I Should Be Folding Laundry

damn, y'all are nosey. Part One.

I'm TOTALLY kidding. You are not nosey.  I know I wanted you to ask me questions and you did, it's been so much fun reading the questions and answering them.  Since there are so many questions, I'll have to answer the questions in different parts.  This is part one.  Part two will come either tonight or tomorrow.

From Jenna:
1.  What are your two favorite places in Indiana and why?   Where I live is my favorite place in Indiana, which is Northwest Indiana.  I love our proximity to Chicago and Lake Michigan and the dunes are amazing.  The second place would be...NASHVILLE, INDIANA!  I love Brown County.

2.  If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?  I loooove North Carolina.  I would visit there any day. 
If you had to live somewhere besides the United States where would it be? If I had to live outside the US I would have to say, maybe Ireland or London or Brazil.  I can't decide.

From Amy:
Have you read any good books lately?
No.  I haven't.  In fact, since losing the twins, I haven't wanted to read anything, it's bizarre, I know.

From Crooked Eyebrow:

1.  Fingernails polished or plain? If polished what color do you usually like to put on?
I love to have my nails manicured, with clear polish, but I never do it, especially since our house is on the market.  Too much cleaning, I have weak nails, they can't take the abuse.

2.  What are your favorite places to go on date nights to with da man? Besides Target.  Just to dinner.  That's all.

3.  What are your favorite photographic muses? My children.

4. If you can name a crayon of your favorite color, what would you pick?  This is hard, do you mean, if I could name a crayon?  If so, it would be an orange-y shade of red and I would call it Saucy Red.  I love the word saucy.

5. Name your all time favorite, feel good cd? You know, the one that makes you sing all the lyrics you know by heart out loud and gets you moving. Fo'shizzle?  When my family gets together and we have been drinking, we tend to sing loudly to Dr. Hook.  it's awesome.  One of my favorite feel good songs is Freedom by George Michael.  I jam to it.  I'll sing it to you sometime.

This question is from Renay:

Tell me how your blog to become so well read, when you started it, why, etc.   I started my blog in January of 2006 because I wanted to keep in touch with my close friends who lived all over the country.  We all had blogs, we would constantly write, read and comment.  It was a blast.  (wasn't it, girls?)  I have no idea how or why people started to read my blog.  I remember when the first person I didn't know commented, I was like "what the heck?  how did that person get in here."  I was clueless.  On my blog I try to be real, I try to be positive, I just want to be me on my blog.  Maybe that's why?  I don't know.  Good questions, Renay.

From Megan Sohar:

Favorite movies?  Easily - Good Will Hunting, City of Angels (I freakin' love Seth Plate) and Steel Magnolias. 

Favorite type of bread? This is such a strange question BUT it made me realize that I have a bread I LOVE, so it's a good question.  I love white bread.  I love Wonder white bread.  It's not the healthiest thing for me and I don't always buy it, but when I do, it's a treat, it's like eating cake for me.  When I was a teenager I used to just eat a slice of bread when I was hungry.  Which would explain how I was a size six.  Now my bread must come with turkey, mayo and cheese.  Which would explain why I'm not a size six.

From Val:

If there was a fire and your family was safe outside...what items would you have to go back for?   James and Jake's ashes and the entire chest I have that holds their items, like ultrasound pictures, matching outfits we bought for them, the baby blankets that were wrapped around their precious bodies while they spent the night in our hospital room, their obituaries, the cards people sent, etc.  It's all we have of them and I never want to lose any of it.

From Marcea:

Will you have any more children?  I hope with all of my heart that we have more children. 

From Mandy:

How did you and DH meet? We went to high school together.  But we did not date during high school, we started dating shortly after high school graduation, which means we have been together for 150 years.

How long were you together before #1 came along? We were married for three and a half years before Ariel was born.  We were together for nine years before she was born.

Do you have date nights?  How often?  We rarely have date nights.  We love going on dates with our kids.  It's fun.  We probably go on dates alone about once every 2-3 months.  It's sad.

From the beautiful Stacie:

If you could choose any job (besides being a mom) what would it be?  Maybe a photographer.

A question from Cindy:

How did you become involved with Allie and FOH? The short answer, which is hard considering it was such a big part of my life.  Essentially, I was totally and completely inspired to volunteer after learning of Allie Scott.  Her Mom (Jenny) kept a blog that tore my heart out.  Allie died in 2004 from AML.  Because of Allie, Jenny and her family, I began volunteering for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, even though Jenny and Allie lived in Texas, I knew I had to do something.  So, I did.  My local team raised over $20,000 over the course of four years in honor of Allie and all children battling cancer.  After we lost James and Jake, I made the painful, but necessary decision to resign from all volunteering opportunities with the LLS and Friends of Heroes. 

And from Jessie Z:

Are you a morning person or a night owl?  I could stay up really late every night, but I don't because I am such a grouch without sleep.  I go to bed between 11-12 every night and wake up at seven.  I'm not a big fan of getting up in the mornings, but sometimes it's nice to get up before the kids and listen to the silence.  I appreciate silence.  A lot.

Which side of the bed do you sleep on?  If you are facing the bed, I sleep on the left side.

Do you sleep with a blanket? sheet? or none? A sheet, a blanket and a quilt.  It's awesome.

From Sam:

If you are a bit of a chocoholic like me, here's a question to blow the mind....if you could only have one sort of chocolate (sweetie or bar or whatever) for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why? Dove Milk Chocolate.  No question.  Because it's deliciousl

A question from MotoMom:

Do you have any odd talents?
I can curl my tongue.  Two of my sisters can do it, too.  As well as my soul sister.  When I say curl, I don't mean like a taco or rolling it up, I mean I can make my tongue look like a shell.

And from Sarah C:

What age did you stop playing with Barbies?  I never loooooved playing Barbies.  I would play because my younger sister would play with my cousin and I was bored to tears without them.  I usually played the drunk Ken doll that trashed the social events and tipped over the Barbie table.  So, to answer your question...sixteen?

or ten.  I really don't know.

And finally from Sara:

1. Do you wear matching pajamas?  Matching wha?  Pajamas are supposed to match?  The answer is: dear God no.  I wear pajama pants/capris to bed.  These days I have been wearing a Team James & Jake t-shirt to bed.  It's comfortable and sorta clean.
2.  Do you have a "silly" phobia? I'm scared of water.  Deep water.  And spiders.  They're evil.  Are those silly?  I am scared of raw meat.
3. If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be? A cat.  Because I would love to lay around and sleep all day long.

 

Part Two, coming soon....

OMG. I'm old.

 

Stupid New Kids on the Block.

They just HAD to make a comeback.  They just HAD to be all public about it.  They just HAD to make me feel like I'm 180 years old.

jerks.  I wish I were excited about this reunion, but.  I'm not.  It irritates me because now I feel like I'm 180 years old.  (have I mentioned that already?)

Who was your favorite New Kid?   Are you excited to see them back together again?  Doesn't it make you feel old?  Don't you feel their name is just inappropriate?  Kids?  Really? Isn't Donnie like 52?  Not that I remember which one is Donnie or anything.  *cough*

My favorite was Jon.  Don't tell anyone, but I used to kiss his poster on my wall. 

I should probably mention that at my next therapy appointment.

Random things about me

In an effort to "repay" you for the many, many random thoughts and pieces of information you have all left for me on this post, I thought I would do the same for you.

So, I write this post, a post listing random things about me, as a distraction, a reminder of other things that are going on in my life, other things that have happened in my life.  Thank you to all of you who have left comments here, I do hope you continue.  If you haven't left one, please do, I'd love to hear from you. 

Here you go:

-Last night I had a dream about two girls that used to live in our neighborhood growing up.  They did not have any siblings, I could never understand what that must be like, not having any brothers or sisters.  But now I wonder if it was decision their parents made or if they could not have other children.  When I was younger I was oblivious to the fact that people could not have children.  I think I dreamed of the two girls because one of them sent me a card when she learned of James and Jake.  I hadn't heard from her since high school.  If you ever learn that an old friend of yours has lost a loved one, send them a card, no matter how long it's been, your thoughtfulness will mean the world to the person.  I guarantee it.

-When I was a senior in high school, I was the editor of my school newspaper.

-Last May a tornado hit our area.  I was home alone with the kids, they were napping and it was all I could to run into their rooms and grab them out their beds and run down to the basement.  They were scared, I was scared.  I remember shaking for hours.  Thankfully, we were safe.  Now, anytime there is a storm, I completely prepare for the worst, I have shoes ready, my cell phone ready and water ready.

-I love summer.  Hot, beautiful, sunny, green, glorious summer. 

-I don't think I'm supposed to live in the Midwest.  I dream of moving to a place that is warm year round.

-I often find myself watching Will & Grace and Friends reruns on my TV in my bedroom before bed.  I love it.

-This is my 701st post.

-I love taking pictures.  If I could choose a profession right now, I would choose to be a photographer.  One of my favorite non-people pictures that I have taken is this one:

and I love the textures in this picture:

-Brian and I used to play hours and hours of Unreal Tournament on our computers before having children.  We'd spend hours into the night shooting and sniping and killing each other.  It was awesome.   We invited many people to play with us, almost all of them became addicted, too.  I played last year, after that I had a nightmare about death.  I haven't played since.

-In August of 2001, Brian told me he was ready to have children, we were at a Cubs game.  I never knew if I was ready or not, I just left it in his hands knowing that when he was ready, I would be ready.  We started trying the following month and I got pregnant in May of 2002.

-I got pregnant again in May of 2003.  Ariel and Racecar are 360 days apart, I love that.  So much.

-Brian and I honeymooned in Barbados.  It took us all day to get there, when we finally arrived I cried because I missed my family.  I've been romantic ever since.

-My highest weight was 220 or 226, I can't remember.  I now weigh five pounds more than I did when I got pregnant with the twins.  My weight today is 169. 

-I usually love food, but right now I don't care about it.

-I believe the reason I started blogging was so I could journal about dealing with the loss of James and Jake, I started blogging in January of 2006 to keep in touch with my friends who lived across the country.  One of my favorite comments was by a reader named Josh, who agrees with my belief, this is what he wrote:  You know, the inspiration to create this blog to share your happy, fun times, when sadness wasn't present, was a miracle from God. God is truly wonderful. He provides the healing before the sickness even strikes. This cathartic potential has been present all along, and it's only now sadly reaching its true creation's purpose. It's so very true.

Some of the comments left here are the most beautiful things I have ever read.

-I have many friends who do not know about my blog. 

-These are some of my favorite blog posts that I have written:

Running Scared
Some Pig
Women are from Mars, Men are just stupid
12 Years Ago Today

-The kids and I slept until 9 am this morning, we were in our pajamas until noon, I showered and finally finished getting ready at 2 pm, just to stay at home and do nothing.  I love spring break.

-I do not think I am a good writer, I think I am a good blogger. 

-I hate oranges.  But I enjoy orange juice.  When I was pregnant with the twins, I would drinks tons and tons of orange juice, now when I see it or drink it, it reminds me of them.  That does not necessarily make me sad, I enjoy the few memories I have with them.

-I love coffee.  Since losing the twins I have been drinking a lot of coffee, my day is sometimes better when I have a McDonald's coffee in my hand.

-I played softball for many years, I was a catcher.

I could go on and on and on, but I will stop now, somethings have to remain a mystery.

As always, thank you for listening.  If you haven't already, tell me something about you, okay?

Dead as a doornail *updated!*

This is my kind of Saturday.  I crawled out of bed at 9:45 a.m., the coffee was made, within minutes Brian had made two waffles and served them with orange juice.  Pregnancy definitely has it's perks.

Now to the sad, horrifying news.  My 4 GB iPod is dead.  (you know, the one I got for free???)  Like Dead.  Totally Dead.  Up and gone to heaven dead.

The last we listened to it was in the car during Christmas, then it sat in the car, where it died. 

I brought it into the house a few weeks ago and went to the Apple site where they tell you all sorts of tips and tricks (think CPR, defibrillators, ICU, etc.) to bring your iPod back to life.

But nothing worked.

So, Brian took it to the Apple Doctor yesterday.  (where they require an appointment and everything and just like the doctor's office, there was even a wait.)  The doctor determined that somewhere along the way, my precious, pink iPod became wet which corroded it's insides.

There was nothing they could do.

They did offer the same model iPod to Brian for $100, but he declined knowing that his wife (me) would probably want to go ahead and upgrade, and why wouldn't she?  She's a wise-tech savvy gal.

So now the question is:  how tech savvy am I?

Do I go with the 8 GB iPod to listen to music, podcasts, add some pictures and maybe even watch movies?

OR for another $100, do I really upgrade with the 8 GB iPod Touch?  Where I can store pictures, get WIFI, (where available),  utilize a full organizing calendar,  have an address book, maps, calculator, games and listen to music.  Just to name a few of the features....

But do I need all of that?  Why wouldn't I?

What's a tech savvy girl to do?

By the way, if you are wondering how tech savvy I really am, if you were to ask me how big a gig was, I would tell you it depended on how popular the band was.

So, I'm not that tech savvy.

________________

*UPDATED HERE!*  I'll have you know that after I typed out this post listing the features and benefits of the Touch, I knew I had to have.

so I bought it.  That and some haagan-dazs.  It's a damn good day.

Not a pumpkin

Last night my Mom's group met for our monthly gathering.  I did not leave Lynette's house until after eleven.  IN THE EVENING!  It's been months!  MONTHS! since I've stayed out that late.  I'm typically in my pajamas by eight o' clock these days,  Sad, but true.  But we did have some fun, Lynette decided to hold a tacky sweater contest and y'all, there were some tacky sweaters.  Check out the photographic evidence over at Lynette's blog.

As Seen on TV

Call me particular, but perhaps NBC should consider using spellcheck, no?  (this particular strolling advertisment showed up numerous times during Clash of the Choirs.)  Not that I watched Clash of the Choirs and thoroughly enjoyed it or anything.  Okay, so I did.  The only thing that would have made it better would be if Nick Lachey had removed that pesky shirt and tie of his.  Again, call me particular.

TV Help?

I'm not a big TV watcher.  I may watch an old episode of Will & Grace before bed or maybe a little something something on TLC before sleep, or sometimes a little Food Network while I fold laundry.

But that's about it during the summer.  And during the prime TV viewing season, which basically starts this week, I only watch Grey's Anatomy and American Idol.

And that is all she wrote.  But I would actually like to get addicted to a fresh, funny sitcom.  One that would only take about 23 minutes a week, after forwarding through the commercials.  But I don't know which one to start watching. 

Can you help me?

If you could tell me to start watching ANY sitcom on TV, which one would it be? 

Opening Acts

Did y'all catch Brit Brit on the VMA's?

I just have a quick question:

She didn't sing - she lip synced the performance and did not even try to act like she was singing.

She hardly danced - I mean, she danced a little, but most of the time I think she thought she was going to fall down, thanks to her four inch heels.  Could she have appeared more un-enthused to be there?   

So, why exactly was she the opening act again?

Oh yeah, cause we all like to see hair extensions at it's best.  or worst.  I can't decide.

I was rooting for her, I honestly wanted to be blogging right now saying "DID YOU SEE HER?  SHE WAS ROCKIN'."  I have some big ol' opinions on Brit Brit and her latest adventures, like wouldn't you freak out if nobody left you alone and people were constantly taking your picture and watching your every move?   I would be a nut case, A NUT CASE. 

So she went a little crazy. 

Okay, she totally went crazy.

It does make me sad that she is paying someone to love on her adorable children.

But maybe, a knock-out performance would do her good.  Lift her spirits, raise her self esteem. 

No such luck.

Call me particular, but when someone is going to perform, I guess I like it when they actually, you know, perform.

Now, I know people are going to talk about her size and say she looked out of shape, but if I looked like that in a bikini after having two c-sections, I'd probably think I could go on stage and barely sing and dance, too.

But I would totally forgo the hair extensions.

I'm just sayin'.

This exciting life of mine

This picture should give you some indication as to how I am feeling tonight.  Yes, I used a straw to suck out the last bit of pepto in the bottle, I was desperate, people, desperate.

I did not take this picture either, Brian went to throw something away and found the evidence of his desperate wife staring up at him.  He said "did you use a straw with the pepto?"  And I was all like "who?  wah?  me?  no!!  Of course, not!  That would be crazy and desperate!"  And he was all like, "yeah but there's a bottle of pepto with a straw in it in the garbage."

To which I replied.

"oh yeah.  that was me."  So, then he took a picture.  "For the blog," he says.  It's a family business this blogging is.  (and friends, I know I should have recycled the bottle, I know, but that is how out of sorts I am feeling, please forgive.)
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On to other non-tummy ache stories, if you don't mind.  Let's see...did you hear me screaming on Friday?  You did?  It's because we came through with t-shirt sponsors for the 5K.  Yes, we did.  And a water donation, yep, you heard me. And then the Chicago White Sox (which is not my favorite Chicago team, by ANY means) sent me an autographed picture to be raffled off at my event, which makes them by fave Chicago team!  (that is totally not true, I'm a Cubs fan.  Even if they ignore me when I ask for free crap for my event.)  Then, Dick's Sporting Goods sent me a packet of free stuff...all this on Friday and then there was more, soooo much more, but I do not want to bore you.  Let's just say we are under way!  And if you live near Northern Indiana, Northeast Illinois and Southwest Michigan you and your family had BEST be at this event.  Got that?  I'll be watching you.

Man, I can be bossy.
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On to other news that does not have to do with my 5K.

We went to the county fair last week.  Racecar finally faced his fears and went on a ride, which is a big deal because he will not go anywhere near anything that you can ride on or that moves or that makes any noise, he's an adventurous one, that Racecar is.  And suddenly, he said "I WANT TO RIDE ON THE BOAT."  I was all over it.  You can see why.

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So, that about wraps up this edition of what my little family has been up to!  I did have to syringe a pea out of Racecar's nose yesterday, that was fun.  And Ariel gave birth to a cabbage patch kid today, it was all very exciting.
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I need more pepto.

Celebrity-dom or dumb

Before I head out for the weekend, (out meaning away from Typepad), I wanted to say thank you for your well wishes regarding my thyroid stuff.  I have not heard anything yet from the doctors which is a pretty good sign that my levels are "normal."  However, I did call to make sure and left a message, so I still wait.

Secondly, thank you for your feedback on the hardwood vs. carpet flooring.  I can't believe how many people picked hardwood, although I do not blame you.  This is something that may occur over the next few months...or may not.  Depends on how many more times I go to Target and spend $90 on nothing.  Which should be about once or twice a week.  damn you, Target, making me spend money on nothing.

Anyway, tomorrow night I am going to see some country singers in concert.  Which is funny because I do not listen to country music.  I did, however, listen to a Bucky Covington song yesterday.  Anyway, one of my dearest, oldest friends called me the other day and left a voice mail about going to a concert with her on Saturday night.  To watch country singers.  Now, it's not that I don't like country music, it's just that I don't like it.  You see the difference?  I like some songs, but most songs I don't like.  But whatever.  My friend does not listen to country music either, she just happened upon the tickets.  This should be fun night.  She and I both have two kids and getting out together all night long in Chicago, while listening to loud, but strange music should prove to a good time, I'm sure of it.

I think.

This is who will be performing.

Do you know these people?  Faith Hill and Tim McGraw?  I saw them on Oprah once, cute couple, they are.  I remember they sneak away from their children at home to do the dirty dirty.  Which must be difficult considering they live in a 10,000 square foot house with nannies n' all.  Man I sound bitter, don't I?  Really, I am not.

In all seriousness, knowing my friend and I, we will probably leave the concert wearing FAITH AND TIM shirts, clutching onto EVERY CD THEY HAVE EVER PRODUCED while shouting WE LOVE YOU at their tour bus, while singing, well, I don't know what we'll be singing because I don't know what they sing.  Yet.  But I'm sure we will tomorrow, after the concert.  Anyway, we'll sing their songs all the way home.

And then our husbands will kick us out of our homes.

Should be a fun weekend.