Just Some MORE Random Facts About Me

I figured, what the heck! You all probably already think I'm a bit coo-coo, so why not share a little more and remove all doubt! Lol!

I was very shy.  It's true! I was so very painfully shy as a child. I was like Linus from the Peanuts and carried around my trusty blanket, and I used to embarrass my parents by throwing it over my head and hiding if someone I didn't know so much as looked at me, let alone talked to me.  I often felt very awkward and uncomfortable in my own skin when I was in school. Many people thought I was stuck up, but I was actually just scared out of my mind and insecure... This, of course, has gotten better, but I do still have my moments...

I've been divorced.  I got married the first time in 1997, at age 21 (almost 22). It lasted four years. Let's just say it became obvious that I had married a perpetual 15-year-old and we will just leave it at that. I was single for about four years before I started dating my husband, Blake. I was in no hurry to jump back in! I learned a lot about myself in those four years and I think it was a great thing... Hey, they say all things happen for a reason, and I'm one of those people who believe that to be true...

I'm a "Jack Mormon."  Yup, it's a fact! I was baptized into the Mormon Church at the age of 8 and that's about as far as it went.  I guess the fact that I'm not a practicing Mormon is obvious, for starters, by my consumption of coffee and wine.  Living in Utah and being a "Jack Mormon" is not always an easy thing, as I have been looked down upon and treated poorly, but I refuse to be a hypocrite.  I have nothing against the LDS religion, they have some wonderful ideals and values, but there are just some things I don't agree with, both big and small, in the Mormon teachings... I'm a very spiritual person. I believe in God and say my prayers (admittedly not as often as I should), and I even have my grandma's old Bible in my nightstand drawer. I'm good to my friends and family, I'm faithful to my husband, and I'm true to myself. At the end of the day, I feel that's what matters the most. I don't feel any one religion has it 100% right, and I don't believe you necessarily have to go to a particular church to be close to God or let Jesus into your life. When I read the book, The Shack by William P. Young, I felt much more validated in that belief.... And at the very end, it's between me and God anyway and it's not someone else's place to judge.

My heritage has been a mystery.  I've had quite a few people ask me, "So, what are you anyway?"  Many people would look at me and my dad and assume we were Italian or maybe Spanish.  For a many years, it was actually a mystery to us too.  But recently, after a lot of research, my dad was able to find some information.  Come to find out, we're Black Irish.  Black Irish is a term that raises more questions and creates even more mystery, however.  Some say there's no such thing and others say it's simply Irish people with a darker complexion. But, from what we can find, it is most likely Irish and Mediterranean, probably Spanish. So, there ya go... I also have Welsh, Danish, and German in the mix...among others...A bit of a "Heinz 57."

I was an Avon lady.  Yes I was! I delivered books to doorsteps and the whole nine yards. I did this for about six years. I also sold Mary Kay for a couple of years as well. I'm not much of a salesperson, however, and I like experimenting and trying new products too much to tie myself to one brand... I love going to the salon and being my stylist's guinea pig and trying the latest thing.

I'm a bit rebellious. I've always marched to the beat of my own drum, a bit of a nonconformist. I like edgy fashion and things with flare.  I have a tattoo and my belly button is pierced, both of which I had done on the same day, not too long after my divorce...uh huh!... I've been asked more than once, "you're not from around here are you?" I actually take that as a compliment...

My dad was in the military.  Yes, besides strong country ties, I have strong military ties. My dad served in the Air Force during Vietnam, and he worked as a civilian at Hill AFB in Clearfield, UT for over 20 years. I grew up around military people and they are just amazing, and I wholeheartedly respect and admire what they do. I'm fiercely patriotic. No matter my heritage, I'm an American and damn proud to be!

I like a variety of bold styles. My favorite Color is yellow; yes, bright, tweety-bird, canary yellow! I love bright Colors; I find them cheerful and mood lifting. My kitchen is all decked out in sunflowers (my favorite flower)... I also have a thing about animal print; our bedroom and bathroom are like stepping into Safari (lions, tigers, zebras, giraffes, and elephants, oh my!), and I have some jewelry, bags, and other accessories that are decked out in leopard, zebra, and giraffe print... You'll find a lot of Native-American Indian inspired decor in my home as well. I love the culture and the belief system. My tattoo is actually one I had designed; its a mixture of an Indian shield and dream catcher. My tattoo is a sign of my rebellious side, sure, but more than that it's a symbol that truly means something to me.

I used to be quite athletic.  No, seriously, stop laughing! Yes, I know I'm clumsy and short (not quite 5' 2"), and it's hard to believe, but I used to be a fast runner; the 50-yard dash was my specialty. I also used to go to the gym regularly and lift weights. I actually got into power lifting and had started to train for competition at one point. Life got in the way a bit and I never did compete though. I don't necessarily regret it, but I do sometimes wonder just how far I could have gone...

Well, there you have it. I delved a bit deeper into what makes me tick...I'm a bit like an onion, lots of layers!