A whole new level of obsessed

Many of you know my OCD, super talented sister. One of the best things about being her sister is you get the fruit of her super talents. Yesterday, she sent me pictures of her lastest creation she was making for Christmas presents while I was laboring away at work. I fell in love. Sick crazy mad kind of love. Because it's a word pillow. Me: editor. Editor=words. Me: yoga obsessed. Put the two together and what do you have? That's right folks! My bestest friend whipped me up a pillow that combines my loves, including her. So not only do I own belts and bags from her collections, I'm a proud owner of my own pillow with just a little bit of, "Oh, I want one." That's all it took. Did I mention how much I love my sister?

About me

Because friends have tagged me on Facebook and then I saw McMommy post her answers to her blog, I thought I'd share mine on my blog as well.

Started today at 8:36 a.m.

1. What time did you get up this morning?
6:28 a.m. and I seriously wanted to just climb back in and sleep til a more reasonable 7 a.m.

2. How do you like your steak?
When I want it, I like it Medium. Seriously contemplating becoming a vegetarian though.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
The Proposal. I laughed my ass off.

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Bones! It has David Boreanaz in it. Need I really say more?

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Wherever my husband is. It's not the place that matters, it's the people who count. And I can't live without my husband. Super sappy, but very true.

6. What did you have for breakfast?
Haven't eaten yet. But when I do a granola bar and banana. I'm currently drinking a chai latte, does that count?

7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Gonna have to say Mexican.

8. What foods do you dislike?
Shrimp. And yes, Lucy, I've had good shrimp. It's a texture issue.

9. Favorite Place to Eat?
At home.

10. Favorite dressing?
Who needs dressing when there's cottage cheese?

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive?
A Scion xA aka Black Beauty. I love her to death. I'm terrified of the day I have kids and will need a bigger Mommy car.

12. What are your favorite clothes?
Anything I can do yoga in.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?
Italy.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
Always 1/2 full. I'm an optimist.

15. Where would you want to retire?
Some place with a view and porch with a light breeze.

16. Favorite time of day?
The morning, if I can get up.

17. Where were you born?
Missouri

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Whatever my husband is watching, but I do like boxing and, when the winter Olympic are on, curling.

19. Bird watcher?
Yes! I love birds. Have a bird watching book, but haven't really taken the time to just go and bird watch. I don't want to admit that I'm that mature yet.

20. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Both, it's the time inbetween that I want to sleep.

21. Do you have any pets?
No. I work too much so I would feel bad not giving them the attention they need. Plus, I have horrible allergies.

22. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?
Like what? Anything exciting you know I'd leave on this blog. And Recca, no, not pregnant. I think this question was made just for you.

23. What did you want to be when you were little?
A grownup. When you're the youngest of eight with a a 17-year difference between you and your oldest, you're always playing catchup.

24. What is your best childhood memory?
Catching tiny frogs in butter dishes with my sister Chance.

25. Are you a cat or dog person?
Dog person, but I am starting to appreciate cats more.

26. Are you married?
Yes!

27. Always wear your seat belt?
What kind of stupid question is that? Of course!

28. Been in a car accident?
Yes. But none I've caused, unless you count the time I was first learning to drive and I floored the gas and jumped a curb.

29. Any pet peeves?
Complainers. It's your life. Only you have the power to change it.

30. Favorite Pizza Topping?
Whatever spice is on the frozen California Pizza Kitchen pizzas. I'm in love with it. Oh, and mushrooms, black olives, and tomatoes. Mmmm.

31. Favorite Flower?
Any. I plan on having a wild flower garden when I finall buy a house. Why appreciate just one flower?

32. Favorite ice cream?
Can I have chocolate instead?

33. Favorite fast food restaurant?
Not unless I want to be sick afterward. I do have Taco Bell from time to time, but I wouldn't say it's my favorite.

34. How many times did you fail your driver's test?
Zero.

35. From whom did you get your last email?
My husband. It had a picture from the 4th of July.

36. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
I don't use credit cards. They're evil. And why buy more than you need?

37. Do anything spontaneous lately?
No. I haven't mastered the skill of spontaneity yet.

38. Like your job?
Most days.

39. Broccoli?
It's my favorite veggie.

40. What was your favorite vacation?
My honeymoon to Kuaui, Hawaii.

41. Last person you went out to dinner with?
My husband.

42. What are you listening to right now?
Coworkers chatting, but during my commute, I had my Pandora app on my iPhone on the Iron & Wine station.

43. What is your favorite color?
Any shade of blue most days. Like flowers, I don't have a favorite. Why do I have to choose just one?

44. How many tattoos do you have?
Zero, but there are plans in the works to someday get one with my sister. We'll hold each other's hand. Unless of course she chickens out.

45. Coffee Drinker?
Sometimes, but I'd rather have a chai latte.

What time did you finish this quiz? 8:46 a.m. and yes, I should be working.

Love and family

Here at last is a compilation of some video footage and images snapped during family 4th out at the farm and during the 3rd annual fishing tournament. Jon and Jamie were sources of my best footage. I'll have to make more of a point to get other people next time. Sorry about that. Hope you like the music (Dropkick Murphys' "Never Forget").

A shoutout to the one above

This time of year always sneaks up on me. Work is busy. It's summer. The list goes on and on. But as time goes on, the pain of losing someone fades. Along with some of the memories. And you forget the exact date your world seemed to fall apart. You find enough glue to put your world painstakingly back together again. Not perfectly, but just enough to go on living and start to enjoy life.

Mom, I haven't forgotten you. Thanks for all the memories. We love and miss you down here.

I'll do handstand for you

Well, with a little help. Just a little leg up?

Today's class included a full handstand with a little help! I held it for like 5 seconds. I never realized how hard a job my legs have holding me up and getting me where I need to go. I'm very grateful for my two strong trunks.

Here's my theme song for practicing handstands. May your handstand find encouragement in Chairlift's Bruises too. Afterall, it's the journey that eventually gets us there. You just might have to take a road less traveled.

Pain in the neck

I had my very first massage last Friday. I was, up until then, a massage virgin. I could never bring myself to spend the money on something that wasn't tangeble. Boy, have I been missing out.

My neck had been bothering me, and I had know from getting MRIs for my MS that I had a slight curve up there. (I think this body model has been recalled.) Recent pain from stress was making it hurt all the time except when I'm practicing yoga.

I signed up for a massage at Massage Envy. I know. A chain. Evil. Makes me think of that Friends episode where Phoebe rips up Rachel's coupon for free massage because Phoebe doesn't want her to know she's sold out. But it was just the quick fix—well, if 1.5 hours is quick—I was needing, and I'm contemplating making it a regular monthly event with some recommended massage therapists through my yoga studio.

Pain really can lead to good things.