I got tagged by my friend Cindy

I got tagged by my friend Cindy and challenged to respond on our blog. Her responses are on her blog. All this blogging is fun don't you think?

1. What time did you get up this morning? 4:30am...just another day at work. Gotta love that early shift.
2. Diamonds or pearls? I don't wear jewelry but I guess I'd choose diamonds. Can't imagine wearing them though.
3. Last movie you saw? Can't remember the last time I watched a movie. I'm already sounding a bit boring...
4. Most beautiful place you've ever been? Hawaii and the Sacramento Temple.
5. What do you have for breakfast? I usually eat oatmeal. Now I really sound boring.
6. What is your middle name? Joyce...after the doctor that delivered me...Dr. Joyce.
7. What food do you dislike? I can't think of any food I dislike and my body reflects my love of all foods. I'm an indiscriminate eater.
8. What kind of car do you drive? 2002 Ford Escape
9. Favorite sandwich? I'm not a real sandwich person but I guess I'll go with hot pastrami.
10. What characteristics do you despise? Mean, Rude people (Cindy's answer but I agree)
11. Favorite item of clothing? My black pants and Birkenstock sandles.
12. If you could go anywhere in the world for a vacation, where would you go? Vacation???? I'm not sure I'd know what to do on a real vacation. I could go for doing absolutely nothing for a few days.
13. Favorite brand of clothing? I'm not a fashion slave.
14. Where would you retire? Probably right where I am. Not sure I will retire. Can't imagine what I would do without work.
15. Your most memorable birthday? My 50th...spent the day shopping at IKEA.
16. Favorite sport to watch? Tennis
17. Favorite saying? High on the hog...just looked up the origin of this one today.
18. When is your birthday? February 26th
19. Are you a morning/night person? Morning...have been my whole life. I love the morning.
20. Pets? So not a pet person.
21. What did you want to be when you were little? Didn't know then and I still haven't decided. I have lived a very accidental life.
22. What are you today? I'm a mom to many and a civil servant. Isn't civil servant a funny title.
23. What is your favorite candy? Anything chocolate
24. What is your favorite flower? Iris
25. What are days on the calendar you are looking forward to? Don't know...maybe my next day off.
26. What are you listening to right now? The hum of this computer.
27. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? I think yellow. I'm feeling pretty yellow right now.
28. Pet Peeves? Words used incorrectly. Don't know why I like words so much but I hate to hear the dumbing down of America.
29. Favorite Television show? House
30. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My friend Jacquie
31. Favorite soft drink? Don't drink soft drinks.
32. Favorite restaurant? I don't eat out. I'm going to have to work on having more fun.
33. Hair Color? Light brown with lots of gray...I'm thinking about coloring my hair...now I bet that's a surprise to most of you.
34. Siblings? Two sisters and two brothers.
35. Favorite toy as a child? I don't remember any toys but I always loved books.
36. Summer or Winter?---neither I like Spring and Fall! I don't like too cold or too hot!! Once again this is Cindy's answer but I feel the same way.
37. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate, of course!
38. What is under your bed? Dust and books.
39. Who is the friend you've had longest? My friend Mindy.
40. What did you do last night for dinner? Made macaroni and cheese from scratch. Wasn't as good as I was hoping.
41. Favorite smell? Fresh clean air right after the rain or even during the rain for that matter.
42. What are you most afraid of? That I may have failed as a mother. I'm crazy about my kids.
43. How many years at your current job? I've been a mom for almost 34 years and I've been a civil servant for almost as long.
44. Favorite day of the week? Sunday...it's the only day I don't feel pressured to do something.
45. How many places have you lived in? eight or nine...maybe ten... all in California...not too many considering I'm almost 54.

Anyone interested in answering all these questions? I'm sure we'd all love to get to know you a little better.

Julian's Makeover

Before...




and After...




I just love the long baby curls, but Julian was starting to look a bit scruffy so we figured it was time for a little trim. Thanks to Auntie Faith, Julian's first haircut... well, we can't say it went by without a hitch, but it definitely had a successful finale. Although you probably don't notice the difference too much, Julian wound up with bang-free blinks. Julian wasn't too into it at first, but by the end he was enjoying the pampering. Thanks Faith!

We are back in business

This computer is really slow today but at least we have power again. After using a very small generator that Anatole borrowed from a friend to keep the food from spoiling we finally got our power back. We had the generator for a few hours on Saturday and we didn't lose a bunch of food. It's true when they tell you your freezer can last for a while without power. Power went out with the "storm of the decade" as described in the paper on Friday morning at about 6am. I'd already left for work and was kind of excited thinking we had made it through most of the storm with power intact but that was not to be. We were without power for about 42 hours. Pretty cool sitting in candlelight and playing games.

Surf's Up

The adventurous surfing children. It was very cold but these four were too cool to be deterred by the cold. I think they all had a great time even if they were half frozen once they were done. The two instructors were straight out of Hollywood casting and they couldn't stop raving about what "naturals" the girls were. They teach hundreds of folks to surf and they don't often see such natural ability. These two girls could go to the top of the sport. I was about ready to cash in the college fund and get them both on the circuit when I realized there is no college fund. My dreams of a life on the beach with the minor children were dashed. Nik and Gabe did great too and the surfer dudes said so as well but those girls...

Great Christmas Times!

We had such a great time in Santa Cruz for Christmas! It was wonderful to see everyone and enjoy all of the family. Aside from the boys' colds everyone had a super time. Had to share the picture we took with Santa at the Santa Cruz lighthouse. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the new year!

Santa Cruz

Here are some pictures from our fabulous Santa Cruz trip...Thank You Louise for the accommodations and all the delicious food!