100 Things About Me

My friend, DeeAnn, at All the Doodah Day did this on her blog and I inspired to do the same.

1. I love to read.

2. I have always been a one book-at-a-time girl, but lately I have found myself reading several books simultaneously.

3. I love to read blogs.

4. I spend too much time on Facebook, but it's fun to keep in touch with friends.

5. I hate to clean house. (House done correctly won't kill you, but why take the chance!)

6. Being a mom is the best and hardest job I've ever had.

7. I don't enjoy cooking a meal.

8. But I love to bake sweet treats like cookies.

9. Air-popped popcorn is my favorite snack.

10. Although chocolate is good anytime!

11. Right now I am re-reading the Mitford books by Jan Karon.

12. I am a "cat person".

13. My cat's name is Cosmo.

14. I once made my Mom's cat run away. (by accident)

15. I love having the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.

16. I wish I had more courage to share the gospel with those I love.

17. I joined the Church when I was 22 years old.

18. The Church has been a blessing in my life everyday since then.

19. I have moved at least 18 times in my life.

20. The longest I have ever lived in one house is 6 1/2 years.

21. I have lived in Lancaster for almost 17 years.

22. I went to four Elementary Schools,

23. two Middle Schools,

24. and only one High School.

25. I have had 14 cars.

26. I am terrible with money.

27. I hate to do yard work.

28. Plants usually die, that I have planted.

29. I have one houseplant.

30. It was a house warming gift nearly four years ago.

31. I need to water my houseplant.

32. I joke that I have a "black thumb" instead of a "green thumb".

33. But I really think it's true.

34. I love serving in Primary.

35. I miss serving in Young Women, especially since both of my daughters are in there now.

36. I am terrified of serving in Relief Society.

37. I love computers... especially my iMac.

38. I am learning to play the piano.

39. I have lived in Mississippi, Minnesota, Arizona and California.

40. I have never been outside of the USA. Not even to Tiajuana.

41. Besides the states I have lived in, I have been in/through Oregon, Washington, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Taxes, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Florida.

42. I have always wanted to visit New York City, England, Italy, Greece and Australia.

43. If I were going to buy a car today, I think it would be a Ford Flex.

44. I would love to learn American Sign Language.

45. I am hooked on Survivor and have been since season 1.

46. I used to watch General Hospital faithfully, but gave it up in 1995 or 96.

47. I have a good eye for color.

48. I love to be crafty.

49. I haven't scrapbooked in a loooonnnnggg time. My pictures are unorganized, and/or trapped in the computer.

50. I watch the Super Bowl for the commercials.

51. Yay, I'm half way!

52. I hate to sew, but I can do it.

53. Independence Day is my favorite holiday.

54. I am a patriot.

55. I attended a Tea Party last year.

56. I'm scared of the direction the country is in.

57. I wish that California could get their act together and make this state great again.

58. My favorite restaurant is B.J.'s. I have loved everything I have gotten there. And the Pizookie is my favorite!

59. My first job was at Taco Bell.

60. I miss my dad.

61. I love to color.

62. I am addicted to paper.

63. I love to see the Temple.

64. I love to go to the movies.

65. My husband is my favorite person!

66. I love the rain.

67. Thunderstorms make me happy!

68. Music is a joy in my life.

69. I love to sing. And I randomly break into song.

70. My kids are fantastic. Even when they are driving my crazy.

71. I'm glad that I have two boys and two girls. It amazes me how different they each are.

72. I loved being pregnant.

73. I didn't have morning sickness even once with any of my pregnancies.

74. I love to save quotes. I put them in a quote book that I decorated with patterned paper, tags, and ribbons.

75. I was a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for 8 1/2 years. I had twelve people in my downline. I loved having group meetings and doing make-n-takes and swaps.

76. I miss seeing Beckie at the SU! conventions and Leadership Conferences.

77. My favorite season is Autumn.

78. I love the crisp feeling in the air and wearing sweatshirts.

79. I have had my gall bladder removed.

80. I collect Delft porcelain pieces.

81. Almost there!

82. I want to go on a cruise someday.

83. I love to go to the theatre to see musicals.

84. My favorite musical is Wicked.

85. I love 80's music.

86. I got married in 1986.

87. I love to go to Disneyland and want to go to Disneyworld someday.

88. I love to catch reruns of I Love Lucy and the Dick Van Dyke Show.

89.My all-time favorite movie is The Princess Bride.

90. I cry a lot. Even commercials get me! My kids think it's hilarious and weird.

91. I like to go camping.

92. I am well taken care of my my sweetheart. Especially when we go camping.

93. I don't like feet. They gross me out.

94. Except for baby feet. They are the sweetest things ever!

95. I miss having a baby to hold.

96. I am looking forward to being a Grandma someday. But I don't want to be called Grandma... maybe Nana.

97. I like to browse in antique stores.

98. I love the smell of freshly sharpened pencils and band-aids.

99. I love to play word games.

100. This was fun but it took way to long!!

Tag, you're it!

Cute and Simple Invitations

I'm helping to throw a baby shower this month. Of course, I volunteered to make the invitations. I used old Stampin' Up! paper that I just love along with scalloped circles punched from Chocolate Chip and stamps from the Riveting set in Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink. The ribbon is from Michael's. Beth helped me make them and she liked them so much that she wants me to make these for her baby shower in the WAY distant future. (She's only in middle school, for heaven's sake!)

So enjoy another stamping idea in February! I can't believe how much stamping I've done this month. It's more that I've done in nearly two years, I think.

On a family note: Jacob begins his second semester at AMDA next week. He is loving it there and doing well. I took him job hunting at Universal City yesterday. It was great weather to walk around City Walk. We are keeping our fingers crossed for a job there. Send good thoughts!!

A Gift of Time and Knowledge

I have owned an electric piano for about five years. I have always wanted to play the piano well. I love to listen to piano music. I have longed for someone in my home to be able to play my piano. I am tickled pink when someone comes over and plays beautiful music on said piano. Unfortunately, piano lessons for myself or the children has been out of the question. So the piano has sat there and only occasionally been tinkered with. Until a week ago...

A dear, generous friend of mine has offered to give my kids piano lessons... for free! I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. All three of my kids (at home) are so excited to be learning the piano. Especially Matthew. The girls each had a few lessons about four and a half years ago, when money was a little easier to come by, but we never kept it going when their teacher moved away. The best part, is that I get to sit in on the lessons and then apply what I've learned on my own. I did take lessons for about a year when I was twelve, but nearly all of that knowledge has long since been forgotten.

So now I am thoroughly enjoying hearing the piano being played every day. I look forward to the time when I am hearing Church hymns and other music playing softly from the living room. So here is a BIG Thank You to my wonderful friend for her gift of time and knowledge in sharing the piano.