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We Want to Know Wednesday – To shop or not to shop

Oct 262011

Wokay, it’s time again for WWTKW with Queso, Mamarazzi and Crazymama, busy though I may be now that I have a part-time job. This week’s theme is definitely something I can relate to.

1. Do you shop til you drop, or are you in and out as soon as possible?

I’m a diehard ~~shopaholic~~ shopping maniac! In my crazier past life before I had kids, I used to go on an annual shopping spree and literally shop from the time the stores open until 10:00pm when they close… for 3-4 days straight, stopping only to have a quick bite of lunch and dinner.

I’ve shopped at every place I’ve ever been to. Most normal people would kick back by the pool with a good book when they’re on occasion. Me? I’m up at the crack of dawn and I’m ready to ~~paaar-tay~~ shop till I drop.

2. Are you a price conscious shopper?

I’m always up for a bargain, yes, but I also believe in love at first sight. If I see something I’ve just gotta have, my brain releases ~~endorphines~~ enshophines that make me blind to everything else!

3. What store could you spend HOURS in?

Hard to say, I have found love in the most unlikely stores. If I fall in love and one thing leads to another, it could well end up becoming a full-blown retail romance.

4. What is the most frivolous purchase you’ve ever made?

It’s got to be something I’ve bought and never used. These days, with 2 kids in college, I can’t afford to be as impulsive any more.

5. What was the last thing you bought for yourself?

A ruffle top from Macy’s.

We Want to Know Wednesday

Posted by Clairity 12 Responses »

Oct 192011

What better day is there to play WWTKW with Queso, Mamarazzi and Crazymama than today. They have some pretty challenging questions this week so I have to put on my thinking cap.

1. When was the last time you lost your temper?

A couple of weeks back when I had to deal with a caveman from the Stone Ages. The pressure was building up so bad it was only a matter of time before I popped. It’s a dirty job but someone had to put the guy in his place .

2. What 3 words best describe you?

Sleepy, hungry and impatient (to sink my teeth into those pumpkin pancakes I’m going to make for breakfast tomorrow morning – I’m such a pig).

3. What movie could you watch over and over again and never get tired of?

I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve watched Tangled. The girls and I never tire of watching it. I’m guessing having met Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder in Disneyland has something to do with it. Skye (my 15 year old) even managed to talk Flynn into doing his smolder for her. Priceless!

4. If you could do something dangerous, just once, with no risk, what would you do?

Vacation in outer space and see it up close, touch it, smell it. I’ve always been fascinated by what’s out there. Swirling planets, shooting stars, strange lights, gorgeous aliens maybe, who knows?

Image credit: msn.com

This amazing photo of a meteor, the Milky Way and the Northern Lights was captured by amateur photographer Tommy Eliassen in Finnmark, Norway on September 25, 2011. Amazing, isn’t it?

5. Which is more important, intelligence or common sense?

I’d have to say common sense. It’d be great if more people had it.

Have an amazing Wednesday!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Posted by Clairity 5 Responses »

Oct 122011

So excited to be joining Joyce of From This Side of the Pond on Wednesday Hodgepodge. Interesting questions this week, got me cracking my head on a couple of them.

1. Have you ever been ‘asked’ to report for jury duty? Were you chosen to serve? If not, were you happy or disappointed?

Can’t say I have .

2. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being very) how mechanically inclined are you? Give an example to back up your answer.

Um, I’d say maybe 4. You wouldn’t trust me to repair your TV or anything but I can change a car tire.

3. Beets-cabbage-cauliflower-butternut squash…of the four, which is your favorite fall vegetable?

Cabbage, thinly sliced in a simple stir fry with thinly-sliced carrots. Those 2 make the perfect couple!

4. What do you recommend to overcome self-pity?

Go out and have a good time. Or work with someone less fortunate.

5. Do you enjoy classical music?

Can’t say I do either. You’d have to strap me down to a chair and even then, I might still turn off my ears like a switch. That’s how uncultured I am .

6. October is National Book Month…what’s on your reading list this month?

I confess, I don’t read. Not books anyways. With all this running in and out the door 20 times a day, I just don’t have the patience for books any more. It’s like watching a movie frame by frame and trying to make sense of it. What fun is that? So it’s web articles for me. Now those, I can squeeze between taxi runs.

7. What is your idea of ‘cute’ ?

My girls and Tyson, our smarty pants of a beagle, bwahaha!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We’ve been (voting and) going nuts over Dancing With The Stars and it’s all because of Nancy Grace. I’m a huge fan of hers and it’s really neat to see the softer side of her. Even my girls who used to go duh whenever I watched her on HLN are now rooting for her and her partner, Tristan MacManus. Love their chemistry. Who are you rooting for on Dancing With The Stars?

Whatever Wednesday – Dreamy

Posted by Clairity 4 Responses »

Sep 282011

No one says no to Hip to be Mom’s signature Shrimp Linguine in a Dreamy Sauce!
No one makes it like Mom, so say my picky eaters !
What’s your family’s all-time pasta favorite, and what makes it extra special?

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Posted by Clairity 4 Responses »

Sep 142011

Joyce of From This Side of the Pond is inspired by apples, peaches and pumpkins this week. So that’s where we’re headed with the questions.

1. What do you do at the first sign of a cold? Will you get a flu shot this year?

Lots of water and Vitamin C. I wrote a post about this recently, you can read it here.

2. What advice can you give about how to conquer fear?

Close your eyes, say a prayer and jump.

3. Share two good things about your life right now.

Watching my teens grow, and eating out.

4. A hot fall fashion trend for 2011 is a return to sixties style…tunics with pants, shift dresses, pencil skirts, cinched waists, bold prints, high necklines and short lengths to name a few. How does this fashion trend fit with your wardrobe and personal sense of style?

I’m not really sure about the 60′s but I do love pencil skirts. Most of my skirts are pencils (convenient for times when I can’t find a pencil ). I definitely love bold colors and prints especially on my nails.

5. Were you involved in scouting as a kid? How about as an adult?

Yup,� I have some great memories of cookouts on the beach (with a dash of salt and sand in our food, sure!), hiking and camping, singing and doing silly dances around campfires, washing cars for charity, jamborees, the works. Wish my kids had had a chance at scouting the good old-fashioned way, long before iPads and cell booster homes.

6. Apple, pear, plum, pumpkin…your favorite fall flavor?

Apple. I’m thinking of apple pie. Hmm, maybe I’ll bake one this weekend.

7. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher?

I think being passionate about teaching and the subject matter forms the basis to being a good teacher. Sprinkle on some patience, creativity and a love for working with people, and I guess you’re set. I’m a fairly new teacher (started teaching college and working adults a few years ago) so I still have a lot to learn. But I’m loving it so far. It’s a lot of laughs and I try to make it fun for my students as well because I believe if you enjoy learning, you’ll find it easier and less of a chore.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Waiting for the weekend…

Wednesday HodgePodge

Posted by Clairity 6 Responses »

Sep 072011

Hey, it’s hump day and I’m all excited to try my hand at the Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce of From This Side of the Pond.

1. What is one piece of advice you would give a ‘just turning’ 21- year old adult?

Wherever you go, whatever you do, remember family comes first.

2. Besides cooler weather (or warmer weather, depending on your hemisphere), what is one thing you are looking forward to this fall?

I love the colors of fall and listening to the crisp crunch of colorful leaves.

3. What sound lulls you to sleep?

What sound? I don’t hear anything. Do you?

4. September is National Preparedness Month…does your family have an emergency ‘kit’ and/or disaster plan in place?

Okay, you caught me, off to the drawing board now and I won’t pass Go and I won’t collect $200.

5. How has your blog changed since you started blogging? Or has it?

After 6 years, my blog is still the place to feed my passion for writing and to experiment with different writing styles and topics. I’m known to tinker with the theme and header whenever I get bored with it or I have new pictures to show off.

6. What’s something you’ve recently learned to do on the computer?

Sometimes I pick up little tips and tricks here and there without even noticing. But there’s so much to learn on the internet I’d be surprised not to learn something new every day.

7. Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.

Absolutely. It takes so many adjectives to describe something but show someone a picture and it instantly becomes clear, no words required. The danger is we rely so much on pictures these days, we risk losing that power of description. Adjectives are so beautiful and powerful it would be a shame to relegate them to that rusty attic.

8. Insert your own random here.

The gym bug is biting again. Can’t wait to go tomorrow. I’ve been sweating it out on my mental elliptical in anticipation of heading there tomorrow after a 2-week break, slacker me! Am I crazy or what?

Happy Wednesday, y’all!