Wine, Cheesecake, and a Good, Clean Man

Questions:

1. Right now I could really eat _________?

There is nothing I want to eat. I just finished dinner. I would like another glass of wine.

Google images

2. Full length pants or capri's?

Full length pants. Capris are totally over-rated.

3. The best smelling men's cologne (women's perfume for the guys playing) is ________?

Just good, clean soap and shaving cream scent is good for me.

4. What is your favorite kind of Cheesecake?

I'm not a sweet tooth kind of gal, but, cheesecake? Mmmm. I like it cuz it's not too sweet. And, with red wine? Fahgetaboutit. Some plain cheescake with red wine sounds good. If it had topping on it, I'd probably scrape it off, and I would NOT want chocolate cheesecake. Too much.

5. What TV Show do you currently never miss?

Real Housewives of Orange County. Love those crazy bitches of Bravo.

Good Friends Have Good Dirt

One of Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop prompts this week is to have a friend write a post on my blog about me. I chose to do an interview with one of my best friends, Amy, and share it here. (Similar to the interview I once did with my mom, and it is scary how similar some of their answers were!)



Amy and I have worked together for 8 years - all the years I have lived in Colorado. We have been at two schools together and have seen five bosses come and go. We have grown closer and closer over the years, and I couldn't even imagine what I would do without her. It would be a sad, dark, lonely world without her by my side!

Amy and Me, pre-kids, 2005 (I have done my own version of "photoshop" on the creep that wouldn't leave us alone that night.)

Me: What do you think my readers would be surprised to learn about me?

Amy: I think you’ve dished it all! Anything else that they don’t know, I have to take to the grave.

Me: Yes, that is true! (Inside I’m thinking, She just passed the good friend test.) Anything about my personality that would be surprising to my readers?

Amy: How highly perfectionistic you are.

Me: Yes!

Amy: If things don’t go how they’re supposed to go or how you are expecting them to go, you get completely thrown off kilter.

Me: *Sigh* I know. ‘Tis true. (She knows me so well! EVERYTHING is supposed to go the way I want it to, dammit.)

Amy: And, as sassy as you can be, I think your readers would be surprised to see you in action at work. You can be so professional, and you know when you have to rein in your sass. But, it is funny, I can almost hear your thoughts as professional words are coming out of your mouth!

Me: What do you think is the most shocking thing I’ve done at work?

Amy: When you told our old boss to stop acting like our mother and to treat us like the professionals we are.

Me: Yes, a proud moment. That was a long time ago. I better step up my game. What is the most shocking thing I’ve done outside of work?

Amy: I was totally shocked when you threw up in my car...and in a cab...and on my front porch. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Me: Those were not proud moments. I’m sorry. Whatever. Better keep the hose ready. Has anything shocked you that I have shared on my blog?

Amy: Nothing shocking to me, but I was surprised that you ended up sharing excerpts from your novel because you have been so secretive about it.

Me: I already know what you would say is my most memorable post.

Amy: Yes, the most memorable one was your airport story with Parker. I can just SEE it happening just how you wrote it.

Me: What makes you laugh about me?

Amy: HA! Where do I begin?! Your expressions – the way you say things. It’s just amusing, even when you don’t intend to be. You are very expressive. You have a lack of filter – when you are comfortable – you can be so candid and tell it like it is.

Me: Why are we good friends?

Amy: Well, we’ve gone through hell and back together at work! We also became mothers together and experienced hard things with our children together. Now, we are trying to get our lives back together now that our children are growing! We have had similar life paths.

Me: How are we different?

Amy: You are more of a risk-taker than I am. I have it in me, but you bring it out in me. I like to have fun, but you tend to leap first, and then I follow!

Me: After all that, please share some nice things about me.

Amy: You have been a phenomenal support system to me in some very trying times. You always try to be a peace-keeper and make everyone happy. You always think of others before yourself. You paid to clean the car you threw up in.

Very Important Questions, Very Important Answers

I am linking up today with Sweaty at Do Sweat the Small Stuff.

I charged 11 Tag-ees with the following questions, so it would only be fair if I answered them as well, no? (Hush, you're right, doing this is easier than thinking of a new, original, spectacular post today.)

What do you think is the funniest movie of all time?

To the chagrin of my parents who never appreciated British humor, I have to go with Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail.

"I'm French! Why do you think I have this OUTRAGEOUS accent, you silly king?!"

What is your most frequent, daily worry?

That I am gaining weight. I know. Totally vain and slave to the ridiculous double standard in our society for women. But, tis true.

Best travel destination?

A warm beach - usually Mexico.

Name one big adventure you would like to still accomplish.

Publish a book. Travel off the North American continent.

What is your favorite weekend activity?

Going out to eat.

What could be a song on the soundtrack of your life?

Come on Eileen by Dexy Midnight Runners! Freaking LOVE that song. So much fun, so dance-able. It is MY song, people. If you hear it, look around, I may be nearby, dancing like no one's watching.

"We are far too young and clever!"

When do you feel most energetic?

On weekend mid-mornings after coffee and getting ready to work out.

What book are you currently reading?

I just finished Bossypants by Tina Fey and loved it!

"My obstetrician suggested...that perhaps I hadn't rested enough during my pregnancy and that was why she was so small. 'What a cunt,' I thought to myself in what was either a flash of postpartum hormones or an accurate assessment of my doctor's personality."

Good stuff, people.

What would be your luxury item if you went on Survivor?

I do not know the rules and parameters around Survivor luxury items, but I would have to go with WINE.

Biggest turn on in the opposite sex?

Confidence (not arrogance), sense of humor

Biggest turn off in the opposite sex?

Bad hygiene, being self-absorbed, narrow-mindedness and feeling threatened by things outside of their comfort zone

Google images

Tagged

I've been tagged by Kara at Nest Candy for 11 Random Things!



I'm a playful type, and I don't mind the occasional tag, so here goes.

Here's how it works:

-Post these rules
-Post 11 random things about yourself
-Answer the questions set for you in their post.
-Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
-Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.

My 11 Random Things:
1. I just updated my "Best of" page up above there. Go ahead. Check out some of the best of Pampers and Pinot!

2. I really like cheese.

3. I long for the ocean.

4. My least favorite time of day is 3-5 pm. Every day, I'd prefer to just skip it and get right to dinner.

5. I don't really have a sweet tooth. I did when I was pregnant.

6. I'm going to go to Target later to get some things and stuff.

7. I love listening to my music in the car really really loud. I have a problem with blowing out speakers. I'm totally that lady rolling up to the grocery store blasting my def tunes.

8. I have really vivid dreams every night. I have a few different homes around the world that I revisit in my dreams here and there. I try to play games with my dreams and think about what I want to dream about before I go to bed, and then I see if I dream about it. Most of the time I do. Sometimes I don't.

9. I'm afraid of the novel I'm writing. It's very ambitious. I don't know if I have it in me. But, I actually take that as a good sign that I'm on the right track.

10. My favorite game on my smart phone is Ant Smashers. I find it very satisfying.

11. I love to laugh, and I love trying to find the humor in almost everything.

Google images

My answers to Kara's questions:

1. If you could travel back in time, where would you go?

I cannot decide between two things.

I would want to go back to a day with my grandma when I was young. We had been at the beach all day. After getting clean in the shower and having that sun-kissed, tired feeling, I would enjoy the smell of her home and the fresh air outside. She had big bird cages, a tree swing, a pool, and strawberry plants. I would curl up with her and enjoy just being with her.

Another time would be a weekend I lived in Iowa on a not-too-hot summer evening. My husband and I lived in the country. We would have friends come over, have a bonfire, watch the lightning bugs (man, I miss lightning bugs), and then laze about together the rest of the weekend. I would take long walks by myself down to Wolf Creek on a gravel road.

How many books do you think you have read (just for fun)?

There is absolutely no way I could determine a guess - thousands upon thousands!!! I have always been a big reader from an early age and am NEVER not in the middle of a book.

Are you a Mac or PC person?

PC, but it is not something I am passionate about. I don't really care. Just give me something to use, and I'll freaking use it.

Have you ever ridden a train?

Yes.

Dark or milk chocolate?

Milk, I guess. Not really a chocolate crazy person. I know, I know, I'm a freak.

Running - Love it? or Hate it?

I WISH I could. Honestly. I enjoy exercising and do so regularly, but whenever I try to run, I have horrible, splitting pain throughout my calves. The idea of it appeals to me, but I stick to walking, dancing, strength training and Jillian Michael's type stuff.

What three foods could you never give up?

Cheese, bread products, and wine. Absolutely, wine is a food group. In my world.

What's a food you've never tried but would like to?

I'm adventurous with food and can't likely think of anything that I haven't tried that I would want to try. I was most disappointed by oysters. Thought I would like that, but just remembering the experience makes me want to throw up.

What length of socks do you prefer?

Ankle socks for working out; otherwise, I like socks up to my knees. So comfortable. But, I would NEVER wear them like that with exposed legs. There's a trend I do not like.

What was your favorite class in Jr. High or High School?

Nerd alert! Honors English classes. Always my fave.

Do you know a foreign language?

Double nerd alert! I took Japanese in high school because I was always up for a challenge and really enjoyed it! Of course, I don't remember much of it now, only a little.

Google images

My questions for the next group:

What do you think is the funniest movie of all time?
What is your most frequent, daily worry?

Best travel destination?
Name one big adventure you would like to still accomplish.
What is your favorite weekend activity?
What could be a song on the soundtrack of your life?
When do you feel most energetic?
What book are you currently reading?
What would be your luxury item if you went on Survivor?

Biggest turn on in the opposite sex?

Biggest turn off in the opposite sex?

Google images

Tag, you're it!

Glen's Life

Absolutely Narcissism

From Corporate to Domestic

Good Girl Gone Redneck

The Suniverse

Scattered Joy

Unofficial Mom

Wonder, Friend

With Just a Bit of Magic

Stacy Uncorked

Things I Can't Say

Sunday Stealing Part 3, Drinky Poo Edition

It's Part 3 of the Sunday Stealing meme. Perfect for a Sunday!



36. Have you watched American Horror Story?

No thank you.

My best friend will tell you that my relationship with horror movies ended in her house in New York. It was not good. Maybe I'll tell the story someday. Maybe I'll just leave it at that.

37. Baseball hat or toque?

Baseball hat! I love wearing a baseball cap around in Mexico that says, Drinky Poo. Thanks again to my best friend.

38. Do you shampoo or soap up first in the shower?

You really care?

39. Wet the toothbrush or brush dry with the toothpaste?

Umm, wet is ALWAYS better.

40. Pen or pencil?

Depends.

41. Have you ever gambled at a casino?

Absolutely.

42. Have you thrown up on a plane?

No.

43. Have you thrown up in a car?

Absolutely.

My other best friend could tell you about that, but not me.

44. Have you thrown up at work?

No.

45. Do you scream on roller coasters?

Absolutely. I love it.

46. How many shoes do you have?

I have never counted. I am picturing my closet in my mind right now, and if I had to guess (too lazy to go upstairs for an answer that I don't believe people truly care about), I would say: 40.

47. Who was your first roommate?

Wow, she was so exciting, I can't even remember her name (sarcasm). I was a freshman in college. She was in our room doing...I don't know. I was elsewhere. Finding trouble, drinking, and smoking stuff.

48. What alcoholic beverage did you drink when you got drunk for the first time?

Jungle Juice!!!

49. What was your first job?

Working at a frozen yogurt shop.

50. What was your first car?

A 1986 Pontiac LE 6000. Oh yeah. Drove that fucker into the ground.

51. When did you go to your first funeral?

I don't remember how old I was when I went with my dad to a funeral in California for a distant relative of mine. I was little, but I have many memories of that.

52. How old were you when you first moved away from your hometown?

18!

53. Who was your first grade teacher?

Ms. Rappalas or something like that. I don't exactly remember her name, but I remember getting in big trouble for spanking a boy when he annoyed me.

54. Where did you go on your first airplane ride?

To California to see my dear grandma.

55. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with?

I never snuck out of my house. I saved all evil behavior for college when I moved away at 18.

I used to climb out of my window late and lay in the grass and look at the stars but nothing exciting.

56. Who was your first best friend and are you still friends with them?

We still keep in touch.

57. Where did you live the first time you moved out of your parents’ house?

Flagstaff, Arizona

58. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?

My mom.

59. Whose wedding were you in the first time you were a bridesmaid or a groomsmen?

My best friend, Juli.

60. What is the first thing you do in the morning?

Pee

61. What was the first concert you attended?

The most MEMORABLE concerts (I changed the question) was U2 concerts.

62. First tattoo or piercing?

Boring here. Only ear piercings.

63. First celebrity crush?

I'd rather just tell you my current celeb crushes.

Google images

And just because I love you, and I think everyone should love this:

Google images

Sunday Stealing Part 2 ("Tell me more, did you get very far?")

Today, I am doing Part 2 of the Sunday Stealing meme. Perfect for a Sunday!



21. Did you go to your high school prom?

Yes.

22. Perfect time to wake up?

I wish I could sleep until 10:00 am.

23. Perfect time to go to bed?

I wish I could stay up until midnight.

I prefer to stay up and sleep in. This does not mix well with young child.

24. Do you use your queen right away in chess?

Only if it will benefit me well. Don't be afraid to let the lady play!

25. Ever been in a car accident?

Nope! Ha! To the amazement of my husband. He doesn't appreciate my driving skillz.

26. Closer to mom or dad…or neither?

Mom.

I love that scene in Forrest Gump when Forrest comes home after serving in the war. His mom opens the front door, and he says, "I'm home, Mama."

27. What age is this exciting life over for you?

I don't know, and I'm glad I don't.

28. What decade during the 20th century would you have chosen to be a teenager?

When I was a little kid, I always wanted to have lived in the 50's. I LOVED the movie Grease. I wanted to wear big, poofy skirts. When I went to get my hair cut, I would always tell the lady to "make me look like Sandy." (The Sandy at the END of the movie. Oh yeah.) I was DEVASTATED when my parents told me that Sandy and Danny were not real people - only actors.

Still to this day, I love to quote the smooth talking Danny, "Oh, come on, don't make me laugh. Hah. Hah. Hah."

29. Favorite shoes you have EVER owned?

I have these shoes that I ordered from Victoria's Secret about 7 years ago. I cannot get rid of them even though they have been through A LOT. I like to wear them out. They are leather, and they fit my foot so well - they are so comfortable! Yet, they look kick ass. They don't look like they'd be comfortable. They have a pointy toe, and when I wear them with long jeans, it looks like I'm wearing heels, but they aren't heels. They are flats, which I'm grateful for because I'm so freaking tall.

30. Do you have an article of clothing you have had since you were in high school?

College, yes. High school, no.

31. Were you in track and field?

No.

32. Were you ever in a school talent show?

No, but I will NEVER forget this awesome talent show when I was in seventh grade. This kid, I won't reveal his name here since I haven't talked to him since high school, he lip synched to "I Wanna be a Cowboy" by Boys Don't Cry. He sat on a bouncy horse, holding a Cabbage Patch Girl and would look at her and lip synch, "And you can be my cow girl!" It was genius. It was hilarious. I still tell people about it. Wonder where that guy is now?

33. Have you ever written in a library book?

No. I would never disrespect property like that. (That was said with total sarcasm. If you want to know why, read this post.)

34. Allergic to?

Sulfa - it is an antibiotic. If I were to ever take it again, I could die. When I found out I was allergic to this medicine, it was scary! I was driving up to University of Northern Iowa where I was in grad school and working as a graduate assistant. In the car, I started breaking out in so many awful hives, they tightened my scalp, spread to my ears, and I lost my hearing! I went straight to the health clinic on campus.

35. Favorite fruit?

Watermelon

Google images

Sunday Stealing

Today, I am participating in a Sunday Stealing meme. Perfect for a Sunday!



1. Song that always makes you sad?

Here's the last few lines of an Indigo Girls' song, Fly Away:
"Fly away little bird
The saddest song I ever heard
Was the one that I wrote you in my heart
That never made it to the world."

2. Last thing you bought?

Groceries. The never-ending chore.

3. Last person you argued with?

My three year old son. Have you argued with a three year old? Yeah, it's fun. You might as well just go bang your head against a wall for a while. You'll get more accomplished.

4. Do you put butter before putting the peanut butter on?

Absolutely not.

5. One of your stuffed animals’ names as a kid?

My Cabbage Patch kid's name was Patton.

6. Did you ever at one time own a Barenaked Ladies CD?

No.

7. Favorite day of the week?

Saturday

8. Favorite sundae topping?

Nuts! I love nuts. Ha!

9. Did you take piano lessons?

Yes

10. Most frequent song played?

In my life? Holy crap, I don't know! Some contenders may be Hotel California by the Eagles or Into the Mystic by Van Morrison. Currently, right now in my life? On my iPod, I most frequently play Lady Gaga's You and I. On my USB, I most frequently play Regina Spektor.

11. T.V. show you secretly enjoy?

I love watching Real Housewives. Every week, it's like a social train wreck. And, it's no secret. Everyone knows I love to watch filthy, crappy TV.

12. Would you rather play basketball or hockey?

Basketball

13. Date someone older or younger?

Older

14. One place you could travel right now?

Mexico

15. Do you use umbrellas?

No. Too much trouble. Just run.

16. Do you know all the words to the Canadian national anthem?

"Oh, Canada!" That's all I know.

17. Favorite cheese?

I love all cheese! Particularly, cheddar, pepperjack, and gouda.

18. The Smith’s or The Cure?

The Cure

19. Do you prefer blondes or brunettes?

What? This is not something I ponder.

20. Best job you ever had?

I'm pretty content with my job right now and have stayed there the longest than anywhere I've been. I am a school psychologist.


There! Fascinating, right? I'm so glad you know me better.