Monday Mingle, 6/20/11

This week’s questions  {week of 6/20/11}:

1. Have you put away the winter clothes until next year?
Nope, I never actually pack away clothes for the seasons.  We have all our clothes out all the time.  Considering it's the middle of June and we still need sweatshirts some days, putting winter clothes away just isn't practical to me.  And while clearly there is plenty of time that shorts aren't worn, they just don't take up enough room to be worth my effort.  Plus with the boys, when they do sports, they wear shorts in the winter too. They just throw sweatpants over them when they go outside to get where they are going.

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2.  What is your typical daily summer attire?
I wear capris all summer.  I wear flip flops almost all year.  And then depending on where I'm going it's either just a t-shirt or a cute top. 

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3. Finish this sentence… “Why is it that every time I _________________”.

Why is that every time I turn around there is more to be done?

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Questions:

1.  What feature of the opposite sex do you notice first?
Usually eyes.  After that I have a thing for arms.

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2.  Do you talk to yourself?
Absolutely.  It helps me remember stuff and I can use all the help I can in that department.

3.  What is your current relationship status?
Married.  This September will mark 8 years of marriage and 10 years together.

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4.  Do you have a garden?
No, we don't have a good place for a garden in our yard.  We can barely even get grass to grow because off all the huge trees that surround our yard.

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5.  What is your favorite licorice flavor?
The ONLY good flavor of licorice is strawberry.

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Monday Mingle, 5/23/11

This week’s questions  {week of 5/23/11}:

1.  What were your childhood pets and their names?
When I was 5 I got a puppy for my birthday.  We went to the local shelter and the ugliest dog I've EVER seen in my life had a litter of young puppies.  Always a champion for the underdog, I felt in love with the runt of the litter.  She was so much smaller than the rest that had they not been brought into the shelter (they were found under the porch of a empty home) she would probably not have survived.  But she was the best dog ever.  While her mom was about every color under the sun, she was pure white.  Depending on how she was groomed, she could look like a Poodle, Shitzu or Maltese but she wasn't a purebred in the least.  She had a great personality.  And her name was Freeway.  Yeah, I named her.  At the time (1983) I was in love with the show Heart to Heart (which I'm pretty sure I'd be horrified my mom let me watch when I was 5 if  could see it now).  On that show they found a dog abandoned on the freeway and it sort of adopted them, and so they name it Freeway.  So because I was addicted to this show, I swore if I got a dog, I would name it Freeway too.  And I did.  When you're five you don't really realize that the name you pick will likely have to be explained to people for the next 15 years of your life.  Freeway stayed with my mom when I moved out and lived 12 or so very healthy years.  the last few she had some troubles and when I was 20 she had to be put to sleep.

2.  Favorite cartoon or comic as a kid?
I had lots of favorites but I think my all time favorite when I was little was Smurfs.  I loved Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake and tons of others, but Smurfs were something I enjoyed for probably the longest.  I am so excited about the movie!!

3.   What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?

My extended family are hunters so I've eaten a lot of odd things like deer and moose.  But the most memorable for me was eating moose sausage while in Alaska. I don't recall exactly where the place was but we went up so big mountain and at the top was a cafeteria and that was there special of the day.  This was on a high school mission trip I was chaperoning and the kids were all disgusted by the idea, so I HAD to try it.  Having eaten so many different types of meat I was pretty confident that it would be fine.  And it was, but the guys were impressed and the girls were grossed out. 







Questions:

1.  What is your favorite bagel flavor?

 I actually prefer plain bagels.  And I don't do cream cheese.  I like my plain bagel toasted with peanut butter.

2.  If you had an extra $100 right now, what would you spend it on?

I'd pay for some summer activities for the boys we are struggling to come up with the money for.

3.  What is the last thing that you felt guilt about doing?

 I feel guilty all the time. I felt guilty about going out the movie last weekend. I feel guilty when I go out to lunch during the week instead of remembering to bring something from home. I felt guilty yesterday because I didn't get through more laundry because my legs were killing me from all the trips up and down the stairs Saturday.

4.  Soft serve ice cream or hand dipped?

Well I LOVE ice cream.  I wouldn't decline it either way, that's for sure.  I really like hand dipped for flavors, like mint chocolate chip and strawberry cheesecake.  But there is nothing like a soft serve vanilla cone on a hot day!!!

5.  Are you allergic to anything?

 As far as I know the only thing I'm really allergic to is MOLD.  I do have some minor seasonal allergies to stuff like cottonwood.  But nothing to severe.  Mold is the only thing that can make me truly miserable.

Monday Mingle, 5/9/11

This week’s questions  {week of 5/9/11}

1.  Do you have any plans for Memorial Day weekend?

Is that this month? Eh, it's a few weeks away still. At this point with our insane schedule I am taking it week by week if not day by day.  But typically we don't do much exciting.  This year I hope if can be a day to just catch our breath as we are currently on the go 6 days a week.

2.  What is your favorite Easter Candy?

 This far after Easter our favorite is any kind that's still around ! LOL  Honestly Easter Candy usually lasts until Halloween.  But with a tight budget and knowing that fact, I cut WAAAY back on what I bought this year and we didn't get very much from outside sources this year so we've pretty much polished off what we did have.  But I love creme eggs and whopper eggs.  And I usually have 1 Peep a year.

3.  Which do you like better:  Butter or margarine?  Diet or regular soda?  Pedicure or Manicure?

margarine

regular soda (though I try not to drink any of either)

And it's hard to pick between a mani and pedi.  I love them both but almost never get either.  If I had to chose one today I would go for a pedicure but would be hugely embarrassed at how bad my feet currently are.

Monday Mingle 5/2/11

This week’s questions  {week of 5/2/11}:
This week is 'freestyle.'   No questions.

So I'll just share briefly our latest going's on.  We've been keeping busy with soccer, despite the still very cool temps here.  And this Sunday Johnny got his first goal of the spring season.  I MAY be that mom, you know the one, who gets a LITTLE too excited and cheers a LITTLE to loud.  But considering how long he flounder while doing the sports Timmy wanted and the fact that there was only a single goal all of the fall season for him, I think it was worthy of celebration.

Timmy should start baseball this week if the fields are usable.  We are also THOSE parents who decided our son was too talented for another summer in peanut league and bumped him up.  He will be the youngest player on his team but two of the the boys from his team last year are on this year's team and he was just as good as they were last year.  And after 2 baseball clinics and countless hours in the yard he is a lot stronger than he was last year already.  But mostly I think my husband did it to avoid one single bad coach who didn't know enough about baseball to be coaching kids past TBall.  Hopefully Timmy will do well.  He is looking forward to playing a real game with outs and the ability to get more than one base if his hits are worthy of it. 

Questions:

1.  What is your favorite kind of muffin?

I don't like nuts or berries in my muffins so I usually shy away from muffins in general because you never know when you might get either of those hidden in one.  But I DO love some double chocolate muffins, which I don't even think should be considered muffins.  They are really more like cupcakes.  But whatever, the package says muffin so I don't feel SO guilty when I grab one on a Saturday morning while I watch Timmy at baseball!

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2.  What was the first car you ever owned?

I had an 1983 Thunderbird when I turned 16.  It was nice enough except that it was a death machine for me in the snow!! I never did really learn to handle that thing when it was nasty out!

 

3.  Which TV Show were you sad to see end?

Friends was probably the biggest for me.  But also Rosanne, and from back in the day, Growing Pains and Silver Spoons!

 
4.  What is your lucky number?

My lucky number is 7 because I was born in the 7th month of 1977.

5.  Pretzels or Potato Chips?

Potato chips! Sour cream and onion preferably.  But I DO love the peanut butter filled pretzels too.

Monday Mingle 4/18/11

This week’s questions  {week of 4/18/11}:

1. Did you watch Extreme Couponing? What are  your thoughts?

I have not watched this season but I watched a couple of the first season.  I think anything taken to extreme can be bad. I think the producers push these people beyond their norm for ratings and I have read that some of those featured this season are suspected of fraud.  They are being accused of misusing coupons to defraud the stores who could stand to lose as much as $1800 from just one person shown. 

2. What is the sales tax amount in the city/county you live in?

It varies in the immediate area from 7-8.5% in the couple cities around us.   (And 1.75% on food.)

3. Did you finish your taxes yet, or do you wait until the  April 15th deadline?

They are finished and mailed around the 31st.  We have to mail them because of an extra form we have to file. It could still be awhile before we get a return and we could really use it.







Questions:

1.  Caesar Salad or Garden Salad?

I almost always go garden, with either ranch or french dressing. 

 
2.  Will you be watching the Royal Wedding on April 29th?

Probably not live, isn't it on in the middle of the night? I'm definitely not THAT into it.  Unless, of course, I get invited to the viewing party at the Royal enthusiast over at Suburban Scrawl!

 
3.  Last thing you spent lots of money on?

I suppose that depends on what your definition of 'lots' is?  I spent lots of money, for our budget, to fill my gas tank last Tuesday.  Besides that, and regular household bills and an occasional car expense, the last time we spent very much money on anything was when we replaced things that were stolen when our house was broken into.  I got my mac laptop, a new wedding set etc

 
4.  Window seat or aisle seat?

Window!  I hate getting hit by the cart and every person who goes to that bathroom.

 
5.  Do you know your blood type?

No. I always think I know it but never sure enough that I'd actually tell someone for medical reasons. 

Mommy & Me Monday, 4/11/11

This week’s questions  {week of 4/11/11}:
1. Did you play an April Fool’s joke on anyone? Tell us about it! 
I did on my blog!!  If you missed it it's here.



2. Do you have a Kobo, Nook, Kindle etc? Do you read more ebooks or traditional books?
 I have kindle on my phone.  I don't really use it but the boys do sometimes.  It's super handy for the days we're running like crazy and the boys need to do their reading time for school.

3. If your life was a book what would the title be?
Well, since I liked it enough to use it for my blog, I think I'd use if for the book too: Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy.  Sure there's more to my life than my kids but really if you say it with an exasperated voice it can totally fit most of my life prekids too!!

Questions:

1.  Who would be your dream celebrity date?

Just one?  Wow that's tough.  I like a ton of male celebs for different reasons.  I think someone like Jack Black would be freaking hilarious to spend and evening with.  There are others who seem like they'd be super romantic/thoughtful.  But one that I think it absolutely gorgeous and he reminds me of being young.  You know back in the "Can't Buy Me Love" days!  Ahh...

2.  Do you have any food restrictions?

No, I don't have any food allergies.  I do however have some preference issues against many veggies. 

3.  How much time do you take to get ready in the morning?

I'm up and out the door in less than half an hour in the morning.  My husband handles getting the older boys ready while I get ready.  On a bad day (meaning I refused to drag myself out of bed) I can do it in under 15 minutes.

4.  Sausage or bacon?

Both! I'm totally a carnivore.  I like both and lots of it.  On my pizza I will take double of both and maybe even some pepperoni.

5.  Do you Google, Bing or Yahoo?

I google on my phone because that's what I have.  Otherwise I use swagbucks and I'm not sure who that's powered by.

Monday Mingle 4/4

This week’s questions {week of 4/4/11}:

1. If you could choose a new career path, what would you choose?

I wish I'd have followed several different career paths but honestly, at this point in life if I could chose I would be home full time to be there for my kids.  Growing up I never thought I wanted to be a at home.  A career was important to me and I planned on being a lawyer or something like that.  These days I'd give my right arm to be able to be home.

2. What is your favorite ethnic food?

I love Italian more than anything.  I enjoy Mexican and a select few Chinese things.  But I could eat from a Italian menu just about every single day and not get tired of it.

3. Are your kids involved in sports/activities?

Yes!  So far we have tried baseball, flag football, basketball and soccer.  Timmy does baseball, basketball and wants to do tackle football but we've told him we will discuss it next year.  Johnny plays soccer in fall and spring and will do baseball this year but it will probably be his last year.





Questions:1.  If you had to eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I think I'd have to pick the food that I crave most often, which is Mac N Cheese.  I eat it several times a week between dinner and lunches.  I don't know if I could eat it 3 times a day but I could eat it everyday without a problem!


2.  Do you write your blog posts in advance or the day you post them?
Both.  I try to have one post per day scheduled in case I get busy or nothing comes up but I typically have at least one other post each weekday that is written that day.


3.  Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
Yes, see just this past Friday's, Five Question Friday post.


4.  What is your favorite candle scent?
I like either baking scents or clean scents like rain or ocean.


5.  Coffee or tea?
Neither. I don't like coffee or tea and the only hot beverage I drink is hot chocolate.

Monday Mingle 3/28/11

This week’s questions {week of 3/28/11}:

1. What is your favorite song right now?

I LOVE Cee Lo Green's "Forget You."  But I really like the clean version better than the 'real' version.  I'm not typically opposed to swearing really but because its such a huge part of the song, I'm used to the radio edit.
 

2. How good are you about using coupons at the grocery store?

 I go in spurts.  I go awhile being a coupon queen to now its been several weeks since I've used a single coupon.  But even when I'm couponing it's usually on a special trip for that item(s).  I generally do the bulk of my shopping at Aldi where things are super cheap without coupons.

3. Do you have a Smartphone? If so what are your top 3 games/apps?

YES! I LOVE my smartphone.  I use my Facebook and Twitter app daily and use Pandora regularly for music.  I don't have any apps that aren't free so I don't have to many great games. I have the free version of Angry Birds but it makes me crazy. I don't GET it.  My kids do better at it than I do.




Questions:
1.  Crunchy or soft tacos?

Soft almost all the time.  I very rarely do a crunchy taco.  

2.  Do you scrapbook?

I have and I still have all the stuff but other than helping my son start a Cub Scout scrapbook last year I haven't done any real scrapbooking in years.  If I had a place to have the stuff out and be able to work on it without and hour of set up and than an hour clean up, I would do more.

3.  Do you take any daily medications?

No.  My kids do but I don't.  

4.  What is your favorite sound?
My kids laughing or playing nicely together!  Besides that music.  

5.  Where were you born?In Kenosha, WI although we lived in IL.  And I haven't moved more than 20 minutes away from there yet.  I actually live about 2 minutes from the house I grew up in.

Monday Mingle 3/21/11

This week’s questions {week of 3/21/11}:

1. What would you do for fun if you had to give up TV and internet?

 I might read more books.  I'd play more board games and probably sleep a little more.

2. What is your favorite breed of dog?

 I don't know if I have a favorite.  Many of the breeds I think are the prettiest are long haired and shed and I don't love the hair all over my house from our long haired German Shepard. I like the personality of big dogs but they take up a LOT of room. So if I had it to do again I'd probably get a small nonshedding dog.  Something like this cutie, who is my friends dog.

3. What is under your bed right now?

I have a water bed frame with drawers underneath. Most of the drawers are empty but some have some clothes.  Nothing exciting.

Questions:

1.  What jewelry do you wear 24/7?
I have a photo necklace with a picture of my boys in it that I wear all the time.  I would wear my wedding ring 24/7 but I've gained too much weight and its too small.

2.  Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?
I twirl myself but cut for my kids.

3.  How many siblings do you have?
2.  I have an older (step) brother and a younger (half) brother. 

4.  Were you named after anyone?
I was named after a song.  Check out this 31 Day Photo Challenge post to see what song.

5.  Coke or Pepsi? 
Pepsi!!

Monday Mingle 3/7/11

This week’s questions {week of 3/7/11}:

1. Where do you think you’ll be/what you’ll be doing in 10 years?

In 10 years I hope to be in a better place literally, like as in where we live.  A slightly bigger place would be great but more importantly, to me would be a better place safety wise. I hope and pray that if we are still here that my kids will simply be able to overcome the negative influences but you never know.  And career wise, I would love to be able to be able to say blogging or other online, social media work would be my full time gig.  In 10 years I will have a 18, 17 and 13 year old and if the current schedule is any indication we will still be running around a lot to activities so I'd love to be able to be a SAHM.

2. You are ordering a hamburger at a restaurant (or veggie burger – how do you have it cooked, what type of cheese and what else goes on it?

 I order my burgers medium and I usually opt for American cheese.

3. What are the current gas prices like where you live?

$3.59 this morning

Questions:

1.  What is your favorite way to eat potatoes?

There aren't many ways I do NOT like potatoes.  I am a potato addict!  French fries, twice baked, potato soup are all delicious!  But some really great loaded garlic mashed are probably at the top of the list.

2.  What was the last package that was delivered to your house?

I got a package of Muttles to review so keep your eyes open for the full scooop on these adorable lil critters.

3.  What is your favorite scent that you love to smell?

I love baking smells and rain smells.

4.  Do you smoke?

I don't anymore. I quit the day I found out I was pregnant with my oldest son.  I've had a few here and then since when out for a drink but now that you can't smoke inside even a bar, its been a LONG time since I've had even one puff.  My husband doe smoke though, but only outside thankfully.

5.  Are your parents married or divorced?My mother and father divorced when I was in first grade.  My father remarried the following year and my mom remarried when I was in 5th grade.  Both of them have been married since then until my mom's passing in 2009.