Through the weekend

I have fallen behind on my 30 day challenge again haha so here's to catching up

• Person I couldn't live without- I think it would be easier to say who I COULD live without. I'd go with my neices and nephews- they make me laugh, they love me no matter what, they're always happy to see me and tell me about their day. I couldn't do without my William hugs or finding out what his pits have done during the day. They are all so special and I love being an aunt!
• Bad habit to break- I drive fast. I'd like to think I'm cautious but I do drive fast. And I should probably be more careful.
• Something that scares me- easy. Snakes. I was going to try and face the music and put a picture of a snake on here but I can't even handle it to look one up and post it. I'm THAT scared of them. I don't even go in the reptile house at the zoo.
• Where will I be in 10 years- probably still teaching. Hopefully have done some travelling by then. Maybe still in my townhouse but we'll see what happens. I don't like to plan THAT far in advance haha

Something funny someone said that made me laugh

I work with teenagers. That qualifies itself as funny. :)
Last night I was helping a group of YW for my friend's ward. I was teaching them how to use cake decorating tips. My dear friend, Aleisha, had brought her daughter, Lilly, with us. Lilly is four and such a little adult. It was a little crazy last night and all of the sudden, Lilly announces that she "needs some time to herself." And then proceeds to march herself up the stairs of this random woman's home! LOL Aleisha bolted after her and had to explain that she couldn't just go find a spot for herself in a stranger's home. hee hee I know it was a stressful moment for Aleisha but it cracked me up!
(Lou- sorry for stealing a story about your daughter! You write them so much better than I!)

Something I'd like to do before I die

Attend all 4 grand slam tournaments, preferrably in the same calendar year... haha Australian, French, US, and Wimbledon

Some places I'd like to travel

Tuscany...pretty much all of Italy

Paris...pretty much all of France

Over half way through!

I'm on day 17 of the 30 day blog fest and I have to say... one of the lessons I learned was NOT to take on a 30 day challenge to blog again lol Its been fun though and the questions/topics are ok :)
Today's topic is a lesson I've learned. I wish I had something really valuable that other people could take away but most the lessons I have learned have been tailor made for me. So, having said that, the thing I've learned about myself or for myself is to trust my instincts. I feel I have a pretty good read on situations and people. If I feel something is wrong or off, I've learned I just need to go with it (or get out of it) and pay attention.

Sleepin' over :)

My two oldest nieces slept over this weekend. As we left their house, Meg said "Go do all the things I won't!" haha She's not much for just being silly just because. She's hilarious in her own right, but not really into trying on the ugliest shoes you can find just for fun. So in true sleep over form, that's the first place we headed. DSW- shoe mecca. Here's a few of the fun heels we got our feet on. We had some dinner at one of our favorite places, Corner Bakery. Then we went home and watched all the Tammy movies. I have to say, I much prefer Tammy and the Bachelor to the others. I think I just enjoy Debbie Reynolds more than Sandra Dee. Anyway, we had some yummy breakfast, went to Gnomeo and Juliet (glad they liked it), had some more yummy lunch and headed home. I love being a fun aunt and having them over. Next round with some time off school will be for the next two nieces.

Three days in one post!

• I'm not sure I've changed much from last year to this year. Maybe you could say I have different students so I teach them differently or something, but thinking about it, I would have to say very little has changed about me.
• My favorite song. Wow. That changes with the day and mood and decade and all sorts of things. I love the soundtrack from the Man from Snowy River. I love Madonna's Crazy for You. I love Savage Garden's I don't know you anymore. I listen to Alanis Morrisett's Hands Clean quite a bit. Then again, I also enjoy Kelly Clarkson's Addicted and Evanescence's Call me when you're sober. Tim McGraw's BBQ stain and pretty much anything by Keith Urban. There's more but I'd have to call up my ipod for that.
• I miss my Grandma Hammond. She's been gone since I was about 12 or 13. Some days I think its really unfair that she was gone before I could learn to be more like her. She was definitely one service oriented woman. I miss sleeping over and watching Dallas and Knots Landing. I miss learning how to sew by making clothes. I miss squishing up next to her on the couch and never leaving because you'd lose your spot! I miss maneuvering around the phone cord that stretched through most the house because grandma was always on it. I have to wonder how things would be different had she been around longer. Not just my life, but the life of my immediate family and some others. There are many days on my job where I think of her and tell my students stories about who I learned to cook from and days where I could swear she was here with me because I do something that reminds me of her so much. I can always tell when she's been hanging around because my rolls turn out perfectly or I find a bottle of Tabu in some random store. I might say something by mistake like habit instead of habitat and we'll giggle and say we've got some of grandma in us. She is definitely one lady I can't wait to see again. :)

Day #14 Things I just don't understand

• How people are estranged from their families
• Why parents continue to be 'friends' rather than parents
• Geometry
• Why a good pair of shoes and a nice bra make all the difference
• Drug/alcohol addiction or any addiction for that matter
• Lakers fans
• Why people don't like to read
• Settling
• The Middle East- wow, there's a hot mess
• The stock market, closing costs, interest rates, etc. Finance- not my strong suit
• How others don't have a need for solitude or a peaceful moment
• Odd numbers- why 3 instead of 4? Why 9 instead of 10?
• The obsession with In-n-Out
• How I keep getting up at 430 for the gym- biggest mystery of all

Day #12 and #13

It tells me I'm supposed to add my favorite quote or phrase- there are so many! Let's see if I can just share two:
1. I may be losing my grip on reality, but I'm still in control of my hair! - Amanda Price, Lost in Austen
2. God understands our prayers, even when we cannot find the words to say them. - some wood block at Hobby Lobby ;)

My next topic is to be about my siblings. I'm supposed to talk about them. I talk about them all the time! But maybe I'll give you an example of what nerds we are together and you'll understand. A week or so ago, it was bitter cold here. "Chicago cold" is what Meg called it. So I was holed up in my house for the evening and it was about 6 at night. I was eating my comfort dinner of cereal and toast and just settling in to watch Michael Pollan on Oprah when my phone rings. I answered "Hola!" (typical in my family, even though we aren't the slightest bit Hispanic or Latin.) It was Meg. "I'M JUST CALLING TO MAKE SURE YOU AND YOUR TONTON ARE IN! YOU'LL NEVER MAKE IT BACK BEFORE THE SHIELD IS DOWN! YOU'LL FREEZE OUT THERE!" To which I promptly choked on my toast from laughing so hard. One of the funniest phone calls ever! If you don't know what I'm referring to, then you'd never understand my siblings. After we quoted a few more lines and hung up, I called Emi to tell her. She giggled. I just told my dad and Herc last night.... more giggling and quoting. That pretty much sums up my siblings, right there.

Day # 11- A picture of something I'm crazy about

I'm crazy about my soccer team lol A few years ago my friends convinced me to get season tickets with them. They've been season holders since the inaugural season years ago. Since then, we've won the MLS cup and moved into a new stadium. Once I started going to the games on a regular basis, I started to understand why people in South America and Europe riot over games.

Day #10- Pets

I don't have any pets. Having said that, I would like a dog or a fish. I've had both before and I enjoy having pets around the house. When we were growing up, our first puppy was a cocker spaniel named Muffin. So dang cute! My mom was allergic so we let Muffin go live with our aunt and uncle. Later on, we tried two more dogs, Smokey and the Bandit. They were Maltese terriers and brothers. We thought mom's allergies could have been just because she had been pregnant at the time we had Muffin. But nope, still didn't work out too well. Since then I haven't had a dog around. I had a fish named Beta but they don't live very long. If my yard was bigger, then I'd more than likely have a dog. My friend, Sunshine, has a big old lab named Boo Radley. She's fantastic and so much fun. I get my animal fix when I visit Sun's. I'm pretty sure I've picked up my mom's allergies to pet dander because I sneeze and itch for a few hours after I've been around animals. However, I'd still get one :)

Days #8 and 9

When no one is watching, I like to sing really loud. Whether I'm in the car or cleaning my house or whatever, I turn up my music and sing like I'm amazing. I'm sure someone people have seen me when I'm driving, maybe, but its not something I let everyone in on. :)
And... a style I've been wearing alot lately is...probably the same thing I always wear haha whatever I feel like. I'm currently sporting my flannel pants and a hoodie. Yesterday I wore a black skirt and long sleeved tee. The day before that was trousers and a sweater. So when it comes to "style", its my own.

Day #7 Favorite Junk Food

What qualifies as junk food? Since me and the gym are still really good friends in the morning, I've tried to make healthier choices. I don't know that I eat a lot of junk food these days. But the one thing I can't give up is my lunchtime Dr. Pepper- so I guess that wins. I can go without chocolate and sweets, donuts and chips. But I thoroughly enjoy a cold beverage with my lunch. If you want food, as opposed to a beverage, then I guess I'd go with Ding Dongs or Chunky Chips Ahoy. You can't find them in my house anymore but maybe for a treat now and then.

:)

Day #6 Things I look for in the opposite sex

Really? Do I have to take this question seriously at this point in my life? Can I just say breathing and the ability to stand without a walker and call it good? ;) just kidding!
I'm sure, as with most things, your perspective changes the older you get. I talk with my students about what they want in their spouse and most will give you the regular superficial answers like good looking, lots of money, good looking, nice, good looking.... :) I probably said similar things haha
I've decided I want someone like my dad. They always say girls marry someone like their dad so I supposed that's normal. He's a good, hard working thoughtful man. He honors the Priesthood and has always been respectful of my mom and all of us. He's hilarious! He loves to read and is an educated man. So yes, someone like my dad would be perfect.

Day #5 My three favorite colors

1- Yellow! I love the color yellow because its bright and happy. Its the color of sunshine and warmth. Best and most favorite color.
2- Blues- of any tone or shade. I think they are soothing and remind me of the ocean and water. While I hate being IN the ocean, I love being around it and listening to it and being calmed by it.
3- Green or Orange- its a toss up between these two. Both of them are just variations of yellow and blue, I suppose. I love green because it feels like growth and newness and cleanliness. Orange has just been creeping up on me lately. I love dark pumpkin orange and burnt orange... good fall colors.

Day #4 My closest friend(s)

I truly had a hard time with this one which is why its a day late. How can you choose your closest friend? I have such a variety of friends from lifestyles and genders and ages and areas of my life. Its so weird when they all come together and my worlds collide.

Let's start with Jenn. We've been friends our entire lives. We learned to drive together. She knows the most about me. She knows the most about my family and the dynamics of it. She's a great mom and wife and service oriented person. Jenn is the one who found my home for me. She kept buggin me to look at these new places down the road from her. So glad I did! It never matters how much time has passed between visits, its always the same.

This is Sherrie and Trinette. They are a different kind of close friend because I don't see or talk to them on a daily basis, but I know if I needed something for me personally, they'd both be there to help out. They represent a great core group of girls that I've met over the years in different wards or circles of friends. They make me laugh. They listen to me whine. Sherrie kills me at Words with Friends on a weekly basis. Thanks ladies!

This is Katie. I can't say enough good about her. She has to be one of the most kind hearted, generous people I know. I met her through work and have known her for a very long time. We have taken trips together and laughed for hours. I love talking with her because her thought process and point of view is always enlightening to me. Whether I agree with her or not, we have awesome discussions and I truly learn from her. She's taught me to appreciate Nordstrom, although I still don't go in that store without her lol

Rach and Mars. And Aimee, if I had a picture of her on this computer. They are my go-to girls. My soccer friends. My bff and jbffs haha My fall off a dinosaur in Wyoming girls and watch the Bachelor like Mystery Science Theater 3000 friends. So thoughtful and ready to listen and cry and laugh and make sarcastic comments whenever needed. Love them!
And finally my youngest closest friend (s). I've talked about both of them before, but I don't see Ali much anymore. Derek is still just as much a part of my life as any of my other friends. I've learned so much from him about friendship and life and how to love the person, instead of what they do. They never tell you in college who you'll meet or how they will change you. :)

There are so many others! I didn't even tap into my work friends or the amazing girls in my 'hood who save me at church every week or my book club D-Tat girls! I am so fortunate and blessed to have so many close friends. Love you all!

Wow, Sheridan!

My birthday was a couple weeks ago and since I wasn't speaking to it this year, I avoided it as much as I could. I spent some quality time with my sisters and then had an afternoon of fun with my friends at my house. My dear, talented friend Sheridan brought this cake just because everyone should have a birthday cake!Here- in case you missed it- let me describe it for you. Double layer HOMEMADE chocolate cake with raspberry filling topped with chocolate buttercream frosting TOPPED with chocolate ganache, sided with Pirouline cookies and fresh raspberries. Gone in less than 2 hours. Sheridan- you are amazing!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

My grandma turned 87 this week! My sisters and I took her to lunch at this lovely new Italian Cafe Rio take off. She loves Italian food. It was so nice to spend the day with her and hear her advice- which was to not give any advice haha. Happy Birthday, Grandma! Love you back!

Day #3 My Favorite Television Show

Asking that question of me is not quite as bad as asking what my favorite book is, but its close. How can you really choose just one? I've tried to think if there's a show that I would be really upset if my DVR didn't record one week and there's not. So I suppose you could say that I don't really have a favorite show? I mean, if I can go without seeing it and be ok, then do I really have any favorites? haha But here's a few that I really enjoy. First, NCIS. It gives me my semi-mystery fix without the blood and gore and total creepiness of CSI or one of those. And if USA puts on a marathon of them, I'm in for the day- even though I've seen them all. Next I'd have to go with White Collar, Leverage and Fairly Legal. They are all cable series and not that great of acting and writing but I do quite enjoy them. Finally, reality tv- here's a few I really like, as well: The Amazing Race, Survivor, Top Model and So you think you can dance?

Day #2- Piercings and Tatoos

That's fairly simple. I have my ears pierced once. That's all. I did have them double pierced at one point in my life. It was "stylish" to have double pierced ears and I thought I needed it so I could wear double hoops haha as though the 80's and early 90's needed more accessories!

So when I graduated from school (I can't remember if it was high school or jr college or college... I think jr college), my grandparents gave me some money and I went and bought myself a pair of diamond stud earrings. They went into my second spot and that's where they stayed. I rarely changed them out. Several years went by and then I made a choice to give up my double look. President Hinckley, of the LDS church, gave a talk for women and asked that we don't overdo; that we respect our bodies as the temples they are. He specifically said one piercing in your ears. As with everything in my faith, I had the choice to follow or not. I decided that if it was important enough for a prophet to speak about it, I should probably do it.

Some people may say its a very small thing and its not a big deal. However, I respect the words of our modern day prophet enough to do what he asks, knowing that obedience brings blessings. My second piercings are now closed. I wear my diamond earrings often though!

After that, do I even need to talk about tatoos? ;)

Day #1- My Middle Name

My middle name happens to be Catherine.... with a C, not a K. :) It is a family name from a grandmother in Texas. When I was a little girl, I tried, very unsuccessfully, to get people to call me Katie. Don't we all go through that phase of wanting to be called by a different name? It obviously didn't stick and I'm fine with that. I quite like my middle name. It feels old.... not age wise... just an older name that people don't use very often like Lucy or Lois- however, I think Catherine is much prettier than Lois haha (sorry to any Lois' out there!).

30 Day Challenge

Well, since its February and I'm still hating the weather and I'm bored with most things, I'm taking Jaycee's 30 Day Challenge for blogging. Why not, right? What else have I to blog about at the moment? If there's something worth mentioning, I'll interrupt the blogfest. But here's ideas. Its a little take off of the spam emails you always get but different enough that sure- I'll join in!

1. Write about your middle name and how you feel about it
2. Talk about your piercings or tatoos, if you have any
3. Your favorite television program
4. Write about your closest friend
5. Tell us your three favorite colors
6. Things you look for in the opposite sex
7. Your favorite junk food
8. Something you do when no one is watching
9. A style that you have been wearing more frequently
10. Talk about your pets or the pets you would like to have
11. A picture of something you're crazy about
12. Your favorite quote or phrase
13. Talk about your siblings or what its like to be an only child
14. Some thing that you just don't understand
15. How you have changed from last year to this year
16. Favorite song
17. Who is someone you miss
18. What is a lesson you have learned
19. Somewhere you would like to travel to
20. Something you want to do before you die
21. Something funny someone said that made you laugh
22. A person you couldn't live a day without
23. A habit you wish you could break
24. Something that scares you
25. Where you will be in 10 years
26. A childhood memory you can't forget
27. Your favorite dessert
28. A sport you like to play or watch
29. Something that irritates you
30. Your favorite season (I kind of modified this question)

So- let's get started!