Friends, it’s time for round three of the “ask me a question” segment of my blog.  Remember when you asked me questions a long, long, long, long time ago, way back in late December?  Well, I’m back to answer more and if I’m you’re lucky, I’ll have this done by the end of January.

of 2010.

The first question is from my dear, sweet, lovely, awesome, inspirational and beautiful friend, Sharon.

She writes:  Barry and I will be doing the Polar Plunge on New Year’s Day in our very cold Narragansett Bay… bathing suits and all… we used to do it every year, but have missed the last 3 due to (oh, I don’t know…) maybe sanity! BUT WE ARE DOING IT! Jane may be joining us. Audrey… a big, resounding “NO, thanks.” Have you ever done a Polar Plunge or anything like it on New Year’s Day? What are your plans for this New Year’s Eve and Day?

So, after reading this, I suddenly became very, very cold.  Did you freeze your ass off?  I have never done a Polar Plunge and I don’t think I ever will.  On NYE and New Year’s Day, we spent the time together with my entire family.  It was lots of fun, we ate, drank, danced, maybe took videos that should be deleted and I also took this picture of Racecar, which is one of my favorites.

This was the first year we let the kids stay up past midnight.  It was very special.

The next question comes from Jenny from Chicago:

Who cooks at this house? Can I come over for creme soda and vodka? Okay, then can I just come for the Vodka?

(When Jenny said “this house,” she means at the big rental house my entire family rents.)  We all cook.  At lunchtime, we (the Moms) turn into cafeteria workers for the kids and at dinner, a different family takes responsiblity for dinner each night.

Yes, you can come over for creme soda and vanilla vodka anytime (or just the vodka), I have both ingredients on hand, just in case.

A simple question from Chris:

I would love to hear how you met your husband?

Brian and I knew each other in high school, I was dating someone, he was dating someone and then after graduation, we broke up with our someone’s and then we started dating.  I have a full write up right here if you’d like to read more.

Sarah M. asks a very painful question:

Here’s a random question. I was talking to someone you know very well the other day (keeping her name private in case she doesn’t want me revealing this…) & we started talking about waxing. Waxing our upper lips to be exact. I haven’t done this yet, although at times I’m SURE I need it. I do the Nair thing instead. Anyway she does & was encouraging me to give it a try even though she admits to blurting out obscenities uncontrollable when it happens. What about you? How do you feel about having hair ripped off of your face using hot, gooey wax?

I’m a big fan of having the hair ripped off my face with hot, gooey wax, however, I have never had my upper lip waxed before, although I’m certain I need it.  I just love having my eyebrows, but now I feel lost because my aesthetician just moved to the East Coast and that makes me want to cry.  Into my freakishly out-of-control eyebrows.  Maybe the next time I’m in your area, we’ll do it together?  And that girl you are speaking of can watch us and laugh.

My real life friend, Misti ask:

My question is… What is your favorite book or movie?

My favorite book is The Time Traveler’s Wife.  My friend, Amy, recommended it to me and I absolutely loved it.  I hear the movie is coming out soon, but I hope you read the book first.  It’s fascinating and wonderful.

I don’t think I have a favorite movie.  Can you believe how boring I am?  It’s okay, I admit it, you don’t have to talk about me behind my back.

And Jessica has asked me a whole line of questions, which is fun and exciting and fortunately, they only require one word answers.

What is your favorite color of glitter? I never really realized that glitter came in different colors.  I’ll say silver.

What’s your favorite Britney Spears song? Right now, it’s Womanizer.  Yes, I love me some Brit Brit, I’ll admit it, you don’t have to talk about me behind my back.

Is your second toe longer than your first? I think so, but I’m not sure.   Do I need to take my shoes off to see?  Have I mentioned I wear shoes all day long until I put my pajamas on at night?  (which last night was at 6:30.)

When you do the hokey pokey what’s your favorite appendage to shake all around? Whichever one doesn’t make my jelly belly shake.  So, maybe my elbow.  or my ear.

Do you know my friend Bart? He’s tall. I don’t, but I really like tall people.  Is he nice?

What color was the last horse you rode? Um, I have no idea.  I’ll say brown.

Which dance do you prefer, the chicken polka or the macarena? If I’m sober, the chicken dance, if I’m un-sober then the macarena.

Libby asks:  your photographs have inspired me to pick up photography as a new hobby – what kind of camera do you use? (i think i have seen this answer before from you but can’t find the answer on your blog). my husband is going to buy me a nice camera for my big 4-0 in february and we’re trying to research what type to get…suggestions?

Wow, wow, wow!  My photographs have inspired you to pick up photography?  That is amazing and wonderful news!  I have the Nikon D80, my last camera was the Nikon D40x.  I have had much luck with Nikon and definitely recommend.  Happy 40th Birthday to you!  (my birthday is in February, too!)

(Jenni asked me the same question.)

Megan wants to know:  I don’t have question so much as seeking advice. I have an 11 month old. I bought a Nikon D60 last summer but I am not great at taking pictures with it. Any beginning photography tips that you can give me? You should totally do simple photography tutorial post!

I imagine my photography tutorial post would be very frightening as I have no idea what I’m talking about.  But thanks for saying that, so nice of you!  My recommendation is to get close, and either get down to eye level or shoot from slightly above.  I never, ever shoot a face from below.  Use that zoom and lose background.  Pick a subject and photograph it.  If you are using a flash, I recommend an external flash or a diffuser (much cheaper than an external), it softens the harshness of the flash.   Honestly, I’ve even used one ply of a kleenex and placed it in front of my flash, it makes a slight difference.  It’s very ghetto.

Try finding a subject and finding ten different ways to shoot it.  You’ll be surprised with what you’ll come up with.  Maybe I’ll come up with a photography challenge for all of you, wouldn’t that be fun?

I also recommend downloading Picasa for photo editing.  It’s free and it’s very good.

One more thing, I recommend this book by Scott Kelby.  It’s great.

Wow, that was fun.

Susan asks:  What was your favorite meal that your mom used to make when you were a child? I have two; a dish called Cream of Chicken (always served with peas) or her meatloaf (always served with creamy mashed potatoes and corn).  They’re still my favorites and I still request them.  DELICIOUS.

shoot.  Now, I’m hungry.

Here’s are a few questions from Carrie:  Did you take a photography class or is that all just because you’re that good? I so want to start taking pictures on the weekends, but keep putting it off. What size lens do you have? I just got a Nikon D60 and just have the lens that it came with, but am looking at others. What do you suggest?

I took a class this past fall, it was a total of about 7 hours and it was not good.  Not good at all.  My official answer is no, I have never taken a real photography class.  I just practice.  A lot.   I’ve taken almost 15,000 pictures since August.

I have a few different lenses, the one my camera came with, the 18-55, like yours, I have a 50 mm, (my fast 50) and some larger lenses.  I totally recommend the 55-200 mm lens for your camera.  Also, my friend, Crooked Eyebrow just purchased the 18-105 mm lens and she loves it.  It’s on my wish list.

I recommend any of these.  If you are starting out, just make sure your lens has vibration reduction (vr) on it.

Sara asks:  Here’s a question. Since you just moved, do you find yourself buying matching picture frames or do you have a hodge podge of frames on the walls?

I find myself buying matching frames. Much to my husband’s chagrin.  I’m taking it slow, however.  Many of the photos that were up at my old house are still in a box in the closet.

Aaaaand, it’s nap time.   This wraps up round 3 of answering your burning questions, come back later for more!

What new and exciting in your life?