30 Questions

30 Questions

Another fun electronic questionnaire from Swap-bot swapping. This one is hosted by HappyMom. 

My partners for this swap are tonat80, nataliec07 and catandacecreations. 

1. What was your first job? 

I worked at a retirement village in the dietary department. I truly loved that job. 

2. Have you ever met anyone famous?

Not that I know of. I have this vague thought that I met someone but I can't remember who it was. 

3. What are you reading right now? 

I'm reading Dean Koontz's "The Whispering Room".  He is my all time favorite author and I have every single one of his books that I can find. I usually buy them in several formats. hahahaha.  The last book I ended up getting in Hard back, e-book and audiobook. 

4. If you could pick up a new skill in an instant what would it be? 

There are actually two skills that I would LOVE to have. I'd love to be able to be able to pick up languages quickly. I've always wanted to speak several languages.  The other skill/talent that I would love to have is to have a great singing voice. 

5. Who's someone you really admire?

My mom. She raised both my brother and I on her own as she worked full-time, and went to college then theology school full-time. 

6. Seen any good movies lately you'd recommend?

I watched Geostorm the other night and it was really great! I like natural disaster movies. Also, recently watched a movie called The Hitman's Bodyguard. It had a lot of strong language but I thought it was pretty good considering it didn't have the best reviews that I saw. I've always liked Ryan Reynolds though so that always helps :) 

7. Got any favorite quotes?

I can't think of any off the top of my head but I will update if I can think of one later. 

8. Been pleasantly surprised by anything lately?

Not really, It takes a lot to surprise me. 

9. What was your favorite band 10 years ago?

10 years ago I went through a trash music phase. I was listening to things like Eminem, Hinder and Theory of a Deadman.  Basically groups I wouldn't let my son listen to now-a-days. 

10. What's your earliest memory?

Walking to the Turkey Hill convenience store with my Mom and brother. 

11. Been anywhere recently for the first time?

No, we don't go new places very often. But I am going to Savannah, GA in March for my sister-in-law's wedding :) 

12. What's your favorite family tradition?

Putting up the Christmas tree on Thanksgiving day. 

13. Who had the most influence on your growing up?

Of course it was my Mom. 

14. What was the first major thing you bought with your own money?

Probably candy? Hahahaha

15. What's something you want to do in the next year that you've never done before?

I'd like to finish every craft project that I start, hahahaha. 

16. Seen anything lately that made you smile?

Everyday my son does something or says something to make me smile.

17. What's your favorite place you've ever visited?

I've been to California and Florida. I would say I really don't like hot weather places. My favorite place I've been would be right here in Ohio when we go to the Renaissance Faire. 

18. Have you ever had your 15 minutes of fame yet?

Nope, and I don't really care if I ever do. I don't want all that attention. 

19. What's the best advice you've ever heard?

Be yourself, Everyone else is taken. 

20. How do you like your eggs?

Over medium or scrambled. I go through phases where I can't eat eggs for years. Usually after I get eggs with the egg white still slimy... GAG!

21. Do you have a favorite charity you wish more people knew about?

I don't know about a lot of charities. I do like the Mid-Ohio food-bank though. I've done a few volunteer shifts there and I always feel uplifted after completing a shift. 

22. Got any phobias you'd like to break?

I'd deathly afraid of deer and have trouble driving after dark because I am afraid of hitting them. I've forced myself lately to try and get over this phobia but it's slow going. 

23. Have you returned anything you've purchased recently? Why?

Nope, I don't buy a lot of stuff that would need to be returned. I usually buy clothing items at thrift stores so if I get something that doesn't fit then I just donate it back to the store. hahahaha

24. Do you collect anything?

Oh my! I collect everything. Lighthouses, salt-n-pepper shakers, elephants, miniatures, postcards, playing cards, Marvel vinyl pops, monster high collectibles,  small wind-chimes..... I could keep going...

25. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

Depends on my mood. Some of my favorites are; Honey Nut Cheerios, Frosted Mini Wheats, Lucky Charms, and Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch. 

26. If we were having lunch together, what would you want to know about me?

About how you day has been.

27. Who was your favorite manager or boss, and what did you like best about him or her?

My favorite supervisor has been Kelly B. she really cares about the people on her team. She is always on time for chats and meetings and always keeps us in the loop so we know what's going on. She is also great at engaging her team. I'd never been part of a team that I felt so attached to and cared about  by every one on the team before and I'd never felt as valued as a person as I did when I was on her team. I was truly saddened when I found out recently that the teams were being realigned and I was going to have to switch teams.  Already I feel less attached. I like my new boss, he is great but he's not Kelly. 

28. What's your favorite way to spend an unexpected day off?

Sleeping, ha! I know it sounds lame but I never get to sleep past 7 a.m. even on weekends so when I get a day where I can sleep in, I feel like I've won the lottery. 

29. What did you find exhilarating?

Ex-hil-a-rat-ing: Making one feel very happy, animated or elated, thrilling.  I think it's all a mind-set. I try to always be very happy, thereby animated.  I don't see out thrills, nor am I a thrill junkie. I get my exhilaration through living life daily and trying to be the best person I can be. Being a  mother exhilarates me also. It's a daily blessing.  

30. What's a career or job you would never be interested in?

I could never be a doctor. I don't do well with all the body fluids and seeing someone hurt or wounded would wig me out. I have a lot of respect for those in the medical field. 

7DaysOfFood

Seven Days of Food :) 

This is another of those fun swaps on Swap-bot.  I joined a electronic swap  called Seven Days Of Food.   I needed to take photos of some of the meals we had during a seven day time frame. I am totally terrible at remembering to take photos BEFORE I start eating so some of these photos were taken partially into the eating process, hahahahahaha. 

Meal 1: You are going to see a lot of pizza in this blog because my family is pizza crazy!!

This is one of those frozen pizzas from the store. By far my favorite, Jack's Canadian Bacon pizza. 

Meal 2: 

We went to a new restaurant in town that has a brick fired pizza oven. These are my son's leftovers which I ate the next day for lunch. hahahaha

We ordered a dozen cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes. It was a late birthday treat from my family. Kinda expensive but you have to admit that they look YUMMY and they were too! 

These pictures are not in order for the days I ate them, They just are randomly uploaded.  We got this sundae bowl at a local ice cream shop.  Ice cream in January you ask?? Well of course!

Enjoying some snacking from one of those cheese and sausage gift boxes that we got for Christmas from Swiss Colony!  My family loves these boxes. 

I little bit healthier breakfast for a change. This is not normal for me at all. hahahaha Normally I'm a grab and go kinda girl. You will see what I mean later on in this blog.  This is a couple of medium over eggs and a bit of leftover steak :) 

We made mini tortilla pizzas.  So good. We can never get too much pizza. At least my 5 year old and I can't.  My husband does get a little tired of it at times. :) 

We made crock-pot Scalloped Potatoes with Ham!

We went to one of my favorite local Ma and Pa family restaurants after church on Sunday.  This is my go to meal.  I love love love their club sandwich.  Real Turkey, Real ham and bacon. I add cheese and mayo! This sandwich lasts me two meals. It is huge!!

I  have to confess that a lot of times this is my go to breakfast. HAHAHAHA.

Well there you go. Hope you laughed a little at the sneak peak into weekly eating. We usually cook a lot more but this has been a crazy week!  I'll have to do this again and actually do some cooking :-P

StockingStuffer

Stocking Stuffer Swaps

I had to make this blog post today! I totally love all the stocking stuffer swaps at swap-bot. I've been participating all year long in every one of these swaps that I could find. Halfway through the year I ran out of room in my stocking and had to switch to a basket. I also joined two advent swaps. Actually one is of the swaps was a 12 Days of Christmas swap hosted by CraftyMommaOnABudget.

This woman is one of the best people I've "met" and has become a sweet friend of mine. 

Even though my husband and I decided not to exchange gifts this year and just focus on our sons, I will still have a wonderful Christmas morning with all the goodies from my friends. 

30 Questions

I’ve been kind a slacking on the whole blog lately so I thought it would be nice to post the answers to the latest Swap-bit electronic swap that I recently joined. There are 30 questions that we needed to answer for this swap, so here I go. Enjoy!!

Here are the questions: What bill do you hate to pay the most?   A consolidation loan that I took out over a year ago that has a high monthly payment. I feel like it sucks our bank account dry each month lol When was the last time you had a romantic dinner?  It has probably been a couple years ago to be honest. What do you really want to be doing after answering these questions? Decorate our Christmas tree!! How many colleges did you attend? Zero, I started working right out of high school. Why did you choose the shirt you have on now? It was one of the only two I took with me to my mom’s house this weekend. Thoughts on gas prices right now? Not too bad but could be better in my opinion. It’s around $2.34 a gallon here. First thought when the alarm goes off in the morning? Ten more minutes please! Last thought you have before you go to bed? 7 am will be here too fast. Do you miss being a child? Not really but I do miss my twenties. What errand/chore do you despise the most? Washing dishes, even with the dishwasher I still hate it. Do prefer to wake up early or sleep in? Sleep in if I was able to. Found love yet? My son is the love of my life. Favorite meal to eat for lunch? Some kind of sandwich or leftovers from dinner.  What do you get every time you go grocery shopping? Milk, eggs, bread, cheese, pizza Ocean, river or lake? Ocean. I like to walk along the ocean's edge and if I go into the water I don't get that slimy feeling like from a river or lake. hahahaha Is marriage overrated? It can be the greatest heartbreak or the best thing ever. Depends who you marry. Ever crashed your vehicle? Not personally but I’ve been in a few car crashes. Somewhere you've never been, but want to go? Hawaii is a dream destination and Ireland also. At this point in your life, would you want to start a new career? No, but I’d like to keep this job until I can retire. How many days until your next birthday? 41 days!!  Who is your go-to person when you need to vent? My journal. It keeps secrets and doesn’t judge. Are you where you want to be in life? Not even close. Growing up, who were your favorite cartoon characters? Scooby-doo and the smurfs. I also liked the Thundercats. What do you think has changed about you, since you were a teenager? Everything. Appearance, temperament, patience etc Looking back at high school were they the best years of your life? Not even close. I hated high school. When do you still feel like a kid? When I am playing with my son.  What was the make, model and year of the first car you owned? A chevette with rusted floor boards. Were you the type of kid you'd want your children to hang out with? I think so though I was very clingy and I also was too empathetic.  I would become who my friend was.  What radio stations did you listen to when you were a teenager? Didn’t listen to radio. But I do remember listening to records with my Mom.  Who was your high school 'crush'? Didn’t have one honestly.

Getting To Know You #3

Another round of getting to know you questions hosted by yvonne401

The picture above is a picture I colored from a adult coloring book and I love the way it came out so much that I decided to use it as my page picture. So that's one extra freebie "getting to know you" fact that you may not have known about me.  I love to color 😊

On with the questions and answers. Have fun!

1. What is your favorite family vacation? 
 When I was 18, my family went to Disney World. That is the only family vacation that I really remember. Most summers we spent with my grandparents while my Mom had to continue working.

2. If you could hire someone to help you, would it be with cleaning, cooking or yard work?
Neither, we would hire a handyman to help finish a bunch of half started improvement projects at our house.  We want to enclose the side porch, install a bathtub in our bathroom and patch a hole in the ceiling of our kitchen where my husband had to tear the ceiling out because to remove a hive of bees last fall!!

3. Have you ever had a nickname? 
Yes, my dad called me Ali, and I had a friend that called me Kat for a bit.

4. In the evening would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie or read? 
How about all four? I've done that before. But if I only can choose one it would be, watch a movie.

5. How would your friends describe you? 
I'm not sure, you'd have to ask them. hahahaha

6. Whart are your hobbies?
I love to crochet, make homemade cards, play adventure/problem solving computer games, read and do other paper crafting.

7. What is the best gift you have been given?
I really can't remember past gifts to be honest. My favorite swap-bot gift was a miniature teddy bear that I got. Oh and a miniature deer.

8. What is the worst gift you have received?
A powder blue track suit with butterflies embroidered on the leg and shoulder.


9. What's your favorite zoo animal?
The elephant. I love elephants.

10. How many pillows do you sleep with?
A lot. I sleep sitting up. I actually sleep with a sofa cushion/pillow and then another pillow on top of it.

11. Would you rather trade intelligence for looks or looks for intelligence? 
That is hard to choose. I'd hate to be ugly or stupid. But I wouldn't mind being highly intelligent and rather plain looking. I don't need to be pretty.

12. What's your favorite holiday?
Christmas without a doubt.

13. What's your favorite snack?
I love soft pretzels with honey mustard.

14. What's your favorite type of foreign food?
I really love chinese food but only restaurant chinese food. If I try to make it at home I never like it.

15. What's your favorite fast food chain?
I would say Burger King's burger, Mcdonald's Fries and Wendy's baked potatoes.

16. What's your favorite family recipe?
Chicken and Dumplings. I always ask my Mom to make it for me for my birthday. Her version is always best.

17. Do you love or hate roller coasters?
I like junior rollercoasters but I hate adult roller coasters where you loop upside down.

18. Do you collect anything?
Yes; salt and pepper shakers, lighthouses, windchimes, anything miniature.

19. How many languages do you speak?
Only speak English fluently but I love playing with Duolingo. I took 4 yrs of spanish in high school but I don't remember much of it other then the basic phrases. I want to learn Swedish and Spanish fluently. I'd also love to learn mandarin.

20. What is the one thing that you will never do again?
Get married.

Book Questions

Another Electronic Swap. Another Set of Questions. Another Set of Answers 😃

Name of this swap:

Book Questions - Your Opinion

Host:

JJean

The details:

We each were assigned three partners to send our list of questions and answers to. We can either email our parnters the answers or send them a link to our blog if we post our answers there (here). 

My partners For This Swap Are:

Sending To:

 SleepingRover2010

 KSENiA

Cafloarea

Receiving From:

 AnnSo

 SassyGreen

 Miamorswife

As for all my electronic swaps you can click on the (receiving from) names above to see the answers I've got from my partners.

Now It's My Turn, Read on to see how I answered the swap questions. 

What book would you recommend to read?

I've given this answer before in other swaps I've done in the past, but I will give it again here. One of my favorite books I've read in the past year has been Rick Yancey's  Fifth Wave. I don't know why I love it so much but it's become one of my favorite books. I've actual purchased three formats of this book. Hard copy, e-book and audible book. I also really like the adaptation of the book into the movie called by the same name, even though they cut major parts of the book out but that is expected because they do that to all movies made from books. 

Do you keep a record of the books you have read? If so what format do you use?

Well to be honest I started keeping track of my books a half a year ago because I joined a Reading Quarter Log swap but after two quarters I got bored with the swap and stopped keeping track. I even have an entry here of what books I read in a past quarter. I just found that I read too much and too fast to keep up an accurate log. Also, sometimes I start a book and don't care for it and so I just stop reading it. Now I just kind of keep track of what books I've read on my Kindle app by moving them from "device" to the "cloud" when I finish a book. In as far as physical paper books, I have a pile of books that is unread or to read book and when I finish a book I move it to a completed pile. hahahaha. 

Do You Have A Favorite Book Blog? 

I signed up for Goodreads but I got really annoyed at the people who thought they were geniuses trying to review books in an overly intellectual manner. I don't mind true intellectual reviews. I just hate the people that think they are being smart and trying to write "down" to the little people. Also, some people just don't know how to write a book review with spoiling the book for others that have not read the book yet. Now I just have certain authors that I follow their blog. That is about it. 

Name Your Favorite Author:

This one is easy. Hmmm, I think. Okay, I will say Dean Koontz. I've read every book that I've found of his and I own most in the hardback edition. Also, I've subscribed to his blog so I know when he has new books coming out. I've already pre-ordered his book that is coming out in June 2017.

Do You Have a Good Crime/Mystery To Recommend?

Yes, Lately I've stumbled upon the author Julie Hyzy and I've become quite addicted to her mysteries. She has two series that I am reading right now. One is set in the White House and involves the white house chef who solves murder cases. I think it is called the Inaugural Chef Series. The other series is the "Grace..." series.  "Grace Sees Red" "Grace Against The Clock" etc. These are a good sets of books for those that don't want a heavy crime drama. They are lighthearted mysteries without bad language or graphic sex scenes.

A Great Romance?

I really truly hate romance stories to by honest. The only romance you will find me reading is by Nora Roberts and normally only her trilogies based on the supernatural. 

Name a Great Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book:

See question one.. hahahaha. Rick Yancey's, "Fifth Wave". I have two Fantasy series I like, too. Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders Of Pern (whole bunch of them) and Christopher Paolini's "Eragon" trilogy. 

Would You Chose A Book Based On The Cover?

I have in the past. That is actually how I found Julie Hyzy. I was standing in the checkout line at the library and looked at the bookshelf of new books available and saw the beautiful cover to her "Grace Cries Uncle" book and decided to pick it up. I usually do pick YA books bases on the cover work. 

Have you been to a book signing? 

No never. 

Name a book that you could read over and over again:

Um. The Fifth Wave? lol  Also, any book by Dean Koontz. 

How Many books are on your nightstand/table to read?

No physical books right now. But I have a stack of 5 books on my stairway to read. (That is where my "to read" pile is stored). I also have about 50 books on my Kindle App that I need to read. 

Do You Collect/Use Bookmarks?

I make bookmarks for other people but it's funny that I don't use them myself. I usually grab whatever piece of paper is handy at the time and use it to hold my place. I read A LOT of electronic books so I really don't need too many paper bookmarks. I do like to make the metal sheperds' hook bookmarks that have the bead dangles. Though I consider them more book jewelry then book marks since I don't use them while reading the book. I only put them into the book after I've read them and placed them on the shelf. It looks so pretty seeing all the beads and crystals hanging from books on my shelves. 

Getting To Know You #2

Hi Folks! Another Survey/Question swap. This one hosted by Yvonne401. I have to say that these are my favorite types of swaps. Well this and the Junk Journal swaps :)  Below are my answers.

1. How would you explain love to somebody who had never heard of it before? A feeling of intense longing to be with someone. To get to know them. To take care of them. I care about them no matter what. 
2. What toppings do you like to put on your pizza? Pepperoni or Ham.  I'm a one topping at a time kind of girl. 
3. Where are you most likely to be at 8:00 on a Saturday night? Honestly, probably home watching tv or reading a book. 
4. Where is the funniest place you have ever fallen asleep? Hmm. On a bus on gourmet trip to New York City. I snored and drooled and the whole nine yards. Totally embarrassing. 
5. What is your favorite thing about your dad? I was never close to my dad. 
6. What is your favorite thing about your mom? That we like to do the same kind of things. 
7. Who was your best friend growing up and are you still friends? I didn't have best friends. I find that girls have always been a backstabbing gossipy type people and that was long before the term, "mean girls" came about. Every time I tried to make a BFF I would find myself getting stabbed in the back and picked apart. I gave up after awhile and decided to just have acquaintances. 
8. What job did you have that you would never want again? Working in a sewing factory inspecting shirts. 
9. Would you rather be rich or healthy? If I could be 100% healthy that would be awesome.  
10. What did you do during your childhood summers? When I was younger we spent the summers with my grandparents because my Mom still had to work full time during the summers. Once we got older we would go to Church camp for part of the summer and then Mom would pay a lady in town to keep an eye out for us but we mostly just played outside all day until she got home from work. 
11. What do you do now during your summers? Work. I really don't care for summer. I don't take my vacations during the summer because I don't do well with the heat at all and I don't find it enjoyable to be out in it. I'm not a pool girl or beach girl or anything like that. I stay in the A/C as much as possible. 
12. What is your favorite season of the year? I love Fall and Spring. That is when I do all the fun things!
13. How do you manage stress? Read, Sleep, Craft
14. Have you ever been on TV? Not that I know of. 
15. Who taught you to drive? Well my ex-husband tried to teach me to drive but that was a disaster because he would yell at me every time I ground the gears. I refused to drive until I was 21 or even get my license until we got an automatic car. Then I think it was my Ex-husband's grandpa's wife Barb that gave me the pointers and confidence that I needed and I eventually taught myself. 
16. Would you like to know ahead of time the day you were going to die? No because then I wouldn't be able to live because I would always be counting down the days or worried about it. Stressing out over the day. 
17. How old do you want to live to? If I have my health and ability to take care of myself and live a long active life then I would love to live a long time.  If I get too invalid or start losing my mind I would want to stop living and just move on to the next chapter of my life in Heaven. 
18. If you were going to skip one meal, which one would it be? Breakfast. I usually skip breakfast because I am too busy working. 
19. What to you remember about your grandfather? He would take me on grocery shopping trips and he would teach me to calculate the exact purchase price of things. Like one brand of paper towels had this many sheets and that roll of paper towels only had this number of sheets for the same price.  He was very frugal. He would also take us the the diner where he and his croneys would meet daily for coffee and catching up on the news. I remember fried bologna sandwiches. I also remember watching John Wayne movies with him. 
20. What do you remember about your grandmother? Sitting in the kitchen with her watching Nick-At-Night and snacking on ritz crackers with cream cheese.  Making my grandma a glass of tea with lemon in it. I remember her telling me that when you get to be her age that you can say and do what you want. Also, I love the memory of us all sitting around the kitchen table after Sunday dinner playing cards and pretending like Nanny wasn't cheating.  She said it wasn't cheating that it was "Florida Style".