I'm Not a Good Tourist

I have discovered something during this time we've lived in Italy. I'm not a very good tourist. I like the idea of visiting famous places, and it's nice to be able to say I've been to famous places, but I don't really enjoy a lot of the time at the famous places. Here are some reasons why:

1. I don't like lines, and there are usually long lines where we go because we're going to the places all of the tourists want to go.

2. I don't like crowds inside buildings. The Palace at Versailles and the Vatican Museum both about did me in. I start to get kind of claustrophobic when I can't move anywhere because the crowd is too big.

3. I get tired of museums, monuments, and churches. But I feel like I should go in the museums, monuments, and churches because they're famous! So I go, but after a while all of the art seems to look the same and all of the churches seem to look the same and I just want to go home.

4. I'm out of shape. I'll freely admit that. And being a good tourist requires A LOT of walking. Plus, in the last 5 years or so, I've fallen a couple of times and probably done some damage to my knees. They don't hurt when I walk, but they do hurt when I go up or down stairs. Back in Richmond, I rarely climbed stairs because I didn't go a lot of places with stairs, but they are EVERYWHERE in Europe! And I mean EVERYWHERE! Lots and lots of stairs. In the museums, in the subways, on the streets, in the restaurants - you get the picture.

I know I should be so grateful for this chance I've had to see some famous places. Hopefully in time I'll just remember the amazing things we've seen and appreciate this opportunity we've had.

I'm just kind of sorry that this opportunity didn't go to someone who would have made the most of every moment.

Ash Wednesday

It's 5:00, and Jeffrey just said to me, "It's Ash Wednesday". Until he said that, I hadn't even realized it.  Which isn't really surprising since Mormons don't observe Ash Wednesday.  But I was raised Catholic.  Ash Wednesday was part of my life for eighteen years.  It was the day we went to church and got ashes on our forehead.  It was a big deal. I realize I have been a member of the LDS church for 30 years, but still.  I feel like I've forgotten part of my heritage. 

What Circus Performer Am I?

You Should Juggle

You've got the talent to go far in life, but you don't really like to take risks. You rather practice your well honed skills than put your life in danger. You are agile and coordinated. You can work magic with your hands. You truly mesmerize people. You don't have to resort to cheap tricks and gimmicks.

What Circus Act Should You Perform?

There you go.  In the circus, I would be a death defying juggler!  I'm such a daredevil!

My Map

Near the bottom of my blog is a map which shows me where people are located who read my blog.  I totally stole this from Lori, because I think it's really cool.  I'm intrigued that some person in Tunisia has read my blog 3 times.  Hi, Tunisia!

Anyway, I notice there are a fair number of people in the U.S. who have read my blog.  In some areas, it's been read more than 10 times in the past month.  I don't want to scare anyone off, but I'd like to know who you are.  I know about my readers (and fellow bloggers) in Arizona, Colorado, and Washington (hi, Analee, Rhonda, and Jamie).  The rest of you?  Don't be anonymous!  I would love to have you comment!  

Even if you don't comment, I hope you keep reading.  I like to see the little dots on the map get bigger!   

Yippee!!

I went to the dentist today for my 6 month cleaning.  I am happy to report that I am now free for another six lovely months!!  Hallelujah!!

Both my dentist and hygienist are very nice people.  They are both gentle and patient.  So why do I have such a fear of the dentist?  I really don't know.  Going to the dentist is definitely one of my phobias though.  

I know I hate the scraping noise when I get my teeth cleaned.  The noise seems to reverberate in my head.  It's probably the same kind of reaction some people get to nails on a chalkboard.  Thank goodness it's over.

Now it's on to the gynecologist next week!  More fun!  

I Have a Question

So, today I changed the sheets on my bed.  In the last couple of years I have actually started changing them on a regular basis (shock).  Here's my question.  When you guys change your sheets, can you tell the difference when you go to bed that night?  Because I can't.  My clean sheets tonight will feel the same as my dirty sheets last night.  I hear of people who love the feel of clean sheets.  So what am I doing wrong?  Am I the only one who can't tell when my sheets are clean?  Is there something wrong with me???

To the Mailbox!

Today I walked down to my mailbox at the end of my street. I had my dog, Bailey, on the leash - which she loved!  I should probably do that more often - it would be good for both of us.  What was funny, though, was the third member of our walking trio - our Siamese cat, Brynner!  Yes, that's right - he bounded (yes, bounded) down the sidewalk alongside of us.  It always amuses me when my cat walks with me to the mailbox!

Names

Hi, my name is Laura.  Unless you are my parents, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, or friends of my sister's.  Then my name is Laurie.  I don't know why they call me Laurie.  They just do.  In fact, I once asked my dad why he called me Laurie.  His reply?  "Because that's your name."  Um, no, dad, it's not.  My name is Laura.  He was quite surprised to hear that.  So my family (on my side only) calls me Laurie. But I have always introduced myself as Laura.  It would sound weird to me to say my name was Laurie.  It would be weird to me if you guys all started calling me Laurie.  That's like a separate part of me.  So just keep calling me Laura, but don't be surprised when my sister calls me Laurie.    

Random Facts Tag

My friend, Rhonda, tagged me (she tagged you too, Lori).

Here are the rules:

Post six random things about yourself.

Tag six people at the end of your post.

1.  I once touched John Denver's hand (it's been a while since I mentioned John).  Robert and I had just seen him in concert at Jones Hall.  We went out a side door, and saw a bus.  I told Robert I wasn't leaving until someone got on that bus!  So we waited and John eventually came out the door! He didn't stop, but he did sort of stick out his hands as he walked by.  So exciting.  Side note:  Because I remembered that incident, Kimberly and I were able to meet Michael Buble the first time we saw him in concert.

2.  I was baptized in 1978.  The missionary who baptized me was from Washington.  About 10 years ago, I looked online and found someone with his name living in Washington.  So I called, and it turned out to be him!  Now we exchange Christmas cards every year, and it's kind of nice to know what's going on with him and his family.  I imagine it's probably nice for him to know that one of the people he baptized is still active.

3.  I played the oboe and English horn in high school.  The English horn looks a lot like an oboe, except it's longer and has a deeper sound.  I carried a flag in Marching Band (you can't march with an oboe).  We didn't do fancy stuff though - we just carried the flags.

4.  I had an 11 pound baby.  Yes, that's right - 11 pounds. Jeffrey was my giant baby - although you would never know it now.  

5.  I am deathly afraid of bees and wasps.  I have been known to run into the house at the sight of a wasp.  When I was in high school, a wasp flew in my car window while I was driving.  I moved over until I was practically sitting on my passenger's lap!  That made driving interesting. Fortunately we were on a deserted road!  And fortunately the wasp flew back out the window!  The perils of non-air conditioned cars!

6.  I was always jealous that my sister had perfect eyesight. I have had to wear glasses since I was 13, and always envied her 20/20 vision.  Would it be terrible of me to say "Ha Ha" now that she has to wear reading glasses?  I love you, Chris!!! 

I tag:

Kimberly

Liz

Jennifer

Carol

Leslie

Alisha

Laura Needs...

This was stolen from Carol's blog.  Go to google, and type in your name and the word "needs" (Laura needs).  Write down the first 10 responses.

1.  Laura needs 25 cents and 2 fingers.  (What??)

2.  Laura needs some post-toddler love.  

3.  Laura needs to hear from other teachers who may be having similar dilemmas.  (So far none of these seem to really apply to me.)

4.  Laura needs a home.

5.  Laura needs a break.  (That's more like it.)

6.  Laura needs you to come eat.

7.  Laura needs her meds changed.  (Not yet.)

8.  Laura needs money.  (Now that one is true.)

9.  Laura needs to get out more.  (True also.)

10.  Laura needs a clue.  (Lots of people might think that's true....)

That was interesting, but not very accurate for me.  I guess the other Laura's of the world have very different needs from mine!

I Got Nothin'

I've got nothing to post about.  My life is dull, boring, ordinary, non-postworthy.  Sigh.

Many of the other blogs I read are also quiet.  Are we all being dull, boring, ordinary, and non-postworthy?

A Meme from Kimberly

Kimberly had a friend give her a letter and then she posted a list of ten things she loved starting with that letter.  I asked her to give me a letter so I could play too.  She gave me the letter "R".  So here goes!

1.  Robert.  I know, I know - too sappy sweet.  But what can I say?  I do love him!

2.  Reruns.  Especially of old sitcoms - like Andy Griffith, or the Cosby Show, or even Home Improvement.  I can watch some of those old shows over and over (and over and over).

3.  Refrigerators.  Cold water!  Cold milk!  Unspoiled food! Going without my refrigerator for 24 hours during Hurricane Ike made me really appreciate it.

4.  Retail therapy.  A stroll through Target. A browse through Barnes and Noble.  A meander through a quilt store. Gotta love retail therapy!

5.  Rocking chairs.  I love to go to Cracker Barrel and sit in a rocking chair on their front porch. There is something very soothing about rocking.  The one thing my house lacks is a front porch with room for a rocking chair.

6.  Reid and crew.  As in Dr. Spencer Reid and the crew from Criminal Minds.  Okay, that one is a stretch.  But I had to figure out a way to work in my very favorite show! Creepy, gory, sometimes downright hair raising!  I love that show!

7.  Rolls.  Yummy homemade rolls.  I will be making mine for Thanksgiving, and, if I do say so myself, they are quite tasty.

8.  Reading.  More of an action than a thing, but I'm including it anyway!  There is something so satisfying about picking up a new book, reading a few pages, and becoming totally engrossed in a story.  Reading can transport me to different places and times.

9.  Replay.  As in the replay button on my car CD player. When driving by myself I have been known to replay one song over and over again - just so I can sing it over and over again.  Yes, I am one of those people who sings in their car!  I can't help myself!

10.  Relatives.  Well, most of them anyway.  Of course, I may change this one after Thanksgiving - 13 of our relatives are descending on our house for the long weekend!  I am looking forward to it, but may be relatived out by the time it's over!  

There you go!  10 things I love beginning with the letter "R"! If anyone else would like to play, just say so in your comment, and I will give you a letter.  It's fun, I promise!    

Jamie's Tag

Jamie posted a tag on her blog.  (Or as Kimberly and her LJ friends call it, a "meme").  No matter what it's called, she invited anyone else to complete it also.  And since Kimberly is pestering me to post, I'm going to do it too!  So here it is, my first tag!

4 random things I love about my husband:

1. He will watch chick flicks with me - at home or in the theater.

2. He doesn't complain when I do things with Kimberly (shopping) or church friends (eating).

3. Since we first got married, he's worked as hard as he can to support our family.  He has worked a lot of different job to take care of us.  I love him for that.

4. He makes great toffee.  If you come by near Christmas, he may even give you some.

4 jobs I've had:

1. Cashier at JC Penney.  True story - I had to quit because they didn't want to give me time off for my wedding - the back-to-school sales were going on!

2. Cashier/Animal Feeder/Cage and Aquarium Cleaner/Puppy-Player-With at a Pet Store.

3. Bookkeeper at a Women's Dress Shop.

4. ESL Teacher.  Si.  Es verdad.  

4 movies I've seen more than once:

1. Yankee Doodle Dandy (love that Jimmy Cagney dancing).

2. About a Boy (love that Hugh Grant).

3. Lady and the Tramp (love that spaghetti scene).

4. Return to Me (just love it).

4 TV shows I watch:

1. Criminal Minds.

2. Burn Notice.

3. Numbers.

4. Life (although I haven't watched this season since it's been on against Criminal Minds or Numbers.  I'll have to catch it when the others are in reruns).

4 places I've been:

1. Niagara Falls.

2. Loretta Lynn's childhood home (actually in a holler).

3. The top of the Sears Tower.

4. Joseph Smith's birthplace, Sharon, Vermont.

4 places I've lived:

1. Park Forest, Illinois.

2. College Station, Texas.  Whoop!  Gig 'em, Aggies!

3. Corpus Christi, Texas.

4. Flatwoods, Kentucky (hometown of Billy Ray Cyrus).

4 place I'd like to visit:

1. Ireland.

2. Australia.

3. British Columbia (where Robert served his mission).   

4. Paris.

4 favorite foods:

1. Chocolate candy (of course)!

2. Filet mignon (with a baked potato side).

3. Chocolate cupcakes with white buttercream frosting.

4. Peanut butter cookies with hershey kisses.

My favorite foods list probably explains why I look the way I do!

I invite anyone else to complete this tag (Kimberly, I'd better see this on your LJ)!

"All About Me" Clarification

Robert thought I should clarify #4 in my previous post.  He says what I have wouldn't really be called "road rage". More like "road irritation"!  I just yell at people while I'm driving in my car. They can't even hear me.  I don't ever drive my car threateningly at other cars.  My "irritation" is all vocal.

I guess he didn't want you guys to think I was a psycho!  

All About Me!

Four things you might not have known about me:

1.  I love to read murder mysteries.  Not blood and guts gory ones like Sarah, but the tamer type. My favorites usually revolve around cooking or knitting or quilting or families.  I try to find a series, so that I can always have something to read.  That's one reason Book Club is so good for me - it makes me read something a little more challenging than the "Fudge Cupcake Murder" or the "New Year's Eve Murder".

2.  I am very good at word games - like word search puzzles, scrambled words, or Wheel of Fortune. And you know how often times at Baby or Bridal Showers you play a game where you're given a couple of words (like the bride and groom's names) and told to write as many words as you can from those words?  Well, I always win.  Seriously.  I don't think I have ever lost that game. I'm not trying to brag, but it is one of the few skills I have!

3.  For my birthday in July, I got a .22 handgun!  Totally my idea, too.  I decided Robert and I needed something we could do together.  He has a gun already, and I always loved shooting BB guns at Cub Scout Day Camp, so I thought I should get a gun so we could go target shooting together. So we went to a Gun Show (another admission in and of itself), and I bought a gun!  It's just a little gun, but I bought it to shoot at targets, not people, so that's okay.  It is still lots of fun to shoot, and doesn't have the recoil of a bigger gun. I'm turning into such a redneck!

4.  I have road rage.  Don't be alarmed that this admission follows my admission of gun ownership! I only bring my gun in the car if I'm going to the range - and it's never loaded. But I do have road rage, and will yell at people while I'm driving.  Now these people never know I'm yelling at them, since I have my windows rolled up.  And I never do anything more than yell - I don't cut people off or anything stupid like that.  But yelling makes me feel better.  If any one other than my family is in the car with me, they would not know I have road rage - I hide it in front of others.  But my family knows. In fact, my kids have picked up on my bad habit. They will yell with me in the car!  And those who drive also yell.  Not the best habit I could have passed on to them, and something I need to work on.  If there just weren't so many stupid drivers on the road... 

There you have it.  Four things you might not have known before, but know about me now.  I hope you will still talk to me...