Random Dozen -- the Wednesday meme

1. On an average, how often do you splurge and buy something for yourself?

Hmmm…. define “splurge.” Does that indicate a certain level of spending? Or just finally buying something that I want only for myself?
Most of my splurges are either for supplies for scrapbooking and cardmaking, or for clothing. The last time I really splurged for scrapbooking was last winter when I purchased a Cricut Expression. The last time I splurged for the house was just last week when my husband and I purchased two chairs and an ottoman. In between those two splurges? One shopping “spree” for some much-needed summer clothing, but that’s about it, I think.

2 What is the last creative project you began/finished? Feel free to post a pic of it.

The last major, completed project was the reupholstering of our dining room chairs. But that wasn’t as creative as the Scripture project I made for our grown kids last year, so I think I’ll mention that one instead. Using decorative chipboard books, I “scrapbooked” each page with either a Scripture verse or an inspirational saying – things that my husband and I think are important for the kids to ponder as they go through their lives. For our one son, who still moves around a lot, I substituted a one-page 12x12 shadow box he could hang on the wall.

Here are two photographs that show parts of the 12x12 page I made for Darren:




3. OK, Goldie Locks, do you consider your house too big, too little or juuuust right?

Too small. It’s very charming, since it is a “storybook cottage” style house from the 1930s, but it is just too small for two adults, a teenage boy and a large dog. And it doesn’t have a back yard because it’s in a city neighborhood of small lots. Tim bought this house in 1999, before we were courting, so I had nothing to do with the purchase. As soon as we’re done fixing up this place (and the real estate market recovers), we’re selling and looking for something a wee bit larger, both in square footage and lot size.

4. What is your favorite outdoor chore?

Planting the summer flowers in the deck planters. I love our old, shabby deck and love to see it dressed up with color and greenery.

5. If you knew that cigarette smoking was not bad for your health but would be a weight loss tool, would you use it? Why or why not?

No, because it’s still gross. Have you ever kissed someone who smokes? It’s like kissing an ash tray. Yuk. And the smell that lingers on your clothing and in your hair is just as bad.

6. On a road trip, would you rather drive or ride?

Drive. I spend a lot of time gasping and hitting my imaginary brake when my husband is driving.

7. What do you consider a trivial pursuit?

Trivial as in: “I’m the only one who enjoys this stuff?” That would probably be family history research. I love doing it – it’s fascinating to me to see the patterns in our ancestors’ lives and to see how those patterns repeat down the generations.

8. This weekend, we downloaded the movie "Duplicity" with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. Within 5 minutes, I was bored and annoyed, but I kept watching 5-10 minutes at a time hoping it would get better between small chores. I finally gave up and Jorge watched it alone, and then regretted wasting that time because he disliked it intensely, too. So ... how long do you watch a movie or read a book before giving up on it?

Watching a movie: I’ll give it about 3 minutes and then I’m either in or out for good. Reading a book: I give it at least 20 pages or as many as 50 pages to see if I can get into it.

9. Is there a song that you really love but are embarrassed to admit because it's not cool or it's racy or because it's by Hall and Oates?

“Gunpowder and Lead” by Miranda Lambert. (“I’m goin’ home, gonna load my shotgun, wait by the door, light a cigarette. He wants a fight? Well, now he’s got one, and he ain’t seen me crazy yet…”) Not exactly a Christian perspective toward resolving differences in a relationship….. but I understand the anger and sense of desperation expressed in the song.

10. On a scale of 1-10 (10 = extremely) how spontaneous are you?

I guess about a 6 or 7. My husband is definitely a 10, and I’m not nearly as spontaneous as he. In the end, it depends on how much work has yet to be done.

11. Are you a food and/or beverage snob?

Well, I suppose I am, now that I think about it. I’m very fussy about my morning tea – have to use filtered water and PG Tips tea imported from England. I like Starbucks coffee a lot better than, say, Folgers brand. When it comes to a glass of wine, I can’t drink the really cheap stuff or I’ll be sick to my stomach. We don’t eat processed foods – no frozen dinners, no meals out of boxes, no powdered drink mixes, etc. I prepare and cook from scratch as much as possible -- and that’s as much for health reasons as for taste, really. Yep, I guess I qualify as a “foodie” snob.

12. Who/What are you trying to control in your life?

I’m regularly trying to control my reaction to someone who seriously irritates the h-e-double-hockey-sticks out of both my husband and me (that's whole 'nother blog post). Tim is very good at letting it all go. I certainly should let it go, too, and God knows I am trying to do just that.