the moment you've been waiting for...

TADA! In celebration of my 100th post-- Here's a little too much about me...

1. I have chased cars before—yea, like a dog. My wild and crazy friend and I used to go hang out on the side walk beside the intramural fields at Rick’s. A car would come along and we would run beside it and watch the driver freak out. I remember it being fun and laughing while doing it—but now it seems pretty stupid.
2. I picked up a dead skunk (road-kill) and drove for 30 miles to put it in Jeff’s (last name withheld) mailbox. It was truly a feat of endurance—that thing stunk—I don’t know if the stench from being quite fresh was better than if it would have been rotting…? Not sure that was a smart thing to do. I don’t think Jeff even knew I did that, I’m sure his parents took care of it and it never affected him.
3. I did not graduate from Seminary. But I did enjoying skipping school and taking my seminary teacher’s car skiing with .
4. I never dated —he was just a good friend.
5. was the first person to read my Patriarchal Blessing.—but this is not about now is it…. Back to MEMEMEMe!
6. I am the youngest of 3 children, only girl.
7. I will never have a foreign exchange student live in my home. Childhood scars from too many over the course of too many years. If I could guarantee a Sandra, AnneMarie, Alex, or Christian—then maybe.
8. We once had 6 ft boa constrictor lost in our house (that one’s good blog fodder).
9. As a kid, I thought and swore that my cat “Princess” could talk to me and I could understand her meows—I even translated for my brothers.
10. I got my first job at a place ONLY because I had a crush on the owner’s son.
11. I have taught Wilderness Survival.
12. I have no Thyroid gland.
13. I have been married for (almost) 15 happy years.
14. I am a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
15. I fell off of a roof a slashed my knee open. My neighbor who was a few years younger than me wheeled me home in a wheel barrow.
16. I have never played Monopoly. It looks like it would take too long and who has that much time?
17. Movies I have never seen the end of: Last of the Mohicans, Dances with Wolves, and Wizard of Oz, just to name a few. I once went on a date and fell asleep 15 minutes into the movie—I guess I should have offered a refund to the guy.
18. States I have not been to: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Michigan, Florida, Hawaii, and Alaska.
19. I used to have warts on my hands—who didn’t?
20. I flunked out of Piano lessons—TWICE!
21. Broken bones: Nose (2+ times—I guess that is cartilage)—mean big brother pushed my head to the floor quite forcefully--and I also opened a door too fast and it was too light and it laid my nose out flat- not cool (that is good Blog-Fodder—I’ll expound that one later); Left shoulder—racing my oldest brother down our drive way and jumped a culvert and flew—landed on left shoulder; Right Shoulder Blade—yea that one had lots of people puzzled (even the Dr) I was the last in line of a bunch of friends doing some jumps up at the top of Pomerell (ski mountain) and I went, flew and landed on a rock or tree point—not sure which—that put a end to the Violin lessons.
22. My dog as a child: “Mike” had more lives than our cats (even Princess)—he was run over by the school bus at least 5 times. He died a few months after I got married—he lived a very long and happy 17 years—not bad for a Dachshund/ Dingo cross (try not to imagine the conception on that one—nasty—not sure what mom was—I was only five when we got him and never knew about such things…still don’t want to think about it—flushing away bad thoughts…)
23. I read all 9 books of the Work and the Glory series in 4 weeks.
24. I have been to Martin’s Cove 5 times. Amazing place. Amazing sacrifice of so many saints. I would go there tomorrow if it could.
25. I have passed out from Menstrual cramps before.
26. I embarrassed the crud out of my mom by screaming at the top of my lungs in the Hospital where she was an administrator—all because they needed to draw some blood from me. I’m not near as freaked about needles as I used to be. Yea—I was 16 years old at the time.
27. I went to college to teach Art.
28. I have danced Naked in the rain.
29. Remember my neighbor that wheeled me home in a wheel barrow—yea, she also wheeled me home after I was bucked off of her horse.
30. I know who broke in and released several calves to roam the halls of our high school—and since they were never caught—I’m not talking and besides it was 20 years ago—so no one remembers anyway.
31. I also know who broke in and put a wading pool full of dead fish in the commons area of our school—never caught—not telling…
32. I and another gal are responsible for planning our 20^th class reunion in 2010.
33. I peed my pants in the 2^nd grade and blamed it on the squished banana in my lunch—I can’t believe the teacher did not believe me… what was wrong with her?
34. I once had a tire blow out on my car while driving down the freeway at 70 miles per hour—while passing a semi—that about made me pee bananas, again.
35. I have had 2 speeding tickets in my life—both in the last year.
36. My Mom scrubbed my birthmark off of my arm—thinking it was dirt.
37. The Pets I have owned: numerous cats, Mike, Otis—the Boa Constrictor, Milo—the Iguana, a Tarantula, several hundred fish, Tucker and Molly—choc labs, Black cat (x2), Black and White cat, Gray Cat, and 3 cows. (those are the real names of the cats—in case you were wondering)
38. I worked as a cook at a 4-H camp for the summer of my 16^th birthday.—that was a lot of fun, really…
39. My first child was 1 week late, 2^nd child 1 week early and 3^rd child—2 weeks early. All 3 induced, all 3 with an epidural (or 2)
40. I have only had one addiction in my life—the internet—aren’t you glad you could be part of that?
41. I am a scavenger—I love yard sales, left over’s (this includes—but not limited to: make up left over from the day before, hairdo’s that look OK when you wake up the next morning, food left over from dinner—makes it so I don’t have to fix something new), I love good sales, clearance racks, and anything FREE!
42. 
    
43. I once ran into our house—while driving a tractor—I was showing off for a friend—she really wanted to see my mad tractor driving skills. I’m sure I impressed her.
44. Nicknames I’ve had: Sis, Farmer Sparks, Sparky, Spanky.—I have no explanation for you at this time.
45. It was NOT me that yelled, “HEY STUDLEY DUDLEY!” out the car window as we drove past my neighbor (and member of our ward)—whose name was Dudley, when he was in his yard playing with his kids. I just happened to be the only one in the car he could see since I was in the front seat next to the window and everyone but the driver ducked out of view.
46. My Favorite Food is SUSHI. Nothing fancy. I really like the California roll with lots of Wasabi. Sometimes we make it here at home—a WHOLE LOT cheaper than going out for it.
47. I am a self described News addict.
48. One of my very favorite things to do is to lie in bed, awake.—seems weird, I know—but after a good night rest, the bed is warm and I love to wake up a bit earlier than I need to get up and just lay there and think.
49. Jobs I’ve had—not in any order: Ice cream scooper at small mom & pop creamery, Hot Springs/Swimming pool manager, Bagger/checker at a grocery store, CNA, Home Health 24 hour care giver, Cherry Picker (that one only lasted 3 days—I couldn’t hack it), Google Ad Rater, Substitute Teacher, Clothing Store Clerk, Babysitter, Apartment Manager, Package sorter/Loader for UPS, Wilderness Survival Instructor, Rock Picker, Waitress—that one really was bad, Clothes ironer. I’m sure there may have been more—but I can’t think of them right now.
50. When my brother closed the school down for the day—because he decided to do a BOMB THREAT—I couldn’t find him to go home (later I found out it was because he got arrested and was at the cop shop waiting for my parents) ANYWAY—back to ME—I had to drive our AMC GREMLIN around town and then home. What was more embarrassing—my brother being at fault for a bomb threat or having to drive the GREMLIN around for a day?
51. I am not super ticklish—unless you get that one spot on my knee cap when I have a scar shaped like a wishbone. (see #15)
52. The Eye Dr needed to make a payment on his truck, so he prescribed me glasses. I don’t feel that I need them in a BAD way, but maybe just a little. I can read a STOP sign from a good distance away—so I am fine with out them. Needless to say, I don’t wear them like I probably should. They give me a headache and I can’t get used to the feeling of something on my face. For my birthday this year, I got to go get my Driver’s License renewed. I FAILED the eye test. I had to go home and get my glasses to take the eye test again. Now I have to have them with me at all times incase I get pulled over.
53. There is lots of dust under my bed—and probably other places as well—but I don’t care. I have other things on my priority list.
54. The only food that I can think of that I do not like is…LIVER.—if you can really call that a food.
55. I am LEFT handed when I write and eat—but RIGHT handed when I play sports, paint and most all other important things, like wipe.
56. The most disgusting, retched, repulsive thing to me—is a belch. Not a burp—but a guttural BELCH.
57. When my HH and I were dating, I would have dreams (OFTEN) that I had to defend him. For example: he would be in a physical confrontation, and I would come to the rescue and save him. He is a whole lot stronger than I am, and he doesn’t “fight” nor has he ever, and I wouldn’t know what to do in a bad situation—but hey, I had his back! (in my dreams)
58. Yea, I mooned a car on accident. (don’t ask how or why)
59. I was my HS sports photographer.
60. Favorite Holiday: Thanks Giving—not only the food, but getting together with family. It’s kind of a low key non pretentious holiday. Gets good hype because of the food, but not the commercial, consumer hype.
61. I had a NOSE JOB. Yea, go back to # 21. And yes, I had to wear a “nose cast” for 2 weeks in College.
62. I didn’t have permission to leave my name and handprint in wet cement on the foundation of a house addition in Melon Valley, by Buhl.
63. I have had 3 Miscarriages—I’m Ok, thanks.
64. Most valued possession: Grandma’s quilt. When her family moved away from the small town they lived in, the whole community made a quilt and embroidered their names on it—she gave it to me.
65. Most Valued Stewardship—My family. (can’t be counted as a possession since they are only on loan from my Father in Heaven)
66. I wrote a book once—4 copies given away.
67. River’s I have swum/swam in: Snake, Verde.
68. Oceans I have swam in (more like froze in): Atlantic, Gulf of Mex, Pacific.
69. I enjoy Talk radio over any music stations. Don’t get me wrong, I like music, but like I said in #47, I am a News Addict.
70. My body temp is not the same as everyone else’s—atleast not anyone I have met—I am always cold (it has to do with the thyroid thing, see #12). I have to shower EVERYSINGLENIGHT to get my body temperature up so that I can sleep. If I want to take a nap, I have to take a shower to get my body warm enough to go to sleep. Weird!
71. Callings I have served in: Primary Teacher, Primary Substitute, Activity Days Leader, Girl’s Camp Leaders, Relief Society President, Public Affairs, Scout Committee, Young Women’s Teacher, Enrichment board, RS Teacher.
72. If I could go on vacation anywhere with no budget, I would go from the Top Tip of Alaska, all the way down to the Bottom Tip of South America. Cruising, canoeing, hiking, hotel staying, eating out, relaxing.
73. I was the president of the ART club and SKI club in High School.—YES, I was Lame.
74. I cannot watch anything SCI-FI or FANTASY on TV/movie or read any books of the sort. They literally make me ill. I really do not like them—give me comedy or drama or anything else. Please!
75. I once saw a kid (age 18) try to stab another kid (age 13) with a knife. I was the instructor for this group and the 18 year old went psycho on us. It was a scary night—you could feel the evil of the adversary in the air.
76. My HH of almost 15 years proposed to me under overpass 21 on I-15 between Snowville and Tremonton, Utah. He picked me up at the Airport in SLC and was driving me home to Buhl. I thought he was only pulling over to pee—I sure needed to go as well. What a wonderful rest stop!
77. The night before Oldest Daughter was born (I was going in to be induced) someone did a drive-by on the bus stop outside of our apartment and missed and got our living room window. Thank goodness it was only a BB gun (amateurs) and the BB got stuck between the panes of the windows.
78. I was a test patient for the clear ceramic braces—before orthodontists started using them.
79. In 1990 I went to Disneyland 5 times—TOTALLY EXCESSIVE! Remember what I said in #7 about the Exchange students—well that was one of my mom’s things—she thought every Exchange Student that she oversaw, should go to Disneyland. Fine—no big deal, right?—but for some reason that was the year that I also got to go with a few friends and their families.
80. When my family took a cross-country trip back east (DC and such) the five of us crammed into a 4 door sedan. My 2 Brother’s and I were stuffing in the back seat—3 teenagers. My oldest brother—yea, he chewed off all of my finger nails not too far into the trip. I guess he was taking preventative measures in case I got the urge to pinch or scratch—seeing how that was my nature…NOT!
81. I know that Rattlesnakes come in a rainbow of colors. While on the trail, we saw every color you could imagine. That is one of the most interesting things I have seen… that and that scorpion in one of the kids boots.
82. I am Claustrophobic. Not in a hyperventilate kind of way—but I do not like it when I am in a closed in place. Like bathrooms with out windows kind of wig me out a bit. I’m not positive I can trace that to one specific incident—but here’s 2 that I can think of: same brother that chewed my finger nails, broke my nose and was racing me when I broke my shoulder—he liked to roll me up in a blanket and watch while I tried to get out—cackling about how funny he thought it was. Other brother thought it would be fun to push all the buttons he could on the Elevator in the Capital Building in Wash DC—just for FYI—there is a button that locks the doors shut and can only be opened by a security guard with the pre-requisite that he must point the gun at people when the door is opened. I think we sat in the elevator for 10 minutes—and when it opened there were a handful of guns pointed at us like we were the bad guys--- I wanted to point at my brother and yell, “HE DID IT!”—I don’t think I could say anything through all the tears and the fact that I may have peed my pants and little.
83. I know how to crochet.
84. My favorite movies are: Sound of Music, Grease and Annie—I like musicals, so what?
85. The most recent book I have read: A Certain Kind of Treasure by Kellene DeSpain,, recommended by my oldest daughter. Good read.
86. My Favorite color is: White—even though it isn’t a color—it’s a value—(I learned that in college).
87. I would like to learn to speak Spanish—it would come in handy—when shopping at Winco. I don’t mean that in any kind of racially slurrish way.
88. When I was a dumb, young college kid—I did some really stupid things—most of which are locked away in my steel trap brain and you will never know the extent of the things I did—BUT here is one for ya: My roommates and I came up to Boise for the Western Idaho Fair one weekend. We thought it would be funny to unzip our flies and walk around and see if anyone said anything to us. Like I said—I was dumb.
89. Best Family vacation—with my family (not my family growing up)—one year we went to Northern Idaho. We stayed at a ski resort that offered summer activities like hiking, bungee jumping, rock wall climbing etc, and we went to Silverwood for a few days. It was the most relaxing vacation I think we have had. The Oregon Coast was a close second. We were there last year for 9 days. It was fun to have HH siblings and their families come with us.
90. Best Family trip growing up—was probably our trip back east. We spent 3+ weeks driving and sight seeing. Even with my mean brothers being mean brothers—it was a good time. Lot’s of memories.
91. I always sleep on my LEFT side—ALWAYS!
92. I have ZERO interest in NASA, outer-space, other planets, space shuttles, stars/constellations, galaxies, moons, asteroids, satellites, and the like.
93. I used to Run, no—silly- not from anything—but for exercise. I would get up every morning at the butt-crack of dawn and run—mostly around 3 miles, sometimes up to 7. I would run races—5k’s10k’s. Someday, I would like to run a 1/2 marathon—but that means I would have to start running again for real—not my piddly little 1 milers I do 4 mornings a week.
94. I have a weird little thing I do that drives HH NUTS! I remember all faces—from anytime in my past—yesterday or 20 years ago or in college. I can remember all faces—weird huh? But I can’t remember names. Sometimes we will be out—the store, a date, anywhere and I will see someone I recognize. I have to find out who they are and how I know them or it drives me crazy. HH hides when I approach strangers.
95. Dear Santa, I have been a really good girl this year. I have tried really hard to show love and respect for all around me. I have tried hard to forgive those that have hurt me or offended me—especially those that did it on purpose. I am trying harder and harder each day to be a better mom—to love my children and teach them how to be good people and love our Heavenly Father. I am trying to quit swearing and speaking mean about others. All I really want this year for Christmas is a new House. Not that I am ungrateful for the home I live in, I just am ready to have my own again and be able to feel stable without the feeling of my stability being temporary. I don’t need anything special—four walls are good, a garden and an orchard. I would love white walls, and double ovens. I am willing to paint if need be, I can also install the lights and plumbing fixtures. I will for ever be grateful for the lessons that my patience is teaching me—but I am done and ready for the next phase of my life…..Bring it on…With love, Sillya.
96. I once bought a fence for a case of beer. (That’s a post on its own—watch for it!)
97. My Costco Card has my name as: Pine by Design. That’s the name of a little business I started a few years back. I stopped taking orders when I was called to be RS Pres—I didn’t have the time anymore.
98. When I was kid, I wanted to be a nurse when I grew up.
99. The last thing I remember, that I totally made a fool of myself doing was: Here we were at HH company party. It was a week before the Olympics. HH’s coworker is married to Kristen Armstrong (Gold-medal women’s cyclist). They were right in front of us at the food line. I am meeting her, congrats and all. Then I ask her (pointing to my girls), “can I tell them that you’re going to the Olympics?” She smiled and said—“nah, that’s my little secret”. Yea I’m a dork.
100. I am a dork with lots of secrets that you will never know, unless I want you to. So there!

This has been fun putting together. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed getting to know way too much about me.