Random Friday

I got these questions here. Mental Floss is a cool little site.

1. Did you or your child ever skip a grade? Get held back? What impact did that have on you? Would you do it again?

I did not skip a grade or get held back. My husband went to summer school to finish high school early. He graduated high school at age 16, then went to the University of South Carolina. There he took all the required classes he needed to enter optometry school; he was accepted at Southern College of Optometry in 1991. While studying to be an optometrist he also finished his BS degree in biology and physics via correspondence courses through the University of Tennessee. So, when he graduated optometry school in 1995 at the ripe old age of 23 (he turned 24 17 days later) he received his OD and BS degrees. I am so proud of him. He is one of the smartest and funniest people I know.

2. What’s the longest relationship you’ve had with a pet? Probably Beeson, our cat that my husband adopted in 1995. We were engaged and he wanted a couple of cats to keep him company, so he adopted Molly and Beeson from one of his mom's friends who found a litter near her house. Beeson had to be put to sleep on December 28, 2009.

3. What’s a store or restaurant currently only in your area that you think should be a nationwide chain?

Either Mythos (Greek and Italian) or DellaVentura's (though the food is good, it's expensive for what you get. We have stopped eating there because our bill is always $70 or more!)

4. With Borders closing stores, a lot of people might need good bookstore suggestions. What’s your favorite independent bookseller?

Honestly, I love half.com. I can buy a book, read it, then resell it and make back almost all of my money. I love the library, too! If I just must have a book, I usually buy from Amazon or BN.com, depending on who has the best price. I'm kind of bummed that a Barnes & Noble membership no longer gets you a discount online. All I get from them now is free shipping.

Birthday

I turned 38 on February 5th.

I don't feel 38. Somewhere inside me is the 20 year-old who did silly things like

- let 9th grade girls tease my hair on a mission trip

- rubbed sour cream and BBQ sauce on my face (along with a friend) and then drove around letting people *see* us like that

- challenged a friend to drink an entire half gallon of water (not knowing at the time about water toxicity) I won. She threw up. Good times.

- challenged another friend to put an entire roll of Bubble Tape in his mouth at one time. It's a wonder we didn't choke

I could go on and on. I am that fun, childish person inside this 38 year-old body. I'm the one who usually gets the kids in trouble at the dinner table. It's just fun to be funny. Gross and crude and funny. I'm the one who laughs when the kids fart and it reverberates against the wooden bench. Giggles cannot be contained.

And yet I am the one who owns four cats. I bought fleece house shoes today because my feet have started to get cold. I'm usually in my PJs by 6 pm if I have nowhere to go at night. And I usually don't. And I'm okay with that.

I don't wear heels anymore. They're not comfortable. Or sensible. Or necessary.

I prefer oatmeal over sugary cereal. Me - who used to love Fruity Pebbles. Now I need protein. And fiber. Oh, I need the fiber.

I eat yogurt topped with granola instead of ice cream topped with chocolate syrup.

I have started drinking coffee. Because it's warm, dang it. And I'm cold - remember?

I wear pants to bed. I used to hate pants, but remember - it's COLD.

I take antacids.

I ask the children to TURN DOWN THE RADIO.

Really? Turn it DOWN? Inconceivable.

I have started paying closer attention to the toilet paper I buy. And to how much calcium I consume in a day. Those things matter to us 38 year-olds.

Worse yet? I've started to realize, even admit, that my mother was right.

Yes, she was.

Man, I'm old. And sensible. But mostly old.

Manic Monday 11/15/2010

Have I really not blogged since September 12th? I'm so sorry.

What is your favorite, can't-do-without beauty product?

Um, I don't know. I'm not really a beauty product kind of person. I rarely wear makeup when I'm just lounging at home, and when I do it's just a quick application of some Bare Minerals powder and lip gloss. I do love a good hand lotion, though. My favorite is something I found at Bath & Body Works several years ago - Drenched in Pink. It's actually from Victoria's Secret, but it was sold at B&BW. I loved it so much I bought 3 pumps - one for the den, one for beside my bed and one for the bathroom. The lotion works well and it has a great, long-lasting, light scent. I don't use it so much in the summertime, but in the winter my hands are always dry.

Have you ever colored your hair? What do you think about men coloring their hair and/or facial hair?

I started coloring my hair with some sort of temporary color that came in a grey bottle with a pink top when I was in high school. I think it was called Fanci Full? Anyway, I loved it. I get my hair colored every 4-6 weeks by my hairdresser nowadays. Gotta keep that skunk strip (my grey roots) covered up.

As for men coloring their hair, I really could not care less. Whatever they want to do.

What is your favorite outfit that you own? What makes it so special to you?

I love a great pair of jeans. I live in them in the winter. My favorite "outfit" is probably my pink flannel PJs that have hamburgers and hot dogs printed on them. They're so comfy. I look forward to fall's arrival so it's cold enough to lounge in my "hot dog pajamas", as the kids call them.

Hold the Mustard, please

Remember a few weeks back when I told y'all I had scheduled a mammogram? I went and had it last week. It wasn't the horror women make it out to be. Oh, I was uncomfortable, alright, but not because of the machine. I was more unnerved by Allie, the lady who shot the breeze with me like we were taking a walk together in the park. She acted totally oblivious to the fact that she was manhandling (womanhandling?) my boobies as if she was making hamburger patties for supper. I know she's used to it, but for me, it was weird. The least she could do is buy me dinner first.

I got an envelope from the hospital yesterday. All is good with the boobies. They are healthy. I am glad.

That is all.

Sunny Days, Chasing the Clouds Away...

Today, there is sunshine. Actual sunshine. And warmth. After days of chilly, grey skies, today is a gorgeous day. Beautiful. Life affirming. Praiseworthy.

Daffodils are in bloom. Tree branches bear pink promises that spring is coming. The UPS man was wearing his brown shorts today.

Life is GOOD.

And not just because of the weather.

Last Thursday, while driving down the road in the pouring rain, I got a phone call.

It was the nurse from my gynecologist's office. She told me that my pap smear had come back as abnormal. I scheduled a colposcopy for April 7th (the soonest I could see my doctor) and hung up the phone.

I felt like crying as hard as it was raining, but I had to stay composed because Camryn was sitting beside me. I didn't want to alarm her.

I didn't want to alarm anyone, which is why this will be the first any of you have read of this. I just wanted to get through the test and know what I was facing before ringing anyone's alarms. I didn't even tell my mom. Or my sister. I guess I figured the fewer people that knew, the better I could pretend like it wasn't happening.

I was a wreck the night of the 11th. After the kids went to bed and I got a chance to talk to my husband alone, all I could do was cry. I got up last Friday and called my GYN's office and rescheduled the test. I didn't think I could wait until April 7th. It would've been torture.

Today was the day of the test. I have been pretty good all week, knowing that all was in the hands of my savior. None of my worrying could change the outcome, because I do not make the plans. God does. If the fear welled up, I swallowed, closed my eyes and prayed for peace. I tried to picture myself being soothed in the palm of God. He's got it all under control, so I just rested in that knowledge.

I lost it in the shower this morning, though. Heaving sobs. I just jumped way ahead in my mind and saw my children motherless. That was the end of my peace and calm. For about 5 minutes. Then I heard the phone ring and it jarred me, kind of like God saying, "HEY! I've got this. Stop your boo hooing. We'll walk this road together, because I love you. You are MY CHILD, and I won't leave you or forsake you. It's all good, k?"

I put my new fuzzy socks (with shea butter in them) into my purse so I could wear them at the doctor's office (I hate if my feet get cold in the stirrups... and I see you ladies out there nodding your heads. I know you know what I'm talkin' about!) and I headed out the door. My sweet husband went with me for moral support. And lunch. A man's gotta eat (no, not at the Gyn's office, sillies. At a restaurant. Afterwards. 'Cause while the kids are in school, might as well have a date with the wife, right?)

The worst part of the test was the vinegar that they put on my Cervix. Holy fire, that stuff burned. It was also awkward making polite conversation with a man who's shining a light up your hoo ha while your husband is in the room. On a positive note, the nice nurse warmed the speculum for me before handing it to the doctor. That's something I've never had done for me before, and LADIES... it made a difference. I shall request it from now on out. If it was customary to tip a nurse, I would've slipped her a $20 for sure.

But back to the test. It was probably the most uncomfortable procedure I've ever had done. But oh, how sweet the words the doctor uttered as the flames in my nether regions were dying out: "I do not see any abnormalities. I didn't see anything that needs to be biopsied."

Sweet Jesus. Thank you for answering my prayers.

I should've known it was going to be alright. I just should've known.

Today's entry in my daily devotion book says, "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you." (Psalm 56:3, NLT) and the devotion that follows says, "How did Jesus endure the terror of the crucifixion? He went first to the Father with his fears. Do the same with yours. Don't avoid life's Gardens of Gethsemane. Enter them. Just don't enter them alone. And while there, be honest. Pounding the ground is permitted. Tears are allowed... And be specific. He knows what you need."

God can be trusted. He can. HE KNOWS WHAT I NEED. I'm so grateful for my God. I'm so thankful for good results today.

Today, there. is. sunshine.

Stolen From Facebook

I've been a bad, bad blogger. I'm sorry. Life is happening fast here. I wish I had more time to write, but I don't. I'm throwing you a Stolen From Facebook bone today. Here you go:

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth? Chicken Minis from Chick Fil A. I had to eat something before I went to the dentist this morning, because that stupid, tastes like ear wax sedative he shoots into my gums before a filling makes me shaky and woozy if I don't eat.

2. Where was your profile picture taken? My Facebook profile picture is my 4 kiddos at the zoo in July. It would've been a much better picture if Aiden had smiled. He hates having his picture made. He usually hides, but he couldn't escape the camera that day, so he just frowned.

4. Name someone who made you laugh today? Can't say that I've had a laugh yet today. I'm sure that'll change as soon as I pick the kids up from school. Someone always says something funny in the car.

5. How late did you stay up last night and why? I think I was asleep before they announced the last Emmy category last night. Glad to hear "Mad Men" won, though. I love that show.

6. If you could move somewhere else, would you? Gulf Shores, Alabama. I'd love to see the ocean every day.

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks? Probably... we always see fireworks @ Disney World, and I usually feel so happy to be there that I would be likely to kiss someone.... one of my children or my husband.

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you on facebook? My husband and my daughter.

9. Do you believe exes can be friends? Probably, but it's awkward.

10. How do you feel about Dr Pepper? Meh. It makes me burp worse than any other soft drink. I don't usually drink Dr. Pepper or any soda for that matter.

11. When was the last time you cried really hard? Hmmm.... when we thought our cat, Beeson, was having a stroke and that it was quite possibly his last day on earth. Turned out to be a seizure, and thankfully he hasn't had another.

12. Who took your profile picture? Me.

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of? Our guests @ Lillian's birthday party yesterday.

14. Was yesterday better than today? Yes. It was a Sunday. I slept late (one of the benefits of going to church on Saturday nights!). We went to Golden Corral for breakfast (Lillian's choice for her birthday), then we had her party and church community group. Today I had 2 fillings filled @ the dentist. Yesterday wins hands down.

15. Can you live a day without TV? Funny, because our satellite is down right now so I'm sort of forced to live without it until either the weather clears or the repairman comes on Wednesday, whichever happens first. I'm happy some things are viewable online.

16. Are you upset about anything? Currently? No. I've had some stressful moments in the past couple of weeks, but nothing monumental.

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it? Yes.

18. Are you a bad influence? I don't think so. You know something I don't?

19. Night out or night in? Really depends on several factors. Is it raining? Then definitely in. Good concert or movie? Out. I like going out, but I probably stay in more than I go out. I'm usually beat by the end of the day.

20. What items could you not go without during the day? My computer and my car.

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital? I honestly cannot remember.

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say? I don't text, so there shouldn't be anything in my inbox.

23. How do you feel about your life right now? Content.

24. Do you hate anyone? Extremely dislike, yes, but hate, no. That's a very strong term.

25. If we were to look in your facebook inbox, what would we find? a message from a friend telling me that the lady in front of her in line is tweezing her eyebrows (this friend and I both have issues with stray hairs. I keep tweezers in the car so I can pluck my brows in carpool line. I know... sick.), a message containing an important phone number and another message containing important addresses.

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass? Yes.

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before? I'm pretty sure the answer is no.

28. What song is stuck in your head? I don't think there's anything stuck there now 'cause the iPod is playing and it's hard to have a song stuck in your head when you're hearing other music.

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who do you want it to be? I was going to say Ed McMahon (with his big, fat Publisher's Clearing House check) and then I remembered that Ed is dead. I don't think I want to see Ed at my window holding anything @ 2 am.

30. Wanna have grandkids before you’re 50? Let's see... I was 25 when I had Camryn, so I guess technically I could be a grandparent before 50. I'm hoping she waits a little longer to have kids than I did.

31. Name something you have to do tomorrow? Not sure. Laundry is always on the list, as are dishes. So those are always a definite must-do in this house.

32. Do you think too much or too little? Too much. Always.

Borrowed...100 things to do in a lifetime

I got this off my friend Bry's blog. I've done the things in BOLD print.

1. Started your own blog- Duh

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you could to a charity - I've given a lot, but never more than I could.

7. Been to Disneyland - one day! The kids want to go, but I'm afraid that they'll be disappointed after having been to Disney World so many times.

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis (stepped on one, maybe...)

10. Sang a solo - badly... "Friends Forever" musical in church when I was in high school

12. Visited Paris - I wish I could go back. I was 19 and homesick and didn't enjoy it as much as I should have...

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch Does scrapbooking count?

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning - kind of... I ate some way undercooked pork in Barcelona and had to spend the next day nauseated on a bus that wound its way through the Pyrenees mountains. One look out the window was more than I could handle.... ick.

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables - We did this last summer. This year I'm going to grow tomatoes, okra, zucchini and fresh herbs, hopefully.

19. Seen the Mona Lisa - Yes. It was hanging in this small, hot, crowded room inside the Louvre. It's much smaller than I imagined it to be, but still surreal to be standing in front of it

20. Traveled by Train - Yep, twice on that Spain & France trip in 1992. Wetraveled from Madrid (where it was cold and snowy) to Barcelona (where it was in the 70s and sunny) on the same day. A couple of days later we went from Spain to Paris overnight, so I've even slept in what they called a "cochette" on a train. It was cool!

21. Had a pillow fight - Duh. I shared a bed with my sister until I was in 6th grade. There were pillow fights aplenty.

22. Hitchhiked

23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill - Haven't we all?

24. Built a snow fort - I've never lived anywhere with enough snow to build a fort.

25. Held a lamb - No. Eaten lamb, yes. It was very greasy.

26. Gone skinny dipping - Yes, in my own pool.

27. Run a marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse (solar) - a couple of times. I remember going outside to see one when I was in 8th grade. We took cobalt glass and watched it. It was cool.

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Sunsets aplenty. I've only seen a sunrise a couple of times. I like my sleep.

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise - once, in 1997. I'd love to take another one.

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - with my youth group sometime in the late 80s. It was amazing. I'd love to take the kids back to see it.

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors- Hmm, not sure about this one. My dad's family is German, and I've never been to Germany. I don't know about Mom's family.

35. Seen an Amish community - no, but we passed a lot of horse-drawn buggies when we were in PA in 1995.

36. Taught yourself a new language - does 4 years of high school Spanish + 1 jr. level course I took my freshman year of college count?

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - I don't need money to be truly satisfied, but yes... we're comfortable.

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo's David - Does the replica inside Spaceship Earth in Epcot count?

41. Sung Karaoke - Never in public, but I have sung along with Camryn's karaoke machine.

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - my parents took me out west when I was 18 months-old. I *think* we visited Old Faithful, but I don't remember it.

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - Yep. This is one of my favorite things to do.

44. Visited Africa - I got close. I was supposed to go on a mission trip to Kenya after I graduated from high school, but tragedy struck the missionary we were supposed to help and we ended up going to Belize instead.

45. Walked on the beach in the moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing - No, but this is on my list of things I'd love to do when the kids are older.

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - Yes.... at night. It was gorgeous! I ran out of film right before we went, so I have no pictures of it.

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - Snorkeling, in Ambergris Caye, Belize. Gorgeous. Our guide killed a conch on the boat ride back and we ate it fresh. It was good. Tastes like chicken.

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

(WHERE IS #54?)

55. Been in a movie - No, but I saw one being filmed in Union Station (Washington, DC) in 2000. It was the sequel to Silence of the Lambs. We saw Julianne Moore and Anthony Hopkins. Really cool.

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business - Yep. It's a direct sales business. I sell Longaberger baskets & pottery and have since 2003 or so.

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen - no, but I keep saying when the kids are a little older we're going to do this one Thanksgiving.

61. Sold Girl Scout cookies - yep. Once. I hated selling door to door, because my friend Lauren and I lived in the same neighborhood and were in the same troop.

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason - Yep. Just last month I got a lovely yellow bouquet from my husband.

(NUMBERS 64 & 65 are missing, too...)

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check - 2 or 3 times, but not since I was in college.

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - I even had the privelege of going to the Vietnam Memorial with my dad, who is a Vietnam Vet. That was a very moving experience.

71. Eaten caviar - Yep. Aboard an airplane. My sister and I were bumped up to first class on our trip to Spain in 1992. It was N-I-C-E. If I ever fly long distance like that again, it will be in first class (if I can afford it). There's no other way to go!

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - on that same trip out west, I think. I was a toddler, so I don't remember it.

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car - I've owned 2 brand new cars in my lifetime, and both were minivans. The first one I didn't even get to test drive, because I was 9 months pregnant and wouldn't fit behind the wheel. No more new cars for us. We only buy used (and pay cash for them) now. Too much depreciation on new cars to make it worth the money.

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chicken pox - I had them bad in 4th grade. Blisters and all. Ick.

89. Saved someone's life - one of my 2nd grade classmates fell in our pool at our end of the year party and grabbed her and swam her over to the edge, but I don't know if she was really drowning. Her mom said she couldn't swim, but I don't know that I saved her life. I had a friend in 7th grade who talked about killing herself and I told my math teacher about it. I don't know if the friend was serious, but I knew I couldn't just let it go. The principal talked to me about my friend, and that was it. She didn't kill herself, but again, I don't know if I could be credited with saving her.

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous - Vanessa Williams (when she was Miss America 1984) and Sorrell Booke, who played Boss Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard.

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby - Four times.

95. Seen the Alamo in person - Alamo Rental Car, yes. The actual Alamo in San Antonio, no.

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a lawsuit

98. Owned a cell phone - yep. Got my first bag phone in college. The kids think the concept of a bag phone is hilarious.

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Read an entire book in a day

What Beth Needs

I saw this on my friend Meg's blog just minutes ago and thought it looked fun. What else do I have to do right now (that's a joke... I have about a million things to do right now. The top of the list? Laundry. You guessed it!)

Go to Google and type in quotes "[Your name] needs" and then post the first 10 things that show up. Here's what (according to Google) I need:

(1) Beth needs Facebook. Ain't that the truth! I get a daily dose. It's so addictive!

(2) Beth needs sitting and knitting. No thank you. I'm not a knitter.

(3) Beth needs the greatest American dog community message board. Again, no thank you. I am NOT a dog person at all. I like cats, because cats don't have to be walked outside to attend to their potty needs, they don't stink or require ME to bathe them, and they're generally pretty sedate in nature. Nice, calm animals. You won't ever see a dog in this house.

(4) Beth needs to retain the Woman's Championship at No Mercy against Candice to keep the division alive. M'kay. Don't know what that means. Maybe I can make a few calls and find out. I'd hate to kill the division, 'cause evidently it's up to me to keep it alive.

(5) Beth needs a dose of YODAA Love. Hmmm... is this like the little green Star Wars guy? 'Cause I'll pass, thanks. (Upon further examination, I found that YODAA is the Young Ostomate and Diversion Alliance of America. People who've had part of their intestines or colon removed. They even have a COLONder Get it? COLONder? How very clever!)

(6) Beth needs a laugh. And I'm gettin' it from doing this blog. COLONder. Get it? Still laughing about that one.

(7) Beth needs a wet, hot American summer. Why yes. Yes, I do.

(8) Beth needs her helmet on. Dangit. Ya caught me surfing without a helmet. I'll go get it right now. (Imagine a funny picture of me here wearing a big, pink Hello Kitty bicycle helmet. Sorry. That's all I got today. No actual pictures.)

(9) Beth needs the Guiding Light community message board. Really? People have nothing better to do than talk about soap operas? Why don't they get a life and spend time on Facebook like the rest of us?

(10) Beth needs help. No truer words were ever spoken.



COLONDER! Bwahahahahahaha!

ABCDEFG.... are you sick of reading about Me?

A. Attached or single? Attached since 1994.
B. Best friend? My husband.
C. Cake or pie? Pie, please. Lemon meringue if you have it. Not the kind made like Jello. The kind made with sweetened condensed milk.
D. Day of the week? Thursday
E. Essential item? computer
F. Favorite color? red or orange
G. Gummi worms or bears? I like the worms better. They're more fun to eat.
H. Hometown? Gardendale, AL
I. Favorite Indulgence? powdered donuts and Mountain Dew... aka "the breakfast of champions"
J. January or July? January. That's when we celebrate our anniversary.
K. Kids? 2 girls, 2 boys
L. Life isn't complete without? E. Otherwise it's just LIF.
M. Marriage date? January 20th
N. Number of siblings? One younger sister
O. Oranges or apples? mandarin oranges
P. Phobias? drowning; death of a parent, sister, child or husband; the house burning down
Q. Quotes? "When my mother was dying, she said, 'Always try and be kind and nice to people. And if you do that, somebody will always speak up for you.' And I've found that to be a fact. They really do." - BB King
R. Reasons to smile? just waking up in the morning, the kids' laughter, a funny joke that makes me laugh 'til I hurt
S. Season of choice? Fall
T. Tag one person. Kim, because she left the sweetest comment on my blog recently! Thanks, Kim!
U. Unknown fact about me? Is there anything I haven't yet shared? Um... let's see.... I have a used bullet in my bedside table drawer and I have no clue how it got there.
V. Vroom Vroom... What kind of car do you drive? Toyota Sienna (2004)
W. Worst habit? picking my fingernails
X. X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound.
Y. Favorite food? (Why is this the question for "y?") Mexican
Z. Zodiac sign? Aquarius, but I don't believe that nonsense. Don't even bother reading it.

S'Wonderful

I got this from my friend Brynn's blog. She did hers last week and assigned me the letter S. I'm just now getting around to filling in my blanks. Busy, busy!

"Yesterday I was reading blogs and found that MamaHen played a cute little letter game and decided I would enjoy playing along, so I asked her to assign me a letter and she did. The rules are: You have to list 10 of your favorite things, but they have to start with a certain letter (assigned to you by the blog owner)."

(1) Stan - my sweet, sweet husband! We celebrated 13 years of wedded bliss yesterday. Doesn't seem like that long, because we laugh everyday. I have so much fun with that man, and he takes such good care of me and the children. He's the bestest.

(2) Silence. I don't mind it AT ALL. Some days I crave it.

(3) Scrapbooking. Some say it's a fad, but I hope not. I really get a lot of fulfillment from it. It's a great creative outlet for me, so I hope the industry never goes away.

(4) Soaking in the tub. We have a gigantic tub that will actually hold two people (with very little water... ha!) Most of the time it's just me soaking, though. My precious husband bought me a Flat Screen TV with a DVD player in it a couple of Mother's Days ago and hung it on the wall in the bathroom. I often take my latest Netflix rental in the bathroom and soak while I watch movies. HEAVEN. Yeah, I'm Spoiled!

(5) Sister. I love mine. We have a great time together, and I wish we didn't live so far apart.

(6) Splenda. Last week I overheard someone say that it started out as a pest control agent. I'll have to research that one. For someone that loves Sweet tea but doesn't want all the sugar calories, Splenda is perfect. I get some for Christmas every year. This year I got the little pellets in my stocking. I carry them in my purse for those times when we dine in a restaurant that **shockingly** doesn't serve Splenda... like my favorite new BBQ joint, Dickey's.

(7) Sauce. I'm a dipping addict. I can't live without ketchup (Refrigerated, please. Hot ketchup is nasty.) I love any kind of sauce. When I was a kid I used to make sandwiches out of white bread and Arby's sauce from packets left in the fridge. That's how much I love sauce. Japanese White Sauce, Avocado Ranch Dressing, homemade cheese roux sauce, Quaker Steak's beer cheese dip, Bearnaise... you make it, I dip with it. Just last night I made a Tastefully Simple Spinach & Herb dip to send with veggies to my younger kids' school for the monthly teachers luncheon, and I had to have a spoonful on a cracker. It was too irresistable!

(8) Sales. I don't pay full price for anything (much). I have had to teach myself that I don't need something just because it's on SALE, though. I only buy stuff we really, really need. Sometimes it's hard to say no, but I feel so awful later if I buy something CHEAP on a whim and then realize I really DIDN'T need it. Not such a bargain then. Well, for someone else, maybe, because it usually ends up at the Goodwill store when I do my yearly purge of all things not necessary & taking up space.

(9) Sundays. Now that we've found a Saturday night church service, Sundays are usually our lazy family days. We just hang out at home in our PJs until it's time to go to kids' night at Dickey's (one child per adult eats free so we can all eat for around $25! SCORE!)

(10) Spending time with my kids. They're just amazing little creatures. I learn something from each one of them every single day. They really, really make my life so..... FULL. There's not a better word for it. A quick snuggle, a spark when something new is learned, a funny joke, tears on my shirt, "You're the best mom EVER!"... everything I experience with them is special. LOVE those kiddos. SO. VERY. MUCH.

Getting to Know Me...Christmas Edition

My friend Kesa sent me this in an e-mail today. Free Blog Fodder! I love it!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. Gift bags are no fun. There's no paper to rip with gift bags!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. Real ones scare me. The tree we got at our Christmas shower right before our January 1996 wedding saw its last Christmas in 2007. The hubby wanted to buy one after Christmas, but we never did. Now we're looking for a 7.5' pre-lit tree that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It's unbelieveable what people want for fake trees! Guess we'll be waiting until the 26th to buy a new tree. In the interim we have an unlit one that we got from my parents... it'll do!

3. When do you put up the tree? Well, they're up right now, but they won't be decorated until next week. The kids get excited and want the decorations up lickity split, but I'm a slow decorator. It's still too early to get everything out.

4. When do you take the tree down? December 25th or 26th. Last year it was the night of the 25th.

5. Do you like eggnog? Blech. No.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Big Wheel and the Playdoh barber shop set.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom and my sister.

8. Easiest person to buy for? The kids, because they want whatever comes on TV.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, a wooden one that's kid-friendly, but it didn't get put away with the decorations last year. I've been finding pieces of it around the house all year long. Who knows if we'll have a complete nativity... it might just be Mary and a couple of sheep.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Last year. A sheer red and white cape like shirt with sequins on it. It's in the playroom right now. The girls use it as a skirt when they play dress up.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! The cat food in the Jello is classic.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? We did the kids' shopping last month. I got a bunch of stuff today and have placed about 10 orders online in the past 2-3 days. I'm almost done! Only teacher gifts remain, and they're going to be edible, so I'll have to wait to make those.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No comment.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Hmm.... fudge? My mom used to make fudge and divinity every year. I haven't had divinity in a long time. Maybe I'll make some this year.

16. Lights on the tree? Lots of them! And they have to be white. The kids prefer colors, but I love the clear bulbs.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Blue Christmas by Elvis

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Stay at Home!!!

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeers? Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen (I had to sing the song...)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have 3 trees and I know an angel goes on the big one. I think there is a star on the kids' homemade ornament tree and a big ribbon on the Hallmark tree.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, but we do a special Christmas Eve gift (it's always their Christmas jammies, but it's a tradition my mom started when I was a kid and one I want my kids to continue...)

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? When retailers start putting Christmas stuff out way too early and the radio stations start playing Christmas music 24/7 before Thanksgiving (like 2 of the stations are now!) I love Christmas, but I want to have Thanksgiving before I start working on Christmas.

23. What theme or color are you using? I don't really have a color theme.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We have Taco Soup for Christmas Eve and just have snacks and appetizers on Christmas Day. That usually includes some sausage balls, which my mom usually makes. Yum!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? tickets to see the Eagles on January 19th, but unless I win them myself, I won't be getting them. A pair of mid-range seats costs $700. Eek!

Personal DNA

Attentive Analyst

I got the link to this site from my friend Lee's blog (she's Lemons 2 Lemonade over on the right sidebar).

I agree with the assessment for the most part, especially these points:

It is important for you to follow a routine, and you prefer the familiar to the unknown. (No more accurate truth was ever written.)

You much prefer to have time to plan for things, feeling better with a schedule than with keeping plans up in the air until the last minute. Your decisions are well thought out, and you're not the least bit impulsive. (Remember the same day birthday party invitation?!? Yeah. That's why that didn't sit well with me!)

Some people are merely concerned about others, but you take action, helping people when you have the opportunity. (Aw, shucks. I try!)

Although you care about others, you are hesitant to trust them to act in the best way on their own. (I *KNEW* I had trust issues! )

You have a strong sense of right and wrong, and you're not hesitant to express yourself. ("Um, hello?!? Ingles? Your coupon policy?" By the way, I went in to get my gift certificate yesterday and no one knew what I was talking about. The manager was away for the day. They finally got the assistant manager to come over, and thankfully he knew about the situation and I got my GC. I turned around and used the same coupons I had tried to use on Monday, and they worked just fine. I also picked up 10 bags of Pillsbury mini cinnamon rolls that were on sale and used the 10- $1.25 off coupons on them, making them $2 a bag. The GC covered all but $10 of my bill, so I got 2 Birdseye complete dinner meals and 10 bags of cinnamon rolls for $10. We had the cini minis for breakfast today and they were GOOD!)

Understanding the dynamics of a situation is an important skill that you have, and you often intervene to clarify things for others. (I am SO BAD about doing this, especially when I overhear someone's conversation. I had to bite my tongue in the voting line yesterday. Some people did not understand the amendments, but I was trying to follow the "no influencing anyone's vote" policies.)

I also agree with these suggestions:

Try to embrace the imaginative, creative part of your personality more often. (This is why scrapbooking is so important to me. It exercises that creative side.)

Try moving beyond the things that you find comfortable—open yourself up to a broader range of experiences. (This one is hard for me, but I try!)

You care about people, but finding the ones you can truly trust will allow you to get closer to them. (Again, I'll try!)

While you have strong opinions about what is right and wrong in the world, you risk coming across as judgmental—be sure to consider different perspectives when voicing your opinion.

My personalDNA Report

This was an interesting exercise. Go do it. We could all stand to learn a little more about how we tick.

I've Been Tagged!

I was tagged by 2 of my friends: Casey and Carrie. Guess I can't put it off any longer!

Here we go....

The Rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you (Done. See above!)
2. Post the rules on your blog (Do I follow rules well or what?)
3. List 6 random things about yourself.
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

I think I've done this recently (aha! I found it!), but I'm willing to do it again. You know I love to talk about me! (HA!)

1. I can't stand when things poke out of drawers. I have to make sure everything is tucked into the drawer or it drives me NUTS.

2. I like Liza Minnelli. I think I've shared this before, but growing up we had a (1978?) Caprice Classic Station Wagon (like this one, except ours was a peachy color with NO WOOD PANELING. I remember my mom having an issue with wood paneling... or maybe it was Dad.) Anyhoo, the musical selections for the 8-trak player in the car included Barry Manilow's Even Now (a classic), the Annie soundtrack, The Carpenters' Now and Then, Elvis Presley's Moody Blue and Liza's Liza With a Z. So I know those albums V*E*R*Y well. Liza is on my iPod now, and I love her. Always will.

3. I am a Webkinz addict. I try not to go a day without moving some smoothies (I love that "Smoothie Moves" game in the arcade!) I have 9 pets on my own account because my children got tired of me playing their games everyday.

4. If I'm on a road trip and spot a sign for Krystal Hamburgers, I have to stop. We had 2 Krystal restaurants in my area for a short time, but they were both recently converted to Dunkin' Donuts. There is a new one on Woodruff Road, but it's too far away for me to visit on a regular basis. Maybe I need to drive over to AC Moore today and get myself a sackful while I'm over that way....

5. I hate malt. Chocolate malts, malted milk balls... you can keep 'em. HATE THEM. Ick. Eating Whoppers is like chewing on chocolate covered chalk to me. Blech.

6. I think I have shared this before, but I'll say it again just in case. I cannot eat mustard on hamburgers. I only take mustard on my hot dogs. So if I'm prepping a cheeseburger for consumption, I take mayo (Duke's preferably), ketchup and relish (basically McDonald's "Secret Sauce"). If I'm eating a hot dog, I like mustard on the bottom (under the frank), then the weiner, then relish on top. I do like chili dogs, but if I'm having chili then it's no mustard on the bottom, then the weiner, then chili then mustard. Another note: where I live in South Carolina the hot dog chili is WEIRD. It's basically finely chopped (cooked) hamburger meat with some tomato sauce in it, but it's NOT like the chili you eat from a bowl. It is more like the taco meat you get at Taco Bell. Strange stuff. In Alabama we like sloppy chili dogs, with the kind of chili you can eat like soup. I always have to ask what the chili is like when I order chili dogs around here (unless it's a chain like Fuddrucker's or Sonic).

I know I'm s'posed to tag 6 people, but right now I can't think of 6 people I know who blog that haven't already done this exercise. I'll have to ponder that one.

Gimme Five Friday

Guilty as charged. I'm using a Meme from Becca's blog (I've never met Becca or even talked to her or e-mailed her, but I think we'd get along fabulously!) I'm using her Gimme Five from September 15th: Gimme Five of Your Favorite Breakfast Foods.

Becca says:

This week the topic is sure to get our taste buds working overtime! You may have more than 5 for this specific meal, just pick from your faves to share try not to drool onto your keyboards!

(1) Waffles. I love a homemade waffle that's crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. If it's not crisp on the outside the syrup just makes it too soggy (this is the reason Pancakes are not one of my favorite foods!) Save your whipped cream and strawberries, too. I like my waffles with butter and syrup.

(2) Cream Chipped Beef on toast. It doesn't have to be homemade. The frozen Stouffer's kind is fine. I've tried the canned kind, and it's a little salty. Ryan's has cream chipped beef on their breakfast bar, and I usually fill a plate with it. YUM-OH.

(3) "Juicy" Eggs with buttered toast. My grandmother used to make this for me when I would spend the night with her. We'd be up at the crack of dawn, feeding the squirrels and tending to the garden before it got too hot. Before we started the day, though, she'd fry up some Over Easy eggs (firm whites, runny yolks) and some toast with enough butter to make the center soggy (I can taste it right now!) Then we'd rip the toast into tiny pieces, smash up the eggs and throw the toast in so the yolk would cover it. That was a delicious breakfast! MaMa Dos always made hot chocolate with milk and cocoa powder, which I'd drink out of a dark brown McCoy mug that looked like it had hot chocolate oozing over the sides. LOVED those mugs. I saved some when we cleaned out her house after my PaPa Ed died. They're still packed up somewhere in the basement.



(4) Citrus French Toast. I had this everyday on my honeymoon. It was served at the Grand Floridian Cafe' in the Grand Floridian at Disney World. I'd order it with a side of strawberries and cream. I swear I gained 10 pounds on our honeymoon. We had the Grand Plan that included ALL meals. It was some good eatin'. I've never been able to find a good Citrus French toast recipe. I'm pretty sure the bread was Brioche, but I don't know how they made the citrus glaze that was poured over it. Last time we went to the Grand Floridian (in 2006) I noticed that GF Cafe no longer serves Citrus French toast. Bummer.

(5) Ham, Egg & Cheese Croissanwiches from Burger King. I cain't quit 'em. Not the best in the world for me, but every now and again I get a craving for them. My hubby knows that if he takes the kids to Burger King on his day off, he better walk back in the door with a Croissanwich!

Hmmm...

I don't know if I agree with this assessment...

What Your Cute Monster Says About You

You are a very natural, real person. You're comfortable with who you are - and your spirit truly shines through. You are free of inhibitions and hang ups. Because of this freedom, you tend to be very creative. Your inner demon is greed. You can't help but lust after wealth and shiny objects. People think you're cute because you are so lively. Your natural glow makes you charming.

The Cute Monster Test

ABCs of Me

I think this is making the rounds. I saw it on several blogs, most recently my friend Carrie's. (On a side note, Carrie has the biggest, most infectious smile, doesn't she? One day I hope to meet her in person. I think we'd get along famously!)

♥A is for age: 35
♥B is for beverage of choice: iced tea with Splenda
♥C is for career right now: Mom and all that goes along with that, plus I'm a Longaberger consultant.
♥D is for your dog's name: Polly
♥E is for essential item you use everyday: my computer, my washing machine and my dishwasher... oh, and my car!
♥F is for favorite TV show: The Office, Pushing Daisies
♥G is for favorite game to watch: Auburn football, of course!
♥H is for Home town: Gardendale, Alabama
♥I is for instruments you play: I play a mean iPod. I can play piano a little bit.
♥J is for favorite juice: grape juice... Momma always said it would take away bad dreams ; )
♥K is for a favorite keepsake: the crocheted ornaments my grandmother made and the baby blanket she made for Camryn, plus the crocheted blankets my own mom made for each of my children
♥L is for last place you ate at: Arby's for lunch yesterday. I used a coupon!
♥M is for marriage: 12 1/2 years
♥N is for your name: Beth (middle name Allyson, which I LOVE. I always wished my parents had called me by both names all the time, not just when I was in trouble)
♥O is for overnight hospital stay: 4 times for 4 babies, plus an emergency ovary/tube removal in '93 and a brief surgery when I was 4.
♥P is for people you were with today: My hubby and children
♥Q is for what's your best quality: wit, I guess
♥R is for what are you currently reading: Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson
♥S is for relationship status: Happily married to the hubby
♥T is for time you woke up today: My alarm goes off at 7:15, and I think I took about 5 minutes to get going today.
♥U is for the type of underwear you have on: Uh, really? It's clean and has no holes. That's enough info.
♥V is for vegetable you love: potatoes. I also love okra and zucchini
♥W is for worst habits: picking at my blemishes, interrupting people, talking while hubby is trying to watch TV (he HATES that... watching the debates together has been HARD!)
♥X is for x-rays you've had recently: I guess dental x-rays?
♥Y is for something yummy : I'm craving boiled oatmeal chocolate cookies right now, but it's humid outside and they never set up well in humidity
♥Z is for favorite zoo animal: I like watching the sea lions swim around in their tank. They look so graceful.

I've been tagged!

I was just tagged by my friends Lee and Cyn. They're so nice to think of me!

Here are the rules: Link to the person who tagged you.
List 6 quirks of yours.
Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same.

(1) I can't stand to see things hanging out of drawers or see drawers left slightly open. Same with cabinet doors. Everything must be shut and flush with the rest of the cabinet or chest (if it's a drawer).

(2) I can't stand the word TYLENOL. Just saying it conjures up thoughts of fever and nasty fake cherry liquid and Luden's cough drops.



I couldn't even bring myself to consider the name Tyler for a boy because it's too close to TYLENOL. ::SHIVERS::

(3) The shirts hanging in my closet are organized in ROYGBIV order. The same goes for my husband's side. I try to keep the pants grouped together (khakis, black, shorts, capris, etc.) but I'm not as particular about the trousers as I am the shirts.

(4) I hate filling out forms that want you to indicate your SEX instead of your GENDER. I'm always tempted to write "YES" in the blank instead of the required M or F.

(5) I am the only one allowed to fold my laundry. I'm very particular about how things are folded... like Martha picky. When I had my first child and my mother-in-law visited, she folded all my towels into squares. I like the tri-fold method for towel folding. I had to refold all of the towels after she left. Did it matter, really? The fold didn't make the towel unuseable, but it drove me BATTY to know they were folded wrong. The same goes with sheets. I'm almost the same way about loading the dishwasher, but other people are allowed to do that. That doesn't bother me as badly as the laundry thing does.

(6) I have to have mayonnaise on sandwiches that have meat on them. If the sandwich has cheese on it, then I can't have mustard on it (cheeseburgers are an exception to that rule..)

I tag:

Lita
Joanie
Carrie
Brandi
Casey
Sherry

Blog Cheater

I saw this on 2 blogs recently, and I'm not above copying. I'm a blog cheater.

1- What's worse - Physical or Mental cheating? Both are pretty bad, but I'd choose physical as the worse of the two.

2- Is it easier to forgive or forget? forgive

3- Can men and women be "Just Friends?" Yes, but there can't be any physical attraction. I've had male friends that I wasn't attracted to.

4- Dating co-workers? I work at home, so my kids are my co-workers. I think that's illegal? And gross.

5- All expenses paid vacation to anywhere? You know where. It starts with a Disney and ends with a World. After that it would probably be some remote beach with a full staff to meet my every need... like maybe in Fiji? One of those huts that sit right in the water.

6- On the way to the electric chair - What's your last meal? Hold up... why am I going to the electric chair? What'd I do?!? Um, I'd probably choose Baby Doe's beer cheese soup, a great steak and something chocolate for dessert.

7- The water park... makes me tired? I haven't been to a water park since the early 90s. Hot, sunburned, waterlogged, chafed... ick. Not my thing.

8- When you are "In Love" do you notice other people? Yeah? I guess? Romantically, no, but I'm not blinded to the existence of other people.

9- Is flirting cheating? I think so. Why flirt if you know it's not going anywhere? Why even be tempted? Flirting to get something from the other person is just shallow and underhanded.

10- Would you rather have 1 great friend or 5 pals? 1 great friend

11- If someone called you a bitch would you be offended? Uh, yeah. I don't think that word is a compliment. I try very hard to be nice to people, even when I'm angry. I don't think being mean is ever appropriate.

12- Are you ok with your significant other being friends with an ex? I'm not sure.

13- Would you live with someone without marrying them? Nope.

14- Favorite sport? I love to watch college (SEC) football, but if I'm participating then it's going to be swimming.

15- Is toilet paper hung over or under? As long as there's paper on the roll, I don't care. I can't use a cardboard tube when I'm done wif my bidness. If the hubby actually remembers to put a new roll on when an old one is used up, I'm singin' hallelujahs.

16- Do you squeeze toothpaste from the middle or end of the tube? I don't pay attention to where I squeeze. I do roll it up when it's getting close to empty, so probably the top?

17- How do you feel about tanning booths? I used them in college and once as a newlywed, but never again. I'm seeing the effects, and I don't like them.

18- Friends with benefits? Nope.

19- Do you believe in angels? Absolutely. There have been too many times in my life when I know I've been in the presence of angels for me not to believe in them. Plus, the Bible says they exist, so that's enough for me to believe.

20- Would you rather take pictures or be in pictures? Take them.

21- Have you ever flirted with someone you had no interest in? Not intentionally.

22 - Ever kissed a random person and then walked away? Nope. Why would you do that?

23- Would you buy bootleg merchandise? Nope, but last week my husband downloaded the cartoon parts of "Song of the South" onto a DVD so our kids could see what the story is behind the Splash Mountain ride at Disney World. That's the only way to see that movie, unfortunately.

24- What color looks best on you? Light aqua and plum-ish purple. Those are the colors that fetch me the most compliments.

25- If you could play any sport professionally what would it be? Is there a sport I can do sitting down? Maybe I would be a golfer. They seem to have the easiest time. Walk, hit a ball with an overpriced stick, ride in the cart, someone else carries your bag... pretty nice life.

26- Ever break up with someone and regret it? No.

27- Are you a jealous person? I'd be lying if I said no. I don't get jealous often. Mostly covetous, I guess. It passes quickly.

28- Would you ever have plastic surgery? I have, to erase a chicken pox scar (but only because I was having another procedure to remove scar tissue from my upper lip). I was in 5th grade.

29- When do you want to get married? Hopefully I won't be getting married again. ; )

30- Who has the sexiest accents? I love to hear Harry Connick, Jr. talk. I honestly think a thick Southern accent is the MOST unsexy accent on the planet, but I like a light Scottish accent (Ewan McGregor comes to mind...)

31- Next concert you're attending? I don't know. Is Manhattan Transfer coming back to town anytime soon? Harry Connick, Jr? I like smaller concert settings.

32- Favorite song? I can't pick just one. I love "Baby Grand" by Billy Joel. I can't think of any others right now because my iPod is on and it's impossible to think of anything besides what's playing ("The Mighty Quinn" at the moment...)

33- Favorite movie? Of all time? Gone With the Wind.

34- What's your occupation? Mom.

35- What's your sign? Like Bill Engvall's "Here's your sign!" or astrological sign? I'm an Aquarius, but I don't believe in astrology. Bunch o' hooey.

36- Are you a beach, country or city person? BEACH!

37- Best vacation spot you've been to? The hubs and I took a Royal Caribbean cruise before we had kids, and we spent our day on Coco Cay in a hammock strung between two palm trees. I read while he slept. We were right next to the ocean, we were perfectly shaded by the fronds of the palm tree and there was a niiiiiiiice breeze. If I could do that for a week with no TV (but definitely an iPod), that would be my idea of heaven on earth.

38- Have you ever had a "secret affair?" Why? Do you know something? Did someone say something to you? (The answer is no. I'm just playin'.)

39- If you could own a non-traditional pet which would it be? An imaginary alligator.

40- Favorite show as a child? Little House on the Prairie, The Love Boat and Fantasy Island. I loved Saturday nights.

41- Where do you spend most of your money? Target

42- Are you currently working at a job that you hate? No. I love my job (and the meds that allow me to say that with a smile on my face!)

43- Have you ever been so heart broken that you called in sick to work? No.

44- Favorite summer drink? Butter pecan milkshake from Bruster's

45- Can you change a car tire? Sure. I know the number for AAA. Oh, change it myself? Nay. I should know that. Could probably figger it out if I had to. I *know* I can take the lug nuts off and put them back on. I've done that before. Impressed?

46- Favorite cologne/perfume? Sarah Jessica Parker's "Lovely" and Philosophy's "Amazing Grace". My hubby likes the smell of Chloe, which I wear very infrequently. I still like it, but it's very sweet.

47- Favorite candle scent? Cinnamon or apple or a combination of both.

48- Would you consider yourself adventurous? No.

49- What is your My Space profile song? I don't have a MySpace page. If I did, I still wouldn't have music. I think it's startling to be slapped in the face with a song when I click on someone's page. I had music here for awhile, but I took it off, because I couldn't stand it.

50- Favorite concert attended? DC Talk/ Michael W. Smith when I was in college. We were on the front row. ("Sing 'Friends' Michael! Sing 'Friends'!" Remember that, Brooke?)

51- Would you date an already attached man/woman? Attached to what? A bomb?

52- Would you sing Karaoke in front of co-workers? Maaaaaaaaybe. If'n I had co-workers.

53- Can you shoot pool? Not well.

54- Do you like your siblings' significant others? He seems like a nice guy. I don't know him too well, but he makes my sister happy, so that's good enough for me.

55- Can you drive a stick? Like a broomstick? Does this have something to do with that bitch comment? (No. I can only drive an automatic. I never learned to drive a car with a manual transmission.)

56- When you marry will you wear white? I did wear white.

57- Have you ever sat and hoped for a phone call? When I was dating my hubby long distance, yes.

58- Ever skip school and spend the day at the beach? The beach was 5 hours from my house, but even if it had been closer, I wouldn't have skipped.

59- Favorite TV shows? The Office and Pushing Daisies.

60- What are you waiting for at the movies? I think Madagascar 2 is going to be hilarious. Truth be told, I kinda sorta want to see High School Musical: 3, too. Only because I know it will be fun to take the kids. Not because Zac Efron is a cutie pie. Definitely not that. 'Cause that would be creepy.

Friday Feast

Again, a meme, because I think I've thrown up my creativity along with everything else lately. I picked this one up from this site. Bon Appetit!

Appetizer: When was the last time you had your hair cut/trimmed?

Probably 3 or 4 months ago. I've gone through so many hairdressers in the past few years. I had a great one that could do whatever I asked with my hair. I showed up one day for my regular 6-week appointment, and she was gone. No notice at all. Just vanished. I found out later through a friend that she was a drug addict. I haven't heard from her since, and I haven't been able to find anyone that I click with, either. It's a shame, because I really enjoy getting my hair cut, but I've gotten frustrated with the search.

Soup: Name one thing you miss about being a child.

Dare I say the lack of responsibility? I mean, I did have responsibilities within my family (chores, etc.), but not like I do now. I can't abandon my children or chores on a whim to go read a book or shop or do things I could truly spend hours doing (scrapbooking, watching movies, etc.) The children and this house and all things associated with it are my responsibilities, and that's what I signed up for when I got married and bore children. I just miss the freedom of someone else having all that responsibility.

Salad: Pick one: butter, margarine, olive oil.

Buttah. I love me some real butter. One of my fondest childhood memories is churning butter with my kindergarten class. It was around Thanksgiving and we were learning about the Pilgrims and such, and Ms. Loretta brought in a real churn and cream and we made butter. She served it on crackers; we each got ONE measly cracker with the most heavenly substance I'd ever tasted spread across it. The skies opened and the angels sang and I was besotted with butter from that day forward. I was very fond of the butter tub as a kid, too. I have a vivid memory of sitting on my booster seat in the middle of the kitchen when I was maybe 3 or 4, tub of butter on my lap and knife (surely not? Maybe a spoon...) in my hand, eating butter. You can have your margarine and your olive oil. I may have clogged arteries, but buttah is bettah!

Main Course: If you could learn another language, which one would you pick, and why?

I took 4 years of Spanish in high school and one junior level class of Spanish my freshman year of college, so I'd probably choose to build on that knowledge. Plus, our community seems to have a high concentration of Hispanic people, so it would serve me well to brush up on my Espanol, si?

Dessert: Finish this sentence: In 5 years I expect to be…

Forty. I don't think too far ahead. I prefer to live life day to day. It's less stressful that way.

Gimme' Five

The blogging well has been drying out much like the lakes around here, so I turned to my old friend Google for some inspiration. I told Google to find me topics related to "Blog Memes" and I came across this blog. Every Monday she posts a new "Gimme Five" topic, so I'm going to tackle this week's subject:

Give Me Five things you haven't done in a long time that you would like to do again.

The blog owner says, "I love thinking back to old times and every time I do, I always end up with the same question, 'Why has it been so long since I've done that?' So let's make a list and then *maybe* think about doing them!"

Gotcha.

Ahem.

(1) I haven't jumped on a trampoline since I was a little kid. We had a round one in the backyard, and I loved jumping on it. I loved everything about it: the feeling of temporary weightlessnes, the ability to turn flips, the up and down and up and down, and the soaring. Nowadays I cringe when I think of how badly I could've gotten hurt on that trampoline. That was in the 80s, before there were nets and safety measures for trampolines. I don't know where I lost my sense of daring, but it's gone. I would never even consider buying a trampoline for my children, but I sure would love to jump on one again. In private, of course, 'cause who wants to see all my flabby bits fly up in my face?

(2) I used to be a roller skating fool. My dad used to back the cars out of the garage so my sister and I could skate in the shade on the smooth floor. Round and round and round and round. LOVED it. Loved the skating rink, too. I've been to our local skating rink a handful of times, and although it's not the same rink I went to as a kid, it could be. It looks (AND SMELLS!) exactly the same. It's a time capsule, with the swirly 70s carpet, Disco ball and the same old brown skates with red toe stops. Good times, good times.

(3) I used to spend my summer days beside the pool. I'd go out early in the day with a radio, a towel and a good book, and I usually wouldn't go back inside until the book was finished (or if it started raining or got darker...) I still love going out to the pool, but now I rarely get to read. Between refereeing the kids' arguments and fulfilling their requests to play with them in the water, I can't read. They get tired of swimming after 2 hours or so, and there is the sun factor, too, so we just can't be outside all day anymore. I miss that.

(4) Before I became a scrapbooker I was a cross stitcher. I have several cross stitched pieces framed and hung around my home. It was a soothing hobby, and I really enjoyed it, but I just don't have time for it anymore. I have lots of unfinished projects in a bin in the basement. I'll probably have diminished eyesight by the time my schedule is open enough to pursue that hobby again.

(5) I used to enjoy the company of women. I still do, for the most part, but I can't say I trust a whole lot of women anymore. I'm always wondering what they're thinking of me and what they will say behind my back. I didn't used to be that way, but experience has taught me that a lot of women have a hidden agenda.

I have my sister, my husband, my children, my college roommate and my parents. That's the entire list of people I can trust 100%. I'm very guarded with other folks because I've been burned so many times by people (WOMEN) I THOUGHT were my friends. Catty, judgmental, controlling, narcissistic, shallow, insecure (!),cliquish, self-inflated women that will turn on you in the blink of an eye and have no problems tearing you apart or even inventing stories about you to turn people against you. Sounds like high school, no? Ha. The immaturity doesn't end there. Some women never grow up.

In the past few years, the word "bitch" has come out of hiding. It used to be a slur, but now most women wear it like a badge of honor. Women are proud to be bitches. I don't get it.

"And she'll promise you more
Than the Garden of Eden
Then she'll carelessly cut you
And laugh while you're bleedin'"

Billy Joel hit the nail on the head, 'cause that's women for you. Sad, but true. I'm so sick of it. Sorry, ladies, but there needs to be an anti-bitch movement. We need an infusion of gentility, kindness, HUMILITY. You can be strong without being mean. It does work.

(And I'm not saying that all women I've met are like that... I have a handful of lovely female acquaintances about whom I think very highly. They're a very rare bunch, though...and I'm sorry if the B-word offends you. There's just no better way to put it, unfortunately.)