Five Question Friday

I stole this idea from my friend Nikki.  I know it's past Friday, but I thought it would be fun anyway.  Go to http://www.fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com if you want to play along.

Sorry about the ginormous font size here...couldn't figure out how to change it, and decided not to bother.

1. Do you sing karaoke? If so, what is your go to song?

I've never sung karaoke, but truth be told, I've always wanted to.  I have no idea what I'd sing.  Any suggestions?

2. What is your favorite coffee drink?

Hmm...maybe a white chocolate mocha frappuccino.  There's also this frozen blended caramel peanut butter drink at Hudson Bagel & Coffee that I love--it's not on the menu, but there's a gal there who makes it upon request, and just beams if you ask for it. I also used to love Commuter's Cup's Velveteen Rabbit cold blended drink, but now under new management it costs a lot more and doesn't taste the same at all.  Such is life.

3. If you could choose your own name, what would it be?

Actually, I'm one of those rare folks who has always loved their name.  Kara or Kara Jo, I like them both.

4. Were you ever bullied?

Was picked on a little for my nose, and for being a smart "goodie-goodie" in school.  The nose thing bothered me a bit, but the other stuff--not so much.

5. How often do you eat fast food?

Not too often...maybe once a month?

Hehe

Was at the pediatrician's office the other day...(yes, I happened to have my camera with me because I needed a picture of Courtney with our wonderful pediatrician--memento for the baby book)...anyway, saw this advertisement in the hallway and got a chuckle out of it! Yes, those bears on the beach...they need this "gift that will last a lifetime." Hehe. Does anybody else find this advertisement funny, or is it just me?

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by Katie. (I just realized that today...I'm still trying to catch up on my blogging...)

So here goes:

TEN YEARS AGO

Wade and I had been married for 2 years. We were living in River Falls, but packing up to move to West St. Paul so Wade could go back to school to become an aviation mechanic. That meant I needed to be the main bread winner for a while, so I got a job at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Eagan, working in customer service, claims processing/adjustment, and then training for new employees. (Since my B.A. in psychology was oh so useful. Tee hee.)

MY TO-DO LIST TODAY

1. Get Abby off to school (Emily starts tomorrow)
2. Go to my OB appointment
3. Fold dark towels and wash the light ones
4. Wash mysterious orange stains that appeared on half my laundry from yesterday
5. Arrange volunteer times for the girls' classrooms
6. Leave encouraging message on a friend's caring bridge site
7. Rake bathroom floor of the droves of my hair that have fallen on it
8. RSVP to Abby's first school birthday party of the year (already!?)
9. Fill out yellow health forms for school that I should have already done
10. Sign computer agreement for school that says I & my children will not steal copyrighted material or look at pornography
11. Take a nap
12. Resolve weird conflict with my neighbor
13. Plan & make supper
14. Pray and think through whether or not we can afford to have Abby in dance this year.
15. Call a babysitter for this weekend

SNACK THAT I ENJOY

I can't choose just one...puppy chow, red grapes, nachos with cheese, chocolate ice cream malts, whatchamacallit candy bars.

THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A MILLIONAIRE

1. Give 10% to my church
2. Give generously to numerous missionaries we know that I'd love to support
3. Buy a house with character & a big fenced in yard
4. Set us up for retirement
5. Set the kids up for college and the girls' weddings
6. Buy great underwear
7. Invest the rest

PLACES I'VE LIVED (in order)

Young America, MN
Waconia, MN
River Falls, WI
West St Paul, MN
Hudson, WI
South Bend, IN
Hudson, WI

TAG, YOU'RE IT!

Nicole (He Gives Me Grace)
Pam (PW, Thrillride)
Danielle (Natural Momma)
Ed (Swirlingeddy)
Tami (In The Story)

Ashes to Ashes

Abby: Mom, why do you want to have yourself made into ashes when you die?

Me: I'm not set on it, but I've known a number of godly people who have done it that way, I like the idea, and I think it would be neat to have my ashes sprinkled.

Abby: Um...I think I'd just keep you in a jar.

Note to Self

Note to Self:

1) When you're making tacos, and you've gotten everything ready--shredded cheese, chopped lettuce and tomatoes, sour cream, and taco shells on the baking sheet...it might be a good idea to remember to cook the actual taco MEAT for the taco supper. Just a thought.

2) When you open the big cupboard door in the bathroom, and you leave it open because you feel the need right that second to bend down & swab up stray hairs covering the bathroom floor...please be forewarned that your head will not be happy when you stand back up and it collides with the cupboard door you forgot you left open. Make a note of it. It's a surefire way to give yourself a whopping headache for the next day or so.

But Self...at least you can blame it on Baby Brain.

Things That Make You Go Hmm...

Some things that make me go hmm...

1) The big bright red signs on Carmichael Road advertising fresh "STRAWBERY's" (Yes, spelled like that, and with an apostrophe. Actually one of the signs did manage to get two R's, but no "ie" included on that one either.)

2) Tornado sirens that cry wolf...going off when the sun's out and there's not a dark cloud in the sky, all because there's a storm somewhere counties away. Happened this morning as I was about to get into the shower. I quickly went downstairs to call the girls to come in from playing outside. But I opened the door, yelled for them, looked around...and then told them to never mind. (Abby asked if it was the 1st Wednesday of the month...nope. Just sirens that people will--unfortunately, quickly learn to ignore.)

Are You For Real?

Tonight I broke out of my usual MO and stopped at what I'd consider to be the more upscale grocery store in town to pick up supplies for root beer floats.

Headed to the counter to pay for my 'Our Family' brand ice cream, and my 'Our Family' brand root beer. This is how the transaction went:

Clerk: How's it goin'?
Me: Good!
Clerk: (Looks down with a sneer at my root beer) Um, Barq's is the best root beer
Me: Yeah, Barq's has caffeine, though (makes me jittery)
Clerk: Pshhh (with eye roll)

Clerk: That'll be $6.14
Me: (Fumbling for my change, muttering to myself) Hmm...I can't find my change container
Clerk: Well, that's helpful (said in dry monotone voice)

I found my money, paid him $6.20, and waited for my .06 cents change. He didn't say a word. Just handed me my receipt and went on to the next person. I think he was in a hurry to get to the girl with the sunburned cleavage 3rd in line.

Me: Um, did you give me my change?
Clerk: Yeah (sounding a bit inconvenienced)

Umm...OK then. Maybe he did. Maybe I'm losing my mind. What's .06 cents anyway, right?

I walked out chuckling. Was that guy for real? Seriously.