1. I am a list maker. I make a list or two everyday. I love to cross things off my list. Things that don't get crossed off get neatly rewritten onto a new list.
2. I am a firm believer that a pedicure solves almost any problem.
3. I have never sent a text message in my life. I don't even have the option to send or receive them on my phone. The AT&T man said that I was "one of the last mohicans." My 82-year-old grandma texts. But still, I am resisting for as long as possible.
4. Along the same lines, people who text and drive are my pet peeve. Seriously. Nothing angers me more. If there is someone honking at you, shaking a finger and giving a dirty look, it's totally me. NO ONE is that coordinated. Don't do it. You are going to kill someone.
5. Like most moms, I am convinced that my children are the cutest. I never knew that I could create something so darling. They don't always act darling, but something about them being mine makes them beyond wonderful to me. I love them dearly.
6. I am usually tired.
7. Almost every day I sit in the shower and let the water run from super hot until it gets lukewarm. Wasteful, I know. But still my favorite thing to do.
8. I am chronically messy. I have good, good intentions. I wish this was different, but I just can't keep up. Ever.
9. However, I am a really good organizer. I am good at getting rid of stuff and making it look nice. I just need to take the time to do it. It doesn't happen because of #6 and then I give in to taking a nap.
10. My favorite books to read are about mothering, babies, and "how to" stuff. I get stuck on novels and have been known to start the same book eight times. I am on chapter 3 or 4 of Catching Fire and have been for a few months now. But I read Project Organization and A Mother's Book of Secrets in 2 days.
11. I love to cook and bake. I make stuff that I can't even eat. I love to try new recipes and share treats with people. My friend said that food is my "love currency." She's right. I think a good treat makes anyone happy. Especially if they are Marci's sugar cookies. I've made a lot of friends with those babies.
12. I am a bum pincher/tapper. Gavin's non-diapered bum screams out to me everytime he walks by. I can't help myself. And Brian gets bum taps all day. Funny thing is that I don't love my own bum being tapped. Maybe if it jiggled less.
13. I think we'll probably end up living in Utah forever. I'd be surprised, but open, if we go somewhere else.
14. I tend to over-commit myself. I'm doing much better at being more realistic, but sometimes I'll have several things going on at the exact same moment. Brian is helping me work on this problem.
15. I think I'm a fairly patient mother. I certainly have moments of near-losing it, but in general, I am not a screamer-freaker-outer. The times I have lost it have not given me any results worth repeating, so I try to keep my cool. Gavin is making that harder and harder these days...
16. I am not really creative. I love creative things and can copy them really well, but I can't usually think up ideas on my own. Scrapbook pages, primary music lessons, etc. - all stolen ideas. I'm just admitting that I am not the genius people think I am.
17. I would love to go to the Oprah show. It probably won't happen, but it's a secret dream.
18. My feelings for our dog, Wilson, have changed in recent months. We've got history, so I do love him. But I cannot stand his bark, crazy behavior, or hairy body. It cracks me up that I have multiple scrapbook pages of that animal. That was like a whole other life.
19. I feel like for the first time in my life, I am comfortable in my own skin. I hope this continues into my 32nd year, because it's nice when thoughts like I wonder if that person walking behind me is staring at my huge butt stop invading my mind and I can finally just walk already. And I'm not only talking physically - I finally feeling like the real me. Always a work in progress, but as Oprah would say, my authentic self.
20. I watch too much Oprah. And TV in general for that matter.
21. I prefer lifting weights to doing cardio. Cardio is killer and I certainly don't push myself as much as I should.
22. Sometimes I wait for so long to fold laundry we are pulling underwear out of the wadded up pile for days. And then it's time to wash again, so there was no folding necessary!
23. I am a nail biter. Have been for over 30 years. Maybe in the next 30 years I'll get a grip.
24. I love not working. Working meaning teaching or at the district office. Lots of people have asked me if I miss it. No hesitation: NO. This is what I'll say - for me, being at home with these boys is the hardest thing I've ever done. It is more WORK than my nine years of 'working.' But it is by far the the best thing and I am right where I want to be.
25. I love blankies. No matter the season, I need to be covered in something. I feel naked if I'm not. We bought a nice comforter for our bed and sometimes I bring in a real blankie just because I need it. Brian still doesn't get it.
26. I wear flip-flops in the winter. Today I walked in snow in them. No wonder my feet look like crud.
27. My body is telling me I am older. My skin on my face especially. Gone are the days of people mistaking me for a 10-year-old and asking, "Where is the teacher?" Now even if I don't have two kids in tow, people call me ma'am. Yikes. And my bladder just ain't like it used to be.
28. I don't love soft back rubs or tickles. They give me the hebs.
29. Although I don't eat them often, I still love peppermint patties, M&Ms, cheetos and mint ice cream. Based on the way I pound the Mike&Ikes, Brian reminded me to include them on my list. I had to break the news that they don't belong. I only eat them because there is an endless supply at his parents' house. Mindless eating. Wasted calories. I'll have to watch that.
30. I think I've cooked dinner 5 times in the last 8 months. Like a planned out meal with us sitting at the table. We've been eating differently (Living the Life!) and pretty much stand around the island with Gavin while he eats.
31. I have the three loves of my life right here in this house. I am truly happy.
32. You tell me - something you know about me that I haven't thought of. Be nice with the quirks...
Happy Birthday to me. It's going to be a good day.
12 comments:
You have a great birthday and share with two great people; my dad and Mrs. Parry!
In the short time that I've known you, you have been an immense help to me. So, to me, you could add "selflessly helpful." I appreciate the many times that you've let me come and crash whatever you are doing at home with your own family and given me the help that I need. I'll also never forget the confidence you gave me as a first year teacher. I hope you have a fabulous birthday!
Ok, so I sort of already left one on your facebook page, you are real, and I love that about you. Recently, my parents gave me a box of papers that they've been saving for 25 years, and I founds some notes from you. I am amazed at how many inside jokes we kept going, tidal wave was the best! I saw garth brooks on oprah the other day and thought of you missing the concert. I wish I could take you to vegas to see Garth for your birthday!
You were the bright spot of my growing up years even if you corrected my grammar from time to time. Happy 32nd birthday!
A. I didn't know you were older than me. I always thought I was slightly older. Anyhoo, I'll be at 32 in six months, although in my head I stopped at 30 to wait for Sean to catch up.
B. Something that I know about you:
I always secretly wanted to be a kid in your 5th grade class. Every time I walked past your door, I would think about how those kids didn't know now good they had it!
Along the same lines, I always secretly wished that we could have taught the same grade level for a year, just so I could learn from you and benefit from your awesome teacher energy. Maybe when our kids are all grown up and we move back to Utah (we hope!), you and I can go back to teaching together and be the awesome old teachers!
Ooh, I have another good one: as of 5:30 this morning, you now share a birthday with Stephanie's (Nemesis) new baby! Woohoo!
It's true, you're pretty darn amazing! I learned so much from you that first year of teaching. Hope you have a wonderful Birthday!
It's true, you're pretty darn amazing! I learned so much from you that first year of teaching. Hope you have a wonderful Birthday!
It's true, you're pretty darn amazing! I learned so much from you that first year of teaching. Hope you have a wonderful Birthday!
Yes!!! Happy Happy Birthday! I hope your day is great! YOU look great, by the way. I for sure need some of whatever you're doing after this baby #2 comes!!!
Here's mine: You are an amazing friend, a great listener and a wonderful advice giver. When I talk to you, I feel like you are so good at giving a good neutral response to things and it always helps me to see things clearer.
Hope your b-day is the BEST!
Happy Birthday! You can definitely add being a great friend and funny to your list. I remember quite a few laugh sessions at your apartment in AG!
Music - you're no Celine Dion but you sing in the shower, remember? And plunk out a mean Christmas song or two on the piano.
What Not to Wear - you'd love to be on that show.
You're definitely good for a road trip to Idaho or Disneyland.
Did you forget to say you like to be in control? :)
I'm so glad you're my friend even when you're a bad influence on me to spend money or not work as hard as I should. Love you!
I am very late, but loved your post! I have always enjoyed your quiet, gentle smile. You always seem to let things roll off your back. Happy Birthday!
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