Tag, You're IT!

1. What is your occupation right now? "Ruler of the Universe" Haha!
2. What color are your socks right now? Socks? I try to avoid wearing socks unless there is snow on the ground… :) No socks today!
3. What are you listening to right now? Christmas Music… Vanessa Williams singing Hark the Herald Angels Sing, to be precise.
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Parmesan Goldfish Crackers
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes.. I think so. I assume its kind of like riding a bike – you never forget how?
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Troy
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes!
8. How old are you today? 1 day older than I was yesterday
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? There are sports on TV?
10. What is your favorite drink? Coke, preferably from Mexico! It’s yummy! But I have recently switched to Diet Coke… Don’t like it as much but oh well!
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? For several years now…. It’s fun to pick out different colors! :) At the moment its sort of a burgundy color. What should I do next?
12. Favorite food? Type of Food – Italian Food item – Grilled Cheese Sandwich
13. What is the last movie you watched? Kung Fu Panda! It was GREAT!
14. Favorite day of the year? February 4th – the day I met Troy… totally cheesy, but true!
15. How do you vent anger? Go to Tae Kwon Do and spar?? Talk about it to whoever will listen – usually Troy.
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? Holly Hobbi Easy Bake Oven? Strawberry Shortcake Doll? I have no idea… haha!
17. What is your favorite season? Fall
18. Cherries or Blueberries? Cherries
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? Yes – or post on their blogs! :)
20. Who is the most likely to respond? No clue
21. Who is least likely to respond? No Clue
22. Living arrangements? Townhome
23. When was the last time you cried? Just a minute ago… a goldfish crumb went down the wrong pipe… coughed so much I was practically balling my eyes out.
24. What is on the floor of your closet? Carpet. And shoes shelves and shoe boxes! And a hamper.
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? I am not sure who is reading my blog these days… if Tammy is, than it would be her. We met when we were 8 years old.
26. What did you do last night? Made dinner, watched a little TV, gave some advice to a friend running a food drive, and looked at some old photo albums.
27. What are you most afraid of? Loosing someone I love
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Cheese! Preferably with Avocado and Bacon too!
29. Favorite dog breed? That’s tough…. I love both Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies of course, but I also have a total weak spot for Bull Dogs.
30. Favorite day of the week? Saturday… I love sleeping in!!
31. How many states have you lived in? 2
32. Diamonds or pearls? BOTH!
33. What is your favorite flower? Calla Lilly… lately I am really loving them in orange or burgundy

You know the drill… I am tagging everyone who reads this! :) Haha!

Silly "What Car would you be" Quiz...

Good thing Troy likes Corvettes... haha!

I'm a Chevrolet Corvette!

You're a classic - powerful, athletic, and competitive. You're all about winning the race and getting the job done. While you have a practical everyday side, you get wild when anyone pushes your pedal. You hate to lose, but you hardly ever do.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Just for fun...

(I saw this idea on one of my high school friend’s pages on Facebook and loved the idea… so I copied it! :) Hope she doesn’t mind!)

If my 16 year old self could see my 36 year old self, she'd be shocked that...

~ I drive a station wagon (Or a “sport wagon” as the Volvo people claim… haha!)

~ I listen to and actually enjoy country music

~ I have scars all over my body from the removal of so many moles that the doctors feared were skin cancer… really should have been more diligent about the sunscreen!

~ More often than not, it seems that our lives revolve around our 3 dogs

~ I listen to and enjoy classical music and the opera (and we have season tickets to both)

~ I find so much joy in serving others and doing volunteer work

~ Not wearing your retainer leads to getting braces for a 2^nd time, and in your 30’s no less. Yuck!

~ That many of the friendships I made when I was in my teens, are still some of my most treasured friendships

~ I am still living in Utah. Haha!

~ I still use the information I learned when baking cookies at the Sweet Life

~ I am currently single (but have found the love of my life and can’t wait to spend all time and eternity with him!)

~ I know so many people who have been affected by cancer... and in so many ways, and so many different kinds

~ I still hate mornings... ok, that one may not be a surprise! haha!

~ I still enjoy Tae Kwon Do!

And last but not least....

~ I am dating a college student!

Wait a minute... I got Ariel too...

Looks like I take after my older sister, Janice! :)

You Are Ariel!

Headstrong and fiesty. You have a mind of your own that's full of romantic dreams about the world around you. Exploring exotic places is your ultimate dream, and although you can be a little naive you'll realize that there is something to be gained from your family's wisdom.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

7 random things about me...

Carly tagged me... so here goes. Haha! And yes, this was a difficult task...

7 random things about me—

1. I am insanely organized about many many things.... and completely in a mess when it comes to others. Yes, it's true... shocking, I know. Haha! And my newest nickname from Troy is A.R.G. (You'll have to try to figure that one out on your own). I have a calendar of our upcoming social events (but it only covers the next year and a half so its not really obsessive... hahaha) that is all color coordinated and just the funniest thing. Its a source of both entertainment and pride for Troy. Haha! I have my closet all color coordinated and well, you've all seen the little drawers with all the other stuff. I have my cupboards neatly organized by type of food and in order of expiration date. But then there is my "home office".... piles of paper everywhere! And I do mean everywhere. The filing cabinet is sitting there empty and the table and desk have random piles of paper covering every surface. When trying to do my taxes, I spent hours searching for a single document regarding my property taxes. And amongst all the papers are boxes, upon boxes of things that I have not bothered to unpack yet in the year and a half that I have lived there. It's really quite an embarrassing mess but, I just can't seem to get myself motivated to organize it. Haha! Oh well... I guess every house needs one messy place.

2. I get claustrophobic at the dentist and orthodontist. I'm sure that sounds funny to many of you but, I just can't stand all those people hovering over me and getting in my personal space. Not to mention sticking their hands in my mouth. Its just too much... they are all too close and I really have to concentrate on not getting anxious and just running screaming. Ok... that may be a little extreme... unless you are talking about when they have to take the molds of your teeth.... I totally freak out about it. I just want to yank the stupid thing out and run away.

3. This is by no means news to anyone who has known me for more than a week but, I am obsessed with shoes.... Its a bit of a sickness, honestly. I would be embarrassed to admit how many pairs of shoes I actually have. In fact, I just gave away 6 or 7 pairs to DI because I needed more room. You see, I stumbled upon a great shoe sale, and well... you know how it goes. Haha! Lately, I am mostly obsessed with wedge sandals and wedge sling backs. They are just so comfy and so cute! I recently bought a new pair of RED patent leather wedge sandals and they are just fabulous! And really, I needed them since I only had 2 other pairs of red sandals... and 1 pair of red boots, and 1 pair of red tennis shoes, and 2 pairs of red flip flops... well, you get my point...

(and don't worry, they already have a home right on the colored sandal shelf with the other 2 red pairs, the 3 orange pairs, the turqouise pair, the snake skin pair, and the leopard pair.... Haha!)

4. I hate exercise.... yes, I enjoy TaeKwonDo and I enjoy going for a walk with Troy, Askie, Maika and/or Aleusha but... as a whole, I really just don't enjoy exercise. Don't get me wrong, I very much like the positive effects that exercise has... but I don't enjoy going to the gym, lifting weights, etc. In fact, I pretty much hate it. It's just not fun and I often have a very, very hard time convincing myself to go do it.

5. I have said this before but I will say it again.... I just think that there is something just sooo comforting about old friends! I had a nice long chat with Rachel Wells (Walker) the other night and it was just so fun to catch-up and reminisce; but it was also nice to just chat with someone who knows so much of my history. It is so comforting. So... thank you to all my old friends who, to me, are the most important friends to have. Love you all! :) And I miss you all.... call, email or text me soon!

6. I am constantly amazed at what a small world we live in. Seriously! Here's a short run down of a few examples... Troy is the cousin of my ex-boyfriend Steve's old roommate, who I used to hang out with all the time. Last night Brandon Streiff called me to tell me that one of the bishopric counselors in his single's ward is a guy that I dated in college, Darren Lemmon. Bunker moved in 50 yards up the street without having a clue where I lived. John Tenney, a friend from college, not only lives in my parents ward but is their bishop. Mike Hooper, another friend from college (who also knows Rachel and John, and Darren too I think) who I hadn't seen in at least 10 years, showed up at my house with the guy I was dating at the time (Terrence) when he and I were going to a football game and I had told him to bring a friend to use the other ticket. On a camping trip a few years back, I ran into Fritz Tessors (who is Ken and Nate Newell's ex-brother-in-law) who I hadn't seen since I was 17. And a few years before that Ken married a girl who lived across the hall from me in the dorms my freshman year.

I can go on and on and on about all the funny little coincidences, but seriously, it just constantly bewilders and entertains me! I get such a kick out of it. But it also makes me think... "I'd better be on my best behavior all the time! Otherwise, its gonna come back to haunt me!"

7. I now get car sick... never used to, but alas... I do now. It sucks.

Ok... I am breaking the "tagging" rules since so few of my friends have blogs of their own — and since Carly already tagged most of the family members (don't want to duplicate too much. Haha) — So... I am tagging the following 7 people and if they don't have blogs, I expect their responses via email. :) That's fair, right??

- Shelly

- Paulette

- Janice

- Rachel

- Michelle

- Tammara Lynn

- Meri

The rules if you need them...

Instructions: These are the rules…. each player starts with 7 random facts about themselves on their Blog. People who are tagged need to blog 7 facts about themselves and post the rules as well. At the end of their blog list 7 people you are tagging. Let them know that they are tagged by leaving them a comment.

Eeek! I spoke too soon...

It's not such a good day now that I have these lovely (sarcasm) invisalign retainers. Dang these puppies are hard to get in and out!

Anyway....
As Mandy pointed out... I was tagged... so, here goes...

4 JOBS I'VE HAD:
1. Baker
2. Teacher
3. Designer
4. Writer

4 MOVIES I CAN ALWAYS WATCH:
1. Princess Bride
2. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
3. French Kiss
4. A Knight's Tale

4 PLACES I'VE LIVED:
1. Los Angeles
2. Newport Beach
3. Provo
4. Salt Lake City

4 TV SHOWS I ENJOY:
1. Boston Legal
2. CSI
3. October Road
4. Shark

4 FAVORITE FOODS:
1. Dried Mangos
2. Cheese
3. Apples - I cannot wait to take a big bite of one now that the braces are off!
4. Sunchips

4 WEBSITES I VISIT (ALMOST DAILY):
1. Mvelopes... gotta check my budget!
2. MSN (to check email.. haha)
3. My familes' blogs
4. Other various work places I need to visit daily...

4 PLACES I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
1. Italy
2. Kauai
3. On a drive with Troy
4. Chris Botti concert

4 BLOGGER BUDDIES TO TAG:
1. Janice.... I know you are reading this, so let's get on with that BLOG of yours! :)
2. Paulette... do I really have to create your blog for you? Hehe!
3. Carly
4. Shelly

— and just for giggles, i am including the last one of those "tag" emails that Michelle sent me too... enjoy! :)

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I don't think so.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Since I cry at the drop of a hat... it was probably while watching some silly or cheezy show on tv in the last week. Haha!
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Some days...
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Smoked Turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Three very hairy dogs! :) Askie, Maika and Aleusha
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so... I try to be a good friend
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Nah... never
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Nope... However I enjoyed paragliding. I would do that again.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Smart Start
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Most of my shoes don't tie... But yes.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Depends on my mood.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Dreyers Chocolate or Rocky Road
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Whether their smile looks genuine or fake.
15. RED OR PINK? Red
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? At the moment it’s a tie between the braces and the thighs
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Do I have to choose just one?? I miss having my family and close friends near by!
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? yes
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue jeans and brown wedge sandals
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Eating Cheerios as I type
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The sound of everyone typing
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Chianti
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Troy (Cheezy, I know but true) and rain
24. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Troy...
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes... We've been friends forever and I couldn't be happier that we still are!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? I enjoy basketball, football or soccer if I am at a game. On tv I can really only get into it if its martial arts. Haha!
27. HAIR COLOR? Who even knows anymore... Haha! At the moment it is dark brown, which I think is fairly close to what it would be naturally. I may go more red for the summer though. :)
28. EYE COLOR? Brown
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Grilled Chicken with pasta or salad
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings... Used to love scary movies but just can't get into them anymore.
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? "The Break-up" with Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston.. It was on HBO over the weekend.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Red
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Neither.. but I love Fall and Spring
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Lots of both!
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies or Apple Pie
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Who Knows
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Your guess is as good as mine
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? "I am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson, and just starting the second book in a Nora Roberts Trilogy.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Coke logo and bottle
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? CSI: Miami and the Jazz game (obviously Troy was over.. haha)
42. FAVORITE SOUND? Sound of Troy's voice, Elliott saying I love you, Luke's giggle, Trevor's Laugh (I haven't talked to Madde in too long, obviously! I should call her)
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Australia? Or New Zealand? Not sure which is farther.
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Humm.... Not that I can think of. I have been told that I have a talent for making people feel special and that they matter... Does that count???
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Inglewood
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Any and All! :)

Why did we think tag was such a fun game? Haha!

Ok Carly... Here you go! :)

Available or not: NOT
Best friend: Troy (Just don't tell Steve or Paulette... they have shared that title for so many years, they would be crushed!)
Cake or pie: Pie... Apple or Pumpkin to be exact.
Drink of choice: Coke! Haha! As if anyone didn't know that!
Essential items used daily: Toothbrush (especially with the braces!), Maderma (trying to get rid of the scar!), hand lotion and chapstick.
Favorite color: Red
Gummy bears or worms: I'd have to say bears but I prefer Swedish fish to both of these.
Hometown: Newport Beach
Indulgence: Relaxing with a novel when I have a to-do list 2 miles long.
January or February: February... there is always a bit of a thaw in SL in February and the "warm" weather is welcome break :)
Kids and names: 3 wonderful puppies! Askie, Maika and Aluesha
Life is incomplete without: My family, my close friends and of course, Troy
Marriage date: Is this a trick question, designed to get me to reveal something??? Haha!
Number of siblings: 4
Oranges or apples: Apples... and boy do I miss them! Can't wait til August when I can eat them again!
Phobias or fears: Heights and Claustrophobia mostly... but I suppose some would argue that list should include needles and blood. :)
Quote (favorite): I just read this on a dixie cup this morning.... love sees no faults :)

Reason to Smile: Humm... Troy! :) And last night one of the puppies (Maika) walked over the top of Troy to come snuggle with me... that made me smile too. And of course I always smile when I think of Elliott, Madde, Trevor and Luke... or when I see new photos, or get notes in the mail, or get phone calls.

Season: I love both spring and fall but probably fall the most...I love watching the leaves change and little bit of chill in the air is fun when I get to wear a warm sweater and boots for the first time.
Tag 3 people: Oh my.... Mandy and I have no idea who else! Haha!
Unknown fact about me: I am not sure there is anything that is unknown about me! Haha!
Vegetables you don't like: Wow... that may be a long list. But to be fair, I thought I didn't like asparagus but recently I have formed quite a liking to it so, who knows what I don't like anymore.
X-rays: Way too many to list I'm sure.. most recently my right foot (and yes, I am VERY glad to be out of the 'boot')
Your favorite food: At the moment dried mangos. But I still get cravings for string cheese too! Haha!
Zodiac sign: Aries