AMA -- ShellBell3845

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Ask away, amigas!

Noethola · August 2014

Defining moment in your life other than motherhood?

Your love story:

Do you have a question that you are looking forward to being asked...and if so, what is it? Oh, and go ahead and answer it if you do have one. :-)

ShePersisted · August 2014

What makes you happy? What makes you sad?

Secret non-celeb man/woman crush?

Define yourself in one word, one color, one food and one song?

Fullerj21 · August 2014

Last thing you purchased?

Favorite food and drink?

Favorite memory with LO so far?

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Noethola said:

Defining moment in your life other than motherhood?

Your love story:

Do you have a question that you are looking forward to being asked...and if so, what is it? Oh, and go ahead and answer it if you do have one. :-)

1. I am going to write about two, one personal and one professonal. (That's bending the rules, I bet, but since I'm in charge...) So when my grandmother passed away 10 years ago, it was really, really hard on me. It was the first time I had experienced death as an adult, and I was also extremely close to my grandma. After her death, my aunt (who I was also very close with) became a malicious, nasty person. We were all grieving, but I was aghast at the way she was treating my mother -- and by extension, me. This has always stuck with me because I never want to be that person. I witnessed what an awful time that was, and I vowed to never treat another human being like that. I think it's shaped how I treat other people, and, now, how I want to raise my family.

1a. Professionally: I didn't want to be a teacher. My parents made me stick with music ed in college because they thought it at least was something to fall back on (don't get me started on that statement). I took my first teaching job out of desperation -- I was living in Illinois, homesick, three dead end PT jobs, and a teaching position back home sort of fell into my lap. I took it, figured I could do it for a year while I figured out another plan. Turns out I loved it. I remember driving home one day in tears because I loved it, which was a total shock to me. When I'm having a bad teaching day, I remember that and try to summon that feeling and remember how much I do love what I do.

2. Love story: DH and I met online (plentyoffish.com, if you must know). I found him. We weren't "matched" up because I was a year younger than he thought he was looking for. We emailed for about a month before we met. Once we met, it was kind of an instant attraction. We lived about 45 minutes apart, but we spent so much time together. Our first date was in June '10, we got engaged in April '11, and married in October '11.

3. Don't ask me about my Swingline; ask me about my KitchenAid mixer (one of my most treasured possessions)! I got it for Christmas last year, and it was a total surprise. My mom and sister have them, and I was so so so so jealous. We had opened all the presents, and then my mom pointed to one more and said it was for me, but I couldn't lift it (because pregnant and heavy). It was a gorgeous watermelon-colored KitchenAid mixer, and I love it, and I use it all the time.

3a. If someone wanted to ask what the oldest thing I own is, I have good answers ready for that too!

shellbell3845 · August 2014

anji1820 said:

Favorite pizza toppings? One of your favorite things about LO? Best and worst dates?

Pizza toppings: pepperoni and mushrooms. I like my pizza well done so the cheese is brown and the crust is crispy.

Favorite thing about LO: How curious he is already! He's also starting to be quite the problem solver, and I can't wait to see that develop as he grows. Just kidding. I thought of my most most favorite thing -- that smile he gives me when I come to get him out of his crib. Best part of my day!

Best/worst dates: I didn't really date that much -- two boyfriends in college and DH. I think my best date was my first one with DH -- I was so excited to meet him and I realized almost right away that this was something special. Also, the restaurant he took me to was right on Lake Erie and absolutely beautiful.

Worst date: One of my college boyfriends was a mooch. He asked if I wanted to go to Perkins for dinner (not a ton of options in my middle-of-nowhere college town), and then made me pay.

cattuccino · August 2014

Coffee or tea? How?

Pets?

Favourite footwear?

Favourite season?

Codypup · August 2014

I have some really important questions for you that have been eating away at me.

1. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being super jealous, how jealous are you of my H's tomato plants?

2. ARE Buffalo wings actually better in Buffalo?

3. Do you enjoy being stalked by Detective Codypup, or is it concerning?

4. When I'm in Rochester for Christmas, will you welcome the Codypups into your home for a visit? Or will you barricade the doors and call the cops?

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Hg45 said:

What makes you happy? What makes you sad? Secret non-celeb man/woman crush? Define yourself in one word, one color, one food and one song?

Happy: LO, DH, seeing DH with LO, seeing my parents with LO, seeing my sister/BIL with LO, chocolate chip cookies, laying on the couch covered in a fleece blanket with my two cats laying on top of me watching TV, being outside -- especially by the water, going to the library, Tim Hortons birthday cake timbits, my KitchenAid mixer, crafting

Sad: seeing so much suffering in this world, family members who choose not to be part of the family, my dad's headaches

Secret crush: Hmm. I can't think of one right this minute, but I used to have a giant crush on my principal.

One word: hopeful

One color: pink

One song: 4th movement of the "Sea Symphony" by Vaughan Williams <--- nerdy answer

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Fullerj21 said:

Last thing you purchased? Favorite food and drink? Favorite memory with LO so far?

We went to Kohls last night, and I got new clothes for LO. I guess technically DH bought those. I bought crib sheets, oatmeal cereal, and bowls for LO yesterday.

Favorite food: too hard...my dad's BBQ chicken

Favorite drink: iced coffee, diet coke, Shamrock Shakes, and vodka/cranberry juice.

Favorite memory with LO: taking him to see my mom's aunt (so his great great aunt). She's in a nursing home and suffers from mild dementia, but she knew exactly who he was and held her hands out to hold him right a way and held him for so long. (Thank you again, LO, for being good!!)

shellbell3845 · August 2014

cattuccino said:

Coffee or tea? How? Pets? Favourite footwear? Favourite season?

Coffee -- iced in the summer, hot in the winter. Cream and sugar. (or flavored creamer at home)

Pets -- two cats -- Rex and Rosy. I got them when I was in grad school because I was lonely one day. 6 years later, they're a vital, integral part of this family. Rosy is featured in my avatar.

Favorite footwear: flip flops in the summer; boots in the winter

Favorite season: every season when it starts and really starts "acting" like that season, I say it's my favorite. I'm going to go with fall though -- those early fall days when the leaves are changing and the air is crisp and clean. (Also, apple crisp)

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Codypup said:

I have some really important questions for you that have been eating away at me.

1. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being super jealous, how jealous are you of my H's tomato plants?
2. ARE Buffalo wings actually better in Buffalo?
3. Do you enjoy being stalked by Detective Codypup, or is it concerning?
4. When I'm in Rochester for Christmas, will you welcome the Codypups into your home for a visit? Or will you barricade the doors and call the cops?

1. 14 But seriously? I tried for two years to grow tomatoes. The first year my plants bore quite a bit of fruit, but there was some issue where the tomatoes were rotting from the bottom up. Last year I yielded three grape tomatoes. I'm not even trying this year.

2. Yes. I've had "Buffalo" wings in other parts of the world, and it's not the same. Sometimes you get the wings fried like fried chicken. Sometimes the sauce is weird. Let me educate you on Buffalo wings in Buffalo. There are two big names in Buffalo wings -- Anchor Bar (where they originated) and Duff's (where President Obama went when he was in town). They're very different from each other. I prefer Duff's, partly because it's closest to my house.

3. I'm so awesome it would be concerning if I wasn't stalked by Det. Codypup.

4. OMG! If I'm in town when you're around, I would welcome the Codypups into my home. I will have to figure out how to explain the Codypups to DH though. If it starts to go south, though, I do have the police on speed dial.

Codypup · August 2014

shellbell3845 said:

Codypup said:

I have some really important questions for you that have been eating away at me.

1. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being super jealous, how jealous are you of my H's tomato plants?
2. ARE Buffalo wings actually better in Buffalo?
3. Do you enjoy being stalked by Detective Codypup, or is it concerning?
4. When I'm in Rochester for Christmas, will you welcome the Codypups into your home for a visit? Or will you barricade the doors and call the cops?

1. 14 But seriously? I tried for two years to grow tomatoes. The first year my plants bore quite a bit of fruit, but there was some issue where the tomatoes were rotting from the bottom up. Last year I yielded three grape tomatoes. I'm not even trying this year.

2. Yes. I've had "Buffalo" wings in other parts of the world, and it's not the same. Sometimes you get the wings fried like fried chicken. Sometimes the sauce is weird. Let me educate you on Buffalo wings in Buffalo. There are two big names in Buffalo wings -- Anchor Bar (where they originated) and Duff's (where President Obama went when he was in town). They're very different from each other. I prefer Duff's, partly because it's closest to my house.

3. I'm so awesome it would be concerning if I wasn't stalked by Det. Codypup.

4. OMG! If I'm in town when you're around, I would welcome the Codypups into my home. I will have to figure out how to explain the Codypups to DH though. If it starts to go south, though, I do have the police on speed dial.

Lolololol

@shellbell3845, you are my favorite.

Meghan14 · August 2014

I didn't see anyone ask about the oldest thing yet. So, what's the oldest thing you own?

Favorite way to spend a rainy day?

Favorite breakfast food?

shellbell3845 · August 2014

carleys said:

What's your favorite family tradition? Is there a new one you'd like to begin with your LO?
What's your ideal family vacation?

My family is big on holiday celebrations. When we were kids, Christmas Eve was so special. My grandpa would read "The Night Before Christmas," we'd get new jammies, leave cookies for Santa, and my Grandma would play the piano and we'd sing Christmas carols. I hope to do some part of that with LO.

Another tradition -- my mom always took first day of school pics on our front porch. My sister and I tease her about it mercilessly, but looking back, it's a cool thing. I know I'll do it with LO too.

I was just talking about doing something new with/for LO. I was thinking about half-birthday celebrations. We could have half a cake, half a pizza, half glasses of milk, etc. and get a small present. We'll see.

I keep skipping questions!

Ideal vacation: I like to go places where there are lots of different types of things to do. So not just theme park/beach/whatever. We could spend one day at a beach and/or theme park, but also go see something historical or interesting, play mini golf, go on a boat ride, etc. The exception is Disney, which my dream vacation is Disney cruise followed by Disney.

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Mevaroo said:

Favourite childhood memory? What's on your Netflix queue/DVR? Favourite Pandora stations?

Favorite childhood memory -- every Easter we would go to the Botanical Gardens and then the Basilica to look at the statues (Stations of the Cross, but not Catholic so I didn't realize what they were until just recently). We generally did this with my grandparents.

Netflix -- I don't watch a ton of Netflix, actually. But when I do, it's the West Wing. DH watches documentaries. At Christmas, I'll watch every single cheesy Christmas movie on there.

Pandora -- Not a big Pandora user either. I used to, when I had prep periods during the school day. I liked the Rent station and Trans-Siberian orchestra station.

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Meghan14 said:

I didn't see anyone ask about the oldest thing yet. So, what's the oldest thing you own?

Favorite way to spend a rainy day?

Favorite breakfast food?

Oldest thing I own -- I'm not sure (hahaha). It's either a sheet music cabinet that was my grandma's that my parents had refinished for me or my teacup collection. My teacups are a type of English china that shares my first name. It's kind of a special thing I collect, and some of them are very old.

Rainy day -- Pre-LO, it was snuggled up reading and watching TV. With LO? Rainy days are the same as the other days, without outdoor time. If it's not raining too much, I might take him to the mall, just for a change of scenery. (I hate dealing with carseat/stroller in the rain.)

I adore breakfast foods. I cannot name just one favorite. I will answer by category.

Egg-related: gyro and feta cheese omelet.

Meat-related: bacon

Bread/carb related [excluding pastries]: tie between really good French toast and really good Belgian waffle with strawberries on top

Pastry-related: Chocolate croissant

Potato-related: Crispy shredded hashbrowns

Meghan14 · August 2014

Ok, I totally love that you had to break breakfast into categories.

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Meghan14 said:

Ok, I totally love that you had to break breakfast into categories.

It's the most important meal of the day.

Noethola · August 2014

What is something on your bucket list to: eat, see, experience, take a class about?

Favorite comedy?

Favorite time of the day to: take a picture, listen to music, pay your bills, and eat your favorite snack food (which is...?)

Can we see a picture of your watermelon mixer?

Ps. I love the patterns on the china the company you mentioned makes. So delicate!

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Avswolf said:
Since I can't ask about the Swinglin (pout) what's your favorite thing to make with your Kitchenaid? Do you have attachements? (I ask because for me it's a tie between chocolate chip cookies and pasta.)

What is your spirit animal?

Tell me your favorite memory with your grandmother mentioned in defining moments.

I do have a black swing line. :-)

No attachments for my KitchenAid [yet]. I love to bake cakes, toll house pie, these amazing peanut butter cookies, and whipped cream.

I don't even know what a spirit animal is. Can I choose my fat cat Rosy?

I don't know if I have one favorite memory of my grandma. I remember how when we visited (she was about an hour away), she always happened to have our favorite candy in the candy dish on her counter and freshly baked cookies. She would take us to the bulk candy at wegmans and let us choose whatever. The same for Toys r Us. She loved us so wholly and completely. It's all the little parts of that that I remember so fondly.

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Noethola said:

What is something on your bucket list to: eat, see, experience, take a class about?

Favorite comedy?

Favorite time of the day to: take a picture, listen to music, pay your bills, and eat your favorite snack food (which is...?)

Can we see a picture of your watermelon mixer?

Ps. I love the patterns on the china the company you mentioned makes. So delicate!

Bucket List:

Eat -- beignets (sp?) in New Orleans

See -- Greece

Experience -- a musical on Broadway

Take a class about -- photography or pottery

Favorite comedy? Chelsea Handler

Favorite time of day to:

Take a picture -- sunset

Listen to music -- in the morning driving to work (on days that I work)

Pay bills -- while I'm watching TV in the evening (I'm a very nonchalant bill payer, which is why DH does our finances)

Eat my favorite snack food -- is there a bad time of day to snack? I've been eating lots of trail mix in the afternoon during naptime. I'm not much of an evening snacker -- except for ice cream!

shellbell3845 · August 2014

My KitchenAid mixer

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Avswolf said:

shellbell3845 said:

Since I can't ask about the Swinglin (pout) what's your favorite thing to make with your Kitchenaid? Do you have attachements? (I ask because for me it's a tie between chocolate chip cookies and pasta.)

What is your spirit animal?

Tell me your favorite memory with your grandmother mentioned in defining moments.
I do have a black swing line. :-) No attachments for my KitchenAid [yet]. I love to bake cakes, toll house pie, these amazing peanut butter cookies, and whipped cream. I don't even know what a spirit animal is. Can I choose my fat cat Rosy? I don't know if I have one favorite memory of my grandma. I remember how when we visited (she was about an hour away), she always happened to have our favorite candy in the candy dish on her counter and freshly baked cookies. She would take us to the bulk candy at wegmans and let us choose whatever. The same for Toys r Us. She loved us so wholly and completely. It's all the little parts of that that I remember so fondly.
Holy cow....grandma twins!!! Did she live in Ohio?

Nope, NY! Are you from OH?

TessyMessy · August 2014

What has been your most embarassing moment?

What would you tell 13 year old Shellbell if you could go back in time?

shellbell3845 · August 2014

CiaoMama said:
That Kitchen Aid is gorgeous!

If you were to write a book about your life, what would it be called? Would you use a pen name? If it were to be made into a movie, who would play you?

Something pertaining to the crazy I've dealt with as a music teacher, written in the style of Jen Lancaster.

I might use a pen name, since I'd like to remain professionally active.

Melissa McCarthy

shellbell3845 · August 2014

elf828 said:
I am so jealous of your mixer. I wish I had gone for it with a crazy color but my Kitchenaid is boring old black.

What was the first dance song at your wedding?

You are the love of my life by Jim Brickman

It was a struggle to pick one. Eventually I stopped really caring and let DH take over. He gave a couple options, I picked the one I liked best.

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Avswolf said:
My mixer is plain white, but have you seen the stickers you can put on them?

Yes. The Pioneer Woman (one of my food network besties) has stickers on her orange KitchenAid. It's gorgeous.

shellbell3845 · August 2014

mosaicmoscato said:
My usual- favorite candle scent? Favorite holiday? Is their a meaning behind LOs name?

Depends on the season. Right now Yankee Lilac Blossoms. Fall/winter -- YC mandarin cranberry.

Favorite holiday is Christmas because it was always such a special time when we were growing up. My mom decorates like every square inch of her house, and while I'm not there yet, I'm working on it. I love the cookies and the twinkle lights and the music.

LO is kind of named after my maternal great-grandfather and grandfather. We changed GGF's name slightly to make it more modern. Lo's middle name was my grandpa's middle name. His name was a secret until he was born. My mom got very emotional when we told her. It was a special moment for me.

shellbell3845 · August 2014

TessyMessy said:
What has been your most embarassing moment?

What would you tell 13 year old Shellbell if you could go back in time?

The one that comes to mind the quickest is a day a couple years ago. My colleague/BFF and I were relaxing in her room during our lunch period, and I started singing a personalized version of The Wind Beneath My Wings, kind of improvising on the spot.
About half way through, I looked up and our principal was standing in the doorway. Still no clue how long she was there. And she was not the type for frivolity.

I'd tell 13 year old shellbell to be nice to your mother and ignore the "popular" kids at school. I'd also tell her to practice her damn scales because it would have saved a lot of time and trouble in college.

shellbell3845 · August 2014

sjelwood said:

sjelwood said:

What age did you become interested in music/start taking lessons?

Favorite composer?

I think you missed mine!

Crap! It wasn't on purpose, I promise.

I come from a musical family, so it's always been there for me. My grandma was a music teacher/church musician, my grandpa sang, and my mom started college as a music major. But I started piano in 4th grade, clarinet in 5th, switched to oboe in 10th, and picked up organ in 12th.

Favorite composer really depends on my mood. I specialized in early music for my Masters degree. So JS Bach. But I also love Vaughan Williams, Puccini, and Mahler.

ShePersisted · August 2014

Can I take this on next @shellbell3845? I'm feeling rather expressive today!

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Sounds like a plan, @Hg45‌!! Have fun!

For those of you who tuned in late, here's the tl;dr version: I'm ShellBell and I'm obsessed with my mixer. Also, when you ask me my favorite thing, I list eleventy favorites instead!

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