"Labor" Day

Because I can't sleep.

This is the Labor Day meme over at Rocks in my Dryer today:

How long were your labors?

Kid #1: 6 hours.
Kid #2: 1.5 hours? I dunno, it was fast.
Kid #3: also under 2 hours.

How did you know you were in labor?

Kid #1: I knew I had to get to the hospital because I "couldn't do it any longer."
Kid #2: midwife broke my water.
Kid #3: midwife broke my water.

Where did you deliver?

All at the same WONDERFUL women's hospital in town. It's sort of like going to a spa and returning home with a baby. (Although, unfortunately, no pedicures in sight.)

Drugs?

Yes, please. Actually, with Madeline I was almost fully dilated before the anesthesiologist got to my room (see? fast) and I was almost denied my rightful epidural. Not a bright and shining moment for either me or my midwife. But we survived.

C-section?

No, thank heavens.

Who delivered?

With Drew, my regular midwife was on Christmas vacation, so he was delivered by another midwife in the practice, who I liked just as much. My regular midwife delivered both of the girls and I heart her.

Because my brain is mush

(I totally copied this from Boomama's, posted several weeks ago.)

What were you doing 10 years ago? I was settling into my new digs as a freshman in college. Let the party begin.

(No, I didn’t really party.)

(Like, ever.)

Favorite Snacks: chips n’ salsa or guacamole, those junky frosted sugar cookies from the bakery that really taste like cake, kettle peanuts, pink starbursts

To Do List: Yes, please, I love lists.

Yesterday my list consisted of the following:

1) Take Drew to preschool (actually Andy took him)
2) Play over at Nicky’s
3) Lunch
4) Naps
5) Sit on the couch and pretend I’ve nothing to do
6) That’s as far as I got

Today my list so far is:

1) Have Andy roll the trash bin down to the street
2) Sit on my bum and drink coffee
3) Feed Adelaide her oatmeal
4) Go to Sarah’s for a swim and picnic lunch

Jobs I Have Had: babysitting, salesgirl at the Limited Express during the Christmas rush and then ended up staying on, Frame stylist at LensCrafters, server at Chili’s, legal assistant at a lawfirm downtown (my “real” job), mama (my other “real” job), making retainers for Ethan (bah ha!)

Places I Have Lived: Born in Madrid, Spain; moved to D.C. when I was three months old; three years in Utah with a three-month stint in Vegas in the middle; Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas; Osan, Korea; Alamogordo, New Mexico; Alexandria, Virginia; Hampton Roads, VA; Las Vegas (three years of junior high); Layton, UT (high school); and then Lookout Mtn, GA for college. Also, a semester in the South of France my junior year. (When life was rough.) Since marriage, spent one year in the Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia. And now we’re back down South. Thankyouverymuch.

Bad Habits: Interrupting people (sometimes I don’t catch myself until it’s too late. I’m a work in progress, what can I say?), picking at things, procrastinating, worrying (I come by it honestly, right mom?)

5 Random Things People May Not Know: I competed in gymnastics when I was little, I love a good practical joke, I had a French minor in college that I never finished and no I don’t speak French, my mom made me take piano lessons and no I don’t play the piano, and I’m the only blue-eyed person in my little family (thank you dominant Andy genes)

CDs I would want if stranded on an island: I’m very insecure about telling the interpeeps my music selections because I’m married to a music snob and have deep music issues. So don’t judge (and no, this won’t be spiritual). S'Il Suffisait d'Aimer (A French Celine Dion CD my cousin Vangie gave me in college), SheDaisy, the Finding Neverland soundtrack because I heart it, and maybe something spiritual after all – a hymn cd like Fernando Ortega’s?

What I’d Do if I Were a Billionaire:

1) Wow that’s a huge tithe check, that’d be fun
2) Hire a maid
3) Pay off the house and other random debts
4) Actually I’d sell the house and get one with a craft-y room (with a strong lock) and more than one bathroom. And an actual playroom would be nice (instead of our living room. Ahem.)
5) Spread the love
6) Maybe do something splurgy like a family cruise? Okay, friends can come, too.
7) Renew my pass to the children’s museum and not wait 'till Christmas
8) Go see friends and family in far-off places. (Make sure I’m not flying alone with my three kids. Or if I am, I’m well-stocked in Benadryl. Just kidding. Sort of.)

You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Blog is About You...

(I swiped this from Jo-Lynne.)

Here are the rules for this meme:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
   
   
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

I can't wait to see your responses. Come on, be a sport and play along!

Andy, My Love

I got tagged for this (the month for memes, apparently) and thought it had some humor potential...

1. Who is your man? Andrew (Andy, Honey, Andramus)
2. How long have you been together? Married - 6 years
3. How long dated? Two and a half years?
4. How old is your man? 27 (yes, I'm a year older)
5. Who eats more? ha; no comment.
6. Who said “I love you” first? You know, I really can't remember. Most likely him.
7. Who is taller? He is. But I can come close with heels.
8. Who sings better? HA HA HA He was a voice major; definitely him.
9. Who is smarter? ME, DUH! No, I think we're each smarter in different ways.
10. Whose temper is worse? No comment.
11. Who does the laundry? Me. Me. Me.
12. Who takes out the garbage? We both do. He usually runs it over to the dumpster, though. That's what men are for, right?
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does - it's closer to the wall and I get ultra claustrophobic by the wall.
14. Who pays the bills? ME! We've tried him doing it and, well, that didn't work so well. People like to be paid on time. Who knew?
15. Who is better with the computer? I used to have a monopoly on all things computer but now with his job he uses it more. So now we're probably tied.
16. Who mows the lawn? Nobody; the school does all that. But at our Chattanooga house Andy did. He'd make me lather him up with tanning oil first but he'd probably shoot me for telling you that.
17. Who cooks dinner? Me. He can cook though, too. He has restaurant experience. And if he cooked every night we'd be poor from the grocery bill alone.
18. Who drives when you are together? Him.
19. Who pays when you go out? What kind of question is that?
20. Who is most stubborn? Me.
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? We've both gotten pretty good at that but if you asked him, he'd probably say that he is.
22. Whose parents do you see the most? Lately his, because they live 5 minutes from us. But before this year, my parents definitely.
23. Who kissed who first? I think it was mutual.
24. Who asked who out? I think he first asked me to a Choral Arts concert that he was singing in.
25. Who proposed? Andy, on the beach. It was deserted and windy and dark.
26. Who is more sensitive? Him.
27. Who has more friends? Me?
28. Who has more siblings? Me.
29. Who wears the pants in the family? My Big Fat Greek Wedding - The neck turns the head, remember? Er, I mean him.
30. How did you meet? My dearest college friend sort of wrangled up an introduction in the Great Hall of Covenant College. Over a cafeteria lunch. Romance, indeed.

Hey, feel free to play along and lemme know if you do.

Tagged.

I was tagged by Heather of Troy a week or so ago for this meme and since I haven’t done one in a while, here are seven more things you might not know about me:

1. I can’t stand lemon pie. Or any lemon dessert, for that matter. Or lemon cookies. Just the thought of lemon bars makes me a little nauseous. On the other hand, I love lemonade. I love lemon drops and lemon starbursts are my absolute favorite. Really, any lemon-flavored candy, I love.
2. Banana candy, though, I can’t handle. But I love banana crème pie. Does that make me contrary?
3. I’m thinking of getting my masters’ in editing. Anyone know a reputable program that's based online?
4. I’m going to be a bridesmaid (bridesmatron? That just sounds wrong.) for my cousin’s wedding in a week. The dresses are ‘pool,’ and ‘sunshine,’ how fun is that? Drew and Madeline are also in the wedding party. That should be interesting.
5. I’m loyal to brands. I blame my mother.
6. I was recently (as in two weeks ago) diagnosed with asthma, of all things.
7. I hate brushing other people’s teeth. Namely, little people who are 4 ¼, almost 3, and 13 mo.

Now I’d like to hear seven little known facts from:

1. The Dolly Mama.
2. My cousin Bryonie at Delights and Shadows.
3. Nicky at Being Bilingual.
4. Rebecca at View from the Prairie Box.
5. Pinkmommy.
6. Megan at FriedOkra.
7. Jonesville: Population 5 (really 6, now).

If you decide to participate, here are the rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share seven facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

I think this is hilarious because it really is my favorite

You Are Coffee Ice Cream

Energetic and lively, you are always on the go. You're doing a million things at once and doing them well. You tend to motivate others and raise spirits. You are most compatible with chocolate ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Food and Drink

1. How do you take your coffee? Freshly ground, if at all possible. Very strong, with half n' half and a splash of French Vanilla. And piping hot.

2. What is your restaurant genre of choice? Mexican. Love the chips and salsa.

3. If you had to eat the entire cake, what kind would it have to be? Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Or pineapple cake.

4. What kind of cook do you consider yourself to be (i.e. gourmet)? Homestyle.

5. Eggs for breakfast? Often. With a carb. And for dinner occasionally, too.

6. Are you an adventurous eater? All things in moderation. But especially no when it comes to fish.

7. Would you consider yourself a food snob? No. Married to one, perhaps.


Tagging: WonderGirl, Dolly Mama, Moot Thoughts, BooMama, Jonesville

[Feel free to tag yourself and link to your post in the comments.]

#100

A hundred things about me, in honor of this being my hundredth post. It’s mostly completely trivial and useless information, naturally.
You can just pretend you're interested.

1. My middle name is Marie.
2. I was born in Spain.
3. I drink a lot of coffee.
4. I drink it sort of like warmed up coffee ice cream.
5. I need less sleep than my husband or kids.
6. I have 23 first cousins.
7. I have twin sisters that are 9 years younger than I am.
8. I was a history major.
9. I lived in France for a semester.
10. My husband can sing, and sing well.
11. I’ve used the same kind of shampoo, etc. since high school and maybe even junior high.
12. I’m loyal that way.
13. I’m a huge fan of the epidural.
14. I know what a gerund is.
15. I was an English major before I switched to history.
16. I have a married brother.
17. My kids do not have any cousins (yet!)
18. I’m a little obsessive about clean kitchens and bathrooms.
19. Tide with bleach is my friend.
20. I cannot garden to save my life.
21. I can’t stand product information or barcode stickers and peel them off of newly purchased items RIGHTNOW.
22. I like bananas when they still have a tiny tinge of green.
23. I am fairly handy with a drill.
24. I did gymnastics when I was little.
25. I broke my hand in second grade doing a back handspring in my front yard.
26. I played volleyball in junior high.
27. I got really lost in Venice, Italy, once.
28. I learned to ski when I was three.
29. I never go skiing.
30. I had an art minor in college that I never finished.
31. I had my first baby when I was 23 and ¾.
32. I prefer my toenails to be painted.
33. I love to go shopping.
34. Shopping with Andy isn’t much fun.
35. Shopping with my kids is also not fun.
36. If I can help it I never leave the house without mascara on.
37. I love hot drinks in the winter.
38. I prefer the look of fall clothes to summer clothes.
39. I can’t go to sleep without Softlips chapstick on.
40. I should wear my glasses but I don’t.
41. I love carbonated drinks.
42. I prefer white wine to red.
43. I had braces in junior high.
44. I worked at Chili’s in college.
45. I also worked at LensCrafters in college.
46. I love chips n’ salsa.
47. My dad’s favorite number is 47.
48. I miss my old Bible study.
49. My favorite dessert is banana creme pie.
50. Three of my grandparents are still living.
51. I love to visit them.
52. I love to travel.
53. I took piano lessons as a child.
54. I like chocolate better than vanilla or strawberry.
55. I love to read.
56. I love to sew.
57. I used to draw.
58. My mom had me take tennis lessons one summer.
59. We had a chocolate lab named Challi.
60. We still have a house in Chattanooga.
61. I love to have friends over.
62. I’d rather do the dishes than the laundry.
63. I know how to crochet.
64. I don’t know how to knit.
65. I was a Girl Scout.
66. I love their cookies.
67. I love to bake bread.
68. When I was little we went to Colorado every summer and every other Christmas.
69. We lived in Korea when I was in first grade.
70. My mom home schooled me that year.
71. I didn’t like it much.
72. I still own a pair of rollerblades.
73. I haven’t worn them since before college, I’m sure.
74. I don’t usually read food labels.
75. I love going to the movie theater.
76. I love going out to lunch.
77. My kids make me laugh.
78. My husband also makes me laugh.
79. I was a total procrastinator in college.
80. I don’t have a dishwasher anymore, *sigh*.
81. I wrote my senior paper on the shifting role of American women during WWII.
82. I still have a copy.
83. I strongly dislike fish and mushrooms.
84. Don’t care much for olives, either.
85. We went to Savannah on our honeymoon.
86. That was going to be our first daughter’s name.
87. But we changed our minds.
88. I love fondue, although we rarely have it.
89. I’m allergic to cats.
90. I’ve been to Hawaii.
91. I wish I knew how to smock.
92. I love pumpkin-flavored food.
93. I know three other little girls named after my name.
94. I cut my husband’s hair.
95. I cut my son’s hair while he eats a lollipop.
96. I like organization.
97. I don’t like to move.
98. I love to eat out.
99. I love to take pictures.
100. I love smelling my kids’ heads after a bath.

Alumni Newsletter Meme

I'll post this one, too, since it's been collecting dust in my draft box.

Alumni Newsletter Meme, courtesy of BooMama, et al.

[Write two blurbs for the alumni newsletter, updating your life. The first should be the perky, show-offy kind that everyone writes. The second should be the darker side of honest.]

Version 1: On the same day as graduating from Covenant College ('02) with a history major, Moriah married the ever-handsome Andrew. They stayed in the Chattanooga area for Andrew to finish up his music/voice major. During that time Moriah worked for a prestigious law firm in downtown Chatt. After two years of blissful marriage their beautiful son, Drew, was born. Moriah has since been a full-time mother, enjoying her role more than she can say. The couple had a daughter, Madeline, in 2005, who is full of life and provides endless entertainment for all those who know her. The newest baby, Adelaide, was born four months ago and is all smiles and baby fat. After managing the St. John's Restaurant/Meeting Place for a number of years, Andrew has since decided to improve himself and serve the Church by going to seminary to become a pastor. The family moved from Chattanooga to somewhere up North and is currently living in the fabulous posh accommodations provided by his parents.

Version 2: On the same CRAZY day as graduating from Covenant College ('02) with a history major, Moriah married the ever-handsome Andrew. They usually see eye-to-eye. They stayed in the Chattanooga area for Andrew to finish up his music/voice major. During that time Moriah worked for a law firm in downtown Chatt. She decided she'd rather be a mother. After two years of mostly-blissful marriage, their beautiful son, Drew, was born. He can wear out even the best of mamas. Moriah has since been a full-time mother, enjoying her role more than she can say but sometimes wants to lock herself in the bathroom and cry in the shower. Their daughter, Madeline, was born in 2005, who is full of life and provides endless entertainment for all those who know her. (As well as endless opportunities to clean up messes.) The newest baby, Adelaide, was born four months ago and is all smiles and baby fat. She also loves to poop. After managing the St. John's Restaurant/Meeting Place for a number of years, Andrew has since decided to improve himself and serve the Church by going to seminary to become a pastor. The family somewhat sorrowfully moved from Chattanooga to somewhere up North and is currently living in the quite comfortable accommodations provided by his parents. For continued coverage of the family's current state of life, please see the post "Reflections," also listed in this blog.

High School Spirit Gone Bad

I saw this meme floating around maybe two weeks ago and thought it'd be somewhat entertaining to revisit high school memories.

1. Who was your best friend? Cynthia Halls. We wore the same purple dress to prom and I knew instantly she had good taste. I can't believe I'm posting these pictures for all of Blogland to see.



2. Did you play any sports? Yes, yes, yes. Not that you could tell by my mommy physique now. I played 9th grade softball. I’m too old to remember anything about it now. I was on the swim and diving teams my sophomore year. Went to state for individual diving and made a specticle of myself. And I did cheerleading my junior and senior years. We competed and went to nationals in CA. Both years. We were good. See?



Here's the "non-serious" picture taken after nationals:

Don't ask me what that was all about.

3. What kind of car did you drive? A ’96 Saturn SL2 which we still have and my hubby drives. It’s still fairly clean, even. Good lil car.

4. It’s Friday night. Where were you? At a game in uniform. School events ruled our Friday nights. But most of my friends went to the games anyway and it was fun, fun, fun.

5. Were you a party animal? No because in order to be a party animal you would have to have GONE to parties.

6. Were you considered a flirt? No.

7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir? I sang in the choir all through high school and loved it. (Do not read that to mean I can in fact sing.)

8. Were you a nerd? Uh, no. But yes in the sense that math usually makes sense in my head.

9. Were you ever suspended or expelled? No.

10. Can you sing the fight song? Yea, I think it’s still ingrained in there somewhere. I sang it every Friday night for two years for crying out loud.

11. Who was your favorite teacher? Had a few… My cheer coach and my calculus teacher were the same person and she was great at both. Also my physics teacher was hilariously funny in his quirky sciency way. Both of their last names escape me now.

12. What was your school mascot? The Knights of Northridge.

13. Did you go to the Prom? Of course, didn’t you?! I’ll crop out my date but here’s me in the limo:



14. If you could go back, would you? No, but it sure was fun while it lasted.

15. What do you remember most about graduation? I had to be on stage with the senior choir all through the ceremony, which I thought was annoying. And I vaguely remember picking up my diploma afterwards and feeling a sense of well, freedom. And then we had that all-night party thing. I clearly was too tired then to remember it now.

16. Where were you on Senior Skip Day? I don’t think we had one since it was sort of a regular occurrence by then. I only had like one class my last semester anyway.

17. Did you have a job your senior year? I worked at Limited Express during the Christmas rush. And made a hill of beans.

18. Where did you go most often for lunch? Einstein’s Bros. Bagels. I had a love affair with their asiago cheese and their Caesar dressing.

19. Have you gained weight since then? No comment.

20. What did you do after graduation? My family moved to Virginia and I left for college at the end of the summer. The rest is history, folks, so to speak.

21. What year did you graduate? '98

22. Who was your Senior Prom Date? Names will not be given to protect the forgotten.

23. Are you going/did you go to your 10 year reunion? I doubt if our senior class officers will have it together enough to organize a reunion. I think it would be far more interesting to go to the ’97 class reunion because most of my close friends graduated then. But I doubt their senior class officers will have it together enough, either.