I was not prepared today - so I am doing the Random Dozen from Second Cup of Coffee... Here we go:

1.On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being a cranky-baby-hissy-fitter, how much of a complainer are you? Not much... I usually keep to myself or do it myself... so I would say a 1.

2. When someone else is talking, do you listen, or are you thinking about what you're going to say in response? A little bit of both. Sometimes I should think more before I spit out my response.

3. I just deleted 1062 messages from my email account. Do you have any plans for a clean sweep this month--of anything? My desk - you all saw the before picture - the after is coming! Hubby actually commented this morning how good it looked - yea me.

4. Tell us about your perfume. Was it a gift? What does it remind you of? Do you have a signature scent? I am not a perfume wearer, I have allergies. But on the rare occasion I do wear perfume my favorite is Givenchy or Dior Svelte - both very clean smelling. The Dior was a gift from one of my closest friends in South Africa after the birth of my son - so it always reminds me of her and of my boy!

5. What is your best organizing tip for the new year? Throw it out!

6. What is your favorite comic strip? Don't read the paper or comics - I am an Internet news junkie... but from my childhood it would have been Peanuts.

7. Do you sleep with a fluffy or flat pillow? Flat only - no feathers.

8. What color is your kitchen? Why did you choose that color? The color came with the house - but it is a bright sunny yellow - I like it - but would never have chosen it.

9. What’s the most interesting bumper sticker you’ve seen? I really don't pay attention enough to remember a specific bumper sticker - but there is a fanojovi license plate I see everyday that makes me smile cause I kinda (shhsh) like Bon Jovi too.

10. Do you prefer an expensive writing tool or whatever is lying around? (Are you a Montblanc or a Papermate) I have a thing for sharpies - especially the sharpie pen. I prefer thin markers to pens.

11. What chore doesn’t feel like a chore – you just enjoy it (at least most of the time)? Sweeping the porch on a nice warm day. I enjoy being outside and love the fact that I have a big wrap-around porch to sweep!

12. If your parents often repeated themselves, what is something one of them said more than once? Go to your room.

A Random Dozen from "Lid"

1. Which Wizard of Oz character are you most like? Most definitely Dorothy and not just 'cause I dig her shoes...but because it has taken me a long time to realize that "if you are looking for your heart's desire you don't have to look further than your own backyard". My journey however did NOT included any type of munchkin.

2. When you're deciding what you're going to wear each morning, which item do you select first? Why? I usually reach for black. Not that I am in a black mood but I just like to wear black. I would wear it everyday if it wouldn't make people talk about me. If I ever have an interior decorating store or business when I grow up, I always picture myself and my "staff'" wearing black head to toe. (you have been warned before that sometimes inside my head is a little scary...)

3. What kind of animal do you think the world could live without? Slugs. Are they considered an animal? Well they need to go away. They are slimy, afraid of salt and always seem to mate on one of my back windows. Nasty! It's like slug porn...blech.

4. How many Christmas trees are in your home?Ok.....7. Yes 7. One 10ft fake one in the family room where we spend a lot of time so we need a tree in there. A real one in the living room that we make a day out of buying/cutting down with our friends every year, a small one in my kitchen with "kitchen" ornaments, one in each kids' room, one small one in the makeshift holiday party room where we end up dancing on New Years. I would put up more if I had them. Perhaps next year.....

5. Would you prefer to be emotionless if it meant you didn't have to feel a heartbreak?
No. I don't like to be sad of course but I wouldn't want to miss out on the joy.

6. Do you ever experience holiday let-down or depression? Yeah but not til February. I am done like "stick a fork in me I'm done" right after New Years...and in January it's all about order and cleaning and getting things back to order, which I like.

7. Do you like Michael Jackson's music? Sure. I grew up with it, it's the background music of my life you could say. Him, well not so much in the later years...may he rest in peace.


8. Why is it that we never judge people who have their teeth fixed for cosmetic reasons, but every other cosmetic procedure has a stigma? Hmm...well messed up teeth can really make a person look bad and are very noticeable. But too small boobs or a big nose is really a matter of preference I think.


9. Enjoy horseback riding? HA! Yes once a year, as of the past 3 years. I love horses, they are so smart and beautiful, if it's a warm Indian Summer kind of day and you're riding through the woods...life is good.

10. Shoes--practical or stylish? I wear practical 'cause that's my life. We are talking practical but stylish right? Not orthopedic or God forbid my HUSBAND'S boots like my friend wears (I'm gonna pay for that!) I would love to have some place to go where I could wear a pair of 3inch high Manolos though.


11. What was the name of your first pet? Feel free to post a pic. I am not sure if it was Harry the cat or Cindy the dog.

12. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done? I would say about 50% (no stress remember!!!)

I found this fun thing to do from 2nd Cup of Coffee (if you visit let her know you saw it here!)so I thought I would try it today. My brain is still fried from Wednesday's post with the moving pictures!! So this was pleasantly easy, and no moving pictures...

1. Candy corn: Your thoughts? Taste icky. I like the way they look though, very autumnal to me. I buy them for decoration but my little one LOVES to eat them and therefore ruins my decoration.

2. Briefly, what was the first conversation you ever had with your spouse? Hi I'm Cara...a whip it? What????

3. Could you ever become a vegetarian? Nope I like meat

4. Have you ever dressed up your pet in a costume? Yes for the Dog Beauty contest we had at a block party once. She was not happy about it.

5. Name something about childhood that you miss. Playing outside on the block with the neighborhood kids; not a care in the world except getting caught during manhunt, and then getting Mr. Softee in my pajamas after I already had to come in and taken a bath

6. Have you ever won a trophy? If not, what do you deserve a trophy for? I think I got one once for singing in school or soccer? Not sure. If I got one now, it would be for worrying about my kids or putting up with PTA nonsense.

7. When do you think is the appropriate time to begin playing Christmas music each year? The very next morning after Thanksgiving at 6am in the car while going Black Friday shopping.

8. What's your favorite board game? Mystery date as a kid, now chess as I am being taught how to play by my 7 year old.

9. How do you feel about surprises (receiving, not giving)? I like to get good surprises…I DO NOT like to be surprised like… a kid jumping out at me in the dark to scare me. I HATE THAT! (don’t worry he only suffered minor bruises) and I love to surprise people although it gives me major stress during planning the surprise.

10. Is it easy for you to say, "I'm sorry?" Absolutely. When I find out I am ever wrong about something I will give it a try. (hee hee just kidding!)

11. What is your favorite candle scent? Cinnamon Apple…right now. Then I will do Christmas scents...

12. October is traditionally "open house" time in public schools. If you had a literal open house in your home (like a reception) what light snacks would you serve visitors and what would you show them (as in art projects, graded papers) that would uniquely represent you? I would serve cheese and crackers, wine, perhaps some baked brie, bruschetta, and spinach artichoke dip (sorry for me that’s light)…and I would show them my home folder of all the things I plan on doing in my house and show the photo album of the before and after things we have already done.

That's all for today folks...have a great weekend. I have the first of two weddings tomorrow. Happy Wedding Day to my pal Malorie and congrats to my dear friend and mother-in-law to be Lizzie Liz.