1. Give us three rhyming words that say something about your Thanksgiving holiday (or your most recent holiday gathering if you didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving).

Tiring (from cooking and child wrangling ), perspiring (from our run!), and inspiring (because I got motivated to decorate)

2. When did you last say, ‘the more the merrier’? Did you mean it?

Ha ha actually, this week. There’s a wrestling pay-per-view and we invited some folks. I did mean it, even though I feel like it would stress me out. Turns out, Ash leaves that day for a conference so we aren’t having anyone over and man am I glad.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who is your same age?

“We can’t do it all.” Honestly, as defeatist as that sounds, we can’t. but society seems to tell us that as women and moms, we CAN. No, untrue. And if we accept that an do what we can – prioritize – then we can accomplish the right things and be happier with ourselves.

4. You’re ordering a veggie plate, what four veggies are on it?

Are we talking cooked or no? If it’s a raw veggie with dip plate then carrots, cucumbers, cauliflower, and celery. If we’re talking cooked, I’m going corn, brussel sprouts, asparagus, and acorn squash.
5. Shop til you drop! Did you? Have you ever? Will you between now and Christmas?

I shop here and there. I do like going to the mall but not always. Sometimes, if I know what I want, I get in and out as quickly as possible. I prefer online shopping but also bemoan the death of brick and mortar stores.

6. What’s your favorite chair in your house, and why is it a favorite?

We have a recliner in the living room that we bought when I was pregnant with my first child. We didn’t like those cheap rockers all the baby stores sold so we just got a regular recliner. I like it because I sit there and the rest of the family sits on the couch. I know that sounds bad but I like the separation. It’s my own little cushy island.

7. Share an early memory of faith, religion, or spirituality.

Hmm, early memories are usually not so good. I remember Mrs. Crabtree, my Sunday School teacher for First Communion year. She was SO mean. I remember Father Chris when I was in high school and I’m very bad because I thought he was hot. (I blame Catholicism for any religious transgressions.) So my early memories are not great examples of this. I think maybe if you’re looking for one of faith/spirituality, it would have to relate to when I realized that I don’t need an organized religion to have Faith in a God. That moment was so enlightening that it actually made me feel a little more relaxed in my beliefs.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It’s not even yet December and I feel like this month is overbooked. I was overwhelmed this morning and forgot that it was Elliot’s snack day at school. I forgot my water and my lunch, and now I am eagerly awaiting the motivation to grade all these papers. Why is it that this time of year leaves me feeling so bereft of energy? I mean, I WANT to get all this stuff done but I am exhausted by the mere thought of all of it. I don’t want to be this way but it’s just. so. much.

But other than that, our house renovations (at least, the ones the handy man is doing) are almost done! He probably has one more day of work and we can go back to semi-normal. I cannot wait to put the bins back in closets and all the bathroom items in cabinets and whatnot. It’s all in boxes right now and SO annoying. But these bathrooms are going to look so nice and new, I might just cry!