Gossip About Me, Part II

To everyone who Twittered or emailed last night, thank you for your concern.  Yes, I felt the earthquake(s) and yes, we are fine.  

It's Friday and at some point today I'll be on my way to Santa Barbara for the weekend. Yay!  I know, you're probably wondering why I'm going again.  I had so much fun last time, I decided to make another weekend trip.  And yes, I'm taking my laptop with me. 

I'll be back on Monday, and next Tuesday launches my laugh-out-loud, loads of fun, contest!

OK, so let's get going on the rest of those questions you left for me.

How long have you lived in the OC?

I've spent my entire life (except for one summer) in California and twenty three years (out of 24?) in Orange County.

How do you like having a salt water pool?

why a salt water pool? is it easier to take care of ?

I'll answer these three together.  I love my salt water pool.  It's much easier on the eyes, hair, skin, and bathing suits than a traditional chlorine pool.  I don't know that it's much different to take care of.  You still need to scoop leaves out of it.  Once or twice a year we dump a shitload of salt in it for the salt machine to work it's magic.

Any significance to the year on the brick in the pic?  

No, no significance.  The brick came with a few random years stamped on some of them. The name of the brick company is stamped on a few also. It adds character to the floor. I love it.

What's your favorite thing to do after a long day ?

Nothing.  If I'm at home then a glass of wine and a great book is like a slice of heaven for me.  If I can, a walk on the beach at sunset is ideal. 

what your fav color ?

I don't know if I have one.  For many years it was hunter green.  For the last couple years I've been leaning more toward the deep reds.  

what color are your eyes ;) ?

Brown.  I know, it's unusual with blonde hair.  My mom has blonde hair and brown eyes. My dad has jet black hair and blue eyes.  My whole family is ass-backward.

out of the fun toys , what your fav so far ? :)

Flipper.  (But, shhh, I think I might be falling in love with Rabbit!)

oh and whats the strangest game you ever played? my gamer bf wants to know :)

Strangest?  I don't know.  I'm not much of a gamer.  I'm pretty damn good on Guitar Hero though.  I know, child's play ....

My question is - what happened to the comment I left this morning? Did it disappear into cyber space?

Probably.  Maybe you forgot to type in those annoying verification letters?

No comment off limits heh?  SO does that mean you'll tell us the name of the celebrity whose wife had an affair with Joe the bigamist?

I wish I could.  If I did, however, someone would have to kill me.  That would be the end of this blog (and me).

What does the torturer think of short shorts? (smirk)

He's out of town this week so I couldn't ask.  I'm sure he thoroughly enjoys her presence.

If you could go anywhere on vacation tomorrow where would it be?

Australia AND New Zealand.  They are the top two places on my wish list for a vacation. Unfortunately, I don't see a trip like that happening anytime soon.

Do you ever run into the Real Housewives?

Yes, some of them.  It's not a frequent occurrence, but it wouldn't be unusual or a surprise either.

Are you rich?

No.

What's your favorite book?

I love to read.  I don't have ONE favorite.  In recent years I've really enjoyed, Pillars of the Earth, World Without End, and Water for Elephants.

You've said before you have male friends. Does that bother Briefcase? 

Nope.  If it did, I imagine I wouldn't have male friends.  Briefcase is a secure guy.

If you won the lottery tomorrow what would you do with your money?

I don't even buy lottery tickets so I haven't given this any thought.  (Of course, World Peace and charitable donations would follow.)  Maybe I'd finally make that trip to Australia.

Can we get a picture of The Torturer?

I've asked in the past; The Torturer has declined the invitation.

Can we see pictures of your house?

Perhaps I'll share down the road, as projects get completed.

When did you last feel like an ass on Twitter? :D

Two days ago, thank you very much for reminding me.  Also, thank you for the fact that now all my readers know I was an ass on Twitter.  (You are a smart ass, and you know who you are.  I love you anyway.  In a non-romantic, non-stalker-ish way.)

You got a good deal on the chair huh? 

I did!  I think I benefited from the poor economy.

How do you clean a brick floor?  I know, not a very interesting question. But I am curious.

I had a sealant put on the brick.  (Brick is porous and we didn't want spills to absorb into the floor.)  We vacuum it and then follow up with a mop.  Actually, because or my injury, I currently get some help with the mopping part.  Once in awhile we steam clean it too. It cleans up nicely.

How often do you go to the beach?

It varies.  Sometimes I'm at the beach daily in the summer.  During the winter months I'd say I make it at least once every two weeks and sometimes more.

Favorite song? 

It's impossible for me to even pick a favorite BAND, let alone a song.  I love music!

Where would you like to see your blog in five years? 

I'm taking blogging one day at a time.  I'm not out to conquer the Internet.

Why did you start a blog?

I've always been a writer.  It gave me something outside of myself to focus on through some very tough days in my recovery.  I really enjoy it!

How are you related to the See's family [See's Chocolates] and do you get a discount?

Good question!  You know that little old lady pictured on the See's box?  Someone in her family married into my mother's side of the family a zillion years ago.  I'm convinced it has created a genetic mutation destining me to love See's candy above and beyond any other form of chocolate.  And no, See's was sold to a corporation years ago - I don't get any type of discount.

How long have you guys been married? 

A few centuries at least.  Actually, my parents married me off as a 2 year old toddler.  It will be 22 years this summer ... on the Fourth of July.

I've been curious how you injured your right shoulder when you were hit on the left side.

Aren't you a smart one with this question?!  My right hand was gripping and rotating the steering wheel as I turned left.  (My left hand was not on the steering wheel.)  The force of the collision was so severe, it ruptured stuff inside my shoulder on impact.  It hurt.  (Still does!)

Have you started reading the book I recommended? Do you plan to or are you just humoring me?! LOL

I downloaded it onto my Kindle, read a couple pages, and have not done any book reading since.  Yes, I will read it.  No, I'm not humoring you.  I love to read.  I've just been very busy with the holidays.

Since you live in the OC, how do you keep your kids grounded or do your kids constantly ask for everything because of their environment? (My kids want everything and get too much so no judgement here!)

We are surrounded by wealth, but we are not wealthy.  My kids understand that.  They don't ask for everything, so I guess I'm fortunate.  I, personally, believe even very wealthy people can raise down to earth children if it's a priority for them and they resist over indulging them.  (That doesn't happen often in the OC, but it does happen.)  My kids don't lack for anything they need, but we taught them early on they must contribute for those things they simply want.

What is the worst thing each of your kids have done that got them in huge trouble? (I was in 8th grade and got drunk w/a friend at her house while her parents were home. We snuck vodka, wine, beer and whiskey. After I threw up many times I was grounded for a month!)

Oh - I don't want to jinx myself, but so far we are muddling through the teen years without any major mishaps.  I, however, was a parental nightmare as a teenager.  I'd be happy to share some of those stories with you on another day.

What are your top 5 favorite desserts? : )

I don't eat many desserts but I've got a weakness for homemade, warm from the oven, cookies.  Probably oatmeal (without raisins), chocolate chip, and "Snicker" cookies are my favorite.  If I'm out for a fancy dinner with Briefcase we might indulge once in awhile with Creme Brulee or something chocolate and decadent to share.

Who is your nicest neighbor and what are they like?

My nicest neighbor lives right next door to me.  She is married, with four children.  She and I are friends and neighbors.  We have lived next to each other for years, get along great, but we aren't best friends.  We respect each other's privacy, never pry, but share a great "deal" (particularly on house/home stuff) when we hear it.  I'm very lucky to have her!

If you were stuck on a desert island and could only bring one CD (because they only have CD players on deserted islands, no place to charge the IPOD) what CD would it be? 

Very tough question for a music junkie such as myself.  But, wait, I'm on an island?  Then it would have to be The Best of Jimmy Buffett.  I'd make my own rum out of sugarcane on the island.  Then I'd drink the rum and sing along to Jimmy while I danced!

OK, this is kinda a technical question but seem to be an uber-ipoder so I thought I'd ask. When you got a new computer, how did you get your music files transfered to the new computer? Love your blog, I really enjoy the peek into the rich lifestyle of the OC

Thank you!  

I bought a little portable hard drive (mine is a La Cie), I formatted it to work with both Windows and Mac.  Then I just copied my entire pc iTunes library onto it and put it on my new Mac.  Once that was done, I reformatted the La Cie to read Mac only and I use it to back up my entire computer now.  It may sound complicated, but it was very easy and quick.

What kind of work do people do to afford to live in OC? I live in a small town (ONE stoplight) and honestly can't comprehend living there, please tell more

Orange County is big and all sorts of people live here doing many types of work. In Money Town, there are a lot of professionals.  When my sons played in the Money Town Little League we would joke that every dad was a lawyer except for those who were doctors.  Not accurate, but maybe not so far from the truth.

Hmmm... always curious, just wondering WHAT you must have learned on that perusal of the sex toy website... (!)

I'll be giving you the link next week, so you will be able to peruse it yourself from the privacy of your own home.  I admit, however, a double sided aluminum dildo had never occurred to me!  Actually, what am I thinking?  You can look at some sex toys today to help you get psyched up for next week's contest!

Comments

[vodkamom]

I'm just here for the dildo's.

:-) hee hee

[EricaB]

Looking forward to Tuesday :)

[Kelly]

I'm with vodka mom. But you also said there was a surprise. Cant wait to find out what it is. Have fun in sb. Loved all the ques and answers!

[MLS]

Soo...uhm...you felt the earth move last night, did ya? Was it the rabbit or flipper that did the trick? *wink*

[phhhst]

Ah, I'm jealous of your trip to SB. Very homesick lately. Talked to my sister in Ventura for about 2 hours yesterday.

[thistle]

your earthquakes, my (and GF's) floods...what's next?...locusts or pestilence...glad to hear the rumblings didn't disrupt...

amd the brick floor is sounding quite dog proof, i may have to look into that...

[Jan]

You can be so diplomatic - I'm in awe! If anyone cared to ask me questions - all 8 people who read me - I'd say something that would piss *someone* off.

Have you considered a applying for a job at the UN?

[jennster]

i loved these!!!!!!! i have been scarce- work has been too crazy for words. should calm down A TAD next week. :) we need to hook up at some point when i'm down there for records!

[mama llama]

Double-sided aluminum, eh? :)

You're so funny. This is a great idea for all your readers, the Q&A to you.

And how on earth did you get a Kindle? Man, they are sold OUT!!
(jealous whimper)

Be well, 24.

[Heather]

Great job! Really! Next week will be FUN!

[Life with Kaishon]

You are very interesting : ). I enjoyed reading your answers!

[Barrie Summy]

Thanks for answering my question. and all the others too. ;)

[Sugee]

Oh wow so you have read Pillars of the Earth and a WWE. You are awesome! :)