TAG!!! you're it!

My sister, Sarah, tagged me in a get to know you game chain. Bless her little heart.

I'm actually glad that she did. I never pass up any opportunity to talk about myself. (and, really, I love to read what other people write about themselves too, which is probably why the bloggy world is such a good fit for me.) So, first I will answer the questions she gave me. Then I will post 8 questions of my own and tag some of you loyal readers to answer them. Post them in your blog, make up 8 questions and tag 8 more people. We'll all be connected in a great big question asking circle (Are you singing "We are the World" in your head right now? 'cause I am.)

here goes (Sarah's questions for me):

1. What specifically has made you feel happy today?
hmm...that's a toughy. Not because there isn't anything to make me happy today, but because there are a lot of things. I am visiting my mom and dad today. That's always happy. My mom is doing a lot better (she's recovering from cancer) and that is a very happy thing.
Today, Bogey unleashed all his love on me, hugging me tight and bestowing kisses all over my face while saying, "I'm so glad you're home! You missed me!" (he means, HE missed ME...I think). I also got to watch one of my favorite old movies that I haven't seen in a long time. I got to walk outside barefoot in grass (believe me, this was heaven), and I got to eat three raspberries straight from the vine. It's been a good day.

2. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
No contest. I am a total night owl. (it's 11:30 and I'm still up.) I seriously wait for night all day. It's the one part of the day when I can sit with a bowl of ice cream and not have to get three more bowls for little people (or clean up the spills, or dissolve the fights when "he has more than me," or "she's trying to take my spoon" or whatever.) It's the part of the day when I am one with the computer, or the sewing machine, or that new book...just me and the hobbies. ooh, it's a delicious love affair. And also, if you try to talk to me in the morning, I won't be very nice to you.

3. if you have freetime, what would you spend that time doing?
First of all, I try really hard to carve out some free time for myself everyday. I really believe it's important for my mental health. So during my free time, hmmm...it varies. It depends on what I feel like doing. That, and I am such a sucker for re purposing and finding crafts that are useful that I have a looong list of things I want to do. I like to sew, although I don't know how to sew clothes. I like to sew bags, and quilts, and toys. I also really like rug making. I know a few forms of rug making that are really fun and relaxing. I love tinkering with my dehydrator, or canning food from my garden. Heck, anything that has to do with my garden is fun. I also love to write. I've kept a journal my whole life, and I still write in in regularly. I'm also spending some freetime retyping all my old hand written journals onto the computer so I can save them on a flash drive. I'm writing a piece of fiction. (it's only taken 10 years so far) I love to read. I love to teach my kids. I like to do genealogy. oh, and I like Survivor and The Biggest Loser (but don't tell me anything about the new seasons! I haven't started watching them yet!) There's more, but I'm starting to think I should be doing those things instead of this post, so I'll move on,

4. What is your favorite breakfast?
Just Breakfast is my favorite. Name some breakfast foods...I like them. Pancakes, hashbrowns, bacon, sausage, french toast, om lets, eggs (0ver easy), toast, juice, bagels, those breakfast casserole things, muffins...it's all good.
But i will add that, since I'm not a morning person (see #2), it takes me a long time to wake up enough to want food. I usually don't eat breakfast until around 9:00.

5. You are alone in the house. no one is watching. You are listening to your favorite music. What kind of music is it? Are you singing along? Are you dancing? Remember no one is watching.

ok, first of all, Miss Sarah, this is three questions. So, it breaks the rules. Second of all, I don't know how anyone can listen to their favorite music alone in a quiet house and not sing along. I sing along even when I'm not alone in the house. I can't help it. Dancing, though? I don't know that I am dancing so much as allowing myself to pretend I'm on stage, giving a magnificent performance. It's more about arm movement and facial expression for me. oh, and I don't like the "what's your favorite music" question, because I can't answer it. I love a wide spectrum of music, and what I choose to listen to depends a lot on my mood. I love classical (piano and cello music are my absolute faves) and I love whatever it is they call it these days on the radio, the ones with a beat that actually sing and not scream. Those guys, I like songs like that. I also love the hymns and other church music (love to crank up MoTab), so, yeah, it's subjective.

6. What have you never tried but really want to?
there are lots of things. Not all of them exciting. For years, I have longed to play the cello. We are just not in a financial position to fund it yet. The hubby and I also think it'd be great to homestead. I'd love to go back to school and get my Doctorate in English and Literature. I think it'd be fun to tap dance, and para sail, and hang glide and skydive, and be in a play, and have a solo, and maybe work on a movie set, and learn to sculpt, and paint. It'd be fun to go on an archaeological dig. or fly in a private jet, or touch a stingray, or a dolphin. It'd be great to fly, or draw charachatures (I know that's spelled wrong.), or juggle bowling balls. The list goes on and on, really.

7. Do you have a favorite holiday? if so, what is it and why?
I love whatever holiday is coming next. in this case, it's Halloween. Although, the whole fall season is a holiday for me, and it truly is one of my favorites. I love the warm, rich colors of fall, and the smell in the air of cooler days. I love to decorate my house with reminders of gratitude all around, and I love the projects that come with it (Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving trees, place settings, etc.) I love fall. But I also love Christmas and birthdays and Easter and Mother's day and the fourth of July and hug your pet day.

8. What is the most recent thing that someone has done for you that made a difference in your day?
I ran into a dear old friend last Saturday night and we sat and talked until we were kicked out of the building. She wasn't anything but her usual peppy, happy self, but it did my heart a lot of good to see her so happy in her life, and to see that we have enough in common to still be friends. I felt a lot lighter after talking to her. So thanks! (you know who you are!)

ok, now it's your turn. I'm going to choose some of you to answer the questions I impose on you: (If you don't want to do it, just let me know, but you'll be labeled a party pooper. Not really. Not publicly anyway.)

1. Erin @ The Hatch Family Blog
2. Mekell@ the Family Sandwich
3. Marlene @ The Murray Clan
4. Maria @ Moser Minutes? I can't remember the exact address. (you should remind me!)
5. Eleisha @that blog address of yours that's private that I don't remember (you should also remind me!)
6. Katie @ Yo Mama
7. Amber @ And this is my Joy
8. umm, I guess that's all. I'm not too popular. It keeps me modest.

and here are my questions:
1. Has anyone ever told you that you look like a celebrity? Which one?
2. If you could pick something to be famous for, what would it be? Explain.
3. Has there been a moment in your life that you feel deserves a standing ovation? what was it?
4. When you look in the mirror, what do you see first?
5. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
6. If you had to pick one book that shaped your thinking, what would it be?
7. what is your dream job?
8. if you could live anywhere, (regardless of career or family or financial things) where would it be?

I can't wait to read your responses!

**if you feel that you should have been tagged friend number 8, consider yourself tagged! Jump on in and answer these questions, then tag new friends and make up 8 questions for them to answer. It's fun. You'll like it. you'll see. Trust me.

Did I do it right, Sarah?

what silly kids I have

Some days, the to-do list grows long and the motivation grows short. On days like that, the best thing to do is make silly faces at the camera.




Wouldn't you agree?

lunch woes

It's 2:00, and I still haven't had lunch. Of all the meals in the day, I think Lunch is my least favorite. Breakfast isn't that great either. But by the time lunch comes around, I'm starving, and all I can think to make is a sandwich. I'm sick of sandwiches. I want something good, something delicious. And I don't want to have to make it. I want it to appear on my counter top the second I am ready to eat. That never happens to me.
Blah.
Lunch is that meal that needs to be prepared quickly (so you can get to other things), but needs to be good (so you want to eat it.)

What do you make for lunch? because I'm fresh out of ideas.
I'm gonna go attack the chips now.

I still got it

I was out of town when The Hubby and I passed our 9-year anniversary. Nine years! Holy cow! It doesn't seem that long ago that we were dating, but anyway...
On the day of our anniversary, we texted each other at the same time (unplanned) and said our I love you's. Hardly romantic.
When I got back, we decided that we needed to do something a little more celebratory. We went out to dinner. Without the kids. I think these days that is called "a date." Or if you're with the guy you, like, totally dig, I think it's called "a hot date."
Ok, so we went on a hot date to Red Robin and got monster burgers with which to stuff our faces. (Definitely NOT a cool thing to do on "a hot date," which is why being married is so great. You can put that best foot right back in line with the ugly foot.)
So we crammed our faces full of hamburgers (I got avocado on mine, and it was delicious) and talked about the good ol' times, and the good current times, and the good times coming.
Right before we left, The Hubby excused himself and went to the bathroom.
That's when I noticed it. . .
The younger guy across the room, staring
right. at. me!
I'm not going to lie. I'm pretty cute. Or at least I was once. I remember what it felt like to be checked out, even flirted with from across the room.
I recognized the look. He was checking me out! He couldn't take his eyes off me, even to take a swig of beer.
Back in the day, I would have smiled and looked away slyly and maybe tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear as I glanced slyly back at him.
Nine years later, the flirt channels in my brain were so rusty and dusty that I just didn't know what to do!
I think I just looked away, embarrassed at first, and then glanced back quickly...
yup, still staring.
So I became fascinated with my fries.
Yup, still staring.
Ooh, the specials for this week! Fascinating.
Still staring. Dessert menu, interesting!
Still staring.
I began to search the hallways looking for the Hubby to come back and save me from this over-starer, but he was not to be found.
I did the only thing I could think to do. I very casually put my left hand on my face and rested my elbow on the table and tried my hardest to get my wedding ring to catch the light and flash in his eyes. I drummed my fingers on my cheek, creating attention to my hand, hopefully sending the message to this guy to, like totally back off, 'cause I'm taken.

Nope still staring.
The waiter came over to Mr. Flirt's table then and blocked his view of me. I heard them talking, then the waiter also turned and looked at me! I can't take myself anywhere. I'm too cute.
Then I heard the waiter, say, "who's playing?" and Mr. Flirt gave him some names.
Playing?
I turned my head to the left and saw it out of the corner of my eye.
oh.
a big screen tv
with a football game on it.
just above my left shoulder.

I felt a rush of relief. He wasn't flirting with me, he was watching a game!
But there was still a part of me that felt a little huffy. I wasn't good enough to flirt with?!
When the Hubby came back, I asked, "if you saw me from across the room, would you try to flirt with me?"
He didn't even hesitate. "yup."
And he was looking into my eyes when he said it, not watching the game behind me.
That's why I love him.
Eat that, Mr. Flirt.

The blessed life

I read recently that a blog is like a tender young plant, and in order to nurture it and help it grow you work on it, everyday. I was inspired by this, mostly, I think because I've had similar thoughts lately. I used to write everyday, and I miss it. So New Year's Resolution (I make New Year's Resolution's at the beginning of the school year, fyi. This time of year feels like a brand new start, don't you think?) I am going to try to post something everyday...or nearly everyday. For me. I want to be able to call myself a writer again.

So, the Hubby was gracious enough to take over the dinner preparations for me so that I could spend some time in my garden. Do I talk about my garden too much? Oh well, I'm not even sorry. And I'm not going to try to hide that I love that space so stinkin' much! It's like the 100% perfect child I never had. It's my place of zen and peace. It's so pretty. It's so green (a rare commodity in my neck of the woods), and I love, love, love, love to go out there and walk in and out of rows of thriving plants. There is something spiritual about being out there. While I am out there, I talk. And I work out the problems I'm having. Time slows down, and the knots come untangled. I find myself thinking of my God and His purposes for me, and I always leave feeling restored. Such was the case tonight.

It's getting colder. My corn is done. I picked the last of it today and pulled the stalks up (that was fun...think kickboxing. Bogey helped.) Our lettuce is also done, and going to seed. I'm going to level that to the ground tomorrow. Cucumbers, cantaloupe, tomatoes, broccoli, zucchini, and beans are still coming strong. In the next few weeks, we should also have some sunflowers seeds to dry.

Fall is in the air. I could feel it while I was out there. Can you smell it like I can? There's a certain smell to fall that I love. And I wore socks today. That's how I know fall is coming. I am ok with it. Summer is fun, but I am excited for fall. Fall and spring are probably my favorite seasons.
I'm in charge of our home-school group's Halloween party. Yesterday I spent my quiet time making little goody bags for the kids. They turned out SO cute. I took pictures, and originally told myself that I wouldn't post them until closer to Halloween, but I don't know if I'll be able to wait that long. Besides, you may want to copy the idea, right? right.

I've had some hard challenges this summer. Things that made me not want to count my blessings, only wallow in the frustration and sorrow, but tonight, I feel content and happy. Not because the hard things are fixed, but because I, for a moment, turned my attention to all I have going for me. I love my kids. Love my husband. Love my friends. Love my knowledge, love my garden, love the season.

It is a blessed life.

I am glad that it's almost fall. Yes, you read it right, I said almost. If you are one of the many who have tried to convince me that it already is fall, I refuse to listen to you. I R.E.F.U.S.E!

sure, it's a tad chillier at night. Sure, I have added an extra blanket to my bed and started putting the kids in warmer pj's. But I refuse to believe that fall is already upon us. The days are still warm--very warm--and my garden is still producing...a lot.

Please don't tell me it's time to start sewing halloween costumes and making the Thanksgiving day menu while I am blanching! It's too much for my tiny brain to process. I need some closure on summer.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE fall. It's one of my four favorite seasons. The colors, the food, the chill, the sweaters, the holidays. I am itching to get out my Christmas CD's. But not yet.

NOT YET!

Summer is not over! There is still lots to do.

When I've had ample time to finish up all the summer doin's....then, and only then, will I be ready to move on to fall. (It starts when I say it starts, see?)

p.s. check out our 10-foot plus sunflowers!! Pretty sweet, eh? My kids are serving as comparisons.