About Me

I picked this up from my friend Renee. Thanks Renee!!

~What is your favorite season, and why?

Autumn - I love the fall colors and putting on a cozy jacket. Fall means apple picking and pumpkin patches. Fall is when the public school kids go back to school and we unschoolers have the rest of the world to ourselves! LOL! It never lasts long enough.

~ If you could live in any other time period, when?
I'm staying put. I can't live without the internet! Plus I like knowing I have access to modern medicine. If you force me into the Delorian, I'm setting it for the future.
 

~ Do you love a particular planet or constellation?
I love planet Earth and my favorite constellation is Cassiopeia.

~ If you believe in heaven, what does it look like?
 Heaven for me, will be a garden. I see heaven as the perfect place to be an autodidact with full access to all of life's answers.

~ You are burying a personal time capsule to be opened in 100 years. What goes in?
Seeds, chocolate, music, books, Birkenstocks, Badger balms, honey oatmeal soap, photographs, artwork, recipes
 

~ If you could come back as an animal, what would you want to be and why?
I love big and small cats, but the carnivore only diet doesn't appeal to me. I'd probably be a bird. I like having a nest, yet it would be fun to migrate.
 

~ The fantasy dinner party – you get 12 guests, dead or alive, famous or not. Who are they?
They'll all not born yet. 12 of my future descendants (grandchildren, great grandchildren) 

~ What do you want to be doing when you die?
Smiling

ICU for 7/28/11

“This week we want to…”

Finish painting DS15's room, pay a little TLC attention to the rest of the house, buy a bike lock, renew my driver's license, haircuts - (I guess this is more what I want to accomplish.)

“The kids are…”

DS15 is still working on making his short film. He posted on his Facebook page the other day, "Making a movie is a challenge, but a challenge is what I'm after."

I'm so proud of him for sticking with it, despite all the challenges of making a film with a zero budget. I know he's having trouble scheduling actors. We suggested that he start a film making group in the area, and he'll meet more people interested in film making. They could learn from each other and support one another.

“I am learning….”

How to slow down. I'm not getting as much done, but quality is at times, more important than quantity. I'm applying this approach at work and connecting more with customers. I think its really paying off.

“I am struggling with…”

The summer weather. I'm burnt out, no pun intended. I need a nice cool, even briskly cold day to refresh my spirit. I'm a creature who craves change. Day after day of hot and humid, I feel like a flower wilting. Maybe its my genetic makeup, coming from cold weather stock, but I swear I'd rather add another layer than sit in this central air tight box another day.

“This week is the first time….”

I haven't been paying that close attention I guess. I can't think of any firsts this past week.

“I am grateful…”

My body heals. Sore arms from painting are feeling better now. Next came a sore knee, followed by a sore ankle. Thankfully, this morning, except for the typical sinus irritation, all my parts feel like working.

Hey, don’t head off just yet, we have a new thought for you to ponder this week.

What is the worst thing you ever forgot to do?

Honestly, I can't think of anything, but that's probably because I have a weak memory to begin with. If I forgot something serious, I have forgotten that I've forgotten it.

I know I forget stuff all the time. God did not give me a good memory. Maybe that's why I like to stick to being honest most of the time. You have to have a good memory to be a liar.

Mostly I can't remember dates or time frames. I cannot tell you what year I had my gall bladder removed, but I can remember my parents came to help out, and I watched Lord Of The Rings movies all day recovering from the out patient surgery.

I know my children's birthdates, but I can't put ages to specific memories like what happened to them when they were 7. I remember when my son got his finger caught under the skateboard and scraped away his entire fingernail, but I can't tell you how old he was when this happened. I just remember his body size. He ran to the one place he could think of to find physical comfort, his bed. He laid there clutching his wrist, holding his hand in the air, praying, "Please God! Please God! Make it stop hurting!" I remember feeling helpless, looking at his bleeding finger and realizing his fingernail was completely scraped off. I couldn't apply pressure to it. I couldn't wrap it up or put anything on it. All I could do is pray with him. 

I remember emotions. I get lost in specifics.

I'm amazed at how my DH can recall not only every movie we've seen but what theater we saw it in! I'm grateful to have a partner who can fill in all the details of our life together since I'm severely lacking in this ability.

ICU Meme for 7/20/11

“This week we want to…” Stay cool. With this heat wave, its almost impossible to do much outside. DS12 still insists on riding his bike several miles each day, and he comes back soaked. I can barely stand being outside long enough to water the garden. This weekend hopefully we'll get DS15's room at least primed for painting. The wallpaper came down easier than I expected. I also want to take advantage of some "back to school" sales, even though we aren't going "back to school." We all could use new shoes and I'm such a sucker for marker/colored pencil sales.

“The kids are…” DS15 finished making props for his movie. Apparently he raised the suspicion of someone driving by when he was spray painting his Nerf gun black. He kept thinking the police were going to pull up. Filming will begin soon. DS12 is improving his fitness, (see above.) Seriously, I wish I was able to commit to an exercise program like he does.

“I am learning….” How to make soap. I'm going to order my materials soon and gather equipment together. I'm hoping to be able to make soap that won't make my skin dry out.

“I am struggling with…” I haven't been walking. Its too hot outside, and I just can't stand the boredom of the treadmill. I'm making excuses, I know, but there's another part of me that wants a break. I feel like I'm juggling so much right now.

My dreams have been reflecting this. They are filled with anxiety. In one, our parakeet Tornado escaped from his cage. Suddenly he turned into a dozen birds, and I didn't know how to save them all before Yumi got any. I realized in the dream, GET THE CAT, not the birds.

I know this meant I need to figure out what the real threat is, and not let all the stressful details of life get to me. Its all in how I, "the cat", choose to respond to stress. Its not about focusing on how to solve it all, but rather, how not to let it get to me. 

“This week is the first time….” I made Pesto. I used walnuts instead of pine nuts and froze it using an ice cube tray. I just thaw out as many cubes as we need and toss with freshly cooked pasta. The recipe I found doesn't use too much olive oil, and I of course threw in a few extra cloves of garlic! :) 

“I am grateful…” For central air - Seriously, without it I'd be crying. I can't sleep unless I'm cool.

Hey, don’t head off just yet, we have a new thought for you to ponder this week.

Now, I do NOT believe it’s helpful to keep looking in the past, but sometimes what we’ve gone through can help others, so with that in mind……

If you could do it all over again, what is one thing you would choose to do differently in regards to homeschooling/unschooling?  I would have trusted unschooling sooner. I wish I could go back and relax more. I didn't do a good job of modeling how to relax. I had to learn the hard way through the early years, how to trust unschooling. Thankfully kids are resilient and no permanent damage was done. 

ICU Meme for 7/13/11

It’s Wednesday, so that can only mean one thing…….we need the I-CU!

What is I-CU?

Intensive Care for the Christian Unschooler– this will be a weekly meme (you post the questions to your blog each Wednesday that you are able, using one of the buttons to link back here, and hop over here and add your site to the linky at the bottom.)

 

“This week we want to…” Take down evil wallpaper, compost the dying spring veggie plants and plant something new, help DH get through a stressful work load.

“The kids are…” DS15's movie script is done, and I suppose he'll be recruiting his friends to play the parts. I wonder if one day he'll write a part for me? :)

“I am learning….” How to make soap. My skin really doesn't like the store bought kind anymore, and I want to start making my own natural soap.

“I am struggling with…” Eating fruit. I've recently learned that the natural sugars in fruit could be working against my weight loss goals. Cutting out cookies was difficult enough, but right now summer time fruit is so abundant and so delicious. I love fruit! I'm not sure I'm ready to take this step, giving up fruit. I may try cutting back, or just adding more veggies to my diet, but my freezer is loaded with mulberries, blueberries, peaches, pineapple, strawberries and bananas. I was stocking up for a long smoothie run. I had a nightmare last night about trying to make healthy eating choices. 

“This week is the first time….” I didn't try to find things to worry about. Thinking about how one day, this world really won't be here forever, I realized how ridiculous it is to worry, especially over petty issues. One day we'll all be somewhere else. What really matters is how we treat each other right now.

“I am grateful…” I have been given yet another day to love those around me. I will not allow stress to distract me from being a loving person. 

Hey, don’t head off just yet, we have a new thought for you to ponder this week.

“The biggest change I’d like to see take place in my family in the remainder of 2011 is…..” We all get more exercise. I love how DH is walking more with DS12, but our weekends have been busy. We used to hike a lot more often. I hope we will get back to it soon, although this coming weekend its going to be dangerously hot.

Have a blessed week!

ICU Meme for 7/7/11

Participating in this week's meme at I-CU

“This week we want to…” Get back on track. Not that any day is typical in our Sleepyhouse, but with so much coming and going this past holiday weekend, we're looking forward to being in the nest and following our own pursuits.

“The kids are…” Setting their own goals. DS12 told me he wants to make a new "things to do this summer" list, since he's already reached the goals he made previously. DS15 has been filming and editing all sorts of videos he's shot. I asked if he wants to move from documentaries and short fiction to possibility developing a pilot.

“I am learning….” How to add more nutrition to our diets. Added fresh ground flax seed meal to the menu this week in cereals and smoothies. Experimenting with green leafy smoothies too. I think I like drinking my salad.

I'm also learning how weight loss is so difficult due to the toxins that are stored in fat. Your body doesn't want to release those toxins so it actually fights against burning fat cells. I'm hoping to cleanse out the toxins with cruciferous veggies, water and exercise.

“I am struggling with…” The heat. My Nordic blood prefers cooler days. So do my sugar snap peas. :(

“This week is the first time….”  I ate Swiss Chard. It rocks!

“I am grateful…” tonight is my last night of work for the week. There is so much to get done around the house with this being a short week due to the holiday last Monday.

ABC Game

A: Age - 42 ~ I had to actually do the math.

B: Bed size - Queen

C: Chinese food dish - last time I had Chinese it was cashew chicken

D: Dentist name - Dr Botts

E: Early bird or night owl - Depends on the day and my hormones

F: Favorite color - Indigo

G: Gold or silver - Indifferent

H: Height - 5' 5"

I: Ink -Blue

J: Jellybean - Pear flavor Jelly Belly brand

K: Kitchen meal or restaurant - Restaurant!!

L: Living arrangements - Sleepyhouse in Heavensville with DH, DS15, DS12, Yumi,Gust and Tornado

M: Month of birth - August

N: Nicknames - I don't have one. I guess "mom" LOL!

O: On time or late - Early 

P: Pet peeve - disrespect

Q: Quote from a movie - "And those are the words of a gentleman. From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry." 

R: Right or left-handed - It depends on what I'm doing. 

S: Siblings - 3 sisters, 1 brother 

T: Time you wake up - There is no set time. It varies.

U: Urgent thing on your to-do list: CHILLAX - Work's been stressful this week

V: Vegetable you dislike: water chestnuts or baby corn in Chinese. They taste horribly canned. Actually any canned veggie is pretty gross. I'll try any veggie fresh or steamed. 

W: Wishing for - A constant peaceful, calm state of mind and a healthy body

X: X-rays you've had - Why is this interesting? Teeth, squished girls, back, head MRI, CT body scan - Wait is this question to freak me out with how much radiation  I've been exposed to throughout my life!?

Y: Yummy food you make - I'm known for my baking but I'm trying to prepare more more fresh, raw foodie dishes.

Z: Zoo favorite - Tigers, It saddens me they have to be confined in zoo habitats but their survival in the wild isn't going to last much longer.

Firsts

Stolen from Kelly- Its been awhile since I've done one of these.

1. Who was your FIRST prom date?  I did not go to prom. DH, then boyfriend, and I decided to spend our money on the Amnesty International Concert. It was amazing!! 

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?  Yes, everyday.

3. What was your first alcoholic drink? I'm taking this to mean a drink all to myself, not just a sip of my dad's beer- a Whiskey Sour at a cousin's wedding.  

4. What was your FIRST job? I babysat and cleaned up at a commercial bakery, but my first official job was in a jewelry store. 

5. What was your FIRST car?  A green buick, LeSabre I think. It was a boat, from my Godfather. 

6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today?  I don't text. Seriously.

7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? My husband

8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Mrs. Keveko- She was really scary!! Thankfully she hurt her back and a good part of the year I had a substitute, sweet as can be. Interesting bit of gossip, Mrs. Keveko's husband left her for my hair dresser and together they began Gloria Jean's Coffee before selling the chain to become millionaires.

9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane?  Florida.  

10. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk? Lisa. We email/facebook every now and then.

11. Where was your FIRST sleep over? Lisa's. I practically lived there. 

12. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? I said, "I love you. Drive careful," as DH woke me before he left for work.

13. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? My sister's. Too old to be a flower girl, too young to be a bridesmaid, I was a "junior bride". Embarrassing preteen nightmare

14. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? kiss that same guy I didn't go to prom with

15. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? U2  

16. What was the FIRST record/tape/CD you bought?  U2 Unforgettable Fire

17. FIRST hospitalization? C-section for my oldest 

18. FIRST foreign country you've been to? I've never been out! HELP!

19. FIRST movie you remember seeing? The Wizard Of Oz was burned into my brain. I'm still traumatized by the Wicked Witch. First movie I remember seeing in a movie theater, I can't remember? Maybe Coal Miner's Daughter with my parents?

20. When was your FIRST detention? I never had detention really. There may have been one of those times the entire class was punished for the behavior of a select few, but I remember being able to get out of it to go help another teacher. 

21. What did you do with your FIRST paycheck? Saved it.  

22. Your FIRST social networking site? Yahoo 360.

23. Who FIRST invited you to Multiply? Most of my 360 friends moved here, ironically, not many of them stayed. 

Artist Title Questions

Pick an artist or group and then answer the questions using their song titles.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pick your Artist:
Blind Melon

Are you a male or female:
Vernie

Describe yourself:
I Wonder

How do you feel?
So High

Describe where you currently live:
Sleepyhouse 

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?:
Tones Of Home

Your favorite form of transportation:
Drive

Your best friend is:
Soul One

You and your best friends are:
All That I Need

What's the weather like?:
No Rain

Favorite time of day:
Sometimes

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called?:
Life Ain't So Shitty

What is life to you:
Wishing Well

Your current relationship:
New Life

Your fear:
Tumblin' Down

What is the best advice you have to give?
Change

Thought for the Day:
Make A Difference

How I would like to die:
Last Laugh

My soul's present condition:
Soak The Sin

My motto:

With The Right Set Of Eyes

Meme Stolen From Navarrofreak

1. If you were to kill a man, horror movie style, which kitchen utensil would you use?
It probably wouldn't be premeditated so most likely a knife.

2. Did you ever swallow a coin?
No, but I have a nephew who swallowed a Magnetix ball.

3. What was the worst gift you've ever received?
Underwear from my parents every Christmas

4. What is your most embarrassing childhood memory?
 I can't think of one, so I'll just say, "Jr. High". (Wasn't everyday of Jr. High an embarrassment?)

5. How many kids do you want?
I wanted 4. Two are with me now, two I'll have to wait and meet in heaven.

6. Whats your moms middle name?
Catherine- (for all you hackers, its not one I use as a password)

7. Have you ever operated a fire extinguisher? 
 No and I hope I never have to.

8. Worst car you ever had to drive and why?
 My Toyota Tercel. It was a money pit.

9. Who do you hate?
I really don't "hate" anyone, but I'm greatly annoyed by unsafe drivers.

10. What do you hope to have accomplished by the end of this year?
I'm done with goal making. I'd rather live in the moment.

11. Do you have any really crazy relatives?
You don't want to be here all day reading this right? 

12. Did you ever wake up under the influence of NyQuil, completely unable to move?
I HATE Nyquil! DH swears by it, but I cannot stand the taste and that feeling of wanting to shake my head like crazy after drinking it.

13. Are you feeling nostalgic right now?
Everyday I see how quickly my children are growing up, and I wish I had a time machine so I could travel back and hold and rock them just once more.

14. Did you own a Lite-Brite?
 No. Lisa did.

15. Can you dive? 
Not really well. I can't get over the fear of hitting my head and breaking my neck. Maybe if I was in the middle of the ocean, over an abyssal trench, I would be a better diver.

16. Do you own a mouthpiece for anything?
No

18. Have you ever used a pogo stick?
Yes. I got one for Christmas in addition to the underwear.   

19. Who was the most creative bum you've ever met, trying to get some money from you?
Not too long ago, a guy told me his daughter was hit by a bus, he had walked 5 miles from the mall and he just needed $12. The hospital was closer if he would have walked in that direction.

20. Whats your favorite Jelly Belly jelly bean flavor?
 Pear!! No question about it. You haven't tasted Jelly Bellies until you've eaten a pear.

21. Favorite food you CRAVEEE?
 Do you even need to ask? Chocolate of course

22. When was the last time you pulled lint out of your bellybutton?
 Since I shower everyday, this isn't a problem for me.

23. Did you ever use someone else's toothbrush?
 Yes. DH's. Hey, we're swapping spit anyway!!

24. Do you REALLY floss everyday?
Is my dentist reading this?

25. What is your favorite cologne/perfume you always wear?
 Its cheap but it works with my chemistry- Haiku by Avon.

26. If you were on Double Dare, would you take the physical challenge?
 No because the questions are not that difficult to answer.

27. What's the largest living organism that you killed?
 That I intended to kill- probably a wasp. I was once riding in a car when we hit a ground hog running across the road at night.

28. Did you ever take a lighting bug and smear its guts on your arm so you get a cool glowing effect like war paint?
 Not exactly, I did smear it on the sidewalk to see if it would really glow. I felt badly afterward, and never killed another firefly again.

29. What's the best toy you've ever gotten in a McDonalds happy meal?
 Flirting with my future husband, he gave me a Ronald McDonald Airplane, back in the day when the Happy Meal toys were McDonald related instead of advertising for movies or other toy companies.

30. If you could be anywhere in the world doing anything right now what would it be?
In my love nest with DH

31. Can you juggle?
I can multi-task. Does that count?

32. How do you feel right now?
 Thirsty

33. Do you remember that square candy bar called "Chunky"?
 Yes, but I usually bought Hubba Bubba instead. 

34. Predict the length of the next Peter Jackson movie.
Don't really care.

35. What was your favorite toy as a kid?
 Fisher Price people with my doll house my grandfather had made

36. Are you willing to go the distance?
 "I'm slow to finish but quick to start..."

37. Did you answer question 17? 
I would have if there was a question 17.

 

My A, B, Cs ( I'm procrastinating this morning.)

Give it a try, but you have to do it right. Copy this whole thing, go to your profile/notes/new note, right click and paste, put the subject back in the title line.
Then comes the hard part. Replace my answers with your own!
Come on, you're already here, what else have you got to do? :)

A
- Available: off the market since 1986
- Age: Four Tea
- Annoyance: A- hole drivers
- Animal: Yumi (Cats rule, dogs drool)

B
- Beer: No thanks
- Birthday: August - the month with no holidays!
- Best Friend: husband
- Blind or Deaf: I'm already losing my hearing, so I'll say deaf.
- Best weather: Fog, not too thick though. I need to see Mr. Darcy walking towards me.
- Been in Love: Yes
- Believe in Magic: Only the kind we can create ourselves
- Believe in Santa: He always scared me. I prefer Tomten.

C
- Candy: Right now: chocolate covered dried cranberries!!!!
- Color: Indigo
- Chocolate/Vanilla: BOTH! I'll have a Zebra twist cone please!
- Chinese/Mexican Food: Mexican!!! Its the guacamole that determined this answer!
- Cake or pie: cake
- Continent to visit: North America would do it for me- I'd like to see mountains, the canyon, the forests, the deserts, the oceans. There is so much of my continent I've only seen in photos.
- Cheese: cheddar

D
- Day or Night: Either works for me. I just don't like 4:00pm.
- Dancing in the rain: OH YEAH!! Throw in some mud too. I'm a hippie chickie melon head!

E
- Eyes: gray blue
- Everyone's got: to laugh
- Ever failed a class: I must have, but I don't remember because I probably didn't care about it in the first place.

F
- First thoughts waking up: Please let this not be a sinus headache. I don't want to be sick today.
- Food: Berries, berries, berries

G
- Greatest Fear: Death of my family
- Goals: to de-clutter my nest & grow stuff
- Gum: My teeth don't like it anymore
- Get along with your parents: yes

H
- Hair Color: don't know what to call it, light brown,"real" blond, gray
- Height: 5’5”
- Happy: Most days
- Holiday: Christmas
- How do you want to die: In my sleep - When my family no longer needs me.

I
- Ice Cream: Fox Fudge Freak Out
- Instrument: a little bit of piano left. We should get a keyboard so I can re-learn it.

J
- Jewelry: The one piece that never comes off is a gold ring in my left ear. DH and I got them when we were 17 and we've never taken them off.
- Job: home schooling mom, part-time administrator at a swimming pool

K
- Kids: I have two here with me now. Wish I could have shared my life with 2 more, but it wasn't meant to be.
- Kickboxing or karate: Karate
- Keep a journal: Blogging

L
- Love: Is what its all about.
- Laughed so hard you cried: I can't remember the movie. Probably because I was laughing so hard, I couldn't breathe, and the lack of oxygen killed those brain cells that would have remembered what movie I was watching.

M
- Milk: vanilla soy
- Movies: I love everything except torture movies. DH and DS can watch Saw without me!
- Motion sickness: Only when I was preggers
- McD’s or BK: NOODLES! Pesto Cavatappi noodles rock.

N
- Number: 22 - I've always liked this number.

O
- One wish: to be healthy

P
- Pepsi/Coke: - Tea, iced or hot, sweet or not!
- Perfect Pizza: Thin crust from Pizza Oven or Kaiser's- Pizza crust needs to be cracker thin and crispy, bubbles are a bonus!
- Piercings: My ears only. If I had the body, I would definitely have my navel pierced.

Q
- Quail: ???? What about it? Its a bird. Would I eat it? Probably not. Do I like them? Ehh... its a bird but its not a crane.

R
- Reality T.V.:I think my husband would rock on Survivor! Project Runway makes me want to sew.
- Radio Station: WXRT in Chicago, perhaps the one and only reason I could be convinced to move back to flatland.
- Roll your tongue in a circle: Yes
- Ring size: When I married, I told the woman I wanted a 7. She insisted I was a 6.5. Years later, pregnant, I couldn't wear my wedding band. I took it off before my midwife warned it may have to be cut off, but then tragically, I lost it!! DH ended up buying me a new one, along with two special thin gold bands to wear alongside of it, one from each son. I plan on giving those thin gold rings to my future daughter in laws.

S
- Song: Its always a Blind Melon song, today its Soul One
- Shoe size: left foot 9, right foot 8.5
- Salad Dressing: I made a blackberry one to die for. Blend a pint of Blackberries with 1/4 C of Red wine vinegar and 1/4 cup olive oil. Add a spoonful of sugar if needed. SO GOOD!!!
- Sushi: Its on my 40 firsts list, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I had fake sushi in high school.
- Shower: A morning must! I don't know how people can stand not showering in the morning. I feel like I can't get grooving without one.
- Strawberries/Blueberries: Blueberries- buckets of them!!!!

T
- Tattoos: Not yet, but I haven't ruled them out. I wish they weren't so permanent. Maybe henna is a better option for me.
- Time for bed: When I'm sleepy.
- Thunderstorms: Few and far between. I love thunderstorms but hate tornadoes.

U
-Unpredictable: What to make for supper.

V
- Vacation spot(s): Anything having to do with nature is fine with me. Someday I do hope to see Sequoia trees.

W
- Weakness: I worry too much.
- Which one of your friends acts the most like you: Only my imaginary one
- Worst feeling: When I can't take care of those I love.
- Worst Weather: Death cold

X
- X-Rays: I'm sure they'll give me cancer one day.

Y
-Year it is now:2009
-Yellow: my living room

Z
- Zoo animal: I wish large animals didn't have to live in them, buy my favorite is the tiger.

Do you know what's awesome, cool, annoying.....

I stole this from my son's blog.  His answers were better than mine, but it still inspired me to write my own. (I'll copy his post after mine since his blog isn't public.)

My answers

You know whats awesome? Dove chocolates- I just love the messages inside.

You know whats cool? foam swords - They're only $1 at Target

You know whats annoying? Charity/telemarketer calls that say they don't want your money, just a moment of your time.

You know whats nice? Pink Domos

You know whats bad? Wisconsin roads after winter

You know whats dumb? Institutionalized education

You know what makes you angry? Charter Communications

You know whats awkward? Having to tell a complete stranger she's had a period accident while noticing she's obviously on a date

You know what feels good? Down comforters

You know whats the most Annoying battle ever fought? Trying to keep a plastic garbage bag open enough in order to dump all the waste in

You know whats gross? Public toilets

You know what totally sucks? Being poor

You know what stinks but used to rock? The Fox network

You know what rocks? Blind Melon of course

You know whats frustrating? Trying to use keys with mittens on (Gloves aren't warm enough!)

You know whats entertaining? Children at  play

You know whats funny? My husband

And here is what my son had posted on his blog

You know whats awesome? Metal gear solid 4.

You know whats cool? Shoe boxes.

You know whats annoying? When you are taking a dump and then the toilet water hits your bottom. Its kinda like the toilets revenge for pooping in it.

You know whats nice? When you find a dollar on the ground.

You know whats bad? When you are using a public bathroom and its out of toilet paper.

You know whats dumb? Movie sequel names.

You know what makes you angry? The jerks who run charter(I'm sure my mom will blog about it soon).

You know whats awkward? When you fart in front of people at the bookstore.

You know what feels good? Hot tubs.

You know whats the most Annoying battle ever fought? You vs. the printer.

You know whats gross? Surgery shows.

You know what totally sucks? When you lose your wallet and its totally loaded with cash.

You know what stinks but used to rock? Cartoon network.

You know what rocks? Boomerang.

You know whats frustrating? When you lose all your data on a video game.

You know whats entertaining? Watching your mom play scrabble via facebook against your uncle.

You know whats funny? Watching your grandma play wii fit.

In The Event I Go Into The Witness Protection Program

1. REAL NAME:
Dawn Inger Petersen

2.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME:(mother and fathers middle names)
Catherine Henry (perfect, I love it.)

3.NASCAR NAME:(first name of your mother's dad, father's dad)
Helge Charles (Swedes don't have southern boys' names)

4.STAR WARS NAME:(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name)
Petda (Sounds like a pet store to me)

5.DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite color, favorite animal)
Indigo Tiger (Wicked cool! Maybe its more James Bond though?)

6.SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, town where you were born)
Inger Chicago (also cool!)

7.SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning)
The Green Tea (boring, but perhaps my superpower would be anti-oxidants!)

8.FLY NAME:(first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Daen (I wouldn't even know how to pronounce it.)

9.STREET NAME:(fav ice cream flavor, fav cookie)
Fox Fudge Freak-out Chocolate Chip

10.SKANK NAME: (1st pet's name, street you grew up on)
Muffin Manchester - (Very skanky but with class! LOL!)

11.GANGSTA NAME:(first 3 letters of first name plus 'izzle')
Dawizzle

12.YOUR GOTH NAME:(black, and the name of one of your pets)
Black Yumi

13. STRIPPER NAME: (name of your fav scent, fav sweet )
Grass Chocolate - (Doesn't work at all does it!)

Christmas meme from Debbi's

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay,
here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just
copy (not forward) this and paste into a new message that you
can post. Change all the answers so that they  apply to you...Tis the Season to be NICE!  HO HO  HO



1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? both

2. Real tree or Artificial? real- I've done the artificial thing and nothing beats chopping down a fresh tree. Its a renewal resource and totally biodegradable, plus I enjoy supporting small family farms.

3. When do you put up the tree? day after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down?  middle of January- one year it made it to the end of January (water, water, water everyday!)

5. Do you like eggnog? I now prefer to blend a frozen banana with light vanilla soy milk and add a dash of cinnamon. So much more healthy and just as satisfying.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Maybe my Barbie head where you could do her hair and makeup, or the baby doll that sneezed when you squeezed her tummy. I still have the doll!

7. Hardest person to buy for? DH

8. Do you have a nativity scene? just a small one of only Mary, Josef and Jesus

9. Mail or email Christmas cards? I actually got around to mailing a few today!

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? strep throat

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story-even if its on 24 hours straight, I will never tire of this movie.

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?  YES! Its called White Elephant giving.

14.  Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? cookies

15.  Lights on the tree? White. This way when one strand finally goes, its easy to buy another string of white rather than try to match colored bulbs.

16. Favorite Christmas song? It a tie. What Child Is This, Silent Night 

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home?  both

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?  nope, Tomten bring presents and they only need one goat to do it.

19. Angel on the tree top or a star? A golden star with light shining through it

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or  Christmas day? both

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? driving on snow and ice

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? All the handmade ones, some of which have been made with hands I can no longer hold.

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Smorgasbord!! Its all good!

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? My family around me. (Of course plane tickets to Detroit MI, a limo ride to Dearborn,MI, a paid hotel room suite, and tickets to the Blind Melon New Year' Eve show would be nice too!)

The 99 list stolen from Suey and Paige

Things I've done in RED.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars- (I'm assuming this means without anything over my head such as a tent.)

3. Played in a band- (I'm assuming one practice with the Jr. High band doesn't count.)

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped- Never going to happen!

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty 

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train -Its not as romantic as you'd think.

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill- Only at my corporate job years ago, although it could have been referred to as a mental health day!

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset- just yesterday as a matter of fact!

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise-Never going to happen!

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person- This one is on my bucket list!

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community- No but I have had Amish visit my home.

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing - Not with ropes and equipment, but I have climbed Devil's Lake in Wisconsin.

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight Nope- DH hates sand.

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted 

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business 

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies 

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood - I've also donated platelets. 

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter - Never going to happen unless I'm unconscious on Med-Flight

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job - Does a lay off count?

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 

77. Broken a bone - I have no recollection of doing it, but according to an x-ray, I have a piece of vertebrae that broke and never healed. The bone piece is floating around not connected anymore.

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - In my youth I fantasized about doing this but now I'm too afraid of becoming street pizza. 

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car - Instead of taking a honeymoon. It was a Saturn.

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House - back in the day when you actually could go inside!

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life - assuming saving someone from choking counts

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby -I've had two, both ways!

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake 

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee - once while riding my bike- I can still see the scar, and once I thought a leaf was stuck in my hair. I pulled it out only to see a nasty black wasp stinging my fingertip! 

A-Z Meme (stolen from Lisa)

A is for age: For Tea - can't bring myself to type the actual number. I'm still 22 in my head.
 
B is for beer choice: Root
 
C is for career right now: Autodidact- but that doesn't bring me any money. I also work part-time at a pool. 

D is for your dog's name:  When we get a dog, I'd like to name him "Bump" or her "Bisky".

E is for essential item you use everyday: shower 

F is for your favorite TV show at the moment: True Blood
 
G is for favorite game:  I want to play Sling Shot Golf like I saw on Survivor last week, but I think I'll have to make my own equipment to do this.

H is for hometown: born in Chicago, raised in the burbs
 
I is for instrument you play: none well enough

J is for favorite juice: Brain Juice - This is really Minute Maid Pomegranate/Blueberry juice but our family calls it Brain Juice.
 
K is for whose butt you'd like to kick: Randy the Racist on Survivor- I hope he is voted off this week! I don't care who else wins the million but if it ends up being Randy the Racist, I swear I will never watch the show again, and I may even boycott CBS.

L is for the last place you ate: Our Mancave- leftover fajitas and now my tummy doesn't feel so good.
 
M is for marriage: Married 15, together 22 
 
N is for your name:  I just changed it to Dawning. It was Dawn Inger, after my grandmother and my mother, but I wanted a new name for the second half of my life. I like how "Dawning" represents both my grandmother and my mom, and I like the idea I am "Dawning" into the person I'm suppose to be. Plus "Dawning" has more action to it than one syllable "Dawn".

O is for overnight hospital stays: C-section and VBAC
 
P is for people you were with today: Jake, Jared & Yumi, wait...she's a cat

Quote: "Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn whatever state I am in, thein to be content" - Helen Keller- Because I'm an autodidact (unschooler) I just love this quote!

R is for biggest regret: The 3 years I bought into the "Supermom" crock of crap and Jake was in daycare. I will NEVER get those 3 years back. I wish someone would have told me when I was first pregnant, STAY HOME WITH THEM! THEY GROW SO FAST!

S is for status: Digesting? 

T is for time you woke up today: 8:30am- I stayed up too late last night watching a special about polygamy, and sex change operations. Cable can be an evil thing.

U is for underwear you have on now:  Only DH gets to know this so I'm not telling you!
 
V is for vegetable you love: Broccoli- Who doesn't love eating little trees?

W is for worst habit: My addiction to chocolate and sweets.

X is for x-rays you've had taken: In addition to the usual dental x-rays, I've had a CAT scan done and my first mammogram was this year!

Y is for yummy food you ate today: Vanilla granola

Z is for zodiac sign: Leo- is so fits me too! 

A meme my son wrote...

1: Whats your favorite video game?: Its going to be Little Big World someday.

2: Whats your favorite cartoon as a five-year-old?: Bugs Bunny

3: Whats your favorite food?: chocolate

4: If you were a tree, which one would it be?: A Honey Crisp Apple Tree- I'd have plenty of other tree friends in the orchard with me, humans and animals would enjoy eating what I produce, and children would love to climb into my arms and hang out! 

5: Paper or plastic?: CLOTH!!!! (or paper if I need to gather paper for recycling)

6: Do you think you'll get lots of candy this year on Halloween?: Oh yes! I have two children to steal it from!

7: If you only got one wish, what would you wish for(and no wishing for more wish's!)?: to be healthy

8: Whats the last thing you ate?: Fun sized 3 Muskateers I stole from DS13's stash.  Didn't you read #6?

9: Whats the last thing you watched?: DS9 playing Tony Hawk Underground

10: Whats the video game you are currently playing the most?: None really. I need to get back to playing My Spanish Coach.

11: Whens the last time you had a Snickers?: This morning.

12: Did you know that their are Domo cartoons on Nicktoons Network?: Yes!! Domo rocks!!

13: When you turned 13, how did you feel?: I don't remember turning 13. My family didn't really do the party thing. I probably spent the day with my best friend Lisa, riding our bikes around town on a summer day, eating at McDonald's. It would have been the summer before I started 8th grade so I probably felt pretty excited to be growing up.

14: What movie are you set on going to?: These days, I can wait for most movies to hit DVD before I see them.

15: Do you say computer game or video game?: Video game.

16: Did you watch mario4ever's apple video?: Wasn't that too cool! It's inspired me to write a children's story. I'll have to share it later.

17: What do you think of your computer?: I like that its in the living room, but the machine itself is ancient.

18: What do you want to be when you grow up?: I'm it! I'm a mom! Of course I'll never truly grow all the way up.

19: Whats your least favorite video game?: Mylon's Secret Castle

20: Will you copy and paste this to take this test?: I did! Great questions you came up with Jake! 

WAIT! This was a test? OH NO!!!! How could you trick me like this?!!

Anyone else want to try?

Because I don't feel like cleaning house now....

30 Questions (stolen from Navarrofreak)

1. Person with the same name as you? I've met a few, but never anyone famous.

2. Where was your first kiss?  The first kiss that counted- DH's Audi. We had to do it twice because the first kiss was kind of awkward. We laughed and decided to try again.

3. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else’s property?  Define serious. I did do my share of TPing in high school.

4. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex?  Does my brother count? I did more damage spraying him with Windex and throwing keys at him.

5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people?  Yes ..but I was in a chorus.

6. What’s the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?  eyes- green ones really get my attention

7. What really turns you on? DH

8. What do you order at Starbucks?  I usually skip Starbucks due to a lack of funds. After my last pap smear though, I thought I deserved it and got a mocha with soy.

9. What is your biggest mistake?  The 3 years my oldest son spent in daycare. I should have become a SAHM the day he was born. I bought into the myth. I will tell you now, THE GRASS IS GREENER OVER HERE! STAY HOME WITH YOUR CHILDREN! They grow and you will never get those years back.

10. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?  yes... As a parent I'm making sure my children understand depression is a real illness that can be treated either with or without medication. The fact is depression/mental illness is rarely discussed, but so many people suffer from it. We need to kick the stereotype and be there for each other.

11. Say something totally random about yourself. I like hoodies and I wish I could wear a hooded cape without people staring.

12. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?  Glen Close- eww!! I can't see it.

13. Do you still watch kiddy movies or TV shows? Didn't you know Cartoon Network is showing Goosebumps this month?!

14. Did you have braces?  yes

15. Are you comfortable with your height?  Yes, but my arms are too short.

16. What is the most romantic thing someone of the opposite sex has done for you?  I can't just pick one as being the most romantic but DH always brings me flowers on our sons' birthdays.
 
17. When do you know it’s love?  When you tell God you don't think you could live without this person in your life. Or maybe when you feel comfortable farting in their presence? LOL!

18. Do you speak any other languages?   According to "My Coach Spanish" (DS game), I now speak Spanish as well as a preschooler!

19. Have you ever been to a tanning salon?  No way Jose! I have enough years of sun damage thanks to my sun worshiping mother who didn't realize how important sunscreen was.

20. What magazines do you read?  Home Education Magazine, Natural Health, Health, Woman's Day, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Better Homes and Gardens, Nintendo Power, Vegetarian Times.... NO WONDER I HAVE NO TIME TO READ BOOKS!

21. Have you ever ridden in a limo?  I think maybe at my sister's wedding. I think the maid of honor slipped me underaged champagne and this could be why the memory is fuzzy. 

22. Has anyone you were really close to passed away?  Yes

23. Do you watch MTV?  no

24. What’s something that really annoys you?  Speeders, reckless driving

25. What’s something you really like? Being front and center you know where! MELON ROCKS BABY! (Or walks in the woods with DH)

26. Do you like Michael Jackson? Nope

27. Can you dance?  Can't we all?

28. What’s the latest you have ever stayed up?  In college I'd stay up until 4:00am, sleep through morning classes and greet the world around 1:00pm.
 
29. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room?  No. I made DH drive me with a toddler and a newborn infant in tow, at 2:00a.m. instead. Did I mention how much I love him!! Maybe this was the most romantic thing he's ever done?

30. Do you actually read these when other people fill them out?  Yes I do. Copy it and I promise to read yours! 

Firsts...

1. Who was your FIRST prom date?  Skipped prom to see the Amnesty International Concert in Chicago, with future DH

2.  Do you still talk to your FIRST love?  Every day! And sometimes we do more than just talk!

3.  What was your FIRST alcoholic drink?  Probably a sip of my mother's wine

4.  Who was your FIRST kiss?  There's photographic evidence it was Michael, the boy next door. I think I was 3 or 4. He moved away before Kindergarten started.

5.  Who was the FIRST person to tell you they loved you? Russ from the Axel skating rink. I laughed and he "broke up" with me. How can you be in love in 7th grade?!!

6.  Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? DH as he wrapped his arm around me.

7.  Who was your FIRST grade teacher?  OMG! I will never forget Ms. Kaveko!!! SHE SCARED ME TO DEATH because she threaten to beat us all the time. I'm not joking. (Hmm... could this be why home schooling appeals to me?) Years later I found out my mother's hairdresser, Gloria, hooked up with Ms. Kaveko's husband. Gloria left the hairdressing business to start the coffee company, Gloria Jean's.

8.  Whose heart did you break for the FIRST time?  I've never broken anyone's heart.

9.  Who was your FIRST best friend and are you still friends with them?  Lisa. We had a falling out in high school, but years later she emailed me and every once in awhile, she'll write me.

10.  What was your FIRST sport played? Does Big Wheel racing count? (I lettered in Badmiton in HS.)

11.  Where was your FIRST sleep over?  Lisa's. The first of many, including the night we foolishly watched The Exorcist.

12.  Who was the FIRST person you talked to today?  DH

13.  Whose wedding were you in for the FIRST time?  My sister Carrie's. I was a "Junior Bride" not old enough to be a bridesmaid, but too old to be a flower girl.

14.  What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Snuggle with DH

15.  What was the FIRST concert you ever went to?  U2 circa 1986- I was Bono crazy even copying his mullet. I'll have to see if I can scan the photo someday for a good laugh.

16.  FIRST tattoo or piercing?  Mom took me to pierce my ears at age 11. I had the flu at the time but the earrings were on sale.

17.  FIRST foreign country you went to for vacation? I have a thing about planes. They crash. And now that I've seen Titanic, boats are out too. I guess I could always drive to Canada or Mexico?

18.  What was your FIRST run in with the law? 1986- "This ain't no lovers lane!"  DH & I were parking in the school parking lot. We weren't arrested but asked to leave.

19.  When was your FIRST detention?  In high school, the English teacher gave everyone in the class a detention, I can't remember why. All I know is another teacher bailed me out.

20.  What was the FIRST state you lived in? Land of Lincoln! Although he wasn't born there.

21.  Who was the FIRST person to break your heart? DH

22.  Who were your FIRST roommates?  Pyscho roommate from hell, Lindsay - She literally tried to kill me. I'm not lying.  My next roommate was bulimic. I gave up having roommates after that.

23.  Where did you go on your FIRST roller coaster ride?  Six Flags Great America, 5th grade, "The Whizzer". Isn't that a hilarous name for a roller coaster!!

24.  Who will be the FIRST to repost this? Go for it!