random dozen: november 11th

[bookstorebetty]

1. 
   What was the last song you listened to? I can't think of any specific song I've listened to recently but I've had all the music from the Veggie Tales: Saint Nicholas DVD stuck in my head. Specifically Mr. Lunt's Doggies for Donuts song and "Give Christmas Away" by Amy Grant and Matthew West.
2. Have you ever had “buyer’s remorse” over anything? I'm sure there have been many things. The bookshelf in our bedroom was so tedious to put up (and such low quality in general) that I know my husband regrets buying it. Ditto for a lot of the Chefmate kitchen supplies we've bough and regretted.
   
3. What is something in your life that you are thankful for now that you didn’t think you would be at the time of the event? (Something that seemed ill-timed, inconvenient or hurtful which turned out to be a good thing) That's pretty much the story of my life, truth be told. Getting pregnant with my first son, at first, seemed like oh my god what am I going to do, but it's turned into the best thing that ever happened to me. Dan losing his job last spring was awful but the job he got next has been amazing, our new health care has been incredible and our new home, despite being far away from friends and loved ones, is pretty terrific.
4. Do you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade every year? If so, do you have a favorite float or balloon? To be honest, no. I know my grandmother puts it on the tv sometimes but none of us ever really sat and watched it (at least I didn't). Sometimes I think, "Oh maybe this year I'll watch it," but it hasn't happened yet.
   
5. Share a quote, scripture, poem or lyric which has been an inspiration to you lately. "A great marriage isn't when the perfect couple comes together. It's when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences" - Dave Meurer
6. This is meant to be a fun question, and this is a G-rated blog, but please share a “guilty pleasure,” something that you enjoy that’s probably not the most edifying, time-worthy or healthy thing you could be indulging in. Did I mention this blog is rated G? My love of young adult and middle reader books could definitely be considered a guilty pleasure. You know it's usually not exactly classic literature but I love it. Ditto with some cheesy shows that I watch just for me like The Vampire Diaries or America's Next Top Model. And of course then there is junk food... like I frequently indulge in a root beer float after a long day.
   
7. What Thanksgiving food are you looking forward to? I'm not really sure what thanksgiving foods we'll be having. To begin with, there are only the three of us so I don't really feel like cooking a feast as none of us need that much food. And now we've decided to go Vegetarian (though we are still eating fish) so I'm not sure what that leaves us with. Sure we could still have side dishes and dessert, but without extended family and all that, it seems a bit... indulgent. I thought about having us go out to eat but without a classic Turkey Day meal being the goal, we could go anywhere.... I guess I'll probably be seeking out a pie of some sort no matter what happens.
   
8. What is your favorite book to read to children, or what was your favorite childhood book? There are many, many books I like to read to my kids. These days Where The Wild Things Are has been in top rotation but we also love reading Grumpy Frumpy, Happy Snappy and Curious George books and the Berenstain Bears and...
   
9. Do you collect anything? (Feel free to post a photo.) I have a small angel collection that I started about two years ago. Despite not being overly religious I have a thing for angels - very comforting I think. I also, clearly, collect books as our apartment is overrun with them even though we donated like half our books before moving here.
10. Gift bags or wrapping paper? Definitely both and I'm always changing my mind about what style I want. Last year I bought rolls of Kraft paper and did all the presents in that which I thought was really pretty. I also like the idea of using something that can be used again like a cloth bag.
    
11. Share an after-school memory from when you were younger. What was your routine like on an average day? I was a latch key kid so I often came home and hung out by my lonesome. There were times when I would go straight to my dad's office or for a couple years he remarried briefly and so there would be her and her daughter, but usually it was just me. I was a pretty good kid so I rarely got into trouble because of it. I probably just went home and read all day. Now when I was a teenager... the rules changed - haha because then I found fun new ways to make mischief.
    
12. True story: Once, in a job interview, I was asked this question and told there would be no clarifying; I simply had to answer the question: “When you’re fishing, do you feel for the fish?” So what about you? Do you feel for the fish?? I definitely feel for the fish. I was always kind of happy when I didn't catch anything. I didn't even like the idea of live bait - how gruesome!