I Should Be Folding Laundry

Random & Miscellaneous

-First, I blogged over here today. 

-Second, I have been watching a lot of old episodes of Friends, does anyone else find it creepy that Ross had a monkey?

-Thirdly, I've been watching some Jon & Kate Plus Eight, and don't get me wrong but there is something about that show that is bothering me to the point where I can hardly watch it anymore.  Why won't she let her kids use the bathroom like on a toilet rather than in a potty bucket in the mud room?  It's like her children are cats and that's where she keeps the litter boxes.  Did you see the episode where Jon had the hair transplant in LA and Jody and I think Kate's brother (??) stayed at their house to watch the kids and he has to empty their pee buckets out every night and he talks about how disgusting it is?  Between the hair transplant and the pee and whatnot, my stomach was turning.

Whenever I watched Jon & Kate Plus Eight, I always felt like a wimpy loser because here she is with eighty-sixty gajillion kids and her house was still clean.  And here I have two kids and I haven't cleaned my bathrooms in two weeks, but I came to the realization that she knows when tTLC is coming to film episodes and she cleans like a mad woman (probably with help) to put her house in tip top shape before the crew arrives.  Am I right or am I right?  Well, at least that makes me feel better, anyway.

-Fourthy, regarding my dress for the wedding this Saturday...I am dressless. 

-Fifthly, do the words random & miscellaneous mean the same thing?

-Sixthly, did you know fifthly and sixthly are actual words?  I didn't either.

-Seventhly, (seventhly is not a word, apparently) I had a dream last night that I was pregnant.  In my dream my doctor was doing an ultrasound and she said "you sure have a lot of boys in your life."  Because I was having a boy and I was also having twins except on them vanished and he was a boy, too.  In my dream, I laid in bed after that and felt that beautiful movement of a moving baby, I pictured James and Jake in my belly moving and kicking me with their perfect arms and legs.  In my dreams I love that baby so much.  I have felt pregnant all day.

-Eighthly, did you know I still have not answered all of the questions you all asked me back in March?  What's up with that?

-And finally, we are scheduled to close on both houses on June 30th.  Have I mentioned that Brian is going out of town for work this Sunday and won't be back until June 27th??????

Misadventures of a Sweaty Lady

Today, I ran around like a crazy person.  I spent 3 hours looking for a dress for a wedding that I am in THIS SATURDAY.  I'm the only attendant, the matron (read: old lady) of honor.

I spent 3 hours looking in mirrors and hating how I look.

I spent 3 hours covered in tummy sweat, boob sweat and mustache sweat.  All while wearing spanx.  I was very, very attractive, kinda what an old hot dog looks like sitting out in the sun on a buffet table at a barbecue.

Yes, that's exactly what I looked like.

First, at the mall, I dodged 10 associates trying to make me smell perfume or cologne.  Why do they still do this?  Did you know they wear regular clothes now?  I was tricked, I thought the first lady was a friendly customer but instead she shoved a piece of paper doused in COLOGNE into my hands, which I carried around for so long that I got a headache and never did find a garbage can so I slid it into my back pocket which means the smell is stuck on me forever because you know how often I wash my jeans. 

Also, did you know that at David's Bridal, they don't even have mirrors in their dressing rooms, so you have to GO OUT IN PUBLIC to look at yourself in the mirror?  Torture.  I think I'll write the company.

Dear Mr. David's Bridal,

I entered your store today, hoping to find a dress for a wedding I am in this Saturday.  Yes, I know, it's very last minute, your associate acted like I was a lunatic.  I shopped in your store and walked out feeling like crap.  Why?  Because for one, your size twelves are actually size eights, and that alone makes me want to punch you in the face.  And secondly, you made me walk out into the center of the store so I could look into the mirror - without even knowing what I looked like.  So, while parties were waiting for their brides to try on dresses in their mirror-less dressing rooms, they stared at me in a dress, that I couldn't zip, my legs are pasty white and the sweat all over my body made it look like I was in the middle of the boxing match.  And sometimes, I felt like I was in the middle of a boxing match because some of your dresses are SO complicated.  Once, I put my head through a sleeve and couldn't get it back off, another time I tried to pull a dress over my head to get it over my shoulders and the same dress I tried to pull up from the bottom but it wouldn't slide over my hips and it was a SIZE 12. 

At one point, I honestly thought I was stuck in a dress forever, which would have been bad because it was half on my body and half off of my body, and I would not have been able to call Brian from my cell phone to come rescue me because my arms were sticking straight up in the air. 

No lie.

I wonder, do you have video cameras inside your dressing rooms?  Because if you do, I provided you with hours and hours of side splitting laughter. Perhaps consider serving margaritas and ho-hos and I could join you with the laughter.  That would be grand.

And one more thing, there is no doubt that A MAN started this business.  Because Dave, I kinda think you are a jerk.  No offense.

Love,
The Sweaty, Pale, Size Ten, Old, Dressless Bridesmaid

The only good thing that happened during my shopping trip is that I thought I was being hit on by an older gentlemen, except he wound up being homeless and asked me for a quarter.  I was kinda bummed.  It felt a little like when you go to a restaurant and you get carded and you say something like "wow, thanks!  I love being carded!"  And the server responds with "I know, I'm sorry, I have to card everyone under 40."

Buzz kills all around.

Enough of this depressing fat girl dress talk, let's talk Father's Day...I have dusted off my good ol' review blog and decided to do some reviews once again.  I have decided to become much more particular about items that I review - which means I will only review items that I would actually use or buy in my everyday life.  So - head there, because I have a new fangled techie thing that I am reviewing and also? on Thursday, come back to that same review blog for a HUGE GIVEAWAY.

Getting hit by a semi may actually feel good at this point.

I'm a hot mess, friends.

Friday I began getting a toothache, or at least I thought it was a toothache, but then it went away, just in time for my friends to come over.  But when I went to bed (at 2 in the morning) it was really, really bad.

I woke up Saturday and it was worse.  and my jaw was beginning to swell.  And by 5 in the afternoon it was unbearable.  I wanted to cut my head off.  I tried calling my dentist but there was no way to reach him, no voicemail, no emergency contact number.  Nothing.  I thought I could live through the pain until Monday, but Brian pointed out that Monday was a holiday and they would be closed.

So, off to Urgent Care I went.  Where my blood pressure was 160/110, thanks to the pain level.  (I think)

At Urgent Care I was given an antibiotic and told to take 800 mg of Ibuprofen and two Tylenol Three every six hours.  Oh, and the doctor, who reminded me of my high school softball coach, told me to call my dentist.  Really? You think I should call my dentist?  It's a good thing I went there because I NEVER would have thought to call my dentist. 

Glad I paid $75 for Coach Dr. Riley to tell me to see The Dentist. 

For my Tooth.

So, I've been medicating myself, but trying to just take one Tylenol Three because I have lots of work to do, but sometimes I take two because OH MY GOD THE PAIN.   And my jaw, well, is still swelling.

And I have a terrible headache.  It's beautiful outside and I feel like crap.  Can't a girl catch break?

So, anyway, if you need me, I'll be sitting right here, in my pajamas on my chair ALL WEEKEND LONG.   On my computer.  All by my lonesome. Don't worry about me.

Have a safe holiday weekend.  Enjoy the warmth.  Enjoy your family.  Enjoy not having a toothache.  or a headache.

I like being pitiful, it's pretty fun!
 

You've got questions? I've got answers...

It's becoming increasingly difficult to come up with catchy titles for these answer posts.  In fact, I don't think I have thought of one, yet.  I'm trying though, really, I am trying.

Here is the FIFTH installment of answers to your questions.

Let's get started, shall we?

Rebecca asks:

Hmmm... how did you meet your husband?   Brian and I went to high school together, however, we did not date during high school, we starting dating a few weeks after graduation.  I have been making him crazy ever since!  For more on how we met, click here.  It's a cute and romantic story.  Well, it's not really cute.  or romantic, really.  But it is a story.

and from Debbie:

How old were you when you got married?  I was young, although at the time I thought I was so old.  I do not have any regrets, however, well, I suppose I wish we had been a little more financially stable before our wedding day, but...what can you do?  I was 22.  At least I think I was 22.  (this requires math, don't ever believe any answer I have that requires math.)

and a good question from Megan at Fried Okra:

What's your biggest pet peeve? Let's see, I absolutely can not stand it when people (READ: MY HUSBAND) chew with their mouth open.  It makes me crazy, it actually puts me in a bad mood.  Why should I have to listen to that?   Also, I'm not a fan when people file their nails in public.  I think it's nasty and the noise annoys me.  (I constantly file my nails, but I do it at home or in the car.)  From a blogging perspective, I don't like it when people comment only to gain popularity, I am not saying any of you do it, but I have seen it done and I think it's wrong.  There's more, but I don't want all of you to start hating me.

Laurie (a Mom to FOUR BOYS!) wants to know two things:

Which gender is easier for you to parent - boy or girl?  Boy.  At least my boy.  He's so easy going, like his father.  Ariel is high maintenance but very loving.  Racecar is very loving, but happy as long as he as toy cars or a Wii nearby.

What kind of music is on your ipod when you exercise?  ANY MUSIC with a good beat. I listen to Britney Spears, Madonna, Army Cadences, Black Eyed Peas, Fergie, Snoop Dog, Eminem.  I listen to it all.  My favorite, if I am being honest, is Madonna.  But my all time favorite work out song is Pump It, by the Black Eye Peas.  It's crazy good.

ie (Internet explorer? Is that you?  Is internet explorer asking me questions?)  Anyway, ie asks:

What's your favorite color?  This is so hard for me to answer.  But, I'll say green, slate blue and pink.

and a question from Ann:

Where did you attend college?  How long did you go?  What was your major?  I attended Purdue, but I did not graduate.  My major was communications.  I firmly believe that college was not meant for me at the time, in fact, I am passionate about many things, I have always done what I wanted to do in life and I wonder if I would be so fortunate had I received a degree in whatever I was majoring in.  I feel like I would have had to stick in that field because it's what I paid for and worked so hard for, whereas now, if I want to try something new, I do it.  I enjoy my life, not to say I wouldn't if I had finished college, I'm just saying I have no regrets.  And that pleases me and makes me happy.

wfbdoglover ask:

What is your favorite color?  Answered above.

How many countries have you visited? I have visited Barbados and Mexico.

Stacey asks a very interesting question:

Hubby has given me a free pass. Should I ever meet a certain celebrity (Okay it alternates between Bruce Springsteen and Jimmy Smits) and the opportunity presents itself I get one night of freedom from monogamy! So who would you consider pass-worthy? :-)  Wow, no one pops into mind, I suppose I would say Brad Pitt because OH MY GOD HE IS SO HOT and it would be a very interesting blog post, don't you think?  (I would totally tell you all about it, you're my friends!)

Heather asks one of the most disturbing questions of them all, but it's SUCH a good question, if you are reading this, I'd like to know how you would answer this one.  It's so gross.

Would you rather find a hair or a fingernail in your food at your favorite restaurant?  BLECH.  BARF.  VOMIT.  PUKE.  a hair.  *gagging*  And that restaurant would no longer be my favorite, no matter how good their damn chicken strips are.

and from Emily (isn't Emily one of the cutest names ever?):

When you were a kid, what did you think you would know by now that you do not know?  Emily, I don't know.  You have stumped me.

If you could bring back one thing from the 80s, what would it be? I personally love it when I see combs inside the back of jeans pocket, it's subtle yet stylish.

Amanda - Vintage Dutch Girl wants to know:

Do you wear flip flops? And if yes, what are your favorite brands?  I just started wearing flip flips two years ago.  The thing between the toes would drive me crazy, but Memorial Day weekend in 2006 I decided to wear them ALL weekend no matter how uncomfortable and we have been in love ever since.  I like Old Navy flip flops and a particular type from Target.  This kind, they are awesome, I need to go buy some more.  Right now.

And for the final question of the night, Susan asks:

What is the thing you like to do most as a family? If I said sleep, would that count?  Except I do not sleep with my kids, I just enjoy sleeping.  Honestly, I really enjoy vacationing with the kids and going out to dinner with them, they are very well behaved at restaurants, we have a lot of fun.

Time to watch American Idol!  Thanks for reading!

Oh, don't forget to tell me if you would rather find a hair or a fingernail in your food.  ew.

edited to add:  Our DirectTV receiver failed to record American Idol even though it said it was recording American Idol.  This is the THIRD time this season DirectTV has screwed up American Idol, the other two times were the results show and it stopped recording mid show.  Thanks, DirectTV, you're the best.  I guess the one benefit is that I don't have to look at Jason Castro's dreads and wonder how badly they smell.  There is always a silver lining.

More Answers to Your Questions and questions FOR YOU to answer

Are these series of answering questions interesting to you or does it make you wish I had never asked you to ask me a question? 

Because I don't want to bore you.  I'm just here to entertain.

and complain.  and vent.  and cry and scream.  Yep, it's all about entertainment.

And answer your questions - here I go for round three.  or it four?  I think it's four.

Today we start off by answering questions from a good blog friend of mine, Thea, she asks:

When you vacation, would you rather go sightseeing or shopping?  Mountain or Beach?  Downtime or activetime?  Sightsee AND shop, beach and downtime.  I enjoy allowing myself to fully relax and tend to do that on vacation.  I need a vacation.

If I actually WERE to start stalking you, what would be your most active time of day?  I'm all about efficiency you know.  hmmm...I spend much of my morning driving around, dropping off and picking up for preschool, so stalking me at that time would just cost gas money, I am almost always home between 12 and 4, if you need my address, let me know.

Did you throw nachos at the TV anytime this year? Gosh, I haven't.  Unfortunately, nachos and I broke up when I became pregnant with James & Jake.  I was so sick at night, nothing sounded good, especially nachos.  We have actually thrown away nachos AND queso because they expired. (THE HORROR!)  Maybe some day our love will be rekindled, right now I kind of like not relying on a snack every night.

I do want to throw my food at Jason Castro though.  I know some of you are fans of his, but he is so creepy to me, I just need him to be voted off.  STAT.

This is from my real life, very good friend, Lynette who is moving away from me next month.  (The nerve.  I am looking for someone to replace her, if you are interested in the position, e-mail me for an application, applicants must love to clean, bake chocolate chip cookies and enjoy watching my kids.)  I am also working on a new blog design for her, anyway, here is her question:

If you could change one thing about yourself (either physically or otherwise) what would it be and why?

Well, this is tough because I would change like 10 things about me, not that I hate myself or the way I look or anything, it's just some areas could be...let's say a little tighter, but if I have to choose one, then I would like a tummy tuck. 

This question is from Amy F. - a beautiful person, whom I went to high school with:

Dang girl, are you going to answer ALL of these questions?  Yes.

Hmm...since we know each other from high school, what were some of your most memorable moments from your time with the last graduating class of ___HS '95??  Amy, to me, high school feels like 170 years ago.  But it was only 13 years ago, which is still A REALLY LONG TIME WHICH MEANS WE ARE OLD.  But, I did enjoy my friends in high school, I loved being the editor of the school newspaper and I loved our spanish teacher.  I loved it when he called me an idiota.  No, really.  It was endearing.

A question from Kiki from Seagulls in the Parking Lots:

Good Wii game recommendations? (4 and 2 year old boys)
Yes, Mater National racing game.  It's awesome, Racecar totally gets it and loves it. (he's four)  Do not buy the Disney Princess game because it sucks, not that you would for your two boys, I just wanted to tell you that that game sucks because it sucks.

A question from Steph at Adventures in Babywearing, she asked

What's the last book you read? What's next on your list?  Then the next day she said "Oh I feel like my original question was so boring now. I'll have to come up with a better one." And she's right, her first question was a little boring, only because I can't remember the last book I read, I think it was My Sister's Keeper.  then she asked:

How about this: Tanning? In the sun? Self-tanning lotion? Spray tan? Tanning bed? Just go white?  I typically go white.  Tanning in a tanning bed bothers me because you know, The Skin Cancer n' all, self tanning lotions are no good because I always end up looking like a tiger with all of the orange stripes, spray tans freak me out and becoming tan from the sun takes me 40 times longer than a normal person.  So, white it is.  Very white.  Bright white.

I will blind you.

Elaine asks a fun question, she writes:

What would you do if you won the lottery (and I mean the BIG ONE!)?

Oh Elaine, first, I would go buy any handbag I wanted, then I would buy 100 pairs of shoes, then I would get a tummy tuck (sorry, I would) and then I would take my kids on a two week long vacation on the beach and then I would buy 1000 acres of land in North Carolina and build homes for my entire family on the land, but we would be far enough away from each other that we would not get on each other's nerves.  Big plans.  Oh and I would buy this camera and sleep with it every night.

I really need to start playing the lottery.

And from Lisa:

Are you going to come and visit Christy in Texas? Man, that would be fun, wouldn't it?  I dream of eating chips and salsa and drinking margaritas with y'all.  (see, I even talk like a Texan.)  And Christy has been teaching me so much photoshop over these last fews day, I need to buy her a gallon of margaritas.  So, the answer is, Yes, I am certain that someday, I will visit Christy in Texas, I'm assuming you would be at Christy's when I am there, right?

What is your favorite restuarant to eat at?  I love to eat at Red Robin with the kids, I love eating at Longhorn or anywhere with $2 draft beer and some of the local places around here.

When you want to feel "girly", what do you do? Put on a bra.  Just kidding.  (or not)  Pedicures, manicures, eyebrow waxing.  The works.  I love shopping for handbags, but I rarely buy them - according to me.  According to Brian, I buy them all of the time.  I honestly never really feel REALLY girly.

Frances asks:

You said that it would be fun to be a photographer.  Have you ever taken any classes to learn all the "proper" techniques?  You know, Frances, I have not.  But I need to.  I have a fear of my little hobby going from fun to work.  But I need to take that step and see.  Brian and I just found a course the other day.  Good question.

from Becky:

What's your favorite part of the day and why?  I love the time of night when the kids go to bed.  It's no offense to my children, it's just that I love sitting in the peace and quiet after a long day of time outs and wiping butts.

That's all for now.  But before you go, answer me this:  Do you have children?  If so, how many?  What's your favorite food (ONLY ONE THING) and do these questions and answers bore you or enlighten you?

And to the person reading this who has never commented, I DO want to hear from you, your comment DOES matter, so de-lurk already, okay?  I promise, commenting IS FUN.

Thanks.  Real much.

I interrupt these questions with more questions

It's a good thing I don't have anything to blog about because this question and answer thing is going to last for years.

I have a few minutes until my children get dropped off, so I decided that instead of cleaning toilets and doing laundry, I should answer some of these questions. 

And my husband thinks I don't know how to prioritize.  HA.

Wait.  I better go get my coffee.  Again.  Priorities.

Okay, I'm back.

First question of the day is from Sarah at Ordinary Days, she asks:

What song is stuck in your head right now? A-ha!  The first time I read this question, Let's Get it On was in my head, but right now, it's You Must Love Me, by Madonna.   Which is far less embarrassing then Let's Get it On.  Makes me wonder why I even told you that.   Evita is a favorite movie of mine and hearing Brooke White sing that song a few weeks ago and hearing the lyrics and seeing how they pertain to my life right now after loss, it has stuck with me.

And here is a multitude of questions from jkribbit.  It's okay, I don't mind a multitude.

Top three books ever? I loved The Time Traveler's Wife, The Lovely Bones and, and uh....no idea.

Top three movies ever?  Already answered.  (City of Angels, Steel Magnolias and Good Will Hunting)

Top three CDs/artists? Seal, Elliot Smith and Sarah Maclachlan

What was the best Christmas present you ever got/why?  Same for Birthday present? I always get great gifts because I pick them out.  Brian once got me diamond earrings for Mother's Day, without me telling him to buy me diamond earrings.  Those are special.  My Nikon D40 was my Christmas and birthday present last year.  Now THAT was a great gift.

If you could be famous for something what would it be?   Being nice.   Being genuine or maybe writing a book that inspired people.   Unfortunately people don't become famous for being nice or genuine, that's too bad.  We would have a lot of nice and genuine famous people.  We could use a lot of nice and genuine famous people.

This is from a very lovely reader named Susan:

If you had your own home to yourself for the weekend, what would you do? And have you ever experienced that luxury?  The first thing I would do is clean my house and do all of the laundry and then for the rest of the weekend I would do NOTHING.  I have not had the luxury for the weekend, no.  Overnight, yes.

From Nan:

Do you prefer PC's or Mac's? uh, PC's because it's all I know.  HOWEVER, I mentioned to Brian that I would like a Mac and he looked at me like I had dinosaurs coming out of my ears.  Let's just say, he'd prefer it if I did not get a Mac.

And from RubiaLaLa:  (how in the world does one come up with the screen name rubialala?  Please tell us in the comments, I'm sure many of us would like to know!)

Can you post a picture of your favorite pair of shoes and why they are your favorite?
Yes I can.  The sad thing about this question is that I had already taken a picture of these shoes, that's how much I love them.  I love them because they are light and cute, I am always wearing tennis shoes or flip flops, these are slightly different.  They are my current favorite pair.  (which could change tomorrow because I have shoe issues.)

My blogging time is up - only 7,921 more questions to go!  Together we can do it!

Oh and feel free to comment on these questions, I mean, geeze, I would comment on YOUR questions.

Yes I would.

Y'all are Nosey - Part 2

Here we are, part two of answering your questions.  I hope you are having as much fun reading these answer as I am answering them.   I only have a few minutes to do this as I am going to fall asleep on my laptop if I'm not in bed soon.  However, tomorrow I have hours, HOURS to myself.  Think of all the blogging I'll get done.  or napping.  whatever.
so, let's get this party started.

The first question is from That Girl:

Favorite ride at Disneyland?
I have spent very little time at Disneyland, but I did ride Space Mountain and it was fantastic, lots of fun.  An hour after getting off of the ride, I got the stomach flu.  good times.

From Amy, a question about athletics:
What is your favorite sport? I like baseball and volleyball.
Sports team? The Cubs, my father is a Die-Hard Cubs fan.  I spent 90% of my childhood watching or listening to Cub's games.  How could I not love the Cubs?
Did you play any growing up or even now as an adult?  I played softball for years and years when I was younger.  I was a catcher and I loved it.  I also played volleyball and I enjoyed that quite a bit.  I suck at basketball and golf.  And bowling.

And from my homegirl Christy M.:

How many speeding tickets have you had?  One.  Unlike my husband who likes to collect speeding tickets.  I think he's just trying to get into the Bad Driver's Hall of Fame.  He's all about goals, people.

Do you still sell Pampered Chef products? Why/why not? I do not.  I stopped selling in September of 2006.  I can't remember how long I sold for, almost 2 years I think.  I did earn a cruise for Brian and I and it was such a great experience.  I no longer sell because I like spending my evenings at home with my family and I just felt a little burned out.  It was a good decision to do it and it was a good decision to stop.  No regrets.

What is your "job" you talked about in the past. I don't think you ever elaborated on it much. I work for a consulting firm that does work for the Chicago American Marketing Association.  I work from home.  I do website updates, answer e-mails, plan monthly meetings, etc.  We are about to put on a huge conference in Chicago in June.  It's very detailed and takes a lot of time to put together.  So, if I disappear from the blogosphere from now until mid June...you'll know why.  I happen to work for/with my soul sister.  It's a good gig.

What is your middle name?  Helen.  My grandmother's middle name is Helen, my daughter's middle name is Helen.  I love it.  Good questions, Christy!

A question from girlymama:

How do you take your McDonalds coffee? A large coffee with six creams.  yummmmmay.

And are you a fan of the iced coffee? (Personally, I'm not. Too sweet. Not in the same league as the perfection that is the hot coffee. With 2 creams. And 2 Splendas.)  I agree, it's too sweet.  But on a hot summer's day, it's a decent caffinated beverage.

A food question from Heather:

What is your "go to" treat?  Ya know, the one that you go to for a pick-me-up?  I love the cookies called Bug Bites, they're like cinnamon graham crackers and they are my crack.  I have also mentioned my favorite ice cream.  It really does make me feel better.

and from Sara:

Have you ever gone on a trip to another country?  I have been to Barbados and Mexico.  I was in Mexico for seven hours.

Another food question from Suzanne:  (I have the hungriest readers)

What is your dream meal?  I really enjoy pasta and cheeseburgers.  Really good, gooey cheeseburgers and fries.  My dream meal would not fill me up too much and would allow me to have a good dessert afterwards. 

Besides family members who would you invite to your fantasy dinner? I would invite Seal and all of the great people I have met through blogging that do not live in this area, but they would not be allowed to sit next to, talk to or breathe on Seal, because he is mine.

From Heather at Desperately Seeking Sanity:

Before you were a mom, what did you do?  (Job wise) I worked for a financial institution, I was an assistant to a vice president in the commercial loan department.  This was my favorite job, I had the greatest boss in the entire universe.  He was a huge jerk to everybody else but me.  It was awesome.  When I say jerk, I mean, asshole, total asshole.  He's a great guy, I miss that job.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Somewhere with wrinkles.  Let's see, I'll be thirty-six, I hope I am a Mom to at least three children, I hope I have a nice big house with a lovely yard and I hope I am doing something I am passionate about.  That could mean I am a stay at home mom or I have rejoined the workforce.   I just don't want to wake up in the morning feeling dread.

From Michelle:

If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go? We went to the Outer Banks last year with the kids and it WAS the perfect vacation.  I would go there again in a heart beat...with the kids.  (but only if we did not have to drive there again.  That would suck.)

If I could choose to go anywhere with friends it would be Vegas.
If I could choose to go anywhere with Brian, I would definitely go on another cruise.

From my friend, Shantel, who knew my brothers growing up.  She started reading my blog and then realized she knew my family!  Crazy!  Where was I?  Oh yes, from Shantel:
What was it like growing up with 5 sibling?  It was loud and messy.  And SO MUCH FUN. I think my brothers and sisters are hysterical.

Which of the 5 siblings are you closest with and why? I am closest to my younger sister, Sarah.  We are only 14 months apart.  We are a lot alike, but I am much funnier.  Okay, not MUCH funnier.  Okay, I'm not funnier.  She's a good person, a good friend, a great sister.  All of my siblings are amazing.

If you could meet one person someday,who would it be?  Seal

What is your favorite thing to do when your kids are asleep and you have time to yourself?  I like to sit at my computer and read blogs or write or catch up on e-mails.  I rarely watch TV.  I really enjoy the peace and quiet.

And the final question is from Libby @ ninesandquines:

If you could have any kind of pet(dogs, cats, horses, etc.) what would you have and what kinds/breeds. Oh my goodness, I am not a pet owner for good reason, so definitely not a horse.  Or a pig.  I would like a cat because Kitties Are CUTE!  But, I think I would like a dog.  A nice, calm, little dog.  (the only dog breeds I know are poodle, toy poodle, foxhound and parakeet.)

MORE ANSWERS TOMORROW!

 

damn, y'all are nosey. Part One.

I'm TOTALLY kidding. You are not nosey.  I know I wanted you to ask me questions and you did, it's been so much fun reading the questions and answering them.  Since there are so many questions, I'll have to answer the questions in different parts.  This is part one.  Part two will come either tonight or tomorrow.

From Jenna:
1.  What are your two favorite places in Indiana and why?   Where I live is my favorite place in Indiana, which is Northwest Indiana.  I love our proximity to Chicago and Lake Michigan and the dunes are amazing.  The second place would be...NASHVILLE, INDIANA!  I love Brown County.

2.  If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?  I loooove North Carolina.  I would visit there any day. 
If you had to live somewhere besides the United States where would it be? If I had to live outside the US I would have to say, maybe Ireland or London or Brazil.  I can't decide.

From Amy:
Have you read any good books lately?
No.  I haven't.  In fact, since losing the twins, I haven't wanted to read anything, it's bizarre, I know.

From Crooked Eyebrow:

1.  Fingernails polished or plain? If polished what color do you usually like to put on?
I love to have my nails manicured, with clear polish, but I never do it, especially since our house is on the market.  Too much cleaning, I have weak nails, they can't take the abuse.

2.  What are your favorite places to go on date nights to with da man? Besides Target.  Just to dinner.  That's all.

3.  What are your favorite photographic muses? My children.

4. If you can name a crayon of your favorite color, what would you pick?  This is hard, do you mean, if I could name a crayon?  If so, it would be an orange-y shade of red and I would call it Saucy Red.  I love the word saucy.

5. Name your all time favorite, feel good cd? You know, the one that makes you sing all the lyrics you know by heart out loud and gets you moving. Fo'shizzle?  When my family gets together and we have been drinking, we tend to sing loudly to Dr. Hook.  it's awesome.  One of my favorite feel good songs is Freedom by George Michael.  I jam to it.  I'll sing it to you sometime.

This question is from Renay:

Tell me how your blog to become so well read, when you started it, why, etc.   I started my blog in January of 2006 because I wanted to keep in touch with my close friends who lived all over the country.  We all had blogs, we would constantly write, read and comment.  It was a blast.  (wasn't it, girls?)  I have no idea how or why people started to read my blog.  I remember when the first person I didn't know commented, I was like "what the heck?  how did that person get in here."  I was clueless.  On my blog I try to be real, I try to be positive, I just want to be me on my blog.  Maybe that's why?  I don't know.  Good questions, Renay.

From Megan Sohar:

Favorite movies?  Easily - Good Will Hunting, City of Angels (I freakin' love Seth Plate) and Steel Magnolias. 

Favorite type of bread? This is such a strange question BUT it made me realize that I have a bread I LOVE, so it's a good question.  I love white bread.  I love Wonder white bread.  It's not the healthiest thing for me and I don't always buy it, but when I do, it's a treat, it's like eating cake for me.  When I was a teenager I used to just eat a slice of bread when I was hungry.  Which would explain how I was a size six.  Now my bread must come with turkey, mayo and cheese.  Which would explain why I'm not a size six.

From Val:

If there was a fire and your family was safe outside...what items would you have to go back for?   James and Jake's ashes and the entire chest I have that holds their items, like ultrasound pictures, matching outfits we bought for them, the baby blankets that were wrapped around their precious bodies while they spent the night in our hospital room, their obituaries, the cards people sent, etc.  It's all we have of them and I never want to lose any of it.

From Marcea:

Will you have any more children?  I hope with all of my heart that we have more children. 

From Mandy:

How did you and DH meet? We went to high school together.  But we did not date during high school, we started dating shortly after high school graduation, which means we have been together for 150 years.

How long were you together before #1 came along? We were married for three and a half years before Ariel was born.  We were together for nine years before she was born.

Do you have date nights?  How often?  We rarely have date nights.  We love going on dates with our kids.  It's fun.  We probably go on dates alone about once every 2-3 months.  It's sad.

From the beautiful Stacie:

If you could choose any job (besides being a mom) what would it be?  Maybe a photographer.

A question from Cindy:

How did you become involved with Allie and FOH? The short answer, which is hard considering it was such a big part of my life.  Essentially, I was totally and completely inspired to volunteer after learning of Allie Scott.  Her Mom (Jenny) kept a blog that tore my heart out.  Allie died in 2004 from AML.  Because of Allie, Jenny and her family, I began volunteering for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, even though Jenny and Allie lived in Texas, I knew I had to do something.  So, I did.  My local team raised over $20,000 over the course of four years in honor of Allie and all children battling cancer.  After we lost James and Jake, I made the painful, but necessary decision to resign from all volunteering opportunities with the LLS and Friends of Heroes. 

And from Jessie Z:

Are you a morning person or a night owl?  I could stay up really late every night, but I don't because I am such a grouch without sleep.  I go to bed between 11-12 every night and wake up at seven.  I'm not a big fan of getting up in the mornings, but sometimes it's nice to get up before the kids and listen to the silence.  I appreciate silence.  A lot.

Which side of the bed do you sleep on?  If you are facing the bed, I sleep on the left side.

Do you sleep with a blanket? sheet? or none? A sheet, a blanket and a quilt.  It's awesome.

From Sam:

If you are a bit of a chocoholic like me, here's a question to blow the mind....if you could only have one sort of chocolate (sweetie or bar or whatever) for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why? Dove Milk Chocolate.  No question.  Because it's deliciousl

A question from MotoMom:

Do you have any odd talents?
I can curl my tongue.  Two of my sisters can do it, too.  As well as my soul sister.  When I say curl, I don't mean like a taco or rolling it up, I mean I can make my tongue look like a shell.

And from Sarah C:

What age did you stop playing with Barbies?  I never loooooved playing Barbies.  I would play because my younger sister would play with my cousin and I was bored to tears without them.  I usually played the drunk Ken doll that trashed the social events and tipped over the Barbie table.  So, to answer your question...sixteen?

or ten.  I really don't know.

And finally from Sara:

1. Do you wear matching pajamas?  Matching wha?  Pajamas are supposed to match?  The answer is: dear God no.  I wear pajama pants/capris to bed.  These days I have been wearing a Team James & Jake t-shirt to bed.  It's comfortable and sorta clean.
2.  Do you have a "silly" phobia? I'm scared of water.  Deep water.  And spiders.  They're evil.  Are those silly?  I am scared of raw meat.
3. If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be? A cat.  Because I would love to lay around and sleep all day long.

 

Part Two, coming soon....

I'm in no mood

I could not think of a good title for this post.  My options were "Crap Crap Crap" or "Did you see Carly got voted off?" or "I'm in no mood."  I believe I chose the appropriate one.

This week is hard.  Harder.  Almost too difficult to face head on, fortunately, I have no choice. The difficulty has something to do with returning from our trip to California, I may have escaped from the madness of everything a little too well.  So, on our way back to LAX, my feelings, my thoughts, my mood turned dark.  And dark it has all remained.

Plus, the March of Dimes is this weekend.  You know, that amazing walk where my friends and family, and incredible, caring blog readers are rallying together to walk in honor of James and Jake?   That walk??  I can't wait, but OH MY GOD, I am so scared.  I'm so scared of the emotion.  The love.  The anxiety.  But mostly, the emotion.  Our team has raised almost $8,000 - I am so touched and amazed.  But there is so much pain and reality that comes along with this greatness.

I feel like all of my relationships are in critical condition.  They're in the ICU, I desperately want to fix them, but I'm no shape to be a doctor right now.  I'm not strong enough.  So, I hide or pretend nothing is wrong, when really, something big is very wrong. 

My pregnant friends are getting bigger, they're finding out the sexes of their babies, they're planning, they're so happy - and I am so happy for them, I am excited for them, I pray for them, for their health and their happiness, I love them all so much.  But I am not pregnant and I should be.  I haven't been for eight weeks and it kills me. 

KILLS ME.

I had another appointment with my OB yesterday, we talked candidly, she says I'm all set, she feels good about my meds, can't guarantee this won't happen again (DAMNIT) and she'll see me in September.  Even in September she won't make me wait in the waiting room.  She told me so.   I wonder what I'll be like in September, I hope I'm good.  I pray I'm good. 

The trip we took to L.A., the walk this weekend, my doctor's appointment, my social anxieties, my fears, my shattered dreams, are all happening because I lost James and Jake.  The reality is hitting me this week.  I hate reality.

I hate it all.  Except you.  I love you.  I love my family.  I love my life.  There is this portion of my life, an all consuming portion that sucks. 

I think it's going to suck for a long time and I just have to accept it.

Don't worry, I'll keep my head up.  And I'll try, I'll try so hard to stay focused on the positives, but sometimes, it doesn't make a difference - I'm still so sad.

Hollywood

I have to take a break from all this laundry, packing, cleaning and Ariel reading the phone book to me to talk about celebrities.

Since we are headed to Hollywood (HOLY CRAP - WHAT WILL I WEAR??) I have to let it be known that if I could choose to meet, hug and take a picture with one celebrity, it would be...Seal.  I would ask him to drink McDonald's coffee with me while I sing to him.  or he can sing to me - whatever.

Just the thought makes me have a little heart attack.  Not that there aren't other celebrities I'd love to meet, but Seal, oh, my goodness.  I would pee myself. 

Tell me, if you could meet, hug and take a picture with ONE celebrity...who would it be?