Random Dozen

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch?

Goulash - also a family favorite since my children were toddlers

2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.)

Cell phone


3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting?

Our State Fair. We stay the entire 2 weeks every single year, and I love it!


4. Share one factoid of your family's history.

Each of my children have one toenail on their right foot that grows crooked. They all have it on the exact same toe...their dad has the exact same thing. Not necessarily a factoid or family history, but it's all I could think of. ha.


5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...."

I prayed I would find a big city man who would whisk me off to live life in the fast lane in the big city. You know the song that says "Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers"?  Yeah, that. :)

6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be?

A live-in cook/maid. I would love to have my own "Alice". 


7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...."

According to my family, I say certain words wrong. I say "cimmanon" and "ambliance", among others. They sound correct to me and no matter how hard I try, I can't say them the way they tell me I'm supposed to.


8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy?

Is there anything you CAN buy for just a dollar? LOL I guess I'd probably buy a can of diet coke.


9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...."

My husband. After almost 24 yrs together, he can still make me laugh like no one else can.


10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal?

Walking just a little bit further, and not let the fear of the pain stop me from doing it.


11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else?

I will get my husband an ice cream cake today for his birthday. He hates the idea of splurging on something so frivilous for himself, but he LOVES them and I know he'll love that I got one. :)


12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon?

Summer!! (and the thought that I won't be having to be up at 6am every day)

Random Dozen

Things have been a little nuts lately, and I've missed joining in on Lid's Random Dozen questions, so I'm back in the saddle again. Not figuratively, because we all know I'm afraid of heights and horses, but anywhooooooo.......on to the questions:


1. Have you ever been so lost that you were really afraid?

I can't think of anything, so I guess my answer is no. But I remember a time one of my children was lost for a bit, and that was terrifying!

2. Have you ever been to an island?

Yes, Nassau in the Bahamas for our honeymoon.

3. Are you more of a thinker or feeler?

I tend to over-analyze e-very-thing. Makes my poor husband nuts.

4. Do you tend to see issues or situations in life as black and white or shades of gray?

I tend to see them as black and white, but I know there are shades of gray so then I get confused because I want to see the gray, but I can't so then I go back and forth like I'm debating it with myself. Boy are you sorry you asked, am I right? LOL

5. If you were stuck on an island, what book would you hope to have with you (Let's pretend the Bible is already there, so you can't say that.)

Gods Blogs. It's a great book and a quick read. I've read it several times and I still like to read it. I love the way it's written as a blog.

6. What are you most afraid of?

Heights & falling from those heights. I get terrified and have panic attacks when I have to go up somewhere higher than a chair. Literally.

7. Would you rather lose all of your old memories or never be able to make new ones?

I think I'd prefer to keep my old memories, because I would never want to forget my parents & siblings, my wedding or the birth of my children.

8. Pretend I'm looking at a scrapbook page about you. There are three spaces for you to drop in individual pictures. What are those pictures of, and why did you select them?

One is a picture of Jay & I. One is a picture of my children and my new son-in-law. My family means everything to me and I am nothing without them. The third would be a picture of my bible, that I am trying desperately to read through (goodness sakes I struggle with all the be-gots and from the land ofs).

9. If you were re-doing your wedding, what would you do differently? (If you're single, tell me one thing you would do if you were planning a wedding OR huge party.)

I'd have the reception/dance in a location that was air conditioned (hot and humid is the norm for July in Iowa and there was no air conditioning? What were we thinking??)

10. Tell me one thing you know/believe about forgiveness.

It can be so hard and painful...whether it's forgiving someone else, or forgiving yourself.

11. You're waiting in a doctor's office. What is your favorite way to pass that time?

I get on my phone and check out the news, catch up on blogs or read emails.

12. If there were a clone of you in a parallel universe what is one way you hope she/he would be the same as you and one way you hope she/he would be better?

I would hope she does NOT have Fibromyalgia of course, but I would hope she would have my same love of laughter.

Head on over to Linda's to join in the fun!!

Random Dozen

1. How do you feel about "Gladiator" sandals, also called "Roman" or "Jesus" sandals? A fashion yea or nay?

Nay - I'm just not a fan.

2. What is your favorite pizza?

Taco or Combo/Supreme

3. There are plans in the works to sell roughly 1,000 items from Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas. This means you could buy Picard's chair for your family room. If not a Star Trek item, what prop, background, set, etc. from what TV or movie would you buy if you could?
[Ex: Hurley's "I Love my Shih tzu" shirt from LOST, the plantation home "Tara" from Gone With the Wind, or Tracy's tambourine from the Partridge Family.]

Anything that belonged to Greg Brady. I was sure I was going to grow up and marry him.

4. Name a local food or restaurant that your area is famous for.

Michelle's - the local restaurant/bar....and the only one in town. Not sure how famous it is, but She does serve good food!

5. What is your current favorite snack?

Baby carrots dipped in ranch dressing

6. Hypothetical: You are required to be a reality show contestant. Which show would you choose based on your probability of success? (You cannot choose "none.")

A. Dancing with the Stars
B. Biggest Loser
C. Survivor

Dancing with the Stars would probably be one that would be "easiest" for me because I grew up dancing and went to college for it as well. I still love to dance around the house. That having been said, I'd like to go on the Biggest Loser to learn valuable lessons from the pros.

7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being uninhabitable and 10 being cleanliness that meets the standards of OCD, how clean is your vehicle's interior?

9+ - I just cleaned and armor-alled it, as well as vacuumed it this past weekend. :)

8. It doesn't feel like Spring until _________.

My eyes start itching, watering, and looking like I've been on a drinking binge.

9. Something that made you laugh really hard recently is ____.

A very funny short video that my daughter bf shared. It's on my FB page if anyone wants to have a good laugh.

10. Tell me about a goal you're working toward.

Being able to exercise regularly. My FMS has made that a great challenge, but I am working hard to be able to do a little more each week.

11. Share a thought-provoking or inspiring quote this week.

"What the caterpillar thought was the end of the world, the Master called a butterfly." (I honestly repeat that to myself daily)

12. Name one thing that you do as a parent that you absolutely know will make your kids happy. If you're not a parent, feel free to substitute "friend" or nomenclature that works for you.

For my son, it's to buy him Skittles to keep in his golf bag. For my girls, it's to surprise them with a visit at their college and invite them out to eat somewhere that doesn't have a drive-thru window.

Random Dozen

Head on over to Linda's at 2nd cup to join in the fun!

1. Do you prefer even or odd numbers? Any particular reason?

Even...when counting by twos, it's easier to count with evens.

2. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being "not at all" and 10 being Carly Simon-worthy, how vain are you?

4 - I want to look nice, and I try my best to look nice, but that's more for my husband and family. If others don't like how I look, it bothers me some, but nothing I can do about that.

3. Among these Irish stereotypes, with which do you identify most closely? Talkative, Proud, Inquisitive, Love to party, Hot-tempered

Talkative. I am actually shy and introverted until I feel comfortable - then just try and shut me up. LOL

4. How lucky do you consider yourself?

Not at all. You know the soda screw on lids that have "You have won a free soda" under them...I am probably the only person in the entire country to have NEVER gotten one of those lids. Seriously. My son gets them every other day when the contest is going on. Me - not even once.

5. What is the subject of your favorite post that you've written?

My family. They are what most of my posts are about.

6. Describe March weather where you live in three words.

Snow and mud.

7. How apt are you at detecting blarney when you hear it? (Smooth talk, flattery)

Pretty good I think. I can usually tell if it's a line, or sincere.

8. How "green" are you, environmentally speaking?

Not so much. Bad, I know.

9. What is your favorite song this week?

Because He Lives

10. You are walking along and see a coin on the ground. What denomination does it have to be before you will stop to pick it up?

Quarter. When you're stiff and sore, it has to be worth it to bend that far down. :)

11. Complete the sentence: "Every time I look outside my window ...."

Stupid, yucky, snow drifts that are still over 8' tall. I can't see out of the bottom of most of our windows and I am soooooo tired of it! Hurry up Spring!

12. What was the #1 song on the day you were born?

Dominique - The Singing Nun (Never heard of the song or the group)

Random Dozen

1. Have you ever fired a gun or shot a bow and arrow?
I was given a bow and arrow set by my father for my 11th bday (wishing I was a boy perhaps??) My bday is in December. I shot each arrow once, they landed in deep enough snow that we had to wait until Spring to find them, and I don't know that I ever shot them again.

2. Do you know where your childhood best friends are?
I had one childhood friend that I kept in touch with for a long time, and the last I knew she was living around the St. Louis area, but that was over 10 yrs ago.

3. Do you usually arrive early, late, or on time?
It makes me crazy to be even 1 minute late...just ask my family. I'm like a drill sargent when it comes to being on time.

4. Are you more of a New York or California type?
I guess California since it's more laid back...and southern california has no snow - bonus!

5. Do you have a special ring tone?
I have "It's Your Love" by Tim McGraw & Faith Hill for my husband. For everyone else I have "All I Wanna Do" by Sugarland, because it's just a fun, upbeat, make you smile kind of song.

6. What is your favorite type of chip?
Lays Baked BBQ

7. Best comedy you've ever seen is ....
It's a tie...."Dumb & Dumber" and "Elf". My kids and I all have both of those movies completely memorized and we say the lines and crack up through both of them. We have so much fun and our sides hurt from laughing so hard. How can you not love that!

8. Have you ever cut your own hair? To quote Dr. Phil, "How'd that work for ya?"
Unless it was when I was little, no, I have never had the courage to cut my own hair.

9. If you were going to have an extreme makeover, would you rather it be about your house or your personal self?
My house. It'd take more than a week to makeover my personal self. *snicker*

10. Are you allergic to anything?
Are you ready for this list? Rice, oats, wheat, sesame, gluten, cucumbers, corn, mushrooms, broccoli, bananas, blueberries, crab, oyster, lobster, tuna, sole, cod, chocolate, coffee, pollen, ragweed, and chlorine. And then there are the meds...... LOL

11. Why is it so hard to change?
Because it requires effort on our part and it usually takes us out of our comfort zone.

12. One last question dedicated to February love: CS Lewis said, "To love is to be vulnerable." Please share one example of that assertion or share any thought you'd like to about this topic.
It opens you up for extreme heartbreak.

Christmasy Random Dozen

Go see Linda @ 2nd Cup to join in the fun!


1. Gingerbread: For or against? Discuss.

I have never eaten gingerbread, and have only seen it used as a tree ornament. They look cute, so I guess I'll say I'm for them.

2. Is it important to you to always stay (live) close to family?
In an ideal world, yes I'd love to be really close to my parents, all my siblings and their families. We live close to Jay's parents because Jay and his dad farm together. I'm hoping that as my kids graduate from college, they will find jobs close by, but...it'll depend on the economy.

3. Which holiday pretend character do you wish really existed?

I'd have to say the Grinch's dog "Max". I can remember when I was younger, I would get so mad that this poor tiny dog had to try to pull that giant sleigh, while the Grinch snapped the whip. I wanted to jump into the tv and save him. Guess that should have been a sign of things to come for me, since I now have rescue dogs. LOL

4. Which holiday movie best represents how you feel about Christmas or life?

I don't know that there is one about a pre-menopausal woman who also has what they call "Fibro Fog", which means she doesn't remember to write down any gifts she buys and therefore buys more...and when she goes to wrap gifts, she can't remember who she got certain items for...and who is so excited for Christmas to come because she already can't remember what's wrapped under the tree, so it's going to be a surprise on Christmas morning for her too. I don't know if there is a movie like that, but I'm sure it'd be Oscar worthy if there were.

5. Is there a particular Christmas song that you're enjoying now? Any that you're tired of?

Oh Holy Night (Josh Grobin)
My Grown Up Christmas List (Natalie Cole)
A Baby Changes Everything (Faith Hill)
those are my top favorites right now. My Bottom 3 are:
Any classic Christmas song that has been "rocked out"
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
Christmas In Iowa
This last one is really a great song, about why they like being in Iowa over Christmas time, but since I am in Iowa, they play it all - the - time. I get to the point where am like 'Seriously, give it a rest already'.

6. What is your favorite way to remember those less fortunate at Christmastime?

We always adopt a family at Christmas time. One year on Christmas Eve we drove to town and quietly put the boxes outside the front door at the family's house. Ashley & Chelsea knocked on the door really loudly and then ran as fast as they could to where we were parked about a block away. Thankfully it was dark out, and we couldn't be seen because we got to see the Mother open the door and see the boxes. She yelled and the kids came running. All were so excited and the kids were jumping up and down. You could have heard a pin drop in our van, not one of our kids moved a muscle or said a word. I'm so glad they got to actually see what a difference they made.

7. Does it upset you to see "Xmas" instead of Christmas? How about "Happy Holidays" etc., instead of "Merry Christmas?"

If it's a small space, I can understand that it can be hard to fit the word "Christmas" there, so seeing Xmas there doesn't bother me. However, it makes my daughters C-R-A-Z-Y! lol I just recently saw a local commercial and at the end the owners said "Happy Hannukah" and it didn't offend me at all, just as my saying Merry Christmas shouldn't be seen as offensive.

8. How many Christmas programs are you attending this month?

Two - one at our Church and my son's school concert (this Friday evening).

9. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Any chance of that dream becoming a reality?

NO! However, since we have over a foot of that yucky stuff on the ground, I'm guessing it's a pretty good reality. :-/

10. Tell me about a Christmas present you received as a child. Pics are always nice.

It's really hard for me to remember back and know if what I got was for Christmas, or for my birthday since they are close together. I remember getting a "Peggy Pen Pal" doll one year and loved her. A bar attached her pencil to your pencil and therefore she'd write or draw whatever you did. I still have that doll. :)

11. How many Christmas parties are you attending this month?

Other than family get-togethers, and 2 birthday parties, we won't be attending any other parties this month.

12. How do you keep yourself centered on the significance of Christmas?

We have a couple of traditions that help with that. Each year we make a birthday cake for Jesus and we eat it on Christmas day. When we set the table for our meal, we set an extra table setting for Jesus. That is His special spot on His special day, and we set a piece of birthday cake there while we eat. We also sing "Happy Birthday" to Him. I think my collection of Nativity sets helps us all as well. Every room you go into there is a Nativity set to remind you of the real reason for the season.

Great questions Linda...as always!

Random Dozen

Linda @ 2nd Cup is hosting this meme:

1. Which physical trait do you now accept--maybe not love, but accept--and no longer feel extremely self-conscious about?

I guess that would have to be my height. I am the shortest in my family. I was the shortest in my family growing up. The only person I ever got taller than was my 4'11" Grandmother...and I barely made it past her. I have never liked it, but I bought a "Gopher" (the tool that helps you reach things higher), and now I can be at peace with my height.

2. This week Meredith Baxter Birney, best known as the mom on the favorite 80s sitcom "Family Ties" came out of the closet, which led me to formulate this question: Who do you think is/was the best TV mom?

Caroline Ingalls. She was the right mix between firmness, and letting things slide, with the ability to laugh off things that didn't really matter.

3. Do you speak any foreign languages? Are there any you'd like to learn?

Italian - because I'd love to visit there someday.

Spanish - because one of my daughters is doing a double major, with one being Spanish, and I'd really like to know if there are times she talking about me...and what she's saying. :)

4. Who is your personal hero?

My grandmother...and yes, she is the one I was barely taller than. She was the strongest, most loving person I've ever known. No matter what life threw at her, she kept smiling, laughing, and loving life. Sadly she passed away almost 2 years ago. This past week she would have celebrated her 100th birthday.

5. What is one holiday food that you find extremely difficult to resist over- indulging in?

All of them, which is why I don't do much baking. Resisting temptation is not one of my better abilities, so I do what I can to make sure I don't have to worry about resisting. The one thing I will let myself indulge in is cheesy potatoes. Oh my goodness how I love all that cheesy carbness.

6. Tell me about a Christmas decoration that has special meaning or sentimental value.

I have a cheap wooden cut-out of a candy cane that I bought as a part of a set from a Wal-Mart type store back when Jay and I first got married. It came with paints and I painted these 20 ornaments and they went on our very first Christmas tree, which was only 3' tall and sat on a card table. Each year since then I have bought a new ornament for our tree, but I kept the candy cane ornament and still put it on our tree as a reminder of where we started from.

7. How do you feel about snow?

I'm too kind to use that kind of language here, so I'll just say "Yucky". LOL

8. On average, how many hours of sleep do you get each night? Not that I'm jealous of any number over three or anything.

Without drugs, I'm lucky to get 2-3. Very lucky. I finally have a new prescription medicine that has honestly felt like such a gift. I now can get at least 6-7 hours most night, and some nights even more. Plus, when I get up to use the restroom, I am able to go right back to sleep. Halleluia!

9. Tell me about your first crush.

Famous person - Barry Williams - Greg Brady from The Brady Bunch. My mom took me to meet him at a toy store. He gave me a hug and I knew that we were destined to be married when I grew up.

Non-famous person - A boy named Tim when I was in junior high. He asked me to "go out" with him and he gave me a $1.oo friendship ring (all the rage back then), and it was too big to even fit on my thumb. Tim wanted to give me a kiss after a school dance and when I said no, he broke up with me and asked out a girl who had a "reputation". The crush was over.

10. You're stuck in a room for 2 hours with only a chalkboard and chalk. What will you write/draw?

Maybe a little doodling, but that'd be it. I don't like chalkboards. There was a girl I went to school with who used to run her fingernails down the board just to drive everyone crazy with that horrible noise it makes. I cringe just thinking about that noise.

11. Do you dress for the current temp or for the day's forecast?

Here in Iowa, that's usually the same thing. The weather might change from day to day, but whatever it is in the morning, is usually not too far from what it will be in the afternoon. The only difference I would do, is perhaps wear a sweatshirt over my top that can come off later.

12. Favorite Christmas movie is?

I think it would be "Miracle On 34th Street"" (the original black and white version), but just recently there was a movie on tv called "A Dog Named Christmas", and being an animal lover, it really touched my heart.

Random Dozen #14

1. Which Wizard of Oz character are you most like? Well, this week is PMS time, so I'm sure Jay would say I'm most like the wicked witch...lol. Sorry, I know that was in the TMI category. Normally though I'd probably say The Cowardly Lion. I worry too much about things I don't even need to be worrying about, and I'm a big ol' chicken.

2. When you're deciding what you're going to wear each morning, which item do you select first? Why? A shirt. I wear jeans or athletic style pants most of the time, and even my dress pants are all neutrals, so it's depending on what shirt I'm wearing as to what pants I wear.

3. What kind of animal do you think the world could live without? Anything creepy and crawly. Yes I realize that means insects and not animals, but I don't care...they need to go! All of them. If I must select an animal, then I'll say opossums. They eat our kittens and terrorize our dogs. They can go wherever you send the creepy crawly things.

4. How many Christmas trees are in your home? As far as the kind you actually decorate - we have 2. A 9' tree is in our living room, and a 2' tree is on the ledge by our dining table. I also have several small decorative trees around the house, including the tiny ones with all the village pieces.

5. Would you prefer to be emotionless if it mean you didn't have to feel a heartbreak? No. Without heartbreak, we'd never know joy.

6. Do you ever experience holiday let-down or depression? No. By the time the decorations come down, I'm usually pretty ready to get the house and our schedules back to normal. Plus, it means we're that much closer to Spring!

7. Do you like Michael Jackson's music? Most of it is ok. I liked his dancing better though.

8. Why is it that we never judge people who have their teeth fixed for cosmetic reasons, but every other cosmetic procedure has a stigma? I try to not judge someone for a cosmetic procedure of any kind. I always tend to think that there could be more to whatever they are doing than what I know about.

9. Enjoy horseback riding? I did when younger. Now I have such a fear of falling that I can't stand to get up "that high". Which is a shame because we had 3 of the sweetest, most calm horses you could ever hope for. One was old and died over a year ago, but we still have the other two, and a little girl shows them in 4-H.

10. Shoes--practical or stylish? Up until a year go I would have totally said stylish. Now since getting Fibro, that has changed. My toes are the worst spot on me for pain, and all shoes are painful. Therefore I find ones I can wear that are extra roomy in the toes to make them as tolerable as possible.

11. What was the name of your first pet? Feel free to post a pic. The first year we were married Jay surprised me with a puppy as my birthday present. She was a purebred miniature apricot poodle that I named "Peaches & Cream"

12. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done? Approximately 95% - thanks to Cyber Monday. :)

Visit Linda at 2nd Cup to join in the fun!

Random Dozen

Head on over to Linda's @ 2nd Cup to join in!

1. Are you sticking to traditional Thanksgiving foods this year, or are you being culinarily adventurous? We are getting together with my family this year (we alternate) and my mother is VERY into traditions. If turkey was good enough for the Pilgrims, it's good enough for us. They usually provide the main staples of the meal, and the rest of us bring extra fill-ins...as if any are needed, which they aren't because my mother makes enough for a small army.

2. Tell me something concrete that you're thankful for. (Something you can literally touch, see, etc., not a concept like "hope.") I am thankful for my children. With all our fertility troubles that we had, there was a time that we didn't think we'd ever get to enjoy being parents.

3. You knew the flip side was coming: Share about something intangible that you're thankful for. Faith. Without it, there are days when I wonder if it'd be worth getting up in the mornings. Faith in a better future for my children/grandchildren, faith that there will be medical miracles, faith that we all have the promise of everlasting peace.

4. Share one vivid Thanksgiving memory. It doesn't have to be deep or meaningful, just something that remains etched in your memory. It was the first Thanksgiving for my girls and they were 9 mo old. They were used to baby food, but being a holiday we decided to use Grandma's blender and puree the traditional Thanksgiving food for them to eat. Well, their poor tummies weren't used to the spicy foods and one threw up all over the floor. On the upside, having that happen so close to the buffet table did help most of us to not go back for seconds.

5. What is one thing that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is going to happen this Thanksgiving because it always does, year after year? My family will start talking politics. Not just on Thanksgiving, but everytime there is a get together.

6. Do your pets get any left-overs? No, but I do buy them each a raw bone from the butcher to enjoy while we are gone for the day.

7. Does your family pray before the big meal? If so, do you join hands while seated, stand, repeat a formal prayer or offer a spontaneous prayer? Who does the praying? With my family we all stand together and say the general table prayer. With Jay's family they either sing a table prayer (and I say "they" because we all know that I can't/don't sing), or his Grandfather will say a Norwegian table prayer.

8. Will you be watching football in the afternoon? If not, what will you be doing? We will definitely have football on, but as stated before, the political discussions will start, which will send Austin and his cousins into the other room to play the Wii we bring along, and my girls will go off to entertain their little cousins. Those of us who opt out of the discussion will usually go to a different room to visit.

9. There are two distinct camps of people on this issue: How do you feel about oysters in the dressing/stuffing? Well, for starters, I have never heard of putting oysters in the stuffing - what is up with that? Must be a regional thing. But, since I don't like stuffing at all, I really don't care what you add to it. LOL

10. Do you consider yourself informed about the first Thanksgiving? Sort of. I know the basic story that we all learned in school, but I do have an interest in knowing more.

11. Which variety of pie will you be enjoying? I'm not a fan of pie, but if I do have any it would pumpkin.

12. Do you feel for the turkey?? (This is a humorous throw back question related to the 12th question in another Random Dozen!) I would if they were smart animals, but they honestly are so very dumb, and they are clueless as to what's going on with them. Did you know they are dumb enough that if they are outside when it's raining, they will look up at the sky as if trying to figure out what that is falling on them, and they will literally drown themselves. Now THAT's dumb. LOL

Head on over to Linda's @ 2nd Cup to join in!


1. If you could master one sport, what would it be? Ice Skating - they always look so elegant and graceful. Elegance and grace are two things I'm lacking. LOL

2. When you make a major purchase, do you go with your gut instinct, or do you do research to make an informed decision? For our Vue, I did a lot of online researching to find what had good mileage and good safety ratings, among other things.

3. There is an old kids' game that says you can find out what your movie star name would be by using your middle name as your first name and the name of the street you grew up on as your last. What is your movie star name? Well....we moved a LOT when I was first growing up, so I guess I'll go with the one we lived on after moving back to Iowa: Marie Chestnut. Oh, and how is it that I never heard of that game as a kid???

4. Would you rather give up your favorite music or your favorite food? I don't really have a favorite food, so I guess that'd mean I'd have to give up all food. While that would do wonders for my weight, I'm thinking in the long run, it'd be safer for me to give up the favorite music...even though that'd make me really sad.

5. There are two types of banana preferences. One is pristine yellow, almost to the point of being green; the other is spotty and more ripe. Which is your preference? Definitely pristine yellow. I like the banana to be firm. The only exception is if I'm baking, then they need to be pretty mushy & ripe.

6. Your favorite tree is? One I manage to keep alive after we plant it. :-/ Otherwise, I'd say the giant Sequoia's. They are so tall and majestic!

7. On a scale of 1-10, how tech savvy are you? 2-3. And that's on a good day.

8. Has H1N1 touched your family? Knock on wood, not so far - and I pray it stays that way!

9. Are you an analytical person, or do you just accept things the way they are without questioning or scrutinizing? I'm analytical in a lot of things, which can be pretty entertaining at times.

10. Is your personality more like that of a dog, cat, or Koala? Cat. I can be alone and not mind it, but there are times when I want to curl up and cuddle. Plus, I'd much rather use a litterbox than have to go outside during a blizzard.

11. Do you keep in touch with friends you made years ago? No, not really. Although, thanks to Facebook I am getting reacquainted with people I went to school with.

12. You are checking out at a grocery store. In the express lane, there are more people than the regular lanes, but of course, their load is less than those in the regular lanes. Which lane do you choose (assuming you qualify for the express lane) and why? I will usually go for a shorter line, which never works because no matter which lane I choose, it's always the one that ends up being the slowest possible!

Random Dozen #10

Linda at Second Cup is hosting this meme....head on over to join in!


1. It's early morning, about 2:00AM, and you're driving home. You come to a red light and sit there. There is no one in sight for miles around. Do you wait it out or run the light? I will sit there all night waiting it out. This actually happened to me about 23 yrs ago. I was on my way home, it was 2-3am and the turning light wouldn't change. I sat there a couple of minutes, looked around, and drove slowly through it. Before I knew what happened there were red lights flashing behind me. Scared me so bad I nearly wet my pants! So I'll sit and wait thank.you.very.much.

2. If you had the chance to re-do the last 24 hours, would you change anything? I'd have said "I'm sorry" much sooner.


3. When you reply to someone's comment on your blog, do you reply in your comments or go to her blog and comment? (Or email her) Depends on my reply. If it involves something personal, I email.

4. Your favorite Disney movie is: The Lion King. I LOVE the music in that movie.

5. Do you recycle? Aluminum soda cans - yes. We get 5 cents for each can. The rest, no. We're on a farm...we burn our trash.

6. Games of strategy or games of chance? Chance...I stink at strategy games!

7. Do you have any recurring dreams? I almost never dream...or at least I almost never remember them if I do dream.

8. What did you learn from your first real job? I worked at a nursing home, and I learned that being a nursing assistant was not going to be my career! That is HARD work!!

9. Do you buy or borrow most books? I buy them. If I feel it's a book that I may want to read again, or one that I know one of my family/friends would enjoy, I'll put it back on the shelf. Otherwise I see if a library is interested in them. If not, they head off to the thrift store.

10. What fashion trend of the past did you say you'd never wear again but did? I don't know that there is one. I dressed very trendy when younger and now I tend to stick to things that don't go out of style too easily. But I'm sure I'll read an answer someone else has and think "Oh yea, I forgot about that."

11. When do you start Christmas shopping? I used to start in July/August when our kids were little. Now though, I routinely find that I might get one or two things in Oct/Nov, but it's usually after Thanksgiving that I do the bulk of it.

12. Have you ever been so happy that you literally jumped up and down for a few seconds? If so, what was the occasion? The day I found out that I was finally pregnant after many fertility treatments, I jumped up and down screaming and crying, hugging every nurse, lab tech and whoever else was in reach. ha!

Random Dozen #9

Linda @ 2nd Cup is hosting this fun meme:



1. Tell me something about your favorite teacher. I had one year that I had some really rough personal situations going on in my young life, and my grades really suffered. Only one teacher cared enough to pull me into his office and talk to me about his concern for me. He encouraged me to talk to my parents and really helped me. Even though the subject he taught was my least favorite, he has been my favorite teacher ever since.

2. Tell me about one pivotal moment in your life. Wow...tough one. Probably when I stood up to someone I was very afraid of. It helped me realize I was stronger than I realized.

3. About favorite colors--a lot of people will ask you what it is, but I want to know why it is.
What feeling or memory does it evoke? I have always loved navy blue, but honestly I have no clue why. It's just been my favorite for as long as I can remember. What I do find interesting is that all 3 of my children have 2 favorite colors...and one of them is blue. :)

4. What's a sure sign that you're getting older? How long do you have, because my list gets longer with each birthday. ha! I guess for starters, it'd be that I have 2 kids in college, and one who is now getting brochures in the mail from different colleges. Secondly would be the increasing ailments, syndromes and/or diseases I have.

5. Please don't sermonize, but Halloween--is it a yes or no for you? No, and we didn't make it a big deal with our kids either. We took them trick-or-treating when they were young, but since we live on a farm, we don't get any trick-or-treaters at our place. That means for several years now Halloween has passed with barely any notice...although I do mail out goodie boxes with Halloween treats in them to my girls and I give one to my son.

6. What's your favorite musical? Seriously? Just one??? After thinking about it for a couple of minutes, I honestly can't narrow it down to less than 2 - Mamma Mia and Grease. I've watched both a thousand times and never get tired of either one.

7. Are you more of a city mouse or country mouse? Just two weeks before I met my husband I had a conversation where I said "You would never catch me living on a farm". I always swore I was a city mouse. Then I married a farmer and have lived on a farm for over 20 years. Now, I can say that I love to visit the city, but am always glad to come home where it's quiet, I have no neighbors to fight with, and no congestion or traffic.

8. Did you know that it is possible, for a small fee, to name a real star after someone? (It's true! Google it!) If someone were to name a star for you, would you appreciate it for its whimsy and romance, or would you say, "Are you kidding me? For $19.95 we could have gone to the movie and actually bought popcorn." I would be very appreciative just knowing they thought of me, but honestly I would consider it a waste of money. I find it hard to believe they don't just say the same star for several people, you know? I have heard of this buy a star thing and think it's just a way to get money from unsuspecting naive people. Does that mean I have trust issues? haha.

This question comes from Paula at His Ways Are Not Our Ways.
9. What's the craziest thing you've ever been doing and texted during it? I only thought of this b/c I was about to try to text during my walking video but I didn't. Probably sitting in my hot tub while texting. My hands were slippery and I ended up dropping the phone into the hot tub. When the guy at the store said it appeared the phone had sustained some water damage, I innocently said "Oh really? I wonder how that happened?" :)

Paula, you do know that this blog is rated G, right? <----- LOL Linda

10. "It's not a party unless _______." "There is lots of good food." Whenever we have friends or family coming over, I always have lots of food out for everyone to enjoy.

11. When you're stuck in traffic or a waiting room, what do you do to pass the time? PS: There are no magazines available. I get on my blackberry and read the news, catch up on blog reading, or play Yahtzee.

12. If you weren't yourself, would you be friends with you? I would like to think so, because I'm very loyal and caring to my friends. However, if I think realistically, I would probably would be distancing myself lately because "I" haven't been conversing by text, emails, blogs or even in person as much lately due to the pain "I" have. It makes it hard somedays to go out, or to even type. So I would probably think that "I" didn't care much after all.

Random Dozen #8

***For those of you early risers who had already been here, I must apologize for this post. I thought I had saved it as a draft. I had no title typed in, and I hadn't even checked for spelling errors yet, or to even see if any of these sentences made sense. I panicked when I saw it had posted by mistake. ACK! ha!

1. Candy corn: Your thoughts? I don't buy them, because if they are here, I WILL eat them. All of them. Not even a broken one left behind.

2. Briefly, what was the first conversation you ever had with your spouse? (or best friend, if you're not married.) (Or someone significant, like your librarian.) We met at a nightclub (I know - you never meet nice people there haha). I saw the group he was hanging out with, and most were being loud and obnoxious, so I assumed he was the same way, which meant I wanted nothing to do with him. Our first conversation was him asking me to dance and explaining why I should dance with him, and me explaining why I didn't want to dance with him. It was a deep, intelligent conversation as I'm sure you can imagine. LOL

3. Could you ever become a vegetarian? I do think I could, as long as I could find alternative proteins that I liked. With my thyroid diseases, I am to stay away from Soy, so veggie burgers are out, and so is Tofu (oh darn).


4. Have you ever dressed up your pet in a costume? Not a halloween costume...but we do have a Vikings jersey and a Broncos jersey that I do put on our one dog Gabby when one of those teams is playing. She is the only one that likes wearing them, and she gets all excited when she sees me pull one out. They're put away once the game is over, and packed away at the end of the season. :)


5. Name something about childhood that you miss (like Clark Bars, Teaberry Gum, Malibu Barbie, cracking fake eggs on people's heads with your fist and "It's the Great Pumpkin" airing only once a year). I miss "The Wizard Of Oz" and "Sound Of Music" coming on tv once a year. It was a big deal at our house. My mom would pop pocorn and even if they happened to air on a school night, we got to stay up later until the movie was over. I would get so excited knowing one of them was going to be on soon. It's not the same with them being on video, so you can see them whenever you want.

6. Have you ever won a trophy? If not, what do you deserve a trophy for? I have never won an actual trophy, but one year my daughters made me paper cut-out trophies for Mothers Day saying I was the #1 Mom and Mom of the Year. I still have those up on the bulletin board in my office, and they mean more to me than any other trophy I could have gotten.

7. When do you think is the appropriate time to begin playing Christmas music each year? Not until the day AFTER Thanksgiving. It makes me crazy to hear it before then...just ask my daughter. She starts playing it right after Halloween and I always say it should be illegal and then she would have to stay in jail until the day after Thanksiving, so I don't have to listen to it. :P Now she drives her roommates crazy and I can just empathize.

8. What's your favorite board game? "Life" - I love it when I have so many kids they have to lay flat in my car. I'm not sure why, but it cracks me up LOL Also, I have "Yahtzee" on my phone. It's a no-brainer game that I can start and stop anytime, and I used to play it while sitting outside the school waiting to pick Austin up after sports practice. I don't play it as much anymore, now that he can drive himself.

9. How do you feel about surprises (receiving, not giving)? I don't like them at all, unless it's done in private. I wouldn't want it to be something in front of a big group of people. Awkward!

10. Is it easy for you to say, "I'm sorry?" No it's not. But that's not because I don't want to admit I did something wrong. I feel bad and am disappointed in myself and feel bad that I have disappointed the person I owe the apology to. I don't like to disappoint anyone, and saying "I'm sorry is admitting I disappointed them".


11. What is your favorite candle scent? Mulberry. But, then again...in my bathroom, I love the fresh linen scent.

12. October is traditionally "open house" time in public schools. If you had a literal open house in your home (like a reception) what light snacks would you serve visitors and what would you show them (as in art projects, graded papers) that would uniquely represent you?

Ok, this HAS to be the toughest question yet....yikes! Um, let's see --- I'd have a variety of snacks, such as a veggie platter, and fruit platter, and probably some crackers/sausage/cheese platters. And I suppose some cookies too. Whenever we have people over, I always go WAY overboard on food and snacks. I want everyone to be happy, so I have lots of variety.

What I would show them...hhhmmm....I would show them our shelves and walls full of pictures of family and friends, including our kids and our wedding photo. I would also show them our dogs and the pictures and papers we have on them regarding their puppy mill rescues and adoptions. Lastly, I would show them the dining area that I have decorated to resemble an italian cafe, complete with a faux brick wall, because Italy is a country I really want to visit.

If you want to join in answering these fun and thought provoking questions, head on over to Linda's!

Random Dozen #7

Head on over to Linda's at 2nd Cup to join in the fun!


1. I've always wondered why we were taught both printing and cursive. Do you prefer to print or write cursive? (Keyboard is not a choice.)

Both - I actually do a combo style of writing. I can actually do both in a single word. Not sure why, and it's not something I think about, as far as trying to do it...I just do it.

2. Are you a dreamer or a realist?

Again, I'd have to say both. I am a dreamer by nature, but I know I have to be a realist in most situations or it can have hurtful or disappointing consequences.

3. Billy Joel or Elton John?

Neither. Although, when Elton John did the music for Disney's "The Lion King", I loved that. Those are my favorite Disney songs.

4. What is the scariest movie you've ever seen? Not limited to horror flicks but also includes ones where the tension or suspense is killer, for example, Flightplan (2005): A bereaved woman and her daughter are flying home from Berlin to America. At 30,000 feet the child vanishes and nobody admits she was ever on that plan.

"Silence of the Lambs". I had nightmares about that movie for weeks afterwards. I kept hearing "Clarise" over and over in my head. ACK! "Misery" with Kathy Bates is a close 2nd though.

5. Now what is the scariest real-life moment you've had?

This one is easy - it was when my twin daughters were born. They were 2 mo premature, and one of them had her heart rate dropping. I was so very sick and critical, they actually brought a crash cart into my room to be ready in case it was needed, and I was in the ICU all night after they were born. Then I reacted to the morphine and remember nothing for the next day and a half. It was a 2 full days before I ever got to see my babies in the NICU. I was honestly terrified that either they would die before I got to see them, or that I would die before I got to see them. Thankfully, we all made it. While that was a terrifying time for me, I can only imagine how awful it had to be for Jay knowing he could lose his wife and his daughters.

6. What word do you misspell without fail?

Evidently, one of them is "Misspell" - I always just did one "s" until I see how you spelled it. LOL I struggle with niece (i before e just doesn't look right for this one), and cancelled - to me, it SHOULD have 2 "L"s.

7. Name something you like to do but are not really talented or good at.

Singing. I'm not good at it at all! When Austin was about 3 years old, I was singing a song to him, when he reached up, put his hand over my mouth, and said "Mama, you don't sing so good". Ouch! lol

8. Do you get your emotional/mental batteries recharged by being around people or by having alone time?

Alone. I can get overly emotional, am very sensitive, and I take things really personally. I need to take time alone to "get real". I go over things in my head, pray about it, yell, scream, cry or whatever else and then I need time to just be quiet. That having been said, Jay knows when being alone is not the best option, and he can get me back up sometimes just by being there and not saying a word.

9. Have you ever been on TV?

Yes...Back when I was in junior high. Neighborhood Labor Day carnivals to raise money for Muscular Distrophy were a big thing at that time. There was a local tv show that came on after the noon news, and they always highlighted a group that had a carnival, and one week our group was on the show. Not a big deal, but at that time, we were sure we were famous! :)

10. Apple or pumpkin pie? (Don't be greedy.)

Neither. I'm not a big fan of pie. If I had to eat one, I'd probably pick apple, and all I'd eat is the apples. I don't like the crust at all.

11. How many magazine subscriptions do you have?

I have zero. Jay and Austin have 2 that they share - Golf and Golf Digest. I used to have a couple of them, but I would always see the newest edition in the store up to a week before I'd get mine in the mail and that drove me crazy, so I cancelled (ack...see! 2 "L"s!) mine.

12. What lesson do you have to keep re-learning?

I can't pick just one - Patience, Trust, and reminding myself to let it go, because God's got it taken care of (and he can handle it much better than I can).

Random Dozen #5

Linda @ 2nd Cup is hosting this meme, so here's my answers:

1. On an average, how often do you splurge and buy something for yourself?

Maybe twice a year. Especially since I had to quit working. I feel bad spending money on myself unless it's a need (like shampoo), knowing Jay is working so hard to support our family.

2. Are you more like Hall or Oates? Just kidding. Real question: What is the last creative project you began/finished? Feel free to post a pic of it.

I attempted painting for a new hobby. While I did enjoy it, I am just not creative enough to just randomly paint something. Maybe I should try paint by numbers? :P

3. OK, Goldie Locks, do you consider your house too big, too little or juuuust right?

Well, when it was built 10 yrs ago, it was just right. But now that 2 kids have moved out, it's starting to feel empty at times (aka: too big). Since my son will be leaving in a couple of years, I'm guessing it's going to be feeling even bigger and emptier long before I'm ready.

4. What is your favorite outdoor chore?

Sunbathing while laying in the hammock. What? That's not a chore? Uh yea it is...our mini horses constantly try to climb in with me! You try it! It's work to stay in there without flipping out. Actually, I'm pretty spoiled when it comes to outdoor chores. Jay & Austin do them all. I do occasionally do some weeding out front, but, well, it's not a favorite of mine. ha.

5. If you knew that cigarette smoking was not bad for your health but would be a weight loss tool, would you use it? Why or why not?

In a heart beat....not even as a weight loss tool. I quit smoking several years ago, but I actually did enjoy it and if I knew it wasn't bad for me, I'd go back to it. Not a good answer, I know. :(

6. On a road trip, would you rather drive or ride?

Ride. I get nervous driving in a city where I have no clue where I am. Plus, I like looking around at everything. Not necessarily a safe thing to do when driving.

7. What do you consider a trivial pursuit?

A board game? oh, ok...a real answer: searching for happiness. The whole "grass is greener". You make your own "green grass"... your own happiness.

8. This weekend, we downloaded the movie "Duplicity" with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. Within 5 minutes, I was bored and annoyed, but I kept watching 5-10 minutes at a time hoping it would get better between small chores. I finally gave up and Jorge watched it alone, and then regretted wasting that time because he disliked it intensely, too. So ... how long do you watch a movie or read a book before giving up on it?

For a movie, I'll last 30 min tops. With a book, it has to catch my attention by then end of the first chapter, or I'll put it down and never finish it.

9. Is there a song that you really love but are embarrassed to admit because it's not cool or it's racy or because it's by Hall and Oates?

"Sugar, Sugar" by the Archies. I have loved that song since I was a young girl. Not sure why, but I get all excited if I listen to an oldies radio show and they play that song. And yes, I have it on my ipod.

10. On a scale of 1-10 (10 = extremely) how spontaneous are you?

I am not as spontaneous as I'd liked to be (or as I used to be), but that's what happens when you have a family and responsibilities I think. I look forward to getting spontaneity back again someday when all our kids are raised and on their own.

11. Are you a food and/or beverage snob?

Not at all. But, I will say I'm very sensitive to the texture of foods/beverages. If I don't like the texture, I won't eat/drink it...which explains my aversion to liver. Blech!

12. Who/What are you trying to control in your life? (I hear people gulping and see them sweating in anticipation of how to answer this)

To be honest, I'm trying to control myself. I am one that likes things to be under control. I get stressed easily when things are chaotic, and while I don't have to be the one in control, if no one else is taking control, I will do it for my own sanity. That causes me to put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself and stress on others. I am learning to just let go, and know that HE has it in control and can do a much better job than I could ever do.

Random Dozen

Linda @ 2nd Cup is hosting this meme. Join in the fun!



1. Tell me the absolute best way to watch a movie.

If it's a movie I've never seen before, then I like watching it alone, so no one talks or interrupts. One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone talks through a movie. It makes me crazy! Unless it's a comedy....it's not nearly as fun to laugh alone.

2. Do you ever think about your own funeral? If so, do you have specific ideas about how you would like it to be?

When my son was born, I had PPD that went into severe clinical depression and I was suicidal a couple of times. One of those times I actually planned my entire funeral, right down to what make-up I wanted. It's odd for me to remember back to that time, since it was a dark time in my life, but at the same time, it's also ironic how many of the items I planned would be almost the same today (songs, verses, etc)


3. Are you more of a giver or a taker?

I like to think I'm a giver...I try hard to be. Wait...maybe I should take that back? hahahaha, oh I crack myself up.

4. Vacations: planned activities and schedules, or play it by ear?

A little of both. If we know there are certain sights we definitely want to see, we will usually figure out what day we want to do that, but other than that, we are pretty relaxed.

5. What is one often overlooked item in your home that needs to be cleaned regularly?

Windows. I'm so bad about doing them as often as I should. Especially our front window. They go low enough that the dogs love to lay on the ledge and look out, which is fine. However, they get their nose and tongue prints all over the lower part of the windows and it looks bad. I could clean them 3 times a day and they'd still get "goobers" on them.

6. Name a cause that means a lot to you.

Puppy mill rescue. All 3 of our bichons were puppy mill dogs. Molly was in a mill the longest. She was there 6 1/2 years pumping out litter after litter. When she got "too old" they literally tossed her out on the street to fend for herself. She is very bonded with me, but still untrusting of others, and to this day she is scared of being held or even picked up (even by me). She also gets hysterical if she is crated for even a short time. Plus she's had cancer 3 times due to nursing too much without a break. It breaks my heart knowing there are other dogs in tiny cages being used and abused in this way. After my children are all raised and on their own, I have considered doing foster care to try to help rehabilitate puppy mill rescued dogs.


7. Do you eat a regular old peanut butter jelly sandwich, or do you customize it? And by the way, jelly or no jelly?

I love pb & j sandwiches...just those ingredients only. Oh, and no jelly....we use jam :)


8. If we were having a conversation in person, how would I know if you were nervous?

I fidget and giggle/laugh a lot like a big ol' dork. I also agree with everything you say by nodding my head, so I look like one of those bobbing head dogs in the back of a grandma's car window.

9. Do you have an elaborate bedtime routine, or just the basics of toothbrushing and jammies?

It's gotten elaborate due to my health issues. I do the normal change, brush teeth, wash face routine, but then I rub lotion all over (my skin is now ridiculously dry), I put on these soft fleecy, no elastic socks (randomly in the middle of the night my feet will turn ice cold...even when covered), I put on wrist braces for the carpal tunnel. I fluff the pillow my feet lay on (they are too sore to lay on the hard bed) and I turn on the heating pad to relax any spasms I get when I first lay down. I also turn on the "white noise" machine to help with my insomnia and I plug in my phone. By this time, Jay's already been asleep for 30 min. LOL

10. Have you ever regretted something you wrote on your blog?

Not that I can recall. But I know I don't always use the best grammar, word,or puncuation, which I regret, but well, that's me.

11. Has anyone ever told you that you look like a famous person or celebrity? Did you agree?

No, but when my twin daughters were babies and toddlers they were constantly mistaken for Ashley & Mary Kate Olsen....until they were probably 8 or 9 yrs old.

However, with the swelling my feet have had lately, they are all rippled and lumpy all over them. Jay told me one day my feet look like Arnold Schwarzenegger when he won Mr. World or whatever it was. So now whenever I leave a room, he thinks it'd be funny for me to say in that deep heavy accented voice "I'll be back". :-/

12. If you were going to dedicate a song to a loved one or friend, what would the song be and to whom would it be dedicated?

"Grow Old Along With Me" is the song I always play and dedicate to Jay on our anniversary. Although with the way he's been acting lately it might be: "You Stuck My Heart In a Old Tin Can and Shot It Off a Log" (yes, that's an actual song - I looked it up).

Random Dozen

It's time once again for Linda @ 2nd Cups Random Dozen Meme...


1. Please share one middle school memory. It can be good, bad, ugly, funny. Pictures or words, I don't care, just share. When I was in 7th grade I got a new pair of platform shoes that I had been begging for. I didn't want them getting dirty as I walked to school, so I carried them, and then changed when I got to school. I didn't realize platforms weighed about 30lbs each and are hard to walk in. I did ok, until I had to go down a flight of stairs. I went head over heels down the steps and landed with my back end straight up in the air and my legs flat against the wall. Ooohhh...did I mention I also wore a skirt that day? Yep, everyone got to see my pretty pink panties I was wearing. I remember asking the school nurse what the requirements were to transfer to a new school. ***This kind of goes along with one of your previous questions about how much we loooooooved middle school.

2. What's your favorite Beatles song? I know this will come as a shock...but I have never been a fan of the beatles. Never. I don't know that I have ever cared for a single one of their songs. Now the Monkeys on the other hand.....

3. If I asked you to describe your most comfortable outfit, what would it be? A "Life Is Good" brand shirt(short or long-sleeved) and soft fleece pants. That is what I will live in from now until next Summer.

4. Would you rather host a party or be a guest? I really like to host, but I put a lot of pressure on myself to make sure everything is "perfect", which means my family gets to live with a crazy lady the entire week before. It's hard for me to relax and enjoy the party, because I really want to make sure there's plenty of food and beverages, and activities for the kids, etc, and that everyone is having a fabuloso time.

5. Do you think we will move completely from traditional books to digital ones, and if we do, are you OK with that? Digital books do take up a lot less room on the shelves, freeing my shelves for other clutter. As long as the screen and font are large enough that I'm not squinting and scrolling non-stop, I don't mind. Then again, there's something about the smell of an old book.

6. Do you learn best by reading, listening or experiencing? Experiencing. I learn by hands on training, which is why I should have gone to college at ITT Tech or Kaplan University or any of the others that claim they teach that way. Just show me what to do, and I'll do it.

7. If you are (or when you were) single, what is the kiss of death for you concerning the opposite sex? (That is, what is one trait or behavior or habit or anything at all that immediately turns you off from considering that person a potential match for you?) Abusiveness & Lying. Ironically, my husband is the first and only man I've ever dated that has never had even a small amount of either of those traits...That's part of what's made him a keeper. :)

8. Snacks. Salty or sweet? Is this during PMS time or not? Because that really does effect my answer.

9. Look around you in a four foot radius. What object is around you that you didn't realize was there or forgot was there? How long has it been there? This actually did make me laugh out loud! I am in our home office, which is currently one of the most neglected rooms in our home. Since I'm not able to do much, I focus on the main rooms, and with the office, it's just too darn easy to just shut the door. hhhmmm...what doesn't belong? There really isn't a lot that doesn't belong, it's just that things aren't where they belong in here. You know...books on the desk instead of on the shelf, etc. It's a big ol' cluttered mess in here. *sigh* Oh wait...cookbooks. I worked on menus the other day and they are still in here. Those need to go back to the kitchen.

10. What is your favorite Tom Cruise movie? Top Gun, hands down. He seemed to grow up in that movie and become such a gentleman....and that was before he went and got all weird.

11. You buy a bottle of shampoo and discover that you don't like what it does to your hair at all. What do you do with that full bottle? Put it in Jay's shower. He'll use anything. :) As he says "I'm just thrilled to have something up top to wash."

12. Your favorite Fall comfort food? (Last week it was beverage.) Broccoli Cheese Soup. I can't eat soup unless it's cool/cold outside, so I haven't had any in several months, and I'm looking forward to it's cheesy goodness.

Random Dozen

Be sure to go see Linda @ 2nd Cup to join in the fun with this little meme.



1. Which is worse: a long, boring meeting or standing in a return/exchange line after Christmas?
Definitely a long boring meeting. I always, and I do mean ALWAYS find myself nodding off, which is so embarrassing, because when I open my eyes, the speaker is always, and I do mean ALWAYS looking directly at me.

2. Except for maybe Rosie O'Donnell or Ann Coulter, nobody likes confrontation, yet we all have to deal with it. When you feel cornered and defensive, do you "bite back" or become passive aggressive? Depends on the situation and who it involves. If it involves my kids or my husband, the gloves are off immediately, no questions asked.

3. Do you know anything about your genealogical background? (What country, culture, ties to prominent historical figures, or other stuff.) I know very little about my side. I know I am of German heritage, with my left foots amount of Norwegian in me (as my Grandmother told me....which left me staring at my feet when I was younger trying to see the difference between a German foot and a Norwegian foot). I don't know cities, figures, etc...and kind of wish I did.

4. What is the quickest way a person can endear him/herself to you? Never lie to me or intentionally hurt someone I care about.

5. Cake, pie, cookies, or ice cream? (Note there is no "all of the above" option. You must choose one. Feel free to elaborate on flavor or memories tied to this dessert.) If you'd like, you can share a recipe, but you certainly don't have to. Ok this is going to sound funny, but I remember back in high school someone made a cake called "Better than sex" cake. I tried it and remember thinking "it's ok, but if it's better than sex, I'm ok with waiting". LOL So, for that reason, I'd omit cake. I'm not a big fan of pie or ice cream, so I'll go with nice, ooey-gooey, still warm from the oven, chocolate chip cookies.

6. Females: Do you regularly change your handbag to coordinate with your outfit? I change it to match the outfit, the pillows in my living room, my dogs collar, and the color of the last vehicle to drive by. You could say I love any reason to change bags....or to have a reason to buy a new one.

7. Are you task-oriented or relationship-oriented? hhhmmm....now that's a toughie. I'm more introverted, and not as outgoing as my husband is (he'll talk to ANYONE, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME...whereas I'm more reserved and cautious), but at the same time, if I have a task to work on, I'd much rather work on it with someone else and not alone. hhhmmm....I'm gonna have to get back to you on this one.

8. IHOP, Bob Evans or Cracker Barrel? Does it make me weird if I say I've never eaten at any of those? 'Cuz, I haven't.

9. Have you ever left a movie in progress in a theater? Why? No. We don't go to a theater very often, so when we go, we are pretty selective about what we'll see. I have however, turned a movie off that I'm watching on tv or video because it's too gross, violent, offensive, etc.

10. What is one area of life in which you would like to develop more discipline or organization? Only ONE area? Because I'd really like to say "all". I'm not an organized person, and never have been, so I'm guessing it's just not going to happen in my lifetime. Therefore I'll go with more disciplined. I need to be more disciplined with myself in areas of my health and well being, without being so hard on myself.

11. Was middle school fun or painful? Painful, horrible, awful, and something you couldn't pay me enough to repeat. In other words...I didn't like it very much. LOL

12. What is your favorite Fall beverage? Swiss Miss Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate mix. mmmmmmm...chocolatey warm goodness, with no guilt.