10 Things You Might Not Know / Who Wants to Play Tag?

Via: http://alisonpace.typepad.com/

1. I read a lot. I'm actually reading an Alison Pace book right now.
2. I love to draw, but haven't in months.
3. I had a craniectomy when I was six months old. My scar runs from the top of my head to my right ear. My head feels weird and I love to make people touch it.
4. I'm constantly injuring myself. Last night, I dropped a window on the top of my head. On the bit in front of my scar, actually. I cried when my husband laughed at me for standing there with the window resting on my head. It still hurts.
5. I never wear opened toe shoes because I have an irrational fear of something happening to my toes.
6. My right leg is shorter than my left. When I was younger, I had a heel lift to put in my shoe. I have no idea where that thing is now, though.
7. I think my right boob is bigger than my left, though. Odd, that.
8. I have scoliosis and really should have that checked out because it's getting noticeable. It's been well over 10 years since I've had treatment.
9. I married my high school sweetheart. In November, we'll have been together for 12 years -- married for 8.
10. I tell my husband that I want our future kids to have green eyes like me, but I secretly hope for at least one dark brown eyed baby.

If you have a blog and you’ve just read this, you have to go write ten things about yourself on your blog. Yes, really, you’re it.

Otters holding hands...

Oh, the cuteness.

Gift giving is also hard...

Gift giving is also hard when you're trying not to shop.

My father's birthday was February 23rd. For Christmas, I gave him two nice sweaters and a giftcard for Sam's Club. Oh, and a tin of handmade chocolate dipped Oreos. And was whined at because the gift didn't live up to his expectations. Usually, I buy my dad something weird or fancy. Last Christmas, though, we had just moved to New Jersey, I didn't have a job, and I didn't even have a car most of the time.

And did I mention that my mother was visiting when he called to say thanks and whine at me? Like I wasn't already stressed enough...

Because of these high expectations, I'd been looking for months trying to figure out what to send him. Nothing seemed right. Or something seemed really cool, but was about 10 times my budget. It was a pisser.

Finally, I decided to just send a big box of handmade treats. I figure I can try again on Father's Day.

I ended up sending Man-Catcher Brownies. And OMG, they are the best damn brownie ever. The day he received the box, he called and said, "Did you make these!?!" No hello or how are you, just, "Did you make these!?!"

I think they were a hit.

::Sigh::

Another thing that I've been working on is my shopaholic tendencies.

I am really really sad right now, because Lucky Accessories is running a 30% off everything on their site w/code Spring07. I have the woodland peapod necklace and earrings and they're absolutely gorgeous.

Wouldn't one of the reminder necklaces w/the word "spark" look totally awesome?

Shopping w/out buying sucks.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Chauncey Olcott and George Graff, Jr.

There's a tear in your eye,
And I'm wondering why,
For it never should be there at all.
With such pow'r in your smile,
Sure a stone you'd beguile,
So there's never a teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting laughter's
Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;
You should laugh all the while
And all other times smile,
And now, smile a smile for me.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

For your smile is a part
Of the love in your heart,
And it makes even sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet's sweet song,
Crooning all the day long,
Comes your laughter and light.
For the springtime of life
Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real care or regret;
And while springtime is ours
Throughout all of youth's hours,
Let us smile each chance we get.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

A great big year of great big change.

I guess you could say that this is the year I'm going to grow up. A little. :)

There's been a lot of stuff I've wanted to change in my life, but never really had the will, nerve, or whatever it takes to actually follow through. This year, though, I've decided that it's finally time. There are a lot of little things that need to be fixed, but right now I'm focusing on two big things. The first is my health.

I decided that I'm tired of being overweight. In no particular order:

I'm tired of hurting my body. Looking at my stretchmarks makes me feel so stupid. I'm tired of feeling and looking so much older than my cute girlfriends. (Okay, so that one is stemming from jealousy.) I'm tired of shopping in the plus sized old lady section. I'm not even 30, but I've been a plus for a loooong time. I'm tired of having to buy mens L or XL shirts.

I want a baby. I want to be stong and healthy when carrying little him or her. I want to be able to buy maternity clothes that aren't enormous. I want my belly to actually be baby. It would be nice to take pics that don't have the gross frontal waist dent that I'm sporting now. I want to be able to chase that kid and not have people think, "Wow, she moves pretty quick for a fat girl."

I want to go out with my sister and feel fabulous instead of frumpy. She's so gorgeous and smart. I'm completely in awe of the woman she's grown up to be.

When I was in high school, a friend told me I move like a ballerina. I was 17 and that's stuck with me. I want to feel that easy confidence again.

I've worked so hard for so long at being quiet and hidden. I've had enough of that.

Weight/Inches Lost

As of 3/12/07:
23 pounds
28 inches

Yes, I know I'm weird.

Just watching Ben Lee drink tea makes me happy.

I've been lucky enough to see him play live twice, and got him to autograph cds for my sister and I. He's so cute and wee in person, too.