Blog challenge: Day 13... Guilty Pleasures

 Well, the only TV show that I'd call a guilty pleasure would be Grey's Anatomy, because its like a soap opera.  I can't seem to stop watching.

Another guilty pleasure would be the portable DVD I used to watch shows and movies in the bathtub. I don't think it's what my parents thought of when they bought it for us, but I love my bath time. I am currently watching all six seaons of LOST.

Gambling... hate to say it but I love it. I don't have a problem, but I might be close.

Peanut butter... I cannot have it in the house or I will eat it all in one day.  A whole jar. 

 And finally...this phone (Blackberry) that allows me to blog have fun while Jeff bowls.

Editted:  Hard to actually post a whole blog from a phone!  Give a girl a break.

Blog Challenege: Day 12...Five Pet Peeves

The first that comes to mind (And no offense to Wisconsin folks who say it correctly, but I only noticed it when I lived there) but people who say borrow, when they me lend.  As in "I hope Kati will borrow me that DVD."  Now, I know I suck at spelling.  And maybe a little in written grammar too.  OK, a lot.  But speaking this out loud, don't people realize how dumb it sounds?

Slow, slow, slow drivers!  Go at least the speed limit!!!  If you are not, you better have your hazards on, or be slowing for a turn. 

It's more a fear than a pet peeve, but clowns.  Oh yeah....I'm one of those people.  Clowns freak my shit out.

People who don't do their jobs.  I have a very un-complicated job because of our lovely economy.  And in all my years in advertising sales - I worked my butt off.  So I continue to do so now, even if it's for just over minimum wage.  Why? Because I have work ethic!  Others, not so much!  It's funny that my managers think I'm so great, because I actually *gasp* do.my.job!

People who grew up & currently live in cold areas always complaining and saying they want to move when it comes to winter.  Maybe because as a Chicago gal about to get our first snow fall of the year, I'm excited (it's Mid Jan - that's crazy!)  But I've heard too many people complain about getting snow or it getting colder.  If you don't like it, quit talk about moving and actually do it!  If you don't like seasons changing then move to somewhere that you don't get that beauty!

Edited hours later because....man I should never post so close to waking up!  Talk about bad spelling and grammar!!

Blog Challenge - Day eleven; three wishes

If a genie in a bottle showed up and said he would grant me three wishes...
1) That the next cycle is successful with a take home baby (or two)
2) That we'd be given at least $200,000 - to pay off law school student loan, Jeffs car, our credit card debt, and still have money left over to put down a healthy down payment on a house and start saving. (Plus this would allow me to quit Target and either be SAHM or look for a job in my field).
3)I'd wish for better health for my parents.  My father's COPD is getting worse, and I fear he will not make it the next five years.  He just retired and my mother is two years away.  I'd like to return them to their health when they were ten years younger.  I'm not saying they should live forever; but I'd like them both to see 75 at least and I fear that won't happen.  Hell, I fear sometimes my dad won't live to see a grandchild out of me.

Blog Challenge: Day Ten- Favorite Book(s)

I don't know about you, but I don't know that I can just say I have one favorite book. 
My favorite book from when I was a child is Mrs. Rumphius aka in my house as The Lupine Lady by Barbara Cooney.  It's a fairly unknown book from 1982 (when I wasabout 3).  But it's got beautiful watercolor art work done in it. The story is mainly about a woman who makes the world a prettier place by sprinkling flower seeds for Lupines throughout the country side (based on a true story).  When I was 7 my mom and I planted many of this flower around our back yard to my our home pretty.  I love that my mother acknowledged my favorite book and helped it come to life for me.  I've always said when I have a home, I will plant some lupines somewhere as a nod to the love of that book.

When I was younger I always said my favorite book was Lightning By Dean Koontz.  It's the only adult book I've read more than twice.  I first read it when I was about 14, and thought it was amazing. 

But then when I was a sophomore in college, I read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (and the six books in the series that follow).  And last year for the first six months of 2011, I re-read all seven books again.  Simply AMAZING.  Reading the series spread out over 12 years I kind of forgot certain things but still loved it.  But reading them in series in such a short time showed me just how wonderful the story and writing is.  I cannot wait to see the story continue.  Despite how much I loved my husband introducing me to the seven book series epic that is Steven King's Dark Tower series...Outlander will forever be my favorite series ever.  Side note, for 10 years now I've wanted to name a baby girl Brianna after one of the characters.  DH insists on Stephanie, after his grandmother and I can't deny him that so we'd need two girls in order for me to get my Brianna.  :(

And finally my current favorite book - - Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.  I read it about four or five years ago after years of so many people telling me how great it is.  And they were right.  The follow up was too similar (so it was good but felt like cheating).  And my parents bought me the mini series that was on TV, HBO I think?  But I can't bring myself to watch it yet...because I know it will be horrible compared to the work of art that is the book.

A difference of opinion

I think I have a difference of opinion than the several vocal posters on the bump that recently have talked about how they will be a better mother because of IF.  Will I be more appreciative? Of course!  I won't complain from morning sickness, back pain, etc during pregnancy because I fought long and hard to get PG.  And When my child throws a temper tantrum, or takes longer to potty train, or whatever - yes I will probably be more patient.  But overall a better mother?  I don't know if that's true.  Because I will be a mother, mainly modeled after my mother.  And she was and is absolutely wonderful.  She lives and dies with my brother & I's successes and failures.  She supports us and is our best cheerleader.  And she didn't deal with IF.  Admittedly, she had a m/c when they started TTC #2, and the doc told her the best way to get over it was to get PG again...Hello Kati!  That's how I was born.  But every pregnancy, she'd get KU within two or three months of trying.  But again, without dealing with IF - my mom was the mom all my friends were jealous of.  My house was the house we hung out at.  My mom was the mom my friends told their fights about their parents to.  And she'd listen.  And give advice.  And somehow come off as not judging - even though she usually agreed with what the parents were trying to say.  She just spoke teenager better I guess.  I talk to my mom four to five times a week.  I am possibly my mothers best friend.  I am now 34 and she is 62 - and she recently lost her job.  I hurts me that I can't give her a hug from far away.  She has been the best Mom, and I don't think you have to struggle through IF to be able to say that.   But that's just me, and my difference of opinion.

Blog Challenege: Day Nine. 5 from Bucket List

This is a tough one for me to think of...Five things I want to do before I die. 

1)I guess I'd like to own a house outright.  We currently rent, and with IF, it will probably be a few years before we can buy.  And with a 30 year mortgage...I'll be over 65 by the time that house is paid off.  So I think once we decide to buy we'll be buying the only house we'll ever own.  And if finally having a car that I've paid off felt so go, I can only imagine a house feels 10x that.  My parents were 60 when they lived in a house they actually paid off and my mom said it was the best feeling in the world.

2)I hate to admit it, but I've never visited New York City.  I flew through there once on my way to Europe, and I was in NJ for my cousin's wedding.  But just have not gone to NYC.  I'd like to go to ground zero and pay my respects.  I'd like to do the cheesy tourist things like see Times Square, and go to the top of the Empire State building.  I want to walk around Central Park.  It's just so much apart of American lexicon that I feel in a way that I've been there....but I really want to see it for myself.

3) Skydive?  I've wanted to do it since I was 16.  But for some reason, now that I'm married I've gotten afraid of the idea.  Like I have someone to live for.  And if I have kids, I'm sure that will increase.  But there is still that little dare devil voice inside me that says "You know you want to do it!".  I've done cliff diving (which was fun, but no need to do again.) And when I lived in WV, I LOVED the four times we went white water rafting on the highest level rapids.  There is just something I love about the rush!  My brother was going to pay for us to do it as a high school graduation gift - but my parents found out and said "Not when you're on our insurance!"

4)  Go to the Sundance Film Festival.  My Aunt owns a townhouse in Park City Utah .  Sometime when I have enough money for flight, food, and fun I want to ask to go.  It's coming up in a few weeks and every year I'm so jealous that they  have the choice to go if they want.  I was a radio, TV & film major in college and if I had the stones I would have gone into directing but didn't so.... at least this would be a taste of seeing others that have fulfilled that dream.  (Kevin Smith is my hero).

5) I've been thinking on this and really can't think of a fifth so I'll just cop-out and stick with the trip to Ireland and Scotland trip that I mentioned yesterday.  My favorite book series of all time is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and the first several books are set in Scotland, and it paints such a picture of it that I'd love to go there.

Blog Challenge: Day eight....Dream vacation

I have three dream vacations actually.  (Don't we all have several?)

The first is what we would have done for our honeymoon if we could have afforded it.  It's a Mediterranean cruise.  It's a smaller ship, not a giant cruise ship.  The main reason is I could see Italy and Greece.  My husband and I are very into history (he was a History major for undergrad before going to law school),  so we both think that'd just be amazing! 

The second is one I've said I'd like to do since I was about 18.  I would looooove to go to Ireland and Scotland.  They are so lush and green, and looks like some of the most beautiful places on earth.  And again, with the history, the castles, moors, etc.  I have this on my bucket list.  My college roommate Kim went with her husband for their honeymoon (this is very Irish couple) and the pictures were amazing!

And finally - Hawaii!  I went with my parents & brother when I was 13 but only to Kauai.  And Jeff has never been.  We'd both like to see the Arizona memorial, and I'd love to do one of those day trips where you go the top of a volcano (cool), watch the sunrise and then bike/coast all the way down to the beach.