Five Question Friday

Last week I had blog success, getting more than just 5QF posted. This week I had other demands in the evenings, which I classify as life success. You can always join Mama M's blog hop.

1. What's your favorite way to spend down time (alone or with a significant other)?

If I really want to just relax, my favorite thing to do is watch a movie or tv show with Sean. I may or may not be simultaneously scouring the internet for craft/decorating/DIY goodies. If it's just me, I like to find a project (some type of crafty thing) and do it start to finish. Most of the time I don't have enough "down time" to do something completely, however, so I end up with a lot of half finished projects.

2. Are you the kind of person that wants things more as soon as you know you can't have it?

I'm not sure I can distinguish between wanting something because I can't have it and really wanting it. I try really hard to evaluate my "cravings" before I make up my mind that I want something so if I discover I can't have it, I can't tell if I want it more because I can't have it or I just really wanted it in the first place.

3. If you were given $1000 to spend on yourself, what would you buy?

A year of house cleaning and laundry service. Hands down, my two least favorite things in the whole wide world.

4. Do you ever go out to eat by yourself?

Not if I can help it. If I have to eat by myself, I'd rather be sitting on my couch reading a book than in a restaurant looking lonely.

5. What company would you want to do a blog review for?

In the spirit of only saying something if I have something nice to say, I'm going to have to forfeit this question because I can't think of any company that has so impressed me that I could rave about its product/service.

Five Question Friday

I am so happy that I can say that this is not my only post this week. Life must be settling down a little. Believe me, I'm relishing in it because I know in about ten weeks (yep, only ten left!) our life is going to be crazier than ever before. But today, it's good. And it's also time for Five Question Friday. Play along with Mama M.

1. What do you do when you are really upset to calm yourself down?

Nothing purposeful, as in I don't have a specific method I choose every time. I think what helps, even though it's not a choice, is the fact that I'm a big baby that cries about everything. It's like all the emotion is wrapped up in my tears and when I cry the frustration, anger, etc. just flows out.

2. Do you go all out for V-day or is it just another day?

Just another day. Like I said last week, the obligatory nature of it just ruins it for me.

3. Are you more or less productive when Hubs is away?

Where are the children? And how long do I have? If I am child free for more than an hour I'm usually more productive. If I have less than an hour I take that time for myself rationalizing that I wouldn't really get much done anyway. If the children are with me, forget it. I'm lucky to get dishes from the counter to the dishwasher.

4. What is your favorite time of day and why?

Nap time. Enough said.

5. What is your go to karaoke song?

I really wish had an answer for this one. I would sing karaoke every day if I could do it in the comfort of my pajamas in the privacy of my own home (maybe it's good we don't have a karaoke machine). But it usually requires going out at night in real clothes on an evening with nothing else to do. Just doesn't happen. BUT...If I did sing karaoke, I would probably choose...um...well...[crickets]. There are just too many.

Five Question Friday

Another week has gone by without a post, but it's been one of those weeks where there is something going on every night so I'm giving myself a pass. Play long with Mama M's blog hop here.








1. How often do you shave your legs in the winter?

When I don't have a huge belly to reach around it's nearly as often as I do in the summer. However, the giant "obstacle" definitely lessens my motivation to do any bending, especially in a slippery place with a sharp object in hand.

2. Valentine's Day cards for your spouse: funny or romantic?

Neither. I'm probably going to step on some toes here, but I think cards are a waste of money and Valentine's day is the worst time to celebrate love. It just feels so obligatory, which automatically rips all the romance out. I like flowers and chocolates as much as the next gal, but I like them 10 times more on days that aren't in the middle of February.

3. What are you most looking forward to about spring?

This year? Our new babe. Seriously. Can't. Wait. Other years? Not needing to bundle up the kids every time we open the door.

4. What's your favorite way to pamper yourself?

I love going to the salon to get my hair done. It's a rare occurrence (probably too rare, I hate to admit), but when I go I get a cut and highlights which gives me time to sit under the warm dryer and read a book or magazine - a luxury I rarely take time for.

5. Does your tax return go into savings or do you spend it instantly?

Tax return? We're almost always in the opposite camp. In principal I'm glad we're not lending money to the government interest fee. In reality, I really don't like writing a check (or rather, that Sean has to write a check) in April.

Five Question Friday

Time once again for Mama M's blog hop.

1. What have you done recently that you are proud of?

Every year I say I'm going to read my Bible more and then I up the anti and "commit" to a read-the-Bible-in-a-year plan. And every year I fail in mid-January because I'm much too far behind to continue. This year I started listening to the Bible on my way to work and I am happy to say that I have stayed on track and once was even ahead of schedule. I know I'm not retaining as much because I'm not actually reading the text, but I found something that works with the stage of life I'm in so I'll take what I can get.

2. What is your favorite way to work out? Or if you don't workout, what are you wanting to try?

Before I had kids I really liked to run (much to my surprise). Since then, however, I appreciate any workout that has little time commitment and big impact. The only thing I've found like this is Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. It's fast (25 minutes including a warm up and cool down) and has quick results.

3. If you knew your best friend was cheating on a spouse would you tell?

Um...yea.

4. If you could afford a live-in maid or nanny, would you have one?

I wouldn't want someone to live with us, but I would love love love a regular housekeeper. Cleaning the house is one of my least favorite things to do. If I didn't have to clean another toilet or scrub another floor I wouldn't complain.

5. Do you stress out about birthdays (specifically the age) or do you enjoy them?

I don't stress out as much as I used to. I think it's because once I hit 30, I stopped keeping track of how old I actually am.

Five Question Friday

I'm back with Five Question Friday because, well, I can't seem to post anything else. It's not because I don't want to. Or even that I'm all out of ideas. It's just that, well, I don't like to put up a blog post without a picture and I'm REALLY slow at editing photos because I've only watched one tutorial on my new Lightroom software and it was on importing photos. Not really helpful with the whole editing part. Anyway, for now I'll just join Mama M in her blog hop. Hopefully you will too.

1. Do you swim in the winter?

In the frozen lakes? Um...no. Though I guess I don't really swim in the lakes when they're not frozen either.

2. Do you love or hate winter?

I tolerate winter. I like it before Christmas and until about mid-January then I'm just ready to be done with the snow and cold. Despite our lack of a white Christmas, I'm really really enjoying this winter and hoping this balmy weather continues for a few more months.

3. Do you put makeup/actual clothes on when you know you're going to be home all day with just family?

Most days I do. It puts me in the right frame of mind and is a signal to my body that I actually need to be productive, not just sit around on the couch all day.

4. How old were you when you had your first alcoholic beverage?

Not 21. Shame on me.

5. How many ill calls in a 12 month period do you think are acceptable?

Depends on which 12 months it is. Some years are better than others. As an employee of a company with an "unlimited" sick day policy, I really appreciate the flexibility to take sick days when I need them. I think an employee's accountability is to their quality of work, not the number of hours he/she is in the office.

Five Question Friday

It's time again for Mama M's blog hop. Play along. It's fun!

1. Shoes in the house - yay or nay?

Most of the time I don't like shoes in the house, but the more kids we have and the more "one last things" I have to run in the house for, the more often I find myself traipsing through the house in my flip flops.

2. What do you call them- flip flops, slippers, thongs, etc?

Um...never heard them called "slippers." To avoid all confusion, we just go with "flip flop" at our house.

3. What song are you almost embarrassed to admit you know all the lyrics to?

Hmm...It's a toss up between Baby Got Back and Ice Ice Baby. I remember actually writing down all the lyrics to Baby Got Back as I hit rewind over and over and over again on the tape player. Oh, to have that kind of time again. Don't worry, I'd use it more productively than I did when I was 13.

4. What is the best quality to have in a friend?

Unconditional love - it means you can be yourself and say what's on your mind.

5. Do you know what you want for Christmas?

I know what I want for the next twelve Christmases. My lucky husband is never at a loss for things to put under the tree for me.

Five Question Friday

I'm back for Five Question Friday after a little hiatus. Click here to play along.




1. Did you make any fun purchases this week?

You'd think with all the money that seems to be flowing out these days that I could think of something, but plumbing, electrical and HVAC work just don't rank at the top of the fun scale for me. Now when it comes time to furnish the newly finished basement that necessitates the aforementioned spending, I'll be singing a different tune.

2. If you could go to any musical concert, what would it be?

I think it would have been really fun to go to a Beatles concert. But when they were first starting, not when they were hippies. Not really my thing.

3. What is your least fav/ most fav house chore?

I would be lying if listed a most favorite house chore. I can't think of one single thing that I enjoy doing that falls in the category of "chore." I think my least favorite is cleaning bathrooms. But I could list many things that are a close second, third, fourth, etc...

4. Would you prefer new appliances or clothes?

Since all of my appliances are only two years old, I'll go with clothes by default. I would prefer if those clothes came with a smaller backside too.

5. Miracle Whip or Mayo?

Depends on what I'm making. Turkey sandwiches (almost) always get Miracle Whip. French fries and hamburgers? Mayo.

Five Question Friday

Join Mama M here.

1. Vow renewal ceremonies-yay or nay?

I have to say "nay." It implies that the original vow wasn't sacred and needs to be done again. I just don't like it. Now ask me if I'd want to wear a beautiful dress and have a big party again and I'd jump on board before you could book the DJ.

2. What sound/s annoy you the most?

It is the sound of our middle son crying out of anger. It's SUPER loud, obviously forced and he starts in with waves of "ya-ya-ya-ya-ya" repeatedly. It nearly drives me out of the house when he starts in. It has been one of the biggest tests of patience in my parenting history.

3. If you had to pick, would you have only all boys, or only all girls for kids?

Can I answer this without simultaneously admitting that I want my boys to be girls or my daughter to be a boy? Which, I don't...at all. I wouldn't trade what I've got for anything. God knew what he was doing when he blessed us with our children. But if I HAD to pick, I think I'd say...hmm...well...uh...I guess...boys. Only because there's slightly less drama. Just slightly, though.

4. Do you believe in alternative medicine?

I don't know enough about it to have an opinion, I guess. I think there are many natural alternatives to modern medicine, but I'm a bit skeptical about a tree root's ability to cure cancer.

5. Would you take a family member's children and raise them if they needed it?

In a heartbeat. I'd take a stranger's children and raise them if they needed it. Isn't that what we're commanded to do? Care for those in need?

Question #5 couldn't be more timely. Last night we heard Dr. David Anderson speak about Safe Families for Children and are really excited to become a "safe family" as well as see what the Lord will do with this ministry at our church.

Five Question Friday

It's that time again. Plan along with Mama M if you want.

1. If you knew your best friend's spouse was cheating on her or him, would you tell her (him)?

I sure hope so. But really I hope that I would never be in this situation. Or rather, that my friends would never be in this situation.

2. Soda in a can or a bottle?

I try not to drink much soda (primarily because there are very few good kinds that are both diet and caffeine free), but when I do it's in a glass. With ice. Because it's either at a restaurant or at home where we keep our soda in the pantry, not in the fridge.

3. What do you wash first, hair or body?

I have some minor undiagnosed OCD and this is one of the areas where it manifests itself. I must must must wash my hair first. No questions. No compromise.

4. What advice would you give to any new mama?

Remember two things: YOU are the expert on your baby and zipper jammies are a requirement - they make nighttime diaper changes much easier.

5. What is your best hangover remedy?

Don't have too much to drink.

Five Question Friday

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1. If you had the opportunity to bungee jump, would you?

I would like to say that I would, but in reality, I just don't think I could do it. I'm pretty sure I would just keep thinking about  my kids growing up without a mother should something tragic happen and it would send me right back down the ladder instead of over the edge.

2. Would you rather go to the movie theater or to the drive-in?

Move theater for sure. The mess stays there instead of in my car. I have a hard enough time keeping it clean without adding popcorn and candy to the mix.

3. Do you have your groceries delivered?

We've considered it a few times, but with as much as I can save shopping sales and using coupons, it would probably nearly double our grocery bill. There have been times, however, when I've coveted the giant green totes sitting on our neighbors' front stoops.

4. Eyebrows: Do you wax, thread, pluck, or stay au naturel?

Since "au natural" would mean uni-brow city, I pull out my trusty tweezers on occasion to keep my two brows shaped up.

5. Would the people you went to high school with be surprised by your life today?

Absolutely not. I'm very much the same as I was in high school and my "worldly" life is reflective of the choices I made during high school and college. Not sure I like what this answer implies...

Five Question Friday

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1. What is your current favorite tv show?

I hate to even admit it, but I love Glee. Dumb, I know.

2. What's the worst haircut you ever got?

I've had a lot of bad haircuts because I hate paying a lot of money for them. About a year ago, though, I got such a bad haircut from one of those discount places that I actually went back and complained. The manager offered to cut it again for me. Uh...no thanks. They messed it up the first time, why would I let them take a scissors to it again? I opted for my money back and made an appointment at a real salon. Lesson learned.

3. What was something that you did as a child that you thought you were so cool for doing?

Big bangs! Not the theory, the hair. The higher the better, I guess. Super funny now when I look back at those pictures.

4. Do you have any GREAT frugal family fun tips?

We can only use this one about once a year, but we like to visit the Rainbow Play Systems store. There are probably 10 different sets that the kids (and sometimes the adults) can plan on. It's especially good for rainy days. But we don't want to be recognized every time we go in so we limit ourselves.

5. Would you drive across country if you had the money to fly?

Absolutely not. My days of thinking road trips are fun are long gone. Get me to vacation as quickly as possible.

Five Question Friday

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1. What is your favorite summer time activity?

Sitting on the beach by my favorite husband with my favorite book while my favorite kids are napping. Oh how I cherish nap time in the summer.

2. Do you have one laundry soap you stick to, or do you buy whatever's on sale?

Whatever is cheapest - which usually ends up being Target-brand. Laundry detergent is not one of those things I like to spend money on. Though I'm guessing I'm not alone on that one.

3. What is your favorite dinner to make in the summer?

Reservations.

4. Do you have any talents?

Everyone has talents. It's just that some talents are more interesting to blog about than others. If I could juggle or ride a unicycle or balance 50 books on my head or do all three of those things at the same time, then I might have something interesting to say here. But...I can't do any of those. My talents are more business related (read, "boring to blog about, but useful in some way in God's master plan").

5. If you could instantly be an expert in something, what would it be? Why?

I'll take a little parenting expertise please. Not only would it be fantastic for our children, but I get giddy thinking about all the "mom-guilt" it would relieve.

Five Question Friday

Play along here.






1. If you had to choose, how would you prefer to choose to spend money...on landscaping or a pool?

Hmm...as often as we've commented on a hot summer day that it would be great to have a pool, I'm going to have to go with landscaping. We have some grand plans that would compete with a pool any day of the week.


2. (Scott likes to get things stirred up...) Death penalty, yay or nay?

Choosing not to answer this one.

3. What's the worst thing your kid has gotten into when you turned your back/blogged/showered/blinked?

The street of oncoming traffic! When Wes was really little he toddled after Sean to the mailbox (across the street) right as a car was coming down the street. Lucky for us, the driver wasn't trying to break the sound barrier as most cars are as they rush to or from work.

4. How often do you REALLY go to the dentist?

I'm surprised that this is a confession for many people. I always thought that everyone just went every 6 months as scheduled. I learned something today.

5. What is your favorite animal (doesn't have to be a pet-type animal)?

This one makes me feel like I'm 5. And, really, my answer is very similar to my 5-year-old's because my favorite animal changes with the weather. It's just one of those things I don't give a lot of thought and depends on my mood, I guess.

Five Question Friday

Join in!

1. Tube socks, calf socks, crew, ankle, none?

None! I love summer when I can go barefoot everywhere. I also love summer when my children can go barefoot everywhere and I have six fewer socks accumulating daily in my laundry pile that will eventually need to be matched, folded and put away.

2. Was your child's (children's) name a mutual decision or was it a debate? If you don't have children, do you plan on giving your spouse a say, or do you have a name you MUST have, regardless if your other half likes it or not?

I think it was a mutual decision. The only one I think I may have had more say in was our oldest. Sean really liked "Jack" but I'm a full-name-with-a-nick-name type of person so I really wanted "Jackson." He may have given in to me on that one.

3. What is your favorite type of weather?

Sunny and 73 with an occasional light breeze. Do I sound like a weather forecast? Warm enough for shorts and a tank top (and no socks!), but not so hot that Sean gets sweaty and crabby and refuses to be outside with me.

4. If left to your own devices, what time would you wake up every day?

Probably 8:30 or 9:00. Though I'm so accustomed to being awakened at 6:00 or 6:30 by my children that, even on those rare occasions when I am left to my own devices, I'm awake by 7:00 anyway.

5. Have you bought your cemetery plots yet?

No. And that's all I'm going to say about it b/c that's a depressing topic.

And just because posts are more fun with pictures I'll leave you with a recent picture of our little Viking's jersey fan.

I say jersey fan because, really, she just likes the jersey. This is how she feels about the actual game.

Five Question Friday

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1. Have you ever had roommates?

Yes, during college. Some were bad. Some were great and turned into life long friendships. I have to admit, however, that NOT living in a house full of women is much more peaceful.


2. How many names do you/your children have?

They have a lot, probably 4 or 5 each. I guess I really love terms of endearment (revelation). In fact, most of the time I do not call my children by their real names. Pumpkin, peanut, peaches, little man, sweet pea, lady, lady Jane (that's a holdover from my own mom), princess, beautiful, handsome, buddy, love are just a few of "names" you'll hear in our house. This is all in addition to variations of their given names.

3. Did you watch the Royal Wedding?

Big fat N-O!

4. What is the messiest room in your house?

The laundry room. It's the only room that is almost exclusively mine so it doesn't get picked up very often. And I have very few opportunities to have uninterrupted time in there to get it organized. Who am I kidding? I have very little uninterrupted time in any room. Maybe I should just list my whole house! In the words of my mother, "this too shall pass."

5. What is your ideal mothers day?

Any day that I'm surrounded by my family and don't have to prepare meals or wash dishes.

Five Question Friday

Play along here.




1. What is your favorite Easter tradition?

Not the bunny. Before we had kids I really looked forward to going to a Good Friday service. It's a little more difficult to do that not that we have kids with us. We still go, but I can't reflect on the service like I used to before we had three little "distractions." At home, we are creating new traditions with our children, including a daily devotion using the resurrection eggs that have become so popular. We are always looking for new ideas to make Easter meaningful to our family, though, so if you have ideas, I'd love to hear them.


2. Are you a "shower" or a "long, hot bath" kind of person?

I choose long hot shower. Baths get cold too quickly. The longer I'm in the shower, the hotter the water has to be.

3. Can you parallel park and if so when is the last time you did it?

I used to be a master parallel parker because I did it nearly every day in high school. Now? I'd probably still be pretty good at it in a car. But I don't usually drive a car; I drive a beast. And since I have a hard time with that in a parking lot, my guess is I'd earn a parallel parking "fail" if the need ever arose. 
 4. What is your favorite Easter candy?

Does chocolate count? It's not just for Easter. Chocolate in pastel wrappers seems to be, though...

5. Easter: do you go all out with the Easter Bunny or focus on the religious part of the holiday?

See question 1. No Easter bunny in our house. The kids do get baskets (mostly because I like to buy things for our kids), but they know they're from mom and dad.

Five Question Friday

Another week of Five Question Friday. Join Mama M here.




1. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Just one thing? Today I'd say it's my tendency to procrastinate. Not surprisingly, that little habit has gotten me into a bind more than once. Maybe I'll start working on that tomorrow...


2. Write about a time when you got lost.

On my first date with my husband, I was deemed the navigator. Big mistake. He learned his lesson. Now we have a GPS.

3. Camping or 5 star hotel?

I hate camping. I need a bed and a place to escape from the bugs. As much as I admire and would like to be one of those women that can brave the great outdoors, I'm just not. And I don't think I ever will be.

4. Have you donated blood?

I have a few times, but I think most of the times I did it, I passed out. I don't any more.

5. Do you have a budget or do you 'fly by' most months?

I don't budget. I read my husband. He doesn't budget either (I don't think), but I can tell whether he's in spending mode or saving mode and I adjust accordingly. It works for us, I guess.

Five Question Friday

Join Mama M for Five Question Friday!

1. Have you ever had surgery?

No and I plan to keep it that way.

2. Ever ride in an ambulance?

No. Again, planning to keep it that way. Hmm...I'm kind of boring, medically speaking anyway.

3. How are you in a medical emergency? Panicked? Calm?

I've never experienced a real medical emergency so I couldn't say for sure. At first I thought I'd definitely be calm because in other "crisis" situations I rein in the emotions and get down to business. However, when I think back to the minor injuries my kids have experienced and remember the panicked feeling in the pit of my stomach and my shaky voice because I'm on the verge of tears, I'm questioning the validity of my cool-as-a-cucumber claim.

4. Do you have a garden? Flowers or veggies?

Landscape? Yes. Garden? No. But we are going to plant a veggie garden this year. I've been carefully reading every word of the gardening book I received as a birthday gift this year and imagining the bounty at harvest time. I have a feeling it will be more of a bounty for the critters in our yard than us, but I think there's a chapter on that. I'll read that one twice, I think.

5. When did you move out of your parents house?

The first time? When I went to college. For good? Shortly after I was married.

Five Question Friday

Time for Five Question Friday again with Mama M.




1. Can you drive a stick shift?

If I had to. But I'm sure I'd kill it a bazillion times between where I was and where I needed to be.


2. What are two foods you just can't eat?

Raw oysters. I've tried, but I just can't do it, much to the chagrin of my husband who will try (nearly) anything. And licorice. Not the red kind (that kind is good), but I don't think that really counts as licorice. I'm talking about the black kind. Gross.

3. Do you buy Girl Scout Cookies? What is your favorite kind?

I used to buy Girl Scout cookies. The Samoas are my absolute favorite. But since I can eat an entire box in one sitting (and probably would given that the sweet tooth I developed when I was pregnant with my daughter has never gone away) and that's not a very healthy practice, I try to just leave them with the girls.

4. How do you pamper yourself?

I think, by definition, pampering is an act done for you by another person, not something you can do for yourself. So...I don't. Pamper myself, I mean.

5. What is your nickname and how did you get it?

When I was little, my dad used to call me Boo Boo, but no one (including my dad) has called me that in years. Mostly my friends just call me Bec...short for Beckie...short for Rebecca.

Five Question Friday

Back to Five Question Friday. Woohoo! Hop over to Mama M's blog if you want to participate too.

 

1. If you had $1,000 to donate to a charity, which would you choose?

Alpha Crisis Pregnancy Center in Savage. We've recently felt God tugging at our hearts for new and unsupported moms. Alpha has some great things going.

2. Snow days: Do you welcome them happily or are they a pain in your butt?

We haven't had to deal with school closings on snow days yet and there are never snow days for work so on the days it snows (which have been many this winter) I dread it. Traffic is slow and all I want to do is get home (or to work - though I don't long quite as much for that).

3. What talent did you wish you had and why?

I wish I could sing like famous people. Well...talented famous people. Some people are famous for their "music" but they're not actually talented.

4. Are you a news, politics or celebrity gossip junkie?

D - none of the above. I definitely have an inclination to get wrapped up in politics and celebrity gossip, but I've learned in the last few months that it's just not worth it. Following politics is stressful (seriously raises my blood pressure). Celebrity gossip is worthless (but I have to admit I kind of enjoy when there's a long line at the grocery check-out - it gives me a chance to read the covers). And I've learned that I have much better things to do with my time. 

5. What is your favorite "cocktail"? (Are you a beer person, a kiddie cocktail junkie, or perhaps your more the "Cosmo" kind?! Anything flies...doesn't hafta be alcoholic!)

Coffee. I could drink it day and night and never get sick of it. But I don't drink it all day and night. Don't worry.