Look what I found!

Check out what I found in my parents playroom....Grunge Barbie! The 90's could even make Barbie ugly. The bangs are the best. I remember that my little sister was able to do a french roll on these little jeans, but I must be out of practice because I couldn't quite manage it.

Our trip so far

I didn't bring the equipment to upload photos from my camera, but here are a few from friends/family cameras.

Notice anything different? Yes, that is an above-ground pool.

I guess the parents wanted to "redneck up" the place.

Like my new look? Check out the rest of the fun.

"I'm two"

Playdate with Amy and Randi. (And our kids of course)

I must say, not a shabby place to have grown up.

Coming home

I made the switch to dark chocolate about 2 years ago. It started after consuming a huge bag of Peanut Butter Hershey Kisses that were in my Easter basket (oh how I miss peanut butter). The chocolate was lackluster at best and totally unsatisfying, and yet I kept popping them in my mouth waiting for the chocolate high. All to no avail. Yes, I am aware I sound like a crack addict.
Later that night I bit into a dark chocolate covered almond from Shane's Easter basket. The sensation was instant. Oh the ecstasy. Rich and decadent, I only needed a couple more to savor and I was happy. At that moment I made the switch.
Dark chocolate for me. That has been the last two years. But something happened a couple nights ago that has made me waver. My mom handed me a Ghirardelli square - dark chocolate with caramel. After a moment in my mouth I spit it out. Caramel and dark chocolate just didn't work! My father took advantage of my impressionable state and handed me a new Ghirardelli square - MILK chocolate with caramel. Bliss. Smooth and creamy, I reached for another. It was like making-out in high school. Not really satisfying, but totally enjoyable at the same time.
As of now, I cannot state my firm affiliation. Maybe I don't have to decide. What next? White Chocolate? Oh the horror.

Having a lovely time in Spokane. Lydia is in total bliss.

Miss you Shane.

Things you may not know about me....

I have decided that I am going to print out my blog so that I don't feel as guilty about basically banishing journal writing as of late. I am including this next entry for posterity. I don't expect anyone to read it all.
But if you are really my friend, you will read it. And comment.

• When I was 20 I was in a para-sailing accident in the Caribbean. (I survived)
• I have traveled to - England, Israel, Jordon, Egypt, Italy, Mexico, Guatemala, The Bahamas (Lydia was conceived there) ,The Caribbean and throughout most of the US. Oh, and Canada.
• I had a wonderful childhood.
• I have tried to block out Junior high completely.
• I am the oldest of 5. Sisters include: Emily, Abby and Molly. My brother Zac is not the blogging type.
• I don't like Red Roses. In high school I worked as a florist at "Just Roses" and haven't liked them since.
• My maiden name is Natalie Nordstrom.
• While pregnant I craved Starbuck's Hot Chocolate and hot dogs. (Not at the same time)
• I used to eat lemons with salt. A lot. I kicked the habit.
• Several times I have been an actress in a live tour of a western brothel, in which I dressed as an old-time prostitute. The last time, Shane was also an actor. He was dressed as my...client. We basically had to make out for 8 hours while people walked by and watched.
• My mom's side of the family are cowboys.
• My dad's side of the family are not.
• To cheer me up after a hard day, I need a washed face, comfy jammies, a bowl of air popped popcorn and a Diet coke with ice. (And Shane)
• I love wrapping gifts.
• I love wrapping Christmas gifts the best. Especially if there is a Christmas cooking show on or a crappy Lifetime "Made for TV" Christmas movie showing.
• I plan my outfits weeks before traveling so that I can narrow things down to the bare minimum.
• I miss traveling.
• My favorite color is yellow.
• I have copious amounts of Black in my wardrobe and I spend way too much on my jeans.
• I coupon clip.
• If I could have plastic surgery, I would have my lips enhanced.
• My breasts need no improvement.
• My biggest regret is changing my language of study to French. Had I stayed with Spanish I could have saved myself a couple years of crazed stress to become "fluent" by graduation, and I would have been able to speak Spanish with my fluent husband. For the record, my French is now tres mal. Oh well. C'est la vie.
• Health Insurance, and the expectation to understand it, scares me deeply.
• My biggest fear is a rouge peanut.
• I love to visit my parents. Playing cards with them is in my top ten things to do.
• My favorite sound is a three way tie between Shane's, Lydia's and my dad's laughter.
• My childhood imaginary friend was named "Poodo" He was a llama and he hung out with 10 children. At least I used have conversations with "Poodo and the 10 children"
• If I had a rock band I would call it "Poodo and the 10 Children"
• I play the guitar.
• I took years of piano lessons.
• I do not play the piano.
• The only thing I really remember about my first kiss was that I was wearing pleated shorts. As bad as that is, my best friend had her first kiss in a brown Pinto.
• My best friend is Carrie Sanders Denke.
• I did not cry at my high school graduation. I did cry at my college one.
• I just had to correct the spelling of the word "College" on the above entry.
• I am a terrible speller.
• I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from BYU. My major was Humanities with an emphasis on literature, special studies in French and a minor in Near-Eastern Studies.
• I am still not sure what job that would qualify me for....
• I was able to work the system where in I did not have to take a single math class in college.
• I am worse at math than spelling.
• I married a guy who was a calculus tutor in college. I don't even know what calculus is.
• My last meal would include a medium-rare fillet mignon with green peppercorn sauce, loaded baked potato, haricot verts and something rich and chocolate for dessert.
• or....hot dogs with deli mac and cheese with my Dad's chocolate malts for dessert.
• my nickname in high school was Kiki.
• My childhood nickname was "Natty Jane". We call Lydia "Liddy-Jane".
• I do not watch Reality TV. Haven't seen Oprah in over 10 years.
• My favorite TV shows are "Arrested Development", "The Office", "Lost", "30 Rock" and "Barefoot Contessa"
• One of my favorite dates of all time included Taco Bell, a foldout sleeper couch and the movie "The Cutting Edge".
• My worst date of all time included a guy showing me his drug paraphernalia and throwing it off the bridge we were standing on. That was my only date with that individual.
• One of my college boyfriends tried to convince me that he was a spy. Then he suddenly disappeared. (I had already broken up with him by that time)
• If I had $5000 to totally blow, I would go on another cruise with Shane and get an incredible camera. And a Kitchen Aid.
• Shane and I play the "If you had X amount of money to blow, what would you buy?" game.
• I've kissed Ben Affleck
• I think that "Never go to sleep angry" Is the worst advice ever. Go to bed. Things are never such a big deal in the morning.
• I died my hair purple my junior year of high school. But only the ends so that I could cut it off the next week.
• I had bangs for far too long.
• My best day was my wedding day. It was perfect.
• I made a goal to not get married until I graduated from college. I got married a week after graduation.
• I am pretty good at kick-boxing and self-defence.
• I am pretty bad at most other sports.
• I Hate Bryan Adams and Blues Traveler.
• In my CD player I am currently listening to Death Cab for Cutie.
• My favorite book is Ender's Game. - Shane's too.
• Shane was the only guy I ever gave my phone number to after only meeting him once.
• I totaled my car three weeks after getting my licence.
• I would love it if the temperature never got above 78 degrees.
• I have grown to like the way that women in the south call each other terms of endearment like "sweetie" and "hon".
• I do not like that my (male) OB/GYN called me princess and baby on my last appointment. Eww.
• I love when Lydia takes long naps. Like right now.

Spokane, WA

Hello from the past. I was in the middle of the most amazing springtime weather in Chattanooga and I have traveled back to winter. Okay, I love Northwest winters, but this is ridiculous. Monday in Tennessee I was wearing capris and flip-flops & as I ran errands around Spokane today I was in a winter coat and scarf. It is the end of April! Come on!
So I am here for a month. We came this time last year as well. This allows Shane to get all of the landscaping and other "manly" projects done without interruption and lets Lydia get some Grandparent time in. As for me, I have a few projects of my own to work on.... will update as they progress.
(I've decided that next year we are coming in August when it is 100+ degrees in TN. )

Sorry Mommy

Rocking out