I don't normally do this...

I saw this post on my friend Robin's site and it says I have to post one on my blog, so here I go. You may already know some of the answers to the questions, but if you don't, I hope you learn something new and interesting about me.

Ridiculously long survey...but informative!

1. Do you wear a name tag at work?
No, but I should. In our office we have a Brandy (me), Randy, Sandi and we just hired a new girl named Brandy, too.

2. What kind of car do you drive?
Well, technically, at the moment, I drive three. On Thursday, we got a new car. Well, it isn't really new but it is new to us. We got a 1993 Infiniti J30 and I love it. It only has 107,000 miles, white leather interior, moon roof, power everything and a kick-butt sound system. However, prior to the Infiniti, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays I would drive a 1995 Monte Carlo that I received as a gift from my loving mom. We were in desperate need of a second car since Jonathon started his job in downtown Dallas. Before that, we carpooled together for over a year! On Thursdays, Fridays and the weekend, I drive a Soccer Mom Gold Expedition; I do not work on those days and stay home with Olivia. We got this right after Olivia was born because we had one car at the time, and with her car seat in the Jetta, Jonathon could not sit and drive the car comfortably.

3. What do you order when you go to Taco Bell?
Depends on what kind of mood I am in. I usually order the Nachos Bell Grande, no beans...yuck! Sometimes, I will just order two Soft Taco Supremes, hold the tomatoes. I swear, every time I order anything with tomatoes on it from Taco Bell, they taste like they just came out of the freezer. And sometimes, I will order the Mexican Pizza, again hold the beans.


4. Have you ever had a garage sale?
Well, technically, I didn't hold the garage sale, Jonathon did. He wanted to do it and I didn't, so he did it all by himself. I was there to offer encouragement and support, and even lended a helping hand, even though I was 7 months pregnant and it was the end of June here in Dallas.

5. What color is your iPod?
I have a silver iPod Shuffle. I bought it right before they came out with the colored ones, or I so would have bought a pink one.

6. What kind of dog do you have?
I don't have a dog and never have. I do have two domestic short hair cats named Foxy and Mr. Black. Foxy is a Tabby with white patches and Mr. Black is obviously an all black cat, however, he is missing his tail. We have no idea what happened to his tail; it was like that when we adopted him. For those of you who have met Mr. Black, he is like a dog and you can vouch. If you haven't, ask me and I can tell you how.

7. What's for dinner tonight?
I made Chili with Peanut Butter Sandwiches and Cheez Its and it was oh so good! I got home from work at 6:00 p.m. and Jonathon and Olivia didn't get home until 6:30 p.m. so I had to do something quick and easy because she was starving as soon as she walked in the door.

8. What is the last alcoholic beverage you had?
It was New Year's Eve and I had a Mojito Wine Cooler and a Slow Hard Screw. Tim, our old neighbor, got a book on how to make your own mixed drinks and that was one of them. He wanted us to sample some of his cocktail mixin' skills and I have to say, it was pretty tasty!

9. Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone?
Labor Day Weekend 2005, Jonathon and I went canoing with his sister and her boyfriend, at the time, in Arkansas. I had the brilliant idea of bringing my phone with me just in case anyone needed to get in touch with us--I was having satellite installed here at the house and my mother-in-law stayed here and I knew there would be problems. Well, half way through the canoing trip, Jonathon and I were going down mini-rapids and we ended up tipping over and everything fell out of the canoe. I lost a flip-flop, food, and my cell phone. Fortunately, we were able to find every thing but my one flip flop. Needless to say, my phone didn't work for a couple of days and then all of a sudden it started working.

10. Last time you were sick?
January 3, 2008. I had Bronchitis and a double ear infection. I have never heard of adults my age getting ear infections, how embarrassing!

11. How long is your hair?
Just past my shoulders.

12. Are you happy right now?
I am happy, but I am stressed, too. We have had a lot go on in the past couple of months and I am ready/need a vacation. Florida is just around the corner, baby!


13. What did you say last?
"Jonathon, do you want me to check Ebay to see if there are any Deep Sea Fishing Trips cheaper than the price you found?"

14. Who came over last?
Both of my sister-in-laws Saturday night. We had one over for dinner, we cooked a roast with carrots and potatoes, and the other came to pick her up since her car wasn't working. I had no idea that the one was coming to pick up the other or we would have had her over, too.

16. Have your brothers or sisters ever told you that you were adopted?
No, and I don't think I ever told my little sister that either.

17. What is your favorite key chain on your keys?
I don't have key chains any more. Ever since 2004, when I finally got a car with power locks and had a key fob, I haven't had one.

18. What was the last movie you watched at home?
Hairspray on Saturday night. Such a great movie! I still had "You Can't Stop the Beat" in my head today at work.

19. What is in your pocket?
Nothing. I am wearing pajama pants and they do not have a pocket.

20. Who introduced you to your crush?
My friend, Erin, introduced Jonathon and I at Harding in the cafeteria, although he doesn't remember it. To be quite honest, I really didn't like Jonathon the first time I met him; I thought he was a jerk. However, the time after that, when we went to Little Rock with a group of friends, is when he remembers meeting me.

21. Where do you hurt?
Nowhere, at the moment.

22. Has someone ever made you a Build-A-Bear?
No, but we made Olivia one while we were in New York City. And the time before that I took Leigh to the Texas Teddy Bear Factory back in 2004. It was her first time to Texas and I wanted her to have an authentic Texas Teddy Bear.

23. What DVD is in your DVD player?
Several. There is "The Little Mermaid", "Finding Nemo", "Hairspray", and a Leap Frog learning CD that we cannot get to work.

24. What's something fun you did today?
I was able to give Olivia hugs and kisses today when I left for work. Usually I leave before she is up so this was a treat.

25. Who was the principal of your high school?
Mr. Brown

26. Has your house ever been TPd?
Yes, but just once. I was in the 8th grade at Caledonia Middle School in Dutton, Michigan and I had a friend stay the night on a Friday night. Well, her boyfriend and his friend thought it would be funny to TP my house. That night Sean, my Step-dad, fell asleep on the couch with the TV on and while they were TPing my house, they got spooked by the shadows coming from the TV and left. Needless to say, there wasn't much to clean up, but my friend and I were nominated to clean it up.

27. What do you think of when you hear the word 'meow'?
Olivia. She is so funny. Every time she sees one of the cats, she says, "Cat!", and then immediately proceeds to say, "Meow!"

28. What are you listening to right now?
Jonathon snore. Yes, I am on the laptop, in my bed, typing away, doing this survey, while my husband snoozes right next to me.

29. Drinkin'?
Nothing at the moment; but I think I will go down stairs after I finish this and get some water.

30. What is your favorite aisle at Wal-Mart?
Oh, definitely the baby aisles. I love to go and see what they have and see what is on sale.

31. When is your birthday?
June 27, 1981. This also happens to be Captain Kangaroo's Birthday--don't know if you remember him from the '80s--and Helen Keller's Birthday, too. Also, another interesting fact, I was born at 6:27 p.m. on 6/27. Kind of cool, huh?

32. What's the area code for your cell phone?
Mmmm, should I say it? Nah, I don't think so. If you have my number, you already know it. If you don't, then you should ask me for my number so you have it.

33. Where did you buy the shirt you're wearing now?
It is a hand-me-down from my mom. It is a bright pink Old Navy t-shirt and I love it because it is old and oh so soft to wear to bed. Actually, this shirt still fit me when I was 20 weeks pregnant, so when we found out Olivia was a girl, I wore this shirt to work. I also got a bunch of pink balloons and one mylar balloon that said: "It's a Girl!" to let my co-workers know. Jonathon just got the mylar one and tied it to his chair at work to let his co-workers know.

34. Is there anything hanging from your rear view mirror?
Not at the moment. But, as soon as Jonathon has a free moment, he is going to install a second rear view mirror to the bottom so I can have that one focusing on Olivia and my main one focus on the road. Right now, the main one is on Olivia and it makes driving a little difficult.

35. How many states in the US have you been to?
Hold on a second while I count.....24!

37. What are you going to do after this?
Go to bed. I have to get up in 6 1/2 hours for work.

38. Who was the last person you went shopping with?
Let's see, I shopped online Sunday night and that was just me. However, the time before that was Thursday night with Jonathon and Olivia when we got the car.

40. What about your favorite dessert?
Oh, I have a new favorite dessert. The other day, Jonathon went to Tom Thumb, a local grocery store here in DFW, and he bought Ben 'n Jerry's Creme Brulee. Oh my word! It is so awesome! If you get a chance, go and try it, it is so delicious!

41. What is something you need to go shopping for?
Well, I do need to get all of us some new clothes for Florida. Other than that, nothing really.

42. Do you have the same name as one of your relatives?
My middle name is my Great Grandmother's name on my Mom's side.

43. What kind of car do your siblings drive?
Leigh-Leigh is too young to drive; although I think she is able to get her permit since she just turned 15 in December.

44. Do you like pickles?
Yes, I absolutely love them. However, I only like Dill pickles. Just today, a co-worker received a pickle with his lunch he ordered and he said I could have it, but only after I asked if he was going to eat it :P Olivia loves pickles, too.

45. What about olives?
I do not like green olives and I can tolerate black olives. I will not go out of my to eat them, but if they are on a pizza or on some Mexican food, I will eat them.

47. What is your favorite kind of juice?
Hawaiian Punch has a line of juices and I pretty much like all of them except for the Mango one.

48. Do you have any tan lines?
I used to. I am hoping to get some when I go to Florida in April.

49. What hospital were you born in?
Saint John's in Anderson, Indiana.

50. Do you remember the name of your kindergarten teacher?
I think her name was Ms. Penny and she was at Smith's Kiddy Kare off of Scatterfield Road in Anderson, Indiana. It is still there to this day and I drive by it at least once every time I go home.

I tag, all of the lurkers, and please leave a comment if you do it on your page.

BTW--I have no idea what happened to 15, 36, 39 and 46.

Inchbug

You are probably wondering why I titled the post the way I did. Well, I wanted to share with you my new favorite product. Actually, I have had them for about a year now, and have given them as gifts.
These are rubber, reusable name labels that you can put on anything and they are made by a company called Inchbug. They are so awesome! I love using these on Olivia's sippy cups, especially when she goes to the sitter's house or we go to a play date and every kid has the same sippy cup.
They come in four different colors and you can put anything you want on them. I have three different sets of four. One set says: "Olivia Simmons"; the other two sets say: "Olivia's Cup".
The best thing about the labels are you can special order labels that have two lines and you can put if your child has a food/drink allergy, a phone number in case it gets lost, or whatever you want.
You do have two options when it comes to purchasing the labels. You can purchase a pre-made set. The pre-made set comes in a package of three, says just the child's first name, and comes in either green or blue--you choose. However, I think for a dollar or two more, you can totally personalize the labels, which I like to do. You can choose from four colors, pick whatever you want to say on it, and you get four!
Go and visit their website, www.inchbug.com, and check out what they have to offer. I hope you like these labels as much as I do.

Guitar Hero III, Baby!

Here is a photo and video of Olivia playing "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones on Guitar Hero III for Wii! She saw her Daddy doing it so she just had to do it, too! Enjoy!

"You Can't Stop the Beat..."

I know, I know, I am so far behind movie premieres and I just now watched Hairspray tonight. I have to say, I absolutely love this movie. I am such a sucker for musical films, though. I love, love, love The Sound of Music, Grease, Chicago, any of the Disney movies, and now Hairspray!
I would have to say, Edna, Tracy's mom, played by John Travolta, is my absolute favorite character. He did such a wonderful job playing her. I loved her accent and personality!
Jonathon watched the movie on the plane ride from London to Dallas, so I asked him if it didn't have anything bad in it so Olivia could watch it, which it doesn't, and she was dancing and laughing the whole entire time the movie was on. I swear, anytime there is music on, that girl gets the dance fever and starts stomping her feet like in Flashdance, twirling and movin' her hips! I swear, I have no idea where she gets it from because as you all know, Jonathon and I were not blessed with the dancing gene.
Speaking of dancing, I went the YMCA last Tuesday night to take a Salsa dancing class and left early because I am that bad. I was having fun, but I was getting so frustrated because as soon as I had the move down, we were moving on to another step and it just repeated itself. Needless to say, I needed to be in the pre-beginner class, which I don't think even exists.
If you haven't already seen Hairspray, I highly recommend it. It is such a good feelin', energetic, funny movie.

PS--The song that is playing on the NYC Slide Show is from Hairspray. I had no idea that the song was even on there until yesterday and I enjoyed it so much, I left it on there...you know, to honor NYC.

New York, New York!

As most of you know, we went to New York City the week before Christmas. I have been meaning to post pictures ever since we returned, but I have just been too lazy to do it. Well, for those of you who have been patiently waiting, here you go.

Just a little brag...

I just wanted to take a moment and dote about my beautiful daughter. She will be 18 months on the 24th and does new things each and every day. She has now gotten to the point that instead of walking she now does a little trot, and when she is uber-excited, she runs. Now, she isn't the most graceful, but she picks herself right back up and keeps going.
She knows 6 words: Momma, Dada, thank you, cat, meow, and go. She can also sign 7 words: please, thank you, milk, more, baby, hot and bye-bye. Also, if you ask her a question, she shakes her head yes or no.
She can blow kisses and knows where her belly, nose, ears, eyes and mouth are and can find them on her baby doll and Momma and Dada, too. She really likes to find our bellies and will take any opportunity she can to lift our shirts up and point. Now, I do not mind it so much when we are at home, but when she does it, she laughs, too. I am not sure if she is laughing because she thinks it is funny that she found our belly or if she is laughing because of what our bellies look like.
She is also practicing to become a little momma herself. For Christmas, Santa brought her a new kitchen with dishes and a vacuum and other cleaning supplies. She loves to cook dinner for her babies, sweep the floors, vacuum the carpet and wipe down her kitchen counters.
However, our little daughter is also a diva. If she doesn't get her way, she automatically throws herself on the floor, and throws a temper tantrum. This started not too long after she turned 1 and hasn't stopped. She will never ask for help and absolutely hates it when you try to show her how to do something the right way. For instance, yesterday, I gave her a bowl of oatmeal and a spoon so she can feed herself. Well, she was using the spoon backwards and I took the spoon from her hand and showed her how to do it correctly. She didn't like that too much because she started crying immediately. So, I gave her back the spoon and let her do it herself. Now, she did end up eating the whole bowl of oatmeal, but it took her a whole hour to do so.
I know all parents like to think that their child is some sort of genius and special, and all babies are special, but I just wanted to take a moment and brag about her--I don't think you could ever brag enough about your kids. Olivia might be a little bit behind in the talking area, but she sure makes up for it in personality. If you don't believe me, come over and play with her sometime and you will see what I am talking about.

First Post

Well folks, I have decided to enter us into the world of blogging. I have a couple of friends who do this on a regular basis and thought I would try this out and see how it goes. I figure since most of our friends and family are near and far, this would be the best way to keep everyone informed of what is going on with us, but more importantly, with Olivia.
Recently, we have been busy with traveling and being sick. This crazy Texas weather does not help. The saying goes, "If you don't like the weather in Texas, wait 5 minutes and it will change". Boy, they aren't lying. I swear in one day it can go from 65 degrees and sunny to 45 degrees, cold and windy...no wonder we stay sick. I am recovering from Bronchitis, which I got the week of New Years, and it feels like I am getting it again, or at least a cold, lets hope for the latter.
Olivia has a nasty cough and it only seems to bother her at night, when she is sleeping. On top of the nasty cough, she is teething. Now normally teething isn't an issue with our Sweet Cheeks--her nickname given to her by Daddy and now adopted by Momma, too--she teeths like a champ. Just a couple of months ago, she cut all 4 of her molars at the same time and you would never have known it, but these incisors/fangs are kicking her little tushie. Normally when she teeths, she drools quite a bit and only needs her pacifier to soothe her, but her sleep has never been effected. However, with these fangs, not the case. Sunday night she woke up every 3 hours crying because they were hurting. Of all nights for this to happen, since I had to work the next day. Needless to say I went in her room each and every time, picked her up, hugged her, and then put her back to bed. At first I was a little disgruntled, not only because I had to get up at 5:45 a.m. to be at work by 7:00 a.m., but because I had a hard time falling asleep and know it was well past midnight before I did. But, after each time I went in to comfort her, I felt great because it made me feel good to know that all she needed from me was a hug to make her feel better.
As for Jonathon, he is doing great. He has been doing some traveling for his job recently and up until today, there was a possibility of him going to Hong Kong and Tokyo at the end of January until February 15th. Unfortunately, he was the back up plan and they didn't need him. He was bummed but at the same time relieved. The longest he has been away from us was back in November when he went to London for 10 days, and it nearly broke his heart when he came back and Olivia didn't want him to hold her as soon as he walked out of the terminal.
I will try to post something on this blog at least once a week, but please do not hold me to it. But please visit often and leave messages. I promise as soon as I become more savvy with this site, I will post pictures.
Ciao!