The Random Dozen is Comin' to Town

How much do I love this thing-a-ma-giggy...Thanks Linda...it really makes me happy!!

Go on over and link up to these Random Dozen!!

1. Which physical trait do you now accept--maybe not love, but accept--and no longer feel extremely self-conscious about?

Wow a tough one right off the bat...geez...couldn't you have just eased into it with a question like...say...what is your favorite holiday beverage...

Alright. I am the poster child for self-consciousness. So most of the things that I am self conscious about are still alive and kicking. However that man I have in my life now thinks that I am beautiful, sexy, and gorgeous...all that and a bag of chips.

Hey maybe the bag of chips thing is the problem with my self consciousness...

Anyhoo he really does adore the way I look and tells me many many times a day so if anything has helped me move off of the self conscious kick and on to other counseling needing traits it is him.

Not much of an answer but my favorite holiday beverage is eggnog by far!!!

2. This week Meredith Baxter Birney, best known as the mom on the favorite 80s sitcom "Family Ties" came out of the closet, which led me to formulate this question: Who do you think is/was the best TV mom? ?

GET OUT!!! She did?!??!?!?!? Wow!!

When I got divorced I really want to find a divorced best friend and move in together like Kate and Allie. I just loved Allie. She really had the humor and the single mother thing down pat.

3. Do you speak any foreign languages? Are there any you'd like to learn?
I took French in high school but don't speak it now. Because I was trained as an opera singer I had to learn how to pronounce all the words in French, German, and Italian. So if you show me words in those languages I can tell you how to pronounce them but will have no idea what they mean. I know that doesn't really count but it is a neat trick that cost me a lot of money that I am now paying back in student loans...so I share it as often as I can.

4. Who is your personal hero?
GEEZ another toughie!! I am suddenly have Mariah Carey singing in my head. To me the word hero evokes someone who risks life and limb to save others, or someone who has triumphed over great adversity. I know most people have another definition of that word but...that is the way I look at it. I really have a problem with just everyday people being labeled as a "heroes". I think my personal hero has yet to show himself or herself.

5. What is one holiday food that you find extremely difficult to resist over- indulging in?

One?? Well I'd have to say those iced sugar cookies...I make them and love them!!

6. Tell me about a Christmas decoration that has special meaning or sentimental value.
OK here it the heart wrenching question of the dozen. So get ready to say your collective "aaaaaw".

The angel on my tree was on my Grandparents tree ever since I was born. They named her Amy so that they could have their angel Amy on their tree. I inherited it when they died and now it is on my tree. She holds in her hand an ornament that I got when my dad died with his name engraved on it. Every time I pass my tree I look up and think of all those people.

7. How do you feel about snow?
Love it when I am in California and can look at it on TV and even go so far as to miss it and long for it.

However...

When I am in Iowa I love it for a few minutes and then can't wait to get back to California.

8. On average, how many hours of sleep do you get each night? Not that I'm jealous of any number over three or anything.
Let me tell you this...not nearly enough. The only time I can exercise is early morning...I just won't do it otherwise. So I get at most 7 hours of sleep.

9. Tell me about your first crush.
This is another hard one...I remember really liking a boy in 5th grade...but he would have nothing to do with me so I remember quickly sayin' "screw that I don't need ya" (well I was in 5th grade so I don't think I put it quite like that) In fact most of the boys I had crushes on while young really didn't want anything to do with me...oh well...their loss...

Then there was this boy I saw at my friends pool party the summer before my junior year. He played football and was tall and very handsome. He was so nice and had a great smile. He was such a gentleman and his soft curly hair was to die for...Thankfully he is the same guy who now thinks I have a great butt when it is the one thing I could chop off my body and never miss (see #1 above)

10. You're stuck in a room for 2 hours with only a chalkboard and chalk. What will you write/draw?
I would probably try to write a rhyming poem and corresponding picture...

But c'mon who really who has chalk and a chalkboard anymore...

11. Do you dress for the current temp or for the day's forecast?
In California we layer...because the temperature in the morning can vary by 20 degrees than the temperature in the afternoon. Plus the temp in my room varies by how many middle schoolers I have at one time.

12. Favorite Christmas movie is?
EASY ONE!!! Christmas Vacation!!!

But another one has come to be at the top of my list...Elf



Too funny!!

In summary: I need to put the sugar cookies (and eggnog) down and walk away if I have any chance of not being overly self conscious come Jan.1. I should pull out some reruns of Kate and Allie and take some notes. Watch Christmas Vacation so I'll know what NOT to do this holiday and of course laugh that much hated butt off. It is obvious I need to gear up for some snow and try to get a little more sleep. But most importantly I need to be thankful that one of my real high school crushes loves me back and is in my life again to keep this diva happy.

More later

- A Ro