Thursday Thunks

1. Do you tend to have a guilty conscious? Oh yeah. Sometimes I say my middle name should be guilt. I can manage to feel guilty even about things that can’t possibly be my fault. Like when a cop car drives down my street – are they coming for me? Even though I’ve done nothing wrong….

2. Do you still have your wisdom teeth? Nope, they came out just before I got braces. Impacted too, so I had to have actual surgery (in the hospital!) to have them out.

3. Peanut Butter – creamy or crunchy? Creamy, baby, all the way!

4. Get up off your butt. Take 5 steps. Which leg did you start out on? I just tried this 3 different times, and it was the left, two out of three. I’m guessing this is because of my military background (Left, Left, Left-Right-Left). But who knows.

5. What color is your favorite kitchen utensil? Do I have a favorite kitchen utensil? I guess it would be my chef’s knife, which has a black handle and a typically silver knife blade.

6. Did you watch the Michael Jackson memorial/funeral? No, I was working. It’s not quite that I wasn’t interested, but I have a strong aversion to feeding the media frenzy surrounding it all.

7. Do you know anyone who graduated from high school this year? No, not this year, but I do know several who will graduate next year.
Were you invited to their graduation party? Did you go? N/A

8. White with black stripes or black with white stripes? I believe a zebra is black with white stripes. But other than that I have no idea what you mean.

9. If we were to call your 6th grade teacher, what would they say about you? I’m sure most of my former teachers would describe me as your typical goody two shoes kid who was smart as a whip and that they expected I would do more with my life.

10. Can you draw a perfect circle? Perfect? No, but why would I need to?

11. What was your favorite scratch & sniff sticker scent? Gee, I must confess I have never given this a whiff of a thought.

12. What does your sibling do for a living? I have no living siblings. My sister worked at Burger King (she called it the BK Lounge) when she was in high school.

13. How many light switches and electrical outlets are in the room that you are in right now? And this is interesting why? One light switch and 6 electrical outlets. I think. I might have missed one behind a piece of furniture.

14. Do you know sign language? Only a few signs, like more, cat, socks, butterfly, thank you, you’re welcome.

15. Do you step on cracks in the sidewalk? Yes, if that’s the way my stride goes. I don’t go out of my way to step, or not step, on them.

16. And the sheets on your bed look like….? They are light blue (the ones on there now anyway), and are wrinkled. That’s all.

17. What is something that everyone else has, but you don’t? Patience. Time. Freedom.

Kick Start

I’ve been very neglectful of this blog of late, and it’s because I can’t quite think of things to write about. So, in order to try kick starting the creative juices, I am giving the Thursday Thunks meme a try today.

1. What is your least favorite candy bar? Hmm, it’s hard for me to think of a candy bar I don’t like. Anything malted. Do they make malted candy bars? Well, if they do, that’s my least favorite.
2. If I were to call you, what would you say? Hello? Really, that’s pretty much how I answer every call.
3. What is your favorite type of leaf? Leaf? Favorite leaf? I don’t know, birch came to mind first, but I don’t know why. Maybe because it’s a little different?
4. When was the last time you….
– had sex? I decline to answer on the grounds that it will make me seem even more pathetic than you probably already think.
– swam in a lake? About 9 years ago – the guy I was dating at the time had a family place on a lake and we were there all the time. Pools and the ocean since then, though I’m more of a dipper than a swimmer. And a kid island.
– went barefoot outside? Last week. On the deck though, not on the grass.
– ate peas? Just plain peas? No idea. Sugar snap peas I eat all the time. As in yesterday even.
5. Since Father’s Day is right around the corner, tell us about the person that you are celebrating. My own father passed away almost exactly 12 years ago. We may do something symbolic for my girls’ birth fathers, who are unknown to us.
6. Were you dropped on your head as a child? Not that I know of! But I did get locked in an abandoned refrigerator in our basement. That probably explains a lot.
7. How often do you clean your toilet? Yikes. Whenever it seems like it needs it? Which probably works out to every couple of weeks.
8. Have you ever been sunburned? Tell us about it. I have, and it’s not fun. When I was a kid there was no such thing as sunscreen, or at least no one used it. We were all trying to get color. I would actually try to get a mild burn, because I knew it would fade to a tan. Oh, the damage.
9. On average, how many hours a sleep do you get a night? Usually around 7-8. Which doesn’t sound bad, does it? Thing is, I’m one of those people who truly need more like 9-10. And my 7-8 hours are never uninterrupted. These days it’s the dog around midnight and again around 4 am, but it could be a kid (Belle usually) as well. Oh well, we all take what we can get, don’t we. I could get more sleep if I were willing to give up some (awake) alone time. But I’m not.
10 How many hours did you get last night? Last night it was only about 6. Stayed up way too late.
11. Take a picture of something. Post it. This is a dozen eggs my friend gave me. Her own chickens laid them. They are all a different shade of white, cream, tan, ecru, you-name-it, and all a little different size. We had them for dinner tonight. Fresh eggs are yummy!

12. Are the bottom of your feet dirty? Ewww! No!
13. Do you know the names of every member of the family who lives next door to you? Nope. Isn’t that awful? But I do know the names of everyone in the two houses directly across the street. Do I at least get some points for that?

If you read this far, please let me know! Thank for stopping by!

I Got Nothing….oh, wait, here’s something

I have nothing to say, but feel the need to post. So I went searching for a meme, and found one that actually fits something that happened this week.  So, not an exciting or insightful post, but one relevant to our current life. Here you go:

It’s that time again for this weeks Saturday six and this weeks theme is Doctors & Health, so without further a do let’s get on with it:

1. Do you rush straight to the doctors when you feel ill? Me? Absolutely not. I have to be pretty sick to go to the doctor for myself, although I do keep up with routine visits, thanks to good insurance and my advancing age (ahem). With my kids it’s usually different, mostly because I know kids have still developing immune systems and they catch so much. Belle was sick this week, and I gave her a few days to get better on her own and then called the doctor on Day 3 of a 101-103 fever.
2. Do you have trouble trying to make an appointment with your doctor? For a sick visit I’ve had no trouble. Routine visits I usually have to wait months for.
3. When was the last time you visited your doctor? I had Belle in yesterday for a sick visit (it’s viral, so it was a waste of a co-pay, and she feels remarkably better now, so I guess all is well). My last visit was in the last month for my annual physical.
4. When someone close to you is ill, are you caring and considerate or do you try to stay away so you don’t catch anything? If one of my kids is sick I pretty much have to be as caring and considerate as possible, since it kind of goes with the job description of “Mom”. I’m rarely sick, so unless they have strep throat (which I am a magnet for), I don’t worry much about catching anything from them. Also, we get flu shots each year, so that helps my stress level around that.
5. Have you ever made the excuse that you are ill to get off work/school/college etc? I haven’t taken a sick day for myself in awhile – I did have walking pneumonia a year or so ago that I finally broke down and saw a doctor for at the insistence of my co-workers. The doctor recommended several days of rest, so I took the next day (a Friday) off and lay on the couch all day. It was delightful. I’m fortunate to have a very flexible work situation, but if I did not, I would not be above calling in “sick” to get some personal time.
6. What really annoys you about people when they are ill? The whining.

Really?

Your Word is “Fearless”

You see life as your one chance to experience everything, and you just go for it! You believe the biggest risk is being afraid and missing out on something amazing. Sometimes your fearlessness means you’re daring. You enjoy risky activities. And sometimes your fearlessness means you’re courageous. You’re brave enough to do the right thing, even when it’s scary.

What’s Your Word?

Fun quiz, take the results with a grain of salt, size of which will depend on your relative agreement with resulting word.

End of Year Meme

I lifted this from Marcia over at Are We There Yet? and since I’ve been away over the New Year, this is the cusp of my year, and I’m doing it now. So there.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Adopted a puppy, and dealing with all that goes along with that.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I have not made any resolutions in years, and don’t plan on any this year. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m not always striving to do things better, but I don’t specifically make changes at the new year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No

4. Did anyone close to you die? No

5. What countries did you visit? Didn’t travel outside the country this year, although I do plan on visiting Mexico and the Bahamas in 2009. Check back next year.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? A sense of security. Also, to be a better parent.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? I can’t think of anything particularly meaningful that I will remember for years.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I can’t think of a bloody thing! Isn’t that awful?

9. What was your biggest failure? Cutting way back on my exercise schedule when the puppy joined our family.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? No, I am pretty healthy, as a rule.

11. What was the best thing you bought? An iPod Touch – so in love.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Tessie, our puppy, learning to use bells to go outside within a day and a half.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Belle. She is driving me to drink.

14. Where did most of your money go? Mortgage and day care. Ouch.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Making plans for a mom’s only vacation with my friend Suzy (which will be taken in 2009)

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? The older I get, the less a song reminds me of a particular time or place. Maybe “What Time is It?” from High School Musical 2, which I heard a lot this year.

17. Compared to this time last year are you a) happier or sadder b) thinner or fatter c) richer or poorer Sadder, about the same, and about the same, but with the potential to be much poorer soon, if the current economic conditions continue and I am laid off.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Enjoying the little things.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying. Flying off the handle at little things.

20. How did you spend Christmas? Home with the kids and my mom.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? No

22. What was your favorite TV program? Too many to count! But I’ll just give a nod to a few that are current: How I Met Your Mother, Lost, Heroes, Dirty Sexy Money, Pushing Daisies, The Office. Of course two of those have already had their cancellations announced. Figures.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? No

24. What was the best book you read? As an avid reader, I have read shamefully few books of late. I might have to go with “The Art of Raising a Puppy“, followed closely by “Frindle“, which is a childrens book, but I loved it so much.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Ingrid Michaelson, who played at a charity concert I attended on my brief foray into dating. She was charming, funny and oh-so-talented.

26. What did you want and get? A new hairstyle (which I am having trouble maintaining on my own)

27.  What did you want and not get? A trimmer body (but this is my own lazy fault)

28. What was your favorite film of this year? I don’t see a lot of movies, but I really enjoyed Love, Actually. And Slumdog Millionaire is sticking with me, but is not for the faint of heart.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 45, and I had the girls take me out to dinner….but I can’t remember where. I guess it was really memorable (ahem).

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Getting an adult social life

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? You’ve got to be kidding….a “fashion concept?” My fashion style can best be described as “jeans and a sweatshirt” or “shorts and a T-shirt”, depending on the season.

32. What kept you sane? Being able to talk to Suzy, who is the only person I can trust to know I’m not going crazy.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Peter Krause

34. What political issue stirred you the most? The presidential election.

35. Who did you miss? Suzy

36. Who was the best new person you met? Probably Gary, who I met at speed dating, and went on two real dates with. Though I ultimately decided not to pursue a relationship with him, he was a very nice man, and I learned a lot about myself as a result of meeting him.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. Administer oxygen to yourself before assisting others.

38.  Quote a song lyric that sums up the year.  Oh boy, I used to be really into song lyrics and relating them to various relationships. I’m really grasping here, but I’ll go with the Dropkick Murphy’s Tessie, since we named our dog after this song:

You know we couldn’t live without you
Tessie, you are the only only only

The 12 Gifts of Christmas

Rambling Mom has tagged me for this – I think she made up this meme, which is pretty cool all by itself, no?

The rules are – think of 12 “great gifts” – for yourself, a significant other, child or “anyone”.  She suggests you “think of gifts that reflect your priorities and/or values, or the priorities and/or values of the people receiving the gifts.”

OK, you’re on.

I’m going to try to think of gifts that are, in my opinion, timeless. Let’s see if I can actually come up with 12.

1. BOOKS. You simply cannot go wrong with a book thoughtfully chosen for any recipient. Be sure to inscribe it, and include the year you gave it, please!

2. PAJAMAS. This is a Christmas Eve tradition in our family, started by my mother one year when she realized from looking at Christmas morning photos of my sister and me that we looked pretty ratty. I’ve continued it with my kids, and they look forward to going to bed on Christmas Eve in their new PJ’s each year.

3. ORNAMENT. If you’re a parent, it’s nice to give even your young child an ornament each year. That way when they move out someday, they have a good base of decorations, complete with memories, to get them started in their own home.

4. PHOTOS. Family members love getting gifts of photos of your kids, but even a friend would love a specially chosen photo of the two of you. When Krystal was young I started making photo books using Shutterfly to document the previous year. This has been a big hit with the grandparents, and of course I always make one for us to keep.

5. ANYTHING HOMEMADE. Even if you aren’t particularly talented, if you take the time and trouble to make a gift it will always be appreciated. One year in college I made gifts for all my family members (due to budget issues) and I think I was the biggest recipient that year as it was so satisfying to create something for the people I loved

6. ANYTHING ELECTRONIC. OK, I’m running out of “timeless” ideas, but in this day and age most of the people I know are jonesing for one sort of electronic gadget or another. Unless you are buying for a Luddite, or a Bluddite, this is probably a good choice. And if you are buying for me, I can assure you it will be very much appreciated.

7. MONEY. It’s not every original, but it is always appreciated. The only downfall is it’s sort of the easy way out. Make sure you’re not just being lazy, OK people? The old adage “it’s the thought that counts” has roots in truth.

8. GIFT CARDS. This is a close cousin to actual money, and I personally only use it for people I need to buy gifts for, but don’t know particularly well, such as my kids’ teachers. As Rambling Mom points out, if you’re giving gift cards make sure the establishment will be around long enough for your recipient to use them, especially in these economic times.

9. TOOTHBRUSH. Scraping the bottom of the barrel here, but my kids always get a cool new toothbrush in their stocking. Because everyone needs new toothbrushes, and it’s a nice stocking-sized gift, that’s why. However, I don’t recommend this gift for a significant other, unless it was specifically requested.

10. ANYTHING FROM YOUR HEART. If you give from your heart, with your recipient in mind, you have truly given a gift, regardless of what it may actually be, or whether it came from a store, on sale, was regifted, or was not ever purchased at all.

And so I end at ten, because it’s a nice round number, and anything else I added to this list would be filler. (I’m also willing to give up the 8 maids-a-milking and 9 ladies dancing if you want to get down to it.)

One. Word. (oops, that’s two)

I lifted this from Jen over at Negative Lane. A real challenge for a blowhard like me. But fun in its elegant simplicity.

The rules: Answer each question using a single word.

Where is your cell phone? Counter
Where is your significant other? Nowhere
Your hair color? Brownish
Your mother? Difficult
Your father? Dead
Your favorite thing? Sleep
Your dream last night? Bizarre
Your goal? Happiness
The room you’re in? Homey
Your hobby? Running
Your fear? Dying
Where do you want to be in six years? Florida
Where were you last night? Home
What you’re not? Girly
One of your wish-list items? iPhone
Where you grew up? Suburb
The last thing you did? Phone
What are you wearing? Pajamas
Your TV? Addiction
Your pet? Puppy
Your computer? Lifeline
Your mood? Resigned
Missing someone? Sister
Your car? Big
Something you’re not wearing? Jewelry
Favorite store? Target
Your summer? Please
Love someone? Kiddos
Your favorite color? Yellow
When is the last time you laughed? Today
Last time you cried? Huh?

Happy December to Me!

And a thanks to Amber, who has bestowed me with an award!

I always feel a little embarrassed when I read what a fellow blogger has written about me, but I’m always grateful for the sweet and generous words. I’m not sure what’s up with the “kreativ” spelling of creative, but hey, I’ll take it!

So, the rules are:

♥ List 6 things that make you happy.
♥ Pass the award onto 6 Bloggers you consider to be Kreativ.
♥ Link to the blogger who gave you the award.
♥ Link to the blogs receiving the award.
♥ Notify the recipients.

Six things that make me happy:

• Sunshine
• Chocolate
• My children, when they are laughing and playing and getting along
• Seeing a lower number on the scale than the last time I stepped on it
• A quiet afternoon to myself (it’s been awhile!)
• Spending time with friends

Six Bloggers I think are creative (aka kreativ) – while I read a lot of fantastic blogs, many of them don’t read me. Since I like to break the rules occasionally, I’ll just direct you to my blogroll – right over there to the right. I love them all. A special nod goes out to my regular commenters: Janet, Starstruk, Marcia and Rambling Mom. And of course Amber, the newest regular commenter, who is the one who gave me this esteemed award! I know that’s only five, but hey, it’s like picking a favorite among your children, right? It changes from day to day, moment to moment.

There, linking completed – even if you don’t feel like passing along an award, go ahead and list 6 things that make you happy, even if it’s just for yourself. It does a body (mind and heart too!) good.

Wednesday Media Mix

It’s a busy day, so I’m doing a meme – seems like a fun one.

Listen. Watch. Read.

Three questions, one each related to each form of media.

Listen: What was the first format you listened to music on—records, 8-tracks, tapes, CDs? A phonograph?

Watch: What was the very first TV show you considered a favorite?

Read: Can you think of a book you find to be completely overrated?

My Answers:

Listen. A little tiny record player playing 45’s. Till I was allowed to play LP’s on the family stereo, which was a piece of furniture. But I’ve listened to music on all the formats that have been in existence since I was born, I think.

Watch. I remember loving “The Friendly Giant” as a kindergartner. However, reading that Wiki article brings back exactly zero memories. I seem to have only retained the name of the show and the fact that I liked it. I also loved Mr. Rogers. There certainly weren’t the plethora of children’s shows on in the 60’s that there are today.

Read. The Vampire Chronicles series by Anne Rice. As an avid reader (at least I used to be, pre-kids), I was looking forward to immersing myself in a popular series but I couldn’t get past the first couple of chapters in the first book. Sorry.

Give Me 5 Monday

Like Marcia, today feels a bit overwhelming to me – I have a big meeting at work today, puppy class tonight, and I’m spending more time on the phone with Gary, which has been fun, but it does cut into my “me” time! Hmmm, do I really want a man in my life? Ah, a post for another time!

Anyway, I am participating in BeccA’s Buzz today, and her question is:

Give Me Five staples on your grocery list besides milk, bread and eggs.

Let’s see….

1. Chocolate  (need I say more?)

2. Cheese sticks – Belle is a huge cheese fan so we always have to have these on hand

3. Cereal – I couldn’t find a satisfying photo on Photbucket, and Flickr has you contact the photographer directly for permission, which I don’t have time for. Suffice to say, I am the big cereal eater in the house and have been known to eat it for all 3 meals. I’m on a Frosted Mini-Wheat kick, which I jazz up with a few frozen blueberries (makes it tasty, and keeps the milk really cold, which is key for me).

4. Red Peppers – (ah, you thought I was going with a “C” theme, didn’t you?) We eat these all the time.

5. Fruit – whatever is in season, and therefore cheap(er)

This post took way longer than I thought because of searching for all the photos…..