28

Woo hoo! We made it. I've been blogging for a year! I can't believe it. Thanks to all the people who actually read my posts. It means so much. And I really do appreciate all the e-mails I get.

So I was trying to figure out what to blog about today. Not only is it this blog's 1st Anniversary, but it's also my 28th birthday. :) Yay! I decided I'd post a list of 28 things, for 28 years, that you probably don't know about me. Here goes nothing...

♥ Key Lime Pie is my favorite pie ever!
♥ I don't know how to swim.
♥ Sundays are my favorite day of the week. Because I go to church, have "Pancake Sundays," and watch NASCAR races. Best day ever! :)
♥ I secretly dream of being a "Housewife" and "Stay-at-Home Mommy."
♥ I can easily turn a watermelon into an "Agua de Sandia." And drink the whole thing. All in the same day!
♥ Anything with polka dots, makes me smile.
♥ When I need to relax and think things through, I go for a run. A long run. At least 5 miles, cross country.
♥ I paint the entire interior of my house. At least once a year. Usually in the same colors. :)
♥ I could live in pj bottoms, knee high socks, and Hanes tank tops. So comfy! Too bad I have to leave the house.
♥ I HATE feet! I just can't stand to look at them. Including my own.
♥ One day I found these candy bars. And I fell in love. So much so, I bought 2 cases from the Dollar Tree. And froze them. Good thing too! They stopped making them. And that makes me sad.
♥ I secretly count down the days, until the next episode of Teen Mom.
♥ I cheer for the bulls, not the bull riders, in the PBR.
♥ I can't sleep, without hugging something. Like a pillow. I'm not joking!
♥ In every room in my house, I have a calendar.
♥ I get excited to buy seeds, bulbs, and plants.
♥ Until I was 18, I had no clue how to do laundry. I had absolutely no clue, how to work a washing machine. I'm not lying!
♥ At Easter time, I buy boxes of Dove Truffle Eggs. They're a little piece of heaven. And I anxiously wait for them to come out, every single year!
♥ I've worn the same toe ring, since I was a sophomore in high school. I've never taken it off. Is that odd?
♥ I secretly LOVE Lonesome Dove!
♥ Sweet Potato Fries are AMAZING!
♥ I've always wanted my own library. In my house. Because I love books, and reading that much!
♥ Little Dorrit is one of my favorite PBS shows. Yes, I LOVE PBS. And so many of their shows.
♥ I LOVE going to the Dentist! I don't know why. But I get so excited when I go. :)
♥ My sister bought me this set of books when I was 7 years old. I've read them so many times. And eventually got hooked on the PBS series too!
♥ I once worked here. For nearly a year. It was interesting...
♥ One of my favorite treats is COSTCO pizza and the berry smoothies.
♥ I like to eat lunch at the graveyard. Yes, I take my lunch, to my families' graves. And just hangout with them. :)

There you go. Did you learn anything new? I know, I'm a little weird. But I'm me. And I'm 100% OK with that. Now I'm off to enjoy mi cumpleanos! ♫

No. 22

This is my favorite perfume. Chanel No. 22. I got it as a gift. Years ago. From one of my bosses/friends. It's a good thing too! Because it's so far out of my price range. But it's so beautiful. The scent is feminine and light. And completely unmistakable.



Whenever I wear this fragrance, I feel like I'm wrapped in silk. It's that lush and gorgeous. The perfume is designed around white flowers. I'm pretty sure that's why I love it so much. Most of my favorite blooms, are white flowers.

This scent is definitely floral. But not over the top. The scent of white rose, jasmine, lily, Orange Blossom, and Lily of the Valley are clear. But there is also a slightly spicy scent. Most likely from the nutmeg. And the unmistakable cleanliness of vanilla.

Yes, this is definitely my favorite fragrance. Perhaps, my "Signature Scent." It's the one I just adore. I find myself reaching for it more times, than not. Let's just say, I'm grateful that my friend has taken the hint. I can count on getting a bottle, for all the major events during the year. Like my birthday, Christmas, and that big week of shows.

I was never a woman that pined over fragrances. Or the various "notes," that make up a good perfume. But No. 22, well it has changed my life. And the way I view perfume. Let's just say, I finally understand the whole, "making a memory with scents." ♫

Breastfeeding Baby Doll

I'm sure that you all know, I study nutrition and medicine. Along with that comes lots of teaching. In subjects that I never really thought of, prior to college. Like fertility, breastfeeding, and L&D. But times change.

So with the teaching that I do, I learn about all sorts of new things. I can sit here and rattle on for days, about breast pumps. I can give you suggestions on how to increase your supply. And give you some tips for weaning.

But this, well I'm not going to lie, stopped me in my tracks!



A breastfeeding doll. For little girls. Huh? I was a little bit "taken aback" when I first heard about it. But then, I stopped to think...

The best part about being the "youngest" out of my friends is, I learn from them. And their kiddos. Like when my Commadre G was breastfeeding her twins. Her young girls would mimic her. Trying to breastfeed their baby dolls. They didn't think it was wrong. No. Because they watched their mommy feed their younger siblings.

Even though she covered up, the girls knew, that was the way the babies were eating. So they would pretend play in the same way. It's not a bad thing. So I understand the reasons for this doll. As do my friends.

That could be why, we just ordered a few. What do you think? I know it's going to wrinkle some feathers. Especially since they're not stateside yet. But they're coming this summer.

Did I mention? One of the clinics I work at, they just ordered 20. Since we promote breastfeeding real babies, they figured why not. We can start making females more comfortable with their bodies. Breastfeeding is not a sexual act. It's a mothering act. ♫

My Dear Bougainvillea

A few years ago, I found Barbara Karst Bougainvillea on clearance. A gallon sized bucket, which had been $25, was now $3. Why? I don't know. It was dead. Or dying. I just think the stock was changing at Wal-Mart. It was still hot out here, but Halloween decorations and school supplies were taking over.

I bought 7. I know. It seems extreme. But with the size of my yard, either you go big...or you just go home. So I planted them. In the backyard. On the west fence. I thought it would add to my "tropical" vision. I wanted my backyard to have an "exotic" feel to it.



Vibrant pink flowers were taking over. These plants grew so well! Taking over the fence. Even my neighbor commented on how pretty the looked. I was so happy! These plants were amazing climbers. And added a bit of "privacy" to my backyard. A total bonus!



I also picked up an orange variety. I have no clue what it's "real name" is. But it was gorgeous. More of a peach color. And I planted next to the gate, leading to my backyard. It grew nicely. Not overtaking the space. But adding a nice "pop" of color.

Well, around here, most people landscape with more "tropical" plants. It's more common to see palm trees, than it is to see pine trees. And we're more than cool with that. Until we get snow.

That would be 2 years in a row. Lots of snow! My backyard had almost 2 feet of snow in it! That was February. When our temperatures loomed under 0*F. We were not happy. Not me. Not my town. Not the surrounding area.

So many plants and trees died. Costing this city, and our neighboring city way too much money. HUGE palm trees, are now having to be replaced. As for me, my dear plants have died. I have little hope for their return.

A bit dramatic? I think not! Any and all tropical plants that I had, are pretty much dead. I've been diligently watering. But I'm almost 100% sure they are not coming back. It's a sad situation really. Last summer, they were so pretty!

But I will not let that get me down. No sir! I will keep my eyes open. Looking for another good deal. Hoping that I can find a few bougainvilleas. Maybe some hydrangeas. Anything to add to my yard. It's going to be a long process to figure out what survived our tough winter, and what didn't. ♫

What Do You Think?

This is a Chupacabra. Part beast, part animal, part super creature. Around these parts, they are on the news, at least a few times a week. No lie! And there is always a debate...are they real???



What do you think? Chupacabras are pretty ugly things. They are destructive. And honestly, most of the news stories, surround upset Ranchers. Whose cattle is being attacked and killed. All I know is, I wouldn't want to come into contact with one. But are they real? Or are they just part of a myth. Like the "Skin Walker?" ♫

Yum!

Dion's Chef Salads are some of my favorites. No lie! For a few years, we didn't have a Dion's where I live. So every time I went to my hometown, I'd buy a "family size." Delish! I'd eat it all week. And it was honestly heaven!



Now I can get one whenever I want. It makes me so excited! I prefer mine without salad dressing. Followed with a yummy brownie, for dessert. Just blogging about it, is making me hungry! And I just had one of these yummy salads. Last night. For dinner.

Another thing about Dion's, lately I've gotten good entertainment there. No lie! Every time I go with my parents, there is something interesting going on. Like last night, we witnessed a HUGE fight. Just outside the door. We had a window booth. And witnessed the entire 45 minute situation. Cops and all. Dion's is a safe place. But sometimes, the "entertaining people" are just out. And well, we got dinner and a show last night. ♫

Commander in Chic

This is my "new" favorite nail polish. OK, not new. I wore it all winter. Last year. Then I lost it. I have no clue, what I did with my bottle. I've searched everywhere! Something tells me, I left it in Sin City. :(



But I just picked up a new bottle. And I'm loving it. Again! It's just the perfect dusty purple, taupe color. A neutral. But not boring. A color that goes with so much. And is a bit elegant. Yup, it's love. ♫