1. Which physical trait do you now accept--maybe not love, but accept--and no longer feel extremely self-conscious about?
My nose. I used to really hate it. I always thought it was way too big! I'm pretty sure I'm the only person who ever even thought about it. And even if someone else did, why should I care? I guess I'm just more secure now.

2. This week Meredith Baxter Birney, best known as the mom on the favorite 80s sitcom "Family Ties" came out of the closet, which led me to formulate this question: Who do you think is/was the best TV mom?

Clair Huxtable, for sure. She was a great mom and a great wife. She was involved with her kids and didn't take any lip from them. And I love the fact that she joked around with her husband but didn't seem to think he was an idiot. I hate that about most TV moms.

3. Do you speak any foreign languages? Are there any you'd like to learn?

Um, not really (sorry Mom!). I should probably learn Spanish. We'll all be needing that soon I think!

4. Who is your personal hero?

My mom. She juggles so much and still goes to Pilates class (sometimes)! She's a fantastic wife and mom and I hope I do as great a job as she does.

5. What is one holiday food that you find extremely difficult to resist over- indulging in?

Just one? Apple-sausage stuffing. There are a lot more though!

6. Tell me about a Christmas decoration that has special meaning or sentimental value.

I'll just skip this one because I don't decorate for(or celebrate) Christmas.

7. How do you feel about snow?

I love it, but it stinks because it turns into mud 4 hours later. If I lived someplace where it would stay cold for a while I might like it more. It's really pretty though. Just a huge mess.

OH! Plus, people around here don't know how to drive in it. They either go super fast and cause a wreck, or drive like 2 MPH down the perfectly clear, salted and plowed interstate because they're freaked out by the OHMYGOODNESSWHAT'STHEWHITESTUFF snow.

So I guess I really hate snow!

8. On average, how many hours of sleep do you get each night? Not that I'm jealous of any number over three or anything.

Total, probably about 7.

9. Tell me about your first crush.

Well, when I was 4 I told one of my dad's friends that I was going to marry him. He was a little too old for me though.

10. You're stuck in a room for 2 hours with only a chalkboard and chalk. What will you write/draw?

I'll work on the article(s) for work I am supposed to be writing, but keep putting off for lack of inspiration/motivation.

11. Do you dress for the current temp or for the day's forecast?

I dress according to how blasted hot it is in our house. We heat with wood, so it's pretty much always over 800 degrees. At least it feels like it is. I don't leave the house much (wow, that sounds bad) so I dress to stay home. Jeans and a t-shirt and slippers or flip-flops.

12. Favorite Christmas movie is?

White Christmas!

Because I'm too lazy to write a real blog.

1. What was the last song you listened to?

Rejoice, by the WILDS choir.

2. Have you ever had “buyer’s remorse” over anything?

Yes.

Ok, it's usually over a product that I just *had* to try. Lotion, shampoo, hair stuff...most of it winds up in the trash because my skin/scalp freaks out from most of it.

3. What is something in your life that you are thankful for now that you didn’t think you would be at the time of the event? (Something that seemed ill-timed, inconvenient or hurtful which turned out to be a good thing)

I'll go with my mom here and say moving to Northern Virginia. I was NOT HAPPY about moving (I had a special someone!), but a long-distance relationship turned out to be exactly what we needed. Plus, NoVa has Ulta and Chipotle:)

4. Do you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade every year? If so, do you have a favorite float or balloon?

Um, hello? Pregame is on!

5. Share a quote, scripture, poem or lyric which has been an inspiration to you lately.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
My new WILDS cd (Rejoice!) has a song based on this verse.
Also, in reference to speaking, "Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?" I don't know who originally said it, but I got it from Jasmine at Joyfully at Home.

6. This is meant to be a fun question, and this is a G-rated blog, but please share a “guilty pleasure,” something that you enjoy that’s probably not the most edifying, time-worthy or healthy thing you could be indulging in. Did I mention this blog is rated G?

Vanilla Coke. I did 21 shots for my 21st birthday. And no, I didn't throw up (it was pretty close though).

7. What Thanksgiving food are you looking forward to?

Yes. All of it. My family knows how to eat!

8. What is your favorite book to read to children, or what was your favorite childhood book?

Tuggy the Tugboat.

9. Do you collect anything? (Feel free to post a photo.)

See #2

10. Gift bags or wrapping paper?

If it's books, wrapping paper. I got lots of practice when I worked at Border's. Everything else goes in a bag.

11. Share an after-school memory from when you were younger. What was your routine like on an average day?

I can't think of a particular memory at the moment, but my routine pretty much always involved reading or cooking.

12. True story: Once, in a job interview, I was asked this question and told there would be no clarifying; I simply had to answer the question: “When you’re fishing, do you feel for the fish?” So what about you? Do you feel for the fish??

Nope. And Bambi never bothered me either. God made them for us to eat!

Random Dozen

1. It's early morning, about 2:00AM, and you're driving home. You come to a red light and sit there. There is no one in sight for miles around. Do you wait it out or run the light?
Well, it depends on where it is. I've actually sat at a few red lights for over 10 minutes in the middle of the night. I finally decided that it was either broken or someone thought it was ok to turn it off for the night. So I drove through very slowly and cautiously, looking all around.

2. If you had the chance to re-do the last 24 hours, would you change anything?
I don't really remember yesterday. Last night was a little rough, but I can't really change the baby.

3. When you reply to someone's comment on your blog, do you reply in your comments or go to her blog and comment? (Or email her)
I've never done this, but I would probably email. I don't ever go back to check after I comment and I don't get notifications. So I would email.

4. Your favorite Disney movie is:
Cinderella. I'm so exciting, I know!

5. Do you recycle?
I burn the newspaper, give the boxes and packing material from packages to the company I work for, and put poopy diapers in Wal-mart bags. That's it though. No wait! We recycle our coke cans. We even have a can crusher.

6. Games of strategy or games of chance?
Both. Depends on my mood:)

7. Do you have any recurring dreams?
Not anymore.

8. What did you learn from your first real job?
That I never, ever wanted to work with lost 20 year old guys again. Yuck.

9. Do you buy or borrow most books?
Buy, because our library is seriously pathetic, and you have to pay like 3 bucks for shipping on an inter-library loan, so I might as well buy it on Amazon.

10. What fashion trend of the past did you say you'd never wear again but did?
I don't think I'm old enough to contribute to this. Styles I was old enough to wear aren't making the cycle yet.

11. When do you start Christmas shopping?
For the five people I buy something for? The week before Christmas.

12. Have you ever been so happy that you literally jumped up and down for a few seconds? If so, what was the occasion?
I would imagine I did over something when I was little. No clue what though!

So there's my exciting post! Enjoy,
~Deborah~

This is What You Must Do to Remain Friends with Me.

I admit, I am a germ freak. Like my kid will be the three year old running around the playground with Germ-X, sanitizing everything before he plays. And it really bugs me (my head almost exploded the other day) when people touch my baby without asking. People I know I don't get quite so upset with, BUT THE STRANGERS IN WAL-MART?!? What is WRONG with you! I have had people grab Jonathan's hand which, of course, he sticks in his mouth.

Ew. Ew yuck.

Swine Flu anyone?

It's cold and flu season, yet people seem to think it's perfectly acceptable to get up in Jonathan's face to talk annoying baby-talk to him, breathing germs into his airspace. It's not like he can get up and run away, or even say, "Hey back off! I'm trying to breathe clean air, not your germ-filled pollution!" Nope, the poor little guy has to sit there and endure moronic ramblings about what a smart little boy he is (because you can tell that from the way he drools you know), while inhaling germy perfume-scented air.
No wonder he screams when we go grocery shopping.
So I started bringing the Baby Bjorn because people are less likely to grab at him if he's attached to me. I think it intimidates them.
When people start to reach for him I say, "Please don't touch my baby. Swine flu, you know." And they act like I'm so unreasonable!

So, if you want to remain friends, ask before you touch any part of my baby. And don't be offended when I tell you to wash your hands. And ask you if anyone in your house has been sick in the last three days.

Or, if you don't want to be friends, but want to see my baby, the rules still apply. Because I am his mama and I said so. You can think I'm a freak and you sure won't be the first. But I don't want my baby getting sick all winter long. I'll build his immune system later, thank you very much.

So wash your hands, ask before you touch, and stay away if you are sick, or have been around anyone who is sick.

I am the germ-natzi.

Mwahahahaha...

I can do a Friday Fave Five!

1. We went Outback Wednesday night! Try to sing that sentence like the commercial. It was our 3rd anniversary and David loves Outback. I didn't know or I wouldn't have gone with Lizzie and Zephyr. And heard about it for two months. We drove really fast (the 1 1/4 hours it takes to get there), shoveled our food in and jumped back in the van so as not to ruin the other diner's dinner with our pleasant, happy baby. Ahem.

2. Lizzie and Zephyr gave us (me) roses for our anniversary. We also got several sweet cards.

3. I got a bill from Verizon for $424.41. Seriously, doesn't everyone just love an excuse to call and speak with the wonderfully helpful people who so appreciate my business? Is sarcasm allowed in a Friday Fave Five?

P.S. This is another post in itself.

4. I got three things accomplished from my to-do list this week. This is two more than I typically scratch off.

5. It's almost fall!



~Deborah~

More pics