The Power of Three

Look who's been tagged . . . . ME

That's right! I'm IT!

Today you get to find so much more about me. Which is a blessing, since I never speak very personally on this blog.

Thanks to Kristy E. who tagged me on her blog, which is private. Which means it's exclusive. Which means I am in her exclusive group. Which means I was rude enough to ask to read it when she drove preschool car pool. Awkward!

Anyway, on to the Tag of Threes:

3 JOYS
* Reading a good book in bed, with no interruptions
* Emma's sweaty curls on her pillow while she's sleeping
* Laughing so hard that I snort (which I do, whenever I see that Friend's clip from yesterday's post)

3 FEARS
* That Josh and Ethan are going to suck the helium out of Emma's birthday balloons and get pneumonia
* That someone will break in the house while I'm taking a shower and I'll have to karate kick them and subdue them while I'm naked.
* That making snarky comments about other drivers on the road, will in fact, keep me from going to heaven

3 GOALS
* Throw away birthday balloons today before the boys get to them
* Learn to shower fully clothed
* Reduce snarky comments

3 CURRENT OBSESSIONS/COLLECTIONS
* Diner Dash
* Mob Wars
* Diet Coke Cans

3 RANDOM SURPRISING FACTS
* I have never owned an actual Barbie ~
* I love Gene Kelly. At one point I had memorized the year and title of every film he had been in.
* I have every note and letter I've EVER received during Jr. High and High School saved in a HUGE box.

Finally, I'd like to tag some other participants. People whom I'd love to hear their answers to these topics. And those people are:

My husband, Jeff -- sorry no blog, so you'll not see his answers

My neighbor, Damon -- sorry no blog either, but odds are he'll find away to give his answers

Sarah Palin, as played by Tina Fey -- that's just funny entertainment!

Not A Simple Woman's Day Book

No, I'm not a simple woman, but this nice lady from the blog world does a fabulous Monday post. I am choosing to follow along this morning. It goes like this:

For Today...

Outside my Window...I assume that when the sunrises this morning, my neighbors will not have mowed my lawn. Therefore, there is long grass outside my window.

I am thinking..."Why am I awake this early in the morning?" (it's 6:30am, I've been up for an hour)

I am thankful for...The opportunity to go to Israel in December !!

From the kitchen... Something that will be purchased from the grocery store today - possibly Malibu Chicken.

I am wearing...Pajama pants and a hoodie (my wardrobe staple)

I am reading..."The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets"

I am hoping... That the bleaching trays for my teeth are ready and that my newly whitened teeth will improve my social standing

I am hearing...My smoothered laughing from my last comment

Around the house... Only a few misplaced items, which is good after every pillow and blanket was pulled out for the semi-annual "Watching of Conference"

One of my favorite things...Sleeping in a warm bed with cool air drafting in from the window.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Trip to the dentist and eye doctor. Dance class and art class. Soccer practice and soccer games. School work and house work. A weekend away with Jeff.


Tah-Dah! I did it. Now I'm considering crawling back into bed where I'll stay until it's time to drive the carpool.

High School Tag

Yes - for the most part, I tagged myself again. Grumpy Angel did this on her site and I really enjoyed reading her answers since she didn't attend a traditional High School. I, on the other hand, did. This should make clear why I'm only lurking on my 20th reunion group and not planning on attending the reunion next year:

1. Did you date someone from your school?
Yes, and for a very large part of my high school career. It didn't end pretty. I do not want to see him and thus I don't want to go to the reunion -- (This is why I drive VERY safely in Sandy and do not get involved in fires of any kind there either. Fire Dept Chief = ex-boyfriend)

2. What kind of car did you drive?
I drove my parents old blue Chevy Truck - which I shared with two other siblings. Quick note: You can not drive between the gas pumps at 7-11 in a blue Chevy Truck.

3. Were you a party animal?
You have to go to a party to be one of these, right? So, the answer is maybe. I did go to an all-night "Anne of Green Gables" party with my girlfriends. Does that count?

4. Were you considered a flirt?
I'd have to say - not a flirt. Maybe just a bimbo -- anyone who spends their high school career making out in the halls is probably a bimbo. Of course, being a bimbo doesn't really jive with my answers in question #3.

5. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
Kinda -- I was a flag twirler. (I heard all those gasps! Please don't log off now -- I'm a good person, really!)

6. Were you a nerd?
Considering my last answer - yes. I 'lettered' in academics too.

7. Were you on any varsity teams?
Surprisingly - yes. I was a nerd, bimbo and a Varsity Basketball starter. I'm thinking I might have multiple personality disorder.

8. Did you get suspended/expelled?
That was third grade

9. Can you still sing the fight song?
Yup! "Jordan High School students are we. Seeking knowledge ever will be. Our lives to improve we shall try. Dear old Jordan High . . . ."

10. Who were your favorite teachers?
Not the lisping Mr. Rasmussen and not the graphic Vietnam Vet History teacher. The others are mostly a blur

11. Where did you sit during lunch?
In the lunchroom with my little group of peeps.

12. What was your school's full name?
Jordan High School

13. School mascot?
Beetdiggers! Man, I have some serious school pride at being a Beetdigger!

14. If you could go back and do it again, would you?
No way!

15. What do you remember most about graduation?
That I had to sit next to Todd Meacham - it was geek sitting next to school God, awkward! Also remember kissing Jeff in front of my parents - surprise mom and dad!

16. Where did you go senior skip day?
Lagoon - Where Jeff and I had our first kiss. And then I backed mom and dad's car (not the truck) into another car. This will come as a surprise to mom and dad should they read this. There was not a mark left on our car though!

17. Were you in any clubs?
I think I was in some academic club - but don't remember doing anything with them. I helped a friend who did stuff with the Key club.

18. Have you gained some weight since then?
Oh momma, have I!

19. Who was your prom date?
See question #1. Plus this lovely dress was made by my mother.




20. Are you planning on going to your 20 year reunion?
Would you?!?!?




Now, if I were to tag a few of you with this "Oh, So Fun~" walk down memory lane - I'd want to see answers from: Leslie @ Life Is Good / Shauna @ Life on Celestial Circle and Lisa Anne @ The Crazy Kooky Clawson's (who was a flag twirler with me!)

Go Diggers!

I Need To Get Out More

Borrowing from Because Wendi Said So! I have discovered that I may need to be a little more adventurous. I personally think we should add things like 201) Cleaned Under Your Fridge 202) Held A Child's Booger In Your Hand 203) Smashed a Spider With Your Bare Hand . . .

My Score: 75 of 200

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper.
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Swam with wild dolphins.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a tarantula.
10. Said “I love you” and meant it.
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris. (I'm counting Paris, Idaho!)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (hello ~ another guilt ridden moment!)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (wow! that's a scary mental image for all of you!)
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don’t
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check - (sad, but true!)
68. Read - and understood - your credit report - (when you lose your purse as much as I do, you have to know how to do this!)
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions (freaky history teacher . . no longer employed)
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name - (when I got married)
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hotel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

"Tag! I'm IT"

Do you remember those days on the playground back in elementary school? The one, sad, little, pathetic kid who no one played with? That little kid would play tag all by herself . . counting out "eenie, meenie, minee, moe", then she would chase herself, declaring herself "it". So sad!

Well! I'm that kid -- I was surfing blogs yesterday, found a meme -- and without being tagged I am declaring myself "It!"

#1 - 5 Years Ago:

• I was busy thinking how hard my life was while being completely oblivious to the fact that it was going to get much, much harder. I was also busy being oblivious that I had a greater capacity to love and to learn faith.

Man, these serious answers to stuff get to me . . .



#2 - 5 Things On My To-Do List Today:

• Clean out my scrapbook room
• Plan out meals for the next two weeks and go grocery shopping
• Find the swimsuit/t-shirt order form for swim team
• Put the mail in the mail box
• Plant the new flowers that I bought before they die

As a side-note, these were all on my To-Do list yesterday too.

#3 - 5 Snacks I Enjoy:

• The Sugary Ones
• The Salty Ones
• The Frozen Ones
• The Fizzy Diet Ones
• The Crunchy Ones

Let's face it, I wouldn't be participating in the neighborhood Biggest Loser contest if didn't enjoy practically EVERY snack. More notable than snacks I enjoy would be 5 snacks I DON'T enjoy:

• Corn Nuts. After eating them for an hour in the car, getting out of the car for fresh air and then getting back in the corn nut fume-infested car: "Thanks, I'll pass on any more corn nuts!"


• Burnt Almond Fudge ice cream. Ok, under extreme circumstances when that's the ONLY ice cream in the house, I will partake. But it's not one I really enjoy - chocolate with nuts . . frozen together. . . not delicious.


• Pinto Bean Pie. Don't let the Auntie's bring pie to Thanksgiving . . . .


• Blue Powerade at the gas station drink fountain. What's this even suppose to taste like? It's like blue Kool-aid watered down. (Now give me blue Kool-aid in a baggie with some sugar and my wet finger and I'll eat the whole dang thing!)


• Boston Baked Beans. Nothing to say . . . they just don't do it for me. (I will eat Boston Baked Beans if left alone in a room with them and nothing else in sight ~ particularly during PMS season)

#4 - 5 Places I Have Lived:

• My parent's house in Sandy, Utah


• Apartment 23 in Rexburg, Idaho


• The Glynhill Apartments in Salt Lake City


• Our first home in West Jordan


• Our home of 11 years in Pleasant Grove

It's hard to imagine that someone could be more well travelled than I. Sometimes I toy with the idea of getting a passport ~ but as long as Arizona, Idaho and California keep their borders open, I'm probably safe without it.

#5 - 5 Jobs That I Have Had:

• Specialty Fry Cook at Jack in the Box (Yeah, there used to be one in Sandy, Utah . . and I don't recommend making out with your boyfriend on the roof)


• Data Entry at Medical Information place. (When you leave your place of employment don't have your new boyfriend leave a nasty message for your boss in Portuguese . . . who knew it could so easily be translated)


• Medical Document procurer at Medical Information place. (Desperate people will hire you back after receiving a nasty message in Portuguese)


• Secretary at an elementary school. (Best gig ever! I loved being in school with my kids!)

Again, I would tag some of you with this and have you answer these questions on your blog . . . . but I'll just leave it up to you. If you're the kind of kid who would've reached out to the poor, suffering little girl playing tag all by herself . . . . then you'll give this meme a try. (Ah, the power of guilt!)

ABC's of Me

Everything you NEVER wanted to know about me . . .

--------------------------------------------------------

A - ADVOCATE FOR: Stopping LDS Fiction Writing. It seems harsh but I just can't stand LDS Fiction - I think too many people forget it's FICTION and expect endings that only Anita Stansfield can provide. (I'm sure Anita is a lovely person and I'm happy she is making a living for her family with her writing abilities)

B - BEST FEATURE: Mute Button. I know - I don't have that feature, but it's seems like if I had a list of features to choose from that's what I'd choose (for everyone but me!)

C - COULD DO WITHOUT: Stop Signs and Lane Changing Blinkers. Oh wait! I already do without those.

D - DREAMS & DESIRES: That Mitt Romney was still running for President. Man I miss the fingernail biting, number crunching, debate analyzing excitement every night! It was like the NBA playoffs every day ~ now I just can't stand to watch any of it.

E - ESSENTIAL ITEMS: A book, Palm Pilot, pencil & crossword puzzle book. These four things can get me through the longest road trip, high council Sunday, doctor's visit and my Stake Leadership Training meeting Thursday night!

F - FAVORITE PAST TIME: Playing ToonTown. Don't even bother finding this on the internet if you have addiction tendencies. It's like crack for stay at home moms disguised as a child's Disney game!

G - GOOD AT: Sarcastic remarks, flippant replies and some crafts.

H - HAVE NEVER TRIED: Actually saying the word "NO" when someone asked me to do something. I have practiced saying it in the mirror but it still hasn't worked.

I - IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS: "I'd buy your love" Any Barenaked Ladies' fans in the house? (hmmm .. . . not sure that came out right)

J - JUNKIE FOR: Stamp Collecting, HAM Radio, Gardening, Housework Checking my blog statistics. Sad, but true.

K - KINDRED SPIRIT: Debra Barone. Yup, she's my kindred spirit - and it shows no more evidently than on the Everybody Loves Raymond episode "Bad Moon Rising" (for which Patricia Heaton won an Emmy). I've provided a clip of this episode, but it comes with a language warning (not kidding about the warning!) . . . . Click HERE to watch it, it's scary how similar I am!

L - LITTLE KNOWN FACT: Doesn't it just seem counterintuitive to write down a little known fact about me on a blog that hundreds 20 people look at?

M - MEMORABLE MOMENT: I can't even begin to write something here, there's too many - both bad and good. But if you're super curious, come over and spend the day looking through scrapbooks with me and I could tell you my top four!

N - NEVER AGAIN WILL I: Say that I will NEVER do something. Come on, we all know I don't have enough self control to make a commitment like that.

O - OCCASIONAL INDULGENCE: Diet Coke. Bwhahahaha!

P - PROFESSION: Principal Home Manager in charge of Family Access, Growth and Security Solutions. Otherwise known as Mother.

Q - QUOTE: "Because Nice Matters"

R - REASON TO SMILE: Thinking back to my last body massage . . . . The masseuse kept jiggling my chubby legs. I said, "What's that suppose to be doing?" She said, "It helps you relax your muscles" I said, "It's only making me wish I had gone to the gym more!" We then shared a nice awkward laugh and I spent the next few minutes in hyper-flex mode on my legs. Ah . . . Good Times!

S - SORRY ABOUT: Sharing that last story!

T - TAG SOME FRIENDS: Umm . . This whole concept is too much like a Tupperware Party - If I write your name you are obligated to do this ABC thing. I can't bring myself to do it! I chose to do it of my own freewill, without being Tagged - you can too if you want.

U - UNINTERESTED IN: Nothing. I like to hear about anything - I think it's all interesting!

V - VERY SCARED OF: Snakes & Water. Nothing worse than a water snake!

W - WORST HABIT: Turning what could be a short blog into a long blog. Sorry!

X - X MARKS MY IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Any hotel with just Jeff & me in the room. Ok, vacations with the kids are great too, but we're talking "ideal". The kind of vacation where you're not feeding people, you're being fed. You're not doing the laundry, it's being done for you. You're not entertaining, you're being entertained. As long as it's a cockroach free, smoke free, highspeed internet, cable tv available hotel . . .I'm good!

Y - YUMMIEST DESSERT: The one with sugar or high fructose corn syrup in it. (Sorry, there's an exception . . . Pinto Bean Pie - you can't sugar that enough to make it work)

Z - ZODIAC SIGN: Aries. I'm not saying I believe in Zodiac Signs, but here's a few descriptions of what being an Aries means, you can decide if they sound like me.

• Symbol: The Ram
• Aries people are 'doers' rather than 'talkers'. They are the impulsive, act first, ask questions or have doubts later
• Aries people love challenges. In fact, if everything is running smoothly, they are quite capable of going out and doing something (sometimes quite foolish) to rock the boat
• Aries Secret Desire: To lead the way for others