Just the two of us...

I've seen this a few times now, and thought it was kinda cute. I figured I could steal borrow it and fill it in about Brian and I. Here goes nothing...

What are your middle names?
Mine: Michelle
His: Garrett

How long have you been together?
Together almost constantly since 1/29/98
Dating (almost constantly) since 6/29/98
Married 5/29/04
(Yes, I know, I have a memory thing with dates.)

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
5 months (see above)

Who asked who out?
I think it was mutual... we both just knew we wanted to be together. ;) (Yes, I know that sounds cheesey.)

Who said I love you first?
Me

How old are each of you?
I am 25, he's 27

Who's siblings do/did you see the most?
His, because they all live around here.

Do you have any children together?
One, Danica Teralyn

What about pets?
At the moment, two dogs, Merlin and Tobin

Did you go to the same schools?
Nope

Are you from the same hometown?
Kinda... we both call the KC area home

Who is the smartest?
It totally depends on the subject.

Who is the most sensitive?
If you know us, that's a stupid question. (Me, of course.)

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Um... does Sonic count? We really don't eat out much.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
To Texas. (Sadly, both times were for a funeral.)

Who has the craziest ex?
Me, although I have other choice words than crazy in mind...

Who has the worst temper?
Him, without a doubt.

Who does the cooking?
For dinner most nights, he does. :) I love my hubby.

Who is the most social?
Me usually.

Who is the neat-freak?
Haha, we both are.

Who is the most stubborn?
We both are, but I think he's got me beat by a mile.

Who wakes up earlier?
Me

Where was your first date?
I guess it was to the movies. Or just driving around town talking.

Who has the bigger family?
We both have pretty big families... but his immediate family is bigger, mine is mainly extended.

Do you get flowers often?
Only if I buy them for myself.

Who do you spend the holidays with?
Everyone from both families usually.

Who is more jealous?
That would be me again.

Who sings better?
LoL... Me. And that's not saying much.

Who does/did the laundry?
Moi again. Some people don't every remember which clothes cannot go in the dryer on high.

Who’s better with the computer?
Me... but he's improving a lot.

Who drives when you are together?
Usually me, unless I'm the DD.

Who picks where you go to dinner?
We usually agree

Who is the first one to admit when they’re wrong?
Me (like I said, he's much more stubborn.)

Who named your pet?
I actually named both of our dogs.

Who wears the pants in the relationship?
We both do. (Does that mean we both wear skorts?)

Who has more tattoos?
Neither of us have one.

Who eats more sweets?
Me

Who cries more?
Me again.

Purple Rain?

Not in my gym!

Every Tuesday and Thursday night I participate in a Lift class at my local community center. I love it, I get excersize, to look and feel better, to get out of the house, and to be around adults other than co-workers. (No offense to said co-workers, but you know what I mean!) Last night as I was setting up my equipment for class, one of the other women said, "Come here, one of the sprinklers went off in the gym!". (Apparently someone hit the sprinkler head with a basketball.) I figured, hey, it's a sprinkler, no big deal, right? So I didn't hurry, I finished what I was doing, and then I wandered out to look down into the gym. I was a little shocked.


I assumed that a sprinkler would spray water, right? (I should have known better than to assume... the saying holds true to me every time!) Clean, clear water. Well, this crap was like black oil, or liquified rubber tires. (It stank just like burnt tires too BTW.) Of course I had to snap a picture to preserve this memory.

From the mouths of babes...

I am a huge fan of those quotes by kids. You know, the ones where the say things so sweet, insightful, and sometimes hilarious, without even meaning to?

Here are a few I came across lately, they are all childrens' thoughts on love, marriage, and relationships. there is some good advice here. ;)

Q - How do you decide who to marry?
A - You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.

-- Alan, age 10

A - No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10

Q - What is the right age to get married?
A - Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10

A - Eighty-four, because at that age, you don't have to work anymore, and you can spend all your time loving each other in your bedroom.
-- Judy, age 8

A - Once I'm done with kindergarten, I'm going to find me a wife.
-- Tom, age 5

Q - How can a stranger tell if two people are married?
A - You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8

Q - What do you think your mom and dad have in common?
A - Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8

Q - What do most people do on dates?
A - Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8

A - On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10

Q - What would you do on a first date that is turning sour?
A - I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-- Craig, age 9

Q - When is it ok to kiss someone?
A - When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7

A - The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
-- Curt, age 7

A - The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
-- Howard, age 8

A -You should never kiss a girl unless you have enough bucks to buy her a big ring and her own VCR, cause she'll want to have videos of the wedding.
-- Jim, age 10

A - Never kiss in front of other people. It's a big embarrassing thing if anybody sees you. But if nobody sees you, I might be willing to try it with a handsome boy, but just for a few hours.
-- Kally, age 9

A - It's never okay to kiss a boy. They always slobber all over you...that's why I stopped doing it.
-- Jean, age 10

Q - Is it better to be single or married?
A - It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9

Q - How would the world be different if people didn't get married?
A - There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8

Q - How would you make a marriage work?
A - Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
-- Ricky, age 10

Girls' Night Out!

Our first full night in Colorado, my girlfriends and I had a night out planned. All the husbands had the children, and the town was ours. It was going to be awesome. Amazing. We had grand plans in our minds... our previous girls' night had included things like crazy karaoke, free drinks, impromtu 'bachelorette' parties, thrown-out backs, and unintentionally picking up women.

The night started out great. We met up at the Rio for yummy Mexican food and even yummier margaritas.

(before leaving the Rio)

After we ate and each had consumed a couple beverages of choice, we went across the street to what used to be a really neat karaoke bar inside the Brunswick Zone. It turned out there had been a remodel, and it was now not nearly as hopping as we were hoping. Oh well, we thought, we can still have fun and liven the place up! So we each order a drink and sit down to chat. After about 5 minutes, I realized I had a horrible stomach ache. I actually couldn't drink my drink (it was only my third, so no, to answer your questions now, I was no where near intoxicated.). After just a couple of uncomforable minutes, I had to go to the bathroom and proceeded to get sick. I won't go into much detail, but it was not nearly the kind of entertainment I'd been hoping for.

I still don't know what came over me... was it the altitude? the food? something I'd eaten earlier in the day? Whatever it was, it came back with a vengence. I was the party pooper of the night, but I asked Tiffany to take me home. I was so bummed, but I did not want to have to wash my foot off in the sink again. (Once was enough, thank you.)

So yes, Diana, the initiator of Girls' Nights Out, the one who loves to sing Karaoke into the wee hours of the morn, was in bed clutching her stomach by 11:00 on a Saturday night, still wearing her cute jeans and earrings. *sigh* Geez I'm getting old.

At least the hubby was in charge of the kid for the night.

Why would you want one?

My family and just came back from a week-long trip to Colorado. Not too long after piling into the car to start heading back this way, we drive through a small town which consists of a Sonic, a Safeway, a couple of bars, fields of cows and horses, and a few cute old houses. On this particular trip, I noticed that for some reason there is now a giant moose on a busy corner near the center of town. Not just a bronze looking one (which seem to be very popular out there), but a bright and shiney silver one.

I actually first noticed it because the glare from the sun was so bright that I would've thought the moose was on fire. (I know, the picture out my moving car's window as we drove by doesn't do it justice.)

And now I'm curious... does someone go out to polish the moose every so often? (And am I the only one who giggles to herself because I think that sounds stupidly dirty???)

Where has the time gone?

I find myself thinking a lot lately. Even more than usual, and I can't seem to stop, and honestly I'm not so sure that I want to. It's making me appreciate things so much more. Maybe it's the fact that my daughter is almost two years old (TWO?!?!), or that in 3 days, I will have known my husband for exactly 11 years. (I know, it's crazy.) Whatever the reason, I feel so thankful for what I have. (Even if sometimes it doesn't seem like it.) Any yes, I feel old.

Yesterday Brian and I took the side rail off of Danica's crib. I was so excited, but so sad that she is actually in her 'big-girl bed' now. She slept there for her nap and all night last night. Both times when she woke up, she didn't even get out, she just called to us until I came in and told her she could get out. (But when she's playing she climbs in and out of it all the time.) I am waiting for the night she she starts wandering the house on her own, and now that she can finally reach the door handles, she will go where ever she pleases. I don't know what were we thinking. Maybe I should put the rail back up tonight afterall...

(1/23/09 in her crib with that cheesey grin)

(1/25/09 in her big-girl bed...)

On January 29th, 1998, I met Brian at the movie theatre in Liberty. (fka The 'Berty 8, now the 'Berty 12) He was there on a blind date with my best friend (set up by her sister and his stepbrother), and I was dating someone else at the time. I was 14 and he was 16. We hardly even spoke that night, I was hyper, giddy, and (probably) pretty obnoxious. He was shy and quiet. I am pretty sure the movie was 'Good Will Hunting'. And look where we are now. I feel so lucky that I love my husband, and that we keep growing together. :)

I think that part of what makes me feel so old is that all our younger siblings are grown now, and they are starting their own lives. My mind can hardly wrap around that concept, I still see them as cute, awkward kids. (I can only imagine how our parents feel now. Can I say Oy?) And I say 'our' siblings, because to us, Brian's are mine, and mine are his. We have known each other since they were in elementary school, and they seem to have stuck that way, permenantly imprinted in my mind as an 11 year old. Now Christina's daughter is turning a year old, Chandra just got married and had her son, Gary has three little girls now, and Clayton, Darren and Laura are all in serious relationships themselves, and Laura is now talking about marriage. I want to cry! I'm realistically only 25, and as long as the Fates allow I have a long time left ahead of me. But I can't stop thinking I'm a quarter-century old, a grown up, a real grown up who is married, a grown up who has a child, a grown up with a grown up job. What the heck happened???

I know... I'm rambling again... *sigh*

I guess I should do it too.

I have seen this list on about 6 other people's blogs, as well as seen it in a couple more forwarded emails. I thought that might mean that it's time to fill it out myself. Peer preasure I guess. Here goes...

(The bolded items are things that I have done, the italicized items are things that I want to do, and the normal font are things that I could live without doing.)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (Well, an orchestra. It's about the same, right?)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (I'm not opposed to it at all; but not at this moment.)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (Why on earth would I want to walk it??? That's why there are elevators!)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (Well, some of them. I am really a mutt.)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (In school, with the help of teachers, but I'm guessing that doesn't count...)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke (Many times, and if you happened to hear it, I appoligize.)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (I will this summer!)
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (Again... this summer!)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (for 9 years)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (only my toe though.)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury (I was in the box and got interviewed, but I didn't get chosen.)
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

And hey, I guess that is me in a nutshell. I just realized how dumb that seems when you consider that I don't like nuts very much at all. Hmmm.