Answer Me This: June 1

Yes, yes, yes; I know I just titled this post June 1 even though I'm writing it on the 2nd, but since I usually do my AMT on Sundays, I'd rather not throw off the rhythm. I'm a day late, but not a dollar short, so here we go! This week's Answer Me This, linking up at catholicallyear.com!

1. Do you have a smart phone?
Oh thank goodness yes; used to be I didn't see the need for it; now I can't imagine being without it. Papa Bear got me an iPhone for my birthday back in 2011, and a few months later I got him one for an early Christmas gift. It is so wonderful being able to FaceTime whenever he is traveling for work, it really helps the kids not miss him so much since they can actually SEE him. We're also big fans of the AnyList app, which lets us share grocery lists and other to-do lists and see each other's updates virtually instantly. It's a bit of a joke with me that if events don't go into my iPhone calendar that they don't happen. And I must say I've grown quite accustomed to being able to check the radar or look up directions, phone numbers, etc when out running errands. I've also got a few apps for each of the kids, which I try not to overuse, but there are certainly times they come in handy!

2. Which is your favorite meal of the day?

I don't know that there's any one meal that is consistently my favorite each day. Generally speaking, my favorite meals are probably early dinners; ones where we're not rushed in our preparations but can rather enjoy our time together in the kitchen, and then can take our time dining and sharing the company of family and/or friends. A meal that starts early and runs into the night. Bonus points if the weather is nice and we can eat outside without being assailed by oppressive heat or persistent bugs. A table full of good food which has been lovingly prepared, and a gathering of those who care about each other, with the air full of the sounds of conversation and laughter. Just the thought of it makes my heart happy.

3. Shower or bath?

A shower as a matter of routine, since I don't have the ability to transfer in and out of a tub independently. But about every 3-4 months Papa Bear will help me in and out of the tub, and oh how I savor it! Soaking in the warm, the peacefulness, the solitude. Pure bliss, which I never fully appreciated until it became a special treat. 

4. Think of a person you love. How many days have you been in love with that person? (Don't worry, this site will do the math for you. And, hey, now you can order this card!)

 Dec 2003, not long after getting engaged

3,948 days...wow! that sounds so much bigger than 10, almost 11 years! Papa Bear and I had our first date on August 10, 2003, our second date the next day, our third date the day after that. And by the end of that third date on August 12, I knew he was "the one". I'd had a boyfriend in college who I dated for about four years. Spending so long with him, and having several guys who I'd been on just one or two dates with in between, I had a very firm idea of what I did/didn't want in a husband, what I could tolerate, and what was non-negotiable. The guys I dated in between were cut quickly because I could tell they didn't have everything I was looking for. After 72 hours, I knew Papa Bear had the complete package of everything I knew I wanted, and many things I didn't know I wanted until I met him. (After living in the north for many years, there was definitely something to be said for a chivalrous southern gentleman!) From our first date to the day we got engaged was only about 3 1/2 months! Anyone else I would have said they were crazy, but with him it was just...right. And still is.

5. What's the best church you've ever been inside?

Well, having traveled to France when I was 16, it's hard to compete with the Sacre Cour and Notre Dame. Stateside, though, I think I'd have to say St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh. 

When I was in college, living within walking distance of the Cathedral parish was definitely a treat. 

Many a prayer have I offered while gazing upon that altar.

And you've got to love a good pipe organ!

Note: all images from Google search, and I do not claim ownership of any of them!

6. Happy Feast of the Visitation! Has anyone ever come to help YOU?

More than I can count. We have been so blessed by people coming to our aid in various times of need. I think that's part of why Papa Bear and I both tend to be so service-minded. It's our way of giving thanks and repaying the generosity of all who have given help to us.

Answer Me This: May 18

Before I start on today's Answer Me This, I'd like to share a couple of pictures from yesterday afternoon. Earlier in the day we went to a graduation party for Fidget's Godmother, who graduated from college. Then in the afternoon Sunshine was playing outside while Fidget napped, and was complaining about the heat (get used to it kiddo!) and asking to play on the Slip-n-Slide. Papa Bear had to cut part of the back yard first once he got home, then he helped her set it up to play while he finished mowing. After awhile, and once he was finished, she decided that it wasn't exciting enough, and decided to relocate it. After turning the water off, disconnecting the hose, moving the Slip-n-Slide, and reconnecting everything, she finally got to do this:

From the swingset slide down onto the slip-n-slide!

She was so proud of coming up with the idea and executing it all on her own! I put some cotton balls in Fidget's ears and let him go out too, and he did play on the slip-n-slide a little bit, but mostly he had fun pushing his cozy coupe and toy 4-wheeler through the muddy water that collected in the low spot of the yard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now for this week's Answer Me This, linking up this week on Candles for Michaelmas!

1. What's the scariest thing that's ever been in your yard?

Snakes! As you can see from the above photo, our back yard backs up to a wooded area, some of which is still part of our property. Most of the things from the woods are innocent enough: a family of rabbits, an occasional pair of armadillos, and a possum once. But a couple of times the snakes have gotten brave; once while we were still building my parents came upon one in our kitchen, and when Sunshine was younger there was a snake on the back porch one late evening. Because it was dark, Papa Bear killed it before realizing it was a King Snake (non-venomous, and they help keep down pest populations), but in that case he had to act first then ask questions.

2. Beards. Thumbs up or thumbs down?

Not a big fan of a full beard, but I prefer when Papa Bear grows out a goatee. Sometimes for work he has to shave it down to just a mustache, and it just doesn't seem like him. A little on the chin definitely suits him.

3. If stuff breaks, can you fix it?

Quite often, yes, or I find someone who can. I hate how disposable our society has become. In my parents and grandparents' day, things were built to last. These days, you can often buy the latest and greatest for cheaper than you can repair your older model. Unfortunately, there's a lot of truth behind the saying "They don't make things like they used to!

4. What was your first car?

A 1994 Pontiac Bonneville. I inherited it from my mom when I moved back to Louisiana from 5 years living away at college. Because I attended a university in a major city with excellent public transportation, I never had a license the entire time I was in college. Unless I got an occasional ride with a friend, I pretty much walked or took the bus everywhere. I miss living that way; it certainly helped keep me fit!

5. How often do you eat out?

If you include pizza delivery or Papa Bear picking up takeout, maybe once a week? Actually in a restaurant is a lot less. We've been slacking a bit on the menu planning with so many appointments and Papa Bear working seven days a week right now, but with Fidget getting ready to start ABA therapy soon, we really need to tighten up the budget wherever we can. Since Papa Bear's company is headquartered in Florida, and they have laws mandating coverage for autism treatments, we know ABA will be covered with no limit on the number of visits, but I assume we'll be on the hook for copays? We have an appointment on Tuesday for an intake evaluation for an in-home ABA provider, so I assume I'll find out more then.

6. Why is your hair like that?

Because I'm not very adventurous with my hair and need a wash & wear style, so I really haven't changed my hairstyle in ages. Shoulder length with layers in the back, NO BANGS (I hated growing them out in middle school, so I haven't cut more in my hair or Sunshine's ever since), and often pulled back in a ponytail. Particularly at bedtime, I can't stand hair tangled around my neck. Sometimes I'll get a couple shades of highlights put over my natural base color, but I haven't done that in probably over a year. I might again soon though, my hair has definitely darkened as I aged, and I miss being able to call myself a blonde. I was always a dark blonde, now though I'm more of a light brown. I think this year, with everything we've dealt with so far, I need something a bit more fun for the summer!

Answer Me This: May 4

Since this is such a new blog and I might actually gain some readers who don't know me already, I thought it would be fun to participate in Answer Me This from catholicallyear.com!

1. Are you becoming your mother?

Quite a bit, and that's not at all a bad thing! My mom was a SAHM herself until I, the youngest of three, started high school. And even then she got a part time job to pay my tuition after I asked to go to parochial instead of public school. It was a house rule that none of us drove in high school, so she drove me around to school, scouts, swim team, band and choir practices and performances, even my part-time job junior and senior year. I actually have not yet taken the required driver training to drive with hand controls (yes, I know it's been nine years, but they've been complicated!), so she still drives me and now my kids around, but I'd like to think that our homeschooling gives me the time to talk to and really know my kids that my mom and I had when it was just us running around in the car. I remember telling my mom we were trying to conceive our first child, and her concern that I'd never finish college. I felt bad, but on later reflection realized I would be following after my mom, and if I can be as much of a patient, loving parent as her then that's not a bad path to follow!

2. Coffee or tea?

Coffee if it's all dressed up with flavored syrups or creamers. Otherwise tea. I have no idea how many mugs of after work hot tea I fixed for my dad over the years, and oh what I wouldn't give to fix him one now! (He just lost a year-long battle with esophageal cancer in late February.) So hot with milk and sugar, or cold with sugar and sometimes lemon - this is after all the south! My favorite beverages, though, are half sweet tea half lemonade, and Dr Pepper.

3. What foreign country would you like to visit?

I'm the granddaughter of immigrants, so I would love to visit Slovakia one day!

4. Do you cry easily?

Umm, yes indeed, and I've got the happy pills to prove it! Losing your Dad to cancer at the same time your son is being evaluated for autism is tough! Seriously, though, yes I do tend to be rather emotional. I don't think I've ever watched the beginning of Up or the end of Toy Story 3 without tearing up.

5. How often do you wear heels?

Almost never, and the ones I do are small heels. Wearing heels in a wheelchair is an acquired skill, and I've generally been more concerned with figuring out how to carry a baby at various ages, pick my babies up off the floor without falling out of the chair, etc.

6. Do you play an instrument?

Yes, flute and piccolo. Played all through middle and high school, and was in my university marching band both years I went there. I really should pull it back out from time to time; I'd be woefully out of practice!