Seven random facts about MOI!

On my run this morning, I was thinking of several odd things about me... and then I decided to blog about it while I cool down.

1) I hate, loathe and abhor the movie "The Notebook." Why do all girls (and even some MEN) love it so much? LOVE TRIANGLE PEOPLE... loves triangles are ridiculous--that ruined "Pearl Harbor" for me too. I do like some chick flicks... but ones with love triangles are NOT AMONG THOSE!

2) I am a compulsive smeller... I HAVE to smell something before I eat it unless I made it myself. I smell milk every time I use it. Even at big BBQs and such, I discretely smell things before putting them on my plate (okay, it's probably not that discrete, but oh well).

3) I can't stand putting the clothes from the washer into the dryer. Yes, I know they're clean but they're just wet and clammy and cold and it gives me the heebie geebies (I don't think I've ever written that... how in the world do you spell it?!?)

4) Although I try not to, I judge people who like the epilogue of the final Harry Potter book.... 11 years later? kids named Severus and Albus, are you kidding me?!?! I typically don't like it when an author tries to tie up every loose end imaginable-- just let it go.

5) I RARELY (as in NEVER) backpedal... i.e. when you say "I hate 'The Notebook'" and your BFF says "I LOVE IT!" and then you say "well, I guess I like it fine." I stand firm with my opinions, even in the face of adversity (see number 1) and I don't conform. Cullen would confirm this... I was saying how agnostics bother me... I mean choose a side for crying out loud.. be atheist, but don't be agnostic! He quietly says "well, I consider myself agnostic." and I said "ummmm.... well....you bother me then." If I didn't backpedal then, I never will! ;)

6) I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE cookie dough! I could eat it every day and never get sick of it. If I haven't gotten salmonella by now, it doesn't exist. I prefer cookie dough to real cookies, unless it's a gooey, warm skookie, and even then I would probably rather just eat the dough.

7) I have to spit into the sink before brushing my teeth... I noticed this a few years ago. I don't know why, it's just become a habit and I don't even realize I'm doing it.

Well there you have it. Are there random facts about you that you've been dying to share?!?

yeah, about that....

I've had a surprising number of people ask me about this:
So I'm taking time out of my day to tell you-- it's kind of weird when people ask me when I'm going to get pregnant. First of all, it's a question about our sex life.... I know, I know, many of you may be shocked that I said that... but IT IS! Secondly, we've been married for 3 months. Mark my words, if I'm not pregnant after THREE YEARS then feel free to mention it. Actually, don't because if I'm not pregnant in three years, it probably means I'm barren and I'll burst into tears when it's mentioned.

In talking to Neal about this issue, he didn't think it was that weird that people ask me. I told him a) it was, and b) how did he like it when we were dating and people would ask "when are you guys getting engaged?!?" In that new light, Neal understood EXACTLY why it can be annoying. Both situations are pretty personal decisions that need to be made by the individual/couple after much thought and prayer. I'm glad you are interested in my periods and all that, but honestly, just rest assured that I will TELL YOU when I'm pregnant (NOTE: NOT when we're trying) so I think it's best to just avoid this question all together. ESPECIALLY if it's followed by an anecdote about how you and your husband didn't wait to have kids and you are so grateful, etc. etc.

Also, if I have ever asked you this question, I sincerely apologize. ;)

In other news, I start working full time PLUS teaching a night class at American University next week and I hope I can cope... I haven't worked full time since January so it might be a little difficult to get into the swing of things-- yikes. BUT I am very excited to start teaching French full time and quit being a bum. (I don't know how true the latter is, but I'm pretending.) Life here at the McMillan house is just peachy. No really, peachy. If you read my last post, you'll realize how punny I'm being. La vie est belle!

Secret peach rendez-vous...

As many of you know, the first date that Neal took me on was peach picking. I was so excited he FINALLY asked me out, after WEEKS of me turning on the Hannah charm. The peach orchard was an hour away, but we didn't even notice the long drive as we talked and laughed. After peach picking, because Neal didn't want to say goodbye just yet, he suggested a picnic at Great Falls National Park which was also SO MUCH FUN. I realized our potential after that first night. Neal, however, took MONTHS but I digress.

Here is us last August ('08) peach picking:
If you haven't already surmised... we went peach picking again this year. It was precious!
It was a blast (but super muggy and BUGS EVERYWHERE). We got delicious peaches (two pecks to be exact) that are spread out on our kitchen counter to ripen. We also got fresh corn on the cob which is the best corn I've had in a while.. too bad we only got a dozen ears.

In other news, I was the official baby wrangler for Cali and Josh's family pictures... aka the one to try to coax piper into smiling. She was actually the least smiley I've seen her (she was suspicious of the photographer) but I think the pics will turn out great! Here's one I snapped:
And I can't resist posting this: is she not the CUTEST?
And last but not least, Taylor had her baby, so now I have a nephew on my side! (Neal has 8) Asher Michael Johnson was born on 8/08. I'm DYING to go see them.... I'm trying my hardest to make it happen, but I have very limited personal vacation days. :( I'm sure I'll make it work though, and I can't wait to see them!

My sisters...

Okay, Kaitie wasn't born yet, but how precious is this pic!
Here's Kaitie... look how cute we are!


I've been thinking lately about how much I love my sisters. I decided to blog a tribute to them, although Cinda never reads the blog and Tay will probably have the baby and not see it for weeks. They truly are my best friends, and I love them each dearly.
TAYLOR:
Taylor has become one of my closest friends--my "go to" person. We certainly didn't always get along (especially when I flipped her off when she was 21 and she TATTLED on me and I got in huge trouble ;) haha) but over the past few years, we have talked at LEAST twice a week and I've gone out and visited her the past couple Thanksgivings. I'm DYING to go this year, but ticket prices are NOT co-operating! Taylor is HILARIOUS, easy to talk to, great at giving advice and NEVER judges. She is really good at checking in with me and making sure I'm okay, (except in France... she only called me ONCE the whole time I was there to tell me she was pregnant.. SHEESH!!!!!) She is beautiful and easy going, and a GREAT mom. It's so fun to see her actually enjoying babies!
CALI:
I LOVE living so close to Cali. She is a great example of service and love. She is well loved and adored by everyone! It's fun now to see her being a mom--she is patient and loving with Piper. Cali is very thoughtful, beautiful, and is very good at sharing her testimony in nonmormony ways. ;) Cali is generous with her time and her talents. Cali is extremely genuine, and is a joy to be around. She is always smiling and kind. I am impressed with her ability to make people feel comfortable, whatever their background. She is a hard worker and a lot to live up to! I try to keep in on the DL that I'm her sister, because those are pretty big shoes to fill out here!
CINDA/KAITIE:
Kaitie is GORGEOUS and also extremely fun to be around. We have soooo many fun childhood memories, including the name Cinda-- which is a name we called each other when we were little, thinking that was the name you called each other to play house, etc. Who knows why, but that has stuck to this day! Also, we referred to a single item of clothing as a "clo" which I still think is hilarious. Cinda used to call her down comforter a "down comfortable" and when I corrected her, my Mom was very disappointed because it was "so cute." Let me just say I LOVE YOU, CINDA because when we were younger, I refused to tell her I loved her for some reason. (I was too cool, I guess). She would say "goodnight Hannah, I love you." and I would reply "cool." Kaitie is brilliant, cheerful, funny, and very likable.

I am so grateful for my sisters. I talk with each of them often, and wouldn't have it any other way. Neal thought it was a little weird at first, but now he's used to the fact that my sisters probably know everything about everything ;) I don't make friends with girls very easily, and I'm not very good a reaching out and calling my girlfriends I do have (sorry ladies!) but I do manage to keep in touch almost daily with my each of my sisters--we have a special bond that I love and cherish MAYBE even more than peach pie. I'm not sure how many children I want to have, but when I think of my life without my sisters, I'm inclined to have at least 4. Of course I adore my brothers as well, but this post is for the girls.

O-H-I-O!

Well, we just got back from a weekend trip to THE Ohio. The main purpose of our trip was this:
That's right, my buddy Cullen's wedding. Oh how I love this man.... he kept me sane and laughing in France and in Bowling Green. I got to know his gorgeous bride in France and Bowling Green as well, and they were DELIGHTED we came out for the wedding, which made the whole trip worth it. I vowed I would never set foot back in Bowling Green, and I didn't, don't worry. We were in Toledo and Maumee. I had to admit... Ohio was infinitely better when I wasn't living there, and I was with Neal, it was nearly likable, I daresay--and gorgeous!
We also took the opportunity to go to Cedar Point which is seriously the BEST amusement park ever!!! It has a terrifying yet thrilling ride pictured here: which is over 400 ft. tall and you go 120 miles/hour in less than 4 seconds.... ummm AMAZING!
Notice to the right you can see the sky coaster completely dwarfed... this was high folks!!! I was nervous, even though I've been on it before, but Neal was giddy as a school boy and we LOVED IT! NOTE: I also didn't cry this time, so good for me. here's a link here to watch a youtube video someone posted of themselves on the ride... it's pretty impressive.
Friday night we met up with my buddy Andrew, and his girlfriend. I will love them always and forever because they brought a little piece of Bowling Green heaven up to Toledo...
The cookie jar! Thank you, thank you. That was the second or third most thoughtful thing ever.
Saturday was the wedding. I have to say, it was my first completely non mormon wedding ever... I'm from Utah, I can't help it! After the ceremony, I teased Cullen (the agnostic) about the mention of God. He said "I know, right? I tried to cut it out where I could... but she was a minister, after all!" I got a kick out of that. It was great to be there.
Flashbacks to France...
I'm really glad Neal and I decided to brave the 8 hour drive-- I'm glad Cullen got to meet him and I'm so glad I got to see Cullen get married! I'm even glad I went back to Ohio because I got to see some of my dear friends that made my time there bearable. (Note: I was also writing my thesis IN FRENCH, as well as taking 4 other classes that were kicking my butt, so I think that also contributed to the Ohio abhorrence.) Anyway, great weekend--it was fun to have Neal meet my Ohio side. Plus, everything is more fun with Neal. :)

Currently obsessed with ....

Of course, my number one obsession is, always and forever, this man.
*as you may be able to tell-- I'm already growing out my bangs. Cute as they were, they drive me INSANE annnnnnd I'm done. It was a good change though... however brief.
but a close number two is apple scrapple bread from Great Harvest--worth all 700 pennies!
LOVE these-- and they're flat. I love finding cute, flat shoes-- Maybe one day I'll be the girl wearing heels who's 3 inches taller than her husband, but for now I stick with flats. :)
I was too lazy to figure out how to rotate this... but AHHHHHH-- the cutest!
France has been one of my obsessions for almost 10 years now--- beat that, Neal! ;)
and last but not least-- the best summer treat ever! (Besides a skookie, but that goes without saying!)
In other news, we're going to THE Ohio this weekend for one of my best friends from grad school's weddings--I was debating on going but I think it will mean a lot to him AND we get to go to Cedar Point! Can't wait!

Last time I went on this ride, I cried. I hope to be more courageous this year!!!

A first.....

If you know me well, you know I really do not like the game scrabble. I am horrible at it, and it's a slow and painful game. Neal loves scrabble-- probably because he's very good at it, but so far I have avoided playing it with him. We had Cali, Josh and Piper over today, and since everyone else wanted to play, I reluctantly agreed. I was losing as usual, but Josh added "heart" and suddenly.. the Heavens opened and I noticed I could do this:

That's right folks... I added a "Y" to heart and then "olk" to make yolk--- thanks to the triple word score and double letter score it gave me 61 points!!!! (if anything deserves 4 exclamation points, this it it!) ANNNNNNNNNND I WON! For the first time ever, I won a scrabble game. I was ESTATIC! Everyone seemed pretty shocked, considering my highest scoring turn up until then was barely in the double digits. It was INCREDIBLE!!! Neal, the previous leader, was very sad: Okay that's a lie, he was happy for me, of course. He's a big person that way-I'm trying to learn from him. I'm pretty sure I've reached my scrabble peak now-- I should probably never play again.... ;)