25 Things

So things have still been crazy and I've been slacking on the blog - I know! But Jim's sister Mary Jesse graduation college this weekend, I"m heading to Buffett tonight and all things seem to hit at once. With that being said, a lot of good blogs coming up!

In the meantime, I got this note on Facebook awhile back and liked it. I liked reading other people's things and I liked sharing...so enjoy, 25 things you may not have known about me.

1. I like to scare people. I like jumping out at people, hiding in scary places and doing anything to give people that “wah wah” feeling.
2. I was in a movie, Milk Money and had a big part – my face takes up the whole screen. 2 weeks off school and lotsa money at 12 - so was awesome.
3. I was on Oprah. Well asked a question and was featured. David Copperfield was the guest and they pre-screened who asked and the question. I was 15.
4. Aside from what people think, I’m pretty good at holding secrets.
5. I cannot stand the feeling of things rubbing on my front teeth . Paper towels, food and even carpet – Yes, it bothered me so much that I had to try rubbing them on carpet- it’s weird but true.
6. I was in Nairobi when they sentenced several of those involved in the US Embassy bombing in 1998. This was in 2001 and prior to 9/11 and it was still very unsafe. We were told not to leave our hotel and we would leave first thing in the morning.
7. I hate when things snag on my nails, like clothes or wool. I tend to avoid wool because of this.
8. My family and I were once stranded at sea. Our boat sprung a leak and we made it to an abandoned island and waited for help.
9. I laugh at inappropriate times. Like when people are injured or anything should be taken seriously.
10. I was in the middle of a two country revolutions, one violent and one not so much. I traveled with my Mom and another woman to the jungles of Costa Rica and the country revolted against the electric company and caused fighting and violence among it’s own people. We had to be escorted out and walk miles with protected guards because roads were closed. Unfortunately, all film and memory of this trip was lost due to stolen luggage and it never made the news in the states. Second time was in Belize and the country was refusing to pay the high rates on gas so the electric company would shut off power and water supply randomly. Not so violent but awfully annoying.
11. In high school my car had a Mickey Mouse decal painted on. It was a used car and my parents so nicely bought it for me so can't complain, but hated that Mickey.
12. I still get scared walking up stairs that someone is chasing me. I often times sprint up them.
13. I used to have my right eyebrow pierced.
14. I believe those who have passed can contact us and have been contacted by my Dad. I had a series of weird, random events including vivid dreams and him guiding me places. I saw an angel lady because it spooked me a bit and then I was comforted by it.
15. On that note, the family who moved into the house he passed away in, where we used to live, had the house “cleansed” because she often felt his presence and claimed she saw him once. I guess that’s an exorcism with the priest and all?
16. I absolutely cannot stand anything with bones – broken bones, bruised bones or bones touching. Don’t even get me started on banging together wrist or ankle bones.
17. I worked almost my entire time at college, not because I had to, but because I wanted to and it seemed right. I saved all this money and traveled to places I never imagined I would go, like Andorra.
18. Scuba Diving and being underwater is extremely peaceful for me. I like the sound and the feeling of being so small in such a amazing place.
19. My brother and I were featured on the cover of Super Shopper and I look older in that picture at 10, then I do know at
20. I have been hit by a drunk driver note once, but three times. And one time the drunk driver not only ran into the back of me full speed, but she proceeded to reverse and run into the back of me two more times before someone finally stopped her.
21. I have little to no control over what I say sometimes. I think it shocks a lot of people.
22. I have held a shark that I lured in with a fish head. The shark was about 5 feet and very rough.
23. I am actually a shy person until I get to know you, sometimes it comes across as mean but I don’t mean it to.
24. I’ve always had a dream to write a book about my life. I think it could be well rounded with ups and downs, funny parts, sad parts and the kind of family everyone could relate to. I imagine myself as a best seller.
25. My biggest fear is being alone. I am a very social person and like people around.

I'm Engaged!!!

It’s true, Jim and I are sooo excited and can’t wait to build a life together. For people who have been engaged you know what I’m talking about, for those not engaged you have this to look forward to, but the past week has been so overwhelming and exciting!

So, the good part – how it happened…

We did our usual Thursday night filled with softball, friends, Chili and a few beers outside enjoying the weather. Jim was very adamant about me coming home early so I thought I was in trouble. To my surprise, I came home and walked in and on the bed were our suitcases. Jim told me we were going somewhere but it was a surprise and I wouldn’t find out until we got to the airport. So he told me what to pack and we were leaving in less than 10 hours – needless to say I didn’t sleep very much.

I didn’t know we were going to Washington D.C until we got to the gate at the airport. I was thrilled, I had never been and had a hunch that he might be popping the question! As we boarded the plane Jim gave me an itinerary for the weekend, complete with tourist activities, lunch, dinner and breakfast places, free time and a morning of pampering for me Sunday. He informed me he had booked a room at the W Hotel and even upgraded so we could overlook the White House.

Our room was amazing! We could see then snipers on top of the White house we were so close. We also overlooked the United States Treasury building. I’m such an idiot for not taking pictures of the room – I’m mad at myself for that now. Our first stop was to head over to the White House. A friend of ours works for Obama and gave us a heads up that Marine 1 would be landing shortly after we arrived. So we headed over and camped out. Having never been to Washington D.C I was amazed at how beautiful the city is. Everything was well kept, blooming and very friendly. Watching marine 1 land on the White House lawn was breathtaking, it gave me chills and made me very proud to be American and live in a free country. I obsessed about this for the first 4 hours we walked around.

After this we visited some spots where Jim lived when he was in D.C. We went to Georgetown for dinner and out on the town – all the hot spots where Jim used to party back in the day. We woke up Saturday morning, with a slight hangover, ate breakfast at the W Hotel and the got our bikes for a long bike ride along the Potomac River. Our plan was to bike all the way to Vernon Manner, but discovered that it was way further than the lady had told us – 32 miles total. After about 20 miles in the 90 degree weather we decided to call it quits! I wasn’t feeling too hot because of the heat and lack of food so we decided to take it easy in the room.

While back at the room, Jim went downstairs to “check on our dinner reservations” and I took it easy. I didn’t realize he was gone so long since I didn’t feel well, but apparently it took a long time to get the ring out of the vault downstairs. See, Jim had the ring shipped there so that he didn’t have to carry it on the plane and risk me finding it. Once he finally got the ring he came back to the room and it was burning a hole in his pocket.

I could sense he was anxious so got up to do something and that’s when he got down on his knee and proposed. I won’t share all the intimate details, but it was very sweet and it took me about two seconds to say yes! So we called our family and shared the great news. Then up to the rooftop of the W Hotel to celebrate with champagne and each other (this is where the photos are taken from). We were so thrilled and excited it was the best night. We went to a celebratory dinner at Capitol Grill and then out for awhile but were so beat we headed back to the room and crashed out.

I woke up Sunday morning thrilled, enjoyed my massage and paraffin treatment Jim gave me and then we went out and walked around the town some more. Went to the National Archives, saw the Constitution, Air and Science Museum, American History Museum and much more. We had the best weekend and are so happy to begin to build a life together.

The past week has really been a whirlwind, I can’t even tell you what I did last Monday. Between work, seeing people, planning a party for our friends and sports it flew by. I’m sure that the upcoming weeks are going to be even more hectic as we begin to plan. I’m very much looking forward to our wedding and most importantly building a future, children and all that comes with it!

In case you are wondering, Chili is definetely a bridesmaid, see the picture to the right when I asked her - she's thrilled!