Ten on Tuesday (on Wednesday night)

1. What’s your favorite color to paint your nails?
I never paint my nails. I'd rather go neutral or clear on my fingernails. However, I never go without paint on my toes, but like most others I'd rather someone do it for me!

2. Do you like to sneeze?
Eh, sometimes when it's productive and clears things, yes. But sneezing sort of annoys me, especially loud sneezes. It's a pet peeve of mine. Control your volume! Oh, and don't even get me started on my students sneezing....EW.  :)

3. How often do you fill up your car with gas?
I'd say every week and a half to two weeks probably.

4. Were you named after anyone?
Nope.

5. Have you made any good recipes lately?
Today I made BBQ meatloaf. It was delish!

6. What’s an easy money-saving tip that you use regularly?
I shop with coupons and I try to only buy what's on sale.

7. Would you rather have a sore throat or an ear ache?
Sore throat. Ear aches make your entire head hurt.

8. Do you have any scars? What are they from?
Oh goodness, where would I start. My skin scars really easily. Boo to that.

9. What are you “known for” in your circle of friends/family?
Probably for being uptight. Hah, honestly though, I feel like I don't really stand out or am known for anything. Maybe needing to be right all the time?

10. How do you like to eat your pancakes?
Fresh, hot, and with syrup, no butter. I used to do butter and cinnamon sugar though.

My thoughts on life right now:
I'm tired! :)
Potty training? Eh, sort of, but not full force. Hard to do that when I work. It's sort of pee when you wake up, pee a few times after work, pee before bed. Luckily Aidan really likes getting stickers to put on his chart. He's getting really good at telling us right after he's gone too. :-P

Ten on Tuesday

{Questions borrowed from Roots and Rings}

1. What type of home do you currently reside in?
A house

 2. If you could completely redecorate one room in your home, what room would you pick, why, and what would you do to it?
Haha, redecorate or demolish? I'd redecorate my foyer since it's the entry to our home and doesn't really tell who we are, or maybe it does with it's lack of style and simpleness. If I could bring in the demolition crew it would be for my horrendous kitchen that has not been changed, except to add some ugly tile and backsplash by the previous owner, since the house was built in 1989.  Blech.
It’s probably just worth it to get a new house.

3. What is your favorite place to gain inspiration for your home decor style?
Home decor style? What's that? Let's just say we're comfy cozy here. My house definitely looks lived in, no show room here.

4. What is your favorite piece of decor in your home?
Again, no decor here. Well, I do kind of like the way I sort of redecorated Aidan's bathroom. So maybe the shower curtain in there.

5. What do you want visitors to feel when they visit your home? Do you think your home gives off that feeling?
I want them to feel like they can kick off their shoes and put their feet up on my couch. Grab a blanket, get comfy. Leave your glass by the sink, help yourself to whatever, chances are we won't ask but not because we don't want you to have it, but because it's that relaxed here.

6. Describe your home in one word and explain why you chose that word.
Progressing.

7. What are some predominant colors or patterns in your home?
beige, tan, off white blues

8. What is your favorite room in your home and why?
Proabably the family room, because it's got the comfiest furniture and where we spend most of our time.

9. Do you take a hands-on or DIY approach to projects around your home or do you enlist or hire help?
Sean hates loves when I get into projects that I'm sure I can handle until I actually start the task at hand. We're lucky to have some really talented folks that help us out here and there when we need it. I also have the number of a plumber and contractor on speed dial. :)

10. Where is your favorite place to shop for home furnishings?
Honestly, we haven't bought much furniture. Family room set was Raymour & Flanigan, our bedroom was JCPenney, and Aidan's nursery was Babies R Us. We got our TV stand and end table from Target. Wait, this could totally justify my purchase of a new couch for the living room! And maybe even a dining room table!!! We're in the market for a twin bed for Aidan, but I've got no idea where to look for that. I'm looking for a bed with storage under it, something like this: http://tinyurl.com/jcpbed or maybe this: http://tinyurl.com/pbbed1 or this: http://tinyurl.com/376trk3 .

My thoughts on life right now:
One day I will live in my forever home, where I will love my kitchen and bathroom and most other things. Where a simple change of a throw rug or wall hanging will satisfy me. Until then, I'll continue to organize/clean up/redecorate my 'for-now' house and try and make it comfortable, safe, and loving for my family.

"Two Hugs"

So for a while now Aidan has been doing this thing to 'melt-your-heart' with Sean and I where he's hugging one of us then the other parent leans in and he hugs both of us by the neck and says "two hugs". It certainly doesn't sound as sweet as it feels, but trust me, it totally is the best feeling in the world. Usually he does it when I lean in for my goodnight hug when he's sitting with Sean after drinking his night time milk before bed. Today he did it when he curled into bed with us this morning. It's one of those little things in life.

My thoughts on life right now:
My kid is pretty darn lucky to have two parents who love him more than he'll ever know.
Sean & I are really the lucky ones though, to have a child who we can love and be loved by.

Ready for the snow suit and sled:)

Ten on Tuesday

1. What is your favorite kind of cheese?
I love all cheese. My favorite is probably mozzarella.

2. Do you prefer fudge with or without nuts?
with

3. How do you feel about cats?
If I could keep it as a kitten forever, maybe I'd like it. But a litter box, ew. And those claws in my thigh, not cool.

4. Meg Ryan or Julia Roberts?
Hands down, Julia.

5. Do you wear a watch?
Nope, but would probably. I've got a really nice Citizen watch that is one link too small and I'm not sure where my extras are. I got it as a graduation gift a long time ago but it's simple and still in style.

6. What are a few of your favorite songs from the 90′s?
Hmm...not sure. Probably some strange hip hop/rap songs. I'd have to listen to the 90's station on Sirius to answer this one better.

7. Do you like scented candles?
Some of them. Most of them give me a headache. I've recently fallen in love with my Iced Caramel Macchiato.

8. What do you like on your hamburger?
I'm pretty plain and simple, but have grown to like lettuce, ketchup, mustard, and cheese.

9. How often do you cut your fingernails?
At least every week and a half, sometimes once a week. Mine grow really fast and are thick, but I prefer them short.

10. Do you sleep in socks?
Only if I’m really cold when I go to bed, and they're usually off by morning.

My thoughts on life right now:
Yes, Steph, two blog posts in one day!!! Now if only I could get the rest of the things I need to do done. :)

Tree Trimming

{such a big boy...he can do it "all myself"}

{our tree}

Wow, this is the fifth Christmas Sean and I have decorated for in our own home, and Aidan's 3rd Christmas! My how time flies. Honestly I think our tree was empty before Aidan came along, since half the ornaments have to do with him. This year Aidan wanted to help out and put the ornaments on the tree all by himself. We let him do a few, then he got sidetracked by The Grinch, and we repositioned a couple too. The tree looks great and Aidan had a good time helping us out. Now I want to wrap gifts to put under the tree. Of course we'll have to wait for Santa for all the good stuff, but for now we can put a few under there for friends and family.

Speaking of gifts, I really need to finish shopping. I still need to finish Sean, which is the most difficult of the few gift receivers still on the list. There's a couple of things we need to pick up for Aidan too. Also, I never make gifts easy and have a handful that require work on my part to be complete. Next year, it's all gift cards...just kidding!

My thoughts on life right now:
Must shop this week, and get ready for our fifth annual Christmas party.
Want to bake cookies, just not sure what kind. Will probably send some to school for a gift for the kiddies and a few close ones.
Still working on losing weight and would love to drop ten in the next few months.

Ten on Tuesday

1. What do you order at Starbucks?
In the generally once a year visit, I get hot chocolate. Last year I believe it was some kind of peppermint mochacchino.

2. Where is your favorite place to eat breakfast?
Right now my favorite place is Rode's for their breakfast buffet. Yum.

3. Are you on Twitter? Why or why not?
No. And to be honest, I'm not really sure what it is. However, if it involves status updates more often than one boring person should update...sign me up!

4. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Hmm, that’s a hard one. Probably Elf. I love a movie that makes me laugh out loud. Also love the Prep and Landing movies on tv.

5. Are you a good gift giver?
I'd say most of the time. I lack confidence in my gifts though, so sometimes even if they are great I worry they aren't. Sometimes I come up with the great idea after I have already given a gift. Bummer. It's the thought that counts, right? :)

6. Do you like your handwriting?
Eh, it's alright. Especially for a teacher. If I take my time, it can be much nicer than it appears the majority of the time.

7. Is your signature legible?
Yup.

8. Have you ever been to New York during Christmas season?
Yes, and I love it. Well, minus the freezing temperatures.

9. Are there any items that you are completely brand loyal?
Heinz ketchup, Downy or Bounce for fabric softener, and Dawn dish soap. Probably others that I can't think of.

10. Who is your favorite public speaker?
Um, not sure. I'll go with Jimmy Rollins because he's entertaining and down to earth.

My thoughts on life right now:
Less than 20 days until Christmas, seriously?
Time to shop!
Loving Aidan more and more every day!
I forgot to blog about a VERY busy weekend last weekend. {might have to post-date that one!}