25 Random Things

I am finding out so much about the people I thought I knew that I kinda dig this random things business. So if anyone is interested here are 25 random things about me and mine:

1. I collect hobbies. Here are a few that I have tried: sewing, knitting, scrapbooking, painting, drawing, glass etching, candle making, calligraphy, card making, floral arranging, decoupage, cross stitch, beading, and many other random crafts. Not suprisingly there are many more things I would like to try.

2. We (Rob and I) own 40 cookbooks (no joke). I'm not sure if this makes us "foodies" but we like to try new foods and experiment in the kitchen. Rob is by far a better cook, but I am a better baker. I make awesome French bread if I do say so myself, and I guess I just did. We also like to try new wines, beers, and other alcoholic concoctions (when I'm not pregnant or nursing of course).

3. I consider myself an artist, regardless of the fact that I have only sold a few things (mostly to family members) and was recently rejected by every plausable gallery in the Oklahoma City metro area (too progressive was the only actual response I got as to why).

4. I have only been out of the country one time. It was on our honeymoon, we went to St. Lucia (and a few days in Puerto Rico). It was fabulous. Thats right I have never even been to Canada or Mexico. I would love to someday be able to travel all over the world, most especially Europe (all that art, history, and new foods....).

5. Since being married into the military we have only lived 2 places : Oklahoma City area and Tacoma Washington. Hopfully that will be changing soon, part of the excitement of the military is being able to go places. Rob, however, has been deployed all over the US and abroad, though not recently.

6. Even though or maybe because I have attended 4 colleges (Lewis Clark State College, University of Idaho, University of Hawaii at Manoa, and University of Central Oklahoma) I do not have a college degree. Someday.... I have also had several majors (fashion design, 3-d studio art, 2-d studio art, graphic design, and a couple semesters where I just didn't know). If I were to go back now I still have no idea what i would want to do.

7. I am a "Beauty School Drop-out." Feel free to start singing.

8. For about a year, I was a stripper. I would say exotic dancer, but to be honest that sounds way classier than it actually was. Now I just hope my kids never ask about what mommy did before marrying daddy.

9. I am really bad at sports, not for lack of interest ( I played basketball in 8th grade and was a cheerleader in 7th - more enthusiasm that skill in both). I just tend to be rather uncoordinated.

10. I like to Google random topics of interest and learn all about things that have little to no application to my actual life. I Googled my name one day and Lacey Leigh is the name of a middle aged transvestite with his own website. Lacey Christiansen actually came up with a couple of things that were actually me though.

11. I occasionally read novels, but tend to have problems putting them down once I start so I try to limit my intake (or my kids think I have forgotten about them). When I check books out of the library they are almost always from either the arts and crafts section or the self help/ psychology section ( I really like reading about personality typing [more on that later] and creativity). The rest of the time its childrens books for me. I heart Sandra Boynton.

12. I have one tattoo. It is of a cross (very poorly done). I would like to have it fixed and get about 5 more. Again, maybe someday.....

13. When I lived in Hawaii, I did NOT learn how to surf. I parasailed, tubed, and body surfed once, but when you say you lived in Hawaii for a while people only want to know if you learned to surf.

14. I never imagined myself where I am today. Married (to the military, no less) with 2.5 kids and a couple of cats (which almost add up to a dog) and a house (2 actually) and 2 cars in the driveway. (Throwback American Dream) But I have to say I am happy and most of the time I like being a wife and a mom - go figure.

15. I love to shop. Mostly at arts and crafts stores (Yay for Hobby Lobby!) and clothes and home decor shopping are fun too. But I could stroll around a craft store for hours and never get bored. Bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils, rows of paints lined up just so, stacks of paper, and aisles of yarn make me smile. I always look in the office supply/ crafts aisles in Target/Walmart etc even though I don't have an office. Buying school supplies was and is always one of my favorite back to school activities. New art supplies make me giddy for days. What can I say, I am a freak.

16. I am a beginner/ intermediate knitter. I have made loads of scarves (warm necks forever!), some fingerless gloves, hats (adult and kid), a couple of sweaters and tops, and a few purses/ bags. Right now I am about half way finished with my first baby blanket (for #3).

17. I have a "black thumb." While the rest of my family is proficient if not brilliant at gardening I cannot grow plants (flowers, veggies, I've even killed a cactus). Sad, especially because I would like to collect it as another hobby. I still try from time to time though, hoping someday that my luck will change.

18. I want to be green. I try to be green. I recycle and but green cleaning supplies, use cold water for my laundry(even tried to make my own laundry detergent - darn it all, Tide just works better), only run full loads in the dishwasher. I really with that more companies made green products and that regular grocery stores carried the ones that are available. But as Kermit the Frog put it "It isn't easy being green."

19. I am a blogaholic. I read my friends blogs fanatically - comments too. I also love to get comments on my own blog - so keep them coming. It helps me to feel in touch with people that I never get to see. I think its extra important to me because I have no social life here outside of my family and one or two friends who I rarely see. Which leads me to #20...

20. I think I might be a hermit someday. I have no problem entertaining myself or being alone. And I rarely desire to be around lots of people. Don't worry I am not agoraphobic.

21. My personality type is INFJ. That translates to Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Judging. I would be very interested to know what personality types my friends are. If you want to know there is a free quiz at : http://www.humanmetrics.com If you do take the quiz post your results or comment to me :)

22. I am addicted to ice cream. I will eat it any time of the day and season of the year. I like pretty much every flavor I have ever tried. I even have an ice ream maker and a recipe book for it and a marble slab for mix-ins. And while I am a junk food junkie and will happily gorge on any sugary delight, ice cream is by far my favorite treat. That being said, right now, I could really go for some cheesecake. (Did I mention I am pregnant?)

23. I believe that there is nothing quite like a good story. Books, movies, music, art, hanging out with Mrs. Meyer.....

24. I built my own website, but have never updated it. I should, I know, but who has the time. Obviously not me.

25. I love to laugh. I think the best and most enduring friendships I have had in my life are with people who can make me laugh and who I can make laugh.

A break....

My grandfather (Mom's side) has passed away and I will be flying to Oregon to attend his memorial service, so I won't be posting anything for at least a week. In advance, Happy Valentines Day to everyone - I hope you are able to celebrate with those you love.

Near Miss

Yesterday, we had a string of thunderstorms come through the area. Several of which produced tornados. Of course Rob was at work and the kids and I were at home. The tornado sirens went off and I flipped on the TV expecting the warning to be for the Oklahoma City metro area. To my suprise I find that most of the metro is being skirted but the storms are headed right towards Edmond (where we live). This is fairly unusual - we rarely have tornados hit in this part of town and February is also tad early for major storms like this (especially long strings of "tornadic super cells" as the weatherpeople call them). So I'm watching the weather and they say to expect up to tennis ball size hail. I panic. Our garage is a disaster area - no room for the car. So I haul my pregnant but out there and shove everything to the wall s as fast as I can so I can get the car inside, which thankfully I do before the weather gets really bad. Then the kids and I huddle in our safe spot covered in pillows and beanbag chairs when the power goes out. The kids are freaking out about no lights and all the thunder and lightning and then the hail starts (as I thank God I got the car inside). About a half hour later the power came back on and Rob called to check on me and the kids. We of course were fine. Turns out the tornado touched down about a half mile to our west then picked back up and touched down again to our north east. Lucky! So in case anyone saw it on the news - We are OK in OK.

Ultrasound pictures...

Pictures of pictures...sorry they aren't very good.

Drum roll please.....

And baby #3 is.........a BOY!!!!! We finally are going to get to use the boy name we have had picked out since we were pregnant with Zoe. Bennett, for those that don't know. Still working on the middle name (Rob wants to keep with the city name theme we have going - Zoe London, Sydney Raine, Bennett ????).