The List: Random 20

Random 20 facts about myself (Sarah)

1. I love books. Books of all kinds. I dream of having a library room in my house one day. I dont know where the fascination comes from but as long as I can remember I have always loved going to a book store or the library. Seeing a book fair sign still excites me. When I see a child/person tear a page of a book my heart aches. Its silly but true.

2.  The house I grew up in was built approximately in the 1850's. My Great-Great Grandparents purchased the house in the early 1920's and it was already about 70 years old. It has a dirt basement that is creepier than all get out. It has square nails.

3. I am a night owl. I would rather sleep in and stay up late. And most importantly first thing in the morning do not approach me with a chipper cheery attitude and expect anything in return more than a grumble.

4. I am prone to injury. Most of my major injuries that I can remember were freak accidents and probably couldn't happen twice if I wanted them to.  I broke my arm when I was 3 by slipping in cow poop. I was put in a neck brace in 5th grade because a kid wanted my seat on the bus and pulled my arm and something in my neck popped. I woke up the next day and couldn't move my head. In 8th grade I fell ice skating and tried to catch myself and ended up stabbing myself in my rear which resulted in 15 stitches because the 2 inch blade went in at a 6 inch diagonal ripping my muscles.

5. I love traveling. I would travel all the time if I had the time and money. My dream trip would be to go to France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden, Holland, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland....the list goes on. I want to see the castles and the places where lots of our families originated from.

6. I am addicted to Ancestry.com. I am also addicted to Who Do You Think You Are. I wish I were a celebrity that had all the money to travel to all the places to get documents and see where my ancestors lived. I have learned so much about my family that I never even imagined, not to mention the photos that I have found in my search.

7. When I was little I lived in a swimsuit with a built in inner-tube in the summertime because if you turned your back on me I was in the pool or lake or whatever body of water we were near.  My mom first dropped me under water when I was 10 months old by blowing in my face.

8. I have 3 tattoos. I love tattoos and want to get more but they have to have meaning to me.

9. I love to journal and by journal I do not mean on here I mean in an actual journal. I love writing in general. I find journaling very therapeutic.

10. Justin and I have been together for 7 years. We got married on our 5 year anniversary exactly. We met online, very randomly but I wouldn't trade anything. Our first face to face meeting with each other went awful.

11. I can play 2 instruments. The violin and the tuba.

12. I grew up in my Great Great Grandparents house, next door was my Great Grandparents house; my Great Grandma lived there until she passed when I was 16 and next to her house was my Grandparents house. It is weird to me to that some families go long periods of time without seeing each other. Family was constantly around as I grew up. My cousins were the siblings I never had biologically.

13. I love taking drives. Growing up my parents and I would get in the car and just go drive around in the middle of nowhere. I think this is where my love of road trips comes from. I would much rather take the back road somewhere than take the easiest route just to see what we can see.

14. I love sporting events. I love all things baseball/softball, soccer, hockey, basketball, football, swimming, volleyball... I would rather be at the event than watching it on TV but watching it on TV is second best.

15. I make lists. I put things on lists just so I can cross them off and feel better about something.

16. I am a naturally messy person and I hate it. I tend to clutter and not know what to do with it and it gets moved from space to space to space before I realize what to do with it or that I don't need it.

17. I believe in ghosts. I believe that my parents house is haunted and have experienced things that I believe happened by such. When I was younger there was a music box that belonged to my GG Grandma and it would turn on by itself in the middle of the night. There are noises of someone going up and down the stairs (and no Im not talking light noises, Im talking heavy footsteps. unmistakeable footsteps) While renovating the house not too long ago I heard a man yelling, I thought it was my Dad yelling, I was on a ladder and my head was above the rafters in the room. I quickly came down from the ladder and asked Mom if Dad was ok, Dad was standing around the corner and was just fine and was not yelling. My Dad and Justin can smell certain smells that my Mom and I can't smell such as a woman's perfume. My Mom and I can smell things that Dad and Justin can't smell like cinnamon and foul odors. I believe in ghosts. (ask me about it sometime :) )

18. I want to open my own not for profit agency that specializes in helping families with children with special needs. I know Topeka has TARC but I want to specialize in focusing on Autism and Down Syndrome. In specific I would love to bring the DSG to Topeka and start an Autism focused agency since Topeka does not have anything of the sort. So many families would benefit.

19. I love to take pictures. I know it annoys some people when someone is constantly carrying a camera but I cherish documenting life's events. Pictures are things we can't replace years down the road.

20. My first time snow skiing I took out a fence. I was with my youth group in Winter Park, Co. parts of my group told me I would be fine if I stuck with them but failed to tell me to V my skis to go slower and to zig zag down the hill. As I quickly approached the orange fence at the bottom I tucked and rolled. Most of my youth group witnessed this event.

The List

Ok so a friend posted this on her blog and I loved it so I will do this too. And instead of doing it all at once, I will do one a day.


THE LIST:

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

March Is Here

I felt an update was needed. Not a whole lot going on in our world.

I am still loving my job with my little dude. He keeps me on my toes. I've spent the past 3 weeks traveling back and forth from Topeka to KC for a training at KU Med in the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training Center. It was really awesome to observe different ways to work with kids. I was able to learn lots and bring some new ideas back to my little dude but I am so happy to be done driving back and forth.

Last weekend we traveled to KC to eat with Justin's parents and Caleb and Haylie. We always enjoy spending time with them, however not often enough. After dinner we all ventured to Tailgaters for karaoke. Caleb knocked the bar out with singing I believe in a thing called love-The Darkness (as always) and also I will always love you-Whitney Houston which he got a standing ovation for. Justin sang Stacked Actors-Foo Fighters and then of course "The Villains"  sang Bohemian Rhapsody.

This weekend we will head back to KC for Brooke's wedding reception. I dont know about Justin but I am super excited to see the Mitchell Family! Its almost been a year since we've seen them. Not only am I excited to celebrate Brooke and Drew's wedding but I am excited to meet Baby Scott and see Amber 7 (ish) months pregnant! Its always a fun time when we all get together.

I signed up for my first 5K in June. I am excited but nervous. Its the Color Run, they throw paint at you. I think it sounds fun. Haylie and Miranda are also going to try to do it with me, if they can get signed up. The registration is going fast.

I hope everyone is having an awesome year so far.

Looking at 2012

Well on this last day of 2011 it has been a wonderful day. Beautiful weather, record highs today here in T-Town. We hit 66 degrees but it quickly dropped this evening. My cousin Anna and her husband Barry welcomed their baby boy to the world today. Corbin Everett joined us at 4:51p.m. weighing 6lbs 9oz and was 20in long. He's a handsome little guy!

 

Well this is the time of year that we all think about setting a resolution for the next 365 days. Some are far fetched and some are reasonable. For me looking at 2012 I will set my resolutions as following:

1. Love More

2. Laugh More

3. Take More Pictures

4. Travel

5. Step Outside of My Bubble

6. Explore the World Around Me

7. Spend More Time Outside

8. Do Something For A Complete Stranger

9. Read More Books

10. Live More

2011 in Review

So we are coming to an end of another year. I truly can't believe that 2011 is over in a matter of days. Overall I think its been a good year for us. Heres a few highlights from the year:

1. Justin started working at Sprint by Wireless Lifestyles in January as a Phone Technician
2. We traveled to Estes Park, Co in April for Brad and Amber's Wedding (Justin's cousin) and survived driving through a blizzard thanks to that wonderful trucker!
3. We traveled to Anna Maria Island, Florida for Matt and Brittney's wedding, our first time to Florida!
4. Chandler and Lyndsay's wedding in June.
5. Adam and Meghan's wedding in July.
6. Justin turned 29 in July and I turned 26 in August.
7. We participated for our 2nd year now at Step Up for Down Syndrome raising money for the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City. Team Evan raised approximately $1500! I was so appreciative for all of the help!
8. We traveled to Bartlesville, OK for Thanksgiving with Justin's Mom's side of the family.
9. I started taking my photography more seriously and made business cards and a facebook page! Sarah Beth Photography
10. Justin and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary and 7 years together!
11. I went to my first Chiefs game!
12. I started researching my ancestry and it has become a huge hobby! Ancestry
13. I started working as an Intensive Individual Support Worker under the Autism Waiver for the State of Kansas.
14. I discovered Pinterest if you have no idea what it is, prepare for your new addiction!
15. We got Molly our Toy Australian Shepherd!

Catching Up

Since the last post I have changed jobs. I no longer work for KCSL, I am now working for the Sate of Kansas as an Intensive Individual Support Worker for a Child with Autism. I started working with my little guy at the end of September and I absolutely love it. He is 6 and keeps me on my toes. In a round about way I get paid to play, and it is beyond awesome. He loves jumping on the trampoline, swinging and playing Mario on the Wii. I have also started further pursuing my love of photography and have decided to put it out there and start doing family photos and events for people. I am known as Sarah Beth Photography and its starting slow but I am ok with that as I figure out what exactly I am doing regarding pricing and the nutshells.

Justin is still working as a Phone Technician at Wireless Lifestyles. He now has a second tech which makes life easier for him. And his boss is now one of his best friends so that is also awesome for him. Caleb (his brother) works for the same company also but in KC. Justin enjoys this because they can compete with one another and is a constant topic when we are together.

We just celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary and 7 years together total. Amazing how time flies by. Its weird to think back that this whole journey started so innocently as complete strangers and now here we are. I can say that the past 7 years have been nothing less than amazing and I look forward to the next 70 (as Justin tells me-yes that makes both of us around 100 years old.)

The Holidays are upon us, again. I really love this time of the year but at the same time I despise it. I love the fall/winter weather and I love the holiday spirit. I dont like the greediness, selfishness, rudeness, and all the cinnamon in the stores. Dont get me wrong, I love cinnamon but the abundant smell of it EVERYWHERE kills me. I dont think people realize that it does affect some people. I recently went to Walmart and the smell was so strong I had an attack where I could not breathe, my eyes were burning and I could not stop coughing. I have always been this way, I have learned that during this time of the year I need to medicate myself before going to the store, and work, and restaurants and friends and families houses. If I dont medicate it gives me a wonderful migraine headache that knocks me out. Anywho enough about cinnamon. Yesterday was "BLACK FRIDAY" and I did venture out but it was unintentional. I did get a few things but again, I did not have an agenda so it was unplanned and mostly for myself. Now I admit I do love receiving gifts but at this time of the year I am more concerned about buying for others. I would rather see the joy on others faces than my own (which is how it should be I believe.)

I will end this post on the note of, remember that the person who is taking "too long" in front of you or just cut you off or disrupted your plan is dealing with their own battle. Instead of judging by what you are seeing on the surface realize that there is so much more than what you see going on. Smile at them, say "Hi" and even offer to help if you see them struggleing. You have no idea what their story is and how they got to this point. Judge yourself before you judge others.

Joyologists

Have you ever met someone and knew immediately that they would change your life?  I have. If I could I would introduce everyone I know to these two ladies. If these two ladies ran for President and Vice President of our country, I have no words for the excitement. I could sit and listen to these ladies talk about anything and everything, all day, everyday. Who am I talking about you may ask? Why of course the most beautiful ladies on the planet; Melinda Kline and Diane McMillen.

It was about 6 years ago I met Diane and she is who started it all. My goal is to one day be able to walk through life the way these two beautiful souls do. Not only have they challenged me to be a better person but just being around them makes me a better person. I do not know how anyone can listen to these two talk and not get something out of it.

I find myself thinking "What Would Diane Do?" in times of stress or turmoil. I find myself saying things like "oh that takes too much energy to feel that way" or "that must be exhausting to treat people that way" I believe that thinking this way I have reduced stress and am able to let things roll off my back and move past things that I shouldn't let bother me.

 

Basically these two ladies have challenged me to be a better person for myself and also how can I make the world around me a better place for others? What one thing can I do today that will make my/your tomorrow better? Do things everyday that make you happy. What makes your heart happy? Do you do whatever that is often? When was the last time? If it wasn't recently, why not? At a training I said I was going to take more pictures, pictures make me happy. Others said things like: being outdoors, traveling, singing, reading, playing with kids/grand kids, dancing, laughing, you name it. I am challenging myself to continue to do things that make me happy on a regular basis if not daily. So I challenge you, what makes you happy? When are you going to do it again?