Borders Boycott

Yes I know this is not a proposed topic, but I have to put it out there and it's a fairly good forum, no?

In March my mom ordered Stephen's birthday present and Tim's graduation present from Borders.com. Yes..the issue dates back to MARCH! She also ordered a birthday present for my nephew and divided the shipment so that Stephen and Tim would get their stuff here and Nick would get his stuff at home. She more than qualified for free shipping but paid to expedite to Stephen so he'd get it before his birthday. Sooo...Borders messed THAT up. Shipped both parts to her. Including the expedited part and their solution was to simply refund the shipping charges. Great. So my mom sent the books here for the boys. Stephen read one of the books ordered and started on the second one. He was on chapter 5 of The Softwire: Betrayal on Orbis when he realized his book was missing 3 chapters and about 40 pages! Everything from the end of ch 5 to the beginning of Ch 9 was missing. YES this was a publisher issue but Borders should have replaced it right? So my mom called. They sent me a Fed Ex call tag and I said that upon receipt of the book, they'd send a replacement. Seriously people? OK. Book was received late April at Borders. Mom called AGAIN when they didn't send out the new book. Oh we'll get it right out. She indicated they had moved and the book should be shipped to Stephen not to the address they screwed up and shipped to in the first place. Guess where the brain trust shipped it? Yup. To a house they no longer live in!
Tired of the run around she went INTO the store. The lady in the store who was really most helpful was unable to get anyone in "customer service" (let me note I use that term very loosely). Finally the sales associate was able to get someone to say they'd send the book out. Three weeks ago. Yesterday my mom returned to the store saying WE don't have the book, SHE doesn't have it, so where IS it? The nice lady again tried to get "customer service" but was not able to get an answer. I'm going to add here that it is NEVER good when the actual sales associates of a company are unable to get to customer service. Kinda makes the consumer realize we're out in the cold. So the sales associate in the Strongsville, OH Borders is ordering the book to ship to their store and she is going to ship it to us. Wow. The books were ordered in March and it now looks like we'll be getting the product at the END of June? Quality customer service, Borders! This is a case incompetence at the highest level. I have a 6 year old who could have fixed this problem better than Borders's outsourced customer service. I am irritated, frustrated and annoyed. No wonder this company is bankrupt! So, Borders, you are out! And I encourage you all to do the same. Do they not realize I have a choice? I can shop at Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, I can join a book club online, I can even go to the LIBRARY! I've looked at a number of online booksellers and compared. Most are very close in price on most items. Why do we pick one over the other? Reliability. Satisfaction. The knowledge that I WILL get what I paid for.

Let me clarify, I'm not mad I had a problem. I'm more irritated that they can't fix a simple issue for a 9 year old boy. That's really it. Can't or won't. See, the real test of your service, to me, is when a problem arises, how is it handled? Certain places have dealt with them beautifully and I am a loyal customer because of it. Others, like Borders, have completely dropped the ball and I'm done.

6/11/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Restaurant

What is your favorite place to go out to eat?

Finally Friday

Friday night is movie night with the family. We find a family friendly movie or just hang out together and watch the b allgame. Sometimes we have family cookouts during the summer. Those are always fun nights with the extended family! It's a good night to just relax and chill out after a long week!

6/10/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Finally Friday

What do you do on your Friday nights?

6/9/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Flowers

What kind do you like?  Do you keep fresh ones in your home?

6/8/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Irritation

What causes you irritation?

6/7/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Technology

What does technology mean to you?

6/6/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Sunburn

Ever have it?  How do you treat it?  Describe it.....

6/5/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Creepy

What is creepy to you?

6/4/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Freedom

Some say freedom isn't free.

Describe your idea of freedom....

6/3/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Reading List

What is on your Summer reading list?

6/2/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Anger

What colors do you see/feel when you are angry?

Heat

97 degrees yesterday, 96 today, 43% humidity. It was kinda like walking through pea soup. I HATE this evil detestable weather. It's like we've entered Dante's tenth level of hell or something. Schools are closing early and you sweat just thinking about walking outside. Our office A/C just sucks for lack of a better word. It was on but still about 85 INSIDE. We have no windows to open, just a few small desk fans to circulate the air (and to add insult to injury, our elevators broke and I work on the top floor. Yay!)
Please end the heat. Make it stop. Please bring back the snow. I'd even take those 3 blizzards we had in 2 months in 2009. Really! Perhaps I should move to Alaska?

6/1/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Spicy

What is spicy to you?

Heat

We are in our first heat wave of the year.  It's been over 90 degrees here for the last few days.  Luckily for us the pool opened this past weekend! 

Yesterday the heat and the humidity were just awful.  When you stepped out of the car, the asphalt smelled like it was baking.  The heat was rising off of it in steamy waves.  As soon as you open the door to step outside it was a blast to your face, as if you had opened an over door and leaned into it.

Luckily the pool was only a short walk away and provided much relief!

5/31/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Heat

Describe it....

5/30/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Memorial Day

What does it mean to you?

Mortal Enemy

My mortal enemy has tried to break up my marriage even when me and my husband were dating. She was upset because I was taking the lime light off her relationship with my husband's sibling. She has caused a huge rift in a family that can not be repaired. I am glad to say I have not had contact with this person since February! And GLAD!

5/29/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Mortal Enemy

Describe your mortal enemy....why do you dislike him/her!

5/28/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Outdoors

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

5/27/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Parenting Choices

If you are a parent what have been some of your most difficult parenting choices?

If you aren't a parent what do you think some of your parents choices were difficult?

5/26/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Fear

What are you afraid of?

Beverages of Choice

I love me some Dr. Pepper and Sun-Drop. Sweet Tea comes in third place.

Beverages of Choice

I like lemonade, and Dr.pepper

Adult drink~ Pass me a Margarita

Chocolate

I love dark chocolate, chocolate covered cherries, reese's, and milky ways! I'm kinda a chocoholic!

5/25/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Beverage of Choice

What are your beverages of choice?

Alcoholic or non-alcoholic?

5/24/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Chocolate

What is your favorite kind of chocolate?

5/23/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Friendship

What is it that keeps your friendships going? 

Sorry :-(

I am so sorry everyone - I didn't realize that when Blogger took a dump last week that we would lose all of our prompts from the last five days!

I will start this week off right and add some prompts for this week!

My apologies again to all the readers and writers!

5/18/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Keepin' Up

Do you ever find yourself having to "keep up" with everyone?

Let's discuss....

Birthdays

After this past weekend I know why me and my husband stopped planning birthday parties for the kids. It gets expensive fast and sometimes doesn't always go as planned. After my first daughter's 2nd birthday we vowed never to hold a birthday party again and just keep it to birthday dinner with the family. It has been working out great since we didnt have friends with kids. Now my middle child just turned two and we tried the birthday party thing again....and ugh I think we are going back to birthday dinners!!!

5/17/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Birthday's

Sound off about how you feel about birthdays!!  It doesn't have to be yours, just birthdays in general!

Crabby

I am downright cranky in the morning. I bypass crabby right away. I am not a morning person. Takes me a few cups of coffee and a bit of time before "civil" enters my vocabulary. My 9 year old and I are exactly the same. The 2 of us could get up and communicate in blinks and grunts till we are fully functioning.

I am also quite a type A personality, and have a real sense of the way things SHOULD work and when numerous things go NOT according to my solid black and white sense of how things work, what's right and wrong, I can get downright mean.

I try not to be cranky, but especially when you add PMS into the mix...it's not pretty.

5/16/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Feelings

Let's talk about our feelings - pick a topic and share your feelings about it!

Crabby

I think I am crabby when I have a total lack of energy or sleep. And really with three kids it is hard to find things to get myself out the funk. A good nap usually helps when I can get all three down for a nap. Sometimes just putting my music on and just listening to music helps too!

Age

I'm 24, I am a young momma. I have gone through a lot since I was 18. I have learn to accept that I will never be perfect, and people will love me for my imperfections. I still have sometime to figure out my life, if I want to go back to school (once my kids are all in school) and find a career path that truly makes me happy.

Age

I am 33. What does that mean? I don't know. I know myself better than I did when I was 23 I like myself more and I know exactly who I am. I think I'm a better person, and if you don't...at this point in my life, I don't care. I know that sounds bad, but when I was younger I cared what others thought and agonized about why they didn't like me. Now? I really don't care. It's quite freeing :-)

"And I no longer justify
Reasons for the way that I behave
I offer no apologies
For the things that I believe and say
And I like it that way"
~Real Live Woman by Trisha Yearwood

5/15/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Crabby

Do you ever find yourself crabby?  What do you do when this happens?

Morning beverage

I LOVE my Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla Coffee Coolatta!!! I try to have one at least 3 times a week
If I can not get out for one, I make DD French Vanilla coffee at home.
I am more of a cold coffee person, though!

Age

I am 35. But honeslty, I DO NOT feel my age! I feel much younger.
I feel that you are only as old as you feel. So if I keep feeling young, I will stay young!
My grandfather is 81 years old. He golfs, bowls, does house repairs and yardwork.
I hope to be like that, when I am 81! My Nana was 92 when she died and also did
everything she could, until the end!

Travel

I love to travel. I love being in a car for a long time, stopping at places to see alng the way.
I know some might think I am crazy for LIKING to be in a car, but I do! I hope to travel (though
by plane) to see my friend in Phoenix this summer!

Mothers

Finally! Glad Blogger is back.

My mom was never mentally able to care for me, but she loved me more then life.
She passed away at the age of 37, 2 years older then I am now. I was 17.
I miss her all the time, and wish I could go back and change history,

5/14/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Age

Talk about your current age and what it means to you....

5/13/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Travel

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?

5/12/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Mother's

Talk about your mom or your experience being a mom yourself (if you are one)....

Morning Beverage

I drink what ever I can get to first. If it is juice, water, or soda :( I will drink it. I don't drink milk or coffee

5/11/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Morning Beverage

What do you drink in the morning?

5/10/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Cell Phones

Do you use one?  Could you live without one?

5/9/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Catching Up

Has everyone caught up on their writing?  I know we all have been busy (me included) so I kind of let the topics go for the weekend.

Let's talk about catching up and how we do that in everyday life!

Weird Picture Wednesday

I cannot believe it!  They told me my outfit was one of a kind!  Now I have to wonder how many of us are running around in the same outfit!  Well my bangs are hot pink, but still.

Sheesh!  That really is weird.

5/5/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Cinco de Mayo

Today is Cinco de Mayo, how are you celebrating?

Weird picture Wednesday

Weird is an understatement. Really? What is that? Are her bangs blue? Is she wearing the remains of R2D2?

5/4/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Weird Picture Wednesday

Now that you have seen it, you gotta write about it!

5/3/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Annoyance

Let's write about annoyance factors in our life!

Dinner

Tonight a friend and her 2 boys stayed for dinner. We had chicken and corn. I love having company for dinner! Now, if I could get the 4 year old to eat MORE at dinner (or any meal for that matter) that would be awesome!

Dinner Tonight

I made the great ol' spaghetti. After a weekend of stomach bugs, I wanted something easy to cook that would fill our bellies! And it did the trick

Dinner tonight

Chicken Florentine. Steve's birthday. Chicken stuffed with spinach and feta cheese-mmm!
Mashed sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli were the side dishes. Topped off with some crab soup and double layer peanut butter icing cake for dessert.

Happy birthday to Steve!

5/2/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Dinner Tonight

What is on the menu for dinner tonight?

Tenacity

Tenacity is totally defined as "Timothy".
Enough said. He's like a dog with a bone when he wants to do or learn something. ABSOLUTELY determined to hang on and do it all by himself. He is determined to see anything through to the end!

5/1/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ April Showers Bring May....

What do the showers of April bring in May - it doesn't have to be flowers!

4/30/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Tenacity

What is your definition of tenacity?

4/29/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Health

How is your health?

How can you improve it?

Gratitude

I am grateful for so many things.  At the top of the list are my family, my friends, my health.  All of which I could not survive without. 

I'm also thankful for the little things in life. A hug from one of my beautiful babies.  An unprompted "I love you".

I'm grateful for the job I have that allows me to have the things I enjoy.

I'm grateful to live in a wonderful community, with wonderful families and children.

My gratitude changes daily, but it is always there.

4/28/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Gratitude

What are you grateful for?  Is it a person, place or thing?  Is it only one thing or is it multiple?

Friends

I don't think I have enough friends. I had my first child right after I graduated High school, and basically lost contact with alot of friends even my best friend. I gained alot of friends back when I started working but after 4 years of that job we had some issues and we parted ways and lost friends again. I didn't have anyone for awhile until I found the mommies network. I don't know if I can truly say I have true friends again (maybe scared to get hurt again) Ive met great woman and formed close bonds and potential long term friendships (hopefully).

4/27/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Friends

Do you ever think you can have to many friends?  What qualities do you look for in a friend?

4/26/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Reference

What do you reference most in life?  Is it books or specific websites?

Free post-top 5

Top 5 (thank you Jody for your tweet..the idea was inspirational)
The top 5 famous actors I'd like to be stuck in an elevator with..umm Ok stuck ANYWHERE. And no, I do not mean all at the same time!
5. Nathan Fillion-he's hot, he's funny, but he's #5 ONLY because he's Jody's and all I could do would be admire him and talk about Jody. SIGH!

4. Christian Kane-He can sing, he can act, he can cook, he's just a bad@$$- does all his own stunts, and my gosh just look at him! Then, wipe the drool. Oh, and he loves his momma.

3. David Boreanaz-This one is just one of those sigh and look at him ones...so really, look. I'm sure there's more, but I looked and forgot where I was going with this. Still looking. And drooling.

2. Timothy Hutton- I have had such a crush on him since I first saw him in TAPS when I was younger. Gosh, he still looks good! Really really good. And he is such a great actor and director (Directed Christian Kane's video for The House Rules and it's really cool!) LOVE him! Anyone seen Serious Moonlight? I might pull a Meg Ryan and duct tape him to a chair too! LOL!

1. Adam Baldwin-This guy is the entire package and then some. He's smart, he's funny, just a big bad@$$ (yeah another one) on screen, has the sexiest voice. He's just hot! Definitely worthy of my top spot.

Ok enough of that. I know, I'm not right!

Books

I love books. I'm kind of an addict. There. I've confessed. Isn't that like step 1 or something?
I like to read all sorts of things. I'm weird that way. I like to read more than one book at one time. Right now I'm reading Me Talk Pretty One Day which is our book club's book this month. Also reading Cutting for Stone, I have an interesting book on the merits of sabermetrics, and one called Pirate Coast about Jefferson's naval attack on Tripoli. So you see my tastes really run the gamut....

My husband works for the library so if books are my drug of choice if you will, he is my dealer! I order books and magically in a day or 2 they show up on my dining room table. And I always have to have books in reserve. I can't be without my "next book". I also have to finish a book. Even if I am HATING it! I have to read to completion (I'm like that with movies too).

Family

Holidays such as Easter usually include two separate meals, one with my mom's family and one with my dad's family. The two sides don't really blend well because they are complete opposites. My mom's side is the large, boisterous type who enjoys a few glasses of wine before the big meal, and my dad's side is the more religious and proper type of family... so combining the two is often difficult. Starting in a little over a year, I'll have the fiance's family to factor in to holidays as well... so it'll get a whole lot more complicated (although they'd fit in rather well with my mom's side)

Suspense

Movies. I love suspenseful movies.... but I hate it when things jump out at me in movies... or when there's just something that appears for no reason - like Paranormal Activity :-P

Meal Planning

My family is a fly by the seat of our pants family when it comes to meal planning. Hopefully, when I move back home for a year that will change because I like knowing what we will be eating (and I get SO sick of eating out all the time). Sometimes we can organize a meal, but that usually takes a lot of work in my household because some people are rather picky.

Going Back In Time

I think I'd want to go back to 19th Century England. That'd be pretty neat - with the dresses and dances and all that.

Otherwise, probably the 50s in the US. Because it would have been awesome to see Elvis in person :)

Living Without

I could live without junk food and pizza... but you'd have to have it completely removed from the earth for that to happen. I really wish it would be removed so that I could lose the extra weight :(

I couldn't live without my phone, internet, or family though. I don't think that that would be possible for me.

Timeliness

I constantly feel like I'm letting time slip away from me. I sit down to check my email or Facebook, and the next thing I know it's two hours later. Or I sit down and read and look up and it's been house. It's ridiculous. I wish I was better with time management. I'm super organized when it comes to stuff and dates, but time itself isn't all that organized for me. Somehow, I'm never late for things though.

Except keeping up with blogs :(

4/25/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Family

A lot of individuals just got done celebrating Easter with family.  How does your family work?  Do they get along, is there constant fighting?

**Sorry for the weekend delay in posts - for some reason the topics didn't post over the weekend!**

4/24/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Doctors

Men and women view doctors differently - how do you view your doctors or the medical professionals in your life?

4/23/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Books

What kind of books do you read?  Are you a reader?

Free

Ready for next week to hurry up and get here. Tuesday is pay day which will be super nice to see. I really miss getting paid every two weeks. Getting paid once a month is really forcing us to work out our budget better. That is on my to do list. Really should be done this weekend. I wish I was more of a organized person. I also wish the cleaning fairies would come out of hiding and clean my apartment for me today. This rainy weather is putting me in lazy mode today. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and a great time with family and friends.

Free Post

I really wish this weather would make up its mind on the temps. Wednesday it was upper 80s, Thursday barely 60. I hate this back and forth dressing my kids too.

4/22/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Blooming

As some of us look around outside there are things blooming everywhere - what do you think when you see this?

4/21/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Free Post

Write about whatever you want!!

4/20/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Unwritten Rules

What are some unwritten rules that you have in your life?

Animals

I have a black lab. He is getting in his elderly years. But I've had cats, dogs, fish, hamsters at one point in my life.
I really would like to get a austrailian cattle dog for my hubby.

4/19/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Animals

Do you have animals?  What kind do you have?  If you don't, why don't you?

Scaredy cat

Water. I am scared of water. Not rain, not pretty little babbling brooks, not a shower for crying out loud but oceans, lakes, rivers, and swimming pools. I'm ok with the little kiddie ones, though. I cannot swim, I do not own a bathing suit. I hate the idea of being out on a boat, I get sweaty palms and panic when I have to drive over large bridges and fear some sort of freak earthquake is going to hit the moment I drive over it and I will plummet to my death in the icy cold water. It is always icy cold water, even on the days it's 105 degrees. Not rational in any way shape or form but phobias rarely are

Then there's the fear of heights. (This of course compounds the whole fear of plummeting to my death while driving over a bridge) I don't even like the escalator at the mall. Oh, and those glass walled elevators? WHO in the heck thought of those? WHY do I want to see how high up I am?

Also not a real fan of creepy crawly bugs, spiders, snakes, etc. I think they're gross.

Scaredy Cat

It would probably be easier for me to list the things I'm NOT afraid of.  It would be a much shorter list.  There are so many things that scare me to so many varying degrees.  I'll just mention some of the major crippling fears I have.

Heights.  Second story balcony?  No thank you.  Top of the Empire State Building?  Absolutely not!   Flying in a plane?  Love it!  Wait, what?  Yes I love to fly.  Our do I just hate long car trips more?  Hmm.  Either way, flying is fine by me!

Bugs. Reptiles.  Rodents. Creepy.  Crawly.  Slimy. Things.  Yuck!  I'm getting the chills just thinking about it.

The thought of losing someone I love.  I can't imagine life without my wonderful husband or my sweet girls.  That scares the crap out of me.

I could go on and on, but I won't.  You get the idea.  I'm a nervous nelly.

;-)

Religion

We aren't very religious.  We try to go to church when we can and Noodle goes to Religious Prep class so she can make her sacraments.

Mostly though we celebrate the Hallmark version of the holidays, like Virginia said. 

We are getting ready for Easter dinner.  The table will be expanded.  The families will come over.  Waistlines will expand too.  There will be way more food than we could possibly eat.

The girls are happily hopping around the house talking about what the Easter Bunny is going to bring them, as if they need any more sugar.  We decorated with eggs, bunnies and spring flowers.

As with any holiday, we try to just have fun and be together.

4/18/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Scaredy Cat

Are you a scaredy cat about something?  Anything?

Religion

I am not a very religious person. I haven't been for several years. But we do celebrate the "hallmark" version of Easter with our kids. Easter egg hunting, dying eggs, etc.

4/17/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Religion

Right now is a religious time for a lot of people - what are you celebrating right now?  Is it Passover or are you preparing for Easter?

4/16/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Weekend

It is the weekend - what do you do for fun?  Is it routine every week or something different?

4/15/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Emotion

What do you consider life's strongest emotion?  Is it joy, sadness, elation, fear or maybe something else?

Adjectives

First hoping that I have the right meaning of adjectives in my mind.

1. confused
2. tired
3. creative
4. messy
5. excited

4/14/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Suspense

What do you find suspenseful?  Movies?  Bills?

Meal Planning

I am not a meal planner. I've tried. Time and time, I've tried.  I really want to be a meal planner.  I want to shop the sales, with coupons and know what's on the menu for the week.  I just can't do it for some reason.

I am a meal planning failure.

I fly by the seat of my pants, not knowing what we will have for dinner, sometimes right up until I start cooking.  If we have nothing in or don't feel like eating or making what we do have, then we grab takeout. 

It's such a waste of money.  I need a meal plan mentor.  Anyone up for it? 

4/13/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Meal Planning

Do you or or your family plan meals or are you a fly by the seat of your pants kinda group?

4/12/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Adjectives

Pick 5 adjectives that describe you at this exact moment!

4/11/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Kindness

When was the last time someone showed you kindness?  How did you react?  What did they do?

Faith

For me my faith is linked to my religion.  I have faith in God because my religion tells me to.  God has shown me the way when I have need it the most, so I think that has helped my faith along as well.  There are times that I struggle with my faith because I am struggling in life and not getting what I want out of it, but at the end of the day I know that if I pray and have faith in God that he will pull me through it.

I also define faith as what you have in other people.  I have faith in certain friends and family members that they will be there for me, do the right thing and be around when I need them.  When someone disappoints me or upsets me, I lose faith in them, and once that faith is lost, it is hard to be revived.

4/10/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Faith

Define what faith is to you?  Is it your religion or is it something else?

Go Back Into Time

If I could go back into time and live in another era, I would say the 40's or 50's would be my style - with music becoming popular and the way that girls dressed and how people interacted - it all seems so perfect to me, I think that I would like to return to that era.  Anything prior to that seems so depressing and sad.  I am sure that it wasn't, but I wonder!!

Go back in time

If I could go back in time, I think I'd pick the 1920's. I'd love to be in the same period that inspired Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Stein, Ford. These are some literary giants. It seems to me that period, above all others, produced the best books. Ones that managed to stay relevant almost a century later.

I know, it's not a deep thought. But who doesn't like the Jazz Age?

4/9/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Go Back Into Time

If you could go back to live in another time period what would it be?

Live Without

I can live without a phone, tv or computer, but I couldn't live without my family or friends...they are what keep me grounded and sane.

Living Without

I can't live without my family and friends.  They mean everything to me!  Without them I am nothing.

I can live without my electronics, but I also can't live without paper and a pencil - I love to write, doodle and be creative, so I also can't live without that!

4/8/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Living Without

Is there something in your life that you could live without?  Pretend for a minute you didn't have a home, mobile phone, computer or family/friends in your life?  What would you do?  How could you live without?

Timeliness

Time gets away from me all the darn time.  I hate when I have to be on time with anything ~ why, because I just can't do it.  If I have more than one thing to do in a day I am screwed because I can't manage to get it all done.  I just can't balance my day/time appropriately!

Who knows what is wrong with me!!

4/7/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Timeliness

I am one that lets time get away from them - all the time - what about you?

**On a side note, I am so sorry that topics haven't posted earlier in the day - I have been one to let time get away from me especially with kids home during Spring Break!**

Alone Time

I love my alone time. It's my relax time. Usually, it involves the tv on in the background and a good book. It's very peaceful. I love it. I can go through a book a day if given enough alone time. Sadly, that doesn't always happen...

Alone time

Alone time! Ladies, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that is the brief 2.5 seconds that I am in the bathroom before someone starts calling "MOOOOOOOMMMMMYYY! Where are you?" SIGH. "In the bathroom, why?" "I couldn't find you. I wanted to see where you are" Then they try to have a conversation through the closed door.

I exaggerate a bit. I do get time alone. I work out, I read, and if I'm really lucky and have remembered to lock the door, sometimes I even get a bubble bath!

Alone Time

What the hell is alone time?  I am never alone - there are always friends, family or even better - little children running around!!

When I do happen to get a little bit of alone time I spend it reading or being artsy craftsy!

Alone time?????

So I saw the title of this and was trying to figure out what it was...I was going to say the times I get to go to the bathroom, but even then I usually have an audience!!! :)

Ok sometimes I get out with out them...on the rare occasion that I do get alone time, I like to go to bookstores, or walk around the mall, or just go for a drive (you know, so I can listen to what I want, and not 100 Toddler Songs! :)

Of course when I DO get out for even 3 hours, I usually get the "when are you going tobe back" texts, so it is not always a relaxing time! :)

I think I like my alone/quiet time because I am an only child. So I got to shut my door and just chill whenever I wanted to!

Alone Time

I very rarely get alone time.  When I do its usually not that long, so I tend to do quick easy things like catch up on TV shows or do some reading.

On the rare opportunity that I get a few hours to myself, I like to grab my camera and go out to take pictures.  I can spend hours just roaming a park shooting flowers or landscapes, photographing old architecture or anything that catches my eye.

A mani/pedi would be nice too!

4/6/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Alone Time

What do you enjoy doing alone?  Is there something that you only do alone?

Creativity

I am definitely the most creative at night.  Sometimes I can get things done in the afternoon, but it's mostly at night when the urge strikes.  It could be because the house is quiet and the kids are in bed.

I think nighttime is just my time though.  I am definitely not a morning person.  I could stay up into the wee hours doing things, come morning though I am not happy.

Creativity

My creativity comes in fits and starts. Last year, I was most creative in my European history classes. It was in those classes that I started drawing a comic series for my bestie, Laura... about our adventures as woodland creatures. Sadly, once I was out of those classes... the inspiration sort of disappeared. :( Hopefully, it will come back though and I can finish the series... it sort of ended in the middle of nowhere.

Currently, I get inspired at the most inopportune times. When I'm feeling scrapbooky type creative... I'm always at college, and my stuff is all at home (or I have no supplies and no money with which to purchase them). Sometimes, I get real creative when I see yarn at Wal-mart... then I buy said yarn, get home, and nothing happens. Other times, that happens in reverse: someone gives me a yarn idea, and I go crazy with whatever yarn I have around.

When it comes to creativity and writing papers for classes... that is always a struggle. :-P It's actually what I should be doing now... The mood will probably strike me in the middle of the night. Ugh.

Creativity

I love being creative, if I could I would spend everyday scrapbooking, taking pictures, making crafts, blogging, reading, writing and being artsy!!

I feel I am most productive during the morning and late at night.  In the middle of the day I find myself wanting to be more relaxing and a little less creative.

4/5/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Creativity

When do you feel the most creative?  What do you do when creativity strikes?

Pain

What causes me pain right now, is seeing my husband feel like he has no family. His brother has taken advantage of myself and my husband and we are so tired of giving him chances. His mother basically left without telling anyone after my father in law passed but expected this to be the way they use to be. I hate to see him open his heart back up to just be shot back down

Pain

My biggest cause of pain, other than stress... which causes headaches... would probably be the weather. Although I'm only 21, I've dislocated both my knees (a few times each), severely sprained my wrist, and popped my shoulder out a few times. That being said, changes in atmospheric pressure or whatever... HURT! I get all achey and just want to stay curled up in bed all day. Not fun.

Pain

It causes me pain to see others suffer and when there are in pain.  I can't stand to see a friend upset or angry.  I never want to have to see that and I know that sometimes it is unavoidable, but when someone else hurts or is in pain it is just unbearable to watch.

4/4/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Pain

What causes you pain in this world?

Movie of my Life

If someone were to make a movie about my life I'd want Amy Adams to play me. She is so talented and just so cute! Ok...she looks NOTHING like me, but if it's a movie why can't I be hot right?

I would want Brad Paisley to play Steve. I know he's a singer but he looks EXACTLY like Steve. I'd have that cute kid who played SJ in The Blindside play Tim. Everyone we know says the mannerisms just remind them of Tim. Stephen....I'd pick the kid who plays Brick on The Middle.

Thinking about it though, other than the "Timisms", this would be the most boring movie ever!

Movie of Your Life

If there was a movie of my life.... I would probably want Katherine Heigl to be me. She's pretty awesome.

I've never really thought about a movie of my life before. At this point, it'd be rather boring. Ask me again in about 20 years?

Movie of your Life

When it comes to my life I can't think of anyone that could play me better than Amy Adams.  I think she would be a wonderful Joelyn Morgan and would be able to portray the good, bad, happy and sad.

Movie of My Life

If someone was to make a movie of my life I would want Emmy Rossum to play me. I fell in love with her in the Showtime tv series called Shameless. She plays such a strong real world woman in this series. I also love her tough and take care of myself kind of attitude. I would cast Justin Chatwin as my husband, he has some hot scenes in Shameless, while I wouldn't mind being the female actress for those scenes. I believe Virginia would play herself. I don't think anyone else could master the energy and silliness she displays everyday.

4/3/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Movie of your Life

If there was a movie about your life, who would you want to star in it?

Spring Cleaning

A little late on these! Busy weekend!

I LOVE cleaning when the weather is warm. Open the windows, clean the house! I actually do not mind cleaning. I was brought up in a house where you could eat off the floors, but my grandmother was never crazed about it! It just happened. So now I love  a clean house. And now that I have fallen in love with Scentsy (my consultant is also on TMN!!) it makes it nicer to clean with a house that smells like whatever scent I want it to!

Now this makes me want to clean something...but since it is 11pm I guess I need ot make a list of what to do tomorrow, and go to bed! :)

Spring Cleaning

I hate it. I hate cleaning. I only clean if I'm in an awful mood or I'm trying to put something off.

That being said... I really need to get things organized this month so I can move back home. And once home, I have to be able to sort things out so that I can function in my room this summer. Ugh.

I hate cleaning!!!

Spring Cleaning

I hate it - I don't do it and even if I live in a house I won't do it.  I figure I clean everyday and deep clean once a month so why in God's name should I spend my Spring time cleaning?  I am going to spend my time doing more fun and important things gosh darn it like be outside and enjoying time with my family and friends.

Spring Cleaning

I am not a spring cleaner at all. Even if my house really does need a spring cleaning. Most likely it isn't going to get done. I am lucky if I keep track of my cleaning week to week. Trying to get better, but I just hate cleaning. I have a 2 and a half year old daughter and it seems that as soon as I clean she destroys. If I did spring clean I believe I would just take it one room at a time. Make a good will pile, keep pile, and trash pile. And take a break every thirty minutes. I need a break to keep me motivated and get the job done. 

4/2/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Spring Cleaning

Do you do it?

Do you like it?

How do you do it if you do it?

April Fools Day

I am not really a prankster, I don't really play jokes. I find I'm on guard all day for oddities in peoples' stories and actions. I look for petroleum jelly on the phone, plastic wrap on the toilet seat...

That said, this April Fools Day is Opening Day so I love it. I think the Rangers played a prank beating the Red Sox and so far it looks like the O's are fooling the Rays! We just may win this. Happy April Fools day Rays!

Sorry. Had to put that in, guys!

Favorite classes

I really hated school. I'll clarify that I was NOT a bad student. I graduated with honors, did most of my junior year and all of my senior year at the community college. Those were the classes I liked. I've always loved Lit classes. Shakespeare, the classics, and especially books from the Jazz Age (Fitzgerald, Hemingway, etc) are things I still like to read (yes, I consider this FUN). I even enjoyed analyzing and writing reports about these books.

I also loved history. I am Revolutionary War and Civil War buff. I took American History, American Government, Constitutional Law (yes that was for fun too!) and loved it ALL!

These classes really taught me something. I still enjoy literature of all types and have shelves full of books on the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the construction of the Declaration of Independence. I still enjoy reading and learning so I guess I should thank the teachers and professors who were so great and had such vast knowledge that I just couldn't help but love it too!

April Fools Day

Thanks to the fiance, I got the chance to pass on a rather great April Fools Day prank. It's not really a plank so much as it was a joke...

Speaking of which, did you guys hear that they're relaunching Indiana Jones staring Hayden Christianson and Kristin Stewart?

So many people were upset. My one friend almost cried.

Happy April Fools Day!

April Fools

You know when I worked I used to play April Fools tricks on those I worked with, but now that I am not working I am just home we don't do anything for April Fools :-(

4/1/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ April Fools Day

So sorry it took me ALL day to post this!

Did you play any April Fools jokes on friends today?

Classes

My favorite class ever since I started school was always art class. I love creating new things and getting messy. I ended up going to UNCC and majoring in Art with a concentration in Graphic Design. But my all time favorite class was my African American Art History Class. The teacher was so passionate about the subject and teaching that it made the class a breeze and a joy to come too. The best part about the class was we focused on local African American artists as well as national artists. Each week we had the usual lecture hall class where we looked at slides and talked about each image. Then each week we did a field trip, where we visited local galleries and local artists. I enjoyed meeting the local artists the most because it was a chance to meet a real artist that was making a living doing their art. One artist that I enjoyed, and sadly can't remember their name. Was creating art work, but also had started a community program where kids could come after school to learn art and get help with their homework each day. It was a way to keep kids off the streets and out of trouble. By the end of the semester my eyes were open to a new area of art and also new ways to use my art to influence my community. And this class was the only art history class I made a A in.

Classes

My favorite classes of all time have always been history ones. The two that top that list, however, were my travel seminar classes. In college, there was one professor who every year would take a two to two and a half week trip somewhere in the country with a small group of students. We learned on the road: at museums, battle grounds, national parks, etc. It was awesome. It's one thing to learn about a place, it's a completely different thing to learn about it while you're standing there. The two trips I had the pleasure of going on was the trip to the southwest borderlands (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona) with a day trip to Mexico, where I officially met and got to know my fiance, and the second trip was the Colonial/Revolutionary War trip (Massachusetts, New York, the east coast, and DC). The two classes totaled a month over the course of my first two summers of college... and they were the greatest classes I've ever taken.

Classes

I had two favorite classes Orchestra (played the violin from 5th grade through High School) and I actually enjoyed Chemistry..I know I'm a totally egg head. I actually took college level chemistry in high school. When I was actually in college I took chemistry, and slept in that class and ended up with 110 as an average...but I ended up leaving school to focus on working and being a mom.

Favorite class

I would have to say that my most favorite class of all time was Performing Arts 1 and 2 and chorus.

I was always at home on the stage and I am still friends with most of the people that were in those classes, and the musicals/plays, with me! The rest I am still trying to find :) Those classes helped me form life long friendships and self confidence.

If I could go back to high school and take just a couple classes again, with the same people, it would be those!

Classes

My favorite class has always been English.  I love poems, literature, plays and both reading and writing.  Even in high school I was in love with English and it was due to an English teacher named Ms. McIntyre.

Classes

It's been a while since I've been in school, but there are two classes that stand out as being favorites.  I took Photography in both high school and college.  I had a lot of fun completing the assignments. Learning the dark room and all the processes was a really neat experience.  I still love photography.  I don't miss the film side of it though.  I'm glad I don't have to buy it or develop it!

My other favorite, suprisingly, was Criminal Justice.  I took this as an elective in college while majoring in Sociology.  I absolutely loved this class. It was intriguing and interesting.  I learned so much.  I even thought about switching majors to criminal justice, but that program was hard to get into at my school and I was already 2+ years into my Sociology major.  I wouln't have wanted to be a lawyer or a law enforcement officer or anything like that.  Maybe a paralegal or something in the field, though.  The subject matter was just so captivating!

3/31/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Classes

In all of your life, what has been your favorite class.  It can be from elementary school, high school or college - what class has been your favorite of all time?

Social Media

My first experience with social media was not a good one. I got a myspace while in high school, and my dad ultimately found it. He was very displeased. Not because of the content... I had it locked down. It was more the fact that I had a myspace (this was back when everyone was so concerned about the dangers of myspace)... so I was grounded for a month. About a year later, I got a myspace again... same thing happened. So I for a while I ignored social media.

Then came Facebook. I've had one since high school. I don't know how to function without it. It keeps track of birthdays, friends, pictures, everything.

However, I hate twitter and foursquare. I don't see the point in having a separate place just to post my statuses... any status I feel necessary to post can go on Facebook. And foursquare? That just makes me nervous. I don't want people knowing where I am at all times... it just seems like it could be an extremely dangerous site...

Social Media

I admit it - I tweet, Facebook, blog and just recently I started to check out Reddit.  I am a social media whore.  I love seeing what is going on with other people and I love to share what is going on in my life.  I know that society has played a role in my blogging, posting, tweeting and my activity on online forums.

I really do enjoy the time I spend online.  I take my college courses online and I also spend most of my time online  - so now I even Skype.

It is what it is and one of these days I will fall behind, but I don't think it will be anytime soon!

Social Media

Hey my name is Kathy and I am a social media addict. Ok that felt good to get off my chest. I started with myspace because of my friends being on there and asked me to join as well. I thought it was the best thing on earth. When facebook came out I was like there is no way I am getting on facebook. But next thing I know I am saying bye bye to myspace and growing up to facebook. I have tried Twitter, but am not a huge twitter fan. I mainly use facebook all day. I post pictures of my family and my latest craft projects. When I am organizing parties I set up a facebook event. It does make things easy as far as keeping up with people. But I do believe social media has taken some of the personal touches out of life. Like instead of calling someone I can just send them a message on facebook. Instead of sending a birthday card I could just send a image gift on facebook. When is the last time you sent a handwritten letter to someone? Also social media is a huge addiction for me and alot of people. The thought of going a whole day without my computer sometimes scares me. But I am taking baby steps towards not being addicted to social media.

Social Media

I am a professed Facebook addict! Though, I have been updating a lot less lately. I love being able to keep up with friends and family that are far away. Some friends I have had for a LONG time! (elementary, middle, and high schools!) and some I just met (the creator of this blog for one!) And hope to keep them all for a while lol.

I do Tweet. I run the SaratogaCountyMommies Twitter (http://twitter.com/SCMommies) as well as my own. Though, I don't tweet a lot. In fact, the last time I did was about 3 weeks ago! (Except for SCM I do that often as possible)


I remember starting out with a MySpace (does anyone use that anymore lol) and then moved on to Facebook, back when the page was full of apps that you could move around...kind of glad they changed that! I remember starting a Twitter in 2007, but then went about 2 years between my first and last tweets! I deleted that one a while ago to start fresh!

I love what social media does to help us find old and new friends, make business connestions, and more! Even though it can have its downsides, I think the positive out weighs the negative!

Social Media

I enjoy social media. I'm constantly on Facebook. It helps me connect with family and friends. It also helps with me seeing my half sister and my neice and nephew. They grow up so fast. I started Facebook back when I was in high school but I didn't use is as much until after I graduated. I was a big Myspacer (it has been deleted for 2-3 years now). I do also have a twitter account. I started that maybe last year or so when i had an itouch. I go on occasionally and change my tweet. And of course I'm blogging. Trying to keep up with that, I just recently took over HRM's blog...you guys should follow it http://hamptonroadsmommies.blogspot.com

Social Media

I love social media!  I use it all the time.  You name it, I'm probably on it.  Most of the time you will find me blogging or on Facebook or Twitter.  I just joined Foursquare as well, so I'm still trying to figure that one out.

I love it.  I think its fun.  Its a quick and easy way to connect with other people, to find information or just chit-chat.  I also find many people that I probably wouldn't have connected with otherwise.  I feel like sometimes these people bring so much more to the table that I wouldn't have thought of or been exposed to if it wasn't for social media.

3/30/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Social Media

Do you utilize social media in your life?  Do you tweet, poke, post or anything of the sort?

What got you started with it?  Do you enjoy it or feel forced into doing it because of society?

Diet and Exercise

Diet and exercise wasn't really a big deal to me until about a month ago when I got a ring put on my finger. Now, with 14 months left until my wedding, diet and exercise are becoming a bigger deal. I know you're not supposed to diet to fit the dress, the dress is supposed to fit you. Well, that's nice to hear... but I want a beach body for my honeymoon. The beach does not conform to what my body looks like... Not that I'm overly obsessed with it, I have plenty of time... I've been cutting back on my favorite foods (burgers, pizza, chocolate) and going for healthier choices. Sadly, at college, that is not the easiest thing to do. Hopefully, I can eat a more balanced diet when I go home after graduation. I'm also going to be starting P90 in a few days, so we'll see how that goes towards shedding the muffin top area that doesn't look good in any type of dress.

Diet & Exercise

After a forty five day stint in the nursing home I started to become quite conscious of my diet and what kind of exercise that I was getting.  Everyday for two hours I had occupational and physical therapy which helped to strengthen my arms and legs.  I am also now trying to be aware of what I eat because of a stomach issue I have called gastroparethis and because of it I am now diabetic.

I am also trying to lose weight because after I took a medication I gained a lot of weight and now I need to lose even more weight - I am over 200 pounds and it is driving me nutso!!

Diet and Exercise

OK I know I'm a little late with this post, but I had to answer. Yes. Very important. Not that I am the epitome of physical perfection or anything, but I actually LOVE my workout! LOVE it. Boxing and Yoga are my 2 favorites. I mean you feel so good after yoga, even the evil Jillian Michaels or Bob Harper kind (you know the sweat pouring off you so you have to clean off the mat?)! Boxing. What can I say? You beat the crap out of a heavy bag till you just can't lift your arms anymore. It's cardio, it tones legs, arms, back, stomach and it relieves so much stress it's not funny. As a bonus there you can jump rope, do jumping jacks, push ups (Which are my least favorite exercises EVER!!!-and there are sooo many different types of them. Blech!) weights, all sorts of fun stuff to prepare you for the actual boxing.

I also try and make healthy dinners and enjoy cooking for my family. I try to teach my kids what is healthy and what isn't. They're learning why we eat things and what benefits we get from food. I mean food is there to make us healthy and heal us. As long as it's the right kind, it'll do wonders to heal you when you're sick and prevent future illness.

But then I see french fries and everything I just wrote goes out the window :-) he he!

Diet and Exercise

I would say that exercise if pretty important, I want to keep moving. But I don't like the word DIET. I would rather watch my portion sizes and eat healthy, then go on a diet. I admit, though, that ever since I got pregnant with my 11 year old, I have been struggling with weight. I was a size 9 before getting pregnant with him! I did lose some in between him and my daughter (about 30lbs but not quite enough to fit back into my skinny shorts lol) but I come from a long line of bad metabolism!

I am currently trying the HCG diet and so far I have lost 23lbs since January, but I could do a lot better!!! Now that I have my car back, I can get out with the kids more...and when it warms up the playground will be our new home!

Diet & Excercise

I'd say this isnt on my top priority list...but I get a lot of exercise with 3 kids. I want to go back to the gym but never really have any me time. I don't diet but do watch what I eat.

3/29/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Diet & Exercise

How do you feel about diet and exercise?  Is it important to you?  Do you make it a priority in your life?

Childhood Memories

The one memory that I think with my is my grandpa and driving from VA to FL. We actually went down there for Easter and easter fell on my birthday. When i woke up there were easter eggs everywhere and I also go my first bike. I also remember there was a horrible storm that was going through and I was scared, my grandpa's dog would climb in bed with me and let me cuddle with him until I was asleep!

Childhood Memories

There are numerous childhood memories that still stick with me today. A lot of them center around my first friends, my cousins. When we all got together at Grandma's, we always created the most interesting and complex games to play... sometimes they involved laundry basket races, other times it was hiding things we decided were jewels, and other times it was just playing in the woods, trees, or cornfields nearby.

The other childhood memories that have stuck with me are the ones from preschool. We had a pretty awesome indoor wooden playset at my preschool... and we used it ALL the time - for Power Ranger adventures. There were probably about 6 pink rangers and all the boys were either red or green. We weren't big on branching out into the other colors... those were the only rangers that mattered to us at 4.

Childhood Memories

I am not one that really recalls any childhood memories.  I know I played soccer and spent a lot of time at my grandma and grandpa's house.  Outside of that, I am not really too keen on recalling many moments of my childhood.

3/28/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Childhood Memories

Do you have any specific childhood memories that stick with you to this day?

Sunday

Growing up, Sunday was typically a crazy day. We would start off with church, and then more often than not, it would be followed by a two hour drive to either my mom's parents' or my dad's parents' for some type of family get together... that was before we started merging events (birthdays that were close together, mixing birthdays in with holidays, etc).

Now that I'm older, the Sunday trip to the grandparents' house is less frequent... closer to once every month or so. Which is good and bad - less time in the car, but less time spent growing up with my cousins. I always loved growing up with them... cousins are your first friends, and the ones you're sort of stuck with for life in most cases. The trips to church also stopped while I was away at college... when I go home, I still go with my parents, and in the summer I run the nursery at my church, but at school... Sunday is my only day to sleep in. And even if it wasn't, the nearest church is not in the amount of distance I am willing to walk in dress shoes.

Sunday

Growing up we always went to 12:00 mass, had dinner at my dad's parents house.  I loved going to grandma and grandpa's house because there were always chocolate chip cookies and great meals like city chicken, rice pilaf, lamb chops, stuffed cabbage and always good bread from the local bakery.

Now, Sunday means church plus football during football season and during off season it means soccer and having a good dinner. 

Once I am in my own place it will mean Sunday dinner again with family and friends - since I love to cook and bake, that is the best time of the week!

Sundays

Did you grow up with your Sunday being lazy or were you always running around?  
I remember them being pretty lazy, and the smell of my grandmothers sauce cooking for sunday macaroni (or spaghetti) dinner!!
Did you have family dinners or something else?  
See above! We had some kind of pasta every Sunday, and up until my Saratoga County Mommies started having Family Sunday Dinners, we had it too! 
What about today?  
We usually get things done on Saturday, and finish anything up on Sunday before dinner (which is usually between 5 and 6 and lasts a couple hours!) 
What is on your agenda?
Today? We ran to the grocery store to get our contributions for Sunday Family Dinner, picked up prescriptions, and now we are chilling at home before picking my daughter up at her friends house and going to dinner! 


Hope everyone has a great Sunday! 

3/27/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Sunday

Did you grow up with your Sunday being lazy or were you always running around?  Did you have family dinners or something else?  What about today?  What is on your agenda?

Pet Peeve

One? I only get one? I have sooo many! Grammatical errors. They annoy the heck out of me. I don't know why. I am the grammar police in our house. I remember when Stephen was 4 or 5 and he was telling me a story saying "...and then I bringed..." at which point I just gave him the hairy eyeball. He quickly backed up and said "I BROUGHT.." and continued with his story.

I think the other one that tops my list is eating noises. I do NOT need to see the food in your mouth. I do not need to HEAR you eating whatever it is. Do not slurp. You CAN eat soup quietly. Trust me. Lip smacking is a no no. Humming while you eat and general orgasmic happy sounds just annoy me to no end. I don't need to hear it. Food should be a quiet experience. Finger sucking. Licking your fingers after you eat? That is just gross! Oh, and please, please, PLEASE refrain from talking to me with food in your mouth. I will be quite happy to wait until you finish chewing.

I have a friend who feels the same about the noisy eating. We are planning a coup in the name of the quiet eaters of the world. We plan to unite and take over.

Now I sound like an uptight psychopath, don't I? LOL!

Pet Peeves

The one thing that comes to mind when I think of pet peeves is the toilet paper going under the roll.  Yes, I realize that is ridiculously, insanely small and petty.  It is just one of those things that gets under my skin for some reason.  My husband does it occasionally.  My 6 year old has learned how to change the roll when it needs it and she does it too. 

As soon as I see it, I will immediately take it off and flip the roll over so it's going over the top.  I feel like I cannot get the toilet paper properly if it isn't going over the top.  The annoyance I feel when I see it going under and the relief I feel when I switch it is truly baffling.

Pet Peeves

This may not make sense, but one of my biggest pet peeves can best be summed up in the following word: people. I have nothing against persons, but people generally annoy me. As a collective unit, people don't make sense and I don't like it. They drive insanely, or too cautiously... they're twenty under the speed limit, or they're flying by me. They complain about how they hate it when someone else does something, but then they go and do the same exact thing and say "it's different when I do it." No, it's not. It's the same thing you were complaining about yesterday! Saying you're going to do something, and then not following through so that the other people that were counting on you are also screwed over... It's all the little things like that that just completely piss me off about people. But I love persons. All of my friends are persons.

I also hate snow after the first day of spring. The weather around here really needs to start taking a look at the calendar.

Pet Peeves

I have too many pet peeves to list....I hate nail biting, sucking up snot in the nose, dirty nails, messy hair, messy clothes, people that talk to loud on cell phones, people that text while they are talking to you, cold weather, wet feet, cold food and on top of all of that I absolutely can't stand when people interrupt you when you are talking!!!

3/26/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Pet Peeves

What are your pet peeves and how do you deal with them?

Taxes

As soon as my husband has all his paper work he gets the taxes done. He is pretty quick and on top of stuff like that. Most of the time we owe, but only because my husband likes to get bigger paychecks. So we basically pay at the end. I don't always like it that way, but it gets paid so I guess that is the main thing. But I agree about husbands not needing to know exactly how much money is in the bank. My husband is the type that likes his tech stuff. Bonus time I have to tie him down so he doesn't go buy the bigger tv or latest computer or the whole GameStop store.

Taxes

My taxes always get done early... because my dad does them right around the time he does theirs. He uses some type of computer program to figure out the return, and I'm really glad he does it because I would have no idea what I was doing.

Taxes

We file as soon as my husband gets his w-2 or whatever. We paid off some things with the money, got my hubby a new tv. And the rest is sitting in the bank for a rainy day I guess. Sometimes we forget we even have it in there...which I think is a good thing. If my husband knows how much we have in the bank he would probably go crazy spending. LOL

Taxes

I haven't had to do my taxes in over three years and until I manage to go back to work again, I will never have to worry about them, however when I did do them, I was a last minute kind of gal!

Taxes...

We file as soon as we can for both Federal and State. My husband says that, if you wait until the last minute, it is because you owe...not sure how true that is, but we have never owed.

Of course, for once, it would be nice to KEEP our returns!! We always have something we pay off or pay down...this year is was almost $2000 for both cars to get up to par!!!!

I do wish my husband would get less taken out...but that means we would have less back! I think I can deal with that though

3/25/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Taxes

Federal income tax returns are due to the IRS in about a month. What kind of tax preparer are you? Early, sometime in the middle or last minute rush?

Food

OMG - this is my most favorite topic ever.  I am not a culinary genius, but I love food.  I like to cook it, bake it and eat it.  My favorite has to be Mexican and my second favorite would be Thai.  Mexican came about easily - I really have no rhyme or reason why I like it, other than it tastes good and is easy to make.  Thai has been a learned taste and I am slowly learning how to cook it as well.  They both have so many textures and flavors, it is so nice when they meld in your mouth and create an eating experience!

Food

You would think, looking at me, that I am not picky. But I am! I just gained during pregnancies and was ...blessed...with a LOW metabolism lol.

I prefer chicken to steak. I would even rather eat the chicken wings then the pizza!! If I could, I would eat chicken for lunch and dinner every day!! (And eggs for breakfast!)

I am picky with sweets. I hate fruit pies, except apple...and even then, it can't be too sweet!

But I also have a weakness for Girl Scout cookies!!!

Now I want some chicken...or maybe cereal!

Food

Well since I have already confessed my love for cheese. You know I love food, but only certain kind. I am a super picky eater at times. I was the thorn in my parents butt growing up. I don't eat vegetables. But I do love my cheese, Mexican, pizza, and Chinese. Oh and a good steak a mash potatoes is to die for. I really love food that I don't cook. I am lucky I married a man that loves to cook. I am slowly learning how to cook. I could eat Mexican and Pizza everyday.

Food

I love food. I hate dieting. If I had to go with a favorite food, I would have to go with either the cheesy bacon cheeseburger that they used to have at TGI Fridays (and you can still get it at certain TGI Fridays) or pizza. I could live on either one for quite the extended amount of time... which is probably why I've put on some weight since coming to college, but such is life. I also love chocolate, bacon, (but not chocolate bacon... that tastes gross), and cereal.

Food!

Do I have a favorite food? Hmm I have a lot of stuff I love, what can I say I LOVE food! I guess I am partial to chicken over beef. I love Italian foods, Fettuccine Alfredo yum!! The biggest problem is probably sweets. I can kill a whole bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs by myself! Sweets are not good for the waistline!

I would love to eat healthier as a family we really need to be doing this. We will do good for about a week and then fall off the wagon!

Ah Food such a love hate relationship!

Food

My favorite food is french fries! I could eat them all day long..and I really dont know why I love them so much.
I especially love making home made fries just because I can make it anyway I want. :)

3/24/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Food

Do you have a have a favorite food?  Why is it your favorite?  How did you come to like that particular food?

Rushing

Each day that goes by I am concerned about how I rush through things and don't do them the best way that I know how or can.  I try to take on too much and I think that I can take on the world, but I can't always do that.  One thing can be said for rushing, you will always most certainly make a mistake and will have to go back and fix it - I can guarantee it.  The other thought I have regarding rushing is that I rush and don't always think things through - because of that - I rush even more!

Rushing

I am rushing right now, yet, I am blogging from yesterday lol. With 4 kids, ages 11, 8, 4 and almost 2, rushing is just the norm! Especially when your 11 and 8 year olds like to stall getting out the door!

I do not even think I remember what it is like NOT to rush. I even rush when I am alone with out the kids...it has become something that is normal to me.

I wonder what it will be like, when the kids are out of the house, and I have no where to rush to! I will certainly miss it, I am sure of that!

Rushing

When don't I feel like I'm not rushing?! My day starts out me getting everyone ready to get my husband to work, then home to get the kids fed, then drive my oldest to school. If I'm waiting to go on a playdate holy moly...it just never seems to end. Some days i forget to throw out what I plan to cook for dinner, so then I am rushing to the store to get something to cook.

I think the rushing ends when i go to bed, and i dread waking up having to do it all over again.

Rushing

Do I ever feel like I am rushing along?  HA!  See my post about routines.  Every morning for us is a MAD DASH to get out of the house.  It's a mad dash to get the kids to school.  It's a mad dash to get to work.  It's insanity.

We are definitely not morning people.  We'd stay up all night given the opportunity.  Staying up all night does not make for easy or early morning.  I hit snooze for approximately 45 minutes before jumping out of bed yelling, "OH CRAP!"  Except I don't say the PG version.  Then I run around yelling, "Get up! Get dressed!  Hurry up!" 

When you are running around like that you are bound to forget things.  Just ask Noodle.  I don't think the kid has had a snack for school in her backpack in well over a week.  Oops.

Rushing

I feel as though I only live my life on two speeds: rushing... and turtle.

I am almost constantly rushing around to catch up for the time I spend in turtle mode. I like laying around doing nothing, and now that I have a major case of senioritis as well, I am constantly rushing to catch up when I fall behind.

And now with the wedding to plan, I'm rushing to find a reception hall because it seems like whenever we call a place one day they have the date open, but a call back a day or two later will tell me they booked it already. So it's rushing in that department so I can spend my first semester of law school with my wedding planning set to turtle.

3/23/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Rushing

Do you ever feel like you are rushing along and you forget to do something?  Or that you are rushing along and that you did something, but you did it hastily?

(FYI - I am so sorry I didn't post this earlier, I was rushing around and totally forgot to like a million things, this being one of them! ~ Jody)

Describe

My husband:
Supportive, loving, caring, crazy, tall, dark, handsome, MINE. His dad would be so proud of the man he has become. Because I am proud of what he does everyday for me and our kids!

Describe

Describe my kids....here goes:
The crazy, lovable, sweet, puckish, argumentative, brilliant lunatics that are the center of my universe..and they know it! And, for the moment, they think I hung the moon!

Describe

Pick (me) Up

Seeing her eyes light up.  The high-pitched squeal of "Mommy!" as she jumps and runs toward me trampling  anyone and anything in her way.  Soft sweet arms wrapped around me.

Describe

My engagement ring is white gold, European cut (so it has a flat bottom), stair-step Heart's Desire diamonds with four diamonds in the band for a total of seven.

:-D

Summer

The best part of the year. Flip flops, shorts, kids out of school (oh wait, lol) Not having to get up too early, not having to get the kids up!

Describe

Cheese!

The best food in the whole world. Goes well with pretty much everything.  Great for a snack on the go or on the couch. If only I could marry cheese.

Describe

Motherhood!

You'll laugh you'll cry! Motherhood is the craziest ride you will ever take. It is the hardest job you will ever have but by far the most rewarding!

Describe

Samantha is a wonderful, happy and boisterous twelve year old.  She is smart, caring, compassionate and caring and would do anything for anyone.  Sammie is my precious daughter!

3/22/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Describe

Describe something in 30 words or less.  It doesn't matter what that something is or if that something is you - just tell us what it is and do it in 30 words or less!

Cereal

I am a special kind of person, so I like Special K.

It is a pretty boring cereal, but yet it is so good with ice cold milk (which by the way I do NOT drink after I eat all my cereal).

Every once in a while I can go for Cherrios, Life, Cinnamon Toast Crunch or something else, but at the end of the day - Special K - with skim milk!

That about sums it up!

Cereal

Does oatmeal count as cereal? I like that....And Cheerios. I'm kinda boring when it comes to cereal. I am not a morning person and breakfast is just an afterthought!

My husband is the cereal KING. LOVES it! He eats like half a box in one sitting. He takes my huge pasta bowl and dumps it in! Lucky Charms, Captain Crunch. Cream of Wheat too if we're counting that. He's just a big kid!

My children love cereal too. They like ANYTHING! From Cheerios to the sweet yucky stuff that I don't let them eat very often.

It's the handiest breakfast food too!

Cereal

I dont like cereal! :( I dont drink milk either.
I can do oatmeal with boiling water thou.

My children on the other hand love milk and love cereal for breakfast and dry cereal for snacks. They like lucky charms, apple jacks, and captain crunch.

I really haven't figured out why I dont like milk.. which made me not like cereal...Total Sad Face!

Cereal!!

Funny I log in to see what the topic is today and it is cereal as I put a yummy bite of Fruity Pebbles into my mouth! Yes I am eating a bowl of cereal at 8:30 at night. What can I say? We love cereal I this house! I love the mixture of soggy and crunchy you get with a bowl of Fruity Pebbles. I am a sucker for anything loaded with sugar, I have a horrible sweet tooth. The kids love all of it. The Hub's is partial to Lucky Charms and Cinnamon Life.

We will eat it for breakfast, as a snack, any time of day, and it s not just cold. We like oatmeal and cream of wheat, except the Hub's he doesn't like Oatmeal who doesn't like Oatmeal?!?!?

Cereal!

How much can I talk about cereal?! I LOVE LOVE LOVE cereal! Did I mention I LOVE cereal!?

I usually have a gigantic bowl in the morning. Of course, my younger 2 usually want eggs lol, so more for me! My faves are mini shredded wheat, Kix, Fruit Loops, Cocoa Krispies, Rice Krispies, and Corn Flakes.

I used to put a  lot of sugar in my Corn Flakes, but I stopped that once I was older then 13 lol. That is when I realized it was probably NOT  a good idea to put a whole sugar bowl of sugar into my already sugared cereal :)

I have a confession to make, that might make most people gag or make funny faces...I LOVE my Rice Krispies soggy! They have to be soggy for me to enjoy them. Sometimes Corn Flakes too. Any other cereal, well maybe sometimes Mini Shredded Wheat, has to be crunchy!!

And sometimes...I will buy a box of my favorite cereal, and hide them from the kids! Sometimes I have to hid ein a closet to eat it, but hey, a moms gotta do what a moms gotta do!

Cereal

We don't eat a lot of cereal here.  It's not that we don't like it, it's just that we are usually running out the door late for school.  We tend to do things that are a little more portable - breakfast bars, go-gurts, bananas, cheese sticks, etc. We love cereal though.  My 6 year old, Noodle, will get lucky charms when she eats breakfast at school.  She's told me that's her favorite.  I don't buy them at home so she has to get her fix at school.

Mostly we have Cheerios (blech!) and Life in our house for the weekends.  Occasionally I will give in to my cravings and get Cinnamon Toast Crunch (YUM!).  For obvious reasons that usually doesn't last too long in our house.

I envy the people that can eat cereal outside of breakfast time.  I sometimes want to, I just can't bring myself to do it.  It just doesn't feel right. 

Cereal

College has instilled in me a love for cereal. Freshman year, cereal was available for all meals every day, so when I didn't like my other options, that as what I had. I got in the habit of eating cereal for dinner freshman year, and continued it over the summers when I was too exhausted (and overheated) from work to want to eat anything that took any type of preparation.

I love almost all kinds of cereal... at least the cold kinds. Especially anything that is or is similar to Cocoa Pebbles. Or Rice Krispies (especially Rice Krispie TREAT cereal!!!). Or Frosted Flakes.

Bottom line: I freaking LOVE cereal.

3/21/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Cereal

Cereal you ask?  Really how much can I really talk about cereal?  Tell us about the cereal you eat, if you have kids what they eat.  Is it hot or cold, do you only eat cereal for breakfast, what about dinner too?

Think about and talk about cereal - we are all wanting to know!

Socks

I can go both ways on this topic. I do love me some socks, but really only during winter. I love fun colorful socks and especially the holiday socks. But usually I have the white gold toed cotton socks. I really don't enjoy socks most of the time. It always feels like my feet are struggling to breathe. I love going bare foot as much as possible. I believe the worse socks are the toe socks. Yes they look all cute and funny, but those things are like prisons for my toes. I always look forward to spring and summer so I can sport my flip flops and my feet are free. My golden rule is as soon as I walk though the door off comes my shoes and my socks.

Socks

I am anti-socks. I do not like them. They make my feet claustrophobic, and they do not like being claustrophobic. When I do wear them (because it creeps me out to wear tennis shoes without them) they must be colored... or at least have a colored pattern on them if they are a white sock. Slipper socks annoy me because I'd rather stick my feet under a blanket than in a pair of socks.

On the other hand, my favorite baseball team is the White Sox. Go figure.

Socks

I HATE SOCKS!!!  There, I said it!!!  I hate things on my feet and I absolutely despise having socks on.  Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall - all of those seasons I try my hardest to not wear socks.  Now, if I am forced to wear socks I like toe socks - they make my feet look cool even if you can't see my nice and painted toe nails.

I despise nylons, they make my legs hurt and are so constrictive or just the opposite they fall down and annoy my ankles - at the end of the day - nylons sucks!

Then there are regular socks - if I have to wear socks because I have tennis shoes on I only will wear white socks that barely show above the shoe.  I really hate the socks you have to fold over - they again annoy my ankles.

Slipper socks are okay, and only recently have I allowed myself to wear them because I can't walk around the nursing home in bare feet - gross!

So, bottom line is I hate socks, I hate things touching my feet.  I like to paint my own toes and show them off and if I could go year round (it will never happen in Cleveland) without wearing socks I would!

Socks...

Ok well, socks...

Ever since I was little I have HATED socks. I prefer bare feet or flip flops/open toed shoes. IF I HAVE to wear socks, I prefer to wear new ones. I don't like having socks for more then a month. They gross me out, no matter how often I wear them!

And back on the if I have to...they have to go above the ankle and stay up when I put them on!

I wish I lived back in North Carolina, where I could wear flip flops 99% of the time for the 3 years we were there!

The other day, I got a pedicure with a friend of mine. I was able to wear flip flops that day to it, and the day after. But yesterday, and today, and maybe every day after, lol, I have to wear socks and shoes, covering my pretty flowered toes :)

Yea socks...we have a love hate relationship!

socks

I love socks on my feet when cold! Now don't get me started on finding a matching pair of socks! I swear i think my dryer eats my socks!!!!!!

I am only anti-socks in the summer, I dont like sweaty feet!

3/20/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Socks

Okay, you may think that this is a funny topic, but it is a serious one.

What kind of socks do you wear?  Do you like socks?  What about slipper socks?  Are you anti-sock?

Routine

We do our best to stick to a routine. I get up at 4:45 each morning. I turn on the news, try and get myself functioning. I HATE morning. It takes awhile for me to communicate in coherent sentences and not grunts. Kiddos are out of bed by 6:30. They get up put clothes on, eat breakfast, pack lunches, bookbags are packed, put by the door. My husband gets up, dressed, packs his lunch and is out the door by 7:30 to get the kids to school. I'm off to work by 8:00.

When I get HOME it's dinner, family reading time,jammie time, Stephen makes sandwiches at 7:30 when Tim brushes his teeth. Tim is off to bed by 8:00 and I head down to work out most nights. Stephen is off to bed at 8:30. Steve and I sit down to watch a TV show or movie when I'm done with my workout and shower (9:30ish). Sometimes I get the fantastic idea to make tomorrow night's dinner (if it's one that takes awhile to cook) and save myself some time the next night. Crazy. I know! Then by 11:30 or so I am ready to just drop. Day has been lived to the fullest and soon it will be time to do it allllll over!

Weekends are just freebies. We stay up late, sleep in, do whatever we want. Take Stephen to play practice...Do not fun stuff like laundry, cleaning but it all has to get done, right?

Anyhow, right or wrong, it works for us...usually. :-)

Routine

My routine? Get up, drop off the kids, go to work, pick up the kids, have dinner, go to bed – rinse, repeat.

Okay obviously there’s a bit more to it than that, but a lot of times it feels like that is all I do.  It feels like I’m caught in a cycle.  We manage to squeeze in a lot more than that, and I sometimes seriously wonder how we find the time. 

We actually have two sets of routines.  My husband is gone half the time for work, and when he is it more or less leaves me with the above routine.  In between getting up and dropping the kids off, it’s a mad dash/free for all to get out the door and not miss the school bus.  Yes, every morning.  The girls and I are NOT morning people. 

Thankfully my husband is, so when he’s home he really helps get everyone out the door.  He helps the girls get dressed and ready.  He drives them to school.  He picks them up.  He makes my life so much easier.

Routine

My daily routine is basically the same every day... the start time just differs. When I wake up, I reach over and grab my laptop (if it's a week day you can bet I'm checking to see if my first class of the day is canceled!) and check a few things before eventually rolling out of bed and stumbling to the bathroom to shower (I can also almost guarantee that I will trip over something, run into something, or stub my toe at least once a week).

From there my morning routine changes because it depends on the day of the week. If it's a MWF, I'll be outside with Bobby waiting for Betsy at 7:15 so we can go to breakfast and I'll come back and fix my hair/finish getting ready after breakfast. Some mornings (usually Tues and Thurs) I catch up on the homework I had avoided the night before. And on weekends, I pretty much just go back to doing nothing if I don't have plans right away :)

Routine

My routine is so messed up - I am pretty sure I don't have one anymore.  In all reality I think my routine is based on where I am living and what I am doing.  When I worked full time it was one way and now that I don't work and do most things from home it is another.  My routine is different now than when I lived on my own and right now being in a nursing home it is even more skewed.

Routine to me is getting things accomplished when they need to be accomplished.  Like getting the kids out the door for school in the morning and doing my morning postings for ClevelandMommies.  My routine is soon to change though and I think it will go something like this:

• Wake Up
• If Sammie is over get her out the door to school
• Do exercises (alternate days - some strength training and some cardio)
• Shower
• Do postings for ClevelandMommies and One-Minute-Blogger
• Clean a portion of the house
• Check TMN & CM to make sure all is running smoothly
• Get dinner started
• Study and get the school stuff out of the way
• Do homework with Sammie if she is over
• Eat dinner
• Do something that is good for brain stimulation or an art/craft project
• Watch TV
• Bedtime

Now, all of this is subject to the moon and the stars aligning correctly and not having doctor appointments or meetings or something else going on elsewhere.

So, when it comes to routine - I hope to have one and if not - that is okay with me as well.

Routines

I had a great routine up until we moved in December! We would get up at 7:30, and I would get my 4 year old (then 3) off to preschool. I would grab a Starbucks or Dunkin coffee and sandwich for breakfast, go home, let the baby nap, then get the 4 year old. Then we would come home for lunch, and play, read, etc... until the older kids got home. That is usually when they would just want to play with them!

Now, not so much :(

I would love to have a set routine in the morning, at least. It seems to make whatever else we do for the rest of the day go much easier!

So here is what I would love: Get up 7:30. 8:15 get the 8 year old out the door. Give younger 2 breakfast. Go out for a couple hours...either playdates, parks, or whatever we can do for them to get energy out. Lunch...either out or home. Come home (or continue staying home) have some outside time. Naptime (for the baby). Crafts, reading, some TV time (that would be my work time lol) etc...

Maybe someday I will get a good schedule going. You would think, after 11 years, I would have one down. Goes to show that each child brings a new adventure!

Routine

I would love to eat a Chick Fil A Banana Pudding milkshake daily as my routine! But then again I may gain like 100 pounds if I did that daily. My morning routine is quite lazy. I wait to hear the sound of my daughter's door opening and then she comes into our bed room and hands me my glasses and cellphone from my night stand. We head into the living room in our PJs to watch some morning cartoons. Most of the time it is either Nick Jr. or Disney Junior. I will grab her some milk and most mornings mini pancakes. 


For myself, I usually eat whatever I feel like. Lately it has been cream cheese bagels. Once we have our food and drinks ready we crash on the couch for a bit. While she is watching cartoons, I surf the web, catching up on email, facebook, centralpiedmontmommies, and TMN. I also start looking around seeing everything I need to be cleaning and wishing the magic cleaning fairies would come out and clean for me.


But alas no fairies have appeared so usually I wait till after lunch to really kick it into gear and clean house. We live in an apartment so there is never to much space to clean. But I try to keep the kitchen and living room cleaned each day. And I always start a load of laundry, even though there are only three of us, it seems like my laundry pile never goes down. 


Not sure why I follow this same routine most days. I guess it is just comfort and I am lazy. I will admit my routine at the moment doesn't work, because well I am lazy. I am working on creating a better cleaning routine where I clean certain areas each day. That way it doesn't add up and I find myself cleaning all day on Saturday, right before the in laws come over.

Routine

My morning routine during the week is basically the same everyday. I wake up at 6am, drop off my husband to work (we are currently a single car family) get home and get my oldest ready for school, drive her to school, and then start laundry. That is basically the start of my day in 2 hours. It has been working for a while now.
But I have to say somedays I just dont even want to wake up!

3/19/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Routine

Is there anything that you would do on a routine basis?  What is your morning routine?  Each day we all have some sort of routine that we follow, so why do we do it and does it really work?

Sports

Well i didn't get into sports much until I was in high school. As a sophmore, I dabbled in softball and was a cheerleader (only to prove that you dont need experience to be a cheerleader). My junior and senior year I dedicated myself to volleyball. And that was my true calling. I loved that game. I even join a travel team to keep up with playing while off season from school.
I was so dedicated to the game I was going to try out for a college team. I even was asked by the coach to come practice with the team while before I started my first semester in college.
But I didn't get that chance, I ended up getting pregnant with my oldest daughter. But it doesnt matter. I love my family.
Now sports I watch, love baseball,softball, and volleyball. My fav baseball team is the Yankees (I married a Red Sox fan) Can you say interesting baseball season! :)

Sports

I grew up in Strongsville, Ohio which is a small suburb of Cleveland.  I remember playing soccer as young as five or six and played all the way until I was in high school.  I also enjoyed playing volleyball, but wasn't into it as much as I was into soccer.  It was like the sport of the decade.  We had the Force in Cleveland and they were great ~ I remember everyone wanting to be like Otto Orf,

Fortunately for me I had a dad who was and still is very into sports.   He got me into loving football, I used to be able to name all the NFL teams and their quarterbacks and coaches.  I was never a huge fan of baseball, but on occasion you would catch me at a game.

My dad also loved golf and basketball - long gone are the days of Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman, but I have been to my share of golf matches and really do enjoy the sport.  Then there is basketball....I do enjoy watching it, but playing it was never my thing.  I did enjoy playing it with the Serbian National Federation and going away a couple of times, but more importantly I enjoyed spending time with friends and seeing new places.

Overall I am a sports lover and still enjoy being active and playing.  If I had to tell you my favorite teams they would be the OSU Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Blackhawks, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lake Erie Monsters.

Sports...

I have always loved to be active! I played soccer in school and have always loved to explore other sports.
I dated a guy in college who played Lacrosse, and so I got a taste of that for a little while...now, I am secretly hoping that one of my kids joins a lacrosse team!!!!

Hockey has always been something I love to watch, more in person then on TV. I love going to the rink and watching the action. My oldest, 11, played hockey for a season when he was 4. I was hoping he would stick with it, but it just was not for him. He still loves to skate :)

Both my older kids played soccer at some point in their lives. My daughter wants to get back into it, so I may need to start looking for a fall program for her. My oldest has also taken karate, which I really would love for him to take again!

I love sports, but I like to watch them in person or participate in them, instead of watching on TV. Just does not seem the same to me!!

Hopefully, one of my kids will play sports for more then one season!

Sports

When I was in elementary school I played soccer for a couple years. I had fun but I was never very good at it. Then in High School I joined the cross country team. I was not the fastest or the best but I improved weekly. I just had to beat my own best time...That was good for me. I helped keep stats for the boys basketball team one year, I took lots of dance lessons and played basketball with my friends at the park but that was it.

Let me be clear, I LOVE sports. Baseball (I manage my own strat-o-matic baseball team and have drafted numerous fantasy teams) is my favorite, football, basketball, boxing (which is my new interest. I actually got a heavy bag, some gloves and go beat the bag into submission-great stress reliever and KILLER upper body work out!). However, as mentally prepared as I am for any of these, physically I am klutzy and inept. I broke my toe cleaning my bathroom once...I broke a different toe carrying a basket of laundry across the room and tripped over a ginormous chair! Athletically inclined I am not. I know what's supposed to happen, but getting it done? I'm not your girl! I will try, and if you don't mind my crazy flailings on the field, I'm there! If you want to win, make me your statistician. I am one MEAN record keeper! (I think my husband STILL resents the reach on error I gave him one year in softball when he got to third on the right fielder's miscue. He argued to make that a triple all season!)

Sports

I basically lived and breathed sports growing up in the south. I remember the smell of the dugout, concession stand, and sunflower seeds. Being the father, of a family of three girls, my dad made up for not having any boys by encouraging us to play sports.

My sisters and I all played softball since we were eight years old. You could find us on the softball field year round. In the winter you could find me on the basketball court being a little more rough then in my daily life. Sports played a huge role growing up, most people identified me as the athletic one or the artsy one. I played one form or another of a sport until I had my daughter at the age of twenty-six.

Now I am back on the sports wagon playing in a bowling league. Don't laugh, after bowling three games in one night I find myself quite tired. I have my average up to 136 and rising. I believe playing sports growing up taught me discipline and leadership. Sports also brought me some of my best friends in life.

I cross my fingers that my daughter will follow in my footsteps and find a sport that she enjoys. But I will be happy either way. As far as watching sports, I enjoy watching any sport as long as I am watching with someone. I am not big into watching sports on TV by myself.

And the best way I know to close, for it's one, two, three strikes  I am out!

Sports

I never actually played any sports growing up... I know, I was super lame. All through high school though, I did stats for the men's basketball team (no offense to those of you that played women's basketball, but men's was always so much more interesting).

I love watching football, from high school level up, baseball, and hockey.

As for favorite teams? The Bears, White Sox, and Blackhawks!! When I was younger, back when the Bulls were awesome and had Jordan and Pippin, etc. my dad and I would watch every game together. I still watch basketball, but that's a rarity outside working the games at my college.

3/18/2011 ~ Topic of the Day ~ Sports

We are all varying in ages and demographics, but what sports did you play growing up?  More importantly what sports did you watch growing up?

It is funny how where you live influences the sports you watch and play.

Favorite Holiday

I'm having an extremely difficult time picking just one holiday. I've got it down to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Halloween. To me, Thanksgiving and Christmas have a lot to do with getting together with the extended family and spending time with them - especially my cousins. Growing up we were all rather close, so we love excuses to get together - especially if there's food involved. And both my grandmas are excellent cooks. (Also - Thanksgiving and Christmas also include the best -and most plentiful- pie selections at my one grandma's house). Halloween is in the running just because I sometimes like to revert back to my childhood and dress up in a costume and go to my friend's birthday bonfire.