Five Question Friday! 4/30/10

Happy Friday, my friends! I hope you all are planning fun, exciting things to do.

I'll hafta live vicariously through you, 'cuz I work the whole, stinkin' weekend. I think it's supposed to rain, and please don't hate me when I say that that makes me happy.

Please?

'Cuz, lemme tell ya, there's nothing worse than being stuck inside a huge brick building, breathing recycled air when the world outside is enjoying sunshine, fresh air and chirping birds.

But, anyway...let's get down to the fun stuff!! I'm not gonna vlog today.

After my last...um...video...I think I'll let the horror and humiliation die down a bit first. I'll have you know, tho'...that that video nabbed me the title of "Weirdest" in my family!

Yessssssss.

Well...here's the goods that you came here for!

Five Question Friday Rules: Copy the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then come on back to link up! If you'd like, grab the MckLinky blog hop code for your own post! Oh, yeah...and I'd love ya forever if you'd link back to me, Mama M.!

If you don't have a blog, but still wanna play along, feel free to put your answers in the comments below, or on any blog along the way!

And now, the...

Questions for Friday, 4/30/10: (Thanks to Linds, Sandy, Jill, Lula Lola, and Julie for their question suggestions! Wanna be linked in a future Five Question Friday? Offer up your best question suggestions over here, in my community!)

1. If you could, would you go back to high school?

2. If a genie appeared and granted you two wishes, what would they be? (And, no saying "more wishes".)

3. What kids show do you secretly like?

4. What is your beverage of choice?

5. What is something that you would change about yourself (or are working to change in yourself)?

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1. If you could, would you go back to high school?

You know, no.

I didn't enjoy high school all that much. Sure, I enjoyed the party scene, and hangin' with my friends...but, I dunno.

Meh.

I actually went "post-secondary" my senior year (do other states do this? Pay for college classes, when you're in high school, for you that count toward high school credits too?)...silly post-secondary story, coming up...

I failed Econ.

Big, ol', fat, red 'F'.

Our prof told us that he would allow us to "throw out" our lowest test score. So, my friends and I (I went with a couple friends), decided that the day of the final was waaaayyyyy to gorgeous to be sitting in a class room, so we skipped.

We figured we'd use that as our lowest score.

Um. Yeah. No.

It didn't work that way.

But, anyway...back to HS. My final answer...NO.

2. If a genie appeared and granted you two wishes, what would they be? (And, no saying "more wishes".)

Oh, man! Sandy, so not fair on the more wishes thing.

Okay. So, I'd ask for a whole gob of money. Not, like, hundreds of millions, but enough to pay off our debt, secure a sound financial future for our children (parents, grandparents, siblings), and live comfortably (all the while, giving generously, of course).

Wait...reading through all of that. I think I am gonna need hundreds of millions to support all those people.

Wish Number 2: I would wish for a lifetime of health and happiness for my children and their children, and their children's children and so on and so forth. No illness, no disease, utterly happy, blissful.

The end.

3. What kids show do you secretly like?

Wellllll...if I'm going to be totally honest with you, I'm not so sure. We don't have cable/satellite/dish/etc...so, I don't know very many new shows.

BUT...I know what kids show my dad likes!

Oh, yes!

Friends...are you ready for this?!!

My dad...he lives for iCarly!

Well, okay...maybe that's a little dramatic. He lives for my kids coming over, so that he has an excuse to watch iCarly!

And, now...I've just been written out of the will.

4. What is your beverage of choice?

Gosh. You know...I'm really not much of a drinker!

I'm quite certain I plow my way through life more than just a little dehydrated.

BUT...if you lined up a whole buncha drinks on the counter and let me pick?

Non-alcoholic: Ice water...in a glass cup (but not a stinky dishwasher glass cup...why do dishwashers make glass so smelly? And squeaky?)...and it would be all sweaty, 'cuz the water would be soooo cold!

Alcoholic: Mike's Hard Cranberry Lemonade.

There's also McDonald's Iced Coffee...but I've had a few bad one's lately (seriously, "light on the cream" does NOT mean, "make me a milk shake" or "give me extra extra flavored syrup"...for real, sheesh), so I'm boycotting those.

Not to mention the whopping 8 grams of fat they contain. *shudder*

5. What is something that you would change about yourself (or are working to change in yourself)?

Hmmm...I'm gonna do this two ways: non-physical, and physical.

Non-physical first.

Well, something that I work on a daily basis, is being more assertive.

I am a wimp.

With a capital W (and IMP, too). And, I hate being a wimp.

So, yes, please. I'd like to change that.

Now, physical:

I am trying really, really hard to appreciate the body I have now. 'Cuz I know, looking back, I didn't appreciate my 16 year old body, and my 25 year old self would've killed for it.

And, I didn't appreciate my 25 year old body, and now my 33 year old self would kill for that body. So, I am trying to appreciate what I've got right now! ('Cuz I'm guessing when I'm 40...I'll look back and slap myself across the face for not appreciating what I have right now!)

But...if I could change anything...like "poof" there it is?

My legs. I'd lengthen them by about 6 inches so that they would be in proportion to my torso.

You think I'm kidding, don't you?

Ohhhhhhh....but, no! I'm not!!

I'm soooo not kidding!

Once upon a time, I measured my legs with someone who is 4'11"...mine were a hair...just a teeny tiny bit...longer than hers.

And, I'm 5'7"ish.

Freakazoid.

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Now, it's time for a little linky action!

I love reading everyone's answers and getting to know you a little more, so I do make an effort to visit as many links as I can!!

Have a fabulous weekend!

5QF Thursday Night Sneak Peek!!

Yay!! Friday is almost here! (But, it's my weekend to work.) :(

So, that means that it is almost time for Five Question Friday! Yippee!!!!!


Okay...for anyone that is new...this post, the one that you are reading right now, at this very minute, is just a "preview"...a chance to see the questions, so you can get your answers all ready for tomorrow, when I put the MckLinky up and everyone links to their post!

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

Rules: Copy the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then come on back to link up! If you'd like, grab the MckLinky blog hop code for your own post! Oh, yeah...and I'd love ya forever if you'd link back to me, Mama M.!

If you don't have a blog, but still wanna play along, feel free to put your answers in the comments below, or on any blog along the way!

And now, the...

Questions for Friday, 4/30/10: (Thanks to Linds, Sandy, Jill, Lula Lola, and Julie for their question suggestions! Wanna be linked in a future Five Question Friday? Offer up your best question suggestions over here, in my community!)

1. If you could, would you go back to high school?

2. If a genie appeared and granted you two wishes, what would they be? (And, no saying "more wishes".)

3. What kids show do you secretly like?

4. What is your beverage of choice?

5. What is something that you would change about yourself (or are working to change in yourself)?

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See ya back here...yes, right here, tomorrow morning!

Oh...and one quick question...hypothetically speaking...if your teenage son was playing baseball, and (hypothetically) a foul tip broke the window of a teammate's parent's car, are you responsible for the damages?

You know, hypothetically, of course.

*gulp*

Note to Self

Dearest Overachieving Self:

You DID it! You conquered the beast that was Intense Debate and you ate it for breakfast!

I have to say, I didn't think you had it in you girl, but, you did me proud!

Now...if only saddle bags came with html code...perhaps you could conquer those, once and for all.

'Til we meet again,

Moi

Oh, and psssst...I promise I won't tell anyone that it was just a simple click of a link. I won't say a word that there really wasn't any html code involved, m'kay? Your secret is safe with me!

To Die for Chicken Salad.

I first must say...this is not an original recipe...I got it from my mom, who got it from who knows where...but it is sooooo good and I must pass it on!

For real...sooooooo good. I wanna bathe in it.

It's incredible.

Okay, let's get started!

You'll need this:

And, take that can of chicken and multiply it by two. You can also add in celery and onion, which the recipe calls for...but my kids will only eat this if there is no celery and onion in it.

Well, 'cept for my oldest. He won't eat anything that's not breaded and deep fried and that doesn't contain the words "chicken" and "fingers" in it's name. Weirdo.

Okay...so, first, I want you to toast your almonds. And that thar is a demand!

Untoasted, plain old almonds are...meh:

But, when you toast them...mmmmm...delish! I did mine at 350 for about 7 min...but, I like mine just a tad on the overtoasted side. So, adjust time for your own nutty preferences! ;)

While your almonds are getting all toasty (don't forget to set a timer...nothing worse than burnt nuts...), start cutting up some grapes...these were some wonkin' grapes, so I quartered them:

Total amount of grapes is about 3/4c.-1c., depending on your taste.

Next, heaven. Pure, unadulterated, basil heaven. Fresh. Fragrant. Fabulous!! Honestly...I'm not sure there's anything that smells better than basil.

Except a newborn.

But, anyway...newborns aside...julienne your basil (after it's been washed and patted dry).

Here's how I julienne...stack 'em:

Roll 'em:

Smoke 'em!

Kidding!! KIDDING!

Slice 'em:

And, voila! Perfectly julienned strips of ridiculously fragrant basil.

I *heart* basil.

Now, dump the chicken, grapes, cooled nuts, and basil (and celery and onions, if your little heart so desires) in a bowl...but, completely forget to take a photo of it 'cuz you're a nincompoop.

Add in the mayo and/or Miracle Whip--I'm a Whip girl...but, the recipe called for mayo...so I did a little of both!

Here's where it gets tricky...well, not tricky really, but "touchy"...the mayo/Miracle Whip amount rests entirely on your shoulders. I can't even begin to tell you how much I used.

You start with a small amount, and add small amounts, until it is the "wetness" you prefer! I'll tell you this: I started with 1 heaping soup spoon full of each...and added little bits until it was the poifect consistency!

Then, take little dollar buns (which were left out of the "You'll need this" photo by some incompetent food blogger wannabe), slice them, and stuff 'em full!

This is the most flavorful, amazing chicken salad.

And I don't lie.

Stuff a whole bunch of dollar buns, then pack up and head to the back 80 (or, in our case, our backyard) with your family for an impromptu picnic.

Ahhh...pure bliss...

Basil Chicken Salad

2 cans cooked chicken (or, a coupla cups), drained

3/4-1 c. slivered, toasted almonds

3/4-1 c. red grapes, halved or quartered

1/4 c. basil (or more, if you live for basil like I do)

Mayo/Miracle Whip or both...to taste

Celery and onions optional (you know, if your family isn't picky like mine)

~2 dozen dollar buns

Toast almonds in 350 degree preheated oven for 5-7 minutes...watch closely, 'cuz once they start browning, they go quick! Mix all ingredients together, well...all ingredients 'cept for the buns (like, duh!). Remember to start small with the mayo/MW...you can always add more, but you can't take it away! Stuff dollar buns with chicken salad...and thank me in the morning.

If You Can't Laugh at Yourself...

Who can you laugh at?!

Warning...all my weird goofiness is on display in full Mama force!!

Prepare yourself...

Raw (e)--Red!

I snapped this pic the other day at my BIL's farm.

Just playin' around...thought it fit poifectly with Sami's Raw(e) contest! Check out Sailor and Co. for more entries!!

And tomorrow...I've got a yummy recipe for you!! Yes, you'll thank me for it.

No Fault Parents

Every so often...just here and there...but very, very rarely...I get a little pissy.

Like...once a month.

Ahem...

Anywho...I get irritated and annoyed easily during this time.

The latest?

No Fault Parents.

Or, would it be "No Fault Children"? But that implies that it's the child's fault that they are a No Fault Child.

Oh, sheesh. I'll just get to the point.

And that is...

Parents who think their child can do no wrong.

An-NOY-ing.

I KNOW my kids aren't perfect. In fact, I don't WANT them to be perfect. We're human...we make mistakes, we ask for forgiveness, we learn, we continue on.

Then...there are "those" parents. The one's who blame every mishap on someone else's child(ren).

I wanna smack these parents upside the head, stare them down, and ask them to listen...to really listen to what they are saying.

I know one family in particular...who are constantly blaming someone else's (ahem...) children for every wrongdoing that happens.

I'll take it...I mean, um, the "other" parents take it. 'Cuz they know...they know that to "err is human", and that "erring" can only mean a good lesson learned...and opportunity to grow from the mistake...a chance to laugh, perhaps.

But, man...OH MAN, does it get old. This "blaming" other kids. 'Specially, when the "other kids" might possibly, perhaps, maybe be your own.

Grrrrr...

Like I said...I know my kids aren't perfect...but, dude...neither are YOURS! (That's what I'd like to say...I'm not really talking to YOU, you know. You know?)

I like to think "No Fault Parents" are an extension of Helicopter Parents. Swooping in to rescue their kids from the evils of the (*insert "Tales From the Crypt" voice here*) "other children".

The "other children" that are teaching their kids terrible, horrible, no good, very bad things.

(Confession here...I kinda, sorta, just a teeny little smidge, can understand helicopter parenting to a certain extent...I mean, who doesn't want to rescue their kids at times? But, kids do have to learn somehow, right?)

Anyway...all wishy washy helicopter parenting-ness aside...really? Do "those parents" really think their kids are so down and out perfect that they could never ever ever never ever think of a naughty thing to do all on their own?

I think someone needs a wake up call.

Am I wrong?

My Sweet Girls

I was playin' around with my computer the other night...and suddenly, I had this...

It makes me teary...thinkin' 'bout my girls growin' up...

Man alive, do I love 'em.

This Week's Date!

Happy Sunday!

Sunday's aren't really all that happy, are they? The end of the weekend, the start of the work week, getting ready for the hustle and bustle of getting kids off to school.

Ugh...I wish everyday was Saturday.

Anywhoodles...I've got our date all ready...but first, I wanted to give you a heads up on something...get your opinion...

I had such a fun time with the Valentine's Day Extravaganza...and I heard a lot of positive feedback, so...I'm thinking of doing a "Mother's Day Madness" carnival! Whaddya think?

I sort of feel like a week was kind of long...so I was thinking of starting it the Wednesday before Mother's Day...unless I hear that y'all want the whole week! It'll be similar to the Valentine's Extravaganza, but (obviously) the focus will be on Mamas! With a different theme for each day...which I will provide you with ahead of time.

Does that sound fun?

Dumb?

Lemme know!

Okay...now, to the "Date of the Week"!!

This week's Date is:

Kate!! (Rhymey, I know...)

Kate's Life

I am a daughter of the King, wife to an amazing man, mother to three beautiful children and “grandma” to a house full of pets. I love all things purple and orange, Walmart, diet pepsi, The Black Eyed Peas and the person who created M&Ms. Amen.

Will y'all stop over and give Kate some love...she's Canadian, has the cutest Canadian accent, the most amazing hair, and rocks a vlog like nobody's bizness! Tell her Mama sent you...

Okay my friends! I'll see you tomorrow...I have something for a post tomorrow that is very near and dear to my heart.

So, if you don't like it...keep it to yourself! ;)

Five Question Friday! 4/23/10--Vloggy Style!

Hey howdy ho peeps!! Welcome to 5QF!

I decided to vlog it this week...so many people have vlogged (Heidi, have YOU?!!), and I wanted to jump on the vlog bandwagon again, so aren't you lucky?! *cough, snort, chuckle, cough*

Bear with me on this...it was late...like, 1am, when I did it...I'm tired, and talking kinda quietly so I don't wake up my whole stinkin' family.

And...um...warning here.

I try to rap. As in Salt 'N Pepa rap. It's a bit awkward, forgive me.

Consider yourself fairly warned...

The rules...copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then c'monback to link up! The blog hop code is there for you to grab if you'd like it! I would really (honestly) appreciate it if you'd link back to me, Mama M.!!

If you don't have a blog, but would like to answer the questions...feel free to answer in the comments here, or on any blog along the way!

Questions for Friday, April 23rd: (Special thanks to Abby, Robin, Renee, Sandy, and (inspiration from) Crayon Wrangler for their question suggestions! Wanna be linked in a future 5QF? Just come on over to my community and offer up your questions!!)

1. What was the first car you owned?

2. What song are you embarrassed to know the lyrics to?

3. Have you ever had stitches?

4. What was your first job?

5. Who is your favorite Sesame Street character?

And, now...let's get it on...

MckLinky time now!! Oh, and remember...my comments are still wonky, if you are coming in directly to this post (via a link) and want to leave a comment, you'll need to hit the "Home" button on my nav menu (not refresh), when the page reloads, the comment option will be there!!

Thanks for your awesome comments on my last post...I enjoy hearing the encouraging words!!