ABCs of "E" - D

 I got a bit off track with my Alpha All About Me Posts.  Let's resume with "D".

Dave Matthews Band - I've always loved Dave Matthews. Been to several concerts years ago.  There's something relaxing and comforting about going through any of those albums.  I associate many of the songs with places (mainly OU) and people.   

Dishes - I've gone the past 7 years without a dishwasher and will be thrilled when I finally live in a place that has one.  It's the small things.

Dip (as in Chip Dip) - A favorite indulgence that I hardly ever give into would be French Onion Chip Dip and rippled chips.

Downy Wrinkle Releaser - If you know me well, you know that I have a history of ironing everything: clothes, workout clothes, towels, bedsheets...you name it.  I also love Downy Wrinkle Releaser for quick touch ups and it also gives your clothes that nice fresh smell. 

Dad- My dad is a character. It's been said that I never needed a brother growing up because I had him. My sister and I could rarely walk through the kitchen without being thrown into a WWF wrestling simulation without advance warning.  My dad's also been known to give some very flattering nicknames to his daughters "Leesburg Lip"...I won't go into all of them. I've got so many stories and fun memories - some as recent as last week in which I wondered who was the parent...lol!  We've also been through a lot together with the passing of my mom and became very close.  Love you, Dad.

"ABC's of E" - C

Cars 

Going down memory land... 

Pictures are similar to the cars I owned, though not the exact.

My first car was a Honda CRX.
I LOVED that car.  My dad loved the car. It gave my mom nightmares.
A little two seater, a sunroof. Stick shift.
I was pretty cool. ;) 

So after my mother got a new car (see the next vehicle below), I was passed the Honda Accord.  A nice upgrade with air conditioning and I remember thinking "Wow!  This standard is sooo much easier to drive than the CRX".  I do have to admit I missed my cute little blue car, but not for long. :)  This car saw a few accidents and had a lot of body work over the years I owned it.  It was eventually passed on to my sister.

Once again, I was given this gem when my mom got a new car. I LOVED this Jeep!  It was big, but not too big.  I could "haul" stuff.  I was able to sit up a bit higher. It was great for the drives to and from Marysville in snowy weather. Eventually, it started to become a maintenance issue and I had to trade it in.

Ahhhh...the green car.  When I needed to start looking at a new vehicle, it was going to be the first one I truly bought/financed on my own.  (I know that I was extremely fortunate to get this far without having to take that on. Thank you Mom and Dad.).  A friend of mine was a car broker and I gave him the following criteria:  no dark colors (especially not green) because it shows dirt, 4 doors, and either a Honda or Toyota.  Long story short, I ended up with a 2 door, green, Ford ZX2.  It was very affordable & the most loaded car I have owned to date.  I grew to love this car.  Sadly, I totaled it in 2003.

Meet Dottie. This was the first car I owned that was brand, brand new. My car looks like this minus the sunroof and the spoiler.  This vehicle went through Hurricane Ike winds and ended up with a million year old HUGE tree on it - for a week.  That's a story for another time.  I was surprised it wasn't totaled, but a month and a half in the shop and essentially a new body, I am still driving it.

 

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Christmas Eve 

 (2009 celebrating with Nat and Alanna)

Besides being a very special day all on its own, it is also my birthday.  I wasn't thrilled about this when I was a kid because I couldn't have sleepovers or friend parties on my actual birthday.  However, my parents were fabulous about making it about my birthday and my birthday only.  No Christmas wrapping paper on my presents, my own birthday cakes that were non Christmas themed (after a certain bratty 6 year old got upset about a beautiful stocking cake that her mother spent hours baking and decorating - I'm so sorry Mom!), and I got to pick my birthday dinner.  That usually meant going out for Mexican or having my mom's enchiladas - yum!  The most common question I get when I have to fork over my drivers license is "Did you get jipped on presents or what!?!?".  The answer was/is no.  It was very fair and in fact, I think I make out with more goods because I will get "early" birthday gifts throughout the year.  hee hee. :)  

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Cirque du Soleil

 

O.M.G.  I'm obsessed .Where do I begin?   My Aunt Becky took me to my first Cirque du Soleil show Ka in Vegas.  We had the best seats and I was just overwhelmed with the experience.  It made me want to run away and join the circus.  ;)  I've made it my goal to see as many Cirque shows as possible in my lifetime and I've been fortunate to see many in Vegas and the traveling shows.  I'm amazed at the creativity, beauty and athleticism.  The sets and costumes are just spectacular.  I could gush and gush and gush.... Seriously, if you have some time, go to their website and enjoy.  For Christmas, Joe bought me tickets to see Dralion. Perfect gift for me!  Thanks, babe!

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Comfy Clothes

I love comfy clothes.  

The second I am home I can't get into my yoga pants, sweatshirt, and slippers fast enough. 

I have an extensive wardrobe of such items.


Now I am off to enjoy my snow day in my comfy clothes! Woot! Woot!
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So tell me....

What was your first car?
Do you like the timing of your birthday?
Have you seen a Cirque du Soleil show?  If so, which ones?
What are your comfy clothes staples?

"The ABC's of E" - B

The "ABC's of E"   - B

Books

I used to be a big reader. I still am.  Just not so much with books of late.  

That is one area of my life that I would like to change this year.

I received a Kindle recently and love the idea of being able to keep it in my purse. 

In fact, I am reading a book to my students from my Kindle. Fun!  

I WILL read more in 2011.  

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 Blue Jackets

 In the past year I've been lucky enough to attend many Blue Jackets games.  

Still very much a novice at understanding the rules, etc, but I love the energy of the arena at games.   

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Bruno

Meet Joe's pug. 

Well, unless you've already had the pleasure of spending quality time with this...

attention seeking, blanket hogging, snorty, affectionate beast.  

He's often a pain in my rear, but the little (big) guy is so ugly, he's cute.  

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Back Handspring

I can still do one, though I keep it strictly to trampolines these days. 

I had a video of me doing one a year or so ago, but we will stick to this photo.

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Burritos

I {love} burritos.  Especially from Chipotle.  

I swear they put addictive chemicals in them so that you start to wonder if you need to go to burrito rehab. 

I personally haven't had one in ages and I'm trying hard not to break the cycle.

"ABC's Of E" - A

Jenny, a cool gal, has been blogging the "ABC's of Jenny". I thought I'd lift her idea. 

Here is the first installment of "The ABC's of E".

Allison

Allison's my younger sister. She's got a great husband and the cutest little boy ever. We look nothing alike and are pretty opposite. She's got the gift of being able to talk to just about anyone about just about anything which makes her a lot of friends and a great sales person. I wish I had a little more of our "outgoing-ness".

Allergies


Allergies stink. I grew up with seasonal allergies and eventually started having reactions to some animals. Mainly horses, dogs and cats. About a year ago, I started not feeling well after eating almonds. Then it started happening with peanut butter and peanuts. So, at the end of last year, I had allergy testing done. I truly thought I was being silly. Mid 30's and develop a nut allergy? Yep, I did. I'm still getting used to reading labels for allergens and carrying meds.

Alanna

Alanna - One of my dear, dear friends. College roommates. She was the domestic diva of our little apartment at OU. Thank goodness we had her. She fed us for 3 years with her cooking talents. We've been through a lot together and I wish she lived closer!

Alias

Alias. I loved this show when it was on. Sydney Bristow kicked butt and wore some fun get ups.