Manic Monday 8/9/2010

Don't faint. I know it's a shock to see two blog posts from me in such a short span of time. I must be losing my mind.

Don't get overly excited. It's just a meme.

Right now, what's on your mind?

I just got a call from my doctor's office. I'm going to go in for a nuclear stress test, and they were calling to say my GP had faxed all the info to the cardiologist. Before you panic, let me say that NOTHING IS WRONG (that is for my sister and mother!); I just figured with my weight and some recent reflux problems that feel like heart problems (but really most likely aren't) I would go in for a quick check. No alarm, but it's something I wanted to do for peace of mind. I'm paranoid, and my husband told me that he would rather I go ahead and have the test so I know I have a healthy heart. I don't have a family history of heart problems; I don't smoke, drink excessively, I have great blood pressure, blood sugar and my cholesterol was normal last time it was checked. I don't have any other risk factors (besides my weight) and I exercise, so I don't expect the doc to find any problems at all. It's just a thing I want to have done for me. K?

And I know I could do the exercise stress test, but I have balance problems on a treadmill, so the doctor told me just to request the nuclear test from the start.

I'm also thinking about the fact that this is our last Monday of summer break. Next Monday we start homeschool. I'm excited, as I have been all summer, but now that it's a week away I'm just a little anxious. And, I admit, I feel sad that the kids will miss their friends at their old school. Heck, *I* will miss *MY* friends from their old school. It's a big transition, a huge change, but I KNOW that this is the path God has put us on for now, and I want to love every minute. I would appreciate any prayers you could pray on our behalf. They're always welcome!

List 10 things you expect from a good friend.

Honesty, Loyalty, Sense of humor, Steadfastness (is that a word?), Discretion, Supportive (physically and emotionally), Understanding, Unconditional love, Appreciation and Trustworthiness. Not necessarily in that order.

What's something you've done that you wish you hadn't?

I could sit here and ponder all of my bad decisions, things I've done that I wish I hadn't, but I have to admit, every decision that's been made and everything I've done has made me who I am. I can't say I'd be the same person sitting here today if I hadn't lived through some mistakes. God is faithful, even when I am not, and I am thankful for that.

Manic Monday 2/22/10

I had to go to my yearly lady doctor appointment today. Never something I look forward to, but I love my gynecologist and enjoy spending time with her (when I'm clothed). She never rushes me and always seems genuinely interested in what's going on in my life, so I don't dread the annual visit. Can't say I'm sad when it's over, though. Well, maybe a little. The soap they use has a fragrance that stays with me. It stays on my hands all day long, and the smell makes me think of having babies. While I'm perfectly content with my four and don't want to dive back into babyhood, I still think of those days fondly and wish I could revisit the times when my kids were infants. Such sweet memories.

If you could invite any five people to your birthday party, who would they be?

Besides my family? Because that'd be a party of five right there. If it's anyone besides my family, then I'd have to start by inviting Harry Connick, Jr. (::SWOON::). I'd ask Paula Deen to bring herself and all her best butter and may-naise recipes ("may-naise".... that's how Paula says it... 2 syllables!) Amy Poehler would be invited, and she could bring Tina Fey if she wanted to. Those ladies crack me up. Last on the list would probably be Joel McHale (from "The Soup" and NBC's "Community") because I think he's one of the funniest people on the planet. I love The Soup! If I could have an alternate guest, just in case, I'd ask The Pioneer Woman to attend, too.

What birthday has been your favorite so far? What about it made it special?

I'd have to say that the birthday I just celebrated was the best in recent history. My parents came to visit, I got some great gifts, some beautiful flowers, and I got to go to Great Wolf Lodge with my family. We had a SUPER time. I don't think we've had such an awesome family vacation in a long time.

What one thing are you craving today?

More time to get things done.

Manic Monday 1/4/10

What did you get in trouble for the most when you were a kid?

Probably being messy. My room was always a mess, and I was a stuffer. I was good at shoving things under the bed or into the closet. I have reformed my ways, but I have messy children. Life is ironic that way.

Which is your wish that is not yet fulfilled?

I want a bigger kitchen. I need more cabinet space and I'd love to have huge island in the middle of the kitchen. And double ovens. I long for double ovens. Double convection ovens, even. And while I'm wishing, I'll take a larger, more secluded laundry room. Right now ours is the room between the garage and the rest of the house, and I don't like it there. I'd love a huge, sunny room with lots of counter space for folding and sorting. And a huge laundry sink.

Like this:



or this:




If you have to choose a movie title for your life story, what would that be?

"I Don't Deserve This Life I've Been Blessed With"

For a list of possible titles of a book as yet to be written about me, click here.

Manic Monday 12/21/09

What makes you laugh?

Intelligent humor, America's Funniest Videos, watching AFV with the kids (especially Aiden, because his laugh makes me laugh), things my children say, irony, my husband and his dry wit.

What makes you cry?

Sentimental stuff, injustice, poverty, worship time at church, Greater Love by Charles Billingsley, The Star Spangled Banner, the end of Gone With the Wind

What is the best thing about being you?

Gracious. That's a lot of things to list! My awesome family, my parents and sister, getting up daily and living this amazingly blessed life I've been given, my friends... I don't know what else to say. I'm so beyond blessed it's crazy.

Manic Monday 8/31/2009

Are you usually late, early or right on time?

I like to be a little bit early. I'm hardly ever late. I think it's rude to be late, honestly.

What would be harder for you, to tell someone you love them or to tell them that you do not love them back?

It would be harder to tell someone I don't love them back. I don't think I've ever had to do that.

Which would you rather have: a high salary or job satisfaction?

Job satisfaction. There's no point doing a job you hate, even if it's for a ridiculous sum of money. Too much and stress resentment comes along with that.

Manic Monday 8/3/2009

Would you rather go a week without bathing, but be able to change your clothes, or a week without a change of clothes, but be able to bathe?

I can't go a week without bathing. I hate having greasy hair and a stinky body. I would much rather wear the same clothes everyday for a week than not be able to bathe. ::Shivers::

If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose?

Don't laugh too hard at my answer, please. I would choose to be on Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood. I got addicted to that show last summer amd turned my husband onto it this year. Tori & Dean just seem like they're so real, so fun, so.... normal. I mean, Tori makes her own baby food fer crying out loud (with veggies she buys @ the Farmer's Market, where she goes without an entourage...just her and the kids and the camera crew.) That might all be staged for the show, but I think they'd be a riot to hang out with. I just finished Seasons 1 and 2 that I got from Netflix and I think I just have a big ole Tori & Dean crush. (That's Tori Spelling & her hubby Dean McDermott for those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about...)

Manic Monday 7/27/09

What is one thing that you would change about yourself if you could?

The ability to trust people without hesitation. I wish I could take people at face value without wondering what their ulterior motives are, but we are selfish creatures. We all have ulterior motives of some sort or another.

Name three exotic countries you would like to visit:

Bali, Indonesia; Vietnam; maybe the Seychelles?

What do you think the secret to life is?

Lots and lots of laughter. And don't take things too seriously. And be nice, even when people aren't nice to you.

Manic Monday 6/29/09

What is the longest love relationship (partner) you have had, and if it has ended, why?

I'm married to the partner I've been with the longest. We met August 19, 1994 so as of August 19, 2009 we've been together 15 years, married 13 1/2. Wow. Doesn't seem like it's been that long!

What is on your bedside table?

Gawrsh. Let me see if I can remember. There is an alarm clock/sound machine/CD player thing (I never use the CD player part!). I have a bottle of the Drenched in Pink Victoria's Secret lotion, some Target brand Aveeno-type lotion for dry skin (for my feet!), a cordless phone that needs to be replaced because the one we have doesn't live long once it's off the cradle (and it needs to be hung on the WALL to give me more table space!) a box of tissues (rests on top of the alarm clock), a lamp and both sets of TV buttons (TV ones and DISH network ones... I hate having 2 sets of buttons!)

How many pillows do you have on your bed? Do you make your bed every day?

I don't know how many pillows are on the bed. I would guess about 6 or 7. My husband only needs one of those to sleep. The rest are mine. I have to have one to hold onto and usually stack three up to sleep on. I cannot sleep flat on my back, and I do not stay still at night. My husband sleeps on his back in the same position all night long and falls asleep really quickly. I envy his ability to do that.

Manic Monday 6/22/09

Do you usually wear perfume/cologne? If so, what's your current favorite?

I don't wear it on a daily basis. I do use perfumed lotion, and my current favorite is Drenched in Pink from Victoria's Secret. I also have the body spray in that scent. I have 3 bottles of the lotion stationed in convenient places: the den table next to where I sit on the couch, my bathroom counter and beside the bed. My skin is so dry in the winter and gets dried out when I sit in the sun. I like having the lotion handy.

What's the last book you've read that you thought was really good? If you don't have one, what looks promising on your to-be-read list?

I just finished Columbine by Dave Cullen. It was really fascinating and disturbing at the same time. It gave me a fresh perspective on the Columbine High School tragedy. Hard to believe it's been 10 years since that happened.

Fill in the blank: I wouldn't be caught dead _________.

...wearing black pantyhose with white shoes.

Manic Monday 6/15/09

What is the last song that was stuck in your head and how did you get rid of it?

A friend of mine posted something about Northern Michigan on her Facebook last week, and that Kid Rock song "All Summer Long" got stuck in my head ("It was summertime in Northern Michigan...") It didn't last long once I put my ear buds in and started playing music from my iPhone.

If you had to say what one thing in your life best represents your freedom, what would it be?

The Sparrow.

"So I'll sing because I'm happy.
And I'll sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me."

If you were invited to the White House for dinner tonight, what would you wear from your current wardrobe?

I have nothing appropriate for dinner at the White House in my current wardrobe. If Obama doesn't want me in shorts and a tee shirt, I guess I'll have to turn down his dinner invitation.

Manic Monday 5/18/09

If you could completely redecorate any room in your house at no expense to you, what room would you choose?

Hands down it would be the huge open space in my basement. It was originally carpeted, but after lots of that wonderful South Carolina red mud got tracked in from outside and the cats kept using it as a litter box, hubby ripped up the carpet. Now it's linoleum and just lacks that warm, cozy feeling. I'd love to have hardwoods down there and have it made into a home theater or something, but right now it's just a big catch-all for whatever doesn't need to stay upstairs (clothes the kids have outgrown, discarded furniture, the litter box, etc.) We had nice bookshelves built down there and there's a kitchenette and all sorts of nice things, but we never use it. It just feels cold to me. I don't even like to go down there anymore.

Which hour of the day do you feel goes the slowest?

The hour between picking up Quinn from school and picking up the other two from their school. It will be so nice next year when all the kids are at ONE school and they have ONE pick-up time. I hate having to kill time between pick-ups. This is Quinn (and Lillian's) last week of school, so we're getting closer!

If your birthday could be in a different month of the year, when would you have it?

I like my February birthday. I only wish it wasn't so close to my anniversary and Valentine's Day. It's kind of right in the middle of those two days, so I usually get one big gift. I might choose an April birthday or maybe October just to spread out the gift-giving occasions a bit more ; ) Me likee presents!

Manic Monday #164

Describe to me your favorite lounging clothes.

Pajamas, really. Long, elastic-waisted pants and t-shirts.

If you promised to never lie again in your lifetime, in what area would it be hardest to uphold the promise?

It would be hard to not lie to the kids. If you're a parent, you know that there are times that the truth has to be bent. I don't mean that I lie to the kids frequently, but there are just occasions where the whole truth isn't good for the kids at that moment. I can't think of a specific instance, and I know it sounds awful to say I lie to my children, but there it is.

Give a one word answer to the question "why is life worth living".

Jesus.

Manic Monday #155

I'm going to start a new Monday meme that I found here through my friend Lee's blog.

Of all your favorite foods, which one would you find the most difficult to give up for the rest of your life?

I think it would be pasta. I especially love ravioli of any type: spinach and cheese, meat, lobster, plain cheese... you name it. I love it inside a pocket of pasta.

Which month of the year do you think best describes your personality?

Pick a summer month... June... July... August.... sunny and warm and full of lazy days.

If you could be a contestant on any game show, past or present, which show would you pick?

It'd be Jeopardy, for sure. I have always wanted to be a contestant on Jeopardy. I was on the quiz bowl team in high school (we called it Scholars Bowl) and I loved it. Once I even answered in the form of a question and everyone laughed. I used to take out the Trivial Pursuit cards and draw grids on pieces of paper (three columns across with groups of 6 in each column) so I could answer the questions on the cards. I learned a lot of trivia that way. No one wanted to play with me, though, because I learned all the answers. I was over the moon when I found a family Trivial Pursuit game over the Christmas holidays. It has kid questions and adult questions so we can all play together. Turns out Aiden loves trivia as much as I do, of course. He's just like his momma!