Answered.

Its been a week or so since I advertised that I would be willing to answer the random questions you've always wanted to know about me...... here are the questions and my answers :)
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I'll start it off. I wanted to put a list of books on the side of my blog like you have, and was wondering how to do it? Is it something that can be done on blogger? I don't think this was the type of question you were thinking of, but hey, that's me! I also wanted to know where you do your shopping? You always have the cutest clothes!

Posted by: Jessica | May 09, 2007 at 01:40 PM

Thanks for your questions, Jess.  As for the books that are displayed on my sidebar,  Typepad has templates that allow users to simply put in the ISBN # from Amazon and the image of the book, title and author info is automatically displayed.  Not a Typepad user? No problemo...there is some html code that you can use to do the same thing (although it is a lot more work).  This is the code: to link an image with a website:  <a href="SiteURL"><img src="ImageURL" border="0"></a>  (where SiteURL = the site you are connecting to, and ImageURL is the image file.)
Oh, and I do pretty much all my clothes shopping at Fashion Bug. I hate the mall so I avoid it whenever possible!  I am not into name-brand fashion or spending a ton of $$ on clothes, so I buy what I think is cute and fits!!

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Posted by: Kirsten | May 09, 2007 at 04:29 PM 

Thats a tough one, because I can envision myself living in many different places.  As much as I want to travel and see the world, I don't think I'd want to live outside the US.  Well, Canada would be really cool too...preferably BC.  You know, for most of my life I wanted to live in Tucson, AZ.  I lived there for the winter during my senior year of college (98-99) and had a job lined up to teach special education in Nogales, AZ once I graduated.  I absolutely loved AZ, but I had to come back to MN to graduate that spring.  I had planned to move back to AZ at the end of the summer, but the closer it got to moving, the more reasons I had to stay right here in the Twin Cities!!  Its a long story but I have never regretted my decision.  At some point in the future I can see myself having dual-residences or moving somewhere on the west coast.

How many books do you read in a given month? Have you ever made a list of all the books you read in one year? Or the ones you plan on reading within a specific self-imposed period of time?

Posted by: Maria | May 10, 2007 at 02:26 AM 

Hey Maria, great question about the books! I've maintained a reading log for about the last 8 years that I've been teaching. Our district has a 25-books-a-year reading campaign for all students and staff, so we are all encouraged to keep a log.   For the past two years that I have been blogging, I have been able to keep a visual record right here on my site.  I still love to read, but I have to admit that I don't set time aside for it like I used to.  I spend way more time on my laptop.  I still average 2-3 books per month.

Oh and I got just one more, if you had to pick just one book as your all time favorite, which one would it be and why?

Posted by: Maria | May 10, 2007 at 02:29 AM 

Not a fair question to ask a bookworm to pick just one book, so I'll tell you a few of my favorites: Memoirs of a Geisha, Davinci Code, The Time Traveler's Wife, and Tenth Circle.  I also love Harry Potter :)

Totally Totally TOtally cool!! I'm copying this.  Ok... my question... hmm...

1) If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

Posted by: Nicole Barczak | May 10, 2007 at 06:37 AM 

I am not a person who dwells on the "could've been's" or anything, but I seriously wonder if maybe I should've gone to college to do something other than teaching.  I enjoy what I do for the most part and I believe I am pretty good at it, but it is more difficult than non-teachers could ever comprehend.  I think I could be great at just about anything I wanted to do.  Other than that, I am pretty satisfied with who I am and what I have done.

What's your favorite kitchen gadget?

Posted by: Jennifer | May 10, 2007 at 08:33 AM 

The toaster oven.  We use ours almost daily, not just for toasting! Its a fabulous way to re-heat leftovers :) I can't believe that some people still don't have one?!  I know that is more of an appliance, but I am not a gadgety-type of person in the kitchen

If money was NO object, what is the ONE thing you would like to do?

Posted by: Adrienne | May 10, 2007 at 08:33 AM 

TRAVEL.  I'd go to all the cool places I've seen, heard or read about.

Where do you find the time to do all this and still always look so pretty?
No, seriously, I'm busy but I ain't pretty.

Posted by: simone | May 10, 2007 at 09:56 AM 

Simone, you are so sweet for saying that I am pretty! Thank you :)  The truth is that it takes me about 10 minutes to apply my makeup and approximately another 5-10 minutes to do my hair.  Easy schmeasy

What are you doing this summer?
(hope I could ask two)

I am hoping I get called to teach summer school, but if not, I will need to find some type of job.  I would also love to go on a trip....just got my passport last week!!  My days are usually spent in the pool or out on the lake, nights dining out, going to concerts, etc.  I am especially looking forward to not having to have knee surgery like I did last summer.  Never take your mobility for granted!

Posted by: simone | May 10, 2007 at 09:58 AM 

How did your TMJ and surgery manifest itself?

I got braces when I was 14 and once they started to straighten my teeth, we realized that I had a significant overbite.  The options were to wear head-gear 24/7 for the next few years or have surgery to pull my lower jaw forward.  The thought of looking like the chick wearing head-gear in Sixteen Candles made me opt for the surgery.  It sucked, majorly.  I had to have my mouth wired shut for weeks, so couldn't eat anything that couldn't be passed through a plastic syringe to the back of my mouth.  I lost feeling in my lower lip and chin and to this day I am still numb and drool at times or get food on my face!!

Approximately how many LO do you do a month?

Boy, that all depends on the month!  I have more time do work on layouts in the summer when I am only working part-time.  On average, I would say 6 double-pagers.

Posted by: Oscar T. Grouch | May 10, 2007 at 03:28 PM 

What inspired you to become a teacher?

Posted by: Rolana | May 10, 2007 at 08:51 PM 

Up until the time I was 16, I had aspirations to become a Doctor (my mom planted the idea in my head on the day I was born and I let it grow for many years).  Then during my junior year of high school I took a class working with severely challenged students in the special ed school that was attached to our high school.  I enjoyed working with those kids so much, I volunteered for additional time every day.  It was at that time that I decided I wanted to be a special ed teacher.  I continued to work with behavioral/mentally challenged kids throughout high school and college, but it was the toughest job! (I actually have enough horror stories to write a book of my experiences, but I have tried to repress those memories).  I decided I would get licensed to teach kids with learning disabilities instead of the severe kids.  I taught for only one year before going back to get my Masters degree in Gifted Education.  I prefer the smart ones :)

Would you like to have kids one day?

Posted by: Rolana | May 10, 2007 at 08:51 PM 

Yes, but I can't imagine being a teacher AND being a parent.  Kids overstimulate me!!!!!

What is the one thing in the world that really irritates you?

Posted by: Rolana | May 10, 2007 at 08:53 PM 

I don't get irritated that easy, but I guess I am personally the most irritated when people lie.  Oh, and I get irritated on the road quite easily!!!

What's your favorite beauty product or secret that you'd like to share with your blog readers?

Posted by: Rolana | May 10, 2007 at 08:53 PM 

Ummm, my only real beauty secret is make-up. 

Do you eat cereal?  And, if so, what's your favorite kind?  LOL  But seriously, answer the question.

Posted by: LesleMora | May 10, 2007 at 11:12 PM 

Yes I eat cereal...it is one of my favorite foods!  If all else fails, cereal always hits the spot.  I grew up on the non-sugar variety such as Cheerios, Kix, Crispix and Raisin Bran.  My favorites today are Honey Bunches of Oats, Basic 4 and Frosted Flakes!  I also like Captain Crunch Berries, but only buy those maybe once a year.

Oh, and I forgot to ask . . . How do you like my new blog name, casadelesle . com? I hope you like it, 'cuz I've already bought it. =:-O

Posted by: LesleMora | May 10, 2007 at 11:14 PM 

Very cool name, Lesle!!!  Its great to have your own domain name :)

What store do you shop at the most?  (For clothes)

Posted by: Julie | May 11, 2007 at 09:32 AM 

Fashion Bug :)

Well, I wasn't going to comment on this one until I had a really good question, but this one now comes to mind! When are you coming to Chicago for a visit? Don't you like us??? It's been a while since you were here! :)

Posted by: Dana | May 11, 2007 at 03:30 PM 

Dana!!  Yes we still like you, silly!!!!  Since I don't have much to do this summer, I can come to Chicago just about any time!  I just have to talk to E and to Uncle and find out when it would be cool to come.  Any special events I should plan around?

Can we do Sushi when I get home?? Oh and how 'bout this one....If you could have one super power, what would it be? (thats from Blake LOL)

Posted by: Jessie | May 15, 2007 at 12:03 PM 

Jessie!!! 16 days and counting until you and the kids come home!!!  Yes, we can go have sushi :) Bradie, Dana and I also want to plan a girls dinner to El Alamancer on the Wesssssssssssst Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiide in your honor.  Maybe the 1st week of June if you feel settled enough ;)

If I could have any super power, I would want to be able to Teleport myself anywhere in the world instantaneously.  I would have lunch in a different country every day of the year!!!

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That was fun :)

Comments

[Maria]

Loved reading all your answers!!! This was super cool.

[adrienne]

Loved reading your answers!

[Andrea]

Very fun post Kristi. I would love to go out with you girls when Jessie comes home, so please keep me in mind for that :)
Have a great week!!

[lesfitz]

that was so fun to read. I didn't have any questions though....
I love to read books too so I love seeing your side bar and and what you've been reading. I loved a couple of your faves...I'm a big HP fan too.
I must read Memoirs of a Geisha and the The Tenth Circle myself!

[LesleMora]

Yea! You like cereal! That means you are a responsible person, someone who makes sure to get breakfast in . . . but is still young at heart! I just made that up, but I think it fits you. :) I am a cereal fiend, MUST HAVE CEREAL, love Frosted Flakes, Captain Crunch, and right now I'm stuck on Life. Yummy!

[Greta]

loved reading them all....how much does your own domain name cost?

[sarah]

I somehow missed the question portion...
but I'm glad I caught the answers!
how fun!

Oh man - you had to have your jaw wired shut? My uncle had his wired shut too. He survived on KFC mashed potatos thined out with gravy and drank it thru a straw. YUCK. Then near the end he figured out how to get one M&M thru the gap in the back - but then had to just suck on it until it melted. He also still has a numb spot and ofen has to be told there's some food on his chin. :(

[Valerie]

Loved all you answers to your questions!! Any time you want to move up here to British Columbia, Canada let me know!! How cool would that be!!

[Kirsten]

Thanks for answering!

[Muriel]

loved reading your answers!!!