Day 30

Can I just say how glad I am this is over. I'm not gonna lie, I have totally judged people for not finishing these things before. I mean really, how hard is it? Let me tell you it is hard! By day 20 I was like for the love of God am I done? And I could have been. But no. I am WAY too stubborn. I HAD to finish it or it would keep me up at night, seriously, I have a hard times letting things go. I will never judge anyone for not finishing one of these stupid things again. I will be impressed if you even start. I'm not gonna lie I did like to read other's 15 facts, let's just do that every six months or so, because that part was cool. Anyways, as my friend Natalie pointed out, this did serve a purpose. I have been enlightened in how hard these are to finish and will have one less thing to judge others about. C'mon you know you judge others every now and then too, it's just hard not to! :)

And with that... I present... a picture of someone you miss...



It was too hard to pick from my real friends cause I miss so many of them because they live all over. I miss these kids. I know I can see some of them around on TV (Lauren on the Hill's reruns and a supposed new show, Kristin on random shows ex: The Middle a couple months ago and cheering on her man at a Bear's game, Jessica getting married and having to talk about it on a Hill's after show, Jason's face on E! talking about how he's been arrested again, and of course Stephen's on One Tree Hill)... but I miss them all together. I am not ashamed. I freakin' loved this show. They are all so annoyingly pretty and skinny I love them and hate them at the same time. And when they talked about nothing for hours... or how Stephen and Kristin were fighting and getting back together again! Oh man... I miss it. It's lame I know... but I miss them all.

Day 29

A picture that makes you laugh...

(And after yesterday's DEPRESSING post... we need to have a laugh! :)

Okay, so the picture itself is not very funny, but let me tell you the story. Last Christmas, the 'rents and I went on a Christmas cruise on Lake Washington. My mom thought it would be fun and it wasn't bad but it was sooo cheesy! At the end they sang Christmas carols and said "Take out your keys and jingle them like jingle bells." I look over to roll my eyes at my mom, and she's digging her keys out of her purse!!! I was like, Mo-om what are you doing? She just started singing jingle bells and jangled her keys. She looked at me and smiled and said, "I'm easily amused... doesn't take much to make me happy!" Oh man, so I had to get a pic of her jingling her keys to jingle bells on one of the silliest boat rides I have ever been on.

Day 28

A picture of something you're scared of...

I'm scared of being alone forever. I'm fine with it right now. I love my friends and family, but I want to get married and have a family. I'm scared I will never find someone and have to walk this earth alone.

Day 27

See what I mean? These are all way too alike! (Unless your important thing is not family, but mine was.)

A picture of you and a family member. I've written so much about my mom, my dad, my cousin, I had to pick someone new.

Okay, so this is a beyond horrible pic of me... bad face day... clearly the Wisconsin humidity wrecked my face this weekend and I'm sorry, what is up with my boobs in this pic? But it is the only one I could find of the two of us. (Next time I see her I will have to remedy this!!!)

This is my Aunt Dorothy. She is amaze-balls! She married my uncle Jeff when he was about 40 something and we had all assumed he would be a bachelor for life. She could not fit into our family better. (And since we are all crazy, I'm not sure that's a complement but oh well. Haha, it is.) I can talk to her like a sister, but she gives advise like an adult in a way non judgmental way. I wish she had kids, because she would have been a great mom. But she teaches college English, so all those students get to benefit from her amazing-ness! She loves my uncle to death and is just perfect for him. He's a hunter, and said he knew she was "the one" when he gutted a deer in front of her and she didn't flinch. I would never pass that test. Anyways, I love her. I love her humor, her view of life and the fact that they lived in a town in Montana with NO CELL SERVICE until the last year and thought it was great. So not my life! And, she loves tennis, which is the only sport I can play well, so she won me over with that too! I am so lucky she is part of my family and am so grateful she and Jeff found each other.

Day 26

A picture of something that means a lot to you...

My Aunt Dorothy, Uncle Jeff, my mom and Grandpa



My favorite cousins, Tara and Erin


My grandpa, me and my step grandma, Joan

My Uncle Rick and Aunt Linda (and me)

Dinner at Buca de Beppos... My aunt Dorothy, Aunt Linda, Steve (stepdad), my mom, Grandpa and step grandma Joan, and Uncle Jeff is in the corner :)

My family. I love them all. This is my whole mom's side. While I love my step dad's side as well, I hardly ever see them, so I consider this side to be "my crew". I am so thankful for them all. Sorry the pics aren't that great, but here we are! This was my college graduation, and some of the best pics I have of us all.

Day 25

A Picture of your day...

I woke up late... (I have to be at work at 8:30)



Took a super speedy shower (no pic needed)

Hopped into my car instead of the taking the bus (because the bus was long gone).

***Note about working in downtown Seattle. There is no parking cheaper than $12/day. I can't afford to do that every day, so my work provides a bus pass and therefore I have become a "conserve the earth and save me a dolla' commuter". :) ***
Got to work right on time (Friday's=no traffic) All the cool kids must stay home! :)

Clearly this is not my job, but we have very similar crazy things happen such as the show does. I'll post examples when this 30 day thing is over.

After work I headed to the store for some important items, such as toilet paper. :)

Came home... did my homework...

And now I get to read this gem! Super excited. It is a page turner and a quick read! I can't wait to see the movie!

And that was my day/early evening! School tomorrow at 9, yay!

Day 24

Okay... so some of these things are so close together I think the author got lazy. But, because I am crazy obsessive and have to finish something I start (especially if other's are watching... (a new therapy sesh perhaps?) I have to keep going.

A Picture of something you wish you could change...


Now, before you all think I am super greedy, let me explain. I do not just want more money I want to be good with money. I took out a couple credit cards in college and I am still working my booty off to pay them off. I am currently down to 3. (Okay, so I underexagerated above, I didn't just have a couple I had 7 at my max!) AHHHHHH, I know! What was I thinking? Well, I was thinking I was way too superficial and had to have the perfect clothes all the time. Seven jeans, true religion, I say no but they keep givin'. Although, unlike the song, mine weren't free. I have a fabulous closet to show for it, but since I put on a few pounds most don't fit anymore. :( Anyways, the post says something I wish I could change and change I am. I have paid off 4 and am paying off the final ones now. I'm also doing this crazy little thing called a savings, so when I have an "emergency" -which my definition of this has changed: need new tires=real emergency, need a new outfit, while it may seem like a fashion emergency, it is not - I now pay for these items with savings and not a credit card. Working for a bankruptcy and foreclosure law firm has changed my perspective on this as well. So, I want to change (and am changing) the way I manage my money. This is also something I hid for a long time because I was ashamed. I have learned the more I talk about it now, the more I force myself to think about if I should really spend my money in a certain way. My close friends help too, because they talk me through things (I am blessed to have two excellent money managing friends-Natalie and Nicole- thanks for your help! I would be even more broke as a joke without you!)

Day 23

A Picture of your favorite book

Read it! It's a modern day story of Hosea and the prostitute and it is a beautiful story of unconditional love and God's unconditional love. If you haven't read about Hosea, well you can find it in the Bible or here: http://bible.org/seriespage/hosea

Day 22

A Picture of something you wish you were better at...

Dance... you all know I want to be able to do this better!

Day 21

A Picture of something you wish you could forget...













I got nothin'. I try really hard to not have regrets. I guess the only thing I wish I could forget is two girls one cup... and I am NOT posting a picture of that. Other than that, I learn from what I do every day and try not to forget what I've learned... either good or bad.

Day 20

A Picture of somewhere you'd love to travel... Fiji... or anywhere where the skies look like this, the water looks like this, the foliage looks like this. I've never been anywhere tropical and I WANT TO GO NOW! :)

Day 19

A picture of you when you were little...

Had to take a picture of a picture b/c I haven't used my scanner in forever and it seemed like the easiest choice. Love that we have digital cameras now! Wasn't I cute? I was 3 here and this is my favorite pic! So adorable! (I'm sorry but it's true!)

Day 18

A Picture of your biggest insecurity...

Okay, this is the most discusting picture I could find and it's clearly not me. Anybody who knows me know I struggle with my weight. I can blame it on genetics, having no time, my thyroid, the list goes on, but the truth is I just struggle to be consistent. I've gone a good 6 months being good, eating right, working out, then I fall right back into old habits and the weight comes back on. And, boy does my body sure pack on the pounds quickly. I hate that I care so much and I hate that this is a struggle for me. But, alas it is, so maybe putting it out there will make me get my ass in gear and hit the gym... (this after I posted about eating cheeze its in my last post, haha!)

***Disclaimer... I had to edit that pic because it was grossing me out! I should put it on my fridge because it makes me never want to eat!!***

Day 17

A Picture of Something that has made a huge impact on your life recently... Back to School!!! You are going to think I'm crazy but week two into it and I was balling like a baby last night. Can you say O-VER-WHELMED???!!!! And combine that with an overly emotional/dramatic person and you get tears of frustration and a lot of "I can't do this!" Yes, I have decided that by week two. But not really. Just a momentary lapse. I tend to freak out and then be okay the next day. Some days you just need a good cry. I know there are a lot of other things going on for me as well. But, I did freak out. And, that is why I intentially took tonight off. I have been doing accounting for 4 hours every night this week cramming for a quiz on Saturday. Lord have mercy, I've forgotten how to study, how to learn and I freaked out!!!! And, for my sanity's sake, I am watching Sex in the City and catching up on shows on my DVR and eating some Cheese Its. :) I will study tomorrow and will do the best I can on the first quiz on Saturday. Seriously, Jess, it is the FIRST quiz. Just gettin' in the groove here... it's gonna be okay. I also had to remind myself to treat myself like I would treat others. I am way more understanding with other's mistakes than I am with my own... (can we say just PART of the reason I was in therapy for a year! :) Anyways, enough venting. School has changed my life and I know that it will not only make me smarter and more knowledgable in the field of accounting... it will also make me stronger as a person. It's crazy how hard I have to work to LOVE MYSELF!!! Every morning I need to wake up and say, I love you. You are beautiful, you are strong, you are capable of anything you set your mind too. Do it with me and we will all have a better day! :)

Day 16

A picture of someone who inspires you... This is Jen. She is my manager and president of the company I work for. She is amazing. Wife, mother, business owner, attorney... she's accomplished a LOT in her 29+ (won't tell how many out of respect :) years. She inspires me to work harder, try harder, make higher goals and generally just want the most out of life. Plus, I'm a firm believer that women can do anything men can do the same if not better... and she is the epitome of this. And, I am lucky enough to also call her a friend, what more could you ask for in a job, and better yet, what more could I ask for in a role model?

Day 15

Picture of something you want to do before you die...

I want to see as much of the world as I can before I die. I've been to Canada (but only a couple places in the West), England, France, Italy, Greece, Albania, Scotland, and Mexico. I would like to see all 50 states and many of the countries I haven't seen. Japan (after the radiation calms down!) Australia, China, India, Thailand, Poland, Russia, Germany, Austria, Guatemala, Venezuala, you name it I want to see it. Chances are I won't get to see them all. But, I'd love to be able to travel all over when my hubby and I have raised our kids and it's just us again.

Day 14

Picture of Someone you can't picture your life without... It would have to be Erin... my amazing cousin :) 4th of July in LA!

Yay for the sun and beach... her skin is a little more adjusted than my Seattle whiteness :)

Coffee on the pier here in Seattle

Chillin' in front of the London bridge

Lookin' pretty in Trafalgar square

Having drinks in London at ages 19 and 20, yay! :)

Sittin' pretty at Capernwray (the school we went to in England)

My favorite pic and one that truly speaks of the fun you will always have with Erin... us posing as the statue above... yes, I was the horse. :) And her sweatshirt placement is right on for what she was... :)

I love this girl to death. My life would have been a million times less fun and meaningful without her, and I am so happy she is a part of it! Love you Airs!

Day 13

A Picture of your favorite band or artist... I know you all could guess by now... :) Love me some Taylor...

Day 12

Picture of something you love... I love all the things in the pics below... Friends, Family, my cat and my mom's dog, and Christmas :)

Most of all, I just love my life :) P.S... these are just my Seattle friends... I have many more friends and family all over I love just as much! My computer just gets overwhelmed uploading a million pics! :)

Day 11

A Picture of Something you hate... I had to do three things. Food, medical, and everyday life :) I hate beets. My mom used to make me eat "at least one" of these as a kid. It is the only thing she ever really forced me to eat. I still think they are just the WORST vegetable ever!!!

I cannot stand IV's. I've literally freaked out and cried hysterically when I had to get one one time. A little dramatic I know. But, during the first surgery on my feet as I kid I woke up and had EXTREME pain in my hand where the IV was. Then I heard the nurse say, "Whoops, looks like we only got it halfway in your vein there!" Freaked me out and I still have a fear of having them put in and taken out. Just give me a shot to knock me out and then put it in. :)

This is the best pick I could find of this hate. Intolerance. I hate it. I hate racism. I hate any sort of dislike for a person just because of how they look, who they decide to love, where they are from, etc. If someone is mean, don't like them. But get to know someone before you decide not to like them. I just don't see any reason to just dislike someone for superficial reasons. And I truly hate it when people are intolerant of other people's views, looks, etc. That's all...

Day 10

A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with...

First please notice our outfits. They are like the same and opposite. I love it. We do this all the time... without planning it... here's another :)

Okay... hideous picture of me, but you get the point. This girl and I LIVED IT UP during college and for a couple years after. :) While we still have fun, we toned down the crazy... we are in our "late 20's" now after all. Anyways... here's the dirt.

Marissa has been with me to get my crap back from an ex's mom's house, she had my back when an ex wouldn't leave me alone, she has gone to random places with random guys we met (sorry mom!) and basically she is just always down for ANYTHING. We always managed to stay out of trouble though... somehow. :) We've hung out with the firemen from the calendar, skinny dipped on a rooftop apartment and done more jeggar bombs than one should. And through it all we had each others back and develeped an amazing, never ending friendship. I love this girl and am always down to do "messed up" or normal things with her. :)

Day 9

A Picture of the person who has gotten through the most... It's has to be people. My parents... my mom of course the longest, but when she married Steve he became the father I never had. These two have and will always be there for me. I couldn't ask for better parents. And I am lucky they have been there for me always. :)

Day 8

Picture that always makes me laugh... Okay... so when I went to Greece we went on a mission trip to Albania. They busted out this ancient bus which broke down numerous times along the way. But the best part was this bar that we thought looked like a roller coaster. Maybe it was ten hours on a bus that made it funny, but we sure had a laugh. This is also when I learned boys don't have to hold "it" when they pee. Apparently it's NOT like a hose as I thought it was... hey, I was an only child... how was I supposed to know? How I found out was offering the guy pictured here (my good friend, Paul) some baby wipes to wash his hands after we had to go to the bathroom on the side of the road (this trip forced me to learn how to do that too!) Anyways, he said the smell grossed him out, and I said, "Ewww! Don't touch me after you touched your "thing"!" He was like, "I didn't touch anything!" I was like "How is that possible without spraying everyone??" Oh boy did he laugh at me and then explained that it was not necessary to "hang on tight" like I thought. Thank God I learned then. My poor sons would have probably hung on so tight b/c mommy scared them thinking they would spray all over! Although, as boys they would probably think it was cool and then be sad to discover it didn't work... Anyways, enough "potty" talk. This is the pic that always makes me laugh. Because of the rollercoaster and all that I learned that day...

Day 7

A Picture of my most treasured item...

This is it... she is my perfect little 'Misu. Short for Tiramisu. She is just like me. Picky, beautiful and always gets what she wants... hahaha... okay so maybe she gets more of what she wants then I do. I love her more than words... and that is why she is my most treasured item. :) Call me a crazy cat lady if you will...

Day 6

A Person I would like to trade lives with for a day... Taylor

She can sing, play guitar and piano, and she's beautiful. I would love to walk in her shoes for a day. I think it would be a pretty great day. :)

Day 5

Picture of my favorite memory

Okay... so we have to improvise here because I don't have any actual pictures of this. Remember how I said I wanted to be a dancer? I also loved singing and performing in general. My church growing up (Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, WI), had an amazing children's choir. I was a part of that and when the summers came and we didn't have choir practice they offered a chance to do a musical. We always did GT and the Halo Express. If you remember these please comment, because I loved these tapes (yes tapes!! See how dated this is! Haha). I will still listen to them today in my mom's car sometimes...cause that is the only remaining tape player I know of...haha.

Anyways... the best pics I could do were these.

My church... ahh the memories! :)