Answers

My friend was working a graveyard shift the other night, and knowing she would need something to keep her awake I sent her ten different e-mails with random questions for her to answer that might (or might not) take a little bit of thought. I hoped that doing them separately instead of the run of the mill questionnaires that everyone sends would take more time.. I was right and she said that they used up a good two hours of her time.
I thought I’d share of few of my own answers to the questions I sent her.

What is your favorite book and why?
I’ve always loved reading. I’ve been an avid reader since elementary school. Once I pick up a book I can’t put it down and will take any opportunity to read it. I can finish a book in days.
I read mainly historical fiction. I love Tracie Petersen. There are a few of her series that I just love. I like the late 1800’s and early 1900’s mostly. Right now I’m reading “Snow flower and the secret Fan” it takes place in 19th century China when girls had their feet bound, then spent the rest of their lives in seclusion. It’s very interesting so far.

While I’m driving I love to listen to books on tape (yes tape.. I think I’m the only one that still doesn’t have a CD player in their vehicle). Currently in my car I'm listening to the “abounding love” series by Peggy Stoks. I ‘m quite enjoying that too. Its about a woman who gets run over by a runaway wagon and while she's laying on the operating table she confesses her love for the local store owner and although he has never even talked to her , marries her right then and there... Its fun to listen to, but I have a hard time getting out of my car when I arrive at my destination. I’ve been late clocking into work twice because I haven’t wanted to leave while the book was at an interesting point.

I hate mysteries or detective type stories... I have read a couple and they just leave me feeling disturbed.. I used to read a lot of romance novels, but now that I'm old and married and have kids, they make me blush and feel naughty.....
I used to read to the girls every single night.. Really I did... up until Matt was born..
When It was just Ali I read to her at least 2-3 times a day every day.. We LOVED to read. I’m very happy that she has carried that love on herself.. When Meg came along I read to her a little less but still read to both of them at least 4-5 nights a week before bed.. Then I got pregnant with Matt and my body was so exhausted all the time that by the end of the day I had barely enough energy to put myself in bed..I felt guilty but I couldn’t drag my aching tired body into their room anymore. I stopped reading with them... I always beat myself up about it too, I feel like I failed....
I don’t read to Mattie half of what I did with Ali. ...... sad, but true.. He still loves books and every time we drive into the library parking lot he starts yelling “BOOKS! BOOKS!” and continues until we get to the children’s section where he and I will sit in the toddler section flipping board book pages. We try to go at least once a week. I feel bad that I don’t read to all of them like I would have imagined myself doing. It just gets busy and I don't think about it .. I would like to do more of that, and I should make it more of a priority but life is funny that way.. Other things come up......



Next
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
years ago, I would have said a Beach somewhere lying in the sun.. I'm sure it would still be a wonderful spot to be and I wouldn’t deny it if given the opportunity, but after taking the kids to Disneyland a few years ago, I must agree that it is the happiest place on earth.. Every second of that trip was about watching the girls take it all in. I had SO much fun watching their faces light up at the smallest things. Watching the parade, riding dumbo, and watching them as they stood patiently for character autographs. And although I’ve been to the Bahamas, Hawaii, Canada, Key Largo and many more places I would have to say that it has been one of the best vacations I’ve ever had. I can't wait to take Mathew their someday when we can afford it. We hope to go in two years when he’s 4.
If we could go anywhere else I would have to say I would love to travel over seas and see foreign places like Japan, or Greece (especially after seeing Mamma Mia!). I think honestly I’d be happy going just about anywhere. I love to travel period. I love flying. It’s a fun and exciting feeling for me when I walk into an airport. I love boarding an airplane knowing that wherever I'm going it is away from the trials, and stresses of work and home. I love to get away. It’s been a long while since we've been able to do that.

more.....
Favorite food
I am a mood kind of food person. I will eat something one day that will totally repulse me the next. For example; yogurt.... I will eat yogurt one day and it will taste great but then for the next month the thought of yogurt turns my stomach and I won't eat it. Chicken is the same, cottage cheese, soup, bread, sandwiches, the list goes on..... I'm kind of funny that way.. I’m also very environmental with food. I will eat something at work that I won’t touch at home. Weird?
If I go to a restaurant I will order the same thing 95% of the time. I will associate a restaurant with only what I have eaten their, not by what might be there.
I am not big on fast food... If I had a choice I'd do Arby's or Wendy's... maybe Taco time.. I Don't like McDonalds just ask my kids. Although, I will eat a Sundae there once in a while. You'd think that with my pickiness I'd not be 150 pounds, but alas Age and lack of activity has caught up to me.


finally.....
What are the three most important things that you want for your children?
And mind you my children are 9,6, and almost 2. I am realistic in nature and know that my feelings about these issues may or may not change drastically in years to come… that said.

My very first and most important thing that I want for my children (besides happiness obviously) is an education.. I want them to go to college .. I want them to do it young and not wait because its so much harder (I know from experience.. I have been a single mother of two while going to college and working full time. Its not fun)... I hope that they will have direction and know where they want to go so that they can begin their lives on steady ground. .. I don't want them to be poor white trash like we are.. (Taylor and I). Money is not everything I know, but struggling for it can also be very hard and stressful. I would like for them to not have to be financially burdened like we are. You can't get very far these days without a higher education.
Second: I want them to Not settle, EVER for a partner.. I want them to know that they've got plenty of time in life and that marrying when you're 20 just isn’t necessary....I want them to realize that Marriage isn't perfect, but you really have to decide what traits, beliefs and values are most important to them.. I want them to be Mature enough to know that,.. and most people Don't when they're 20..
Third: I want them to be confident and have direction.. I struggled for SO MANY years with insecurities and fear of judgment. I hated my adolescence and refused to take a direction because I didn’t have enough confidence in myself to choose something. There were so many opportunities that I missed out on because of my fears. I want them to know that they can do and accomplish anything they want.. No Laziness, yet no over achievers here... just knowing that what they want from life, they can have, as long as they work for it, and not to let other people or insecurities stand in their way....



So there you are.. just a few of my answers.. maybe I’ll write down more later. But for now, I’m going to bed. Another 12 hour shift tomorrow.