Facebook Meme

Since I've become an official Face Book Junkie I have been tagged a couple times today to do the 25 random things meme. I thought I would post it HERE for ya'll to enjoy. Maybe you'll learn something new about me hu? Actually I should have done 50 or 100 because I keep thinking there were better things for me to write but I didn't want to bore you TOO much. So here they are!

Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. My mom is the most intelligent person I know. I only go to her when I think I really want her advise because I know I'll take it. If I want to be oblivious to something I won't say a thing.

2. I met Chris 14 years ago this coming Tuesday. We met at a bar called Scotty's boat landing. I was 16 he was 18 and there was a dance floor and an area for those over 21 to go into and drink. It was a terrible place and my mom didn't know we were going at the time. I told the friend that night that I was going to marry that boy I danced with...

3. June 12th will be our 10 year wedding anniversary. I'm so thankful I married my best friend in the world.

4. I became friends with my BFF Kelli a week later then I met Chris when I called her and talked to her for 2 hours before she got on a plane to fly to Alaska to see her friend. We've been through a lot together and for 2 people to be so different then, our lives have become incredibly similar now that its kinda scary.

5. Chris and I bought this house when we got married. I love it and its small but we fit 2 adults, 2 kids, 3 dogs and 8 fish here with not an ounce of room to spare and I love it.

6. I moved from Martinez to Paradise between my freshman and sophomore years and I hated it... seriously hated it. I made great friends but still miss those friendships from the bay.

7. I was in Jobs Daughters growing up. I was part of the organization in Mtz and in Pds. Its a part of who I am. My mama was a Jobie too, my sista and many of my friends.

8. I'm really good at starting things and not so good at finishing them. I'm more afraid at failing when I get to the finished product then I am for failing in the middle so when something else new and exciting comes along to distract me I have a tendency to jump ship. I admit it and I'd like to change it.

9. There are exceptions. My Marriage, My kids and this crazy Marathon I just did.

10. I loved the smell of Beer when I was pregnant. I have hardly ever had beer but there are a few I have tasted and would probably drink, especially our own local Sierra Nevada Brewery beer. Yumm-O.

11. I love to watch food network and I'm only an OK cook

12. I hate that my little sister and her little family moved so far away but thankful that she keeps coming back to live with my parents for short or long bursts of time. Since my Brother In Law Brian is in the Army they come home while he is training or during times of Deployment.

13. I fell in love with running on a dare (or a challenge really) from my BFF and I can't seem to stop. I think its the people as much as the workout. Today I ran 14 miles. To date I have run 2 half marathons, serveral 5k and 10K races, a 20 mile race and a marathon. I'm training for a half marathon in March. I'm not fast but I'm OK with that.

14. I am amazed how fast these running friends have found a place in my heart. although I generally wear my heart on my sleeve I do have a lot of trouble letting new people in in. I guard it and sometimes it makes me sad. When I run its different. I'm thankful for them every day.

15. I am deathly afraid of the water. I could swim in short lengths and not very well or for very long. I do not like boats or bridges that go over water. I don't like the kids near water either, although they love it. I have a panic attack when its me or them and its not pretty. I think I'm getting better but I may just be fooling myself when I'm sitting in a chair at home typing it out.

16. I keep thinking I might want to do a Tri then I remember. Ohhh a tri has to do with water and Tina doesn't do the water thing. No tri.

17. I love to read. I usually have 3 or 4 books going at once and I'm on this historical fiction or memoir kick right now. There are several books I need to finish so I can start new ones.

18. I pray I have instilled a love of reading into my boys.

19. I'm really dumb when it comes to music. I don't know names of songs or musicians. I tried to learn guitar but see #8. I think I'll restart when Wyatt is done with his lessons.

20. I have a severe sensitivity to wheat products.Any more details then that is TMI.

21. I am soooo proud of my hubby. He works so hard so I can stay home with the boys. He is a wonderful husband, father, son, brother and friend. What a blessing he is to our lives. I tell him I appreciate him every day and its still not enough.

22.I love photography and sometimes I do a bit of wedding, family or portrait photography on the side for extra money.

23. I miss my grandparents, DiDi and my Uncle James tremendously. I still think of them every day. There comes a point when it stops getting easier and sadness over losing them still overwhelms me all the time.Losing Chris's Gpa Derril then Gpa Mike this year just intensified that feeling but I'm afraid to lose it because I love thinking of them, how their hand felt on mine, what they sounded like when they talked, a wonderful hug from them, and I'm afraid to lose those memories if I go to long without them.

24. I had easy labors with both boys. No I mean it. No drugs, no tearing nada. Jackson was even 100 times easier than Wyatt's was too. with Jackson the doc said "push for me so we can see where you are... WAIT WAIT! Well you have a boy."

25. The ultrasound tech said that Jackson was going to be a girl. We had a lot of girl stuff accumulated for "EMILY". When Jackson showed up everyone was surprised but me. I cried because he was so beautiful and healthy. I never cried because I had another boy instead of a girl. I'm so thankful that Chris's Gpa Derril "Jackson" and my gma Reba "Reed" Riggins were able to see him and spend time with my boys.

I'm tagging anyone who might want to do this. BUT don't forget to let me know you did it, K? Have a great weekend!

This time last year

I'm still mom and still putting everyone else first. It would be nice for someone to acknowledge my time BEFORE I begged or worked around their schedule to make time for me. That didn't happen but this year I did make the time for me to go to the movies with friends, to walk in not one but 2 Breast Cancer walks, train and run in 2 half marathons and 1 full marathon. This year I did make me a priority as well as getting everyone elses things in. I made new friends, a made new goals and achieved them. Hollywood played baseball and started guitar lessons. Jackson is still drawing pictures like crazy. They are both into music so much its kinda scary. They spend hours listening to the radio or their ipods. The hubby spent January shooting ducks and October shooting elk and deer. They've been out a few times shooting ducks and geese for the last few weeks with his friend Daron and even brought home some wild pig for our freezer this spring with Brett Gruben. Who needs to shop for meat, I've got that hunter gatherer hubby to thank for a full freezer.

We did have a bit of a crazy summer though. All those fires really changed our outlook. The Humbolt fire started here in Chico but took off and ended up all the way out by Butte College. It seemed under control until the winds came up and left a trail of destruction across the county, but not before nearly taking out my parents house, six homes on their street, actually loosing our friends house and in the end over 100 homes between the start and the end were destroyed. That weekend was supposed to be our Anniversary and although we would have gone out I couldn't leave my parents at home with the kids when they didn't even know if they had a home. That next morning after getting word that our friends home was gone but my parents was saved was bittersweet. the hubby went to help Daron pull the safe out, Although it was standing it was virtually destroyed and nothing was left in side. to get out of town we did go to our favorite spot for a couple of nights with Good Neighbor and the kiddos over fathers day weekend just to unwind. We came home and got back to business. Shortly after Hubby lost his Gpa D to a strong battle with cancer. That was a very difficult few weeks. More lightning started more fires and the whole summer we lived in this toxic fog. For a few days it lightened up and we could celebrate Sista and GI Bri's renewal of vows. I went back to training this fall and then Hubby lost his other grandpa to a long battle with diabetes and dementia and various other ailments. Sad year for sure.

2008 was so crazy I think I'm going for a MELLOW year in 2009 full of quiet blessings and achievements. A healthier happy existence. Maybe more "green". Yea, that sounds like a plan.

Christmas blessings

A time to reflect. I'm so thankful for my little family and my extended one too. We were able to get together with friends and most of the Riggins Family on Saturday afternoon to celebrate Christmas together. We played the number game and Bingo for White elephant gifts and the kiddos all got to play together. Although my kids smiles are cheesy I love them just the same. We got to spend time with the Cafferatas/Mickelsons last Saturday and the Jackson side on Christmas Eve. We saw the in-laws on Christmas after opening presents and then went to the Wally's before heading up the hill to exchange presents with my parents and sisters family. I'm just so happy they are in my arms and in my heart. Seeing them happy is the best Christmas EVER.

Hubby got: a Columbia fleece vest from his parents, Video game and sweat shirt from my parents, a long sleeve Cabellas waterproof camouflage shirt, a sweatshirt and a docking station/radio, about $50 in Starbucks gift cards and other stuff I can't remember.

Hollywood got: IPod Shuffle, Portable DVD player, CD Clock radio, scene it game, The dangerous book for boys, video games, and lots lots more.

Blondy got: IPod shuffle, projector drawer, portable DVD player, Scene it game, Book about backyard bloodsuckers, video games and lots, lots more.

I got: Cindi of course! The hubby also got me a new camera bag and GUITAR HERO and a Guitar! My MIL and BIL got me a Jim Shore Santa figure I've been dying for and a beautiful Xmas platter from *the boys*. My sis got me a cute bath set since were were doing sustainable Christmas for each other and not buying anything new for each other we had to find something around our house that we don't use but know the other would like. Mom and dad got me a guitar and guitar hero III so then I had two guitars and two games so we could BATTLE against each other. So much fun! Hubby also got me some treats from fleet feet like a Gift card, a 26.2 sticker, a runner girl mug, some mint chocolate GU and a marathoner license plate cover.

We had a great Christmas. It wasn't as expensive as other Christmas's and we were fine with that. The best present was being together and making these memories. We also booked a 3 day jaunt down to the happiest place on Earth for a little vacation in February but haven't told the kiddos yet. I think we'll just throw them in the car and drive til we get there.

Through the Looking Glass

Having a new puppy was supposed to be exciting and frustrating. It has been both. We changed her name to Cinnamon Dulce Latte (actually her Stage name is still Daisy). We call her Cindi or Cindi Lu Who from the Grinch. She is such a cuddler and snugly. She loves to kiss and lean against you. She LOVES to sleep in the bed with us. She didn't know ANYTHING but she picked up on sit quickly and she only had an accident the night we brought her home.

I'm using some of the techniques that BFF's dog whisperer gave her including keeping her on a leash when she's on the house to limit where she can go and utilize the time to teach her. I just keep her attached to me and use circumstances that we come upon as teaching time. Of course I work on her separately too to get her used to basic commands and positive reinforcement. She is doing well. Now the boys think its fun to yell at her when she I am teaching her something and then wonders why she doesn't listen. I try to explain it them but then five minutes later they are doing it again.

Overall she has been great. The kids love her, the dogs are getting used to her. I ran with her today and she did well enough for her first trip out. She is so sweet and gentle that its amazing that she has had little human contact. She jumped right into our family even though some think we're crazy. I'm in love with her and she's in love with us.

So long, so much to say

Our computer got infected with Adware and had to be taken to the "Geek Squad" for rehabilitation. For a week I've been struggling then missing my sweet computer. Of course I tried talking the hubby into just buying a laptop but I knew this is not the time for that. I have more important BIG TICKET ITEMS in the mix first, like a new camera, a bed frame, mattresses for the boys, Hubby's elk hunting trip, Christmas... you know the usual. I'm a bit worried about this economic breakdown we're having in the US and the hubby seems rocked but not faltered by it. He did get depressed after talking to our financial planner and finding that our retirement fund has dropped by 25% in the last six months. I tried to remind him that this $ will be there for another 25 years and by GOD it had better grow. Buying a lap top now is not in the mix. ahhh... I'll just have to keep blogging on the days he's at work.

Family News. The boys have lots of fun field trips coming up. Hollywood is learning about the Maidu Indians native to this part of California. I've only printed like a million pages or so of info on them. Third grade is all about our County and its heritage. We will be going to the Gold Nugget Museum in Paradise next week for a field trip. Blondy played the main part as the OLD Johnny Appleseed in his class play last week and Grandma Margie got to join us for the performance and she loved it. I'm so glad she's getting out doing things she's always wanted to do. The hubby is preparing for his 2 week backwoods adventure with his dad, brother and buddy in Colorado. I get heart palpitations just thinking about it, both the being alone with the kids that long and worry that something might happen. I get that from my Grandma Riggins, I can't help it but I need to not dwell on it as much. UGH my stomach just turned again.

Me? well mostly all the same. I'm gearing up for photography season, colors changing, families preparing for Holiday pictures and such. I'm hoping to get some senior pix done too. I run my second official half Marathon (mary) on Sunday and I hope it doesn't rain. I need to look over my clothing since it will be cool in the morning, much cooler and perhaps wet even for the Sacramento Cowtown Half Marathon for the Leukemia Lymphoma society. I ran 16 miles last weekend... all at once! After the race I will be headed to Yuba City for my friends baby shower. Its killing me that they decided to wait to find out the sex of the baby. I can't wait for anything. I don't like surprises, er... I don't like having to wait for surprises but if they are just flung on me (ahem... the Emily factor) I love them to pieces.

It is October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Check your boobies for lumps or changes. Schedule your Mammogram if you haven't yet. I'm already signed up for San Francisco AWBC and I'll let you know when my site is up and running. That's my life at the moment!

OH I almost forgot. Good neighbor, the one who swore up and down that she's not a runner... will be RUNNING the 5K for the Almond Bowl in a few weeks. I've converted another one. YIPEE!

Lady in Pink

The funny thing is I don't particularly like pink. I feel the need to wear it because its femimine and I have a testosterone filled house that needs ballance. I'm also commited to finding a cure for Breast Cancer which includes LOTS AND LOTS of PINK. I much prefer RED. But whatever. Pink makes me feel like a girl. I have had comment after comment about my PINK running attire while running with my 10k group. They can spot me a mile away. I've been called "the lady in pink", The pretty pink runner," just "PINK" and I'm sure other names too. I've been asked if there are any other colors in my wardrobe, I've answered that pink is only in my running wardrobe and very little in my everyday clothing but find myself wearing my running clothes all day so I don't have to chance mid afternoon then change again after a workout. Its sinking into my head, and my closet. Hubby hangs my running clothes (so I can't find them, even though I have ALWAYS put them in the armoir) so there are splashes of pink when I look for everyday clothes. My favorite cloud socks are trimmed in pink... My favorite hat, my first AWBC hat from 4 years ago is PINK. I got a new hat that is brown trimmed and embroidered in PINK. So if you see me running past you wave, I generally say hello, good morning or evening to everyone I pass. You'll recognize me, I'll be the girl in PINK.