5 Question Friday! 11/30/12

5 Question Friday!  Link up!


1. What do you give teachers for gifts?


My kids aren't school-aged yet, so we haven't had this issue.  However, as a piano & voice teacher, I can tell you what NOT to get for teachers.  I've had a few interesting gifts in my years of teaching.  ;)  Homemade stuff is cute but it does get thrown away. (Sorry!)  Since most teachers get bombarded with similar gifts (read: mugs, hot chocolate, etc.), which aren't awful, but when you have a bajillion mugs, then it's a bit much.  One family I teach give me potted flowers every year -- they decorate the front of my house all spring, summer & early fall!  I have a couple that give baked goods (some teachers don't appreciate this, but I do) and if I get too many at one time, I freeze some.  Since school teachers get lots of gifts, when in doubt, a gift certificate for the local coffee shop is something I think everyone would appreciate, whether they drink coffee or not!

2. Do you text? One finger texter or total pro?

Since I'm normally holding a child or two, I use one hand.  It's amazing the proficiency I have when I can use BOTH hands!

3. Do you give back during the holidays? If so, in what way/which is your favorite charity?

I wouldn't say we 'give back' during the holiday season any more than any other season.  We give as we see and hear about needs all year long. 

4. If you would've been the sole winner of the 575+ million dollar Powerball jackpot, what would you have done with all that money?

This is always an interesting question!  Almost everyone says, "Give to charity!"  And yes, I would give to charity and tithe a large portion of it.  Other than that, I'd buy a larger home.  Not that we really need it, though.  And I'd buy my husband a newer motorcycle.  The rest would be invested in various places.  But, I'd never win the Powerball because I know the statistical chances of winning and know my money would get a better return invested elsewhere. :)

5. Will you please take just a moment to spread the word and pray about my friend's missing family members? There still is no news, and I can't imagine their pain and worry. Facebook prayer page: Prayers for Trista, Shy and Matt.

5 Question Friday! 10/26/12

Hey, hey, it's Friday!  I'm sitting down to feed the baby and I figured it'd be a great opportunity to one-hand type all my answers!  Be sure to link up at My Little Life if you want to participate!

1. Who wakes up in the morning with the kids, you or hubby?
I do.  My husband gets up at 6am and leaves for work shortly thereafter.  Not a chance the kiddos are getting up that early!  They like to sleep in until at least 8am. And Mama doesn't mind that at all! ;)

2. Do you watch the World Series even if your team isn't in it?
We are Yankees fans in this house, so of course, we're bummed at their less-than-stellar performance this postseason.  That aside, we do put the games on,  but I don't pay too close of attention.

3. What is the best compliment you have received?
Thinking back, I've received some really great compliments - some related to my physical body, some to my character, and some related to talents.  I guess one of the best compliments I received was from this guy who reviews music for a popular magazine.  He interviews musicians and also writes articles on new songs and albums, etc.  Anyways, he heard me sing a song (a little nerve-wrecking singing in front of him once I knew that's what he did for a living - yikes!) and later told me that I "knocked that song out of the park" and sang it "as well or better" than the original recording artist.  Pretty cool.  You could say I smiled for a few days after that! :D

4. Do/did you dress up to take your kids trick or treating?

First off, I don't think ANY of us are getting dressed up this year.  Long story, but in short, I had a lion costume for Mylo, a tiger costume for India, Dallas was going to be a bear and I was going to hold a sign that said 'Oh my!'  You know, "Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!"  But, Dallas has to work, so he won't be around and I don't feel like taking two tired kiddos, both overstimulated, one jacked up on sugar out in their costumes, dealing with car seats and cold MN weather all by myself.  Call me a party pooper, but thankfully, my kids are too young to even notice or care.  I would love to REALLY dress up but I can't justify spending more than $10 on my costume. 

5. Do you have a favorite bible verse? What is it and why?

Only one?? Oy, this is tough.  I really like Philippians 4:6 (NLT), which says,  "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."  I also enjoy Psalm 1 and the traditional Psalm 23 and Psalm 45:11.  I *think* my favorite verse of all (I think) is 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, paraphrased as "Love always wins"! 

5 Question Friday! 4/13/12

Hi everyone!  Happy Friday!  Take some time to answer these questions in your head or out loud or link up your blog or Facebook with Five Cooked Halos.  Enjoy!  

1. Who mows your grass?

The husband.  Can you see a bit of resentment in my voice as I write that?  Because there is.  Growing up, mowing the lawn, nearly 6 acres of it, was my job and I LOVED it.  In the country, alternating different bikini tops every week so I could get a good tan, lots of singing and chasing garter snakes = the time of my life!  I haven't mowed the lawn in years because guess what?  My husband loves that job, too!  I will sneak out sometimes and use the weed whacker and go to town on the areas our mower can't reach.  

2. Do you have a picture wall or picture gallery in your house (show us! <--- my addition to the question)?

No.  This question has to do with my dear husband, again.  I need his help to hang up pictures and well, let's just say it's not at the top of his priority list!  I've honestly kind of forgot about it, so I'm not too upset with it.

 

3. What book has influenced your thinking the most? Or, what blog? (I want to read what gets people thinking!)

The Christian answer would be the Bible.  But really, it is the Bible.  Not to sound all full of cliches but it has lots of answers and ideas in it that I use as a reference often.

4. Do you have allergies? If so, how do you handle it this time of year?

I don't have traditional allergies.  I actually have allergic reactions to something really common: water....but I don't feel like having a sympathy party right now, so I'm not going to explain too much.  I tell very few people that fact because it's so awkward to explain.  :)  I am allergic to some other things, but a penicillin allergy rarely interferes with my daily life!  I feel for people that do suffer from seasonal allergies because I know what it's like to live in that discomfort.

5. What's your go to meal to cook in an hurry?

5 minutes: Eggs.

10 minutes: Grilled sandwiches.
20 minutes: Spaghetti.

   

5 Question Friday! 3/30/12

Happy weekend, friends!  Enjoy the sun, the warmth, your families and be grateful for it all!  As always, you can answer these 5 questions and link up here!

1. What giveaway would you like to do on your blog?

I'd love to do a car seat giveaway for a GOOD extended rear-facing car seat.  I'm a huge advocate of extended rear-facing and an accommodating car seat only makes it easier to do that!  Any companies wanna hit me up?  :-)

2. If you had to choose between natural artistic ability and natural athletic ability, which would it be?
 

Hmmm, I feel like I have some of both.  I can play sports just fine and I can paint or create just fine as well.  But, I think in the end, the artistic ability wins out.  You can just do more and bless more people with it.  

3. Do you ditch the coat the minute it becomes "spring" or are you a holdout for more cool temps?

I get rid of whatever clothing, whenever I can.  But I am a baby about cold, so I will keep a coat near at all times.

4. What would you do if you won the mega millions lotto of 1/2 billion dollars?

This is a very interesting question.  Well, we strive to give 15-20% of our income away and save at least 10%, so this would be no exception.  After that, a nice house, fully paid off would be at the top of the list, followed by a couple of newer cars (no, I WOULD not buy brand new).  I'd want to make sure my husband had a nicer motorcycle.  After that, the rest would be invested.   Once our kids were older, I'd take them on an around the world tour, because that is some of the best education they could ever experience.  There's no reason we'd have to live in luxury and I'm sure we would be better off blessing others than buying tons for ourselves.  Oh, but I would plan a LONG trip to Afghanistan! 

5. You are at a hotel by yourself...what do you do?
 

Blog.  That's what I do whenever I get alone time.  And then, I'd do my favorite thing: fall asleep with the TV on!  

5 Question Friday! 3/2/12

Here's this week 5 Question Friday.  Be sure to answer these questions yourself and link up at My Little Life! 

1. Where is your favorite vacation spot and why?

My favorite vacation spot has been the Cayman Islands, Little Cayman in particular.  When we went there, we flew in on a little airplane, landing on a grass landing strip.  Only 60 some people lived on the island year round at that time, so it was pristine!  We also took a little fishing boat and spent some time on a private island right off the coast.  Thailand is another great vacation spot and the food is amazing!  Hawaii was one of my least favorites - too commercialized and the ocean just wasn't as pure as some of the places in the Caribbean I've been.  However, if I'm going to spend lots of money on a trip, I'd want to save up for a trip back to Afghanistan.  Not vacation by ANY means, but it's a life goal to get back there and bring my kids to the land that I love.  You can read a little about my time in Afghanistan here in Part 1 and Part 2.     

2. What is your biggest guilty pleasure?

Pinterest is kind of sneaking up there, right next to reading blogs and articles and studies.  Food wise?  Well, I'm knocked up, so everything fatty and greasy and spicy sounds wonderful to me.  Oh, and ripple chips and dip.  Gag.  Can't believe I just confessed that.

3. What is your favorite fashion trend right now? Or, in the past?

I really miss the rat's tail.  Nothing more attractive than a long piece of rat's tail, cascading off the back of a man's head. Haha!  Fashion?  Well, I put fashion on the back burner when I moved back to the small town we live in now!  If you followed fashion trends here, you'd be waaaaaay ahead of the time and looked at as a weirdo.  Mostly just looked at as a weirdo.     

4. What are your spring break plans?

Nada.  Pssh, I've always equated spring break with college binge drinking, stranger sex and beaches.  Hah, thank you MTV: Spring Break.  We don't really have spring break and besides, I already told you, I want to get back to Afghanistan!

5. What baby names do you hate?

Hate is a strong word.  Do I answer this question?  Or will I royally make some people mad?  OK, since I was asked...anything really common and trendy.  And I wouldn't say hate, more like, a little creativity angel dies when I hear another common name given to a baby that will most definitely have to go by its middle or last name in school because there are 12 other _____ in their class.   Another one that gets me just a little, is when people have to spell names in a weird fashion.  They get props for being creative, but really, Chrysthin?  Couldn't you just settle for Kristin?   

5 Question Friday! 2/10

It's the weekend!  Yay!  Here's a few questions from My Little Life.  If you want, be sure to answer these questions yourself and link up! 

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

1. How often do you shave your legs in the winter?

Really? This is the question you want to start me with? And really, how honest do I need to be?  Like, BFF honest or it's-only-going-to-take-me-two-minutes-at-Target honest?  Since we're kind of like besties around here...OK, well, I'm pregnant and I have prenatal appointments monthly, so you could say my shaving routine coincides with my appointments.  Wouldn't want my midwife gettin' all tangled up in forest that overtakes my legs. ;-)  Cue the music: Welcome to the jungle it gets worse here everyday...watch it bring you to your kn, kn, kn, kn, kn, knees, knees! 

2. Valentine's Day cards for your spouse: funny or romantic?

Neither.  I think waste of money should be an option.  I think cards in general are a complete waste.  Why do I want to spend $3.99 on something you don't even read, except whose signature is on the bottom?  Then you throw it away.  Waste.

3. What are you most looking forward to about spring?

Open windows, sunshine, heat, fresh scents, garage sale-ing, warmth, walks outside, gardening, flowers, heat,...shall I go on? 

4. What's your favorite way to pamper yourself?

Reading.  Blogs and news articles and educational books.  Actually, anything educational and informative.  Give me a novel and I want to shoot myself.  Hand me a medical journal and I can't put it down.  And I really like to cook.  When my daughter isn't around. Alright, I really need to probably de-nerd after telling you all that, so wait, I meant, I love to get manicures.  And if you know me, you're laughing, because I'd say manicures are a huge waste of money and toxic.  Dangit.  I can't even fool you about my semi-coolness because Question #1 got me all set up to be honest.  

5. Does your tax return go into savings or do you spend it instantly?

Oh no, I'm a saver.  If it's up to me, not a dime will be spent on anything.  Unless it's a financial investment, that money won't go anywhere for a long while!  Maybe it'll be saved for a down payment for a new house or put into savings for the minivan I want.  Shoot, there's my nerdiness coming out again.

5 Question Friday 12/16/11

Hey everyone, can you believe it's the middle of December?!?!  Christmas is fast approaching, and I hope you all are enjoying this season of Advent, relaxing and getting ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus with important people! 

Here's 5 Questions from 5 Crooked Halos - be sure to link up if you want to answer these 5 questions!

 

1. What's the best Christmas present you've ever received?

 

One time as a kid, I got skies for Christmas.  They were just kiddie ones, but I loved them!  I a practical person, so I LOVE getting make-up, underwear, socks, etc for Christmas.  So boring, but really, it makes me happy!

2. Worst/Funniest White Elephant gift ever received?

 

I've gotten a few weird ones, but nothing really stands out.  Can I tell you a secret?  I hate White Elephant gifts (again, the practical side of me is talking) and will likely skip a party that is having a White Elephant gift exchange.  Scrooge me now, people, I know. 

3. Is your Christmas tree plain and simple (white lights and matching ornaments) or is it wild and crazy (colored lights with lots of ornaments collected over the years)?

Have I mentioned I'm a little OCD?  I am.  Plain lights, matching ornaments, end of story.  I grew up receiving ornaments every year and I'm not going to lie, all those ornaments are sitting in a box labeled "Sell on eBay".  Not even cute homemade ornaments make it to my tree.  Sorry, Baby's First Christmas ornament.

4. "How" do you iron your clothes? The old fashioned iron/ironing board way, the shower, back in the dryer, etc.

 

Um, iron?  No.  Not at all.  Unless my husband is in a wedding.  And even then, 98% of the time, the dryer works just fine!

5. How much baking do you do for Christmas and what are your "must make" items? (I'm looking for recipes here, peeps...)

 

I normally join my mom and sisters for a day of baking, but with some time constraints this year, I'm not sure I will.  So that's the end of my baking.  I do make jiaozi (Chinese dumplings) every year for my family for our all appetizer dinner, and not only is the meal my FAVORITE meal throughout the whole year, the jiaozi has become a family favorite too.  But I only make it once a year!

5 Question Friday: 11/18

Five questions about me that are hopefully entertaining!  Be sure to link up at Five Crooked Halos and let me know that you did so I can read your 5QF!

Happy weekend!

1. Do you have a go to song that always puts you in a good mood?

I love Beyonce for booty-shakin' and Eminem for motivation.  Both of them always get me pretty pumped up.  Nothing slow or raunchy, just some of their stuff with dope beats.  My 'hippie' mix on Pandora always calms me too.  But only when I burn incense whilst listening to it.

2. Are you a real Christmas tree kinda person or do you go with a real fake one?

Love the real tree, but I do have a fake one.  I can't justify getting rid of mine and tossing it in a landfill.  So I will live with it for many more years. 

3. What are you thankful for?

What am I not thankful for would be a better question!  Really, my blessings are too numerous to count!  To name a few: my husband, baby, our health, jobs, and home.  Our ability to see and hear and take in the world.  Our past experiences.  Our families, our friends and our church.  And I'm thankful for my six-pack abs.

4. Which fashion fad from the past do you wish you could wear today?

Loved the grunge/flannel era so I wouldn't be sad if that made an emergence.  Ooh, wait, what about the headbands that you wear on your forehead?  What?  Those weren't cool?  Oh. Thanks for telling me now.

5. Do you wait until the "low fuel" light comes on before you fill up the gas tank?

Heck, no!  I freak out if my tank is less than a quarter full!  Gosh, I don't live that dangerously!

5 Question Friday: 10/14

Happy Friday, everyone! 

1. Do you prefer your ice cream in a bowl or in a cone?


I don't really like ice cream.  Bad, right?  I guess I enjoy soft serve sometimes, so then I would have to say cone. :-) 


2. What three things do you love the smell of?

• airplane cleaner, reminds me of hanging our with my dad when I was little (he is a pilot so I spent a lot of time around airplanes)
• my baby's head.  Oh my goodness, it's HEAVENLY!
• permanent markers.  Yep, I was the kid in class who sniffed them!

3. Giftcards or no? (In regards to gift giving...)

Heck to the yes!  I love gift cards (giving and receiving).  Why buy something for someone when you don't know if they'll like it?  Give 'em a gift card and let them get their own thing!  When I'm asked what I want for my birthday and Christmas, most of the time I mention gift cards.  As someone who returns or donates about 50% of the gifts we receive (if we can't use them, they're out of our house), and because I hate wasting money, I'm all about gift cards!


4. What sports did you play in high school if any and do you still play them?

I played tennis, basketball and was on the track team (which is a FUNNY story).  Now, I still love to play tennis, but Dallas won't play with any longer.  I'm SUPER competitive and several times, I've thrown (and bent my rackets) in fits of rage because I wasn't with ENOUGH.  Yep, not because I was losing, but because the score was too close.  I still will shoot hoops at the YMCA and with my siblings occasionally for fun.  I was HORRIBLE at track, but funny thing is, running is the one thing I do OK at now.

5. Were you in band in high school? What instrument did you play?

I guess you could say I played a lot of instruments, mainly flute and cello, while also taking piano lessons and singing regularly. I was one of those people who after 10 minutes with an instrument, had a pretty good handle on how it worked and could play it a little.  In junior high, I played all those instruments and was in band and jazz band.  I transferred to a different school for high school and for whatever reason, stopped everything except piano and choir. 

5 Question Friday! 9/9/11

Hi my friends!  It's Friday, which means I always try to have a special treat for you!  This week is Five Question Friday....Enjoy and be sure to link up!

1. What ringtone do you have on your cell phone?



Um, something boring and standard that is on the phone.  Yeah, before I had a baby, I had time to download cool Black Eyed Peas or Gwen Stefani songs, but now the only songs I'll probably download will be stuff like "If you're happy and you know it" and the Backyardigans theme song.



2. What is your favorite memory from this summer?


The first weekend of the summer was super busy, but amazing.  I ran my first 5K and did way better than I expected, which was great.  Also, the weekend of India's birthday was pretty cool!  :)



3. Paper books or ebooks?


Paper.  Mainly, because I'm super cheap and ebooks are spendier than paper books. :)


4. If you could have one home upgrade what would it be and why?

Oh gosh, where to begin.  First, our house is great; very liveable and comfortable.  I don't want to complain or seems greedy when in most of the world, 4 or 5 families would live in a house the size of ours.  But, I have dreams of renovating our basement, but I think my first choice would be a patio in our backyard and a fence.  Inside of it all, our own, private, little utopia.  Fruit trees, grape vines, a hammock, a bountiful vegetable garden, a fire pit, lots of childrens playthings and even a little above-the-ground swimming pool.


5. When was your first serious boyfriend/girlfriend?

Um, pass, please?  I don't know how to define serious because once you're married, that's the ultimate of serious.  Everything else seems pale and paltry in comparison. 

So I guess my relationship was Dallas was my first serious boyfriend. :-)  There.

5 Question Friday!

Boo ya!  It's time for 5 Question Friday!  Have a great weekend!

1. Did you make any fun purchases this week?


I did!  I finally, like, finally after years, invested in some canning jars.  I know, I know, big spender, but I really don't like to spend money, so this was a big deal.



2. If you could go to any musical concert, what would it be?

I would've loved to see Michael Jackson in concert or, oooh, the Beatles, but since those are no longer an option, I'm going to have to go with either U2, Lady Gaga, or Eminem - all excellent artists AND performers.



3. What is your least fav/ most fav house chore?

Least favorite chore: ironing!!!! Ick.  I never iron.
Favorite: I don't have a favorite.  But I don't mine organizing anything or sweeping.


4. Would you prefer new appliances or clothes?


Appliances, hands down!  I have now become that mom who asks for things like blenders instead of cute clothes for Christmas.


5. Miracle Whip or Mayo?

I was just talking to someone about this yesterday!  I like the taste of Miracle Whip more but I know Mayo is a tad bit healthier.  Especially if you make your own.  Which is totally on my "I'm the most awesomest housewife" list but I never get around to completing.  :)