200th post Q and A

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. I MAY EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

Wow! I feel popular and famous! So many good questions! So many good answers. Thanks to you all for helping me make my 200th post special!

Bryan asks:
Is it true that people from the south talker slower because they’re not as smart as northerners?
I agree with Wendi’s response. We just talk slower because we know it’s hard for you Northerners to digest it all. It’s really just us being considerate.

Are Mickey & Minnie Mouse bf & gf or brother & sister?
They are definitely bf & gf….eww at the thought of brother and sister. Have you seen the way they look at each other?

If you had to sleep with George Costanza or Jessica Alba, who would you pick?
Well, as long as it’s just sleeping, I would go with Jessica Alba…just sleeping though.

How long did it take your students to realize that you were pregnant?
Amazingly, they never did. And, I waited until I was 20 weeks to tell them. I say I have a good uterus because you really couldn’t tell then (and this is my second). But, to take any credit away from that, when I told my students I was pregnant with my first (in August, and she was born in October), one student asked if it was mine. Smart, right?

Tara asks:
what is the best thing about teaching, aside from the summers off?
That rare, I mean rare, moment when you see that light bulb go off and you know the kid finally got it.

what weird cravings have you had during this pregnancy?
I don’t really know of anything too weird. I did want a Greek salad really bad, but once I had it in front of me, I thought I was going to puke. I also crave margaritas (frozen with salt, please) when pregnant. That’s definitely a weird on.

where you do find your digital scrapbooking kits you use to design blogs?
I find various bits and pieces out there. Most of them I make myself. There are some excellent tutorials on youtube.

what does #1 think of being a big sister?
She doesn’t really have a thought on it at all. When asked if she is going to be a good big sister, she always says “yes” and she loves to kiss my belly. But, honestly, I don’t think she gets it.

I am trying to learn but what information did you find helpful?
When I wanted to figure something out, I just went searching for it. Sometimes I went through pages of google searches. Let me know if there is something specific. I also had 2 years of computer science in high school that helps me with the coding.

What names do you have picked out for the sequel?
You’ll have to wait until October for those.

Wendi asks:
If you could change one thing about your life what would it be and why?
Isn’t it bad to live with regret? Hmm….I wish that I would have never stopped going to church. I took a long hiatus in college, but now I’m back and ever thankful.

What are you hoping for…boy ot girl?
Well, I don’t know what “ot” means, but I’m going to assume you meant “or” (Love you, Wendi…just couldn’t resist). Well, I can look at it from lots of side, but I really want a healthy baby. A girl would be easier because we already have all things girl, but will be more expensive when it comes to prom and a wedding. A boy would be more expensive now, but hopefully, cheaper in the long run. I know that hubby really wants a boy, and I would love to be able to give him one. We’ll find out soon enough.

Tell us a little about how you and hubby met?
Well, we are high school sweethearts…from the same high school. We actually discovered that we went on the same field trip in 5th grade…so we must have met then. I think our “noticing” of each other blossomed in 11th grade when we had several classes together (even though we had some together previously). I told him I would go to his basketball game (he played for the school) if he would come to youth group at church with me, and the rest is history. We’ve been officially together since January 31, 1998!!!

Love at first sight or he took a while to grow on you?
I guess he had to grow on me (see above) because I never really noticed him until we started “flirting.” But heck, sometimes he still has to grow on me.

What is the best marital advice anyone ever gave you?
I don’t know if it was marital or parenting, but start every day new. Don’t hold a grudge.

How did you get into blog design and how long did it take? (Simply Shannon, Tara and Dana asked this one, too)
I started with my own blog and took some photoshop classes on line. One day, somebody asked me what I charged, and the rest is history:) I’m still learning. I try to find new stuff all the time.

Mrs. Newlywed asks:
How come you live freakin 30 minutes from me, and we aren’t friends in real life? I don’t bite, and I really love wine.
I thought we were friends….are you trying to tell me something? Probably because I don’t dress as good as you!!

Marla asks:
teaching chemistry… how much of the periodic chart can recount from memory 😉
Probably, too much! I don’t know all of the radioactive ones, but the main ones I know too well. Sometimes, I even know the atomic number and the mass. Okay, moving on, before I look like too much of a dork.

where did you go to college?
Undergrad-A small liberal arts college in central Texas with a large price tag.
Grad School for a Masters-Georgia Tech.

why chemistry…
Seriously, what the heck was I thinking? Really, I like math and science, and I liked science a little better. Then it was between biology and chemistry, and I did better in chemistry. Plus, you have to memorize stuff in biology!! Chemistry is all application.

were you a mad scientist as a child…
Maybe this is better suited for my mom. I don’t recall really being a mad scientist, but I did have a periodic table of the elements placemat. I made rock candy one time, too. Does that count?

Elaine A. asks:
Are you sharing names that you’ve picked out for the baby? If so, what are they?
Here’s the thing…my family read this, so no. We don’t want them to give us their opinions. They are both perfect, though. Here’s the only part I will tell….if it’s a boy, the middle name will be Robert. That’s a family name.

Where do you want to travel? With just your hus? With kids?< /span>
I have to admit, I’m not the greatest traveler. But, I would love to take the kids to England (the first time I went I was 7 months pregnant with #1) to see where their Gramps comes from. With just the hubby….that’s such a dream. Really just a night away anywhere would be good. I think I’d like to take him to San Fransisco and then tour some wineries in Napa.

If you had an entire day to yourself, what would you do with it?
Probably spend some time on the computer, get a mani and pedi, and a massage. Then, treat myself to a quiet lunch with a good drink.

Rick asks:
The big question… Why?
Why? Why did you ask such a silly question without elaboration? Why is the sky blue? Why is the grass green? The best answer I’ve got is BECAUSE!

Chelle asks:
What is your favorite magazine?
Well, I don’t subscribe to any, or regularly by them, but say, by chance, I come across one at the doctor’s office, I’m going to dig right into a People magazine.

What is your favorite drink? Alcoholic or non, doesn’t matter.
Can you call them a drink if they don’t have alcohol in them? Hands down, a frozen margarita with salt. That’s the only way they should be served! I have an order in to have one delivered to my post-partum room at the hospital.

Did you ever have to wear braces?
Nope, I didn’t. Which is why I have a huge gap in my two front teeth.

What is your favorite thing to do when you get “me time”?
See above: mani, pedi, massage, food.

What was your favorite cartoon as a kid?
Animaniacs. Loved that stuff.

MamaGeek asks:
You have a day off, alone, what DO YOU DO?
Such a popular question. Mani, pedi, massage, food (with a good drink)!

What DON’T you blog about?
Anything too personal. Nothing about the sex life. Nothing about fights (disagreements are fair game). No bank account numbers or ssns. I try to keep it silly and about me and my family, but without divulging everything.

Why do you rock SO MUCH?
I didn’t know that I did. But since you say I do, it’s because I work really, REALLY hard at it!

anglophilefootballfanatic.com asks:
I’ve always been curious why you live so far from home by choice?
We moved here for me to go to grad school, and we realized we loved it. This is home now. We are grown ups here, and sometimes it seems like when we go back, we are back to those high school kids that are just dating. I hope that makes sense.

And, what do YOU think baby #2 is?
I think it’s another girl…don’t tell hubby!

Kristen asks:
Favorite pair of shoes?
Probably a pair of flip flops that are ultra comfy. They actually have a hard sole (which is important when driving a car with a clutch). For date shoes, I have some with heels that actually don’t kill my feet.

What is the first thing you want to drink/eat after the baby is born?
To drink, a frozen margarita with salt…seriously. To eat, probably whatever they will put in my face. I remember I was STARVING after #1 was born and didn’t care what I ate (and usually, I’m sooooo picky).

If you could have a whole afternoon to yourself, what would you do and why?
I’ll answer the why part. I have a really hard time spending money on myself, so it has to be a day when I can really take it all it and enjoy it all. So while a mani/pedi and massage is super enjoyable, I don’t get a souvenir when I leave. Same thing with flowers. I really don’t like it when hubby spends money on them, because that is our money!!

Stephanie asks:
Do you think you’ll ever move back to Texas? If so, when? If not, why?
I really don’t know. I think unless Mr. Serious were to find a really good job that offers a ton more money, then probably not anytime soon. We really like it here. It’s cooler and it’s just a different south than Texas. But, Texas has the best Mexican food, hands down!!

How many children would you ideally like to have? (Andrea and Dana asked this, too).
We’ve always said 3. But, we’ve also said if this is a boy, it might be harder for us to go for #3. Which I sort of find amusing, because I think this is a girl, and I think the third would be, too, and then poor Mr. Serious would have so much estrogen around him, he might gray early.

What is the most romantic thing Mr. Serious has ever done for you?
I think it would have to be his proposal. He really surprised me. And there were candles EVERYWHERE and flowers and flower petals. And, he memorized a little speech. It was perfect. And, no kidding, my response was “Are you serious?” No joke!

Kori asks:
What is your favorite thing to do?
I don’t even know if I have a favorite. I enjoy spending time with my family (especially when a certain one is well rested and listens), and I like to hang out with friends and their families, too. Just BBQing or getting together at the park. Whatever gets us fellowshipping.

favorite color?
Blue.

favorite food?
Mexican. Which anybody that has known me for a couple years would be completely shocked. I used to loathe going to Mexican restaurants. Then, I worked in one, and tasted some good stuff, and I can’t go back! I just need them to open one in Atlanta and that would really make my day.

favorite flavor of ice cream?
All time favorite is coconut. I just love the stuff.

What names to do have picked out for the new baby?
Can’t tell you…have to kill you!

How did you come up with #1’s name?
We went through the alphabet one letter at a time and we each had to suggest a name. We were in Las Vegas for our anniversary when we settled on it and shook on it. We never waivered after that (although hubby sometimes thought we were going to name her Isabella)!
Favorite smell?
A clean baby all lathered up in lotion.

favorite flower?
Pink roses. Those are the hubby’s favorite to send me, too.

Oh and I need to know the color of your living room? Don’t ask just do.
Let’s see…the walls are mauve, but due for a change. Fortunately, they work with our fu
rniture that we have. Our furniture is all shades of taupe and green. All very neutral. I’m not a bold paint person. And, quite frankly, very indecisive, which is probably why we haven’t changed them…that and it’s a lot of work!

Emily (the famous, Aunt Emily, my loving sister) asks:
do you think izzy will be as vicious to her bro/sis as you were to yours?
Wow…I was vicious? That’s a little harsh. I think she will be the same loving big sister that I was. So what if it involves puting lime on a cut that I she caused with her fingernails or slamming your head in the kitchen door. At least you she didn’t throw a CD at her sibling’s head that stuck in the wall!

what’s so bad about living in texas?
Hmm…have to be the family…definitely the family! Actually, did we ever say it was bad? We just really like it here! What’s so bad about living in Atlanta?

is there a specific family member that you are trying to stay away from by being in atl?
Since you asked…we haven’t had the heart to tell you….no, silly. We just like it here.

why did papa bear tell david the baby names?
Because David is cool like that!

can i hurt him for that?
You can try, but remember, he is bigger than you.

do you plan on having them all 2 years apart?
No…daycare costs WAY too much!

what is your favorite memory of matt?
Most of these are times when I’ve embarrassed him. But, my favorite memory? Has to be a tie. The look on his face as I was walking down the aisle and the look on his face as he held his daughter for the first time. What do you think? (And, yes it says the 13th, I hadn’t changed the time on the camera for daylight savings time; she was born on the 14th).
what is your least favorite memory of matt?
What…there is no such thing! If there was, I would totally erase it from my memory! That’s the way it has to be!

Indy asks:
Anything silly that you are afraid of?
I really can’t think of anything. I’m not really afraid of heights or bugs, although I don’t like them. I don’t know if this is a fear, but I always worry about tripping or making a fool of myself in front of my students because I know they will never forget.

Rhea asks:
If Aliens landed in your backyard and wanted you to come back with them to their home planet for a week or two, what would you bring with you?
Rhea, you and these aliens!! I have to say that I don’t believe in them, but I will play along. Same idea as a deserted island, right? I would bring toiletries, a good book and my glasses. Probably pictures of my family and clothes, too.

If you could open and run any kind of restaurant anywhere, what kind of food would you serve, and where?
It would be a Chuy’s Tex-Mex restaurant. And, it would be in Atlanta so I could eat the delicious food whenever I wanted to. And, have a delicious Texas Martini (a top shelf margarita) on my whim!

If you could personally see one natural phenomenon that you have never seen, what would it be?
Hmmm…natural phenomenon. I think I would like to see a child (preferably, mine) growing in the womb from start to finish. I know they have those videos, but I want to see it in real life.

Robin asks:
What is your favorite recipe???
I’m going to go with something easy. I really love raspberry banana bread, and I already have that recipe on my blog here. It is so tasty and delicious and one of the few ways I enjoy bananas.

Grammy Staffy asks:
How much do you charge to design a blog?
I charge $35 for the whole deal: header, background, signature, column headers, and installation.

GoteeMan asks:
What is your most embarrassing moment ever? Bonus points if it’s more embarrassing than my most embarrassing moment… involves some friends finding something in the crack of my sofa…
If yours is funnier, I will tell you mine..
Hmm…something in the crack of your sofa? I’m going to guess it’s not a remote control or some change.

Well, I guess I’ll have to go with this one. Throughout high school, I was in drill team (dance team). While we were doing our routine out onto the field, we were doing a kick routine, and I lost my footing and totally fell on my butt. Not too many people noticed or knew who it was, but hubby, my then not even boyfriend was having a laugh during class about “the person that fell on the field.” I told him it was me, and he changed his composure. That must have been the start of a beautiful relationship.

Is that good enough for you to tell yours?

amanda asks:
is it still saturday?? hubby fed the babe this morning and i didn’t see the bib 🙂
Well, it was when you sent this. But now it’s Sunday that I am typing the answers and Monday now that you are reading this. Did you use the right bib?

favorite vacation you have ever taken?
Our honeymoon. We went to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. We didn’t have a care in the world. We ate when we wanted and drank when we wanted and slept when we wanted. We didn’t have to have any money, either, because it was all inclusive.

vacation someday you would like to take? (Dana asked this one, too)
Maybe we should go back there without the kiddos. Or Europe? Who knows. That seems so far off like I can’t even start dreaming about it, yet.

Dana asks:

I like it where we live. But, I’m open to trying new things. However, I don’t think I could do snow and ice.

Candy asks:
Have you ever written your heart out in a post, or deciding something that you posted was lame…and then DELETED IT?
Sure have. Mostly they are about the classroom and I’m worried about posting it…one time I had something about a family member that I’m pretty sure doesn’t read this, but just in case. I had to CYB.

Whew….fingers are tired. That was a lot of questions. I hope you learned a lot! Probably more than you ever wanted to know!!!! Thanks for the questions. It was fun.

Coming up soon…my favorite things swap pictures.