more randomness

Some of you may have read this post last year about 25 random things about me. Well I dont have 25 more to share, but I thought maybe I'll give you 5 at a time every once in a while.

1. I find myself counting random things without intending to. Like stairs, or steps to the car from the door. There is no purpose for the counting and once I realize I'm doing it I wonder why I'm doing it, yet I catch myself counting a lot.2. I really really dont like artificial sweeteners. Diet soda = yuck! I can't stand the taste. And they say Coke Zero tastes like regular coke. WRONG. Tastes yucky. I rarely drink soda anyway, but if I do it'll be a chubby coke. And I can taste artificial sweeteners in food as well so dont think you can trick me. Plus, sure they may be less or no calories, but I prefer sugar. My body knows what to do with sugar, it doesn't know what to do with chemicals. And I believe we will someday find out that all of the artificial things we put in our bodies are cancer causing, so I'd like to avoid them for that reason as well.3. Melons make me gag. Watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe..... gag, gag, gag. The sucky thing is that I want to like them. I still buy watermelon every summer because I like for other people to eat it. People look happy when they eat watermelon. But not me. The closest thing to a melon that I can eat is a cucumber. Cucumbers aren't a melon you say.... well my mouth thinks otherwise. I literally gag if I have a melon, cucumber by it's self has the same reaction. Cucumber smothered in ranch or hummus, I can get down.4. I'm a biter, or more of a nibbler I guess. My favorite thing to bite it my sons buns in jammies. Seriously, when he's climbing up his ladder to get in his bed at night I just can't help myself, I have to get a nibble of those cute jammie buns! Weird thing is I think this is a genetic urge. Weird right? But anyone who knows my Grandma Risenmay knows that she's a biter too. She hugs and kisses everyone, but you know that she really likes you if she gives you a nibble.

5. I love people. Sometimes when they probably dont want or deserve it. I think I smoother them. (Come to think of it, I think I get this from Grandma Risenmay too.) I want people to be happy and I try to make them happy. But I'm learning {slowly} that I can't make people be happy, and that I can show my love but I need to let it happen not force it.

Habits

Many people are near the conclusion of their observance of Lent. Lent is a Catholic practice, it is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation of the celebration of Easter. Many people choose something to give up or fast for the duration of lent. I personally have never participated in lent but other peoples fast have gotten me thinking about what I would give up if I were to participate. Friends of mine have given up meat, soda, or the like as their lent fast. What would I give up?

I eat meat sparingly
I drink soda maybe once per month
I drink alcohol maybe once per month
I dont eat a lot of sugar (which is a huge improvement from my past)
I dont spend much money on unnecessary things

I think I do most things in moderation. So I dont know if I have something that I really need to give up. However, I am not saying that I am perfect. I have come to the realization that, I dont have any horrible habits, but I dont have any good ones either.

I rarely exercise (which I used to be religious about)
I dont drink enough water
I dont participate in service activities as much as I have in the past

So I guess what I'm saying is that I think I need a reverse lent.... but I guess that's what new years resolutions are for... and really I'm probably too lazy anyway. I guess I'll stick with being mediocre.

Are you participating in lent? Did you have a new years resolution? How's it going? You're doing better than me just by attempting. :)

funky green chair

I really needed a side chair to put in my room since there is no where to sit to put shoes on or the like. My room is currently decorated with just black and white since I like a minimalist, clean look in my bedroom, but I had decided that I needed to add a pop of color. Green is my favorite color, so naturally I wanted to do green accents in my room. When searching for a chair I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted, and then I found this chair.


It immediately caught my eye, and had a funky apeal to it. It's nothing like the rest of my furniture... but that's why I like it. It looks like it's straight out of my grandma's house, and would totally go with the old orange shag carpet that used to be in my parents house. Totally not what I would expect for myself to want, which really made me want it more. After a few e-mails with links to the above picture of the chair to my design advisors (aka, steph, amanda and dan) I decided I had to have it. Oh and did I mention that it was only $160 from craigslist? It's a bit warn, which I expected, because it's probably really from the 70's, but still in pretty great condition. I'm currently in the process of painting the base/legs black to better match my room. I'm not sure what other green stuff I want to do to tie it all in, so let me know if you have ideas. :)

my color

According to this quiz, Red is my color. Funny because I've never loved red.

"You boast incredible willpower and are capable of overcoming obstacles that would normally leave others shaking in their boots. You have a penchant for colorful environments and often impress others with your energetic bursts of energy. Your interests in many areas of life often leave you scattered, but when you focus you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. "

My Mom

My mom is someone who I love very much. The older I get the more I love and appreciate my mom. Being a mother myself has also taught me a lot about my mom. It's made me understand her love for me more than I did before.

Here are just some of the reasons why I love my mom:

• She has a fun sense of humor. I think those who don't know my mom well don't know this about her, but she likes to joke and laugh. I think this aspect of her personality creates a lot of fun moments.
• She is very creative. She comes up with creative activities, she gives creative gifts. She makes life more fun by adding twists and turns to the everyday ho-hum stuff.
• She is non judgemental. I really respect that my mom is not quick to judge. She sees the big picture in many situations and understands that it does no good to judge others.
• She loves. There are many qualities that I hope that I have of my moms, but I'm pretty sure that I have this one. From her I have learned to always be someone who loves.
• She also loves animals. We have always had a dog in our house and my mom has always treated our family dogs as a member of the family. I think this love and respect for animals has helped to teach all of us in our family about how to love and care for people, animals or things.
• She has the ability to keep her home a place of love. There have always been lots of people who are not members of our family who come by our parents house on a regular basis. I think this is because they feel comforted by the feeling of love in my parents home.
• She is very good at creating traditions. This probably goes along with her creativity, but my mom has created so many fun traditions in our family. From 7pm ice cream time every Sunday night, to our family Christmas traditions. She gives us opportunities to have fun together and have moments that we can look forward to and depend on.
• She is a wonderful Grandma. As most of you know, my mom takes care of my son while I'm at work. I am forever grateful for this. I know she absolutely loves William, and she shows it constantly.
• She is selfless. She will give of herself for others and she never looks back or holds it over your head.
• She taught me how to be independent. She always made us aware that she would be there for us, but that did not mean that she wouldn't have us pay natural consequences. I think I am a better, more capable adult because of the responsibility that my mom taught me by loving me, but not babying me.
• She is my friend. We cry together, laugh together, talk together.

2009 in review

Last year I filled out this little survey about my year, and planned to do it again at the beginning of the year, but I forgot. Better late than never.



1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Bought at home


2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?My goal was to get into a condo - I did that. As for this year. Ugh. I dunno.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My friend Julie, from work. And my friend Amy.


4. Did anyone close to you die? Both of my mom's parents died. Amy's baby died shortly after being born.

5. What countries did you visit? none - wah!


6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? Goals beyond owning a home.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Steph and Trevs wedding day because even though it seems ironic now, it was the party of a life time. Also the days surrounding the birth and passing of Amy's baby. I think many of us felt deeply for her through those days.
8. What was your biggest personal achievement of the year? Getting into my new home.

9. What was your biggest failure? I try not to keep those flagged in my mind. they happen, you learn, you move on.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? yes, click here or here to read about them. oh and here

11. What was the best thing you bought? condo and trip to disneyland

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Steph's commitment to Trev. We had a fun bachelorette {weekend} and she had the most amazing party.


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? not a happy question. I'm not answering.


14. Where did most of your money go? There seems to be a pattern..... condo. Also spent some good money on taking my little man to Disneyland.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Steph and Trevs wedding

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Beyonce - Put a ring on it. Will remind me of dancing to that song with the girls in SeaSide for Steph's bachelorette party weekend.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? Happier in some ways, sadder in others, probably fatter, poorer but hopefully with some equity?

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Spent more one on one time with Will doing things that HE likes.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worry

20. Did you fall in love in 2008? I love, have loved, and will continue loving many people.

21. What was your favorite TV program? Criminal Minds - I miss having tv

22. What was the best book you read? the 5 love languages

23. What was your greatest musical discovery? not new, but I've found that I really enjoy some metallica songs. I love singing to Enter Sandman with Will.

24. What did you want and get? condo

25. What did you want and not get? Same as last year: To win mega millions :)

26. What was your favorite film of this year? The Proposal and The Hangover. Funny flicks.

27. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 24 (not 25) . Click here for a summary of my b-day
28. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Winning mega millions :)

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? I used to be really boring. Black and white. I've become more comfortable in colors but still kinda blah. Kinda elementary-school-teacher-who-is-trying-to-be-cool, type look.

30. What kept you sane? My mom and Will

William

Being February, the month of love, I've decided to focus on the people and things that I love. Lately there have been a lot of {not good} things happening to people that I care about. A lot of things that have made me sad or hurt. So I think focusing on love will help me realize all the beautiful, lovely, relationships and things that I have in my life.

I will start with my biggest love in my life. My son William.

- I love Wills cuddles. They make my heart feel different than anyone else can.

- I love that when we lay down next to each other he puts his arm out and wants me to lay my head on his shoulder, just as if he were a bigger boy that I'd cuddle with

- I love how he randomly tells me that he loves me

- I love how he touches my face (even though sometimes he touches it too harsh, and once he told me that he likes his daddy's face more.)

- I love his buns - naked, in jammies, in jeans.... I just love them

- I love having tickle wars, because unlike other kids, he doesn't try to tickle me back. (I don't like how kids tickle) He just laughs and laughs and then tells me to do it again.

- I love how he holds my hand. We don't always hold hands, but he always knows when I want him to hold my hand and he'll grab my hand before I even ask for it.

- I love it when he sings to music. His 2 favorites: "bubbly toes" by jack johnson and "Enter Sandman" by Metallica

- I love it when he makes up his own songs, that actually sound like they could be real songs and have repeating chorus'

- I love the pictures he draws even though I am a huge blob with eyes in his mind.

- I love how he starts conversations with adult like sayings like: "so I was thinking..." "I have an idea..." "how about we..."

- I love how he loves. He has a big heart and loves people quickly.

- I love that he's become more giving and aware of others feelings lately. He says things like "sorry" and "please" more often than he used to. And I think he actually means them when he says it.

- I love when he tells me jokes. He actually makes me laugh.

- I love that he makes me laugh all the time, without intending to

- I love that when he smiles he has several cheeks

- I love the dimples on his hands, even though they're starting to fade.

- I love that he wears boots a lot. Usually rain boots but occasionally cowboy boots. I especially love when he wears cowboy boots.

- I love how good his memory is, and that he'll randomly say things like "remember when you left my hot dog and your drink on top of the car at costco and started driving? that was funny"

- I love that he loves animals even though he hasn't perfected the "love gently" thing.

- I love that he makes me want to be better.

- I love that he wants to be like me

- I love how much he is like me.

photos by casey brevig