16 random things about me

1. I split my chin open when I was 6 yrs old when I fell off of a big wheel, that I was standing on, ran into a pile of stones.
2. I've seen every episode of "Friends" multiple times.
3. I love American Idol and would try out (if I were 10 years younger).
4. I'm quite possible in love with Sidney Crosby (sorry CTP)
5. I could solve algebra problems all day long, and thoroughly enjoy it!
6. My first trip to Disney World was when I was five, and I would go at least once a year if it were up to me.
7. My best friend had her eye on CTP before I knew who he was, and because I wanted to "save" him from her, I decided I thought he was cute, too.
8. I have played softball since I was 4, and I still look forward to the beginning of softball season each year.
9. I love my job! I haven't been able to say that for a very long time, so I'm thankful every day that I found Aquinas.
10. I tutor kids in math (and usually solve the problems they are working on - just for fun!)
11. I always wanted 3 boys, but was blessed with 4!
12. Every time the Olympics are on, I spend the entire two weeks trying to come up with something that I could go to the Olympics for. Hasn't happened yet :(
13. I will be a fourth degree black belt by the time I'm 41.
14. My current goal is to compete in at least one top ten competition at Worlds in 2010.
15. I hate bugs, but don't particularly mind snakes.
16. If I could choose any career, I would choose to be in musicals on Broadway!

Burger Meister, Meister Burger

Thanks to my good friend, Princess, I am now extremely lucky to be sporting a minature of Burger Meister on one of my many trees. Can't you see how happy she, I mean he, is to finally be a part of the group she, I mean he, has aspired to belong to since day one? She, again, I mean he, is front and center on my MAIN Christmas tree in the family room for all to enjoy all day, every day. I just know that the first thing CTP is going to do upon entering our home, after being in Texas all week, is rush to the tree to gaze lovingly upon this festive new addition to our Christmas bling. So, thanks again, Princess, you have made my holiday season sooooooooooo much better!

Christmas List

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!!! Cut and paste the questions into your blog, then answer them (you, too CTP!)......Tis the Season to be NICE!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial- all 8 of them (yes I have a problem)
3. When do you put up the tree? before Thanksgiving

4. When do you take them down? January 1 (sometimes before because I'm sick of them by then - I'm all about the anticipation!)
5. When do you start listening to Christmas carols? November 1 - CTP won't let me before then
6. Favorite gift received as a child? nothing stands out
7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom
8. Easiest person to buy for? kids
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Not sure
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Septemberish
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes (but only to the kid's teachers)
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mini cheesecakes and fudge
16. Lights on the tree? a few (thousand)
17. Favorite Christmas song? Barbara Streisand's Jingle Bells (see Tami's blog) and Twisted Christmas' 12 Days of Christmas
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes, I can even sing them..."You know Dasher and Dancer, ..."
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? 2 Stars and a bow on the three big trees
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Traffic at all the stores and malls
23. What theme or color are you using? Do Santas and Snowmen count as a theme?
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham and my grandma's peas and rice
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Massage
26. Favorite Christmas special? Santa Claus is Coming to Town (the Meiser brothers of course)

27. Favorite holiday tradition? Starting a month of watching Christmas movies and specials with Christmas vacation on Thanksgiving night
28. Does Christmas mean Santa or Christ's birth to you? Christ's birth on Christmas Eve, Santa Christmas morning.
29. Do you go to Church on Christmas? Christmas Eve

30. Midnight Mass or Day? usually 5 or 7 pm
31. Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Merry Christmas
32. Do you wear Christmas sweat shirts or sweaters? I probably could wear a different one each day of December - CTP loves my holiday garb

33. Do you put up outside lights? yes

Summer Vacation

Okay, so here's the deal - CTP and I have been looking at houses for a possible beach vacation to the Outer Banks. There seem to be quite a few options in the southern section (Rodanthe, Avon, etc.). Before we go any further though, we need to have some general guidelines so we know exactly what we are looking for. It looks like the week of June 6 or June 13 are our best bets (price wise). We have been searching for 8+ bedrooms (so each family can have two bedrooms). What else would everyone be interested in? I think a pool at the house would be great because of all of the kids. We also need to know about how much everyone wants to pay. I don't know if we can find anything for less than $1,000 a week. We could obviously go higher. Please give us some info and we'll try to narrow everything down and get some choices together for the next time we get together. I have to tell you, the prospect of this trip is very exciting to me! Just let us know your preferences.

Mixwit

This was great fun! Thanks for suggesting it NGM. Although I could hardly hear myself think because of certain little hoodlums that I live with that are trying, very successfully, to drive me insane. This enabled me to escape, I'll be it, briefly.

The first song is one that CTP and I deemed as "our song" about 100 years ago. The rest are just favorites of mine. Most of them are oldies but goodies (at least in my small mind.) Hope you enjoy my first post in a long time.

Board break results

Some of you may know these results already, but for those that don't ...
Gabborin - 3rd attempt
Caruso - 3rd
Earnest - 3rd
Lasick - 2nd
Baley - 1st

Game night

I didn't fall off the face of the earth, just been extremely busy. Not to mention that CTP was awol in Tampa this week, but due back around midnight tonight. Anyway, Lady Leslie and I were talking tonight and we decide it was time to begin the winter time, game night festivities. CTP and I will host the first such event. I'm throwing the following dates out to everyone for consideration. How does Saturday, November 1 or Saturday, November 8 sound to everyone? I was thinking we could start around 6pm, order pizza, set the kids up with a game or movie, then take a stab at Trivial Pursuit 80s edition. Any takers? Let me know the weekend of preference. Hopefully we can all agree on one!