Friday Fives - belated.

5 favorite gifts that you have ever gotten or given

1. BICYCLE. Every year, every birthday, every falling star, every wishing well or fountain since I was about 5, I wished a SECRET wish that I could have my own bike. When I was 5 I vividly remember teaching myself to ride a bike with my sisters banana seated, light purple, chopper handle barred bike in the driveway of our Mulholland Drive home. Since that moment of pride, I wanted my own bike. In the mean time my brothers got many bikes each and still, I had to use my sisters purple one. Finally, I didn't need one, I turned 16 in February (7th for those of you wanting to celebrate it) but you better believe I was wishing up until then folks. I didn't go for my drivers licence till October or so. I finally gave up on the bike (mildly bitter about it) dream so I revealed my secret wish all these years to my Mom I think, secure now that I would have a car to drive and no longer needed a bike. I GOT A BIKE FOR CHRISTMAS!! It was hilarious but so fun and for at least one day, I enjoyed my new mountain bike riding it around, bunny hopping, basking in the glow of my very first bike ... AND THEN ... my brothers Bennett and Jesse (who let me remind you, owned many bikes each through the years) took it for a 'test ride' and BROKE THE GEARS! So there you go, I'm pretty sure it lasted less than 24 hours. Awesome. :)

 

2. SURPRISED MY MOM FOR HER 60th BIRTHDAY. I don't know why I decided to do it but I told my sister Katrina and or my dad first of my desire that we should throw a surprise party for my mom. I asked my dad for a $200.00 party fund and my sister Katrina worked on the guest list which included finding some addresses of my moms friends from childhood that she found. My mom never needs anything so I mentioned on the invite 'no gifts' but still people brought some (which was nice). In lieu of a gift, I included an index card and asked them, whether they came or not to write a note, favorite memory with my mom or a favorite scripture/poem for my mom and bring it or send it back to my brother Carl's address. I found some old slides of my Grandfathers (mom's dad) of which he always developed his pictures to be a slide and planned sort of a movie theme. We ordered a cake with my mom and her twin brothers childhood nick names on it. The menu would be (i think?) Nachos and popcorn for when the 'movie/slide show' began and lastly we organized for a big Mylar 6 and 0 balloon set to be there (3 feet high each?). Ok, so how we 'fooled' her at her own house... My birthday is Feb 7th, Mom's is the 8th, we lived at the same house and I was planning to move back to Tennessee soon with Michael. I asked her if I could have a game night with some friends at her house on her birthday before I moved and even asked her to help me clean. lol. ;) She said yes and asked how many I was having over. I told her no more than 10. he he he. We sent over 100 invites! I arranged with my dad to make sure they went to dinner while we set up and people arrived so as time came closer we pushed her out the door. I was a little bummed cause she was so busy helping me clean, she was still wearing her clothes from cleaning instead of getting make up on and dressed for a date on her birthday. opps! Luckily she always looks adorable :). As soon as they were down the driveway, we got to work setting up decor and food! Guests started arriving... and arriving... and arriving and arriving! There ended up (including our humongous family, childhood friends, new friends and old friends) being about 80 people there! (and their cars parked all around our house and driveway! ha ha ha - so much for 'no more than 10 friends') My dad wisely 'stalled' my mom after eating by insisting that they go pick up something from Kmart or something then I think called us to 'see if we needed anything'= code for we're on our way is it all clear to return. ;) It was and we all anxiously waited for them to come home. My sister Jenalyn and then boyfriend waited outside with a walkie talkie to tell us when they were to the door cause the crowd couldn't be quieted to hear their approach. The lights were off and they opened the door. SURPRISE! we yelled as the lights came on and started singing Happy Birthday dear Karla... mean while, my moms face was priceless. We were singing and she still had NO IDEA the party was for her!!! ha ha ha. She's still thinking this is my/Lila's friends and party and later said she asked my dad while walking from the garage to the door, "I thought she was only having a few friends?" Isn't that a riot!? ha ha ha. Anyway as she is smiling ignorant to the fact that SHE is the guest of honor that we are singing to, she is gazing happily around the room at the crowd... suddenly you see on her face that she is recognizing people that shouldn't be there for me and starts naming them out loud, like "there's Diana, hey, that's Anne! THAT'S MY BROTHER!" Finally it clicks as we yell to her again that "the party is for YOU mom! SURPRISE!" ha ha ha She FINALLY got it and was stunned (this is an example of her humble heart, not ever expecting such a thing). She was so happy to see her Twin brother Butch who always calls and meets her for their birthday but hadn't and as she mingled around the room, she got happier and excited to see all her variety of friends. I was also great to watch my dad who seemed to glow that we were celebrating his cute wife who has done so much for so many outside our home. He also loved visiting with everyone and it might be the most animated I've ever seen my dad, kinda like we took him back to 1959 for a night. As it quieted down for a bit, we passed out popcorn and  showed the slides of my mom's and our families lives from the 1940's-80's when my Grandfather took the pictures, while the carpenters played in the back ground (my choice cause my mom always listened to them in the car when we were driving all over town). She did a great job telling us about the pictures we were seeing even though she hadn't seen them for over 30 years! Everyone loved it. One friend that came I don't think my mom had seen since they were in a social club at Hamilton H.S. in Los Angeles in the late 50's but she said she was at my mom's 5th birthday party and that they lived on the same block. CUTE! In the end we brought her cake out and asked my Uncle Butch to come over as it was his birthday too. He seemed shocked to find out that the cake was 'addressed' to "PUTSIE and BUTCH", (their childhood nick names) and I think it really touched him as we sang to both of them at the end of the night. It was complete. I loved doing the party for my mom and loved her innocence that such a thing was done for her. She has and does touch many and I thought it would be great to do a "This Is Your Life" (look it up) moment for her. People complimented us for weeks on what a great time they had going down memory lane etc and that was the real success. That was almost 9 years ago and I still glow about my mommy and the thought of that party for her.

 

3. THE MUG. On Mike and my first Christmas married I got a design your own mug for Michael that I wrote and drew on all our 'pet' names and sayings for each other. "You are my world", "Cat's Pajama's" "pookie face" (a joke one) and etc were included. When he opened it and saw it, he actually cried! He was so touched by a homemade gift and the sentiment that he didn't know why but it made him cry. I will never forget it and now either will any of his buddies who I'm sure after reading this will all buy him 'personalized mugs' for Christmas. lol. Sorry honey, for all of it. I love you!

 

4. CHILDHOOD GIFTS. Favorites: Easy Bake oven hands down! hours and hours of baking enjoyment. I literally used mine for YEARS. Crystal Barbie, the only one I owned after the one I did have before it, my brother Vincent shaved a Mohawk on her head and threw her off the balcony :(. Meany.

 

5. SERVICE. I have found as an adult that I really don't need anything for Christmas as far as a gift goes cause I can get it throughout the year. I like it best for my kids in the future (once they understand what all the fuss is about). I do love to get angel tree child at Christmas time and/or feed a family through a local grocery store sponsorship. In the future Michael has wanted our family to get more involved with the needy for Christmas instead of the gift exchange we do now with our CA family and many have expressed an interest in that as well starting next year even so I'm hoping we can plan a great project that makes someone else's Holiday wonderful, that would make mine even better!

Friday Fives!

FRIDAY FIVES

5 people I wouldn't mind to meet and why:

1. Dolly Parton because I think she is classy. I think she is passionate, has a great big ol' heart and doesn't take poop from the industry. I love her music and own the album pictured. The song "Little Sparrow" is very beautiful and gave me chills when I heard her perform it at an awards show (years ago when i used to waste my time watching any award show)

2. Back in the days that I used Facebook, I told a lot of folks about this cute little lady and her band Laurie Berkner! I got lots of fun and good feedback and even pledges to seek out and buy her music. Alas, although I wanted to partake of a CD for myself, I never bought one until... my very special friends Lori, Jim and Allister (hmm....sp?) gave Evan and Cora the greatest hits one and WE LOVE IT TO PIECES! Some of my favorite songs: "Fast and Slow" based on the story of the tortoise and the hare, "Boots", "Laurie's got a pig on her head" (it's the chorus at least), "Moon, Moon, Moon" (perhaps my very very very very very very favorite children's song and Evan is already singing along!) among others. They are very fun catchy children's songs and Evan is totally into it meaning Cora is totally into watching and listening to Evan being into it, meaning MOM LOVES LAURIE and wants to meet her! I want to tell her in person how impressed I am that she's found this niche in children's music and went for it.

3. Brobee from Yo Gabba Gabba. I would love to meet any of the characters but Brobee really is constantly the underdog, therefore I'm forced to feel sorry for him. :) I would like to meet him because Evan loves "YO" or "Yo Gabba Gabba" and it entertains him when I need some ME time.

4. If I was to really care about celebrity (which I really am no longer impressed in general) it would have to be someone like John and Joan Cusack. John because I'm loyal to him for the movies he made in the 80's and 90's and his sister Joan (this is a beautiful picture of her!) because she is a mother and sweet actress. I once read she for that time she was only making movies in her native Chicago so she didn't have to travel away from her family/kids. WHO does that?! So, IF I was to like celebrity's it would be this brother sister duo. I would just like to have some hot cocoa together and ask about their family growing up, have a play date with our kids and give each other a hug in the end. :)

5. Chelsie Hightower from So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. She is very talented and a great role model to young women that you can be competitive, sexy, MORAL, athletic and quality purpose driven. I think she has a great attitude and would love to sit with her and just hang out, maybe set her up with my brother Isaac if he isn't swooned with girls when he comes home from his mission next year cause I think he's a catch too. :) xoxo

i changed my mind...

i follow someone elses guidelines for "friday fives" to be found here so since she is taking next friday off, that doesn't mean I have to and so, for my friend denise wall who told me she looks forward to my report every week, I have decided to defy her rules and will make up my own friday fives next week. not too glamorous but i have picked my own subject.... 5 people I wouldn't mind to meet and why.. i know i have piqued your interest. see you next week! :)

Friday Fives

Random Friday -

(no 5's next week for Thanksgiving weekend. sorry denise wall! :) he he he)



1. Describe your IDEAL Saturday.
First of all, it would have more hours than 24... So. I'd wake up around 9 (after 10 hours of sleep of course), eat breakfast with the kids and everyone would get dressed. It would somehow still be 9am and we'd head out the door to go to the Greenway, walk to the park and play on the Jungle Gym. We'd have a picnic then finally go for the scenic drive. I've always wanted to go for a drive on, the Natchez Trace Parkway. On the way home there would be a roadside carnival (Michael would be in a good move and would JUMP at the chance) of which we would stop and Evan would squeal on the baby roller coasters and point at lights and name all their colors. He'd eat a corn dog, cotton candy and popcorn. C.G. would smile and wiggle her chubby little arms all about watching Evan have such a fun time then we'd all go home, have baths and crash asleep.

2. Whats your favorite Thanksgiving dessert?
Marie Callendar's Pies: Lemon Meringue, Pumpkin with dollop of whipped cream.

3. Whats one of your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
That my whole family will get together to make a meal and eat together. It's loud and crazy, kids running around everywhere, some adults at 'the big kids table' others at 'the little kids table' with their kids. We just eat and talk and play with the people we love. That's all I need, people who know me and love me and let me love them. Ahhh... home....

(not our turkey or oven sadly, look yummy)

4. Who does the cooking?
Michael cooks about 90% of our Thanksgiving meal here in Tennessee. I'm grateful to him for doing that for me (not because he cooks cause I can do that but he really enjoys doing it) so I can feel close to my family during the holidays. Growing up, my Mom did most of it but everyone chipped in. She was up late the night before and early the next morning with the Turkey but she didn't have 11 children for nothing! ;0) lol. One of my proudest moments was when my dad started letting me make the whipped cream for him cause he said I did such a good job. I don't have a recipe for it but I can eyeball making the way he and I like it right Dad? :) A quart of Heavy whipping cream, eye ball about 1 1/2-2 cups of powdered sugar (LOL!), a capful of lemon extract and a larger capful of vanilla extract. Whip to your hearts content, taste along the way incase it needs a little more of something and enjoy on pumpkin pie, jello, on a spoon by itself (he he he), cherry pie etc. Thanks Dad, it really meant a lot to be given that job. As time went on, I'd like to believe my dad even prefered my whipped cream to when he used to make it in his family. ha ha ha.

5. Do you shop on Black Friday??
I think I've already covered that I do NOT enjoy shopping what so ever. Let me expound on that by saying, you could not pay me money to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving because the traffic in the parking lots (much less the roads) would give me severe road rage. I don't think the deals given in the past few years have been anything special but then again I haven't had children to buy for so maybe the big deals are geared towards childrens toys? Anyway, no thank you. I would love to go to the green way or Seigel Soccer fields jungle gym that day though if anyone else wants to go. As a matter of fact, I'd love to get a soccer game together. Who's game!?

FRIDAY FIVES

5 Random things

(Ideas, Thoughts, Questions, anything)

1. I day dream all the time about (having enough money to...) building a dream home with an in-law suite/guest house for my parents. I'd want them to even have a sauna for their oldness. :) lol. Of course there will be a HUGE screen T.V. for my dad to watch Fox News all day long. lol.

2. I really have a lot to say about those who would disagree that I am a Christian or that because I am "Mormon" my Christianity is somehow inferior to theirs. I hope I can protect my children from their prejudices and teach them to love as Jesus taught and forgive those that are uninformed. I work on forgiving also. :)

3. I want a trampoline. Evan and I would be in HEAVEN and I would have my favorite place to sky watch and day dream. I need more sky watch/day dream time... don't you? wink. ( i had a rectangular one growing up. Now my family has 2 round ones next to each other and bounce from trampoline to trampoline. Yeah, it's how we roll.)

4. Why do others insist on telling me that I'm outspoken as if I didn't know that or like it's going to influence me to change that personality trait? Why would I want to do that? I am not interested at all in keeping my thoughts and opinions to myself when there is injustice so buckle up. :) he he he

5. Do you think it's possible to permanently glue my lips to my kids? I kiss them all day long enough to seem like it's already happening but they are so adorable, I can't leave them alone! (ha ha ha, poor kids)

Friday Fives

5 things... you want on

your Christmas List this year

Some may have laughed this off when it was first announced but WHO doesn't want one now that has ever seen one!? Please, give me an IPAD! I can use it for business AND pleasure. :) Either way, it will make me happy (batting her eyelashes in her husbands er.. Santa's direction). he he he

Shopping spree for AVEDA products. OOOOhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh How I miss you so!!! I could literally spend all day there. *sigh*

I would really like to go to Tangerine (even though I don't really feel welcome) and an hour message from JASON STRENGTH. While I'm being greedy, I'll go ahead and request one of these for every month of the years please... and thank you.

For Michael and I to make more time for each other and go on some dates. Walks on the Greenway, dinner, movies, flying kite's after church like we used to, weekend trips, the zoo, whisper sweet nothings to each other (hehehe). ;)

I wouldn't mind a jewel or two. Evan recently broke my pearl earrings and if I ever get around to trying to get it fixed, I hope I won't need new ones. :) I wouldn't mind an aquamarine ring to change out with my green amethyst one. fun!

Lastly (and 6th... oops) Please, Please, Please oh Please SOMEone call "What Not to Wear" on me!!!!! I am horribly depressed over my closets condition and how I feel about myself over it. I just want have someone who knows how to dress and teach me what looks right on me. I only accidentally, occasionally look presentable at best! :) But really, I need them, I am tragic and would appreciate a 5 alarm fire drill to alert them of my mess. Thanks.

FRIDAY FIVES

Randoms

1. Whats your go to recipe? I'm going to be more specific and say what recipe I could make in a pinch and I love it. Chile Cassarole: cook Rotelle Noodles, add one can of chili with beans and one can of chili without beans. Add cheese or corn or nothing. It's yummy to me but Mike doesn't like it :(.

2. When you hear "American food" what comes to mind? Definately Burgers and fries or Steak and potato comes to mind. Mmm. I'm so hungry right now!

3. What would you say is one of your "weirdest" quirks? That I move my legs or feet constantly (like my mommy) it bugs my husband. Also, I am notorious for laughing outloud while reading mail (cherilyn, i'm sure you remember this clearly! :) he he), emails or watching funny movies... BY MYSELF. ha ha ha.

4.What color do you mainly wear? hmmm. I really like to wear a variety but unfortunately tend to wear a lot of green, blue, copper or brown (anything 'earth' toned). Nothing wrong with those colors but I would like to get out of my box! Spy on me What not to Wear! Please!5. Always have to say everything on your mind or never speak again? Always have to say everything on my mind for sure. I do not enjoy when others don't tell me how they feel and I'm left to guess. I always prefer honesty and truth and that doesn't mean it has to be hurtful (hopefully it's not).

FRIDAY FIVES

If you come to Tennessee, this is where I would take you to eat at...

{in no particular order}

1. BUSTER'S Place in Murfreesboro. It is a total dive but they make delicious fresh beef hamburgers. They only make them at certain hours of the day (till 4pm only?) so get em' while they're hot. And let me tell you... THEY ARE FILLING!

2. City Cafe in Murfreesboro. Southern Cooking and hospitality. I personally love their Turkey and dressing (stuffing for you Californians) or any pie. Besides the price being extremely reasonable, you can never go wrong with the special of the day.

3. I don't have anywhere else to take you to eat that isn't a chain and I don't go to downtown Nashville to eat but... Michael gives a mean tour of both our city and Nashvegas. This is where we'd take you in Nashville:

Love Circle for one view of Down town, Titans Stadium, The Parthenon, ok- maybe Rotiere's we would need to stop for lunch anyway and it's right next to the Parthenon, historic and the bomb, if it's in season I'd love to take you to a Nashville Predators game and of course drive around downtown, see the Capitol (where President James K. Polk is buried) and the Bicentenial Mall/Farmers Market. If it's the summer and you have kids, they should bring a suit and a towel so we can play in the waterway display. Whoo hoo!

4. If we are in Murfreesboro: We'd see the monument for the geographical Center of Tennessee located on Lascassas Pike near Greenland
http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=26067. Talk about living in "Middle Tennessee"! :) We'd also take you to the Stones River Civil War Battlefield http://www.nps.gov/stri/
and maybe the greenway trail for some exercise after we eat at our favorite Indian Food, The Clay Pit. mmmm Tikka Masala... mmmm.

5. My house, my backyard and my kids. I'll make you grilled cheese or peanut butter and jelly. ;)

FRIDAY 5's

Ok so I'm a little late for last weeks Friday 5's but I was working all day then left for the weekend with Amber Jean but this is the subject:



5 Pictures of your house



Now, I could put pictures on here but I really don't want to look through everything to find them. It's 930pm and I'm not going to take any so if any show up on here, it's pure luck. :) I would rather describe to you some of my favorite things about or in my home and there may be more than 5...



1. When we brought Evan home from being born in Atlanta, he was about 6 or 7 days old. This was sad to me as I have always wanted to be a mother and with that idealized the "It's a boy" sign sticking in my yard (amoung other things), when you come home from the hospital. Well, I can be a martyr sometimes and just wished inside that certain things would be there when we got home but I wasn't willing to ask (even though there were plenty willing to come to our aide). He was born 2 weeks early and we found out Courtney was in labor, packed and left all in a 3 hour time frame, leaving our house a disaster. Here are the blessings that followed that I will never forget: A friend, Tara, gave us her hotel reward points so we didn't have to spent $100+ a night while in GA. Our friend Marrion, offered before hand to stay AT and watch our house and pets at a moments notice and it was, a moments notice. :) When we drove in, I wanted to cry because the most generious, thoughtful and silly friend I have, Lindsey had got another friend Katie to make us a "WELCOME HOME" Evan sign and it was HUGE across my porch! It was perfect and so so so so so touching. When I got inside the house, Marrion had staightened things up, made a Welcome banner inside and displayed the flowers that Kathy and Loretta had sent. MMM they smelled good! In the babies room Marrions gift of a changing pad was in it's place (whew! we had NO baby shower yet cause he was early and had ZERO things for him but an empty crib and a dresser - now holding a changing pad). There were gifts from L & K and from my wards Primary there was a huge poster board signed by all the kids with balloons saying congratulations thanks to my friend Beth. It was amazing. I always imagined my Mommy would be there to help me but I didn't need her cause I had so much 'family' here in my Ward and community. ( I'm SURE I forgot to mention others just now but the love is there for everyone)

2. I have this old framed picture of the Los Angeles Temple where Michael and I were sealed. It used to be my brother Wade's and his wife Lisa's but I'm assuming they got an updated one. They asked who wanted it and it's mine (although I'd really like an updated one myself and have considered drawing one... in my 'free' time. lmbo!). Anyway...

Something funny we did with it is cut our image out from our Open House (at the Neely's here in TN) and put it on the picture. It always gets a laugh when people find it. We have grand plans of how we will encorporate our children on the picture as well but as will everything in my life, it has been procrastinated. :) Still, this item in our home gives me great joy.

3. I love my back yard! It is just big enough for our house, it's privacy fenced except for the back which is a 'farm' type open fence so we can still see the woods behind our house. It makes it feel much more expansive and I'm so glad I'm not looking at someone elses house. I also love my trees although, the ones on the line of property between our yard and the 'forrest' are dangerously dropping huge branches and I wish the tree line could be taken care of (by someone else of course). What I really love is my cropping of trees off center to my yard. they create a great landscape and texture. Evan loves playing in it too so it's all validated.

4. I really like my purple walls in my "Great Room". It's quite soothing and it turns out to be a great back drop for art and etc. I also LOVE Evan's room colors how they turned out; a silvery grey that registers blue and a brown accent wall.

5. I love having wood floors and would love it even more if there was not pet hair or kitty litter to step on (some day), lol.

6. I love that I live outside of town. I have always lived outside of town and it sorta reminds me of home. I have a peaceful neighborhood and have hard working neighbors so they seem to appreciate what they have and take care of their homes (for the most part). Once you own your home, it's surprising how much you care about whether your neighbor keeps up their yard or parks too many cars outside. lol. So I have to say I feel blessed (knock on wood) that my neighbors are pretty neat. I do have dreams of one day posting a challenge in our neighborhood to have a landscaping competition to make our street beautiful as it IS called "Royal Garden" you'd think we ought to be better gardiners, right? ;) It would be a fun way to talk to everyone anyway.

Ok, that's it I guess. With all this said about my house, I still want more space so I can empty my garage and have a place for those things inside my house. Hopefully that dream can come true sooner rather than later. :)

FRIDAY FIVES

1. What's your "comfort food"? Popcorn and Ovaltine because it reminds me of my family.

2. One thing thats on your mind right now? That I am EXHAUSTED!

3. What's the best advice you've ever received? I'm still waiting for it. ha ha. Ok, So far it's the 5 S's for calming your baby: Do one or all of the following at the same time, for best results... 1. Swaddle 2. Side/Stomach 3. Shhh 4. Swinging 5. Suck (breast feed or pacifier). These helped me through many days and nights of sleeplessness with Evan. Here is a link to more explaination: http://www.biausa.org/WVirginia/crying/Calm.htm

4. If you found $10 today, what would you do with it? What anyone would do in my position: go to the strip club. ;) (seriously, what interesting thing can you do with $10.00?... Ok, I'll go race Mike in go carts and Mini golf... hmm... FHE?)

5. What is your least favorite thing to clean in your house? the floor at the end of my bed.

FRIDAY FIVES

5 Things that are always in my fridge

1. MILK it get's used the most. Mike and I drink 2%, Evan sometimes drinks Vitamin D (but even if I put Ovaltine in it lately, he does NOT want his milk? I'll have to ask Dr. Coleman about this one... hmmm.). I use Milk for Ovaltine, Cereal of course and recipes.

2. O.J. and/or Apple Juice. Sometimes you just need something besides water that is also in there but not worth a number. Michael and Evan staple respectively.

3. EGGS, even though I don't eat eggs as much as I used to, I have to always have them. Favorite things to make with Eggs: Fried Eggs over medium with yummy real buttered toast. MMM! Fried Egg Sandwich, Egg salad sandwiches and last but not least, Deviled Eggs.

4. String Cheese (and all other cheeses). You would think this is for Evan... :/... no? It's actually for me my friends and I only eat Frigo brand cause I don't play.

5. Soft Taco size Flour Tortilla's. What we make with these... Our favorite is Tuna 'wraps'? We make the Tuna from a can with mayo but add a chicken seasoning to it, scoop about 2 spoonfuls on the tortilla, top with your favorite cheese (i love mild cheddar, mike uses American. American is not cheese to me but cheddar I'm sure is boring to others). Fold it up and crisp it up in a lightly oiled frying pan, on both sides till you think the cheese is melted. It IS delish!

and I can't leave this post without showing you my newest day dream since we're on the subject:

LG 4 door Refrigerator and it doesn't actually have to have a water station in the door but this one does.

Friday 5 (on Saturday)

1.Something you are OCD about:

Nothing

2. Your favorite quote:

The lyrics to Michael's song he wrote and the lyrics to "Love Songs" by Flemming & John

3. What is the farthest you have been from home?

Puerto Vallarta Mexico in 1992 for my Senior Trip

4. Do you do a real or fake Christmas tree?

I 'do' a fake one but prefer a real one. I love the smell and freshness. I think I will get a real one this year since we will be home. Ahhh...

5. First Blog you ever read?

I have no idea but maybe it was for photography?

FRIDAY 5's

This weeks Friday Five is...
5 Things You Miss About Being A Kid!

1. Daydreaming! I loved laying on the trampoline and staring at the sky and clouds just thinking about nothing or something. Just thinking about it puts me right back there. :)

2. Being carefree and having no worries.

3. Running home from the bus to watch The Jetsons, my favorite.

4. My mom letting me skip school once in awhile, cause I needed it. Thanks mom. xoxo

5. Playing with my bros on the Trampoline and dolling up my sisters with hair and make-up :)

FRIDAY FIVES

1.If you could be on a show (talk show, game show...) which one would you pick? Are you kidding?! Price Is Right. Ok, or Wheel of Fortune. lol

2. What was your first job? My first real paycheck was cashier and full-service at my brothers Chevron Gas Station. :) I pumped gas, checked the oil, checked tire pressure and washed the windshields. I loved it.s

3. What's one of your guilty pleasures? Filet or Chips and Jalapeno Ranch dip from Chuy's (not the one in California, the one here).

4. Would you ever vacation alone? hmmm, I 'could' but that would be no fun at all. I don't want to get lost or be bored. Plus, who's gonna take pictures of me at the monuments and attractions? he he he.

5. Democrat, Republican, or Independent..or maybe even Green Party (whatever that is)? I would only consider myself Indepentant and VERY conservative.

Friday Fives

this week (sorry, i know it's been awhile): WISH LIST. wishing away....

1. A house like this one day so my Mommy and Daddy can come live with me when they are old and I can give them sponge baths when they are old, have no teeth and don't remember who I am (lol). I would give my dad his own garage even if he's not allowed to drive anymore and they will have their very own tornado shelter:




2. A nice camera to fulfill my fantasy of being a photographer, lol. I want to take better quality pictures of my family. I should also learn to use photo shop so I can make us look even better. he he he.



3. I've always wanted my own scooter, all my life and will own one someday. My brother Vince always liked Vespa's and they are totally cool but I'm really not picky but I don't want it too modern, I like a more vintage look:



alright alright, maybe I'll own this instead that way Evan would have a ball and I'll be his favorite parent (since Mike is the 'cautious' parent and would never take him on it. lol):





4. To take a bunch of girlfriends, sisters and sisters in laws on a cruise and can we go tomorrow please? No babies and an anonymous contributor would pay for it all. We'll get to have massage on the beach, go snorkeling, zip lining, kayaking, eat lots of yummy yummy food and lay out as long as we want (with out husbands telling us how boring that is, lol):



5. I would love a sort of lap pool in my back yard. It doesn't take up as much space, it's easy to put an electronic cover on so it's function and fun. I want to add a 4-6 inch deep child's play/beach platform to it too that can be blocked from the deeper water temporarily so you can put a chaise on it or kids can play easily.

FRIDAY FIVE

FRIDAY FIVE

Five Random Questions

1. Are you a MAC or a PC??? PC, I wouldn't know how to handle a MAC. :)

2. If you could go anywhere on vacation this summer where would you go???
I WOULD GO ON A CRUISE to the carribean!!! It would be even better if it was with a bunch of girlfriends or my sisters/sisters in law or nieces, that just want to walk around, snorkel and lay out in the sun... oh, and eat. Mike, you can go with me next time.

3. Which is your most cherished childhood memory? Just being with my parents and siblings: Heart to Heart talks with my Mom as often as I needed/need still (lol), cuddling with my dad while watching t.v., Playing house in the Avacado trees with the younger siblings and puppy, superman and 'pluto' or just jumping on the trampoline, beach trips and game or movie nights.

4. What were you doing the last time that you had a good laugh?
Putting Evan in time out for climbing YET AGAIN on his Lego table (dangerous) but when I sat him down (multiple times) he was making like 'flirt'/testing faces at me. Mike and I were really trying to keep our composture so not to mess up his punishment but were losing it quickly.

5. What is your favorite book or magazine? I really do love the Book of Mormon. I love it's history and adventure, lessons, rules and predictions. As for recreational reading, I like a good series. H.P. and Fablehaven are my most favorite recent series because of the refreshing imagination in them, but I also liked Twilight series. Magazines, I love Women's Day! It's cheap and gives great recipes, craft ideas and short articles. I also like real simple for similar reasons, though their quality and photography is superior.

Friday Fives

This week - Five things to change in your life to make you a tad healthier.





1 - Go to bed at a resonable hour and sleep for 8 hours
2 - Eat breakfast for goodness sakes!
3 - Exercise.
4 - Only eat food I bought at the store (meaning: DON'T EAT FAST FOOD!).
5 - Continue reading The Book of Mormon. It's been making me feel spiritually better already!

FRIDAY FIVE

Today's Friday 5 subject: Favorite Snacks....

1. POPCORN: air popped only with real (salted) butter, sprinkled with 'Vegit' seasoning.

I do not like microwave popcorn, though I will eat it, if I must. It is entirely too salty, it literally stings my tongue so that tells my brain, it isn't good for me. My parents used to have this snack almost every night and my mom would practically if not literally melt a whole stick of butter on one bowl of popcorn! They cut down on the butter eventually and are now total sell outs, eating microwave popcorn. :p yuck! (he he he)

2. OVALTINE: Don't care the flavor, original or rich chocolate. I drink it with popcorn, almost exclusively but will also drink it with the next answer (salty/sweet?).

3. SUNFLOWER Seeds: or even Pistachio nuts. I always ate S.S. as a kid with my family. Maybe cause my brothers played so much baseball and that was the baseball players snack? I don't know but, come to my parents house on an particular day and you'll see us all surrounding a bucket to put our shells in while we all have a hand full of seeds to crack open. David's are our seed of choice. My mom cracks it with her teeth but opens them with her fingers, leaving a huge mess of S.S. debre all over herself. The rest of us do all the work in our mouths. lol. ;) Another tid-bit: I can no longer drive long distances very well without feeling sleepy so IF I have to drive, I eat S.S. to keep me awake.

4. CEREAL: Lucky Charms, Trix (thank you for finally going back to circles!!!!), Pops, Honey Combs, Captain Crunch with Crunch Berry's (Kroger brand is WAY better than the original, p.s.)and maybe Fruity Pebbles sometimes. I love a bowl of junk cereal for a snack. I really can't enjoy it for breakfast anymore (but used to love any cereal for every meal if I could) so it's usually a dessert or snack. Mmmmm.

5. TWIX: or Reese's' Peanut Butter cups or Peppermint Patty. I like my Twix and P.P. refrigerated the best. :) I like to eat my Twix by cleanly biting the caramel off first then eat the cookie.

Can't wait to see Shannon's snack favorites. :)

Here are a few other notables: I LOVE sliced red apples with mild cheddar cheese slices, Nutty Buddy's?, Edy's Rocky Road Ice Cream, green grapes with whipped cream (like ready whip).