Sieben, baby.

My dear blogging friend, Michal, tagged me for this sevenlicious meme. I have been on a bloggy roll this week. I think I've done a post every day. Just in case you wanted to know more about me, here you go:

Seven things to do before I die:
1. Play the violin well. (Not, like, first chair or anything. I'd like to play some good fiddling music)
2. Go on a full time mission with my husband.
3. Finish one of the 100 books I've started and submit it for publication.
4. Run a marathon.
5. Learn French, German and Finnish well enough to get around in those countries.
6. Travel as much of the world as I can.
7. Become an avid genealogist. I want to learn as much about my ancestors as possible.

Seven things I cannot do:
1. Do the splits.
2. Keep my house clean for more than a day.
3. Leisurely read a book. I have to finish it (pretty much all genres) as soon as I can.
4. Go hours at home without checking my email.
5. Give up sugar.
6. Get 15 degrees and 5 masters. I'd really like to do this, but can't.
7. Stay mad at someone for more than a day. I just can't do it.


Seven things that attracted me to my husband:
1. His eyes.
2. His subtle crazy streak; passion; liveliness. (I couldn't marry someone without these qualities)
3. His artistic talent.
4. The way he loved me first.
5. His strength of character.
6. His big happy family.
7. His taste in movies.


Seven things I say most often:
1. "I love you."
2. "Hang on a minute."
3. "Be nice."
4. "Done, yet?"
5. "I'm sorry."
6. "Let's go potty!" (We're potty training right now.)
7. "Wow! That's neat!"



Seven Books I love: More here.
1. Jane Eyre
2. Bleak House
3. Atlas Shrugged
4. Persuasion
5. Silas Marner
6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
7. Lord of the Rings (Return of the King is my favorite)



Seven movies I could watch over and over: (I don't ever recommend watching a movie over and over.)
1. Kung Fu Panda
2. The Sound of Music
3. A&E's Pride and Prudjudice
4. Strictly Ballroom
5. Mostly Martha (the original German version)
6. Fiddler on the Roof
7. Princess Bride

A Quorum of Quick Quirks to Quench your Query, Charity.

Hobbes: Shouldn't we read the instructions?
Calvin: Do I look like a sissy?

1. I can not just suck on hard candy. I always chew it.
2. I have a hard time following directions. (ie. following a sewing pattern or recipe.) I've been known to take twice as long putting a toy together because the instruction were cast aside. For some reason I am compelled to do things my way (usually the hard way).
3. I'm generally a people person, except when I'm not.
4. I typically don't like "trendy" things. I don't know many people that do, but there has to be a reason that they are trendy.
5. I'm attracted to noses that have character.
6. I may be quick tempered, but I can never stay angry very long.
7. I have always had very vivid dreams. Sometimes it takes me a few minutes to orient myself in the morning. Did I really lose my teeth? Is my hair really purple? Am I still on an archaeological dig in Alexandria?

Thanks for the tag Charity!

My Better Half

What is your hubby's name? Jeremy, Jerm to me.
How long have you been together? It'll be 11 years in June.
How long did you date? Dated three months, Engaged 6 months.
Who said I love you first? Jeremy.
Who is taller? Jeremy.
Who is smarter? What kind of loaded question is that?
Who does the laundry? I do mostly.
Who does the dishes? I do.
Who sleeps on the right? Depends.
Who pays the bills? Jeremy gets the money to me, I get the money to everyone else.
Who mows the lawn? Right now, our landlord. But Jeremy likes to manicure lawns.
Who cooks dinner? Mostly me. Jeremy likes to cook and he will often make a nice dinner on Sunday and Mother's day.
Who drives when you are together? It's pretty equal.
Who is more stubborn? We are living proof that two very stubborn people can stay happily married . It gets kind of crazy sometimes, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Who kissed who first? I don't understand the question.
Who asked who out first? Jeremy asked me out first.
Who proposed? It's hard to say.
Who has more siblings? Jeremy- 8 me- 3.
Who wears the pants? We both have our own set of pants.

Thanks for the tag Poppy!

Tagged by Jill

1. Pick up the nearest book. (At least 123 pages long.)
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence and post it.
4. Post the next three sentences.

5. Tag 5 other people

1. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
2. 'Give 'em here!'
4. With these words the man tore the volumes from his grasp, and struck him violently on the head. 'That's right!' cried a sleepy-faced carpenter, casting an approving look at the garret-window. 'That's the only way of bringing him to his senses!'
5. I'm tagging: Brent, Loretta, Sam, Charity, and Amy B.

Smart Habits Saturday:

This week I'm going to tie this fun meme with my smart habits because it's kinda applicable.

*Devise a list of 5-10 courses you would take to fix your life. It’s more fun to be in classes with friends, so include one class from the person who tagged you that you’d also like to take. Tag five.

(This is the one I that I took from Ice Cream. This is the one I need for developing the SMART habits I want)

Self Restraint 101. From saying the wrong things to spending too much money, [to eating too much] I would really like to be less impulsive. (Jen, I would take this with you. Maybe it would help me keep my foot out of my mouth.)

Time Management Lab 301. I've read the books and listened to great lectures. Now I need someone to walk me through the application process. I guess it sort-of correlates with Self Restraint 101.

Gardening 201. I've taken one class. Read a few books. But I would love to have a really BIG green thumb and enjoy the fruits of my labors.

Herbology 101. I am intrigued by herbs and would like to know more about their healing properties.

Art 101. My eight and six year olds are much better at drawing than me. My husband is so much better at choosing colors. I feel like a big dolt when it comes to anything artistic.

Musical Theater 300. I was a music education major. I loved it! I've been in a few musicals and SOME DAY I will be Maria in the the Sound of Music (and finish my degree).

Study Abroad. I like to travel and learn about other people and cultures. Who wouldn't want to study in another country?

I am tagging: Bunsy, Loretta, Debbie L., Nicole E., and Emily W.

As for those habits...

I'm sorry to say that I did not meet my goal of going to bed by 10:30 once. Eeek. I did go to bed by 11:30 most of the time. This one is going to need more work and I think a more realistic goal of going to bed by 11pm.

Well.....I did eat a lot LESS sugar than I would have. I'll be better this week.

To learn more about SMART Habit Saturdays head over to The Lazy Organizer and see what everyone else is doing.

****************I am taking a week off from blogging because the kids and I are taking a trip to Wisconsin. Except when we post the giveaway winner on Wednesday. Stay tuned*****************************

4x4 MEME

What does MEME stand for?
I got tagged by my new friend Cocoa! Do you dream in chocolate?? I think Cocoa does. :D
So here we go:

Four jobs I've had:
1. Ophthalmic Technician
2. Receptionist at a Print Shop
3. Hostess at Sheri's
4. Life Guard/ Swim Instructor

Four places I've lived:
1. Tacoma, WA
2. Edmond, OK
3. Nurnberg, Germany
4. San Francisco, CA

Four movies I love:
1. LOTR
2. Pride & Prejudice - A & E version
3. Thoroughly Modern Millie
4. Princess Bride

Four movies I'd like to see:
1. Bourne Ultimatum
2. Becoming Jane
3. Golden Compass
4. Just can't think of another one right now...

Four favorite foods: (I have so many favorites!)
1. Spinich Saag (Indian soup)
2. I've liked all the Thai dishes I've tried so far
3. Anything my mom makes
4. Baklava (especially Sunny's)

Four weird things about me: (I can only list four?)
1. I have small ears.
2. I don't think this is weird, but I like to tell people that my mom is from Finland.
3. I hardly ever wear socks and shoes.
4. I like the color of blood but I don't like to look at blood.

Four places I'd rather be:
1. In bed reading a good book.
2. Swimming in a clear mountain lake on a warm sunny day.
3. In the temple with ALL my children and family. (someday!)
4. Exploring old castles with Jeremy.

What was I doing?

This is the first time I've been tagged! Thanks Debbie!!

What was I doing 10 years ago?Jeremy and I were still honeymooning! We were both working in a small print shop in Puyallup, WA. Both going to school. In fact, we did EVERYTHING together in those days. We even went to Florida, to Disney World! Whoa, was that just a dream?
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What was I doing 5 years ago?


Fixing up the cutest little house in the world! We were living in Tacoma, WA. "We" were Jerm and me and Samuel (3) and Elise (1). We were busy with church callings, going to Mariners' games, going to the beach, hiking in the beautiful mountains, playing Cranium and Apples to Apples, and battling the incessant sugar ant infestation that plagued our neighborhood. Good times....
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What was I doing 1 year ago?
One year ago baby Anna was 6 mo old. "We" were now Jerm, me, Samuel, Elise, Claire and Anna. We had become this big family...it seems like it happened overnight! Jeremy was a super busy full-time student at BYU and worked in the development department at the MTC. I was adjusting to life with 4 kids (biggest adjustment for me so far) and loving my Relief Society calling (even though it kept me pretty busy too). Jeremy and I hardly saw each other. Seriously....He had just come back from a 3 month internship in SF and went straight back to full-time school mode. The kids were busy with school things and life was flying by at lightning speed! Hey, wasn't this just yesterday?
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Speaking of yesterday....
What did you do yesterday?
Got up...Made breakfast. Read scriptures. Put roast in crock-pot. Listened to Conference. Went for a walk. Listened to more Conference (Oh! It was so great...) Made apple pie. Had dinner with fam and brother. Talked to sister, mom and dad on phone. Planned for school this week. Blogged.
What a nice relaxing day, eh? :D
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Six places I would rather be.....
Well, I am a homebody and truly love being with my family, so THAT is always my first choice. My NEXT six places would be:

1. In Turkey with my friend, Christine!
2. Traveling all of Europe with Jerm.
3. The West Indies with Jerm. (That's were he served a mission)
4. At home in WI with all my family and kayaking on the river.
5. Climbing a mountain in good weather.
6. Exploring New York City with Jerm.

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5 Treats that I LOVE

1. GRANOLA! I really like to make granola and there is no better combination of textures and tastes in my mouth than home-made granola and yogurt and fruit.
2. I really like Angel food cake with heaps of whipped cream and berries.
3. Crepes with strawberry jam.
4. My mom's Finnish Pulla (sweet roll with cinnamon and cardamon)
5. Pumpkin cookies dipped in hot chocolate (well, just about ANY cookie dipped in hot chocolate...while reading a good book--that makes it extra special!)

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What would I do with a million dollars?
I would invest it.
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5 Favorite TV shows
(You know....we really don't watch TV. When we do, it's usually these re-runs on DVD)

Andy Griffith Show
Muppet Show
Planet Earth
Law and Order (the original)
Keeping up Appearances
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My most memorable thing right now?
I suppose it is that I am loving homeschooling. I takes up all my time and energy and causes me to stretch mentally, physically and emotionally but I love it!
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