Long Live Buzz Lightyear and Woody the Cowboy

Here are the 10 for today!  Roots and Rings is the place to link up.

1. What is your favorite Pixar movie? Have you seen all of them?
LOVE them all.  The Toy Story series is my favorite. 
The boy watched the first two Toy Story movies religiously when he was a little guy. That's part of the reason I have such a fondness in my heart for Buzz and Woody.. They bring back memories of my chubby preschooler.
Toy Story 2 was on TV over the weekend and we stopped to watch the last half.
There's a scene with Buzz and Zurg (the bad guy) that was his absolute favorite at 3 years old, so I told him,
"You loved this part when you were little."
He said, "I still do."
Ouch... my heart.

2. Do you enjoy soccer?
Yes!  I really like it.  I didn't know a thing about it until the boy started playing a few years ago.
Now, I've been caught watching  it on TV.  I even know some of the international teams.

3. Are you musical?
Yes.  I can read music, play (peck) the piano, and I played the flute in high school.  Yep... a band geek.  I also sing, and I've been in choirs and ensembles.

4. How many push-ups can you do?
Putting down a specific number would require me to actually get down, do them, and count them.
Let's say 10?  5?  2?
I am overweight, out of shape, and I hate exercising.  It's the sad truth. 

5. Did you have braces when you were younger?
Yes, and it felt like I had them longer than anybody else I knew.

6. Summer or winter? Coffee or tea? Wedges or flats?
Winter.
Coffee and tea, but mostly coffee.
Wedges and flats, depending on the outfit or the occasion or what I have to do that day.

7. Do you buy new or used cars?
We've bought both.  We prefer new just because we are one of those families that believes in driving a car into its grave.  So we want to start out with a fresh one!

8. Are you afraid of needles?
I hate needles.

9. Do you get cranky when you’re tired or hungry?
Yes and yes.

10. Write your newest favorite recipe.

Layered Greek Dip
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups feta cheese, crumbled and divided
1 Tablespoon dried basil
10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and well-drained
1 large tomato, chopped
3 green onions, diced
1/4 cup sliced black olives

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, 1 cup of the feta, milk, and basil until well-blended.  Spread in the bottom of a 9" pie plate.  Top with drained spinach, then the tomato, then the green onion,  then the black olives.  Top all with remaining feta cheese.  Cover and refrigerate at least an hour.

I found this recipe on the Kraft website, but there are a million more like it out there.  I used fresh basil, and I added a seeded and diced cucumber to my layers.  I also drizzled the top with olive oil.

Have a great Tuesday!

I'm on my way to pick up a happy kid from school... we are headed for ice cream to celebrate the end of the year!

10 on Tuesday

Happy Tuesday, people.  Hop over to Roots and Rings for today's questions...

1. Who is your favorite talk show host?
Ellen Degeneres.

2. How do you style your hair on a daily basis?
Usually straight, au naturel.  I am trying to grow it out, and I'm amazed I've grown it out this far without strangling somebody.

3. If you were stuck in your bedroom for a week, what would you need in order to not go crazy?
Short hair again, my computer, the TV and the remote, unlimited cash for ordering food, lots of magazines, and my phone.

4. What are the best non-reality shows on television?
All I ever watch (besides reality TV) is Criminal Minds and the news.

5. Do you mow your own lawn and clean your own house?
Yes and yes.  It is the boy's job to do the lawn, but we always help out.  Now why doesn't anyone help me out with the housework?

6. As an adult, what is the best part of summer?
Air-conditioning, Happy Hour at Sonic, and NOT getting up to take the boy to school.

7. If you could ask one celebrity one question, who and what would you ask?
I would ask Oprah to give me some money.
Kidding.  Sort of.

8. Post a picture.

Have I mentioned the cat's been getting piggyback rides?


9. How many books do you read a year?
Never as many as I want to.  Umm... maybe 10?

10. Which national chain makes the best delivery pizza?
We go back and forth on this one, and we usually go with Pizza Hut (for the price) or Papa Johns (for the dipping sauces).

A Global 10 on Tuesday

Today's questions are over at Roots and Rings, but they come from a gal who's from Australia and living in London. (Sue at Simon’s Sista Saw) Cool.


1. Do you prefer fabric or plastic plasters? (or Band-Aids if American)
I had no idea they were called "plasters" by other people.
I prefer the fabric, because I prefer my son to be hive-free. The boy is HIGHLY allergic to the adhesives in Band-Aids, so the fabric ones are a tiny bit better.

2. Do you prefer gel pens, biro or fine liners for everyday writing?
Gel pens all the way. What is a biro?

3. Do you have a fear of needles/dentists/blood (if all three, which is the worst) and is there a story behind it?
Needles? Yes. I hate them.
Dentists? Yes. I despise having to go to the dentist.
Blood? Not really. It doesn't bother me... in small amounts.
Sorry, no good stories.

4. Do you like jelly? Do you eat it at any time other than when poorly?
Huh? Poorly?
I do like jelly... on toast, biscuits, and in PB & J's. I do not like grape jelly, though.

5. What are your Easter traditions? (if not Christian, insert your own meaningful festival here and tell us about that instead)
We love Easter, and we love celebrating it. Because we're Christians, it is the entire focus of what we believe. Christ is risen!
We also believe in chocolate rabbits, egg hunts, big dinners, and new clothes.

6. What’s your favourite book that you have read so far this year?
"The Help." I know, I know... You all read it 25 years ago when it came out. I am a little behind the times.

7. Do you have any magazine subscriptions or recommendations that we should know about?
I have a lifelong subscription to Southern Living and People.
Of course I recommend them.

8. Favourite etsy store (if you know the owner IRL, also include your favourite that you didn’t originally know IRL)?
I don't have a favorite. Or a favourite.
I jump all over the etsy land.

9. If you had play money (£100/$150) that could only be used on shoes, what shoes would you buy?
I am a frugal gal, so I could make that $150 go pretty far! Some Spring wedges, some flip flops... nothing too fancy or too pricey.

10. If you were going pet shopping tomorrow, what would you choose?
Oh my. That question made my stomach lurch a little. I already have a sweet cat and a spasmo dog. I have NO desire for another pet.

Home Decor On Tuesday

Link up at Roots and Rings if you want to join in. Today's 10 is all about furniture and decor... Yippee!
When I grow up, I'd love to be a decorator or designer. Or a marine biologist, but these questions are not about sea life.
So today, I want to be a designer...

1. Ikea: over-hyped and confusing or genius furniture company?
"Amazingly awesome" isn't a choice?
I love IKEA.

2. Your favorite interior-decorator-type person wants to makeover one room in your house. Which room do you choose and why?
Our downstairs basement den area. It is a "finished" space, but it needs help. Actually it needs money. I'd love it to be a hangout spot... with cozy leather chairs, a TV, and all the video game equipment relocated there.

3. Describe the furniture in your childhood bedroom. Did you like it? Where is that furniture now?
The furniture was classic 1970's White French Provincial. The color scheme started out all red and white gingham... including the floor! Then it morphed into the baby blue teen thing. I did like it, and I have no earthly idea where it all is now. I need to ask my mom.

4. When you’re done with furniture, what do you do with it? Donate it to Goodwill OR Sell it on Craigslist OR Put it by the curb and hope the trash guys take it?
I am very seldom "done" with furniture. I paint things until they die. We use the heck out of furniture. If it has any life left in it, we donate it.

5. My Pinterest furniture style could best be described as
funky/eclectic
antique/shabby chic
modern/minimalist
so random and varied it’s undefinable
My Pinterest style is all over the place. So I'll say undefinable. Mostly classic. Some shabby chic.

6. Name the most important furniture/toy in a toddler’s playroom. And why?
Some type of tidy organizational system for toys. Why? Because I think kids need to be taught and encouraged to clean up after themselves.
Most importantly, because toys reproduce in the middle of the night and will take over your house if you let them.

7. Your parents (or grandparents or other relative) are giving away all their furniture. Which piece do you really want?
If I had to pick only one thing... my mom has this cool antique Louis Philippe round folding table. I love it. I need to ask my mom why she's giving away all the furniture.

8. Your biggest furniture buying or home decorating regret?
This may be an odd way to answer, but I regret all the bar stools we've had to buy. Because we move all the time, we've lived in houses with every bar height imaginable. So, we have a collection of bar stools. Come to think of it, we have a collection of curtain rods in every size, too.
If I get rid of them, the next house we live in will require the size bar stool or curtain rod I gave away.

9. $1000 gift card! Do you want it to Ethan Allen, ikea, Pottery Barn Kids?
Pottery Barn Teen.

10. Bunk beds, loft beds, trundle beds, or canopy beds?
Trundle. You don't have as far to fall.

Tuesday's 10 And It's Hot

The weather has nothing to do with Ten on Tuesday, but since summertime temperatures have arrived earlier than normal, I will be complaining earlier than normal.

1. Should we keep doing Ten on Tuesday?
This is a good question, Chelsea. I enjoy the 10, but there are weeks I can't participate. Or don't participate, because the questions are about something I have no business blogging about... like baseball. (We are not baseball fans around here. Please don't call us un-American.)
I always feel guilty when I don't link up. Guilt is my specialty.

2. How do you pick out your sunglasses?
Do they fit my face? Do they cover my eyes? Are they cute? Do they make me look like a bug? And, do they sit straight on my crooked ears? I swear my ears are uneven.

3. Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
Sorta. I wear green, and I have a St.Patty's day wreath. If circumstances allow, we might eat some St. Patty's Day food.

4. Name 5 movies that you will never get sick of.
"Steel Magnolias"
any of the "Harry Potter" movies
"Elf"
"The Secret Life of Bees" (I like the book better, though.)
any of "The Pirates of the Caribbean" movies

5. Name 1 book that you will never get sick of.
"Harry Potter" (any of them)

6. Do you know any sign language?
I know most of the alphabet and a few words.

7. What is your favorite kind of Girl Scout cookie?
The kind you eat.
Seriously... I like them all. My favorite is a tie between Thin Mints and Peanut Butter Patties.

8. Are you handy? (Can you fix or build anything?)
Yes. The nature of Dan/Daddy's job makes me a single mom for stretches of time, so I have to be. I have to be responsible for a load of things that I normally wouldn't do. I have even replaced a car tail light.
I have to kill bugs and mow the grass sometimes, too.
I have not (yet) had to kill a snake. Would I be considered "handy" if I scream and call 911?

9. In what form do you prefer your potatoes? (Baked, mashed, au gratin, hashbrowns, twice baked, etc.)
All the above.
OK, baked.

10. Do you believe the saying “actions speak louder than words”?
Yes.

It is the first official day of Spring, and we're on track to break the record high here today. And tomorrow.
Let the complaining begin.

Ten on Tuesday

These questions come from Roots and Rings...


1. What did you do this weekend?
I watched a funny movie with the boy, took the boy to 2 karate lessons, ran 26 errands, watched some "Swamp People," and went to church. We've been on the road for the last 2 weekends, so it was nice to be home.

2. Do you prefer short fingernails or long fingernails?
Short... On my own hands and other people's. Long nails gross me out a little because I wonder how much crud is under them.

3. What is your favorite use for Pinterest?
Wasting time and making myself feel inferior. (I'm kidding. Sorta.)
I probably use it for recipes more than anything.

4. Do you sleep with your mouth open?
No, unless I have a cold and can't breathe. Sleeping with your mouth open is miserable.

5. Where did you have the best pizza you’ve ever eaten?
It's a tie between "Elizabeth's" in NC and the chicken Tuscan pizza at a place here in town.

6. What do you eat for breakfast on weekdays?
Oatmeal or cereal or toast. Maybe an egg. Thrilling, huh?

7. Do you watch awards shows? Why or why not?
Yes. I love to gawk at the celebrities and the clothes. Hollywood fascinates me.

8. Can you whistle? Snap? Curl your tongue? Bend down and touch your palms to the ground?
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
And yes.

9. What email service do you use?
Hotmail

10. What is your favorite outdoor activity?
Sitting on the beach watching my 2 guys play in the ocean.

The 10

Here we go on a Tuesday morning.
Roots and Rings is the place to link up...


1. What’s your favorite television show for each day of the week?
Our TV is usually on cartoons or Animal Planet or The Discovery Channel. I hardly ever watch "grown up" TV, besides the news. Because of cable, I don't even really know what's on anymore.
Monday - Criminal Minds reruns
Tuesday - 19 Kids and Counting or Chopped
Wednesday - a new episode of Criminal Minds
Thursday - Criminal Minds reruns
Friday - Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives
Saturday - this time of year... College Football
Sunday - Sister Wives or CSI Miami
Y'all, seriously. My TV viewing habits are a bit embarrassing.

2. How many times do you wear your jeans before you watch them?
2-3? Depends on how baggy they get. That drives me nuts.

3. What is your favorite pasta shape?
The shape that the recipe calls for. I'm not being a smarty pants; I don't have a favorite.

4. Do you read newspapers?
Nope. Used to.

5. Do you sleep in socks?
Sometimes I start out in them, but I end up pulling them off.

6. Favorite genre of movies?
No favs here, either. I like them all... even action adventure sci fi stuff.

7. How do you feel about wrestling?
I feel that the kind on TV with the giant costumed men is RIDICULOUS.
The other kind is ok, but the outfits are RIDICULOUS.

8. Should men pluck their eyebrows?
If their eyebrows come around the corner before they do? Then, yes.

9. Do you have dimples?
Only in places where it's not cute.

10. Do you like to camp?
Yes, for a short time. I love my indoor potty and my shower and my bed.

Happy November And 10

When Dan/Daddy first put his 'fro on last night, I laughed so hard I nearly choked to death on the Twizzler I was eating.
He looked like a middle-aged Napoleon Dynamite minus the awesome suit.

I went casual and wore my favorite hat.

The boy ran (dragging me behind) all over our new neighborhood and scored a VAST amount of sugar.
I was, however, a little disappointed by the low number of trick-or-treaters we had. We usually live on post wherever we are stationed, and I am accustomed to MASSES of costumed kiddos.
We are typically out of candy by 6:58 pm, and we have to turn off the lights and lock the doors and hope no one tears up the decor in a candy revolt.

Not here.
It was a little sad.
It's especially sad this morning when I look at all the candy I have left.

Dear Lord,
Please keep me from eating it all.
Amen.

Now. My pal over at Roots and Rings has pointed out a lack of participation in 10 on Tuesday. Well. Oops. That has been me. No excuses, just slackness.
Go join in if you have time...

1. What is your favorite month?
December. Love the cold and the holiday.

2. What is the best candy to get while trick or treating?
Anything chocolate

3. What kind of pen do you use?
A gel pen

4. You go to a new Italian restaurant, what is your go-to order?
Lasagna

5. If you could choose to have any celebrity’s hair, who’s would you choose?
Reese Witherspoon

6. What’s your favorite board game?
Is Boggle a board game? I heart Boggle.

7. Do you know how to play poker?
Nope. I wish I did, but I am hard to teach.

8. What do you think about Old Navy commercials?
Some of them crack me up. I like going into the store and seeing the plastic folks from the commercials.

9. What hurts worse- a stubbed toe or a paper cut?
A stubbed toe, initially. But, a paper cut is the injury that keeps on giving... like when you wash your hands or when you get ketchup in it.

10. What’s your favorite kind of pie?
Something warm... like apple or peach or cherry.

Have a great 11-1-11, people!

Tuesday and 10 and A Pile of Boxes and The Last Day Of School

Oh how I love the sound of boxes and packing tape. (Especially when that sound was delayed by 5.5 hours yesterday because of a traffic back-up at our gate to get on base. Thanks, gate guards, for keeping us safe... but my movers have GOT to get here. Please.)

Oh how I love the last day of school. (Except that the boy is sad to say goodbye to his friends. And that makes me sad.)

So here's some random fun on this sad, busy, crazy Tuesday.
Go to Roots and Rings to join in...


1. How do you pronounce the word aunt? Does your pronunciation rhyme with ‘haunt’ or ‘can’t'?
It rhymes with "can't." Like the bug. It cracks up my little neighbor when I say it... his family is from the North... where they say "auuuhhhhnnntt."

2. Do most of the people in your life know you blog? Or are you partially or totally anonymous?
I think most of them know.

3. When you grocery shop, do you prefer to bag your own groceries or do you like it when the store bags them for you? Paper, plastic, or reusable bags?
At our military commissary, most of them bag it for you. I don't mind at all doing it myself, though. And I use the reusable bags when I remember to get them out of the car.

4. Do you have a green thumb?
Haa! Nope.

5. If you watch the Food Network, which chef/show host is your favorite?
Have I told ya'll I have a crush on Bobby Flay? Guy Fieri's show makes me hungry, and Paula Deen makes me laugh. I also love Chopped and The Next Food Network Star.

6. Do you like to take baths? Do you take them very often?
They are ok. Showers are faster, and I think better in the shower.

7. What color are the walls in your kitchen?
That universal "builder's khaki" color.

8. Do you prefer to dine outdoors or indoors?
Ooooo... Outdoors is the best. Except for the flies. The flies around here are demonic and fat and slow and persistant. I hate flies.

9. Describe your ideal weather.
Cool enough in the evenings for long sleeves or a light sweater; warm and sunny in the day... never above 80ish. Ahhhhh. Does this place exist?

10. If you could learn any foreign language, which would you choose to learn?
Spanish. (I know, I know... the rest of you all are fluent in Spanish. Not me. Yet.)

Have a blessed Tuesday, friends.

I'm Almost Out Of Centrum Silver

Today's original blog post was all about cellular phones.
Jump on over to Roots and Rings; it's not too late.

It is too late for me, however.
I decided that instead of continuing to complain about moving, I'd participate in Ten on Tuesday.
Once I had answered a few of the questions, I felt the need to put on a shawl and rest a spell.

I felt older and older by the minute.
This could have been me, people.



So I didn't finish the post. I ran 498 errands. And didn't pack or sort a single thing.

Then because I am a Senior Citizen, I preheated the oven and set the timer and when I went to take our dinner out of the oven...
It was sitting on the counter. Cold. Uncooked.
I never even put it in the oven.

Thank ya'll for stopping by and showing Granny some blog love.

The 10 on Tuesday Where I Try To Hide My True Feelings

1. From your childhood, what do you miss most about summer vacation?
The way summer vacation seemed to start in late May and last until the end of July. Now it seems to get shorter and shorter.
Case in point... the boy gets out of school here June 14th. That is a crime. The bigger crime? He starts school in our new home on August 3rd.
(I'm not bitter at all.)

2. Are you going anywhere on vacation this summer?
Does "living in a hotel for an undetermined amount of time until we get a house" count AS A VACATION?
(I'm not bitter at all.)

3. What foods do you like to barbecue?
Does this mean "grill out" or actually cover in BBQ sauce?
I'll play it safe and say chicken.

4. How do you celebrate the fourth of July?
Usually grilling out. There are always amateur fireworks displays, as well.

5. What’s your favorite beverage to drink in the summertime?
Half-sweet tea. Or lemonade. Or anything from Sonic.

6. What movie are you looking forward to seeing this summer?
Oooo. I could make a list. But then you would all call me a 12 year-old boy again.
"Harry Potter" without a doubt.

7. In the car: windows down or AC?
Mercy. That makes me anxious just thinking about it.
AC, please. Not a fan of sweating, 90+ degree weather, or being hot.

8. Have you ever had a summer fling?
Just a few crushes on the cute boy at the beach or at camp. Nothing major.

9. Do you wear sunscreen?
Have you seen my legs?
I am a sunscreen Nazi. The boy runs in terror. Even Dan/Daddy rolls his eyes in disgust when it's time for us to be in the sun, because he knows what he's about to hear.
"Put on sunscreen!"

10. Do you have any favorite summertime activities?
The beach.
The beach.
The pool.
Snow cones/shaved ices.
and
NOT waking up to make a ham sandwich at 7:20 am.
(I am not bitter at all.)

Dear 10 on Tuesday, I'm Back

Roots and Rings is the place to participate...

Participating is what I can do today, because there is no need for a camera.
Mine's still dead.


1. Have you ever used Craigslist?
Yes. I bought 2 very adorable red bar stools from a lady in town. Oh, and a coffee table from a girl here on post (base).
I think my mom warned me of attackers when I told her about my cute bar stools and coffee table.

2. Can you sew?
Yep. Enough to make curtains or crafty things, but not clothes.

3. Do you pour syrup on your pancakes or dip your pancakes in the syrup?
I am a "drizzler" of syrup. I don't like soggy pancakes.

4. Rain storms: Love them or hate them?
Love, love, love rain. Hate, hate, hate the storms that come with lightning and hail and wind. I used to be ok with them, but we dodged one too many tornadoes during the years we lived in Alabama. Now, storms make me jumpy. Like my cat.

5. Do you like swimming?
Love it. It's probably my favorite form of exercise because it doesn't seem like exercise. I hate exercise.

6. What kind of drink do you order at Sonic?
I like to keep it exciting. Either un-sweetened tea with peach, un-sweetened tea with strawberry, Coke Zero with lime, Coke Zero with vanilla, or cherry limeade.
I think I see a stop at Sonic in my near future.

7. Are you funny?
In my mind, yes.
The boy thinks I'm a riot, and Dan/Daddy laughs at me now and then. Most of my pals would say yes, I think.

8. At what age will your kids get cell phones?
I used to say 14. Odd arbitrary number, I know.
But, seeing as how I love to eat my own words...
The 12 year old has one.
My reasoning? He is at the age where he's spending more time away from us than with us. I want him to be able to get in touch with me if he needs to.
Also, the boy and I are a 2-man team most of the time around here, and we need to be able to communicate when Dan/Daddy is away.
Why just yesterday, I called him on his phone while he was off playing in the woods after school. I'm sure it put a cramp in his outdoor adventuring style.

9. What’s your favorite vegetable?
Lima Beans. I can hear 29 people gagging.
I also like all forms of lettuce. And I would say tomato, but is it really a fruit?

10. Were you a Girl Scout?
Yes. Only for a little while, and I wish I'd stayed more involved.

Have a wonderful Tuesday, and please say a prayer for the people in Joplin, Missouri. I cannot imagine the heartbreak.

The Day I Cannot Participate

It's that day of the week when I link up to Roots and Rings for some Ten on Tuesday fun. Today's list is a fun photo questionnaire.
But I can't play along today.
Because I broke my camera. Again. The new one. The one I've had less than 2 months.

I dropped it at the zoo on Saturday. I was feeding these adorable little goats, and one of them decided to partially ingest my finger. So I went to hand my camera to Dan/Daddy while I washed/GermXed my bloody fingers.

And I dropped the camera. Lens out and face down in a goat pen.

I am cursed when it comes to cameras.

I think the Lord is trying to tell me ...
1. to NOT buy the wonderful expensive beautiful-picture taking camera I dream about

or...
2. that I am a klutz

or...
3. both

Hopefully this week, I will post the cute pictures I took at the zoo right up to the moment of camera death.
It makes me feel better to blame the finger-eating goat.

Let's Go To The Movies (10 on T)

As always, Tuesday's 10 is hosted by my bloggity pal
Chelsea at Roots and Rings...
(You really need to check out her blog. If only to stare at her adorable chubby-cheeked baby.)

1. If you could watch only one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Do I really get to reference my #1 movie twice in one week?
"Steel Magnolias" (Or "Iron Peaches" as my son and my CA gals refer to it.)
I would watch it over and over and over. Partly just to torture my family.

2. Let’s say someone wrote a screenplay about you; what actor/actress would you choose to play you and why?
That's tough... I like different actresses for different reasons. I think Jennifer Garner would work... she's got that "down-to-earth" thing going. But heavens mercy. They'd have to add some special effects wrinkles and get her to gain 50 pounds.

3. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in theaters?
ET. I remember it because I BAWLED like a baby. I have a soft spot for dying aliens who look anemic.

4. Did you ever make out at the back of a movie theater in middle school/high school?
Ummm. I don't recall doing that. I think I was too interested in the movie. I probably did the making out before or after. Gross. It kinda nauseates me now to think about it.

5. Are you a Netflix-er, Blockbuster-er or a Redbox-er? (Or none of the above?)
None. We tried Netflix for a while, but we order movies "On Demand" through our cable company. That Redbox thingy irritates me because they never have the movie you want.

6. Name one actor/actress who you would give anything to have a dinner date with.
Johnny Depp

7. What’s the worst movie you’ve ever seen?
"Don't Go In The House"
It was awful. It involved a burning naked person.
Told ya.

8. Do you sneak snacks into the theater when you go?
All the time. I cannot justify $4.50 candy that is $1 at the store down the street.
One time, I sat in front of people eating Taco Bell at the movies.

9. Movie theater popcorn: love or hate it?
I loved it UNTIL I saw that horrid Primetime-20/20-Dateline show about how disgusting it really is. You might as well drink liquid lard.

10. What is the all-time best Disney movie in your opinion?
Toy Story. (Does Pixar count?)

10 on Tuesday

Today's questions are from Mrs. Roots and Rings herself.
They are also nice and simple and required very little thought. Which is a good thing for me today.

1. What is the weather like in your city today?
The truth? 86 degrees and sunny.
My opinion? Too hot already.

2. Do you like the zoo?
LOVE it. I took the boy last week.
We had a great day...


We also fed a giraffe, and he had a great day.



3. Do you eat coconut?
Yes.

4. Have you ever hammered a nail? Are you good at it?
Yep. Especially picture-hanging nails. I hammer them all the time.
Because I am an Army wife, I hammer them in and take them out and fill up the nail holes and move to a new house and hammer them in all over again. And again and again and again. Can you guess what's on my mind?

5. Does your family have a vacation destination that you visit often?
Any sort of beach. Water and sand.

6. How many pillows do you sleep with?
Too many, according to Dan/Daddy. I like 2 under my head and one by my tummy. If Dan /Daddy is snoring, I have one over the top of my head.

7. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Flip on the news. My friend, S, called me a "news hound." I like to be aware.

8. Will you send your kids to summer camp?
If he wants to go. (Gulp.)
As long as I can chaperone. Or be a 40 year-old camp counselor.

9. What do you put in your baked potatoes?
Salt, pepper, butter, sour cream.

10. Did you take swimming lessons as a kid?
I did. I remember vividly wanting to be able to "graduate" to the upper levels...
Because you got to wear a cooler color swim cap. I was obviously more interested in looking cute than in learning to swim. But I do know how to swim, so I must have paid attention at some point.

10 On Tuesday

These are my favorite type of questions. Totally random.
If you have a chance, stop by Roots and Rings to check out this week's 10...

1. If you work, do you drive to work or take public transportation?
Well, I like think of a stay-at-home-mom as a "worker" in her own right, but I don't have to drive to get to my office. As a stay-at-home-mom, I live in my office. And in my car, now that I think about it.
I am a fan of public transportation, too. If I lived and worked where it existed, I might take it.

2. How often do you get your hair cut? Do you go to the same person every time?
Since I have short hair, I have to get it cut more often than my wallet would like. Every 5 weeks if I want it to look halfway decent and not cause me anxiety. I have enough things to worry about... I don't need an uncooperative hairdo making me want to jump off a bridge.
And yes, same girl. I say "girl" because she was born the year I graduated from high school. My goodness.

3. Do you read the newspaper? If so, a hard copy or the online version?
I like the Sunday paper in hard copy. Every other day, it's online news.

4. What is the best book you have read this year?
"The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns

5. What is the best movie you have seen this year?
Hmmm... that's tough. We see a lot of movies, but most of them are with the boy, so they're geared towards the 12 year-old set. (Is it embarrassing to say I liked "Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2?") I've seen some good movies, but nothing life changing.
I am, however, REALLY looking forward to some movies coming up. Harry Potter and Pirates 4 to be exact. Wait... maybe I am a 12 year-old boy.

6. Do you tend to crave sweet or salty foods?
All foods. I crave eating.
No, seriously. Salty.

7. Do you eat breakfast every day? If so, what do you have?
I try to eat something or I'll get a headache. I usually eat whatever I've made for the boy... cereal, oatmeal, eggs, waffle, bagel. We are not picky breakfast people.

8. If you celebrate Easter, what Easter treat/candy are you most looking forward to?
I do love a Peep. Have you ever tried the microwaved Peep? I hear it's to die for. I equally love a Reese's Egg.

9. How late is “sleeping in” to you?
9-ish. It was a lot later when I was younger, but a small person living in our house changed all that. Now we get up with the chickens.

10. Where are you going on your next vacation?
There may not be much of a vacation for us this year. With a move coming up, we might try to squeeze in some family visits. There's a chance we'll go to Disney in the winter (woo hoo!), but I am trying not to get too excited. Yet.

This 10 Made Me Hungry

It doesn't take much at all to make me hungry. The mere whiff of something cooking. A commercial. Getting stuck in traffic behind a Krispy Kreme truck.

So it goes without saying that today's 10 on Tuesday got my tummy growling.


1. What is a food that you never thought you would try, but then tried and liked?
Probably goat cheese. The thought of it always freaked me out, but it's yummo.

2. Do you subscribe to any foodie publications? If so, which ones?
Does Martha Stewart's "Living" count as a "foodie" publication? What if I don't really subscribe to it? (It was a freebie with expiring air miles.)

3. What ingredient do you find yourself reaching for the most when you cook?
Garlic, I think.

4. Are there any foods that you hated as a child, but then learned to like as an adult?
Spinach. But I do not like it cooked half-to-death until it's slimy. Then the 8 year-old in me will start gagging again. Oh... and asparagus. When I was little, I hated it. Now I love it.

5. What do you like to eat that others may consider weird?
The ends of the bread are my favorite. The part that most people toss out or dig past... I LOVE. And the harder and crustier bread is, the more I like it.

6. What is the weirdest ingredient you’ve ever cooked with?
Venison. It's not weird where I grew up, and it's not weird in most of the places I've lived. But, I'm sure it's odd to some folks. I just can't think about it too much when cooking or eating. If I think too much, I start seeing Disney's Bambi in my mind. And poor little baby Bambi's momma. Ugh.

7. Do you have any major food allergies?
Thank the Lord, no.

8. Is there an ingredient that you would like to cook with, but are intimidated to try?
There's not a specific ingredient, but there are some dishes I would like to try. I am a scaredy-cat when it comes to some things... I tend to make the same stuff over and over.

9. Do you bake?
I wish. I mean, I bake the occasional cake or pie or goodies, but I am not one of those serious baking types. My sis-in-law? She is a baker. I am jealous.

10. If you could go on any “foodie” show to compete, which one would it be, and why?
"Throw-Down" with Bobby Flay. I don't have a darn thing to compete with, but I love Mr. Flay. Maybe we could have a Pop Tart throw down? His style of cooking is my love language.

If I could just go on any show, it would be triple D. That's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" with Guy Fieri. That show actually makes my mouth water. He knows good food and he has rockin' hair.

10 on T

I have missed the last 438 Ten on Tuesdays,
and I tend to exaggerate.
It's nice to be back, and the questions are fun this week!


1. How did your parents decide on your name?
Every time I asked my mom, she'd simply say, "I just liked the name." It tends to confuse people because they assume I was born in September, October, or November. Nope - December. Before the 1st day of Winter. So, technically speaking, I am an Autumn.
And you would not believe how many people CANNOT spell Autumn. Even when you say, "The Season... Fall... Autumn." They just stare at me like I'm speaking German with a big piece of lettuce in my teeth.

2. Do your initials (First, Middle, Last) spell out anything fun/funny?
A.R.U.
Nope.
Before I was married, it was A.R.R. Always made me think of a pirate. "Arrrr..."

3. Did you take your middle name from childhood or did you take your maiden name as your middle name? (If unmarried, what do you plan to do?)
I use my maiden name. I think it honors your birth family. But I do like my middle name.

4. Are you or will you name your children thematically (ie. same first letter, all of same origin…)
Ummm... no. I have one, and I don't see any extras in the near future. (Sorry, Nana.) But I do like the origin idea. I like old names... family names and names from way back when.

5. Did you decide on baby names as a little girl? Did you stick to them or change your mind?
Oh my word, yes. They were pretty trendy and horrible. I definitely did not stick to them.

6. Does your family have any names that have been passed down through generations?
"Daniel" (and its variations) is one. I had no clue there was another "E" on Dan/Daddy's side of the family until way after we'd decided what to name the boy. I think that's pretty cool.

7. Do you look at the meaning of the name or just the name itself?
Most certainly the meaning. But, there are names I like whose meaning I don't like... So, I guess both.

8. Do you name pets with human names (Sally, Henry) or with pet names (Fluffy, Mr. Bo Bo)?
Yes and yes. One cat had a human name, and one cat has the name of the restaurant where we found her. We're clever like that. I have always wanted a goat I could name Nigel, so I think I lean more towards the human-type names.

9. Are there any names that you have an affinity or dislike for based on a childhood experience/someone you once knew?
Yes. Yes. And yes. The "dislike" much more than the "affinity." It's strange how you can grow up and move on and forgive, but even just the mention of a hurtful person's name takes you zooming right back.

10. What are some of your favorite names? Why?
I have always said that IF we had another, I liked the name Moses. But then Gweneth Paltrow stole it.
I also like Israel and Judah. Do you sense a trend here?
I have no girl names picked out as favorites, because little girls scare me a teeny bit. So if I don't pick out a girly name, then there's no chance I'll ever end up with one, right?

My Iced-In "10"

It's Day #2 of the big Snow/Ice Storm 2011, and I'm tired. Tired from doing nothing and tired from staying up way too late to watch the Auburn/Oregon game.
I dozed off for a while last night, but then woke up for the last 6 minutes... which was the best part of the whole game.

As you may know... a DIE HARD 11 year-old Alabama fan lives in this house (and he's influenced the rest of us). I'm happy to report that he (we) rooted for Auburn. It's a Southern thing I guess. If your team isn't playing for the National title, at least pull for the SEC team that is. Even if they are a major rival.

So... Cabin Fever hasn't set in just yet, but I feel it coming.

At first, I love the being "cooped up." I get just as excited as the boy when school is cancelled. I hate waking up and making a ham sandwich at 7:00 am.

I kept my PJs on until sometime after 4:00 pm yesterday. Then I took a shower and put on fresh PJ's. Ahhhh. The snowed-in life.

But the glamour will start to wear off eventually.

I can assure you it will wear off for the boy this afternoon when we start cleaning out/re-organizing/de-cluttering his room and toys. He's gonna be wishing he was at school.

SO because we can't leave the house and because it's Tuesday and because I haven't participated in a hundred years...
I give you...
Ten On Tuesday...

1. Is there a band/artist that you HATE?
Nope. Not really. I despise it when singers spew profanity and hatred. I also cannot STAND people singing through their nose. I can tolerate country music; but, please, sing it with your voice and lungs... not your nasal passages.

2. What do you do when you get a gift that you do not like? How do you react?
I don't usually receive gifts that I don't like... sometimes they don't fit... my body or my personality. I like most things I receive, and I am always happy that someone thought of me. Even if I have to get a bigger size!

3. How is your work office/cubicle decorated?
Like my house. Cause it is my house.

4. Do you use all of your vacation every year?
I guess I'll have to answer yes, but it's Dan/Daddy's time we're using.

5. Did you have a real or fake Christmas tree?
It used to be a real one. Then I gave birth to the most allergic human being on the planet. Now it's a fake one. I miss the tree smell, but not the tree mess. Or the trips to the ER.

6. If you could have anything for dinner tonight, what would it be?
Anything cooked (well) by someone other than me.

7. Do you bite your fingernails?
No.

8. How many cups of coffee do you drink each day?
2 maybe. Unless it's a Starbucks kind of day. Then 3.

9. Do you have a nervous tick?
I don't think so. I talk with my hands. Does that count? I also jiggle my legs when I'm sitting. Does that count?

10. How often do you vacuum?
A lot. I can wear out a vacuum in no time flat. 2 cats and 1 boy means a lot of mess.

Again... Congratulations Auburn!! GO SEC!!

And hurry up and melt snow!!

T on T is Me!

I submitted this week's 10 questions to Mrs. Roots and Rings...
And now I'm famous.

Well. In my own mind.

So here are the questions....
(Can you tell what's on my mind?)

1. What are your plans for the holidays? Do you travel at Thanksgiving? If you celebrate Christmas, do you travel then, too?
We travel entirely too much. For Thanksgiving, we'll head to AL for 2 days; then we'll drive to SC for 2 days. Then before Christmas, we'll drive to FL for a few days. We will be at our house on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and then we'll hit the road again after Christmas... back to SC.
Makes me tired just thinking about it.

2. How do you make the plans for the holiday? If you have a significant other, how do you decide which family to visit?
We split up the time, and see both families every year. We actually split the time pretty much down to the hour. And ever since the boy was born, we've made a point to be home on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

3. Do you have your Thanksgiving meal at lunch or later in the day?
Lunch.

4. Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
Eating.

5. After a big meal do you lounge around or get up and take a walk?
I like to lounge around, but I am usually surrounded by non-loungers, so I feel fat and guilty.

6. Do you shop on “Black Friday” or do you avoid it?
If I can. I love it! This year, Dan/Daddy has promised me we'll be at my family's house in time for me to hit the stores with my mom and sis-in-law.

7. When do you usually finish your Christmas shopping?
Moments before the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve.

8. Do you and your significant other exchange gifts? Is there a budget?
We usually do, and the budget usually changes. I am the only one who ever abides by the budget, though. You can ask him, it's true.

9. When do you decorate for the holidays?
Right after Thanksgiving. But for the last few years, we put up the tree earlier. Because we're only home for part of the holiday, we want to enjoy it as long as we can. (And I always leave my tree up past everyone else.)

10. Do you go “all out” with the decor or do you keep it simple?
I'm no Martha Stewart, but I do love to decorate for the holidays. Trees inside and out, lights, Nutcrackers, Santas... I guess we go "all out."

Happy Thanksgiving!!