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I have answers.

January 27th, 2009

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?

Hey look! Bullet points!

January 23rd, 2009

I’m feeling pretty random today, so I present to you: a random post.

-We are hosting Ariel and Racecar’s family birthday party tomorrow. I can’t wait. They can’t wait. My sister, her husband and their two kids are staying with us this weekend. I can’t wait. They can’t wait. It’s going to be a fun weekend. Ariel’s birthday is on Sunday and she is just dying for her annual birthday interview. So, be sure to check back on Sunday for what this girl has to say.

-Ariel is asking to have her ears pierced. Again. For the past two years we have taken her to get her ears pierced on her birthday and each time she cries and changes her mind. So, each year, we pack up the earrings, WHICH WE NOW OWN and go to the ear piercing place for no reason at all. ahhh….traditions.

-Can you believe how pretty my site is? I can’t believe it.

-I watch an episode of Friends basically every night before bed. Last night’s episode was the night that Chandler and Monica got engaged. I was disturbed by Chandler because he looks just like a bobble-head and it really bothered me. I don’t know what it is, it’s like he got really skinny, but his head did not. Also, call me crazy, but watching the reruns, I realize that Joey is the funniest one on the show. Do you agree with me or no?

-We finally finished the first night of American Idol last night. Yes, we are slow. Just a few notes: I’m not sure about the new judge, she seems a little annoying, particularly when she started singing to compete with the contestant, but I’ve only spent two hours with her, so I’ll stop judging her. Paula’s selection of glasses makes me want to stick forks in my eyes. And the blind guy? OMG, my tears. But my favorite was the boy who looked like Ray Romano, I loved him.

-I am so in love with blogging I can hardly take it. The reason I feel this way is the community, the community between bloggers and readers. It makes my heart explode. All of you people that come here and read and leaves comments, thank you. I wish I were a better blog reader, I’m trying to carve out time during the day to just read blogs. Who should I be reading?

-I’m not going to lie to you. Right now, I’m going through some stuff. I can’t really discuss it publicly, but I will soon. I don’t want to ask you for prayers or positive thoughts or anything like that because I feel like I always do, but if you have some to spare, CAN I HAZ SOME? Oh wait, I think I just asked you for prayers or positive thoughts. I’m an idiot.

-Just in case you were wondering, this is what I look like in a bathing suit.

monokini

Yes I do.

-I love Honey Nut Cheerios. I just had a bowl. They were awesome. Okay, I had two bowls.

-It hasn’t snowed since Wednesday and that makes me want to dance.

-Have you checked out the Shrinking Jeans site? I haven’t been a heavy participant because finding the time to write more posts is not easy for me, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been watching what I’ve been eating. In fact, my weight today was the lowest it’s been since maybe September! Anyway, these girls and the one boy (MY HUSBAND) do such a fabulous job at running this site. You seriously need to head over their for some motivation. They all work so hard on it, I see a big, big future with Shrinking Jeans They just started a new challenge for Valentine’s Day, it’s not too late to join! GO! GO! GO!

I think this is enough randomness to last a long, long time. I am photographing a press event for a TV show this afternoon in Chicago (I KNOW!), so I need to get in the shower and get moving.

Thanks for reading, thanks for listening, thank you for sharing. Thanks for everything.

See you Sunday.

You get what you get

January 4th, 2009

We arrived home yesterday, late afternoon. We first stopped at the grocery store, then we pulled into the garage, unloaded the car, for what felt like five hours, I started laundry, put groceries away and laid down to take a nap.

I woke up feeling refreshed, I served a fine dinner of waffles, grapes and bananas, we ate, then I went to Kohl’s and Lowe’s with Ariel. We came home just before eight, I started taking down the Christmas tree, we put the kids to bed, we finished taking the tree down. I went upstairs and unpacked my suitcase. I took my contacts out, washed my face, put my pajamas on and then finally sat down.

It felt so good to be sitting in our living on our couches. No presents to buy or wrap, no get togethers to attend, nothing to host, nowhere to go, except to our warm, sweet, beautiful bed. I couldn’t wait. My plan was to catch up on some emails and then head straight up to bed and watch as much TV as I wanted. The entire eight days we were at the rental house with my family, I never went to bed before 2 a.m., I was beyond exhausted. Brian and I also had to share a queen or a full (we aren’t sure what size it was) mattress, which was not fun. Not fun at all.

And then, just after 10:30, Racecar started crying. Brian went up to his room first, I followed a few minutes later. It’s not normal for our kids to cry out in the night, so we knew something was wrong, a nightmare, perhaps?

I walked into his room and yes, he said he was scared. I offered to lay with him,which is rare, but what was even more bizarre is that he said “yes, lay with me.“ Racecar likes his space and usually doesn’t want anyone to lay anywhere near him. We laid together and I tried to figure out what was wrong by asking a million questions. He finally started gently kicking his legs and saying his stomach hurt and that he wanted to go downstairs. I asked him if he wanted to throw up. He said no, he had to go downstairs.

I’m not going to lie to you, I pictured him throwing up on our new couches, so as we headed out of his room and he wanted to take a left to go downstairs, I directed his shoulders to the right towards the bathroom, where he promptly threw up, mostly in the toilet.

I brought him into bed with me, we laid there for awhile, and fell asleep, he woke up and threw up again. And again. And again.

and again.

He’s the most precious sick child, in the middle of throwing up, he says “this is a bad night.” And I did agree with him, all I wanted was to lay in bed and SLEEP with room, lots of room in our king size bed. But the flu had other plans. at five in the morning, I was able to move Racecar back in his bed, which is exactly where he wanted to be.

Twelve hours after Racecar first threw up, Ariel threw up. I laid in my bed with her, talking to her, taking care of her and sleeping with her all afternoon, and here we sit, in my bed, watching iCarly, while I write.

The kids aren’t going to school tomorrow, I had to cancel my cleaning lady in the morning, most of the Christmas decorations are still up, there is still unpacking that needs to be done. This day did not go at all like I had planned.

Which kinda sucks, but it really doesn’t because even though the kids are sick and that makes me so sad, it’s been a much needed day spent just staring at these precious faces that bring us so much happiness every single day.

I just hope they feel this way about me when it’s my turn to start puking.

Ask me

December 29th, 2008

I am around except I am having a very difficult time posting here. I do not have a lot of time and I’m feeling very down. Which is confusing to me because we are having a great time with my family, all of us (about 25 people) are all staying in the same house. I just don’t feel like me. I’m pretty sure it’s because the last time we were here, I was pregnant with twins, we had announced it to my family while in this house, there are so many great memories here. And now?

Every piece of this house is a reminder of that time.

Fortunately there is lots of alcohol to drink and many opportunities for naps, so it will be fine. I will be fine. (by the way, the best drink ever is creme soda with vanilla vodka…so delicious, you are welcome.)

So, I’m wondering if you want to help me? How about we take this time for you to ask me something, anything, and I can answer your questions all this week while I’m away. Deal?

Whatever you want to know, now is the time to ask.

Pieces

December 8th, 2008

I have about five minutes to write something real quick before going to bed. So, how does a nice random post sound? Good?

God, I hope so. Cause that’s all I’ve got.

First…the winner of The Orange Bell jewelry is Melissa. What a lucky duck she is, don’t you think? I have about 3,213 more giveaways coming up, I plan to do all of them on my review blog because I don’t like the giveaway content blocking up the content on this blog. I know some of you don’t like giveaways, which is fine (and weird, because HELLO? GIVE.A.WAY.) But it’s so hard to turn these people down when they offer to give stuff away for free because I love you guys and I love being able to give you things. Know what I mean?

So, guess who I’m going to TALK to tomorrow on the phone? Any ideas?

No? Keep thinking….

Our kitchen “reconstruction” is almost done. Just some painting tomorrow and we’ll be back to normal. Ariel is sick which is sad because it’s just sad. She’s a very good sick girl, she blows her nose all of the time and knows the importance of orange juice, water and sleep. She’s all about being healthy. Today she tried my patience by asking me if I wanted to play Barbies 192 times and each time I said “no” because I’m 62 years old and I didn’t play Barbies when I was 6, so why would I now? And then I’d have to sit on the floor and do you know how long it takes me to stand back up? Oh man, my back hurts just thinking about it.

Have you figured out who I’m talking to tomorrow? I’ll have you a hint: SODAMNHOTITHURTS.

I took her to an after hours clinic tonight and it took FOREVER. It was strange because the doctor was male and he was “mature.” He kept saying “back then” as in, “back then we gave antibiotics for everything” and now “just some nasal spray should fix her right up.”

And the nurse? Well, if you follow me on twitter you know that she wore a nurse’s hat, like an old-fashioned one and it was just…strange. I wanted to ask her about it, like “so do you have to wear one?” or “how many bobby pins are you using exactly?“ or “has it ever fallen off while writing on charts?“ But I didn’t because as as weird as it was, it was also a little bit cute.

So, that’s it, that’s all I have for now and it took me more than five minutes but I won’t tell you how long exactly because it’s embarrassing how long it took me to write about nothing.

Except here’s something, tomorrow at noon, I’ll be on the phone with Patrick Dempsey. (it’s blog related, I’ll even have a Patrick Dempsey something giveaway!)

Yes, I’m serious. As a heart attack, which is what I’ll have as soon as I hear his incredibly beautiful and hunky voice.

OMG, I’m starting to hyper-ventilate just thinking about it, but don’t tell anyone because I’m going to be all aloof and nonchalant while on the phone.

It’s our secret? Okay? bye.

Holy SHIT. He’s so hot.

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