they wanted to push them on their own, alternately meandering away from said strollers in search of rocks to throw in the river.

I thought it was due time for some more awkward mommy-daughter closeup shots. I always prefer natural light, so I corralled Cora and started snapping away. I don't know why none of my familial onlookers (Ryan, Shirley, Jackie...) didn't offer to man the camera for my cause. I suppose they didn't want to encourage my narcissism. ;)

Uh-oh, lens was in zoom position again. I love Cora's eyes! Ha!


Who is this picture really about? In my defense, I was hunched down and leaning in, so naturally my hair was going to cascade across poor Cora's face.



Laughing at the previous picture. I look like a real nerd here.


And along comes Janey. Wuh-oh, where did Cora go?


Little did I know, the girls weren't smiling wistfully like I'd envisioned... This, my friends, is why I sometimes call her "Crazy Jane"!


Holding Tomi again. Love the stripey pants.







Cora excels at a lot of things, and this face is one of them.


This was just before Cora twisted Jane's arm and pulled her to the ground, reducing her to tears. I have the feeling this is just a short preview of the long summer ahead.




So pretty...



Now for the grand finale! (Sorry, I don't have a picture to illustrate this one yet.)

As if the past 10 days weren't already wonderful enough, Oliver progressively potty-trained over the course of it (well, maybe it started sooner). He has done so well! I give him most of the
credit. He tells me when he needs to go, simply by calling out, "poop!" or "pee!" He hasn't had any accidents over the entire last week or more, and now when I try to assist him, he tells me, "Mom, go 'way", as he motions for me to exit the bathroom. What a champ! And he looks so cute in his boxer briefs. :)