on twelve things...

(This is truly the most fantastically simple project! I'm planning on putting together a tutorial once my life calms down a bit. Wait, what do you mean my life is never going to calm down? Psh. Don't talk to me.)

Considering I'm in major list-making mode, here are twelve things you may or may not know about me:

1. I grew up in Spokane, Washington. The Northwest makes me giddy.

2. I worked at Disneyland for one year when I first moved to California. I scooped ice cream, served hot dogs, wore ridiculous "costumes", danced along Main Street at 3AM when the park was completely empty (which is actually more magical than you can imagine), auditioned to be a princess, and found a husband.

3. Oh, right. For those of you who aren't aware, Jay and I met at Disneyland! (I tend to make the story sound much more romantic that it actually is, but isn't that half the fun?)

4. I was once in a commercial for a local burger joint back home. It was awkward.

5. I am obsessed with crime. I think this must be something I get from my dad, since he was a cop for most of his life. Even though I am one of the most paranoid, anxious, easily-creeped-out people you'll ever meet, if I come across a TV show about serial killers or unsolved murders, I have to watch it. It's like a compulsion. No wonder I can hardly sleep when I'm home alone at night, because I'm terrified that there is a ninja who has been living in the ceiling for the past week, just waiting to chop me to bits with a machete. (Thanks to a little show called I Survived, I now know that things like that actually happen. I AM NOT KIDDING. Good luck sleeping tonight. Or ever.)

6. While I was growing up, I lived most of those years in a home surrounded by eight acres of forest. I loved it. We had tree forts and trails, a huge garden, a beautiful yard that basically looked like a park. I would see deer on an almost daily basis. And you know what? I'm happy to realize that I never took it for granted, especially because I'm now living in a place where there is literally no nature (aside from palm trees and the crickets that like to chill in the duplex) and never a moment of silence (we live on a busy street and I want to punch motorcyclists in the mouth on a daily basis).

7. I sometimes fantasize about living in an adorably decorated cabin in the woods. But then I think my husband would hate me, because apparently he loves the insanity of LA. Perhaps we'll be able to find a happy medium?

8. My two youngest sisters were adopted through the foster care system. My family did foster care for infants for a few years when I was younger, and I was lucky enough to end up with two additional sisters! It has truly changed my perception of the foster care system, as well as adoption. I absolutely can't imagine my life without them, and it's as though they were meant to be "ours" all along.

9. I often wish I could go back and re-live a bit of my childhood. Sometimes I just miss the safety and security that comes with being taken care of all the time and not having any real responsibility.

10. A small part of my heart will always belong to Richard Gere.

11. Jay and I honeymooned in Jamaica. We maintain that it was the most epic week of our lives. (I literally start crying whenever I see a commercial for Jamaica on TV. Or listen to Bob Marley. Or use my pina colada body wash.)

12. I struggle with finding balance in my life these days. Between work and home. Crafting for myself and crafting as a business. Time for friends and time for me. Living healthfully and living happily. It's something I've been trying to get a handle on, but feel like I'm failing miserably at right now. The only thing I can do is keep my chin up and try, try again...