survey

11 Things

I’ve seen this meme going around, and I’ve finally been for it by the lovely Courtney of Baxtron Life. So, let’s get this thing going, shall we?

RULES
1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions.
5. Tag a few people, let them know.

Hi!
photo of me

11 RANDOM THINGS
1. I am 100% completely DONE with winter. Wait, this isn’t so random, is it? Still. I’m ready for spring.

2. Every time I sing, Crookshanks either climbs on my lap or he stares at me, purring like a maniac. He apparently doesn’t mind that I’m kinda tone deaf.

3. I’m currently “singing” The Wind Beneath My Wings. Yup.

4. I used to hate it when Charla (my BFF from junior high and high school) would start singing Wind Beneath My Wings when we were talking on the phone. She also used to sing a Donna Summer song that drove me nuts. I can still hear her singing I’m going crazy just to let you know… in my ear just like it was yesterday.

Here’s a link to the video (Google + YouTube = YOU CAN FIND ANYTHING!):

5. I totally just posted a link to that video on Charla’s Facebook wall.

6. Now I’m singing this along with the video. It’s a fun song to sing. I get it now, Charla.

7. Here is a picture of Charla with Ricky Luna:

MMC in Cleveland 1993

8. If you’ve been reading my blog for at least a year and don’t know who Ricky Luna is, shame on you. For those of you who don’t know, check out this post to learn more.

9. Speaking of MMC, I can get lost in a YouTube MMC spiral for hours.

10. I wanted to be a Mouseketeer on the 90s MMC in the worst way. There’s no way you’re surprised by this.

11. I am meticulous about tagging all my mp3s in iTunes. I hate when there are blank spaces (like missing album names or artists), I hate when the genre is wrong, I hate when there are 14 different spellings for the same artist. I will go on amazon and download proper album artwork. I’ve spent many happy hours organizing my mp3s.

11 QUESTIONS FOR ME
1. You just won a trip, all expenses paid — you have to choose the destination now, where will you go? Who will you take? Why?
BAHAHAHAHA. OK if you’ve only been reading my blog for two seconds you should know the answer to this! Actually, I have many places but the first thing I’d do is plan an EPIC Disney World vacation with all my favorite people in the world. Two weeks, we’d take over the Polynesian or Port Orleans French Quarter. I’d take Adam, my mom, Aidan, Chris, Matt, Rosa, Richard, Aimzy, Charla & her kiddos, Amy R, (I’d invite Jen but I know she wouldn’t want to come), Seanan, s00j, Ryan (but I’d have him avoid it’s a small world–he got stuck on it for hours when he was a kid so he’s had enough of that for a lifetime), Vixy, Amy V, Deborah (and Jeff if he wanted), Adam’s mom and dad, Cassidy, Lola… am I missing anyone? Consider yourself invited if so.

2. Dark, Milk or White Chocolate?
Well, definitely not white chocolate. It’s a toss up between dark or milk. It’ll depend on how sweet I want it. But dark is winning. Which is funny because when I was little, I thought dark chocolate was pointless and disgusting. Now I love it.

3. Have you ever succeeded in giving up something that was bad for you? What was it?
Not really. 🙁

4. You have four ingredients: eggs, milk, cheese and bread. What is the most creative thing you can make?
Scrambled eggs with cheese, and toast on the side.

5. Zoo, Aquarium or Circus?
Zoo or aquarium. Better yet, zoos with aquariums included!

6. If there were no other factors to consider except for pure joy’s sake, how many children would you want to have?
MAYBE one more.

7. Do you wear glasses or contacts?
Yes.

8. Have you ever been in a bad accident?
No. I’ve been in a scary accident (totally Charla’s fault), but not very bad.

9. How many pets have you had / do you have? What kind? What are their names?
I currently have three cats. Crookshanks, Helena, and Fi.

Three Cats
not my best but probably the only time
they’ll all get close enough to be in one shot

10. What is the funniest joke you have heard lately?
*shrug* Can’t remember.

11. I like the dream car question, so if you could have any new car of your choosing what would it be?


audi tt roadster, $47,500

MY 11 QUESTIONS
1. What is your favorite word?
2. What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?
3. What is your favorite scent?
4. Would you rather have the perfect body and your current face, or the perfect face and your current body?
5. What is your guilty pleasure?
6. If it didn’t cause any bad consequences (weight gain, high cholesterol, etc.) what is the one thing you’d eat tons of?
7. What is one thing you would eliminate from the world if you could?
8. Would you rather sky dive or go mountain climbing?
9. What is one talent you wish you had?
10. What is one song that makes you want to rip out your eardrums?
11. Are you a PC or a Mac?

… and I tag Mandi, Jenn, Adam, Firinel, and Lauren! Anyone else want to join in? Go for it. Comment and let me know so I can go read your answers. 🙂

(If Charla had a blog, I’d totally tag her, too.)

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2011: A Year In Review

Autumn in The Morton Arboretum

I can’t complain. 2011 was a pretty good year for me. I got to do some neat things, go to neat places, and meet cool people (like Weird Al Yankovic!). I was introduced to new music, made some crazy life-changing choices, and did some neat things. I got to meet my Plurk friends Jon & Rho, I had the chance to see my favorite author Sarah Dessen (and she totally recognized me!), I got to see SJ Tucker loads of times, and I got to eat a lot of sushi!

The easiest way to recap is to do a survey. I know how much you guys love those. Feel free to steal and do it yourself.

Was 2011 a good year for you?
For the most part, yes!

What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
– attended Musecon
– rode a horse

Horseback Riding!

– pet a giraffe

Awesome!

– purchased exercise equipment
– got a passport
– Pilates reformer
– Capeoira
– got a facial
– lipolaser

Did anyone close to you give birth?
A lot of my friends had babies or are pregnant,
but I can’t say anyone particularly close to me.

Did anyone close to you die?
My aunt Lue passed away during the summer.

What countries did you visit?
None.

What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 5, 2011. I took my life back.
…and a giant leap of faith.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting into better shape.

What was your biggest failure?
Didn’t complete writing a novel. Boo.
Also falling back out of shape. Ha.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Mostly colds.
Had an incident in April that I thought might be gallbladder related,
but it was just gastritis.

Where did most of your money go?
Disney trips, dolls, clothes, sushi, gifts

What song will always remind you of 2011?
Nataraj (Dancing in the Flames) by Suzanne Sterling
Come Down by Ginger Doss

What do you wish you’d done more of?
– writing
– yoga

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Working. I worked way too many hours at Schawk.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ginger Doss
Bekah Kelso

What did you want and get?
– new camera
– Disney trips
– passport
– exercise bike
– books

What did you want and not get?
– MORE AIDAN TIME (there is never enough)
– a treadmill (our apartment is too small for such things)
– a trip out of the country

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 37. I spent the day with my family and ate
food from Harold’s Chicken Shack.

What kept you sane?
Reading. Lots of reading.
My family. My kitty cats.
Jen and Amy and our email chain.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Matt Smith

What political issue stirred you the most?
Anything that had to do with women’s reproductive rights

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
Having a lot of money isn’t everything.
It HELPS.
But when making the money
is costing your health, family time,
and sanity,
then it’s time to rethink some things.
So I did.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Sweaters and jeans, or tee-shirts and jeans, or hoodies and jeans.
Grey long-sleeved tee-shirts.
Sometimes a cute skirt with boots.
Long, hippy skirts or dresses.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I love that I can’t think of an answer to this question.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Magic touched my life again
in a single breath
shining in your eyes
like a firefly
and a moment of revelation
–Ginger Doss

Few Days Old Braidout

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Christmas Survey #3

Christmas Ornaments 2011

Worst Christmas song?
Let It Snow.
No. Just no.
Let’s NOT let snow come anywhere near me.
Ever.

If you were a Christmas character, who would you be?
Gosh, I have no idea.
Wow, did I really just write “gosh”?

What type of decoration should stop being made?
None of the decorations bother me too much.

Tastiest holiday treat?
Cookies.
All the cookies.
Mmm, cookies.

Favorite pop culture/stereotypical Christmas icon?
Santa Claus.

Know how to make cookies/brownies/cake from scratch?
I can make cookies from scratch.
That doesn’t mean I do it often.

Ever cut your mouth on a candy cane/candy?
No.
Because I don’t eat candy canes.

What other culture would you like to experience Christmas with?
I’ve never given this any thought.
It’s a good question.
Maybe Germany.

What kind of pattern/pictures do you like on your wrapping paper?
Whimsical 60s style ornaments.
Candy canes.
Candy cane stripes.
Snowmen.
Plaid.

Three best things about Christmas?
The anticipation.
Being with loved ones.
Presents and food.

Candy cane or peppermint patties?
Peppermint patties.

Sugar or gingerbread cookies?
Sugar.
All day, every day.

Tinsel or beaded strands?
I grew up using tinsel/garland strands.
Then I switched to beads.
I don’t use strands any more.

Flashing or still lights?
Still.

Wreaths or mistletoe/holly?
Wreaths.

Rudolph or Frosty?
Rudolph.

Stockings or presents?
Both!
Stockings for all the little things.
And candy.
Presents for everything else.

Cookies & milk or letter to Santa?
Both.
Although I’d prefer to leave Santa juice
rather than milk.

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Both days are special.
Christmas Eve, to prep for the Big Day.
Christmas Day, because it’s Christmas Day.

Cards or emails?
Cards.
I love mailing off all those smooth envelopes.
I love opening my mailbox and finding it stuffed
with cards and letters.
I get more than 100 emails a day.
It’s nice to get something in the *real* mail
from time to time.


This is the last of the Christmas surveys. Feel free to do this survey on your blog as well, but please comment and let me know so I can come check it out.

Linking up with:

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Christmas Survey #2

Christmas Ornaments 2011

Have you been naughty or nice this year?
Both.
But definitely more nice.

What do you want most for Christmas?
Health.
Happiness.
Love.
Gratitude in my heart.

Do you believe in Father Christmas?
I’ve never encountered him,
but that’s not to say he isn’t around.

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?
Yes.

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?
Almost.

What is your favorite Christmas movie?
A Christmas Story
The Christmas List

What do you look forward to most at Christmas?
Gifts and food.
Time with my family.
Taking photos.
Desserts.

What are you doing for Christmas this year?
Aidan and my mom fly in on
December 20
(which also happens to be my birthday)
We’re going to eat good food
bake cookies
watch holiday programming
and have a relaxing holiday.

Who do you want to kiss under the mistletoe?
I don’t have mistletoe
but if I did
I’d want to kiss
Adam
🙂

What kind of Christmas tree do you have?
Artificial.

Do you take part in a Secret Santa?
Not anymore.

Do you go to any Christmas parties?
I go to the Moksha holiday party.

Have you ever had a white Christmas?
Oh yes.

How early do you wake up on Christmas morning?
I usually sleep in until 9 or 10ish.
It will depend on when Aidan gets up.

Do you still get a stocking?
Most definitely.

How many Christmas cards do you normally send out?
A lot.
Probably won’t send out as many
this year.

What is your Christmas wish?
That’s a secret.


Feel free to do this survey on your blog as well, but please comment and let me know so I can come check it out.

Comments Off on Christmas Survey #2

Christmas Survey #1

Presents

Egg nog or hot chocolate?
Recently, Adam brought home
some dark chocolate hot chocolate.
Not only does it smell heavenly,
it tastes that way, too. Yum.

Does Santa wrap your presents or leave them naked under the tree?
Santa wraps most of the presents,
but he leaves the really big and awkward ones unwrapped.
A variety of people visit Aidan, though.
One year, even Brutus Buckeye left him something.

Colored lights or white?
White.
I think they look classy.

Do you hang mistletoe?
No.

When do you put up your decorations?
First or second week in December.

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Cornbread dressing.
Mac & cheese.
Honey ham.
Turnip/mustard greens.
Gravy over everything.
Mmmm.

Christmas Dinner

Favorite holiday memory as a child?
I have a lot.
My mom always went out of her way
to make Christmas extra special for
my sister and me.
Lots of toys.
Good food.
Good music.
Good times.

Pandernoodle I Love Christmas!

YAY Baby Skates! Merry Christmas!

When did you learn the truth about Santa?
That depends.
What do YOU consider the truth
about Santa?

Do you open any gifts on Christmas Eve?
Sometimes.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
My tree is pre-lit, so all I have to do
is put it together and put on the ornaments!

Snow: love it or hate it?
Hate it.

Can you ice skate?
Sort of.

Do you remember your favorite gift?
I love all my gifts.
Some that come to mind, though, are a 10-speed bike,
Hangin’ Tough Live (a New Kids on the Block video),
the O.C. season 1 on DVD,
the Tiffany necklace Adam got me last year,
the handmade art Cassidy gave us this year.

What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Being with loved ones.

What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Dutch apple pie.
Especially the one Adam’s dad makes.
Gotta have the crumblies.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Watching A Christmas Story.
Eating cookies.
Sending Christmas cards.
Receiving Christmas cards.

What tops your tree?
An angel, of course.

Which do you REALLY prefer: giving or receiving?
Equal.

What is your favorite Christmas song?
March of the Wooden Soldiers sang by Harry Connick, Jr.
Christmastime by Michael W. Smith.
Ding Dong Merrily on High sang by Blackmore’s Night
Jingle Bells sang by The Andrews Sisters & Bing Crosby
Joy To The World sang by Whitney Houston
…just to name a few

Candy canes: yummy or yucky?
I’m not a fan.
They are pretty, though.


Feel free to do this survey on your blog as well, but please comment and let me know so I can come check it out.

Will be linking up with:
Miscellany Monday @ lowercase letters

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