Old fart survey…(hey, I resemble that statement)

Tired of all of those surveys made up by high school kids? (no offense). Here are questions for the people who are a little older.

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
They are all pretty equal in the “I HATE” department. I could think of a million other things to spend Josh’s hard earned money on. But I guess the worst bill has to be the car payments…my car depreciates, yet my bill does not.

2. Do you miss being a child?
I guess in ways I do. Life was definitely simpler “back in the day;” but honestly, I would not give up being a wife and mom for all the money in the world. I think every passing year is an adventure in and of itself.

3. Chore you hate the most?
Ironing…which is probably why I don’t do it. What we ever did without the wrinkle release spray I will never know…nor do I care to find out.

4. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
At Juniors in OKC last year on our anniversary (we have gone to dinner since then; but this is the one that happens to stick out as “romantic” to me). It is this old “oil money” restaurant in the bottom of a building that has not changed in the past 30+ years. It is decorated in red velvet and quaint little chandeliers. The food is good (albeit expensive) and there is usually someone playing the classics on a piano.

5. If you could go back and change one thing what would it be?
“Mistakes are the usual bridge between inexperience and wisdom.” ~Phyllis Theroux, Night Lights

6. Name of your first grade teacher?
Mrs. Laseter. She gave me a “B” in Reading because I did not read with enough “expression.” Other than that she was a nice enough lady who also went to our church; but, if I’m not mistaken, I believe she told my parents one time that she did not like kids. Hmmmm…

7. What do you really want to be doing right now?
Sipping a fruity cocktail on a beach (preferably on Maui) while reading a good book and listening to the waves crash upon the shore and the palm leaves rustle overhead.

8. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher, a writer, an ice skating instructor, a mom

9. How many colleges did you attend?
One for the most part: Oklahoma Christian University. I did start a photography class at the University of Central Oklahoma; but had to drop it half-way through due to the ridiculous work load.

10. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
It was clean (which reminds me…I should go start some laundry).

11. What are your thoughts on gas prices?
They suck but what can we do about it? It’s not like the good ol’ U.S. of A. has the conveniences of public transportation that Europe has so successfully established. Unfortunately, cars here are a necessity; thus making gas a necessity.

12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
Well, I don’t set an alarm. Beau usually wakes me up around 7:30 every morning. But as for my first thought…I normally try not to do much thinking in the morning. I find that it is very counter-productive. Having a routine is key.

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
I sure wish I could fall asleep (that was around 3 a.m.)

14. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Church answer: God/Jesus Real answer: if he were still alive - C.S. Lewis; but since that is not really an option, I think I would just enjoy spending time interviewing someone who's been alive for 100+ years. Since I’m not really into all that “fame” stuff, learning from someone who has seen and lived through remarkable shifts in technological, medical, social and political innovations would be fascinating.

15. Have you ever crashed your vehicle?
Yes, twice. Once in high school I was in a five car pile-up. I was the middle car; yet somehow I was blamed for the whole thing. The lovely state of Georgia then forced me to attend a one night driving course that was filled with teenagers who had been charged with DUI’s and worse. A police video was shown (in other words, there was no editing to protect the public eye) and I still have the images of some pretty gruesome wrecks seared on my brain. And then in college, I had a little fender-bender.

16. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer?
Being a stay-at-home mom is kind of like volunteer work in that there is no paycheck; however, the hours are a lot different. If being a SAHM wasn’t a full-time job and I had no other job, yes, I would most likely volunteer…I have in the past and loved every minute of it.

17. Get up early or sleep in?
If I lived in a fantasy world and this was actually an option…SLEEP IN!!

18. What is your favorite cartoon character?
Growing up, I remember liking Rainbow Bright and the Carebears. Now that I am grown, I would have to say Mickey Mouse. I don’t know why but there just seems to be something magical about that mouse…something that keeps us kids at heart.

20. When did you first start feeling old?
Maybe when answering question #2 and actually using the words “back in the day.”

21. Favorite lunch meat?
Honey baked ham, I guess.

22. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart?
Ticked off!………oh yeah, I usually buy milk too.

23. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
Um, no.

24. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
If I really had a problem with anyone knowing the answer to this question I imagine I would just skip it. So, a movie that I enjoy watching that could possibly be embarrassing…Back To The Beach (1987) starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.

Frankie, the Big Kahuna: What does that mean, "we're not in?"
Annette: Uneducated guess? I think it means they're not in.
Bobby: Boy, it's quite a piece of dialogue when you intellectual masterminds get together! I should be writing this down!

25. What's your favorite drink?
Non alcoholic: Pepsi. Alcoholic: Cosmos.

26. Who[m] from high school would you like to run in to?
There are a few girls I felt extremely close to in high school that I lost touch with after a few years of college. I “talk” to a few of them now on Facebook but would love to see and have lunch with any of them.

27. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
Probably an oldies station.

28. Sopranos or Desperate Housewives?
Um, neither; although, I did get to meet Felicity Huffman one time. She was extremely kind and helpful.

29. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?
Losing myself; but not to worry I found me again.

30. Do you like the person that sits directly across from you at work?
Well, if being a SAHM constitutes as work (and it should!), yes, I am very fond of both of my boys : )

31. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purposes?
No and I’m not real sure I would know how if the unfortunate occasion were to ever arise.

32. Last book you finished reading?
Okay, I think I am actually more embarrassed by this answer than the movie answer (so here is my disclaimer: Josh bought it for me on a whim last week). It was Love At First Bite, a collection of short stories by Sherrilyn Kenyon, L.A. Banks, Susan Squires and Ronda Thompson.

33. Do you have a teddy bear?
Yes a few, but they are all packed up in boxes somewhere. The sad thing is I still remember their names.

34. Do you go to church?
Yes. In fact, we just switched churches and are loving our new one!

35. How old are you?
29 for the second year in a row : )

Feel free to copy this meme and fill it out yourself. I believe this originated as one of those Facebook notes.