Random, Frivolous Things About Me

I've read a number of bloggers sharing random facts about themselves in the last month or so.  I should give you guys credit.  My bad.  I think it's because I'm sitting here knowing of 6 off the top of my head, and, well, I admit it, I'm too lazy right now to go find all those posts. 

Today is the 21st of the month, so let's learn 21 random (mostly frivolous) facts about me:

1.  I love naps.  I can sleep anywhere, anytime.

2.  I had problems with my right ankle all throughout high school.  I sprained it, stretched and tore ligaments, and fractured it.  To this day, my left calf is higher/stronger than my right calf because it had to overcompensate for the right leg injuries.  I'm not making it up.  A doctor actually told me this.

2a.  Taking a picture of your own calves is not an easy task.  I swear that the differential between my calves is more obvious than this picture shows.  Or, now, I'm asking myself "am I just being a weird girl and noticing things about my body parts that no one else notices or cares about?"

3.  When I was a kid, I used to wish that my name was Savannah.  I've actually never met anyone named Savannah.

I'm having a difficult time coming up with random "new" things...things that I haven't already shared in this space before, so I'm going to repeat myself here and there.

4.  I have been a Bon Jovi fan since 1984.  I saw them in concert on the "Slippery When Wet" tour when I was in 8th grade.  I have seen them in the ballpark of 15 times. (see next random fact about me)  I call Jon Bon Jovi "the love of my life", and I have no shame.

5.  I have a vivid memory about some things, and other times, my memory is horrible.  For instance, I'm pretty terrible about remembering when/where/how many times I've seen certain bands in concert that I know I've seen multiple times.

6.  I love all things cheese and all things potato.

7.  I've watched 5 episodes of Big Little Lies.  This is the most I've watched of a dramatic series since Dexter.  Yep, I'm a little behind the times when it comes to television.

8.  Even though I don't watch that much tv, or that many nominated movies, or listen to that much current music, I still really enjoy watch awards shows like the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the Oscars, and the Grammys.

9.  I have 12 tattoos and a wish list for more.

10.  Prior to my current situation, I'd always had full bred dogs from breeders.  Now, I have 5 adopted fur babies who are nowhere near full breeds.

11.  I have been a nail biter my entire life.  I can still hear my grandmother's voice in my head telling me to "stop biting your nails!"  I've tried every bit of advice and product ever given to quit this filthy habit.  Finally, I gave up and decided I will wear fake nails for life.

12.  I adopted this as sort of a life motto after seeing it on pinterest a few years back:

13.  I believe the world would be a happier place if we all sent/received more care packages.

14.  I don't like olives or any of these other foods. 

15.  I used to think I was a guy's gal.  I had a lot of male friends.  I'd been accused of "thinking like a guy".  Now, I find myself much more in tune with being a woman, supporting other women, and cherishing my female friends. 

16.  I'm a rocker chick at heart, and many of you know this.  When my 9 year old stepkid just handed me his ipod and asked me to put "Monster" by Skillet on it, my rocker heart was very happy.  AC/DC is his favorite band.  No, this isn't a random, frivolous fact about me...but it was still a fun fact to share.

17.  I am a member at 3 different library systems (all of them with multiple locations), and I'm about to join a fourth.  I moved work locations...I need to join the library near my work.  Duh.

18.  I was born feet first. 

19.  I pretty much like cherry-flavored anything.  Cherry Coke.   Cherry candies (Starburst and Jolly Ranchers.)  Jim Beam Black Cherry.  Cherry Pop Tarts.  Cherry pie.  Cherry cough syrup.  Give me all the cherries...fake or real.

20.  I took dance from the ages of 4 to 10, and I was on an organized dance/drill team in junior high, high school, and 2 years in college.  I still remember choreography from random dances to the likes of Billy Idol's Mony, Mony, Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compares to You, Johnny Gill's Rub You the Right Way, Van Halen's You Really Got Me...and more...

21.  I've never drank a cup of coffee.  Oh, I've had a couple of sips of one.  Multiple times to see if my taste buds have changed, but they haven't.  I don't like the taste of coffee anything.  Not even coffee ice cream or tiramisu. 

Did you learn anything new about me?  Tell me one random, frivolous thing about you that you don't think I know...

Stuff & Things vol.10

Jumping right into my random thoughts this Thursday...

• Adele was here.  I know lots who went.  I like concerts (I mean, I like them a lot), but for some reason, I had no desire to see Adele.  Actually, I think I'd enjoy having some beers with Adele but just wasn't wildly interested in her concert. I mean, if someone gave me a free ticket, I'd have gone.  I'm sure it was spectacular, but I have no feelings of missing out.

• I've mentioned to Heather and Kathy, so I thought I'd share here....you know how the American president is often called "the leader of the free world"?  I'm in favor of passing that torch to the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Photo from article: Justin Trudeau's 7 Most Wonderfully Feminist Moments Will Make You Love The Canadian Leader Even More

• Remember when I decided to offer my books that I'd already read?  Only 4 books remained unclaimed and those were donated.  I was pleased, I enjoyed sending the packages, and will definitely do this again. 

• I've had some bizarre dreams the last week.  I'm a regularly bizarro-dreamer, but these have been pretty special.  For instance, I had a dream that my mom's guy was lifelong friends with Kenny Rogers.  He ended up visiting them at the same time that I did, and my mom kept cancelling plans with me to hang with Kenny. 

• Currently, I'm reading The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley.  There is a part with the ashes of a loved one being taken to a special place.  I've decided, if I die I want half my ashes in Texas and half my ashes here in Australia.  If my wishes are expressed on my blog, is that legally binding?  Probably not.  Guess I need to tell the appropriate people.

lajva[g]a kja"R j

ah     <---------- Astro just walked across the keyboard.  I thought I'd keep his "thoughts" in the post for you, just in case you read cat lingo.

• If you are a rock music fan, this is a "must watch".  This video is just one of those examples that I'm so happy the internet was created, so something this entertaining could be shared.  Watch "Kids React to Guns N' Roses":

Linking..... with  Kristin:

3 + 3

Steph created this...and then she did it again.  Some of you participated, and now, I am too.

Three things I'd never give up 
My American citizenship (although I've entertained the idea of dual citizenship because that is possible between America and Australia), wearing fun shoes (back in the day, my faves were lime green reebok hi-tops; now, mine are sequined Converse), going to see live music (even though I don't go as often as I used to) ~ I'm going to see Guns N Roses this Friday and JET next Thursday.

Three favorite vegetables
potatoes, green peas, carrots

Three shows I watched faithfully from beginning to end
Oz, Dexter, The Sopranos - yes, HBO had me hooked for a while

Three places I want to visit inside the US
NYC (can you believe I've never been to New York?), San Francisco (and I'm going in June!), Big Bend National Park

Three places I want to visit outside the US
soooo many places, but these 3 popped into my mind first:  Queenstown NZ, Japan, Scotland

Three things I always have with me
phone, book, ponytail holder

Three things that are always in my car
coins in the center console, a blanket (because my husband likes it to be freezing), sunglasses

Three most recent phone calls were to/from
my mom, my cousin, my guy

Three books I read and loved in college
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz
I was reading the early books of the Prey series by John Sandford while I was in college

Three most often used makeup products
Clinique double pressed matte powder, Make Up For Ever Aqua XL eye liner, Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara

Three things that make me laugh
my fur babies, my guy & his inappropriate humor, Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer


Three things that make me cry
homesickness, body image issues, depression

Three things I frequently forget

I can be quite forgetful, so I forget what I frequently forget

Three errands I love to run
Library day!, picking up the stepkid from school, getting my hair cut & colored

Three restaurants I want to try
The Stuffed Beaver
Brooklyn Depot
The Cut


Three famous people I'd like to meet
I'd like to have dinner with Condoleeza Rice, I'd like to have drinks with Pink, and I'd like to be friends with Drew Barrymore

Three famous people I'd like to avoid
Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian

Three things I recommend
sending care packages, Too Faced Melted Matte Liquefied Lipstick, LuLaRoe leggings (I know, I know, I'm not the first to recommend these)

Three books I loved in the elementary/junior high days:
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Ramona Quimby books by Beverly Cleary

Three things I always look forward to
A visit to Texas, hugs from my guy, eating

Three things I always dread
hearing the alarm in the morning, getting on the scale, reading about a Trump Executive Order

Share some of your answers to any of these questions in my comments, or answer them in your own post...giving credit back to Steph. 

Stuff and Things vol.7

Let's jump right into this, shall we?

I've been busy.  We all get busy.  Question for you: if you get busy and you feel that you aren't reading blogs or answering comments in the timeframe that you want, do you stop posting?  Or do you continue posting and just catch up when you can?  I know there isn't a "right" or "wrong" answer to this question...I'm just interested in how others handle this. 

The election.  So much to say.  So many things have been said.  One friend of mine from high school has been teaching internationally for the last ten years.  She is currently in South America.  She has also lived in the Ukraine, Asia, and (if I remember correctly) Portugal.  She has been vocal on facebook.  One person asked: "Why do you care?  You haven't lived in the U.S. for years?"  Many others handled this question appropriately.  I responded to just count me into that category of "American citizen living in another country who still cares."  But, I really just wanted to post this gif:

I am inspired by this friend of mine.  She later posted that twice a year she scores essays for an international college and has done so for years.  She is going to use the money earned from that task and donate to two causes that she believes in - Planned Parenthood and the ACLU.  I love this.  It could be any causes or worthy organizations.  But, I love the examination of what she, as an individual, can give and supporting groups that she feels are deserving.

We had a woman drop of her watch for a battery one day.  She picked it up the next day.  When doing so, she received a document listing her item that she left, the work that will be done to it, and the amount owed.  We have MASSIVE, bright "Closing Down" signs in our window.  When she came back to pick up her watch, she said "oh, well, you're closing down...I don't think I should have to pay anything since you can't offer me a warranty."  For an $18 service.  Maybe she shouldn't have left it in the first place.  Am I getting overly annoyed with the general public as closing draws nearer?  Maybe.  I just need all idiots to stay away.

I signed up for a 10k walk (walk, not run) that's happening March 2017.  I'm in the worst shape I've ever been.  I gotta start somewhere, and I have a super duper friend who motivated me to do this walk together.  Plus, it supports the Starlight Children's Foundation which is a great cause.  Double plus, it's called "A Walk with a Finish for Foodies".  That's right.  At the end, there will be "Picnic Market stalls for gourmet treasures including cheese, cured meats, artisan breads, crafty beer and boutique wines." 

We've all seen little sayings/memes like the one above, right?  I guess that I am a dog.  I am motivated by food.  I'm not ashamed.  I rather like dogs. 

When we close the shop, I'll be changing library that I frequent.  I've gotten carried away by this fact.  It seems like I'm trying to get all the books before I change, and a lot of my reserves are coming in.  Currently, I have 10 things checked out, and I've received notice for 4 more things to pick up.

During a major "Spring Clean" about a month or so ago, I found some leftover Christmas cards that I planned to use this year.  Do you think I remember what I did with them?  Nope.

Making my Christmas list...why is it every year that I get to those important men in my life (my husband, my dad, my brother), and I can never figure out what to get them? They are also the ones that are no help...they tell me that they don't need anything and to not buy them a present. 

What do you buy those "hard to buy for" men in your life??

Linking up with  Kristin:

Stuff and Things: vol.2

Let's jump right into this thing:

• I'm still making my way through all the Show Us Your Books links.  I like to read them allllllll every month. 
• When I participate in link ups, I really try to read and comment on the hosts' posts and read as many of the links that I have time for.  Often, I read them all.  But, I've been slack the last few weeks, and I feel blogger guilt because of it.
• I posted this on twitter.  I'm sure we've all felt like this, am I right?
  
• As most of you know, the husband and I work together.  His day off is Tuesday, and I must admit I miss him on Tuesdays.  We've developed a really good rhythm and are a good team in the store.  When he's not there, it's all on me.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed; other times I feel like I miss opportunities with customers that I know he'd captialize.
• Speaking of work and Tuesdays, a potential customer came in this week.  After looking at some things, she emailed Neil later with some ideas for a custom design.  She told him that the "Canadian lady" was helpful.  I have to laugh every time someone confuses me for a Canadian.  I'm from the furthest U.S. state away from Canada, except Hawaii and the tip of Florida.
• I was stopped by three women, at least ten, possibly twenty years older than me.  They asked about my book tattoo and told me how "lovely" and "wonderful" it is. This exchange made me happy. 
  
• I sent a care package this week.  I love sending care packages.  The world needs more care packages.
• Happy 3rd birthday to my number one cuddle buddy, my sugar booger, the cat who changed me that day at the Animal Welfare League when he crawled into my lap as an 8 week old kitten, Astro.  Not a night goes by that we don't have a five to thirty minute cuddle session when I go to bed, and my heart is fuller because of it.

Linking up with  Kristin & Joey

Stuff & Things: The Revival vol.1

Folks.  I was so pleased to read that Kristin & Joey are bringing back the Stuff & Things link-up every Thursday.  Let me tell ya some reasons why:

• I can foresee me not being able to blog as often for a little while (which is no big deal), but I still want to stay connected, and this is a perfect way to do it.
• The few times that I participated previously, I spelled Kristin's name incorrectly.  Now, I can redeem myself. 
• I like random posts.  I like to read them, and I like to write them. Since there are NO rules to this link-up, I get to read/write about random things - woo hoo!

And, away we go with my randomness for the week.............

• Immigratin' ain't easy.  Just sayin'.  I don't want to vent and complain because it is all a part of moving to and living in another country.
• Warning: this rant may not matter to you unless you are a Bon Jovi fan.  Australia has their own version of the Today show.  This week, they interviewed Richie Sambora because his RSO project with Orianthi is coming to Australia later this month for some gigs.  The Today show decided to advertise that they had a "Bon Jovi" announcement and played "Blaze of Glory" in the background.  Uhm.  Hello.  Richie ain't in Bon Jovi anymore (not being nasty, just stating truth).  This was no Bon Jovi announcement.  It was an "RSO" announcement.  And, Blaze of Glory isn't even a "Bon Jovi" song.  It is a Jon Bon Jovi solo release.  It features Jeff Beck on guitar.  I know, I know.  I'm getting quite specific here, but can't the tv producers do a *little* more fact-checking before advertising this?  Hell, Richie may have even wanted his promo to be about his new project with his new music, and not some song that Jon wrote and recorded without him. 

• In the news of another ex-college athlete that commits rape (I originally wrote about the story January 2015), here's some proof that there are indeed judges with some sense (I missed this story during the Brock Turner furor):  Ex-Vanderbilt football player Corey Batey sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping unconscious woman with his teammates.  Fifteen years is a helluva lot more than 6 months.  A step in the right direction.  Thank you, Judge Monte Watkins.
• The Living End is a beloved Australian power pop-rock-punk band that formed in 1994.  They've got a new song that I'm sure there are some purists who may not be fans because it sounds a lot like it could come from the Goo Goo Dolls...but, I love it...maybe that's because I love the Goo Goo Dolls?

Happy Thursday everyone!

Thursday Thoughts vol.4

Hey, hey.  Two weeks in a row of "Thursday Thoughts".  Let's see how long I keep this momentum...

• Why do some people think that everyone else on their train carriage wants to hear their conversation? We don't. I don't care if "Graham trialed it today" or if "Gary hid a bottle of Scotch in the baby bag" when he came over for a BBQ or if "Jeannette hates everything about it".  All of this from a repeat offender, a guy that has carried on a lengthy, loud conversation previously on my same train route.  Hey, curly blonde dude that talks loudly through a hands free device as you sit back with your arms crossed, I'm talking about you.  Thanks for ruining my reading time douche bag. *ipod in*

• My brother and sister-in-law are celebrating 25 years of marriage...during that time they received 3 college degrees between them, are in the midst of raising 3 amazing (yes, I'm biased, but they are amazing) teenagers, loved and lost 3 Labrador retrievers (r.i.p. Deion, Stormi, and Coco).  All of this and they still really, really like each other.  They hold hands.  They laugh.  They go on family vacations and take mini-getaways just the two of them.  They exemplify love, commitment, faith, and devotion.  Happy Anniversary to Brian & Stephanie!

• Their wedding was the summer between my Senior year of high school and Freshman year of college.  How did 25 years go buy so quickly?!?!
• We moved into our house June 2015.  We were receiving electricity bills addressed to "Dear Customer".  We were paying those bills.  At some point, I contacted the energy provider to make another payment and was informed that no name was attached to the account.  That I needed to create an account in my name at that address.  Fine.  Seems reasonable.  I did that.  Then, I received a statement saying that I owed back payments and new payments to my new account.  After several phone calls, it appears that all our previous payments were applied to the generic "Dear Customer" account.  But, since creating my account and telling them how long I've lived there, they won't credit those payments to my account without proof of payment.  What a freaking headache.  Off to the bank I go to get bank statements printed.
• Jana and I haven't decided what next week's playlist theme should be.  Any requests?
• My mom told me that one of my new tattoos looks like a "devil".  Apparently, the leaves look like devil horns in her opinion.  She cracks me up. 

  

• I realize that most of these aren't true "thoughts" but more ramblings.  There is a difference. 
• To steal from Steph and her ecard of the week, I'll share a "meme of the week":
  




Got any ramblings you want to share with me?

25 ?s

Take a look at a fellow book lover's answers (from Bevchen Confuzzledom*)
*I know that isn't her "real" name, but how cool would it be if it was?

1. What is your middle name?: Elizabeth
2. What was favourite subject at school?: I loved Spanish, but sadly, I couldn't have a proper conversation with a Spanish speaker because I never immersed myself.
3. What is your favourite drink(s)?: cherry coke, hot tea, a good margarita, Crown Royal & 7, Smithwick's or Shiner Bock beer, sparkling water
4. What is your favourite song at the moment?:  I can never choose just one.  Let's see.  One of my all-time favorite artists (Butch Walker) has a new album coming soon called "Stay Gold"...that song is already on Spotify.



5. What is your favourite food?: All things TexMex
6. What is the last thing you bought?: I downloaded two books from two different bloggers.
7. Favourite book of all time?: Impossible.  The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is the book that I've read the most times.
8. Favourite colour?: Hot pink
9. Do you have any pets?: Look!  A question that allows me to show off my fur babies! (L to R - Sally & Dolly aka The Destructive Duo, our mutt sisters; and our rescue kitties Astro, Ivy, & Ricky)

10. Favourite perfume?: Dior Addict Shine (I think that's what it's called)
11. Favourite holiday?: It used to be Halloween, but I can't say I have a favorite holiday anymore...anything that involves food and rest.
12. Are you married?: Yes
13. Have you ever been out of the country, if so how many times?: I'm guessing this question is assuming I live in the same country that I was born, which I don't, so, yes, I've been "out of the country"; times? I don't know, but I've been to 13 different countries, some of them more than once.
14. Do you speak any other language?: see question #2
15. How many siblings do you have?: One full brother; plus step-siblings and in-laws
16. What is your favourite shop?:  Every time I'm back in Texas, DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) is a must.
17. Favourite restaurant?: In Sydney, Chophouse ... a fantastic steak house ... and by answering these questions, I just learned that 17 hours ago, a news report says they are in "receivership", meaning they are for sale or could go bankrupt.  That sucks.
18. When was the last time you cried?: 2 days ago
19. Favourite blog?: I have probably 10-12 that I read almost everything that is published.
20. Favourite movie:  Love Actually, Grease 2, Almost Famous, Urban Cowboy, The Outsiders
21. Favourite TV shows?: of all time - Oz (the HBO prison show); there is not one television series that I faithfully watch right now
22. PC or Mac?: PC
23. What phone do you have?: IPhone
24. How tall are you?: 5' 6"
25. Can you cook? I can follow easy recipes.

Learn anything new about me? 

Confesh Sesh

Hey there!  Here I am, linking up with some totally random confessions (because my head is regularly filled with totally random thoughts.)

I confess that I say "heighth" instead of "height".  I add a random "h" sound at the end.  My husband pointed this out a few years ago, and in all my 30+ years of speaking, I'd never noticed.  #maybeitsatexasthang

I confess that I love Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing, but I don't like Jennifer Grey as Baby.  #sorrynotsorry

I confess that I don't like coffee, so sometimes, I get bored by all the coffee pics, Starbucks mentions, memes about coffee, and so on.  #coffeecoffeecoffee #blahblahblah

Amendment:  If your coffee pic consists of showing off a cute mug, the fur baby next to it, what book you're reading, or a pretty view in the distance...then I'm A-Okay with that.  #carryon

I'm aware that not everyone is a book nerd like I am, so they probably get bored with all my book posts.  #toeachtheirown #thatwasntaconfession #ohwell

I confess that I enjoy this meme far more than I should.  #needmorepiñatas

I confess that I've studied enough Spanish in my life that it bothers me that the meme doesn't have an "eñe" in "pinatas".

I confess that I have no interest in Harry Potter.  Not the books.  Not the movies.  #dontbothertryingtochangemymind

I confess that I cry wayyyyy more than I should over a stupid reality singing competition show.  #thevoiceau #everyonehasastory  Like this brave woman who suffers from PTSD after a deployment in Afghanistan.  She sang a beloved song by an Aussie band, and the coach that turned for her is a beloved Aussie songstress.  It is really a lovely moment that you should see.

Photo source

I confess that I think some customers are so freaking self-absorbed that they don't deserve my excellent customer service.  #argumentativecustomersaremyfave

Let me give an example: a woman came in on Tuesday, speaking rather loudly and aggressively about an issue that she had Monday.  She kept saying "remember, I spoke to you yesterday" and "I tried to explain to you yesterday".  Well, it wasn't me that she spoke to (or tried to explain something to)because I don't work on Mondays.  I wasn't here.  The other female that works in our shop is an Eurasian Australian; she was born in Australia to a Chinese mother and a British father.  She has dark hair and dark eyes.  She speaks with an Aussie accent.  I have pinkish hair, blue eyes, and freckles.  I speak with an American accent.  We are easily discernible if this woman had paid any attention to who she was speaking to.  (or is it to whom?  do I care?  no.)  Yet, I tried to help her with her issue, but she said she "didn't have time" to explain to someone else.  Could she speak to someone who was here on Monday.  I was fucking happy to pass her off.

With that happy little vent session, I'll leave you be to have a happy humpday!  What are you confessing?

  Wednesday link-up with Nadine & Kathy and Laura & Lauren

Twitter is 10

Twitter and I have had an inconsistent relationship.  Sometimes, I love twitter.  Other times, twitter annoys me.  Some days, I ignore twitter, and other days, I'm tweeting multiple times. 

 

I'm pretty random about who I follow too.  I follow friends, bloggers, athletes, musicians, authors, and other celebs that I enjoy, but not all.  I don't really go searching for anyone to follow.  I just find them when something comes up pertaining to that person, and I think "do they have a twitter?" 

 

I live tweet, but only some events.  If you aren't a fan of my same sports teams, I may annoy you on game days, but not all game days.  I'm sarcastic, I get political, and sometimes I'm just silly or dumb.  I quote books, and I vent.  I'm random.  What else is new?

 

To celebrate twitter's 10th birthday, I thought I'd share 10 of my retweets to give you a slice of what you may find if you follow me @TexErinSydney :

 

Something true funny like this:

 

Something from a fellow blogger and Trump NON-supporter:

 

Something from one of my sports viewing moments when I can't actually watch the game, so I'm following along on twitter:

 

Something super awesome from a super awesome celebrity, like the time RDJ teamed with Make-A-Wish Australia for a boy to be Iron Man for a day:

 

 

Something that calls out hypocrisy and/or idiocy:

 

 

Something from Ellen giving her own spin and addition to the new Barbies:

 

Something celebrating the talents and contributions of a musician who passed away:

Something from another fellow blogger when I can relate:

Something that (again) calls out idiocy:

Something that calls out trolls and applauds one bad-ass singer:

What's your relationship with twitter?  Let me know your username so I can follow you, or follow me at TexErinSydney.

Linking up with Kristen and Joey:

Have I?

I saw this floating around facebook and thought it could be used for an outline for a future blog post.  Then Christina did it, and I enjoyed reading her answers.  I was getting my post ready and pulling pictures which involved me pulling a picture of Jesse James and me.  That same day, he passed away.  Post was postponed. 

So, here's some "stuff & things" about me:

(   ) Shot a gun

I know.  I'm from Texas.  You assume I have, but I haven't.

(X) Gone on a blind date

It didn't work out.
 

(X) Skipped school

(X) Watched someone die

My step-mother passed away from cancer in 2003.  It was heartbreaking to watch her endure and fight that battle.

(  ) Watched a baby's birth

(  ) Visited Canada

(  ) Visited Hawaii

(  ) Visited Cuba

(X) Visited Europe

Several times; one of my besties who I was inseparable from for about 10 years lives in Milan, Italy; So, I've been to Italy...and Austria, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland

at the "Top of Europe"

(   ) Visited South America

(X) Visited Las Vegas

Too many times to count; too many brain cells lost.

(   ) Visited Central America

(   ) Visited Asia

(   ) Visited Africa

(X) Visited Florida

Several times: Destin, Seaside, Orlando, Ft Lauderdale, Daytona, Miami

the fam, a few years ago, in Seaside, Florida ~ 3 more husbands have been added to this group, plus 2 more kids and 2 step-kids

 

(X) Visited Mexico

Yep.  Border towns.  Lots of times.  You know, because Texas borders Mexico, but I've been across the California border too, plus Cancun, Cozumel, Cabo, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos
 

(   ) Seen the Grand Canyon in person

Can't believe I haven't done this.

(   ) Flown in a helicopter

I get motion sickness, and I'm pretty certain I'd vomit.
 

(X) Served on a jury

The defendant left a previously healthy (then) 2 year old child disabled for life: partially blind, using a feeding tube, in a wheelchair; we found him guilty and gave him 75 years; This was not his first violent or felony offense; he appealed and lost; he's currently in a Texas prison where he belongs.

(X) Been lost

Physically and metaphorically
 

(X) Traveled to the opposite side of the country

Opposite of where?  I guess it doesn't matter because I've been from Texas to North Dakota and California to the East coast.

(X) Visited Washington, DC

Three or four times; every American should go.

(X) Swam in the ocean

Atlantic & Pacific

(X) Cried yourself to sleep

(X) Played cops and robbers

(X) Played cowboys and Indians

(  ) Recently colored with crayons

(X) Sang karaoke

Unfortunately
 

(  ) Sang a solo or duet in church

Fortunately

 

(X) Paid for a meal with coins only

Recently; it helps that there are $1 and $2 coins here

(X) Made prank phone calls

I was a tween before caller ID
 

(X) Laughed until some beverage came out of your nose

Frequently

(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue

(  ) Had children

(X) Had a pet

Brownie, Rocky, Ace, Moses, Jesse James; and I now have Astro, Ivy, & Ricky (kitties) plus Sally & Dolly (doggies)

(X) Been skinny-dipping

(X) Been fishing

(X) Been boating

(X) Been downhill skiing

Yes, I'm holding a snowboard, but I gave that up and skied instead.

(X) Been water skiing

It wasn't pretty.

(X) Been camping in a trailer/RV

for a music festival
 

(X) Been camping in a tent
Last time was just a couple of months ago, and we're considering it for Easter weekend too.

(X) Driven a motorcycle

As a kid, my grandparents had a few small motorbikes on their acreage.

(X) Been bungee-jumping

In Vegas & Switzerland

(X) Gone to a drive-in movie
There's one local, and we take the boy a couple times a year.

(X) Done something that could have killed you

(X) Done something that you will regret for the rest of your life

(   ) Rode an elephant

(   ) Rode a camel
There are places in Australia that offer camel rides; I passed; the camels looked so sad and unhappy about this "job" that I felt so bad for them.

(X) Eaten just cookies or cake or ice cream for dinner

Last week

(X) Been on TV

Houston news interviewed me while I was supporting some friends in the Houston marathon; my sound bite was "I don't run unless I'm being chased."
 

(X) Stolen any traffic signs
With a guy who had a baseball scholarship; he could have been arrested and lost his scholarship, not smart, but I really wish I still had that Texas Avenue sign.

(X) Been in a car accident

more fender benders than I would like to admit

(X) Been in the hospital in past 24 months

to take someone else to the emergency room, but not for any of my own ailments

(  ) Donated blood

(   ) Gotten a speeding ticket in the past 12 months

 

(X) Gotten a piercing

My ears are double pierced; not really exciting piercings, but I guess they count.

 

(X) Gotten a Tattoo
I'm always developing ideas for more.

they really don't hurt as bad as this appears

(X) Driven a manual transmission vehicle

 

(X) Ever owned your dream car
I loved it more than words can say.

 

(X) Been Married

(X) Been divorced

(X) Fell in love

(X) Fell out of love

(X) Paid for a strangers meal

 

(X) Driven over 100mph.

(X) Been scuba diving or snorkelling

In Mexico and Australia

(   ) Written a published book/story/poetry

(X) Eaten snails

When in France...

 

Any facts about you that you want to share with me?

Linking up with Kristen and Joey: