2008 was the year of _____ for you

2008 was the year of discovery and change for me.



Christmas Light Color?
I prefer white, odd I know. Not what I grew up with, but I love the white and twinkle-y. I remember when we were young my mom had theses lights that were hooked to this santa who played christmas music, and the lights would blink with the music. We use to love to turn the sound off and guess what song it was blinking to.

Christmas Light Color?

I grew up with a tree with multicolor lights, so that's what I prefer inside. We had a type of light that is impossible to find any more. They are called twinkle bulbs and they "twinkle" on and off independently. It's magical. I can still remember staring up at the Christmas tree in awe as a child.

Outside, different colored lights (or white) are all pretty...as long as there is some sort of theme. I am not a fan of all the mismatched, thrown up stuff.

Dear Santa, This year I would like...

• To not have to deal with my in-laws being crazy (read "selfish") about scheduling Christmas plans
• To enjoy our first Christmas as a family of four
• To sleep in past 5 am
• New running shoes
  

Dear Santa, This year I would like...

• To enjoy the time with family.
• To come home to a kittie to who doesn't get depressed when I am gone and is healthy and happy when I come home.
• A hug from my mom.
• To know my friends are happy and healthy.
• Also, a new couch and a new tv for the living room ;)

Thanksgiving Plans?
Opps ;) I stayed home this year, at the tail end of fighting off an infection. It was nice, and I am proud of me for enjoying the day and being thankful for what I have and not focusing on anything else!

Thanksgiving Plans?

We are planing on staying home this year (yay!). I am hosting and we don't have to travel with two kids. Good reason to be thankful, huh?!

Favorite Indulgence?

Dark chocolate, in most any delivery method. Right now, my husband and I love the Dove Dark Chocolate Promises with Almonds. The sayings inside the foil are usually cheesy, but the chocolate is delicious. Just ask my thunder thighs!

Favorite Indulgence?

My favorite indulgence (okay really I have a few but this is the one on my mind now) Lindt Truffle - Limited Edition Milk Chocolate with white filling (the ones with the little snowman on them - that only come out at holiday time). YUMMMY



Halloween Candy~Pass It Out? Eat It?
Oppps, I lagged on this - sorry!
Pass it out! Only because I like to see the kids all excited, and there is three of us neighbors or all gather on one porch and talk the night away as we pass out the candy. The kids love hitting three houses in one and we all have a fun night chatting.

Halloween Candy~Pass It Out? Eat It?

Neither really. Kind of scroogy, huh? We actually bought a ton of candy the first year we lived in this house, but we don't really seem to get too many trick or treaters. We live in a subdivision, but it seems many people drive their kids to other areas, which is fine by me. I do love to see the little ones all dressed up, but being left with bags of candy is no fun, since I don't really have a sweet tooth for that stuff and definitely don't need any extra calories this year.

If you could see into a crystal ball and see your life in 10 years, would you want to peek?

Hmm, this is tough. I wouldn't so much like to see my life, but I would sure like to know how my children are doing. Are they happy, doing okay in school, do they have friends and hobbies? I would love to know those things. Of course, you always have the risk of learning something bad which would ruin your happiness and enjoyment of the present. So I am going to go with the answer I used when asked about prenatal testing~I am happy to enjoy the present and confident in the strength of my family to handle whatever the future throws at us.

If you could see into a crystal ball and see your life in 10 years, would you want to peek?

I keep thinking about this, would I want to know? The curious side of me would want to know, but the practical side of me knows that it wouldn't do any good to see and that if anything it might make me not do thing or do things based on what I saw.


Favorite Rainy Fall Activity
Curling up on the couch and taking a nap with the kitties, with the windows open and the fresh air coming in.

Favorite Rainy Fall Activity

Spending the day doing nothing while my kids take really long naps!

Favorite Flower

One in a beautiful garden that is maintained by someone else? Or one that I can maintain while someone else watches my kids? Hahaha...okay, how about this:

You Are a Snapdragon

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

Apparently there is a quiz for everything on the internet. This one I found here.

Favorite Flower

I love fresh cut flowers, and typically love arrangements that are colorful - Daisy's and Gerber Daisy's are some of my favorites. I do love roses, especially a mix of all colors and kinds.



What Would You Change About Your Life Right Now?
I am happy with my life right now, I have a great job that I love, a house that I love, three kitties that I love. There are two things missing that I wish I could have, one would be to have my family closer and the other would be to hurry up and find Mr. Amy (ok not hurry up - but ya know). I would love to be physically closer to my family, however my life is here in MI and theirs is in MD, its not a bad thing per say - I think we value our relationship more because we don't get to see each other all the time. I have worked hard to be the Amy I want to be and now I am ready for someone to share that with, although as easy as that is to say - its much harder to to find.

What Would You Change About Your Life Right Now?

Win the lottery?! Seriously, having more money and the freedom that comes with it would be great. I have a good job, but it's not one that I love, only one that keeps us with medical insurance. I would love to have the freedom to do something different. I would also love to be able to afford a new house, with a better layout in a better school district. It would be wonderful to be able to give my kids every opportunity...therapists, activities like soccer/dance, etc. Otherwise, my life is pretty good!

Knowing what you know now, would you live your 20's differently?

Nope. Everything I experienced in my 20s got me to where I am today and I like my life. It's not perfect, but it's mine and I am happy. I met and married my best friend in my 20s and got pregnant with my first child. Not too shabby. Sure, there was some junky stuff before that point (a 4 year relationship with someone who was wrong for me, sadness over wondering if I would ever have the family I desired), but there were also lots of good times and good friends. No regrets.

Knowing what you know now, would you live your 20's differntly?

I think some things I might want to change, mostly just being with someone for so long because it was "comfortable". Ultimately I am happy where I am now, and I believe that I wouldn't be where I was if it wasn't for the choices I made along the way.



What's For Dinner This Week?
Umm do single people plan out dinner? I do have stuff to make cheesy bacon hot dogs, but that's about all that's on the "plan" list. I can tell you I will probably eat sushi at least 2 days ;)

What's For Dinner This Week?

I actually did some meal planning so we will have something other than cereal, frozen pizza or carry out! I have done better in the last couple weeks and this week we will have meals including chili, black bean and corn casserole and twice baked potatoes. Yum!

Any plans for the holidays coming up?

Wow, there are holidays coming up?! Wasn't it just the beginning of summer a day or two ago?! I am still in the one day at a time mode. I can't believe my son is a month old and my daughter is 1.5. I am sure it will be Thanksgiving tomorrow and Christmas the following week. Yikes! Not sure what our plans our yet, but I hope it doesn't involve schlepping to more than one locale. I am guessing it won't be too bad though, because my in-laws haven't been on my husband's good side (with good reason)...so maybe that will translate to a less hectic holiday season, with one less stop. Terrible of me, huh?

Any plans for the holidays coming up?

I am going to spend about 3 weeks in MD with my family. That should be nice. I havent decided if Iam going to fly or drive down yet, but I am excited to have that time with them.




Favorite Thing(s) About Fall

Fall is my favorite season! I love when the air turns crisp and cool! The trees turn colors and make things look so pretty. Visiting cider mills is the best part though, warm doughnuts and cold apple cider has to be the best thing!

Favorite Thing(s) About Fall

Warm days with crisp nights. Wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. The excitement of Big Ten football. Satisfying comfort foods. Watching parents with their cameras excitedly seeing their children off for their first day of school. Changing leaves. Cider and donuts. Halloween, pumpkins and little ones in costumes.

What is important to you in a political candidate?

Politicians are politicians, but I would prefer someone who is at least trying to change our country for the better. The current administration and the party's candidate for president have both spoken on how they think the economy is doing well, the war is being won, those who are gay don't deserve the same rights as the rest of America, there should be prayer (Christian) and Creationism in schools, etc, etc. I don't agree with any of these premises. I am also not pro abortion, but I am pro choice. I believe that health care should be a basic right, especially for our children. If you don't want to provide health care, what is next? Should we start expecting people to just educate themselves and put out their own fires as well?

Anyway, I am for the candidate that is trying to change and fix the way things have deteriorated in the past 8 years. I am hopeful we can find a way to provide health care for those who need it, save the environment and heal the broken economy.

What is important to you in a political canidate?

I am trying to get more in to the political side of life. I recently decided that I want to go for people who have similar views and perspective as I do (seems simple right). I recently red about Sarah Palin and how she is anti-choice. This bugs me, how can you be a representative for the US but not believe in pro-choice? I am not saying you have to be pro-choice for your own life, but who are you to tell anyone else what they can and cant do?


What Are You Most Impatient About Right Now
December... My birthday.. and visiting the family for 3 weeks!! YEAH!

What Are You Most Impatient About Right Now

This is a total sham of a question for me, as I am currently 40 weeks pregnant. So, sitting here on my estimated due date, I am impatient for my son to get the hell outta my belly...please. ;-)

What things are you a Brand snob about?

• Ketchup~must be Heinz (and now Heinz Organic)
• Dansko Shoes~most.comfortable.evah
• Northern Quilted TP~we tried some 7th Generation recycled stuff recently, trying to be green...the trees will have to forgive me because that stuff is not working in this house
• I am pretty brand loyal about most things, but willing to give something else a try and switch if it is better. But you will never catch me just willy-nilly buying something because it is on sale or whatever...once bitten, twice shy!
  

What things are you a Brand snob about?

Coach Purse
Tide Laundry Detergent
Clinique makeup
Snuggle softener
Oscar Meyer Bacon


Favorite Sesame Street Muppet
Cookie Monster. When I was little I had a Cookie Monster that was way bigger then me and my sister would get mad because instead of sharing cookies with her, I would actually give CM the cookies and smash them in his mouth.

Favorite Sesame Street Muppet

Ernie...I love the rubber duckie song and that he was always bugging the uptight Bert.

Favorite Muppet??

Kermit. He had my heart from the first note of Rainbow Connection...

Favorite Muppet??

Kermit OF COURSE!

What Body Part Do You Wash First?
I start up top with my hair, and as the conditioner is setting I go on to the rest.

What Body Part Do You Wash First?

I always wash top down...so shampoo/condition hair. Wash face. Shave. Scrub rest of body with body wash on puff.

If you were a tree what kind would you be?

Probably a short, round shrub right now.

If you were a tree what kind would you be?

Willow Tree! I love how they look different then the regular trees and they are so big and pretty.




Do You Feel Younger or Older Than Your Age?
I feel my age. Now if you ask am I where I thought I would be at this age, sometimes the answer would be yes, sometimes no. At one time I thought for sure I would have the whole family thing going now, but I am way farther with "Amy" then I thought I would be at this point. I love life, and I am trying to enjoy everything it brings.

Do You Feel Younger or Older Than Your Age?

Some days I feel surprised to be where I am at in life...married with 1.5 kids, but most days I feel exactly what I imagined "30-something" to feel like.

Favorite Family Memory / Tradition

Hmm, this is a hard one, because we are not big tradition people. I guess one of my favorite traditions is having a laid back family Christmas. We would always have a quiet day at home with some delicious Honeybaked Ham. Yum!

Favorite Family Memory / Tradition

My brother's birthday is July 21st and I remember when we were in Maryland we use to get barrels of live crabs and we would cook them up (of course always letting one go free for a short while in the house so the kidos were entertained). The whole family would get together and we would have big picnic tables full of crabs. Good eats and lots of family!


Current or Last Book You Read
Sad, but true.. Right now I am reading Lisa William's new book "Live Among the Dead".

Current or Last Book You Read

Road Map to Holland by Jennifer Graf Groneberg. Excellent read. Very honest look at the journey of one mother through the first two years of her son's life and Down Syndrome.

Toes Painted?

Right now they are...and I am very proud. I am 7 months pregnant and painted them myself. You don't even want to imagine the positions it took to get them painted...not a pretty picture.

Toes Painted?

Yup, of course I could use a pedicure - but they are painted at least.



Favorite Meal from the Last Week
I was craving BBQ Chicken, so I got some chicken drums and had some mashed tatoes and chicken - was YUMMY.

Favorite Meal from the Last Week

I made this Egg/Sausage Casserole for brunch yesterday and it really filled the protein craving I had. I used organic maple turkey sausage and it turned out great. For sides, I had some organic melon (which was actually ripe, something that can be hit or miss when buying a whole melon) and homemade blueberry muffins. Tasty!

Something that is ALWAYS in your fridge..

I am going to have to say milk as well...organic whole milk for the kid. ;)

Something that is ALWAYS in your fridge..

Meijer Organic Fat Free Milk. Thats about all you can count on in my fridge hehe.



Holiday Weekend Plans?
Work, sleep, work, sleep, work, make some chicken, sleep. I had my fun weekend last weekend with my family.

Holiday Weekend Plans?

Nothing too crazy here. We are having brunch with my mom, brother and sister-in-law today and then my mom is watching my daughter and the rest of us are heading out to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Who doesn't love a little Harrison Ford?! Anyway, those are our only "plans" for the weekend, so we will just have to see how the rest plays out.

Something you can spend hours doing and not know you spent hours doing it

Hmmm, sometimes I can spend too much time online and other times I am burned out by it. Often, reading a good book can make the time go by incredibly fast. But the best answer is taking care of my kid. Some days just drag and others, it seems like we just had breakfast and it's already her bedtime.

Something you can spend hours doing and not know you spent hours doing it

Totally sad, but I can spend HOURS on http://icanhascheezburger.com/ and on youtube looking up cat videos.

Hmmm, maybe this is while I am single? ;)



Wrapping Paper or Gift Bag
Typically I re-use the gift bags I have. However for some things I have wrapping paper - only a small amount though.

Wrapping Paper or Gift Bag

Gift bag. We have a million of them. I just cleaned up my daughter's nursery and I actually think the number may now top a trillion. I usually just buy some fresh tissue paper and reuse something from the huge stack of bags. How "green" of me!

Favorite Icecream..

Ben & Jerry's Low Fat Cherry Garcia Yogurt...seriously good. It's not a diet thing. It's just really delicious.

Favorite Icecream..

Well, where to start! I love Frosty boy - on good days its a vanilla cone with butterscotch hard dipping, on a bad day I love their banana splits (I love their strawberry frozen yougurt its sooo yum)




Plans for the Summer?
Only a few plans right now. Going to Maryland in a few days to visit the family, and my oldest brother will be there too so my mom will have all 4 of her kids with her - she loves that. And planning a possible trip to Vegas in August with a long time friend. That's about it, trying to take it one day at a time.

Plans for the Summer?

Having another kid will probably be enough for me! No formal plans here. Probably a trip to the zoo and enjoying some time with my daughter before my son makes his entrance into the world.

Favorite flower to plant..

One that someone else waters and weeds for me? Haha. I love flowers and plants, but find that I don't want to spend my free time nurturing them. My mom has a beautiful Clematis that is maintenance free and climbs all the way up her second story deck. It blooms in the fall and smells wonderful. I am not usually a fan of "plain white flowers," but this is a pretty lovely looking plant.

Favorite flower to plant..

Lanta Sunset is my fav! Discoverd it last year, and then noticed it ALL around Vegas. The colors change about ever 2 hours. So neat!

Spring Cleaning?

Not sooo much, just a little tidy here and there. I do want to go through my closets though - clear out the old in with the new! ;)

Spring Cleaning?

I hope so. Maybe tomorrow even. Since we are having a boy, I would like to sort through my massive waves of little pink clothes and clear them out. I love clearing things out!

What are your feelings on Divorce?

When I got married, I meant it forever. Period. That being said, there are many things in life that go off kilter. No one is perfect and neither is life. I believe in working 200% to make your marriage work. There is no way I would quit on it. That is not the commitment I make to my husband, myself and for my children. I do believe though, that it takes two people to make a marriage work and only one person to give up on it. My mom worked her ass off to make her marriage work, but my father had checked out (for numerous reasons, mostly personal, not something my mother could have changed). I am very happy that she made the decision to move forward after the divorce. It's not the end of life, but was really a good beginning for us, after 8 years of my father dragging out the divorce (that he initiated). Everyone deserves to be happy and that is a healthy example to set for your children. Unfortunately, sometimes that means divorce.

What are your feelings on Divorce?

If you know me at all, you know I am very anti-divorce for me. I am not passing judgement on anyone or their situations - but I know for me situations would have to be extreme before I would consider it. Coming from a family full of divorce I feel as though alot of divorces could be prevented by simply getting married for the right reasons. I know - high and mighty of me to say when I am not married, but this is just my personal view. I do agree that sometimes divorce is the only answer, but I feel as though effort should always be made on both parts to prevent it.





What Holidays Do You Celebrate?

Does a Birthday count? That's about the only day I really care about. =) Christmas and Thanksgiving are about the only ones that I "do" anything for. Basically since its free time off work its free time to go visit family. I suppose if I had children it would be a little different, I would want to see the wonder in their eyes at all the new things the world holds - but for single Amy - Birthday's rule!

What Holidays Do You Celebrate?

We are not religious, but I would like my kids to enjoy the magic and wonder of childhood and their imaginations. We celebrate Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, leprechauns with their pots of gold, etc. Some people feel uncomfortable celebrating the major religious holidays if they are not Christian, but it helps me to remember that most of those holidays started as pagan holidays anyway. ;-)

Favorite Comfy Place..

I am a big fan of being cuddled in bed with my family, snuggling or napping. Pure bliss.

Favorite Comfy Place..

Latley I am in love with my bed. If I am home I am in the bedroom curled up with the bed warmer on. Its my relax zone, I love the colors - I love the way it says "Amy" all over!




Spring - Early or Late in 08?
Def... Late. Hello - snow just a day before Easter? Poor bunny is freezing I bet!

This has to be my least favorite transition, everything looks dead and icky right now. Although - have you noticed the sun lately? So pretty when it sets.

Spring - Early or Late in 08?

Unfortunately, I am going with the groundhog on this one and saying it will be late. Argh.

Odd thing that you did recently...

Hmmm, I have been thinking, but unable to come up with anything really for this question. Back when I was first pregnant, I went to put something refrigerated in the cupboard. Yeah, I know, that is a crappy answer. I am going to say that I probably do a lot of odd things, but being pregnant, I am probably just not remembering them through my hazy, baby brain.

Odd thing that you did recently...

Ummm - today... I realized once I was had been at work for a while - that I failed to remember the correct way to put underwear on when I was dressing myself. ;)



Snow or Rain?
Hmmm, I think I like both about the same. I like snow in the winter when it sparkles like glitter, curled up with some hot chocolate. I like a nice rain shower when it cools the air down and makes all the flowers grow.

Snow or Rain?

Rain. I am not a snow person at all. It's only really nice from Christmas till New Years, with an exception for a light dusting on Thanksgiving that melts the following day. A nice Spring, Fall or Summer rain is actually often quite lovely.

Describe how you feel right now in one word.

Tired.

Describe how you feel right now in one word.

Unsure....





Last Food You Ate?
For an afternoon snack I had this most awesome yogurt (which coming from me is a big thing since I cant eat an entire container of yogurt without gagging). Wallaby yougurt is the bomb! I found it at the Whole foods store a few days ago, bought one and then went back for more. I LOVE the non-fat pear! Hello, have you seen Pear yogurt before! Good!!!!

Last Food You Ate?

I guess that would be lunch today. Not much in the house, so I had an organic beef hot dog and some salt 'n vinegar kettle chips. Yum!

Whats on your DVR?

Not much these days, with the current writer strike. Here is a random sampling:
Nip/Tuck
House MD
Jon & Kate + 8
Boston Legal
Scrubs (really old episode, I think)
Lost
The Soup

Whats on your DVR?

Oprah
Paranormal State
Intervention
Rachel Ray
Suze Orman
Ghost Whisperer
How to look good naked
Pushing Daisies



Sundays: Love or Hate Them?
I like them. Nice lazy relaxing day, or a chance to catch up on things. I try not to fret about working the next day - but I do fret about having to get UP the next morning. I love the weekends and being able to lay in my warm bed, even if its only about 1 hour longer then I would have gotten up if the alarm went off.

Sundays: Love or Hate Them?

Mostly hate, I guess. The day itself is usually lovely. We often relax, take a nap with the kid, etc. However, I can never get rid of the nagging feeling of the upcoming work week. It's never that bad when I am actually immersed in the work week, but the anticipation is killer.

What will you spend your "Stimulate The Economy" refund on?

We will probably use it to pay for our birth. We only have one health insurance option through my work and it's a PPO, so we are responsible for 10% of the cost. Going off information from other coworkers, it is estimated it will be around $1,000.

What will you spend your "Stimulate The Economy" refund on?

I have been wanting a flat screen TV for my bedroom, and I have seen them for about $500.00. I think that's what I will spend my refund on. It will be hard to not take the money and pocket it and pay off things, but since its purpose is to stimulate the economy I will do my part!


What is the Last Thing You Purchased?
I went to Walmart to get some Zrytec (since its OTC now), and walked out with a new red soft blanket for the couch for $4.00, new rug for the front door for $3.00 and a cool canvas box ($6.00) to hold my yarn fetish.

What is the Last Thing You Purchased?

Hmm, something boring...groceries or the Greek salad from an Italian restaurant that we got for dinner last night.

What do you love about yourself?

I am a really good mother, wife, daughter and sister.

What do you love about yourself?

Well, aside from my hair =). I love that I am strong and independent. I am able to make it, even when sometimes I think I cant. I believe that I am compassionate and understanding and I like that.



Have You Ever Met an Internet Friend in Real Life?
Well, not so much "friend" as friends who are boys who were possible relationships. I met #2, #3, Cleaning Man, and Icky. Wow, hmm guess that doesn't work so well!

Have You Ever Met an Internet Friend in Real Life?

Yep. I am a member of a parenting website and they have birth boards where you share pregnancy and parenthood with those who were due or had babies in the same month as you. One of the moms lives about an hour away and we met up last summer for lunch. It was fun and great to see the kiddos playing together.


One Thing You Miss Most About Your Younger Days?
I guess I miss how long summer days seemed. Those last few weeks of school seemed to take forever and then all of a sudden you were out of school and had long endless days of fun. Unfortunately, although the days were long, summer itself was over way too fast.

One thing you miss from your younger days...

I think what I miss most is not having to worry about life and being completely ignorant to the fact that I will ever worry about it. I also miss the time with family. I think as the child you don't realize while your going through it how special that time of life is.



What Kind of Music Do You Dislike Most?
HAS to be Country. I dont like it. Although, fine... there are a few songs I have come across that I like.

What Kind of Music Do You Dislike Most?

Heavy rap or twangy country...it's a toss up. There are a few rap songs and a few country songs I can tolerate, but they are few and far between. Also not a reggae, Yani or R&B fan overall. Other than that, anything goes.

What's your normal blood pressure?

I don't know, as I don't have it taken often. It's always on the lower end of normal, even during pregnancy. I don't worry about it too much. I try to eat healthy and exercise. Seems to be working fine so far.

Whats your normal blood preasure?

Typically mine is 170/72.. checked last night and it was 164/70.


What grosses you out?
First thing that comes to mind.... PEAS!!! ewww.. grosss
Others on the list: unknown stuff on toilet seats, dirty dishes in the sink, seeing Howards crack when hes fixing something on the truck.

What grosses you out?

Long toe nails, perverted old men, public restrooms, maggots and leaches, anything that can burrow into your skin (ringworm, etc), long underarm hair (I just don't want to see it)...I am sure there are more, but that is what came to me off the top of my head.


What does 2008 have in store for you?
Well, another baby for one! And being a parent to two under the age of two. I am sure it will get scary as August approaches, but right now, we are looking at it as an exciting new adventure. Luckily, the first trimester has been kind to me this time as well and hopefully we have a healthy little baby growing in there who will join us in late July/early August.

What does 2008 have in store for you?

I think alot of changes will happen this year. I am hoping to find Mr. Amy. I am also hoping to be very close to being done with my masters by the end of the year. I also hope that I can continue to eat healthy and loose weight and battle with my struggle with eating to fill voids. I am hoping that 2008 will just end with a better happier Amy! =)

Anything You Are Glad to Say Goodbye to With the End of 2007?

2007 was a year of ups and downs for me. I learned a lot about life and myself in the process. I think the experiences I had are all important for my life and who I am but I am glad to have the experiences over! The most important thing is to always be happy with who you are and how you present yourself and always tell the people you care about that you love them. I am glad I got to toss out 2007 while spending time with my family. I am looking forward to what 2008 will hold for me!