Feign some interest

Thirty Things About Me

1. I have a degree in Geography, but am hopeless at following directions or finding my way around a place.
2. I've been obsessive-compulsive since I was little, although it has let up significantly since then.
3. I am addicted to soda and have come to realize I always will be. My husband hates carbonation. He knows he has unleashed the beast when I catch him shaking the soda bottle to get rid of fizz.
4. I really really like fashion, but if I try too hard in putting together an outfit, I feel silly. Consequently, I usually look pretty sloppy.
5. I wish with all my heart that I could have been born with dark black hair and olive skin. (I've tried to fake dark hair before, but my pale skin makes me look gothic.)
6. I don't know what my natural hair color is.
7. I wish I was a dancer.
8. I am an impatient person and rush through things whether I need to or not. I married an overly-thorough person, so we balance each other out.
9. I'm about the most non-confrontational person you will ever meet.
10. I am a major people pleaser. (I know this is not good.)
11. I love being a mom.
12. I can fake being outgoing and social pretty well, but I'm really shy.
13. I hate talking on the phone.
14. I love to decorate and can't wait to have my own home and fancy it up.
15. I couldn't live without music.
16. When we were younger, my best friend Eliza and I made tons of "films" and "music videos." Highlights include: Spice Girls' "Wannabe," "Baywatch," "Law & Disorder."
17. Eliza and I also had a band called "Eternity." We would sing the songs we'd written and try to make our moms think they were songs from the radio. When my mom believed us once, we knew we were going places.
18. I don't know what happened to all of the cassette and video tapes we made, but I kind of hope they never see the light of day again.
19. I would love to live in a flat in a big city.
20. I love the ocean and would love to end up in San Diego.
21. My hair is not curly, not straight, just an awful frizzy wave.
22. I worked at a gas station while I was pregnant with Milo. I hated every minute of it and Jamie ended up quiting for me.
23. I'm a well-rounded person but have always wished I was really good at one thing.
24. The first real concert I ever went to was Everclear in seventh grade at Mesa Amphitheater. I've never really liked Everclear, though.
25. I used to eat dry, uncooked oatmeal frequently when I was younger.
26. My favorite movie will always be "The Sound of Music."
27. I never had a bedtime as a child. I fell asleep to David Letterman on the couch every night. I still have a bad habit of falling asleep to the TV.
28. I hate scary movies and will never watch one again. I will cover my eyes or look at the bottom of the screen if there is a scary part in a movie or show.
29. I love my name and that I was named after my grandmothers, but in elementary I really wished my name was Ashley. Especially when my friends would call me "Flabby" or "Crabby" or "Scabby."
30. My parents were thinking about naming me Claudia before I was born. (I think Sarah saved me on that one. Thanks.)

Viva Mexico!

Our vacation: A list.

Good: We made it to Arizona in time to celebrate my Dad's 60th Birthday Party. As the invitation said, "60 never looked so good!"

Bad: Arizona is really really really hot. This is especially true at almost 8 months pregnant.

Good: My mom officially became Milo's new mom during the week, while I had the pleasure of lounging around and watching lots of HGTV. (I think I am now certified to flip a house or something.)

Bad: Now that we are home, Milo is really bored and misses his Nana. And I miss the lounging. And the HGTV.


Good: My entire family got together and headed down to Puerto Penasco a.k.a. Rocky Point for a fun-filled weekend in a condo on the beach.

Bad: A beach vacation requires the donning of certain swim apparel. Enough said.


Good: Milo loved the ocean, the sand, the sun- all of it!

Bad: Aforementioned sand often found its way to his mouth.


Good: Jamie and the kids gathered tons of mussels from the rocks and he cooked them up for us! They were tasty!

Bad: I don't think you're supposed to eat shellfish when you're pregnant. Am I right?



Good: I got to spend lots of quality time with my family that I never see!

Bad: I lost a lot of rounds of Rummikub.


Good: We had some tasty food, including delicious fish tacos.

Bad: I think all of the waiters were terrified of such a large group and so many kids.


Good: Jamie and I went out in a sea kayak and enjoyed the ocean waves.

Bad: The ocean waves capsized our sea kayak. My girth prevented me from being able to get back in, despite Jamie and brother-in-law Steve both trying to hoist me in. Bruised my back in the process. Felt like a beached whale. (Not to worry, I finally got back in.)


Good: Our beach condo was nice and spacious. Jamie and I were lucky enough to get to stay in the master bedroom.

Bad: The power went out the night before we left, which also means the water got turned off. Hot night and difficulty getting ready in the morning.

Good: The power came back...

Bad:...minutes before we left. Hah!


Good: The beach was relaxing and beautiful.

Bad: I got bit by some nasty bugs that my mom now tells me might be parasitic. Ewwww!

Good: Ryan made a fabulous musical slideshow of our pictures from the weekend.

Bad: I can't get "Some Like It Hot" out of my head now! (Thanks Ryan- or should I say Sarah?)


Good: We had a wonderful vacation and a great time with my family! Muy bien!

Bad: The drive back to Utah included: no a/c in our car, me locking the keys in the car in Kanab, poor Milo crying much of the way because he was hot and bored, me crying much of the way because I was hot and bored, 12 hours of driving, our car making funny noises, did I mention no a/c?


Good: Home sweet home.

(For the record, the goods definitely outweighed any bads on this trip. We had a fantastic time. But you know, gotta keep the blog posts interesting...)

Milo's favorite celeb revealed

We're back from a wonderful vacation in Arizona and Mexico! I'll post pictures soon.

At the grocery store today, I was loading groceries onto the checkout when I heard Milo say very distinctly, "Nana!" I turned around, and who should he be pointing at but Angelina Jolie on the cover of a magazine! He continued to point and say it several more times. Maybe the two kids in her arms reminded him of his Nana this past week, because she was never without a few kids in tow on the beach or around town. But more likely he just thinks his Nana is as beautiful as a celebrity!

(Thought you'd enjoy that bit of news, Mom.)

Question

HOW do you keep a 1.5-year-old entertained on a rainy day???? Or any day for that matter?