Mi Vida Ocupada: My Busy Life!

Thoughts for Thursday: Dreams

I had an interesting conversation last night with some of the neighbor-girls about what we dream about.  Dreams are so fleeting..... they are to me anyway, with bits and pieces that sometimes flashback at random times.  Most of the time I do not remember my dreams at all, other times I can recall them vividly.  I have had some recurring dreams, even some that go all the way back to my childhood that I still remember.  For the past few years I have dreamt of a unknown city.  In this dream I drive all over the city, taking different routes.  I have had it so many times that I swear I could navigate through that city if I ever happened to be there in real life.  What do you think that is supposed to mean?  I think I am a suggestive dreamer in the regard that I often dream about things that are on my mind before going to bed.  Other times I have dreams that are so bizarre, I wonder where they came from?! I am not the type to analyze my dreams normally, but I sure have had some C.R.A.Z.Y. dreams! (I will have to write a post just about some of them just for the record!)

Just curious if you remember your dreams or not? Which dreams do you tend to remember the most? Scary? Happy? Bizarre? Do your dreams center around things in your real life or that you were thinking about before bed or are they totally random?? Do you ever dream about strangers that you don't recall ever meeting in real life?? 

Go ahead and share your thoughts of dreams with me! Or even share a dream you've had if you'd like ;)

PS On an unrelated note..... sweetsauer.com will be moving to a new server and platform this weekend so make sure you subscribe using this feed otherwise you will not continue to receive my blog updates!

Thoughts for Thursday: Advice wanted for new D-SLR camera users (lenses, camera bags, etc)

As a brand-new inexperienced D-SLR camera owner, I have a few questions for those of you who more experienced using cameras!

I am looking into various lenses.  Reading this article about choosing lenses really explained a LOT.  My Nikon D5000 came with a 18-55mm kit lens and I also bought a 55-200mm zoom lens.  Both are nice for now but I really feel like I also need a Prime Lens.  I have gotten great advice from photographers Michelle, Chriselda and Jen who all say I really should get a 50mm f/1.8 or 1.4 (if I could afford the upgrade!).  I am also interested in a  lens for Macro photography.  What would I want to use for that? If you own a D-SLR camera, please tell me what lenses you own, which is your favorite and what you use it for??

When I bought my camera last week with the two lenses, I felt it was necessary to get a camera bag that would hold it all.  The bag is huge, much bigger than my purse! I am actually in need of a new purse too, so I don't know if I should get a smaller camera bag for just the camera (and one smaller lens) or if I should get a bigger bag that could dual as both camera bag and purse.  Is there such a thing that is both stylish, protective and functional? I am used to always carrying a camera with me but right now that just isn't happening until I figure out a better solution.  What do you use for a camera bag? Any ideas on where to look?

I bought a tripod with the camera and I would also like to get a remote control.  Are there any other necessities that I should look into???

Thanks for any advice and for answering my questions!

Thoughts for Thursday: Amazon Kindle and Electronic Reading Devices

I have made it no secret over the years that I am an avid reader.  I love to read and I have been a bookworm my entire life, you can see the long list of books I have read in the past few years in my sidebar or even see some of my book talks here. I love BOOKS, I have hundreds of them and yes, they do take up a lot of space.  Despite all of that, I don't think I could ever replace my beloved printed books with a digital reading device such as Amazon Kindle or Sony eBook or  Papyrus or any of the other devices currently out there.

I can see how these reading devices are convenient, especially if you travel a lot, but I would genuinely miss the action of turning the pages, the smell of a book.  I know it might seem weird but some of my best memories as a kid are of reading Little Golden Books and the smell they had.  There are so many wonderful picture books out for kids now that I cannot even think about how these devices would be used with children.  All I know is that it would be a travesty if picture books ever disappeared.

What do you think about electronic reading devices? Do you have one or would you like one? Or are you a traditional printed-book-person like me? Do you think these devices will increase in popularity in time and eventually put printed books out of business or will man-kind return to the simple things liking reading real books after this craze has ended?

Other TFTs this week:

Kim on Inadequacy

TFT: Drinking Soda

It has been about 2 years now since I stopped drinking soda.  Prior to that I was drinking approx two regular caffeine-free sodas a day, but only drank them with meals (usually Sprite or root beer).  After I stopped drinking soda I miraculously started losing weight, it seemed there was a definite connection between drinking soda and weight for me.  I have a sensitivity to aspartame so drinking diet isn't an option.  Every once in awhile I will drink a  soda if it is purchased as part of a combo meal, but I do not miss it and drink water 98% of the time.

I know a ton of people out there drink a lot of soda every day, so now I would like to ask my readers:

Do you drink soda? Which are your favorites? Diet or regular? How many do you drink a day?  Do you drink it just to drink it or only with meals? If you do not drink soda, what is the reason?

Other TFT's this week:

Robyn on Pet Peeves

NicoleR on If Blood is thicker than Water

Anne on Playing with your Kids

Nic B on Kids playing with Toy Guns

Jenny on Thanksgiving Plans

TFT: Getting Gray

I am going to assume for a minute that all the readers of this blog are adults, 21+.  After making that assumption, can I also assume that most of you readers have experienced at least one gray hair so far in your lifetime?? If you haven't, well then lucky you. 

I think I was around age 23-24 when I got my first gray hair.  Not too surprising since teaching special ed level 4 LD/EBD at the Jr. high level can do that to ya! Luckily I was able to move on from special ed to gifted ed early in my career and didn't notice any more gray hairs for years.  But then earlier this year I turned 32.  I don't know what has happened since this last birthday, but the grays started coming much faster and since it has been over a year since I have had my hair colored, it is much more noticeable now.  Grays are way more noticeable on dark hair than light.  I always thought I was too vain to let it go natural but I can't afford to go to the  salon and have it colored regularly and I am fearful of do-it-yourself-from-the-box dye. Something must be done soon, however, before the kids at school start calling me grandma! lol

I guess my questions for you today are:  What age were you when you spotted your first gray? How about your partner? Do you color your hair to cover the gray or do you embrace the gray in a natural way? Do you think there is a double standard for gray on men vs. women?

Other TFT's this week:

Ang on how much time you surf at work

Thoughts for Thursday: Skinny Jeans on Guys

You want to know what I think about skinny jeans on guys???

FUUUUGGGGLLLLYYYY!!!

GUYS!! Please, I beg you......... DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT WEAR SKINNY JEANS.  Not even if your life depended on it!!  I seriously don't get why they are fashionable.  They are sooooo unflattering.  They shrink the length of your leg, make your butt look gross and they're just plain repulsive to look at.

Why?

Please tell me I am not alone!  Ladies, I know you don't let your men out of the house wearing these hideous pants.....

Thoughts for Thursday: Rereading your Blog Posts

Wow, I think its been nearly a year since I last posted a TFT! Had ya'll given up on me?!

My topic of the week is about rereading your old blog posts.  Its been 4+ years that I have been blogging now and quite a bit has changed with my blogging behaviors since then.  In the past I used to read and visit my own blog frequently (like at least once every day).  I have always had my blog set so that I have the 20 most recent posts showing on the main page, so it is very convenient to scroll down to the bottom and get caught up with what I have been up to for the past couple of months.  Despite that fact, It had been so long since I looked past whatever current post I had on top that I actually sneaked a peak last night at just the posts on this main page and was really surprised that I had as much stuff posted in the past few months as I did!! I rarely feel like posting without pictures and didn't think that I had actually blogged much in the past few months since I have been camera-less.  I guess borrowing my dad or brother's cameras has saved me from becoming a blog failure!

At this point in time I have nearly 1400 posts (but at least 150 of those are photo posts that I imported from my Daily Photo Blog back in June) and it would take me hours to go back and reread them all in order.  I do go back and find old posts that I want to reference from time to time, but I think I have only read my entire blog all the way through only twice, and that was for the purpose of categorizing old posts and for creating a blog highlights post.  I think I need to make a better effort sometime soon to go back and reread what my life has been about the past 5 years!

So my question for today is, do you go back and reread your own blog? How far back do you usually look?

TFT: Non-Alcoholic Beverage Treats

Whoa..... a TFT two weeks in a row!
This week I wanted to talk about yummy alcohol-free drinks that we treat ourselves to on occasion.  While I have blogged before about my caffeine-free lifestyle, I have to admit that something has changed since then.  I have taken a liking to the hot chocolate at my local Holiday Gas Station and have been stopping about once per week on my way to work for this special treat (its so creamy and chocolatey!).  I feel like such a hypocrite because I never used to understand how people can crave a drink so much and give in to such indulgences (especially when they can get expensive at places like Starbucks, Caribou, etc.)  Does the fact that I stop at least once per week make me one of these beverage-addicts? The fact that I literally crave that hot chocolate makes me think that YES, I am now one of those people.  Dear Lord, I never thought it would happen to me! Good thing that hot chocolate only costs me $1.26 including tax.  Another beverage treat that I love on rare occasion is the iced chai tea at Caribou (but that is $4!)

Now that I am "out" about my beverage indulgence, I would like you all to come out too!

What is your favorite beverage-treat indulgence and where do you get it? How much are you willing to spend for your favorite beverage?  How far are you willing to go to get it?  How often do you indulge? Does your craving change with the seasons?

Thoughts for Thursday: Leaving the Nest

Its been such a long time since I posted a TFT, just too much going on most weeks! I have been meaning to post about "Leaving the Nest" for some time now and I am not even sure how to begin, but let's see.....

At some point all children must grow up and become independent and try the world on their own.... you know, leave the nest.  Is everyone ready to leave that nest at the same time or at the same age? Of course not.  There are a number of different reasons in which adult children might continue living with their parents. 

When I was 18, I moved away to college.  I lived in the dorms for a year and then shared an apartment with some amazing roommates for an additional two years.  During this time I still somewhat considered my parents' house "home" because it was the house I grew up in and I still had a room and a bed.  I moved to Arizona during the fall of my senior year of college and came back to MN in the spring to graduate.  Some of my friends were still living at home at this point, but many also lived in apartments.  I was 22 years old, a new college graduate and starting to get involved in a romantic relationship with a wonderful guy.  The last thing in a million years that I wanted to do was live at home with my parents.  I was finally an adult!! So I moved into an apartment that summer and never looked back.  My parents raised my brothers and I to be independent and I think they expected us to be on our own once we finished college.  In fact, the day after I moved out of my parents' house at age 22, my dad turned my old bedroom into his home office.  There was nowhere for me to go if I decided I wanted to come back home (which I never did).  I lived in two apartments before I bought my own home (new construction) when I was just 24.  Have I ever regretted leaving the nest when I did? Absolutely not! I know I would be practically rich if I hadn't had to pay my mortgage for the past 8 years (oh, and all the places I could've traveled), but I wouldn't trade my independence.

So I guess my questions for you are..... How old were you when you left the nest? Did you ever move back home after being on your own for a period of time?  When/why were you finally ready to move out?  What do you think is a reasonable age to expect adult children to leave the nest? How do you view adult children who still live at home?

Thanks for sharing your experiences with me :)

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Other TFT posts this week:

Steph on what you want to be when you grow up

TFT: How often do you talk to your mom?

So, I am curious.  It seems like a lot of women I know talk to their mothers on the phone on a regular basis.  I am totally NOT a phone person, so I am not exactly sure what "regular basis" means, but I guess I am thinking once per week? I also know several women who talk to their mom on the phone every single day.  Whoa! What could you possibly have to talk about every day??

Neither my mom or I are phone people, so we rarely talk on the phone.  I am not sure if this is learned or genetic, because my Gram isn't a phone person either.  My mom believes in privacy.  She also feels there is no need to discuss boring everyday details such as the weather or what we each ate for dinner last night.   I am pretty sure she does not read my blog either.  When we are in person we talk about all sorts of things and it seems more special.  I love her very much and think she is an amazing woman.

Now my questions for the day:

How often do you talk to your mom?  Has this amount of time increased since having kids or have you always talked to your mother on a regular basis? Do you tell your mom everything? Do you consider her a close friend? Have you always been close to your mom or has it changed as you became an adult?

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Other TFT posts this week:

Kim on feelings about pets after having kids

Nicole on celebrity endorsements

TFT: Celebrating Birthdays

Birthdays.  They come only once a year, so celebration is in order, right?? Once upon a time I would assume so, since birthdays were always a big deal in my family, but I have since encountered a few people here and there who don't give their own birthday and celebrating it much thought. So I guess I am just curious......
How big of a deal is your birthday to you? Is it a very special event that you celebrate as much as you possibly can? What kinds of things do you like to do to celebrate? Did your parents make a big deal about birthdays while you were growing up? Do you only celebrate milestones or is every birthday a big deal? Do you honor your birthday just once and then that's it? Is anyone willing to admit they try to avoid their birthday altogether or that they think birthdays aren't a big deal??

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Other TFT posts this week:

Denise in MN on celebrating Valentine's Day

Jenny C on tax preparation

Ang on HOW you use Facebook

Jenny P on how to spend extra $$

Dana Leigh on Vices

TFT: Physical Attraction

I didn't spend too much time thinking of this week's TFT topic, but decided to talk about physical attraction and whether you have a certain "type" of person that you find yourself attracted to.  I know many of you who read this are married or in committed relationships, but that doesn't make you blind!  I think many of us are attracted to certain characteristics.  My type, for example, are guys that are "tall, dark and handsome" aka  Handsome, exotic-looking men that are usually 6 feet or taller.  I also like guys with a sense of humor.  Lucky me to have found someone that is all of the above!  Everyone is different, though. One of my best friends loves guys with blonde hair/blue eyes, another loves manly-men.  Another friend loves petite women with long, dark curly hair.  You get the picture.

Of course looks are only skin-deep and a good relationship is built on much more than just attraction, but that attraction is what initially draws you to someone.

So I am curious....what is your "type"? Does your partner fit within that type??

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This weeks TFT posts:

Denise in MN and taking time off for sick kids

Anne on finishing a book

Denise H on when/where you get your best ideas

Jenny P on breast feeding
Ang on watching movies at home vs. the theater
Dana Leigh on the death penalty

TFT: Doomsday 2012

Did anybody watch any of the shows during Armageddon Week on the History Channel?  Crazy stuff, huh?? So many different ancient cultures all predicting major devastation to our planet and our species in December of the year 2012. Scary stuff!

Without meaning to sound pessimistic, I am curious what you think about Doomsday.  Does thinking about it scare the $%^&* out of you?  Do you believe it is possible that something will happen beginning in 2012 or do you refuse to buy into any of these prophecies?

There are many signs that are already starting to surface, I guess only time will tell??!!

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Other TFT posts this week:

Denise in Utah on reasons why you blog

Nicole B on which method of communication you prefer

Ang on Guilty pleasures

TFT: Near-Death Experiences

I know that many of us have our own specific beliefs about Heaven and the Afterlife, but have you ever really wondered what it will really be like?  Fortunately for us, there are many people who have been pronounced clinically dead, but have come back to life with detailed accounts of what happened after they died.  This is the Near-Death Experience.

Near-death Experiences (NDE) are something I have been interested in since I first read a great book called Embraced by the Light that was given to me many years ago by my friend Bradie. The story is written by a woman who at age  31,  died during surgery and then traveled through "the spirit realm" and was "shown secrets of the Universe" before returning to her body.  The book is a highly detailed account of her experience.  I found it very comforting and intriguing.

I have renewed interest in this topic right now after recently reading about the near-death experience of Bridget, a girl I went to HS with.  Her accident and experience happened 13 years ago, but is one that is truly remarkable and has changed her life. (Thanks to Facebook for reconnecting us and allowing me to find her blog! And just as a side note, Bridget is in Thailand right now and blogging about her trip, so you should check it out!)

From what I have read, many times people who have had a NDE have acquired unique gifts, such as mind-reading or healing of some kind.  I think these people are just so incredibly lucky to have met God and be able to experience his Glory and then return for a 2nd chance at life on Earth with such Knowledge. 

Here are several other resources I found on NDE that I would like to read more of:

Saved by the Light

Beyond this Reality

I Saw Heaven

One With The Light

The Big Book of Near Death Experiences

So now that you have a little background on near-death experiences, I am wondering if you find comfort in these people's stories?  Does it renew your faith in God?{ It sure does for me :) }Any other thoughts on the subject?

Other TFT posts today:

Denise in MN on what you think about Facebook

Dana Leigh on the Economy

Helmey on food & product expiration dates

Nicole B on whether being a wife or a mother is harder

Ang on remaining friends with an Ex

Thoughts for Thursday: Revenge

Normally "Revenge" isn't something I would blog about, but after hearing about the "Dirty Deeds" contest on a local radio station this morning, I figured it might be a good TFT.  This contest involves sending in your stories about acts you have committed for revenge and the winner will be awarded with AC/DC tickets.  I heard a couple of the stories, things like the guy who was mad at his girlfriend and swapped her toothbrush with the dog's, or the guy who slept with his girlfriend's mother after she cheated on him first .  I tried to find a link to the stories on the radio's website but couldn't locate it.  To read other stories of revenge, check out Top 10 Stories of Revenge. 

Obviously there are a lot of people who seek out revenge because it makes them feel better (and some people definitely deserve to have bad things coming to them) .  I am not at all a revengeful person, probably because I am pretty laid back and would rather have a problem just disappear, or try to forgive.  There have only been a few times in my life when the idea of revenge snuck into my mind and only once did I act on it and it was something pretty harmless.

Have there been moments in your life that you let anger guide you into seeking revenge?  Do you feel the need to even the score if someone does you wrong?? If not, what strategies do you use to keep your cool? If you have committed acts of revenge or know of any stories, please feel to leave an anonymous comment and share the details!!

Other TFT posts this week:

Jenny P on Holidays

Michelle needing decorating ideas

Helmet on internet humor

Michelle on family dinner time

Ang looking for help thinking of future TFT topics

Thoughts for Thursday: Renting & Ordering Movies

Are there many movie-watchers out there? 

I like watching movies but don't take the time very often.  Up until about a year ago, if there was a movie I wanted to see, I would just buy it.  At $15-25 a pop! With Blu-Ray and other technology that has come out, it just seems like a waste to buy movies these days.  For the past year I have mostly only watched movies that friends and family let me borrow.  I do not have digital cable so ordering them On Demand has not been an option.
I have known many people who use Netflix, but it seems like you have to really be a fan of watching movies in order to get your $20/month worth, so I never tried this service.  There are also many internet sites that allow you to legally download movies to your computer, but I haven't tried any of those either.

Well, I finally discovered Red Box this past weekend!  I had known about it but never bothered to use it before and found that it is so easy and convenient to use...not to mention cheap! $1 per night per movie.  This seems like the best option for me.

Do you watch a lot of movies? What methods/services to you use for ordering or renting movies? 
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TFT posts this week:

JennyC on holiday tips and tricks

Leanne on Christmas Shopping & Black Friday
Ang on wearing seat belts
Nicole on privatizing blogs

Thought for Thursday: Shopping Online

Isn't the internet a wonderful place? Of course all of you think so or you wouldn't be surfing right now, would you!?
My topic of the week is about online shopping, the epitome of convenience.

These days you can buy pretty much anything online- services, clothes, electronics, groceries, children (kidding, just wanted to see if you're reading!), vehicles, vacations, odds & ends, you name it.  It is so easy to do! I even know a few people who have become addicted to shopping online, especially eBay or Amazon.com.  Are you one of those people?

I have to admit I do not do much shopping in any capacity (online or in person).  The things that I have bought online include photos, scrap supplies, books, my Macbook Pro, computer software, and a few other miscellaneous things here and there.  These types of things I would buy online any day, but would you believe I have never once browsed Etsy and my eBay score is maybe 5 items!?

My questions of the day:  How much  online shopping do you do (percentage wise)? What types of things you do purchase online? Does shopping online ever make you feel like you aren't spending real money?? Do you ever worry about the security of your purchases? How do you generally feel about online shopping?

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Other TFT posts this week:

Helmet on the political aftermath

Jenny P on reasons why you love your spouse

Anne on bedtime rituals

Dana Leigh on vacations

Thoughts for Thursday: Kids Playing Sports

I have blogged about sports a few time before as TFT (sports fans and sports heroes) and now I have yet another one to ponder! A friend of me was telling me recently about her kindergarten-aged son who has just started wrestling.  It had me taken aback somewhat to think about little kids wrestling, mostly because of all the contact and the potential to get hurt.  Kids are even playing football as early as  1st grade (as one little kid recently told me).  MN is also a huge hockey state and many people start their kids skating at age 3.  I also know of many little girls who start dancing at age 2!!! It sure seems like kids are starting sports younger and younger these days! I have to admit that by the age of 4 my mom also had me enrolled in a ton of sports; we belonged to the YMCA and she sure took advantage of every possible sport we could participate in (as long as we were willing!) I played soccer, gymnastics, floor hockey, and t-ball.

What are your thoughts on kids starting sports so early? Is it okay as long as they want to play? Do you consider some sports more appropriate than others at a younger age??  How old were you when you started playing sports?

Other TFT posts this week:

Robyn on voting

Michelle on women

Dana Leigh on Halloween
Ang on the reasons why you blog

Thoughts for Thursday: Caffeine & Coffee-aholics

Coffee. Caffeine.
Do you NEED to have it?
Does your day begin with it before you can think straight?
Are you willing to spend up to $4 on a cup of fancy-schmancy coffee on a regular basis or it just a every-once-in-awhile treat? Or maybe Diet Coke or other caffeinated soda is your beverage of choice?
I am sure that a lot of you are nodding your heads "YES".  Do you consider yourself addicted to caffeine?  How many caffeinated drinks do you drink on a daily basis?

I cannot relate since I have been caffeine-free for about 10 years now (with an occasional piece of chocolate or cup of cocoa). Unlike most people, caffeine makes me feel sick rather than charged up.  Is there anyone with me???

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Other TFT posts this week:

Heather on flu shots

Dana Leigh on nutritional labels

Michelle on expensive clothes

Ang on optimism

Thoughts for Thursday

 I am not going to do a TFT this week (I have the day off a feel like being lazy), but here are the links to TFT posts this week:

Jennifer on health care
Anne on driving long distance

Ang on road trips

Dana on tattoos and piercings

Michelle on plastic surgery

Thoughts for Thursday: Little girls and Make-up

Wearing make up.
For many young women this is a Rite of Passage, something you grow into around the pre-teen and teenage years.
Imagine my surprise as a teacher to often see girls as young as 1st grade wearing make up.  Lipstick.  and EYELINER.  I am not even kidding.  At one school I worked at there was a tiny, cute little Asian girl whose mother put eyeliner on her everyday.  She looked like a teenager in a 4-5 year-old's body.  Isn't that sick???  And this kid wasn't playing dress-up and wasn't in beauty pageants or anything (I am having flashbacks of Jon Benet Ramsey).  Even though I don't agree with putting make-up on little girls, I have noticed that some cultures have a different view of make up so I try to keep an open mind about it.  I know that many little girls love to play "dress-up" and that many toy companies produce make-up kits for little girls, but I also think those little girls and their mommies know that they are just playing.
Many mothers have a different view of wearing make-up than their daughters who want to start wearing it (from my experience, usually between ages 12-14).  Moms want to protect their daughters and prevent them from growing up too fast or having boys take advantage of them.  Adolescent girls view make up as a tool that makes them feel slightly more independent and grown up, and since they are also starting to notice boys, it probably makes them feel more attractive.

My mom had a strict make up policy: No make up until I was a teenager.  I can't remember if she gave me a specific age, but I remember I was ready to wear make up long before she was willing to let me.  I think I was around 6th grade when I started sneaking mascara and lipgloss onto the school bus so that I could apply it before school and my mom would never know.  By 8th grade she finally gave in and I think I have been wearing it ever since.

So my questions for today are:

How old were you when you started wearing make up? Were you ready before your parents? At what age would you allow your daughter to wear make up? What do you think about little girls wearing make up in general??

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Other TFT posts today:

Dana Leigh on dreams

Helmet on savoring your treat now or later

Ang on Immediate Family

Thoughts for Thursday: Sports Fans

Sports.

Sports are a very big deal in the U.S., wouldn't you say?  Football, Baseball, Basketball, Hockey, Boxing, Golf, Tennis, Soccer, etc.  Billions of $$$$ are spent on sports every year.  There are the die-hard fans who buy season tickets every year, no matter how their team is doing.  These fans will support their teams even when the going gets tough.  There are also the fans that love their team and watch every chance they can get, attending games a couple of times a year.  There are also fans who will watch a few games here or there, but do not invest a lot into the teams or sports in general. And then there are the fair-weathered fans.  These are the fans who only come out of the woodwork when the local team is doing hot, then they jump on the Bandwagon. Of course their are also people who couldn't care less about Sports.

Several members of my HUGE family are very BIG sports fans on both my mom and dad's sides, and my dad and brothers are also die-hard sports fans.  Once upon a time I was a big fan also......

We'll start with the Twins.  When my dad was the CEO of Schweigert Foods, we had  incredible season tickets for the Twins, front row on 1st base.  I attended a ton of games as a kid, including the winning World Series Game 7 in both 1987 and 1991 when the Minnesota Twins won the World Series.  I was a huge fan of the Twins back in the days of Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti, Dan Gladden, etc.  When Kirby retired due to his health, I pretty much quit following the Twins.  I was deeply saddened when Kirby past away a few years ago. 

I was also a HUGE Minnesota North Stars fan.  Mike Modano and Curt Giles were my GUYS!! We also had season tickets to the Stars and I was fortunate to attend several playoff and Stanley Cup finals games.  Then stupid Norm Green moved the team to Dallas.  10 years later or so, the NHL came back to MN with a  new team, the Wild.  I made a conscious decision not to invest emotionally in the new team.  I haven't followed hockey at all since.

I was also a huge Vikings fan back in the day and during the 1998 season (when we went 15-1) I had high hopes that they would go to the Superbowl and WIN.  My heart broke in January 1999 when we lost that chance during the NFC Championship when we lost 27-30 to Atlanta.  At that point I realized that I could no longer let the Vikings dominate my emotions.  It just wasn't worth it.  I quit watching the Vikings and have only watched a few games here and there ever since.  Too me, football is all about socializing- I will cheer for the home team but I will not invest any emotion into it.  And here I fooled my blogging buddyHelmet into believing I was a huge Vikings fan....he even gave me an award because of it!!! Ha!

Basketball is a different story.  I love to watch it!! The Timberwolves were my team since the very first game they ever played.... I was lucky enough to attend their inaugural game in 1989 against the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordon (courtside!).  We had season tickets to the Twolves also, and then when Kevin Garnett joined the team in 1995, I was super excited to see where the team would go.  I remained very loyal to the Twolves and especially to Kevin Garnett, who would become an incredible Superstar.  My loyalty still remains with KG, even though he was traded last year to the Celtics, so I  became a Celtics fan overnight.  I was beyond ecstatic when the Celtics won the NBA Championship last year because I so badly wanted to see my man win!  I still like the Twolves and hope they get better, but will continue to support them in the mean time.

As sad as it is to some, I now consider myself a fair-weather fan.  I have very little emotional attachment to the teams or players (with few exceptions).  I would be very happy if any of them had successful years, and I will admit I am the bandwagon type and would probably only show major support in the event that they make it into the playoffs.

Wow, I guess I had no idea where this post was going when I started it, but my questions for you today are:

What type of sports fan do you consider yourself? Who are your favorite teams to root for? 

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Other TFT posts this week:

Mel on emergency dispatchers

Dana Leigh on getting picked on

Denise on smells that bring back memories

Jenny C on fall favorites

Ang on extended family

Jenny P on slowing down

Anne on giving away your pet

Thoughts for Thursday: Live Music/Concerts

Most people who have regularly read this blog or know me in person have come to the conclusion that I enjoy attending concerts.  Its true! Live music has become a major part of my life over the past ten years.  I have literally been to hundreds of shows, and I have a pile of ticket stubs to prove it!

There is just something so exciting about seeing a band live! It is more than just the actual music that draws me, it is also the emotion attached.    I tried to compile a list of bands that I can recall seeing.  Some of these bands I have seen many, many times!  One of my most memorable concerts ever was seeing Santana on December 31, 1999 at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas.  Seeing Prince perform at Paisley Park ranks up there too.  There have been some really great shows that I have been to, too many to get into specifics!
Ready for the list of bands I have seen?  Its a LONG list!
311 (many times)
30 Seconds to Mars (many times)
A Perfect Circle
Alabama
Ankla
Arch Enemy
Armor for Sleep
Baby Face
Beach Boys
Billy Dean
Black Flood Diesel
Boys II Men
Buried by Hope
Children of Bodom
Chimaira
Circa Survive
Coheed & Cambria
Creed
Damage Plan
Days of the New
Deftones
Dir en Grey
Eric Sardinas
Fear Factory
Fishbone
Five Finger Death Punch
George Clinton
God Forbid
Godsmack
Grand Central Station
Ill Nino
In Flames
Incubus
Iron Maiden
Janet Jackson
Joe Satriani
Judas Priest
Kentucky Headhunters
Kid Rock
Killswitch Engage
King's X
Korn (many times)
Lenny Kravitz
Limp Bizkit
Linkin Park
LL Cool J
Mary J. Blige
Matchbook Romance
MC Hammer
Megadeth
Metallica
Method Man
Morris Day & The Time
Naughty by Nature
Neil Diamond
Ozzie Osbourne
Pantera
Papa Roach
Powerman 5000
Primus
Prince (many times)
Queensryche
R. Kelly
Ra
Ratt
Redman
Rena McIntyre
Rise Against
Rob Zombie
Roger Waters
Santana (many times)
Sevendust (many times)
Sheila E.
Skid Row
Skywind (many times)
Smilin' Liar
Snoop Dogg
Staind
Static-X (many times)
Steve Vai
Steve Winwood
Strapping Young Lad
Subway
Sunset Black
Ta'Mar
Tesla
Testament
The Marvelous 3
The Police
Tom Petty
Twisted Sister
Type-O Negative
Velvet Revolver
Xero
Yngwe Molmstein

There are also some musicians I have never before seen that I would love to see someday (ex. Aerosmith, Elton John). I know that going out often is a luxury that I am fortunate to have since I do not have children keeping me at home, but I know that I will still make an effort to see as many good shows as I can even when I do I have kids.... when they get old enough, there is no doubt that music will also be a big part of their life too :)

What are your thoughts on live music??  Who would you LOVE to see live?  What have been some of your favorite concerts???

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Other TFT posts today:

Robyn on bipolar parenting

Kim A on food

Dana Leigh on pets

Ang on change

Thoughts for Thursday: The Autumn Season

It seems as though Fall is here!! (In MN anyway.) My thoughts today are devoted to the wonderful season of Fall.  These are the things I love about it:

• Back to School (Supplies, clothes, kids)
• Apples and Apple Orchard
• Fresh, cool breeze & turning A/C off
• Fall colors
• Leaves changing
• Cinnamon and Vanilla smells
• Pumpkins and Indian Corn
• Halloween
• Ghost Stories
• Sweaters
• Football Gatherings with the neighbors
• Chili and other yummy homemade soups
• Bonfires

What do you love about Fall???
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Links to other TFT posts today:

Kim needs help with a new name for her blog

Jenny on choosing political candidates

Dana Leigh on phobias

Helmet on the price of friendship

Nicole M on taking $$ from your child's piggy bank

Thoughts for Thursday: 9-11-01

 Its hard to believe that today marks the 7th anniversary of the horrific 9-11-01 terrorist attacks on our country.

Like many of you, I will never forget that morning.  I had just started my job as a Gifted/Talented teacher at Dayton's Bluff when I received the following e-mail from one of my best friends: "A plane just crashed into the World Trade Center.  They think its terrorists!"  I was like WTF??!!  Shortly after I received the e-mail, I was working ina  2nd grade classroom when our Principal knocked on the door and pulled the other teacher and I out into the classroom to tell us what had happened.  We were asked to not say a word to the kids and continue on with our day as though nothing had happened.  That was very difficult to do, as you can imagine.  I was able to watch news coverage about an hour after I first received the e-mail, and I was absolutely shocked.  It was awful to think that there had been 4 planes hijacked that day, and how it could get much, much worse.

Later that night when I got home, I was glued to the TV....watching in horror as the Twin Towers came down and all the rescue workers and other people who were trapped in the buildings as they fell.  It all seemed so surreal.  So, so sad.  At that time they thought there may have been 50,000 people in the building, and so many people were missing.  Who could imagine that something so devastating would happen in our homeland???

September 11th is a day I don't think any of us will forget.

Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when you first heard the news?  Is it something you still think about?

I would like to recognize others who have posts about 9-11-01 today:

Samara

Kasey

Heather

Dana Leigh

Jes

Autumn

Noel

Jennifer

Elizabeth

Sasha

Jessica

Michelle

Denise

Thoughts for Thursday: Volunteer Work

My topic for TFT this week is on volunteer work.  This topic popped into my mind after reading about a humbling experience that my dear blogging buddy Adrienne wrote about a few days ago.  She lives in Alabama and spent an entire day volunteering for the Red Cross at one of the Hurricane Gustav shelters for evacuees.  One of the most valuable things about her experience was that she was able to bring her three children along so that they could help out.  They experience was invaluable to them, as it helped them to realize not to take anything for granted, and also made them feel special and proud for helping out.

Volunteering....its something I haven't done with my time in many years.  In fact, I haven't even thought about it in quite some time.  I could make a million excuses as to how I am too busy, etc, etc, etc.  In the past I used to volunteer several hours a month at a battered women's shelter (doing activities with the kids), and also in a school for students with developmental disabilities.  It felt great and is indeed humbling.  Makes me think i should try to volunteer more of my time to a worthwhile cause, maybe the Big Sister/Little Sister program or something??!!

Anyway, I would love to hear some goodness today.  Please tell me about any volunteer experiences you have had and how you felt about it. 

PS. If you haven't ever  volunteered anywhere, I highly suggest it at some point in your life when you can afford to spare some time.  Schools especially love volunteers :)

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Other TFT posts this week:

Dana Leigh on meeting Famous People

Jenny P on One More Day

Michelle on Sarah Palin (Republican VP Candidate)

Thoughts for Thursday:

I had a great idea for TFT earlier this week but I forgot to write it down and it has since left my mind.  Oh well, maybe I'll think of another one later to add.

TFT Posters this week:

Dana Leigh on Social Networks

Michelle on the criteria of a blog that makes you want to read it

Dana M on health insurance and immigration

Jenny on  Feed Readers for blogs

Thoughts for Thursday- Speeding

So, the other day I was driving a little too fast.  Okay, a lot too fast (considering I thought the speed limit was 70, not 55).  Unfortunately I sped right past a cop who was just sitting there waiting for speeders on the freeway.  Got a frickin ticket.   He wasn't buying my excuse that the speed limit had just changed or that my speedometer must not be working because there is no way I was going as fast as he thought I was.  He wasn't buying it, but reduced the speed he said I was going so that my fine would be about half of what it should've been.  I was so embarrassed and mad at myself!!!! I think I am a fairly good driver ( I will offer you all my own driving tips), and I rarely ever drive more than 5 mph over the posted limit.  I was proud to have a "clean" driving record and now it is tarnished.  A friend told me that I should've told the cop I had to take a crap really bad.  Does that really work??  Anyone have any other good excuses to use???!!  I hope to never get pulled over again, but I want to be prepared just in case.

So lets hear about your speeding tickets and any excuses you used that did or did not work for getting out of a ticket.  Are you a lead foot or the slow-ass in the right lane??? LOL.  Or do you always follow the speed limit?

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Other TFT posts this week:

Michelle with many random thoughts

Kim A on the State Fair

Helmet on guest blogging

Dana Leigh on crushes you used to have on idols

Thoughts for Thursday: Panic Attacks & Anxiety

I didn't think I was going to have a TFT this week, but an incident that happened this afternoon gave me something to inquire about....
Have any of you had a fear of something or anxiety so strong that you worked yourself into a panic attack?  Like totally freaked out??? Exhibited physical symptoms?
I watched a friend go through it this afternoon and it wasn't pretty. 
I know of several people who have had issues with anxiety, some to the point of needing medication to control it.  I will admit that there have even been a few occasions in my life when I  let my anxiety get the better of me.  Most are rational fears sparked from traumitizing things that happened to me as a kid. Its scary when it happens, no doubt!

I wonder if anxiety is a problem that is more common that most people would admit? There are people who  have moments of anxiety brought on by exposure to  something they fear (snakes, spiders, heights, airplanes, etc) .  I don't really think this is that abnormal, I mean everyone has a fear of one thing or another, right? Its easy to say "mind over matter", but how many people are truly willing to face their worst fears?   Then there are people who have anxiety pretty much all of the time and need medication to live a normal life.  (Praise the Lord that isn't me)

Have you ever had a panic attack or knew someone who did? What brought it on? What are your worst fears? Have you ever had a fear that you overcame?

Other TFT posts today:

Jenny P on childhood memories

Kim on men and dealing with pregnancy hormones

Helmet needs to get his wife spayed

Thoughts for Thursday

No post from me today, but here are the links to others this week...

Heather on ice cream (aka sex!!)

Jenny P on motivation

Dana on strip clubs

Michelle on modern day swingers

Jenny on going gray

Nicole B on Household Cleaning

Kim A- sharing recipes

Helmet on State Holidays

Robyn on Mean Girls

Nicole M on A Reason, A Season, and A lifetime

Thoughts for Thursday

TFT Posters this week:

Kim A on what would you do in a risky situation?

Anne on crazy names

Jenny P on feeling lucky

Michelle on discipline

Helmet who thinks his wife is trying to kill him ( Read for yourself!)

Thoughts for Thursday: Does size matter?

Get your minds out of the gutter!!

What I want to talk about today is engagement/wedding rings.  It seems to me that many women of our generation are completely obsessed with their engagement ring....and "the bigger the better".  Don't get me wrong, there is no doubt that diamonds are gorgeous and to some "a girl's best friend", but I am trying to figure out exactly why the size of the ring is so important to women or to the men who give them?  Is it because of the status symbol? Do you think men or women equate the size of the ring to the size of their love?  Does it measure the success of the husband?? Or is a big ring great just because it is so pretty?

Back in the day, our mothers and grandmothers did not have huge rings. In fact, 1/4 carat was the standard back then.  Now it seems like I don't know anyone who has a ring smaller than 1 carat and those who do plan to upgrade down the road.  One of my girlfriends even has a 5 carat ring! Rarely do you see women who wear just a simple band anymore. 

These are just observations of mine, but I am curious to know if the size of your ring is really important to you? Why?

TFT posters this week:

Robyn on grocery baggers

Jessica on plans for the future

Dana M on friendships

Kim A on cravings

Michelle on fate

Jenny on the age factor

Kim B on blog plagerism

Thoughts for Thursday: Your ideal sleeping conditions

I have had too much going on to think up good TFTs lately...I need to find my little notebook so I can jot ideas down as soon as they come to me! LOL
This week's topic is about your ideal sleeping conditions.... I thought of this one after going up north last weekend.  My SIL Michelle brought a little fan up with her and said she just can't sleep without it because she likes the "white noise".  It reminded me that I used to sleep with a fan on all throughout college and I have now been sleeping with the fan on for the past week and have slept pretty good!  A Fish tank is another one... as long as it has a quiet filter, it is kind of soothing to sleep to... I have gotten to enjoy the fan (although I don't need it), but never can I sleep with a radio or TV on.  Not a good sleep anyway.  I also need the room to be dark...super dark.  And somewhat cool, as I would rather snuggle up than be too hot.  A/C has to be on at night in summer.  Oh...and I use two feather pillows.

Since sleeping is something we all do every night, I thought you'd be willing to share what your ideal sleeping conditions are?

• Do you use something to create white noise? What?
• Temperature level?
• Number of pillows?

Thats about it for today!

Other TFT posts this week:

Robyn on planning

Kim on clean freaks

Jenny on random people who read your blog

Denise on Myspace and Facebook

Heather on DVR technology

Michelle on SEX!!!

Dana on chores

Thoughts for Thursday: Cleaning Up Someone Else's Mess

This isn't a thought so much as a rant....
How can I make a long story short? Alright, because of some major changes at one of my schools this upcoming school year, 75% of the teachers need to move classrooms.  This is a huge PITA, as most teachers are attached to the furniture they already have and want to take it with them.  I am no exception.  I am moving into a room almost identical to the one I already had.  The big difference is that the teacher whose room it was previously resigned from her position to move out of state.  No big deal, right? HA! Except that this teacher never cleaned her room in (what seems to be) several years.  She didn't take much with her, but left behind a mess you wouldn't imagine.   I spent 6 hours cleaning it one day and that was just getting rid of all of the stuff that was left in the room.  It will be weeks before my stuff is moved in and reorganized. Lets take a peak at what I was dealing with.......

This is what the room looked like before I took over....

 

The thing is, you can't even see what i was dealing with yet because it was all HIDDEN in the cabinets, desk, drawers........years worth of CRAP!!!

I literally threw out 5 huge barrels worth of junk that I didn't want or need.  There were some things that I kept, but everything else that looked like it was useful I set up for others to take.  It was seriously ridiculous!!

 

Some people made off with a load of stuff.... (about 8 carts filled like this left my new room)

 

Others had fun digging through her old desk which was filled to the brim with a mix of office supplies and worthless junk.... (like the used coffee cups and other dishes.  Or the rotten apple and moldy tupperware she left in the fridge)

 

Did I mention the room looked as if it had never been vaccumed? And from the looks of all the mice crap I found, Mickey & Minnie and the whole gang are all living in my space.  GROSS!!!!!!!!!

How inconsiderate do you have to be to leave a room in that condition???

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TFT posts today:

Robyn on Planet Green

Dana on annoying people

Jessica on remembering and following through

Jenny on potty training

Kim on Weight Watchers

Nicole on inflation and the movie PS I Love You

Thoughts for Thursday: Neighbors

We have been very fortunate to have had the best neighbors we could ask for living next door to us for the past two years, as well as other good friends living just a few more doors down since we both moved in 7 years ago.  We spend a lot of time together, have meals together, etc.  It is truly a blessing.  It is hard to imagine not living so close to them!
To me, the important part of a neighborhood is not the value of the houses, but the value of the people.  People that look out for each other.  People who have things in common.  Do you agree?

I think I lived in a pretty awesome neighborhood growing up.  There were a ton of kids in the neighborhood and  while we didn't all always get along, we spent a lot of time together playing games, sports, all sorts of stuff.  Having so many other kids around was really important to us, although I didn't really recognize the importance of it while I was a kid.  You experience a lot together when you see each other all the time.  One of my old neighbors is still one of my dearest friends (Bradie). 

I have heard horror stories about bad neighbors, and it makes me even more grateful for the good ones we have!

Are your neighbors important to you? Do you have a good relationship with them or do you dream of a big move?? (Either you or them!!)

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Other TFT posts today:

Michelle on change

Jessica on culture

Jenny on giving Hi-5 or the "pound"

Dana on scams

Helmet on thieves

Thoughts for Thursday

I have nothing new to post today, so I thought I'd list former TFT posts that I've written (there is more than enough stuff here to read in case you're really bored!!)  Feel free to add your $.02 to any of these posts :)

The Environment
Personality Types
Dying Young
Cyber Popularity
College
Thrill Seeking
Hunting
Old St Nick
Grieving for Pets
21st Birthdays
Alternative & Homeopathic Healing
Monster Quest and Cryptozoology
Saving for Retirement
Regional Stereotypes
ESP, Premonitions, Etc
Giving Birth
Blogging and Family
Organ Donation
Studying Abroad
Musical Ability
Sororities
Celebrity Gossip
Physical Self-maintenance
Playing Games
Moving away/relocating
Shoes
Self-Sustainability
Missing in Plain Sight

Thoughts for Thursday: Missing in Plain Sight

How many of you take the time to actual look at and study Missing Person posters???

Would you be able to remember what a missing person looked like and be ale to identify them out in public??

If not, you aren't alone.  I was watching a special report on the local Fox 9 news last night and they did an experiment too see how observant people were in regards to Missing Person posters.

Check out the news video

Scary, huh?  One of these "missing" people could be right under your nose and you might not even be paying enough attention to catch it.  I know I barely pay attention to all the Missing Person photos, etc unless it is Breaking News about an abduction or something.

I know we would all hope and pray that if any of our loved ones were to ever go missing, we would hope people out there are paying attention....

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TFT Posts this week:

Denise on exercise
Helmet on peeing in the shower
Cass on lawn care conspiracy
Jenny on gas prices
Jessica on everyone wins
Jessica P on saying NO
Denise G on lip-synching
Heather on how in touch you are
Robyn on a letter to boys

Thoughts for Thursday: Self-sustainability?

Last Sunday night I had a really interesting conversation with a couple of people I am close to.
{This topic is a little deep, but I want to preface this by saying that I am not really superstitious and I do not believe in living your life in fear......}
Anyway, our conversation started with us talking about all of the crazy natural disasters that have seemed so frequent and massively destructive.  You might have read Dana's TFT post about them last week.  Then we started getting even deeper into it and we were talking about some of the recent specials we have seen on History Channel such as Life After People.  If you have not seen that particular special,  basically it shows a progression of what would happen to earth if man were to become extinct. 

Then we started talking about what would happen if for one reason or another, we were cut off from the rest of the world.  No electricity, no access to shopping, no media, no sewage, etc......basically living the way people lived up until 150 years ago or so.  What would it take to be self-sustainable?  What goods would be essential in order to live?  We were in agreement that seeds and fresh water would be crucial to our survival, probably the most important items.  And medicine as well.

By coincidence, the morning following our conversation I saw a video on the New York Times Magazine about Living Green.  The video showcases a family in California who are living a self-sustainable lifestyle.  They are doing it not to be prepared in case of a major catastrophe, but to be more environmentally conscious.  I thought it was interesting to see that many of the things they were doing were the same things that my friends and I were talking about.  The video is short but pretty interesting, it is called Life (Mostly) off the Grid.

My thoughts this week are about how much our society has come to depend on modern technology and conveniences.  I am sure that if necessary, many of us would do whatever it takes to survive without any of these things, but I know it would be so hard!

Any thoughts on the subject?

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Other TFT posts this week:

Denise on secret pacts between friends

Jessica on gratitude and acknowledgment

Helmet on "lady cougars"

Dana on traditions

Jenny on random acts of kindness

Robyn on summer plans

Thoughts for Thursday: SHOES

I am not like the stereotypical woman as far as shoes go.

• I do not own a million pairs of shoes.
• I do not go ga-ga over shoes or enjoy shopping for them.
• In fact, I only buy maybe 1-2 pairs of shoes per year and I usually wear them until they are literally falling apart.
• I  only wear shoes that are comfortable because I decided a long time ago that it just wasn't worth it to be cute if your feet were going to hurt like a %$^%&^!!!
• I will not buy shoes that I do not like just because they are "trendy".  There are some years that I might not have found a single pair of shoes that I like.
• I will wear a pair of shoes that are 5 years old if I really like them and haven't worn them out yet.
• I have never spent more than $50-60 on a pair of shoes

I am keeping this post short today, but I'd love to hear about all of you. 
How do you feel about shoes?  How many pairs do you own? Is there a certain brand you love?  What is the most $$ you have ever spent on a pair of shoes?

Humor me.....everyone wears shoes, so I think everyone needs to comment on this one :)

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Other TFT posts this week:

Heather on gas and groceries

Jessica on schedules

Jenny on camping

Stacy on manners

Dana on earthquakes, cyclones and other natural disasters

Robyn on your favorite things

Thoughts for Thursday: Moving Away/Relocating

I have lived in MN nearly all of my life.

I hadn't always planned for it to be that way, in fact I had dreamed most of my life of living in Tucson, AZ.  I made the dream a reality for a short amount of time in 98-99 when I lived and taught on the Tohono O'Odham reservation (I also lived with my aunt Patti in Tucson for part of that time).  I loved it so much that I planned to live there permanently and found a job teaching special ed at the high school in Nogales, directly on the AZ/MX border.  I had planned to live in Tucson and commute the 60-90 minutes (one way) to work each day.  I put money down on an apartment, ordered my one-way UHaul, and had a couple of my friends who were going to drive me down  purchase their one-way tickets from AZ to MN.  Everything was set to go and then.....

6 weeks prior to the move I got a letter from the AZ Dept. of Ed denying my teaching license because I had not yet taken the 5 specialized tests that were required for my areas of licensure.  I could take the tests the following week for $100 each or wait two months when they would be offered again.  Say what??!!  I knew I had to take these tests, but I had been under the impression that I had a year provisional license.  Turns out that wasn't the case!

I had already been having second thoughts about moving.  I knew the commute to my job was going to get old real fast, I knew that I would have a limited support network in a very difficult position, all of my friends and family were in MN, and I had just started a relationship with a great guy who I really, really liked. (By the way, we're still together 9+ years later)

So about 5 weeks before I was scheduled to move, I decided to stay in MN!!

I have never regretted my decision (other than on the really cold days of winter!), but I know that the path of my life took a total different turn that what I always thought it would be.  I love different places and think I could probably live anywhere, but now that I am established here, it is hard to imagine uprooting my life.

Now that I have shared my story with you, I am curious to know who has moved away from their home state?  Can I ask what were the reasons for moving? What was the hardest part about moving away?  Are you happy with your decision? Would you like to move back?

For those of you who are stuck in your home state, where would you move if you could chose anyplace to live??

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Other TFT posts this week:

Kasey on summer plans and activites

Anne on door-to-door sales people

Denise on camping for an entire summer

Michelle on Noggin (Nickelodeon)

Kim on the little things we say and do

Jessica on bartering

Jenny on saving $ for kids

Robyn on gasoline

Thoughts for Thursday: Playing Games

Card games.
Dice games.
Board games.
Trivia games.
Video games.
Sport games.
Casino games.

I have always loved to play cards, although these days I can hardly remember how to play anything beyond blackjack, poker and spades.  Michigan rummy is also very fun. Apples to Apples is another fave.

I also love to play board games (except monopoly).  Scrabble, Cranium, Trivial Pursuit are my top picks.   Pictionary and charades are also up there (although I wish I was able to play these with adults more often). Still wanting to learn how to play Chess.

As far as video games go, I haven't played one since the original Super Mario Bros. on NES.  I lost all interest after the age of 12.  (Besides the fact that I am majorly bad!) I have never in my life even played Guitar Hero! 

I love playing volleyball, tennis and soccer (although my bad knee prevented this for many years).

I love the casino, but I never ever go.  Video gambling can be fun, and Black Jack and Pai Gow poker are where its at!

What kind of games do you like to play?  How often do you actually play?

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Other TFT posters this week:

Michelle on marriage vows

Kim on how "real" your blog is

Jaime on holding you hand to your heart during the Pledge

Anne on bad plastic

Apryl on Forgiveness

Kim on lazy parenting

Denise on your house...our house

Jenny on doing laundry

Robyn on social butterflies

Heather on being a mom

Thoughts for Thursday: Physical Self-Maintenance

My TFT today is about physical self-maintenance....you know, upkeep.  I was thinking about different things that most women do to make themselves look and feel good.  You know.....  working out or dieting, getting manicures & pedicures, getting hair cut & colored, tanning, wearing makeup, new cloths, etc.

For me, I try to look good most of the time but I am far from high-maintenance! 

• I wear makeup everyday (even if I don't plan to leave the house)
• I get my hair cut & colored every 3 months or so. 
• I minimally style my hair 4-5 days a week.....never bother blow drying
•   I like my feet to look pretty, but I cannot justify spending $30-40 on a professional pedicure, so I do them myself. 
• My fingernails are kept short and I never wear polish.....I had acyrlic nails for several years back in high school and college, but I will never do that again. 
• I get very tan naturally in the summer and almost never tan in a booth....I do not want wrinkles or skin cancer! 
• I go through streaks with dieting and working out.....both are something I wish I prioritized more.  Being thin just isn't something I have ever worked hard enough to achieve.
• I do not spend a ton fo money on clothes.  I usually buy just a few things each season.

I know many of you who read this are mothers.  I have noticed that with some of my own friends, they tend to worry less and less about self-maintenance once they have kids.   Does having kids do that to you? Or is it a matter or personality or vanity?

So ladies, today I am asking you to divulge what your self-maintenance priorities are..... what do you do regularly to make yourself look and feel good?

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Other TFT posts today:

Michelle on nostalgia

Kim on dinner time rules with kids

Jessica on road rage

Jenny on what to do with old memorabilia, keepsakes, etc

Heather on cake!

Jenny on the good in people

Robyn on change and structure

Michann on stealing from work

Travis on smoking at the gas station

Thoughts for Thursday: Celebrity Gossip

Alright, today I am going to go Hollywood on ya'll......

Everywhere you turn these days it seems like what the celebrities are doing (or who they're doing!) or what they're wearing is such big news.  There are celebrity blogs all over the place like Perez Hilton (and I am sure a million more), TV programs such as ET, Hollywood Access, and of course all the paparazzi mags like US, In Touch, etc.

I know a ton of my friends are addicted to hearing gossip about the celebrities.  A few of them even refer to celebrities by first name only, like they KNOW them personally.

"Omg, have you heard the latest about Britney?" "Brad and Angelina's baby...."

Blah, blah, blah.

I'm not that into it, but I do admit to tuning in every once in awhile when a show about celebrities happens to be on. (I think I like True Hollywood Stories or Where are they Now? rather than the gossip shows.) The only time I check out the mags is at the salon or Dr. office...otherwise I could care less.  I have too many other things going on to worry about whats happening in Hollywood.  When I do pay attention, it often makes me sick (like the whole Britney breakdown and how the media just wouldn't leave her alone)

Obviously what the celebrities are doing is quite popular, otherwise it wouldn't be big news.   I am wondering who out there is a celebrity gossip junky? If you are, go ahead and admit it!  Please tell me what is it that appeals to you so much?

I am also wondering whether you think celebrities deserve their privacy or if their position as a celebrity makes them a fair target to the paparazzi?

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Other TFT posters this week:

Nic on vacations

Michelle on being happy

Amy on being Genderblind

Heather on teaching kids about private parts

Kasey on Googling yourself

Jenny on blog impressions

April on being strategic or spontaneous

Apryl on budgets

Robyn on family dinners

Katie on pregnancy, birth and the aftermath

Anne on unwinding before bed

Jess on reorganizing

Jessica on at-home parties

Thoughts for Thursday: Sororities

I am currently reading a really interesting book called Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities.  I have never had a very favorable impression of the whole Greek system, but never really knew a whole lot about it, which is why I bought the book in the first place.

The author of the book went undercover at a university to get most of her information, but also interviewed sorority girls at big universities all over the country.  She tells of some very interesting things about sororities in this book and let me just tell you, it has book has done nothing but reaffirmed everything I believed about sororities from the very beginning. Scary stuff to an independent woman like myself!

Apparently in the South and on the East Coast, Sororities are a VERY BIG DEAL.  Thank God it was not like that at all at the University I attended.  Unless you were a member at one of our 3 sororities/ 3 fraternities on campus, you probably wouldn't have a clue about anything Greek.  From what I have read in this book, if you attend college in the south or at a big university and you aren't a sister in one of the big sororities on campus, you are a nobody.
I just can't imagine living a life where your every move is watched: How you wear your hair (even hair color is important in most sororities), what clothes you wear and how you wear them, what you eat (don't dare gain any weight!), who you associate with, who you date, etc.  Just ridiculous.
Its hard for me to relate to the girls who are so willing to conform to a  particular Sorority's  standards that they  lose part of themselves.  Why would anyone want to be part of an organization  that  tries to cover up bad things that happen to their girls? There is a ton of sexual assault, binge drinking, drug use, eating disorders that takes place.  Did anyone ever watch Sorority Life on MTV?  It was taken off the air because the national sorority associations believed it portrayed sororities in a negative light. In fact, most of what you saw was realistic.  Adfter the show was pulled, most sorority girls were told they must never speak to the media about the inside secrets of a sorority.  Hmmmm.  Too much to hide?
The author did not have only bad things to say about sororities, she also told of the charity work and community service that is required of most sororities.  It just seems like this is on the back-burner compared to the social aspect.

I could go on and on, but instead I encourage you to read this book for yourselves if you're interested.  It really is eye-opening.

So my questions for today are:
What is your impression of sororities?
Were sororities a big deal at the university you attended?
Were you ever part of a sorority? What was your overall experience?

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Other TFT participants this week:

Jessica on how many blogs you read

Denise on teaching your children stranger danger

April on organic vs. ordinary

Jenny on when to have a baby

Michann on the definition of home

Robyn on plastic (recycling and pollution)

Thoughts for Thursday: Musical Ability

I am not one to watch "Reality TV" and I've never watched American Idol or anything like that, but the other night the TV was on in the background while I was doing homework so I actually heard some of the contestants sing.  Wow, they are all so good! Made me envious.

I am good at a lot of things, but singing isn't one of them.

Anyone who has heard me attempt to sing knows this is true!
Good thing singing didn't effect my ability to play an instrument or appreciate music.

When I was in 2nd grade I decided that I HAD TO PLAY the FLUTE and I was hard-core about getting what I wanted.  I wrote my dad a letter convincing him he had to buy me a flute and pay for me to take lessons. (I am pretty sure my mom saved that letter.  If I find it, I will scan it and post here later!)  I wanted it soooooo bad! After much convincing, he finally gave in.  I started taking lessons from a neighbor who happened to be in the MN Orchestra.  I was pretty dang good at playing that flute....I remember serenading my family with Christmas carols on Christmas, etc.  I continued to play through 7th grade, but unfortunately the band teacher that year was a real A#1 jerk and made me begin to hate the flute.  I quit band and played that flute at my own leisure.  Then when I was 15 I had major jaw surgery and lost all feeling in my bottom lip and chin (Have I ever mentioned that before?).  It made it impossible to continue to play the flute when I could no longer form my lips correctly.  I gave it up completely.

I wish that I had learned to play the drums or the guitar, I'd be pretty bad-ass right about now!!  Saxophone would be sweet too.

Just curious about everyone else.....are you a good singer?  Were you ever in choir or band? What instruments did you play???  What would you play if you could play any instrument?

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Thoughts for Thursday bloggers this week:

Michann on if today was your last day

Robyn on guilty pleasures

Stacy on her web-cam addiction

April on Ethnic foods

Apryl on paperweights

Zoe on moms staying home vs working

Jenny on cleaning the house for company

Michelle on your "style"

Jessica on relationships

Thoughts for Thursday: Studying Abroad

These days (as opposed to the OLD days when I was in college) it seems like most Universities and colleges have more and more opportunities for students to travel/study abroad.  Students are encouraged to gain some experience in the world.  I think it is AWESOME!

When I was in college at St Cloud State University, we DID have a few opportunities to study abroad.  You could either have gone to England for a semester and stayed in a castle, or go to Costa Rica.  It was my dream to go to Costa Rica, but you might remember from this post that it just didn't work out for me.  (I am still sad about that.  It is 13 years later (OMG, I am OLD) and I still have not YET made it to Costa Rica).

So I never made it to Costa Rica, but I did, however, have the opportunity to do half of my year-long student teaching on an Indian Reservation in southern AZ during my senior year.  Living and teaching on the Tohono O'Odham Nation was an invaluable experience for me, one that I will never forget.  Living there was probably very similar to living in a third world country.  I will have to write specifically about that experience some time soon.

My parents always thought studying abroad was a good idea and encouraged it:

My brother Brian took advantage of the study abroad at the university he attended (Carleton College), and ended up going to England and studied at Cambridge University.  If I remember correctly, he really enjoyed the experience.

My other brother Jeff went to Kenya, Africa for several weeks and filmed a documentary while he was there.  Check it out!  This was an invaluable experience for him as well.

My cousin Tyler went to Australia and studied for a semester at one of the Universities out there and absolutely LOVED it!  His pictures of his travels are amazing.

Just curious about who else has studied abroad or gone on an foreign exchange of some kind?  Where did you go?  What were some of the valuable things you learned on your journey?  Would you do it again?  If you weren't fortunate to go anywhere, where would you have liked to study if you had been given the chance??

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Other TFT posters today:

Denise on doing what you excel in

Robyn on setting goals

April on vanity and insecurity

Apryl on gardening

Jenny on word associations

Stacy on road rage

Thoughts for Thursday: Organ Donation

I was watching the local News the other night and heard a story of a woman who was badly in need of a kidney transplant...... she often stopped at the same coffee shop and when she told one of the women who worked there that she was waiting for a kidney, the woman who worked there decided to get checked to see if she was a match...and she WAS! The coffee shop woman ended up donating her kidney to the woman who needed it, a total stranger.
What an incredible gift!
Got me thinking more about organ donation and I thought it would make a good TFT topic.

I know that in a heartbeat, I would donate a kidney to any of my family or friends if I was a match and it was a life or death situation.  Would you do the same?

What about if you were to die unexpectedly in a car accident, etc....would you donate your organs so that someone else could live?  I know I would....my license is marked! If I am dead, I wouldn't need them anyway, right?!  I know some people might be weirded out by the subject....but just think if it were YOU, or one of your family members who were awaiting a transplant.

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Other TFT posts this week:

Robyn on birthday milestones

April on friendship

Stacy on men being babies when they're sick

Apryl on healthy food

Emilie on idiots who cause fender-benders

Jenny on politician's affair scandals

Thoughts for Thursday: Blogging and family

I thought and thought about what I could blog about today for my TFT and then I thought about everyone whose blogs I read and I realized many of us have something in common....we don't seem to talk too much about our significant others (S.O.) or post pictures of them.

I am curious for those of you who blog.......does your S.O. know about your blog? How do they feel about you blogging? Are there certain things that you have had to compromise about regarding what you blog about?? (Such as limiting personal/private matters or family pictures) Or does anything go? (I am sometimes surprised about the things that get vented on blogs!)
Does your S.O read your blog? Do they give you feedback or private comments?  What about your family?

It seems only natural to me that your family would want to read your blog and that you would want them to read it (for some of us, that is the whole point!).  I do know that some people are very private about their blog and would rather that strangers read it than people they know!

Just curious what you guys think.

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TFT posters this week:

Jessica on Connecting

Jenny on weight loss

Heather on tax rebates

Robyn on looking good

April on message board observations

Zoe on whale meat

Emilie on apartment living

Nic on socks

Stacy on segregated schools

Michann on what you stand for

Thought for Thursday: Giving Birth

Okay, so many of you mothers might be laughing at me right about now, but my topic today is one that totally FREAKS me out....

Giving birth. ( Don't jump to any conclusions here, people!)

Nope, I've never done it and if I think about it enough, I start wondering if I could ever go through with it.  I have always planned to have kids someday, but I have heard enough horror stories of difficult births (and even damage done to babies) from friends of mine and others, that it really does scare me.  Some say they'd never do it again, others think you forget about the pain and trauma as soon as that bundle of joy is born.

Is that totally irrational? Obviously these days it seems that things are made easier with drugs and even by having c-sect.  Seems to me that c-sect is the way to go! Did you know that in Mexico women are given a choice whether they want to have a c-sect or have it naturally? Doesn't even have to be medically necessary. What a nice choice! I just don't think I could do it naturally (good God, I am getting sick thinking about it), but the thought of an epidural and losing feeling freaks me out too! Is it a scary feeling or is it a blessing?

Today I am asking you mothers to think back to before you had your first child....were you freaked out about giving birth? How did the experience compare to what you were expecting? What do you wish had gone differently?

Any other non-mothers as afraid of this as I am?

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Other TFT posters this week:

Stacy on children of the 80's

Jessica on one year old bday parties

Jenny on emergency management

Michelle on different diets

Emilie on waxing

Heather on germs

Michann on communicating the old school way

Apryl on procrastination

Robyn on one person making a difference

April on astrology

Thoughts for Thursday: ESP, Premonitions, etc.

By now some of you who have stuck with me on my blogging journey or who really know me have learned that I am interested in the paranormal....  I love hearing true ghost stories, stories of guardian angels, UFOs and cryptozoology, and I especially love the topics of premonitions and ESP, which are my topics for today.

ESP: There are many types of ESP, such as clairvoyance, precognition (aka premonitions), telepathy, out of body experiences, mediumship, psychokinesis and empathic ability.

Some parapsychologists might say that everyone has the ability to tap into their psychic abilities, but not everyone does for one reason or another.  Some of you may be skeptical or think I am crazy, but I think I have above-average experiences in this area.  Its taking me some guts to put this out here but I have:

• I had an experience with my guardian angel (in which I believe he/she saved my life)
• I have experienced ghostly phenomenon several times
• I have had dreams that have either come true or were very similar to events that happened in real life
• I have had dreams where people who have passed on have come to me to give me a message to give to specific people
• I have been known on several occasions to read someone's mind or to get vibes from people long distances away.

I have found that there are certain people in my life that I have a very strong psychic connection with.  Bradie is one of them, probably because we grew up together and have been through significant life circumstances together.  I can't tell you how many times we have read each other's mind, even having conversations without speaking out loud to each other.  Very weird but cool at the same time!

Is anyone willing to admit that they have been able to read someone's mind? Is it usually a specific person you have a psychic connection with?

Premonitions: People throughout time have documented premonitions and prophecies that have come true.  As scary as some of this stuff must seem, I am still fascinated by it.  The History channel has tons of cool shows about Nostradamus and other civilizations who have prophecized major events that have already come true.  I have not experienced too many premonitions, but the few I have had really freaked me out.  One about 4-5 occasions during 1998-99, I had dreams of airplanes crashing.  Each time that I had the dream I would hear of an airplane crash within 24 hours of having the dream.

Someone close to me may also have had a premonition about the major Tsunami that happened in Dec. 2004.  Just two days before the Tsunami, this person spoke to me of the horrible devastation that had happened in Asia that killed tens of thousands of people.  I was like WHAT???!!!  because I had not heard of anything.  This person wasn't clear about what type of devastation, but thought it may have been an earthquake.  Wouldn't you know that two days later the Tsunami happened in southeast Asia after the 2nd largest earthquake ever recorded on a seismograph took place in the Indian Ocean.

Is anyone willing to share a premonition that came true that it has happened to you or someone you know?

Just curious what ya'll think of this topic.  Are you a skeptic or a believer?

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Other TFT posters this week:

Jessica on dreams and aspirations

Nic on germs and babies

Jenny on name-brand products

Heather on what's in a name

Michelle on celebrities selling the exclusive rights to their family photos

Denise on ghosts and haunted houses

April on interpreting dreams

Michann on flying the flag at half-mast

Robyn on being proud

Stacey on cuddling