Knowing Me: Knowing You...The August Edition.

Well it has been 6 long months since I've written anything on this blog...which isn't too bad when you consider the fact that I wasn't really planning on ever coming back again. So...why am I back? Well, I need a place to write my answers to The Fairy Blogmother's "Knowing Me, Knowing You" quiz!


Here goes...


1. What is your favourite kind of pie?

Mmmmm, pie. I love pie. You may remember the whole "I'm going to bake a different pie every week!!!" kick that I got on just after having Colie: Post-Partum Pieforia, I believe it's called. Unfortunately, one pie a week didn't go so well with the other kick I was on, which was "I would like to lose some of this baby weight, rather than add to it". So, ya, anyway...what was the question? My favourite pie? Strawberry Rhubarb. For sure. Not with a crumble crust though, and not with the lattice top (although I wouldn't turn my nose up at either). I like strawberry rhubarb pie, heavy on the rhubarb, with a normal pie-crust top. 
2. What kind of wedding did you have. I am making the broad assumption here that you are married, if you're not.. what was the last wedding like that you went to.

We eloped. To Jamaica. 
Best. Decision. Ever.
{I just kind of wish we hadn't bothered with the overly expensive "at-home reception" after, that we are still paying for, and no one really gave two hoots about anyway). 

3. Ever been too a 3D movie?

Yes. I saw "Creature from the Black Lagoon" when I was about, oh, 10 I guess. There was one scene in the water with the fish swimming around and it looked like one was coming right at me. So cool. Horrible movie but, at 10, I thought that was pretty awesome 
4. What is the worst movie ever made?

Listen very closely because this cannot be overstated - The worst movie ever made is "A.I." Have you seen that movie? Dave and I tried. We had high hopes because of Hailey Joel Osment and "The Sixth Sense". Oi. I could not get through the movie. It just sucked. that. bad. 

5. Are you all set for back to school?

No. But, no biggie. The real question is...am I ready for summer to be over and the answer to that question is...
NOOOOOOO!

Knowing Me - Knowing You: November Edition.

It's that time once again... time for that monthly interview project started by my friend Shan over at Tales from The Fairy Blogmother - Knowing Me, Knowing You.

1. What's your strategy for gift giving this Christmas?
I think this year (with me coming to the end of my mat. leave and, therefore, our savings coming to the end of...uh...existence) we will really, really, need to set a budget and stick to it. The hubs is super big on the girls having "lots and lots" of shiny packages waiting under the tree for them on Christmas morning and I think it is very sweet that he thinks that...but I think we should really make the day more about our family and togetherness this year. I think if we discuss this with the girls in advance, let them know that we only have so much to spend on presents but, because Mommy won't have to work Christmas day this year, we can spend the whole day together, as a family, doing lots of fun stuff. Really, the unwrapping lasts only about 2.5 minutes anyway...regardless of the number of presents!

2. How do you feel about the holiday newsletter?
I'd love to get one! I'd even like to write one. But, really, who would i send it to? The people I care about already know everything there is to know about me and my family...and the people I don't care about...well, I don't think they want my newsletter.

3. What's your favourite board game?
I really like pictionary. I fancy myself as an artist which makes me love this game. However, I fancy myself an artist which makes me truly suck at this game. I mean, I want to do all kinds of shading and shadowing and I like to work on dimension and perspective...kinda' makes the ol' time run out before I've finished anything recognizable. ha ha! But, really, I think a game night would be fun. I'm hoping to get an invite to Shan's "Night at the Bal-derdash". ;-) {subtle hint?}

4. What's your favourite cold weather comfort dish?
Hmmm...Oh! SOUP! Davey's soup! He makes some really, really, fabulous soups! He made one last year that had sweet potato and curry and I don't know what else. It was soooooo good. I've been begging him for more ever since, but he can't even remember exactly how he made it. He needs to start writing his recipes down. Then I could turn them into a book. And you'd wanna' buy it! And I'd get rich! Really, he's very good at making soup.

5. What is your favourite new show this season?
Are there any new shows on this season? What about the old ones! I'm still waiting for American Idol to come on! What's the hold up? And, what happened to Rescue Me?! I waited forEVER for that show to come back on and they gave me, what, like 8 kinda' stupid episodes (sorry, Tommy...I mean Denis...but, really, it was not the best season. Not. Even. Close). At least I still have Dexter. Man, that show is good...but I really, really, wish they didn't kill off Lundy. sigh. I've also, finally, discovered The Office. Steve Carrell is adorable. He reminds me of a male me. We are very similar people, I think. Is that bad?

Thanks for the fun again this month Shan...
although each one of these reminds me of how little time I have left off work with my baby.
(barf).
But, still...fun.

If you'd like to join in head on over to the home of the Fairy Blogmother right HErE!

Knowing Me - Knowing You / October.

Time once again for that monthly interview project started by my friend Shan, over at Tales from the Fairy Blogmother. Why don't you join us, answer the questions yourself and then head on over to Shan's blog to link up? It's fun!

1. Crunchy peanut butter or smooth?

I'm not much of a peanut butter fan, myself...although I do get cravings for it once in awhile, usually when I'm sick and always with a cup of coffee. We get the smooth type and only the all-natural peanut butter. The kids balked at that at first...but then I started getting the kind that still has the "Bears" on the label, but the ingredient list is: "Peanuts". Seriously. That's it. I found out some of the other kinds are just filled with sugar and I have a thing against foods with super unnecessarily long ingredients lists. So, anyway, they eat the natural stuff now. It's actually really good. And, it has the "Bears" on it...so they are fine with that. LOL. Kids!

2. Do you do any volunteer work? (No judgment, just curious. I'm always on the look out for new ways to get involved.... like I have time for more stuff.)

I used to. I used to volunteer with the Humane Society as a dog walker and kitty-cat player-with. I also fostered for the humane society and I had a couple of dogs living with me as they recovered from surgery. I'm not good at that, as I tried to adopt both. I get really attached. I was crying my eyes out at work the day I had to hand one of the dogs (who had been adopted out) back over. So very professional. The other one I did adopt. I was well on my way to being "that crazy dog lady".

I also used to volunteer for the neighbourhood school. It was really fun volunteering there because I actually spent most of the day in the classroom. I got to help the little kindergarten kids do their work - basically explaining what they needed to do and helping them to do it as the teacher couldn't be everywhere at once. It was fantastically fun for me. I also helped some kids whose first language wasn't english in a special enrichment class (just them and me) once a week. And, I helped some older kids (one on one) who were having trouble with reading once a week, as well.

Anyway...
now I find I really, really, don't have time for anything extra. Between the older girls, and their activities, and trying to start a business, and having a little baby who is with me all the time...
well, I just don't feel available anymore. :-/

3. What's your favourite cold weather drink?

Hmmm...those sorts of questions are so hard. It is always mood/situation/time of day dependent. A nice cold Stella in the summer is a lovely thing. I also get cravings for Caesar's once in awhile. Oh, and there's always a nice, cold, can of Coke. I'd like to say that my favourite thing is water, but I'd be blatantly lying to you. I have so much trouble drinking as much water as I know I should. It's a problem.

4. What is your favourite holiday?

I would like to say Christmas but I think for the last few years Christmas has been a bit stressful, really. I seem to be on maternity leave a lot. LOL. Seems I'm always on mat. leave around Christmas...which means I'm bringing in about half my normal income. Dave and I haven't been buying presents for each other...but we still want to make sure the girls have lots of "stuff", but then I stress about what a waste that all is (I mean...they love the "stuff"...lots of shiny packages...and all that...but they really don't need one more toy! They have a
whole room full of just their toys. Its crazy!). So, I find it stressful. The whole thing.

I like Halloween. I love dressing up the girls and going trick-or-treating. They always look so cute! But, then, there is that huge bag full of junk that I don't really want them to even eat. Oh, do I sound like a humbug now, or what?

Can I say "Thanksgiving" then? I usually get to go to my MIL's for a delicious dinner, see my brother and sister-in-law (who I love catching up with), chit-chat, just have a nice time. A time that doesn't involve the spending (wasting?) of hundreds of dollars or the devouring of pounds and pounds of sugar. It's nice.

5. Okay quick - you gotta hop a plane right now, to anywhere with anyone - where do you go and with who?

Okay. My very quick answer was "Back to Jamaica with my husband. Only this time we wouldn't be getting married...so we could just relax and enjoy all our time lying around on the beach together". But, then I read Shan's answer and that sounds fairly wicked, too. ;-)

So, what would you do??

Knowing Me - Knowing You / September

It's time for that monthly interview project know as Knowing Me, Knowing You - hosted by my friend, Shan, a.k.a. The Fairy Blogmother. Here are my answers...why dontcha' share yours, too, and then head on over to Shan's blog and sign Mr. Linky so we can get to know you better. :0)

1. What is your favourite smell?

Oh...that's tough...to pick an absolute favourite. I really like the smell of a wood fire. I also like the smell of a freshly brewed cup of java. Or even just a bag of coffee beans for that matter. And, as soon as the onions and garlic get thrown into a pan of sizzling olive oil...I'm drooling. But, my favourite has got to be the smell of my own whittle baby-one (especially when she is a little sweaty. Is that weird?).

2. Did you/would you/are you co-sleep(ing)?

I, personally (who else would "I" be??), am a huge fan of co-sleeping. Huge. My mom always told me that after I was born she was so afraid I might stop breathing that she kept me in bed with her at night. Maybe that stuck in my head, because from the time my kiddos were yanked out of me...they were staying in bed with me. I slept with them in my tiny hospital bed (well, they slept, I sat there holding them...while sitting up...all night...) and they slept with hubby and I once we got home. My plan was always 4 months in the bed, 2 months in a crib next to the bed, then into their crib, in their bedroom, at 6 months. We stretched that a bit with Colie because, well, she's just so darn cuddly. Hard to give her up when she seemed so at home between us there in her little spot.

Of course, this is just what worked for us. Dave is a light sleeper and I don't move...so the girls were fine there between us. And, just rolling over to feed a baby after she's just whimpered a little bit is so much easier than having to get up and go get her after she's had to cry for a bit on her own. I think it makes for a more secure baby and one that is better able to sleep through the night later on. She has grown up, thus far, knowing we are there for her and we will meet her needs when she needs them met. So, there is no need for a lot of crying or fussing. And...for us...it did work. We've had 3 really excellent sleepers.

Also, I have it in my head that the baby just hearing us breath...somewhere in her brain...triggers something to remind her to breath. That is my theory and I'm sticking to it.

3. Fall fair season is upon us, so what's your favourite fair food?

Huh? I don't think I've ever eaten any food at a fair. I don't think I could even tell you what fair food is. Maybe I just haven't been to enough fairs...? I'm usually so busy hanging out with the baby goats and cows that the rest of my family has to come back for me and drag me away when it's time to get going. I'm not even kidding. There is food at a fair?

4. Thinking about Christmas shopping yet?

Is it December 24th? Then, no.

5. What's your favourite colour?

I'm a bit of a girlie-girl when it comes to colours, I guess...I love pink and lavender. I am also a huge fan of a greeny-blue. We used to have this chemical that went into one of our chemistry machines at work that was this beautiful, beautiful, greeny-blue. That chemical is one of my favourite colours.

So...there ya' go. Getting to know me a bit better...and getting more and more scared all the time, huh? ;-)

And now...because every post is better with a picture...

here is Jamie and I...right here, right now!

(I've got Pinky tethered to run my laptop. Pretty cool, huh?)

Now let's get to know you! Head over to Shan's site now!!!

Knowing Me, Knowing You - July Editions.

It's that time once again...The Fairy Blogmother's Monthly Interview Project. Here we go...

1. What household chore do you dislike the most?
Oh. Easy. Folding and putting away the laundry. Hate it.

2. Do you have any travel plans this year?
No. With new baby-one here and Dave hard at work during the summers, I think we will need to make do with day-trips every now and again.

3. Ever met a bloggy friend in real life.
Just the Fairy Blogmother and what a great addition to my life she became. Love ya', B.

4. Seen anything good lately?
Yes. Denis Leary playing Tommy Gavin on "Rescue Me". Rahr. I'm so glad my favourite show in the whole, wide, world is on again. Movie-wise, I just saw "Step-Brothers" and killed myself laughing.

5. What is your favourite kitchen appliance?
Just to look at and admire her sheer beauty, I'd have to say my Kitchen Aid mixer. Aren't they so pretty and nostalgic? But, in my quest to fit back into my pre-pregnancy clothes...she hasn't gotten much of a work-out herself lately (Pie of the Week plan had to be shelved, too). So, truth be told, my true favourite is my Cuisinart Coffee Maker. It makes great, hot, coffee...it has a timer so I can wake up to the smell of coffee in the morning...and it saves me from having to drive 14 km's to get one from Timmies.

Now it's your turn! Let's get to know you a little better and then post a link to your post on Shan's site.

Knowing Me - Knowing You...the June Edition.

It is time again for that fun little interview project started by my friend, Shan, over at Tales From the Fairy Blogmother. If you'd like to play along, be sure to sign Mr. Linky over at Shan's site so we can see your answers and get to know ya' better.

1. Do you have any pets?

Yes. We have two dogs and a rabbit. We have a 13 year old corgi that I adopted while I was in school to become a veterinary technician...and he was in the animal shelter I worked at. Cutest little guy I'd ever seen in my life. And we have a 3 year old Newfoundland. After our corgi's buddy died (a border collie cross I also adopted while in school), we wanted to get him another friend who would be very good, and gentle, with all the kiddos in the house. She certainly is. "Bun Bun" was adopted from an animal rescue who saved her from some pretty horrid conditions at a Rabbit Meat Farm that was shut down by the SPCA.

2. What's your favourite dessert?

Well, the old stand-by would be ice cream but if you want to kick that up a notch then just put it on top of some pie that involves rhubarb in some way. Mmmm.

3. For my fellow bloggers out there - are you a stats checker?

A what? Apparently not. Didn't even know I had the ability to do that.

4. Do you have a gaming system?

No. I had a PlayStation back in my single days and quickly found out what a horrible time-suck that was. I prefer my computer for time-suckage now. For the kids...they need to go outside. No PlayStation, or Xbox, or whatever the heck else the kids are into these days. And, no computer for you, either. Do as Mommy says, not as...

5. What is your beverage of choice?

Wow...that is ~totally~ situationally dependent. I have a very strong, and deep, love for coffee. I have to have a coffee by 10 am or I get, um, a bit less cheerful than my normal happy-go-lucky self (i.e. I'll turn into a raving lunatic with a vicious headache). But, I usually only actually drink one coffee a day. The rest of the day, if I haven't totally forgotten to drink anything (normally the case) I like to just have water. Room temperature water. Or, if we are talking "adult" beverages...I love a nice, dry, red wine (pinot noir is swell) in front of the fire - or a nice, cold, Stella on the patio.

Thanks for the quiz again, Shan!
Always fun...just like you.
;-)

Knowing Me, Knowing You - May Edition.

Just in case you didn't get to learn quite enough about me on my birthday...

it is time once again for the monthly interview project my friend Shan, over at Tales from the Fairy Blogmother, started awhile ago. I hope you'll play along on your blog and then head on over to Shan's site and sign the Mr. Linky.

Here we go (better late than never)!

1. Do you and your significant other go to bed at the same time?

Generally (and by "generally" I mean "pre-baby") there is no hard and fast rule on this one. Sometimes he'll go to bed before me if I'm all caught up in something on the computer, but I am never the first one in bed. Never. Lately, though, the pleasure of both our company is required in bed by little Colie...by about 9 pm. She will fuss and fuss and look at us and make her little, squeeky, complainy, noises...then look down the hall to where "her" bedroom is...then look back at us. It's hilarious. You can tell she is thinking, "Look people! It's right down there. Our bed. Let's GO already! I'm tired. Don't you people understand what I am saying?!". Once we get her in there she gets all comfy cozy in the middle of "her" bed and is almost instantly fast asleep.

2. Do you have any siblings?

Yes.

3. You're spending an evening with friends -- would you rather cook for them in your home or go out to a restaurant?

Oh, I'd rather go out to a restaurant. With one little baby and two "big" girls it is just too hard to make, and keep, the house "guestfully clean" these days. Although, I can't really go out right now, either (because Colie likes to eat pretty darn often during the day...not that I'm complaining because she sleeps well at night). So, can I just come to your house, instead?


4. What's your can't miss TV show?

RESCUE ME!!! Ahhh, Tommy.

5. Are you doing any spring cleaning?

Yes. But I don't call it "Spring Cleaning". I call it..."Can we please just throw all this crap out?! I can't live like this!!". Right now I am working on getting rid of all the grubby clothes, that we never wear, that are taking up so much room in our dresser drawers that I can't even put the laundry away anymore.

Knowing Me - Knowing You / The April Edition.

Time again for the monthly interview project started by Shan over at Tales from the Fairy Blogmother. Here are my answers, and once you've done your own be sure to head over to Shan's blog and sign Mr. Linky so we can all see them.

1. Who does the grocery shopping in your family? That depends on the time of year. In the summer (when Dave is working more) it is usually me. In the winter (when Dave is working less) it is usually Dave. Sometimes we even go wild and head out together. Getting the grocery shopping organized (like, with a plan and a list) is one of those things I keep thinking I'm going to do. One of these days. I'll probably get to that about the same time as when I come up with a proper, working, system for all the laundry.

2. Are you watching American Idol? If so, who are you picking to win it? Yes. I have watched most of the seasons of AI. The best year was the one when Taylor Hicks won. I just loved watching Taylor. He was so much fun. Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol! And, this year, I'm picking Danny to win. I know Adam has a lot of fans, but I just prefer the sound of Danny's voice. I also prefer a man who wears less make-up than I do. But, that's just me...

3. What is your favourite type of fruit? Hmmm... I love fruit, so that is a tough one. I'd probably have to say bananas because I eat them every day. I love my Balkan-style plain yogurt with just a touch of honey and a banana chopped up inside. Then again I also love some good watermelon in the summer, and nice, tasty, grapes, oh...and fresh plums and peaches...so good. I also love me some cantaloupe or honeydew cut in half, seeds scraped out (to make a bowl), and filled with vanilla ice-cream. drool.

4. Are you a night owl or a morning person? Let's see...what does Dave's caller I.D. say when I call him? Oh ya, "Night Owl". Well, I guess if that is my nickname it's probably safe to say I am a confirmed creature of the night. I hate mornings. I can't seem to ever open my right eye until I've been awake for a good 10 minutes. I cannot speak until I've had some coffee. And, I don't find Dave skipping around and singing the least bit entertaining at any time before 9 am. And, yes, Dave is a morning person. Should make for an interesting ever after.

5. Speaking of bed -- when you're sleeping do you have your socks on or do you take them off? Well, I wouldn't wear socks that I've had on my feet all day to bed. That is just icky. But, sometimes I will wear socks that I've just put on into bed to keep my tootsies warm. We turn the heat down really low at night (like, 61 degrees) so when I first get into bed it is super cold. But, then the duvet, the man, and the baby heat things up so I usually wake up and pull them off at some point during the night.

And that's it for this month! Thanks Shan.

Knowing Me, Knowing You / March

My friend, Shan, over at Tales from the Fairyblogmother started up a cool little monthly feature called "Knowing Me, Knowing You". It's a quick little interview project that you can respond to yourself, and then link back to her so we can all see your answers. Here's mine...



#1 What is your dream life?

Well, I think in my dream life I may have been able to sing really well and I would probably be a rock star. I would also be drop dead gorgeous and, oh, let's say I can dance too. Yep. The triple threat. But, let's say I've just won the lottery and I can't make miracles happen...then I think I'd like to move onto a farm, too. I would still have to have farm-hands around to be responsible for all the work but I'd get to play with all the animals and even take care of them when I happened to be up early enough in the morning to do so. I would love to have cows and goats and pigs and chickens. I just love seeing chickens walking around. But, of course, we wouldn't be eating any of them...they'd just be pets. And, I would need a second home, or two, to run off to once the temperature around here drops below 25. There is no question as to whether or not I'd quit my job. Are you kidding me? But, I would take lots of classes and study lots of interesting things. I would have huge "crafting" spaces in my home where I could do scrap booking, and photography, and beading, and all kids of things. I think I would also study vegetarian cooking and open a restaurant with my hubby (but he'd want to cook meat so that may not work out. I'd get grossed out watching him chop stuff up). I'd be really busy!



#2 Do you play games online?

No. I'm not much of a gamer. I can't find enough free time to get all my other projects done.



#3 Seen anything good lately?

Well, we took the kids to see Madagascar II awhile ago and that was pretty cute. I can't remember the last movie Davey and I went out to see together. Is that sad? I think we need a date night. I just saw "Swingers" on t.v. the other night and that was very good (I just love that movie) but I've seen it lots of times before.



#4 What is your favourite pizza combination?

I always get mushroom, pineapple, and green pepper...preferably with garlic crust (from Little Caesar's). But, we just got our own (baby brain! baby brain!...I've just realized I can't think of the name of either of the things we got...) uh, the thing you put in the oven to cook the pizza on so the crust gets nice and crispy...as well as the thing you use to put the pizza into the oven. Man, I need some sleep.
[edited to add: I remembered in the middle of the night...a Pizza Stone and a Peel. Or is it Peal?]


#5 How are you with houseplants?

I'm happy to say that I am getting better. I used to get one little cactus plant and kill it off and that was about it. I really love a house filled with plants, though, but I figured that if I did that they would all die. Then I started learning about the plants that "clean the air" in my horticulture class and one day I took the plunge! I walked into the nursery and bought a Snake Plant, a Golden pothos, and a Peace Lily. I spoke to the lady who worked there and she helped me pick out the best potting soil and even the best kind of planters for each of them. They are all beautiful and all still alive! And, our air is cleaner for it too. So, Shan, I say you jump in and try again! As a matter of fact, I feel inspired now to get a few more for myself. Here's a list of all the best "Air-Filtering Plants" which I just got from treehugger.com:


English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Golden pothos or Devil's ivy (Scindapsus aures or Epipremnum aureum)
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa')
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
Bamboo palm or reed palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)
Snake plant or mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii')
Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium, syn. Philodendron cordatum)
Selloum philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum, syn. Philodendron selloum)
Elephant ear philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)
Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
Cornstalk dracaena (Dracaena fragans 'Massangeana')
Janet Craig dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig')
Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii')
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
Gerbera Daisy or Barberton daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Pot Mum or Florist's Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium)
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)



And...just because I love looking at pictures of Lily-Pie when I look at my blog...here is another one. ;-)