K to the Z to the T to the K: December 2008

I have always wanted an Italian Grandma to adopt me. I'd visit her in her little villa, she would show me how to make amazing food, yell at the neighbor, tell me stories of her life, tell me that I need to eat more. I saw this great old movie once with Clark Gable and I think I have loved Italy since.

My current obsession is cutting my hair. I want to go really short. It's been long for too long! My hesitation is that K likes it long. I pull it up and look in the mirror and think I could make it work and still be sexy, right? I like this and this

Mad Men has me wishing for full skirted dresses and more hairstyles like this.

I love to decorate Christmas trees.

There are these weird periods that I go through where I become very anti-social and withdrawn. I can't really explain why or what triggers it, but I just back away from reality. So if you don't hear from me for awhile, I'm still thinking of you and like you, and hope you like me too, I just may not be the best company :)

My pulse starts to rise when I am near high ledges. It's not the height that bothers me so much as the thought of falling. I attribute this to being a kid and walking around San Francisco in my slick soled Sunday shoes. (Why do they think little girls don't need traction on their shoes?) My imagination got the better of me and I started to imagine slipping one last time and just falling down, down, down the hill. Ahhh, anxiety!

I made a deal with God that if he sent someone good my way, I would give dating another chance. He sent K.

I ADORE Little T. You may think that is a given, being her mom and all, but I just fall in love with her more every day. Like now, I love the way she leaves little offerings of her toys at my feet when I am at the computer. She will wander up, drop off her toys, and go get some more. It makes me laugh. And I can't resist when she will sign "please" when she wants something. And my goal every day is to get her to laugh. Not just her regular laugh, but the deep body shaking laugh she has when she is truly happy. That laugh is some serious mood therapy.

I'm on the bandwagon for Disneyland. It makes me feel all dreamy and happy. I have looked into buying fireflies like the ones in the Blue Bayou / Pirates Ride and putting them in my imaginary yard and trees. So lovely.

My list of places to go (or visit again) before I die: Italy, Switzerland, Singapore, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Bali. This is not to exclude any other destinations, they are just some of my favorites right now. I really, really, love to travel.

I am a warm weather girl. Flip flops and shave ice for me please. (What am I doing in Utah?)

My memory is very selective and I like to remember mostly the good things. I like to think the best of people and that they are capable of great good. My optimism can and has led to disappointment and discouragement at times, but I can't hold on to pessimism for too long or else I fear I'll be eternally depressed.

Occasionally, I wish I had been less shy and more outgoing in high school. And stood up for myself and wore jeans everyday. (You have to know my Mom to get this, I won't try to explain).

I'm inspired by all my friends running marathons. Not enough to run one yet, but I will.

I'm also inspired by design. Graphic, interior, landscape, craft, whatever. (I am one of those weird people who notice when a product has changed it's packaging or logo.) I like when things feel and look good.

My excessive use of exclamation points and thoughts in parenthesis cannot be avoided. (I have tried! I Have!)

Curling up with a good book is one of the best things in life. If it is real good, I would rather read than sleep. Or eat. And that is saying something.

Speaking of eating- I love to eat fruit. A fresh nectarine in season? A pint of raspberries? Rainier cherries? Be still my heart.

I have a caveat to the above gushing. I'm not really a mango fan.

I make a killer grilled cheese. Come by sometime. I'll make you one.

Well, there it is. 20 things about me.I was tagged and I knew if I didn't do it today, I never would, as I tend to be the person that kills stuff like this. If you feel so inclined I would love to read 20 things about you too. Your thoughts, observations, habits, goals, anything. Let me know when you do it- just leave a comment below or email it! Love you!