Finishing up the questions!

First, thank you all for your thoughtful questions! I had a lot of fun thinking about them and answering them! I hope you learned a little something new about me, and for all the new people who commented or emailed me, I haven't had a chance to really start checking out your blogs yet, but things are starting to settle down a little bit so I'm hoping to make the rounds soon and start getting to know you!

OK, I think I only have 2 questions left to answer!

• How did I makeover my blog?

There's a really good tutorial over at The Cutest Blog on the Block! I used that as a guideline, found some digital scrapbooking papers that a liked and played around with them in Paint Shop Pro 9. PSP9 is my photo editing program of choice, but you could probably use just about any program you have. I don't remember where I found the digital scrapbooking papers that I used, but there are lots and lots of websites where you can get them for free. And I remember making a few adjustments to the numbers in the tutorial, and playing around with it until it fit my blog the way I wanted it to, but I don't remember what those changes were. So, that's what I did! Sorry I wasn't very specific, but that tutorial is really helpful!

• Where did I live when I lived in the South?

I lived in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for about a year and a half when my husband was in golf school down there. I know, I know...whenever I tell anyone this they're shocked that I hated it and tell me what a great vacation spot they think it is! It very well may be a great vacation spot, but living there just wasn't for us. My husband and I grew up in small towns in the mountains. We are not city people at all! I found the people (in general) to be rude and cold, I hated the traffic everywhere you went, and I longed for mountains, grass, trees and all four seasons.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the ocean and I'm glad we lived there! It was great to experience a new place, it was where we lived together, really on our own, for the first time, and it is where my sweet, sweet hubby proposed to me. It is a place and time in my life that I'll never forget, but in the end I'm a small-town, New England girl at heart!


Well, that's it for the questions I think! If I forgot any, or if you have something you're just dying to ask, please let me know! I do have a few things I want to try to get done today, but I'm hoping to have time later to finally post about my long weekend home! If not tonight, definitely tomorrow!

So, you really want to know?

I got a really good question the other day that I felt deserved a post of it's own.

Besides blogging, what have I been up to since being unemployed?

Really great question, so let's go back to the beginning!

I was not happy at my last job. I could probably write forever about that place, but I won't. Suffice it to say that I was under appreciated and made to feel like I was a moron. (I am not a moron by the way. At the risk of sounding conceited, I am very intelligent and creative and a DAMN hard worker!) Anyway, I was staying because I was taught that life isn't perfect and you have to work hard to get what you want. You have to make sacrifices and do things you don't always like, pay your dues and climb the ladder. The money and insurance were great, so I sucked it up and gave 110% every day. But I wasn't happy and I was losing myself.

I was laid off around Christmas time. I was given advance notice, so I knew it was coming, but I was terrified. At the same time, I was also relieved. Since my husband gets laid off every winter because of the field he is in, we decided to spend a couple weeks in our hometown with our family. I think we drove home on like the 19th of December and we stayed until the 5th of January. During that time, I tried not to think about being laid off, finding a new job, or anything else that was stressing me out. I spent lots and lots of time with the people I love and started to finally get myself back.

When we came back, besides looking for a new job, I spent a lot of time doing things for my sister's wedding that was coming up at the end of January. I did a lot for her wedding that I wouldn't have had the time to do if I was working a full time job and really enjoyed doing it. I was also able to be at home with her for few days before the wedding to help with all the last minute details. They ended up having a really beautiful wedding day and I am so grateful that she let me be such a big part of it.

In February, I decided it was time for me to do something I really enjoyed and to learn something new. So, I signed up for a photography course through a distance learning school. I do all my lessons at home, on my own time. There is a combination of reading, listening to CDs and watching videos. Then at the end of each unit, I submit a photography project to my adviser, who I have phone and email access to all the time, who grades my project and sends me a recorded discussion of what I did well and what I need to work on. I am really learning a lot and I can do it on my own time, which is great because when I do find a job, I don't have to give it up.

At the end of February, I was able to take 2 weeks and help my sister move to Maryland. Her husband is in the Air Force and was already stationed there. So, my husband and I, along with my parents and her new in-laws, helped her get everything packed up, moved, and settled into their new house. This was a big, scary new step for her, and I'm so glad I could be there and help her through the transition.

Since then, I've obviously been blogging a lot. But I've also been doing a lot of blog reading, twittering, job hunting, working on my photography, writing, researching other opportunities to bring in a little extra money, cooking for my husband and trying to enjoy all the little things around me. We moved at the beginning of May, which also took a lot of my time and energy, and I try to get outside every day and soak up the sunshine.

I certainly have good and bad days, but overall I think I've remained pretty positive and have seen a more relaxed version of my self emerge. My self-confidence is slowly returning and I find am more true to myself. I'm making plans for the future, but remaining open-minded, knowing that things may not go as I plan, but that there is a plan for my life!

So, that's it! That's what I've been up to! Currently, I'm in my hometown. Little miss spy and I have a good friend from high school who is getting married at the end of June. Her bachelorette party is tonight and her bridal shower is tomorrow, so we are enjoying time with friends and family!

Hope you all are having a great long weekend! :)

The infamous "kids" question

The question answering continues! :)

I got a couple questions by email regarding children. I've been getting this question since my wedding day (yes, at my actual wedding reception!) so I was kind of expecting it. Some of you have asked whether we want children and when we think we'll have them. This is a very sensitive subject for me, so PLEASE forgive me if the following sounds harsh.

What if I were to answer your question by saying that we've had multiple miscarriages or that we cannot conceive?

You'd feel like an a$$ for asking, wouldn't you? I'm not saying it to be cruel to those of you that asked, I know I told you to ask anything, so PLEASE don't take this personally. It's just that there are certain people that I really want to say that to and never do, so I took this opportunity to get it out! lol Oh, how I love blog therapy. Thankfully, neither of these answers applies to us. I know people mean well when they ask and they are just genuinely interested. I get curious about my friends and family too because children and pregnancies are exciting and wonderful, except I just don't ask.

I know that response is overly harsh, which is why I've never actually said it to someone out loud, but I do have a point. Everyone's situation is different and this is a subject that is SO personal and private. You never know the whole situation or circumstances behind the couple's choices or situation. Not to mention, if someone wanted you to know, and if there was something to actually tell, I'm SURE they would tell you.

So, yes, this happens to be a very sensitive subject for me and I have used this opportunity to get some things off my chest. Again, I know I told you to ask, and I am NOT mad! I love you all, and like I said, I expected it. :)

And to answer your questions, yes, we absolutely do want children. When that will happen and how many we will have is between me, my husband and God. When or if I do become pregnant, I will certainly be OVER THE MOON with excitement and I will be sure to share with all of you, I promise!

More questions answered!

Here are a few easily answered questions:

• Would I rather eat choco covered grasshoppers or hitchhike?

This one's easy! I'll eat anything covered in chocolate! Hmmm, well, maybe not anything...
Anyway, I'm not much of a risk taker and have trouble trusting people I don't know, so hitchhiking is completely out of the question for me! I'd be worried the person that pulled over to pick me up would rape and kill me or something! So, I guess you should pass the grasshoppers please!

• What types of books do I like to read?

I love to read! I'm mostly a fiction girl and love anything that just completely pulls me into the story. I'm not sure how to really categorize what I like. Some books I enjoyed are: The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield, The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards, I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb, Midwives by Chris Bohjalian, and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I also love The Giver by Lois Lowry, A Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh and anything by Jodi Picoult, James Patterson and Dan Brown. I have not read any of the Harry Potter or Twilight books, though I intend to. I didn't get into Harry Potter until I saw the first few movies, so I decided I would see all the movies before I read any of the books. And I know I'll be completely absorbed in the Twilight series, so I don't know what I'm waiting for there! lol

• Do I paint my toenails?

You know, I used to always keep them painted. Then one day I decided I liked them better unpainted. So, in general, the answer is no. But, I do enjoy a good pedicure and will paint them if I'm going to a wedding or something special like that.

• What am I going to do when I'm a famous blogger?

LOL Have you all met my BFF? She's hilarious, I love her, and yes, she's the one who turned me on to blogging! I don't think I'll ever be a famous blogger, but if that day ever comes, I think I'd probably stop blogging. I'm not someone who really likes a whole lot of attention. My BFF already knows that, but now you do too! And yes, of course, I will always remember you! There's no way in the world I could ever forget you!

• What did I make my sister for her birthday and do I have pictures?

I don't have pictures. I was so concerned with getting it out in the mail so that it made it to her on time that I forgot to take some. I bought a really nice frame that had a spot for two photos. In one spot I put this photo of the 2 of us from her wedding that I just love:

In the other spot, I put one of my photographs that I signed for her. I had trouble with this part. Mostly, I wasn't happy with how the colors were coming out at the place I chose to have it printed, so I made several edits and had them printed before I found one that I liked and was true to what it originally looked like. Then I wasn't happy with how the pen looked that I used to sign it with, but I ended up sending it anyway because I was just being too picky! This is that photo:

Anyway, I really miss her, and I know she misses me, now that she's living so far away and I thought she'd appreciate this as a gift.

• What is the craziest thing I've ever done?

That's a toss up between kissing my husband (who wasn't my husband at the time obviously) for the very first time and skydiving with my BFF! I'm heading home tomorrow morning for a friend's bachelorette party and bridal shower this weekend, so I'll try to find the skydiving photos and scan one in for you all to see!

• Did I ever figure out why I rinse chicken? and Where did the name Why Rinse Chicken? come from?

Clever! I have never personally rinsed chicken! I find it a silly practice and completely pointless. My hubby says he's rinsing off the chicken slime, whatever that is! For more thoughts on rinsing chicken and how it came to be the name of my blog, please see my very first post!

• What's my favorite color?

Hmmm...to wear: white or blue...in general: purple!

• What's my #1 favorite comfort food?

How about comfort meal? I absolutely LOVE my gram's chuck roast in the pressure cooker, with her homemade mashed potatoes and fresh green beans! YUM! But if you insist on just 1 thing, it would have to be pasta with butter.

• If I could do anything at this very second, what would it be?

I'd be sitting around a campfire with all my family and friends. Someone's playing the guitar and there's singing, laughter, reminiscing and s'mores. It doesn't get much better than that.

• What's my favorite tv show?

Hmmmm...I can't say that I have one favorite that's head and shoulders above the rest. I really enjoy Grey's and Private Practice though. Some of the others we tend to watch are: American Idol, House, Iron Chef America, Survivor, Fringe, and Lie to Me.

• What movie can I watch over and over again?

Actually, I don't like watching movies over and over again. It ruins the movie for me. The hubby and I do watch all the previous Harry Potter movies like a little marathon before we go see the next new one though!More questions to be answered soon!

Ask...

...and you shall receive! Wow! Your questions are so fun!! I'm so excited and I just can't hide it! (Trust me, you don't want to hear me sing!) Some of them have provoked enough thought that they will receive their own post, some are similar so I will combine them, and some have fun, silly, easy answers so I'll post a bunch of those together. I'll probably only do 1 post per day, so if you don't see the answer to your question right away, stay tuned! I will answer them all, as long as they aren't too personal, over the next week or so. Please keep the questions comin' because this is a total blast!!

Anyway, one of the questions I got was, "What kind of camera do you use?" Good question! I don't think I've posted about that before.

My baby is a Canon 30D digital SLR.
She's not cheap folks, and I am so so so blessed to have an amazing hubby who bought this for me as a Christmas gift in 2007. I have a Canon 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM Standard Zoom lens and a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens (LOVE IT) for her and she is absolutely fantastic! This is what I use most often, and it's rare to find a time when she is not hanging from my neck.

I also have a point and shoot Minolta DiMAGE Xg.
There are all sorts of point and shoot cameras out now that have more features and megapixels than this camera does, but I DON'T CARE. I've had this camera for years and I love, love, LOVE it! I will use it until it dies (when that happens I'll probably cry because it's been discontinued) and then I may even consider trying to find another one on the internet somewhere to buy. This is the camera that's usually in my purse or that I'll take with me on the rare occasion that I have a crazy night out with friends. It's small enough to fit in my pocket, takes great quality pictures and I just love it.

I don't know much about all the new cameras out because I haven't looked. I'm perfectly happy with this one for the amount of time I use it. I'm sure if you're looking for a new camera, there are better ones out there, so I guess I'm not much help there! My suggestion is to do your research!! Find one you think you like and read the reviews online. People do not hold back what they're feeling. Also, go to a store and hold the camera before you buy it. It's often cheaper to buy it online, which is great, but hold it and play around with it in a store first to make sure you like it!

I also have 2 film cameras. One is a Minolta MAXXUM STsi.
Don't get me wrong, I love digital. But every once in awhile I get in the mood to dust off this camera. It's nothing too special, but there is something about film that will never quite compare to digital.

I also have an old school Asahi Pentax K1000.

I didn't buy this, I think I found it in my grandparents' attic or at a tag sale or something. I've had it since high school and despite looking pretty beat up, it still takes pretty good pictures. In addition to being a film camera, it's also fully manual, which is pretty cool and fun to play around with. It makes you appreciate all that cameras can do today and really makes you take the picture instead of letting the camera do most of the work. (I once took what I thought would be a bunch of really amazing photos before realizing that there was no film in it! LOL There's no sensor to remind you. Lesson learned!)

So, there you have it! Those are my cameras. Not much help to those of you that are looking to buy a new camera, but even though I'm far from an expert, I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you have, if I can.

Similarly, in another photography related question, I was asked if it's better to have your kids face the sun or have their backs to the sun to prevent them from looking washed out. Again, I'm no expert, but I prefer having their backs to the sun or having them in full shade. This works better to me for 2 reasons. First, it helps prevent squinty, watery eyes - something that always happens to me with my sensitive baby blues. Second, I really like the look of back lighting, but that could just be a personal thing.

Another quick tip, the light is best in the early morning and evening, not in the middle of the day when the sun is high in the sky. It will give a prettier, softer look to your photos and help do away with the washing out effect. I'm actually reading a really great book for my photography course that I think a lot of you moms would enjoy! It's called Photographing Children and Babies: How to Take Great Pictures by Michal Heron.

It's written for you, the mom, and not only is it FULL of really great tips, it's super easy to understand! I would highly recommend it!

Phew! That was fun but I think that's it for today. Stop by again tomorrow and I'll answer some more! And keep those questions coming in my original post!