Saturday Nine

1. Tell us about a time that you had way too much Jose Cuervo.

Can't tell you about a time that's never happened. But me and my sister did love the song "Jose Cuervo" around the ages of four and five. We could sing every word, and we put on a little concert one Sunday after church...when were having dinner...with company...much to my mother's embarrassment--so I guess you could say we had too much "Jose Cuervo."

2. Do you agree with the following statement: "The older you get, the faster time goes by."?

Yes! Emphatically, yes!!

3. What do you usually do during your "down time?"

Down time? What's that?

4. When it comes to the opposite sex, do you feel you have a grasp on 'em - or do they continue to just surprise you?

I feel I have a grasp on 'em. At least on one. And that's all I need.

5. What is your home town famous for?

Oh, my, you are going to know I'm backwoods when I tell you what we are "famous" (and I use that term very loosely) for: we have a polka-dotted house. That's it. That's our claim to fame. Impressed?

6. How many romantic relationships have you had?

I only had one other serious boyfriend before the master. So, two?

7. What's the best concert that you've ever been to?

Oh, gosh, I'm just not a music officianado.

8. Which famous person would you like to meet? Why?

Sarah Palin. Based on what I've seen, I think I could really relate to her. I mean, I think we could be friends.

9. Has a newspaper or television reporter ever interviewed you? If so, what were the circumstances and what did you think when you read or saw what you said?

We were interviewed several times by the newspaper when we were adopting Marina. For the most part the articles were good, and I know of at least one other family that was inspired to adopt from Russia after following our story, so I'm glad we did them, but I do cringe a little when I read the spin the newspaper lady put on some of the things we said--and a couple of quotes that I swear we never said. Our local funeral home sent us nice, laminated copies that are in Marina's lifebook, and some day, I will have to sit down and do some explaining.

Saturday Nine

1. What do you see when you are watching the wheels go round?

Does this question have a hidden meaning of which I am not aware? Because I'm not getting it.

2. Do you watch reality shows? Which ones?

I don't have television, but if I did, I would enjoy watching "Baby Story" and "Adoption Story." I'm not even sure TLC still produces those, but I liked them. And the few times I've watched the show with the Duggar's, I liked it. Though it drives me nuts that people are constantly asking me if Iwatch that show when they find out I have six kids. O.K., people, 6 is a few children short of 19. Just so you know. The other thing that rubs me the wrong way on that show is that, she says, during the opening credits, "And, yes, I gave birth to all of them." As though adoption would somehow diminish or illigitimize the marvel of successfully parenting nineteen children???!!!

3. What's your favorite all time reality show?

See question 2.

4. Do you feel "reality" shows are real or are they faked?

Some are definitely faked.

5. What does your personal neon sign say to the world?

There was a neon sign up in the Mexican food restaurant tonight, "Todo por una Bud-Light" Meaning, "Everyone wants one," but literally translates into English as "All for one, Bud Light." Which made me think of the three Musketeer's slogan: "All for one, and one all." I would love for my neon sign to read, "All for One-Jesus Christ." Sad that so often it blinks other, less attractive messages.

6. Ever seen a neon sign with certain letters burned out so that it said something unintended?

Not that I recall.

7. What gives you a headache? Could be a scent, a sound, someone's actions - anything.

Cigarette smoke, lack of sleep, hormonal changes.

8. What song, artist or album in your music collection would you pull out and play if you wanted to give your roommate/neighbors a huge, head-splitting headache?

I bought this CD for Abby on her first birthday. You know, one of those CD's where they sing her name in all the songs? It is extremely annoying, corny, awful. We only play it ONCE a year.

9. What do you do to relieve stress?

I sew or scrapbook. Or blog....

Saturday Nine

Saturday 9: Welcome Back
1. Where were you the last time that someone welcomed you back?
In my front yard. No, wait, that's not right. I went to a teacher conference last week, and when I went back into the daycare that afternoon, I was welcomed back by MANY small people.

2. Tell us who is you favorite non-family member to hang out with?
Gosh, that is a tough one. Can't say for sure about one particular person, it varies so widely depending on my mood and the circumstances, but I was thinking the other day, how I would love to slip back in time to college and spend a few days lounging on the beds in the dorm rooms of Merle Bruce, brushing each others' hair, talking and laughing...those were some good times.

3. What was the last thing that happened to anger you?
See prior two posts.

4. What was the last thing that you saw that was shocking to see?
Usually it is something I hear about that shocks me. Not something I see. I guess the last thing I first-person saw that truly shocked me was meeting Cara's birth mother two years ago. What drugs and degredation had done to the body, mind, and spirit of what had been a beautiful young woman was so disturbing, I still wake in the night and cry over that memory.

5. What is your favorite thing to do on Saturday besides Saturday 9?
Sleep in.

6. Have you had your summer vacation yet? If yes tell us about it.
Besides weekend getaways to the lake house, we haven't had a vacation this year.

7. Pick out one of your cousins and tell us about them.
My cousin Karen is five years older than me. She and her sister inherited all the beautiful Native American features--high cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes, and jet black hair. (My sisters and I got the shaft.) She is HILARIOUS. She just had her first baby in April. It's been fun and...wierd...to read her new mommy posts on facebook, because I always looked up to her as a kid and now I think, "Oh, yeah, been there. Done that."

8. Do you have any special plans for next week?
Kids go back to school.

9. At what age will you consider yourself old and why?
I think 72. Not sure why that number just popped into my head.