Lizards

Yesterday my sister called me and while we were talking I was looking something up online. My kids were on the front porch playing, and Andrew walks in with the above lizard in his pocket. Totally freaked me out. (the picture is Andrew holding this lizard. I had to get a really close picture because it was so small. Maybe two inches long. How did he find this??)

He thought it was the coolest thing. I have never seen such a small lizard before, and I was amazed that he actually caught it! He wanted to keep it, and as many things as I said to convince him to put it back, he would have something to counter it with. For example:
Me: We can't keep it buddy, because we don't have any lizard food.
Andrew: I can feed him! Look, I will feed him that leaf. (puts lizard next to small brown dead leaf on porch. of course the lizard doesn't touch it)
Me: He needs to find his mom and dad, and he will be sad if he doesn't.
Andrew: I can help him! Are they at the store??
Both kids were facinated with this tiny lizard. He finally put it down but followed it so closely I was afraid that they would step on it. I finally distracted them long enough for the little guy to dissappear! I guess I'm lucky that it was just a lizard, and not something worse!! Let me know if you can actually find the lizard in the above picture.

Thunder

The last two nights, here in San Antonio, we have been experiencing some major thunder and lightning storms. They are great! Last night the power went out for half a minute. And today since before lunchtime we've had thunder and lightning again! And of course rain. If we could have everything but the rain, it would be a whole lot nicer. I love thunder and lightning. As a little kid, it terrified me, but I have come to understand what it is and it doesn't scare me anymore. And I'm trying to teach my kids to not be scared of it too. We sit at our windows and watch the weather outside and wait for the lightning, and then listen to the thunder. When we were in Germany, we had enormous windows with huge ledges. I would stand Andrew up on them and we would plaster ourselves up against the window and watch the storm. The windows here are pretty crappy. Our German ones were great, double paned, huge, and opened a lot easier. Anyway we're making do with what we've got here. And during thunderstorms, here and in Germany, my kids don't wake up. I remember hearing our neighbors upstairs wake up with their little one screaming, but my kids never moved. I woke up, but I can wake up when I hear an earthquake coming. I'm a light sleeper. Anyway, I just love thunder. Too bad you all can't come over for hot chocolate (I have cadbury hot chocolate) and cookies.....

It was not meant to be

I was supposed to go to Dallas this weekend to see two friends. One of which will only be there until wednesday as they are living in Germany at the moment. So I was very excited to go. But my kids got the chicken pox. The the son of the friend that I was going to stay with got croup. And either I'm getting sick again, or these are killer allergies. So, it was not meant to be.

On a side note, I finally have my dining room table cleaned off enough so that I can put something pretty on it. The mugs/steins I got at the Flohmarkt (fleamarket for those of you that don't speak german) from the lady that painted them. And the tabletopper I also got at the Flohmarkt. It is handmade (which I did not notice until I put it out. I just bought it because I like it) The total cost of all of this was about 15 euros. It is so german, I just love it. I had a request to see pictures of my newly cleaned off table. (we have a problem with surfaces. we just have a hard time keeping them clutter-free) I'm hoping that this will keep us from making it our catch-all place. We'll see......

100

It has taken me a while to do this, but I have done it. Enjoy.
1. I am the oldest of 6 kids
2. I am unorganized
3. My favorite animal was a dolphin wwhen I was a little kid.
4. I wanted to be a marine biologist until I found out how much science it involved.
5. My favorite shows are CSI, Law and Order, and What Not to Wear.
6. I secretly want to be Stacy London from What Not to Wear.
7. I speak French, very little German and I canusually figure out what is going on if its a latin based language. I actually took a semester of Spanish, but evertime she asked me a question I responded in French.
8. I almost never am able to pas up a good deal if I know someone else can use it, even if I cannot.
9. I believe that we all have a "friend list", and that sometimes it is necessary to take someone off of the list.
10. My cousin (who looks more like me than my own sisters) once had a license plate frame that said "legs like barbie, chest like ken". Perfect description of me.
11. I have made it to #11 without mentioning France. (just the language doesn't count) Um, I love it. I would rather live there any day.
12. I really like to cross stitch
13. I am terrified of natural disasters, especially earthquakes.
14. I really don't like living in Texas.
15. I have lived in France, Germany, and the USA.
16. I have visited Ireland and Poland. And Austria for about an hour or so.
17. I finally learned how to put on makeup in the last six months.
18. I have had the same best friend for the last 20 years.
19. If I had a quarter for every time someone said tht I should try modeling, I would be rich
20. I really try to stay in contact with people. Unless of course I had to cross them off of my list.
21. None of my favorite candies are made in the USA. Some you can't even find here.
22. I love candy.
23. The only reason I went to Poland was to buy pottery.
24. I thought Joey McIntyre was the cutest from NKOTB when I was in Jr. High.
25. I can still recite the words to all the songs from The Little Mermaid and Newsies.
26. I have a bad habit of not filtering my thoughts before they come out of my mouth. Luckily, most of my friends think its more funny than rude. But I have been rude....
27. I love ebay.
28. I have been in five car accidents and have never been the driver. HINT: just let me drive!!!
29. One of the things that I was afraid of when I was a teenager was that no one would want to marry me.
30. I still dream in French
31. I have always felt more comfortable in a group of mixed company. Whenever I'm around a bunch of women, I get a little uncomfortable.
32. I've always wanted to take a photography class just so that my pictures wouldn't come out looking so retarded.
33. I really enjoy helping others, whether it be watching their kids, listening to them talk or giving them a ride. I am always so gratefull when others do that for me, and I feel as if I'm paying them back.
34. I do anything I can to not cry. I hate it. But sometimes it all comes out.
35. I have never liked my name. One of the many reasons is this lovely nickname someone came up with: Terinasaurus-Rex. I don't remember who it was, but I don't think they are my friend anymore.
36. I am LDS
37. I am finally in a place where I feel that I am in control of my life, and that I don't need to live up to anyones expectations but my own.
38. I served my mission in Bordeaux, France, the southwest of France. It changed my life. So much of who I am now started back then.
39. I spend way too much time on the computer. (see just look what I'm doing)
40. I was once addicted to reading Danielle Steele books
41. I hate the color pink. Along with bows, ruffles and poofy-froofy things.
42. One of my favorite memories of Matt is watching him sing "Shot through the Heart" by Bon Jovi in front of hundreds of people.
43. Whenever I see soldiers returning home or leaving for Iraq or Afganistan tears always come to my eyes. Even though I hate crying.
44. Daffodils are my favorite flowers.
45. The Empire Carpet commercial drives me crazy.
46. I learned how to drive a manual in France. I love driving a manual, especially in Europe.
47. When I was in the 6th grade I was 5'2". When I was a freshman I was 5'10". I would not suggest that for anyone.
48. Jr. High was the 3 worst years of my life.
49. I love dipping my In-n-out french fries into my In-n-out strawberry shakes. Once someone dared me to dip my hamburger. Not a good idea.
50. My favorite American places to eat: In-n-out, El Pollo Loco, Green Burrito, Applebees, Pizza-n-stuff
51. Favorite German places: Brauhaus, Europa, Chinese Taxi-wok, German Cantina on Thompkins Barracks, Big Pommes (just for the name)
52. Favorite French places: small cafe next to the cathedral in centrevill Strasbourg, any Patisserie, cafe in Place Gutenberg in Strasbourg, Kepab place in Orleans.
53. The average American tourist is very irritating. They really are loud and rude.
54. I am willing to discuss almost any subject as long as neither math or science are required.
55. I've only been homesick once in my adult life.
56. My favorite childrens show is Charlie and Lola.
57. The only A I ever got on an English paper was in college. It was on The Great Gatsby. I guess it helped that I had read it at least five times before I took the class.
58. I am terrified of elevators. (thanks a lot Joe!@!)
59. I was asked to "faire amour" by a short, greasy, gold chain wearing, hairy french man. My companion responded to this by saying "je ne suis pas facile!" (I am not easy)
60. I am not afraid to travel in a country where I don't speak the language.
61. Breakfast at Tiffanys is my favorite movie. Sliding Doors is a close second. Pride and Prejudice will always be the greatest.
62. The jobs I have had: Babysitter, hostess/cashier/server at Pinnacle Peak (I still answer to Calamity Jane), assistant to two Creative Memories consultants, Hallmark store clerk, Secretary-ish person at an Industrial sales company, Piano teacher.
63. If given a choice between the mountains and the ocean, the ocean will always win.
64. I never ever want to live in Utah.
65. I have always wanted to swim with dolphins.
66. My favorite family memories are going camping at Pismo Beach. I even made Matt stop there on our way to San Simeon on our Honeymoon.
67. My home is a little cluttery. I'm not the best housekeeper.
68. I am not a fan of video games.
69. In a two week period I had my teeth cleaned, three crowns, two root canals, and six fillings. The dentist said he didn't know how I was eating. (I wasn't, I have lost a ton of weight)
70. I love shopping for anyone.
71. My favorite ways to travel in Europe are by train or by car.
72. I love staying up late.
73. My friend Holly has a rule that I have to sit in the back seat if there is space.
74. I do not like body fluids. Even my own.
75. Cupcakes taste better than cake. I don't know why.
76. The food on my plate must never touch.
77. I do not like gravy. It touches other things on my plate.
78. My best friends husband once wanted to date me, but I said that I didn't date men that were shorter than me. He offered to wear platforms.
79. There are days when I wish I wasn't a mom. But then there are days when I LOVE it.
80. I wonder what my children will do with their lives.
81. I've only been to one real concert. And it was only to see the opener.
82. We (my friends and I) used to drive to the beach with windows down, sunroof open singing along to the Spice Girls at the top of our lungs.
83. Others have said that the way I chew bothers them.
84. I never ever thought I would be married to someone in the Military.
85. I have been known to whack my piano students with my pen/pencil/notebook. In extreme cases I puch them off of the bench.
86. I buy the impulse cookbooks in the checkout lanes at the grocery store.
87. Sometimes I wish I had more money, but then I see others that do, and they aren't any happier. In fact they usually have more problems.
88. Rootbeer is my favorite drink.
89. I am constantly searching the web for flights to Europe and places to stay there. But I won't be able to go back for another two years. sigh......
90. I want to make my home a place where my kids want to have their friends over.
91. For a few years now, I have stopped caring and/or trying to make people like me. If they don't like me for who I am, then I don't want to be their friend.
92. I love almost anything and everything from, about, or in France. Sometimes I even wish I were French. (but not a lot)
93. I do not like to garden. I hate getting my hands in the dirt. Too many yucky bugs.
94. I have recently discovered the power of changing myself.
95. I love fish tacos
96. I hate hardwood floors
97. I don't like snow
98. I don't ever want a pet. I have nothing against animals, we just don't get along very well.
99. I am a firm believer in communication. This sounds totally gay, but knowledge is so powerfull.
100. I have a hard time staying focused, so it took me forever to do this.

More Cadbury

I just got one of the packages from my friend Vashti in Ireland and it has treats in it for me!! And some belfast linen. I love getting packages in the mail. It just makes me happy. And I got something that I bought off of ebay. A total usless purchase, but it was cute. (an apron that was made in france and had pots and pans printed on it on the bottom like they were hanging off of the apron, with little yellow flowers on top. )

Chicken Pox

So, last week Lucy started to get spots. She has sensitive skin, so I thought she was allergic to something. Well, the spots didn't go away. I finally got in to the doctor yesterday (you have to call at the buttcrack of dawn to get a sameday appointment) and they said Varicella. Which to those of you who don't know what that is it is Chicken Pox. But I said she didn't have a fever or cold symptoms at all. Nothing other than spots. And all the pictures I saw online didn't look anything like what she had. Apparantly now that kids get the vaccine, they get a "mild" case. Which translates into not having any symptoms at all. So, last week we went to a friends house, and to church. And I feel SO bad that they may all get it. At least if they have had the vaccine that it won't be as bad as it was when we were kids and had it. But what I was really upset about is that we have not been around anyone that has had it. The only place that I can figure that we got it was from the grocery carts. And someone had left that lovely virus there. Well, from now on I'm going to bring those wipes that they make that get rid of things. And maybe make sure they wash their hands as soon as we get home. I had big plans for this weekend, and now I may not be able to go visit some friends. Kind of upset about that. And Lucy has baby dryscalp/dandruff. So I had to go and get her some expensive shampoo so that she doesn't scratch her scalp off. I just hope that their spots scab over before saturday so that I can go to Dallas and see my friends for a few days. I deserve it!! Just send good thoughts towards my kids so that they are scabby by saturday......... (i know it sounds really gross)

Cadbury

I love this time of year for many reasons. The sun starts to come out if you live in a place where its dreary all winter. The flowers start to bloom, you can wear shorts and sandals. Soon we will celebrate Christs' ressurection. And along with that comes my very favorite thing: Cadbury creme eggs.
Being in the United States, we are gyped out of really enjoying all of what Cadbury has to offer. For whatever reason, we get Cadbury once a year, at easter, and just recently have they started to branch out into other holidays. Cadbury has SO MUCH more to offer than just these lovely eggs. In the picture you will see many things that are hard to find or do not exist in this lovely country. Having been able to have friends that live in the UK, and also being able to visit them, I have been able to partake of these yummy treats. My favorite is the crunchie. And as you can see, most of what is in the picture has to do with the crunchie bar. It is seriously the best candy bar ever. None of the american chocolate makers can come near to how good it is. Probably because their chocolate has way too many fillers, and cadbury is just so much better. I do enjoy Lindt, and Milka's. Ritter Sports are a good german chocolate. My brother prefers a brand called Camille Bloch which is almost impossible to find in the US. (although I did find some at my local world market and almost fell over when i saw it.) They are very exclusive and only sell things in Switzerland. I have only eaten one of my creme eggs so far. But do not worry. I will eat the other three and procede to buy more. And to replenish my supply of crunchie bars my dear friend in Northern Ireland has sent me more. What I would do without her I do not know. The only problem is that Matt loves crunchie bars almost more than I do. So, lucky for me he is on one of his "I'm not eating candy anymore" kicks. It doesn't last more than a few months, but I will take advantage of it. More crunchie bars for me!!!!! And if you do see them, yes they are expensive here, but they are so so worth it.