Ten on Tuesday (April '12 Edition)

Oops!  I guess this is really Ten on Thursday!  Someone apparently forgot to check the calendar....

1. What was the last gift someone gave you for no reason at all? 
Last week, Erik went to the grocery store for chocolate milk for the kids. He came back with a copy of our local paper, The Herald, plus my rare junk food of choice: regular Lays chips and nacho cheese dip. Needless to say, that kept me busy and happy for the rest of the evening.

2. Do you have a go-to meal for when you are at a restaurant and you can’t decide?
Yes, it’s nachos. I’ve never met a batch of nachos I didn’t like, and if I can’t make a decision I always fall back on that classic appetizer.

3.What is your favorite thing you like to do alone?
Read, read, and—oh yeah—read!

4.What is your favorite thing to do with a group of friends?
I love a girly combination of eating at a fun restaurant, giggling over shared memories, and chatting about the present. In fact, I have a girls trip planned this month with a bunch of my friends from high school. I.cannot.wait.

5.What accomplishment are you most proud of in your life?
So this may sound totally crazy, but I am so proud that I breastfed both of my kiddos. Yes, I realize half of it was pure luck (and I would never judge other mothers for not making the same choice as me), but the other half was my own determination and willingness to work with my infants and make it happen. Breastfeeding was something I never thought I'd be able to do, and yet it became one of my most favorite aspects of motherhood.  I’ll always be proud of myself for making that choice for our family, and of my children for being such excellent nursers!

6.What would you do tomorrow if you didn’t have any responsibilities?
Oh! Sleep in as late as possible, play with Ava and Hudson in pajamas, get gussied up for a special lunch, then spend some time in the backyard, ending with snuggle time and a movie with the Hubs.

7.What is something you miss from your childhood?
Let me just say—my childhood was simply fabulous. I was happy, loved, carefree, and oh so confident in my place in the world. If anything, I miss those innocent joys. Although I am a happy adult with a wonderful family of my own, it’s not quite the same as a child’s sweet emotions. I just hope I’m able to duplicate that happiness for my own children (which in turn makes me one satisfied adult!).

8.Who is your current celebrity crush?
Right now, I am absolutely, head-over-heels in pretend love with Eric Northman. Most of you will simply scratch your head and shrug, as he’s actually a character in a book. However, he is also portrayed as a regular on my favorite TV show—True Blood—and since he’s played by the gorgeous Alexander Skarsgard, I say he counts. So there!

9.Which decade had the best music?
My 90’s peers will ostracize me for this, but I’ve got to go with the 80’s. Erik and I argue vehemently about this issue every time we turn on the radio, but most of my favorites are classic 80’s hits, and that’s the satellite station I clean to, sing along with, and dance with kids in the living room.

10. If you had money that could only be spent on shoes, what kind would you buy?
Probably ridiculously expensive high heels. I rarely wear them, would never splurge on them myself, yet they always draw my eye at the shoe store.

P.S. As a bonus, while browsing online, I found this spot-on guide for how to care for introverts.  It captures my personality perfectly, and when I read it to Erik, he just nodded.  Every single one applies to me, and although it was nothing new to him, I thought to myself if only everyone could understand me so well!