Ten on Tuesday

So I'm not back 'up and running' like I thought I'd be. I'm in a serious blogging rut and beyond lazy when it comes to uploading pictures. So... once I'm over that I'll be back? Maybe. On to the questions & answers.

1. What television character do you identify with?
Elaine Benes from Seinfeld; I certainly dance like her (unfortunately this is unintentional).
2. Describe your morning routine.
Alarm goes off. I hit snooze. Ten minutes later, my alarm goes off again. I hit snooze. (repeat multiple times). Finally I get out of bed, go to the bathroom, weigh myself and then brush my teeth. I start the shower (for whatever reason it takes a long time for hot water to reach our bathroom), then a few minutes and many gallons of water later, I shower. Next up: pick out clothes, dress, blow dry hair, apply make-up, take dog outside, fill water dish, fill food dish, grab work bag, purse and lunch bag and drive to work.
3. How do you do lunch? Bring from home or dine out? Same thing every day or mix it up?
During the work week, I almost exclusively pack a lunch. Occasionally I'll eat out. Generally those occurrences are more like lunch meetings w/ friends.
4. What is one moment that, although seemingly trivial at the time, changed your life?
Martha Stewart Living magazine, February 2003. This issue contained instsructions on how to knit. I don't knit nearly enough, but without this particular publication I wouldn't have picked up the skill.
5. Name your top three beauty products.
Face Lotion (w/ SPF, please); Eye Liner; Mascara
6. What do you do when you’re alone in the car?
Sing like I know the words.
7. What is the ideal city for you to live in? If you can, take this survey and tell us the results. Do you agree with them?
- My initial answer (considering distance from family and $$ are not factors): San Francisco/Sonoma County, CA
- Results from the quiz: # 1: Portland, OR
(2. Baltimore, MD; 3. Corvallis, Oregon; 4. Frederick, MD; 5. Charleston, WV; 6. Champaign-Urbana, IL; San Fran was #20)
- Based my answers, I think this assessment is fair. I've briefly visited Portland and considered it as my initial response to this question.
8. Are you waiting for something?
I'm looking forward to a few things: planning our next vacation, nice weather, flowers, spending time with friends and family.
9. What was the last shocking news you heard?
My uncle's property was searched by police, a SWAT team, 3 police K-9s and 1 bloodhound during a manhunt a few hours ago. The police think the fugitive ran through his yard. Crazy!!
10. What are three things you wouldn’t do for a million dollars?
- Eat buffalo testicles. [I know that sounds random, but remember the show Fear Factor? They did it once and it was disgusting to watch. No, thanks. Actually there is a lot from that show I wouldn't do.]
- Anything that would cause me (or anyone else, for that matter) harm and/or pain.
- Traffick drugs or humans

Interested in playing too? Put your answers in the comments!!

Procrastination

At 6:30p tonight I was given a deadline for work. The deadline? Tomorrow morning. My response when asked if I could meet it: "Oh sure! After all, I have 18 hours!"

I'm not sure if most people are procrastinators or not, but I am one. So instead of buckling down and getting to work, I went for a walk w/ the dog and then started watching The Real Housewives of NYC on Bravo. I'm on hour 2.5 of this programming and intend to watch another half hour.

As an aside: NYC is my favorite of all of the Real Housewives series. Bethenny Frankel is my favorite and Alex McCord is probably my second fave. Jill Zarin used to hold that spot, but based on how this season is going, she might not be any more.

While watching Housewives, I made dinner, talked on the phone, read some blogs, checked Facebook and now I'm blogging myself.

In the interest of full-disclosure, I did do some work mixed between everything else. I generated five reports and have spent quite a bit of time waiting for my Excel to catch up with me. But I've goofed off quite a bit!!

Editedto add: Last night I completed my necessary data pulls and assembled most of the metrics requested. I still have more work to do, but just one portion is left. I didn't stay up too late, but I did fall asleep watching television once again.

Ten on Tuesday

Sorry for the extensive vacay from here. I hope to be back up and running this week. In the mean time, here is this week's Ten on Tuesday.

1. When you were a senior in high school, what career did you think you’d choose? Did you? Why or why not?
I had thought being a microbiologist would be awesome. I had read an article some where that listed their salary at $180K, which sounded pretty good to me. I did graduate with a BS in Biology, and while I was successful in labs I knew lab work wasn't for me. I spent the summer before my senior year of college working for an adhesive company supporting the VP of Global Operations. It was then that I realized I really enjoyed working in a corporate atmosphere, running reports and playing with data. The good news is - that's precisely what I do now!
2. What one thing about the “real world” did you find most surprising once you were on your own?
I was surprised to find out you have to pay for garbage collection service. I'm not sure why I didn't realize this. After all, I remember my parent's switching garbage collectors throughout the years, but I guess I hadn't realized they paid for that.
3. Name 3 things you think your closest friends DON’T like about you.
I have spent way too much time thinking about this. I'm not sure what my closest friends don't like about me, but I'm hoping, because they are my closest friends, there isn't much. If anyone would like to comment on what they don't like about me, feel free to fill me in, I guess.
Here is one for sure: I appear to disappear off the planet for months at a time. [I need to get better about that! Many of my friends I haven't seen in MONTHS! Not cool.]
4. In order to sleep, do you need background noise or absolute quiet?
I am fine either way. Most nights I fall asleep watching television, but on the rare occasions I actually go to bed before I go to sleep I prefer no noise.
*BTW - I really need to work on physically going to bed before I fall asleep!
5. Why do you choose to reside in your current city? Yes, you have a choice
When we were looking for our new house we had two cities in mind. Our goal was to be closer to my family (though we ended up being virtually equidistant) and to gain a yard. We ended up picking our current location because it seemed calmer than the other city and we have everything we need within just a few miles from our house.
6. Are you close to your parents?
Yes. I love them and couldn't pick better parents if I tried. I am probably closer to my Mom, because I talk or email with her daily. I don't talk to my Dad as frequently, but I still think we are pretty close!
7. What is your favorite fiction book? Poem? Blog?
Book: James and the Giant Peach. I have always loved that book!! And while I don't love peaches, this book makes them sound so juicy and succulent!
Poem: I'm sure there is some adult poetry I like, however I still really enjoy Shel Silverstein poems like: Peanut Butter Sandwich and Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out.
Blog: I check a crazy number of blogs. When I check for updates, I tend to scroll to my favorites first and am thrilled to see an update. One the first ones I check is my good friend Krystle's blog. I'm not sure if she would be okay with me linking to it, since it includes her last name, so instead I'll just mention it.
8. Do you enjoy cooking or is it a chore?
I love to cook. I am not good, by any means, but I like to do it. In fact, my husband is a much better cook that I am, but he rarely gets the opportunity anymore because I'm always in there. I am trying to get better!
9. Be honest. What one thing would (the majority of) your blog readers would be shocked to find out about you?
I was very afraid of dogs before we got our pup, Malin. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before on here, but most people tend to be surprised by this statement. [For example: I used to have to cross to the opposite side of the street if an owner and dog were approaching. And once I cried, full-out bawled, when three dogs (off their leash) ran by me and Rich while we were on a walk.]
10. If you were given your own national holiday, what would you require people to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the Day of You? Would there be a parade? Greeting cards?
Breakfast: Eggs Benedict (or anything w/ Hollandaise sauce) + bacon
Lunch + Dinner: This would be a combo of both, so maybe it should be called "Lunner" or "Dinch," either way it should include a gathering of your favorite people to enjoy a plethora of appetizers, drinks and board games.
Parade: Not necessary to celebrate, but not forbidden. (only rule: you must give the free stuff to everyone, no age restrictions)
Greeting Cards: Again, not necessary. In fact, I would prefer potted herbs be exchanged as gifts.

Ten on Tuesday: Rich's answers

Guest starring Rich. I started throwing these questions at him, and captured his answers. I think whoever wrote these questions has either recently watched Shawn of the Dead or read Pride and Predjudice and Zombies. [We did do this last week, but I wanted to re-read the answers before I published. It all seems fine so here goes...]

1. Quick! Zombies are coming!! What do you do?"Get them in their eyes! Their weakness is in their eyes"
2. Whew, that was a close one. …I think your phone is ringing. Oh, it’s your best friend! She thinks she’s been bitten by a zombie. What advice do you give her?"Take two Tylenol and call me in the morning. That's dumb... that's stupid... Call the doctor. If he's not available call Dr. McGillicuddy's... that's stupid too"
3. You realize it’s time to leave your current location because it’s clearly not safe anymore. Are you going to move at night or day? Defend your reasoning."Day. I have a curfew"
4. During your relocation, you come across a weapon superstore. My, that’s convenient. What kind of weaponry do you choose?>"A semi-ak-glok-oozy-with an optional pump action" [me: how do you spell that?] "You aren't getting my humor... this is my best stuff here and you chose to ignore it." [Rich claims he was misquoted with the whole humor bit, but I thought it was funny.]
5. As you leave, an old lady on the side of the street begs you to help her. Do you? Why or why not?"Is she hot? haha... stop it. You are typing this. You can erase that. I'm done playing" [me: I had accidentally skipped this question and had to come back to it. Good thing this was actually treated as the last one or we wouldn't have had the comic genius that is below. Rich jumps back in:] "You can erase that please. Can we change the old lady one? What's the question again?"
6. Good choice, you’re clearly a good person to have around in a zombie apocalypse. Oh hey, there’s a wifi signal here! You can’t stay long but this is your chance to gather some intel on the current situation. What’s the first website you check?KSTP [me: Rich's real answer was: "http://www.purelynicole.blogspot.com/", but I thought that was crazy-talk]
7. SHH! What was that noise?!"It's my deodorant" [me: Rich didn't realize we were still playing]
8. I think it’s time to get out of here. I hope you have a plan. Where are you going now? "That's kind of a dumb one... umm... happy hour"
9. Wait a minute, that looks like a bite mark on your arm… You may be infected too! Will you tell other people? "Hickey"
10. How does this story end? "It doesn't; there's a sequel"

Ten on Tuesday

Isn't it nice that I found this so I at least blog once a week?! Things have been pretty sparse here lately. I ran into a computer issue the day before the Olympics and things haven't been the same since. Hopefully I'll get things straightened out in the next few weeks or so. In the meantime, thanks for continuing to check up on me!!

1. Of your current hobbies, which would you choose to spend more time, money, and effort on? Why?
In the last couple of years I've picked up a number of hobbies. Most recently I've wanted to work on sewing my own things - clothes, blankets, stuff. Rich bought me a sewing machine for Christmas and I've used it a few times. I want to get more daring. In other words, I want to graduate to trying a pattern.
2. List the two other hobbies/habitual activies (not chores) besides the one listed above that you regularly do now and didn’t choose in question one.
Knitting & Baking
3. Why are you spending time on the above two hobbies/habitual activies at all if you really wanted to spend your time on the first one you chose? …or to put it another way, what are these two hobbies/habitual activities fullfilling that the first one doesn’t if you don’t want to put all your effort into the first hobby?
Like I mentioned in my first response, I've picked up a bunch of new hobbies recently. I seem to enjoy meddling in a series of things. The other two hobbies are things I'm more comfortable with and can do while watching TV. And to be honest, the sewing thing will require much more attention and focus.
4. Read John 3:16 in the bible… In what way does this passage affect you? What are your feelings towards these words, positively or negatively?
I like it and find it comforting. It also makes me really want to go to church. On Palm Sunday. My favorite service of the year.
5. M&M’s: nuts, no nuts, or peanut butter?
Easy. Peanut Butter.
6. Putting away the feeling of pride being a bad thing; what secretly/openly are you proud about yourself?
This is nerdy, but true: when I create a complex report at work and it works - I am thrilled. I have been known to pump my fists in the air out of excitement.
7. Given one room in the house to do with what you want, not changing the actual size of the room and with all the money you would need, what would you do, and be specific? (this can range from bouncy floor,walls & ceilings; to hard wood floor with wood paneling and purple ceiling with a chair; to nothing)
I really like our kitchen and don't need a single change; however, in a dream world scenario I wouldn't be opposed to the following enhancements: industrial gas range, granite counter tops, a pair of stacked ovens, new refrigerator+freezer (fridge on top, freezer on bottom), walk-in pantry (!), wood floors that are magically scratch resistant, a funky new back splash, new cabinets (Rich says re-faced, but whatever money is no object, right?). And as long as we're on the subject, I'll take a self-cleaning kitchen, at that.
8. What’s the next movie you’re going to see? Not what you’d LIKE to GO see, but the next movie you realistically are going to watch.
Well, the next movie in our Netflix queue is The Time Travelers Wife and we are borrowing Gran Torino from my brother, so either one of those is likely.
9. Use the keyboard only and make your best smiley/funny/cool face –> like this! 8^)
In Yahoo! Instant Messenger, this was my favorite :(|)
*It's a monkey and awesome.
10. What makes you cry? What makes you pray? What makes you laugh?
Onions make me cry. And crying over onions makes me laugh. Hard. My mom and I have taken photos of our onion-tear-stained faces. We fake cry and laugh and then laugh and cry more onion-induced tears. Ahh... such a great time.
I wish I prayed on a more consistent basis because of my true answer: most of the time I either pray when I've done something bad or when I want something. I have prayed because I'm happy or reveling in my blessings, but I should do that more.
*Oh, back to laughter. Are you familiar with Mitch Hedberg? Rich just introduced me to his comedy last week. He was funny.

Ten on Tuesday

Thought I'd give this another whirl.
1. If you were given an hour to use a $200 Amazon gift card, what would you buy? According to the emails they send me, I'd buy cookbooks. But with $200, I'd get a magazine subscription and... okay, so that's the only thing I know I want right now. That leaves me with 59 minutes to browse other stuff. I'd have no problems spending the money, that's for sure.
2. Are there any fairly common foods that you’ve never had? I never had beef stroganoff. Not sure if you would consider that common, though.
3. What was your favorite way to use your imagination as a kid? We had polka-dot curtains in our bedroom and I would love pretending the dots could teleport you (via a Jetson's-style car) from one place to another. It was awesome! [One of the stops was K-mart... they had a quarter-operated miniature carousel and Icees, who wouldn't want to go there on a whim?!]
4. What’s your favorite state? Why? I tried thinking of other states I love, but Minnesota is my favorite. It's my home state, and I love it. [I also like NJ, but only because it is shaped like a peanut.]
5. If it was our culture to have our parents choose our spouses, do you think yours would make a good choice? Gosh, wouldn't that be different? It might work, afterall it's worked for people before, though it is hard to imagine. I'm pretty happy with what I've got, though.
6. What’s your favorite herb? Basil. Runners up are: rosemary, flat-leafed parsley and cilantro.
7. If you could have dinner with one celebrity, who would you choose? This is a tough one. I know there are famous people I really love and would love to talk with. But whoever they are, I'm drawing a blank right now. So instead I'd like to learn a little something - how about Ina Garten, Giada De Laurentiis or Martha Stewart. One of those three would be great!
8. What’s your favorite Disney movie? Hands down, The Little Mermaid!
9. If you had to listen to the same song over and over for 24 hours, what song would you choose? I gotta feeling, by the Black-eyed Peas. Yes, I still love that song!
10. How do you order your steak? I usually look to Rich for advice, but I am finally starting to learn what I like - medium. (For years I ordered 'well-done' only and was freaked out by any pinkness.)

The weekend, sans photos

This weekend Rich's sister Cheryl came to visit! She was gifted "Gloria" a GPS system from her sons this Christmas. She plugged in our address, packed up LB (her pup), followed Gloria's instructions and came for a visit!

Friday night my brother and his wife joined us for dinner. We snacked on fresh WI cheese curds and crackers before sitting down to the main course: stuffed chicken breasts and steamed broccoli. For dessert we cracked open a boxed assortment of Jelly Belly's and some fudge. It was casual and fun!

Saturday Cheryl and I shopped 'til we dropped at the outlet mall. I was pretty sure I didn't need a thing before we headed there, but sure enough I walked out with quite a bit! We did score some pretty great deals, though!!! After all that shopping we came home for some R&R with the pups and Rich. We got pretty cozy at home, so we ordered pizza and stayed in.

Sunday we went a quest for some grub and ended up at Lone Spur. Rich wanted to introduce Cheryl to the "onion loaf," which is similar to an onion ring, but in bread loaf-form. It's tasty. Especially with their BBQ sauce. We ate and then headed to Ikea to look around. We again found some good stuff and I couldn't help but get the $1 soft-serve. Yum! We came home, said our goodbyes to Cheryl + LB and turned on the US/Canada Hockey game.

All-in-all it was a super fun weekend albeit very few (1) pictures were taken!! I hope Cheryl and LB come again soon. Next time I'll do a better job of documenting the visit!!