In this house, I’m the Mama…

I’m a fairly ordinary gal, making an attempt to navigate the sometimes shark-infested waters of marriage and wifedom, parenting and step-parenting. It’s a crazy existence being a full-time wife, full-time Mom, full-time Stepmom, full-time employee (anything else?), but it’s usually pretty fun. When it’s not pretty fun, I’m learning to look heavenward for the answers (looking inward doesn’t seem to help much).

LIVING ARRANGEMENT?
One husband, four kiddos (two girls, two boys), one grouchy cat, a turtle named Fred, a giant Oscar, a small-mouth bass (caught to eat, had a change of heart, adopted as a pet), and other assorted fish.

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
The Gold Coast - Nelson DeMille

WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSEPAD?
The logo of one of my former employers - sometimes it evokes good memories, sometimes not so much.

FAVORITE BOARDGAME?
Cranium. Really I’m much more a fan of cards–Hearts, Spades, Speed, you name it.

FAVORITE MAGAZINE?
People - it’s a sickness. I’m seeking therapy.

FAVORITE SMELL?
Baby Magic Baby Shampoo - it’s been a long time since I’ve smelled it, though.

LEAST FAVORITE SMELL?
Mildew. A close second is rotting food, particularly when it’s coming from the backpack of any of my children.

FAVORITE SOUND?
My kiddos laughing. (”Mommy, I love you” is right up there, too.)

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
How can it be morning already?

FAVORITE COLOR?
Purple - any shade.

FAVORITE FRUIT?
Strawbabies.

HOW MANY RINGS TO ANSWER THE TELEPHONE?
Less than 4 because then the answering machine picks up, but it really depends on whether the last person to use it actually hung it up in the cradle or not.

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN LIFE?
God and family. Although chocolate is pretty important, too.

FAVORITE FOOD?
My husband’s Salisbury Steak, and any kind of seafood.

CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
Is there really even a choice here?

DO YOU DRIVE FAST?
Nope, drive like a grandma (no offense intended to anyone who might be a grandma, especially my mother who is a grandma but absolutely does NOT drive like one)

DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
Does my husband count?

STORMS: COOL OR SCARY?
Cool, definitely.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
1978 Cadillac Sedan DeVille. It was white and we called it “The Land Yacht”. It could fit 15 people in it (no, not comfortably–yes, including the trunk).

DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI?
Absolutely!

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FAVORITE JOB IN THE WORLD?
I’m doing them both - being Mom and volunteering for a shelter.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HAIR COLOR?
On me? Anything that does not involve red the color of a stop sign, or roots.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN LOVE?
Definitely. Right now, on so many levels.

IS YOUR GLASS HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY?
It depends on how many chores are left to do on the chore list.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MOVIES?
Amazing Grace
The Shawshank Redemption
The Sandlot
The Notebook
Pretty Woman

DO YOU USE THE RIGHT KEYS WHEN WORKING ON A KEYBOARD?
Yes, thanks Mom for making me take keyboarding as a youngster. We’re continuing that tradition in our household with Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. The kids haven’t figured out that they’re actually learning something yet.

WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED?
Cat hair… lots and lots of cat hair (because she’s neurotic and pulls it out constantly)

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER?
7

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH?
Figure skating’s not bad, hockey is ok. Outside of those, sports are really not my thing, unless one of my kids is competing in something.

WHO IS YOUR CURRENT FAVORITE BAND OR RECORDING ARTIST?
Third Day

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BEVERAGE?
Diet Dr. Pepper or Diet Coke - nectar of the gods.