Ten on Tuesday

Yep, it's another Wednesday edition.  Although, I keep thinking today is Thursday... *sigh*

1. Do you prefer markers, crayons, or colored pencils?
   For coloring, crayons.  For writing, markers - extra fine point sharpies - I just don't like how it bleeds through the paper.
2. As a child, how did your parents celebrate your birthday? (Parties, cake, you pick the dinner, etc.)Mom would make my favorite dinner.  I'd eat off the "you are special" plate.  Parties happened up until I turned, like, 13 or so.  Cake always happens.  Mom still makes my favorite meal (our we go out).  And I'm thinkin' this year deserves a party.  Shoot!  I better get planning! 
3. How do you feel about leggings?
   I feel like I jiggle too much when I attempt to wear them.  And yes, when wearing leggings, your top must cover your dairyaire.
4. How do you prefer to follow directions? With a map? Words?
   Maps, verbal, landmarks, based on address, handwritten, etc.  I'm really good with directions.  Honest.
5. What do you eat for snack?
   Apple, yogurt, granola bar, chocolate, water (ok, so you don't actually eat that), candy, etc.
6. Have you ever ordered anything from an infomercial or bought any As Seen on TV products?
   Remeber Nads?  The safe at home waxing stuff?  The creator/founder/advertiser was an Austrialian mom?  Ya, I ordered that.  Tried it.  Then returned it.  Now I'm a bit leery about ordering stuff from infomercials.
7. What’s your favorite thing about summer?
   My favorite thing used to be the break from school.  But that doesn't happen in the real world, unless you're a teacher.  Now...I love the fact that it stays light so late.  BBQing.  Cold, slushy gin & tonics.  All the fruit and veggies in season.  Who am I kidding, I just like the fruit!
8. Do you have a tattoo? What and where is it?Nope.  I don't like needles.  I almost gone one once.  Maybe I still will.  Maybe for my birthday.  Eek!  Better start mentally prepping!
9. Are you good at journaling?Ha!  I like to think I am.  But then I start and about 2 1/2 days later I lose interest, or time, or words.  That's why I blog, right?  It's like journaling, but you can add pictures and the whole world can see/read it.
10. What’s your favorite way to eat a hamburger?
    Well done.  NO mayo, or mustard, maybe ketchup, but BBQ sauce preferred.  Onion, maybe lettuce, NO tomato.  Cheese? Yes, please!  I like my bun toasted and my meat seasoned.  Bacon is a bonus, but pickles stay off.  Ultimate fatty favorite burger:  Bacon Western Cheeseburger from Carl's Jr.  Best burger joint I ever ate at:  Bobcat Bites in Santa Fe, NM.

Now your turn.  Go visit Chelsea at http://www.rootsandrings.com/ and answer the questions yourself!

Ten on Tuesday

Ok, let's do this!  It's Ten on Tuesday time everybody!  Join in the fun.  Visit Chelsea over at Roots and Rings and play along!

1. Think back a decade, do you remember what your first cellphone was? Was it as cool as Zack Morris’s phone?
   My first cell phone...it was the size of 1/2 a brick.  I got my mom's hand-me-down, it was my freshman year of college.  That phone didn't last long.  I upgraded to the Nokia.  Do you remember the Nokia?  The same phone that everyone had?  The one that you could change the face plate?  Yeah, that one. 
2. What is the first children’s book you remember being read to you?
   I have no idea.  I was young.  My memory has failed me.
3. What was your first car? Did you love it or hate it? My first vehicle was my dad's old Chevy Silverado (or was it the Sierra?), it was a truck.  My parents decided that me driving a truck probably wasn't a wise decision...gas guzzler.  So they got me a '88 (I think...) hatchback Civic.  Not my favorite.  1)  no radio.  2)  no A/C.  3)  2 door.  Let's just say, my first quarter at Cal Poly, in the summer while coming home just about every weekend, was a hot summer.  Junior (or was it late sophomore?) year of college mom and dad upgraded me to a '92 4 door accord, with A/C and a cassette player.  Fall after graduating, the civic went to car heaven, therefore my brother got the next in line, being my accord, and I had to be a big girl and buy a car.  Now I drive a Corolla with 4 doors, A/C, and a CD player!  Big time upgrade.
4. Who was your hero growing up?
   I don't know if I had a hero.  Maybe Barbie.  Or Jem.  Shera?  I have no idea.
5. Think back to your first kiss. Was it everything you dreamed of?
   Ah, no.
6. What was your first BAD hairstyle choice? (Extra points for embarrassing photos)
   I'd love to show you pictures.  And maybe somewhere on here I have one.  I don't know what my first BAD haircut was, but I can tell you my WORST haircut.  I thought, sure, I can have short hair, like really short.  Well, this wavey haired broad cannot have really short hair.  Let's just say there aren't many pictures documenting that era of my life.
7. What was your first realistic dream? (One where you had to think “Oh dang, was that a dream?”)
   Oh my goodness, another think back to forever ago question.  ???  Remember me, I have a bad memory.
8. What was the first phobia you remember developing?
   Heights.  I'm scared poopless of heights.  Flying, no problem.  Climbing a ladder, problem.
9. Which character on Sesame Street do you most identify with?
   I don't think I ever really thought about that, nor have I since.
10. What was the hardest goal you ever accomplished?
    Have yet to accomplish it.  Or at least it being the hardest goal on my "to do goal list".  Mostly because it's somewhat out of my control.

Ten on Tuesday

Yea!  It's Ten on Tuesday.  And this week my questions were chosen!  Of course, it doesn't help that I sent Chelsea about 53 questions.  So basically I took care of a month of questions for her.  You're welcome Chelsea.  :)

1. What two cities should be moved closer together?
   I think that it would be great if two totally diffenent climate cities were closer together, like Denver (mountain) and Kona (beach), or New York (big city) and Tuscany (exotic country).  Anywhere could be moved closer to Hilmar and I'd be a happy camper!
2. What was the first plane ride you took? When I was in 5th grade my grammy took me to Washington DC to tour the city and the surround area/history.  The plan was that she would take each grandchild on a trip like that when they reached 5th grade.  Sadly, and fortunately, I was the only one that benefited.  But Fresno -> Salt Lake City -> Washington DC and back was my first plane ride.  I love flying!
3. What continent would you most like to visit? Europe.  The entire continent.  All at once (over a period of many months) or multiple trips.  It doesn't matter to me.  But that is where I'd like to go.  All over Europe.  Someday, maybe that dream will come true.  You know, when I finally invent the tree that grows money.
4. What’s your favorite place to window-shop?
   Most of my shopping is window shopping.  When it comes to non-necessity items I end up with big time buyers remorse.  So I tend to not buy something right away, but if it's still a want/need some time later then I make the purchase.  I also see things and "oh I have to have it!", then I remember that I live in a 900 some square foot house without a lot of storage.  That especially happens at places like Pottery Barn and Anthropology.  Darn practicality!
5. What’s the least fun you’ve ever had at a place specifically tailored for fun?Haha.  Can I say Disney World?  Don't shoot me.  I blame it on the person I was with.  I'm sure Disney World is oodles of fun, but I just wasn't feelin' it when I went to Epcot and the Magic Kingdom (Disneyland is better!).  I'm willing to give the giant land of mouse another shot though.
6. You’re stuck on an island with plenty of food, a companion, and a relatively stress-free lifestyle. What do you say when the rescue ship comes?
   Although stress-free seems like the way to be, I thrive on at least a little stress.  So I'd decompress some, grab a few coconuts and my buddy and board the ship back to the good life.
7. Which day of the week do you look forward to most?
   Fridays after 4pm.  Computer is shutting down, grab my purse, and run for the door never to look back...  From there my time is mine again.  No more "yes sir" and "I'll get right on it".  At least til Monday...
8. What’s your favorite place to enjoy the great outdoors?
   My aunt's ranch in Santa Margarita.  It's peaceful.  It's beautiful.  It's like a home away from home.  The ocean is a 20 minute drive.  Further into the rugged hill is a 15 minute drive.  It's the place my mom grew up.  And the place I look forward to someday taking my kids to visit and enjoy.  It's a place that the minute you drive up you instantly relax. 
9. What’s on your “to do” list this summer?
   Maybe a road trip to the Seattle/British Columbia area.  And work.  Because, unfortunately, money still has to be made so work has to happen. 
10. Which natural disaster freaks you out the most?
    Definitely tornados and hurricanes.  No thank you to massive forces of air swirling all around me and picking up things as it goes throwing it who knows where.  I'll take my little foot massage earthquakes any day.

http://www.rootsandrings.com/

Ten on Tuesday

Go visit Chelsea's husbands answers for this week!

(I'm an idiot and just realized that I've been titling these for a while 'Ten FOR Tuesday' when it's 'Ten ON Tuesday'.  I'm dumb.  I'm working on it.  Sorry.)

1. What book, movie or song has made you want to travel to a particular place? (eg. I went to Prince Edward Island because I was such a Anne of Green Gables fan)
   I've had a desire to go to Ireland for a long time now.  Ask my sisters, anytime I see a deal through Travel Zoo I always try to convince them that we have to go.  But they're both poor college students, and I don't want to go alone.  But after reading, then watching, PS I Love You I've convinced that I must go, and I must go soon!  Anyone wanna go with me...?
   
   Oh, and I want to do the Amazing Race.  Every week when I watch the show I get travel envy.
2. Aside from your significant other, who would you want to take with you on a dream trip?If I don't have a significant other can I want to take my future significant other on my dream trip?
3. Where would said dream trip be to?
   Ireland and/or Greece.  Oh, and Italy.  And Australia/New Zealand.
4. If you were hosting guests or providing tips, what three things would you show visitors to your hometown? (be it where you live now or where you grew up)
   Ahahahahahaha...  I live in a town of 6,000 where our claim to fame are cows and the world's largest single site cheese manufacturing site.  So, I'd so them Hilmar Cheese.  3 times.
5. If you had a long weekend ahead of you, where do you head – beach, city or country/mountains?Most likely beach, like Monterey or Carmel.  Or the central coast.  Particularly San Luis Obispo or the ranch.
6. Do you have a passport? If so, did you get it for a particular trip or just to have, in case?
   Yes I do!  I got it to have just in case.  And I did have to use it last year when I went on a cruise to Mexico.  I didn't get a stamp in it though, big time bummer!
7. Are there any travel souvenirs you collect? If not, is there something else you collect?
   I collect dangly charms (for, like, the original charm bracelet, not the newer version that pinches your skin and pulls your wrist hair) from new places I visit.  My mom got me started with a charm bracelet when I graduated from preschool, it had an apple on it.  Since then my (maternal) grandma contributed getting charms from countries she visited, and I would add to it as well.  That bracelet doesn't really fit anymore; face it, I don't have the wrist or a 4 year old anymore.  I want to start a new bracelet of just places I've been, so I've started getting new charms from states I visit.
8. If you could name a paint colour, what colour would it be and what would you call it?
   If I could, I'd bottle the exact shade of blue/purple/periwinkle from a hydrangea.  It's my absolute favorite color.  But what would I call it...?  Maybe sometime total unique and original like 'Pretty, Pretty Periwinkle'.
9. If you were heading away for a weekend citybreak solo, where would you go? (forget about practicality here and flight times, assume you can get to any city in the world for the weekend)New York City.  Because I haven't been there and I want to go.  I don't know internationally if I could choose just a city because I want to see more of a country than just a city/
10. Is there a song or a smell or something that you strongly associate with a particular holiday/place/time, such that it always takes you back?
    I associate songs or smells with a lot of things.  Hearing a bar of a traditional hymn sung only at church for Christmas or Easter, and, well as far as smells there are too many to list.  Corn dogs take me back to the days when I would go to the fair with my grandparents when they served on the board of directors, then to my 4-H showing days, and then to the few years that I worked at the same fair.  Egg Salad is Easter.  Fresh cut grass is a warm summer day.  etc. etc.

http://www.rootsandrings.com/

Ten for Tuesday (on Wednesday)

See what happens when you take a Monday off?  You don't have time to get fully caught up on Tuesday.  Which means that certain non-work items get postponed.  But it's here today!

1. If you could travel back in time, would you? What decade would you visit?
   Ahhhh...  I'm gonna have to say no.  Or if I said yes, I won't go far, maybe to a particular point in my life to change things.  Is that cheating?
2. What was your best Halloween costume? (fun to make? most creative?)
   I remember one year when I was younger my mom made me a spider costume.  It was basically a long sleeve black leotard that had 6 legs (black material tubes stuffed with batting) sewn on it.  The 7th and 8th legs where my arms that the other legs were connected to, so when I moved an arm 3 other arms/legs would follow.  That costume was awesome!  Thanks Mom for being sew (haha, get it?!?) creative!
3. Do you like your name? If you weren’t called by your name, what would you want to be called?
   Sure.  It wasn't a common name growing  up.  And really it still isn't.  I need more than 2 hands to count how many Jennifers I knew growing up.  Boo to common and popular.  Yea for unique and uncommon.  Courtneys unite!
4. In the past year, what is the BEST recipe you made. Please share it!Ok, it's been a little longer than a year since I made this recipe, but it's so darn good I have to share it.  Panzanella Salad (adapted from a few different recipes).  It is perfect for a nice summer (or spring, fall, or winter) BBQ.  Enjoy!
5. Look around – what is the nearest object or picture hanging on the wall?Does a cubicle wall count?  If so, a Dilbert comic, a little calendar, a work phone directory list, and a bunch of other random work related papers.
6. What was the last movie you saw in a theater? Would you recommend it?
   Post edit, I lied.  I last saw Valentine's Day in the theater.
   According to my list, it seems that When in Rome was the last movie I saw in the theater.  Yes, it was cute, funny chick flick.  :)
7. Did you go to summer camp? Will you/do you send your kids to camp?
   Yep, I went to church camp a couple summers.  And 4-H camp a couple times.  And church conferences when I got older.  And I've gone to winter camp many times, as a camper and a counselor.  Absolutely I'm going to encourage my kids to go to camp.  Why wouldn't I want them to experience going away and making memories and friends?  And why wouldn't I want a little quiet time at home too? 
8. What kind of ringtone do you have?
   Depends who calls.  My main ring is a Francesca Batastelli (sp?) song "I'm Letting Go".  If you're my bff calling, I hear Hakuna Matata.  Random I know, but we used to watch Lion King often and loved singing along with that song.
9. Where is the farthest away from home you have ever been?
   It's a toss up between New York, Orlando, Washington DC, or Hawaii.  I'll be right back, I'm gonna go google map it and see what the distant winner is...  Google had a hard time figuring driving directions from California to Hawaii.  Wonder why...?  But the winner is... New York!
10. Has anyone ever written a song or a poem for or about you?
    No.  I would love for my future guy to write a song for me when play it on his guitar and sing it to me.  Is that too much to ask for?

http://www.rootsandrings.com/

Ten for Tuesday

1. What television character do you identify with?
   ...???...  I don't know.  You tell me.  Those of you that know me, what TV character do I identify with?
2. Describe your morning routine.
   Snooze button minimum 6 times.  I'm not kidding.  Officially wake up.  Potty, strip down neked to weigh myself, shower.  Contacts in, brush the teeth, take the morning pills.  Feed the dog (she's gotta get her lazy bum outta bed too).  Dress, dry hair while doing make-up.  Yep, I'm talented like that.  Deoderant check.  Shoes on, dog gets antsy to go.  Give dog her morning pills.  Grab lunch from freezer.  Grab banana or breakfast bar.  Dog on leash, walk across the street, good mornings to mom and who ever else is awake.  Shoo dog away from other dog's food bowls, the little piggy!  Run across the street, grab junk, go to work.
3. How do you do lunch? Bring from home or dine out? Same thing every day or mix it up?
   I keep a stock of non-perishables at my desk for the days I forget to bring something, like today.  But I generally try to keep a week's worth of frozen healthy meals in the freezer at work.  Hardly ever do I go out to eat.
4. What is one moment that, although seemingly trivial at the time, changed your life?
   This takes too much thinking right now.  I just can't go that far into the recesses of my brain.  Sorry.
5. Name your top three beauty products.
   Bare Essentials eye shadows.  Mary Kay tinted moisturizer foundation.  Bionic hair straightener.
6. What do you do when you’re alone in the car?
   Turn the music up and set my phone to play road slots while I'm driving.
7. What is the ideal city for you to live in? If you can, take this survey (<-- link) and tell us the results. Do you agree with them?
   Walla Walla, WA; Bremerton, WA; Murray, KY; Moab, UT; Milwaukie, OR; Berea, KY.  Hummm...  Ok, I didn't think I would be dispositioned to reside in those locations.  I've never been to Kentucky, but maybe I should go visit if it's an ideal place for me to live.  Ideally though, I love Colorado and where I currently reside. 
8. Are you waiting for something?
   Yes, I'm always waiting for something.  Waiting for something boils down to waiting for God to do His thing.  1) I'm waiting for Mr. Right.  2) I'm waiting on my winning lotto ticket.  3) Waiting for the funds to get a new camera body.  4) Waiting on my big "photography break-thru".  But I'm content with where I am in waiting because I know that God has it all under control.
9. What was the last shocking news you heard?
   Bad news bears, but a good friend of my brother was arrested by the FBI for child p0rn0graphy (0 used instead of o to reduce spammers).  That definitely came as a shocker!
10. What are three things you wouldn’t do for a million dollars?
    Deny my God.  Kill. Or give up ice cream.  I'm sure there is something more serious than giving up ice cream, but that's what came to mind.  :)

Roots and Rings

Ten for Tuesday

1. When you were a senior in high school, what career did you think you’d choose? Did you? Why or why not?
   In high school, I didn't have a "career" in mind.  I wanted to do something businessy, which I can't say I have...yet... And I knew it would be temporary, 'cause I wanted to be a mommy, which I haven't...yet...
2. What one thing about the “real world” did you find most surprising once you were on your own?
   401k, life insurance, health insurance, all that mumbo jumbo.  I still don't get it all, I understand the basics, but not enough to make me dangerous.  Oh, and once I joined 'the real world' the car that I was driving, owned by my parents, was passed down to the next sibling... So guess who had to be a big girl and purchase her own car, as well as pay for gas and insurance and repairs and maitenance and oil changes and pine tree car fresheners...  Also, saving money is much harder when you're in 'the real world'.  When you have few to no expenses, besides trips to the mall and movies, it's easy to save.  Not so much any more.
3. Name 3 things you think your closest friends DON’T like about you.
   Um, can't say they've ever told me, so I don't know.  I'm gonna guess that 1) I'm not good at keeping touch, 2) I have a large chest, so they're a little jealous (ok, they've kinda said that or poked fun at it), and 3) ... ... I'm drawing a blank here.
4. In order to sleep, do you need background noise or absolute quiet?
   Depends how tired I am.  Generally silence, but I can tolerate minor, subtle noises.
5. Why do you choose to reside in your current city? Yes, you have a choice.
   Yes, I've thought about this before too.  Often.  I live here because of family and friends.  And the fact that I have a great job is a bonus to stay put.  And face it, I live in California.  And not busy city LA or Bay Area.  I live in quiet flat Central Valley, where I'm 2 hours from mountains, snow, San Fracisco, the beach, Monterey, and wine countries (yes, I said countries because there are many areas in my state besides Napa). 
6. Are you close to your parents?
   Yes.  In fact, I'm so close that all I have to do to see them is walk across the street.  It's great, I walk my dog across and she hangs out there all day while I'm at work.  And my dad just drives his little lawn mower across and mows my lawn (his landlord duty).  I'm close to my whole family.  And today is my mom's birthday.  Give her a shout out in the comments.
7. What is your favorite fiction book? Poem? Blog?
   Book - Just about every book I read is a favorite, even if only for a short period of time before I read the next book.  So, right now, it's The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks.  Yes, I just finished reading it this past weekend.
   Poem - Ummmm...  Can't say I have one.
   Blog - I love the Pioneer Woman's blog.  It's so real.  She's funny too!  And watch out, her love story about how she met, fell in love with, and was in a relationship with her husband was purchased by Sony Pictures.  A movie is in the works!
8. Do you enjoy cooking or is it a chore?
   I enjoy cooking.  I do not enjoy cooking for one.  I like to take my time cooking, and not feel rushed.  But I do enjoy cooking and experimenting in the kitchen.
9. Be honest. What one thing would (the majority of) your blog readers be shocked to find out about you?
   I'm really not that exciting.  I'm a bore.  I'm a home-body.  And I don't live a glamorous life.  I'm sorry to disappoint you...
10. If you were given your own national holiday, what would you require people to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the Day of You? Would there be a parade? Greeting cards?
    No parade, I don't want that much attention on me.  No greeting cards, heaven knows we don't need another commercial holiday.  Too many holidays are already centered around dinner.  So my holiday would be a little backwards.  How about breakfast for dinner.  For morning breakfast the normal would be regular stuff: toast, cereal, etc.  Lunch would be whatever.  But for dinner, you have to go all out with breakfast foods.  French toast or pancakes or waffles with eggs and sausage and a fruit salad and fresh squeezed juice.  Or mimosas, which ever you fancy.  Everyone would get the day off from work for sure.  But I think that banks and dry cleaners and the such should have to be open.  So then normal people that work 8-5 and can never get to the places that close by 5 have a chance to get their errands done.  And school would still be in session so mom and dad get a break to get stuff done without having to worry about the kids.  But teachers already get a lot of holidays and breaks (summer, christmas, spring), so they have to work.  Sorry to all you teachers and bankers out there, don't hate me. 

http://www.rootsandrings.com/

Ten for Tuesday

I promise, this week I'll get caught up on blogging...on all blogs.  I promise.  If by Saturday you haven't heard much from me, start sending me hate comments.

1. Quick! Zombies are coming!! What do you do?
   Two words... Zombieland's rules (click rules for Zombieland rules).  And I'd call my friend George, he loves zombies and is going to by my bestest buddy when they come.
2. Whew, that was a close one. …I think your phone is ringing. Oh, it’s your best friend! She thinks she’s been bitten by a zombie. What advice do you give her?
   Well, at that point, she's a goner.  So I'd tell her I love her and it was nice knowing her.  Then I'd run for my life.  Unless she wasn't really bitten.  Then I'd tell her to call me back in 24 hours, if she does she's safe.
3. You realize it’s time to leave your current location because it’s clearly not safe anymore. Are you going to move at night or day? Defend your reasoning.
   If it's not safe, then it's not safe at either time of the day.  So I'd hit the road Jack, like ASAP.
4. During your relocation, you come across a weapon superstore. My, that’s convenient. What kind of weaponry do you choose?
   Any and all.  I'll stock up my arsenal with guns, pipes, swords, baseball bats, TNT, etc.
5. As you leave, an old lady on the side of the street begs you to help her. Do you? Why or why not?Eeeeee..tough one.  Has she been bitten and not 'changed' yet?  Were we close neighbors?  Did she bake me cookies?  Or should I trust no one?
6. Good choice, you’re clearly a good person to have around in a zombie apocalypse. Oh hey, there’s a wifi signal here! You can’t stay long but this is your chance to gather some intel on the current situation. What’s the first website you check?The International Zombie Location Registry...  duh!  Just kidding, I don't know if there is such a thing.  I'd google the location that I'm headed to and see what pops up.
7. SHH! What was that noise?!
   What noise?!?  You heard a noise?!?  Noises spook me!  Better getting going again.  Can't risk being found.
8. I think it’s time to get out of here. I hope you have a plan. Where are you going now?
   I think I'll head somewhere remote, like Montana.  I'll find me a big ol' cabin/mansion in the middle of nowhere.
9. Wait a minute, that looks like a bite mark on your arm… You may be infected too! Will you tell other people?
   What other people?  I haven't seen a soul for weeks. 
10. How does this story end?Happily ever after.  Or not.

Ten for Tuesday

...the Saturday edition (only because I wasn't home or near free internet on Tuesday).

1. Of your current hobbies, which would you choose to spend more time, money, and effort on? Why?
   Photography.  If I had more money I could take workshops, and buy the new camera body that I want, and a few lenses.  If I had the time I could actually get out there and take pictures and practices to turn this hobby into more of a profession.
2. List the two other hobbies/habitual activies (not chores) besides the one listed above that you regularly do now and didn’t choose in question one.
   Reading my Bible and reading in general.  Does shopping count as a hobby/habitual activity?
3. Why are you spending time on the above two hobbies/habitual activies at all if you really wanted to spend your time on the first one you chose?  …or to put it another way, what are these two hobbies/habitual activities fullfilling that the first one doesn’t if you don’t want to put all your effort into the first hobby?
   Well, reading the Bible should be pretty obvious.  It's necessary and needed to continue to walk the Jesus and to learn more about the character of God.  And well, it's kinda hard to take pictures outside at night, so I'll read inside instead.  Plus it helps put me to sleep at night.
4. Ready John 3:16 in the bible… In what way does this passage affect you?  What are your feelings towards these words, positively or negatively?
   Feelings towards that verse are definitely positive.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life."  God loved/s, God gave, and He continues to give.  That verse sums everything up.
5. M&M’s: nuts, no nuts, or peanut butter?
   Peanut butter.  All chocolate is better with peanut butter.
6. Putting away the feeling of pride being a bad thing; what secretly/openly are you proud about yourself?
   Ummmm... I'm inventive.  Like MacGyver.  Give me a rubber band and a paper clip and I'll make a weapon of mass destruction.
7. Given one room in the house to do with what you want, not changing the actual size of the room and with all the money you would need, what would you do, and be specific?  (this can range from bouncy floor,walls & ceilings; to hard wood floor with wood paneling and purple ceiling with a chair; to nothing)
   I'd have to say the kitchen.  I'd change the counters to a granite, upgrade the stove/oven to a high quality brand like Wolf, and stock it full of the best equipment and supplies out there.  Or I'd redo the living room and make it totally pottery barn-esque.
8. What’s the next movie you’re going to see?  Not what you’d LIKE to GO see, but the next movie you realistically are going to watch.
   I don't know.  I haven't seen Dear John yet, and I'd like to see it but don't know if I'll make it to see it.  For sure I know I'll go see Sex and the City 2, but that's not out until May.
9. Use the keyboard only and make your best smiley/funny/cool face –> like this! 8^)
   :)  That's as creative as it gets.
10. What makes you cry? What makes you pray? What makes you laugh?
    Cry?  Just about anything can make me cry, I'm an emotional wreck like that.  Pray?  Everything drops me to my knees:  adoration, praise, requests from the heart.  Laugh?  I love laughing, so a good joke or just anything funny in general will get me.

Ten for Tuesday

Sorry that this is about all I've blogged about lately.  I promise, later today or tomorrow morning I'll post a Riley update.  And maybe something else too.  We'll see.  Without further ado, may I present to you Ten for Tuesday...

1. If you were given an hour to use a $200 Amazon gift card, what would you buy?
   Can I pay off my vet bill with an Amazon gift card?  Or at least a miniscule portion of it?  No...?  Ok, fine, they that $200 would go towards camera stuff.  A new lens or flash equipment.  Or maybe even go towards a new camera body.
2. Are there any fairly common foods that you’ve never had?
   What's common these days?  I think I've had just about every 'common' food out there, it's the 'uncommon' that I haven't tried all of yet.
3. What was your favorite way to use your imagination as a kid?
   Hello!  Barbies!  Unlimited imagination there.  I don't remember what else I used to do/play/imagine.
4. What’s your favorite state? Why?
   I love the state of Colorado.  Why?  I don't know.  I just do.  Possibly even more than the state of California.
5. If it was our culture to have our parents choose our spouses, do you think yours would make a good choice?
   Good question.  At this point, I think they just want to see me married.  So I don't know how well their judgement would be.  (Love you mom and dad!)  My parents do know a lot of people and have many connections though, so that's a plus.  And they are good judges of character and more/less know what kind of guy I'm attracted to and what qualities I'd like him to have.  So...I think they'd make a good choice, yea, I think so.
6. What’s your favorite herb?Basil.  All the way basil.  The preferred form would be fresh from the garden.
7. If you could have dinner with one celebrity, who would you choose?
   Oh my goodness.  I have no clue!  I like Chelsea's idea of having a famous chef over.  Then I we wouldn't just be having dinner, we'd be making dinner.  And I'd learn from them.  Then I'd be able to cook fabulous meals and have my own Food Network TV show.  Or maybe I'd have over some handsome, single famous guy (by any means he does not need to be an actor celebrity, a sports player would do).  Then I'd woo him with my dashing charm and he'd fall deeply in love with me and we'd get married and live happily ever after.  Ok, I'm done dreaming.
8. What’s your favorite Disney movie?
   Lion King.  I love Pumba and Timon.
9. If you had to listen to the same song over and over for 24 hours, what song would you choose?It would definitely be a praise & worship song.  Maybe the song In Christ Alone...  I love that song and it puts me in my place everytime I hear it.  So if I heard it for 24 hours straight, well, I'd pretty much permanently be put in my place.
10. How do you order your steak?
    Medium well.  A little pink is ok.  Cooked til it's jerky is not ok.  I'm picky when it comes to how my steaks are cooked.  Generally, when we have a strip of something for dinner (like tenderloins or NY or rib eye) I get the end or the first normal piece from the end.  My parent's like their meat rare to the max.  Blak!  Actually, come to think about it, just about everyone in my family on my mom's side (most are beef ranchers...) like their meat rare. 

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Ten for Tuesday

I look forward to Tuesdays, and Ten for Tuesday.  Mainly because that's about all I'm posting right now.  That will change, mark my word, I just can't promise when. 

1. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
   Seriously!?!  I have to pick one?!?  How about a few favorites...  Favorite ice cream from an ice cream parlor: Coldstone's White Chocolate.  Favorite full fat from a carton:  toss up between Ben & Jerry's Half Baked (or is it Everything But The...?), Chocolate with Peanut Butter swirl (or "ribbon"), and/or Starbuck's Caramel Macchiato.  Favorite low fat from a carton:  Dreyer's - just about all the options.  Favorite nonfat:  FroYos baby!  Nope, you can't tell at all that I like ice cream.  Can you?
2. What is your earliest memory?
   Oh great!  A memory question!  I don't think I could honestly answer this one.  Most of my "memories" are conjured up by remember a picture that I then remember the story behind.  I wish I could remember when I held the puppy upside down.  I have a picture of my aunt holding me while at Catalina Island, I was maybe 5.  I don't remember that moment, but from that trip I do remember playing mini golf and a staircase in the condo where we were staying. 
3. What is your earliest memory of a dessert?
   Ok, who keeps bringing up memories?  I don't remember my earliest dessert.  I love dessert though.  And I've got hips and thighs to prove it!
4. Do you have any recurring dreams?
   Nope.  Random dreams, yes.  Recurring dreams, no.
5. Have you ever dreamed about dessert?
   No.  Probably the only time in my life when I'm not waiting something sweet.
6. What is one thing (aside from a cell phone or computer) that you cannot go the entire day without?
   Ummmmm...my pillow, aka sleep.  I value my sleep.  It wouldn't show though being as it takes me forever to get from not in bed to in bed at night.  I really need to work on that.  My pillow and I need longer cheek to cheek time.
7. What is one dessert you could go your entire life without ever having again?
   The "diet" cake from the cruise last year.  BLAH!  Diet?  Try cardboard cake!  And fruitcake, although I don't know if I've every actually had it (bad memory, remember?).  I think I have, but I couldn't tell you for sure.  I'm positive that I don't/wouldn't like it though!
8. If you could go on vacation tomorrow, where would you go? (Assume someone else is footing the bill, but within reason…so “the moon” won’t work.)Right now?  Somewhere warm, sunny, and tropical.  Bora Bora or Fiji maybe.  Or New Zealand or Australia.  And since someone else is footing the bill, can someone else suffer the consequences of my over indulging of food too?
9. If you could have any dessert tomorrow, what would you have (assume someone else is buying it for you. Within reason though, no “gold sprinkled ice cream cones.”)
   A Napoleon from Gayle's Bakery in Capitola.  Pastry layered with raspberry sauce and a homemade whipped cream.  Oh....  So.... Good....  I haven't had one in forever.  Maybe it's time to take a trip to the coast for a day...
10. What was your first impression of your significant other? If you’re single, what was your first impression of your best friend?
    Single here!  My best friend, well, her parents lived across the street from my grandparents (now my parent's house).  So when I would visit them I would always end up at Rylen's to play.  Then my family moved in and we got older and more mature and were involved in church together and school and weekend neighborhood hide and seek games and through college and boyfriends and work and even living together and marriages and now babies.  We've been bff's ever since...
11. What is your first impression of dessert pizza? (Personally, I think it’s weird. I love dessert but I don’t want any on my pizza.)
    I love a good dessert pizza.  Duh, it's dessert!  Something with a good cinnamon crumble and sugary icing on top...  yummm...!

http://www.rootsandrings.com/

Ten for Tuesday

Wow!  Is it Tuesday already?  Can it be Friday already too?  I'd really like that!  Here ya go...

1. If you could open any type of store/place of business (money is no obstacle), what would you open?
   Hummm...  Here's a few ideas...  -A bakery, a bakery with yummy unique sweets that are well presented (aka not boring looking).  Although I don't want to be the sole baker, I want to be able to mingle with the customers and see the sheer bliss on their face when they bite into the delicious baked good.  Or... -A shop similar to anthropology with vintage, unique, shabby chic items.  Maybe use etsy crafters as the vendors.
2. If all jobs paid equally, what occupation would you want? Why?
   A house wife/mommy.  Although, I've seen studies done that if you calculated the hours put in and the degree of the "job" and the number of tasks to be completed that the annual wages of a stay at home mom would be up in the 6 figures.  So, it's time for me to find someone wealthy and go from there...  Just kidding, money is everything.  If I had to choose an actually paying job that I would pay well, it'd be a photographer.
3. If you could be any animal in the world, what would you pick? Why?
   Oh my goodness... I don't know.  What's a good "swiss" animal, one that is neither the prey nor the predator?  On that is cuddly and cute.  How about a pet dog to a celebrity?  At that point I wouldn't even care if I were a mutt 'cause I'd be well taken care of.
4. If offered one “service” free of charge, which would you choose? (chauffeur, maid, personal shopper, chef, etc.)
   How about a house servant (although I don't like the word servant but it best fits the description)?  This person would clean AND cook AND get my mail AND fluff my pillow.  Ok, they don't have to fluff my pillow.  But they will have to get my mail.
5. What is one habit, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to break?Biting my nails...?  Even though that goes in waves.  Or, snacking throughout the day.  Or insisting that I have dessert every night.  Ok, I know that's 3.  Pick the best one and go with it.
6. What is one thing that no matter how many you own, you still love to buy all the time?
   Chapsticks/lipglosses.  I always have no less than 6 in my purse at all times.  1 in my coat or jean pocket.  And a jar full of them in my bathroom.  It's an addtiction.  I need help.
7. Out of all the game shows (past and present), which would you want to be a participant on and play?
   If I were a totally geeky, brainiack, Jeopardy.  If I were a semi geeky, brainiack, Who Wants to be a Millionaire.  If I wanted to play a game more based on luck and not on brains (ok, maybe a little strategy), Deal or No Deal.  
8. If you could play the lead role in any movie that’s already been made, which movie would you pick?
   Lead role?  You mean I can't be an extra?  This gal is not meant to be on the stage under the hot, bright lights; she's meant to be behind the scenes directing.
9. Name 5 things on your bucket list (things you want to do before you die).
   Forgive me, there will be a lot of traveling before I kick the bucket... 1) Rent a villa in Tuscany for a family vacation.  2) Visit all 50 US states at least once.  3) Go to Greece.  4) Attend at least one event at the (summer or winter) olympics.  5) Be able to cook instinctively without needing recipes.
10. Which one of your birthdays was the best? What did you do that day?
    I'm gonna share a little secret with you...95% of the time I get gypted out of a "proper" birthday celebration.  It's always been that way, so now I don't know how to handle it when people want to actually do something for my bday.  Hence my dilemma for this coming May; I'll be 30, I want to do something semi-big to celebrate, but I for once don't want to have to plan the entire thing or have it cost me, the birthday girl, a bundle or money.

http://www.rootsandrings.com/

Go visit Chelsea over at Roots and Rings.  Yesterday she made a big announcement...

Ten for Tuesday

Yea, Ten for Tuesday time!

1. Fill in the blank. Sometimes I wish my life was more ______.Oh boy.  This question could go so many different ways.  The way I want it to be.  Complete.  Spontaneous.  Affordable (as far as being able to do what I want, like travel and not have to work a normal 8-5 job).  
2. How do you cure the hiccups?It's a secret.  Next time you have the hiccups I'll tell you.
3. What are three of your favorite indulgences?
   Sephora makeup
   1/2 Fat, Slow Churned Ice Cream
   Peanut Butter M&M's
4. Where is the most exotic place you would like to travel to? The most mundane?Exotic:  Anywhere outside North America, perferrably Greece or Italy.  Mundane:  Anywhere to visit family.
5. Does having your time planned out stress you or relax you?Both.  It all depends on what is on my planned list.  If it's a lot of big things and I feel crunched for time to get them done then I start to stress, but it's manageable stress.  I'd stress if I didn't have things planned out either though.  For the most part, I am a planner.  I love lists.  I love crossing things off lists.  Overly planned anything stresses me out though.  To the max.
6. What are your favourite fabrics to wear?Soft cotton.  Sweat pant cotton materia.  Flannel, as in pj pants.  Whatever that material that a lot of shirts are being made from lately, the softly, thin, flowy stuff.
7. Do you sleep through the night?
   I used to sleep like a log.  Not so much any more.  With Riley and her seizures I'm up whenever I hear her moving.  The noise of her scratching her neck sounds very similar to the noise of when she seizes.  Now I just need to start going to be early enough to get a full 8 hours...
8. When you were younger, what did you think you would be doing at this age? How close is that to what you are doing?
   I knew I wanted to go to Cal Poly like my parents and my aunts and uncles.  I had no concept of actually graduating, I just knew that after I was a big kid (high school) I wanted to move on and go to the school that most of myfamily went to.  I don't remember what occupation I wanted.  (mom, help me out...)  Probably a teacher or a nurse.  Maybe I wanted to be a mommy.  As I got older this was the plan: 1) graduate high school, 2) go to Cal Poly, 3) work on my MRS degree, 4) graduate from Cal Poly, 5) get married within a year or 2 of graduation, 6) be married a few years before starting a family, 7) be a stay at home mommy or work from home.  So far I've completed 1, 2, 4, and I'm working on the "work from home" part of 7.
9. What has surprised you most about growing up?
   Growing up too fast was not a good idea.  It's not a given that you get a real job then buy a house.  Or that you graduate from college and get married.  Things haven't gone "according to my plan" but that doesn't mean that I haven't enjoyed the life I've been given. 
10. Are you good at keeping secrets?Yes.  No.  Depends how big the secret is.  Sometimes I even forget what the secret was, other times I have to consciously not tell the secret or make it obvious that I have one.

http://www.rootsandrings.com/

Ten for Tuesday

Have you thought about doing Ten on Tuesday?  I think you should!

1. What is your favorite travel destination spot?
   Tropical.  Anywhere tropical.  Or anywhere historical.  I enjoy the mountains, but I don't like all the dirt and nature that comes with it.  Don't get me wrong, I love nature, I love God's creation.  I just don't like it all over me and my stuff.
2. Cats vs. Dogs.
   Death to the cats!  I'm a dog person all the way.  And unfortunately, cats know that, that is why they feel it necessary to "spread their love" all over my front yard, on my car, even occasionally on my front door.  It's disgusting.  And I have a pellet gun loaded and ready to use.
3. Do you believe in fate?
   Fate like luck?  No.  I believe in a God that has a plan for every single person.  I also don't believe in coincidences.  I believe that everything happens by and through the God of the Universe that has the power to make things happen, even the seemingly impossible.
4. Do you believe in karma?
   No.
5. Everyone has a unique laugh.  Do you like yours?
   I have a unique laugh, in fact, I hardly make any noise when I laugh.  You can see me laughing and my shoulders shaking, but you won't hear much noise.  Honestly, my sister is the same way.  Get us going and it's a silent room of laughing so hard you cry.
6. Is love really all you need?
   The Great Commission is to love one another.  I don't think there is enough love in the world.  If there was I don't think we as a whole would have as many problems as we do.  The evening news would be full of kittens (death to cats!) being saved from trees, not reports of shootings or war.  In a perfect world God's love would be enough and we wouldn't feel the need to "earn" love from other sources.  It's a concept that I'm trying to work on, but it's hard.
7. What's your take on the whole 2012 scare?
   What's the 2012 scare?  Yes, I'll be scared in 2012 because I'll be turning 32, which is closer to 40 than I am now.  That's scary!
8. If you won a million dollars and had to give it all away, who would you give it to? (Family and friends not included.)
   Oh, good one!  I would give it to my church first and foremost.  I would give a portion of it to Compassion International.  I would give some of it to local organizations that are reach the community for Christ.  This is hard, there are so many good organizations out there that are biblical based and are sharing the love of Jesus and spreading the world.
9. Do you believe in God/religion/the power of prayer?
   Yes.  I've seen the power of prayer in action, so it's hard not to believe in God and the power of prayer.  Do I believe in religion, like organized religion?  I agree with Chelsea and the word religion/religious.  "I'm a religious person" is just too vague to me.  It's like saying "I'm a republican/democrate" or "I'm a (insert horoscope sign here)." 
10. What New Year’s Resolution do you always make but never keep?
    Exercise more.  I do fine with the "lose weight" ...until the holidays hit. I know I'd do better with the "lose weight" if "exercised more".  Stupid cyclical circle!

http://www.rootsandrings.com/

Ten for Tuesday (on Wednesday)

Sorry that this wasn't out yesterday.  Problem is this: 1) I was too busy being excited about meeting the twins on my extended "martini" lunch break, 2) I was actually busy at work, and 3) last night I had about 25 people over for dinner (in my little 900 sq. ft. house, let's just say it was cozy).  So that let me no time to answer these very important questions. 

But I'm answering now!  Better late than never!

No question theme this week.  Just random questions.

1. What accomplishment are you most proud of?Graduating from Cal Poly in 4 years (and a quarter).  It's hard to first get into Cal Poly and then graduate in 4 years.  I'm proud of it!  And I know my parents are too.  I from college is blah, blah, blah gonna be most everyone's "most pround of accoknow that graduating mplishment", so here's another one.  I am also proud of following my dreams and seeing them through.  When I get a bug up my butt things get done (as long as they're within reason). 
2. How much did you weigh when you were born?
   
   I was wittle.  A mere 6 lbs. 2 ounces.  I think.  I'd have to refer back that birth announcement thing my mom made for me that's hanging on my wall in my office.
3. What is your favorite perfume?
   Victoria Secret Halo.  Which is a huge bummer because they don't make it/sell it any more!  The last bottle I got I ordered through amazon.  Whoever has a supply out there, keep it in stock please!
4. How many siblings do you have?
   Three.  I am the oldest of 4 kids.  But we're not kids anymore.  The baby is going to be 22 in less than a month.  My (almost) 26 year old brother is getting married in less than 9 months.  At 23, #3 will be graduating from college this May. And I'm.turning.thirty. in less than 4 months.
5. How many children would you like to have? (Or how many do you have?)
   I'd like more than 2, but less than 4.  Somewhere in that range is the magic number.  Honestly, as long as we're (because obviously I'll be married) financially comfortable I wouldn't be opposed to 4.  On thing is for sure though, I am not going to be a Michelle Duggar and pop kids like popcorn!
6. What is the best class you took in college?
   Totally honest here?  My absolutely favorite class(es) was beginning and advanced floral arranging!  I know, you're probably thinking "why in the world would you take floral arranging?"  Well, it counted as ag elective units that were required for my major (Agribusiness).  And it was hands on and I got to be creative.  And my teacher and my aunt were AGR little sisters/friends when they both went to Cal Poly.  Ok, that's not a reason that I took the class, but it's a cool fact.  My favorite class as required by my major was something about business plans.  Basically, I learned how to, and wrote a business plan for a fictious business for 10 weeks.  It was fun!  My plan ended up being about 80 pages.  (Maybe I should put that in my proud accomplishment list)
7. What was your favorite game to play when you were a child?
   Ummm...I have a horrible memory of my childhood.  (and not because I didn't have a good childhood, I just have a sucky memory)  It comes to me in spurts.  Right now I'm remembering chinese jump rope during recess at school.  Did anyone else play that?  With the long stretchy circle?  I don't remember how to play it now though (bad memory remember?).
8. What character on Friends are you most like?
   Let's see who I'm not like:  Pheobe and Joey - I'm not spacy.  Ross - I'm not a science nerd, but like him I'm an idiot when it comes to the opposite sex.  Monica - I'm not as OCD as she is, but I am slightly Type A.  Rachel - ...  Chandler - ...  I guess I'm most like Rachel and Chandler because I can't think of a reason why I'm not like them.  But don't ask me how I'm like them, cause I don't know.  Honestly though, Chandler was the first one that came to mind as the character that I'm most like.
9. Are you a phone person (ie do you like talking on the phone)?
   No, not really.  Once I'm on the phone I'm fine.  But I'm too afraid that I'm going to interupt whatever that other person was doing.  Or by me calling them I'll be bugging them.  Or if they don't answer then they must not want to talk to me.  I'm weird like that.  I'd rather they call me.  I'll answer.  I promise.
10. What was the best vacation you ever took?
    
    That's a hard one.  I've gone on lots of vacations.  Growing up we had a motorhome.  Mom and Dad would load us up, after packing of course, and we'd take off for 2 weeks driving to different National Parks.  Or they'd load us up and off to the coast we'd go for a weekend.  As I've gotten older I've come to recognize that vacations are a must in order to keep my sanity.  Plus I love to travel and go new places and see new sights.  So I try to take 1 trip that requires flying every year.  In 2009 it was to Florida.  In 2008 it was to Hawaii and Alaska.  2007 I went to upstate New York.  I don't know where I'm going in 2010 yet.  Ok, so I know I didn't really answer the question, but every vacation is special for it's own reason and it's had to choose between them.

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Ten for Tuesday

It's Ten for Tuesday time!  This week it's all about...Books!

1. Favorite book(s) when you were a child and why?
   Oh my goodness, this question is making me go back into the recesses of my memory...  The first books that came to mind were the Paddington Bear books.  I loved his rain jacket and rain boots.  And, yea, the Berenstain Bears too.  I even had a cassette tape (that's right, a tape!) that read along with one of the books I had.  Good times...
2. First “grown-up” book you remember reading (i.e. written for adolescents or with adult themes, such as The Outsiders or Catcher in the Rye).Ahhhh...  I honestly don't remember.
3. Favorite movie that came from a book (even if you didn’t read the book and just love the movie).
   If I'm gonna watch a movie that was first a book, I always make it a goal to read the book first.  For the most part, if I watch it first, I won't read it even if it was on my "to read" list.  Just about anything Nicholas Sparks turned movie - The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and even though I didn't like how the book ended I'm excited about Dear John. (Did you know that Sparks not only writes the books, but he also writes the screenplays for the movies?)  I know there are many more movies out there, but those are the first that come to mind.  Which reminds me, when does The Time Travelers Wife come out on DVD?  I haven't seen that one yet.
4. Movie that you loved so much that you WISHED there was a book out so that you could find out more about the movie.
   Love Actually.  The Holiday.  Confession time, I like reading the kinds of books that if they were made into movies they'd be a total chick flick.
5. Worst book you’ve ever read?
   Shoot!  What was that one book called...?  Ok, I know there was one this one time, but I can't remember what it was.  That's how good it was.  I'm probably gonna get shot for this one, but I could not get into Wicked.  I loved the play.  But the book, totally different and I just struggled to get to the point that I did before giving up.
6. Book that everyone raves about that you either a) haven’t read and feel slightly dumb for not having read it or b) have tried to read and hated and so feel slightly dumb that everyone is getting something you don’t.See above - Wicked.  The Twilight series, I really have no interest in reading them.  (But Chelsea, the Harry Potter books are so good! :) )
7. If you were forced to choose only 3 books that you could read for the rest of your life, which ones would they be? (Or if you were stranded on a desert island, which 3 books would you want there with you?).
   1)  The Bible.  2)  I'm gonna need something comical, so maybe like Big John's Bathroom Reader or something like that.  3)  (Mentally scanning my bookshelf...)  I'm drawing a blank.  How about... 
8. Name one book that if you could recommend that everyone you know read, what is it?
   The Bible doesn't count, 'cause that's an obvious one.  I would recommend Captivating.
9. What is your “guilty pleasure” reading?Yep, chick lit all the way.  It's really not that bad.  It's not dirty or raunchy, it's clean (for the most part), feel good kind of books.
10. What book (excepting the Bible or other major document of your religion/faith) has changed your outlook on life the most?
    I don't think any book besides the Bible has changed my outlook on life.  I could see how some have possibly aided, but not changed.

Ten on Tuesday

I love doing Ten on Tuesday!  It helps me with the blogging lull.  You know, when I'm just too lazy to get serious about blogging and taking care of the 37 items in draft.  So yeah for Ten on Tuesday!

1. Are you ususally late, early, or right on time?
   I think it's genetic.  My Mom is always late (love you Mom!), and I'm generally always late.  But only by a couple minutes.  And it's mainly because I underestimate the amount of time it takes me to get from A to B.  Sometimes I'm right on time though.  Don't count on me being early.
2. What is your middle name?Ann.  Without an 'e'.  It's cooler that way.  It's also a family tradition that the first born daughter has the middle name Ann (sans e).  My great g-ma's name was Ann, her first born daughter (my grammy) was Lorraine Ann, her first born daughter (my mommy) is Allyson Ann, and then her first born daughter (ME!) is Courtney Ann.  And my first daughter (Lord willing I 1) have children and 2) have a daughter) will be ______ Ann.
3. What are the last 4 digits of your cell phone number?
   5340
4. How big is your bed?
   It's a queen.  Fit for a queen.  And apparently it's not big enough for my dog who thinks she's the queen.
5. What are you allergic to?
   Weeds.  All types of weeds.  The stuff that grows wild in fields, the stuff that grows in your garden, the stuff that some people substitute as grass (like me...).  Big time hay fever.  Nothin' a little benadryl or zyrtec can't take care of though.  And praise the Lord I'm not allergic to any foods!
6. What is the first thing you do in the morning?
   Push snooze, about 12 times.  No exaggeration.  Finally force myself to get out of bed, go to the bathroom, get on the scale, then shower.  Getting ready for the day (clothes, hair, make-up, breakfast, etc.) proceeds from there.
7. What was your favorite TV show growing up?
   Who here didn't love TGIF?!?!  You know, back when it was good, back when Full House was still on.  Loved it!  Saved By The Bell was a regular after school show.  And in my younger, younger years the Disney cartoons.  Remember Duck Tales and Rescue Rangers, Gummy Bears (although I don't think that one is Disney).  Now those were good cartoons!
8. Will you, or did you, go to your 10 year high school reunion?
   Yep, I went.  Oh my goodness that was almost 2 years ago!  Eek!  It wasn't a very big group.  And honestly, I think the 10 year is over rated.  It's the 20 or 25 that I'm more interested in going to.
9. If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there to hear it, does it still make a sound?
   Ah, duh!  Yes.  Just no one was there to hear it.
10. What, in your opinion, is the greatest invention?  (You know, since sliced bread...)Oh dear.  Well, there are things that I definitely don't think about all the time, like soap and pillows and all.  But in the recent years, definitely the greatest invention is the iPhone!  Calendar, internet, contacts, grocery shopping list, camera, and mamy more all in one portable device.  Could life get any easier?  Don't answer that.

www.rootsandrings.com

Ten on Tuesday

It's that time of the week again...

1. Are there any movies that inspire you to bake/cook?
   Inspire, yes.  Movies like Julie & Julia, and...  umm... Ok, so that's the most recent and front of my brain movie I can think of.
2. What's your favorite food blog and why?
   Ready for a list?
   The Pioneer Woman - 'cause a little more butter never hurt anyone.
   Bakerella - Cakes, pies, and pastries oh my!
   How Sweet It Is - Good, simple recipes
   CakeSpy - baked goods galore, plus bakery reviews from across the nation
   Tasty Kitchen - Technically not a blog, so there are so many good recipes there
   A Pinch, a Dash, and a Splash - my own little food/recipe blog (shameless plug, go check it out)
3. Who's your favorite celebrity chef?
   I'm a huge fan of Sandra Lee (semi-homemade).  Mainly because they're easy recipes.  And I like Ina Garten, Rachel Ray, ummm...  I'd say Ree Drummond (aka The Pioneer Woman) is a celebrity now with her published top seller cookbook and all.
4. What's your favorite kitchen tool?
   Garlic chopper/mincer.  KitchenAid.  I'm trying to think what I use most frequently...
5. When it comes to cooking/baking, what's your speciality?
   Baking period.  I'm much more comfortable with cookies, cakes, etc.  I do fairly well at just about everything I attempt though.  Key word, fairly.
6. When in the kitchen, do you wear an apron, if so, any cute ones you'd like to share?
   No, but only because I don't have an apron.  :(  I really need one though.  Soon enough I'll get one for myself.
7. Is there anything that intimidates you when it comes to baking/cooking?  (ie. pie crust, yeast breads, sauces, etc...)
   Yeast breads for shizel!  And recipes with more than 9 ingredients.  I tend to skip over those often.
8. What's the weirdest gadget in your kitchen?
   Ummmm...hummmm...nothing weird that I can think of.
9. What's your go-to music for cooking/baking?
   I generally just turn iTunes on suffle and let it pick out my music for me.  I'm odd like that, I don't often "crave" a certain type of music.
10. After several failures, what do you do to motivate yourself to get back in the kitchen to try again?
    Haha!  I'll make excuses, like, "well, I tried to make it healthier by substituting ingredients.  guess that didn't work.", then I try again making adjustments (or following the original recipe).  I won't let the kitchen beat me at my own game.  Kinda like it Julie & Julia, Julie had to successfully make a recipe to complete it.

Ten on Tuesday

It's Ten on Tuesday time!  Christmas edition...

1. When do you put up and take down your Christmas decorations?
   Decorations don't go up until after Thanksgiving.  And they come down sometime before Easter.  Generally sometime in February.  What?  I like to enjoy the decorations longer the a month out of the year.
2. What do you do to simplify the holiday season?This year, I did 90% of my Christmas shopping online.  I simplified by not stressing myself out tryting to park, push my way through crowds, look for the gift that is sold out of everywhere, stand in line forever, or having to pull my hair out.  I shopped in the comfort of my own home, even while wearing my pj's!  Then as packages came in the mail, it's like I got gifts that I got to regift.  So what that I didn't get to actually open each thing.
3. What do you do to remind yourself and your family what the Christmas season is all about?
   During the hub-bub of the holiday season, I regularly have to take a step back and reflect and not get mixed in with the busy-ness of it all.  Christmas is a time to celebrate Christ's birth, to remember that God's son manifested in physical form on earth and what His purpose here was.  It's not about gifts and Santa and getting what you/I want.  It's about time with family and those you love.
4. How do you spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
   Christmas Eve - Generally spent at work, at least most of the day.  Maybe I'll go to the candlelight service at the church I grew up at, although this year they're having a 5pm service too...  Tradition in the family is that we have Mexican food Christmas Eve, a tradition started by my maternal grandfather.
   Christmas Day - Well, the last few years Dad has had to work during some part of Christmas Day, this year he does not.  So in the recent past years we'll pull the DVDs out of the stockings and watch those until Dad is home/awake/off work.  Since Dad has the day off, we'll open our gifts then drive down to my Aunt & Uncle's and spend the day with them (which we normally do the day after Christmas).
5. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
   Can I be honest?  I love the fact that we've continued the tradition of Mexican food on Christmas Eve.  I love the fact that it's something that my Bompy started and that we continue.  I love tamales, and that's normally the entree.  I love that we tease Mom when she buys tamales from Costco and passes them off as homemade. 
6. Did you do the whole Santa thing growing up? What do you like/not like about continuing the tradition?Yep, we sure did.  And I still to this day swear I saw Santa's boots shoot up the chimney one Christmas when I was staying at my grandma and grandpa's while sleeping in the living room.  No joke, I swear it happened.  You know, I don't know if I'll continue the tradition.  I kinda like the idea of using being good as a Santa bribe.  Is that wrong of me?  But obviously that won't be the real message that I teach my kids about Christmas and the meaning of the holiday.  We still get a "Santa gift", being one that is the main gift or the big present from Mom and Dad.  I'm a fan of the santa gifts.
7. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?
   Let me rephrase that question... What isn't my favorite cookie?  'Nuff said.
8. How do you take your egg nog?
   I don't.  I'm not a fan of egg nog.  But I like it used when making french toast.  Try it sometime, instead of milk mixed with the eggs use egg not.  Other than that, I steer clear of the stuff.
9. What is your favorite Christmas carol and why?
   Silent Night.  All verses.  I love that song.  Or Carol of the Bells by Mannheim Steamroller.
10. When was the last time you had a white Christmas?
    Ummmm...I'm still waiting for one.  Hello, I live in California at elevation 100 feet (maybe).  We get snow that doesn't stick maybe once every 8 years.  And I doubt, although God could make it happen, we'll ever get snow on Christmas day.

Ten on Tuesday

I'm sure you've noticed, there's been a slight lack of me blogging.  Do not fret my pets, someday, one day, I'll get you caught up.  I have about a dozen posts in draft form to remind me of what I need to post about. 

In the meantime, I thought I'd jump on the Ten for Tuesday bandwagon.  Why not answer some fun easy questions?  If anything I answer spurs a question from you, feel free to ask me in the comments.  :)

So here goes the 10 (actually 15) questions for this week...

1. If you could change anything about your physical appearance, what would it be?From my boobs to my butt, I'd like them minimized.  Most preferrably in the belly area.
2. Is there a habit in others that you find annoying?
   Yes!  People that drive under the speed limit on a 2 lane road.  People that chit chat personal stuff with sales associate while there is a line forming.  People that decide it's ok to have a full out blow out via a cell phone conversation in public.  I could go on...
3. What is your favorite recipe using ground beef?
   Oh there are so many...  But I'd probably say enchiladas.  Yum!
4. What was your favorite book as a kid?
   I was a huge fan of Paddington Bear.  Remember him?  He's was the cute little bear that wore the yellow rain outfit.  So cute!  In fact, I think I still have those books...
5. Did you work as a teenager and if so, where?
   Hahahaha.  Yes, I've been working for, oh about the last 24 years.  I started catering when I was a wee lass.  Imagine me with a little 5/6 year old voice while carrying a tray around saying, "Would you like a piece of sausage?"  That was my job, I was the sausage passer-outter, and I was paid a whopping $5 a job.  I know, big earner!  So I catered all through my teenage years.  Through most of high school, I worked at my Aunt's shop (Divine Bovine) that was Downtown Turlock (and no longer there). 
6. Did you work in college and if so, where?
   In college I worked for the alumni office for 3 years, catered big jobs on weekends (yep, I'd go home to earn an easy $75-100 bones), and would work for my aunt during holiday breaks.  As well as summer jobs of working for my dad at the meat plant, then 2 summers of working for a local cannery checking on peach growers in the area.
7. When you go to sleep do you like total darkness or semi?  When you go to sleep do you need quiet or is some noise ok?
   Bedtime sleep:  quiet darkness.  Naptime rest: doesn't matter, if I'm tired I'll crash anywhere under any conditions.
8. When doing laundry, fabric softener or not?Not.  Only because my mom never used it (that I know of) therefore, I don't know how to use it or what the point of it is. 
9. Open toed or closed toed shoes?Summer - open - flip flops preferrably.  Winter - closed - fUggs preferrably.
10. Would you rather be blind or deaf?
    Oh dear...  That's a tough one.  Miss seeing God's magnificent creation or hearing the sounds of praise?  I'm a visual person, so I guess I'd rather be deaf.  I'm also a multitasker, so then I'd be able to walk and see where I'm going while talking signing.
11. Dangle or stud earrings?
    Studs.  Big sparkly ones.  Or small dainty pearly ones.  I'm not a fan of dangle earrings whipping me in the cheek or ear or getting caught in my hair.
12. Bottled water or tap?
    I can't drink the tap water where I live, it's too cloudy.  So I use a Brita.  I love my Brita because I love water.  Seriously, I drink it like it's going out of style.  Of the bottled water category, I'm picky.  I can tell if it's been filtered water vs. spring water.  Seriously, Aquafina and Dansani, blah!  Fuji or Crystal Geyser, yum!
13. What do you put on pancakes?
    Lightly buttered and lots of maple syrup!  Waffles don't fall into the pancake category, they get totally different toppings.  Same with french toast.
14. On a long trip would you rather drive or fly?
    I would say it depends.  Where am I going?  I love long car rides and road trips just as long as I have company in the car.  Just ask Rylen, but don't ask her about Nebraska unless you want her to wet her pants while reminiscing and laughing.  I do love flying as well though.  Drive to Hawaii, not an option.  I grew up with parents that owned a motorhome, so we took many a long haul road trips.  And I love my memories and experiences from that.  So, yea, it depends.
15. Do you prefer classic old movies or new?
    Some classics, but mostly new.  Or newer classics.  Like the remake of Little Rascals.  Love that movie!  I got a dollar, I got a dollar, I got a dollar hey hey hey hey!

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