An Answer For Everything

So you asked and I have answers. In fact, I usually have an answer even when you don't ask. Really, you're welcome. Sometimes I have the answer but choose to remain silent, and other times my mouth works faster than my brain and you get an answer in the form of a somewhat smart alec comment.

For instance, I make it a point to never talk about work on my blog. It's the most sure fire way to get yourself fired, but this is a darn good example. I was in a meeting the other day and a few co-workers got a little tense with each other. My inner(sarcastic) self told me to push away from the table and state, 'I see we have a pissing contest about to ensue, so I'm going to back away to keep from getting wet.' It would've surly cut right through the tension and since I work with all guys, they may have found it quite amusing. But the professional side of me begged the inner (sarcastic) self to please refrain. So I did. (But rest assured, there are plenty of other times where I share my incredible rays of wisdom with my co-workers.)

Anyway, let's get to the questions.

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My young friend and mom-extraordinaire(who also rocks a mean mike) Beth asked:

Hmmm...questions...questions...other than Mexico, have you traveled outside the country? If so, where and when?

Yes, I have traveled extensively to other countries. I've been to Iowa, Kentucky, Arkansas, Northern Florida...Ok, just kidding and no offense to those who reside in those great states. Actually, the only other country I've traveled to is Canada, eh? The first time when I was 17 and on a youth mission trip with our church (that I still attend) and then when I was a lumber broker, I traveled to Kewlona for a conference/meeting with our suppliers. Both trips to Canada were pretty cool and I saw some really awesome sites. And I kinda dig the accent, eh?

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Tony C (who has an awesome picture on his blog and it's really worth checking out) asked this:

What was your initial thought about your husband the first time you met him (good or bad)?

This is actually a pretty funny story. My kids and I had just moved back from Big Horn, Wyoming(this was in 2003) and I had a 24' U-haul truck with a 12' trailer attached to the back. (I was NOT leaving Wyoming without my snowmobile and BBQ.) I called a friend, who happens to be a pastor, asking if he knew of any 'muscle' that could help me unload my truck o' stuff. He said, 'I know just the guy you need to call.'

So, I call this guy named Jon, we make small talk and decide on a time the next day when he will come over and help unload the truck. The next day while waiting for Jon to show up, I'm standing in the driveway with my brother, next to the U-haul when this guy in a big ol' black (lifted) suburban pulls up. I looked at my brother and said, 'holy mackerel, I'm going to marry that man.'

Ironically, Jon had recently ended a relationship and sworn off women for good(because we're nothing but trouble) and was going to just focus on raising his kids. Jon told me that when he first laid eyes on me what popped into his head was, 'I'm screwed.' because that whole swearing off women thing... well,

Two weeks later we were dating, and the rest as they say, is history.

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My awesome Hungarian sister Helen, who will beat you up if you mess with any of her friends, posed the following question:

What advice would you give to parents out there? What is one thing you wish all parents knew?

I guess I would answer this with 'you will never really figure parenting out.' I mean, we go into parenting with all of these dreams and expectations that we will raise kids 'who arise and call us blessed', we'll spend our afternoons doing finger painting and playing basketball in the driveway, every dinner will be a happy family sitting around the table, the kids will always say 'please' and 'thank you' and those kids that throw themselves into a tantrum on the floor of the Piggly Wiggly will never be yours.

Unfortunately, parenting is messy, disappointing, frustrating, infuriating and down right exasperating. But it's also rewarding, fun, tears of joy and laughter, exciting and the ride of your life. You get the good with the bad. At the end of the day, if you just do the best you can, your insecurities and faults aren't really that big of a deal. If you love your kids and they know it that is what counts.

Oh yeah, and one of the biggest things, always apologize and tell your kids you're sorry if you did something to them you know is wrong. It's a good lesson of forgiveness for kids and it builds a strong relationship. (And be their parent, not their friend.)

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If you don't know Katdish you are really missing out. I can tell you that when we finally meet and get together, it's going to be sarcasticpalooza. I hope someone brings a video camera because there is going to be some good material. So Katdish wants to know:

What is the flip thing?

I did a Q & A, where I asked Jon questions about me and he had to answer, truthfully. In one of the answers, Jon made reference to 'that thing with the flip'. Unfortunately, there is no flip. It is merely an inside joke between Jon and I and I don't even remember how it came about. (Possibly after one-too-many LeBatt's or something.) But if there were a 'flip', I'd be darn good at it.

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If you've never met a true Redneck and want to know one that happens to be pretty cool (yes, he really drinks moonshine and I bet he flies a Confederate flag on his house), I suggest you go visit Billy. He's an awesome writer who has a knack for finding God's little lessons in every day life. And he doesn't hold it against me that I like my tea unsweetened. Anyway, Billy asks:

My question is this: you live in Oregon, but you've lived in Virginia. Which one's better, and why? Not that I'll yell at you if you say Oregon.

Well, Billy, I have to say that the part of Oregon I live in is better than the part of Virginia I lived in. I was in the DC area, which is unfortunate, because I have traveled all through Virginia and I really like the Virginia countryside. Big city is not for me and I don't think one can judge the true Virginia by the DC area. I love the history of Virginia and that wins hands down compared to Oregon. Let's just say that I am sure I could be happy in either place and I have enough hick in me that I could probably fit in. Plus, I'm not a fan of Jeff Gordon. Dale Earnhardt is where it's at.

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If you want to visit another country and find it's true colors, I suggest you visit Amrita. Amrita lives in India and I am continually amazed by her. She has a huge heart for others and shows us her life, literally in living color. You really need to check out her blog. You will be blessed. Amrita wants to know:

What is your fave dessert?

Well, honestly, I'm not much of a dessert person because I'm so addicted to carbs (like chips and salsa, bread, that sort of thing). But, if I'm going to indulge, I either want some of my mom's Strawberry-Rhubarb crisp or homemade ice cream (with fresh strawberries or peaches). And while it's not necessarily dessert, I dig Peanut M&M's. A lot.

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As a bonus, I'm just going to throw out some random stuff you probably didn't know:

* I've traveled to almost every state except Alaska, Hawaii and the ones way up in the northeast.
* I have a temper(like so mad I could spit). It's the extremely large part of my genetic makeup that is Hungarian/Romanian. Eastern Europeans are kind of known for that. Sigh.
* I am extremely protective of my family and friends. (See, that Hungarian thing again.)
* When I was 5 I ended up in the hospital with a nasty concussion from falling off my bike.
* I remember precisely the moment when I accepted Jesus into my heart, as a kid.
* I grew up in the Nazarene church and went all Foursquare when I was 16.
* Ethan Allen (yes, Revolutionary War Patriot Ethan Allen) is an ancestor of mine.
* I hate watching sad movies with Jon because I always cry and I don't like him to see me do that. In fact, I cry at pretty much anything. Tough on the outside, soft on the inside...
* My favorite movies as a kid were, The Russians Are Coming, It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World and The Sound of Music. Oh, and anything Hitchcock.
* I love suspense novels.
* I watch all things FoxNews and I dig Hannity and O'Reilly. Probably because they rock the sarcasm.
* I love waking up in the middle of the night and hearing the rain on the roof.
* I secretly hope Laura from Pete Wilson's blog shows up here. How fun would that be?

Ok, it's late and I gotta get the coffee ready for tomorrow. 4:45 am shows up way to quickly, and I am darn tired, so it's definitely time to hit the fluffies. See ya when the coffee's ready.