Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

Playing along with Mer and Angie.  Join in, if you wish...

Put on your Jon Lovitz, and Get to Know Me (as if there's anything you prolly don't know--I'm pretty transparent!)



What color are your socks right now? No socks. Merrill flip-flops.  Telling myself they're good for my feet.

What are you listening to right now? My ding-dang dog, barking at all the walkers on the path which runs behind our house.

What was the last thing you ate? Cereal.  I like to mix my cereals.  Does anyone else do that?  Too many left brains here?

Can you drive a stick? Well now, that's a rather tawdry sounding question.  But yes, I can.  I learned (I kid you not) on my friend's green Pinto.  You know...the kind with an exploding gas tank. 

Last person you spoke to on the phone? My hubby.  I spoke to him tomorrow morning, in fact. ;)  But the second to last person was Sus! On her way into CO.

How old are you today? 41.  Mantra?  41 is Fun.

What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? American Idol.   Or Survivor.  Yeah...not huge sporty mcsporter.  But my hubby loves football and golf, and I love him, so I watch (aka nap/knit/read) Surprisingly, I'm actually starting to like golf.  Because they're quiet.  No freakin' vuvuzela horns!  Ahem.

What is your favorite drink? The list is too long!  Must have:  Coffee.  Lurve:  Wine/Margs, tied.  Non alco: Diet Dr. Pepper/Diet Coke, tied.

Have you ever dyed your hair? I simply help it back to the way God intended for it to be.  I see my greys as hairs of the world.  And it's my job to live in the world, but not OF the world.  ;)

Favorite food? Mexican. Or Italian.  Or king crab.  Or Frost Donuts.

What is the last movie you watched? Toy Story 3.  Cute.  Made me wistful...

Favorite day of the year? Tie:  Christmas and July 4th.  Easter would be more fun if my hubby joined in, but right now, it's kind of a divided day.  He usually goes to Christmas Eve svcs, though.

How do you vent anger? I usually spew, but I don't recommend that.  (This was Mer's answer, and I concur).  I also might be a little passive aggressive.  "What's wrong?"  "NOTHING!".  Next question.

What was your favorite toy as a child? Young child = Mrs. Beasley.  Older child = Barbies.

Favorite Season? Fall.  It never used to be.  But this is one season in nearly every place I've lived which is simply beautiful.  And I lurve the aromas of fall baking, etc.

Cherries or Blueberries? Yes!  Actually, I prefer blueberries, but we have cherry trees at the beach house, and they make for a smashingly delicious cherry pie on, you guessed it:  July 4th!

Living situation? I couldn't ask for a better family.  Period.  They exasperate me daily, and I them, too, but in the joys and sorrows of my life, our 4-pack is the best.  Thank You, GOD.

When was the last time you cried? During Toy Story.  It was just a sniffle though.  Cried at watching my son take his "graduation" (8th grade) trip with his dad.  Culmination of so much...Just so proud.  Cried as my dtr received "most improved" award in track.  Her team voted her in for that award.  Sniff.

What is on your closet floor right now? A somnolent, geriatric wiener dog.

What are you most afraid of? Having my husband die while he's traveling, or having one of the kids die/get severely injured.  This is a happy little topic.  NEXT...

Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Spicy, loaded up cheeseburgers.  I don't really need the burger part, but if it has all that other stuff, I'm good.

Favorite dog breed? I suppose I'll take one for the home team and say Dachshund and Golden Retriever. 

Favorite day of the week? Sunday.  Because of three things:  Church.  Taco Bell.  Napping.

How many states have you lived in? 6.  IA, CA, AZ, CO, TX (briefly--a summer), and WA

Diamonds or pearls? I don't discriminate.  What is your favorite flower? Snapdragons and roses.

Did you get an H1N1 vaccine? No. Got a normal flu shot though. 


Is your life complete now?  Can you die happy?  I have a bonus question for you:  In what state would you love to retire if money/circumstances were no object-or-Where would your dream vacay be (same criteria)?

Let the Wild Rumpus Start

I got that title from my friend, Cheryl. Her 5 year old daughter, Sydney (a.k.a. Scout) is randomly saying that about the house these days. And I know this information because I happened to read Cheryl's Random Tuesday Questions. On a Thursday evening.

Don't we need a little light and fluffy right now? I thought so, too, so I'm stealing her meme, changing the Random Tuesday to Random Thursday, and going with it.

I'm not normally this laid-back about things. But this is how I'm rolling today. Please feel free to join in on your blog or in my comments. Or not. It's really your call. See? Flexible again.

Random Tuesday Thursday Questions:

1. What's the last state you visited other than your own? I'll go ahead and write this one in a super small font, so as not to "lollybrag" (thank you Tiff). Maui, HI (last February).

2. What's your middle name? Jane, after my mom. Incidentally, my Grum is Phyllis Jane and my grandpa was Guy Christopher. Doing the middle name mash, they came up with Jane Christine. A pretty name, I think. And she (my mom) went by Janie when she was really young. And since I'm on this tangent, I'll say that I have a Jenny, and I always thought it was cool that her Grandmas were Ginny and Jan(ie), respectively.

3. What is something you don't like...even though everyone else seems to? Hmm...(first, I'll tell Cheryl that we can still be friends, even though she doesn't like Grey's Anatomy) I don't care for much of anything in the way of homecaring tasks. I read some blogs and really feel like folks get into making a home. I like the fun part of this (e.g. candles and decorating), but if I could give up meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, and making dinners, I would. I dearly love making breakfast, but dinner is not my thing. I also TRY to be a good sport about it, but I really don't care too much about our local college football teams. Holler if I have any friends left.

4. What's the first costume you remember dressing up in for Halloween? I remember dressing as a ghost with a witch's mask. I was sick, and I vaguely remember my Grum coming over to my house to cheer me up. Apparently I was quite the crabby 3 year old. Very much remember the gypsy I dressed as for Halloween of 3rd grade. Fun getting all my mom's makeup put on and getting to wear big hoop earrings.

5. Have you ever played a sport? My nickname is Grace, because I tend to have none. But I had enough to play goalie on a soccer team for several seasons. And I did try basketball in t5th and 6th grades. Nothing in HS, though. I think I.just.knew.

6. What is a talent you have that people might not know about? I have no hidden talents, are you kidding me?! I tell everyone what I can do, for I need words of affirmation. One talent that I have that might surprise CPQ Meredith folks is that I'm a pretty organized administrator. Ahem. Well, I am. It's a splinter skill. One semi-talent is that I like to do accents and dialects.

7. What's the last thing that made you laugh out loud? Seeing a Youtube spot with a comedienne talking about her nail salon.

8. Are you an oldest, middle, or youngest child? I'm the oldest living child (raised as an only) of my mom and dad's, but the oldest of 3 living children of my dad's. I fit the only stereotype, as well as the oldest stereotype. Basically, I'm bossy and insecure. ;)

9. What's the best thing you've had someone say to you lately? Trite as it may sound, hearing my husband and kids tell me they love me--even in a quick g'bye is precious to my ears. One of the nicest things I've heard in the last week is when a friend gave me a hug and told me how I was the perfect mother for my kids. I paid her well, but it was worth it.

10. What are you wearing right now? Blue jeans which somehow have s.h.r.u.n.k. despite my working out...a grey sweater, beige bra and panties (boring! but NO holes!!!), glasses, wedding ring, R hand ring, 18" necklace, grey (fake) pearl earrings, and a winning smile.

It Must Be Time for a Meme...

I saw this little ditty at Boomama's, and I felt like boring you with all my trivia playing along, so voila! Feel free to play along. I won't tag anyone though.

What were you doing 10 years ago?

I had a 1 month old and a 2 year old. Enough said? ;) We were living in Castle Rock, CO and were enjoying the 90+ degree heat w/o air conditioning. But it's a dry heat. Really. We also had 2 rabbits and one crazy lab/span/ret. mix dog named Sara.
Favorite Snacks

rice crackers and hummus with lots of garlic

diet Coke over ice

a scoop of peanut butter with either choc. chips or raisins in it

pretty much any form of cheese--especially from the farmer's market

milk chocolate--okay, Reeses Fast Break. I can't call it a favorite snack because I have a t.i.n.y modicum of control (thank you Jesus!), but if I could eat them all day, I would.

To Do List
My to-do list is the biggest farce! I have a word doc of my day in 15 minute increments, which I sometimes fill out completely. I like a sense of accomplishment. However, 2 things work against the scratching out of items on said list:

• I lose time/misjudge how long something will take to complete.
• I'm sorta d.i.s.t.r.a.c.t.i.b.l.e.

Sometimes, when I'm really desperate, I write down an item I've completed just so I can have something to cross off. I know. Pathetic.

Jobs I Have Had

• babysitter (oh, kill me now), receptionist, baker at Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls, cashier and peon at Daylight Donuts, English comp. tutor, speech-language therapist specializing in the neuro population of patients (e.g. folks who have had brain injuries or strokes), full time mom and volunteer (e.g. school, Girl Scout leader, choir/worship team)

Places I Have Lived

• Born: Iowa City, IA
• Lived: Iowa City; Camarillo, CA; Tucson, AZ; Porterville, CA; Boone, IA; Ft. Collins, CO; Boulder, CO; Castle Rock, CO; Mill Creek, WA

Bad Habits

• procrastination, worry, caffeine, eating too much--especially spicy food which gives me reflux, but I don't care and eat it anyway..., impatience, too quick to speak

Random Things People May Not Know

• My parents divorced when I was five. I went years w/o seeing my dad.
• My mom died 2 weeks before I turned 30, and it was a blessing to both of us. She was a tortured soul, whom I loved so very much. But I would've loved to hate her, too. I'm so glad she's in heaven where God can take care of her. My biggest relief was her salvation.
• I moved around a ton until 4th grade. Then we stayed in the same school district (despite little moves here and there) until I graduated high school.
• I was not a church-goer at all until 7 years ago. God waited so patiently and faithfully for me, and I have n.e.v.e.r. looked back.
• I was resentful for a time re: taking my kids to church by myself. But I got over it. It was hard though.
• I bit my nails until I was 19, and now they're thin--the only thing on me that is!--and sharp, and I have to keep them short. I don't bite tho. Unless, you know, I have to, given a snag or something.
• My ears are hypersensitive to sound, but I love to sing in my choir and on the worship team at my church
• It wears me out though. I usually need a nap after all that praisin'.
• I only wanted one child. But I was so enamored with David that even whilst sitting on my donut for (ahem) my tender hindquarters, I told Big, "We have to do this again! He's a miracle!" And he is. And so is she.
• I'm left handed.
• I love movies. Especially ones like "Love Actually"

CDs I would want if stranded on an island

• Billy Joel "Stranger" or "Piano Man", or "Turnstiles". Mercy Me, John Mayer, Michael Buble, some random 70's K-Tel mix.

What I’d Do if I Were a Billionaire
1) Pay off anything that needed to be paid off.
2) Buy a place on Maui and a beach front place on Whidbey or Camano or in B.C. somewhere--small compounds actually, so our guests could stay forevah...

3) Put aside a chunk-o-money for the kids' college / mission trips / grad school / whathaveyou. 4) Refuse to live extravagantly. Well, beyond having some sweet massages and pedis, mind you.
5) Donate generously to my church and other organizations my husband and I support, like World Vision.
6) Take lessons on guitar, piano, and own one of each. Maybe 2 guitars.

There you have it.

The Terror of Chips

Hi,

I went out with my daughter for some lovely Mexican food last night, complete with chips and salsa and (1) margarita--salted, of course. I mean...why bother without salt.? My blog. My opinion. ;) Okay...I digress.

Well...I'm eating and talking when s.u.d.d.e.n.l.y! a rogue chip pierces my upper lip! I am not kidding! I felt the tip spear through the tender flesh, and immediately the eyes started watering as I was trying to listen to Drama Girl's chatter story of her recent sleepover. Well, as I daubed my bloody lip and surveyed the damage, I realized that eating the salsa and (more) chips would be out of the question, as would be my enjoyment of a salted rimmed, deliciously blended margarita.

But...I did not let that pain stop me. NO! I pulled on my big girl panties and rose to the occasion. I ate enough chips and salsa to numb that lip really good, and finished my dinner (and drink) with the pride and joy of someone who loves food too much for her own good.

And...this morning, I burned my wounded lip on my latte. But lest you worry--I managed to choke it down, for a caffeinated Gretchen is far better than the decaf variety.

So...have you had any food-related injuries, or is it just me?