The Talk

Yesterday was D-Day--my DH and I talked in church.

Of course, we have known about it for a month--but naturally I didn't start my talk until Saturday night!

{Okay--so I promise that wasn't my plan--but the month was filled with the biggest bunch of busy shenanigans and the week was filled with even more: enrichment night, RS craft night, a last minute family reunion at my house on the weekend--are you feeling sorry for me yet?}

So, Saturday night, at 630 {with family still reunioning} I barricaded myself in the office and started my talk. {DH was kind of enough to take charge of crowd control (kids) and diet coke refills.}

I worked on it till about 1230 am. Then I got up on Sunday morning at 7 am. I ended up finishing it around 10 am.

At which point, Savvy said, "Wow, mom! You write talks way faster than dad--he's been writing his for 3 weeks!"

{Aren't I just a wonderful role model for my children? heehee}

I really do work best under pressure, so I wasn't feeling to self-conscious at my witching-hour written talk...

...Until after church.

I was complimenting my kids on how great they were during sacrament meeting. No fighting. No going in and out. No well not too much talking.

And then the lovely children whom I gave life to, began to give me the compliments of a lifetime.

Savvy: "You did good mom, but why was your voice so high and squeaky? It sounded like a fake voice."

Aussie: "You did good mom, but I could tell you were really nervous."

Jay: "You did good mom, but did you know your g's were showing on your left shoulder the whole time?"

Nice.

Obviously, there will be no treats for them for the week--and I'm upping the slavery!

The Sunday Funnies

On the way home from Lagoon on Friday night, Savvy and her cousin LeLe were having an lively discussion about the merits of Pokemon Cards vs Littlest Pet Shops. At least that is what I assumed they were talking about.

Then Savvy asked, "Dad, what is the definition of dignity?"

DH said, "What do you mean?"

"Well, I know dignity isn't a bone in your body, but it is something inside of you right?"

DH proceed to give a pretty good off the cuff definition of dignity with me throwing in two cents here and there.

"Oh," Savvy said, "So, it's kind of like honesty and integrity?"

"Yup."

Then the 9 year old and the 8 year old continued their intriguing discussion about parts of the body.

I Heart Tim McGraw

Don't judge me--but I love country music.

{Although I bet I'm one of the few country music lovers who also likes rock, alternative, pop, jazz & even a little classical.}

Ever since high school I've been a country music fan. One of my favorite male country singers is Tim McGraw although I don't agree with his mixing his belief of politics with his fame--that bugs!.

I heart his voice and his songs. Some of my favorites include "Don't Take the Girl", "Something Like That", "Live Like You were Dying", "I Need You", "My Little Girl", "I Like it, I Love it" (ask my kids to sing you the chorus--it's pretty awesome).

This morning, as I drove Jay up to swim team--I heard about this on my favorite radio station (KBULL 93). This story alone made Tim a candidate for my I Heart Thursdays...anyone willing to haul a chubby white guy in a wife beater up on stage so he can be escorted out by security...deserves some kudos.

P.S. Click on the big THIS to read the article and click on the big TIM to see him in action.

A Bird in the Hand

This morning, Savvy came down to breakfast and Aussie said, "Watch out! Don't step in the bird poop!"

"Bird poop?" I asked, highly disgusted.

Savvy answered, "Yah mom, it's been there for like 3 days--when are you going to clean it up?"

So, I investigated the so-called bird poop. Using my brilliant detective skills, I deduced that the brown and white schmear on my tile was actually a few crumbs of my sis-in-laws delicious "Better than sex You Know What" cake.

{But, it did look quite a bit like bird droppings--not to be rude or anything.}

I informed the children {who thinks their mother runs an aviary out of her kitchen} of this and then asked, "So, how exactly would bird poop get in our house?"

Savvy's answer: "I figured maybe a bird flew in the door and (our cat) Elvis ate it--that's why he's so chubby."

Aussie's answer: "If we get flies in our house, why not birds?"

Why not birds?

I'll tell you why. First of all, eeeeew! Disgusting!

Secondly, I have made a covenant {a two way promise as we have learned in FHE} with PETA that if they keep their deeply-loved-yet creepy-disgusting-germ infested-dive bombing-poop dropping-birds out of my house then I will not go

Wimbledon all over the place.

I mean, really.

The Unsinkable Purple Pleasure

One random belt which was fine before the water test fixed: $150

AC Blower Bearings: $300

Replacement of supposedly cracked AC Blower Housing Unit: $150

Getting ripped off to the tune of $600.

Priceless.

Our big purple mini-van was in the shop (again) on Saturday. We seem to be averaging an-every-6-month-plundering-and-pillaging at various mechanics around Utah.

As many times as we have had Purple Pleasure in the shop--you would think we would've found our dream mechanic by now..but alas no.

This time, we took P.P. into Tunex. Our AC blower has been making a lovely high pitched squealing noise--and when it got to be so loud that I couldn't even talk on my cell phone--we decided it was time to get our trusty P.P. into see the doc.

Tunex promised they'd fix our car in no time. A few hours later we picked up P.P. We paid our $150 for a belt that we didn't ask them to fix so they poured water on it & broke it into a million pieces (he claims it's a common test--whatev).

Then DH got into P.P., started her up, and discovered that they hadn't fixed the problem He went back into Tunex and mentioned that the noise was still there.

Tunex dude said, "Oh, yeah. I was going to tell you, I think your blower is going bad--you might want to have that looked at. It will probably only cost around $150."

DH said: "Well, that's actually why we brought it in was to have the blower fixed."

Tunex Dude: "Hmmm. Well, we closed a 1/2 hour ago--you'll have to bring her in next week."

So, we drove home with a brand spankin' new belt..that didn't do a dang thing for P.P's squealing issue.

Today, we took P.P. back in for some fixin' of the blower. A few hours later, they called to say it would be $300. An hour after that, they called to say that the blower's housing unit was cracked which I suspect happened when they took a hammer to it and needed to be replaced--for another $150.

For a salt in the wound moment: Tonight at enrichment, I was telling this shenanigan to my newest BFF, Pam. She told me of the love she had for a great mechanic who was so stinkin' honest -- sometimes he pays you to come to him (well--maybe not quite THAT honest).

She further added lemon into the $600 wound--when she told me the mechanic's location--he's 6 blocks away from Tunex. I guess it is nice to know where I'll be headed in December.

Curse you Tunex!!

Blame it on the brain Sun

On Thursday and Friday, I had the thrilling opportunity to sit during the freakin' hottest time of the day sun for 4 hours watch my darling daughter, Jay, participate in a swim meet.

Jay did great (improving on most of her times) and the two of us had some good bonding moments (okay--mostly I spent my time spying on her and the love of her life...a cute boy on the swim team).

So, here's the thing--Sun+Nicole=Shenanigans. Too much sun makes me physically ill--I mean it really wipes me out. Factor in the whole fair skin thing--and I'm a walking, talking, complaining lobster after 30 minutes.

At the end of the meet Friday, I was feeling pretty good about my interaction with Mr. Sun. It hadn't had any ill effects.

As a matter of fact, I was even feeling good enough to stop by the library and pick up the 3 books I had on hold {Frindle for Aussie, A Lion and a Lamb for me, and The Thirteenth Tale for me}.

I didn't want Jay waiting in the hot van, so I asked her to come into the library with me. She hesitated because she was still channeling her Au natural look in her swimsuit & shorts. But, I promised her we'd be quick -- and so she gave in.

The minute she gave in and shut her locked door behind her...was the minute I realized the keys were still in the ignition. We were locked out--with no cell phone (because why would we need our cell phones in the library when they are contraband?).

Luckily, I had ONE phone number committed to memory--so I called my good friend, Mary and she was able to pick us up and take me home to get a key.

I blame the sun.

Mr. Sun continued to plague me throughout the weekend. You may recall my embarrassing loss of a vital piece of underclothing at my sisters?

I blame the sun.

And then there was today. We had planned to have a family BBQ with my DH's brother and sister-in-law and kids. KT was bringing the beef and I was providing the divinely marinated shish-ka-bob chicken and delectable veggies. M-mmm Good!

There was only one problem. I forgot to make the chicken. Oh sure, I remembered to make my mandarin orange tapioca salad (a crowd pleaser) and my cranberry-spinach green salad. But, the main course? Nada. Zilch. Nothing.

You can bet that as the guests arrived--I placed the blame where it was duly warranted.

Oh that Mr. Sun. He is a tricksy one.

The Sunday Funnies

My Desperate Househusband (thanks JO!) and I are speaking in church next Sunday. DH was the one approached by our first counselor--so he was given our topic.

During Sacrament meeting, I wrote him a note asking "What are we supposed to speak about?"

Knowing that I am not the deepest oar in the ocean--He wrote back, "Teaching the words of Isaiah to your families and relating it to their daily lives."

I'm sure the look on my face was priceless...but I promise...it only took me a minute to know he was joking.

Our real topic? Why are we Members of the Church (obviously--for me at least...it has nothing to do with Isaiah).

From the Mailbag..for a Spy Like Her...

So it appears that I have a secret spy Mel, my BFF from high school and college reading my blog.

She refuses to reply as then she wouldn't be secret or a spy.

But, Mel the spy sent me an email to inform me that she had indeed been reading my blog and was {please excuse the gratuituous plug for myself} enjoying herself immensely.

Then Mel the Spy then asked a question which I think deserves some attention.

"To Whom it May Concern: What does DH stand for?"

Mel's the Secret Spy's guesses included: Dear Hubby? Dumb Hooligan? Dirty Hair? Darling Heartthrob???

My answer:

"Dearest Mel the Spy:

With my past use of the acronym, DH--I've always thought of him as Darling Hubby...but I do like your suggestions and I've decided that not only are your monikers creative...but they have all been true at some point in time...

Sincerely,
Nic of her Shenanigans "

P.S. Umm...DH sorry if you are reading this...I plead the fifth...it's Mel's the Secret Spy's fault really...

P.S.S. I already know what my baseball lovin' DH assumes his initials stand for...Designated Hitter.

P.S.S.S. So what do you think DH should stand for?

PSA on Wild Parties

I went to a wild party last night and lost my bra.

Okay, I guess I should clarify this because I'd hate for you to get the wrong idea--after all--I am a somewhat upstanding member of my community.

My sis, Jilly, and I have been planning a family sleepover party since May (this happened--when we looked at our calendars and discovered that both of our husbands would be out of town the same week--which was a definite cause for a party...and since we didn't want CPS after us we decided to

invite the children).

Then, last week my DH's trip got cancelled.

But, being the fabulous DH that he is, he assured me, that he was absolutely fine if I wanted to take the kids over to my sisters house and leave him all by himself. He promised he wouldn't be crushed in the least to have the house to himself, the TV/tivo to himself, the basement to himself, black beauty to himself...etc.

So, with my DH's blessing...the chitlin's & I were off to Jilly's house for a rendezvous divine.

On the way there, the kids discussed what they had brought in their backpacks.

Savvy asked Aussie.."Did you bring Blackie (his favorite stuffed animal)?"

Aussie, bravely replied, "All I brought with me are my guts and my dignity." {This statement would set the tone for the rest of the excursion.}

We arrived at my sisters house. As the kids raced from the van, screaming a warlike yell--I just knew this would be a party to remember.

By the time I got everything unloaded (okay, so it was 2 bags) and plopped myself down on the couch--Jilly and I realized we were both too tired to part-ay (I had spent 4 hours at a swim meet in the heat of the day and Jilly is 8 months pregnant).

Our lack of partyingness did not deter the children in the least. With daylight savings as their guide..they headed over to the park and played till about 915.

Then they came home and we spread out blankets and pillows in front of the TV and turned on Shrek 2.

Add a little popcorn and sprite to the mix--and you've got yourself a humdinger of a party. The kids watched their movie whilst Jilly and I visited, ate popcorn and drank DC (mostly me drinking the DC). Around eleven, the movie ended and we got the kids ready for bed.

This morning, we all got up. Then the kids headed to the park, while Jill cooked up a great breakfast of pancakes.

After breakfast (still in my PJ's), I packed up the kids and we headed back home to get ready for Jay's swim meet.

I had been home all of a half hour when Jill called to inform me that I had...
...left my bra on the side of her bed.

And this Loyal Readers...is where my PSA comes in to play...

One of the risks of being invited to a wild party is losing a piece of your underclothing...and quite a bit of your dignity.

{Following the wise words spoken by my son...at least I left with my guts.}

A Good Book...

This month for book club we read "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" by Alexander McCall Smith.

I wasn't able to go to book club last month when they chose the book (May was the month of the sick at our house), so I knew nothing about it except for the title.

I thought...could it be...a fluffy book...perhaps a spin-off of "Charlie's Angels"? No such luck. BUT, it was a darling book nonetheless.

"The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" is based in Africa. It is about the life of an African woman, Precious, who starts up her own detective agency.

Each chapter is a different story about how Precious solves crimes with good, old-fashioned common sense. I thought the story was very clever. I liked it so much that I plan on reading the rest of the series.

{Best of all...each person (out of 7) in our book club--actually finished the book and even enjoyed it (the ages of our book club ladies range from 36 (I'm the baby) to 65ish--finding a book we ALL liked is a first for us!}

So, if you are looking for a fun & quick book to read this summer...check out "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" -- and let me know how you like it!

{Oh--and next month's read? "A Lion and a Lamb" by Rand H. Packer...has anyone had a chance to read it? I'll keep you posted.}

It's High Noon Loyal Readers

(Mountain Standard Time)

It's taken me weeks to prepare my high tech random drawing machine

Aussie picks the winner of my lovely

blog-a-versary prize...

And the Winner Is...

My cute cousin, Allyson, of "The World According to Al" has won the prize! {Couldya email me with your address and I'll get it in the mail in the next little bit--when I say little bit -- remember who you're talking to...I have friends still waiting for their Christmas gifts...}

P.S. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest! I wish you all could've won. Sigh. Just know you are all winners to me {I know this is extra cheesy tender}.

Happy Father's Day!

Here's a kiss and a hug for my 3 favorite Father's!

My Dear DH!!!

Big Daddy (my dad...the enigma)

And Grumpy Grandpa (my dad's dad..and the most faithful blog reader out of the three!!)

Cue the Music...

I'm so glad when Daddy comes Home,

Glad as I can be...

Clap my Hands and shout for joy,

Then climb up on his knee,

Put my arms around his neck,

Hug him tight like this...

Pat his cheeks and give him what?

A great big kiss!!!

Love to all you Daddy's and Grandpa's!
Happy Father's Day

Father's Day Souffle

Here's our breakfast treat recipe...in case you'd like to try it on your next special occasion...(for us...birthdays, Christmas, house guests, Easter, sometimes conference...sometimes this breakfast is a little too special hehe).

French Toast Casserole
1 10oz loaf French bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
8 eggs
3 cups milk
4 tsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp salt

Topping:
2 Tbsp butter cubed
3 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

Directions: Place bread cubes in a greased 9x13 baking dish. In a bowl, mix beaten eggs, milk sugar, vanilla, and salt. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking. Dot with butter. Combine the sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over the top. Cover and bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until a knife comes out clean after a center insert. Let stand for about 5 minutes before cutting. Serve with warm syrup, fruit and whipped cream. Yum!

{P.S. This recipe comes from my all-time favorite ward cookbook that I received in my old AZ ward! Some great cooks back there!}

Father's Day Happenings...

What we're doing today...

No Father's Day is complete without a Father's Day breakfast...DH's favorite breakfast is biscuits and gravy...but he also likes "French Toast Casserole" or "French Toast Souffle" as the kids call it.

Homemade cards and presents (and a few store bought)...

Some uplifting gospel essentials (i.e. church)...our ward has a long-standing tradition...Father's Day Pies. A few good women (this year 18!!!) sign up to bring their best award winning pie (or one from Marie Callendar's) and during Priesthood..the RS serves their men a fine variety of pies.

Dinner...today's menu...DH picked Lasagna (which happens to be my favorite food if you caught that on my long list of love for myself...

...And a movie...My DH has a great love for DVD's and he's getting a couple of good ones today (National Treasure 1 & 2). So, we'll be rounding out our day of fabulocity with a little popcorn and a whole lot of Nicholas Cage.

{P.S. Had an extra fun Father's Day Date last night with some old friends from AZ...saw the new Indiana Jones movie...and aside from a bit of eeeeewwwww yuck! I give it two thumbs up!}

Win a Blog-a-versary Prize!

{Okay...now I know how Santa must feel when he's been slaving in his workshop all day--well, for the past couple of hours anyway}

Calling all loyal readers of Shenanigans by Nic (all seven of you-hehe). If you would like to

win this magnet board

(stands alone and fits a 5x7 picture or recipe card)...

...AND this matching scrappy journal...

All you have to do is leave a comment...even if you have never commented before...now's the time so be brave!

Oh...and I'll randomly pick a winner Monday, June 16th

at high noon!

The New Hair-Do Reveal

Before

After

How do you like me now?

{This picture was the only one approved by the teenager taking it...she made me pose like that...she said my smile looked "too fake"--sigh.}

365 Things About Me...

In honor of my one year blogaversary: Here are 365 Self Serving Things You Wish You Never Had to Know About Me (although some are pretty obvious)...

1. I love me some diet coke.
2. I like to craft.
3. I love making scrappy cards.
4. I have a fabulous husband,
5. 3 great kids,
6. and a cat named Elvis.
7. I have a great love for aprons! I love the vintage ones especially. I have even bought 2 or 3 apron patterns--but never had the time to sew them up.
8. I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
9. I think I'm pretty funny and I've been known to laugh at my own jokes--which I realize makes me not as funny as I thought I was.
10. I come from a family of FIVE -- 3 brothers and 1 fabulous sister--(who used to blog and who also used to read my blog--but she's still fab--and since I know she won't be reading this it's really not kissing up for a good birthday present or anything).
11. I listen to talk radio (including sports radio).
12. If I love something...I really heart it...like weekly...
13. I am a procrastinator to the nth degree.
14. I don't really know what "the nth degree" means.
15. I'm pretty lousy at math...
16. ...except for multiplication..I rock at times tables!
17. I have boy and girl twins (people used to ask me if they were "identical" -- it drove me crazy!)
18. I graduated from USU...
19. ...with my B.S. in Journalism...
20. ...and a minor in...English...
21. ...and Psychology (hey, I know I'm spreading this out -- but give me a break--365 things is a lot to cover!
22. Oh--and I'm certified to teach all of the above in secondary education (high school) in UT.
23. Ummm--well actually, that license expired probably about the same time that Jay was turning 3.
24. My sis and I set up an Etsy account a few months ago--and still haven't loaded anything to sell onto it (we are the twosassymamas) -- hoping to get that going this month?
25. I have a hard time making up my mind.
26. I'm a little bit country...
27. and I'm a little bit rock and roll...
28. and I'm a little bit classical...
29. ...a little bit jazz...
30. ...a little bit classic rock...
31. ...a little bit alternative...
32. But, I hate Rap! YUCK!
33. I've been married for 14 years.
34. I grew up hating cats...but I have grown quite fond of our Christmas cat, Elvis.
35. I'm a name shortener-- I love giving people nicknames -- whether they like it or not.
36. As a kid, "Fantasy Island" scared me.
37. Sometimes I wish I was OCD -- but only so I'd have a clean house ALL THE TIME!
38. If I want to know the answer to something, I will Google it (this includes: 3rd grade math homework, definitions of words, who sings a song I like, stuff about famous people, how to make stuff...etc.)
39. I'd say the #1 argument (between DH & me) in the home is over the Tivo.
40. I wish I'd served a mission for my church...So then,
41. I wouldn't be such a crappy missionary now.
42. I tried to teach myself how to crochet in just one day (that was the name of the book).
43. In college, I took Italian because there were cute guys in the class.
44. And I took Sign Language...which had NO cute guys.
45. I've never watched a single episode of the popular show Survivor (I tried to a few times but couldn't feel the love!) or Grey's Anatomy.
46. I wish I took better pictures.
47. I don't like my handwriting.
48. I read trashy romance novels on occasion.
49. I belong to a book group that doesn't read trashy romances on ANY occasion.
50. I don't like most Reality TV shows--but I do like--American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, & Project Runway.
51. I over schedule myself frequently...and because of my procrastination it completely stresses me out!
52. I watched the first season of "Lost" and got totally ticked when it ended in a cliff hanger and the survivors didn't get rescued--so I've been boycotting them ever since. But, I will probably rent the DVDs once they get saved and I know the end is in sight.
53. I own lots of scrapbooking supplies--but rarely scrapbook.
54. Don't tell my DH--but I have 54 blogs I've subscribed to on Google Reader.
55. I like to collect stuff.
56. I'm the mother of a teenager!
57. I don't feel old enough to have a teenager.
58. My mom threw a surprise party for my 16th birthday and I still remember it.
59. I loved Randy Travis (country singer) in high school--and today whilst carpooling kids in the car one of his old songs came on and I knew it by heart "I'm gonna love you forever, forever and ever amen."
60. My memory sucks--except for remembering lame things like songs from high school or random phone numbers of my daughter's friends (not my own friends though--I have them on speed dial or I'd have to look them up).
61. I used to watch Matlock all the time (sometimes twice a day --it comes 3 different times/stations every day).
62. My favorite episode of Matlock is the one where Randy Travis is a down on his luck singer.
63. I'm embarrassed that I just admitted the above.
64. I LOVE to talk on the phone.
65. I dread getting stuck on the phone with someone you can't get off the phone with...but sometimes I think I might be that person!
66. I love having lots of hobbies.
67. I'm the only person in my neighborhood who thinks that having a Super Target up the street would be a fabulous thing...okay maybe across the freeway.
68. I would love to be a writer.
69. I'm more productive at the last minute.
70. I secretly wish I would've gone to beauty school and got my degree in cosmetology--it would be way more useful then my currently expired teaching degree.
71. I have told all of my brothers to marry someone that was a hair stylist--one married a dental hygienist, the other a business savvy girl by day/nail tech by night, and my last and final hope--my baby brother? Getting married in August to...a nurse. {A very selfish sigh.}
72. I'm a bit of a selfish person.
73. One of my New Year's Resolution's was to learn how to knit--didn't happen.
74. My favorite kind of ice cream is Pralines and Carmel.
75. I'm the jack of all trades--master of none.
76. I am a night owl.
77. I don't hate mornings...unless I've been up too late!
78. Sometimes it's just easier for me to do it myself!
79. I like vintage stuff.
80. I've been dying my hair for so long I don't remember what my true hair color is (the roots suggest dark, dark blond).
81. I wish I knew how to make jewelry like this -- I think they are extra cute.
82. I like going to the library.
83. I am tenderhearted -- and will cry over almost anything--just today I cried at this newspaper article. (I hid my face behind it so the kids and DH wouldn't see!)
84. I am a cheapskate! I refuse to pay more for stuff than I think it is worth.
85. My DH is an even cheaperskate...which makes him think I'm a spender--hehe.
86. Between me and my 3 kids--I have 4 library cards -- and all of them have a overdue book fee balance (It caps off at $5 -- so I just keep my running tally till around $4 and then I pay them all off...I call it my yearly library fee).
87. Sometimes I speak before I think.
88. My favorite food is Lasagna.
89. I made really cute cards for mother's day -- and then forgot to use them.
90. You know the book Summer of the Monkeys? Well, one day I'm going to write a book called "Summer of the Slaves" about how to get your children to work their fannies off for you during those dog days of summer (why do spring cleaning alone...when you're kids will do it with you during the summer?).
91. Sometimes when I give someone a nickname--it doesn't shorten their name--but makes it longer...for instance...Jill=Jilly & Pam=Pammi.
92. I love having girlfriends to do stuff with.
93. Sometimes I embarrass myself.
94. My favorite holiday is Halloween--but it's such a Pagan thing to admit that I usually just say Christmas. 95. I think my kids are pretty darn funny.
96. I own two watches--and both have had dead batteries for a couple of years.
97. I use my cell phone as my watch.
98. My favorite kind of cereal is Trix.
99. I love to make invitations for parties.
100. I once took a quilting class in Springville--it was a 8 week course in which we would have 3 glorious projects by the end. I thought it was so fabulous that I'd get to make 3 glorious projects in just 8-two-hour classes. There was so much take home homework that I pulled out after the 2nd week. Apparently, the only way you'd get the projects done--was with hours upon hours of quilting homework.
101. I would rather be cold than hot.
102. I like to go barefoot whenever possible.
103. I can drive a stick shift (that's the first thing I learned to drive -- was my dad's truck--I think I was 14?)
104. Sometimes I forget that I am 36 years old (I keep thinking I'm 33 for some reason...musta been a good year).
105. I play the piano.
106. I broke my foot two years in a row (age 12 & 13) playing catcher on my girls fast-pitch softball team (My dad sewed me a Levi boot with eyelet lace around the top--so I could finish the season).
107. I love Fall.
108. I love a clean smelling house--if someone would market a candle called "clean house" I'd totally buy it.
109. Since I became a whatever that means responsible adult I haven't dressed up for Halloween once--until last year--I was a Real Soccer Player--Mehdi Ballouchy--the jury is out on whether or not dressing up will become a tradition.
110. I love the color pink.
111. I type about 70 wpm.
112. I got married on March 17th, 1994.
113. I am always on a diet.
114. I am a fan of a girls night out--I think they should be weekly.
115. I hate scary movies.
116. I always get a turkey sandwich w/provolone at sandwich shops.
117. I'm not sure who I'm going to vote for in the Presidential election.
118. I saw Ironman last month with my DH and thought I'd totally hate it. But, I LOVED it (and DH thought it was kinda lame!).
119. I am not registered to vote.
120. I put things off (as long as humanly possible) that I don't want to do.
121. If my DH would let me paint all my walls in my house dirty butter yellow--I'd do it in a heart beat!
122. A Route 44 Diet coke w/lemon is a fabulous treat.
123. I'm a scaredy cat.
124. I have lived in UT for almost 3 years--and I still have my old AZ license (it's hard for me to change from a license that doesn't expire till I turn 65 -- to one that you have to renew every 5 years).
125. My kids all have names after cities in the US (not on purpose).
126. I have seen "Hairspray" on Broadway and the old Ricky Lake version--but not the one that came out last year.
127. Sometimes if something is really, really funny--and I'm really tired--I will laugh so hysterically--I cry.
128. When I was a kid, I really wanted a rock polisher for Christmas, birthday, etc. My mom never got me one--she said they were lame. When Jay turned 9, she had a bunch of birthday money and I encouraged her to buy a rock polisher at Michaels (hey, we used a 40% off coupon!). I should have listened to my mom - not only was it lame -- but it was noisy and took forever to get things polished. Add to that the guilt I had for pushing Jay into buying it!
129. I love flavored fizzy water (peach and strawberry are my favorites!)
130. My favorite kind of pie is Lemon Meringue.
131. I would love to travel to England.
132. I got glasses in the 4th grade.
133. and contacts in the 8th grade.
134. My daughter got glasses in the 2nd grade...
135. ...and contacts in the 6th grade...my how times change.
136. My favorite scent at Bath and Body Works is Coconut Lime Verbena.

137. If I'm new to a restaurant, I will try something as close as possible to something I like at another restaurant...i.e. Mexican=always chicken enchiladas, Italian=always Lasagna, etc.

138. Our family has flown (twice) over 1000 miles to Disneyworld--but has never made the short trip to CA for Disneyland.
139. For home decor, I love fall jewel tone colors.
140. I have never baked a pie before (why bake when you can buy em' already delicious at Marie Callendar's?).
141. I wore my contacts for so long for too long--that I had to stop wearing them for a few years because they were damaging my eyes.
142. I am a huge fan of the TV show "24" (missed it this year thanks to the writer's strike!).
143. This is getting painful.
144. I need more cell phone minutes.
145. I have blond moments.
146. I love the color of rookwood red.
147. My favorite quote from women's conference (a couple of years ago) is "Small Things Result in Eternal Consequences."
148. I knew a lady who got a tatoo on her toe in Vegas on her 40th birthday--mid life crisis she said. So after I heard that quote--I started joking with my friends saying that when I turned 40 and met them in Vegas--I was going to get a tatoo of the temple with "Small Things Result in Eternal Consequences" inside.
149. I love old bricks.
150. I do not appreciate Young Adult Literature that is too smarmy for adults to read?
151. I think "Fairest" written by Gail Levine is well written and a cute book.
152. I would love to see "Wicked" on Broadway (but wouldn't recommend reading the book--it was so naughty I threw it away).

153. I love(d) Ricky Schroeder!
154. It is easier for me to be on time to 9 am church than 1 pm church.
155. I worked as a secretary at a mortuary my junior year in high school--spooky!
156. I love to collect old red books - have bunches of red encylclopedias and a couple of red dictionaries.
157. I had a booth at the Quilted Bear in AZ (and it was nothing like the Crappy Bear in UT)! Promise!
158. I have gotten lost in Home Depot before.
159. I heart VW Bugs--and our family plays "slug bug what color?" on a daily basis (my fav color combo is light blue/black convertible top).
160. I am a creature of habit.
161. I love ribbon!
162. I have been known to spend $5 for every minute I'm in Costco--I try to limit myself to 30 minutes.
163. I can't wait for the Draper Temple to get finished!
164. I rarely get sick (virus' etc) -- but I get a doozy of a migraine every couple of weeks.
165. I have a patent pending on my secret combination for migraines: 4 ibuprofen + 2 tylenol + a big diet coke + a dark room + a 1/2 hour nap in silence = relief.
166. I am probably one of few people who actually enjoy serving in the nursery.
167. I love shopping at Tai-Pan Trading.
168. My favorite day of the week is Saturday.
169. I am not a try-er. If I'm at a restaurant I've been to before--I will get the same thing 99.9% of the time.
170. I worked at "Quality Thriftway" (a grocery store) my senior year in high school.
171. If I see a clock, I have a hard time resisting buying it.
172. I was born in Provo, Utah.
173. My twins were also born in Provo.
174. My oldest was born in Logan, Utah.
175. I am a fan of Stephenie Meyer's, Twilight series...but I wish my teenager didn't...kinda takes the fun out of it when I'm worrying about whether the subject matter is too much for her to handle.

176. I have only had one ticket my whole life. I rear ended a foreign exchange student on my way home from my last final at USU--a few days before I got married (barely a scratch in his fender by the by). But, the guy insisted on calling the cops. The cop apologized as he wrote me out the "unnecessary ticket"---but the guy insisted on me getting one.
177. Even though I've only had one ticket -- I've been in 3 car accidents (all in my wild and wooly youth). The first as explained above.
178. The second--I rear-ended a car crappier than mine my junior year in high school -- so nobody cared.
179. The third -- I hit a few of those construction thingy's on the side of the road when I was a junior in college--who knew they'd dent up a car so much?
180. Even though I use my printer all of the time, I don't know how to turn it on (I just tried--that's how I know).
181. I love having my sister nearby.
182. I love old keys.
183. I am a superstitious person--especially with the number 13
184. My twins were born on the 13th of October!! Spooky!
185. My favorite scripture is found in Doctrine & Covenants 88:119 "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;"
186. "The Book Thief" by Marcus Zusak is a great read-for both teens and parents.
187. All through college, I worked at the food court on campus.
188. I used the phrase "half asked" not realizing it was actually "half a$$ed" until I was about 30 years old and my DH corrected me (and I'm talking all the time - in all settings - including a few LDS enrichment planning meetings).
189. I send out a lot of emails.
190. I don't mind carpooling kids around town--if my car is clean and I have a diet coke on hand.
191. May 17th has been officially my unlucky day for the past 11 years. I used to be so superstitious that I didn't even leave my house on that day (for the first 5 years). This year was no different. May 17th, 2008=DH was out of town. Savvy got really sick and was diagnosed with a bad bladder infection, strep and the flu. Aussie threw up that night!
192. My kids go to charter schools.
193. Last summer, on the last night of school--I flooded my bedroom, guest room, craft room, 2 bathrooms & front room--whilst I talked on the porch with my good friend.
194. I like cutesy things.
195. My favorite place for lunch is Zupas.
196. I love my old doors (I got from my Grandpa in Lake Shore!)
197. My grandpa from Lake Shore reads my blog faithfully every day! Hi Gramps!
198. I worked at a copy center my first year of marriage.

199. When I was newly married, I worked for one day at Kmart--and immediately gave my 2 week notice!
200. I usually score an A to A+ on "High School Musical Sing it"for the Wii.
201. I make great pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
202. In my youth, I had a few nicknames: Nikki (my family-& some still call me that today), Nikki-Nikki-Tombo (from an Uncle), NCMO (high school and college friends--and NO it wasn't true! I promise mom!), Picky Nicky (my sis and a friend still call me that today), & Paisley (high school - and I begged to have my name legally changed to it--now one of my cute cousin's, Allyson, has a baby named Paisley! Love it!)
203. My favorite hymn is "Come thou Fount".
204. I was a goody-goody in high school (just ask my poor brother who was 11 months younger than me--hehe).
205. My favorite kind of cookie to make is peanut butter kiss cookies.
206. I'm not a fancy girl.
207. I like short hair.
208. Every guy I dated seriously--until I met my DH--was a year younger than me (DH is 10 months older).
209. I only speak one foreign language (and it is a made up one from Zoom). Dobo yobou knobow whobat obi obam sobayobing?
210. I once sang the entire song of "I Heard Him Come" in Ob (just in front of my college roommates).
211.I love shopping at Rod Works.

212. Every year from December-January-my brother and I are the same age.
213. Every year from January-March my DH and I are the same age.
214. My kids think I should enter my chicken alfredo recipe into the Disney cooking hall of fame.
215. I wish I would've gone into nursing--and I am trying to talk my 13 year old into it (it would be a heckuva lot better choice than marine biology).
216. My favorite kind of cake is yellow cake with homemade chocolate frosting and a big glass of milk.
217. I taught at a middle school after I graduated college (I was the writing center coordinator--don't I sound all official?)
218. I love shopping at Tomorrow's Antiques.
219. "Princess Academy" by Shannon Hale is one of my favorite books.
220. I also love "Austenland" by Shannon Hale...even though I was the only one in my book group to like it (awww c'mon...I thought after "1776" it was a dream come true!)
221. I am no good at most of the kids Wii games -- not enough coordination?
222. I did my student teaching at a high school--and it was then and there that I decided I should've gone into elementary education! Those big kids are tough!
223. I once killed a snake with my bare hands (well, I did have on DH's work gloves..but still!)
224. I wanted to major in music in college -- but didn't feel like I played enough musical instruments.
225. I had my wisdom teeth taken out the summer after I graduated.
226. I'm not a simple girl.
227. I love cheesecake (even though I've never made it!)
228. I think hound dogs are cute.
229. I have never mowed a lawn my whole married life...not even on the riding lawn mower.
230. As a kid, I always thought it would be fun to get my tonsils out (never had to though).
231. I kick butt on Mario Kart for the Gamecube.
232. My 3 children are better swimmers than me--I don't even like to put my face in the water when I swim freestyle--breaststroke and butterfly? Are you kidding me? No clue!
233. I am generally late for most things.
234. I love IKEA--but I've been banned from it (by my DH).
235. I sang in the (LDS Salt Lake) Tabernacle when I was in high school and it was the most magical thing experience ever.
236. I love my birthday--especially if it is on a weekend.
237. I love shopping at Interior Elements.
238. I have a hard time believing that gas is more expensive per gallon than milk.
239. I chew gum all the time--love it!
240. Once I tried to catch an enormous wolf spider (with a 44 oz diet coke cup) to show to my bug guy (so he'd know what to spray for). It ended up being a mama with thousands of itsy bitsy spider babies on her back. When the cup trapped big mama (on my front porch near the front door)--hundreds of her babies scattered...into my house. Our family not so fondly called it, "The Year of the Spider."
241. I love to play Hearts...but I rarely win.
242. I heart Michael Buble!
243. Iceburg Shakes are the best.

244. I just got a job at Jay's charter school as a Teacher's Assistant (yesterday!)

245. Interviewing for a job was very scary--I didn't expect that.

246. I think using wheat flour in cookies is just plain wrong.
247. I own 3 home organization books that I have never read.

248. My favorite number is 28.

249. I was born in 1972.

250. I have never had braces--but I always wanted them and sometimes pretended I had them with paper clips..which then caused some nice canker sores afterwards.
251. I have 3 nieces and 5 nephews (oh and 2 more nephews on the way in July and Sept).

252. I got married when I was 22.

253. My favorite candy bar is a Twix.

254. There have been many times that I've talked on the phone for so long during the day--that my ear hurts (workers comp?).

255. I have a thing for cute scripture bags.

256. I am not a super-competitive person.

257. I've only commented ONCE on a person's blog that I didn't know (and I read a bunch of them).

258. I do comment on blogs of people I do know, like my cousins: Allyson, Amy & Jen. My good friends from Arizona: Jolene, Pammi, Heather, KellyB, Shannon. My sister, Jilly and my sis-in-law, Ali. My brother Zach.

259. I think taking out the garbage is man's work...and I've been known to save it for DH to do when he gets home...even if it's overflowing.

260. I have a loud laugh.

261. I like to say (to the point that my kids finish that sentence for me), "that is the oldest trick in the book."

262. I went to a few events at the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics (we traveled down from AZ on Valentine's Day).

263. I try avoid confrontations.

264. I heart Brad Paisley.

265. I'm a pretty good speller.

266. I'm sure my DH thinks all I do all day is talk on the phone, blog, do relief society stuff, and sometimes clean the house.

267. He forgot to add shop and drink diet coke.

268. I was voted as "Class Clown" my senior year--(the guy voted class clown with me-married my BFF and is now the bishop in my parent's ward).

269. I like to make silly sing-songy rhymes to wake my kids up every morning for school.

270. I love the song "So Close" by Jon Mclaughlin (from Enchanted).

271. I think I'm pretty easy going for most things...but some people may call me picky.

272. I have filled out March Madness (college basketball) brackets every year since I've been married (14 years baby)--and I think I've only beat my DH once.

273. I tend to make my picks for March Madness according to whether I a) think the coach is good looking b) like the mascot c) I like to pick the teams in the West to go far.

274. There was a time the first 2 years I lived here when I used to go to Sonic 3 times a day for a Route 44 DC--now I'm down to once every few days.

275. I am a BYU fan.

276. I love to write with a new pen in a new notebook.

277. My favorite kind of gum is spearmint.

278. I have to have on lipstick/gloss...no matter the time of day.

279. I am a snoop when it comes to Christmas presents.
280. Every Christmas, (during my childhood and youth) I would sneakily unwrap my presents under the tree using a butter knife--then seal them back up (which is why you will not see a wrapped gift under my tree until Christmas morning).

281. When I was a 10, we used to roller skate all the time in my unfinished basement.

282. There were 128 seniors in my graduating class in high school.

283. I have an unlucky purple flowered shirt that I refuse to wear--but I've kept it for luck (what if I D.I. it and then get a run of bad luck?).

284. My favorite Disney show is "Little Mermaid".

285. I made a Mermaid costume for Jay when she was in kindergarten...then tried to force my tomboy Savvy to wear it when she was in kinder (didn't work out so well).

286. People think I'm a perfectionist when it comes to crafting...it's truly not that...I just set high expectations for myself that if something doesn't turn out...I just have to fix it (or throw it away).

287. I re-purposed a clock that I made in enrichment into a "clock table" with an old bar stool (Did I mention that I hated how the clock turned out? I tried repainting it twice and there was NO WAY I would hang it on the wall--but it sure makes a cute table).

288. I got engaged on my birthday (Jan 10) and was married 3 months later in the Manti Temple.

289. I find myself often thinking...why didn't I think of that?

290. Many years ago, I entered a limerick contest in the SL Trib and won!

291. I keep going to the same dentist even though I think his breath stinks and I don't like him. 292. I love the pioneer quote, ‘Fix it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without’.

294. But, that doesn't stop me from wanting a new kitchen table.

295. I love looking at fabric at the fabric store.

296. I think fabric is usually a rip off and refuse to buy it without a 40% coupon.

297. I refuse to buy most crafty things (over $5) without a sale price or coupon.

298. I love the smell of rain.

299. I love flip flops.

300. I love me some Krispy Kreme doughnuts..and I'm so glad there isn't one nearby.

301. I love LDS artist Hilary Weeks' music.

302. My favorite flower is tulips.

303. The prophet during my growing up years was Spencer W. Kimball.

304. I love living in UT--I missed the mountains, the seasons and my family.

305. I loved living in AZ and would do it again in a heartbeat (if the timing & job was right)--I miss the warm winters, friends & our swimming pool.

306. I should not be trusted to sew anything besides Halloween costumes and pioneer outfits. 307. A couple of years ago I made Jedi knight costumes for my twins to wear for Halloween...when they tried them on the robes were so big that my DH and I could've worn them. It took me 3 days to alter them down to kid size.

308. I frequently get behind on my laundry.

309. Punctuation usually puzzles me.
310. I would love to go to New York and watch bunches of shows on broadway.

311. I love Rascal Flatts--but I usually call them Flascal Ratts.

312. If I think a joke is really funny, I will tell it again and again...until my kids/friends/family fans beg me to stop.

313. I sunburn very easily.

314. My shoulders were blistered so many times as a teen that I've lost count.

315. My kids are forced will always wear 50 SPF sunblock.

316. My favorite kind of toothpaste is Crest original.

317. I got married on St Patricks day...so naturally my colors were mostly forest green (with a mix of mauve and ivory).

318. I am a registered republican..but I've been known to vote democrat (depends on the person running).

319. I am serving as 2nd counselor in the Relief Society presidency in my church.

320. I don't like eating foods with weird texture...for instance...

321. I like coconut flavored things...but not coconut.
322. Savvy wanted me to teach her cursive...so I did...and then her teacher informed her that her cursive was "all wrong!"
323. I hate to iron.
324. I like lime popsicles.

325. I think Clorox Cleanup is the best invention ever.

326. I have dry skin.

327. I have a fridge in the garage..that is primarily used for diet coke, Grandma Sycamore's bread (in the freezer) & popsicles.

328. I am allergic to watermelon, pineapple and canteloupe (my tongue breaks out) -- but I still eat em' anyway!

329. I love to play the card game "Phase 10" but I rarely win.

330. I wear a size 8 shoe.

331. I would rather shop for furniture in AZ than in UT...pickin's are slim in UT.

332. My 13 year old daughter has a bigger foot than me (size 9).

333. I am not a daredevil.

334. I go shopping the day after Thanksgiving every year with the masses...and every year I swear I will never do it again.

335. I love having a craft room.

336. I hate tomatoes.

337. ..and pickles.

338. I love receiving (and giving) handmade gifts.

339. I ran a 5K last year with my husband on our 13th Anniversary.

340. I love ice cream sandwiches.

341. I love quilts.
342. I love getting mail from others...but rarely send it (except for Christmas cards--I'm good at sending out those).
343. We own a lot of DVD's that I have never watched.
344. I do not like raspberry flavored things--but I love fresh raspberries.
345. One of my favorite movies is "The Holiday".
346. I wish I knew how to play the violin.
347. I used to go country swing dancing all the time in college...wouldn't remember a thing now.
348. Up until I turned 14, the carpet in my bedroom was lime green--and it was high fashion baby!
349. One of my favorite toys as a kid was my Barbie Townhouse!
350. I wish I had a rocking chair.

351. My favorite primary song is "The Church of Jesus Christ".
352. My dad taught me & my kids how to play the harmonica last year.
353. I totally designed, cut out, painted, shellacked, weighted, assembled helped Austin make his sweet pinewood derby shark car.
354. I would love it if someone would rub my feet every day--and I've been known to pay my children to do this.
355. I like chocolate...but not super-chocolatey things.
356. I can sing alto.
357. My favorite magazines are Paper Crafts Magazine and
358. Traditional Home and
359. The Ensign and
360. The Friend and
361. Country Marketplace
362. I love the quote, "Prayer Changes Things".
363. I love to hear my kids play together nicely.
364. I love my flat iron...couldn't do my hair without it.

365. When I decided to make this list of 365 things about me --I had no idea how hard it would be! But--I promise--loyal readers--if you make a list of 365 things about you I will read it cover to cover!

{P.S. As the ultimate cliff hanger (I do give myself a lot of credit don't I?)...I am still working on the prizes for my anniversary winner...watch for a post later today.}