A Wee Bit of Me Wednesday

{one} what is your happiest childhood memory?

my dad was in the army and during his leaves in between locations, we would go home to visit.  Those were fun times....

{two} what is your middle name?

Michelle

{three} what’s the habit you’re most proud of breaking?

biting my nails

{four} what do you order when you order chinese food?

don't order it much....but when I do eat it...I usually get pepper steak and/or some sort of sweet and sour dish...and egg rolls of course

{five} what’s the best bargain you’ve ever found at a garage sale or thrift store?

not one I found....but my parents had a chair they got for $2 at a yard sale (I think).....it was bought to be used in an opera showing of Carmen...it was  thrown across the stage for several showings then lived through several grandchildren (most of whom are boys)

{six} what’s the best costume you’ve ever worn?

I dressed up as a Twinkie box for Halloween in 2004.  I had a white long sleeve shirt.  I made the front and back panels, and used the side panels from an actual box.  I have a picture somewhere in my scrapbooks...might try to find it.  It's not very pretty.  I was pregnant with identical twins (hence the twinkie idea)....and I was, well, I was miserable by then. 

{seven} who’s your favorite game show host?

I don't watch too many game shows anymore....I used to like Bob Barker and oh I forget his name...the host of Family Fued...Richard Dawson.

{eight} what’s your favorite breakfast food?

eggs and toast

 

{nine} what’s your least favorite word?

hate

{ten} describe something that happened to you for which you have no explanation.

I don't know that I can think of anything....

The Queen's Meme

Norman Vincent Peale said, "Change your thoughts and you change your world." It was interesting to see how many meanings I could find for the word "change".....some are serious, some are silly. Have fun!

1. Name one thing you'd like to change about yourself.

my weight...it is a constant challenge, a never ending battle. 

2. If you could wave a magic wand and be done with all the small petty nuisances in your life, what you would have "be gone" first?

bills....it should not cost so much just to live....everything we have available to us in the world was and is provided to us.....why do we have to pay to use it?????

3. Do you collect and save your spare change in a jar?

no.  I don't really collect or save it either...it all spends the same eventually...it just has to add up.  My son on the other hand LOVES to collect coins....last year at Home Depot's Kids' Workshop, he made a bank of sorts.  It has sections to "save", to "spend", and to "share".  He puts any money he is given or that he finds (even if it is "found" in my wallet) in his bank. 

4. Change your world. What is our biggest concern as a global humanity?

peace...or the lack of it, which really stems from intolerance.  Differences are not accepted....conformity is expected. 

5. What would you have changed about your last relationship or the one you're in now?
my last relationship ended 19+ years ago....I was a different person then, and in growing up, I changed.  My relationship now....I have been married 19 years...change happens as we go and grow from year to year.

6. If you could reverse the course of history in a time machine, what would you do and how do you think the world would be different today?

Hitler?  Stalin?  I don't know.....
I believe everything happens for a reason.....even the bad things...so to change the course of history would be contradictory to the Lord's plan. 

7. Who would you like to change into a toad?

hahaha....I so wish I could answer this....but I will refrain

8. What is the first thing you change into when you get home from work?

I do two things when I get home from work...take off my shoes and go to the restroom (not necessarily in that order, either!)  I usually change into shorts.  If I have to go somewhere or outside for any reason, I wear flip flops....even in the winter.

9. If you could change places with anyone in the world for one day, who would that be?

I have no idea.....maybe someone who is organized AND creative...and actually gets things done!

10. Have you ever heard the expression "turn over a new leaf?" What is under your old one?

heard it...yes.  Under my old one is a different me....not sure how to describe it, but different.  I've changed alot in the last year...hopefully for the better.  I've learned some hard lessons...and am still learning and growing.

11. Name one thing that can cause you to immediately change your mood.

my children.....especially my youngest.  He brings such joy to our home, and has such an infectious laugh.  He thinks he's all that, so we get quite tickled (and sometimes irritated) by his demanding, grown up bossy personality.  Did I mention he is only 5?

12. What have you recently (or ever) had a change of heart about? And why?

not an open subject, sorry

13. When is the last time you changed the oil in your car?

I don't know...I do know my husband says it's almost due...we just got the car in July...so it probably is due now.

Top 2 Tuesday

Top 2 Favorite Hair Products

1.  Tresemme Shampoo and Conditioner

2.  Tresemme Hair Spray

These are both new items to my hair care routine.  Previously I used Suave 2 in 1, then switched to separate Suave Shampoo and Conditioner because I liked how much softer it makes my hair.  I used the coconut one....especially in the summer.  I also used Suave hair spray.  But several months ago, I noticed that the hair spray wasn't washing out of my  hair (I only curl and spray my bangs, so it was pretty obvious fairly quickly)....after trying a couple of products that did not deliver on their promise to remove build up, etc., I finally broke down and spent the money on the Tresemme Shampoo and Conditioner.  It seemed to be working but not quite...so I bought the Tresemme hair spray.  I don't know if it was the shampoo, the hairspray or a combination....but I no longer have white flecks in my hair...so I will keep paying the big bucks for the Tresemme (at least it comes in a big bottle...lasts a month or so)!

HOO Are You Tuesday

1. What is your Zodiac sign?

Gemini
(but thankfully there seems to be only one of me....hehehe)

2. Name 3 things that are always in your purse besides your wallet.

ibuprofen, pens, notepads 

3. Which magazines do you look at the most?

church publications and scrapbooking and crochet magazines

 

4. Do you pluck or get your eyebrows waxed?

no

 

5. How often do you go grocery shopping?

every two weeks, with brief trip in between for milk and such

They Like Me! They Like Me!

Before I start my blog hops (I am now two days behind...grrr)...I need to catch up on some stories I promised...but before that even, I need to give a

HUGE

HUGE

THANK YOU

to some folks...

During my semi life gets in the way hiatus....I received a blog award, not once, not twice, but 3 times.  I feel so honored and blessed to be recognized.  I don't blog for recognition...but it is nice when it comes. 

So THANK YOU to:

Mel at He Is My Beloved

and

Amanda at this girl will never be the same

and

Kristen at All The Proof I Need

The Rules:

1. Accept the award. Post it on your blog with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2. Pay it forward to 15 other bloggers that you have newly discovered.

3. Contact those blog owners and let them know they've been chosen.

I pass the award along to the following:

1.  Emily at Just to Keep in Touch
2.  Stephanie at A Daily Scoop
3. Lena at Mama's Thinking Corner
 4. Ashley at Sullengers
5.  Denise at Elijah the Amazing Micropreemie Miracle
6.  Dustin at Engaged Marriage
7.  Alisa at Project Happily Ever After
8.  Tiffany at Seriously So Blessed
9.  Linda at Visiting Teaching
10.  The Ladies at The Family Home Evening Spot
11.  Heidi at Simply Mormon
12.  Scriptures 4 Kids
13.  Moments to Live By
14.  Pam at Line Upon Line
15.  Becoming LDS



If you are paying attention, you may notice a trend as you work through the list...

if you did not notice, I will save you the pain of trying to figure it out and tell you.....

they all either have something in common with me or discuss something that is very important to me. 

And that's all you get.....

specifically what we have in common and what is important to me...I hope you can figure out by looking at and reading my blog!

Now I'm going to go let each of them now how much they mean to me!

Monday Catch Up--Curious As A Cat

http://curiousasacat.blogspot.com/

1) Share one thing that you learned recently.

just one?  that people are truly truly deceitful and will straight out lie to you; that love almost lost CAN be rekindled, recovered and rejuvenated but it takes ALOT of work

2) Share a quote that applies to your life right now, one that is helpful, or that is stuck in your head for some reason, or one that motivates you.

I have a couple of favorites:

"One day may I laugh as deeply as I cry"

"Anything worth having is worth fighting for."

"He never said it would be easy, only that it would be worth it."

"Families are Forever"

3) What is your favorite card game?

on the computer...I like Free Cell....I play it alot.  When we went to my friend's house on vacation in March, she taught me how to play several other games...but for the life of me I don't remember what they were called....

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

It makes me think of a safari....Africa....a little too busy for me...but I like the vinyl/painted animals on the wall and the corner shelf. 



Meet Me On Monday

1. What is your favorite all time movie?

I don't really have a favorite "all time" movie...I like alot of movies but not any that I would pick over another.  Titanic is favorite, Armegeddon, The Notebook, Red Eye, Speed, Blind Side, When In Rome, Bounty Hunter....love stories and romantic comedies apparently; drama and action also.

2. How often do you go over the speed limit?

not very if I can help.  I try to stay at or under, especially in the town I live in.  I love cruise control...lol

3. What really gives you the creeps?

There is a person who probably fits this category if making my skin crawl counts as "giving me the creeps"....but in general...hearing sounds when I know no one is around.

4. What is your favorite snack?

tortilla chips and salsa or if I want chocolate....3 Musketeers

5. Would you rather be a dog named Killer or a cat named Fluffy?
if those are the choices.... a cat named Fluffy!

Monday Mayhem

5 on 5.

For each of the 5 questions give 5 answers.

 

1. What are 5 things that you hope to accomplish this week?

1.  catch up my blog
2.  organize my work tasks
3.  organize my at home tasks
4.  finish assembling a baby blanket I made
5.  complete the October RS newsletter

2. Name 5 reasons to sleep in.

1.  staying up too late the night before
2.  knowing you will not get an opportunity to nap
3.  to avoid any early morning chores
4.  illness
5.  because you can!

3. Name 5 of the 'interesting' things you've heard lately.

I'm gonna pass on this one....partly because I haven't heard much that is interesting that would make much sense to anyone else, and partly because what I've heard isn't so much interesting as it is intriguing

4. Name and link to 5 bloggers.

Just look at my blog rolls...either the right or the left on my blog!

5. What are the 5 items that are always on your grocery list.
1.  Milk
2.  Dr. Pepper
3.  Ground Beef
4.  Chicken Breasts
5.  Cheese

Friend Making Monday

http://alltheweigh2009.blogspot.com/

Health and Body Image

1) If you could magically change one thing about your body, what would it be?

  my weight, hands down, especially my stomach/abdominal area....age and childbearing have done me no favors

2) What is your best physical feature?

  My eyes, I think.  Maybe my hair, when it is cut and styled well.... My husband might disagree on my best physical feature, but this is a family blog...hehehe

3) Do you weigh yourself daily? Hourly? Weekly? Bi-weekly? Never?

  I shoot for weekly, but that doesn't always happen. 

4) Do you workout regularly? If so, how does if affect you from day to day?

I did, and wish I could.  I just don't have time.  And we sold our treadmill a short time ago...hoping to get a
stationary bicycle soon....so that will help at least.
 

5) What is the healthiest thing you do for yourself on a regular basis?

 I try very hard to get my "me" time....it's hard and expensive to eat healthy, I try with the water but it's not regular, exercise is limited (see question 4), and sleep eludes me for a variety of reasons....and while "me" time may not sound like a healthy thing....believe me, I get quite irritable if I don't get some downtime once in a while--and that ensures the continued health of my family!

6) If you could look like a celebrity, who would you choose to look like?

  there isn't really anyone I would like to look like....I don't dislike the way I look...I just wish I could lose weight

7) What do you do to make yourself feel pretty/handsome?

  I fix my face and my hair....most every day.  Saturday would be the one day I don't always wear makeup, and hair styling is minimal.

8) What are you most attracted to in the opposite sex?

  The eyes have it.  I notice eyes always, and not just in men.  I also appreciate strong arms, good humor, politeness, compassion, ability to show and share emotion even when it involves tears, understanding, patience.

9) Have you ever avoided situations because you didn't want people to see your body shape?

  oh yeah.  can't actually think of an example, but I know I have. 

10) How do you feel about your overall appearance?

self conscious.  I have been and probably always will be very self conscious about the way I look and the things I do and create....even when my weight was not a problem, I had very low self esteem, very poor confidence in myself, and always felt like the odd man out, and was often the "wallflower" at social events.  Didn't like the term at the time, but in retrospect, it was pretty accurate.

I Wanna Talk About ME

1. Are you married? If so, how long?

Yes, marrired 19 years this past June, and currently planning our 20th anniversary trip/celebration

2. In your current (or last) relationship, who used the L word first?

it was probably my husband, just because I would have been too chicken and afraid of it not being reciprocated to say it first

3. What is your ultimate romantic date?

dinner, movie, a walk in the moonlight near water (ocean, river, whatever), conversation in front of a fireplace....

4. Weddings: traditional or elope to Vegas?

traditional

5. For the married/engaged ladies: did you have a say in your engagement or wedding ring?

yep...our first set of rings were "just until" rings (ie we were broke)....so when we did get the real deal, we picked together.

6. What first attracts you to the opposite sex?

physically--eyes; after that, humor, politeness, compassion

7. Do you believe in living with someone before marrying them? What about pre-martial sex?
no and no....hard lessons to learn and teach....but I don't believe in either, regardless of the poor decisions I may have made in the past.

8. What do you get for the husband who has everything???
gift cards to a favorite store or restaurant, something unique, a collectible item, a book he hasn't read

Sunday Stealing (still trying to catch up)

1. At what time of your life were you happiest and why?

there isn't just *one* time....
~the day I graduated high school
~my wedding day
~each of my children's birth days
~the day I picked up my college diploma....

2. Where and when did you meet the love of your life?

I met my husband of 19 years at vocational school.....that was in February of 1991, the week before Valentine's day. He even got me a gift. How sweet was that?  What's funny is I thought he was interested in the girl that sat behind me....until the end of the day and he had written me a note.  (We were both just out of high school the year before...notes were still a common form of communication.)

3. Favourite item of clothing ever or most treasured possession?

I have more than one treasured possession....nothing too materialistic, I don't think, but not just one thing...I don't really have a favorite piece of clothing; tshirt, shorts, flip flops and I'm good :-) although I have kept certain pieces of clothing and blankets of my children's (ie what they each wore home from the hospital, blankets that were made for them...stuff like that)
~scriptures
~journal
~jewelry (my wedding rings, my husband's wedding band-which I wear-, my mother's ring, and my angel pin I wear each and every day)
~camera (and jump drives, CDs, etc with pictures)
~scrapbooks (and memory cards with scanned copies of my layouts)
~Kyle's figurines
~my poems I've written (most of which are now on a jump drive)

4. Must-have makeup or beauty item?

lipstick and mascara....maybe a little blush

5. What do you think is your worst vice or fault .. honestly?

hmmmm....my husband is probably more qualified to answer this, but I would say my worst vice is losing myself in other things....ie reading, writing, blogging...when I am stressed (which is much of the time), I have to be busy...I have to keep my mind occupied on something other than whatever is bothering me...and I am never lacking for things to do

6. Would you tell your friend, if you knew her husband/wife was cheating on her/him?

depends on how close I am to the friend and if I have verifiable proof....

7. What ambitions, wishes or desires, for your life, do you still hold close to your heart?

to go to the Temple, to be a better wife and mother (there is always room for improvement), to be closer to the Lord and to have a more Christ-like home

8. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

working, possibly still at the hospital I'm at now; maybe a grandmother by then (as I shudder at the thought)....with any luck completing or in pursuit of my bachelor's degree, having a customer base for my business that I just can't seem to get off the ground

9. If you had the choice of any talent with the penalty that you would lose a talent in exchange, what would you want to gain, and what would you be willing to loose?

oooo...I don't know...I don't think there is any talent that I want that I would be willing to give up one I have.  There are things I'd like to be able to do....play the piano, dance better...but at the price of giving up something I already do...I don't think so. 

10. Name three things that you do want completed in your life before retiring?

before retiring?  um....get my bachelor's degree, pay off all bills, send my children on missions

11. Of all of the people out there who would have been your fantasy date? Date, not romance...

????I don't think about stuff like that...I am perfectly happy dating my husband...

12. Google put another spell on you, you have just changed genders for 48 hours... what are you going to do with your 2 days?

wait it out until I change back...lol...I have no desire to be the opposite gender, thank you very much!

13. If you owned your own island, and got to make it your own country, what would you call it? And why?

i don't know...something whimsical, beautiful....because there is enough "real" stuff already....I'd want my island to be a place of hope and peace, of beauty and kindess...I'd want it to be a place people come to to get away from the "real" stuff, be it for vacation or permanently

14. If you rubbed the lamp and got 3 wishes, what would they be?

~money
~health
~insight/knowledge

15. What is your earliest memory of puberty?

feeling a little bit lost, unsure and learning boys are only interested in 1 thing

16. If you got banished to your Island alone and could only bring 5 things, what would they be?

1.  Scriptures
2.  Journal
3.  Laptop
4.  Camera
5.  All scrapbooks and pictures

Saturday 9

1. When was the last time you cried?

I cry very very easily....never takes much (a song, a movie, a poem, a conversation)...but I think the last time was Sunday, maybe?  Not today though....  :-[)

2. If you could wake up tomorrow with a new talent, what would it be?

hmmmmm....I don't know.  I might like to be able to play the piano.  That might be helpful...at least on Sunday when a pianist is needed....lol.

3. Who is someone (other than yourself) would you like to go back into your past and talk to and why?

wow....I'm not sure....maybe my grandfather that I didn't get to know.  He died when I was a toddler....4, I think, but I've been told that I was his favorite grandchild.  I'd like to get to know him, personally, at an age that I can remember him.  All I have are pictures and stories.

4. What is your favorite meal eating out?

depends on where we go.....I tend to order salmon when we go to steakhouses or similar restaurants.  At Mexican restaurants, I tend to get either quesadillas or some sort of burrito.

5. Do you feel energized or drained by being in a group situation? If the answer is "it depends," on what does it depend?

drained.....depending on the purpose of the group...it takes effort to lead or follow in a meeting setting, it takes attention to "mingle" in a social setting....

6. What word do you use far too frequently?

"really?"  as in "he said that, really?"  or in response to a statement to indicate disbelief.  I also say "I know, right" alot and "ya think?"

7. What’s a word you’ve invented? (alternate question: What needs a word but doesn’t have one yet?)

it's on the tip of my tongue...it's one my husband makes fun of me for...and now for the life of me, I can't think of it!

8. Pick out one of your favorite songs. Go to Song Facts and tell us about the song's history.

"Concrete Angel" by Martina McBride

from SongFacts:  This sad song is about a little girl who is abused by her mother. In the video, she goes to school with the same dress she wore the day before and tries to hide her bruises, but the teacher sees them anyway, but doesn't ask. The girl seems to befriend this little boy who lives next door and they become friends. But one night, the little boy looks into the window of the little girl's house and sees her mom beating on the girl. Eventually, the girl dies and goes to "A place where she's loved."

9. What is your absolute favorite piece of furniture you have and why?

oh geez....it used to be an oversized chair we had.  It was wide, soft and very versatile. When my now 14 yo son was a baby, I would sit in this chair when he woke up at night for a bottle.  It was spaced just so I my arms were supported to hold him, rest the bottle on my chest, and doze while he ate.  I could lay him on my shoulder and lay my head back...we slept like that often (he was kind of colicy as a baby).  I could bounce while seated too.  Once that phase was over, it was a great chair for sitting in to do pretty much anything....I could cross my legs indian style to sit and work on stuff, there was room on the sides of me to tuck stuff, the arms had a wooden trim that held cups (or bottles).  It was awesome.  It finally saw it's day and had to be retired....I have another oversized chair that allows much of the same room, though not the bounce (which is no longer needed).

Random Dozen Tuesday

9/27/10

1. Do you believe, somewhere deep inside, that blondes do indeed have more fun? That they are "dumber" than brunettes or redheads? Be honest!

no...I don't believe hair color has anything to do with how much fun one has or how smart a person is; even though I color my hair blonde most of the time (sometimes red).. I have no more fun than the next person nor am I as dumb or naive or clueless as some might like to think.

2. Which animal would you most like to observe in its wild habitat?

my favorite animal is the dolphin...I have seen them in the wild...it is very very cool.  Many years ago we went to Galveston Island for vacation....there is a lookout area there called Seawolf Park.........we could hear the dolphins out in the water with the boats.  We also went on a dolphin cruise another year...it was so incredibly amazing!!!

3. This week the U.N. announced that Dr. Mazlan Othman has been appointed the official "Alien Ambassador," should any extraterrestrials contact us. Have you, or has anyone you know, ever seen a UFO?

um....no

4. Name your favorite Hitchcock film.

I haven't ever really watched Hitchcock....Birds is the one I am most familiar with

5. Would you rather spend time at the library, the mall, a craft store or home?

I'm a self professed homebody....I like going to the library to check out books but not really to spend a lot of time there; I could do some damage in a craft store and enjoy going to scrapbook crops on occasion, but again, not really into spending alot of time there;  I like being at home.

6. Which Disney princess is your favorite? (Or Disney character, if you are a guy)

I'll have to think about this one.....

7. What kind of art is your favorite?

I'm more of a crafty person....but I appreciate the talents of all kinds of artists....painters, photographers, etc. I especially like paintings, photos etc that tell a story, or convey a message or meaning.  I don't get much from abstract art....appreciate the talent, but just don't get much out of it.

8. How do you feel about viral videos, that is, videos made by amateurs that end up on Youtube receiving thousands of hits?

one hit wonders?  i don't know...I don't typically get into all the hype that comes from those kinds of things...

9. Where do you buy your jeans?

walmart, generally

10. Tell me about your first automobile accident.

the first I was in?....that would have been the time my husband changed lanes to pass the truck in front of us, but the truck was turning left.  We ended up in the corner of the field at the intersection, busted hubcap, and flat tire.  But no one was hurt...and my father in law came along shortly after and helped change the tire. 

11. Have you ever been honest when you knew you would benefit more if you would be dishonest?

yes...I try to always be honest.  And I believe that even when it hurts, it is better to be honest at the get go...than to lie and then come clean.  Mostly because 1--whatever it is that is being lied about WILL come out...lying only lasts so long, and one can only hide for so long.  And 2--lying destroys relationships; trust is a very very fragile thing..and very very hard to build back up once it's been lost.

12. If you were appointed "Ambassador to Aliens," what would you show and tell first about life on Earth? What would be the most difficult thing to explain?

I would probably show our beautiful world first....the variety, the colors, the seasons.  The most difficult thing to explain would be the people....so many different cultures, personalities, differences. 

9/21/10

1. Have you, or has someone close to you, ever won an award for anything?

besides my blog award the other day?.....I won awards in high school at UIL competitions and I was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa in college and I graduated from college with High Honors (meaning I had a 3.5 GPA).  Those are awards to me....and I worked damn hard for them, too!

2. Who is the nearest relative to you who has served in the US Military?

my dad...he was a medic for many years until he injured his ankle; then he changed fields and took pictures for the Pentagon

3. Share something that stirs the patriotic spirit in you.

Lee Greenwood singing God Bless the USA....but just seeing an American flag flying when it's not a "patriotic" holiday.

4. Where are you in the birth order in your family? Do you think your "placement" made a difference in your personality?
I am the oldest of 3....and yes, maybe.  It probably made me bossy, as I was left in charge alot.  I don't know what else birth order is supposed to influence...I've read that oldest children are leaders...I don't feel that I am and certainly was not when I was younger; I've read that oldest siblings are more outgoing...that is so not true for me.  I have never been outgoing...I am friendly, and while I will now initiate conversations with people I don't know  ...I most definitely did not do that when I was younger. 

5. Name one trait you hope you carry that was evidenced in your parents or grandparents.

longevity...my grandparents lived long lives!  I hope to do the same, preferably with lots of family around.

6. If female, do you prefer wearing a skirt or pants? If male, shirt and tie or polo?
oh pants definitely!  I wear dresses or skirts, but not often.  Actually, I prefer shorts, truth be told.

7. Approximately how many times do you wake during the night? What do you do to go back to sleep?

I couldn't keep count of that if I tried...I don't sleep well anyway, and I sleep lightly also, especially if my husband isn't there with me (which thankfully is not an issue)...I change position alot (aka I toss and turn), I might go to the bathroom, get a drink...if I truly can't get to sleep or get back to sleep, I get up....mess around on the computer, read,

8. Share a favorite movie quote.

I have two....

"1600 where?"  from Murder at 1600
"Say that again..." from Independence Day


9. What is your favorite Fall candle scent?

Pumpkin Spice....

10. What is one Fall activity you're looking forward to?

chili cook off at church!

11. Tell us about a pleasant surprise that happened to you recently.

a pleasant surprise...hmmm.....not sure I have one....there has been a recent surprise (ok not really a surprise) but it is definitely not pleasant, nor will it end pleasantly for all parties involved

12. What was it like when you first met your in-laws-to-be?
it was fine I'm sure....I don't really remember...it was 19+ years ago!

Friday Catch Up--Five ? Friday

1. What is the first nightmare you remember?
I'm not sure of what the first nightmare I remember...but I do have one that I won't ever forget.   My youngest son is a surviving twin...and obviously we went to see him every day that we were able.  On the days we were unable to see him (due to other admissions, etc)...those were very very long and stressful days.  Thankfully there were only a couple that that happened.  My nightmare on one of the nights that we couldn't see him was that I saw two headstones at the cemetary.  It was awful...I woke crying and shaking...and called the NICU immediately to check on him. 


2. Even if you're not a sports fan, what's your favorite sport to play/watch?
hockey.  I am so definitely NOT a sports fan (though I do know quite a bit more than I might otherwise due to my husband and my son's sports fanaticism!)...but hockey is my sport of choice to watch, but only in real life.  I also like to watch basketball and baseball.


3. If you could pull off one piece of trendy fashion, what would you want it to be (jeggings, hats, thigh high boots, etc.)?
leggings.....not sure why


4. Did you make good grades in school?
I did...not honor roll or anything, but I did well.


5. What magazines do you subscribe to?
none anymore....used to be scrapbook magazines, but now I just buy them as I am able.

Catch Up Time--Rock and Roll Friday

Thirteen questions asked each and every Friday. But the "twist" is that each week it is a selected singer, band, era or category and thirteen of their lyrics. Each of the questions will be based on the lyrics. Got it? Great! Let's begin this week's meme!

This week is Duran Duran.

(For the record...Duran Duran was among my faves back in high school!)

1. WILD BOYS:

“You got sirens for a welcome, there’s bloodstain for your pain and your telephone been ringin while you’re dancing in the rain”

If you have been in a car accident, what happened?

I've been in two, if you can call the 2nd one an "accident" (it was more of a fender bump--but has a good story).

The first was my husband, myself and our then two children...we were driving to my inlaws house in the country. My husband signaled to change lanes to pass the truck in front of us, and the truck turned left. To avoid hitting them, we veered way way left and ended up going off the road into the corner of the field near the intersection. It was quite scary.....I was in the backseat (my now 14 yo son wasn't even 2 years old yet)...and I remember putting one hand on him and one in the front seat on my daughter. Not that it would have avoided any potential injury...but it was a reflex. The damage--hubcap popped off and busted up one of our tires. Ironically, my fil was coming home from somewhere just moments later, and while he did not see what happened...he was able to help change the tire.

The second was my fault....I was on my way home for lunch from school (I was in between classes at college), and had just passed a light at the top of a hill..it was green, so I was going the speed limit. At the bottom of the hill is another light, and it was red. I started slowing down, but not quite in time...I stopped, but the car kind of "stuttered"(?)..not sure how to describe it. But I bumped the car in front of me. He got out of the lane he was in...I honestly thought he was leaving, going to where-ever he was going...so I drove on...(I know, not my brightest moment).  Imagine my heart racing when a few  moments late I saw the same car behind me.....with lights flashing.  You guessed it....I bumped A COP.  I got pulled over, got a ticket for no insurance, which was later reversed because I did have insurance on another car (in Texas, the driver is insured, not the car).....needless to say, I was so flustered and emotional, I did not go to class that afternoon. 

2. UNION OF THE SNAKE:

“There’s a fine line drawing my senses together and I think it’s about to break. If I listen close I can hear them singers, oh oh oh! Voices in your body coming thru on the radio, ho ho.”

Do you believe people hear voices or have guardian angels?

I do.  Absolutely.  I believe that the spirits of Heaven ~the angels~ communicate with us in this life.  There is no reason to expect that they would not, and as long as we are open to their whisperings, we can be enriched, guided and comforted in this lifeand

3. SAVE A PRAYER:

“You saw me standing by the wall, corner of a main street and the lights were flashin on your windowsill. All alone ain’t much fun, so you’re lookin for the thrill and you know just what it takes and where to go."

Where is a happening place for you to go?

I am a working, married mom ...I have no "happening" place to go....lol

 

4. RIO:

"I’ve seen you on the beach and I’ve seen you on TV two of a billion stars, it means so much to me, like a birthday or a pretty view but then I’m sure you know it’s just for you”.

Who do you admire based solely on their appearance?

I don't admire ANYONE based solely on appearance...there are plenty of people who look good on the outside, but their personalities make them very very less than stellar.

5. THE REFLEX:

“You gone too far this time, but I’m dancing on the valentine. I tell you somebody’s fooling around with my chances on the dangerline. I’ll cross that bridge when I find it another day to make my stand".

What is the worst thing a lover has done that you forgave them for?

um...gonna pass on this one...sorry

6. ORDINARY WORLD:

“Well now pride’s gone out the window cross the rooftops, run away, left me in the vacuum of my heart. What is happening to me? Crazy, some’d say, 'Where is my friend when I needed you most?' Gone away.”

Do you still keep in touch with your best friend from high school/university?

I do now....we lost touch after high school, got back after our 10 year reunion, and have reconnected again with FB...FB is awesome! (well, most of the time...sometimes the 'reconnections' aren't so positive)

7. NEW MOON ON MONDAY:

“Last time la luna. I light my torch and wave it for the New moon on Monday and a firedance through the night. I stayed the cold day with a lonely satellite.”

Does the full moon make you act crazy?

hmmmm....not any crazier than normal....hahaha

8. KHANADA:

“Don't play with me, I've nothing to lose Khanada I'll get by. It ain't no ones day, coming so soon Khanada I'll get by. I dont believe in dragons or blues Khanada I'll get by. I don't believe in nobody's rules Khanada I'll get by”

Do you believe in dragons or blues?

I'm guessing this is metaphorical, but I'm really not sure I know what it means

9. HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF:

“In touch with the ground. I'm on the hunt, I'm after you. Smell like I sound, I'm lost in a crowd and I'm hungry like the wolf”

What do you smell like right now?

yeah...cuz I smell myself?  I don't know....I just ate a fudgsicle, it's the end of the day...I'm sure I don't "stink"...but it's not fresh like first thing in the morning either!

10. HOLD BACK THE RAIN:

“Okay go off and wander. I'm guilty just the same. Sometimes you're needed badly, so please come back again”

What are you recently guilty about?

I try really hard not to do things to be guilty about....so I really don't know.  If you'd asked me several months ago, my answer might be different (not that I would share it, but it'd be different.)  I feel guilty about not getting things done that need to be done, about feeling like I don't accomplish much.

11. GIRLS ON FILM:

“There's a camera rolling on her back on her back and I sense the rhythms humming in a frenzy all the way down her spine”

If offered 1 Million dollars, would you pose nude or appear in a porn film?

ABSOLUTELY.....NOT!!!!

12. ELECTRIC BARBARELLA:

“People say they heard about our deviation. But you never looked so good. Wear the fake fur for me and put on your mystery”

Have you ever worn real fur or would you if it were a gift?

HAVE I ever....not that I am aware of.  WOULD I....highly unlikely....I don't wear fake fur...too bulky, itchy....so real fur, aside from cost, is just not me

13. COME UNDONE:

“Mine, immaculate dream, made breath and skin, I've been waiting for you, Signed, with a home tattoo, Happy birthday to you was created for you”

Do you have a tattoo and if so, please describe it.

no tats....only ever had the fake press on kind as a child from the cracker jacks box!  I've seen many I like the design of....but would not ever get them

If you don’t, describe what you would get if you changed your mind about it.

I won't change my mind....but if my values were different.....a dolphin splashing in the water.....my son's name in a  heart or some other symbol to represent the place he holds in my heart....a sunset...

Friday Catch Up--Fill in the Blank Friday

1.   When I get a day to myself I like to "Piddle" as my  husband calls it.  I have a project list that will keep me busy till the day I am no longer on this Earth.  It ranges from scanning scrapbook pages of previously completed books to reading the Book of Mormon to catching up my blog.  I just "do" things...whatever strikes me at the moment.

2.  High school was....challenging, fun, hard, emotional, growing.  I went from a very very shy afraid to talk to anyone girl to a still shy but well known and well liked young woman.   

3.  A little dream I have is...to be caught up with my blog...maybe that is bigger than I think!  

4.  A big dream I have is....to go to the Temple....soon. 

5.  If I could drive any car, my pick would be....a Chevy Tahoe.  That is my dream car.  May or may not happen...but a girl can dream. (Of course, with gas prices what they have been, this is probably not a practical goal.) 

6.  A time that I felt really and truly beautiful was....my wedding day.  I was happy, I was with the man I love with all my being, I was surrounded by family and friends, he gazed at me like I was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.   (He still does, too.)

7.  Tomorrow I will....spend the day taking care of my husband following a procedure he is having and working from home.

Thursday Catch Up

  Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back and sign Mr. McLinky. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!

The Prompts:

1.) I recently participated in a LIVE chat about couponing in the Frugal Living community on BlogFrog and I had no IDEA this community of savers existed. Describe a time when you saved BIG.


2.) Over at SITS we’re hosting a week long Back2Blogging event that will end with someone taking home a brand new washer and dryer from Electrolux. Since September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Electrolux is working to promote awareness and early detection, I’ll be writing about a survivor or supporter that inspires me at SITS on Thursday. That was a long way of saying, Describe a woman who inspired YOU.

3.) Write about what blogging means to you. Why do you blog? What purpose does it serve you and how have you benefited from sharing a piece of yourself online this way?


4.) Why did you do it? Write about a time you chose to break a rule.


5.) Describe an awkward conversation you had with someone recently.


I know I am behind, but I really, really wanted to do this one when I read about it the other day.....so late or not, here ya go:

As you can see by by the bold above, I chose #3.

I love to meet people.  I love to help people.  Blogging is to me a way to share a small (or large) piece of myself with people I might not otherwise meet and hopefully in some way help or support them, even if it is just by being a "friend", a follower, a "stalker".  My original blog started as a way to share the events of my families life with our friends and family who live afar...it was an extension of a family newsletter that I just could never seem to get completed or distributed.  And the blog is more current.  In the last few months, it has become that and so much more.  I discovered meme's, and I was hooked.  I love those things....it enables me to share parts of me I might not otherwise be able to...and I can "meet" people, learn from people, learn new things, new insights.  It's is awesome!I blog for the reasons listed above, plus I love to write.  My blog is an extension of my journal.  I can share events and to some extent my thoughts and feelings.The purpose it serves is it's another outlet for me, it's my downtime, my "me" time....and it also gives me a place to research crafts, recipes, church topics from a real life perspective, and it has allowed me to explore new ways to express myself.  I love finding blogs of people who have had similar experiences as me....it is a way to share and connect.  The benefits of sharing myself... I meet people, I learn from people, and if in some small way I can help someone else do or learn how to cope with the challenges they face...then it is all worth it.  And I have fun.

Thursday Thunks

http://thursdaythunks.blogspot.com/

10. What number blog post is this for you?

I don't know...I will tell you when it posts...lol
(just looked...it is # 263)

9. You are driving down a road and your GPS says turn right, but the road has a Dead End sign. You check your GPS and according to it's map, there is a road at the end of the Dead End road that you need to turn onto. Do you follow the GPS?

If it's a road I have NEVER been on or around....NO...it will recalculate and figure out another way to get me whereever it is I am going.  If I have been in the area, and have some confidence that there really is a road...maybe.

8. If you had a $2 bill, would you spend it?

We used to get those often as a child for Christmas....and yes, we spent them

7. When there is nobody else around and you sneeze or cough, do you cover your mouth?

usually...it's force of habit

6. You are a DJ at a radio station and your first guest is Bud... what is the first question you are going to ask him?

what is your real name?

5. Have you ever stopped to help a stranger with a flat tire?

I have not.....and I would not if I am by myself.  My husband and I did stop once to offer help to a woman and her child..it was hot, the baby was crying...but she already had help on the way.

4. You get on an airplane and you find that your seat neighbor is Kimber... what do you talk about or do you ignore her completely?

probably our children or where we're going...

3. Have you ever rode an elephant?
I did once...I was in junior high and the Karem Shrine Circus had an elephant ride...

2. Time to b_____ & moan! What is your biggest complaint about your current friends on Facebook?

I would like for more of my friends and family to post statuses and pictures....much of my friends and family live in Texas (where I am from) and we don't get to go home much...I enjoy keeping up with the happenings in their lives and seeing their children as they grow up....

1. School is back in session for all little girls and boys now. What, in your life, changes when kids go back to school?

more structure, regular bedtimes, more stress in trying to get the school to do what they are supposed to do for my son, homework battles,  traffic picks up in the morning...

Wee Bit of me Wednesday

{one} have you ever won a trophy? if yes, for what?

if I did, it was as a child, and I sure don't remember.

{two} what was your favorite subject in school?

Art....I love all things creative and crafty

{three} what time do you get up in the morning?

5am..I try to get up a little earlier, but doesn't usually happen

{four} if you could open your own business, what would it be?

probably a ceramic store...I currently have a fledgling business creating custom scrapbooks and other unique gifts and crochet gift items (by fledgling, I mean infancy stage... my blog for it is hookandscrap.blogspot.com , but it is a work in progress)...but I have absolutely NO desire to own a scrapbook or yarn store...I want to create.  A ceramic store would allow me to create and then sell the pieces at various stages of completion (unlike some of the ceramic stores that are out there now that sell the pieces already fired, and all you do is paint them--which is great, but I like the process from start to finish)

{five} if you could spend the evening with one rock star/band, who would it be?

oh I have absolutely no idea....and really no interest...

{six} what sitcom character reminds you of you?

i don't watch too many sitcoms....I'm more of a drama person, preferably legal and/or medical shows

{seven} what are the 3 most important things to you?

1.  Faith
2.  Family
3.  Internal Peace

{eight} chips or popcorn?

chips...I like popcorn, but hate when the kernels get stuck in my teeth  (esp in public...it is so not attractive to be picking food out of your teeth!)

 

{nine} have you ever ordered anything from an infomercial?

no....I have purchased items that have been on infomercials...but I bought them at a store "as seen on tv"....

 

{ten} what is one thing that you are grateful for today?
that my child support payment posted so I can pay a bill that was due on the 1st!

Wednesday Wickedness

1. “A girl can wait for the right man to come along but in the meantime that still doesn't mean she can't have a wonderful time with all the wrong ones.”

Have you ever had a relationship that you knew was wrong, but had fun anyway?

no...I didn't realize any of my past relationships were "wrong" either until I was already involved or they were over..but I never went into one knowing it was wrong to start with

2. “Hate crimes are the scariest thing in the world because these people really believe what they're doing is right.”

What group of people committing hate crimes in your country scares you the most and why?

any....because someone can hate you simply for the color of your skin, for where you happen to work, , for where you go to church...for any "inferior" trait or any trait that makes them insecure.  Or one can simply be in the company of another that is the target.....but probably the ones that scare me the absolute most are the seemingly random ones, the ones that don't really have a target, but have a motive or a type of crime (ie fires or burglaries in a certain part of town)

3. “Husbands are like fires - they go out when they're left unattended.”

How much effort do you feel a good relationship requires?”

ALL that you can give....if you and your spouse are not 100% committed to the relationship, it will falter.  There will be times when one or the other can't be 100% or choose not to be....but when they refuse to try to be...there is a problem.  I often recommit myself to be a better wife (as well as better mother, a better friend...a better person)--because even if there are times when I am the only one giving 100% ....I will.  I can only change me....and hope it has the effect I desire.

4. “I won't be able to do what I'm doing forever. There aren't that many scripts floating around for fifty-year-old chicks.”

Why are there roles for men till they get very old, yet very few roles are written for older women?

who knows?   haven't really given it much thought

5. “I've always taken risks, and never worried what the world might really think of me.”

Does what other people think effect what you do?

sometimes....ok, alot of the time...but I am really trying to not let that happen, to be my own person, to not let others control what I do and say...to stand up for myself

6. “If you really want something you can figure out how to make it happen.”

Do you agree with Cher?
ABSOLUTELY!!!

7. “To me marriage is for five or ten years.”

In your experience, can a marriage last forever?

I don't have the "experience" to answer this question....I'm still on Earth, so forever has not occurred yet...however, I do believe that when couples are married by the proper authority, they can and will be forever, they will be for eternity...and surpass the mortality of this Earthly life

8. “Until you're ready to look foolish, you'll never have the possibility of being great.”

When was the last that you felt foolish?

it wasn't really that long ago...but I am not going to share what happened here....sorry

9. “Words are like weapons; they wound sometimes.”

What types of things have people said have really hurt you?

it is related to number 8.....so again, not sharing here

10. “It's not necessary, in order to be a complete person, that I have a man. It's not the end-all, be-all of my life.”

Do you need to be in relationship to feel whole?
I think so....we were not intended to traverse this life alone--we are intended to marry and enjoy this life with eternal partners...and I believe that the only way to progress to the highest kingdoms in Heaven is through marriage...whether that marriage occurs in this life or the next, we will all be married.