Television Survey

I'm not ashamed that I like wathcing TV. After my Kitchen Aid, my DVR is my most treaured household appliance. I don't schedule my life around television shows, but I think people who act all superior because they don't do anything as plebian as watching television are gits and they can kiss my grits. ;D

Now for a fun TV survey, sent to me by my friend Kellie!

Name a TV show series in which you have seen every episode at least twice:
Firefly (It helps that there are only 13 episodes. But what great episodes they are!)
Gavin and Stacey- a Brit com that is just brilliant. I can't wait for the final series to start showing on BBCA. (And when will they release the second series and Christmas special on DVD??)

Name a (current) show you can't miss:
The Big Bang Theory- It starts of my week with laughter and geekery.

Name an actor that would make you more inclined to watch a show:
Nathan Fillion- He's the reason I checked out (and love!) Castle.

Name an actor who would make you less likely to watch a show:
Sarah Michelle Gellar- She just grates on my nerves SO MUCH. I'd probably like Buffy if it weren't for her.

Name a show you can, and do, quote from.
Firefly, Top Gear, How I Met Your Mother, Gavin and Stacey

Name a show you like that no one else enjoys:
Hmmm...Maybe Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives? Guy Fieri is a terrible host, and I don;t watch any of his other shows, but the places he visits on DDD usually are interesting and the food almost always looks good.

Name a TV show which you've been known to sing the theme song:
The Big Bang Theory (It's Barenaked Ladies! It's catchy!)

Name a show you would recommend everyone to watch:
Castle- Nathan Fillion is sweet and chraming as a writer who shadows an NYPD Detective names Kate Beckett. She's the muse for his latest crime series. Their unresolved sexual tension is through the roof! The show is funny and charming and the mysteries are never too heavy.

Name a TV series you own:
Friday Night Lights

What is your favourite episode of your favourite series?
Urgh. So hard to pick!! Probably "State" from Season One of Friday Night Lights (I still cry every. single. time. I watch it) or "Out of Gas" from Firefly. And I love, love, love the Gavin and Stacey pilot.

A show you mean to watch, but you just haven't gotten around to yet:
Veronica Mars, Glee

Ever quit watching a show because it was so bad?
Grey's Anatomy. No one on the show is allowed to be happy, and I can't deal with that much dysfunction so late in the week.

Name a show you aren't interested in watching, not in the least:
24

Name a show that's made you cry multiple times:
Friday Night Lights. I've cried at some part during every episode. This show is amazing, amazing, amazing. I've also cried more than once at Doctor Who.

What was the first TV show you were obsessed with?
The Young Riders

How often do you watch TV?
Every day of the week.

Which do you think is the best TV series ever made?
Friday Night Lights is so good and it doesn't get the recognition it deserves. As far as comedies go, I think 30 Rock is as good as it gets. Tina Fey is a genius.

Soothing the savage beast...

I was tagged for the survey by my friend Sara, and since I'm trying to avoid a massive pile of laundry I figured I'd jump all over it. :P

Once you have been tagged, you are supposed to write down 25/30 songs you cannot live without. You know, the ones you can listen to over and over and never get tired of. They don't have to be in any particular order. These are the songs that make you laugh, cry, think of an old friend, whatever the reason.

1. With or Without You - U2
2. Elevator Love Letter - Stars
3. 59th Street Bridge Song - Simon and Garfunkel
4. Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival
5. The Way You Look Tonight - Tony Bennett
6. Wicked Game - Chris Isaak
7. Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac
8. Fields of Gold - Sting
9. I'll Fly Away - Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch
10. Fools Rush In - Elvis Presley
11. Come On Get Higher - Matt Nathanson
12. Love Me do - The Beatles
13. Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around The World - U2
14. Daughter - Loudon Wainwright III
15. If I Had a $1,000,00 - Barenaked Ladies
16. Heart of the Matter- Don Henley
17. Gotta Have You - The Weepies
18. The Sweetest Thing - U2
19. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
20. Wonderwall - Oasis
21. By Your Side - Sade
22. Photograph - Def Leppard
23. Yellow - Coldplay
24. Regret - New Order
25. One - U2
26. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
27. Birdhouse in Your Soul - They Might Be Giants
28. Easy Silence - Dixie Chicks
29. I'm On Fire - Bruce Springsteen
30. Whatever It Is - Ben Lee


1. With or Without You: Of *course* U2 is going to be at the top of the list. I CANNOT WAIT to hear this song in person in October. Do you know what thought? I was talking to 15 year old girl the other day, and she had didn't know who U2 was! SHE HAD NEVER HEARD THIS SONG. What is this generation coming to??!!?!??!?
2. Elevator Love Letter: Even though this song isn't exactly happy, I've loved it ever since I heard it for the first time.
3. 59th Street Bridge Song: You can't listen to this song and not be happy. It's impossible.
4. Bad Moon Rising: This song reminds me of my dad.
5. The Way You Look Tonight: It's a classic.
6. Wicked Game: I wonder if this song would have been as popular without the classic video?? At any rate, it's a downright sexy song.
7. Everywhere: Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie kill the harmonies. Amazing.
8. Fields of Gold: Sting at his best
9. I'll Fly Away: Anothing song with amazing harmonies.
10. Fools Rush In: James says this is "our song".
11. Come On Get Higher: Let me tell you how obsessed I have been with this song this summer. TOTALLY OBSESSED. It's the ultimate sexytime song. GUH GUH GUH
12. Love Me do: This was the first Beatles song I really loved
13. Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around The World: This U2 song is a gem that is underappreciated.
14. Daughter: The girls play this on iTunes all the time. I love that it has meaning for them.
15. If I Had a $1,000,00: This is probably our family's "theme song". We love it so much we took the name of our family blog from it.
16. Heart of the Matter: Longing and regret and missed opportunities
17. Gotta Have You: Another duo with lovely harmonies
18. The Sweetest Thing: I love that Bono wrote this for his wife Ali as an apology for missing her birthday.
19. Sweet Home Alabama: You can't be from the south and not love this song. It's in our DNA.
20. Wonderwall: I couldn't decide between the Oasis and the Ryan Adams version. In the end Oasis wins, just because the idea of Liam or Noel Gallagher being devoted enough to someone to write this song is a miracle in and of itself.
21. By Your Side: Dude. It's Sade. 'Nuff said.
22. Photograph: It's bombastic and over the top and I love it.
23. Yellow: I'm now realizing this list is heavy on the slow emotional jams. :P
24. Regret: I literally can not NOT dance when this song comes up on iTunes.
25. One: This song is genius. Pure genius. I didn't appreciate it until I got older.
26. Here Comes the Sun: George Harrison doesn't get enough credit for his contributions
27. Birdhouse in Your Soul: Another "family" song. I love to hear Isabella sing it.
28. Easy Silence: Natalie Maines kills it.
29. I'm On Fire: I like Bruce, and I can appreciate his contribution to music and all that, but his music isn't really my thing. That being said, I love this song.
30. Whatever It Is: A new favorite that will stick around for a very long time.

I'm going to tag Gawdun, Tahmi, Travis, Jed and Lora.

Did you miss me or something??

Golly! A girl can't even have multiple car repairs, a broken tooth and eight relatives visiting for three days without people missing her! ;)

I've responded to everyone who left a note on my last post, so check those comments. Remember, though, that YOU are supposed to elaborate on the five things I gave you on your OWN blog! It's part of the fun, so don't be a party pooper!

Speaking of party poopers, here's a conversation from this past weekend:

Isabella: "Why do we have to leave now? We're having so much fun!"

James: "I know. I'm just a big party pooper."

Isabella: "Why do you have to be like that?"

Madeline: "It's because of his dietary habits."

Ba dum dum! She'll be here all week, folks!

Books, books and more books

A friend sent me this survey. It made me laugh and laugh as I was filling it out. It's a survey about "Books as Ex-Boyfriends". It's a little on the salty side a times (let's give it a PG rating), but it's quirky fun, I think.

The one who seduced you and messed you up and broke your heart in a million pieces and laughed about it:
That would be the Outlander series. Oh man. I got half-way through the second book before I called it quits. Just...no. I loved the premise, but there was a scene that pushed my squick meter to 11, and if it hadn't occurred 550+ pages into a 600 page book, I probably would have stopped reading.

The old flame you don't see very often any more but whom you still really enjoy getting together with for a few drinks:
Anything by Rosamunde Pilcher. I don't re-read her books all that often anymore, but every once in awhile I'll go through The Shell Seekers, September and Coming Home all in a week. And it's always so satisfying!

The mysterious dark gothy one whom you used to sit up with talking until 3 a.m. at weird coffee houses and with whom you were quite smitten until you realized he really was crazy:
1984- Man, I probably read that book at least a hundred times while I was in high school. It's still a classic, but reading it over and over again cannot be good for your head. :P

The one you spent a whole weekend with and who drank up all your liquor, and whom you'd still really like to see again although you're relieved he doesn't actually live in town:
Twilight. I literally spent two days in bed reading the first two. I liked the third and I was (somewhat) satisfied with the final book, but I'm really, really glad the hype has died down. I don't think I could take much more of the extreme "These are THE BEST BOOKS EVER!!11!1!1!" (they aren't) and the "These books are damaging to women and girls!!!111!!!" (they don't) opinions.

The steady:
Lucy Maud Montgomery. I never get tired of her books. Never, ever, ever. It's been a 20 year love affair, and I see it lasting till my dying day.

The alluring stranger whom you've flirted with at parties but have never gotten really serious with:
I'm embarrassed to day it, but, Jane Austen. I've read all of her books except Perusasion and Lady Susan. I enjoyed all of them immensely. I've just never re-read them. *blushes*

The one you hang out with and have vague fantasies about maybe having a thing with but ultimately you're just good buddies 'cause the friendship is there but the chemistry ain't:
Anything by Meg Cabot. I've read many of her books, and I own several, but I feel like I read them out of obligation sometimes. Avalon High keeps me reading her YA books, and Every Boy's Got One keeps me reading the adult books.

The one your friends keep introducing you to and who seems like a heck of a cool guy except it's never really gone anywhere:
Shannon Hale. I've read Austenland and Rapunzel's Revengebut that's it. I enjoyed it a lot, but I've never gotten around to reading anything else.

The one who's dated all your friends, and you keep looking at him and thinking, "Him? How the heck did he land all these cool babes?":
The Golden Compass. I just don't get the love. I got ten pages into the book and put it down and promptly forgot about it. I hoped seeing the movie back in December of last year would make me want to pick up the book again. Nope. Even my girls weren't impressed, and they usually love that type of movie and want to read the book.

The one your friend has fallen for like a ton of bricks and whom she keeps babbling to you about on the phone for hours, and you'd be happy for her except you just know it's going to end badly:
The Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire sereies- Eight books in and the author has been very hit-or-miss. Book Nine is due out in May, and I've already read the first chapter, and it didn't really impress me. I just don't have a lot of cofidence that Harris (the author) is going to find a satisfactory conclusion to her series.

The one you repeatedly cheat on your steady with:
Harry Potter. I re-read these books almost as often as I do my LMM books.

Taking the easy way out

Go to my profile. Look at my interests. Pick two and I'll tell you about them. :)

Heartwarming and Sweet? Creepy and Disturbing is More Like It!

Lora tagged me for the "Seven Random Facts About Me" Survey a few weeks ago.

1. I hate, hate HATE this book. It is incredibly creepy and disturbing, and I am immediatly suspicious of people who get all misty-eyed and weepy while talking about it. The writing is terrible and the illustrations are even worse. With all of the WONDERFUL books out there for children why a parent would subject their poor, innocent child to this tripe is beyond me.


2. While on the subject of things that creep me out, let me add to the list Conjoined Twins. Seriously scared. I was browsing through a coffee table book about twins the other day while at the library. Half-way through there was a picture and story about some conjoined twins, and I couldn't get away from the book fast enough.
Just...No.

3. I do most of the coding for my blog posts myself.

4. In the past year I have had email correspondence with Lois Lowry, Clay Travis and Amy Krause Rosenthal. I was also a featured reader on USA Today's Pop Candy Blog, and a featured caller on the November 11, 2007 episode of the Pop Candy Podcast.

5. I like the smell of Vicks Vapor Rub.

6. I hate basketball. Watching it, playing it, whatever. I hate it. (Sorry Tahmi!)

7. I think if you combined J.K. Rowling, Julie Andrews and Sheri Dew you would probably have the perfect woman.

Feh.

I'm in a bad mood. There was a time in my life when I used to actively try to get out of my bad moods, but not so much anymore. I prefer to accept that it will pass eventually (usually with the help of a good night's sleep. Or a Dr.Pepper. Or some chocolate) and instead wallow in snarky self-pity.

So if you ever need to tell someone off, or write a letter full of fiery indignation and keen wit, give James and call and ask him if I happen to be in a bad mood (he'll be more than happy to let you know) and I'll give you a hand.

In the meantime, here's one of those surveys that goes around so often. Unlike most of those surveys, this one is actually interesting and informative if you truly want to know about someone. (See what I mean about the snark?)

Twenty Questions Survey

1. How has blogging changed your life?
I've been blogging since 2004 over at Livejournal. I started an LJ to keep up with people I had met and friended through the Harry Potter fandom. (Yes, I'm an adult in the online HP fandom. I'm not embarrassed to admit it. :P) As a result, I've met (yes, in person) some amazing friends that I wouldn't have otherwise.

2. What do you do before bedtime?
Brush my teeth, go the bathroom, arrange my pillows, kiss James. Prior to all of that I might read, watch TV or do a Sudoku puzzle.

3.If you could do it all over, would you get married again?
Short answer: Yes.
Longer answer: Probably. I married young- too young, most people would say. I gave up opportunities for experiences that can only happen when you are young and unattached. Further more, I think it would have benefitted James to wait a little longer before he got married. I mainly wish that I had had enough confidence in our relationship to wait a little bit longer before accepting his proposal and then marrying him.

But I love my husband, and I'm very satisfied with my choice, and I'm who I am today because of the ramifications of that choice.

4. What is the city of your dreams and why?
There are so many places I want to visit, and that I *think* I would love to live (London, Paris, Salzburg, Oahu, Oslo). But I dream of moving back to Jacksonville someday. It still feels like home to me.

5. Are you an introvert or extrovert?
I'm an extroverted introvert. *grins* I'm gregarious and I genuinely like people. I also really, really enjoy speaking and/or performing in front of large groups of people. But I *LOVE* being alone. I've always preferred a small, intimate group of friends to a large group. I crave my alone time. Most of the time I like it just being myself, James and the girls.

6. Do you trust easily?
I don't like this question. I think it's stupid, but I'm to lazy to come up with one of my own. So my answer is maybe. Depends of the situation.

7. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?
Our financial situation. Not being able to travel (even short day trips/weekend jaunts) because of the price of gas taking up so much of our budget.

8. Is being tagged fun?
Of course! It means that people love you and you are way popular. (At least that's what I tell myself. :P)

9. What’s the last song that got stuck in your head?
Anything off my Summer 2008 soundtrack. Right now it's It'll All Work Out by Tom Petty, Elevator Love Letter by Stars and Over and Over Again by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, with a little bit of My Only Offer by Mates of State thrown in for good measure, all on a continual loop.

10. What is your best quality?
My sense of humor and keen wit. ;D

11. "If [you] had a million dollars" -- what would you do?
Pay bills. Travel. Fix up the DH's 1967 VW Bug. Try to be disciplined enough to invest it and live off the interest.

12. What's better to give or to receive?
I must be the only selfish person on my Flist because I think it's ten times better to recieve! Don't get me wrong- I love giving, too. But seriously, folks! ;D

13. What were your parents going to name you if you'd been born the opposite gender?
I don't know, actually. I know they considered Jeremiah for the brother born right after me (they went with David instead). I just called my mom, and she said they really didn't have a boy's name picked out. Good thing I was a girl, huh? (Note: I first did this survey on LJ back in June, and I did on fact call my mother then and ask her.)

14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
I love the both of them! I'm in awe of just how smart and talented Sannali is. And that red hair! SO JEALOUS. And Carre- well, I'll just say I want to be her when I grow up. I feel like I share a brain with her sometimes (which probably isn't very flattering to her!).

15. What’s your favorite household appliance?
My washer and dryer. I cried when the DH and I were able to afford to buy our own after 2 1/2 years of marriage.

16. What websites do you visit daily?
LJ, Yahoo!Mail, Facebook, Pop Candy, Goodreads

17. What are you eating for dinner tomorrow night?
Don't know for sure yet. Possibly Poppy Seed Chicken casserole and salad.

18. Name a book character you’ve crushed on.
Gilbert Blythe. Almanzo Wilder. Edward Cullen (So sue me!) Mark Darcy. Peter Wimsey. BUNTER! Rhett Butler. Bill Weasley. Martin Penderwick.


19. What do you like for breakfast?
Cereal and milk. My mom's french toast. Pancakes. Bacon, eggs, muffins, grits. I've never been a person who didn't eat breakfast. I absolutely must eat breakfast. Every other meal is optional.

20. How many questions did you change? Come on ‘fess up.
One-#17. I don't remember the original question.

I'm going to tag Tabitha, Tahmi, Katheryn, Kandice and Kristina.

What's the story, Morning Glory?

I wish I could say I haven't updated ye olde blog because I've been on a dream vacation because we are seriously, so blessed! (Follow the link for a laugh. Just don't be drinking anything while you read. ;D) But the honest truth is that I haven't updated because I've been busy. And lazy. I'm a dichotomy, I know. (Or is it a conundrum?) But Mom sent me an email saying I needed to update, and who am I to deny her the pleasure of looking in on the minutiae of my life???

Beckie tagged me for this awhile back, so I thought I'd go ahead and brighten her day by "keepin' it real". :P I had to take a picture of ten things AS THEY ARE. I'll confess- we picked up the house this morning, then went to the library, so everything is still in pretty good shape.

1. The Kitchen Sink

I am so grateful for my children, because they empty the dishwasher and put the clean dishes away, thereby allowing me to maintain a fairly cleaned out sink. Most of the time. You know how if your bed is made, then the rest of the bedroom looks (fairly) clean? That's how I feel about the sink. If it's clean, then most of the time you don't notice the floor hasn't been mopped in two months.


2. My Favorite Room

When it comes down to it, my favorite room is the kitchen. It's got food, the computer, iTunes, my scrapbooking/craft supplies and a great view of our getting more-lovely-by-the-month backyard. It's also the room where I spend the majority of my time.




3. What are the kids doing?

Sharp eyed readers will notice I have an extra kid right now! My niece Estella is staying with us. So far we've gone swimming (twice), gone out to breakfast, seen a movie (WALL-E, which is excellent, and everyone should see it), played in the rain, watched a ton of TV, played LPS and AG (Littlest Pet Shop and American Girl for those not in the know), gone to the library, and later today we are going to roller skating lessons. So if she tells her mom or dad she didn't have fun, SHE'S LYING!!! :P Anyway, right now they are all watching a movie in the playroom and eating Honey Buns which they talked me into buying for them yesterday.


4. My Laundry Pile

All of the clean laundry, waiting to be folded, on my bed.


5. My Fridge

I haven't bee grocery shopping in awhile, so it's usually more full than this. There are a lot of soft drinks in the fridge because it's summer, and our favrotie summer dessert are floats- Orange, Root Beet, Dr. Pepper - it's all good. I've decided it's not hard to be a happy person if you always have Root Beer in the fridge and vanilla ice cream in the freezer.


6. One Closet

This is mine and James' closet. It also doubles as his dresser and our linen closet. It's fairly organized, but I wish it was a little bigger. A few years ago James' OCD got the better of him and he organized my side of the closet by color. He's so sweet.

This is my side.


James' side.


7. A Toilet

It's no secret I don't like my bathroom. It's dark and dingy, and we call it The Pit of Dispair. It's the next thing on THE LIST to get a makeover.


8. My Favorite Shoes

I don't really have any favorite shoes right now, which makes me sad. But these are the shoes I wear most often. From L-R, My Reef Flip Flops (which make me feel like I could still join the pro surfing tour one day) my Rocket Dogs (which I get compliments on everytime I wear them to preschool- very big with the four to five yr old set), and my strappy black sandals, which are actually James' favorite. Make of that what you will.


9. Self Portrait

Self explanitory, right? Although I did get my hair cut recently. I like it most of the time, like today. But sometimes it gets a bit mullet-like. I think I'm going to have my stylist (hee!) take off a little more in the back before school starts.


10. My Dream Vacation

It was very hard to pick just one destination. But if I could ONLY travel to ONE other place outside the continental US ever, it would be the British Isles. England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It's got everything- rural areas, big cities, breathtaking scenery, history, beaches, mountains, shopping, good food, etc.


I'm now supposed to tag people. I'll tag Mom, Rich, Lora, Melissa and Aunt Carol. Don't you feel lucky?? :D

I Was Tagged!

The lovely Laura tagged me for this survey. (She is my sister-in-law, but we've never even met! How sad is that?? We need to rectify that situation, Laura! ;D)

How to play this game. Post these rules on your blog; List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names....

3 Joys
1. My family
2. A good book
3. Sitting at the beach with the sand between my toes and the wind in my hair, watching the waves

3 Fears
1. Conjoined Twins
2. Not being a good wife and mother
3. Clowns

3 Goals
1. Finish college
2. Travel to Europe and the British Isles
3. Hike at least part of the Applachian trail in all of the states it goes through

3 Current obsessions/collections
1. Working my way through Nigella Lawson and Ina Garten's cookbooks
2. British Entertainment: BBC Costume Dramas, Top Gear, The Vicar of Dibley, The Graham Norton Show, Absolutely Fabulous, North & South (No, not the one with Patrick Swayze. This one, featuring the extremely dreamy Richard Armitage. *swoons*), Robin Hood (also featuring Richard Armitage), etc.
3. Reading all of the books an my night stand and in my library pile.

3 Random surprising facts about myself
1. I sleep with a sleep mask. I think my eyes are permanently damaged from trying to sleep all those years with Dad's Christmas light display shining directly into our bedroom window. Thanks Dad!
2. I've worn glasses since I was ten. I've tried three different times to wear contacts, trying out the different options, and they never worked. I think I got this from my mom. Thanks, Mom!
3. I love going to the movies and discovering we're the only ones in the theatre. It makes me feel very special- likes it's our own private screening!

I am now tagging Stacey, Shauna, Helen, Vickie and Jed!

Play along!

It'll be fun! :P

Comment to this post and I will give you a letter. You will then post ten of your favourite things that begin with that letter.