Amber is hosting Friend Makin Monday for awhile - so be sure to go over to her blog and find out about the weekly topics.  This week's is TWENTY QUESTIONS ...


1. Do you cook every night?
Well ... we try to have a homecooked meal every weekday.  Either Ashley or I do the cooking; or Brian makes something on the grill.  Ideally, I like to have a menu prepared in advance, so I know what to make each day.  We don't always stick to it, however.  We often eat out on weekends (at least once); or we share a meal with my parents.

2. What kind of laundry detergent do you use & why?
I use the homemade laundry detergent and have been for probably about a year now.  We love it!  It's easy to make and SO inexpensive.  I can't imagine going back to having to purchase store bought detergent.  I do buy liquid fabric softener - mostly because I like my clothes to smell yummy.  Recently, we discovered dryer balls and love those (as an alternative to dryer sheets).  Again, a huge savings!

3. Do you do laundry every day or loads at a time?
I call Monday's laundry day around here - but it usually ends up rolling over into Tuesday and Wednesday too.  I like doing several loads in one day and getting it out of the way early in the week.

4. How often do you eat out per week?
Usually once per week, on the weekend.

5. Where do you usually eat out?
It just depends.  Sometimes we're in a hurry and will grab McDonald's.  Other times, we want a nice sit-down dinner somewhere. 

6. What is your favorite retail store?
Target

7. What's your favorite thing to drink?
Water (or, a new favorite - Lipton Green Tea with Citrus)

8. Do you take vitamins? What kind?
When I remember to, yes.  I take the Viactiv ones for calcium and their multi-vitamin.  They have a chocolate cherry flavor that is delicious!

9. What percentage of the household chores to you do?
70%

10. Do your children do chores? {Or will they, did they, etc}
Yes.  Ashley does almost all the sweeping and does some cooking and dishes.  Gracie does what she is asked to do.  Ian "is a good helper, Mom!" (his words)

11. Do you go to church?
Yes.  Currently, we are attending the church I grew up in; so it's like going home.

12. Do you have a housework schedule?
No.  I don't like scheduled; though  I do like to be organized.

13. Do you keep a working budget?
Brian's in charge of the finances - I hate even the word "finances".  And, say "taxes" to me and you'll find yourself on my bad list!

14. What do you do at night as a family?
Eat supper.  Watch movies.  This summer, gardening!

15. How do you prepare yourself for a new week?
Just get up on Mondays and get going!

16. What do your mornings look like?
I try to get up early enough to get several hours of work in (for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine) before my kids get up.  Then, once they are up, we start on school.

17. What time do you get up in the mornings?
5:30 or 6, on a good day.

18. What time do you go to bed at night?
10:30 or 11 (sometimes later, if I'm into a good book)

19. How do you manage all of the paperwork that floods into your household? {bills, school work, magazines, ads, etc}
Not very well!  We're good with school paperwork, but mail and other stuff tends to pile up.

20. How do you keep your household organized? {calendars, charts, etc}
A few calendars!  Mine, in my 3-ring binder, is my favorite.

Jolanthe is hosting Friend Makin' Monday today.  This week's topic is vacations.  We can either share a memorable vacation story, or post about 5 places we'd love to vacation someday.  I think I'll go with the latter...

1. Disney World - it's always #1 on my list of vacation destinations; and even though we've been there several times (our most recent trip this past January), I always want to go back.  Each time we go, I think we extend our trip by a few days.  One of these years, I'd love to REALLY extend it and add in a short Disney cruise and a few days at Sea World (which, like Jolanthe, would include swimming with the dolphins at Discovery Cove).  Big dreams!

2. Vietnam - again, I've been there twice, but our goal is to go back again when Gracie and Ian are both old enough to remember the trip.  We want to really take some time and soak everything in - really take the time to see the sights and learn more about this country of their heritage. 

3. Europe - I'd love to go on a tour of this continent - especially England. Europe is so rich in history and is definitely someplace I'd love to, one day visit.  We spent 5 months living in Italy when I was a little girl (my dad was on business there) and we enjoyed brief trips to France, Switzerland, Austria - but I'd love to do it all again now that I can actually remember!

4. Price Edward Island - I'm a confessed Anne-aholic.  You gotta love Anne!  I've always wanted to go and visit the place where these awesome books by Lucy Maude Montgomery are set.  I've ordered the tour guide information on several occasions and love to just sit and peruse them, dreaming of one day being able to visit.  My mom told me the other day that she and my dad are considering a long bus trip to Nova Scotia, which would include touring PEI - I must say, I'm happy for them (if they decide to go) but also extremely jealous!

5. The midwest and western US.  I've pretty much been up and down the east coast, but haven't been too terribly far west.  Up until recently, I haven't even really been interested; but lately I feel a desire to see places like the Grand Canyon, etc. 

What about you?  Have a list of vacation destinations in mind?  Or maybe a fun vacation memory to share?  Take part in Friend Makin' Monday.

I had so much fun with this meme last week, that I thought I'd participate again.  This week's topic is CONFESSIONS.  Through our blogs, we often "appear" to lead a perfect life.  But, how many of us actually do?  I know I sure don't! 

So today I'll confess to you some of the things I don't brag about on my blog, but they're what make me ME!

1. There are so many things I'd rather do than housework!  Vacuuming and dusting ... well, I just don't do them, if I can get away with it.  Dishes and laundry aren't so bad, but the rest always gets put off around here.
2. I'm addicted to my job!  I put in way more hours than I should.  Don't tell Gena this, but I'd probably do it without pay.  Well, maybe not, but still...
3. I have an obsession with books and doing book reviews is a way for me to feed that obsessions.  Up until a few years ago, I had problems getting rid of books too (I've since had to remedy that situation, as we were running out of room!)
4. I'm a paperwork perfectionist and am very particular about organizing certain things.  But then, referring back to #1 - I only wish this "problem" would trickle over into housework.  It does, however, trickle over into The Schoolhouse Planner (which, I guess, is a good thing).
5. I hate sports and am about the most unathletic person I know.  As a matter of fact, I'm pretty terrified of balls flying at me. 
   
6. I'm love chocolate and have a hard time keeping it in the house - if it's here, I eat it.
7. Referring back to #4, I have a problem designating jobs to others.  I have this "if I want it done right (my way), I might as well just do it myself".  This sometimes gets me in trouble though (and goes back to #2).
8. I tend to be the disciplinarian in my family.  Not sure why, but I'm the stricter parent. 
   
9. I don't agree with the whole "blood is thicker than water" thing.  I've had "friends who stick closer than a brother" many times in my life.  When you're dealing with traumatic situations, you find out who your true friends (and relatives) are.
10. Though I tend to be a "friend for life", I'm realizing that most people aren't that way.  One of my biggest pet peeves these days is Fairweather Friends/Hypocrits. 

That's enough confessing for now. If you'd like to play along with Friend Makin' Monday, go here.  Leave me a comment, so I can come read your confessions.