Sixteen to twenty-three

Okay, so obviously I have some work to do with this "blogging every day thing," which I guess is why I started this challenge in the first place. At least I know my flaws. Sigh.

To catch up, "things" sixteen through twenty-three will follow shortly. If you want to catch up on "things" click here.

Sixteen: What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?

1. my Bachelors degree
2. landing a new job
3. having a happy family
4. having great friends
5. being happy

Seventeen: What is the thing you most wish you were great at?


This is probably going to sound frivolous to most, but I wish I were better at video games, because I am (by far) the worst in my family and I fear I'm not very fun to play with.


Eighteen: What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?


I struggled with issues surrounding my mom's death for quite some time: forgiving myself for not being around more before she was gone, forgiving others for not being truthful with me about how sick she really was, forgiving doctors and nurses for not saving her, forgiving her for leaving (incredibly contrite words, no doubt, but ones you will probably understand if you have lost someone).


Nineteen: If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?


Just in case you were wondering, I answered this question first, because it is most exciting to me. I would live on an island in Maine (preferably one that I owned in its entirety). We would have a beautiful New England style house with a big, relaxing porch overlooking the Atlantic.


Twenty: Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.

1. Taking Mickey Mouse (Gickey Gouse) with me EVERYWHERE. Literally.
2. Playing "roads" with Alisa and Raven
3. The time Alison cut my hair for "dress-up" and hid it in the chair cushion. When my dad asked her if she had done it, and she lied, he told her he was going to send the hair to the FBI and they would fingerprint it and tell him if she had done it. Then she bawled hysterically and confessed. I had to get a super short hair cut to even it out, and Alison got a mullet for punishment. Seriously. I have pictures.

Those probably aren't as "significant" as the author of this question intended, but what the hell.

Twenty-one: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?


I would want to slow time to revel in the spectacular moments in life that are fleeting. I would slow time on the next amazing day that comes along.


Twenty-two: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?


Wow, in 5 years Sam and Mike will both be in college. That's crazy enough. But that's not me, that's them. It's really hard to think beyond that. Honestly, it's fun to dream, but I've learned that it's better to go with the flow and not worry about your 5- 10- 15- year plan because life never, ever turns out the way you think. I'd like to go back for my Master's Degree at some point. I'd like to advance at my job. It'd be cool to live on an island in Maine (see 19). A decade ago, when I was getting ready to enter my senior year, I would have never dreamed I'd be where I am right now. Which, incidentally, is sitting in the same chair Alison hid my hair in (see 20), listening to Harry, Mike, and Sam kill zombies on Call of Duty, writing a blog (I don't even know if blogs existed back then-if so I didn't know about them) about completely random tidbits about myself.


Twenty-three: List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.

1. Photography - so you never forget your past or where you've been
2. Writing - for the ability to express oneself, then hit the delete key and find a better way to express oneself
3. Gardening - this is a new one, but I love to watch something come from nothing and be able to personally reap the benefits of it
4. Sight-seeing - the ability to see new things, learn about history, or experience something new never gets old
5. Reading - because with the turn of a page I can be anywhere I want

Fifteen

Day fifteen: If you were an animal, what would you be, and why?


On a total superficial, fun level, I guess I'd be a dog, so I could hang out with mine, and figure out what they do all day. Plus, they just sleep, eat, and play all day. Exciting stuff.

On a deeper, philosophical level, I'd say a bird. I'm afraid of heights, so maybe with the ability to fly, without the fear of falling, I could see things in a whole new light.

Fourteen

Day Fourteen: Describe 5 strengths you have.


Strengths I possess:

1. Good at listening
2. Sense of direction
3. Extensive knowledge of song lyrics
4. Being awesome - it's a strategy
5. Proofreading

Too bad I can't just list these on a resume and be done.

13

Day Thirteen: Describe 5 weaknesses you have.


weaknesses (sometimes physical, sometimes mental):

1. Dr. Pepper
2. Cute dogs
3. Upper body strength (as in, I have very little)
4. A good home-cooked meal
5. Love - that's not really a negative though...

Twelve

Twelve: Describe a typical day in your current life.

Watch out folks, things are about to get wild. And by wild, I mean boring. A typical day for me...hmm...

Well, I usually wake up when Harry does and take Lola outside. Then, I go get Bridgette, Charlie, and Bella and let them out. Lola comes back in. I might piddle around the house, getting things done around here. Fun stuff like scrubbing toilets, vacuuming, laundry, dishes, your typical housework. Work in the garden. Hang out with the pups. Lunch. Maybe watch Ellen and/or Dr. Phil. Any other housework that needs done, or errands that need to be ran. Decide what to make for dinner. Take food out of freezer to thaw. Dinner. Maybe catch some re-runs of comedies that are actually funny like Friends, Dharma and Greg, Reba, New Adventures of Old Christine. Go to gym/bike ride/walk. Watch Harry and kids play Call of Duty or FaceTime with kids. Shower. Snuggle in bed and watch DVR'd shows or movies. Sleep. Intermix FaceBook, Pinterest, Blogging, Words with Friends, job applications, phone calls catching up with friends/family, in there, too. If I'm lucky, I'll get some reading or sewing or painting done.

I lead an exciting life, people, I really need to calm down before I hurt myself.

Six through...um...eleven? Geez, Louise.

Well I really dropped the ball on this one! So much for blogging every day. That definitely did not work for me last week. I resolve to do better this week. Here goes nothing.

P.S. This might be a long one. Please bear with me...

Six: What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?


I would be lying if I didn't say that my mom's death wasn't the hardest thing I've ever experienced. There's no need to go into detail about it, since I frequently write about it on this blog. I will say this, though: I believe that out of bad comes good, and I believe there was good that came from such a tragedy.



Seven: What is your dream job, and why?


This is such a timely question for me right now since I have been doing some soul-searching on this topic. I feel like so many things could be my dream job. I love to write, because it's a great way to express your feelings and get your point across without fear of interruption. It's also a wonderful outlet to create new worlds to travel to within your mind. On the other hand, I've always loved fashion and think it would be awesome to be a fashion merchandiser or buyer - though I have no classical training in this field whatsoever. And on the third imaginary hand, I would still love to work in the field of psychology, possibly as a family therapist. So basically my answer is, "I have no freaking clue." Try looking for that one in the classifieds!



Eight: What are 5 passions you have?

1. I am passionate about my family.
2. I am passionate about my home and making it "homey" and an inviting place for family and friends.
3. I am passionate about my friendships.
4. I am passionate about documenting our lives through pictures and written histories, like this blog.
5. I am passionate about learning about history, including my own.

Nine: List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

1. My dad has influenced me to work hard to support your family (not only financially but through actions as well), be frugal, and enjoy the small things in life.
2. My mom influenced me to follow my dreams, pursue my education, read, and put your children first.
3. Harry has influenced me to never settle for less than you deserve.
4. Samantha and Michael have influenced/taught me what unconditional love is.
5. Mrs. Kelly influenced me to never stop learning. Also, to play nice with others.
6. Professor K influenced me to have a "just in case" file - also to remember that every day above the ground is better than being under it. (She was my professor in my "Sociology of Death and Dying" class, in case you were wondering).
7. People reading this blog have influenced me to keep writing it.
8. Bella influenced me to put a border fence up around the garden. Bella is one of my dogs.
9. All of my friends influence me to be a better person, while always being myself.
10. The Homeowners Association influences me (and Harry) to cut our yard and weed the flower bed.

Ten: Describe your most embarrassing moment.


Um, yeah, that's probably gonna be the banana-peel slip whilst in the middle of a kick line at state cheerleading. Yes, the one you read about in Three, Four. Yes, I do have it on videotape. No, you may not see it.




Eleven: Describe 10 pet peeves you have.

1. People who don't signal while driving
2. Poor grammar and also the use of "text" lingo in actual letters and/or emails
3. Tampon commercials
4. I HATE when people misspell things to be cute. Example: daycares called Kids' Korner. Yeah, I'm not sending a kid somewhere that can't even spell it's own name. It's not cute. It's stupid.
5. When the weather forecast is wrong - I'm looking at you, Weather Channel!
6. People who don't leash their dogs
7. Generic brand Cheetos or Doritos
8. People who interrupt my Desperate Housewives time, although that has apparently come to an end...
9. Couples that share Facebook or email accounts and/or cell phones (even when they have their own cell phones)
10. People who can't figure out a 4-way stop

By the way, I asked Harry to help me out with "Eleven" and he said, "most of your pet peeves have to do with traffic, weather, and grammar." He knows me all too well...

Five.

Day 5: What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

1. My family: Harry, Samantha, Michael
2. My puppies
3. The killer new shoes I just bought
4. The fact that summer is almost here
5. The promise of a bright future