Old School Blogging: Valentine's Day Style!

For some reason this year Valentine's Day seems to be the holiday that never ends.  I guess it's mainly because of the weather we had.  We were completely snowed in on Thursday and Friday of last week.  The kids had to postpone their holiday parties at school.  Frances and Henry had theirs on Monday, but Ben's isn't until today.  On Tuesday, Lisa and I shared a ton of love with our #TuesdayTen linkup of our favorite blogs. Today I thought I'd try out some "Old School Blogging" with these Valentine's Day themed questions from Miss Elaine-ous and Tamara.

How do you typically celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Valentine's Day at our house is more about the kids really.  They make their Valentine cards for their classmates and teachers.  They collect candy at school and make crafts for us.  Ken and I don't go all out for the holiday, which is perfectly fine with me. 

Do you like to get A)chocolates B) flowers  C) a sweet card or D) ALL OF THE ABOVE?
I would not say "no" to any of them, but handwritten cards mean the most.  Plus, those I get to keep forever, where flowers are gone after a few days and chocolates...those last a few hours.

Would you consider yourself a “cuddler”?  If not, would you at least cuddle on Valentine’s Day?  
I can be a cuddler sometimes.  My boys like sitting on my lap in the evenings, but that might such be because I always claim prime real estate on the couch.  Ken and I like to sit together to watch TV after the kids go to bed.  We sit together then, most of the time.  I honestly can't sleep with people touching me though.

What is your favorite movie about love or with a love story?  
I love The Princess Bride.  In some ways the story is silly, but overall I just love it!!
 

Do you believe in “love at first sight”?  Did it happen to you?  
I feel like an old fuddy duddy saying this, but I don't really believe in it.  I think you can like someone right away, and maybe you know that the person you just met is someone you want to spend a good deal of time with, but love is so much more than that.  I don't think it's instant. It takes work. Needless to say, Ken and I did not fall in love at first sight. We were friends for three or four years before we started dating and we dated for five years before we got married.

What is one of the main things you love about your S.O.(significant other)?   
I love Ken's sense of humor.  We like to laugh together. We have lots of inside jokes that get passed back and forth between us.  And it's great to see the kids picking up on his sense of humor.

Do you believe love can conquer all things?
I think that with love you can do a lot.


If you could have the perfect Valentine date what would you and your loved one do?
The perfect date for us would probably be a nice dinner and maybe a movie (if I can stay awake that long!) If it isn't February, I could go for a hike and a picnic.

Tell me about your first crush!  
His name was Blake.  He was in my Kindergarten class.  He had blond hair, blue eyes and dimples.  We kissed under the table at lunch one day.  

Do you have any embarrassing or horror dating stories? 
I don't know if it counts as a dating horror story, since I didn't actually know it was a date.  Or maybe that qualifies it!  Anyway, A guy friend of mine asked me out for lunch. We went to an Applebee's.  We were talking and laughing and I took a drink of my Dr. Pepper.  When I set it down, I missed the table and put the glass on the edge of my plate.  It tipped forward and spilled Dr. Pepper all over the table and some on him.  We laughed about it, but it was quite embarrassing!

Favorite flower?
I am partial to daisies, but honestly right now these are my favorites!

What’s the first type of chocolate you hope for when you reach into a box of chocolates?   
I like the caramels.  I don't like anything with a fruity filling or coconut.  I also don't care for plain chocolate without something else to break up the taste.

Favorite love song?
I'm not good with naming songs! I sing along to everything and never know the names to anything!!

What is the best breakup song? 
See above

Favorite celebrity couple? 
I'm not sure I can answer this, because they'll probably have broken up by the time I post this.  I don't follow celebrities enough to have a favorite, honestly!

Overall, are you pro- or anti- Valentine’s Day? 
I am anti-hype.  I hate the pressure that people feel to be with someone on this random day of the year. I hate the thought o getting a gift just because the calendar says so.  But I do love love.  I like the idea of kids exchanging sweet notes with each other and taking the time to tell people you care.  I guess I'm wishy-washy on the topic.

If someone did that “Say Anything” boombox thing outside your window, would you be into it, or call the police? 
I would probably have to call the police, because there is no way Ken would ever do something like that and I wouldn't want it done by anyone else but him.

First thing you notice about the objects of your affection? 
Smile?   I think that's the first thing I notice about most people.  Not whether you have a nice smile, but just whether you tend to smile at all.  I try not to spend time around grumpy people, so people who spontaneously smile are my kind of people!

What’s the best thing you’ve ever gotten for Valentine’s Day?
Hugs and kisses from my family!

Christmas Tag

Nicole tagged me for a fun Christmas post.  I'm probably late, but I was celebrating other things last week, so I couldn't get to this.  This meme comes along with some Christmas-related questions to answer and then I'm supposed to tag some friends.  Since I'm so late, I'll just go ahead and tag anyone who reads this and wants to play along!

1.       What do you love the most about Christmas time? 

I love the Christmas spirit. Everyone seems kinder and happier around this time of year. People think of others, donate time and money to the less fortunate, and buy each other gifts.  I wish we could treat each other that way all year round (except for all the gift buying; I'd be broke pretty quickly!!)

2.       Do you celebrate the holiday in style or is Bah-Humbug for you?  I am not at all a Bah Humbug type of person. I love decorating the tree and house, baking cookies, spending extra time with my family.  

3. Are you leaving anything out for Santa Claus this year so he remembers to leave your presents? Santa usually gets cookies.  The thing that changes is who makes the cookies. This year I should have time to do some baking with the kids. We have a special little plate we leave cookies on with a mug of milk.
 
4.       What is the one gift you are most looking forward to GIVING? {It can be to your kids, another family member, etc – remember to be discreet if they read your blog!} I can't really answer this because I'm not sure who will read it! I made some nice pictures that I am excited to give. I'm hoping they go over well!!

5.       What is your all-time favorite Christmas movie?
I love the Polar Express!  The story is classic and there is just something about the animation that seems so real.  There were a few summers where it was offered as a free movie at our local theater and I got cold watching it!!
  

6.       What is your all-time favorite Christmas song? I love the song "Mary Did You Know."  It never fails to make me cry!!

7.       If given the opportunity would you participate in an “Ugly Sweater” party and what sweater would you wear?  Peruse one on the internet or even in your own closet and show us!
I have a great sweater vest with Christmas trees, along with bells, sequins and all that great, tacky stuff!  I don't ever actually wear it, but if it was required for a party, I'd be ready! I can't get to a picture of it right now!

8.       Have you started any Christmas traditions this year that you plan on carrying forward?
I got the kids new pajamas this year.  I think we might open those on Christmas Eve. I've seen a lot of people mention that, but we've never done it before.

9.       It’s Christmas morning … what does it look like outside where you live?
Here in Virginia it's a toss up! There are some years we've had lots of snow.  This year the forecast is calling for sunny 40 degree weather.

10.   You just found yourself standing under the mistletoe … who comes up to give you a kiss first? I'd likely be attacked!  The kids love mistletoe!  And they love giving kisses.  Especially when there is a challenge involved.  Ken would probably get there first, though. He's taller and can reach me better!

Ask Away Friday with Mommy A to Z

It's time for another #AskAwayFriday!!  This week I teamed up with Gracielle over at Mommy A to Z.  Gracielle is a mom of two adorable little kiddos. She's also a wife and full time career woman.  She does lots of DIY projects and has a great fashion sense. You can read my answers to the questions she asked me below, and then go head over to her blog to see how she answered my questions!

1.  What is on your Christmas Wish List this year?

There are a few things that I would really like to have...an immersion blender for making creamy soups.  Some new bath mats for the bathroom. Room darkening blinds for the living room.  Maybe some new clothes for Zumba.

2.  I 100% agree with the list of things NOT to get your kids for Christmas (or birthdays or EVER) that you posted on Margarita Mommies.  What are you planning on getting them this year?

I honestly haven't really started with presents this year. I typically try to get the kids "something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read."  The boys always seem to want cars or trucks.  They also like dress up clothes. The book part is easy because they all love books

3.  What is your go-to easy dinner during a busy week night?
You mean every night!?!  LOL! Actually, Ken usually cooks Tuesday and Thursday nights. Friday is pizza night, so I usually only have to worry about Monday and Wednesday.  If I've got nothing planned, I usually go with a quiche, fritatta or quesadillas.

4. You and your husband met in high school (though attended different ones), dated through college, and have been married for 12 years! Congrats!!  I share the same exact story with my husband, but we've only been married for 5 years so I'm 7 years right behind ya! What's your and Ken's secret to a happy marriage?
Hmmm...I don't know if there's really a secret. We've certainly had our ups and downs, but we are both committed to making this thing work, so we do.  Divorce has never been on the table as an option so that forces us to look for other options and solutions.

5.  You've been blogging since 2007 - why did you start and what keeps you going?

I'm laughing right now because I asked you the same exact question and I hadn't peeked at these yet!!  I started because I used to read other people's blogs and I thought, "I could do that!"  I keep it up because of the awesome friendships I've made and the great opportunities I've had.

6.  Mrs. AOK asked me this question for my first Ask Away Friday and I thought it was so fun so I'm stealing it:  What's in your purse right now?

Joke's on you!! I don't have a purse, really!! I have a little wallet that holds my phone, credit cards and IDs that I carry like a purse, but it literally can't hold anything else besides those things I mentioned.  The purse I used to carry had practically everything but the kitchen sink and I got so tired of lugging it around that I just quit!

7.  What is your favorite winter accessory?

A few years ago my brother bought me a scarf for Christmas and I laughed because I didn't think I was a scarf person. Then I wore it to be polite and I loved it! I have quite a few now that I enjoy wearing on a regular basis.

8.  I'm a working mom, too! I'm curious to know - what is your occupation?

I work as an office administrator at a local college. I am in the school of education in a library/technology center, so I've combined a lot of things I've always enjoyed (teaching, technology and books) and surrounded myself with them. I love my job!!

9. Three kids, a job, and a blog?! When you find time for yourself, what do you like to do?

I'll let you know if I ever find any time to myself!  LOL!  Actually, I enjoy reading and doing projects. I have just picked up a scarf that I started knitting about 3 years ago. We'll see how far I get this time!

10.  I loved reading your bucket list!  Is there any particular reason why you want to go to the Galapagos Islands? 

I love the variety of animals that they have there, but specifically because I love penguins and warm weather and the Galápagos Islands would get me both!

Old School Blogging

The Old School blogging meme was started by Elaine at The Miss Elaine-ous Life and Heather at Theta Mom. Their questions for this month are in bold.

How did your husband pop the big question?
It was our 5-year dating anniversary.  I had the feeling that he was going to ask, so I was kinda excited that day.  Then he didn't ask, so I was trying not to be upset. Actually, that's a lie. I was annoyed.  And by late that evening I was bordering on pissed (not proud of that, btw).  Anyway, late that evening I was on the couch pouting.  He came over on one knee and popped the question.   I was very excited and called my family right away.  Later he told me that he had wanted to ask earlier in the day, but I seemed upset about something.  HA!!

What are the three most surprising things about married life?
Three surprising things about married life?  1-It's exciting (sometimes) 2-It's boring (sometimes) 3-It's worth it (all the time)

How did you find out you were pregnant for the first time?
I was teaching at the time. It was my first year and things were stressful.  Things haven't ever been regular for me, if you know what I mean, so when I started feeling queasy and sick to my stomach I thought I had a stomach virus.  When it continued for another week I thought maybe I was dying.  Then we went out for dinner on Ken's birthday and in the middle of eating, something dawned on me.  I asked him to stop at the store for a test on the way home and sure enough-there were those two blue lines! Pretty good birthday present for him, huh?

How did you choose your baby’s first name?
Frances is named after both of my grandmothers.  My maternal grandmother died in February of 2001 and my paternal grandmother died in May.  Ken and I got married that year and we honored both of them with flower arrangements at our wedding.  Since I was teaching while I was pregnant, I knew I didn't want a common or popular name for my child.  I didn't want bad or annoying associations from a kid of the same name to carry over to my own child.  My mom's mom was named Frances (It's my mom's middle name too) and my dad's mom went by Jane.  I thought Frances Jane had a nice ring to it.  Incidentally, we never had any medical confirmation that she was going to be a girl, I just *knew* it and we only had a girl name picked out. 

After I typed that I re-read the question (because I was a teacher and all...) and noticed that I told you a story about my first baby's name instead of the other way around.  Oh well, I'm leavin' it!

Describe where you see yourself 10 years from now.
Ten years from now I will have three teenagers. I hope that my living arrangements will not involved padded cells or bars on the windows. Check back for updates!!

Describe how you find bliss either by using words or images.
Bliss! Such a wonderful word.  I like listening to music. I like being outside on a hot, sunny day with a nice breeze.  I also like cuddling my babies and kissing their heads.

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How about you, dear readers? How would you answer any of the questions above? If you have a blog, consider yourself tagged to join in the fun! If you do go old school, remember to tweet your post with the hashtag #OSBlog.