Wordless Wednesday

Throwback Thursday

44 facts

June 19 is my 44th birthday. I thought it might be an interesting post to see if I could create a list of 44 facts about myself. Here goes:

1. I am 5' 7 1/2 but I usually just say I am 5' 8."
2. I am 147 lbs, and even though I don't mind the weight I am concerned about my pillow shaped midriff.
3. My hair hasn't been it's true color for over 10 years.
4. I HATE to be the center of attention. Birthdays, Mother's day, and other days or events that are supposed to be all about me really truly stress me out.
5. I love all things glow stick.
6. I love plastic Easter eggs
7. Bulldogs really are my favorite breed.
8. Mickey Mouse is my favorite Disney character.
9. My favorite foods are potato salad and Navajo tacos.
10. My favorite color is sky blue.
11. I love yarn, and wish I could knit/crochet faster because there are so many projects that are stuck in my head.
12. I am eternally grateful for one child, but wish I had more.
13. I am right handed.
14. My favorite ice cream flavor is cookies and cream, followed closely by chocolate snickers.
15. I love folksy type music, especially if it uses an acoustic guitar. ( Iron and Wine)
16. My favorite actress is dame Judy Dench but I have seriously fallen in love with Bailee Madison  from seeing her play the young snow white on Once Upon a Time.
17. I love sugar coated cereals.
18. I am a big fan of big flashlights.
19. I have 3 life regrets.
20. I would like to visit every single Disney park in my life time.
21. I love crazy hats.
22. I  like to dance.
23. Temperatures below 75* feel cold to me
24. I like being at travel destinations, but dislike getting to them.
25. My favorite sport to play is basketball.
25. My favorites sport to watch is boxing.
26. I hate golf.
27. My favorite holiday is Halloween, followed by Easter (plastic eggs)
28. I don't care for the Christmas Holiday.
29. I cry easily.
30. I cannot eat beef.
31. I used to like taking pictures. Now...not so much.
32. I like girl scouting.
33. I am a fast reader.
34. I hate math.
35. I do not mind being alone.
36. I love the beach.
37. I wear my glasses more than I wear contacts.
38. I like fruits more than vegetables.
39. I get frustrated with new technology, but usually figure it out after a few days.
40. I do not have any tattoos, but would not be opposed to getting one. If I did, it would be a charm bracelet around my ankle with added "charms" of a bulldog, a heart with the letters JB, a heart with the letter R, mickey mouse ears, and the  batman symbol. Maybe a ball of yarn added.
41. One of the stupidest things I have ever done was using my teeth to try and straighten the wires of an electric doll house, while it was plugged in....
42. I have never used recreational drugs, and don't care for the "high". Alcohol makes me dizzy.
43. I don't like scary movies.
44. I like to read, but don't do it often enough.

testing the new phone...

One (out of many) of the problems with the old phone was that it could not update my blog. But now I have a new Samsung Gallery4 that is supposed to be awesome. So far it is only frustrating. ..any way this is a new test for the new phone.  Seems to type ok. Lets add a photo...

Ok...not bad. Now to post.

Father's Day

Once again, it is Father's day, and once again, I struggle with finding the perfect gift. I mean, seriously, what is IT that could possibly express the gratitude that a girl feels for her daddy?

When I was a kid, my dad was a school teacher during the winter months, and a Park Ranger during the summer months. I am POSITIVE our early outings are what laid the foundation for my love of red rocks, hot temperatures and good old fashioned dirt. Last summer when I finally took JB to Delicate Arch, she asked me how old I was when I went there for the first time. I told her I didn't remember, because I was sure it was waaaaay before I even learned to walk.

My dad taught me to build fires, how to pitch a tent, how to read trail markers, and the joy of camping.

He taught me that it's ok to be silly, not to take myself so seriously, and that even grownups can have fun. In fact, some of our funniest family stories revolve around practical jokes that my Dad orchestrated... and my sisters and I would fall for them EVERY.SINGLE. TIME. 

I bet if he called me right now saying he had heard there was a  parade just down the street, I would look out the window just to make sure..... (insert eye roll here).

My Dad has always been a snazzy dresser.... Seriously! He most always wears really nice suits to church, and  shirts and ties to work, and he really does look great. I have NO IDEA the story behind this particular suit, but feel it's got to be a good one! Lookin' Snazzy, Dad!

This look, the one he does with the big eyes, and the little twist of the lips is BY FAR one of my favorite facial expressions that my Dad makes. This is his "You have got to be kidding me" face... and it's usually followed by a stare in someone else's direction as if to say " Did you hear that, too?" and ends with a big hearty laugh. My Dad has the best laugh. EVER.

I am so thankful that he is my Dad, and a fantastic Grandpa to JB.

See how hard it is to find the "perfect" gift?  I know I can't. It is impossible to find.  I'll settle for something lame that catches my eye and reminds me of him in some weird way. But I will always be on the look out for that something a little extra special. Until I find it though, I hope that Dad knows that he makes our day, and that he is greatly, greatly loved.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.