AMT - Independence Day Edition

Well hello there...
It's time again for Answer Me This. Head on over to Catholic All Year for more questions and answers! I'm enjoying writing these posts and reading lots of others.

 1. How did you celebrate the 4th of July?

We celebrated by working! Yeah, my husband had to direct the music at Mass at 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. I sang in a wedding at 3:00 pm. I stayed outside most of the day, though and played with the kids in their pool. Even our baby enjoyed being out in the sun most of the day. And then - the ice cream truck! After seeking it for weeks we finally caught it parked down the street that evening. It was before dinner time, but oh well! Had to do it. We cooked out and let the (two oldest) kids stay up late to watch fireworks. We had a decent view of the local fireworks from our street. Unfortunately the kids got many mosquito bites! Poor things.

2. Do you sunburn easily?

My two brothers seemed to get the Sicilian, olive-skinned genes, but unfortunately I take after my English heritage and, yes, I do burn easily.

3. Hot dogs, yay or nay?

Yay! I do like a good Chicago hot dog. No ketchup. Relish, mustard, onion. Yeah.

4. Have you ever set off fireworks?

No, I have not ever done that. We did have some party poppers and smoke bombs this year which was fun. I loved sparklers when I was a kid, but I was terrified of the thing you would light on fire and then it would grow into black snakes. Are those still around?

5. Have you ever jumped off the high dive?

No! Yikes. As stated earlier I'm not a very good swimmer.

6. Do you do anything weird in your sleep?

My husband tells me that I snore and it must be pretty loud because one night recently our 6 Y.O. slept on the floor of our room and said that he heard Daddy snoring. D.H. corrected him saying, no, that's Mommy who snores. Our son replied, "But it sounded like man-snoring!"

Thanks for reading. Hope you're having a blessed week.
~ Natalie

7 QT - Getting in shape so I can chase down the ice cream truck

Hi There! Here are Seven Quick Takes from my week.

1.

Recently the media has been telling us that sitting at a desk for most of the day is detrimental to our health. Like, it's the next worst thing to smoking. Feeling inspired, I propped my monitor and keyboard on a small table I found in the office.

My standing desk - a new kind of pain.

I've been standing most of the day these past three days or so. What was I thinking? At first the novelty was enough to keep me happy and help me forget that…my feet are starting to hurt. I haven't come to a decision yet, but this standing desk may not be the best idea. Office dwellers, got any tips?

2.

We've been trying to figure out when the ice cream truck will come down our street. 

I haven't actually spotted the truck that speeds down our street.

It seems that the truck careens around the corner, eerie music floating across the dusk, and we hear it just as bedtime draws near. It seems to come by around 8:00 pm when the kids are just getting out of the tub or putting on pajamas. 

So last Friday night when the hubby was home we decided we'd wait it out. We were going to let them play outside past their bedtime and try to catch the truck at about 8:00. We started playing ball in the front yard at about 7:45. 8:00 came around. No ice cream truck. 8:10, No truck. 8:15, and still no truck had appeared. We gave up for that night! The kids handled it pretty well. They were tired anyway. 

I think I'll have to keep a log tracking when the truck is heard. Because three nights ago, on Tuesday it happened again. It was 7:55 and a nice night. We had the windows open. Just as Julian stepped out of the tub we heard it, the Turkey in the Straw! Darn. I'm sure we'll catch it before summer is over. What tune does the ice cream truck play in your neighborhood?

3.

With summer comes swimming, and I'm afraid of the water. I admit it. I hated swimming lessons when I was a kid. My parents dutifully signed me and my brother up. They were encouraging, but it didn't stick with me! Has anyone else had this experience? You take lessons here and there but really nothing sticks and you feel less and less confident as you get older. Now my kids are getting bigger and I know I need to get them in lessons. Do I really need to? Yuck.

4.

I'm interested to read Laudato Si, the latest from Pope Francis. In 5th grade my dream was to become an environmentalist. 

5.

My nose won't leave me alone. I take an allergy pill every day. Most of the time. Sometimes I forget. Eeeeh. I should make sure to take that because every now and then I have a morning where I wake up sneezing, I can't stop all day long and I have a red nose for the entire day. Monday was one of those days. I can't concentrate on those days. All I want to do is rip my nose off my face. Really, it's bad. I guess I'd better go to the doctor, huh?

6.

Little boy Dan has learned to climb the stairs. He's so proud of himself. It's amazing to see how fast he learns stuff.

I want to squeeze his chubby little legs!

7.

Finally, I can't recommend enough the novel Re Jane by Patricia Park. I'm nearly finished, with 4 chapters left to read. It's been a long time since I found a novel I've liked this much.

Have a great weekend, and thanks for reading! 

Be sure to check back with hostess Kelly to read more Quick Takes.

Answer Me This June 21, 2015

Happy Father's Day! It's time again for Answer Me This. Head on over to Catholic All Year for more answers! I'm enjoying writing these posts and reading lots of others.

1. What's the best thing about your dad?

The best thing about my dad is that he loves what he does. From a young age he decided to pursue acting and eventually earned his degree in theater. My dad loves acting so much, and he's so talented that he has been able to make his living as a professional performer for his entire adult life. He can command a stage, and he can sing like an opera star. I grew up watching him on stage, and I learned everything I know about acting from him.

My dad and me in 2011. I'm about 9 months pregnant in this photo!

2. If you've got kids, what's the best thing about THEIR dad?

The best thing about my husband is the way he makes each one of our three children feel special. He has a special nickname for each of them, and he knows just how to cheer them up when they're feeling out of sorts. He models kindness and love above all else. He is patient (most of the time) and positive. I had a hard time choosing one "best" quality. Love you, Honey!

3. What's the best advice your dad ever gave you?
When you're in a store with many breakable items, always keep your hands behind your back. Also, work hard in school.

4. What's something you have in common with your dad?  
My dad is interested in doing things the right way, and he's not afraid to ask questions or read up on something to figure it out. When we are at a museum or the zoo, my dad will read every informational plaque. I used to get impatient with that but lo and behold I find myself doing the same thing. Nerd. My dad always reads the manual. Now that I'm a grown up (allegedly) I save all the product manuals and when something goes wrong I know where to look. Just like Dad!
It's also worth mentioning that I decided to pursue a career in the performing arts in part because of my dad's influence. I know I can always count on his support in my musical endeavors. Love you, Dad!

5. What's the manliest thing you know how to do?
The manliest thing I know how to do is use a drill to make holes and hang things. I can put child locks on cabinets with ease. I hung up a swinging baby gate in our living room doorway. Yessssss.

Now that I know how to drill holes I'm going to learn how to repair drywall. He he he.

6. Who is your favorite fictional dad?

Technically this dad was a real person. Charles Ingalls, known as Pa, from the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder is my favorite. What did I love about Pa? He was always giving hugs. He was also a good provider and a man of faith. And he could sing and play the fiddle! How many dads do that? He always had a good story to tell and he wasn't too tired at the end of the day (during the winter, at least) to crawl around on hands and knees, chasing Laura and Mary around the house, pretending to be a wild animal.

Laura Ingalls Wilder's parents, Caroline & Charles

This is so fun! Thanks again to Kendra for hosting Answer Me This. Have a great week, everyone!