Twenty-Five Random Things About Me (That You May Or May Not Know...)

My friend Hilda tagged me for this. I tried to come up with twenty-five new things.

1. My favorite flowers are tulips. Coming in at a close second are gerbera daisies.
2. I wish I was a better cook.
3. I took roughly one thousand pictures between mid-November and early January.
4. Penguins are my favorite animals.
5. When my mom first moved to Bishop almost ten years ago, I thought I could never live there... now, I'm not so sure. I find myself enjoying the small town life. (if only there was a Target)
6. I have never gone on a vacation somewhere and not wanted to go back.
7. I've done just about everything that I said I wouldn't do when I was a mom.
8. I have never been pulled over while driving.
9. In high school I never once got detention.
10. Jason once made me camp at the river over Forth of July weekend in one-hundred and twenty degree heat. I hated it and told him that I would never go camping again... and we haven't. (I don't consider this a vacation because we spent many weekends out at the river)
11. I used to take rice to school for lunch in elementary school. I would use food coloring to dye it various colors like green and purple.
12. I have seen Wicked twice and would love to see it ten more times.
13. I spent my fifth birthday in the hospital.
14. I broke my clavicle when I was in third grade.
15. When I was in high school I went with a friend to an amusement park and we talked with English accents all day. So, so dorky, I know.
16. I knew I would marry Jason before we even had our first date.
17. I like Top Ramen
18. I had way too many Cabbage Patch Kids when I was little (I think I had like thirteen). One of my favorites was a "world traveler" from Holland - it came with cute little plastic wooden shoes.
19. I once peeked at my birthday presents when I was little and knew every single present that I was getting. Worst. Birthday. Ever. (yes, even worse than my fifth)
20. My brother and I never got along when we were younger, but now we hang out all the time.
21. I am hooked on The Bachelor - a show I swore up and down I would never watch.
22. I love TiVo... but I often forget to fast forward through the commercials.
23. I always wished that I had a twin... hmmm... maybe that is why I would love to have twins?
24. I often have dreams about being back in high school and in them I never know where my classes are.
25. I love peanut butter frozen yogurt with peanut butter cups from Golden Spoon.

Tag! You're it!

What Kind Of Soup Are You?

I saw this on Cheri's blog and thought that since soup is one of my most favorite foods, I would take the quiz, too. The description pretty much fits me - but I so dislike tomato soup.

You Are Tomato Soup

You are open minded and curious about the world. You can help but learn as much as you can about things. You are introverted, intellectual, and introspective. In other words, you have a big brain... and you use it. You are a bit of a culinary expert, and you are an excellent cook. You know how to balance delicate flavors well and can whip up a mean bowl of soup.

What Kind of Soup Are You?

The Big Two Zero Zero

Wow! I have made it to post number two-hundred! Amazing! Usually at these monumental posts, you're supposed to do some kind of "facts about me" post, but I've already done a ton of them, so I figured that I would do the fun Photobucket one that I see from time to time. If you want to play along on your blog, here are the rules...

1. Go to photobucket.com.

2. Type in your “answer” to each question in the search box.

3. Use only the first page!

4. Insert the picture on your blog.

1. What is your current relationship status?

2. What is your current mood?

3. What is your favorite movie? (it's a tie)

4.Who is your favorite band/singer?

5. Where do you live?

6. Where do you work?

7. What do you look like?

8. What do you drive?

9. What's your favorite T.V. show?

10. Describe yourself.

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11. What are you doing today?

12. What did you do last night?

13. What is your name?

My Five

What I was doing five years ago today:
*Starting a new job
*Meeting Jason (ten years ago today, literally)
* Taking a ton of theatre classes in college
* Sewing a costume for the Renaissance Fair in my costume design class
* Babysitting kids who are now old enough to babysit Dillon (yikes!)


Five things on my to-do list today:
* Go to church
* Hang out with Susan
* Exchange some shirts that I bought for Dillon
* Buy some new jeans for myself
* Relax


Five snacks that I enjoy:
* Almonds
* Celery with almond butter
* Popcorn cooked on the stove top
* Salsa
* Ice Cream


Things I'd do if I was a millionaire:
* Payoff our house and then add on to it
* Open a summer camp for underprivileged kids
* Own a bakery or restaurant
* Start a foundation that provides wigs and makeup for women with cancer
* Buy a vacation home in Manhattan

Places I've lived:
* My mom's house growing up
* My first apartment
* The condo that Jason and I rented
* The house that we bought
* LaLa Land (haha)


I tag:
*Kristen
*Christina
*Susan (haha)

Three Things

Kristen, my blogging friend, tagged me. So here it goes...
3 places I go all the time: Target, Starbucks, Susan's house
3 people who email me: Susan, my mom, Tiffany
3 favorite places to eat: Carnitas, Wood Ranch, Islands
3 places I would rather be right now: New York City, Glen Ivy, Hawaii
3 people who will do this: I tag Susan (haha), Christina, and anyone else who wants to do it
3 TV shows I could watch over and over: Ghost Hunters, Friends, and Murder, She Wrote

Four

Since today is 4/4, I have decided to jump on the four bandwagon.

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Photographer
2. Library page
3. Secretary
4. Mommy

Four movies I've watched more than once:
1. Princess Bride
2. Ella Enchanted
3. Ghostbusters
4. Finding Neverland

Four places I've lived:
1. La Mirada
2. La Habra (in an apartment)
3. Cypress
4. La Habra (in a house)

Four TV shows I watch:
1. Ghost Hunters
2. Ace of Cakes
3. Lost
4. Smallville

Four places I have been:
1. Hawaii - Maui and Kauai
2. Disney World
3. New York
4. Las Vegas

Four favorite foods:
1. Steak
2. Ice Cream
3. Round Chicken Nuggets from McDonalds
4. Lobster

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. Manhattan
2. Hawaii
3. Manhattan
4. Somewhere with Jason and Dillon

Four things I'm looking forward to this year:
1. Scrapbook getaway in Palm Springs
2. Dillon's Pirate Party
3. Going away to my mom's at some point in time
4. New episodes of the shows I watch that were screwed up by the writers strike

Four places I love to shop:
1. Target
2. Crate & Barrel
3. Michael's
4. Bath and Body Works

Tag! You're It!

Scattergories

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks!

*Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...

*they have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up!

Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial.

1. What is your name: Rachel

2. Vehicle: Rolls-Royce

3. City: Rochester

4. Boy Name: Robert

5. Girl Name: Rebecca

6. Alcoholic Drink: Rum

7. Occupation: Radiologist

8. Something you wear: Red High Heals

9. Celebrity: Rachael Ray

10. Food: Rice

11. Something found in a bathroom: Rolaids

12. Reason for Being Late: Road closures

13. Cartoon Character: Rafiki

14. Something you shout: Run!

15. Animal: Racoon

16. Body Part: Rib

17. Word that describes you: Relaxed

Seven Fun Facts

This was going around awhile ago on the other blogs I read and I considered myself tagged. So, here you go - Here is a list of seven things you might not know about me... and if you haven't already done this and want to do it, then consider yourself tagged, too...

1. I love Crate & Barrel. It is one of my very favorite places to spend my money. In fact, I love it so much that I keep an ongoing gift registry. I know what you're thinking: What a weirdo. But, it's perfect for Jason (or anyone else who has the need) to shop for me and I am usually the one shopping off of it anyway. I love the fact that I've already chosen what I would like to have and then I can shop off my list because even with my list in hand I can spend over an hour browsing and eventually picking out what I want.

2. For a period of over a year (probably closer to two years) I only bought my clothes at the Gap. Crazy, I know.

3. I never considered myself artistic and always used to joke that I could only draw stick figures. But, in college, I took require set painting class and my final required a huge painting. And I discovered that if I set my mind on it, I could actually accomplish it.

not totally great - but much better than I ever thought possible

So, when I wanted to have jungle animals painted on Dillon's wall for his nursery - and not wanting to shell out big buck for a professional - I said to myself, "self, you can do this" and do it I did - and seven months huge... err... I mean pregnant at that. I get filled with pride now that Dillon is noticing his surroundings and makes monkey noises at the monkey on his wall or says "chomp, chomp" at the alligator.

4. Ghosts fascinate me. I love to watch Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State and A Haunting, just to name a few. When I was younger I was always checking out books from the library on ghosts and would spend hours reading them. I'm not sure that I would ever want to come face to face with a ghost - I think that it would be totally freaky!

5. I am a Target snob. I love that store. I could never live somewhere where there was not a Target nearby. I shop there at least once a week. I cringe when I have to go to Wal-mart - I hate it there. I am so happy that there are three Targets that are a ten minute or less drive away.

6. I'm not much of a drinker and don't like beer. So, on the occasion that I do drink, I usually have a glass of wine or shots of Patron Silver or Jameson.

7. I always return my shopping cart to either the front of the store or to a cart coral. I usually park near a cart return spot. I get so annoyed when I see shopping carts left where ever - especially when someone only has to take a few extra steps to put it back.

I Do

I saw this on a few blogs and thought it was cute and perfect for Valentine's Day...

How long have you been together? Almost nine years

How old is he? Thirty-two

Who eats more? Usually Jason does

Who said I love you first? Jason

Who is taller? Jason – by about a foot

Who sings better? Me. I love to sing – but he plays the guitar like a pro

Who is smarter? In general I would have to say me. But he does have areas where his intelligence kicks my butt.

Who does the laundry? Usually me, but if he gets impatient waiting for his clothes to be done, he’ll do it himself

Who does the dishes? Both of us do, but thankfully we also have a dishwasher that does most of the work.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Looking at the bed from the foot, Jason does

Who pays the bills? We have bills? Oh, that’s right, Jason pays them.

Who mows the lawn? Our gardener does.

Who cooks dinner? Chef Rachel… but we do eat out a few times a week.

Who drives when you are together? I hate to drive, so I am lucky that Jason is usually willing to be my chauffer.

Who is more stubborn? Me. Hands down.

Who kissed who first? It was kind of a mutual thing – but I would have to say Jason really made the first move

Who asked who out? Jason asked me out – he’s so cute!

Who proposed? Jason did. He proposed at Island’s Restaurant in Brea – it’s where we went on our very first date

Who is more sensitive? I’m the crier – I cry at everything!

Who has more friends? Jason. I am mostly friendless

Who has more siblings? Jason has three. I have one. But I also have three step-brothers.

Who wears the pants in the family? Jason. But technically, he wears the shorts because he rarely wears pants.

One Hundred

I have finally made it to my one hundredth post! Hooray for me! Since typically number one hundred is supposed to be a list of one hundred things about me and since I have already done that, here is a list of five's for you to enjoy. I saw this survey and thought it would be good for my hundredth post.

Five jobs I have had in my life:

1. photographer

2. library page

3. secretary for a ter mite company

4. personal assistant for a clinical nutritionist
5. domestic engineer

Five places I have lived:

1. La Mirada, CA

2. La Habra, CA

3. Cypress, CA

4. La Habra, CA (different house)
5. (I am leaving this space blank because, well, there are only four places)

Five places I have been on vacation:

1. Maui & Kauai

2. Disneyworld

3. San Diego

4. Las Vegas
5. Cruise to Mexico

Five foreign places I would like to visit:

1. Ireland
2. London
3. Greece
4. Australia
5. Caribbean

Five places in the United States I would like to visit:

1. New York City
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Seattle
4. New England
5. Other Hawaiian islands

Five of my favorite foods:

1. Steak, cooked medium-rare

2. Caesar Salad
3. Chicken McNuggets

4. Enchiladas with green sauce
5. Lobster

Five of my favorite beverages:
1. Iced Tea
2. Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino
3. Cranberry Juice
4. Hot Chocolate
5. Patron Silver

Five I like to spend my money:
1. Target
2. Crate & Barrel
3. Home Depot
4. Children’s Place
5. Old Navy

Five restaurants I like to eat at:
1. Ruth’s Chris
2. Woodranch
3. Carnitas
4. Daphne’s Greek Cafe
5. Islands

Five television shows I enjoy watching:
1. Grey’s Anatomy
2. Ghost Hunters
3. Heroes
4. Hannah Montana
5. Friends

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Jeannett did a post of her favorite things and I really liked the idea. So, here are a few of my favorite things...

~~My iPod~~

I love having all my music with me. If I feel like listening to Christmas music in July, I can. My favorite thing is that I can shuffle my five thousand plus songs and not hear the same song for months. Plus, it's great that I can hear a song by MercyMe, followed by Metallica, followed by Muse, followed by something from a musical. I love variety!

~~ Bath and Body Works Hand Soap~~

I hoard hand soap from Bath and Body Works. It's a little on the expensive side, but when it's on sale - look out! - I have to stock up. My favorite is the Kitchen Lemon. I love how it really gets rid of all the nasty cooking smells from your hands. It banishes the onion and garlic smells from my hands like magic. Maybe instead of hand soap, it's really a magic potion.

~~Black and White Pictures~~

For the first year of his life, I got Dillon's picture taken at least monthly. I know - I'm a little nuts. But, being a scrapbooker, it was necessary (in my mind at least). He was such a good little picture taker. Some of my favorite were the black and white pictures. They just look so nice. The Angel picture is probably my favorite - it was taken when he was three weeks old. I also love the ones in the three picture frame and am proud to say that they were taken by yours truly.

~~Flip Flops~

I must have a million pairs. Ok, so not really, but at least twenty. I wear them all the time - even in winter, even in the rain. I have white pairs, light blue, navy blue, silver, pink, peach and brown pairs. I have ones with decoration and plain ones. I love the ones from Old Navy - they are so cheap that I don't have to worry if one gets dirty or I loose one - I can always replace them with a new pair.

~~Necklaces~~

I am rarely seen without a necklace on - I wear one almost everyday. I feel naked when I don't have one on. These are the ones that I wear most often. My two favorites are the snowflake and the Breathe one. I got the snowflake one at Epcot in the Norway Pavilion and the Breathe one is from Lisa Leonard. Lisa makes such beautiful hand made jewelry. I can't wait to buy another one from her.

~~Coach Bags~~

I admit - I'm a little obsessed with them. Susan and I used scrapbook with these ladies who always had to go out and buy the newest bags - we would always laugh at them. We couldn't imagine ever spending that much money on one hand bag. Then one day I woke up and decided that I wanted one. So, I dragged Jason to the store to look and being the wonderful husband that he is, he bought me one. (I will also tell you that I am not too proud to admit that I got the first one at the Coach factory store). I was so impressed with it's quality that I was instantly hooked. (I realize that they are a bit frivolous, but when I stop and think about how many times we have gone out to eat and the bill was more than my bags, well, at least I can keep my bags.) I now own the pictured bags plus a few accessories - wallets and such. And, I proudly declare that more than one bag was purchased at the factory store - they have such great discounts (one bag was originally priced at over three hundred dollars and I got it for less than one hundred)

~~Soup~~

I love soup - plain and simple. It is so wonderful to whip up a batch of homemade chicken noodle on a cold winter day - especially when not feeling so great.

~~Fire~~

There is nothing quite like a blazing fire. I love warming up in front of the fireplace wrapped in a soft, cuddly blanket. I love the smell it makes outside and the sound of the crackling wood. In fact, one of the reasons that we ended up buying our house was because of the beautiful fireplace.

~~Cooking Light~~

Hands down - my favorite magazine. I love cooking. Actually, I love, love, LOVE cooking! It's wonderful to be able to get new recipes each month that are healthy for you, easy to make and that taste amazing. I have been a subscriber for almost eight years and have yet to find a bad recipe. Everything I have made has been totally yummy! People always comment that I am a great cook - but it's largely in part due to my secret weapon - Cooking Light.

~~My Duvet~~

I love snuggling under my duvet. Since I am allergic to down, I got a synthetic down duvet and it is just a wonderful as a down one. It's so fluffy and cozy. When I feel sick, I feel instantly better just climbing under my covers.

So there you have it - my favorites.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday... So, in honor of Me, here is a list of 100 things about me. It was from my other blog, but I decided to move it here. A friend had challenged me to come up with the list.

1. I love being a Mommy

2. I really wanted a little girl, but God blessed me with a son. I have fallen so in love with him, that I actually kind of hope that our next baby is another boy.

3. I would go barefoot all the time if that was possible

4. I would much rather be cold than hot. When you're cold, you can always add layers, but when you're hot, it's not like you can run around naked.

5. Winter is my favorite season. I love to look at the snow, it is so beautiful... but it is best enjoyed from the comfort of the house or car - with the heater on.

6. I have never drank so much that I threw up or passed out.

7. I am adopted

8. I take pride in being a "know-it-all." I am almost always right and sometimes, you can even win money from your brother-in-law when you are indeed correct.

9. When winning said money from said brother-in-law, I used to think... hmmm what will I buy myself. Now I think, hmmm... what will I buy for Dillon.

10. I love all things Disney. Disneyland, DisneyWorld, Disney Movies...My head is so full with Disney Trivia. My brain absorbs it like a sponge.

11. My dream kitchen would have 3 ovens and 2 dishwashers. The kitchen I am actually getting is going to have 2 ovens and 1 dishwasher. I have room for 3 ovens and 2 dishwashers, but I'm being realistic... I really don't need 3 ovens and 2 dishwashers.

12. One of my favorite hobbies is planning parties (for myself and helping others.) I love putting together all the details - the menu, entertainment, the decorations... My favorite party so far was Jason's 30th birthday party, followed by my GameNight New Year's Party.

13. I really enjoy cooking. I even have a few "signature" dishes that get lots of requests at family get togethers.

14. I like eating spicy foods. I didn't used to. Kung Pao Chicken & Buffalo Chicken Strips are my favorite spicy foods.

15. I have no sisters... but I have a brother and 3 step-brothers. I always wished I had a sister.

16. I like swimming, but I HATE getting my hair wet while swimming.

17. I finally like my hair. Shorter, darker and straight. Jason likes it the "natural" way - Longer, blonder and curly.

18. I would much rather load the dishwasher than unload it and put the dishes away.

19. My favorite restaurant is Ruth's Chris. Too bad it's so expensive.

20. Even though I love cooking, I would eat out every day if I could. And by eating out, I don't mean take-out.

21. I like chocolate. My favorite is dark chocolate.

22. I don't really like pizza, but I craved it while I was pregnant.

23. I have been in love three times. Two of those I still am in love with - Jason & Dillon.

24. I love riding roller coasters. I wish I could find one that was actually scary.

25. I can't wait to go back to Hawaii. I loved it there so much.

26. I hate that like 99% of frozen foods have those stupid red peppers in them. It ruins the food.

27. I would love to visit Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and England. The closest I have come to traveling the world was going to the World Showcase at Epcot

28. I rode Mission: Space at Epcot.

29. I am not a morning person. I like staying up late.

30. My favorite thing to drink is Iced Tea. It must have lots of ice in it. I hate Iced Tea without ice.

31. I love going to the spa. It is a really nice treat. It's so nice to feel pampered every once in a while.

32. I have more than one "baby Einstein" cd on my iPod.

33. I once had yearly passes to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm at the same time

34. Cutting Dillon's nails is one of the scariest things I have to do on a reoccurring basis.

35. I sometimes forget peoples names and it's usually the people who I am closest to.

36. I love getting all dressed up, but hate wearing heals.

37. The time I was most scared when I was car jacked

38. I cry easily. I cry watching movies, tv and even at commercials.

39. I have only been in one car accident and it wasn't my fault.

40. I sing in the shower and I sing in the car. I love to sing!

41. I used to feel jealous of pregnant ladies because I wanted a baby. Now I am jealous of pregnant ladies because I loved being pregnant and I really miss it.

42. I make homemade cards. I have made our Christmas cards more than once.

43. I love taking pictures.

44. I like Chicken McNuggets from McDonalds. My favorite are the round ones.

45. I am a licensed Real Estate Agent. I doubt I will ever use my license.

46. I am a licensed ter mite inspector.

47. My most embarrassing moment in high school was getting knocked over onto my head in the quad at Saddie Hawkins my senior year.

48. I once wanted to marry Prince William. Instead, I married a different prince

49. I don't really like going to the beaches here in So. Cal. I hate how you feel dirty when you leave.

50. I am a HUGE hockey fan! I love the Ducks & seeing the fights

51. My favorite football team is the Patriots...

52. I love Tom Brady

53. I own a Nintendo Game Cube. I played it almost everyday for an entire year.

54. I don't like staying by myself over night. I'll admit it - I'm a big chicken.

55. I usually don't watch the news. It's always sad.

56. I was a cheerleader in high school, but really didn't like football (or understand it for that matter)

57. I like being the one who retrieves the mail from the mail box. I get mad at Jason when he grabs it first to annoy me.

58. I think that being a stay at home mom is the greatest job in the world. I love it. I don't think everyone is cut out to do it and if you don't like it you should work outside the home.

59. I like buying new clothes for myself. I am always happy when we have to go to an "event" because then I can get a new outfit.

60. I love buying new clothes for Dillon. It's become almost an obsession.

61. I love rainbows. They make me happy and remind me of God's promise.

62. I am addicted to Rachael Ray. 30 Minute Meals is GREAT and the food she makes is Yum-o. Her talk show is the only talk show that I watch.

63. My favorite movie soundtrack is from Edward Scissorhands. I walked down the aisle to the song "Ice Dance"

64. I miss performing on stage. Acting and Singing - I miss both.

65. I loved singing in the Fullerton College Concert Choir. The audition for that was really nerve racking.

66. It bugs me when a couple sit next to each other in a restaurant. The should sit across from each other. Do they sit side by side at home?

67. I am afraid of spiders.

68. I am hooked on reruns of Murder, She Wrote.

69. I have a fear of running. I always worry that I will fall.

70. I am afraid of riding a bike for the same reason.

71. My biggest irrational fear is falling and breaking my front teeth

72. I have 3 nieces and 4 nephews

73. My fantasy football team went to the "Superbowl" my first year playing. I was the only girl and I beat all the boys.

74. I love listening to Christmas music. I have been known to pop in a Christmas CD in July.

75. I like to save my Christmas and Birthday cards.

76. My favorite day of the week is Wednesday.

77. I have broken my arms a total of 3 times.

78. I have been married for over 5 years.

79. I spend way too much time online.

80. I do not tan - I only burn.

81. I love the sound of Dillon's laugh

82. I like watching cartoons.

83. I like playing games on pogo.com

84. I love shopping at Target. I spend way too much money there.

85. My first job was a photographer.

86. I worked in a library.

87. I sang on worship team at 2 churches.

88. I don't like to drink milk. I only like it in my cereal or if it's chocolate.

89. I love making gift baskets for people. It's my favorite way to give a gift.

90. I watch the ABC Soaps. I have for as long as I can remember.

91. The first concert I went to was New Kids on the Block (kind of embarrassing to admit).

92. I also went to see Paula Abdul.

93. I have seen the Dixie Chicks in concert 5 times. I even saw them in Las Vegas.

94. I always put my shopping cart back in the collection area. It irks me when people just leave them where ever they fancy.

95. I love the sound of an English or Australian accent - Especially on a cute guy :)

96. I have read all of the Harry Potter Books twice.

97. I love going to Sea World. I can't wait until Dillon is old enough to take him there.

98. The first time I felt Dillon kick was at a Ducks game. The first time I felt him go nuts was at the Kelly Clarkson concert.

99. I am a HUGE procrastinator

100. It took me way longer than I would have ever imagined to come up with this list.