Thursday, November 29, 2007

Another Questionnaire....but I liked this one.

Introduce yourself: Mommy, Apryl Christina, Mrs. Partridge

It’s Thursday at noon, where are you usually? getting the kids some lunch or hurridly making hubbies lunch so he can run out the door to work

Who was the last person to send you a text message? i don't have a cell phone....i know, i'm behind

What brand of shampoo is in your shower right now? sauve strawberry flavor

What are you listening to right now? Karissa singing a made-up song....bored because brother is not here....

Do you watch MTV anymore? Never did.

You need a new pair of jeans, what store do you go first? Target

How do you feel about your hair? well it's falling out faster than it's growing now....how would you feel?

What time do you wake up in the morning? 7:00am....sometimes earlier if the kids wake up before that

What movie is in your DVD player? there are several: lion king, deep space nine season 1, last of the dogmen and north avenue irregulars....guess which movie is the one i watched last? :)

Last two numbers in your phone number? 74

Who’s in your house? Right now, me, hubby and karissa....mitchell is still at school for another hour

What side of the bed do you sleep on? either side...we aren't picky and we switch

Do you like roller coasters? Hate them....i get so sick that i can't enjoy whatever else we are doing that day

What magazine(s) do you buy regularly or subscribe to? my grandma subscribes me to Country Home

What kind of car do you drive? 2004 Chrysler Pacifica

What do you think about gay marriage? What I think doesn’t matter, it’s what God thinks that matters.

What do your pants look like? lol....well...........just got out of the shower after walking on the treadmill and am in a robe!!!

Do you own an iPod? No, and again, i know i'm behind

What kind of cologne/perfume do you wear? i don't...just good old deodarant as i tend to sneeze when i wear perfume of any kind

What are your plans for Saturday? i think i have to take mitchell to his first birthday party and i want to take nate out for his birthday but don't know if he wants to go anywhere or if we can find a babysitter.

What is the dumbest thing you have ever done with your cellphone? don't have one remember?

Does mind over matter work for you? i have an active imagination...does that count?

Are you paranoid? absolutely

What was the last thing you were invited to? uhhhhhhh.....i think it was a jewelry party that i forgot

What item should never be shared? toilet paper, kleenex, socks, deodarant, details about your sex life

What do you usually order at Taco Bell? i haven't been there in ages....wouldn't know

Have you ever sat all the way through Gone With the Wind? yes, sadly

When was the last time you were up all night? about a week ago

Where is your favorite place? where ever nate is

Do you ever think about the price of gasoline? i try not to which gets me in trouble with nate because i don't "shop around" for gas

Do you sleep with a fan on? i used to until i got married and he doesn't like the noise

What is the best thing about Winter? being able to snuggle without sweating

How often do you hold back from saying what you are thinking? not enough

How many states have you been to where all you saw was the airport? i can't think of any, i don't fly that much

Are you currently planning a trip? no thank goodness

How many plants are in your home? four

Are they fake? better question to ask would be if they are dead

Have you ever googled your name and found somebody? yes and i was sorely disappointed with my namesakes lifestyle and have never done it again

Whose number one in your top 8? what top 8?

What is your favorite possession? depends on what you consider a possession...probably my Bible (the one my parents gave me when I was baptized) or pictures of my family

What makes you feel like you are young again? playing with the kids, listening to NKOTB or watching cartoons (but they have to be real cartoons....like bugs bunny, roadrunner, smurfs, etc.)

Do you know how to play chess? i used to

What are you worrying about right now? whether i'm going to be done with this in time for me to get out of this robe to get mitchell off the bus

Are you picky? depends

You have one wish, what would it be? that my kids grow up to be faithful Christians

Where were you at 11:45p.m last night? watching a movie in bed

Ever talked to someone that was high? yes.....not a pretty sight

How tall is the person you like? depends on who we are talking about....the one i like the most is 6'3"

Last message you sent? was an e-mail to a friend about the kids

Last comment you left someone? to holly about her lovely christmas tree

Do you have a Facebook? Yes and i deleted my myspace because i liked it better

What color are your underwear? hmmmm.....robe, remember?

Last person you were in the car with besides your family? oh my....probably grace when she went with me to help get photos of the kids done

Do you own a polo? heavens, no

Are you currently frustrated with a girl? always...by the name of karissa

Are you excited for winter? not really

If it was free and it would work perfectly, would you get plastic surgery? nope....because i believe this is the way God made me and wanted me to be...i would be interfering with His plans for me if i changed myself like that

Have you ever slapped someone in the face? yes

Have you ever been called Prince or Princess? nope and don't care to be......i think that's one of the things wrong with this world is that everyone wants to think of themselves as "royalty"

What do you hear right now? didn't i already answer this question?

If you had to change your eye color, would you? nope...see above answer to plastic surgery

Last thing you wrote your name on? christmas cards

Where do you want to be right now? in bed

What do you want for Christmas? nate at home

Does it snow where you live? Yes, but not very much

Where did you get the pants you’re wearing right now? hmmmmmm...

When is the next time you will see your grandma? sadly i have no idea....

How is your hair right now? wet....shower, remember?

What is tomorrow? Friday, November 30, 2007

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Six Things

My friend Holly "tagged" me and now I am going to write six (hopefully interesting) things about myself. (Btw, Holly, SO sorry this took me so long. Your e-mail got sent to the junk mail folder and I only check it about every two weeks....there's usually nothing in there but trashy things and I just don't waste my time checking it all the time!)

1. I live by lists. This is to say that I make lots (LOTS) of lists. Lists about anything and everything. Things to do, things to buy, people to see, people to write cards to, people to call, stores to go to.......you get the idea. Everything in my life (well, most) can be put down in a list. For some reason, seeing my life in lists makes things easier for me to manage. That's not to say that the lists ever get all the way done......actually, hardly ever. BUT, somehow seeing what I need to do, written out, makes me be able to breathe easier. I think this comes from my school days as I had a really hard time (even then) keeping track of things that needed to be done. I have never had the best memory and if I didn't write things down (like homework) in a list of what needed to be done and when, I would get home at night and have panic attacks that I was forgetting something important and then wouldn't be able to get anything accomplished because I was so focused on what I was forgetting (or thought I was forgetting). The best thing that ever happened to me in school was the invention of the School Planner. I kept EVERYTHING in there. I always knew right where it was and when things were due and to whom. Sadly, I don't think I had a planner except for maybe my last couple of years of highschool (maybe even just my senior year......faulty memory). Anyway. I like lists. And if I'm going to remember something, I HAVE to write it down. And, even now, if I'm going to get things done at home...I have to make a chore list for myself to follow. Sadly, a busy life and sickness and trips always seem to mess me up and get me out of my groove....but if I can follow my list....then I do great.

2. I sing...........all the time. I go through my day singing. What I sing changes maybe dayly, hourly or minute by minute depending on my mood. I think songs keep me going and keep me in a stable frame of mind. Usually they are songs I've learned at church (see an earlier post for my favorite one). But I always have a song on my mind. Yes, sometimes I get stuck on one and can't get it out of my head. And, sadly, they are usually ones I don't really care for. I just make myself start singing something else and I can most of the time get it to go away. I have always loved to sing. I don't have the best voice (I was cheated in the voice "gene" as my sister and brother have beautiful voices), but I can sing reasonably well.....at least the kids don't mind.....YET! :)

3. I eat for comfort. It wasn't always like this. In fact, I remember in school.....all they way through college even, going all day without feeling hungry and really eating. I remember, in fact, getting into trouble with my parents alot when I was younger for not eating lunch at school. It wasn't really the fact that I wasn't eating that was so terrible...it was the fact that I was trying to hide it from Mom and Dad. There are days that I wish I could skip a meal now! It seems like, now, that food controls my life......or a good portion of it anyway. This is the first time in my life that I've ever had to worry about my weight. And it seems like everytime I get to a point where I could do something about it......a situation slaps me in the face and turns me down. In fact, to give you a little idea......Since I was pregnant with Mitchell it seems like I've been sick for the past 4 years. Here's a little run-down: Sick with Mitchell when pregnant, then after Mitchell was born two months later I got pregnant with Karissa and was sick with her (although not as badly). Since Karissa has been born (and she's only two at the moment) I've had mono twice (I just started my second round of it this month) and I've had two surgeries. There's been only about a three month period since Karissa was born that I was feeling relatively "normal". And, just so I can say that I CAN do it...during that period of time I lost 17lbs. Anyway....the point of all of this was...I've become a comfort eater....and I hate it.....and I hate being overweight.....but how do you lose weight when you aren't allowed to excersise? (for anyone that's not had mono...you aren't allowed to do any exercising until you are given a clean bill of health). So...........................I feel sad. I eat. I feel happy. I reward myself. And I get fatter.

4. I feel guilty. About everything. EVERYTHING. And I over-analyze my life and everything in it. I'm a people-pleaser (which goes along with feeling guilty) and if there is someone in my "world" that is unhappy......so am I. I work everyday to make sure that the people in my life are happy and happy with me. If I do or say something that I think was hurtful or inappropriate (or even just stupid) I stress over it.........and stress over it. Until it finally bothers me SO much that I go back to that person and apologize. The amusing thing? Ususally that person has no idea what I'm talking about, doesn't remember the situation or why I'm apologizing. BUT, I DO. And, even though it might not have affected them....it affected me because I wasn't being the loving, caring, sensitive, insightful person that I try on a daily basis to be. And I'm getting worse at it. I have a family curse that when women in my family get older....they get more and more outspoken. This isn't necessarily a bad thing.....except that what they are outspoken about can be hurtful if not said in the right way. I'm trying desperately to not be that way...but I find myself leaning that way more and more everyday!

5. The word "NO" is not in my vocabulary. Ask me to define the word "no" and unless you are talking about my children.....I coudn't give you an asnwer. I can say no to my children because I know it's good for them for me to say no. Like, NO! don't touch the stove, it's hot! I can do that. But when it comes to others asking me to do things.....I can't say no. It doesn't matter how disruptive it will be to me or my family, how big, how small, whatever the request I will ALWAYS say yes. This has gotten me into more trouble than I can count. But I just can't bear to say no to anyone. Even if it means putting a hardship on me or my family.....I will do whatever it takes to make whatever I said "yes" to, happen. I've gotten myself roped into SO many things that I should have said no to.....but, I just can't. I think it goes back to being the people pleaser. If I say no......they might think bad of me, or they might think I don't care for them or their needs......and so I say yes.

6. Finally, the last one. And if you are a brave soul and have read this far into the blog....WOW! Thanks! :) Anyway. For my last one.....I'm VERY VERY sentimental. Very. I come by this naturally. My mom is the same way. The bad thing is that I can make anything and everything have a sentimental meaning. This leads to being a pack rat because I can't throw anything away, remembering things that aren't even important and that no one else remembers, feeling attached to people when there's really no attachment there and getting my feelings hurt rather easily. I am very loyal. If you consider me as a friend, then I'll do anything for you. Even if someone considers me a friend and treats me badly, I'll do anything for them because there is that sentimental attachement there. This gets me into trouble on many levels. The most disturbing thing about being sentimental...............................I cry at everything. I could be the worlds best crying actress. You want me to cry? Just tell me something sad, tell me something sweet and I'll burst into tears. For no reason of course. I've almost stopped watching TV because I can't handle all the crying that I do. I see a commercial about the poor kids in Africa. I cry. I see a commercial about someone needing money for cancer treatment. I cry. I see a show that has a special moment in it. I cry. I can even cry at cartoons. Not joking. *Sigh*

Well, those are six things about me. Not, necessarily the best things or the biggest things, but six things nonetheless that maybe some of you didn't know.

Thanks for reading! And If you've gotten this far and haven't been tagged yet, Then consider yourself tagged! :) (I'm not officially tagging anyone because I can't bear to make someone feel pressured to do something they don't want to do).

Saturday, November 10, 2007

I hate passwords. Does anyone else?

For one....I hate them because it's something else that I have to stick into my brain under the file "Remember This" and that file is so jam-packed full things are starting to leak out and I'm forgetting the important things to remember. Like the password for this blog. I've had to re-set it twice now in the past two days because the password that I use for everything else is too short!

That takes me to my next complaint. Who gets to say whether a password is too short, too long, too dumb or too ______ (you fill in the blank)? I really want to know because I want to STRANGLE that person. Each thing, of course, that you have to set a password for is different. Just like the gas station pumps or the card readers at a store or even the gift registries at stores (which is another subject that I won't harp on here).....but WHY can't they all be the same? I'm tired of looking and feeling stupid because someone somewhere has to put their own spin on something that already worked in the first place. Everything has to be Individualized. I understand the importance of feeling different and being your own person. BUT passwords and card readers and gas pumps are NOT people....therefore their feelings WILL NOT get hurt if we keep everything the same and make a Universal way of doing things. That way my pea brain can focus on something more important than trying to remember which gas station I'm at and which way I have to press the buttons and in what order. (and whether or not I have to lift the handle, press a button or just sing to the gas pump and look pretty!)

You want another reason I hate passwords so much? (too bad I'm going to tell you anyway).....because it means that I can't TRUST fellow human beings to do the right thing, keep their nose out of my business and be just honest, kind, and not self-seeking. Because that's what it comes right down to doesn't it? We can't trust people. And I think that's the saddest thing........EVER. It has always boggled my mind what people find to do that they think is fun. Hacking (into everything and anything to either steal or gain the upper hand over someone else), making and sending viruses to destroy people's computers, stealing someone's identity because they've already screwed up thier own. I really can't imagine what must possess those people to do such things. Really I can't. Now, that's not to say that I've never done something wrong, never put myself first when I should have thought of others or even taken something for myself knowing full well someone else might need that. BUT, I haven't, as of yet, purposefully went out, mind set, to destroy someone else's life. And, so, that's where passwords come in.

Now, passwords are one thing. But when your password isn't even safe....what do you do then? Well, you do what our bank has done to us and they have made it so that you have to remember three different numbers and about 10 different answers to questions that are different everytime! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Now THAT really makes my brain hurt. And the result? You guessed it. I don't log into that site unless I absolutely have to. And when I do...I usually end up having to answer more questions than the smarter human being (my husband for one) because I can't remember the answers or I answer SO many of them wrong that I end up locking myself out and have to either e-mail or telephone the bank and describe to them in detail what an idiot I am that I can't remember my own password.

I hate passwords. Did I already say that?

Thursday, November 8, 2007

It has been too long since I last posted. Many many many things have happened since then. And, Sadly, too many to write about here. It's safe to say that my life has been busy and interesting. (when could it not be when raising two little ones ages 3 and 2, re-modeling a 100+ year old house, and keeping myself from going crazy because of it.)?

Many of my friends keep blogs and I've never been able to consistantly keep one...let alone a diary when I was growing up. I wanted to....very badly, but just never had the stick-to-it-ness that you need to make it work. I'd love to be able to journal and remember things that happened to me today when I'm 90 (if I make it that long) but maybe it's better to just remember the things that you want to remember and not all the dreary day-to-day routine (I just said my life was interesting, didn't I?).

Ah, well. I've been stressing for over a month about what to do for my Mom's 50th Birthday. It just seems like it's such a wonderful milestone and I'd like to recognize it somehow in a big way. I've thought of all kinds of things I could buy her...picture of the kids, hearts, butterflies, movies...all things she would enjoy, but does that really celebrate the 50 years that she's had here on earth with her family and friends? I WANTED to get everyone together and have them send cards to her and have a big card shower...BUT, my Mommy being who she is, is mostly a private person and didn't want the entire world knowing that she turns 50 this year (maybe when I'm 50 I'll understand. All I can see now is a great opportunity for a wonderful party wasted!) But we are going over to Dad and Mom's on Sunday to help her celebrate. I'm making a cake and probably something for lunch so she doesn't have to.....but that still doesn't seem like enough.

So I think what I'm going to do is buy some really great stationary and a pretty pen and sit down and write her a letter. I want to tell her everything that she's meant to me in my short 28 years (ACK! Am I really that old?) and how much I love her. Corny...but I think out of everything that I've thought of doing for her...she might like this the best. (Mommy is VERY sentimental. Is that where I get it?)

So, hopefully if I remember this coming Monday I'll sit down and write how her birthday goes. It should be a fun time celebrating the 50 years of my favorite Lady on earth!!!!!!!! :)