Easing back into a regular routine with Answer Me This - hosted weekly by Kendra over at Catholic All Year. 1. What's something you won and how did you win it?
I won high marks in lots of music competitions in high school (vocal and flute). I won a scholarship to college for vocals and academics. I was a good student and had many awards in high school and graduated magna cum laude from college with my bachelor's.
Recently, I "won" a contract to do some work in Germany for a few days.
My blogger friends have hosted some nice giveaways. There was a little streak for a bit where I won several things in a row.
Kelly over at This Ain't the Lyceum hosted a knitted mitten/glove giveaway - and - I won! (Incidentally, she's hosting another giveaway today, so go over and try your luck!)
2. Do you save old greeting cards and letters, or throw them all away?
I save greeting cards and letters. My desk is an episode of Hoarders unto itself. I have whittled away most of my pack rat tendencies, but this one is still pretty bad.
Ok, really bad. My apologies to every organized person that just had a panic attack!
3. When you're at home, do you wear shoes, socks, slippers, or go barefoot?
Barefoot. Until we get to the really awful half of the year that is the Midwest winter. Then it's socks or slippers. Not shoes. Please don't wear shoes in my house. I hate it.
4. Who's the most famous person you've ever met?
I met our state senator when I was 8. I met Mother Angelica when I was 13. I've met some Fortune 100 executives. When I was at Behold this spring, I met some fellow bloggers/speakers. It was my first in real life meeting with fellow bloggers and it was wonderful to sit around the dinner table with Kendra of Catholic All Year, Molly of Molly Makes Do, and Bonnie of A Knotted Life.
You all should go to Behold next year. It was amazing.
5. What has been your best work of art?
The first, most obvious answer seems to be my girls, but I didn't actually have as much to do with that as I'd like to think.
Unless marrying cute counts, then I guess I had something to do with it :)
Not sure if it's the best, but my most recent is this embroidery project:
6. What's your strongest sense?
Common sense. I'm a very pragmatic person. Other than that, I have pretty good senses, maybe my sense of touch and taste are near the bottom, but sight, smell and sound are all pretty high.
Just a little more than never. When we travel to cities with trains, we usually make use of them. Once I used a train to go visit my brother's family across the country. That was a very long trip. Lots of flooding re-routed half the trains in the country to our route and we ended up spending something like 10 extra hours on the train. After that, we drove the 17 hours to visit, usually all in one day, and it was better than that train ride.
2. How many cousins do you have?
Eight on my mother's side and three on my father's side. Eleven cousins, but I have eight siblings, so my cousins have a lot more cousins than I do :)
My dad's side of the family
3. Have you ever fired a gun?
Yes. For the first time this summer. I'm actually pretty good with a handgun. The shotgun was much trickier.
Getting some tips
4. Do you ride roller coasters?
Yes. I love roller coasters. Spinning is something I could do without, but the roller coasters are my friend.
About to go for a roller coaster ride!
5. What's you favorite flower?
Lilacs. I love lilacs. Their smell is unparalleled and they remind me of my childhood.
6. Are you allergic to anything?
Bee stings and ragweed. Seasonal allergies are the pits. Local, raw honey is doing wonders. The irony that I'm allergic to bee stings and their honey is helping me with the pollen is not lost on me :)
Last week, Kelly sent out the call for us all to join her in #35K4SMA, her running campaign to raise money and awareness for families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Kelly has been dedicating this year to running 5Ks to raise money and awareness. Last week, she asked us all to join her.
Last week, I knew I would run a 5K to help raise money/awareness, but I didn't know I would be doing it with one special baby in mind.
This week, a woman I've known since high school (she's beautiful, faith-filled, just all-around-lovely) found out that her infant son (4 months) has Type 1 SMA. This is the worst possible level of SMA and he is on the weak end of even this spectrum. In short, this sweet 4 month old is dying, quickly. He has just a few months left to live.
His mother works full-time while his father is a SAHD. The extended family has set up a fundraiser to allow his mother to afford to spend the final months of his life with him.
The family could use the money, they really could. But, they absolutely need your prayers. Please pray that the final moments with baby Isaac be full of grace and beautiful memories. Please pray that baby Isaac becomes well enough to leave the hospital and spend his final time at home. Please pray that baby Isaac be miraculously healed. Fulton Sheen needs another miracle, and he's demonstrated his love for babies (just ask Bonnie!).
Please pray for this family. Let's surround this family with prayer. If you have a bit to spare to make this time more bearable, that is also greatly appreciated.
On a lighter note, my requisite selfies for #35K4SMA:
Here's a before, so you could see a bit of the hazy morning
1. When's the last time you got a new bathing suit?
October of 2012. We went to Florida for a wedding, so I got some sun gear for our week-long beach stay.
I'll even share a picture of me in said swim gear after I just had a baby. Because my kids care more that I'm holding them in this picture of us than about how I think my thighs look way too big in this picture. This shot also shows me that despite the scale not budging, my workouts are making a difference!
2. Who made the last incoming call on your phone?
My dad. He wanted to make sure I got a text from my mom earlier in the day.
3. If you receive communion, do you receive it on the hands or tongue?
Hands. In our diocese, that's standard practice. Unless I'm holding an infant, then it's on the tongue because I'm using my own hands to hold the infants' hands lest she make a swipe for Jesus.
4. Do you have a tattoo?
No. I have my cartilage pierced, that's about as wild as my youth got.
5. How many dinner plates are in your house?
About 20 assorted kids' plate, 12 piece china set, and another dozen assorted plates for everyday use.
I much prefer paper, though. Does using cloth diapers balance out the occasional paper plate usage? How about the slightly-above-average usage? I'm hoping so!
6. Do you have an accent?
I was born and raised in the Midwest. They put call centers in the Midwest because it has been determined by some research gurus somewhere along the way that we have the least amount of accent and are the most understandable for all Americans. So, I'm going to go with, "no". *Bonus*
WIWS: Linking up with FLAP for What I Wore Sunday.
I recruited my oldest into taking a picture as we were rushing around getting ready for church, so blurry, but I'm liking this new dress, so I thought it worth sharing!
Dress is this one from Old Navy. They had a bunch of their dresses on clearance, so I snatched this one up! This color was clearanced out....clearly not everyone knew this was SOTG green! They have black, blue, pink, and navy right now for $15/each. (The link above isn't affiliate, so if you know someone with an affiliate link, hop over there and use their link!)
I'm liking this dress because it's a good shape and the fabric is thick enough not to be clingy.
Ignore those paint swatches, I think I'm going to leave the girls' bedroom pink.
Linking up two days late on the procrastination edition of Answer Me This with Kendra over at Catholic All Year.....irony, I'm a fan.
1. What's something you intended to do today, but didn't?
Um, I meant to write this on Sunday, or at least Monday. I really thought I would get it done Monday because I so enjoy playing along with everyone.
I've also been meaning to write a post about my beautiful baby sister's graduation. I'm going to put that out there so I actually do it. Accountability is a close friend of mine.
I'm also supposed to be sorting things in the attic today, but the tornado sirens went off at 3:45am, and my bed is just so comfy....I'll get up soon, I swear!
2. What's your favorite grilling recipe?
When I think grill, I think bratwurst. My super-simple method is boiling in beer and onions, then crisping them up on the grill. Grill some onions out there too and throw them on top. Yum!
3. What movie did you most recently see?
I haven't watched many movies lately (I did see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, meh), but I've been binge-watching old episodes of Eureka on Amazon.
4. Would you say your tendency is to over react or under react to medical situations?
Under react. Queen of cool in an emergency. I'm your go-to if you need a ride to the emergency room. I vividly remember driving my brother (my dad was sitting with him holding pressure) when I was 16 (he was 8) and holding his hand while they put in stitches.
I also have a tendency to under react to a dangerous level. I'm pretty sure I'm a strong candidate to die from something that I should have gotten checked out. When I had internal bleeding, I decided maybe it wasn't so bad and was on the fence about just going back to bed. My guardian angel is pretty haggard, I think. Thankfully, I was prompted to go to the ER, and am still here. Since that experience, I'm trying to be much more conscientious/cautious with my health.
So, I'll be your ride to the hospital and handle it all cool under pressure. I even can add inappropriate humor to the package, upon request :)
5. Do you squeeze the toothpaste or roll it?
Squeeze it until it starts to run low, then roll it until it's gone.
6. What are you doing for Father's Day?
We spent Father's Day with my little family and my extended family. My sister drove in from the East Coast, so we spent many hours snuggling her cute little babies and visiting. In fact, we're spending most of the week that way. Seriously, cute babies. Cambodian-Irish is a stellar combo :)
Yes. I recently switched from HTC to an iPhone....mostly because Hubby has one and he was kind of insistent. I got a smart phone a couple years ago so I could keep track of work emails on the go. Pretty handy, and bonus, it's a work expense! (I'm a stay-at-home instructional designer.)
Breakfast. Like, REAL breakfast, where you eat eggs, bacon, pancakes, all that deliciousness.
3. Shower or bath?
Shower. Really, really peel-your-skin-off-hot. I don't drink coffee, but I feel about showers how most people feel about coffee.
4. Think of a person you love. How many days have you been in love with that person?
Hubby and I just celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary in April. We dated two years before that. According to this site, that's 4367 days!
5. What's the best church you've ever been inside?
St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. When I was 19, I went there with a pilgrimage/college group. One day at dawn, we climbed the crazy sideways stairs to the tippy top of St. Peter's and watched the sun rise over the city of Rome. One of the most memorable moments of my life.
6. Happy feast of the Visitation! Has anyone ever come to help YOU?
When my oldest was very small, I broke my ankle. My SIL came over and took down my tree, cleaned my house, the whole deal. At the time, she had 1,2,4 year-olds.
One of the reasons I love my homeschool group so much is the outreach we give each other when a new baby is welcomed home. We have a list where moms sign up to bring meals and I have been the recipient of meals when we welcomed home SP and also was the recipient of meals when we SB returned home and we lost Mara. Love comes in the form of a casserole and a hug, friends.....speaking of which, I really need to start cooking, I'm getting a new niece this week!!!
Please say a prayer for one of my SILs, she's being induced this week. Please surround her in prayer as she and my BIL welcome their first little one into the world.
Beach. I love the mountains - my brother lived in Colorado for several years and it was always a great adventure to visit, but give me some sand and water. The closest beaches to is are lakes, the ocean is a plane flight or 15-20 hour roadtrip.
2. Which is more fun: Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
I love Christmas morning. Long ago when we got married, Hubby and I set aside Christmas morning for us and our future children. We run to families and mass on Christmas Eve and Christmas afternoon/evening, but Christmas morning is pancakes, pajamas and presents.
We celebrate the late night Christmas Eve mass, which is so beautiful and we go to bed sleepy and excited for the next day's festivities.
3. What's the most embarrassing childhood outfit you remember wearing?
I can't remember being embarrassed by anything I wore at the time I wore it. But I grew up in the '90's and looking back, I've got plenty of cringe-worthy moments. Although most of them revolve around my naturally curly hair being permed to even greater volumes. It was so awesome :)
4. Your house is quiet, you don't have to work (housework included). What do you do?
Blog. Read blogs.
Read a book. (Did you read Haley's latest? Great read. Because Catholic wives need to get back to reclaiming the sacrament of our marriage. It doesn't belong to Hollywood or Playboy.)
Watch episodes of Once Upon a Time on HuluPlus.
5. What movie do you want to watch when you're feeling under the weather?
I have been teased for the number of times I've watched Notting Hill.
I really like to marathon watch tv shows when I don't feel well.
6. Did you have an American Girl doll when you were little? If so, which one?
No, but I did get the catalog and dream about which one I would get every time the catalog came in the mail. Red hair and blue eyes is not so common - which is why my mom's 1960's red headed Skipper doll was my very favorite.
Kendra is taking in France, so Haley is hosting Answer Me This!
1. What's the scariest thing that's ever been in your backyard?
An angry, trapped raccoon. It got stuck, I have no idea what happened after that...not my department. We also once had a mama raccoon and 5 babies pull off the vent over our dormant chimney and make themselves at home. The chimney base is next to the laundry and it was pretty creepy.
Animal control specialists had to come and tranquilize/kill them (once they get into a house, they keep doing it and they're dangerous). I was listening to the guys work and, "reload, she's still climbing" was said. That job is not my calling...could you imagine an angry raccoon coming at you while you try to tranquilize it?!?!
2. Beards. Thumbs up or thumbs down?
Thumbs in the middle? I like beards for about 2-4 weeks, then Hubby's beard starts to gets a little out of hand for my tastes. He's cute either way, but the 2 week look is probably my favorite:
The girls are beard fans.
3. If stuff breaks, can you fix it?
If it's not mechanical or electronic, yes. I can fix clothes, walls, splint bones, lots of random life skills, but don't ask me to fix your computer or car. *well, you can ask, but I won't*
4. What was your first car?
Pontiac Grand Am GT. I bought it myself when I was 19.
Until the last year or so, it would've been about once or twice a year. Now that finances are a little easier, about once or twice a month.
6. Why is your hair like that?
Really good genetics. It's naturally red. It's naturally curly. No, I don't wish my hair was straight, or blonde, or brunette. I like it just as it is. It's awesome....and I have nothing to do with that. I put very little effort into my hair, it just grows out of my head like that.
It's okay, you can kinda hate me for it.....everyone that isn't struggling to lose 80lbs of weight is getting a little envy from me :)
Linking up with Kendra-don't-call-her-Kenny over at Catholic All Year for Answer Me This.
1. What's for dinner?
Mother's Day dinner was takeout. In the fridge right now, I have chicken, bacon and some other sundry ingredients that will be turned into something the people around here can consume this evening.
Tasted even better than it looked
2. What's the last thing you borrowed from someone?
I have muffin tins sitting on top of my microwave that I need to return to my mom.
3. What is your favorite prayer?
I have a propensity for anxiety. My prayer to calm those rough moments is, "Jesus, I trust in You." Over and over and over again until the prayer becomes a reality.
4. What is the oldest thing in your house?
I was tempted to say Hubby, but then I remembered a couple antique pieces of furniture in my attic. My great-grandmother's dresser and my great-grandfather's rocking chair.
5. What's the best concert you ever attended?
Ummmmm......not really a concert goer. I have a friend who is a local musician and have been to a few of her shows, they were pretty awesome :)
6. Do you have a nickname?
A few. I am named for the Virgin Mother and her mother. I am also named after my mother, I have a sister with the same first name, and even when I got married, my MIL had the same first name. I don't use my given name much at all.
That's why you'll notice the name here is "Annery". Not what my mom named me, but actually an old nickname from high school. In my day-to-day interactions, most people call me Annie, which is also not my given name. My brother calls me Anne Marie, also not my name. My dad is the only person in the world allowed to call me Anna Banana....although, I think everyone could say it at least the one time if I won this from Conversion Diary:
I've entered, now we're all crossing our fingers!
Any one of those nicknames is much more likely to get my attention in a crowded room than the name I sign to my checks :)
Linking up with this week's Answer Me This over at Catholic All Year!
1. Do you hate happy clappy church music?
No. I hate church music that becomes a performance over being a form of worship. That can be any kind of music. If you chant with a prideful heart, seeking recognition over praising our Maker, it's no better than the happiest, clappiest of music sung as a performance.
I love all forms of music in Mass (maybe love is too strong a word, I have a hard time with older hymns sung in a pitch only those of us with classical training can reach - take it down three steps choir director!!!), but I hate clapping for a musician at Mass. If you're clapping for the musician, you lost focus on who we were all praising together in that moment. We are praising the Maker of all music, not the musician, when we're in Mass.
If you've ever had a hard time nailing down why you prefer some music over others in different churches, perhaps it's been the presentation/attitude with which the music was offered as part of the Mass. It is first an offering, a praise, a way to give thanks.
Praise God that we have wonderful, talented people offering their gifts for all of our benefit at Mass, but I don't find it any more appropriate to clap for the musicians than I do to clap for the lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, or even the priest. I've been one of those musicians many, many, many times in my 3+ decades, and I've been uncomfortable every time someone clapped because of something I did at Mass. I know I can sing an Ave Maria that'll make you cry. But, you're not crying because of my voice, you're crying because of the beautiful gift I am sharing that brings you a moment closer to God.
Sing joyfully to the Lord - in chant, in old hymns, out of those Glory and Praise books I grew up with, with newer praise and worship songs. Sing to Him. Sing for Him. Stop worrying about what you're singing and start rejoicing in whoyou're singing for. Also, I don't want to hear it that you think you sound like that warbling pelican in Little Mermaid, open your voice and do it. Give back to God what He gave to you. If it's not pleasing to your ears, it's still pleasing to His heart.
*steps off soapbox*
If you're looking for inspirational, beautiful music to listen to on your way about town, I heard this musician at the Behold Conference 2014 and was so inspired by her gift.
2. What is your priority? Eating or sleeping?
Sleeping. Sleeping is my favorite. My babies start sleeping at night between 6-8 months. I don't sleep well in pregnancy and life stresses tend to give me insomnia, so by the time I've found out I'm pregnant and then gotten the baby to sleeping through, it's usually about a year and a half between full nights. If there's any silver lining to infertility, it's that I'm sleeping all night these days.
3. What type of milk do you drink in your house?
Whole milk. I read something, somewhere that talked about the fat solubility of certain hormones, and that removing them basically unbalances the hormones in what we're eating when we go for low-fat/fat-free options. I don't know where I saw the study, or even the scientific validity, but the premise stuck with me. We should be eating our food the way it comes.
Even if there wasn't research suggesting low-fat milk isn't the way to go, it makes sense to me to eat food as close to its original form as possible. We eat butter, not margarine; whole milk, not skim milk; home baked goods over pre-packaged. We are by no means the ideal health foodies, but whole milk is part of my effort to make our food choices as natural as possible.
4. What is a book that changed your perspective on something?
Not precisely a book - shorter in form and about ten times harder than a normal book to unpack the knowledge - Mulieris Dignatatum changed my life and my marriage.
I read it with a group of women as part of an Endow study group. Which is probably the only way I really could have gotten so much out of such rich and complex materials.
Mulieris Dignatatum is a letter from St. John Paul II (first time I've said that!!). It's in on the nature and dignity of women. It gave me a new understanding and appreciation for who am I and who I was created to be as part of God's design.
I have a new understanding for myself as gift to my husband and children. For the beauty and unique genius of woman. Mulieris Dignatatum has made me a better wife. It has given me an appreciation for the strength that it takes to truly be what I'm called to be as a unique and beautiful creation.
Even if you don't follow the study from Endow, get together a group of holy women and read and discuss this together. It's beautiful.
5. Who is your favorite saint?
This is kind of like picking a favorite sibling....or exactly like picking a favorite sibling in the "brothers and sisters in Christ" perspective. St. John Paul II is especially beloved. His feast day is October 22nd, and is the due date of our little saint.
When I was in college, I went to Rome for the Jubilee with a college group/pilgrimage. Our group was recognized by name and received a special blessing from him.
Mother Teresa is another especially beloved of mine. Her dark night of the soul lasting decades, through which she still an inspirational voice of peace, life, and love. She so vividly lived out God's love, she was invited into circles and beloved by groups of people who wouldn't give a typical Catholic the time of day.
That's amazing. That's my goal. I want to so vividly radiate the love of Christ into all those around me that they are drawn into seeking that joy and love in Him too. I want to be a face of joy in the midst of hard times. That I so markedly fall short so many times is a reason I look to the life of Mother Teresa. It is possible. Mother Teresa is a reminder to get up and do it all again today, even if it's the same thing I did yesterday and I feel no closer to achievement. That lifetime of love, doing the same things over and over again, that adds up. Do it with joy and you can be a radiant light of love with others to find their way home.
6. Introvert or extrovert?
Introvert. My exact personality trait list is INFJ. Here's a section from the Portrait of an INFJ.
The Protector
As an INFJ, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you
take things in primarily via intuition. Your secondary mode is external, where
you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit
with your personal value system.
INFJs are gentle, caring, complex and highly intuitive individuals. Artistic
and creative, they live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities.
Only one percent of the population has an INFJ Personality Type,
making it the most rare of all the types.
INFJs place great importance on having things orderly and systematic in
their outer world. On the other hand, INFJs operate within
themselves on an intuitive basis which is entirely spontaneous. They
know things intuitively, without being able to pinpoint why, and without
detailed knowledge of the subject at hand.
Consequently, INFJs put a tremendous amount of faith
into their instincts and intuitions. This is something of a conflict between
the inner and outer worlds, and may result in the INFJ not being as organized
as other Judging types tend to be. Or we may see some signs of disarray in
an otherwise orderly tendency, such as a consistently messy desk.
Really, my personality type isn't an excuse, I need to clean this up!
3. Do you prefer to celebrate holidays at your own house or at someone else's house?
I would love to have a house big enough to host....perhaps in a few years. But for now, someone else's house. We celebrated with family at my brother's house.
4. What is your favorite kind of candy?
All the Sour Patch Kids. I. Need. Them. All.
5. Do you like video games?
I don't play them, but I like them from the perspective that Hubby and LB get in good quality daddy-daughter time over the PS3 :)
6. Do you speak another language?
I can understand bits and pieces of French, Spanish, and German, but alas, to my great chagrin, I am not fluent in any of them.
Now go over to Kendra's and check out everyone else's posts! And check it out, I'm tagged for next week - woot! woot!
