What's the best photo you took this year?
According to my Flickr stats, I posted 1,633 photos this year (so far -- still uploading Christmas shots). That means I probably took about four times that many. It's very difficult to narrow down a favourite shot. They are nothing special photographically, but have great memories associated with them. Let's see if I can narrow it down to five...
I spent $390 on groceries today and it still feels like there's nothing to eat in the house.
Jesse has been sent to bed because his bad attitude is going to get him throttled.
I ate almost an entire box of Good & Plenty and almost an entire box of Milk Duds while watching Big Love this afternoon.
The dog reeks.
Stolen from Then
The Letter A
Are you available? As in single? No, not for some time now.
What is your age? A whopping 30 years old.
What annoys you? Just one thing? I have to pick just one thing? Geez, there are so many. How about how easily annoyed I am?
What is your age? A whopping 30 years old.
What annoys you? Just one thing? I have to pick just one thing? Geez, there are so many. How about how easily annoyed I am?
The Letter B
Do you live in a big house? No, it's fairly small; I'm not sure of the exact square footage. It's four bedrooms but it's modest.
When is your birthday? October 7th. Mark it in your calendars.
Who is your best friend? No contest. Esther. Followed by Todd.
When is your birthday? October 7th. Mark it in your calendars.
Who is your best friend? No contest. Esther. Followed by Todd.
The Letter C
What's your favorite candy? This combination
Who's your crush? I get to have a crush? Nobody told me this. Well, there was that dream I had last week...
When was the last time you cried? I don't actually remember, which is strange because it probably wasn't that long ago. In fact, I think I teared up last week at the prospect of getting a B in Environmental Policy. I know, I am such a dork. (I got an A though. Happiness!)
Who's your crush? I get to have a crush? Nobody told me this. Well, there was that dream I had last week...
When was the last time you cried? I don't actually remember, which is strange because it probably wasn't that long ago. In fact, I think I teared up last week at the prospect of getting a B in Environmental Policy. I know, I am such a dork. (I got an A though. Happiness!)
The Letter D
Do you daydream? If by "daydream" you mean think about things that have really happened, yes. Things that might have happened but didn't, yes. Things that I would like to have happen, but haven't, yes. Things I would hate to have happen, yes. Yes to everything. You name it, I think about it.
What's your favorite kind of dog? I think I already answered this
What day of the week is it? Thursday
What's your favorite kind of dog? I think I already answered this
What day of the week is it? Thursday
The Letter E
How do you like your eggs? Soft boiled
Have you ever been in the emergency room? Yes, for myself and with my children.
What's the easiest thing ever to do? I can tell you the opposite of that, which is making a marriage work.
Have you ever been in the emergency room? Yes, for myself and with my children.
What's the easiest thing ever to do? I can tell you the opposite of that, which is making a marriage work.
The Letter F
Have you ever flown in a plane? Yes, plenty, but I've never flown a plane.
Do you use fly swatters? I love fly swatters! They're so effective. I don't have one right now so I have to improvise with magazines.
Have you ever used a foghorn? Umm...I've used an air horn. That's like a mini foghorn, minus the fog.
Do you use fly swatters? I love fly swatters! They're so effective. I don't have one right now so I have to improvise with magazines.
Have you ever used a foghorn? Umm...I've used an air horn. That's like a mini foghorn, minus the fog.
The Letter G
Do you chew gum? Every day. Then my jaw starts cracking and I stop.
Are you a giver or a taker? I would say giver. Todd would say taker. Shows how much he knows.
Do you like gummy candies? Sure, who doesn't?
Are you a giver or a taker? I would say giver. Todd would say taker. Shows how much he knows.
Do you like gummy candies? Sure, who doesn't?
The Letter H
How are you? Stuffed. (I ate too much at Nine Irish Brothers). Looking forward to snuggling with Todd who just got home from Ohio and reading my book, The Confessions of Max Trivoli (a gift from Sarah)
What color is your hair? Dark brown, and never been dyed.
What color is your hair? Dark brown, and never been dyed.
The Letter I
What's your favorite ice cream? Edy's Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Have you ever ice skated? Yep, we go many times in the winter but I don't enjoy it and usually just spectate.
Do you play an instrument? Nope.
Have you ever ice skated? Yep, we go many times in the winter but I don't enjoy it and usually just spectate.
Do you play an instrument? Nope.
The Letter J
What's your favorite jelly bean brand? Starburst. I don't want to sound like I take my candy too seriously, (though I do), but they have the most flavour.
Do you wear jewelry? Earrings, including this:
this ring,
and this necklace:
Do you wear jewelry? Earrings, including this:
The Letter K
Who do you want to kill? Who do I want to kill? How about NOBODY, you weirdo who wrote this question.
Do you want kids? I want the ones I have (lucky for them) and I want two more (unlucky for me).
Where did you go for kindergarten? St. Michael's in Reading, England, although it wasn't called kindergarten.
Do you want kids? I want the ones I have (lucky for them) and I want two more (unlucky for me).
Where did you go for kindergarten? St. Michael's in Reading, England, although it wasn't called kindergarten.
The Letter L
Are you laid back? More than some, less than others.
Do you lie? Obviously I try not to make a habit of it, but I'd be lying if I said I never lie.
The Letter M
What's your favorite movie? Consistently, About A Boy.
Do you still watch Disney movies? Sure, I just saw Enchanted at Thanksgiving and that's a Disney movie, isn't it?
Do you like mangos? Yum. Our landlord in Hawaii had a mango tree in his front yard and he used to bring us bagfuls.
Do you still watch Disney movies? Sure, I just saw Enchanted at Thanksgiving and that's a Disney movie, isn't it?
Do you like mangos? Yum. Our landlord in Hawaii had a mango tree in his front yard and he used to bring us bagfuls.
The Letter N
Do you have a nickname? Yes, Banns and Moot being the most used.
What is your real name? Hannah
Whats your favorite number? Am I supposed to have one? Is this, like, something that everyone but me has? Okay -- three! Is that good?
Do you prefer night over day? It's all good. I get to sleep at night, eat in the day. I'm happy.
What is your real name? Hannah
Whats your favorite number? Am I supposed to have one? Is this, like, something that everyone but me has? Okay -- three! Is that good?
Do you prefer night over day? It's all good. I get to sleep at night, eat in the day. I'm happy.
The Letter O
What's your one wish? Happiness
Are you an only child? I wish! (KIDDING!) I have two brothers and two sisters.
Are you an only child? I wish! (KIDDING!) I have two brothers and two sisters.
The Letter P
What one fear are you most paranoid about? Something awful happening to my children.
What are your pet peeves? People not covering their mouths when they cough and sneeze springs to mind at this time of year.
What's a personality trait you look for in people? It's by no means exclusive but obviously it doesn't hurt if you think I'm wonderful.
What are your pet peeves? People not covering their mouths when they cough and sneeze springs to mind at this time of year.
What's a personality trait you look for in people? It's by no means exclusive but obviously it doesn't hurt if you think I'm wonderful.
The Letter Q
What's your favorite quote? Do not put glue on you - Libby
Are you quick to judge people? Honestly? Heck yeah.
Are you quick to judge people? Honestly? Heck yeah.
The Letter R
Do you think you're always right? Well if I did I'd be wrong.
Are you one to cry? Please! Everyone cries.
Are you one to cry? Please! Everyone cries.
The Letter S
Do you prefer sun or rain? Sunshine please
Do you like snow? Yes, but not shoveling it.
Do you like snow? Yes, but not shoveling it.
What's your favorite season? Spring is such a special time for me!
The Letter T
What time is it? 8:58pm EST
What time did you wake up? This morning the kids and I got up at 6am for a 7am dentist appointment.
What time did you wake up? This morning the kids and I got up at 6am for a 7am dentist appointment.
When was the last time you slept in a tent? Todd just said, "Why would you stay in a tent in the Midwest where there isn't such a thing as an evergreen, mountain, or pristine lake?" Anyhoo, the answer is when we camped in Kickapoo state park over 4th of July 2006. Kickapoo! Hahaha.
The Letter U
Are you wearing underwear? Why yes, yes I am.
Underwear or boxers? I guess whoever came up with this thinks that boxers don't constitute underwear.
Underwear or boxers? I guess whoever came up with this thinks that boxers don't constitute underwear.
The Letter V
What's the worst veggie? Celery or peppers. It's a toss up.
Where do you want to go on vacation? Norway, Australia and Portugal.
Where do you want to go on vacation? Norway, Australia and Portugal.
The Letter W
What's your worst habit? I had to ask an outside source to answer this. Todd said, "Ummm...flying off the handle?"
Where do you live? In Hooiserland.
The Letter X
Have you ever had an x-ray? Yes
Have you seen the x-games? What are the x-games?
Do you own a xylophone? No, but I wish I did.
Have you seen the x-games? What are the x-games?
Do you own a xylophone? No, but I wish I did.
The Letter Y
Do you like the color yellow? Yes. I tried to paint my bedroom yellow, but it didn't work out.
What's one thing you yearn for? Another child.
What's one thing you yearn for? Another child.
The Letter Z
Whats your zodiac sign? Libra
Do you believe in the zodiac? No
Favorite zoo animal? Polar bears are cool, but I'm not fond of the idea of zoos.
Do you believe in the zodiac? No
Favorite zoo animal? Polar bears are cool, but I'm not fond of the idea of zoos.
Show us something that only occurs during winter.
Jesse's birthday, which is five days after Christmas. Jesse usually gets short-changed on his birthday party. It's so hard to pull something together during this crazy time of year when everyone is either out-of-town or has family visiting. As we're usually surrounded by family we tend to do a family thing and let Jesse choose the activities. Last year Esther and her kids were here and Jesse choose to go bowling and ice-skating with lunch at Steak 'n' Shake. This year I decided to be on the ball and have a party for him before school broke up for winter break and everyone scattered hither and yon.
So this was our Saturday, and it was the easiest birthday party I've ever orchestrated. Todd bought a cake from the store, I ordered pizza, we went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. I tell you what, $73.50 for admission and $50.14 for concessions was worth every penny for not having to do any work.
Which breed of dog is your favorite? Post a picture of it.
Submitted by Melissa.
I suppose I'd better say Weimaraner since I have one. Despite her annoying puppy behaviour (chewing being the worst offense) she is my lovely little girl. She thinks everyone, people and dogs alike, want to be her best friend forever upon meeting her for the first time because, of course, that's exactly how she feels about them. She is completely non-aggressive to other dogs and never barks. She is trainable and eager to please and wants to do the right thing even when it requires just a little too much self-discipline.
What's on your holiday wishlist?
I can't decide whether my children are incredibly spoiled or incredibly...urm, what's the opposite of materialistic? Immaterial? Self-denying? Not-for-profit? Whatever. They don't want loads of crap is what I'm trying to say. Trying to get a Christmas list out of them is like trying to get blood out of a stone. Just ain't happenin'.
But you know what? Apparently Todd was like this as a child. When asked what he wanted for his birthday or Christmas he'd say he didn't want anything and he appeared to mean it! And you know what else? Apparently it works to your advantage to not be greedy and grasping because you end up with way more cool stuff, (that you didn't want to begin with). Who knows what the heck to get the kids? I know! Let's just get them everything!
I asked Jen for ideas for Libby because she's quite attuned to the pop-culture-y world of little girls being surrounded by all those nieces. Jen suggested a sewing machine which Libby would love...if I didn't already have one that she uses.
I ended up ordering both kids ipods as their big gift. Jesse's birthday is five days after Christmas and he's getting a digital camera which I anticipate will get much use.
Oh, but the original question was what do I want? I have racked my brain and concluded that I've already been pretty good to myself this year and there's really nothing I want. Todd doesn't believe that, but it's absolutely true.
Nothing.
Is this really me talking? I shock myself.
I just want to stay in my pajamas for five days straight, watch movies, play Wii games, eat unhealthily, have someone else walk the dog for me, go to the movies with the kids (possibly still in my pajamas), catch up on my pleasure reading, and sleep. That's not too much to ask, is it? Well? Is it?
Libby, in a public restroom yesterday, looking at the tampon machine: Now why would someone pay 25 cents to use a dryer when they can wipe their hands for free??!!
This morning Todd discovered a modified business card on his desk. Where his card reads "Todd S-----, PhD" Libby apparently felt that Todd wasn't defined enough and had added, "Doter is Libby S-----. Son is Jesse S-----."
When I got up at 5:30 this morning to let the dog out, I let out an audible gasp. Snow! And quite a lot of it. (Though not as much as last year's fall shown below)
I only hope it sticks around long enough for us to go sledding after school. Francie thinks it is the greatest thing since pizza flavored Begging Strips. I wish I had taken my camera on our morning walk along the trail today. It was so serene, so still, almost magical. Then we came tromping along - Weimaraner puppy, limbs flailing, and me talking to myself, "This is quite treacherous actually" as I hang onto trees branches to prevent myself slipping into the ravine...
Jesse began self-enlightenment bent recently that started with teaching himself to play the recorder. He then studied the "Teach Yourself Harmonica" book and practiced like mad. (Ultimately, he says, he would like to play the accordion like his great-grandfather.) He started using his French Rosetta Stone program with great gusto, reading French phrase books and has been asking me French grammar questions.
His latest passion? I found him up late last night pouring over The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. He is reading The Life of Timon of Athens, a play I've never read. (Okay, never even heard of, if I'm being completely honest. Which I am.) Wikipedia says it is "generally regarded as one of [Shakespeare's] most obscure and difficult works" so perhaps I should steer him towards something else.
Speaking of Shakespeare, I have a video project due tomorrow in my Shakespeare class so it stands to reason that I have only just finished it. It's a pass/fail assignment which is fortunate because I have no familiarity with imovie and if it hadn't been for my friend Donna's teenage son coming along at the last minute to save my bacon you would find me lying in a pool of my own tears right about now.
(Thank you so much to my Vox neigbours Steve Betz, Emily Ann, and Brittney Bush who allowed me to borrow a few of their shots. I apologize that I have said "Photography by Hannah S." in the movie, making it seem that all the shots are my own (when actually, six aren't.). Unlike above when I was being completely honest, in my movie, I am not.)
Anyway, watch the video because my professor mentioned extra credit for getting a certain number of views and I am all over that. You can hear in a couple of places where I lost my place in the text but other than that I think it's enough to pass the requirements.
Or is Thanksgiving, like, so last week by this point?
We had Todd's sister Brette, her husband Jay, and their three kids visiting us for nearly a week. They left on Sunday and it's taken me this long to feel remotely on top of anything. Next week is dead week at uni, followed by finals week, followed by ain't-nuthin-gonna-drag-me-out-of-bed week.
Thanksgiving was a blast. I love having family around.
Brette and I worked our tails off in the kitchen the day before (and the day of) and, as Todd said when we sat down to dinner, about 20 hours of work was consumed in about an hour.
We managed to clog the garbage disposal with carrot peeling and onion skins (just like we did last Christmas Eve when Esther, Damian and their three kids were here), but this is now just old hat. Standard procedure.
We followed our two Thanksgiving traditions of going to a movie (Enchanted) and going bowling.
We also ice-skated our frost-bitten little feet off (pictures to follow - I'm late for class!)
Happy Thanksgiving Hanukkah/Christmas y'all!
