I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice at Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.

Day 19 – How do you (and your partner if applicable) feel about PDA? Does your husband/wife/partner know that you blog and if so are they involved?

PDA: Not huge fans. We'll hold hands and stand close to one another, but much more than that is pretty rare...and we don't like to see other people's PDA either!

Yes my husband knows I have a blog. He doesn't mind some of the perks, like going to family events, but he has been known to get annoyed when I'm posting often or chatting it up on Facebook or Twitter!

What's Your Sign?!

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice at Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.

So when I was trapped in Clarksburg, WV with car issues, I fell a littlea lot behind on everything. The site, laundry, housework, etc. I'm just now feeling a little more like myself. So here is my effort to catch up on Blog camp!
Day 16 – How many friends of yours blog/tweet/actively facebook? Has social media helped or hurt your friendships? I'd say most of my friends are on and fairly active with facebook. Now that I have blogging friends (aka, friends I made because of the blog) a few of them blog too. I feel like I don't have a lot of friends who use Twitter and so its not nearly as fun for me as it might be for other people...but it is getting better!

Day 17 – What is your favorite thing about the weekend? Do you take a break from blogs or is this when you catch up? My favorite thing to do over the weekend is a whole lot of nothing & try to catch up on sleep. Sometimes my husband and I will take turns getting up with the kids, so the other one can sleep. I do use the weekend to plan my work & blog week ahead...but recently, I've either been showing houses or away, so that hasn't worked well.

Day 18 – How do you feel about astrology? What’s your sign, baby, and do you think it matches your personality?I think astrology is interesting...but I don't really believe in it. I was a Sagittarius but with the new astrology rules, I think I fall under another category. One website describes Sagittarius as "Sagittarius make excellent friends because of their encouraging, positive nature and their kind heart that will do anything to make sure the friend is happy. They do not expect favors in return, their kindness is selfless." I think that describes me pretty well. But it also said we're "unemotional" and that is not me at all. I can cry at the drop of a hat, because I'm happy or sad.

Okay everyone, what's your sign?

College Days

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice at Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.

Day 15 – What was your college experience like? Were you involved in any clubs, groups, etc? If you did not go to college what was your experience like after high school?

I LOVED college!  I had a great time, made the best friends and learned so much about myself...which is kind of ironic because I orginally didn't want to attend the college I graduated from, too close to home (my dad even worked there!), too small, etc. My list went on and on.

I decided to go for the first year, because lets face it, what the heck else would I do?  I hadn't like any of the other colleges I had applied and gotten into, this would at least be an easy move!

I went to Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.  A small, liberal arts  college with a small student body population and fantastic teachers. I met my husband in college and made some of my best friends too.   After my first week of orientation, I was hooked.  I loved my new classmates.  My roommate was sooo awesome (we talked for 2 hours on the phone before we even met...it was a match made in heaven!) The other girls I lived with were great too.

I joined a sorority ( okay, roll the eyes) but loved every second of it as well.  I'm still involved with my sorority, I'm just an advisor now and not nearly as fun!  I was involved in about 15 different clubs and organizations, I was a Resident Assistant and I felt like I was a campus leader...which was a great feeling!  I was even on the crew team my senior year which was hard, but fun and some of my best college memories still involve the crew team.

Because our school was small, it was hard to get away from people you didn't like so much, but that wasn't much of a problem for me, because I disliked only a few people...probably baseball players (cocky jerks), so it was easy to not see them.  Oh and while we're on a not as great note, my grades could have been better...but I was busy and my grades were fine. 

I would say the best thing about college was meeting my husband.  While all the learning and finding myself was great, I often wonder what would have happened if I hadn't skipped studying for a biology test and gone to a party instead....one of the best decisions I've ever made!

Day14~What Not to Wear

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice at Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.

Day 14 – How do you typically dress to run errands? Do you think bloggers dress better or worse than “regular people”?

When I run errands, I wear clothes.  If I'm dressed up because I was at work, then I'm dressed nice.  If I've been home all day, probably not so nice.  I don't get dressed for a day of running errands though, I'm a jeans & t-shirt kind of girl. 

There are probably 1 million different bloggers out there.  Do some of them dress worse than "regular people", sure they do. The hole-up in the house with a dirty t-shirt & sweats.  Some bloggers are like me and run a fine middle line & dress like regular people ('cause fyi, i am regular people) and then there are fashion bloggers.  Fashion bloggers make it their job to look good, so I bet they dress 1000x better than the rest of us. 

Day 13~Best Job Ever

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice at Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.

Day 13 – Tell us about the best job you ever had, and the worst. Do you ever blog or read blogs while at work? Do you ever quote or reference blogs while at work?

I've been lucky and had a few best jobs.  The first, I was a college tour guide for my college and gave tours to prospective students...including my now husband.  So, I'm glad that went well!  The next was the job I had right after college...maybe not all the people were the best, but the job was fun.  I was a Student Activities Assistant Director and I worked with student organizations to plan different activities...including a stop by Jerry Springer (who in real life is pretty nice & funny & not much like the craziness you see on the show!) He was thinking about running for Govenor of Ohio.  It was fun to work with a lot of different students & because I was a the college where I had attended, I still had a lot of friends around. 

My very best job was at Baird & Bird Realtors for 6 years.   I was the marketing person...this was by far the best, most flexible job any person could ever want.  If my kids were sick, I stayed home.  When my son was born, they figured out a way for me to telecommute and the 3 days I went to work, I brought him with me...for 9 months!  The people were awesome, the family atmosphere was amazing.  Best. Job. Ever.

Now, I'm considered an independant contractor, so sure I read & write my blog while at work.  But I work for myself, so I won't be laid off or fired.  I also reference things I've read on blogs at work, but I have a feeling few people understand what I am talking about. 

Day 12~Drinking Games!

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice at Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.

Day 12 – Tell us about the first time you got drunk or tipsy (as far as you can remember…) Do you ever stop yourself from telling too much when you write on-line or do you think you tell too much?

I have absolutely no idea when the first time I ever got drunk or tipsy was...and not because I was so drunk or tipsy.  I would imagine it was in college, but I can't say for sure, "On September 3rd, I went drinking with my newest college friends."  I know I did it, but I guess it didn't make much of an impression on me. 

Do I ever stop myself from telling too much on line?  Two words; HELL YEAH!  I refrain from political and religious conversations. My opinion is just that, mine.  Yours is yours.  I'm not in business to tell you what I think, I'm here to post activities anyone can do with their families.  The only voting you'll hear me discussing, is the MLB All Star Game where I voted for Shane Victorino You can vote HERE
So that's why you don't see me posting passionately about certain issues, not because I don't have an opinion, but because I want my blog/site to be a place where I'm not involved in politics. 
Okay, now anyone else have some good stories?!

Day 10~ Favorite Recipe

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice
Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.

Day 10 – Share your favorite recipe (or two) (see! You CAN be a food blogger!)

 
Tortellini Soup (I was given this recipe from a friend and have no idea where it came from)

48 oz Chicken broth + 1 small can (I use low sodium)
4 cloves of garlic
2 Tbsp butter (I have used oil and it works okay too)
2-15 oz cans of Italian Stewed Tomato (chopped in food processor)
1 package baby spinach
1-9 oz package of tortellini
1 tsp basil
Parmesan cheese

Sautee garlic (careful not to burn) add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add everything else but the spinach & cheese and cook until tortellini is done. Add spinach and cook for few more minutes until wilted. Garnish with cheese.

This makes a great thinking of you dinner and I deliver with a loaf of bread as well. Most kids & adults like the meal, so that’s I have frozen it and if freezes well too. I also buy the dried tortellini from Trader Joe's. It takes a few minutes longer to cook, but it is much cheaper and there is more tortellini. I add about 3/4 of a package.


I also love Strada! The below recipe is from my Grandma and we eat it for Christmas morning breakfast with fruit. We also have used this recipe for Easter breakfast, dinner and any time having a make a head meal is important.

1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1tsp mustard
Bread (like bakery Italian, it has to be a heartier bread to hold up)
Ham
American Cheese
Tomato

The recipe above is for one sandwich, add 1 egg & half a cup of milk per sandwich, I don't increase the mustard much more, and place in a greased pan (the sandwiches should fill your pan, so adjust accordingly). Place bread on bottom, layer of ham & cheese then bread. Whisk the milk, eggs & mustard until well mixed & pour over sandwiches. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Cook at 350 for 45 minutes- 1 hour when egg is cooked.

Garnish with fresh tomato.

What are your easy, go to recipes?

Day 9~ My greatest Life Lesson & My Grandmother's Blog

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice
Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.


Day 9 – What is the most important lesson you learned from your own mother (or other primary caretaker)? What do you imagine the name of your Grandmother’s blog would be and what would she write about?

My mom taught me so much that it is hard to pick just one.  But I think the single most important lesson is was to fight hard, no matter what your odds.  My mom died of Leukemia a few years ago but told us that she would fight the entire time...and she did, even though the doctors had told her the odds weren't good.  The fight kept her around for 15 years the first time and then when she was diagnosed again, about another 3 years.  So I definatly want to fight for my kids the same way.

If my Grandmother had a blog it would be called, Walking in God's Garden and she would write about God, Gardening & her life.  She is a super amazing, strong willed woman who I want on my side of any fight...She has a love of God like few other people I know and she has beautiful gardens, both vegatable & flower.  She would have a lot to write about and I have a lot to learn.  If we could get her out out of the dial-up world, I'd get her on Facebook & get her blog! 

What is your most important lesson?

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice
Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.

Day 7 – What’s your favorite thing to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Do you read food blogs or would you ever consider writing one?

Breakfast: Smore's Pop Tarts (don't judge), Honey Nut Cheerios with strawberries and omelets with mushrooms, onions & peppers with cheese. Yum!

Lunch: Turkey & Swiss on wheat, chicken salad, dinner leftovers.

Dinner: Tacos, chicken & broccoli pasta, any pasta, and super awesome enchiladas (winter only) and I'll put the recipe at the end of the post.

Would I ever be a food blogger. One word: No. I don't cook, don't really like too do it. My husband cooks and I eat it. When I cook we eat tacos, chili, pasta, stir fry, frozen waffles or scrambled eggs I make in the microwave (kids LOVE them). I feel like the things I cook well, are winter foods too, so the summer is super hard for me to handle, especially because I can never figure out how to light the grill!

Here is my enchilada recipe I got from my mom.

1 can of black olives (FYI, I hate black olives & still LOVE this dish)
1 cup of onions, sauteed with a little oil (don't over cook!)
1 4 oz can of tomato paste
Cheddar Cheese
Tortillas
Salt
Pepper
Chili Powder

Use food processor to grind olives, not into a paste, they should be small chunks. Add 1/4 of the sauteed onions to paste, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp chili powder in saute pan. You need to taste the sauce as you go, I usually add more chili powder, it should be a darkish red color when you're finished. Place the Olives and onions in the wraps and line them up on a baking sheet. Once the sheet is full, pour sauce on top, trying to get a thin layer all over. Top with cheese and bake until cheese melts at 350.

I like to serve it with sour cream & re fried beans.

Day 8~ Teaching & Can Blogs Play a Role in Education

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice
Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.

Day 8 – If you had to teach something, what would you teach? (If you DO teach, when did you discover your love for teaching/the subject?) Do you think blogs can play a role in education?
I teach a social media class, on how to use Facebook & Twitter. I wouldn't say I LOVE teaching, but I do like it and it gets me out of the bedtime routine for a few Mondays. I do like meeting people and helping them find friends they haven't spoken to in years, that part is definitely cool.

To a certain degree, I think Blogs can help in education. I think many children would be more willing to do research and learn if they could put the final product online. You can share it with Grandmom, Grandpop, etc. Family and friends can ask questions about what the child learned, reinforcing the ideas and concepts. If you can start teaching them HTML code, that can't hurt either...its hard to read and understand. On the flip side, using blogs to actually educate children might be tough, because lets face it, anyone can write a blog. You can write about anything you feel like & you can do it almost anonymously, so very little reason to put out accurate info or even half truths.

Your turn, what do you think?

Day 6~When I tried Something New

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice
Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.

Day 6 – When was the last time you tried something new? What was it and what was the result? Have you ever done something just so that you could blog about it?

Let's just get one thing straight. I. Hate. Change. I like to know what is going to happen, no matter how crazy. Throw a monkey wrench in it, and I'm bothered. So lets just say when I was laid off, that was my money wrench. First of all, I never expected it. Secondly, it was change.

So my biggest change has been going back and getting my real estate license after working in real estate for 6 years. Mostly, I've enjoyed the change. I love to see house, I love helping people and I really, really love my new office. So I guess change can be good...still don't like it!

Have I ever done something so I could blog about it. Absolutely. Sometimes bloggers get invited to do fun things, like a Lore's Chocolate Birthday Party. I would probably never have done anything like it, if it hadn't been for this blog. Now that I've been there and discovered the worlds BEST chocolate, I'll be there as often as possible. There have been other events and I've met some other great women who blog, who I am happy to now call my friends.

Day 5~ My Birthday

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice
Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.

Day 5 -What do you prefer to do on your birthday?
Sleep and Nothing....Any questions? My birthday, my rules. I don't want to do anything. I'm not a huge fan of cake and I don't really want presents, so the best gift is sleeping in and waking up to a big cup of coffee. Thats my idea birthday and probably my ideal day! Plus, my birthday is in December, so the weather is sometimes iffy, but when it snows, thats cool too!

Do you do anything fun on your birthday?

Day 4~Being an Adult

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice
Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.

Day 4 – What has most surprised you about being an adult? What have you learned about yourself through blogging?

I should probably preface this post by letting you know I've always been told I'm "older" than my actual age. When I was 10, I thought it was cool....now, I'm being compared to a 70 something grandmom (and not the cool, hip one that still goes out drinking with her friends) but an old grandmom. As a kid I was a worrier, as an adult the worrier is still there.

So the most surprising thing about being an adult, is that I'm really not in charge...of anything. My house, my kids, my husband, they all seem to have free will and sometimes do what I ask but usually only I've threatened to take away snack bar privileges (FYI, this does NOT work with the husband...he just runs out buys whatever snack he wants anyway;).

I think as a kid, I imagined I'd be more in charge of my life. I find that my life is a lot of running around from work, to soccer, to the pool. Reacting to client demands, children demands & family needs....not much about what I really want. Its a little crazy, and being and adult is hard. I have bills to pay and food to buy, children to keep safe and well educated. The demands never end.


What I've learned about myself? Tough one. I've learned I really like to help other parents, whether that means save money or find a fun activity. I've also learned to ask for help. I can't do it all, so I ask people who read the blog to tell me about activities and always ask my husband to watch the kids for a few minutes so I can get things posted!

What surprises you about being an adult?

My Guilty Pleasures~31Days of Blog Juice

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice
Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do.

Day 3 -What are your guilty pleasures?
I'm not really sure what a guilty pleasure is...I mean, I'm not breaking the law to enjoy myself, so why am I guilty? Anyway, things I love to do and usually make me happy.

• Reading a super awesome book.  Given the opportunity, I will read & read & read until I am done.  I won't eat much, no tv, I'll stay up until 2 am. Then I complain that my eyes hurt & I have a headache, but it sooo worth it!
• Sitting at the pool with my friends, eating a fresh soft pretzel & drinking an orange soda....'nough said.
• Chocolate & cookies. 
• Sleeping late...love.
• The ever disgusting Hot Fries....every now and then, I just have to have them and yes I know they are gross.
• Fresh Tomatoes.
• Pedicures.

What are your guilty pleasures?

Day 2~ High School Days

I'm taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice
Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do. Hopefully I don't bore you too much, happy summer! Day 2: What were you like in high school? What extracurricular activities, if any, did you take part in during high school? Did you consider yourself a writer?

I think I was a little lost in high school. I didn't stand out, didn't do anything great or anything bad. Just went to school, did okay and didn't really try to hard. I definalty wanted to be more involved but I didn't really know how to do that or maybe even what "being involved" really meant. Don't get me wrong, I had friends, but looking back, I never felt confident.

I did run cross county & track for a few years, but not all 4 years. I think those are the only real extracurricular activities I did...nothing else stands out, so I guess I wasn't that good at it or it was that fun! I did get to spend my entire senior year at the local community college because I scored high enough on my ACT (I was in Ohio, so I took the ACT, not the SAT). I loved it! Minus a few classes I had to take (Career Education...soooo boring) I was able to take classes I was interested in taking which was super awesome for my GPA.

I didn't really consider myself a writer then and not really now, but I can write a pretty excellent resume. I get emails all the time to read cover letters from friends & family.

So how about you...what did you do in high school?

31 Days of Blog Juice~ Intro

I'm already behind of course, that's how I roll. Any who. I'll be taking part in the 31 Days of Blog Juice
Creating Motherhood where they've provided 31 days of ideas to blog about...you don't have to do all them but the idea is to get to know me and why I do what I do. Hopefully I don't bore you too much, happy summer! J