I waited until #10 to mention the margaritas

{one} what was one thing that you valued when you were a kid?
Spending time with my grandparents when they were still young enough to have fun with me

{two} what was your favorite (+ lease favorite) subject in school?
Loved English - detested Math

{three} do you remember your first love?
He was the neighbors much older son..he played piano, sang, and came to church with us in the summer. Loved him until I saw him throw-up on the lawn from drinking too much.

{four} what one pet would you love to have?
I got it... a Golden Retriever :)

{five} would you rather live in the country or in the city?
The country as long as I didn't have to commute to work or shovel shit

{six} what do you love about blogging?
Sometimes I'm not so in love with blogging anymore.. this is a tough one.

{seven} what is the first website you visit everyday?
Hotmail

{eight} will you or have you joined google+?
No idea, I feel overwhelmed by social networking right now

{nine} what is your favorite scent of candle/air freshener?
I'm a big fan of Scentsy so I can't pick just one.... Luscious Lemon is popular right now.

{ten} how would you describe your style?
Scattered suburban rink mom with a love of jeans, flip-flops, coffee and margaritas. You'll never pick me out in a crowd ~ I look and dress like a lot of other moms.

The Slide

{one} what’s the #1 most played song on your iPod (or whatever you use)?

F**K You - Cee Lo Green (I like to do some of the sign language while I drive)

{two} what’s your favorite type of exercise?

Yoga & Pilates Group classes - unless you count 12 (or 25) ounce curls

{three} what’s your least favorite mode of transportation?

Motorcycles

{four} if you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what would it be?

39 or 40 was fine - 41 hasn't been the best so far.

{five} when you have 30 minutes of free time, what do you use it to do?

READ!

{six} what do you miss the most about being a kid?

Playing outside in the sun without worrying about sunburn,

skin cancer and what I should be doing.

{seven} when was the last time you were nervous?

10 minutes ago. See Question #4 ~ not the best couple of months

{eight} what was the first thing you bought

with your own money when you were young?

Probably penny candy or flavored lip smackers

{nine} what is your favorite month of the year?

September or October - Fall is my favorite season

{ten} what are 3 songs from the soundtrack of your life?

Nineteen Somethin' by Mark Wills ~ F**kin' Perfect by Pink ~ F**K You by Cee Lo Green

Summertime by Kenny Chesney ~ Believe by Staind ~ You're Still the One by Shania Twain

You didn't think I could stick to 3 did you - my life is so much bigger than 3 songs.

Please excuse the utter lack of quality material, heck material at all here lately. There is a time to blog, and sadly this is not the time. Soon.

To expect too much is to have a sentimental view of life and this is a softness that ends in bitterness. ~Flannery O'Connor

A Wee Bit With A Sale!

{one} what color best describes you + why?

My favorite color (dspite it not being a color I look good in) is yellow - and It hink it does a good job of describing my sunny disposition, and my love of the sun & brightness.

{two} how have you changed in the past year?

In the last year I have been lucky enough to find myself in a friendship with several people who are some of the best people I have ever met.

{three} have you ever had any surgeries?

Just some wisdom teeth.

{four} why did you start your blog?

I thought it would be a nice way to (1) connect with people (2) show-off my knitting and (3) jump start my love of writing

{five} what are you looking forward to this summer?

A chance to relax in the sun - LOVE the longer days - and fresh vegetables!

{six} do you have any family traditions for the 4th of July?

For almost 15 years we've been going to the cabin & seeing just how much trouble we can get into there.

{seven} what’s something new that you’ve tried in the past few months?

I suppose a new brand of beer isn't what this question is asking about...

To offset the beer I've started going to a structured group exercise class at my gym

{eight} what is the perfect a/c temperature?

Depends if I'm in the office or at home... Generally I like the air to be dry - so if it's 75 & dry super - if it's 75 and humid I've got some changes to make.

{nine} what was the last movie you saw in the theater?

Either RISE or Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

{ten} what song do you think everyone should hear at least once?

Garth Brooks We Shall Be Free - LOVE it, love the meaning, love the message

The originator of this fine Wednesday tradition happens to also be a purveyor of some pretty cool jewlwery on Etsy. Her shoppe is called Barberry & Lace, I have ordered a few pieces from her & I LOVE THEM! And she's having a sale! Until Friday, June 17th, enter code “LOVELY614” to receive 25% OFF EVERYTHING!

You may want to rush because I have just received a birthday check that is burning a hole in my pocket!

Can you REALLY be a Matron at 29?

I'm Alive & Kicking! But priorities being what they are the blog is suffering because the people come first.

{one} how many times have you been a bridesmaid/maid of honor?

Just once - and I was the Matron of Honor - I HATE the word Matron

{two} what’s the last thing your do before you fall asleep at night?

I wish everyone goodnight and then I demand to be cuddled

{three} you just won your dream vacation, all expenses paid. where are you going?

Europe.... or Hawaii.... depends upon the time of year and how much time I can get off from work!

{four} what is your favorite outdoor activity?

Relaxing in the sun with a good book by the water

{five} as a child, what did you want to “be when you grew up”? did you end up there?

A teacher, a beautician, a fashion designer, a stylist, a novelist..... only 1 of those is still in play & I'm working on it

{six} what are 3 things your dream home would have that you don’t currently have?

ALL hardwood floors, a bigger shower in the master bathroom, more light!

{seven} what’s for dinner tonight?

Probably leftover pizza from last night if Gameboy didn't beat me to it.

{eight} if someone stopped by your house unannounced on a typical Saturday night, what would they find you doing?

I probably wouldn't be home so they'd have to track me down at a local watering hole.

{nine} what’s your average monthly water bill?

My water bill comes with other stuff tacked on but it's about $25/mo. Higher in the summer from watering the grass & gardens.

{ten} what do you do to relax?

Read, see friends, have a happy hour, sit in the sun, take a bath, have my toes done....

Was This Super Predictable?

This weeks Wee Bit questions come from July of 2010. Because I haven't been doing this that long I can't revisit my answers from before... but I wonder how many of these were very predictable for you? Other than putting my real name & address on this here blog I feel like my personality and character come through.... am I wrong?

{one} do you believe in ghosts?

I do. Sometimes I wish I didn't because being a believer allows my mind to really get carried away sometime.

{two} are you more of a talker or more of a listener?

Depends on the situation. I try to balance myself and make sure that I am truly listening, not just hearing.

{three} would you rather get up early or sleep late?

I wish I was an easy early riser. Unfortunately I would rather sleep later than I do just about every day.

{four} if you could instantly become an expert at one type of dance, what type would you choose?

Ballroom - no aerobic/jazzercise/zumba. I've always wanted to be able to ballroom dance, but since Mr. M was born with 2 left feet as well being good at it isn't a great help if he can't dance with me. So, I'll take the other thing I'd like to be good at but am so bad I cause accidents.

{five} what's your favorite drink?

Margaritas or diet Sprite/Sierra Mist

{six} if your house caught fire and you could only grab three things, what would they be?

Assuming someone else is gathering my family & pets? I'd take my work bag, my purse, and the photo album box.

{seven} if you could only visit one restaurant for the next five years, which would it be?

Does this mean I can only go to 1 Happy Hour location? Or is this 100% food centered?

I've decided this is just for dining & all happy hour locations (and fast food staples) remain unscathed!

Murray's in Minneapolis - fantastic food - unmatched service

{eight} who inspires you the most?

My children inspire me to be a better person so I'm a better example for them.

{nine} if you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be?

Since I'm not too terribly impressed with celebrities in general this is super hard...

Sandra Bullock, Kevin Garnett, Keith Urban

{ten} sneakers or sandals?

Sandals as often as I can

I try to avoid carp at all costs now

{one} what’s the worst date you’ve ever been on?

Carp kisser – enough said

{two} if you could be any other person for one day, who would it be?

I don’t really mind being me.

If I have to choose I think I’d like to be someone I know s

o I could see how I look to others;

make sure I’m nice, authentic, caring ~ the person I want to be.

{three} what is your favorite kind of cheese?

Gorgonzola… maybe Fontina

{four} do you remember your 1st grade teacher?

Not really. In 2nd grade my teacher was Mrs. Jensen

{five} who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?

I don’t typically call people when I’m having a bad day,

but I do email or text one of my bff’s or Mr. M.

{six} were you ever in a school talent show?

Not hardly,

my talents tend to lie in areas that are not appreciated by school staff.

{seven} who is your favorite fictional character?

Herimone Granger

{eight} can you open your eyes underwater?

Yes but I try to avoid it

{nine} do you look at the keyboard when you type?

Nope

{ten} when was the last time you took a nap?

Almost every night before bed ~ including last night.

Wee Little Popcorn Hulls Are Still Vegetables

{one} what profession have you always admired?I'm tempted to say Public Service - fire, police, rescue.. you get the picture. But sometimes I think I admire their spouses & families more.
{two} what would the title of your memoir/biography be if it was written today? Dealing with The Rough Patches
{three} how far do you commute to work?between 10 - 12 miles... depends on the route
{four} are your earlobes attached or detached?attached
{five} do you eat the unpopped kernels of popcorn at the bottom of the bag?it's still a vegetable
{six} what is the strangest gift you’ve ever received?Isotoner glove & umbrella set circa 1978 - in 2002
{seven} what is one tv show that you wish hadn’t been cancelled?Just one?!?! Pushing Daisy'sI'd say Ally McBeal, Friends, Sex & the City - but those weren't Cancelled
{eight} what is something that you are saving money for right now?A vacation!
{nine} what hobby would you like to take up?I think we know that I have enough hobbies that I don't already participate in
{ten} how many times a year do you get really dressed up?3 or 4 - banquets and a few charity events

More than a wee bit of Snickerdoodles

It's Wednesday & that means it's time for another peek into my life. This is probably more access than you've had in the last... how many years have I been doing this anyway....




{one} how often do you do laundry?At least a couple times a week, usually Wednesday evening, Saturday and Sunday.
{two} what is your favorite type of cookie?Snickerdoodle!
{three} what would you do with an extra $2000 per month?Personal trainer, house cleaner, better car.FINE! Savings - uck!
{four} what was/is your favorite subject in school?English.
{five} have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon?Yes, but it doesn't count because it was on a tether.
{six} what was your high school mascot?We didn't really have one, except for a sailor that was just...odd.
{seven} if you had the chance to go into space, would you?Nope. If I'm traveling, I'm going places that interest me & space has never been one of them.Except for when I was 7 & had a major crush on Han Solo.
{eight} how often do you go dancing?Don't really go dancing except for weddings,and the occasional chance we stumble upon dancing while out with friends.
{nine} would you rather drive or fly?Depends where I'm going & who I'm going with.
{ten} have you ever been caught re-gifting?I don't think so... but I don't really do it either - except for the 11 coffee pots of unknown origin when we got married.

Give a Little Bit

So I'm a bit of a day late and dollar short on this one, I am not opposed to accepting the truth of my failings after all; but I would like to point out that I posted twice yesterday - once on that review website and once here to let you know that I had posted on that review website. After all of that I thought it best if I just not post this on Wednesday and save it for Thursday because holy banana's (yes, they have been canonized) 3 posts in 1 day could only mean my personality had officially split and all heck had broken loose.

I just noticed a decided lack of "colorful" language in that first paragraph and it reminded me of the time I received the troll email calling me out for not swearing enough. I wish I had saved the email exchange. I assure you that although I felt the need to respond, thereby feeding the troll, what I fed him was a massive steaming pile of Shit of different varieties.

Moving on! Pretend it's Wednesday!

one} have you ever fainted?Once, I didn't like it and decided never to do it again.
{two} what is your favorite casino game?Not really a fan of gambling, so I'm choosing the buffet.
{three} do you have a good sense of direction?I have a hard time knowing where I am North-South wise but I can get just about anywhere if I've been there once
{four} laptop or desktop?Netbook at home, desktop at work
{five} what is your go-to hair style when having a bad hair day?Wash, dry, straighten, ponytail
{six} do you read the newspaper on a daily basis?Not anymore - I check a few news sites now, but really try to avoid too news.
{seven} do you have a favorite celebrity chef?Jamie Oliver... maybe Gordon Ramsey.. but I also REALLY Like Anne Burrell and Mario Batali
{eight} what tv show would you like to make a guest appearance on?The Love Boat - it's been a dream of mine to cruise with Issac the Bartender for years!
{nine} do you have satellite radio in your car?Yes! I love it! No Commercials for Me!
{ten} what was the last movie that made you cry?The Blind Side - I'm verklempt just thinking about it!
Title courtesy of the Goo Goo Dolls & Supertramp- they just don't know it. I think Supertramp might be my favorite version of it though.. if you were asking.

Just A Little

I'm starting to suspect that while I was sleeping someone broke into my brain and messed with my stuff. It's a little like the fantastic brain organization system that I put into place during my 30's is no longer working in my 40's ~ if that makes any sense.

Sadly this is not something a trip to Ikea can solve... no amount of flat packed furniture and baskets with a meatball lunch thrown in for good measure will do the trick. Fortunately that annual check-up thing I've been meaning to do since January is just around the corner so Dr. Awesome and I can discuss this along with the rest of me that decided to decline when 39 showed up (along with a little friend enemy I call hypothroidism)

What I know for sure is that if I have a writing prompt (and the time), I write. And because writing stimulates the brain thus making it stronger I will take all the prompts I can get.

Stumbled across this prompt while on a blog tour of commenters from yesterdays 10 One Hit Wonders (Waves "Hello" to Annie who you can find at Life.....It's a Work in Progress)

{one} what is one food that, as an adult you love, but as a child you said you’d never touch?

Lobster... not that I was offered any to try but I would have profusely refused to eat it as it looked suspiciously like a bug. I am opposed to bugs. As an adult I don't get to eat it nearly enough and it's bug like appearance is forgiven because it is so yummy!

{two} did you go to college? if yes, what was your major?

I did go to college, three of them in fact! I finally majored in communications, but readily admit that there were a few other majors & minors thrown in for good measure. Ironically, my very 1st major declaration was communications; I should learn to go with my gut & not second guess myself more.

{three} what’s the most wild animal you’ve seen in real life (not counting the zoo)?

Bears. The darn things crossed the road right in front of us on THEIR way to a campground in Glacier National Park. I stayed in the lodge, with heavy doors. I assumed they were bear proof.

{four} have you ever been to a fortune teller?

Does the electronic one count? If not, then the answer is most definitely no. I'm not one to spend money on something like that... I'm not a gambler.

{five} can you juggle?

I've been known to pretend to juggle with 2 things, but I drop them because I'm not very coordinated. Mr. Motorcycle loves to juggle, it drives me insane.

{six} hardwood floors or carpet?

Have now - Mostly carpet, with hardwood here & there. Had in the last house - Mostly hardwoods with a little carpet & ceramic. Want - Hardwoods, everywhere. Hands down they are far easier to care for than carpet & I have a super fancy whole house vacuum system.

{seven} is it called “soda” or “pop”?

I use soda, pop, and soda pop ~ I'm multi-lingual~

{eight} what was your first car?

1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera with spoked wheels & faux convertible top clearly it was Public Envy #1

{nine} what is the most decadent dessert you’ve ever eaten?

I love dessert so I've eaten a lot of them, as my thighs can attest, so I would guess the most decadent would be some kind of chocolate brownie overload concoction available at almost all semi-fast food restaurants. My favorite desserts however are either Snickerdoodle cookies, salted nut roll bars, rhubarb crisp or pie (almost all kinds); chocolate didn't make the list... odd.

{ten} how often do you rearrange your furniture?

I used to rearrange furniture all the time. Mr. Motorcycle would come home from work & I'd have managed to change just about every room in the house sometimes going so far as to interchanging them. But, that was in the old house where we were making due with cast-offs and very little furniture purchased new just for that house.

In the new house we have nearly finished (after 7 years) furnishing every single room. Now, instead of rearranging, I spend time trying to figure out "just the right piece" and I rarely settle for anything less than perfect. Occasionally I mess around with the placement in the formal living room... but even then it's only moving a table from 1 side of the couch to the other.

So, now you know a little bit more about me and I've been exercising... my brain.