My favorite dessert would probably be plain chocolate ice cream. To ensure extra deliciousness I would add some milk and make it a milkshake.
When I was in High School the cafeteria sold chocolate milkshakes. I'd buy one for lunch every day.
I'd probably still like to eat a chocolate milkshake for lunch everyday, but I don't buy enough chocolate ice cream to do that. I'm not sure whether that's unfortuante (for my tastebuds), or fortunate (for my waistline). Probably a little of both!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Day 20--Make a list of random things you think about
- My hair
- Forgiveness
- My Family
- What happened during the day
- How frustrating teenagers can be
- My favorite missionary
- Songs
- The body quirks associated with growing old
- What needs to be cleaned up in the house
Monday, October 29, 2012
Day 19--Write a Poem
My eyes are getting heavy, it's time to go to sleep,
To slumber and to snooze away
the night so dark and deep.
The kids are finally sleepy, and up to bed they go,
The homework's done and teeth are brushed
and lights are turned down low.
So one last look at Facebook, the blog and weather too,
Then shut it down and turn it off
Is all that's left to do.
Goodnight!
To slumber and to snooze away
the night so dark and deep.
The kids are finally sleepy, and up to bed they go,
The homework's done and teeth are brushed
and lights are turned down low.
So one last look at Facebook, the blog and weather too,
Then shut it down and turn it off
Is all that's left to do.
Goodnight!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Day 18--Describe your childhood in sounds and smells
This weekend I went to a Women's Conference and was given a tote bag. One of the other ladies I was with commented on the smell of the tote bag. Excitedly I smelled it, hoping it would smell exactly like one of my childhood smells (it didn't, unfortunately).
The smell I was looking for is a plastic or vinyl smell, the smell of my Barbie playsets. Most specifically I remember having a Barbie airplane that smelled this very distinct way. I loved that smell, and when I smell it today it takes me back.
Another distinct smell I very much remember from childhood is the Play-doh smell. Real "Play-doh", not homemade or another brand.
Art projects were always better when we used the smelly markers, in a multitude of "flavors". I think the grape smell (purple marker) was my favorites.
I remember the honeysuckle smell in the summer, and picking honeysuckle blossoms to stick in our mouths where we could suck on them like tiny straws, hoping to eke some honey tasting nectar out.
Tomato plants and leaves were another smell of my childhood, and I always thought smelled so good regardless of the fact that I didn't like tomatoes. Tomato plants smelled like gardening to me, like dirt and the sun all mixed up together.
The sounds of my childhood would have to be musical sounds. I loved listening to Nanny's eight track tapes of Glen Campbell, the Rhinestone Cowboy, and Jim Nabors and Elvis singing gospel songs. I remember going to her Baptist church and singing songs there, including the children's songs at Vacation Bible school.
I remember plunking out songs on the old upright piano we had for awhile, songs like "Bicycle Built for Two", and "The Sidewalks of New York".
One of my friends gave me a 45 record for my birthday with Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown" song (which, in reading the lyrics as an adult make me think that song was a little over my childish head!) I also remember other 45s I had, most specifically "Le Freak" by Chic.
It was amazing to me when I first listened to a Sony Walkman. The first song I ever heard on a Walkman was "Spirits in the Material World" by the Police. When Stewart Copeland bangs the rim at the beginning of the chorus, I felt like it almost broke my eardrum. When I took of the headphones I remember asking my friend Philip (the Walkman's owner) "So, really, no one else could hear what I was listening to?" I couldn't believe that even though what I heard felt like it filled the air around me with music, no one else but me heard it.
I participated in Marching Band in high school, adding to the musical sounds of my childhood. To this day a marching band gets me going!
I loved camp songs, which I not only sung while I was a Brownie, but also when I went to my 4-H summer camp. 4-H camp also embedded Supertramp's sound in my brain, as they would play their songs over the loudspeaker at camp during the day.
As I sit here and think, song after song after song comes rolling through my brain. Music has definitely played a huge part in the memories of my life. Heading down to the Women's conference this weekend we were discussing how one of the ladies I was with is a movie quoter. She said people say things and a movie quote to go along with that pops into her brain. I told her that I was a song singer, and songs will pop into my brain.
I had to laugh when we got downtown and started walking towards the conference hall. As we were about to cross in front of some people trying to get into a parking garage someone said "Just put your arm out there and stop the traffic." Immediately I burst into song: "STOP...in the name of love!" Oh yes, music is definitely the sound of my childhood.
The smell I was looking for is a plastic or vinyl smell, the smell of my Barbie playsets. Most specifically I remember having a Barbie airplane that smelled this very distinct way. I loved that smell, and when I smell it today it takes me back.
Another distinct smell I very much remember from childhood is the Play-doh smell. Real "Play-doh", not homemade or another brand.
Art projects were always better when we used the smelly markers, in a multitude of "flavors". I think the grape smell (purple marker) was my favorites.
I remember the honeysuckle smell in the summer, and picking honeysuckle blossoms to stick in our mouths where we could suck on them like tiny straws, hoping to eke some honey tasting nectar out.
Tomato plants and leaves were another smell of my childhood, and I always thought smelled so good regardless of the fact that I didn't like tomatoes. Tomato plants smelled like gardening to me, like dirt and the sun all mixed up together.
The sounds of my childhood would have to be musical sounds. I loved listening to Nanny's eight track tapes of Glen Campbell, the Rhinestone Cowboy, and Jim Nabors and Elvis singing gospel songs. I remember going to her Baptist church and singing songs there, including the children's songs at Vacation Bible school.
I remember plunking out songs on the old upright piano we had for awhile, songs like "Bicycle Built for Two", and "The Sidewalks of New York".
One of my friends gave me a 45 record for my birthday with Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown" song (which, in reading the lyrics as an adult make me think that song was a little over my childish head!) I also remember other 45s I had, most specifically "Le Freak" by Chic.
It was amazing to me when I first listened to a Sony Walkman. The first song I ever heard on a Walkman was "Spirits in the Material World" by the Police. When Stewart Copeland bangs the rim at the beginning of the chorus, I felt like it almost broke my eardrum. When I took of the headphones I remember asking my friend Philip (the Walkman's owner) "So, really, no one else could hear what I was listening to?" I couldn't believe that even though what I heard felt like it filled the air around me with music, no one else but me heard it.
I participated in Marching Band in high school, adding to the musical sounds of my childhood. To this day a marching band gets me going!
I loved camp songs, which I not only sung while I was a Brownie, but also when I went to my 4-H summer camp. 4-H camp also embedded Supertramp's sound in my brain, as they would play their songs over the loudspeaker at camp during the day.
As I sit here and think, song after song after song comes rolling through my brain. Music has definitely played a huge part in the memories of my life. Heading down to the Women's conference this weekend we were discussing how one of the ladies I was with is a movie quoter. She said people say things and a movie quote to go along with that pops into her brain. I told her that I was a song singer, and songs will pop into my brain.
I had to laugh when we got downtown and started walking towards the conference hall. As we were about to cross in front of some people trying to get into a parking garage someone said "Just put your arm out there and stop the traffic." Immediately I burst into song: "STOP...in the name of love!" Oh yes, music is definitely the sound of my childhood.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Day 17--Write about how much you love something that you know no one else will love
Ok, after finally moving from Day 16, I run smack dab into Day 17: Write about something you love that you know no one else will love.
I scratch my head...what do I love that I know no one else will love?
What do I love that I know no one else will love?
Hmmm. I'm thinking...I'm thinking...I'm thinking. My family? Nope, others love them. Bologna? Nope, people like that too. Sitting in the sun? Again, people love that. Some smell? Nope, I think I love pretty normal smells that others might love as well. A funky food? Nope, I'm kind of a picky eater, so I don't love any food that others will not love too. Standing in line at the DMV? Nope, I don't even attempt to love that!
(Cue the Jeopardy theme as I think some more.)
I have no idea! So...maybe I'll just have to play this blog post BACKWARDS. So, here goes: What do I HATE that I know no one else will HATE?
Gotta be strawberries.
I scratch my head...what do I love that I know no one else will love?
What do I love that I know no one else will love?
Hmmm. I'm thinking...I'm thinking...I'm thinking. My family? Nope, others love them. Bologna? Nope, people like that too. Sitting in the sun? Again, people love that. Some smell? Nope, I think I love pretty normal smells that others might love as well. A funky food? Nope, I'm kind of a picky eater, so I don't love any food that others will not love too. Standing in line at the DMV? Nope, I don't even attempt to love that!
(Cue the Jeopardy theme as I think some more.)
I have no idea! So...maybe I'll just have to play this blog post BACKWARDS. So, here goes: What do I HATE that I know no one else will HATE?
Gotta be strawberries.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Day 16D--Places You've Called Home--THE DREAM HOME!
Just over a year ago we broke ground on a new home. I had finally talked Craig into moving so that I could have the home I really liked. We looked at many house plans, and in the end went with a custom house that we helped design.
I LOVE my home. I was able to pick what I wanted for it, and I think it reflects who I am and the things I love. We were able to move in at the beginning of the summer, and I have adored my home every day since.Some things that make me especially happy about my new home:
- It has many windows. It's light, and bright and happy!
- I have a unique floor plan that no one else has.
- I have a huge laundry room with a big folding area. In the rambler home the laundry room was in a closet in the kitchen: not the best laundry area in the world!
- It's a party home...pool table, gas firepit for roasting marshmallows, trampoline, horseshoes, basketball and pickleball court, a great area for watching movies, and plenty of room to spread out it!
- It's a two story, a house style I've always liked.
- I love the colors in the house.
- My kitchen cabinets are white, which I love, and I have a pantry the size of Rhode Island.
- The garage is HUGE! I love it after our tiny garage at our other house.
Actually, what I love most about my home is who I share it with. I hope for many wonderful happy family memories as we have great times here together!
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| The mud room--left door to garage, right door to half bath |
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| Two story foyer |
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| Family Room |
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| Laundry Room |
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| Kitchen and dining area |
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| Guest bedroom, with its own bathroom, so the guests don't have to fight the boys for the shower in the morning! |
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| Master Bedroom |
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| Master Bath |
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| Boy's bathroom--the glass tile on the vanity backsplash is also in the shower surround |
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| Downstairs party room! |
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| Downstairs bathroom--check out the "wood" floor--it's tile! |
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| Extra bedroom/Craft Room |
Day 16C--Places You've Called Home--The First Two Houses
Ok, is anyone else ready for me to finish this "day"? It's only been "Day 16" since July! I think a 3 month time period is more than enough time for a single "day"!
So, here goes...Day 16 C--Places You've Called Home--The First Two Houses!
Our first home we bought was one we built ("we" meaning a builder built it, we're not that DIY around here!) We thought we'd live in our apartment for a couple of years when Craig started his first job, but instead we started looking around at houses and ended up deciding to build. Our first home was a 3 bedroom multi-level home, with an unfinished laundry room, office, and half basement.
When we built in our neighborhood we were one of the first houses in a later phase, so while there were finished houses close by, we were one of the first ones built in this new phase. When we moved in that house we had 2 kiddos, by the time we left we had 4. Craig finished the basement (and the office, I think, although I can't really remember!) in this house, which was a good learning experience...he learned he didn't really want to do that again!
We lived there for about 4 years, and moved when Craig got a new job about an hour away. Again, it was a "we were gonna" situation: we were gonna stay there for a year or so before we looked into moving, but after a month or so of long days with that hour long commute I decided I needed my hubby back and we started looking closer to Craig's work for a home. The fun thing about selling this house was that in 4 years we lived there the housing prices had jumped quite a bit, and we got enough from the sale of our home to pay off our student loans, hooray!
Our second home was a home that I never personally loved. It was a rambler, and if you know me, you know I don't love ramblers. When we bought the house it was about 4 years old and fully finished: 3200 sq. ft. total, with 6 bedrooms and 2 full baths with a bath in the basement that had an unfinished shower. Sad to say, we never finished that shower in the 14 1/2 years we lived in that house, although there were times when it definitely would have been nice to have had that extra shower!
Our home was in a cul-de-sac, and our kids always had great fun playing with the other kids in the neighborhood. The front yard had a split rail fence for many years, until we took part of it down because the posts were breaking (too much weedwacking around them!)
The picture I've posted of it shows a new roof that was put on the summer before we moved. I liked it a lot, but I hated the previous roof, as I thought the shingles were a horrible color!
I have always wanted a front porch, so I had Craig build me a little front porch (basically deck) off the front stairs (you can see the chairs sitting on it in the picture). My neighbors would say that they could always tell when I was spring because I'd be sitting on the front porch soaking up the sun.
A little bit ago I went back to that house to pick up a letter for us that had been mailed there. The person who bought the house invited me in, and said "It must be weird seeing someone else's stuff in your house." Honestly, it wasn't weird to me at all, because as I've never really loved that house, it probably never quite felt like it was "mine".
Up next: The Dream Home!
So, here goes...Day 16 C--Places You've Called Home--The First Two Houses!
When we built in our neighborhood we were one of the first houses in a later phase, so while there were finished houses close by, we were one of the first ones built in this new phase. When we moved in that house we had 2 kiddos, by the time we left we had 4. Craig finished the basement (and the office, I think, although I can't really remember!) in this house, which was a good learning experience...he learned he didn't really want to do that again!
We lived there for about 4 years, and moved when Craig got a new job about an hour away. Again, it was a "we were gonna" situation: we were gonna stay there for a year or so before we looked into moving, but after a month or so of long days with that hour long commute I decided I needed my hubby back and we started looking closer to Craig's work for a home. The fun thing about selling this house was that in 4 years we lived there the housing prices had jumped quite a bit, and we got enough from the sale of our home to pay off our student loans, hooray!
Our home was in a cul-de-sac, and our kids always had great fun playing with the other kids in the neighborhood. The front yard had a split rail fence for many years, until we took part of it down because the posts were breaking (too much weedwacking around them!)
The picture I've posted of it shows a new roof that was put on the summer before we moved. I liked it a lot, but I hated the previous roof, as I thought the shingles were a horrible color!
I have always wanted a front porch, so I had Craig build me a little front porch (basically deck) off the front stairs (you can see the chairs sitting on it in the picture). My neighbors would say that they could always tell when I was spring because I'd be sitting on the front porch soaking up the sun.
A little bit ago I went back to that house to pick up a letter for us that had been mailed there. The person who bought the house invited me in, and said "It must be weird seeing someone else's stuff in your house." Honestly, it wasn't weird to me at all, because as I've never really loved that house, it probably never quite felt like it was "mine".
Up next: The Dream Home!
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