GTKY Friday 9/20 Edition!

2MamazInSeattle · September 2013

GTKY Friday!

1. What is your death-row meal? (i.e., You get one last meal - what it is?)

2. Are you superstitious about anything? If so, what?

3. What state is the inside of your car in? Messy? Immaculate?

4. If you could be good at one thing you aren't good at, what would it be?

5. You've been kicked out of the country you live in. Where do you relocate?

6. Who has been the most influential person in your life (so far)?

7. Not to be a downer, but what is the worst thing you've ever been through? How did it change you?

8. What is your favorite beverage?

9. Shower or bath?

10. What are your top 3 hobbies/things you like to do?

BONUS: PIP something, anything

healz413 · September 2013

Oooh! Yay! I'm saving this for the clinic waiting room tomorrow (Friday) though.

2MamazInSeattle · September 2013

I'm answering tonight because tomorrow might get away from me!

1. What is your death-row meal? (i.e., You get one last meal - what it is?)

Paseo's Cuban Roast Sandwich. Located just 3 blocks from us, this is the best sandwich evah. If you Bing it, or google if you must, you'll find 4,000 images of it. Yes, it is that good. Look for yourself. Or, look below.

2. Are you superstitious about anything? If so, what?

Yes, it's so dumb, but I cross myself like a good former Catholic every time I walk through the doorway of an airplane to fly off. And I knock on wood several times a week.

3. What state is the inside of your car in? Messy? Immaculate?

Semi-embarrassingly messy. Like, you don't want to know.

4. If you could be good at one thing you aren't good at, what would it be?

Speaking/learning foreign languages. I am terrible at it

"

5. You've been kicked out of the country you live in. Where do you relocate?

I really felt a connection to New Zealand when I visited; but I might wimp out and go to Canada so I could still see my family and friends. France would be high on my list too! (though see #4 for why that might be a challenge).

6. Who has been the most influential person in your life (so far)?

When I look at all-up impact, probably my dad - for better and for worse. He certainly gave me a lot of material for therapy in my 20s and 30s

which taught me how to appreciate the good in myself and temper the not-so-desirable traits.

7. Not to be a downer, but what is the worst thing you've ever been through? How did it change you?

When I was 14, my house and family business were blown away by a tornado. Half of my 1 square mile town was leveled, and I saved my then-5-year-old sister from being sucked out of the house. Both my parents had nervous breakdowns after, and our family was never quite the same. And I no longer enjoyed thunderstorms

. Second to that, my college housemate died in a commercial plane crash on spring break, when I was 20. I figured it out and had to get his BFF's mom to call his mom because I couldn't do it. Despite growing up in a funeral home, that was my first dose of "wow, I'm a mere mortal." Oddly losing our baby wasn't the worst thing that had ever happened to either of us - we talked about it at the time and felt bad that was the case, but it wasn't.

8. What is your favorite beverage?

I drink buckets of sparkling water! We have a soda stream only to make bubbly water. I enjoy my daily Americano (though, not as fun now that I'm reduced to decaf), and as I get older, I enjoy alcohol less and less.

9. Shower or bath?

Shower when I have to wash my hair, otherwise, bath - faster and less water.

10. What are your top 3 hobbies/things you like to do?

I used to always answer "cooking and traveling" but I'm getting lazier every year about both. So now, I really do like seeing friends for walks or mini-hikes, hanging out with my wife, and still cooking when I put effort in.

Here's the sandwich...epic. Marinated pulled pork, cooked giant onions, romaine, house aioli and jalepenos on a locally-baked bu. They sell ~1,000 of these a week, and when I went last, I counted 67 people in line (as I wisely picked up my phoned-in order).

ATXmommas · September 2013

Thanks for posting early! Especially as I'm awake at 5am for no good reason.

1. What is your death-row meal? (i.e., You get one last meal - what it is?)

I never know what to say when people ask me about favorite foods, meals, etc. But, since this is my last meal ever, I'll go with something super unhealthy and yummy. A local food trailer, Arlo's, has the most amazing vegan bacon cheeseburgers. Yes, you heard it. And, they are AMAZING! Even my carnivore friends are in love. They don't taste like the run-of-the-mill veggie burger (which I also like). They are reminiscent of a fast-food type burger - but way better. I would accompany my huge burger with some really good crisp french fries and a piece of vegan cheesecake from my favorite local vegan bakery, Capital City Bakery. Yummmm.

2. Are you superstitious about anything? If so, what?

Not really. But, my maternal grandmother was. So, anytime I'm walking with a person, I make sure we walk on the same side of a pole or whatever barrier comes up. If, for some reason, we end up on different sides, I cringe a little. I don't know if this is even a common superstition, but my grandmother would literally yank your arm to direct you to walk on the same side as her.

3. What state is the inside of your car in? Messy? Immaculate?

I'd give it a 5 out of a 10. It's not messy with trash or anything, but it could use a good vacuuming (and will before baby comes).

4. If you could be good at one thing you aren't good at, what would it be?

I should really say speaking a foreign language as I live in Texas and speaking Spanish would be such a bonus - plus, I would actually be able to have a conversation with my FIL (the only person in Z's family that doesn't speak English). But, I would really love to be handy/crafty around the house. It would save us so much money if we knew how to do more around the house. One of our handy friends who frequently helps us out gave us a toy tool set at our baby shower - told us that somebody in our house needed to know how to use them.

5. You've been kicked out of the country you live in. Where do you relocate?

I'll be boring too and say Canada. The thought of living abroad sounds exciting, but I'm super happy to be settling down with my family and don't need that type of excitement. Not to say that people in Italy or France or wherever don't have happy, boring lives, but it would be quite the adjustment for us.

6. Who has been the most influential person in your life (so far)?

My momma. Cliche, but so, so true. She's far from perfect, but has set the bar pretty high in terms of what kind of mother and professional I want to become.

7. Not to be a downer, but what is the worst thing you've ever been through? How did it change you?

The two times I have felt absolute, out-of-my mind despair were when we learned that our first baby had T18 and had to make a decision to terminate and when I thought my dad was dying after his heart attack. Learning of our baby's diagnosis was a big slap in the face reminder of how much is out of our control in life - it didn't matter that we didn't "deserve" to go through such devastation. It was also a reminder that we never know other people's stories. It was such a heartache to see pregnant women or babies after our loss, but I had to remind myself that I don't know what it took for them to get there. People may now see me and never know what heartache we went through before we were blessed with this baby.

My dad's heart attack was 5 years ago. He coded 3 times and we were told that he likely wouldn't make it. Then, when he was stable in the ICU, we were told that he may have brain damage because of the amount of time he went without breathing. Thankfully, he recovered with no brain damage, but the experience was frightening. It was the first time as an adult that I was really faced with the thought of my parents' mortality. Now, anytime I receive a phone call from a family member at a weird time of day, I immediately panic.

8. What is your favorite beverage?

I do love a glass of red wine. I wonder if I'll love it as much when I can partake again after pregnancy... I also love my coffee in the morning (which I still drink during pregnancy, though not during the first tri). Right now, I enjoy my evening cocktail - a can of lime flavored sparkling water with real lime juice and a little salt on top.

9. Shower or bath?

Shower. Very occasionally, I enjoy a bath.

10. What are your top 3 hobbies/things you like to do?

Read, though I don't always have the time.

Cook, though I don't always have the energy.

Run, though I'm not running during pregnancy.

BONUS: PIP something, anything

Remember how I said we are not handy? This is a pic of one of our handy friends (the one who made the READ tiles) teaching Z how to use a saw (so that Z could make more scrabble tiles for our baby's room):

songbird31 · September 2013

I'm also up at the crack of dawn for no good reason, so I'll jump in. And this morning I'm glad the Harvest and full moons didn't "get" me this week! Let's see if I can make it through the weekend!

1. What is your death-row meal? (i.e., You get one last meal - what it is?)
This is tough for me too and mixing it with pregnancy cravings is basically just giving me a long list of sweets in my head, lol! I would actually go with home cooked things. I would eat my macaroni, which I've been told is epic, I would also have a home made hashbrowns casserole and probably a patty melt on sourdough topped off with a dessert from my childhood, hot fudge cake. Ok, now I'm seriously hungry!!!!

2. Are you superstitious about anything? If so, what?
I am superstitious, but I wouldn't say that I act on a lot of it. I no longer hold
My breath past graveyards or avoid cracks in cement, Etc but I am a believer in good and bad luck, karma and all that stuff.

3. What state is the inside of your car in? Messy? Immaculate?
Only because of baby timing can I say that my car is like a 9 or 10 out of 10. It always feels good to have a clean car ( because it happens so rarely for me)
We'll see how long it lasts!

4. If you could be good at one thing you aren't good at, what would it be?

This is also tough! There are so many things I would choose to augment about myself! I wish I was more strategic in my thinking. I wish i just immediately saw situations through the eyes of an amazing innovator and thinker.

5. You've been kicked out of the country you live in. Where do you relocate?
I mean if money was no object I might choose Australia. However, realistically I think I'll also jump on the CAnadian bandwagon. It's close, I like the culture and the transition would be less difficult.

6. Who has been the most influential person in your life (so far)?
I have to say S here. She has taught me so much about myself. Inner strength, empowerment, even cooking and other mundane stuff. In the beginning, She even forced me to have my own opinions about things and fight for what i want. I really was not like that in the years before we met. i was on my way but she helped me realize it. Through our relationship I have truly moved from that place in my twenties of self discovery and into really becoming my own person and through that we have been able to build a relationship that can last and add children to in a healthy way. I'm completely completely in awe of
Her and what she's gone through and I could go on and on. *blush*

7. Not to be a downer, but what is the worst thing you've ever been through? How did it change you?
Really losing my family support and relationships has been tough. I had been in therapy in my 20's for family issues and was in a pretty good place for several years, but I wasn't really prepared for how my life would create such an issue with all of my family. It's been very difficult to realize that I was loved conditionally and that I cannot change how prideful and awful my mom is. I can't make people love me or accept my decisions. It's very hurtful to shake that foundation while trying to build one of your own for your own family. I won't lie, there have been many warranted tears in this pregnancy, but that wasn't the beginning of all my family issues and after years and years of struggle I just have to move forward and continue breaking the cycle. And accept that everyone feels I'm the one who is the bad one and has ruined the (unhealthy) dynamic of my (messed up) family.

8. What is your favorite beverage?
Confession time! Diet coke. I love it, I drank it for YEARS, but haven't had it in a couple of years now. I've had a sip every now and then and it still tastes so good to me. I also really really love milk. 1% preferred but honestly I could drink it all.
9. Shower or bath?
If I actually want to get clean, a shower. If I just want to rest my bones, a bath.
10. What are your top 3 hobbies/things you like to do?
I love to sing and have always sung so that's definitely number 1. In the car or with a symphony choir, rock band, a Capella group, I've done it all.
I won't lie, I love nights in with our dogs, a dinner that was made in the grill and some good QT on the couch.
I also have come to love running and hope my body doesn't reject it when I get ready to do it again. I've heard some unfortunate PP stories.

KH826 · September 2013

1. What is your death-row meal? (i.e., You get one last meal - what it is?)

This one is really hard for me. I consider myself a recovering food addict. food had always been my vice. I don't drink, I have never tried an illegal drug a day in my life, I don't smoke... I am pretty boring, in all honesty... but food, I could eat any human I know under the table without even trying. And there is SOOOO much food that I love. So it is really hard to pick one meal that I would want to be my final. But, gun to my head, I think I would pick Spanikopita (Greek spinach pie) with a side of homemade mac & cheese and red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and a giant glass of milk as dessert.

2. Are you superstitious about anything? If so, what?

Not really... I am a worrier, for sure. And I often say things like "I don't want to jinx it, but..." I don't think it is superstition as much as it is worrying that good things will be ruined or short-lived.

3. What state is the inside of your car in? Messy? Immaculate?

It's pretty clean. Definitely not immaculate, but I vacuumed it out pretty thoroughly about 3 weeks ago, so it is still in pretty decent shape. I keep meaning to get in there is clorox wipes and a swiffer duster to clean the dash and the center console to make them sparkle, but I haven't gotten around to that yet.

4. If you could be good at one thing you aren't good at, what would it be?

Moderation. I am not good at doing anything in moderation, I am very much and all or nothing kind of gal. I either do things months before I need to, or I procrastinate until the last possible second. I am on a strict 1,000 cal a day diet, or I eat like a hippo. I am at the gym like a crazy lady 7 days a week pushing myself way too hard to the point where I hurt myself, or I am on my butt on the couch and won't go near the gym for months. I am not good at middle ground. With much of anything.

5. You've been kicked out of the country you live in. Where do you relocate?

Probably Canada. I would pick a European country, but in all honesty, that just isn't practical and probably would never happen.

6. Who has been the most influential person in your life (so far)?

My wife. She has taught me what it means to be loved and love someone unconditionally. She has taught me what real family is supposed to feel like. She has taught me to trust. She has tried to teach me to love myself and put myself first above the selfish needs/desires of others around me. I am a happier, better person because I am with her, and I honestly do not know where or who I would be if I had never met her. I know that makes me sound horribly co-dependant... I do have a sense of individuality and identity, and being with her does not define who I am, but my life has been shaped into something I am proud of and am truly content with because of our relationship, and I truly cannot imagine it any other way.

7. Not to be a downer, but what is the worst thing you've ever been through? How did it change you?

Well, to be honest, it is something that is still ongoing... and the story hasn't ended yet.

My baby brother will be 15 years old next month. My mom had him when I was 14. He was her 4th baby (5th pregnancy - she miscarried a year before she had him - it was a terrible second tri miscarriage), and she was 43 years old. My brother has an undiagnosed genetic disorder that occured at the time of conception. They think the cause was a mixture of advanced maternal age and really horrible luck. He is globally disabled, in a wheel chair, cognitively he is about 6 months old, he has very low muscle tone and cannot sit up on his own, etc. Due to his low muscle tone, he has had feeding issues that have progressed over the years and now require a feeding tube. He also has severe respiratory issues and every cold turns into Pneumonia. Finally, he has an uncontrolled seizure disorder. He has had small "startle seizures" his whole life, but he started having grand mal seizures about 7 or 8 years ago. He is on a cocktail of 6 different anti-seizure meds everyday, and he still seizes frequently. Sometimes several times a day, other times he will go weeks without a major seizure. He has no prognosis, because he has no diagnosis. He has been in and out of the hospital his entire life. His longest stay was 3 months in the ICU in 2007 when he slipped into a coma for 10 days. We thought we were going to lose him then, but he came back to us. We have thought we were going to lose him at least 35 times in his life, but he always seems to come back to us. He lived at home with my mom until February of this year. After his last hospitalization in February, my mother made the gut wrenching decision that she could no longer care for him at home, and that his quality of life was dimenished due to the constant in and out of the hospital routine. After many, many, many family meetings with the complex care team of doctors at Children's Hospital, my mother decided to move him into a wonderful pediatric nursing facility about an hour away from her house. He has had a really tough time since then, and I truly believed in July of this year that we were going to lose him for real. His doctors gave him less than a year in February, but he is still with us as of today. Anyway, this roller coaster has been so incredibly difficult on my entire family. My mom is a single mother, and she has devoted her entire life the last 15 years to that little boy. He is a joy to be around. He smiles, and can light up a room. He loves his sisters, our family dog, and Clifford the big red dog on PBS. He is the best and hardest thing that has even happened to all of us that know and love him. Someday we will lose him. My gut tells me it will be soon. My wife and I stared TTC in February, the same time that he was moved to the facility where he is currently living. I hold my breath whenever my phone rings and it is my mother. I have had recurring dreams the last 6 months that I will be pregnant at his funeral. Every month since February I have thought this could be the month I get pregnant, and this could be the month I lose my brother. To me now they feel linked in my mind. Part of me feels like he is waiting... I KNOW this sounds crazy and selfish.... but sometimes new life comes when another life is lost. So anyway... that is the hardest thing I have ever been through. And believe it or not, that is the abridged version. I have been wanting to share this story for a long time, b/c it has been the unspoken back story to my TTC journey, but it has never seemed like the right time... and the story continues...

8. What is your favorite beverage?

Coffee

9. Shower or bath?

Shower

10. What are your top 3 hobbies/things you like to do?

* Singing (haven't in a long time, but used to be a big part of my life)

* Reading

* Shopping with my wife. We both love to shop (for clothes, books, things for the home, antiques)... one of my favorite weekend activities is to find new shops to go explore together. Especially in the Fall when the weather is cool but not cold. To walk around on a crisp Saturday morning with a cup of coffee and go in and out of cool little unique shops. Heaven!

Bonus PIP

This first picture is my family. I am in the red shirt on the far right. My mom is in the back, and then those are my two sisters and my brother. This was taken back in February when we got my brother settled into his room at the place where he is now living. We decorated it for Valentine's Day and each made him a Valentine to hang above his bed.

The second picture is from the same day as the first picture. It is me, my youngest sister and our brother. I love this picture. It is on my desk at work.

wishiwaspreggo · September 2013

2MamazInSeattle said:

GTKY Friday!

1. What is your death-row meal? (i.e., You get one last meal - what it is?)

2. Are you superstitious about anything? If so, what?

3. What state is the inside of your car in? Messy? Immaculate?

4. If you could be good at one thing you aren't good at, what would it be?

5. You've been kicked out of the country you live in. Where do you relocate?

6. Who has been the most influential person in your life (so far)?

7. Not to be a downer, but what is the worst thing you've ever been through? How did it change you?

8. What is your favorite beverage?

9. Shower or bath?

10. What are your top 3 hobbies/things you like to do?

BONUS: PIP something, anything

Yay Friday!!!

1) Hmmm... Depends on how long I'd been in jail and what I'd been deprived of for the years before my death sentence. Right now I'd pick filet, lobster, sea scallops, cheesy mashed potatoes, and fresh biscuits with a volcano cake for dessert.

2) Nah, I'm not really supersticious. I'm super-cautious, though! If I have good news about anything, I wait before telling people out of fear it falls through. When I got my new job, I didn't tell anyone until the day I started (well, aside from my boss from my previous job, of course). When I got my new house, I didn't tell anyone until I had the paperwork signed and in my hands. And when I do get a positive pregnancy test, ain't nobody gonna hear about it (aside from you nice folks, my partner, and parents) until I see the ultrasound with a heart beat. And even then that will be restricted to close friends and family.

3) I use one of our cars to haul recycling and anything else that may get the interior dirty, so the Focus is kind of a wreck. The Hyundai is immaculate since that's the vehicle we share for rides to work and take on long car trips.

4) I'd be good at piano. Both my brothers are musical prodigies and I am amazed that they can just pick anything up and play beautiful music. My brother will casually sit at a piano and play a harmony to match whatever song is playing on the radio. Granted both of them have been playing for literally 20-25 years, so it's not like they developed this skill overnight. I just wish I could play without the drudgery of years of practice

5) This is gonna sound weird, but Japan. I lived there for a year so I know what's expected of me, the cultural mores, can still understand the language (though my speaking is terribly rusty), and I love the food and know where to get my American fixes when needed. I'm afraid if I went to another English-speaking country I'd get frustrated with the cultural differences. At least in Japan I could just say to myself "Well, it is Japan, what else did you expect?" - Side note: I plan to visit again within the next 10 years and drag DP with me. It is a fantastic country!

6) I don't really have a mentor or anyone I look up to so this is kind of tough... I know that sounds bad, but I never know how to answer questions like this. I guess the most influential person in my life is my partner. We talk about everything and I value her opinions, viewpoints, and advice.

7) Looking back it doesn't hurt now and I'm really glad it happened, but back then my world was destroyed. My fiance dumped me when I was a freshman in college. Okay, I get that I probably shouldn't have been engaged back then in the first place because I was so young, but I really believed in our relationship and I was madly in love with him. I spent every weekend my whole first year of college volleying between my hometown so I could work and earn ~$70 which I would then spend the next weekend on bus fare to see my ex who went to a different school than me. I was determined to make it work. He proposed to me over Christmas that year and then dumped me 3 months later. And I think it was the manner in which I was dumped that hurt the most. He called me and said he was "propositioned" by another girl and that he accepted - meaning he openly told me he planned to cheat on me. Then he called me later and said he was sorry and that he wanted me back. And then he dumped me again. And then he wanted me back. Basically it kind of felt like someone was trying to kill me by stabbing me repeatedly with a blunt knife. It would never quite do the job but every ineffective stab hurt more than the one before. On top of all this, my friends and family *hated* him so no one would understand why I was hanging on and letting him treat me like that. Of course it's impossible to explain to anyone else why you love someone who is as unlikeable as my ex so I basically isolated myself through all of it. Well, it was finally over-over when I met his new girlfriend. How did I meet her, you ask? He invited me to come visit him at his college because he just wanted to "hold me." When I got there, this girl was with him. It was pouring rain and she gave me her umbrella. I was confused but didn't ask questions. We got to his apartment and she came in with us. He took me to his room and we started making out. I asked him who the girl was and he said "That's K. She's my girlfriend." I shoved him off of me, called a taxi, and left. We haven't talked since.

I learned a lot from this though. I learned what it means to be treated like shit, and how to not ever accept being treated like that ever again. I learned what it means to drag someone along with hopeful promise and then withdrawal and how badly it hurts. I learned who my real friends were. I learned not to be so trusting. I learned the value of self-respect. I learned not to place my happiness in anyone else's hands. I learned independence. And I feel like going through that made me stronger. I know I'll probably go through worse things in my life, but so far that was the worst.

8) Non-alcoholic: fruit juice with sparkling water; alcoholic: a good, strong beer!

9) Shower. I never feel clean after a bath soaking in dirty, soapy water! Baths are only good if they're done Japanese-style: wash yourself, rinse yourself, then hop in a tub of clean hot water

10) I admit, I love video games! I also love cross-stitch, and I love to swim!

newmompeanut · September 2013

4. If you could be good at one thing you aren't good at, what would it be?
I am a graphic designer, I can create just about anything on the computer, but I wish I could draw well with a paper and pencil!

I'm a graphic designer too Do you work for a company or freelance?

newmompeanut · September 2013

I do both too. Mainly web design, though. I work full time for an e-commerce company that sells mainly shoes and homegoods making their emails and websites. But then on the side I freelance designing websites and invitations. Wedding invitations and custom sites are what I love though

ball.and.chain · September 2013

1. What is your death-row meal? (i.e., You get one last meal - what it is?)

As others have said, I struggle with any of these questions that involve food. I love so many different things, it is hard to pick! I recently had a biscuit at a BBQ restaurant that blew.my.mind, so I might have to stick that in there. I know, it's just a biscuit, right? But it wasn't. I guess I might have some fried chicken with it. Because, why wouldn't I? And there would need to be a big old brownie sundae, caramel instead of hot fudge if you please.

Hmmmm. Or the Dungeness crab roll from Fish in Sausalito, CA. Or the Ferdi Special Po' Boy from Mother's in New Orleans. Or the burger from a restaurant near my office that just closed. This is hard.

2. Are you superstitious about anything? If so, what? Hmmm. I don't think so!

3. What state is the inside of your car in? Messy? Immaculate?

I don't leave junk in it, but I also don't clean it...so it's generally neat but dusty.

4. If you could be good at one thing you aren't good at, what would it be?

I'd love to be more athletic or a better dancer. I have pretty poor kinesthetic intelligence.

5. You've been kicked out of the country you live in. Where do you relocate?

I feel poorly equipped to answer this. I've only been to Mexico, Canada and France, and what if my ideal country to live in is someplace I've never been to? Mexico is too hot for me, so that's out. Canada's advantage would be that it is the closest I could get to my US friends and family (I'm assuming they'd still be here) without being in the US. I don't want to pick France just because it's the only European country I've been to, but I wouldn't mind moving there at all (except maybe the bureaucracy).

6. Who has been the most influential person in your life (so far)?

My mother.

7. Not to be a downer, but what is the worst thing you've ever been through? How did it change you?

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 21 (she was 51). She died four years later. Seeing her in so much pain, dealing with the possibility that she would die, enduring the roller coaster of treatments, and then watching her decline was rough, as was the aftermath of her death. I do think that my remaining family members and I take each other for granted less now, though. I am also more resilient -- I remember thinking that there was no way I would make it through the week after she died, but you just do, and I learned from that that you WILL come out on the other side of a bad time, even if it's ugly. You just get yourself out of bed every day, and things eventually get easier.

I also became a lot more focused on my health than I used to be. I loved and miss my mother, but she was overweight, an unhealthy eater, never exercised, and did not go to any doctor for about 20 years. Her death motivated me to lose weight and start thinking more about what I eat and my fitness level, which were absolutely not concerns to me before that. And I am a stickler about regular physicals and screening tests (mammogram on Thursday, yippee!). Breast cancer is highly treatable in its early stages and her story could have ended differently if she had been a little more responsible for her health.

8. What is your favorite beverage?

A glass of Sancerre. I also love homemade apple cider (not pasteurized) and hot tea.

9. Shower or bath?

Shower. An occasional bath can be nice, but the water gets cold and I get bored. Plus my bathtub isn't that deep.

10. What are your top 3 hobbies/things you like to do?

Read, cook, grow vegetables.

trisholio · September 2013

2MamazInSeattle 2MamazInSeattle you have a message from me, check your inbox :-)

1. What is your death-row meal? (i.e., You get one last meal - what it is?)

I do love food, but I would have to say probably a little five cheese ziti, then maybe some queso and chips topped off with a huge banana split

2. Are you superstitious about anything? If so, what?

I don't think I have any superstition. My wife's favorite number is 13 so we look at it as lucky, not a bad thing

3. What state is the inside of your car in? Messy? Immaculate?

Its pretty messy. My wife leaves crap in my(her) car all the time plus I babysit different kids all the time so I have multiple car seats and random toys in there at any point

4. If you could be good at one thing you aren't good at, what would it be?

I really wish I could sing well. I love to sing and belt it out in the car, but I am sure I sound like someone is killing me

5. You've been kicked out of the country you live in. Where do you relocate?

I would say France just because I've heard such wonderful things about it

6. Who has been the most influential person in your life (so far)?

There isn't just one person that has really influenced me, at least for the better. I have been lucky to have many different people at different times of my life be there as a positive influence.

7. Not to be a downer, but what is the worst thing you've ever been through? How did it change you?

Honestly it is a toss up. My wife was sexually assaulted in 2008 (before I knew her) but the trial wasn't until 2011 (while we were trying to plan our wedding) It was a traumatic experience for her to have to testify and I sat through the entire trial. After all of that he was found not guilty and was set free. We both took it really hard, I saw her fall apart and I just about lost it myself. I ended up losing my job and things got really difficult for awhile. We finally got our life back in order when her brother dropped a bomb shell on us that his dad (my wife's step dad) had molested him and their younger sister. We contacted Children Services, there was an investigation, he was arrested and took a plea bargain. The day of the final court date he didn't show up to court and they found him dead at this house. He had shot and killed himself. So now my wife's two siblings have to grow up without a father (even though he was their molester they still loved him). The anniversary of his death is in a few weeks. Its all just such a sad situation. Both were situations that my wife was so hurt and damaged by and it is so difficult to watch the person you love go through something so difficult.

8. What is your favorite beverage?

Pumpkin Spiced Latte or Eggnog Latte

9. Shower or bath?

Shower, I would take more baths if our bathtub wasn't so small. I really want a garden tub or jacuzzi

10. What are your top 3 hobbies/things you like to do?

I love reading (I don't make enough time for it)

Spending quality time with friends

Honestly, taking naps, they are my favorite!!

I thought I would share a picture, a blast from the past. When I was younger, thinner and much more blonde!!

healz413 · September 2013

1. Mmm!
Like others a buttery biscuit
And chicken fried steak
And stuffed Chicago style pizza
And bacon
And chips with artichoke and asiago dip. All in small enough portions that I could enjoy everything.

2. I will knock on wood but that's mostly I remind myself not to take things for granted.

3. Messy but not horrible

4. I would love to be naturally good at singing. I really should be on broadway.

5. The U.S. It is where I'm from and where my family is. I'm excited about the prospect of so many of you coming to Canada though.

6. There are so many people who have influenced and shaped me in so many ways. As an adult I'm pretty self-reflexive and this means that I tend to think a lot about the things or people who have shaped me. Thinking about this since last night has felt a bit like working through the acknowledgements section of my life.

7. I cried reading people's answers to this. Just ask M about all the tears in the RE office waiting room.

In the fall of 2009 there was a confluence of horrible events. My ex G (at the time we'd only been split 6 months) tried to commit suicide. After a weekend of visiting G in the hospital, I was driving home to Toronto from Ottawa when I got a call from my dad that my mom had been in a bicycle accident in Wisconsin and had been flown to the mayo clinic with a severe concussion and broken bones. Nine days later when I called my parents' house to see how my mom was doing, my mom told me that my dad was flying to San Francisco because my brother had had severe seizures and was in an induced coma. A week later my brother was still in intensive care (battling kidney failure and being kept seriously sedated) and my dad and other brother were exhausted from being at his side providing around the clock care. My mother couldn't go help because she was still dealing with her brain injury and actually needed her friend to live with her while my dad was gone. So I had to go to San Francisco to help but at the same time G was being released from the hospital with the specific conditions of coming to live with me and my roommates to attend an intensive therapy program in Toronto and have regular support as G was still very depressed. I had to fly to San Francisco just hours after G arrived and without the confidence that G wouldn't commit suicide while I was gone. But my family needed me too. In addition to all of the horrible and scary stuff my mom, brother, And G were going through, one of the hardest things about that situation was that it couldn't be both places at once and not being at one or the other seemed like a horrible decision.
Everyone survived (with varying ongoing effects).
8. Diet Dr Pepper.

9. Shower. I get overheated and antsy in baths.

10. Playing games. Playing sports. Eating.

trisholiosboi · September 2013

1. What is your death-row meal? (i.e., You get one last meal - what it is?)
This is a tough one, because I love many different foods. I would have to say my grandmother's homemade noodles, filet Mignon, Lima beans, and my step mom's pumpkin pie.

2. Are you superstitious about anything? If so, what? The toilet paper HAS to be over not under. I'm superstitious about the number 13, but in a good way. It's my lucky number. When I found out that our next hcg trigger shot could be done on 9/12 (Thursday) or 9/13 (Friday) I screamed "Let's do it on Friday the 13th!"!!! It was quite embarrassing!

3. What state is the inside of your car in? Messy? Immaculate?- I just cleaned out "my" truck today, so it's clean

4. If you could be good at one thing you aren't good at, what would it be? I would want to play an instrument, specifically guitar, violin, saxophone (you know the romantic ones)!

5. You've been kicked out of the country you live in. Where do you relocate?- Germany,hands down! It's been my favorite place, so far. It's beautiful, progressive, and gay friendly!

6. Who has been the most influential person in your life (so far)?- I've had many people that were influential for different reasons at different times.

7. Not to be a downer, but what is the worst thing you've ever been through? How did it change you?- I hav to steal this from my BW (trisholio): I was sexually assaulted in 2008 by a good friend, before T and I ever met. He was finally prosecuted in 2011, I testified, he was found not guilty and released. I've had some serious PTSD, nightmares, and trust issues with men, ever since. Also, I was molested by my step father from the age of 8 until 20sih (late I know, but it's a long story). Last year my brother told us that both he and our little sister were also molested by him (their real dad, my step dad). I contacted Child Protective Services(CPS), my step dad was arrested, and agreed to a plea bargain. On the day he was suppose to go before the judge and officially file his plea, he didn't show up at court.He was found later, by the police dead at my parents house. I have not been able to talk to my brother (20 years old) or my sister (11 years old today is her birthday) or my mom, because they blame me for his death.

8. What is your favorite beverage?-Flavored water or hot tea

9. Shower or bath? I prefer a bath, but my fat a$$ doesn't fit in ours. So shower it is.

10. What are your top 3 hobbies/things you like to do?- Playing sports (softball), camping, anything outdoorsy!

StacyLH24 · September 2013

1. My death row meal would be cheesy homemade Mac & Cheese, a prime rib burger, my mom's candied sweet potatoes and baklava for dessert.

2. I'm not really superstitious, but I do believe in karma and being thankful for what you have, etc.

3. The inside of my car....probably a 5 out of 10. We generally collect stuff in both of our vehicles and then have to do massive clean outs. I just used Armor All wipes on both of them, so they are not dusty. There is always dirt on the floors because we live in the country and our dogs are in and out of both vehicles on a regular basis. We don't vacuum them often, though we probably should.

4. I would love to be good at singing and/or playing the guitar. It is a dream of mine to have an awesome chick rock band...it will always just be a dream!

5. If I were kicked out of the country, I think I would choose New Zealand or Canada. I have never been to New Zealand, but have a friend who lives there. I have not been to Canada in a long time, but it would be close...only about 2 hours away from where we live.

6. I would have to say that my Mom has been the most influential person in my life so far. Besides C, my Mom is my best friend. I go to her for everything and I'm not sure what I would do without her.

7. The worst thing I have ever been through...When I was in high school, I always felt like I didn't fit in anywhere, though I had many friends and was liked by everyone. I had some depression, but it became full blown when I was in college. During the Spring semester of my Junior year, I barely attended classes, sporadically showed up to my internship and didn't go to my campus job at all. Thankfully everyone was very understanding. I had many thoughts of suicide but thankfully never acted on any of them. My saving grace was the counselor I was seeing. She really saved my life and I will be thankful to her for the rest of my life. I'm really not sure what caused the depression. At the time it wasn't really a particular thing I could pin point. The lack of a relationship with my half-brother was part of it, and I learned that was something I had little control over. While I questioned my sexuality at that point, it truly wasn't on my radar as an issue. I have never felt such despair in my entire life. I hope that I never feel that way again. As a result of pushing through all of that, I would say that I am more empathetic to other individuals...I'm a social worker so that comes naturally anyway. I'm also always conscious of how I'm feeling and make sure to take care of myself because it certainly can be a slippery slope from situational depression to a full blown, take over your life kind of depression.

8. My favorite beverage is Vanilla Chai from Dunkin Donuts. I hardly ever drink it anymore, but I used to drink it a handful of times a week. I love it during Fall especially. When I smell it and taste it, I feel comforted immediately.

9. I prefer a shower without a doubt.

10. Three hobbies/things I like to do - Geocache, ride the motorcycle with C and get caught up in a good book.

StacyLH24 · September 2013

Forgot the bonus PIP!

This is C and I at Big Sur when we went to California. This picture was taken right before we got soaked! Everyone else saw the water coming and wanted to keep us there until it hit us...it was cold and much higher than we anticipated!

Greysmom13 · September 2013

1. What is your death-row meal? (i.e., You get one last meal - what it is?)
Thanksgiving.. Turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, broccoli rice, pistachio salad, gravy, rolls, and pecan pie for dessert. Mmmmm!!!

2. Are you superstitious about anything? If so, what?
Well at work if it is slow, we don't talk about it. If anyone mentions that it's slow it enevitably gets very busy. So I guess that is superstitious. I also notice the number 13 EVERYWHERE!!!

3. What state is the inside of your car in? Messy? Immaculate?
Well I drive a SUV and keep the back seats folded down so I can see blind spots better. This also makes it easy for me to see crap and I have made it a habit to keep it clean.

4. If you could be good at one thing you aren't good at, what would it be?
Singing, I love singing (loudly) to my windshield and wish I was actually good at it.

5. You've been kicked out of the country you live in. Where do you relocate? Ireland or Scotland. I love both places although I haven't been YET! Lol

6. Who has been the most influential person in your life (so far)?
My grandmother and my mother. My grandmother, mom, and I called ourselves three peas in a pod. When my grandmother died it was very very hard. She was so funny and very progressive for being 90 when she passed away. My mother is an extension of my grandmother and we talk everyday.

7. Not to be a downer, but what is the worst thing you've ever been through? How did it change you?
I would have to say my grandmother dying. I deal with death everyday at work but, of course, when it is your loved one it's completely different. Also having to make the decision to take my dad off the ventilator and let him die. Our relationship wasn't good as he was a severe alcoholic, and I couldn't have that in my life, but he was still my dad and it was hard.

8. What is your favorite beverage?
I love peach tea!

9. Shower or bath?
I am in bath mode right now. I wasn't able to take one in several years, and when I fixed the issue with the shower, it's been bath time all the way!

10. What are your top 3 hobbies/things you like to do?
I love watching movies.
I enjoy learning about historic places/people and actually seeing the places in person.
I love doing geneology and have the history of my maternal grandparents all the way back to England and Wales.

PIP: my 27 week belly (today)!

GoaliesWife123 · September 2013

1. What is your death-row meal? (i.e., You get one last meal - what it is?)

Like everyone else, this is really hard! I have been a vegetarian for a year now and I will be quite honest in the fact that sometimes I really miss meat! If I knew I wouldn't live to feel the nausea and pain I know it would cause me, I would get filet mignon, garlic smashed potatoes, stuffing, tons of veggies covered in cheese, and for dessert, something like a pudding pie

2. Are you superstitious about anything? If so, what?

@ATXmommas, too funny, I do the same thing when I am walking around a pole or post. I still hold my breath when going by a cemetery, too. I am a very big believer in karma.

3. What state is the inside of your car in? Messy? Immaculate?

We tend to keep our cars very clean, inside and out.

4. If you could be good at one thing you aren't good at, what would it be?

I wish I could speak Spanish fluently. And any other language!

5. You've been kicked out of the country you live in. Where do you relocate?

I would love to see Australia and New Zealand, but like a lot of you, I would probably go to Canada. It's close to the family, gay friendly, and frankly, has some amazing backpacking and hiking in it.

6. Who has been the most influential person in your life (so far)?

I would have to say my wife. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Being with her has reminded me that I never have to settle. She's my rock.

7. Not to be a downer, but what is the worst thing you've ever been through? How did it change you?

There are a few life changing things in my life, but I would have to say that (1) my Mom suffered a double pneumonia during my freshman year of college. She had a 10% chance of living and she fought through it. She's still very sick, but she's hanging in there. (2) Watching my family deal with my niece being molested by her step-father at age 4. Her Mother stayed with him and to this day states that she was "stuck" between a rock and a hard place. Sickening. (3) Watching both of my grandparents pass away at home within 10 months of each other. My parent's were taking care of them for several years and during that time we were able to get very close, which made it even harder to be there when they both took their last breath.

8. What is your favorite beverage?

I love la croix. I love sparkling water! @2mamazinseattle is the soda maker worth it just for the sparkling water? I am always eyeing it!

9. Shower or bath?

Shower, unless I have had a very bad day.

10. What are your top 3 hobbies/things you like to do?

Backpacking/Hiking

Reading

Anything animal related

BONUS: PIP something, anything

A picture of "our" tree. This is a tree we both loved on our first hike together. The same tree she asked me to marry her. The same tree that when we take our nieces and nephews hiking they say "Hey this is the tree you got engaged at!"

2MamazInSeattle · September 2013

I loved all the participation in this week’s GTKY! I had so many comments I wasn’t going to bother; however, then I thought I’d just go for it!

@ATXmommas: I have so much sympathy for you having to TMFR. The only saving grace on the day of our 16w D&E was that our baby was already gone. I couldn’t imagine having to go through that with a live baby in me, and I’m so so so sorry you did. L But or T13/T18, we would’ve done the same but not without it being the worst decision ever

@songbird31: Ug, the day you figure out you were loved conditionally as a child is the lowest of lows, but awesome that you worked your way out from that!

@KH826: OMG the homage to your brother you wrote was lovely. And, I debated putting this question in because I thought it might be too intense – but you made me realize it was supposed to be in there! Thank you for your sharing, he looks like a sweet.

@wallace323: I love the PIP! That balloon is so cute! I am so sorry about the loss of you triplet Addison, and thinking lots about your little one still in the NICU.

@wishiwaspreggo: I LOVE Japan – that was one of my thoughts of where I’d go too! So cool you got to live there. Jealous!

@ball.and.chain: I am sad you lost your mom so young L.

@trisholio & @trisholiosboi: Got your PM and I’ll write back soon! Ug – I am so sad you lost your family over your step-dad’s death.

@KLeigh1: Cute pic!

@healz413: Whoa I couldn’t believe all you went through (#7) – I’m glad everyone survived.

@herbabymama: Show your knitting! I’m going to learn this winter J.

@StacyLH24: I’m so glad you got through your depression and are here today! Great photo!

@Greysmom13: Awesome bump – and so cool about the genealogy background you have gathered!

@GoaliesWife123: The soda stream is SO WORTH IT. We love not lugging bottles or cans of water, and you never run out (well, it’s wise to have a back-up canister)! It would never occur to me to make pop, we only use it for water and it’s been a huge improvement to our home!

Thanks again everyone! If you have any ideas for questions, or things you want to know, PM me! I’m all ears J.

healz413 · September 2013

I agree about soda stream.

2MamazInSeattle · September 2013

We actually joked after our kitchen remodel that while it was nice and all, we thought we could've left it as it was and ONLY gotten the Soda Stream and been just as happy! LOL! Not quite, but close!

ATXmommas · September 2013

@2MamazinSeattle - I always appreciate your sweet words. And I ditto your sentiments. I was very emotional reading answers to #7.

GoaliesWife123 · September 2013

Well I have been on the fence about getting a soda stream, it is certainly nice to hear the reviews on it. I am in love with soda water (flavored or plain) so it might be a good investment. Thanks all!

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