Yesterday my 11-year-old daughter and I had a "Girl Day" - which means we spent 5 hours shopping for school clothes and shoes, (and if you've ever shopped with an 11-year-old girl, you know that the same rules apply as when hunting skittish deer - that means no sudden movements, just blending into the background, being very careful not to show too much enthusiasm about things she chooses, because if MOM thinks it's cool, then it probably isn't really... so no sudden movements, just a non-commital "yeah, that's good, whatever" is as far as I can go)... then going out to lunch, dinner, and ice cream, with a quick run back home to get the Kohls coupons I had forgotten (but would save us over $30, so you've got to be kidding if you didn't think I was going to pass that up!) and which also means that by the end of the day all we wanted to do was collapse in a heap with pizza and chardonnay (for me, of course, not Middle C) and watch mindless episodes of DC Cupcakes, my daughter's current favorite show. Even though it's the SAME SHOW EVERY EPISODE and I'm at the point of talking back to the characters while watching it. But I can't do that very often, because then Middle C gets all offended and says "Mom, if you don't like it, you don't have to watch it!" And again, the rules of hunting apply - to be accepted into the wilderness, one must blend in and act as much like the animal as possible... So I quickly shut my mouth because, really, I'd rather watch her shows with her than have her shut me out of her life.
So anyway... that's why I forgot to do the blog last night. I was in a shopping-induced coma.
But for my faithful readers (all two of you), I'm awake now, I've got coffee in hand, and I'm ready to Hodgepodge!
1. What's your worst food memory? How about one of your best?
Worst would probably be the time I was in Australia and my friend Barb gave me some Vegemite. OH MY LANTA - I'm sorry, I know people all over the globe love this stuff, and I know they use it like peanut butter, but this is NOTHING LIKE PEANUT BUTTER!!! Salty, bitter stuff... blech!!
Best - I blogged about that here. Yep, still the top of my all-time-awesome food experiences. (Scroll down to Question #6) And i know this is a family-friendly blog, but that experience was nothing more than a total foodgasm. ;-)
2. Do you appreciate people telling it like it is, or would you rather a speaker temper his/her words and maybe beat around the bush a little? How about when you're the one communicating...which type are you?
I think there are ways to tell the complete truth without being harsh - avoiding topics and giving half-answers is never a good way to communicate, but neither is being cruel. I will say that I appreciate people telling me it how it is, because it leaves very little room for guessing what they really think or what the issues are. When I'm communicating, it depends on the situation - for the most part, if it's really major, then I won't beat around the bush (but I'll still be kind). But most of the time I will wait to assess the situation and then proceed forward. But if it's my kids' safety or if I feel like someone is not being truthful, then watch out - mama bear is on the move and you'd better believe I will be extremely direct with you!
3. What's your favorite place to hang out?
Oh, so many places... anywhere I can have good conversation with good friends or family, with a cup of coffee (am) or glass of wine (pm) and pray and fellowship and laugh together!
4. When do you most feel like you're a slave to time?
When the school year and fall sports/marching band season is underway. Goodbye lazy summer days! Sigh...
5. What was the last concert you attended? Who'd you go with? Was it any good?
The last concert I attended was with my family, and some dear friends and their children, who drove down from LA to go with us. We saw Tim Hawkins and Bob Smiley perform - they are Christian comedians - and they were hilarious! We had a really fun time! Here is his music video to a song that warns about the dangers of shopping on Craig's List - so funny, my kids go around singing this!
6. Reality TV...harmful or harmless? What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to reality TV?
I think as long as people don't think reality tv is really reality, then it's ok. Mindless entertainment. The problem becomes when people think that the way people act and the way relationships are portrayed on those shows are actually real, and how it is supposed to work in the real world.
I do enjoy the "reality tv" cooking shows, which I do think are pretty harmless. My guilty pleasure (my daughter's is obviously DC Cupcakes...) is Master Chef , Chopped, and Hells Kitchen. I love seeing what chefs come up with under time pressures with unique ingredients. I can relate... at 4 pm, staring at a mishmash of things in the pantry and fridge, often times I feel the same way... "What on earth can I put on the table in one hour using ancient kool-aid packets, brown rice, and a turnip? GO!"
7. What's something you think is overrated?
TOMS shoes. I know, I know... they are a great company, and I do so love their philanthropic mission (for every pair of TOMS purchased, the company sends a pair to needy children). I love that. BUT... so many of my friends had also raved about how much they loved their TOMS shoes, and how comfy they are, etc. And EVERY ONE wears them down here in Orange County. Along with their Lululemon yoga pants. OK, maybe not together, but you get what I'm saying... it's a "thing" they do here. So, not being one to ignore the current fashion trends, and also to help some poor child overseas, I took some money I got for my birthday and bought a pair. And I've got to say... they are cute, but not comfortable. I put them on and I'm all, "Meh, I've had better." and I'm not a shoe snob, by any means, as my friend Melissa can tell you (with a sad, small shake of her head - love you Mel!) - but yeah, for how much these shoes were, and for how high demand they are, I think they are a bit overrated.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I know I had something really cool I was going to write here, but my hubby is still asleep upstairs, my Big C is up at church camp, my Little C is spending the night at my parents' house, and my Middle C just came downstairs with her blanket and is cuddled up next to me, wanting to watch another episode of DC Cupcakes. So I'm going to snuggle her close, watch this show with her, and treasure this time that I know is all too fleeting.
Turns out I DID have something really cool to write after all. Love my girl!
So anyway... that's why I forgot to do the blog last night. I was in a shopping-induced coma.
But for my faithful readers (all two of you), I'm awake now, I've got coffee in hand, and I'm ready to Hodgepodge!
1. What's your worst food memory? How about one of your best?
Worst would probably be the time I was in Australia and my friend Barb gave me some Vegemite. OH MY LANTA - I'm sorry, I know people all over the globe love this stuff, and I know they use it like peanut butter, but this is NOTHING LIKE PEANUT BUTTER!!! Salty, bitter stuff... blech!!
Best - I blogged about that here. Yep, still the top of my all-time-awesome food experiences. (Scroll down to Question #6) And i know this is a family-friendly blog, but that experience was nothing more than a total foodgasm. ;-)
2. Do you appreciate people telling it like it is, or would you rather a speaker temper his/her words and maybe beat around the bush a little? How about when you're the one communicating...which type are you?
I think there are ways to tell the complete truth without being harsh - avoiding topics and giving half-answers is never a good way to communicate, but neither is being cruel. I will say that I appreciate people telling me it how it is, because it leaves very little room for guessing what they really think or what the issues are. When I'm communicating, it depends on the situation - for the most part, if it's really major, then I won't beat around the bush (but I'll still be kind). But most of the time I will wait to assess the situation and then proceed forward. But if it's my kids' safety or if I feel like someone is not being truthful, then watch out - mama bear is on the move and you'd better believe I will be extremely direct with you!
3. What's your favorite place to hang out?
Oh, so many places... anywhere I can have good conversation with good friends or family, with a cup of coffee (am) or glass of wine (pm) and pray and fellowship and laugh together!
4. When do you most feel like you're a slave to time?
When the school year and fall sports/marching band season is underway. Goodbye lazy summer days! Sigh...
5. What was the last concert you attended? Who'd you go with? Was it any good?
The last concert I attended was with my family, and some dear friends and their children, who drove down from LA to go with us. We saw Tim Hawkins and Bob Smiley perform - they are Christian comedians - and they were hilarious! We had a really fun time! Here is his music video to a song that warns about the dangers of shopping on Craig's List - so funny, my kids go around singing this!
6. Reality TV...harmful or harmless? What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to reality TV?
I think as long as people don't think reality tv is really reality, then it's ok. Mindless entertainment. The problem becomes when people think that the way people act and the way relationships are portrayed on those shows are actually real, and how it is supposed to work in the real world.
I do enjoy the "reality tv" cooking shows, which I do think are pretty harmless. My guilty pleasure (my daughter's is obviously DC Cupcakes...) is Master Chef , Chopped, and Hells Kitchen. I love seeing what chefs come up with under time pressures with unique ingredients. I can relate... at 4 pm, staring at a mishmash of things in the pantry and fridge, often times I feel the same way... "What on earth can I put on the table in one hour using ancient kool-aid packets, brown rice, and a turnip? GO!"
7. What's something you think is overrated?
TOMS shoes. I know, I know... they are a great company, and I do so love their philanthropic mission (for every pair of TOMS purchased, the company sends a pair to needy children). I love that. BUT... so many of my friends had also raved about how much they loved their TOMS shoes, and how comfy they are, etc. And EVERY ONE wears them down here in Orange County. Along with their Lululemon yoga pants. OK, maybe not together, but you get what I'm saying... it's a "thing" they do here. So, not being one to ignore the current fashion trends, and also to help some poor child overseas, I took some money I got for my birthday and bought a pair. And I've got to say... they are cute, but not comfortable. I put them on and I'm all, "Meh, I've had better." and I'm not a shoe snob, by any means, as my friend Melissa can tell you (with a sad, small shake of her head - love you Mel!) - but yeah, for how much these shoes were, and for how high demand they are, I think they are a bit overrated.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I know I had something really cool I was going to write here, but my hubby is still asleep upstairs, my Big C is up at church camp, my Little C is spending the night at my parents' house, and my Middle C just came downstairs with her blanket and is cuddled up next to me, wanting to watch another episode of DC Cupcakes. So I'm going to snuggle her close, watch this show with her, and treasure this time that I know is all too fleeting.
Turns out I DID have something really cool to write after all. Love my girl!
