Click the image and follow the link to join in the weekly fun. 

1. What is the weather like where you are and do you like it?

Crazy. Can’t make up its mind.

Last week started with snow and 28 degrees and ended with sunny and almost 70.

Do I like it? I like how the snow lasts until noon and the sun is warm. Otherwise, it’s better then having feet of snow and inches of ice.

2. When you’re sick what do you seek comfort from?

My blanket and pillow on the couch. The dark is also my friend when I don’t feel good.

3. What do you need to do before the end of the month?

EVERYTHING!!

In the land of work, I have several claims that will expire if I don’t get them through by the end of the month. On the home front, not much has to get done. I’ve been packing away Christmas and hope to have all of that all put away by month end – well, except my usual all-year Christmas tree and things. I also have some regular going through/ packing that I would like to have done.

4. Have you ever served on a jury?

Nope. I was called to go twice. I had been excused one time due to having a new-born and the second time because I was in the hospital recuperating from major surgery.

5. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

Never thought about what animal I would be. Let me think…okay, a few days later and lots of time to think. I think I would like to be a giraffe. 

Oh, now I’m suppose to answer why? I like the height. No one really hunts down a giraffe for their spots. They are amazing animals to watch – they walk gracefully, they are quiet and usually well-tempered. They don’t eat meat which means they don’t attack innocent animals just for a meal. The flip-side, adult giraffes aren’t in the cross-hairs of lions, leopards, and other such fierce animals. So yeah, I’d choose to be a giraffe.

Related articles

• Five Question Friday: Decembr 16, 2011 (ceceliafutch.wordpress.com)
• Five Question Friday: Christmas Decoration Edition! (proudpatriot07.wordpress.com)
• Five Question Friday: November 18, 2011 (ceceliafutch.wordpress.com)
• 5qf (ellejaysays.wordpress.com)
• Five Question Friday: January 6, 2012 (ceceliafutch.wordpress.com)

1. What’s the oldest piece of clothing in your closet?

Prior to September, it would have been my wedding dress – 20 years. But my parents came out and brought a pullover I had purchased when I was a teenager working along the boardwalk inJersey. Talk about a life-time ago! But hey, it still fits and it’s just as comfortable now as I remembered.

How old is it? Twenty-two years old.

What condition is it in? No holes, no frayed ends, no stains, and no wrinkles.

2. How many random blog readers have you met?

Define met. And are we talking those online or in person?

I have learned that several of my friends, coworkers, and other various acquaintances are bloggers. I didn’t know they were bloggers. I mean they never went around wearing shirts or hats advertising “hey look at me! I’m a blogger!” And it never really comes up in conversation..”how are the kids? Work? Blogging?” “I have so much to do today – the kids are sick, I have a dentist appointment and I can’t forget to blog.” My life doesn’t work that way. The only way blogging comes up in my conversations is when someone in my real life says “hey I found you on twitter. I didn’t know you blog too!” Then it turns into a blogging conversation – which leads to an interesting conversation and a half.

As for meeting random bloggers I follow – I’ve never met anyone. I’d love to meet some of the ones I follow. They are hilarious and have similar interests. Heck, I followed one by mistake and have ended up learning I had a lot of things in common with them. But meeting them in person? Nope. I’d like to – although some of them don’t live on the same continent as I do, so that might prove difficult. Unless by some miracle I win the lottery. But last I heard, in order to win that, you have to play it.

3. Do you let your kids stay up till midnight on New Years Eve? (Or, if you don’t have kiddos yet, did you get to stay up until midnight as a child?)

Yes…and yes!

I remember being in elementary school and my parents would let us all stay up to watch the ball drop. There would be many neighbors outside honking car horns, fog horns, or banging on some pots all yelling “Happy New Year!” But the second the singing and cheering was over, it was off to bed.

This is a tradition I have with my own kids. We let them stay up or if they want us to wake them up, we will. We don’t go outside, though. I think we’d scare the neighbors. The neighborhood is usually tucked in for the night or several of them are at bars or friends homes celebrating. Either way, we stay indoors, calling our relatives at each hour marking off the New Year for the time zone they live in. Then it’s off to bed for a few hours.

This year, though, it won’t be just us celebrating the New Year. My husband’s parents are visiting and we plan to play some games throughout the night until we all decide it’s enough.

4. What are the gas prices where you live?

Is this a joke? Which day? What time?

Yesterday morning gas was $3.29, by the time evening came and I had to buy gas the price was up to $3.39. This afternoon the price was down to $3.32 which then went up to $3.36 by evening.

newsinsacramento.com

It makes me wonder what they are thinking…but then I realize they aren’t!

5. What is one resolution that you know you should do but are too afraid to try?

I don’t have any resolutions I’m afraid to try.

My one resolution this year is to cook more healthy meals. I already have been doing that, but I want to cook different meals. I feel as if we have been in a rut – cooking the same meals week after week. It happens because of budgets (we know how much it will cost), ease (we know how to make it so the entire family will eat), and time (we can schedule our meal prep accordingly without worrying we won’t have time to eat before going to [enter weekly commitment here]). 

Related articles

• Five Question Friday: December 30, 2011 (ceceliafutch.wordpress.com)

Yes, that is Darth Vader between some angels.

Darth was the opening act for the children’s Christmas program at our church. My son, the Star Wars freak, wanted to play the part of Darth and was so excited when he got the role he almost fell off his chair — well, he at least stopped playing PS3 for a while.

He isn’t as big of a ham as his older brother is, but he really enjoyed putting on the Darth Vader costume.

Related articles

• Weekly photo challenge – Between (allaboutwordswa.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Between (atreegrowsinbklyn.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Between (3rdculturechildren.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Between (thelaughinghousewife.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Between (beijingcityphoto.wordpress.com)

Boy was I wrong! When I was 20, I had a child in tow and a husband. I still have the husband, but now that child is 20 years and no longer the sweet, innocent, adorable, little two-year old she once was.

Don’t get me wrong, she is still a sweet kid young woman. It’s just that her interests are no longer wearing frilly dresses while climbing trees. She has progressed towards gaming, jewelry, books, and guys. Or rather a single particular guy. Not that I have a problem with said guy, I have a problem with her no longer being the child I can command and dictate rules and regulations to guide to the right path and she would listen.

Yeah, I wasn’t a dictator or tyrant. But I did have some strict rules – according to her as she compared every rule to those of her friends. Silly me, I have this wish to know who and where and why and how and what is going on in my children’s lives. I mean, weren’t we all taught the 5 W’s in elementary school for a reason?

Where are they going? When are they going and when will they return? Who are they going with and who are the parents? Why are they going? What are they will be doing once they get there? How are they getting there and/or back?

Okay, so back to the 20-year-old.

For her birthday, the family (and boy friend) had dinner at the Texas Roadhouse (seems to becoming a “birthday theme” around here). This lovely child-no-more did not want anyone to know it was her big day.

She made her two brothers promise on their Bibles that they would not so much as utter anything resembling a comment to the waitress/waiter that it was her birthday.

The silly kid forgot about her parents…sad, isn’t it? Not to worry though because while she couldn’t decide what to have for a drink (a non-alcoholic type, thanks!), her dear father turned to the waitress and said: “You’ll have to excuse her. This is her first day of being twenty.” To which the birthday girl immediately looked up, shocked that he said something. She even made “dad” into a two-syllable word as she flushed ever so slightly.

I reassured her that he did not tell the waitress it was her birthday. Do you see where this is going? Can you imagine the look of horror on her face as I spoke those “forbidden” words out loud? It was well worth it.

After dinner, the crew came to the table and did their little “Texas Roadhouse Birthday Wish” and brought out the famous saddle for the birthday person to pose on. And believe me, my husband made sure there were ample amounts of photos taken of the 20-year-old posing on this sad little saddle.

As we were heading back towards home, she did admit she had a great time, despite the worn little saddle she sat on. She was glad we made her day a little extra special.

I’m glad she is a 20-year-old, independent thinker and able to function on her own. But there is a part of me, ever so small, that misses the 2-year-old who was full of questions.

It was a twisted tale of how White Beard (AKA: Santa) helped the pirates understand that it is better to give then to receive. Or in the case of the pirates – to take what isn’t theirs.

The little boy, in the footsteps of his bigger brother, hammed it up.

But then again, I think all the 4th graders were having a blast while exaggerating their performance.

Once White Beard and his merry men brought the pirates to the North Pole, the head pirate – sorry, I can’t remember the name – convinced his followers that White Beard was off his rocker. Or was it off the boat?

Either way, the pirates learned and accepted that the practice of giving was much more lucrative than taking what they wanted, when they wanted, how they wanted, well, you get the picture…

During the performance these little pirates and elves sang Christmas songs drenched in pirate verses. It was a cute little show – one I will enjoy sharing in person with my parents once they make “the move”.

Note to self: Sit in the bleachers – the floor seats have extreme limited sight…as in I saw glimpses of the stage through out the show thanks to many children and adults who moved around. Thankfully my husband was on the aisle and was able to get many pictures and videos of the performance. So yeah, next year – I’m sitting up high.

Related articles

• Weekly Photo Challenge: Celebration (devilsleep.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Celebration (hurtlingtowards60.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge : CELEBRATION (staceyarcher.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Celebration (ilovemandaue.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge : Celebration (cherylandrews.wordpress.com)