A well loved family dog in a good family!!!

Name the best book you have ever read :-)

It's got to be The Betty Crocker Cookbook, 1st edition

ok, it's not a novel or great literature but when you're seventeen years old and newly married, nothing could beat it. I still use it.

what's your favorite holiday?

shirley

Christmas! It's such a wonderful time of year; I always look forward to it.

What is your dream job or career?

Since I lost my job last week due to a merger...one that pays the mortgage would be dreamy!

What is your favorite vacation destination?

Would have to be New Orleans. I've always wanted to see Bourbon Street and hear some really good jazz and blues. And eat really good Cajun food. SIGH. One day.

If give a chance to date anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?

Rose

I promised myself I'd jump on and answer a question so here I am... Who would I date? Hmmmm....

I have always thought it would be interesting to go on a date with Donald Trump. You know, pick his brain, I imagine he has a lot of interesting stories to tell.

Or maybe the same man I was whining about earlier- yup, husband dear. He was a fun date. He still is when we get away from the kids.

One thing very few people know about you is....

I lack confidence. People who know me say they don't see this in me. But it's there! Also, I am shy. Always have been. Again, those who know me say I'm not. One of the hardest things for me is to "mingle". And I have to do it tomorrow night during our preschool's "Dad's Night". I get to mingle with all the Dads! Nerve-wracking.

What's under your bed right now?

Under my bed is the living room area rug, rolled up and in a bag (it's woolen, persian type)- it lives there during the warm season (May-October).

What is a simple pleasure that makes you feel all warm inside?

Maria

I love this! Either cooking a nice meal or working on a quilt for someone I love. What's your favorite season and why?

Fall. I love all the color, the nip in the air, the crunch of the leaves under your feet, and the smells of autumn. Behind our house are some woods which I took my niece and nephew walking in yesterday. It was magical. You couldn't see any homes through the trees and we had such a great time.

If you could meet three people to have dinner with (past or present) who would you choose?

Jackie Robinson--he's my hero.
Alexander Hamilton--he used to get people really mad; it would be fun to see if he still could. And he was a big flirt--that's always fun, as long as you don't take it too seriously
Princess Diana--I'd love to see if she was interesting in person. And, it would give Alexander someone to flirt with (besides me!)

If you could have a super power, what would it be, and why?

Hope this qualified as a super power: I'd never need to sleep :). Think of the life you could have--not only gaining those hours you're sleeping but the hours you aren't performing sub-par due to being sleepy, cranky from lack of sleep, etc (hmmm guess you can tell what my life is like these days!).

What was the happiest moment of your life? The one moment you recall as being the highest point of pure joy, total contentment, or complete satisfaction.

Ann

The happiest moment in my life was saying "I do" to my soulmate.

If you could just magically wish one thing in your house to be done (or fixed) in the blink of an eye, what would it be (e.g., mine would be to have all the carpeting ripped out and a parquet floor put in)?

I would have a MIL suite added on. I would love my mom to have a place to stay when she comes to visit so we don't have to give up our bedroom.Everyone would be more comfortable and she could stay longer, maybe forever! When she's not here it would become the craft room.

If you won the lottery, say...5 mil, what would you do with it?

If I won the lottery, the first thing I'd do (after paying taxes) would be to pay off debt. Then, I'd invest money for my retirement, my sister's (she isn't able to do it for herself), and for my niece's college expenses and something to get her started in life.

After that, I'd do many repairs and updates on my house, and set aside money for maintenance and repairs for years to come. I suppose I might buy a new house, but I like my house and neighbors, so I'm not sure.

Then, I'd make a large donation to Heifer, another to the Carter Center, and another to my church. And, if they'd accept it, I'd give money to friends of mine who work hard but have a son with an illness that takes much of their money, and more to the son of a friend and his family, who also work hard and have two ill children with large medical bills.

After that, I'd go to a local school and ask them to recommend a few students who are gifted but who are in family situations such that they probably won't be able to go to college. I'd pay their college expenses. Actually, I'd probably keep on doing this for new students as long as possible.

Then, I'd rent a great vacation home in the south of France for a month or so and invite my favorite friends and family members to stay, all expenses paid.

The rest, I'd save for travel (my passion) and for helping people who come to my attention. And maybe buy an apartment in Paris.:)

And now my question:

If you had enough money to travel anywhere in the world, what one place would you go first?

Tibet. I remember reading a book when I was a teenager. I think it was Lost Horizons. Made the place seem wonderful.

If you could meet anyone - who would you choose?

Ok- I"m going to jump on here and answer one more... Just for fun!

My question is:
IF you were a book what book would you be? Or failing that- what type of book would you be and why?

My answer- I would love to meet each and every one of you on here.

Ginger

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.A kitchen applience you couldn't live without?

My answer to Ginger's question: If I were a book, I'm sure I'd be a sappy romance novel. That fits who I am more than the kind of books I like to read (suspense/serial murder novels or true crime).

My question: If you could "borrow" a talent from anyone, living now or having lived in the past, what talent would you borrow, and from whom?

cupajoe's question remained unanswered, so I jump in a second time:

well, stove and fridge are sort of a given... of the extras "I couldn't live" without my dishwasher and if it goes for utensils too, without my good set of chef knives.

Sadie's question is also waiting for an answer:

Well, I'd like to have Maria Callas' voice - but not her life! I have a kind of nice voice and I've recently got my classical singing (i.e. opera, lied etc) diploma and just found how absolutely great it is to be able to effectively transmit emotion through singing to your listeners...

Who is your bestest friend for how long how you got to know each other?

Maria

My closest friend is Susan. We met after we each adopted an ex-racing Greyhound.
The love of the Dogs became our initial connection.
We have told each other things that even our dhs don't know about us..lol
We have known each other for 12 years.

What are your simple pleasures?

Some of my simple pleasures:
*getting a mocha at Starbucks
*taking a hot jacuzzi bath with scented candles
*browsing gift shops
*going to the library!
*having the house to myself and listening to jazz
*reading a good book
*going for a drive with my husband
*taking a walk

What's your favorite room in your house and why?

Wow, Pat_Clara--greyhounds! They're such lovely dogs.

I'll go again--but this is a HARD one.

Frankly, I don't like ANY of the rooms in my house. They're all full of stuff, or they need repair, or something.

This is pretty revealing! Wow! I'd better get busy.

If I don't look at what shape they're in, and just look at the architecture, I'd say the kids' room/sunroom. It has BIG windows, and a bathroom off it. And it looks out on the garden in the center of the block.

If you could write a magazine article, what would it be about?

I'd write a type of humor in real life column - similar to what Erma Bombeck used to write. Man, I miss her!

What do you collect?

I collect memories.

If you could relive any moment of your life which moment would you choose and why?

I would choose the day I reconnected with two high school friends after DECADES.
I flew into NYC a month after 9/11 and cried with joy.

What is your favorite thing you remember about the city or town you were born in?

Ghirardelli Square and all of that area of San Francisco. DH and I went there all the time while dating and in our childless years. We've since moved to another state and I really want to go back and visit.

If you found out you had 48 hours this coming weekend to be alone and do anything, what would it be?

I'd split the time between a movies (in a theater, with an audience), reading, taking walks, and hanging out with friends. Maybe an impromptu dinner party.

Then again, maybe I'd just sleep the whole weekend.:)

Ok. I'll skip up to the last question and then add a question.

48 hours alone- Die of shock?
I'd probably read and sleep and go to the bathroom alone.
Then I would probably clean house and step back and admire it completely clean. I might miss my family too.

What is something you have always wanted to do but are a bit scared to do it?

G

"What is something you have always wanted to do but are a bit scared to do it?"

Travel to another country. I hate flying. Had a scary experience 22 years ago and have hated flying ever since. I've done it since, but not easily. (Got rather drunk during our honeymoon flight to and from Hawaii, for example.) And I've never flown out of the country. I want to get over this fear so I can have this experience at some point. I found a great fear-of-flying website that has really helped.

If you could start a new hobby tomorrow, and were given an extra day in the week to do it, what would it be?

ooh ooh !!! i wanna play too!!! you all don't know me..i'm a lurker here, (a wanna-be home organizer! lol) and a regular over there on gardenweb (pond forum). i love this thread so much i just wanted to jump in :)

if i could start a new hobby tomorrow, and were given an extra day in the week to do it...hmmmm

ok, since this is pure fantasy (after all, it's not like i'm really gonna be given an extra day in the week..what would we call it...all of the names of the days are already taken.... lol) i'd love to take up the hobby of painting (and not walls either). of course, this would have to be in my fantasy studio too...probably a little shed out back with the perfect light. and i'd paint pictures of the perfect little houses and towns (sort of like a thomas kinkade or norman rockwell).

my question for the next person:
what was/is your biggest decorating faux pas? as in...omg it seemed like such a good idea at the time, but when it was finished i wanted to cry! (mine was painting my bathroom blood red...it looked like a murder had occurred in there. my bathroom is a nice shade of taupe now, with navy and dark red accents)

nice to meet you all!
jiggreen

I bought eight chairs at a used furniture store and painted them white - I thought to go with the trim. It made them stand out unattractively, and they looked just awful. I hated them, in fact.

I ended up adding various colors to the paint I had until I achieved a warm taupe, which looked very nice on the chairs.

Oops - forgot the question.

If you were lost on a deserted island but could have five foods in abundance, what foods would you choose?

Oh my. Are weight and calories a factor???? ha ha

Five foods: ice cream, chocolate, Starbucks mochas (can there be a Starbucks on a deserted island? probably!!), water (yes, I really do like it!), and chicken (gotta have a little protein, after all!).

Question:
What was your favorite memory from the 1980s?

That's a good question Sheryl! My favorite memory from the 1980s is January 21, 1989 at 6:20 pm: my first child was born. I will never, ever forget the moment he was suddenly there, alive and healthy, and how my husband and I looked at each other. It was the most incredible elation, and it was shared with only one other person in the whole world, the one who made that baby with me. That look stands apart from anything else that has ever happened to me in my whole life.

I'm losing track of all the great questions so I hope this one hasn't been asked yet! But here goes:

What is your favorite thing to do for 'me time'? You know, those rare precious hours in which you can do what you like to do for *yourself* instead of what the kids, or the husband or the MIL want...or chores...or decluttering...or holiday planning :).

Ann

I go junkin' - either an estate or garage sale or antique shop. Found a great salvage yard today - told me they sell junk by the pound! LOL

What's the latest compliment that someone has paid to you?

Is there a limit to how many times someone can play this?

The latest compliment was given by my assistant, who called me on the phone to say that she loved the way I teach my preschoolers. She took the time to call me to let me know that she loves watching me interact with them. That made my day!

Ann, our oldest was born in August 1989. I will never, ever forget that day. I was 2 weeks overdue and thought he'd NEVER arrive. They finally had to induce me. I went through the whole thing without meds because I just wanted to see him so badly that I didn't care how much pain I was in!! He's now way taller than I am and his voice is deepening each day. I can't believe he's my baby!

Question: What is one thing you won't part with, even though it IS clutter and you don't use/need it anymore?

Okay so Sheryl and I are hogging the game :).

I have a dress hanging in my closet that I will never, ever wear again. It's a tropical print, double knit (remember that stuff?), from the early '70s. I haven't put it on in probably 25 years and I doubt it would fit me anyway.

So why do I keep it? My mom made it for me, when I was a teenager. She sewed well and made a lot of clothes, and this was done to please me--at the time the fabric and print were very fashionable, and she used a pattern in a style that flatters my body type. She died when I was 19 YO, and it's the only thing she sewed that I have left. Every time I look at that dress hanging in the closet, what I see is a visible symbol of my mom's love and care.

Okay, here's my next question: name the most appalling thing that has ever happened on a holiday to you (or that you saw at a family gathering), that is now a funny story. The funny part is to avoid painful memories of course!

Ann

I ended up with the stomach flu on the way to a New Year's Eve party, throwing up out the window about every 3 minutes for the entire night, in the middle of a major blizzard and the driver wouldn't turn around. They all laughed.

What is your dream home/area?

Wow! I am thrilled this thread is doing so well. It's exciting to read the thoughts of each person. I'm going to jump in again if that is ok.

Dream Home- My home right now, right where it is- WITH a bigger kitchen, a nicer entry way, an extra bedroom and completed landscaping. I guess what I'm saying is my home in ten years but right now.

IF you could live a movie, which one would you live and why?

G

I guess if I could live in a movie, the one that comes to mind for me would be "Something's Gotta Give." That beach house Diane Keaton had...to die for. And although I don't aspire to be divorced (most days :), her life as a single, wealthy, sophisticated writer with a Hamptons mansion and a fabulous Manhattan apartment doesn't seem too horrible.

The only deal breaker is: no Jack Nicholson. I never liked him when he was younger and as he ages he looks more and more like a nasty old horndog gargoyle.

Okay, next question: name something you do really well-could be a talent, a skill or even an event (fabulous holiday meals for example).

Hey everyone ~ I'm a newbie. I enjoyed reading your questions and answers so far; hope you don't mind me just jumping in. I've been a lurker for a while, but I finally took the plunge and subscribed last night. (My coat closet dilemma pushed me over the ledge!;)

In answer to the above question: I have a talent; I can sing. I've been compared to Irene Cara, Natalie Imbruglia, Paula Cole and Sara McLaughlin at times. (I've also had times that I would've been an American Idol Reject for sure! lol) Singing is a passion for me for sure; I'm luckly to have an outlet for that passion through church. In one of the "do what you love" type things I've come across they ask "what is the one thing you would do even without compensation?" I'd have to say singing/performing would be my answer. I'd sing for anyone, anywhere just for the sheer pleasure of it. LOL I don't brag as a rule; I feel funny saying "I'm a good singer" right out loud. (But we do have to answer the question right?! LOL)

Now my question: What's the hardest thing you've ever accomplished by yourself?

p.s. I'd love to hear your "passion" as well!

Jenn

OK ~ at the risk of being misunderstood I have to ask: Did no one respond to my post because of something I said wrong or did I just happen to tag on to a dying post at the last minute?
I really want to know, cause if it's a problem and I can fix it, I would like to.

OOPS! Just scrolled down and saw the "passion" thread ~
I'll go read it now...

Hi, Jenn. You are doing just fine!
I would love to hear you sing.
In answer to your question, What's the hardest thing you've ever accomplished by yourself? it was...living in Europe by myself.

If you could bring back one extinct species, what would it be, and why?