on the down low

Things you were dying to know but never asked

So this weekend, I decided to finally add some measly content to my about page.  And in doing so, decided it was time to create my "100 things" list.    Whoever started this tradition needs to be shot.  OK not really, but come on.  100 things?!  That's a lot, people.  Turns out, finding 100 things to say about yourself is actually really hard.  Which explains why it took me all weekend to compile my list (I did other things too!  Really!).

I also had the lame brain idea to separate this list into two or more posts.  Mostly so that you wouldn't get so bored that you'd never come visit me again.  But I couldn't find a good place to break it up.  So here it is in its entirety.  If you are the least bit interested, read on.  I think it all adds up to 100.  But I make no promises.

• I can't sleep with socks on.
• I'm what you call "petite."
• OK fine.  I'm short.
• My eyes are hazel.
• I am currently single.
• I got married when I was 21.
• I got divorced when I was 27.
• I never thought I'd be a statistic.
• We were high school sweethearts.
• We have a son together.
• He is so awesome.
• I want to get married again some day.
• Once I find the right person, of course.
• And maybe even have another child.
• But this thought is a little scary.
• Nobody ever showed me how to wear makeup.
• Or how to "do" my hair.
• Or how to put together an outfit.
• I am still learning.
• I'm a dog person.
• I lost my two black labs to my ex in my divorce.
• Porter is a boy doggie.
• Allie is a girl doggie.
• I am an only child.
• I don't really like to share.
• I am an engineer.
• But not the kind that drives a train.
• I have a degree in dorky.
• I am a Libra.
• The symbol for Libra is the scale.
• They say Libras tend to be indecisive.
• This is an understatement.
• The opposite sign of Libra is Aries.
• My ex-husband is an Aries.
• Coincidence?
• I think not.
• Not long ago I dropped my cell phone in the bathtub.
• It was dead.  Done.  A goner.
• It miraculously came back to life a few days later.
• Now I am trying to see how long I can keep it alive.
• I try to go to the gym a couple days a week on my lunch break.
• But working out sucks.
• I can't seem to get into the habit.
• I will cry when watching anything from Oprah to the Oscars.
• Or Hallmark commercials.
• The first concert I went to was New Kids on The Block.
• The last concert I went to was John Mayer.
• It was at the Gorge in George, WA.
• Get it?  George Washington!
• Isn't that cute?
• I'm pretty good at talking my way out of a traffic ticket.
• I drink my coffee black.
• I was a cheerleader in high school.
• I am not really a peppy person.
• I don't like ketchup.
• I dip my fries in mustard or ranch instead.
• I don't like olives either.
• I always close the lid of the toilet seat.
• I prefer to have the toilet paper roll off the top.
• If I'm at someone's house where it's facing the opposite direction, it takes everything in me not to flip it around.
• I usually flip it.
• I eat the same thing for breakfast every single day.
• Toasted english muffin with peanut butter.
• I'm good at starting projects.
• I suck at finishing them.
• I want to be able to dance really well.
• I love fresh Mexican food.
• I could eat it every day.
• I learned how to play the violin when I was young.
• Someday I hope to be able to pick up a violin again and play it well.
• I find excessive use of exclamation points annoying!!!!!!
• I hated English Lit class.
• In high school, I got caught writing a book report that looked awfully similar to the "cliff notes" version of the book.
• I have a problem where I will read a book until I'm almost to the very end, and then never finish it.
• It just sits there on my nightstand staring at me.
• I will watch a movie from beginning to end, but as soon as it's over, I won't be able to tell you anything about it.
• I like to watch football.
• My current vehicle is the only one I've owned that I haven't hit anything in or been hit by anyone.
• Please excuse me while I go knock on wood.
• I fear large groups of people where I know no one.
• I'm not so good at "working the room."
• I think I sometimes come off as standoffish.
• The truth is I'm just shy.
• My biggest fear as a mother is not cherishing the moments before they're gone forever.
• My biggest fear as an individual is growing old alone.
• I don't think my current career is my "calling."
• If I didn't have to worry about paying the bills, I would love to dabble in photography.
• I have, at one point in my life, proclaimed my favorite TV shows to be Perfect Strangers, Growing Pains, and Full House.
• I think the word "moist" is funny.
• I tend to let out a snort if I'm laughing really hard.
• I took ice skating lessons as a kid.
• I thought I could be in the Olympics.
• I never wear polish on my fingernails.
• But always on my toes.
• I love the sound of falling rain.
• I love to buy new office supplies.
• I love to watch cooking shows.
• I will usually only make a recipe if it has less than 8 (ish) ingredients.
• And fewer than 5 (ish) steps.
• Rarely will I make an exception.

Rocky Mountain High.

Rather than bore you with the details, I now present to you: 

15 things I did on my Colorado Vacation

#1.  Was greeted at the airport by my very tall friend (hi, Tara!) with a sign that was nearly as tall I am:

#2.  Had a lot of fun with a rocking pig:

#3.  Had my picture taken in the bathroom of a very nice restaurant (but the flowers are so purdy!):

#4.  Mixed altitude with alcohol.  You do not get any pictures of this.

#5.  Went shopping for bras and underwear.  Also, sadly, no pictures.

#6.  Drove to Vail on what could not have been a more beautiful day:

#7.  Experienced a pedicure that has left my left big toe in severe pain.  Never before have I paid good money for someone to inflict harm on me one minute and leave me in hysterics the next (my feet are oh-so-ticklish!):

#8.  Had an awesome server at Sweet Basil (Ben!) who kinda sorta reminds me of Chris Daughtry:

#9.  Woke up in Vail to a dumping of snow!:

#10.  Took a ton of pictures (many from the heated passenger seat!):

#11.  Did NOT wreck the car on the drive back home (it did not look like there were any injuries, otherwise I would not have pretended to be the accident investigator):

#12.  Escaped a near-attack by the local bull elk:

#13.  Had to say goodbye to my lovely friend.  Until next time, Tara!

#14.  Caught this glimpse of four volcanoes before descending into Seattle (Mt. Rainier in foreground, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens from left to right in background):

#15.  Experienced one last bit of sunshine before dropping into the Seattle grey:

And that is all.
The end.

30 things.

I bet you thought this post would include a list of some sort...perhaps a list of 30 things?  That would be the logical thing.  But since I'm running short on time and my alarm will be waking me up in less than 4 hours, this list will include just one thing.  Does one thing make a list?  Here it does.  I make the rules here.

I was at a good friends house last weekend celebrating my birthday when the topic of conversation led to the idea of creating a list of X number of things (where X = your current age) before you turn X+1 (algebra, anyone?).  I like this idea!  A manageable list of things to accomplish in the next year.  Plus I like lists.  Even more, I like to cross things off my list.

So, since I was celebrating my 30th birthday, I started thinking about 30 things I want to do in the next year.  And first on the list, without question, I wanted to start a blog. It was time to do it!  Stop the procrastinating!

So, there you have it.
#1 - Start a blog

Now, I need to figure out what the other 29 things are...