I saw this one over on Meredith's blog and it looked like fun. So here goes:
WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE: Remember the actress Michele Lee of Knot's Landing fame? That was my mom's inspiration to name me "Michelle Lee." What can I say? I'm a child of the '70s.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED:
I'm not sure -- I can't remember.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING:
Yes.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT:
Boar's Head Honey Maple Turkey. That's pretty much the only lunch meat I'll eat.
DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Three -- Jillian (5), Josh (3), Grace (1)
IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yeah. I'd like to think so.
DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
On occassion.
DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS:
Yes.
WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I almost did, but then I chickened out at the last minute. It was so high up!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Grape Nuts Trail Mix Crunch
DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Only if I tied them too tight to begin with.
DO YOU THINK YOU'RE STRONG?
At times.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Rocky Road
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their eyes.
RED OR PINK?
I didn't think I liked pink, until I realized that I wear it quite a bit. So, I'll go with pink.
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My tendency to procrastinate.
WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
I'm wearing black yoga pants and tan suede, fur-lined slippers (cute, huh?)
WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
A whole wheat english muffin with cream cheese.
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Nothing! Two kids at school, the littlest one sleeping.
IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Turquoise
FAVORITE SMELLS?
Chocolate, cinnamon, jasmine, honeysuckle, lilac
WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My sister
FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH?
Tennis
HAIR COLOR:
Brown
EYE COLOR:
Brown
DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope
FAVORITE FOOD?
Pizza
SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings. My overactive imagination doesn't need any more fodder than it already has in the scary department. :)
LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
I can't honestly remember. But I know the next movie I'll see will be Twilight, coming out Nov. 21st. (Yeah, still obsessed.)
SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer, hands down.
HUGS OR KISSES?
Both!
FAVORITE DESSERT?
Chocolate chip cookies and milk.
WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
The Lady of Milkweed Manor
WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
I don't have a mouse pad.
WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LATE LAST NIGHT?
I didn't watch TV last night. I was reading blogs. :)
FAVORITE SOUND?
My kids playing happily together.
ROLLING STONES OR THE BEATLES?
Definitely the Beatles.
WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Thailand
WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
New York
Showing posts with label Memes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Memes. Show all posts
Friday, October 31, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Labor Pains, or Lack Therof
It's a holiday, so I'm taking it easy. Shannon posted a Labor Day Meme, and I thought I'd join in.
How long were your labors?
Kid #1: 0 hours
Kid #2: 0 hours
Kid #3: 0 hours
Each child was delivered within one hour via scheduled c-section.
How did you know you were in labor?
I never went into labor. I wouldn't know a contraction if it smacked me upside the head. (Although, I'm sure those of you who have had the pleasure of experiencing contractions would beg to differ.)
Really, I just checked my calendar and showed up for delivery day.
Where did you deliver?
In the hospital. Before I knew I was having a c-section, I toyed with the idea of a home birth. But, we live in a very rural area. If something went wrong, I was afraid we wouldn't be close enough to get to a hospital in time.
Drugs?
Uh, yeah. Wouldn't recommend a c-section without them. I had a spinal block all three times. I was nervous about getting it all three times due to horror stories about the block "taking" in the wrong direction (i.e. paralyzing me from the waist up, instead of the waist down). But, thankfully, that never happened.
C-section?
Doctors discovered my first daughter was breech at 38 weeks. Despite days of me laying upside down on an inclined ironing board (not fun when you're 38 weeks pregnant), shining a flashlight and having my husband try to talk the baby into turning, and even investigating moxibustion, she remained breech.
My other two were head down, but I felt there were too many risks with trying a vbac. And, I really wasn't on board with the pain involved in a regular birth. I'm a wimp when it comes to stuff like that. I'll just take my spinal block and meet y'all in recovery, thankyouverymuch. Oh, and please have my morophine ready. ;-)
Who delivered?
One doctor, usually with another doctor assisting. I don't remember much about my first daughter's birth, as I was scared out of my mind. The doctor who delivered child #2 and child #3 was a sketch. He insisted on listening to Jimmy Buffet during my son's delivery and the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack for my daughter's.
So, not exactly exciting birth stories that would keep you on the edge of your seat, but that's how it all went down. For many more riveting labor stories, head on over to Rocks in My Dryer.
Happy Labor Day, y'all.
How long were your labors?
Kid #1: 0 hours
Kid #2: 0 hours
Kid #3: 0 hours
Each child was delivered within one hour via scheduled c-section.
How did you know you were in labor?
I never went into labor. I wouldn't know a contraction if it smacked me upside the head. (Although, I'm sure those of you who have had the pleasure of experiencing contractions would beg to differ.)
Really, I just checked my calendar and showed up for delivery day.
Where did you deliver?
In the hospital. Before I knew I was having a c-section, I toyed with the idea of a home birth. But, we live in a very rural area. If something went wrong, I was afraid we wouldn't be close enough to get to a hospital in time.
Drugs?
Uh, yeah. Wouldn't recommend a c-section without them. I had a spinal block all three times. I was nervous about getting it all three times due to horror stories about the block "taking" in the wrong direction (i.e. paralyzing me from the waist up, instead of the waist down). But, thankfully, that never happened.
C-section?
Doctors discovered my first daughter was breech at 38 weeks. Despite days of me laying upside down on an inclined ironing board (not fun when you're 38 weeks pregnant), shining a flashlight and having my husband try to talk the baby into turning, and even investigating moxibustion, she remained breech.
My other two were head down, but I felt there were too many risks with trying a vbac. And, I really wasn't on board with the pain involved in a regular birth. I'm a wimp when it comes to stuff like that. I'll just take my spinal block and meet y'all in recovery, thankyouverymuch. Oh, and please have my morophine ready. ;-)
Who delivered?
One doctor, usually with another doctor assisting. I don't remember much about my first daughter's birth, as I was scared out of my mind. The doctor who delivered child #2 and child #3 was a sketch. He insisted on listening to Jimmy Buffet during my son's delivery and the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack for my daughter's.
So, not exactly exciting birth stories that would keep you on the edge of your seat, but that's how it all went down. For many more riveting labor stories, head on over to Rocks in My Dryer.
Happy Labor Day, y'all.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
100 Things About Me
1. I can be a huge procrastinator.
2. Particularly if I feel a task might be difficult.
3. Or I don’t have enough time to do it “perfectly.”
4. Which would also make me a perfectionist, I guess.
5. But back to the procrastination. Case in point: this post.
6. It was supposed to be my 100th. It’s actually my 109th.
7. My tendency to procrastinate is one reason I love deadlines.
8. I’ve worked as a magazine editor, feature writer, freelance writer and public relations manager.
9. Although I didn’t start off on that path.
10. My parents felt my creativity should be channeled into a career where I could earn – you know – a real paycheck.
11. I began my freshman year of college in an honors economics program.
12. I had never taken an economics class in my life.
13. It was my written essay that got me into the program.
14. After one semester of econ, I realized I’d rather be poor and happy than rich and miserable.
15. I switched my major to English/journalism.
16. I left college after my sophomore year to work as an editor and finish my degree at night.
17. It was a great experience that allowed me to see the practical application of my education.
18. I met my husband when I was 20.
19. He was 30.
20. He didn’t know I was underage when he asked me out.
21. After he found out, he would call ahead to bars and tell them that he was bringing his girlfriend, she was underage, and she would not drink.
22. They never said no and I never drank.
23. We were engaged within 6 months of meeting each other.
24. We were married 6 months after that.
25. We’ve been married for 13 years.
26. We have three kids.
27. No, I don’t know if we’re done yet.
28. Yes, I realize I’d have to change the name of my blog.
29. I have a very low tolerance for pain.
30. When I was pregnant with my first, I had a friend convince me that natural childbirth was the way to go.
31. I religiously attended Bradley Method classes and dragged my husband along with me.
32. I even had a doula lined up for the birth.
33. The doctor discovered she was breech at 38 weeks.
34. I had to have a c-section.
35. God so knew what He was doing there.
36. I could never have withstood contractions.
37. I cried when they put the IV in.
38. I’ve had all three of our kids by c-section.
39. I’ve nursed all three for over a year.
40. “The Girls” reflect that fact.
41. I toy with the idea of a boob job, but I’m too big of a chicken.
42. I’m pretty sure it would involve an IV.
43. I am terrified of bugs.
44. Spiders, in particular, seem to know this and descend on me whenever possible.
45. I hate swallowing pills.
46. I love scrapbooking.
47. But since I discovered blogging, I've fallen a little behind on my albums.
48. I’m a morning person.
49. I used to teach aerobics classes at 6 a.m.
50. After 8:30 p.m., I’m really not that much fun to talk to.
51. I hate talking on the phone.
52. I agonize over most decisions.
53. I’m probably the only woman on earth who does not enjoy buying shoes.
54. Clothes, on the other hand, are a totally different story.
55. I have a Banana Republic addiction that I’m seeking help for.
56. My favorite TV show: What Not to Wear
57. Followed closely by: The Next Food Network Star
58. I’ve always wanted to have a cooking show of my own.
59. But I don’t consider myself a good cook.
60. I’m a good recipe follower.
61. There is a difference.
62. I love to read.
63. I’ve started turning the TV off and reading more.
64. My all-time favorite book is Jane Eyre.
65. I also love Rebecca, Memoirs of a Geisha and Redeeming Love.
66. I learned to snow ski and water ski in my 20s.
67. My husband loves to do both, and you either keep up or get left behind.
68. So, I do my best to keep up.
69. I love playing tennis.
70. Although it’s been a while since I’ve picked up a racket.
71. We live near a lake.
72. But I'm not really a strong swimmer.
73. However, I’m making sure my kids are.
74. Before kids, my husband and I lived in England for a year.
75. London is my favorite city in the world.
76. Sometimes I dream of retiring to the English countryside.
77. We visited eight different countries in Europe and Asia while living overseas.
78. I was born in New York and lived there for the first nine years of my life.
79. At one time, I had a very thick New York accent.
80. It has since been replaced with a Midwestern accent that sports an occasional Southern twang.
81. I love sweet tea.
82. I can’t sing, but wish I could.
83. I once joined a group called “Voices Anonymous,” for people who find themselves in that very predicament.
84. I've held real estate licenses in Michigan and Georgia.
85. Truth be told, I’m not much for pets.
86. We had a dog and, while I loved her like crazy, I’m not really in favor of getting another one.
87. I went to the very first Lollapalooza.
88. I don’t have a favorite color. I like them all.
89. I can be pretty naïve.
90. I once stopped drinking milk because someone told me milk production makes cows “lose their moo.”
91. I’m also a sucker for beauty products that promise to “reverse the signs of aging.”
92. I always know when I’m getting sick because my teeth get itchy.
93. I love Thai food.
94. And a good glass of Chardonnay.
95. I’m not a red wine kind of gal.
96. I never thought I’d be the kind of mom to drive a mini van.
97. We upgraded to a Honda Odyssey last year.
98. I will happily drive it until I die.
99. I'm a “weak” extrovert. I love meeting new people, but after a few hours, I need time to myself.
100. It took me more time to procrastinate writing this list than to sit down and actually write it.
2. Particularly if I feel a task might be difficult.
3. Or I don’t have enough time to do it “perfectly.”
4. Which would also make me a perfectionist, I guess.
5. But back to the procrastination. Case in point: this post.
6. It was supposed to be my 100th. It’s actually my 109th.
7. My tendency to procrastinate is one reason I love deadlines.
8. I’ve worked as a magazine editor, feature writer, freelance writer and public relations manager.
9. Although I didn’t start off on that path.
10. My parents felt my creativity should be channeled into a career where I could earn – you know – a real paycheck.
11. I began my freshman year of college in an honors economics program.
12. I had never taken an economics class in my life.
13. It was my written essay that got me into the program.
14. After one semester of econ, I realized I’d rather be poor and happy than rich and miserable.
15. I switched my major to English/journalism.
16. I left college after my sophomore year to work as an editor and finish my degree at night.
17. It was a great experience that allowed me to see the practical application of my education.
18. I met my husband when I was 20.
19. He was 30.
20. He didn’t know I was underage when he asked me out.
21. After he found out, he would call ahead to bars and tell them that he was bringing his girlfriend, she was underage, and she would not drink.
22. They never said no and I never drank.
23. We were engaged within 6 months of meeting each other.
24. We were married 6 months after that.
25. We’ve been married for 13 years.
26. We have three kids.
27. No, I don’t know if we’re done yet.
28. Yes, I realize I’d have to change the name of my blog.
29. I have a very low tolerance for pain.
30. When I was pregnant with my first, I had a friend convince me that natural childbirth was the way to go.
31. I religiously attended Bradley Method classes and dragged my husband along with me.
32. I even had a doula lined up for the birth.
33. The doctor discovered she was breech at 38 weeks.
34. I had to have a c-section.
35. God so knew what He was doing there.
36. I could never have withstood contractions.
37. I cried when they put the IV in.
38. I’ve had all three of our kids by c-section.
39. I’ve nursed all three for over a year.
40. “The Girls” reflect that fact.
41. I toy with the idea of a boob job, but I’m too big of a chicken.
42. I’m pretty sure it would involve an IV.
43. I am terrified of bugs.
44. Spiders, in particular, seem to know this and descend on me whenever possible.
45. I hate swallowing pills.
46. I love scrapbooking.
47. But since I discovered blogging, I've fallen a little behind on my albums.
48. I’m a morning person.
49. I used to teach aerobics classes at 6 a.m.
50. After 8:30 p.m., I’m really not that much fun to talk to.
51. I hate talking on the phone.
52. I agonize over most decisions.
53. I’m probably the only woman on earth who does not enjoy buying shoes.
54. Clothes, on the other hand, are a totally different story.
55. I have a Banana Republic addiction that I’m seeking help for.
56. My favorite TV show: What Not to Wear
57. Followed closely by: The Next Food Network Star
58. I’ve always wanted to have a cooking show of my own.
59. But I don’t consider myself a good cook.
60. I’m a good recipe follower.
61. There is a difference.
62. I love to read.
63. I’ve started turning the TV off and reading more.
64. My all-time favorite book is Jane Eyre.
65. I also love Rebecca, Memoirs of a Geisha and Redeeming Love.
66. I learned to snow ski and water ski in my 20s.
67. My husband loves to do both, and you either keep up or get left behind.
68. So, I do my best to keep up.
69. I love playing tennis.
70. Although it’s been a while since I’ve picked up a racket.
71. We live near a lake.
72. But I'm not really a strong swimmer.
73. However, I’m making sure my kids are.
74. Before kids, my husband and I lived in England for a year.
75. London is my favorite city in the world.
76. Sometimes I dream of retiring to the English countryside.
77. We visited eight different countries in Europe and Asia while living overseas.
78. I was born in New York and lived there for the first nine years of my life.
79. At one time, I had a very thick New York accent.
80. It has since been replaced with a Midwestern accent that sports an occasional Southern twang.
81. I love sweet tea.
82. I can’t sing, but wish I could.
83. I once joined a group called “Voices Anonymous,” for people who find themselves in that very predicament.
84. I've held real estate licenses in Michigan and Georgia.
85. Truth be told, I’m not much for pets.
86. We had a dog and, while I loved her like crazy, I’m not really in favor of getting another one.
87. I went to the very first Lollapalooza.
88. I don’t have a favorite color. I like them all.
89. I can be pretty naïve.
90. I once stopped drinking milk because someone told me milk production makes cows “lose their moo.”
91. I’m also a sucker for beauty products that promise to “reverse the signs of aging.”
92. I always know when I’m getting sick because my teeth get itchy.
93. I love Thai food.
94. And a good glass of Chardonnay.
95. I’m not a red wine kind of gal.
96. I never thought I’d be the kind of mom to drive a mini van.
97. We upgraded to a Honda Odyssey last year.
98. I will happily drive it until I die.
99. I'm a “weak” extrovert. I love meeting new people, but after a few hours, I need time to myself.
100. It took me more time to procrastinate writing this list than to sit down and actually write it.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Everyone Has Momentary Lapses in Judgement; Here's My Biggest
Sweet Kellie over at La Vida Dulce has tagged me for a Scariest Moment Meme. Here's how it works:
Well, I try to avoid scary moments as much as possible. I'm no thrill seeker (I leave that to my husband), I don't thrive off adrenaline, I tend to avoid making rash decisions. I try always to err on the side of caution (sometimes to a fault). In short, I'm a pretty level-headed gal.
But, at the tender age of 15, when faced with taking the long route or a short cut, I took the short cut and got burned. What happened turned out to be pretty darn scary, indeed.
School had ended for the day. I was waiting around for cheerleading practice to start and found myself a little hungry. A fellow teammate and I decided we would make a quick run to Wendy's, which was across the street from the high school. (Don't you miss the days when a frosty and fries could be considered a guilt-free afternoon snack?)
It was fall and a little on the cool side. I was dressed in an oversized sweater (gotta love those old fashion trends), a pair of black Bermuda shorts and black dress flats. I hadn't brought a coat that day. We walked outside and headed toward the street. It was cold. I hate being cold. As we walked across the parking lot, I noticed that really it was a much more direct route to Wendy's if we skipped the crosswalk and just headed across the street. Because, after all, using the crosswalk would have added an extra 15 minutes to this little trip -- and that would mean an extra 15 minutes of being cold.
Now, the friend I was with, we'll call her Stacy, was also a very level-headed girl. She pointed out that it was a four-lane road, with a turn lane in the middle. Perhaps we ought to use the crosswalk. No, I assured her. I had done this a few times with friends. We'll cross the first two lanes, wait in the turn lane and then cross the other two lanes. Stacy wasn't sure, but after some more gentle peer pressure, she agreed.
So, there we were. At the edge of the road. There was a lot of traffic, but we found an easy opening and crossed the first two lanes with no problem. As we were waiting in the turn lane to cross the second half of the road, a steady stream of cars continued to whizz by. That was when it crossed my young pubescent mind that maybe this wasn't the best idea. I kept looking for an opening to cross and didn't see one. I started to panic. And then -- Halleujah! -- I saw a car put its right turn signal on. It was going to turn in to one of the restaurants before Wendy's. I saw my shot and took it.
Stacy tried to grab my sweater to pull me back. She realized the car wasn't going to turn where I thought it was going to turn. And, after running a few feet, I realized the same thing. I tried to stop, but those darned dress flats...
That's when I slipped.
My legs caught under the front left tire. The car skidded to a stop pushing me down the road in the process. I remember distinctly thinking, "Oh my gosh -- someone please STOP the car." And poor Stacy, the one who wanted to use the crosswalk, had a front row seat so she could watch the whole thing. I still feel horrible about that to this very day.
Everything after that moment is fuzzy -- some of it has been completely erased from my memory (they say that's a coping mechanism). I remember the car coming to a stop. I remember the older woman who was driving the car stepping out and putting her hands to her face. I remember the ambulance arriving. Most of all, I remember the strongest urge I had to just stand up, brush myself off, apologize and walk away. I was going to be late for practice. I remember even telling the paramedic, "I'm fine really. I'm sorry to have caused all this trouble. I'm okay. I'm just going to get up."
And then I saw my legs (remember, I was wearing shorts?). I wasn't going anywhere.
I'll spare you the gory details. Suffice it to say, I suffered burns on my shins and knees. My right ankle needed to be skin grafted. The skin had been burned away completely.
The policeman who had arrived on the scene, later told my mom that I was incredibly lucky. The car that hit me was a Cadillac. If I had flipped over a car that big, I probably wouldn't have survived. The fact that the driver had the presence of mind to step on the brakes (thus locking the wheels) prevented the car from rolling over me. Today, you can still see the four inch scar on my ankle, but the others that ran up my legs have faded. Thankfully, I have no lasting problems.
And I consider that nothing short of a miracle.
Part of this meme includes tagging five people to write about their scariest moments. So, I tag:
Kendra at A Superhero, Princess & Monkey
Tracey at Just Another Mommy Blog
Rachel at A Southern Fairytale
Pink Mommy
Kristen at We are THAT Family
And...if anyone else wants to play along, please do! Just let me know in the comments so I can read your scary story.
What’s been one of the scariest (in a terrifying or humorous sense) things you’ve ever experienced?
Well, I try to avoid scary moments as much as possible. I'm no thrill seeker (I leave that to my husband), I don't thrive off adrenaline, I tend to avoid making rash decisions. I try always to err on the side of caution (sometimes to a fault). In short, I'm a pretty level-headed gal.
But, at the tender age of 15, when faced with taking the long route or a short cut, I took the short cut and got burned. What happened turned out to be pretty darn scary, indeed.
School had ended for the day. I was waiting around for cheerleading practice to start and found myself a little hungry. A fellow teammate and I decided we would make a quick run to Wendy's, which was across the street from the high school. (Don't you miss the days when a frosty and fries could be considered a guilt-free afternoon snack?)
It was fall and a little on the cool side. I was dressed in an oversized sweater (gotta love those old fashion trends), a pair of black Bermuda shorts and black dress flats. I hadn't brought a coat that day. We walked outside and headed toward the street. It was cold. I hate being cold. As we walked across the parking lot, I noticed that really it was a much more direct route to Wendy's if we skipped the crosswalk and just headed across the street. Because, after all, using the crosswalk would have added an extra 15 minutes to this little trip -- and that would mean an extra 15 minutes of being cold.
Now, the friend I was with, we'll call her Stacy, was also a very level-headed girl. She pointed out that it was a four-lane road, with a turn lane in the middle. Perhaps we ought to use the crosswalk. No, I assured her. I had done this a few times with friends. We'll cross the first two lanes, wait in the turn lane and then cross the other two lanes. Stacy wasn't sure, but after some more gentle peer pressure, she agreed.
So, there we were. At the edge of the road. There was a lot of traffic, but we found an easy opening and crossed the first two lanes with no problem. As we were waiting in the turn lane to cross the second half of the road, a steady stream of cars continued to whizz by. That was when it crossed my young pubescent mind that maybe this wasn't the best idea. I kept looking for an opening to cross and didn't see one. I started to panic. And then -- Halleujah! -- I saw a car put its right turn signal on. It was going to turn in to one of the restaurants before Wendy's. I saw my shot and took it.
Stacy tried to grab my sweater to pull me back. She realized the car wasn't going to turn where I thought it was going to turn. And, after running a few feet, I realized the same thing. I tried to stop, but those darned dress flats...
That's when I slipped.
My legs caught under the front left tire. The car skidded to a stop pushing me down the road in the process. I remember distinctly thinking, "Oh my gosh -- someone please STOP the car." And poor Stacy, the one who wanted to use the crosswalk, had a front row seat so she could watch the whole thing. I still feel horrible about that to this very day.
Everything after that moment is fuzzy -- some of it has been completely erased from my memory (they say that's a coping mechanism). I remember the car coming to a stop. I remember the older woman who was driving the car stepping out and putting her hands to her face. I remember the ambulance arriving. Most of all, I remember the strongest urge I had to just stand up, brush myself off, apologize and walk away. I was going to be late for practice. I remember even telling the paramedic, "I'm fine really. I'm sorry to have caused all this trouble. I'm okay. I'm just going to get up."
And then I saw my legs (remember, I was wearing shorts?). I wasn't going anywhere.
I'll spare you the gory details. Suffice it to say, I suffered burns on my shins and knees. My right ankle needed to be skin grafted. The skin had been burned away completely.
The policeman who had arrived on the scene, later told my mom that I was incredibly lucky. The car that hit me was a Cadillac. If I had flipped over a car that big, I probably wouldn't have survived. The fact that the driver had the presence of mind to step on the brakes (thus locking the wheels) prevented the car from rolling over me. Today, you can still see the four inch scar on my ankle, but the others that ran up my legs have faded. Thankfully, I have no lasting problems.
And I consider that nothing short of a miracle.
Part of this meme includes tagging five people to write about their scariest moments. So, I tag:
Kendra at A Superhero, Princess & Monkey
Tracey at Just Another Mommy Blog
Rachel at A Southern Fairytale
Pink Mommy
Kristen at We are THAT Family
And...if anyone else wants to play along, please do! Just let me know in the comments so I can read your scary story.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Brand New Meme!
I'm a little late posting today. Darcie from Such the Spot tagged me for a brand new meme -- but I needed to noodle this one around a little. It's a long one, so make yourself comfy. Here goes...
Favorite person (outside family)? Wow, that's a tough first question! It's impossible for me to narrow it down to just one person. I have a handful of great friends (y'all know who you are) and they mean the world to me.
Favorite food? I love Thai food. Pad Thai and Panang Chicken Curry are my favorite.
Quirks about you? I check for bugs hiding under the sheets every night prior to getting in bed. Then I scan the ceiling for spiders (they have a habit of descending on me, which totally grosses me out). I trap bugs under water glasses for my sweet husband to dispose of when he gets home (noticing a trend here?). Oh, and I absolutely cannot go to sleep at night if the kitchen is not cleaned up.
How would the person who loves you most describe you in ten words or less? I asked my mom on this one: warm, caring, loving, compassionate, generous, honest, trustworthy, beautiful, talented, tenacious, accepting. Okay, I'm so blushing right now.
Any regrets in life? Adding "fine china" to the wedding registry. All that money for something we never use. (It would have been helpful had I known then, what I know now: dishes with gold banding cannot go in the dishwasher.)
Favorite Charity/ Cause? There are a lot of good ones. We support the Salvation Army's work in the UK and Samaritan's Purse is also a favorite. Locally, I volunteer for a group dedicated to improving childhood literacy.
Favorite Blog recently? I have a bit of an internet shopping addiction -- the lovely Mir over at wantnot.net helps to fuel it. Also, Gourmet Momma is one of my new favorite sources for recipes. Every recipe that I have made from Nikki's site has been a winner.
Something you can’t get enough of? Chocolate.
Worst job you’ve ever had? My very first after-school job was as a clerk at an eye doctor's office. My primary responsiblity was refiling patient charts. There are a lot of patient charts at a doctor's office. It was was a never-ending alphabetical nightmare.
What job would you pay NOT to have? Easy. Bug exterminator. See question #3 if you need elaboration.
If you could be a fly on the wall, where? My son's preschool. It's a great school and I get reports from his teacher, but I'd love to see him in action without me around. My daughter always gives me a blow-by-blow account of her day at school, but my son just isn't programmed that way.
If you HAD to spend $1,000 on YOURSELF, how would you spend it? Clothes. I'm a hopeless clothes horse. What Not to Wear is one of my favorite shows.
Favorite thing about your house? The natural light. We live in a ranch that was designed so you would never have to turn a light on during the day. Lots of windows, lots of skylights. Lots of light.
Least favorite thing about your house? Because our house was designed the way it was, it is very long (140 feet). So, walking the clean clothes from the laundry room to the bedrooms is quite a workout.
One thing you are bad at? Definitely math. The mere mention of numbers has me breaking out in a cold sweat and searching for the nearest calculator.
One thing you’re good at? Word scrambles. I can unscramble words with amazing speed. If only it had a more practical application in my daily life. ;-)
If you could change something about your circumstances, what? I wish I could find a cure for my daughter's eczema.
Who would you like to meet someday? Kelly Ripa. I just think she's great and she cracks me up.
What makes you feel sexy? My new bathing suit! Sister Honey Bunch helped me find the perfect one! Just the right amount of coverage for someone who has birthed three children. (It's option three.)
Who is your real life hero? Jesus
What is the hardest part of your job? Trying to fit it all in -- how do I do all the chores and necessary things like cook dinner and keep the house from collapsing, while also taking time to play and have fun with each of my kids.
When are you most relaxed? After a glass of wine.
What stresses you out? Screaming children is pretty high on the list. Especially if they're mine.
What can you not live without? My faith.
Do you agree or disagree with the recent article that reported that blogs are authored by narcissists? I disagree. In the case of mom blogs, I think the majority are authored by women who are just looking to build a sense of community around a job that can be very isolating at times.
Why do you blog? I blog because I'm a writer. It was my job in the "real world" and it's just part of who I am. Blogging is a great creative outlet for me, but also allows me to document and remember this time of my life.
Who are you tagging?
New/Newer bloggers - Finding Me in the Madness and A Superhero, Princess & Monkey
Bloggy friends - Domestic Spaz and Raising A&C
Bloggers you’d like to get to know better - Fried Okra and Ni Hao Y'all
Bloggers who you don't think will respond, but you hope will -
Toddled Dredge and This Ain't New York
2. Link back to whoever tagged you
3. Tag eight bloggers to do the same, 2 from each category.
New/ newer bloggers (since we want to share the love and send them traffic)
Bloggy friends
Bloggers you’d like to get to know better
Bloggers you don’t think will respond, but you hope will
Good luck and have fun!
Favorite person (outside family)? Wow, that's a tough first question! It's impossible for me to narrow it down to just one person. I have a handful of great friends (y'all know who you are) and they mean the world to me.
Favorite food? I love Thai food. Pad Thai and Panang Chicken Curry are my favorite.
Quirks about you? I check for bugs hiding under the sheets every night prior to getting in bed. Then I scan the ceiling for spiders (they have a habit of descending on me, which totally grosses me out). I trap bugs under water glasses for my sweet husband to dispose of when he gets home (noticing a trend here?). Oh, and I absolutely cannot go to sleep at night if the kitchen is not cleaned up.
How would the person who loves you most describe you in ten words or less? I asked my mom on this one: warm, caring, loving, compassionate, generous, honest, trustworthy, beautiful, talented, tenacious, accepting. Okay, I'm so blushing right now.
Any regrets in life? Adding "fine china" to the wedding registry. All that money for something we never use. (It would have been helpful had I known then, what I know now: dishes with gold banding cannot go in the dishwasher.)
Favorite Charity/ Cause? There are a lot of good ones. We support the Salvation Army's work in the UK and Samaritan's Purse is also a favorite. Locally, I volunteer for a group dedicated to improving childhood literacy.
Favorite Blog recently? I have a bit of an internet shopping addiction -- the lovely Mir over at wantnot.net helps to fuel it. Also, Gourmet Momma is one of my new favorite sources for recipes. Every recipe that I have made from Nikki's site has been a winner.
Something you can’t get enough of? Chocolate.
Worst job you’ve ever had? My very first after-school job was as a clerk at an eye doctor's office. My primary responsiblity was refiling patient charts. There are a lot of patient charts at a doctor's office. It was was a never-ending alphabetical nightmare.
What job would you pay NOT to have? Easy. Bug exterminator. See question #3 if you need elaboration.
If you could be a fly on the wall, where? My son's preschool. It's a great school and I get reports from his teacher, but I'd love to see him in action without me around. My daughter always gives me a blow-by-blow account of her day at school, but my son just isn't programmed that way.
Favorite Bible verse right now? I've always loved Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." (NIV)
Guilty Pleasure? People Magazine.
If you HAD to spend $1,000 on YOURSELF, how would you spend it? Clothes. I'm a hopeless clothes horse. What Not to Wear is one of my favorite shows.
Favorite thing about your house? The natural light. We live in a ranch that was designed so you would never have to turn a light on during the day. Lots of windows, lots of skylights. Lots of light.
Least favorite thing about your house? Because our house was designed the way it was, it is very long (140 feet). So, walking the clean clothes from the laundry room to the bedrooms is quite a workout.
One thing you are bad at? Definitely math. The mere mention of numbers has me breaking out in a cold sweat and searching for the nearest calculator.
One thing you’re good at? Word scrambles. I can unscramble words with amazing speed. If only it had a more practical application in my daily life. ;-)
If you could change something about your circumstances, what? I wish I could find a cure for my daughter's eczema.
Who would you like to meet someday? Kelly Ripa. I just think she's great and she cracks me up.
What makes you feel sexy? My new bathing suit! Sister Honey Bunch helped me find the perfect one! Just the right amount of coverage for someone who has birthed three children. (It's option three.)
Who is your real life hero? Jesus
What is the hardest part of your job? Trying to fit it all in -- how do I do all the chores and necessary things like cook dinner and keep the house from collapsing, while also taking time to play and have fun with each of my kids.
When are you most relaxed? After a glass of wine.
What stresses you out? Screaming children is pretty high on the list. Especially if they're mine.
What can you not live without? My faith.
Do you agree or disagree with the recent article that reported that blogs are authored by narcissists? I disagree. In the case of mom blogs, I think the majority are authored by women who are just looking to build a sense of community around a job that can be very isolating at times.
Why do you blog? I blog because I'm a writer. It was my job in the "real world" and it's just part of who I am. Blogging is a great creative outlet for me, but also allows me to document and remember this time of my life.
Who are you tagging?
New/Newer bloggers - Finding Me in the Madness and A Superhero, Princess & Monkey
Bloggy friends - Domestic Spaz and Raising A&C
Bloggers you’d like to get to know better - Fried Okra and Ni Hao Y'all
Bloggers who you don't think will respond, but you hope will -
Toddled Dredge and This Ain't New York
Phew! That was a workout!
Okay - rules:
1. Answer the questions (Did I really have to include this as a rule? Duh!)2. Link back to whoever tagged you
3. Tag eight bloggers to do the same, 2 from each category.
New/ newer bloggers (since we want to share the love and send them traffic)
Bloggy friends
Bloggers you’d like to get to know better
Bloggers you don’t think will respond, but you hope will
Good luck and have fun!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
"Five Classes I Wish They Would Have Taught in School"
I've been tagged for a Meme by the lovely Mah-Meeee over at Raising A&C. She wants to know the five classes I wish they would have taught in school. Well, here goes...
I always felt that my college education prepared me fairly well for the jobs I ended up taking. Journalism is the type of degree that demands a lot of "on the job" experience, so by the time I hit the Real World I wasn't surprised by much.
But when I traded in my notebook and tape recorder for Motherhood, I found the learning curve to be a tad more steep. Oh, to have been able to take a few courses prior to assuming the title of "Mommy." Being a mother is the best job I have ever had -- and I wouldn't trade one minute of it. But, looking back the following course load would have proven extremely helpful:
1. Tackling Your Everest -- How to climb to the top of the laundry pile and stay there.
2. The Old Grey Mare -- Understanding your post-pregnancy body
3. The Multitasking Driver -- How to pass the sippy cup, change the CD and negotiate sibling squabbles while getting to your destination safely. (This course would include the optional 1/2 credit elective, Keeping it Clean: Preventing the minivan from turning into a dumpster on wheels)
4. Sleep Deprivation 101 -- Learning to Get by on Less, followed by Sleep Deprivation 201 -- Why Caffeine is Your Friend
5. The Art of the 5-minute Shower -- How to shampoo, condition, shave and maybe even wash a part or two before someone calls, "Mommy!" (this course would include timed trials)
EXTRA CREDIT: Iron Chef Practicum -- Concocting tasty and healthy dinner dishes featuring a single kid-friendly "secret ingredient," such as ketchup, ranch dressing or chicken nuggets.
I always felt that my college education prepared me fairly well for the jobs I ended up taking. Journalism is the type of degree that demands a lot of "on the job" experience, so by the time I hit the Real World I wasn't surprised by much.
But when I traded in my notebook and tape recorder for Motherhood, I found the learning curve to be a tad more steep. Oh, to have been able to take a few courses prior to assuming the title of "Mommy." Being a mother is the best job I have ever had -- and I wouldn't trade one minute of it. But, looking back the following course load would have proven extremely helpful:
1. Tackling Your Everest -- How to climb to the top of the laundry pile and stay there.
2. The Old Grey Mare -- Understanding your post-pregnancy body
3. The Multitasking Driver -- How to pass the sippy cup, change the CD and negotiate sibling squabbles while getting to your destination safely. (This course would include the optional 1/2 credit elective, Keeping it Clean: Preventing the minivan from turning into a dumpster on wheels)
4. Sleep Deprivation 101 -- Learning to Get by on Less, followed by Sleep Deprivation 201 -- Why Caffeine is Your Friend
5. The Art of the 5-minute Shower -- How to shampoo, condition, shave and maybe even wash a part or two before someone calls, "Mommy!" (this course would include timed trials)
EXTRA CREDIT: Iron Chef Practicum -- Concocting tasty and healthy dinner dishes featuring a single kid-friendly "secret ingredient," such as ketchup, ranch dressing or chicken nuggets.
And that's it! I'm going to turn around and tag:
Rules are simple...post your five classes and then tag some people. (Be sure to leave a comment at their blogs so they know they've been tagged!) Thanks for playing along!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Meme - Because I'm Too Tired for a More Coherent Post
It's the end of Spring Break Day One, and boy what a day it was. I'm wiped out and, quite honestly, too tired to recount the highlights (or the lowlights, for that matter). The condensed version is: cold, wet weather, no outdoor play possible, hectic lunch at Chic-Fil-A, visit to local toy store, lost digital camera, teething baby.
So, rather than dazzle you with the remaining details, I'm going to answer this meme posted by the housewife a few weeks ago. She offered it up as "bloggy fodder" for all and, after today, I'm jumping on it.
What I was doing 10 years ago: I was living with my husband on the outskirts of London (England). I traveled everywhere by foot, bike or train. I worked as an assistant editor for a Christian publication and also volunteered at a day center for those suffering from psychological disorders.
Five things on my to do list today:
1. Survive Spring Break Day Two
2. Wrap and mail birthday gifts
3. Pick up birthday gift for my sister
4. Have some crazy fun with my kids
5. Laundry, laundry and more laundry
Snacks I enjoy: Oven roasted garbanzo beans (these are THE best), chocolate chip cookies with milk, and chocolate (of course!)
Things I would do if I were a billionaire: I'd want to use the majority of the money to help make a difference in the lives of others, but I'd be lying if I told you I wouldn't do some world traveling and have a few crazy shopping sprees.
Three of my bad habits: Drinking too much caffeine, eating too much chocolate, being a standard 10 minutes late to everything (hey, cut me a break, I've got three kids!)
Five places I have lived: New York, Michigan, England, Georgia. That's it.
Five jobs I have had: Babysitter, receptionist, waitress, PR manager, magazine editor
For anyone else suffering from exhaustion and writer's block, I tag you!
So, rather than dazzle you with the remaining details, I'm going to answer this meme posted by the housewife a few weeks ago. She offered it up as "bloggy fodder" for all and, after today, I'm jumping on it.
What I was doing 10 years ago: I was living with my husband on the outskirts of London (England). I traveled everywhere by foot, bike or train. I worked as an assistant editor for a Christian publication and also volunteered at a day center for those suffering from psychological disorders.
Five things on my to do list today:
1. Survive Spring Break Day Two
2. Wrap and mail birthday gifts
3. Pick up birthday gift for my sister
4. Have some crazy fun with my kids
5. Laundry, laundry and more laundry
Snacks I enjoy: Oven roasted garbanzo beans (these are THE best), chocolate chip cookies with milk, and chocolate (of course!)
Things I would do if I were a billionaire: I'd want to use the majority of the money to help make a difference in the lives of others, but I'd be lying if I told you I wouldn't do some world traveling and have a few crazy shopping sprees.
Three of my bad habits: Drinking too much caffeine, eating too much chocolate, being a standard 10 minutes late to everything (hey, cut me a break, I've got three kids!)
Five places I have lived: New York, Michigan, England, Georgia. That's it.
Five jobs I have had: Babysitter, receptionist, waitress, PR manager, magazine editor
For anyone else suffering from exhaustion and writer's block, I tag you!
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