Facebook "25 Random Facts"

I was tagged on facebook to list 25 Random facts about myself and have LoVeD reading everyone's answers! So, if you read this please post your Random 25 facts so I can get to know you better!
Below are mine:

1. I love the lighter side of life and have a strange sense of humor. I'm not attracted to people who don't have a funny bone.

2. People either like the way I laugh or make fun of it. I inherited it from my Great Grandma who had the same laugh and the same reaction from others around her.

3. I'm addicted to photography, genealogy and scrapbooking.

4. My favorite color is green...all shades will do.

5. I have a strong need for music in my life. It doesn't matter what kind it is. It feeds my soul and rejuvenates my senses. Better than aroma therapy!

6. I didn't go to college, because I became a mom really young. I've made a goal to go someday and become something, but I still don't know what.

7. I have a unique relationship with senior citizens. Sometimes I think that I was born in the wrong time.

8. Bear Lake is my most favorite place on Earth. I'd rather be there than anywhere, and sometimes I "take" pictures from what others have posted on KSL so that I can see it whenever I want. It's the hardest part of living so far away from UT.

9. I moved to Arkansas for a man. Three years after I moved here, we got married. It was the best move of my entire life!

10. I used to hate history, but now I like it, especially when I'm in places where significant things happened in history.

11. I lost my mother 13 years ago and I'm sad that my daughter doesn't know her or have her as a grandma. I'm very grateful for the time that I had with her.

12. I've been accused of being stuck up because I never notice people I know when driving. Even when they are hanging halfway out of the window, waving and honking their horn.

13. I read the entire collection of "The Work And The Glory" and loved it. But I don't attend church.

14. I hate drama and when people make a big deal out of small things.

15. I have a love for the theater and arts. I consider it a "Treat" when I get to go. I'd rather not go to the movies because I don't enjoy them as much.

16. The best advise that I have ever gotten is: " Always try to make someone's job easier no matter how big or little it is." I live this everyday of my life and I'm happy to do so.

17. I don't like road trips. I'd rather fly wherever we are planning to go.

18. I get bored and impatient easily. That is the answer to #17.

19. I have a super hard time making up my mind. It may take hours to decide where to go for dinner or what to wear, but once my mind is made up there is no changing!

20. I really love the whole blogging thing and wish that I had more traffic on mine. Sometimes I get writers block and it takes a long time to snap out of it, so maybe I loose people. Want to hang out on mine? www.katezteam.blogspot.com

21. I love to collect money. State's quarters, CD accounts, Money Markets. I just think that it's fun even if I start out with $5.00.

22. I'm a news junkie. I love to watch KSL online and CNN for national news just to stay updated on what is going on in the world.

23. I think that first impressions are important. I think that people should know the families that their kids are spending time with and trust their gut feelings about people and situations.

24. I think that guilt is a useless emotion but it doesn't seem to change the fact that I feel guilty over things I've done or said.

25. I like astrology and numerology but don't base my life on it. It's just fun.

Out of the mouths of...er...86 year olds?

I’ve called my Grandma and Grandpa every Sunday since I moved to Arkansas six years ago. We talk about all the things we did over the past week, such as what we made for dinner, how the weather was or what new sites they discovered on their daily “drives”.

My Grandpa lost his eyesight about ten years ago, so my Grandma has mostly been taking care of him and recently he went into a nursing home. She hasn’t done much with her friends, but finally a couple of women that she used to work with talked her into going with them to visit a friend who bought a new home.

“The house was as big as a castle, Kate!” She said as she recalled her trip to Provo. I know that some of the homes in Provo are large and beautiful, but I was just excited that she got to go with the girls and get out of the house for a change!

“It has six bedrooms and an elevator in there! It took about 20 minutes just to tour the whole house! Her refrigerator went from floor to ceiling, and her bed is really tall. I’d need a step stool to get into that bed!”

I asked, “What does her husband do?”

“I don’t know!” She said. “But I bet that house had to cost a hundred thousand dollars!”…. I tried not to giggle. I didn’t try to correct her way of thinking. I just marveled in the innocence of this wonderful woman. I love her so much and I’m so grateful to have her as my Grandma!

Possibilities

I’m happily optimistic about the possibilities that President Obama offers our country.

There’s no doubt that President Bush made some mistakes, the fact that Bin Ladin is still alive is proof enough, although he has some good qualities. I liked the way his shoulders shake up and down when he laughs, like he’s exaggerating, and I thought it was really neat of him during the 2002 Winter Olympics that he sat next to a surprised girl and spoke to her parents on her cell phone. I don’t think that he is a bad man. He just didn’t make beneficial decisions for America.

I remember feeling the same way I do today as President Clinton left office; excited for someone new to hopefully restore America’s image, especially after his blunders. President Bush offered possibilities too, and it appeared to be a promising endeavor until one September morning. No one knows what is going to be thrown at you, or the impact that it will have on your action and reaction. It truly changed the course of his presidency. He allowed anger and revenge to manage his judgment and for a few years afterward I was angry too. However, I’m confused why our soldiers were sent to Iraq. The target was missed, and it was obvious. Several other countries disagree with the war there too, making me, an American afraid to vacation outside the country at all.

Now as President Obama’s truly historic inauguration, I know that there is much work to be done to mend the economy, resolve conflicts, establish new allies, heal Mother Earth and regain trust. But just as President Bush’s stride was stunned into a different pace, no one ever knows what challenges he and us as a nation may face. I wish our new President luck, health and safety as he makes difficult decisions and marches on to the possibilities of change.

This is dedicated to my friend, Mary-Lyn.

When I started working at KHBS, I was told that in the news room you are considered “Momma Marilyn”. I had no doubt about it when I heard that you had taken a reporter to the ER after one of her numerous stumbles, or when you picked up Mike’s car after an oil change, or that you were puppy sitting for vacationing co-workers. You must’ve had them whipped into shape too, because I’ve always been awed by your talent to achieve the payroll deadline for all of them! Then one day, you rescued me from a horrible hair day!

When businesses and schools were closing due to inclement weather and I didn’t have much to do, you asked me if I’d like to help out. That was the first time that I got to witness the impressive energy of the news room! When your position changed and you had to move to the other end of the building, I worried that after years spent with all the action, that you would become lonely and bored, but you met the challenge with ease and seemed delighted that you got your own “GM Assistant’s” parking space!

Teaching you how to enter the deposit became a highlight since most of the time we giggled like little school girls, talked about music and little Nevada towns…hardly having anything to do with the deposit!

You have a knack for dealing with all types of people and I have to admit that I was one who transferred weird phone callers with bizarre questions to you! And I’ll never forget the guy who came into the office saying that the government put a device in his ear and the alarm in your voice as you said “Don’t touch him!” He was the reason we learned together that Susan is terribly allergic to Lysol!

During school tours of the station, I look forward to when you near the accounting office because it makes me smile as you explain to the kids that “This is a business and just like any other business, we have a business office…” In this way, you make us feel important and our job interesting.

I had the joy of seeing your elated reaction to your birthday surprise at Dave and Cheryl’s restaurant, especially when Mayor Baker made an appearance to declare August 20^th “Marilyn T.... Day!”

I thoroughly enjoyed the night at Bella Italia and teasing Mo. I didn’t believe for a second that you guys put him up to telling me that you had left! Serves me right for showing up late! And speaking of Bella Italia, I’m particularly sad that I missed the night you and Susan celebrated her birthday. It sure was fun hearing about it!

Sometimes when the debate over a reality show across the hall became boisterous, I’d yell out, “Are you talking about Amazing Race?” or “Are you talking about Dancing?” and then run in there just so I could share in the opinions of who should be going home, who was getting an unjustified ego or who was going to win! After you pointed it out to me, So You Think You Can Dance’s Marc really does look like Gregory Peck!

Sending a co-worker off to their next adventure was always bittersweet and the farewell wouldn’t be complete without the anticipated poem you’d compose with memories of their stint at the station. When Kim left, we made signs together for her friends to hold up during the news cast to express how much they were going to miss her.

When I felt kind of lame in my photography class, you encouraged me and told me about your art class that you had signed up for. Sharing your talent of beautiful drawings with all of us!

I get a kick out of seeing you walk around the front office while Susan is at lunch. It reminds me of your Pedometer and how you would walk a step forward, a step backward as we chit chatted about work projects or whatever. I wondered where you got all of this energy from!

I love the idea that you pay a car payment to yourself each month so you can pay cash for the next one. That must take a lot of discipline that I haven’t found in myself yet.

I just want to thank you for all the conversations about I-80, Minna-Snowta, San Diego, Provo and Yuma.

As I walked toward the door each night, I’d say “Have a good night” and you would say “Sounds like a great idea”, but then we would discuss the real workings of the intriguing Chia-Pet. Who knew?!

Marilyn, I’m not good at poetry, but to write a story I have a little more confidence. I hope that you can forgive me that my lines don’t rhyme, because I really do know it, I’m just not a poet…ha ha ha!

I miss you and I’m thinking of you. I will keep you in my prayers.

Love,

Kate Mc2

The City Of Luck

Drama graces us each and just about every time that we go to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Today was no different. The trip there today was unavoidable however because I had to meet my daughter at the airport. She was flying in after spending the Christmas break with her dad in Utah.

She called me to tell me that the flight may be diverted to Oklahoma City due to weather. I asked her to make sure because...well… Below is a picture of the beautiful, cloudless sky.

We were already on our way to Tulsa so I called the airline. The lady was obviously not in the area because she said that reports show that it was misting in Tulsa. I explained that it was totally cloudless. Not even windy. She told us that we should go to the Tulsa airport because she really had no idea what was going on or what was going to happen.

Two hours away and I was a nervous wreck! If we went to Tulsa and the plane went to OKC we would be an hour and a half still away from my child. She would have to wait until we drove there.

When we got to Tulsa, the ticket counter lady said that the plane was scheduled to be there (in Tulsa) on time! Thank goodness! What is it with all of our luck with the city of Tulsa?!

By the way, we found this little number on the side of the Muskogee Turnpike. I just had to stop and get a picture. I wonder what the story is here...hummm.