November 2009

I am so thankful for so many things.  Every single day I count my blessings – my fabulous, hard working, kind and loving husband, my sweet, smart, funny and beautiful daughter, our wonderful group of family and friends, our health, having a safe and happy home, sweet little pets and little day to day things like watching my daughter dance, walking outside in beautiful weather or eating a warm homemade pumpkin muffin for breakfast.  I am so very thankful.  Life has not always been easy, and things are not perfect, but I wouldn’t trade any of it, and often wonder how I got so lucky.

A little visitor from the North Pole magically showed up at our house today…

Can’t wait to see where he hides and what he gets in to during his stay with us to watch Bella and report back to Santa on how she’s doing.

Back to the list, getting harder to think of what to write!

31.   I really dislike doing dishes.  I don’t mind doing almost any other chore, but for some reason I just can’t stand doing dishes.  I think it has something to do with not liking my hands being wet and wanting to dry them constantly.

32.   I also have an almost OCD thing about things being balanced and or centered.   If a picture on a wall is hanging off center for example, I HAVE to fix it.  Than all is good in the world.

33.   I am a bargain shopper.   When I’m in a store, the clearance isle/rack is the first place I go.   It’s VERY rare for me to ever buy things like clothing or shoes that are not on sale.   I remember growing up my mom only shopped on clearance, and it’s just how I learned.   Online I always check Retail Me Not for coupon codes before ordering anything.

34.  I also love thrift store shopping.   I started it when I was in college (and 1/2 off days at the thrift store were the only possible ways I could afford to ever buy clothes or home goods).   I went back to it after Bella started preschool, and I couldn’t bear to send her to school in “new” clothing just to get covered in paint and dirt.   While thrift stores aren’t for everyone, I love the “hunt” of finding the hidden gems.

35.  I am one of those rare people who have a true allergy to the sun.  I break out in a terrible rash that itches and hurts for days if I’m out in the sun too long, and if I really push it I end up nauseated for about 24 hours.   This is not terribly convenient when living in Phoenix, AZ.    I always feel like such a pain when I tell people I need to get out of the sun.   Sunscreen doesn’t do diddly to help.

36.  I am terribly afraid of bees, and more so wasps.   I used to joke in high school that one day killer bees would come.  Little did I know, they would!   I will run away screaming like a little girl if a wasp gets near me.  Yeah, I’m pathetic.

37.  I rarely watch tv.  It’s not some big important choice, I just lose interest in it quickly.   I prefer to read or surf the internet.

38. When I do watch TV, it’s typically something on Bravo.  I love Flipping Out, and also admit to enjoying The Rachel Zoe Project and (hanging head in shame) The Real Housewives series.

39.  I love Bloglines.   Quick and easy to read lots of blogs.  Most of mine have to do with parenting, adoption, baking, cooking, entertaining, deal finding and fashion/style (not that you could tell from my uber chic jeans and a t-shirt style).   Some of my favorites are…

http://addictedtocostco.com/

http://www.bakerella.com/

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

http://www.hostessblog.com/

http://www.mattlogelin.com/

http://picky-palate.com/

http://therhouse.blogspot.com/

http://thearizonaexperiment.blogspot.com/

http://www.regretsy.com/  (this never fails to make me laugh)

http://thisweekfordinner.com/

http://youlookfab.com/

And some special friends:

http://www.megganjacks.com/blog/

http://www.6browns.com/

40.  I wear a size 7 shoe, which I recently realized was the same as a size 5 in the girls shoes.  Since that time I have acquired a number of shoes from the girls department.