What is That on My Head??

I am the latest Bird sister to jump on the early-gray train. Imagine my consternation when Melinda found a gray hair on my head. Not my first, but sightings were rare. Imagine my growing consternation, as she kept saying "Oh!" in a soft, sad voice as she pulled another, and another. Yes, I had a total of FOUR coarse gray hairs on my head. At the young age of 26, I feel this is a travesty. And I'm none too pleased.

Gymnasium Pet Peeve #1

So Kristen's pet peeve reminded me of one of my huge pet peeves, and a big reason why I quit the gym a couple of years ago. As previously noted, I am a creature of habit, and when I belonged to the Gold's Gym, I would always hop on treadmill #8 as it was positioned right by a TV, and smack in the middle of two circulating fans. This created an optimal amount of fresh air, and allowed me to get my run on with a nice amount of comfort. I would also usually go at approximately the same time every night, and it was not very busy when I went. There would be the occasional night that other people would come and use the treadmills, which I certainly don't have a problem with. What always baffled and annoyed me was when there was 10 treadmills available on either side of me, and they would pick the one right next to me. Who does that? This was especially bothersome if they participated in my other pet peeve at the gym, which is wearing perfume/cologne. Because I was in the middle of the two circulating fans, the aroma of sweat combined with said fragrance created quite the stench, and it would blow around me approximately every two seconds. Needless to say, this got me to run pretty quickly, but in the end, I had to quit the gym.

Flashback Fun

We all agreed that the Ricky Martin concert in 1999 was the best $100 we had spent. Here's a favorite picture from the concert . . . we had seats right on the floor and it was amazing . . . shaking our bon bons the whole night long. - Julie

These boots weren't made for walking

I seem destined to be stuck in traffic these days. I left the office in Midvale at 9:30 to be in Tooele by 10:30 a.m. to walk one of our model homes being framed. There was an accident at 45th South and it took over an hour to just get past that . . . needless to say I was late. Once I finally made it, with all of the nice rain we have been getting - the ground was a mud pit. My fearless Rampage Trish boots (one of my favorite things) made it through like a champ. Luckily, I had another pair in the car to change into for the rest of my day . . . I can't leave home without them. -Julie

Office Pet Peeve #1

Picture this scene: You're in a public restroom and there's no one else in there. Then, someone else comes in and takes the stall right next to you! Even though there are several other stalls available! Does this bother anyone else...or is it just me? -Kristen

Daddy Daughter Night

I wasn't sure what to expect from the Hale Theater play - how they would make a musical out of the Civil War, but it was surprisingly good. The big draw was Merrill Osmond - what Utahn doesn't love those Osmonds! As soon as the show started, it was announced that he would not be there and his understudy was playing. You could hear everyone's disappointment that he wasn't there - but his understudy did a good job. Dad and I both thought the singing and dancing was great and there was even a good old fashioned love story - which is all it takes to get me hooked. It made me think about what people before us have gone through for the freedom we enjoy and it also makes me worried for the future of our country because I am not excited about any of the candidates currently running for President. -Julie

Swimming in Saratoga

Just a scant two weeks ago I was stuck in traffic for SIX hours! trying to get home to the Springs after a massive snow storm contributed to accidents that closed the only way in and out. Now today, that snow is melting, and combined with lots of rain our streets have been slowly flooding more and more everyday. Our cars push through inches of standing water everyday. Today on my way to work I noticed that sandbags started appearing around the homes near the lake. Tonight was supposed to be a joint youth activity, but they diverted many of them to help fill sandbags to help keep homes from flooding. Yikes! - Julie

Melinda's 100-ish Things:

So the entry fee to participate in this blog was to complete 100 things about yourself. However, if my list scares you, please be assured that I am a nice, normal person, so stop judging me!

1. I love watches, and always have to wear one. My love started when I got a Swatch in the fourth grade, and I have been hooked ever since. Also, when the batteries die, I buy a new one rather than replacing the batteries.
2. I have a high functioning level of OCD. I like things just so, which may be why I live alone. For instance, my closet is organized by color, and sub-categorized by sleeve length.
3. I love cinnamon bears, but they have to be from Sweet’s Candy Co. And if you really want to make my day, give me chocolate covered cinnamon bears! Harmon’s sells them in a lovely plastic tub, and when they are refrigerated, there is nothing better.
4. I hate being cold! Thus, I happily pay my very expensive heat bill in the Winter.
5. I have always wanted to play the drums ever since I got a Mickey Mouse drum from Disneyland as a young lass.
6. I have taken tap dance and ice skating lessons, and yes, I will give you a demo.
7. It’s good I don’t drink because I love mocktails, especially pina coladas. Ole!
8. All I want is a hot meal at a fair price.
9. I “love” to play tennis. Get it? Ha!
10. I hate feet.
11. My nieces and nephews are adorable, and I love hanging out with them.
12. I hate clutter. Please see #2 above.
13. I have always thought Andre Agassi is foxy—even when he had his mullet and wore the pleated denim shorts.
14. I hate the following words: moist, bulge, lunchmeat and cream.
15. I enjoy the following words: trousers, slacks, blouse and canoodle.
16. I absolutely love to eat out, and list it as one of my hobbies.
17. I love wearing pointy-toed high heels. I have 18 pair currently (yes, I’m a dork and I counted).
18. I am so not a runner, yet I somehow keep entering races. I am going to pass out during the Wasatch Back.
19. I was the governor of my fourth grade class.
20. I love reading magazines such as Us Weekly and People. If I could start a book club with those , I would! (Do I sound completely shallow yet?)
21. I have always love big hoop earrings, and have before J-Lo made them popular.
22. Apparently, I’m a winker.
23. I enjoy the reality TV and elimination shows. How good is Dancing with the Stars?
24. I don’t like long road trips—St. George is my limit. I don’t care what you say, they are not fun after the first hour, and I just want to get where I’m going.
25. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, but why in the world do they have to start playing Christmas music on November 1st? It makes me so angry.
26. I actually like sports, and know the rules for most major sports. However, hockey is still a mystery to me.
27. I love taking cooking classes.
28. Ricky Martin is the best concert I have ever been to. I’m not afraid to admit it, and yes, I am shaking my bon bon right now.
29. I love argyle.
30. I don’t move when I sleep. I have a queen size bed, and only sleep on half of it.
31. As a result, I always make my bed.
32. Getting pedicures is a favorite treat, but my feet are very sensitive, and I can’t sit still while they’re working on me.
33. I love MAC lipglass, especially the Chai flavor. It’s so shiny. I also always have to have a lipgloss of some sort on at all times, thanks to my roommate Andrea from BYU who taught me, “That’s what we do in Oklahoma, y’all.”
34. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
35. I love making lists and checking them off.
36. I organize my grocery lists by sections of the store, because come on, that’s just more efficient.
37. How great is Beverly Hills 90210, years 1-5? I could watch those reruns all day.
38. I am very competitive, but pretend that I’m not.
39. I like to consider myself a fancy person, but I love monster truck rally’s, rodeos and demolition derby’s.
40. I always have ice cream in my freezer! And it’s usually Dreyer’s Rocky Road.
41. I have to force myself to drink water. Bless Crystal Light and their water bottle packets, or I would be perpetually dehydrated.
42. I love the Food Network and cooking shows. Top Chef on Bravo is a good time.
43. I read cookbooks like novels, with the Ivory cookbook being a favorite.
44. I love count downs and “best of” lists.
45. My mom was the kindest, most gracious person I have ever met, and I aspire to be like her.
46. I know all the words to “Bust a Rhyme” by Young MC. All of them.
47. I hate haunted houses and scary movies. Why is it fun to be scared?
48. I haven’t set foot in a public library since I was 8. Luckily, Kristen goes enough for both of us.
49. I love exclamation points!!
50. I heart Jim Halpert. Why isn’t he real?
51. The toilet paper roll must roll from top to bottom. I am always tempted to change it in other people’s bathrooms if it’s not that way, but I haven’t yet.
52. Doing laundry is my favorite chore, and I also love folding my clothes. Is there anything better than clean clothes? I didn’t think so.
53. I have a freakish memory for pop culture, people’s names and birthdays, and conversations I’ve had through the years. So if you talked to me in the 3rd grade, I’ll remind you of it the next time I see you.
54. I don’t have an appendix, but I do have my tonsils.
55. I love the Price is Right and still have a crush on that silver fox, Bob Barker.
56. I read at least one newspaper online every day.
57. Instead of saying, “You’re Welcome,” when people thank me, I end up saying, “You Bet.” I have no idea why I do this.
58. I am not a girl who likes to hang out in my pajamas or sweats after work. I just can’t do it.
59. I love skee ball.
60. I think the Alpine Slide is a good time. My family has been riding it for years, and we all have various battle scars in the form of fiberglass burns from going too fast.
61. I live in shorts in the Summer, along with…
62. Teva Mush flip flops. They’re like walking on pillows!
63. I cannot deviate from a recipe when I’m cooking.
64. I wanted to be a cub scout when I was little. My mom was a den mother, and I loved trying to work on the merit badges with the boys. My favorite activity was making neckerchief slides, and I stored them in my pretty gold jewelry box.
65. I love to travel, particularly to anywhere tropical.
66. How good is raw cookie dough? Papa Murphy’s sells it by the tub, and it is the closest to homemade that I have found. It will be the best $1.99 you will ever spend.
67. I never had to wear a retainer or braces.
68. I believe in celebrating birthday week. (It’s on April 22nd by the way)
69. Everything is better with bacon.
70. I am terrible at parallel parking. That’s what valet parking is for.
71. H&M is the best discovery ever. Thanks Kristen for going to London to discover this little gem!
72. I hate it when people type emails in ALL CAPS. Why do you have to yell at me?
73. Maui Babe is truly a local secret, and may be the best invention ever.
74. I could lie on a beach or by a pool literally all day, and be completely happy. I’m not kidding.
75. The Baja Cantina has the best Mexican food in the state. Just ask Kristen.
76. The Mandarin is pretty much the best Chinese food ever. Whenever I go anywhere else, I always wish I had just driven to Bountiful instead.
77. Hires Big H has the best cheeseburger. I worked there in high school, and this is a hidden gem on their menu.
78. Litza’s Pizza also has fantastic pizza.
79. I always buy the light blue properties when I’m playing Monopoly.
80. Overly chunky foods make me gag. (Is that an overshare? Sorry.)
81. I love a nice apron.
82. I don’t eat leftovers.
83. I love crushed (not cubed) ice. My friend, Betsy, gave me my own ice crusher, so I can have it whenever I want. And I do!
84. Grandma Ruth taught me to find a bonus in anything. When she was in the hospital for hip surgery, she loved her doctors and nurses, and even the food. What a gal.
85. I think standing ovations are overdone, and I won’t participate unless it’s truly deserving.
86. Grandma Irene fostered my love of baking and real whipped cream. Cool Whip is not the same, people!
87. My car is usually clean.
88. I desperately want to be on TLC’s What Not to Wear. Somebody please nominate me!
89. I speak sarcasm fluently.
90. I won the Best Seamstress award in the 9th grade. However, I was terrible at sewing, and mom ended up fixing/making everything for my class. We got a nice giggle out of that for years.
91. At a buffet, I get a dessert with every course to make sure I’m not too full to eat them when I’m done.
92. My dad is the perfect example of what a husband and father should be. I blame him for setting the bar so high, which is why I’m not married.
93. My Grandpa Howard taught me how to sneak candy. Grandma didn’t want him to eat any, so when we visited and were in the kitchen, he would come out to say hi to us, and would then proceed to sneak candy. Brilliant.
94. I am a creature of habit.
95. The tollhouse pie from the Dodo kills me!
96. If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. I can’t stand it when people say that something is going to be too much work.
97. I am a really good sleeper, but rarely remember my dreams.
98. However, I can’t sleep on planes. Going to London was a very long flight. But, as Julie will tell you, Air New Zealand, and all four flight attendants named Jonathan made it worth it.
99. I had a great childhood.

100. I am nearly always on time, but I am habitually 7 minutes late to work every day.

101. I put pepper on almost everything.

102. I love advent calendars and cookie jars.

103. My beverage of choice is Dr. Pepper, with lime. Thanks Doug Redding for introducing me to this ice cold delight.

100 Things About Julie (plus some bonus material)

100 Things About Julie (plus some bonus material)

1. I love reading People on Mondays when it comes - in the summer I used to love to take it out to the pool to read as soon as I came home from work. (Now . . . no pool :( )
2. I'm friendly but only have a few close friends. . . . and I’m good with that.
3. I like to know stuff.
4. I have high expectations of myself and other people.
5. I love my Blackberry . . . but Aiden knows how to work it better than I do.
6. I enjoy reality TV, cheesy Danielle Steel made for TV movies and ABC Family romantic comedies (hello, Pizza my Heart . . . wasn't that the name of it?)
7. I wanted to be a Doctor/Mommy when I grew up . . . I even drew a picture of what I would look like.
8. I love the Teva "Mush" sandal . . . they are like pillows for your feet.
9. I love getting pedicures . . . favorite polish is red OPI brand, "Not Just a Waitress"
10. Favorite way to travel is cruising . . . I love being taken care of. If I’m gone from my room for five minutes, I come back and not only is the bed made, but a cute little towel animal is waiting for me too. I try that at home . . . and the bed is still not made.
11. I don’t like pets; even if you say they are harmless.
12. Movies disappoint me; TV is so much better.
13. I am a reality TV junkie . . .Survivor, Amazing Race, Bachelor . . . I love them all!
14. I love the Food Network. I am dying to be a guest in Ina Garten’s home and have her tell me, "I hope you never leave."
15. My favorite scent at Bath and Body Works is Warm Vanilla Sugar. I also love the Wallflowers and have them all over my house.
16. I like using real ribbon for wrapping.
17. I like doing hair for little girls.
18. I love using WordPerfect . . . Word is not as good. I miss Lotus 1-2-3 as well.
19. Stacy knew I’d like the Gilmore Girls and I was hooked! I caught up watching the DVD’s and couldn’t wait for new seasons to be released. Kristen and I are still waiting for Homefront to come on DVD as well.
20. I collect ideas for any church calling I may have. I have a file folder started for practically any subject.
21. I don’t have a middle name.
22. I am a night-time putterer.
23. There is a process to visual aids that I learned from my Mom that involves several steps . . . (1) coloring; (2) spray glue; (3) clear contact paper.
24. My mixed drink of choice is regular Coke with a squeeze of lime.
25. I like finding great deals and searching at TJ Maxx and Marshalls.
26. I love to shop . . . I take inventory of stores regularly. I am an impulsive shopper . . . and a good returner.
27. I love controlling my own thermostat . . but not so much the bill that then comes with it.
28. I like being alone and have strong hermit tendencies.
29. I have subscribed to Family Fun magazine for over 10 years and hope someday I will have kids to try the ideas out on.
30. I am good friends with my brothers and sisters and we enjoy being together.
31. I love the way we grew up . . . the traditions Mom started . . .the way my Dad loved and respected my Mom and the example both parents are to me as to the kind of person I want to be.
32. I didn’t know if I would like the olive green carpet I ordered for my house - but I love it!
33. I don’t like road trips longer than St. George.
34. However, I do like restaurant road trips
35. Our trip to London in 2007 started great with a trip on New Zealand air . . . I loved the in flight entertainment system and water served with lemon throughout!
36. I want to learn to knit, crochet and decorate cakes.
37. I am a list maker and keep a notebook handy so I don’t forget anything.
38. I love using vinyl lettering and wish I had more places to stick stuff.
39. I love my DVR and setting little surprises for me for when nothing else is on.
40. I am not a fan of hiking or biking.
41. I like shoes . . . it’s the only time I will ever be a size 10.
42. Looking back I realize that people come in and out of your life at just the right time - and hopefully the same goes for them of me. Love the girls of the 15th Ward, Courtney Wasden, Stacy Rowlett, Alison Richins and Velma Nelson among many others that have been an influence in my life.
43. Enjoy Bonsai Steakhouse, Tepanyaki or Benihana where they grill the food right in front of you. My favorite combination is the Samurai Special with salmon, filet mignon and shrimp . . . yum!
44. I like clean smelling clothes . . . right now it’s the Downy Vanilla Lavender fabric softener and dryer sheets.
45. I want to travel more.
46. I am a full-time member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
47. I am always thinking. I have to fall asleep to the TV or I keep thinking and can’t relax.
48. I like to be in control of situations.
49. I love collecting recipes and attending cooking classes.
50. I am dependable.
51. My all-time favorite website is www.sugardoodle.net. She has amazing ideas and I love the file box.
52. Loved the cartoon Cathy . . . she was relatable to this single gal . . . until she went and got married to Irving.
53. Going along with how I like to know stuff, I love the internet, reading the newspaper and good gossip.
54. I like a dry sense of humor.
55. Sometimes my sarcastic comments get me in trouble . . . with Melinda.
56. Saying thank you is important
57. I am inspired by other people’s ideas. I am not a creator but am a good copier.
58. I love organizing (part of being in control)
59. I love good chips and salsa.
60. I love ordering online . . . and then tracking the status of the package.
61. I want to be like Grandma Ruth and look for the bonus in every day. I also admire her ability to make people feel loved and welcome.
62. I want to have the patience of my Grandpa Howard.
63. I got my love of nutmeg, mail ordering, and fresh whipped cream from my Grandma Irene.
64. I love checking the mail each day. Mom used to send us fun packages in the mail with surprises. They were wrapped so well . . .with lots of tape and stickers and decorations. She was always thinking of care packages to send my brothers and sisters who went away to Ricks College and BYU, respectively. I didn’t go away to school, so she would send fun care packages to my work downtown at Questar. The mail room always got a kick out of her decorated packages.
65. I learned to teach and learn with object lessons from my Dad.
66. My favorite Pampered Chef items are the steamer, the plunging pitcher and the garlic press that you can use with the peel still on the garlic.
67. I learn a lot from quotes and love collecting them.
68. I started watching General Hospital with my mom in grade school. Thus began my fascination with Jack Wagner.
69. Why don’t they do made-for-tv movies anymore? My all-time favorite is The Thorn Birds. I painstakingly recorded it years ago onto VHS tapes. It was on after the Olympics in the early hours of the morning. I stayed up to pause during the commercials so I would have an uninterrupted copy. Scroll forward several years and while walking through Target with Melinda I squealed with delight as I found it in its entirety on DVD! I have even read the book.
70. Loved Helen Hunt in the Quarterback Princess . . . another TV movie classic. I tracked that one down and also own that on VHS (I know you are jealous . . . and maybe slightly scared . . .but Jen that I work with loves it too!)
71. I took early morning seminary my senior year in high school so I could have home release. Mom and I would go to lunch and venture out to craft boutiques. We would also watch Regis and Kathie Lee and the Rosie O’Donnell show before she got a little strange. I cherish those memories with my Mom.
72. We’ve been going to the University of Utah gymnastics meets on and off for years. I always wanted to be Lisa Mitzel doing a floor routine to "Let the Music Play" by Shannon afterwards. My favorite thing now is to get a current program and see where all of the gymnasts I remember are now. Melinda and I try to stump each other with ridiculous details that no one but us would know.
73. For those mornings I wake up on the couch (more than I would like to count . . . it’s just so comfy) . . . I love the KMS "Do Over" spray to refresh my hair and the Benefit products that help to conceal the dark circles under my eyes.
74. Love the Shu Umera eyelash curler. Once on vacation I had forgotten it and I made us stop at a store so I could purchase an imitation eyelash curler . . . it’s one of the things I can’t forget on a trip.
75. Am I the only one who loves the movie, Ice Castles?
76. I am not a big book reader . . . but I LOVE to subscribe to magazines (goes along with me liking to get the mail and loving the surprises that come amongst the bills). Some of them I live . . . the aforementioned People, Entertainment Weekly, US Magazine, Real Simple, Hallmark (a new favorite), Rachael Ray, In Style, LDS Living, Ensign and New Era, Wasatch Woman, Salt Lake City, Utah Valley (now that I live here . . .I want to know what’s going on).
77. Favorite fast food breakfast . . Chick ‘n Mini’s from Chick Fil A (with a Coke of course). Little chicken nuggets wrapped in a yummy little roll dotted with honey butter . . . yum!
78. Love the blow dryer from ConAir at Costco . . . it cuts five minutes off of my drying time in the morning.
79. Conossieur of chili verde thanks to many lunches downtown at La Frontera. My current favorite is the Chile Verde Platter from the Cowboy Grub.
80. Whenever we find out someone is going to the Mandarin for Chinese food in Bountiful, it doesn’t matter where we are, we try to come along. Best and most consistent Chinese food! In honor of Mom, we get the Five-Taste Shrimp. Other favorites are Cashew Chicken, Mediterranean Shrimp or Chicken, Potstickers and Chicken Satay for me . . . that peanut sauce is amazing!
81. Best fast food Chinese is Sampan. I love how they individually wrap the containers so you don’t have leakage. And they will give you plates and silverware too! Favorite item there . . . Dinner "A" with Snowball Shrimp & steamed broccoli - it comes with soup (egg drop) fried rice (ham) and paper-wrapped chicken or cream cheese wontons . . . so of course I get the cream cheese wontons.
82. Lemonade from Hot Dog on a Stick . . . or the Training Table.
83. Speaking of the Training Table . . . I love the #25 Turkey/Bacon sandwich (with no tomato), sharing a half order of cheese fries . . .and of course, the lemonade!
84. There is nothing better than all-you-can eat snow crab legs. We used to love it at Red Lobster but now they limit you and just have discounted crab on Mondays - or Crabby Monday. There is nothing better than their crab! A great find in Southern Utah was the Eureka casino in Mesquite on a Friday night . . .we stumbled upon the all-you-can-eat crab there and it was awesome! Note to self: next time bring our own crackers!
85. Love people who are perceptive and thoughtful
86. Favorite Christmas Music - "Mary Did you Know" by Donny Osmond and the Amy Grant Christmas Albums
87. Nothing better in the summer than sitting on the bench in from of Nielsen’s Frozen Custard enjoying a cone or a concrete . . . raspberry is my favorite!
88. I appreciate good service!
89. Love the Rampage Trish boot . . . in black and brown. I stock up each year. It’s the only boot I can last all day in at work.
90. Crave Dreyer’s Strawberry Fruit Bars . . . accept no substitutes. I buy them 8 boxes at a time and keep them in my freezer . . . and only 80 calories each!
91. Thanks Jane McClure for the tip on the best deodorant . . . the Soft and Dry aerosol spray. It kept us dry and fresh through of girls camp.
92. Ponds face wipes do the trick each night.
93. Favorite family cookbook, The Ivory family cookbook, Favorites, available through Utah Make-a-Wish. Everything we try is delicious!
94. Crystal Lite Lemonade Water Bottle packs are great! It helps me drink water.
95. Favorite snacks . . . chocolate peanuts with Pringles lowfat (is there such a thing) chips. Also dry roasted peanuts with a Coke chaser.
96. Favorite undershirts are by Coverwear. They come in my size and don’t constrict my arms and are light enough to wear under everything.
97. Love MAC Lipglass. They keep changing what is available - so I don’t have a favorite color.
98. I love to shop . . . Macy’s and Marshall’s are a favorite destination.
99. Favorite pizza . . . BBQ chicken at Wasatch Pizza or Ham at Litza’s or Italian Village.
100. I like Elmo because he loves everyone.
101. I have always liked Fisher Price toys. When I was younger I was all about My Friend Mandy, Jenny and Becky. They had great clothes and I loved to do their hair. Now I love the Little People line.
102. I like to stock up on things so I don’t run out.
103. I love creating things with computer clip art - specifically DJ Inkers and Finch Family Games.
104. Everyone thought my Mom was their best friend. She made everyone feel loved and special. I admire that trait. She always thought of what she could do for others. While I am grateful for the knowledge that I will see her again, sometimes I wish when I walk in the door at home, she was still sitting in her chair waiting to talk to me and bounce thoughts and ideas off of.
105. When I was younger, I remember that if Dad came home from work and saw that dinner was not ready, he only said, "What am I getting for dinner?" Very much appreciated and I am looking for that someone that is perceptive like that.
106. There is no doubt how much my Mom and Dad love their children.
107. I have always been obsessed with Princess Diana. I watched the wedding to Prince Charles in the wee hours of the morning, collected the magazine articles and even had the haircut . . . that was after the Dorothy Hamill haircut.
108. Am I the only one who watched "Joanie Loves Chachi" and "The Brady Brides?" (Now I’ve scared you, haven’t I?)
109. I love to help people and to root for the underdog.

100 Things About...Kristen!

We decided to start off our blog by listing 100 things about ourselves - no small feat, as we found out! So here's Kristen's list...please enjoy getting to know me!

1. I hate when waiters box up my leftovers for me. It seriously pains me not to have control of loading my own container.
2. I’ve worn glasses since the first grade. My eyesight was so bad it was considered legally blind; then, I got LASIK and now I see 20/25!
3. I love, love, love the library.
4. I’ve been in the audience of “Love Connection.”
5. I love to play tennis.
6. I heart Tivo. I watch more TV with it, but it feels like I’m watching less because I’m so efficient!
7. My three favorite places in downtown Salt Lake City are Temple Square , the Library on 4th South, and Ben’s Cookies at the Gateway
8. I was a volunteer for the 2002 Paralympics; my name is on a wall at the Gateway.

10 incredible things I’ve seen for myself:
9. The sunrise over the Tower Bridge in London
10. The Eiffel Tower sparkling at night
11. A streaker at a rugby game in England
12. David Copperfield disappearing before my eyes (how does he DO that??)
13. 21,000 people in the Conference Center standing up as the prophet walks in the door
14. The view from the top of a volcano in Maui
15. A birds-eye-view from an airplane of fireworks all across the country on the Fourth of July
16. The President of the United States stepping out of Air Force One (it was George W. Bush, but still impressive)
17. The one-armed drummer from Def Leppard playing their greatest hits…that guy’s amazing!
18. The Queen of England driving by me in her gold-crusted carriage. I swear, she looked right at me!

Five Things I Hate to Do:
19. Wake up
20. Do laundry - perhaps the worst of all chores!
21. Go on drives for no other purpose than to go on a drive
22. Get stuck behind a slow walker. Worse yet - a pack of two or three slow walkers. Walking side by side.
23. Return merchandise. Especially clothes, when they ask you why it didn’t work out. It just didn’t, ok??

Five Things I Never Thought I’d Do (but I have):
24. Go skydiving
25. Attend BYU
26. Drive a speedboat in Mexico
27. Run a 10K (I always thought I hated to run; imagine my surprise when it turned out I liked it)
28. Read War & Peace (and enjoy it!)

29. I get tired of clapping.
30. Three favorite books (besides the BOM): To Kill a Mockingbird, The Age of Innocence, The Grapes of Wrath
31. Books that I appreciated/affected me but I didn’t necessarily enjoy: Lord of the Flies, The Stranger, Crime & Punishment
32. Three least favorite books: Heart of Darkness (“the horror!” indeed), Brothers Karamazov (could not finish), Middlemarch (again, could not finish)

Five experiences I would never trade:
33. Talking with my mom late at night, about anything.
34. Studying abroad in London
35. Climbing to the top of a Mayan Pyramid
36. Going to BYU

37. I’m passionate about cereal. I latch on and don’t let go. I had Cheerios every day from youth to college. Now I’ve moved on to Special K with strawberries. I have 2.5 bowls every day.
38. My most valued possessions are my family and my membership in the church.
39. I’m in love with Target.
40. My Achilles Heels when it comes to food are: the aforementioned cold cereal, chocolate chip cookies (especially from Ben’s Cookies), chips & salsa (I can’t get enough!)
41. I’m a night person. I can think of a million things to do late at night instead of going to bed
42. I am a champion boot-thrower. I won first place in the renowned female 13-17 age bracket in X-96’s “Boot-a-Thon” for throwing a hiking boot the furthest.

Five things I’d like to learn:
43. Knitting
44. Swimming
45. How to dance
46. How to play the piano
47. How to sing properly
48. The best concert I’ve been to was…Ricky Martin. I’m not ashamed!
49. I like old movies.

Three Guilty Pleasures:
50. Song: Candy by Mandy Moore (say what you will, but that’s a great song!)
51. TV show: American Gladiators
52. Movie: Stayin’ Alive (the lesser-known sequel to Saturday Night Fever directed by Sylvester Stallone!)
53. Best “beauty” discoveries: the Boots brand tinted moisturizer at Target, and the Conair ceramic blowdryer at Costco (that baby is powerful!)
54. Whenever I walk past a parked golf cart, I have to suppress the urge to steal it and go for a joyride.

Dumbest Injuries:
55. I had a numb knee for six months from a freak disco roller skating incident
56. I once fell off my bed trying to roll away from a large spider on the wall
57. I sprained my ankle (bad!) when I was running to catch a bus and fell off a curb
58. I actually knocked the wind out of myself by hitting myself in the chest with a racquetball racquet

Prominent scars:
59. Two chicken pox scars on my face
60. Two kundi (plural for kundis, meaning an unidentified “development” on the skin). The one on my shoulder changes from flesh-colored to red once every couple of months.
61. One scar on my knee from getting too close to some coral while snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas

62. I worked at Rainbo Sno for one day. Just helping out a friend, but it scarred me from a career in food service for life
63. As a child, one of my favorite sandwiches was peanut butter and Miracle Whip (for that tangy zing!) on white bread. My dad ate them, and my grandpa did, too. I’m not the only crazy one.
64. I will often give fake names at restaurants (because Rhonda, oddly, is easier for people to spell than Kristen)
65. I'm a champion hiking-boot-thrower. I won the illustrious 12-17 Female category in X-96’s Boot-a-Thon. I won a free pair of hiking boots for my trouble.
66. I'm really good at tuning things/people out when I'm reading 67. I have a fondness for Ron Popeil informercials. He had me convinced I needed a food dehydrator. I was 12.
68. Try and best my knowledge of popular music. Go on, try.
69. I’ve hit a duck in the head with a golf ball. Luckily I’m not very strong, so I don’t think it died from the impact.
70. Five favorite websites: ew.com (love their TV Watch and PopWatch), amazon.com, nytimes.com (I‘m not all pop culture), msn.com, and the county library website
71. I don’t like to miss out on stuff - I always like to know what’s going on
72. Yet, I never know the price of stamps. They keep raising it!
73. Biggest pet peeve: when people can’t get to the point. Mostly, I just hate feeling like my time’s being wasted and that I‘m at the mercy of someone else for it. If I’m going to waste my time, it will be on my own terms!
74. Favorite playground games: dodge ball and lightning
75. My worst grade ever was in Descriptive Astronomy. I thought it would be fun - looking at stars, learning the constellations. I was so, so wrong.

3 Things That Scare Me:
76. Confrontation
77. Bugs
78. Being burned alive

79. My favorite shoes as a kid were my blue and black leopard print high-top sneakers. Even at a young age I was demonstrating my eye for high fashion.
80. I cheated death when I jumped from a 30-foot high tree on a ropes course. When I got to the bottom they discovered my caribiners hadn’t been screwed in. File that under “things that should’ve been done before I jumped off the tree.”
81. In check-out lines, I like to get my money out as soon as possible. I am bugged when people get to the checkout and then they fish through their purse for their wallet. I’ve been ready for five minutes!
82. My favorite milk is the Viva Skim Delight or Smith’s Skim Royale. They are a creamy treat!!
83. Speaking of creamy treats, my favorite yogurt: Yoplait Light Thick and Creamies! They are a delight.
84. Favorite snack: Jiffy Pop 94% Fat-Free Kettle Corn. It’s loaded with fiber, if you like that sort of thing.
85. The best brownie I have ever (repeat: ever) had was at Borough Market in London . If you ever go there, look for the Flour Power booth. It’s only a pound fifty per indulgence! (that’s how they label it!)
86. I look forward to receiving my Entertainment Weekly in the mail on Saturdays. It is a highlight!
87. Favorite cookbook: The Ivory family cookbook. Not a bad recipe in the bunch!
88. Random classes taken in college: Folklore, tap dancing, skiing, social dance (it didn’t help), and marriage prep (again, didn’t help).
89. I don’t like cinnamon.
90. I hated to wear socks when I was little. One time we were camping, and I came back with bloody feet from going sock-less. I think after that I started wearing socks, but I am still stubborn.
91. I like to wear beads with most outfits. It makes me feel fancy, much like my Grandma Ruth, who would pair beads with her coordinated sweatsuits
92. Worst movies ever: Solaris and Wild Hogs (if you liked it we need to have a talk)
93. “Classic” movies I have never seen: Goonies, Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park , Pretty in Pink
94. I’m the only one in my family privileged enough to have braces. And I still have a wire on the back of my teeth. But I have a lovely smile
95. I used to hate wearing the sweaters Mom would put me in during grade school. I would wear a t-shirt underneath and take off the sweater as soon as I got to school. Only, one time, my mom came in the middle of the school day for a special event, and she caught me. I thought I was so sneaky…
96. My first pair of glasses in the first grade had some sweet pictures of Smurfs on the sides. I covered them up with stickers (I was high-class).
97. My next pair of glasses was electric blue, and made of some experimental material that kept shattering. So my glasses were super-glued together for years. I loved those glasses, though.
98. I was a member of the smallest stake in the world ( Deseret Towers at BYU, may it rest in peace)
99. I am a certified Professional in Human Resources. Not really sure what that means…
100. I have never broken a bone in my body (so far)