Just for Fun

Everyone,

Sunday was Chinese New Year. I looked up every one's Chinese zodiac animal and had a great time reading them out loud to Juice and Butterfly. Butterfly agreed with everything they said, but Juice and I laughed over a few bits. I thought you'd enjoy a laugh as well.

Me: Monkey!

Monkeys are intelligent, witty and possess an overall magnetic personality. They are sociable and easy to communicate with -- Monkeys love to talk. Fast learners and quick on the draw, they can be crafty opportunists, and can adapt to many situations. Some people love the eccentricity of the Monkey personality; others mistrust their restless, sly, inquisitive behaviour. Monkeys indulge in deceit -- just for the stir it causes -- and shrug it off as a joke. Despite an exceptional brightness, they cannot imagine themselves in other people's shoes, rendering them unsympathetic and unintuitive. Possessing a wide range of interests, Monkeys can perform well in many jobs, but are to restless to work from 9 - 5. A bit of a tease, Monkeys need partners that can keep them stimulated. Persuasive, Resourceful, Good-Humoured, Ingenious, Versatile, Imaginative ----------------- Superficial, Restless, Impudent, Sly, Mischievousness, Untruthful

The following occupations best suit the Monkey personality. SCIENTIST ¤ JOURNALIST ¤ EDITOR ¤ FILM DIRECTOR ¤ JEWELLER ¤ ACTOR ¤ WRITER ¤ AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER ¤ ENGINEER ¤ MARKET TRADER Some notable Monkeys in these fields include James Stewart, Joan Crawford, Bob Marley, Leonardo Da Vinci, Julius Caesar and Elizabeth Taylor.

We thought the whole deceit thing was pretty funny. If anyone knows me really well, they know that I just don't get into that.

Juice: Sheep!

Except for a knack of always getting off on the wrong foot, Sheep can be charming company. Sheep sometimes hold back their emotions, and are not fully appreciated for their true nature. Still, they are first to complain about discomfort. Naturally pessimistic, mild mannered and even shy, the Sheep person is a sympathetic voice. Lovers of art and nature, they tend to spoil themselves. Still, they are creative, cultured and well-mannered -- A civilizing influence on others. Some Sheep are timid and easily upset, while others can be adaptable and sure-footed when the need arises. Either way, Sheep prefer to live and work with other people, and find emotional satisfaction with partners that provide them security in life. Intelligent, Artistic, Gentle, Kind, Cultured, Sensitive ----------------- Fussy, Insecure, Ingratiating, Self-Indulgent, Dependent

The following occupations best suit the Sheep personality. ARCHITECT ¤ CARTOGRAPHER ¤ TOWN PLANNER ¤ ART HISTORIAN ¤ ILLUSTRATOR ¤ ACTOR ¤ MUSICIAN ¤ DAYCARE WORKER ¤ FLORIST ¤ PEDIATRICIAN Some notable Sheep in these fields include Michelangelo, Buster Keaton, Laurence Olivier, Jane Austen and Mark Twain.

Does Juice always get off on the wrong foot? Probably. We thought he's obviously mismatched with his occupation though. He should give up his good engineering job and become an art historian. Because we all know how much he love art AND history. Perfect job for him.

Butterfly: Rooster!

Roosters are hard workers; shrewd and definite in their decision making, often speaking their minds. Because of this, Roosters seem to boast. They like to put all their cards on the table and respect those who do the same. Roosters love to mix socially -- They are dreamers, flashy dressers and extravagant. They love to attract attention and admiration, and and get angry when someone steals the spotlight. Despite being melodramatic, they are exceptionally practical, logical, and have excellent powers of discrimination. This leaves them with high standards of excellence which at times frustrates others. Although they attract many suitors, they are loyal, level- headed partners make a commitment. Passionate, Resilient, Patriotic, Industrious, Courageous, Protective ----------------- Conceited, Blunt, Rude, Bossy, Aggressive, Impatient

The following occupations best suit the Rooster personality. ACTOR ¤ DENTIST ¤ DANCER ¤ INSURANCE AGENT ¤ OPERA SINGER ¤ ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL ¤ FINANCIAL ADVISOR ¤ MUSICIAN Some notable Roosters in these fields include Eric Clapton, Dolly Parton, Rudyard Kipling, and Katharine Hepburn.

We laughed over the bossy, aggressive and impatient. All things that Butterfly is! But she is also loyal, level headed, and a hard worker.

Pirate and Professor: Rats!

Rats are imaginative, charming, and truly generous to the ones they love. However, Rats have a tendency to be quick- tempered and overly critical. At ease with company and groups of people, their intelligence and observation allows them to quickly grasp a situation from multiple perspectives. Rats know how to spot opportunities and seize them, but their opportunism, ambition and restlessness can lead to too many commitments. Don't be fooled -- although shrewd in business at times, Rats are passionate lovers, with a depth of feeling that is seldom recognized by others.

Charismatic, Sociable, Intelligent, Affable, Quick-Witted, Popular ----------------- Exploitative, Calculative, Secretive, Greedy, Acquisitive, Devious

The following occupations best suit the Rat personality. WRITER ¤ BROADCASTER ¤ ACTOR ¤ LAWYER ¤ POLITICIAN ¤ RACE CAR DRIVER ¤ ENGINEER ¤ RESEARCHER ¤ MANAGER ¤ ENTREPRENEUR Some notable Rats in these fields include William Shakespeare, Amadeus Mozart, Gene Kelly, Winston Churchill and George Washington.

Boy are we going to have our work cut out for us. ;)

We got our information from the website HERE. Find out what you are and leave me a comment. I'd love to see what everyone is!

Safire

Questions for the Day

Everyone,

Blog hopping today with Lolli to My Little Life. 5 questions to answer for this lovely Friday evening.



1. What is better, growing old with out money or dying young and wealthy?

What good would your money do if you die before you can use it all? I'd rather be old!

2. Who takes out the garbage at your house?

Depends on the day. Our garbage comes 2 times a week on Mondays and Thursdays. On Mondays, while I lay in the nice warm bed, Juice gathers up the house garbage, the diapers, and the recycling to be put on the curb. On Thursdays, Juice is up late the night before so I either run it out to the curb (in my robe and coat and pjs) while the garbage people are coming or he does. Sometimes it doesn't go out on Thursdays and then we try not to open our garbage can if at all possible. Stinky!

3. Have you ever had the same dream many times?

Yes actually I have. It's my current plot outline for my book, should I ever get around to writing it. Let's just say it involves tigers, the moon, and that all I'm going to say.

4. Can you play a musical instrument?

Yep. Started playing the violin when I was around 5. I guess my brother had been taking lessons for awhile and I asked my mom, "Where's my violin?" I took lessons until I was 12 and we moved to another state. I started the high school orchestra and met some awesome people and played in Disneyland. I also played in the college orchestra, and got to be 2nd chair 2nd violin my second year there. (That's kind of a big deal.) I think I played one semester of my 3rd year and nothing in my 4th year. I don't practice as I should but I can play a few things on demand. I also play the piano very casually. Like, once a year when I'm at my Mom's house. (She taught me the piano! A women of many talents!)

5. If you owned your own store, what would you sell?

Honestly I've never wanted to own my own store. If I HAD to pick, I'd sell horse stuff because I love the smell of tack stores. Mmm...leather.

Safire

Sunday Question of the Week

Everyone,

This week's question on the Multiples and More blog was a fun one!  The question is:


"Tell us your 5 FAVORITE blogs- and they don't have to be multiple mom blogs either!"



Now I read a lot of blogs.  Frankly, I read a lot more blogs than I ever comment on.  I believe this is called "lurking".  I don't mind being a lurker.  I only comment on the blogs I really like or if I have something to say.  I also read my blogs in a reader which I think kills the commenting too.  I have all my blogs seperated out into catagories.  I'll list my catagories and one of my favorite blogs in it. 

IRL Blogs (or In Real Life, basically people I've met in real life)
Clio-  I met Karen online when we were both trying to have babies and journaling on the iParenting website.  Before the big blog craze hit and everyone had one.  We had to apply to write there and everything.  But then blogs hit and the site died and we moved onto our own blogs.  We've stayed in touch through our blogs and last year we got to meet in person.  We both love books, reading, and dogs.  She was nice enough to dog sit Soot while we drove across the country for an hour or so while we went sight seeing.  I love seeing her posts about her cute Evie and reading her thoughts on adoption.

Maryland Bloggers (or people who live in Maryland who blog, like me)
Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom- DiPaola Momma is seriously funny.  I love her Fit Pitchin' Fridays and how she calls all of her followers "Nuggetiers".  She's also super sweet in person and throws an awesome party.

Shopping Blogs (or blogs that have anything to do with money)
TattooAstronomy- For those who use Swagbucks, you should recognize this sight.  For those who don't, WHY AREN'T YOU?  Seriously, free money for doing a few searches a day!  Who wouldn't want that?  I always jump when I see there's a post from this blog because that means I've either missed a swag code (another way to earn swagbucks) or there's some important information about Swagbucks.  Seriously you guys, join up!  It's how I paid for a lot of Christmas this year and how I'm probably going to save up and get a Flip camera...for free!

Twin Blogs (or blogs that have anything to do with multiples of any kind)
The Isoms-  My friend from my church recommended I read her blog when I was pregnant with the boys.  The were friends or roommates...I can't remember which.  In any case, Jen has twins plus a singleton and is wicked funny.  Just looking at her blog header makes me giggle...The Whitest People in Miami.  I want to meet her one day and let our children run wild together.  Because I get the feeling they would.

Ward Members (or people at my church who have blogs)
Better in Bulk- Lolli is one of my bestest pals.  She manages to blog every day and I never feel like it's the slow dribble that I put up on my page.  Plus, she often posts cute pictures of my kids or family!  She is also my local photographer.  We talk a few times a week on the phone, as well as do a little preschool together, and read each other's blogs every day.  I always check to see if she's written anything very first thing.

Not Catagorized (or things that I just haven't put into catagories...there has to be at least 30 blogs in that list but most only post sporatically)
MommyKnows- I don't remember where I started reading her but I love reading!  She has a 4 year old that I'm sure would be best buds with my 4 year old.  She lives in Canada and I am in awe of her amazing pictures this winter.  She does a bunch of simple crafts that I always think I could pull off but then remember that I have zero free time on my hands sometimes.  We have a big thing in common...we both love SNOW!  I am jealous of all the snow business that goes on with her family and maybe one day we'll live in a place that snows more than 3 times a year.

Whew, this was harder than I thought.  And it took longer because I got sucked into other blogs I enjoy reading but didn't post.  Now you know what I do during nap time!

Safire 

 

 

 

Let It Snow!

Everyone,

A big (for this area) storm is headed our direction.  They are anticipating at least a foot of snow.  Of course, they always seem to go over the mark with these predictions and we will probably get about 8 inches.  Still, a significant storm for here.

This is also the first year since we've moved here that there will be snow anywhere near Christmas.  We have lived here 6 years now.  (Juice and I just had a huge long "discussion" about when we moved to the area and how long we've been here.  I, of course, was right.  I love this blog for proving me right.  :)  Did you know I've been blogging here for 5 years now?!)  Anyway, back to the snow.  I don't think I can remember ever having snow near Christmas in all the years we've lived here.  Since I have the last 5 Decembers on record, let's check them out.

Dec 2004:  I talk about how hot it is, over 60 degrees.  One thing that I didn't talk about was that our heater broke later that month and it was FREEZING cold.  We went to Utah for a week and a half that Christmas break and got snow there.  It also snowed late in January in 2005 but no snow for Christmas.

Dec 2005: No mention whatsoever of snow.  At all. 

Dec 2006: Ahh, the year we went downtown during Christmas break.  We carried our coats the whole trip because it was so not cold.

Dec 2007: We had our first snowfall mid month and nothing after that.

Dec 2008:  No snow.  Just a lot of rain and some really cute little kids.

So maybe this is the year we have a white Christmas?  I sure hope so!

Safire

PS- It's almost 4:15 in the afternoon and I have yet to even shower or get out of my pjs...it's been one of THOSE days.  Ugh.

Blog In

Everyone,

I found this thread from my good friend Lolli. I hope things change for this.

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

Safire

Blog Tag

Everyone,

My good friend Lolli tagged me a few days ago.  Since I don't really have anything to say today (unless you want to hear my rantings about Butterfly and her attitude lately), here are 7 random things about me.

1-  Did you know that I have 3 other blogs I write on?  I do.  One is a group blog which is private, one is a private one just for me that I haven't written in in months, and one I just started today to keep track of the bloggy giveaways I enter.  You can check that one out here.

2-  I have not gotten my mail in about 5 days.  I probably should do that but I hate walking to my mail box.  It's at the end of my circle, about a block away.  I used to get it all the time with Butterfly.  It was a great little outting for us.  But now, I can't hold both boys and open the box.  Plus we have coats to put on, gloves to put on, shoes to put on.  So the mail just sits there until the box gets full and our mailman grumpily brings it to our house in a big rubber band.  Or he will take it all to the post office and make me go there to get it.

3-  I love love love popcorn and have some at least 3 times a week.  I have a stir crazy popper that I love.  The bowl is cracked and the stirring arm is bent but it still works great.  It gets lots of use!

4-  Since having the boys, I have a really hard time concentrating.  It's frustrating to me because I was always great at being organized and stuff.  I really do think that being organized is one of the many keys to success.  But now, I'm totally disorganized.  I feel like I'm skating through life and I hate it.  I want to get back to being organized.  The only way to do that is to make a ton of lists, and I don't have the concetration to make them.  Sigh...

5-  I used to send out montly pictures to my friends and family.  I haven't done that since the boys were born.  I feel awful because I know my mom and grandma really like them.  I also haven't even uploaded the pictures on to the photo sharing/buying website since my trip to Utah last summer.  I really need to because when I actually do get back into scrapbooking, I'll need a place to get my pictures printed!  I always have good intetions of sitting down to do it every day but then the internet sucks me in.

6-  I have my book club meeting tonight and I'm excited to get out and not have to worry about the kids!  We are reading Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters.  I did not finish (okay, start) Mere Christianity but I got through The Screwtape Letters.  These books are very thought provoking.  See #4 above.  I'm vowing to start the next book earlier in hopes that I will actually get through it.

7-  I love reading the credits in a movie.  I love to see people's names.  I really love watching the Pixar credits because they have production babies at the end and that is so cool!  I think I got started with this when I watched the Simpsons when I was younger.  They used to have a funny phrase at the end of the credits every episode.  I wish more people did that.

Okay, so for the rules:

* Link to the person who tagged you
* Post the rules on your blog
* Write 7 random things about yourself
* Tag 7 people at the end of your post and link to them
* Let each person know they've been tagged

I tag:

Valinda
My Dad
My Aunt
Rosemarie
Miss X
Karen from Clio
Aubrey

(Wow, that was harder than I thought to pick 7 people!)

Safire

Getting Out

Everyone,

Want a Wii Fit? So do I. Magpie Musings is giving one away. (Don't forget about my own giveaway here!) The rule is you are supposed to post an exercise story on your blog and then how a Wii Fit would change your life. So here is my story:

I have a very vibrant (read willful) 3 year old and almost 8 month old twin boys. I do not go to the gym because of the sheer magnitude of getting out of the house. When I do get out, it's an hour long preparation on my part to be anywhere near on time for anything. And that prep has to start after I get myself all ready. And if the boys are awake during that prep, forget it! I will be late and flustered and sweaty. Except now it's cold here and so I'm more icy than sweaty.

My timeline:
1 hour before: start packing diaper bag. Experts say to just keep the bag stocked and ready to go or stock it when you get home. I can never do that. I use stuff out of the bag during the day. So I have to wander around the house picking up things like my slings, toys, wipes, diapers, and snacks for the 3 year old. Most of the time she tries to help pack the bag and I get places and realize I've "forgotten" some of it. (She likes to be helpful and take them back out and put them away.) This step takes anywhere from 5 minutes to 45 depending on how helpful she is and how much stuff I need on any particular outing.

30 minutes before: decide on stroller. This can be tricky. Am I going to be doing a lot of quick in and out of the car? The car seat stroller would be better. Am I going to be doing a lot of walking? BOB might be best. Is it a small space? Then I better take the car seat stroller. Once I've decided on the stroller, I have to switch them out of the back of the van. Because I never seem to need one stroller over and over. I seem to flip flop between the two. So in heading out the door to the van (which is hopefully parked in the closest parking spot in our lot, still a good 20 feet away) my 3 year old decides she wants to come and help too! So I have to find her socks, fight with her to get them on (no I want to do it...tries...will you help me?...I help...no I want to do it myself...tries...will you help me? maddening!) She decides she wants to wear her boots after she has one shoe on and will not let me help her along. She can get her coat on but can't start the zipper. I have to start only the first 2 or 3 teeth so she can zip the rest up. Crying and pouting will ensue if you zip more than you're allowed. I throw shoes and my coat on and lug BOB out to the van. BOB weights around 23 lbs so it's quite a load. This takes at least 15 minutes.

15 minutes before: get the boys ready. In the summer, it was easy to snap them into their car seats in minutes and go. Now that it's freezing cold here, they have to have coats on. Someone always needs a diaper change. Sometimes they need a whole outfit change. They both need to be stuffed into their coats. I put Pirate's hat on at least 3 times between now and walking out the door because he has learned to take it off and thinks it's funny. Coats on, in car seats, all set. Whew. I might be on time. I look around for the three year old and find that she has taken off every article of clothing from the waist down and her coat because she had to go potty and it's hot. Round up her scattered clothes, fight with her to put them on, and get yelled at for forgetting her mittens.

15 minutes after we were supposed to leave: finally start to walk out the door. One or both of the boys have been crying because it's hot in their coats in the house but outside they are fine. Haul both of them (over 17lbs now) and their car seats (which weigh around 5 lbs each), one in each hand, to the van. Consider doing a few arm curls with them to strengthen my arms and decide against it. Have you lifted those things? They are heavy!

Help all three kids into the car. Wrestle with the 3 year old's straps and finally get her buckled in. Realize I've forgotten the diaper bag. Mad dash back to the house, pick up the bag and run back to the van. Realize both the boys have pulled their hats around so they can't see and are screaming. Fix that. Give 3 year old a crayon or whatever toy she wants and take off her mittens. Put them back on because she is cold. She takes them off, and cries. I finally give up and we are headed out.

In the coarse of getting ready, I have lifted close to 75 lbs (total), walked at least half a mile, and have ice sweat running off my forehead. There is no way I am going to the gym to get all sweaty and tired and then have to do this again to get home.

How could a Wii Fit change my life? I wouldn't have to do this to get to the gym. Which means I might actually exercise. And then my arms might actually be strong enough to start carrying the boys everywhere without the car seats. That is coming up soon.

Help me Magpie. I'm facing a long winter inside with 3 very small people. I need some yoga to help me deal with it.

Safire

PS- Want to know about my twins group? Go here and click on "Multiples Support Groups" on the right hand menu. It's about 2 minutes long. I'm not in it, but it's a glimpse into what my life is going to be like next year with twin toddlers.

PS- Want to hear my boys mentioned in a food podcast? Go here. We are mentioned about half way in. And honestly, their expert didn't say anything I didn't know before. So yay, things are going well! The boys now LOVE their solid food and I'm glad I stopped and started again when they were a little older.

2 Tags

Everyone,

I've been tagged twice this time (love these things during NaBloPoMo!) and so I thought that's what I would do today before I got down and messy with some Thanksgiving dinner prep stuff.

This first tag is from MommyKnows. If you're interested in some power ranger action, she's got a few to give away!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My Aunt and my great grandma. Two great names.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Hmm...I may have cried two nights ago when the boys would not sleep. I was so tired.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Only my first name signature. But I practiced that one.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey or ham. Working at a cafeteria making 400-500 sandwiches a day turned me off of roast beef. Even though it's pressed meat, it still bleeds. Ew.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Probably, depends how nicely I asked.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Some.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS. Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No. I would have before kids, now I'm turning into a scared cat.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Golden Grams, Strawberry Shredded Wheat, Cap'n Crunch...anything really sugary. Oh, and Basic 4.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No. They have no ties.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically? No. Having the boys did a number on my body. Mentally, some. If I get enough sleep.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Anything fruity or Safeway brand moose tracks with fudge.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? If they seem friendly and outgoing.
15. RED OR PINK? Red.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? The twin skin flab of a stomach that makes it hard to fit into any pants.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My mom. She needs to move closer. Or I do.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Wait, sending? Did I miss something?
19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? I have bare feet at the moment, but I will spend a lot of the winter in my brown slip on shoes.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? glass of water
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? I can faintly hear the TV on in the living room, I am in bed with my laptop. (weird same answer as MommyKnows! Strange!)
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? blue
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? I love a horse barn...the hay, the manure, sweet smells!
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My parents answering machine yesterday. Funny they never called back...
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes! She’s a cool chick.
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Anything horsey, jumping, racing, pulling. I don't like to watch any ball sports.
27. HAIR COLOR? Brown
28. EYE COLOR? Blue.
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes.
30. FAVORITE FOOD? popcorn.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I much prefer a happy ending.
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Nanny Diaries. Eh.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Pink.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Fall and Spring
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Kisses
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Popcorn
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Whoever feels like it
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND. Whoever doesn’t feel like it
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Currently not reading anything. Huh. I probably should be reading something...did we have a book picked out for book club this month?
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't use a mouse pad on the lapple. But I did buy Juice one that has a picture of us on our honey moon on it. It's faded so bad you can barely see us but we looked cute and happy.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? No tv, but I did watch Ugly Betty online.
42. FAVORITE SOUND. Silence.
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles!
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? England, no, probably Scotland.
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can whistle through my tongue.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Colorado. Proud to be sort of a native!
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? MusicMan because he hasn't posted in over a month yet he said he was going to try to do it once a week, Chef since she is doing NaBloPoMo and might need this, Karen just because, and Zuke and Melissa.


Second tag:

Here are the rules:
Go to your photos and open the 4th folder.
Post the 4th picture in your folder.
Tag 4 more people.

(I've seen this one with different numbers but since I was tagged with the 4, I will go with 4. My favorite number anyway.)
Look! Itty bitty baby boys! So cute!! Professor in yellow and crying, and Pirate in blue with his old man face. They were so tiny.

Tags for this one: Jill, Valinda, FlowerMaiden, and Julia.

Safire

PS- If you made it this far and want to see baby/kid pictures of me, go to my Dad's blog. He's been blogging his autobiography which I have been loving. Also included are pictures of him as a baby, my brother, my parents at their wedding, etc.

Taken From Another Blog

Everyone,

I saw this list on The Busy Body and had to borrow it. By the end, I was wondering how many on the list I have done. Everything in bold I've done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (does orchestra count? I think it should.)
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 (ok, we aren't talking about a huge mountain)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
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 - either that or just really bad gas.
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
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
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
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
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
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
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 (not specifically but seen whales from a cruise ship)
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
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
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House (the outside, still trying to get inside)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby (three actually)
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
100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own

Hey, 45 out of 100 isn't bad! Almost half. There are a few things I would like to do, like see Paris and the Great Wall of China. There are things I don't want to do, like sit on a jury or be involved in a law suit.

Still no sign of any more mice. Maybe they don't like organic sugar free peanut butter.

Safire

Congratulations!

Everyone,

We have a winner! The winning comment out of 18 is.....#3.

MY DAD.

Yes, people, my father has won my contest. And Dad, you don't need to contact me about how to get your prize out to you. I will see you on Sunday when you come to pick me up at the airport and can give it to you when we get back to your house. Thanks for saving me some postage! :)

Now, remember everyone else: you have another chance to win this string! When my Dad puts up his contest on his blog, go over there and enter to win. Who knows what he will send out. He's a pretty great guy so I think he would think of interesting things to pay forward. I will let you know when he does it.

I'm off to pack up Melissa's package!

Safire

While I'm Out Being a Tourist...

Everyone,

You can enter my new contest! About, oh, 2 weeks ago, I received my other package. I put anything up on here because I was in the throws of twin infant 3 year old toddler no help mode. I enjoyed my pink package sent by Anna in Australia. See, here's a picture of my lovelies:

Butterfly keeps asking me to open the earrings so she can "try them on" or hold them up to her little ears. I have to say that the earrings are my favorite part. Love new jewelry! Also, the card she sent along had a book mark that we've been using to read Charlotte's Web. And the pink pen is currently all over my couch cover because someone (ahem...me) let a small 3 year old child draw on paper with it. Hairspray should get that out right?

So since I have gotten my package, I've been gathering things to put in this person's winning package. Let's just say that I've gone to a lot of touristy things lately and I've just picked up a few things that could be interesting. Leave a comment on this post by Friday at 3pm EST (which is when I should be coming back from the boys' 4 month appointment...4 MONTHS people!) and I will name a winner that day (or night...it will probably be that night) and I hope to send out the package on Saturday. Before my month long visit west. So you better be prompt in getting me your address! (Or if you are one of my family/Utah readers...I will bring it on the plane.)

And remember when Melissa won the other contest? Well, she is getting some interesting stuff too! (I won't say so she will be surprised.) I will send her package out on Saturday too. Thanks for being patient with me Melissa...you won't be disappointed!

K, now comment away. You can even comment more than once to up your odds if you want. Tell us your favorite tourist place or a touristy tip. You know, like you have to have a smart trip card to get out of the metro stations here. Or Annapolis has great fudge at the store by the wharf. Things like that.

Safire

Winner winner!

Everyone,

We have a winner! Congrats to Melissa at A Journey in Faith!

Please email me at safirecat at gmail dot com with your address for your prize. You have a choice of prizes: A DC Museum Tour or Bits of Maryland.

To everyone else who commented, never fear! You'll get another chance when I get the other prize. Or you could contact Melissa and try to follow this string and win it! Gifts for everyone!

Safire

A Package!

Everyone,

We know our UPS guy and our mailman by name. We love our UPS guy who brings Soot treats, chats every time he drops off a package, and waves at us through the neighborhood if I happen to be walking around with the kids. (Yes, I actually do this sometimes.) Anyway, I give him water or Gatorade on those really hot days, and cookies, etc when I have them. He's just a great guy.

Our mailman, well, he hates our dog and is not terribly nice. Maybe it's just me. He does bring me fun things like this:
What is it you say? Well, remember the pay it forward contest that I won? It came! And I got some really good things thanks to Courtney over at A is for Beautiful. She sent some really fun things! A calender, some magazines with yummy recipes, some note cards and stickers (Butterfly's comment "Can I share your C's?") and some fruit snacks and trail mix. Yum!
And the trail mix and the dinner list are my favorite things! The trail mix has some kind of big chocolate ball with caramel on the inside and it is so good! Yum!

I am also looking forward to looking through the magazines and getting some new recipes. Because frankly, I'm getting a little tired of what we're eating all the time. She also sent a desert cook book and I am so thrilled to be able to eat these things again. I think I will let Butterfly pick one and make it with her during the winter. She will love it!

So what does this mean to you guys as readers? My own pay it forward contest is on! You have until Saturday, July 26th to leave me a comment here and I will randomly pick a winner and send you your own package. Then, when you get my random gifts, you have to have your own contest and pass along the love. Hence the pay it forward concept. So comment away! And if you're looking for something to comment about, tell me your favorite ice cream. (This is what Courtney had us comment on too!)

Safire

PS- Afraid you won't win? Never fear! I won 2 of these contests and when I get the second package, I will have another contest! So be on the look out!

I won!

Everyone,

I never win! But this time I did. A blog I love was hosting a big Pay It Forward contest. Basically, you have everyone comment on your blog, you pick a winner, you send them a gift, and then the winner gets to host her own contest and send their winner a gift and their winner sends another winner person a gift, etc etc.

So anyway, Swistle had 64 people running this contest at the same time. I only had time to enter 15 of them because I seriously hate typing one handed. Drives me nuts. But I do it a lot in hopes that I will be able to get better at it. Eventually.

Anyway, I won! I was comment #17 on Courtney's blog. Yay! I get a random package in the mail. I love packages. I love packages so much that Butterfly knows the UPS man by name and we always sit and chat. (He is a twin too and told me not to name our boys something really rhymie like his mom did with them. No worries, our boys do not have rhymie names!) Anyway, I'm very excited to see what Courtney comes up with.

And yay for you readers who will have a chance to enter my own pay it forward contest after I receive my package. Let's see how many people come out of the woodwork for it.

Safire

Blogging Fun

Everyone,

I found this quiz on my friend Karen's blog. So much fun!! Post your results in my comments if you'd like.

Safire

Hey, that's where I'm from!

You're the United Kingdom!
You're a much weaker person than you used to be, but you still act like you did when everyone looked up to you. Despite this, you're probably a better person than you were when you had so much power over those around you. Though you do have a strange fascination with jewels and monarchs, which lets you play in castles, but also end up leading a sort of tabloid lifestyle. You really like the Beatles, even more than you like Oasis.
Take the http://bluepyramid.org/ia/cquiz.htm">Country Quizat the http://bluepyramid.org">Blue Pyramid