Ten on Tuesday, err, Thursday...

1. What’s the one thing you always do when you’re stressed?
I talk fast, get a little cranky, and tend to push people away...

2. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done for a friend?
Well, I can't think of anything weird, but the most unique thing I've done is help my best friend's husband pick out her engagement ring, which was the most special experience! And the hardest secret to keep!!!

3. What cleaning supply could you not live without?
Clorox wipes... It's just nice to be able to quickly wipe something up.

4. How long do you plan on living where you currently reside?
Good question. Right now, I feel like I'll live here forever becausee that is how long it will take for the value to rebound.

Realistically, I will probably stay here until I get married (if that ever happens...) and the I would rent this out...

5. Do you usually vote straight party, a mixture, or not at all?
I tend to vote straight party

6. What’s something that you love to do, but seem to never make time for?
I love knitting but don't quite find the time to do it - or not as much as I would like to. I do tend to knit more in the winter, though, so hopefully I can do it more often this winter.

7. What’s your favorite store to buy things for other people?
It's a toss-up between Anthropologie, Bibelot, or Patina. Bibelot and Patina are these cute little boutiques. Anthropologie has THE best aprons. I can always find SOMETHING at one of these 3 stores.

8. What’s the weather like around you today?
It's sort of overcast/rainy. It's been like that all week! But I am not complaining. I will take this over heat/humidity!

9. What’s the worst book you’ve ever bought and read?
Definitely The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I guess it just didn't translate for me. I got it at a company book sale, though, and only paid $.25... but I still want my quarter back. It was THAT awful.

10. What’s the closest thing to you that is yellow?
The title of the latest edition of Runner's World is yellow, that's it for yellow things around me!

Ten on Thursday

1. Think back a decade, do you remember what your first cellphone was? Was it as cool as Zack Morris’s phone?

Um, I haven't had a phone for a decade. I didn't get my first cell phone until I was 21. GASP. Can you believe it? Someone call social services and report my mom. I mean, that is essentially child abuse because apparently kids need phones at the age of like 8 these days.

* Excuse me as I step off my soap box. *

Ok, back to the phone. Since I was a late adopter of the technology, it was a pretty normal looking phone. My mom, on the other hand, totally had a Zack Morris-esq bag phone!!

2. What is the first children’s book you remember being read to you?

The Sorcerer's Apprentice. I was obsessed with this book, so much so that I memorized it. Gosh I loved that book.

3. What was your first car? Did you love it or hate it?

My first car was a 1987 Toyota Celica. I really, really loved it. When my dad went to pick my car out, he asked if I had any requirements. I asked that he try to find me one that is red and had a working radio. He totally delivered on it! Oy vey I really loved that car and was so proud of it.

4. Who was your hero growing up?

My parents. They still are my heroes!

5. Think back to your first kiss. Was it everything you dreamed of?

*laughs out loud* Um, I don't know. The fact that I am giggling while typing this means it probably wasn't everything I dreamed of! My first kiss was with a boy whose name is Justin. We were acting in a play and played a young couple who got engaged. I guess when you pretend to love someone every night for a couple of months, you start to confuse reality with make believe. My parents were VERY happy when that relationship ended.

6. What was your first BAD hairstyle choice? (Extra points for embarrassing photos)

Maybe the boy-short hair I had for most of my childhood. God I was ugly. I remember being mistaken for a boy a couple of times. The funny thing is that my mom still thinks I look good with short hair. She just can't let it go and I am sure she'd love it if I chopped my long hair off. Don't deny it, Mom - you know you'd be thrilled!

I'd share photos if I had them, but they are all at my parents' house.

7. What was your first realistic dream? (One where you had to think “Oh dang, was that a dream?”)

I vividly remember dreaming that I got an overdraft shortly after I got my first checkbook. I woke up scared sh*tless, wondering how I could have possibly made this irresponsible mistake. And how I was going to explain it to my parents.

Then I realized it was just a bad dream.

Seriously, who dreams about getting overdrafts?

8. What was the first phobia you remember developing?

I had an intense fear of escalators. I was so sure I was going to be sucked up by them... I remember my mom trying really hard to get me over the fear. To this day, I can't say I am crazy about them...

9. Which character on Sesame Street do you most identify with?

Sometimes I can be grouchy and want to shut out the world, which makes me like Oscar.

Sometimes I want to consume an unhealthy amount of peanut butter cups, which makes me sort of like the Cookie Monster.

Sometimes I let my silly/hyper side show which makes me like Elmo.

10. What was the hardest goal you ever accomplished?

Finishing my first marathon. I said a whole lot of Hail Marys. It was painful. The sense of accomplishment as I stepped across the finish line made it all worth it, though. And I'll be doing it all over again this fall! Can't wait!

Ten on Tuesday

A book themed Ten on Tuesday? Be still my heart! :)

1. Favorite book(s) when you were a child and why?
Early childhood - The Sorcerer's Apprentice. I loved it so much, I memorized it. No idea what my fascination was...

Chapter books - The Babysitter's Club. Dear God I wanted to be Mary Anne. That was the BSC member that I most connected with! I adored these books. I would have sleep overs with my best friend and we would seriously go to bed and read these books. Boy were we an exciting pair. I loved the Special Edition ones that were white and extra thick!

2. First “grown-up” book you remember reading (i.e. written for adolescents or with adult themes, such as The Outsiders or Catcher in the Rye).
Animal Farm. We read it in 6th grade. In hind sight, I think that was way too young of an age to read that book! I am sure most of the concepts went way over my head!

3. Favorite movie that came from a book (even if you didn’t read the book and just love the movie).
Hmm... I rarely like movies that are based on books since the book is so much better. The first one that comes to mind is Julie & Julia. I think Nora Ephron got this one right - and I am so glad Meryl Streep won a GG for her role! Such a great flick!

4. Movie that you loved so much that you WISHED there was a book out so that you could find out more about the movie.
You've Got Mail? I want to know what happens after they get together at the end! I just adore that movie. I want to be Meg Ryan. I want her store. I want her cute flat. I want my own Tom Hanks to come along and sweep me off my feet, first with the written word, then with the charming conversation. Ahh, it's swoon-worthy to think about. :)

5. Worst book you’ve ever read?
The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I hated this book. HATED it. What did Oprah see in it? I'm not a huge Oprah fan, but she usually picks decent books for her book club. Total miss on this one.

6. Book that everyone raves about that you either a) haven’t read and feel slightly dumb for not having read it or b) have tried to read and hated and so feel slightly dumb that everyone is getting something you don’t.
The Twilight series. I read the first 3 and wanted to get caught up in the frenzy, but I just wasn't hooked. I actually own the 4th one but haven't gotten around to reading it. The 3rd book pissed me off. And don't even get me started on the movies... not a fan.

7. If you were forced to choose only 3 books that you could read for the rest of your life, which ones would they be? (Or if you were stranded on a desert island, which 3 books would you want there with you?).
1. Tuesdays with Morrie - inspiring, lovely book!
2. Without Reservations - First travel memoir I read! Such a great book!
3. Crime and Punishment - I would pick this if I was on a desert island because then I would have the time to read this sucker. It is long!!

8. Name one book that if you could recommend that everyone you know read, what is it?
Tuesdays with Morrie. Everyone should read this. There is so much wisdom in this book - from love to parenting to life priorities. Such a gem.

9. What is your “guilty pleasure” reading?
Books by Sophie Kinsella. They are mindless reading but so entertaining!!

10. What book (excepting the Bible or other major document of your religion/faith) has changed your outlook on life the most?
I kind of feel like a broken record saying Tuesdays with Morrie again, so I am going to have to say "Lean Forward Into Your Life." It was the first book I reviewed (and my 2nd blog post!). I have lots of tabs in it - see?


It resides on the bookshelf next to my bed and I often go back & re-read those tabbed sections. It has beautiful poems and passages that remind me of the kind of love I am waiting for (like the passage I highlighted in my book review - go on, click here, and read it!)

But mostly, it has helped me deal with the various break-ups I have gone through. In one passage, the author, Mary Anne Radmacher, has this to say about relationships that don't work out:

"I often hear people speak of relationships at their conclusion as "failed." Simply because a thing does not last until its anticipated conclusion, that does not make it a failure. If a flower is crushed while still in bloom, it is not a failed flower. When a younger life is slashed off the planet by a knife or bullet, it doesn't mean that life failed in its presence on the planet. It is indeed a loss to those who remain, but it is not a failure. A relationship must be allowed its cycle and time. Not all comings together are forever even though we bind them to that in our societal vocabulary. The human being whose life is now lived far from my life and who name is not a part of my name has his own story. And his parting was less a failure than a learning."

See? Lots of wisdom is found in the pages of this book! I have a couple of blog posts written in my head that were inspired on this book! So go check it out!

You all know I am a book lover - so answer a few of these questions! I'd love to hear about the books that have captured your hearts!!

Ten on Tuesdays

Time for a Christmas themed Ten on Tuesday!!


1. When do you put up and take down your Christmas decorations?
I put them up the 1st or 2nd weekend after Thanksgiving. I take them down after we celebrate Epiphany - which is usually about the 2nd weekend in January.

2. What do you do to simplify the holiday season?
What does simplify mean? Ha. Kidding. Um, I don't really do much to simplify the season, in my opinion. I put more and more stress on myself and expect myself to get way more done than I really have time for. I should work on that whole simplifying thing.

3. What do you do to remind yourself and your family what the Christmas season is all about?
Spend time with family and friends, read the Magnificat each day (Catholic publication with daily prayers/meditations), focus on the peace of this season. It is easy to get caught up in the hustle & bustle of the season, but I try my best to focus on what we are celebrating - the birth of Christ.

4. How do you spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Christmas Eve is spent with my immediate family. We have a huge seafood feast, open presents, and then have homemade ice cream for dessert. The homemade ice cream is to die for. If you've never had it, I feel very sorry for you because it is AMAZING.

Christmas Day is spent with my dad's side of the family. We have a meal that is similar to what you'd have on Thanksgiving. I always thought of it as a smaller gathering when I was growing up since my dad only has 3 siblings (doesn't seem like much since my mom has 7!). But this year, there are going to be about 40 of us! That is not a small gathering!!

5. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Our Christmas Eve meal. As I've gotten older, the evening is more about sharing an amazing meal with family. The present opening is fun, but the focus of the evening is definitely enjoying each others' company while preparing a meal.

6. Did you do the whole Santa thing growing up? What do you like/not like about continuing the tradition?
Yep, we did. He usually came while we were opening gifts. My parents were pretty clever. My dad would inevitably get a gift of clothing that he would just HAVE to try on immediately. So he'd go into their bedroom and on his way, he'd ring the doorbell (he was able to do this from the hall with some odd contraption we used to have where you could set your doorbell to be a song). So the doorbell would ring, us kids would all run down to the front door - no one would be there, and we'd get back upstairs and there would be a bag of gifts on the deck.

The Santa tradition is still alive and well in our family, but it's different now - Santa now comes at night for the kiddos and then us adults get fun stocking stuffers. I love that the tradition is alive - there is nothing that I don't like about it!

7. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?
This is a sensitive question for me. :( Now that I am gluten free, I can't have any of my favorites from the past - like sugar cookies, kiss cookies, or gingerbread men. But those peanut butter balls are pretty fantastic so they make a great substitute! But my heart does ache a little bit for my mom's sugar cookies. They are to DIE FOR. Well, anything she bakes is, but especially her cookies.

8. How do you take your egg nog?
Um, not at all. I am not a fan of the stuff!!

9. What is your favorite Christmas carol and why?
Probably Silent Night. It is a beautiful hymn and its an easy one to sing in harmony. I'm more of a harmony person v. a melody person. Some songs are easy to sing the harmony to, and this is one of them!

10. When was the last time you had a white Christmas?
I have never NOT had a white Christmas - at least not one that I could remember. And I am glad about that! Since I grew up with snow every Christmas, I think it'd be sad to not have it.

Ten on Thursday (v. 3)

First of all, thank you for all of your sweet, supportive comments yesterday. They were all so thoughtful & kind - so thank you for that. I am feeling much better - the worst part is getting over the initial disappointment. Now that I've cleared that hurdle, it's onwards & upwards from here!

Alright, now for something lighter! I'm back again with the 3rd edition of Ten on Tuesday, brought to you by the lovely Chelsea.

1. What are you going to be for Halloween?
Um, I kind of hate Halloween. I love seeing kids dressed up, but I do not enjoy partaking in that tradition as an adult. Go ahead, call me a fun hater. This year I am running a 1/2 marathon in the a.m. & then going to a 3 year old's birthday party in the afternoon. So I told my friend (the mom) that I will either show up as a) a beat up, very sore runner, or b) a librarian.

Because neither 'costume' would require me to wear anything out of the ordinary.

2. Have you ever been on television?
Nope.

3. Do you have a toilet paper preference?
I'm definitely an over v. under girl. I have to resist the urge to 'correct' the roll when at other people's houses. I'm not as picky with the brand but prefer something like Quilted Northern.

4. When you’re pregnant, will you find out the sex of the baby? (Or if you’ve already had babies, did you find out the sex?) Why or why not?
Nope and this is so out of character for me because I do not like surprises. Even when they are fantastic, fabulous surprises. But when it comes to finding out the sex of my child, I will not (unless my husband feels really strong about this - then maybe). It's just the way it's done in my family. No one has found out, and I feel like I would be the person who would be told she's having a girl, then paints her nursery pink, only to be surprised by a boy.

5. What are three items that every kitchen must have?
A saute pan, a good knife, and a cutting board.

6. Do you enjoy Christmas shopping?
Yes, I really do. It's the best feeling when you pick out that perfect gift for someone. I actually enjoy the shopping & giving more than the receiving. Don't get me wrong - I love the gifts I receive each year, it's just more fulfilling picking out gifts for others. I guess this means I am 'growing up'.

7. What is your go-to recipe? (The thing you cook more than anything else because it’s easy and mindless.) Please share the recipe.
Um, this is bad but I don't have one. It used to be this lasagna recipe of my mom's, but then I went gluten free and I am afraid to try it w/ GF noodles. But if I was having people over for dinner, I would probably make this recipe (assuming they liked mushrooms).

8. Do you sleep on your back, belly, or side?
I sleep on my side, cradling a body pillow. I used to sleep on my stomach, but it was causing arthritis in my neck... so the doctor said no more stomach sleeping. So I trained myself to sleep on my side. It was NOT easy!

9. How do you feel about Tom Cruise?
I don't care for him. I think he's very odd. And he's brain washed Katie Holmes, in my opinion.

That said - I'd love it for a guy to be so excited about me, he jumped up and down on a couch... even though that might not have been genuine and might have been a publicity stunt. But let's just all pretend for a moment that it was completely sincere. That must feel pretty awesome to have a guy THAT excited about you.

10. What books are in your “books to read” stack?
Oo, good question. Let me show you...


Yep, those 2 shelves. 2 freaking shelves. And yet, I continue to buy books. Why? I don't know. But I have been much better about not buying books lately. I have maybe bought one book each month - which is pretty good. Here's a random selection of some books on those shelves:

Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
Marathon by Hal Higdon
The Red Scarf by Kate Funrivall

You all know the drill - answer some, answer all, post them on your blog!

Ten on Thursday - Take 2

I am experiencing major brain drain. I'm still adjusting to my new schedule. It goes something like this:

-Get up at 5:15
-Take 6:48 bus to work
-Work, work, work. Try to catch on to everything. Try not to feel like the village idiot.
-Take the 5:08 bus home.
-Run
-Eat
-Read blogs/comment
-crash

I typically get home around 7:30 - 8 and I go to bed at 10 so my nights feel extremely short!

So yah, I am a little exhausted. But yesterday I was in the best mood all day long - because I had a haircut & color scheduled that night. I hadn't seen my usual girl since March (she called in sick when I went in before my sister's wedding). So I was so pumped to see her, catch up on her life, and have her work her magic on my hair. Which was in desperate need of a clean up & color. Because, good Lord, the gray hairs are infiltrating like crazy. Hi, I am 28. Why do I need to have tons of gray hair? Thank you God for these fantastic genes I apparently have. It could be worse, I guess. At least I have hair.

Anyways, I drove into work v. taking the bus, and rushed out of work to get there on time - only to find out that something went wrong in their scheduling system so my appt had been deleted. I really wanted to cry. Ok - I didn't, but I'm not going to lie - I was a bit on the salty side. They can't get me in w/ my gal until 11/4 so I have to put up my hair for another 2 weeks. Le sigh.

Oh, and I almost forgot. I got some soup at lunch from a local deli and it was SO HOT it burned the roof of my mouth to the extent where some of the skin is now peeling off. Ok - tmi and gross, but it drives home the point of how freaking hot the soup was!

So let's do something fun to get my mind off my crankiness from yesterday/last night. What would be fun? Borrowing from Chelsea and doing Ten on Thursday again.

1. What's your favorite late night talk show?
- I don't have one because I can't even stay up late enough to watch the freaking news. 5:15 comes really fricking fast people.

2. If you got an all expense paid week-long trip for two, where would you go and who would you take?
- I would take my mom to Italy - specifically to the Vatican and Assissi because we are both Catholic and there is so much to see and do related to Catholicism there!

3. What's your stance on Botox?
- To each their own but personally I think it's very vain and unnecessary. I think wrinkles are part of the aging process.

4. I have to read a few classics for my 101 in 1001. Do you have any recommendations?
- Pride & Prejudice. Sort of tough to get into initially since the language isn't super pedestrian, but if you can get past that, it is such a lovely story.

5. Have you ever broken any bones?
- In 3rd grade a boy fell on my arm when we were playing flag football and I got a hairline fracture. Hurt like crazy. But I didn't get to get a cast since it was just a fracture and I was PISSED. I thought it would be so cool to have a cast. How lame am I? I also thought having crutches would be really fun...

6. What are your top five favorite television shows?
- Project Runway, Private Practice, Top Chef, How I Met Your Mother, Brothers & Sisters.

7. What is something you are embarassed to admit?
- Um, I own a webkinz. Do you not know what that is? Oh, that is ok because it's marketed to elementary age children. In my defense, I do not play any of the games anymore - I did 2 years ago when I had apparently had no life, but I can honestly say I haven't logged in since maybe last December?

8. Best movie line ever?
- "After all... I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her." - Notting Hill

9. Cupcakes, cakes, or brownies?
- Definitely cupcakes.

10. Can someone PUH-LEASE help me find a dress to wear to a few weddings this winter?
- Ooo, I suck at figuring out dresses for winter weddings. Oh, but wait, Chelsea lives in Texas - not the frozen tundra that is Minnesota.

Ok, totally failed on the budget aspect ($40) but I think this is a cute gray dress: http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-247-slate.aspx

I love Shabby Apple. I have wanted many things off their website but am always nervous they won't fit right. I know I should just order something and see how it works out.

Alright - your turn. Answer any/all in your comments or do this on your blog!

Ten on Thursday

Chelsea did this over on her blog so I thought I'd borrow her idea and do this today. Here are 10 random questions:

1. If you won the lottery, what would be your one random, off-the-wall purchase?
A black baby grand piano.

2. What is popular now that you just don’t get?
Sorry to get political on you, but I have to say Barack Obama. And leggings. They look horrible on me.

3. What would your last meal, you know, if you were ever about to be executed and you got to choose that sort of thing?
Hmmm, that is hard to answer. I would probably eat an entire bowl of guacamole as an appetizer. Then I would switch cuisines and have a huge bowl of pasta with shrimp and some sort of red sauce. I would have lots of dark chocolate for dessert. Mmmm...

4. When is it okay to start listening to Christmas music?
The day after Thanksgiving.

5. How do you feel about facial hair on men?
Not a fan. I know very few people who can actually pull it off.

6. McDonald’s or Burger King?
Not a fan of either, really, but I'd probably pick McD's over BK.

7. What kind of soap do you use?
Dove

8. What movie can you watch over and over and never get tired of?
You've Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, The Holiday

9. Favorite beverage?
NA: water with cucumbers (don't knock it until you try it).
Alcohol: a well-made margarita or glass of white wine

10. What do you want for Christmas?
Those books I blogged about yesterday. Some yarn for my knitting projects. B&N gift cards. A GPS.

Ok - your turn. Answer any/all of them in your comment or answer them on your blog!