Hi all!
I find the Elfster questions for your recipient to be a bit limiting so I thought it'd be fun to do a special GTKY post for those of us participating in the ornament exchange. This GTKY is open to all, but if you are doing the exchange, please take a moment to respond! I think we all "know" a lot about each other, but getting a picture of a person's aesthetic is tough in the cyberverse!
Remember that you're answering these to help someone buy you an ornament...so if you kinda like to cook, but don't love it, don't necessarily put it down as you might get a Santa Baking Cookies ornament!
1. Favorite color(s)?
2. White lights or colored lights on your tree?
3. Describe your ornament style...examples: DIY/Handmade; Modern; Classic: Rustic; Glam; Fancy; Simple; Big; Small; Fragile ok/unbreakable preferred, etc. etc.
4. Do you collect anything?
5. Favorite hobbies?
6. Any sports teams you are uber attached to?
7. Describe one or two of your favorite ornaments.
8. Tell us about the art in your house, describe it overall or tell us about your favorite piece.
9. Pets? Species & names?
10. Current city/state you live in.
11. Would you like a relgiously-themed ornament?
12. If you're willing - you, your partner, and kids first names (for personalization) - you can remove your post anytime in the next 30 days

.
13. BONUS: PIP a picture of an ornament you love from someplace on the internet, or your collection!
And go!
Re: Ornament Exchange Peeps: Special GTKY Post!
I love most colors except green. Purple, pink, blue and orange are faves.
2. White lights or colored lights on your tree? Colored!
3. Describe your ornament style...examples: DIY/Handmade; Modern; Classic: Rustic; Glam; Fancy; Simple; Big; Small; Fragile ok/unbreakable preferred, etc. etc.
Any (not all) of these describe most of my ornaments: DIY/Handmade, Simple, unbreakable preferred, modern or vintage/classic. I love german ornaments. Not so into fancy/glamy or rustic.
4. Do you collect anything? No.
5. Favorite hobbies? Nothing noteworthy...
6. Any sports teams you are uber attached to? No
7. Describe one or two of your favorite ornaments. I have a vintage glass bobble that has sentimental value; and a goofy felt ornament I bought for my embryo-to-be-Simone last year.
8. Tell us about the art in your house, describe it overall or tell us about your favorite piece.
Our art is all modern - lots of text art, things that light up, and wood art.
9. Pets? Species & names? Cats: Manny, Dude & Odo
10. Current city/state you live in. Seattle, WA!
11. Would you like a relgiously-themed ornament? No.
12. If you're willing - you, your partner, and kids first names (for personalization) - you can remove your post anytime in the next 30 days . Jenn, Jill & Simone!
Me (43) and J (45) - same sex couple. And we don't feel 40+!
June'12 - First RE Visit
Sept. '12 - Tubes removed
Dec. '12 - Donor Egg/Donor Sperm IVF Cycle - 4 good embies!
Dec. '12 - Fresh transfer, BFP! EDD 8/29/13
Mar. '13 - Missed m/c at 16w1d, baby boy stopped growing at 15w4d
Loss due to umbilical cord clot...baby was perfect.
Jul '13 - FET#1 - c/p
Sept. '13 - FET#2 - BFN
Dec.' 2, 2013 - FET#3 with our last chance embie - BFP!!!
Dec' 26, 2013 - hb!!
EDD 8/20/14 with a baby girl!
Little S was born on 8/21/14 - 8lb, 14 oz and 20 inches long.
We live in Seattle and used SRM for our donor egg IVF cycle
I am attaching a pic if our tree from last year, to start.
White lights.
We like vintage/classic stuff for the tree mostly, but it is admittedly a modge podge of different styles including family keepsakes, stuff from both of our childhoods, etc.
No sports, no hobbies really, and no religion please and thanks.
The decor in our house is a mix of pottery barnish style meets subtle rustic meets vintage with a modern flare. I know, that isn't helpful... Our house is 200 yrs old, and our decorating style is somewhat aligned with that. Lots of warm earth tones with pops of bold color (orange, cranberry, a little teal, deep yellow -- not all in the same room!).
We have a doggie named Reese -- she is a Pomeranian terrier.
Our names are Kristin (me), Jennifer (my wife) and William (da babes).
Oh, and we live in Philly.
Hope that helps...
Me - 30, My wife - 31 , Together for 10 yrs - Married August 2012
5 medicated IUIs w/ RE (March - July 2013) = BFN
Fresh IVF Cycle in September 2013 resulted in 18 mature eggs, 16 fertilized, 12 made it to day 5. Transfer of 2 Grade A blastocysts on 9/15/13, and 10 embryos in the freezer! *****BFP on 9/25/13 - betas: @10dp5dt = 232; @12dp5dt = 465; @15dp5dt = 1,581 *********William George born June 4, 2014*********2. White lights.
3. My Mom has gotten me an ornament every year since my first Christmas and they are all different. Our tree ends up being very...eclectic I suppose.
4. I do collect antique perfume bottles and these little things called Home Grown Vegetables. They are little figures that are veggies and fruits made into animals. They do make Christmas ornaments as well. Also, I love anything with a moose on it.
5. My favorite hobby is geocaching.
6. Negative on the sports teams.
7. I can't say that I have a definite favorite. They are all different and have different meanings to me.
8. We are very rustic and country in how we decorate our house.
9. Cat - Mia. Mini Poodle- Zeppelin. Boston Terrier - Kujo. German shorthair pointer/yellow lab mix (looks like a chocolate lab) - Busty.
10. We live in a small southwestern NY town.
11. We are not religious.
12. Me - Stacy, C - Cheryl.
13. PIP is our tree from last year. My Mom quilted/made the tree skirt for me.
Me: 30 DW (aka C): 29
Together since 2/15/11 ~ Legally married in NY on 9/29/12
***CP mentioned***
We've been working on baby #1 since July 2013 using Open ID donor sperm. 8 IUI attempts with 5 actual IUIs and one chemical pregnancy. We have one fresh IVF cycle under our belts as well as a FET. I have endometriosis and a uterine septum that was corrected via surgery in November 2013.
11/14/14 - Second HSG shows that tubes are still clear and ute is looking good.
12/6/14 - Started BCPs in prep for IVF #2
12/22/14 - Saline u/s and endometrial scratch (All was clear and OUCH!)
1/2/15 - Began stimming for IVF #2
****All Welcome!****
We are Mommas to four fur babies - 3 dogs and 1 cat.
Me: 30 DW (aka C): 29
Together since 2/15/11 ~ Legally married in NY on 9/29/12
***CP mentioned***
We've been working on baby #1 since July 2013 using Open ID donor sperm. 8 IUI attempts with 5 actual IUIs and one chemical pregnancy. We have one fresh IVF cycle under our belts as well as a FET. I have endometriosis and a uterine septum that was corrected via surgery in November 2013.
11/14/14 - Second HSG shows that tubes are still clear and ute is looking good.
12/6/14 - Started BCPs in prep for IVF #2
12/22/14 - Saline u/s and endometrial scratch (All was clear and OUCH!)
1/2/15 - Began stimming for IVF #2
****All Welcome!****
We are Mommas to four fur babies - 3 dogs and 1 cat.
2. White lights or colored lights on your tree? purple lights
3. Describe your ornament style...examples: DIY/Handmade; Modern; Classic: Rustic; Glam; Fancy; Simple; Big; Small; Fragile ok/unbreakable preferred, etc. etc. Some DIY (Burlap bows, and sparkly beads), a little glam: we have a turquoise peacock topping our tree, large glass balls, and glittery dark pink spherical ornaments mixed in with a few from childhood, and others we've collected :-) It's eclectic for sure!
4. Do you collect anything? memories
5. Favorite hobbies? Travel, snorkeling, scuba diving, reading and arts & crafts. Lately baking cupcakes and learning to cook
6. Any sports teams you are uber attached to? Nope
7. Describe one or two of your favorite ornaments. I love a little red tricycle that was on our family tree growing up. Also we practiced the German tradition of putting candles on the tree, its something we haven't done yet but plan too for our kids. It's so beautiful. I love the glass globes filled with a glittery, feathery element (I think they have a gold shimmer).
8. Tell us about the art in your house, describe it overall or tell us about your favorite piece. My favorite is of a butterfly, it's intricate and colorful and has a mosaic quality to it. We bought it in Hawaii from a local artist.
9. Pets? Species & names? None at this time
10. Current city/state you live in. Northern, California (San Francisco Bay Area)
11. Would you like a relgiously-themed ornament? No
12. If you're willing - you, your partner, and kids first names (for personalization) - you can remove your post anytime in the next 30 days . I would, please feel free to PM me :-)
13. BONUS: PIP a picture of an ornament you love from someplace on the internet, or your collection!
2. White lights or colored lights on your tree? White
3. Describe your ornament style...examples: Modern; Classic: Gold, brownish gold and bright green.
4. Do you collect anything? Nope
5. Favorite hobbies? Anything active
6. Any sports teams you are uber attached to? Green Bay
7. Describe one or two of your favorite ornaments. Gold peacock
9. Pets? Species & names? 4 dogs-Sam,apple,ira,Calix. 1 cat- Fiona
10. Current city/state you live in. Dallas TX
11. Would you like a relgiously-themed ornament? Sure
7/22/15 - It's a boy!
7/22/15 - It's a boy!
1. Favorite color(s)? Blue, but I'm not really averse to any color
. I'll leave our names out, but our son's name is Gabriel.
2. White lights or colored lights on your tree? White, because it's more classic looking, but in reality our tree will have colored lights because that's what we have.
3. Describe your ornament style...examples: DIY/Handmade; Modern; Classic: Rustic; Glam; Fancy; Simple; Big; Small; Fragile ok/unbreakable preferred, etc. etc. My favorite ornaments are the ones that have been passed down to us by our families. Most were homemade, but we have quite a variety so anything will fit in. I do really love classic looking ornaments, even if they are new.
4. Do you collect anything? Nothing of value. Right now we have a great dust bunny collection going. Sorry, not helpful.
5. Favorite hobbies? We are both athletes, I also sing. I love to do crafty stuff but never EVER have time to complete a project. I love to cook (not bake).
6. Any sports teams you are uber attached to? The only one that I would want on my tree is the University of MN (any team).
7. Describe one or two of your favorite ornaments. We have a number of animal ornaments, and I really do love these. They are made out of natural materials (fabric, or bristles, pinecones, etc)
8. Tell us about the art in your house, describe it overall or tell us about your favorite piece. My parents are art historians, so most of our artwork came from them. They are all old master prints and drawings, so very classic looking in traditional frames. My favorite is a tiny etching by a well-known artist. It is very dark, but the longer you look at it, the more pops out at you.
9. Pets? Species & names? Dog, Doberman, Duncan Cat, Bengal-looking (but not), Nigel
10. Current city/state you live in. Minneapolis
11. Would you like a relgiously-themed ornament? No thanks.
12. If you're willing - you, your partner, and kids first names (for personalization) - you can remove your post anytime in the next 30 days
13. BONUS: PIP a picture of an ornament you love from someplace on the internet, or your collection! Not sure how helpful this is, but I just fell in love with these. Natural material, classic looking:
Married to my amazing wife 6/12/10
TTC since 6/11
Unmedicated IUI #1 - 6/28/11 - BFN
Unmedicated IUI #2 - 7/25/11 - BFN
Robotic Myomectomy (Fibroid Surgery) - 11/15/11
Unmedicated IUI #3 - 4/24/12 - BFN
Progesterone Supported Leuteal Phase IUI #4 - 6/21/12 - BFP!!
Baby Boy G Born 3/24/13
On to #2, are we crazy?
IUI #1 - 11/28/14 - BFP! Beta #1 (11DPO) 34, Beta #2 (13DPO) 101, Beta #3 (20DPO) 3043
Ultrasound at 6w4d shows a single, fluttering heartbeat. Say hello to Sticky Ricki!
2. White lights or colored lights on your tree? Always white
3. Describe your ornament style...examples: DIY/Handmade; Modern; Classic: Rustic; Glam; Fancy; Simple; Big; Small; Fragile ok/unbreakable preferred, etc. etc. We always have a small tree, usually one that sits on top of a side table. Note: we have a puppy and cats.
4. Do you collect anything? Kitchen gagets, but that isn't going to be very helpful here.
5. Favorite hobbies? Weight lifting, cooking and baking.
6. Any sports teams you are uber attached to? Not really
7. Describe one or two of your favorite ornaments. Ones without glitter.
8. Tell us about the art in your house, describe it overall or tell us about your favorite piece. Most of our art consists of photography from our wedding, trips we've taken etc.
9. Pets? Species & names? Are you ready? Jack, dog. Kya, dog. Nahla, cat. Frankie, cat. Mama, cat. Sasha, cat. Pookie, cat.
10. Current city/state you live in. San Diego
11. Would you like a relgiously-themed ornament? No thank you.
12. If you're willing - you, your partner, and kids first names (for personalization) - you can remove your post anytime in the next 30 days. Britney (me) and Monica (dw)
13. BONUS: PIP a picture of an ornament you love from someplace on the internet, or your collection! We never give ornaments enough thought to look them up on the internet and usually pick them on a whim while out shopping for decorations. We change them every year.
Married: 10/4/2013
TTC Since September 2014
BFP 11/30/2014 ~ EDD 8/13/2015 ~ CP 12/5/2014
BFP #2 12/30/2014 ~ EDD 9/13/2015 Stick bean stick!
1. Favorite color(s)?
Red Sparkly....
2. White lights or colored lights on your tree?
Colored
3. Describe your ornament style...examples: DIY/Handmade; Modern; Classic: Rustic; Glam; Fancy; Simple; Big; Small; Fragile ok/unbreakable preferred, etc. etc.
Never really thought about it.... sentimental/collectible...?
4. Do you collect anything?
Lunchboxes... I think I have most of the Hallmark collection though...
5. Favorite hobbies?
Camping, geocaching, running
6. Any sports teams you are uber attached to?
University of Louisville Cardinals!
7. Describe one or two of your favorite ornaments.
Most of my favorites are antiques from my parents/grandparents.... not very helpful.
8. Tell us about the art in your house, describe it overall or tell us about your favorite piece.
I feel like the art in our house is mostly trendy/local. We love art with nature, trees, etc.
9. Pets? Species & names?
Baxter and Burke- Small dogs- both Jack Russell Mixes. One a Jackle (Beagle Jack Russell and the other a Jack Rusmutt (Jack and ???????, possibly bat or swine)
10. Current city/state you live in.
Columbus, OH
11. Would you like a relgiously-themed ornament?
Don't feel strongly either way.
12. If you're willing - you, your partner, and kids first names (for personalization) - you can remove your post anytime in the next 30 days
Amy, Chris and Hayden
13. BONUS: PIP a picture of an ornament you love from someplace on the internet, or your collection!
Baby Hayden Frances born 12/20/14 at 11:11 a.m... Our perfect little miracle. Here's how we got here:
My lovely wife:
5 IUI's January 2013-June 2013- 3 Cycles with Clomid- BFN
Myself: Genderqueer guy who hopped in the driver's seat of the baby making train
IUI #6- 7/23- Monitored and Trigger on Day 12, with one 16mm follicle and one 18mm follicle- BFN
IUI #7- 8/21- Not monitored, 50mg Clomid- BFN
September and October: Missed Cycles due to vacation and a Half Marathon
IUI #8- Monitored and triggered on day 15, with one 23x18mm follicle- BFN on 11/19/2013
December: Moved onto to see an RE to make a good plan.
IUI #9- 1/1/2014 Natural Cycle, BFP on 1/15/2014, 6W Ultra-Sound Reveals nothing in Gestation Sack... Natural M/C at 7W, 2/3/2014
IUI #10 3/21/2014- Natural Cycle- BFP on 4/1/2014 (please don't be an April Fools. Beta #1 13dpiui- 48, Beta #2 16dpiui- 416, Beta #3 1018...
1st Ultrasound- 4/22/2014- 6w4d HB- 134!
Check out my Blog at: http://pregnantboithinksoutloud.blogspot.com/
1. Favorite color(s)? For Christmas, anything Christmas-y: green, red, natural browns, and sparkle-y.
2. White lights or colored lights on your tree? I grew up with classic colored big bulbs, so I recreate that with little colored ones now. Man, I miss the old bulbs, even though I know they are electricity vampires.
3. Describe your ornament style...examples: DIY/Handmade; Modern; Classic: Rustic; Glam; Fancy; Simple; Big; Small; Fragile ok/unbreakable preferred, etc. etc. We have lots of traditional, non-themed ornaments. I love natural ones. Some of my favorites are handmade ones, delicate German glass ones, felt or fabric, etc. We hang our breakables up high to stop the little hands from destroying them.
4. Do you collect anything? Nope, unless you count dust-bunnies. And single socks.
5. Favorite hobbies? Cooking, trying to do art when I have the time, reading, when possible.
6. Any sports teams you are uber attached to? DW (and therefore, me, due to association) follows the Oregon Ducks. She's a double alum.
7. Describe one or two of your favorite ornaments. I have a half-dozen glass balls with little glittery polka-dots in different colors. I balance this sparkle and fun with felted animals my family made a couple years ago. I love both! I don't love plastic or "character" ornaments.
8. Tell us about the art in your house, describe it overall or tell us about your favorite piece. I'm from a family that "does" art, so I have several pieces that were made by family or friends. My favorite right now is a small pastel that my daughter did a few years ago, simple and balanced. Overall, my house is a mid-century modern and Craftsman hodgepodge.
9. Pets? Species & names? Boston Terrier, Charlie, Catahoula Leopard Hound, Honey, beta fish, Bluey, outdoor goldfish, Lucky.
10. Current city/state you live in. Oahu, Hawaii
11. Would you like a relgiously-themed ornament? No, thank you.
12. If you're willing - you, your partner, and kids first names (for personalization) - you can remove your post anytime in the next 30 days. My kids are William and Maggie. New baby is named Audrey, but she isn't born yet.
13. BONUS: PIP a picture of an ornament you love from someplace on the internet, or your collection!
CageyMack
37, married to my favorite person in the world, DW! One darling surfer-girl (12) and one darling, sweet boy born 3/16/13.
5/2013 Started TTC #3, DW's turn: 5/2013: Diagnostics (shg) and surgery (polyp rem.) for best chances. July-Oct: IUI # 1-4, medicated, monitored, triggered. All BFN. IVF in Jan May. Sheesh. Whoop! IVF#1 cycle started 4/2/14. 5/1: 19 eggs retrieved, 8 matured, ICSI'd. 4 fertilized. Only 2 to transfer/freeze stage. 5/6: Two embryos transferred. 5/15: Beta #1 9dp5dt is 134! BFP! 5/19: Beta #2 13dp5dt is 672! B'erFP! 5/21: Beta #3 15dp5dt is 1853. Yay!
"Things separate from their stories have no meaning. They are only shapes. Of a certain size and color. A certain weight. When their meaning has become lost to us they no longer have even a name. The story on the other hand can never be lost from its place in the world for it is that place.” ― Cormac McCarthy, The Crossing
2. White lights or colored lights on your tree? Multi-colored
3. Describe your ornament style...examples: DIY/Handmade; Modern; Classic: Rustic; Glam; Fancy; Simple; Big; Small; Fragile ok/unbreakable preferred, etc. etc.
I love a good mix matched tree, with ornaments from all different times and experiences. I think an ornament tells a story (sorry if that sounds like a hallmark commercial)
4. Do you collect anything?
No, not anymore
5. Favorite hobbies? I'm so boring! I love to craft and I love summer camp.
6. Any sports teams you are uber attached to?
None...I am not a sports person!
7. Describe one or two of your favorite ornaments.
I have an awesome ornament I got in the exchange last year from @2MamazInSeattle that is made out of that sculpty clay...it has people on it (she actually got us two, one more w/ Hayden) I really like those!!!
8. Tell us about the art in your house, describe it overall or tell us about your favorite piece.
What @doodah1013 said! ;-)
9. Pets? Species & names?
2 jack Russell mixes (Burke and Baxter)
10. Current city/state you live in.
Columbus, Ohio
11. Would you like a relgiously-themed ornament? Not particularly but I wouldn't be offended.
12. If you're willing - you, your partner, and kids first names (for personalization) - you can remove your post anytime in the next 30 days .
Amy (me), Chris and Hayden
Queer coupled and having a BABY with the love of my life! Love my life and wouldn't have it any other way!
First IUI 1/22/2013 BFN: 2/7/2013, Second IUI 2/21/2013 BFN: 3/9/2013, Third IUI 4/23/2013 BFN: 5/8/2013, Fourth IUI 5/24/2013 BFN: 6/7/2013, Fifth IUI 6/24/2013 BFN: 7/8/2013
C began IUI's
7/23/2013 C's first IUI BFN, 8/21/2013 C's second IUI BFN , Took a break in September and October, 11/05/2013 C's 3rd IUI (TWW...we meet again...) BFN, Took off the month to switch to an RE. 01/01/2014 C's 4th IUI...BFP!!!!!!!! Beta #1- 17, Beta #2- 34, Beta #3-140.... 6W Ultra-Sound Reveals nothing in Gestation Sack... Natural M/C at 7W, 2/3/2014
03/21/2014 IUI #10...BFP!!! Beta #1- 48, Beta #2- 416, Beta #3- 1018. GROW BABY GROW!!!
1st Ultrasound 4/22/2014 Baby Squints is PERFECT! Measuring at 6w2d with a heartbeat of 129. EDD: 12/12/14.
Ultrasound at 18 weeks on 7/14/2014. Baby is healthy and growing just as she should!
Check out my blog at: http://journeytoparenthoodandmakingmilk.blogspot.com/
1. Favorite color(s)? Shades of green
2. White lights or colored lights on your tree? White
3. Describe your ornament style...examples: DIY/Handmade; Modern; Classic: Rustic; Glam; Fancy; Simple; Big; Small; Fragile ok/unbreakable preferred, etc.
Rustic modern. Love items that combine both.
4. Do you collect anything? Not really
5. Favorite hobbies? Running and horseback riding
6. Any sports teams you are uber attached to? Not really into the sports games.....
7. Describe one or two of your favorite ornaments. Hmmm.....good question. I like ornaments that are unique in some way.
8. Tell us about the art in your house, describe it overall or tell us about your favorite piece. I'm the worst at hanging pieces up on the walls. It's always on my to do list. But I really like black and white photography, botanical prints, personal photographs. For instance, I've always talked about doing a series that has a picture from each city or town we've lived in.
9. Pets? Species & names?
Gatsby (horse) and Armani (miniature horse)
10. Current city/state you live in. Long Beach, CA
11. Would you like a relgiously-themed ornament? Not particularly.
12. If you're willing - you, your partner, and kids first names (for personalization) - Cate and Cathrine (no kids yet and yes, we have the same name....) I'm Cate.
2. White lights or colored lights on your tree?
4. Do you collect anything?
5. Favorite hobbies?
6. Any sports teams you are uber attached to?
7. Describe one or two of your favorite ornaments.
8. Tell us about the art in your house, describe it overall or tell us about your favorite piece.
9. Pets? Species & names?
10. Current city/state you live in.
11. Would you like a relgiously-themed ornament?
12. If you're willing - you, your partner, and kids first names (for personalization) - you can remove your post anytime in the next 30 days .
13. BONUS: PIP a picture of an ornament you love from someplace on the internet, or your collection!