It's Good

Please excuse the possible meandering that may follow...


When we moved here, I knew no one local. I had a few friends and relatives in nearby towns, but no one HERE. I was extremely lonely, and missed having the kind of friend you can invite over just to hang out.

So I joined a mom's group on meetup.com (highly recommend it!). The first group I joined started well, and I met some women I felt I would like to get to know. I also met a few women at Kaia's school that I really liked.

Some of those friendships worked, some didn't. I found that though I might really like someone, we just might not click, sometimes on my end, sometimes on hers (seemed for a bit to mostly lean the second way) Being a sensitive person emotionally (don't laugh! I am! :-)), I took it personally when someone didn't seem to want to get to know me better.

I had two main wishes. To find some couple friends with kids that we ALL enjoyed hanging out with, and to find some really wonderful women, just a few, that I really felt comfortable with and laughed with.

I have a hard time sometimes focusing on the positive. We met some really nice couples, and happily the women in those couples were awesome. We met some with kids our kids' ages, and some with kids older or younger. (we don't really hang out in circles with kid-less people, which is fine.) For awhile, I kept thinking how I really missed good friends, and still felt that the friends we had weren't our BEST friends. I kept wanting that perfect person who would be my best friend here.

In the last few weeks, we've met even more families that we really click with. We've decided to make an effort to invite someone over for dinner every weekend. The weekends we don't, or even the ones we do, but on other nights, we go to friends' for dinner. I've realized that EVERY weekend we have one OR MORE social things planned.

Even more surprisingly, I've realized I have been more picky with who I choose for friends now. I simply don't HAVE TIME for a lot more. I have found a few women I adore, and feel really comfortable with. Mike gets along really well with them, and more importantly, their husbands. Our kids get along, and their kids aren't brats. We have to actually DISCUSS who we should invite over this weekend for dinner, and often have to decline invites because we are already booked!

We have become SOCIAL. We have made FRIENDS. I am a bit taken by surprise that my goals have been more than reached. I am really happy in our social life, and so lucky in the friends I have found. I can let the hurts go for the ones that don't want to get closer, because really? I don't need them. It's a good feeling.

I am happy. truly content with my life here, and it's only getting better.

when did this transition happen?

I am old. I went to the mall. Got totally overwhelmed by all the lights, the noise and the sheer consumerism. I actually got lost. Twice. I did find some of the most awesome mascara ever though. So I don't need to go back anytime soon.

long overdue post

Wow. So life has gotten busy in the last couple of weeks! Here's a breakdown of my week -

On Sundays I work at the hospital for 4 hours.
On Mondays and Wednesdays I have Math class.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have Spanish.
On Wednesdays I go to the farm to get veggies. (only 4 more weeks of that I think)
Three to five days a week I go work out at the gym.
When I can, I do homework.
Monday through Friday I take Kaia to school, then pick her up in the afternoon.
Monday through Friday mornings I take Mike to work.
Tuesdays and Thursdays I pick Mike up from work after picking up Kaia from school.
Every night I cook dinner, usually from scratch.
I make bread 2-4 times a week (sometime I make the dough in the bread machine).
I try to do at least one mom's group event a week, though it usually works out to about two a month.
Add to this cleaning the house, cooking other meals, grocery shopping, and taking care of Ben every day!

We also just got our new really cool health insurance, so I am busily making and going to chiropractor, doctor, and dentist appointments for all four of us.

Now, I am by no means saying I am busier than most people. On the contrary, I know I am not. However, I am much busier than I used to be! And you know what I found out?! I like it! I am happier and far more content now than I was just a few weeks ago! I am looking forward to changes in the next year, but I am okay (for the first time in years) with exactly where I am now. This pleases me.

What plans, you ask? I'll tell you! (even if you didn't ask!)

This January our lease will be up. We are all looking forward to renting a house closer to Kaia's school and Mike's work. Here are our requirements in a house -

• 4 bedrooms, or 3 bedrooms and a close-off-able den/office
• I'd prefer only one story, but it's not necessary
• A big back yard!! Room for: a garden, a kids' play area, AND!! fully fenced, because...we are going to get a dog! We're going to search the shelters until we find the perfect one - small or medium-ish, good with kids, young enough to grow up with the kids, good with cats, and hopefully not too yappy.
  

Over the next year or so we will also be saving up for a down payment for when we are ready to buy a house, and continuing to pay off debt.

I will continue with school, and will be ready to apply for the Ultrasound Tech program starting in the fall of 2010. Mike is working with a couple different people on games. Kaia is still LOVING school, her teacher, and her friends. Ben is getting bigger and more interactive every day!

Life is good.

however, if we ever get a Wii.....

Yesterday at the park it once again came up that we don't have a TV. Kids shows were being talked about and when I looked blank at one character's name, one mother seems surprised I didn't know about him. (the character is Diego's brother. or sister. or someone. I DO know who Diego is.)

I said that we didn't have a TV, so I am not caught up on current kids' shows. There was a minute of silence, then all three women said some variation of "I couldn't do that! I'd go crazy!"

The truth is, I never miss TV. In the beginning, it wasn't our idea not to watch TV. In Pullman, where we used to live, you had to pay for cable to even get basic channels, and we couldn't afford that. So our TV sat in the living room and waited for us to occasionally watch movies on it. I realized that without even the option of vegging on the couch in front of the TV, I didn't miss it. I was pretty busy anyway, with working full time and taking care of my family. If I had had the TV to watch, I would have stayed up way too late anyway, and not for anything worthwhile.

However, Mike and I watched movies and, every once in a while a TV show (Heroes!), online. And after a trip to the school Kaia goes to now, we talked about getting rid of the TV itself. We'd already made the rule of no movies on weekdays, simply because I didn't want to have the homework vs. TV arguments later. After very little discussion, we decided to remove the TV. Kaia could watch her weekend movies on the laptop. The amount of room the TV took up wasn't worth the small amount of use it got.

So out it went. And again, we didn't miss it. We had a lot more room in the living room, and it actually felt much more peaceful without the looming gray screen.

After we moved, we didn't get a TV even though we'd have access to local channels now. We can watch any shows we want to online, though that's rare.

After dinner, we put Ben to bed, then Mike and Kaia spend time together, or we all three do something together. I don't have to listen to my daughter whine about wanting to watch one more show, nor do I have to hear about what new toys she wants, after watching one inane commercial after another. I never think "I wish I could watch TV, I am so bored."

In the spirit of being truthful, if I am at someone's house, and they have the TV on, I am just as likely as the next guy to get lost in it. But I am amazed when commercials come on and I see what advertising people actually expect us to believe. I am shocked at what is considered normal for kids to watch. And when I see Kaia's glazed eyes, and know the same look is in mine when I watch the screen, I thank the stars above we don't have a TV. I'd go crazy!

Reality Check

Two things. First, a funny thing my daughter said. Second, how I realized I needed to have it be said to ME.

So yesterday we're in the car on the way home. Ben is fussy because he's tired, and Kaia is grumpy because she had to leave her friend's house.

Kaia: Mom, Ben calms down when I pay attention to him. I think he just wants attention. (said in an exasperated tone)

Me: Okay, well, you could sing him a little song.

Kaia: I don't want to.

Me: Okay, you don't have to entertain him.

Kaia: (after a pause) Mom, can I tell him it's not all about HIM?

So, as I said in my whiny post, it could just be me taking things personally. And after a VERY nice email from the friend in question here is my conclusion.

I am extremely self-absorbed. Not all the time of course, but in situations like this. Because in the email she mentioned all the reasons -and almost all of them I was already aware of -that she has been busy: she's pregnant, has a 5 year old, her husband has been almost living at work (not willingly), she has a big over-seas trip coming up, she's had to plan and go to multiple doctor appointments for her and her family and her pets, and, not mentioned in her email, she has been helping out a neighbor whose back went out.

Yeah. Am I taking things too personally much? sheesh. Sometimes, I really just need to ask my daughter to tell me...

"Mom! It's not all about YOU!"

Student At Large

So since we moved here I've been planning to go back to school in the fall of this year. I hadn't looked at the classes I was planning to take for over a year, so forgot that I had added in a bunch just to take for fun....so when I looked at it last week, I realized that if I took out all those, I would be ready to apply for the Ultrasound Tech program at the beginning of 2010, meaning I would start - if accepted - Fall Quarter of 2010!!!

That's only taking 2 classes per quarter, which is awesome, since I need to take night classes until I am in the program. Night classes are either Monday and Wednesday, or Tuesday and Thursday, meaning if I work it right I can be taking a class all four days. I'm starting with only one class though, since it's Summer quarter, meaning less time to do the same amount of work, and to get back into the School Groove.

Of course, I decided this last Friday, and today was the beginning of the quarter - though the class I signed up for doesn't start until tomorrow night. I signed up for Algebra 097, a class I've taken before, but ten years ago, so I don't remember much. Since Math is my weak point, I don't want to take any chances about keeping my GPA high, so I'd rather start fresh and keep up. I only have to take 3 math classes for the program - 097, 098, and 099. I'll write another post later about the other classes I'll be taking, as well as the volunteering I need, and want, to do.

I'm really excited to start, despite the fact it's math. I am confident I'll do fine in the class since it's all just reminders, and Mike is super supportive and excited about me going to school too.

Because I'm bored.

Ten Years Ago what were you doing?

Ten years ago...let's see, I was about to turn 21...uh oh. umm...I was married to Abe, living in Vancouver, Wa. I was trying to convince him to start trying to have a baby (WHEW! thank god THAT didn't work!). I think I was working at Chevron.

Five Things on Today’s “To Do” List

-sleep in (done!)

- go to the bank and open two more checking accounts. (bank was closed.)

- eat (yep! more than once!)

- umm...can't really think of anything else.

If I were a Billionaire

I'd buy a lot of land, build several houses, invite a few families to live on it with me, start a commune type thing. Put money away for kids' college funds. Buy new cars for Mike and me. Invest. Go on a cruise. or two....three?

Three Bad Habits

- losing my patience with my daughter.
- taking things that have nothing to do with me personally.
- eating too much sugar.

Five Places I’ve Lived

- White Salmon, Wa
- Hope Peninsula, ID
- Pullman, Wa
- Vancouver, WA
- Battle Ground, WA

Five Jobs I’ve Had

- gas station clerk
- adult store clerk
- knife salesperson
- wireless consultant
- ESL textbook contributor

I am shocked and amazed

I have now discovered that not only do I like hazelnuts, I also enjoy almonds. Does this mean I'm a grownup now? Please say it isn't so!

Patience Is A Wonderful Virtue. Just Not One Of Mine.

I need more. Specifically, I need to consciously make an effort to be more patient with my daughter. I spend so much of my time with Ben, and trying to keep up with everything, that Kaia tends to get my reserves. Since even at my best I am not known for my patience (to understate the issue) I have lately noticed that I am snapping at her overmuch.

When the time is there, I need to let her go at her own pace. I need to let her muse about her world. I need to let her be silly or serious, at her own pace.

Sometimes, true, we need to be going now, we need to be there now, it has to happen now. But often, it doesn't need to. It can happen later...or never. How can I tie and gag this built in part of me that feels the need to speed us up? That tries to get to the end before enjoying the middle?

This is my goal for this week. To slow down. To just. slow. down. let my daughter be herself, let her move through her world at her own pace.

Starting New

While I was excited to move here at the beginning of the year, there was one dark point. I had never moved anywhere (in my adult life) that I didn't already have a good friend. I hadn't really ever moved far away, except the last time, when we moved to Pullman, and there I had Andrea and John, and I really couldn't ask for better.

But here...here I had a few acquaintances, and a few relatives, both of which I am very happy for. But I missed having a good friend close by, someone to invite over even if my house was a mess, or to ask to babysit my kids while I had a doctor appointment, or to go grocery shopping with. Someone who had a kid or two who got along with my kid or two. Someone whose husband and my husband also like each other. Someone I felt at ease doing dishes in front of, or laundry. Someone whose house I could hang out in while she did dishes...or laundry.

I know it takes awhile to find this. I know I will, years from now, look back on this time and only dimly remember the loneliness. I will have made a few good friends, and my days will be full.

I think I have made the first few steps toward this. I have met a couple women I really like. I like their kids, I like their husbands (and so does Mike!)

I am so impatient. I want to hurry past these times of slight uncertainty. Do they like me too? Do they like my kids? I know they do...but do they like me A LOT?! Do they feel that they could be friends with me ten years from now? Twenty? I want to move into the level of comfortability I have with Kathy and Tania and Andrea. I realize I can't. I realize that takes time. Years.

But darn it. I want it NOW. (why am I so like a child sometimes?!)

and of course, in my duality, I am looking forward to the years of getting to know these women, when I stop to think about it. I look forward to watching their children grow with mine.

When I can remember to slow down, I can enjoy this time in our new friendship.

doh!

I sat down to write a post and realized ..."wait a minute! I'm in the MIDDLE OF CLEANING. and... I have nothing to say. So why am I here?"

it's a mystery.

In Which I Show Some Oddness

Someone who reads my blog recently told me that they (using "they" incorrectly so as not to use "he" or "she". sorry) wished they were happy all the time, like me. I was shocked, and assured them (you know what? Let's just call this person "Z".) So, I assured Z that I wasn't always happy, and had my bad days too. Z said that on my blog, I always write so positively, so happily about my day to day stuff. So, to keep it real, and to make Z feel better, I want to make something very clear.

I have bad days. I have nights where I cry in the bath (those aren't often). I have mornings where I am pissed off at various people and yell at them in my head. I have evenings when I really want someone to just come take these children somewhere for the night so I can SLEEP ALL NIGHT and maybe even late into the morning! I get irritated about my housework, husband, kids, parents, other friends and relatives.

There are two reasons why I don't talk much about all that here, other than a rant occasionally. The first one is that most of them read this blog, and I don't want to make our issues public, or I might not even really feel I want to get into it with them.

The second is the most important. I really feel that I create my reality. My thoughts and words move out into the universe and solidify, surrounding me with the colors and feelings of themselves. If I yell and bitch and whine all the time, the universe (through me) will only create more things to yell and bitch and whine about. If I smile, and laugh, and love those around me, that is also magnified.

Wait a minute before you hate me and think I'm all sanctimonious. I DO yell and bitch and whine. trust me, I DO. But when I can, and were I can (this blog) I TRY to limit it. I try to help the universe help me. I am getting better and better at it. I KNOW how lucky I am. I have a husband who loves me and our children. I have family and friends who have my back. I have two kids who are happy and healthy and growing.

and, Z...don't worry...it WILL get better. You're strong. And yo u have a happy Z inside you just waiting to break free and sing show tunes! or something.

Women are from Venus, Men are from Alpha Centari

The simple phrase "Let's clean the house." Seems clear, yes? Apparently, this means different things to men and women. Or my man and me, at least.

To me, it means dishes, pick up living room, clean bathroom, do laundry, etc.

To Mike? It always seems to mean disappear into the office and spend a couple hours taking things out of bins and trying to find homes for them, fixing a chair that has been broken for weeks (but that was okay, because we don't use it)and install our new DVD burner. These are all things that need to be done, yes, but don't fall under MY version of "let's clean the house".

Ah well. I love the man dearly, so put up with these strange differences in our personalities. After all, he puts up with with my odd ideas too.

shameless begging

Please take my cool quiz! I really promise I won't be offended by wrong answers. I just want participants! Even if you really don't actually know, just guess!

Please? :-)

okay, this is odd...

so all my life I have professed a HATRED of nuts...almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, eww! I get mad (not really) when people call peanuts "nuts" because, well, they AREN'T. They are legumes. So I can like them.

BUT. Recently, a friend of Kaia's gave her some hazelnuts (also called filberts). She asked me to buy some to put in her lunches, so, gagging, I did. She ate them all, we bought more. Repeat. Twice.

Then, tonight, she gave me a small handful....so sweetly did she hand them to me, with love, that I felt it would be mean to decline...so I held my breath and tossed them in my mouth, trying to chew quickly.

AND. I LOVE THEM!!! my god, hazelnuts, where have you been all my life?!! you tasty, scrumptious little things!!!

I have had way too many since that small handful. and I am certain I will need to buy more soon. Like tomorrow.

and how awesome is it that they are so good AND good for me too?!

very. that's how awesome. very very VERY.

a cop-out post: One Word

Your last meal: cereal
Something on your desk/work area: crumbs
Your New Year's Eve plans: friends
The smallest gift you received this year: giftcard
The largest gift you received this year: money
Something you wish you hadn't eaten so much of during the holidays: nothing.
On your feet: toes
Your hair: messy
How many other countries you've traveled to: one
One country you dream of visiting: India
A hobby you'd like to take up/revisit this year: scrapbooking
A hobby of yours that died (aww, buh-bye) this past year: none
A publication you subscribe to (print): O
The most embarrassing subscription in your feed reader (if you have one): famecrawler
One of your favorite stores to window shop dreamily in: Target
One of your favorite online stores to window shop dreamily on: amazon
A color you love to wear: black
Your bed pillow: mmmmmmmmmmm
The color of your kitchen counter: spotted
What you plan to do when you get up from the computer: drink coffee

blech

I am out of sorts tonight. No real reason why, just feeling grumpy.

I adapt well to new situations. When moving up here the only regret I had was leaving my family and friends. My only regret leaving here is leaving Andrea and her family. I love the planning that goes into a move, the unpacking of my things, the dream that this time I will put everything in it's place and it will stay there. The finding of the nearby grocery stores, the search for the perfect doctor, dentist, chiropractor. The idea that I may meet new friends, find new adventures.

The down side to this? I begin to distance myself from THIS place too early. I stop caring if things have a place, because they won't even be here soon. I stop worrying how I look when I go out, because these people will never see me again! It's hard to clean my house, because in my mind, it's quickly becoming not-my-house. MY house is on the other side of the state, eagerly awaiting my arrival! It's even hard to eat the food here....this isn't real food, the REAL food over there, paused in it's existence until I appear to purchase and consume it. I forget to make sure Kaia has her Blue Folder for school, or does her homework (which I was actually getting very good at remembering to have her do), because this isn't her REAL school....her teacher and her new friends are only three weeks away from meeting their newest classmate!

It's hard to even buy food or anything else. I was in the store today, and I had to make myself buy yogurt and lunch meat. I passed a rack of something or other that normally I would have had to steel myself to pass by without grabbing things....and I could only think of the clutter it would add to my new home. I need pants, I have been living in pajama pants, only putting one one of the two pairs of jeans I own if I am leaving the house--but when I walked into the clothing section yesterday, I couldn't stand the sheer AMOUNT OF CLOTH, and had to go about my business of finding the Christmas gifts I had come for. I got mad at myself when this morning I realized both my pairs of jeans were dirty and I had to find the least dirty pair to wear, but won't go buy any until after I move. 'Cause in my strangely warped mind, the jeans over THERE must be better than the ones here, HERE where I don't actually live anymore, so can't buy anything right?

The only thing I haven't pulled back from is Andrea and her family. I want to spend as much time as possible (and due to weather and the price of gas, isn't close to as much as I'd like) before we leave. The last three years are the longest duration of time we've lived this close to each other in our whole 22 year friendship.

Now that I think about it, that may be another reason I have emotionally left this area already. I hate long drawn out goodbyes, so getting all but that one over with as soon as possible. And saying goodbye to Andrea, John, Katia and Liam will not be fun. There will be tears, at least on my part, and Kaia's......and the one thing I hate more than long drawn out goodbyes are tear filled ones.

That was enough of a ramble to last awhile, now, wasn't it?

Written while being elbowed and begged for breakfast

I love getting up early in the morning. Now, before, if you know me, you suffocate while trying to hold back the laughter, or strain your neck searching for flying pigs, let me explain.

I DON'T usually get up early. I LOVE TO SLEEP IN TOO. If I don't have an early morning commitment-that I can't get out of-then it's next to impossible to get up early, if I don't choose to.

What I love are those mornings when I wake up early and just....want to get up. It was 7 am this morning when that happened, and I have had breakfast, drank some coffee, and read my favorite blogs.

I have also cuddled a bit with my daughter, but that has turned into her complaining about me being on the computer and begging to be fed. Sheesh, kids these days! Sometimes she even asks more than once a day for food!

Plans for this day include shopping for Thanksgiving pie and veggies with Andrea, doing dishes and laundry (though what day doesn't include those two!?), buying snow boots for my daughter, and sledding down our back hill with Kaia. All in all, a good plan, don't you think?

no really, THIS time I'll actually do it!*

have I ever mentioned my lack of follow-through-ed-ness? No? But you know anyway? How'd you guess? oh....the DOZENS of posts that start "I have a new goal!!" then you never hear about how it went? that's cause it didn't. Went. Go. whatever.

I really mean to follow through on things. I have gads of enthusiasm for everything I start. then....

It's not that I am flaky. Well, obviously I am, but not deep down. I am actually quite a reliable person when it's important.

I don't lose interest....I don't get frustrated. I FORGET. out and out, complete amnesia. someone will bring up a goal..."so, how're the simplicity lessons going?" and I will look at them, blankly at first. then it will hit me what the hell they are talking about. "OH!!! RIGHT!!!" I will shriek, making them regret mentioning anything. "umm...yeah....well....I forgot...."

"Oh..." they will say. "You seemed so enthusiastic about it."

"Yeah....I was....I mean am....well...yeah...." I will lamely mutter.

I would prefer to think of it as an endearing quirk than a horribly annoying fault. I guess that depends on how much you love me, eh?

*can't you just smell the sarcasm?!

Even MORE about me!

001.Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
most certainly!

002. Do your jeans have rips, tears, and holes in them?
no, I don’t think so…I had a pair of jeans with holes in the knees, but finally gave up on them.

003. What are you dreading right now?
having the person I am currently on hold with tell me that they can’t do what I want, and the last 30 minutes 22 seconds and counting have been wasted.

004. Do you celebrate 4/20?:
the date? No…or is this supposed to say 4:20? Like the pot smoking time? In that case, well, the answer is still no…

005. Favorite country singer?
I don’t have any favorite singer in any genre. Country music isn’t one of my favorite genres, either, though I like some.

006. What face cleanser do you use?:
Mary Kay.

007. When was your last doctors visit?:
May 30th.

008. Do you get the full 8 hours of sleep?:
I TRY, yes…

009. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?:
To get ME ready? Or me and Kaia? Just me, about 15-20 minutes. With Kaia, 20-40.

010. "First Loves Are Never Over" is this true for you?
(laughing outloud) no. no.

011. Think of all your exes - what about them?
Jason- wonder what he’s up to…haven’t seen him since 9th grade.
Steve- my first foray into white trash men. Blech.
Abe- good times. Glad I had them. Glad they’re over.
Elijah- second and last foray into white trash dating. Sheesh. I learned, oh man, did I learn.
Matt- cured me for GOOD of dating jealous guys.
(I’m stuck. Does “ex” include people I just had sex with, or just ones I called “my boyfriend”? We’ll go with option 2. And in that case, we are done!)

12. If anyone came over to your house on one of your "lazy days" would you go get ready real quick?:
I’m assuming you mean people I know and love, since who else would show up unannounced? And no..they love me, remember? And more importantly, they know me, remember?

013. Does your school have tornado drills:
It did not.

014. Have you ever been on your schools track team?:no. no no no no! No team sports for me. *shudder*

015. Do you own a pair of Converse?:
I did in 4th grade. Not since.

016. Who did you cut and paste this survey from? :
http://princessdarcy.spaces.live.com/

017. Do you eat raw cookie dough?:
I LOVE raw cookie dough! I don't care about the raw eggs and possible food poisoning! I LOVE raw cookie dough... preferably frozen!

018. What color shirt are you wearing?
maroon.

019. What did you do for your last birthday?
had Chinese takeout with my parents and Andrea’s family and watched them drink wine. Not what I had planned pre-pregnancy, but was a good time.

020. What time did you wake up today?
7:40am

021. What were you doing 3 nights ago?
Monday night…hmmm…oh! Cleaned my laundry closet and had a small but good visit with Dana.

022. Last time you saw your mom?See 19.
End of May.

023. Do you like having your hair pulled?
ummmm. No. there are people who answer yes to this?

024. Are you cocky?:
I don’t believe so.

025. Shortest relationship?:
Define “relationship”.

026. Longest relationship?
30 years. My mother-daughter relationship between my mom and me. Oh, that’s not what you meant? Sorry.

027. How many boyfriends/girlfriends have told you they love you?
3? 4? Not sure…

028. Last gift you received?:
nail polish and lip gloss from Heather for going to a mary Kay thing.

029. Biggest lie you have ever told?:
Not sure.

030. Could you live without a computer?:
well, yes, of course I wouldn’t DIE. I wouldn’t enjoy it though.

031. Do you wear shoes in your house?:
not if I can help it. Makes me feel confined.

032. When you watch movies at home, do you turn the lights off?
well, yes!

033. Ever been given an engagement ring?:
twice.

034. Ever dropped your cell phone?:
there are people who answer “no” to this? They are liars.

035. What do you do when you're sad?:
sleep.

036. Who would you call first if you won the lottery?
my mom. Andrea…Kathy…Tania…

037. When was the last time you saw your best friend?
Umm…Last week? I think.

038. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
this is an ambiguous question. Physical? Mental? Possible? If it’s anything, I would want more energy on a day to day basis.

039. What is your favorite month?:
any month in full summer.

040. What sleeps with you every night?
my unborn son. He’s a “who” though isn’t he? So I guess…my pillows, blanket and mattress.

041. How many times have you been pulled over?
This year? None, though I was in the car when Mike was. In my life? 3-6.

043.Who is the last person you texted?
let me check my phone…..Michael. To ask him to pick up Kaia cause I was on the phone at work.

044. What is your favorite dessert?
favorite? You are asking me to pick a favorite?!? This is DESSERT we are talking about! There’s ice cream and cake, and fudge…crème brulee, chocolate chip cookie dough….the list goes on.

045. Is anyone on your bad side right now?
Customer care at the company I am working for.

046. What jewelry are you wearing?
a necklace with multi colored beads, my wedding ring, and my nose stud.

047. What's the first thing you do when you get online?:
check email and sign on to MSN Messenger.

048. When was the last time you worked out?:
ugh, don’t ask me that. The NEXT time is this coming Monday. So there.

049. Do you watch Grey's Anatomy?
no.

050. How do most people spell your name?:
Do they know me? If so, I hope correctly…if they don’t know me, sometimes they only put in one ell.

051. Do you wear your boyfriend/girlfriends clothes?
yes, don’t tell my husband. ;-)052. Do you watch pro sports on TV?god no.

053. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?:
waiting on hold for customer care to help me do something only to have them tell me they couldn’t.

054. What was the first movie that gave you nightmares?
Child’s Play. nasty little doll demon.

055. What is in your cd player?
Here at work? Shakira, Pink Martini, and Gnarles Barkley.

056. Name one person that made you smile today?
Briana at the school I want my daughter to go to. She called and told me Kai is accepted.

057. What were you doing around 8 am this morning?:
blearily making a German pancake and coffee.

058. Do you know anyone who was born in the United States?:umm..yes….most of the people I know were. I take it this survey started in Canada. I also know 2 people who were born there!

059. Favorite name(s) for a girl:
Kaia. Was stuck on another one, so good thing I’m having a boy.

060. Will you keep your last name when you get married?:
I did not. Either time. See post on that below.

061. Your favorite restaurant you don't get to eat at much?:
Sunrise Bagels…not really a “restaurant” but I LOVE the Italian Eggel there….mmmmm….

062: Favorite boy names:
Ben, so far. I love Jaxon, but doesn’t go well with having a husband named Michael.

063. Do you buy your own school supplies?
I love school supplies, just like Darcy, who I took this survey from! I, too, don’t go to school, so call them “planning supplies” for various projects.

064. Do you already have your school supplies?:
I have lots. But no school as of yet.

065. How often do you wash clothes?
All my laundry gets washed on the weekend. Sometimes I do a load or two during the week.

066. How do you eat your steak?:
with a fork, usually. And mashed potatoes, if I am lucky. Ooo!! Horse radish sauce, too. (medium rare)

067. What is the farthest point North you've been?
The south part of Alaska.

068. How do you get to work?
I drive.

069. If you heard your phone ringing right now, who do you expect it to be?
Mike or my mom. Possibly Andrea.

070. What do you hear?:
Pink Martini on the cd player….the computers humming. Me typing.

071. Would you survive in prison?:
I think so. I wouldn’t be very healthy when I came out, and the experience would be horrible, but I wouldn’t let it KILL me. My gosh.

072. Who was the last person you messaged on Facebook?
no one. Don’t have Facebook.

073. Do you get along with your co-workers?
Yes, I do.

074. When was the last time you said I love you, and meant it?
when I left a message for Mike to call me.

075. What song is playing right now?
Not sure what it’s called. Also, it’s in French, which I don’t speak.

076. If all of your friends were going on a road trip, who would most likely over pack the most?:
depends on where we were going.

077. Do you know anyone with the same name as you?
Not anymore. Every once in a while I meet someone though.

078. When was the last time you went clubbing?
Can’t remember.

079. What was the weather like today?
Sunny and hot! Just the way I like it.

080. What is the next holiday you have off?
ummm...none I can think of…I stop working before any more…oh! 4th of July maybe! John is a bit crazy on the 4th, so we may be closed then. Or the day after. Can’t remember last year.

081. When was the last movie you saw?:
ooo….I should know this…let’s see…oh! Shrek 3!

082. What's for dinner?
no clue. Cooking for one is something I do not excel at.

083. Whats the last thing you purchased?
Milk. And sour cream…..various other groceries.

084. What's your favorite gardening tool?
my really cool metal watering can. And an old claw shaped thingy for loosening dirt.

085. Where is your cell phone?
On the desk in front of me.

086. Is your phone on vibrate or ring most?
Ring.

087. Describe your Underwear?
non-existant.

088. How did your first pet die?
first? That would be…Buffy the dog maybe? Or one of several hamsters? I don’t know.

089. Did you have breakfast this morning?
Yes, I answered that above.

090. What's on your agenda for tonight?
Clean, then reward myself with watching a movie.

091. Who knows you the best?
My husband.

092. What brand is your digital camera?:
Nikon.

093. Do you smoke?:
Absolutely not.

094. Are you ticklish?:
Yes. But ask anyone who knows me before you do, they will tell you NOT TO UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. I go into survival mode and will hurt you.

095. Last person to text you?:
Michael, saying he would pick up Kaia.

096. What song describes your love life at the moment?
I can never answer these sort of questions. Anything about real love…meaning there’s some bad, but it’s mostly wonderful.

097. Do you own expensive perfume?:
nope. All perfume turns into Old Lady Avon perfume on me, so there’s no point in me spending the money on it.

098. On average, how much do your bar shirts cost?
what are bar shirts? Shirts I wear to the bar? Seems an odd way to put it if so…

099. Are you taking college classes?I will be in a year or two.

100. Would you rather sleep alone or with someone?
with someone, but I wish that “someone” didn’t snore. Also sleeping with my daughter is more fun than I let her know.