Hello friends…hope you had a great week. Is it really already Memorial Day weekend? Wow, hard to believe summer is just about here! Over here, super busy and spring fever has absolutely kicked in and I am loving it.
Already daydreaming about what I want to plant in my garden in a few weeks. This is on the front burner for this coming week, the time is here and I have visions of beefsteak tomatoes, crisp cucumbers and a wide array of herbs dancing through my head:)
I had the good fortune to be tagged by Katie, the hysterically funny voice behind Preppy Empty Nester. She selected a group of bloggers to “tag” in this fun game of asking 10 random questions of us. Besides being hilarious, being the ultimate trophy wife, a world class shopper and one heck of a funny story teller, I will add great interviewer to her budding resume. If you do not follow her and her hilarious tales, then you are missing out, I promise!
Not to mention, I have always wanted to accept an award, be it an Academy award or Golden Globe but this one sounds every bit as important- Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award…..this is big leagues indeed!
Great questions here, Katie..ones that really made me pause and think. Well, finally I finished them up and here they are along with a list of 10 other bloggers to tag and my own 10 questions.
1. Where do you write your blog? ?Do you have a writing schedule? Absolutely no schedule but my “best work” is most definitely done early in the morning in my home office (a work in progress). I am naturally an early riser and am often at my computer at 5:30ish. I am refreshed, with coffee in hand and find that to be the best and most productive time of day for me. I often start posts in batches and will leave them as drafts to finish at a later time. So, no schedule at all for me, I do better “winging it” and figuring things out as I go along….
2. ?When was your last light bulb moment? Hum…..well, on a totally superficial level it was the other day, getting ready to meet a friend for lunch and I was having a wardrobe meltdown (translates to almost nothing was fitting) when lurking in the back of my closet was a beautiful white lace blouse I totally forgot about. Best part? It’s super forgiving…needless to say it saved my day and has since practically become my uniform!
On a deeper level, I was stressing over something, tossing and turning in the middle of night, really having a hard time relaxing and getting back to sleep but then I kept telling myself which is so true, that things always seem better and not quite so bad the next morning. And that is so true, I woke up feeling like I could deal with it, there was clarity and a new found energy to march on…it would be OK.
3. ?What one piece of advice would you give your younger self? Seize the day!! Oh boy, youth really is wasted on the young! You are not young forever, take advantage of youth, energy and time (yes they all go hand in hand) and make every day count. Make sure you do at least one thing every single day that has meaning and enriches your life somehow someway.
4. ?If you had to eat one food all day long, what would it be? Really? One? That is cruel…. you know I love my food! Well, pasta, cheese, bread and chocolate would have to fight to the ground over who gets top prize. It would probably be between bread and cheese (with a few grapes and wine thrown in for good measure)? but then again I think I could eat sushi every single day and it is less fattening, oh boy……decisions decisions!
5. ?What is your biggest phobia? C L A U S T R O P H B I A!!!!!!!!!!! This is a major one for me, don’t ask. I have come a long way but have not taken an elevator in 21 years and will not ever step foot in one again. Need to take meds to get on a plane, so yes it still impacts my life however I have overcome other obstacles, like now I can go through the tunnel or get stuck on a bridge without having an anxiety attack, progress and baby steps:)
?
6. ?In your dreams, if you could be famous for one thing, what would it be? Either writing a blockbuster screenplay, changing someone’s life (helping someone who has nothing become a success) such as put someone through college, helping a underprivledged family build a life, etc….along that line. I will also happily settle for inspiring people in any way, shape or form:)
7. ?What would be one piece of advice that you would give?a bride and groom?? To know that everything in life worth having is worth fighting for and there will be plenty of fights in married life (if there are not, somethings is amiss). Never to think of separating/divorce as an easy option- just weathering the storms together and knowing there will be some “rough seas”, but as long as they stay in the same boat, they will weather it together and thats what’s key. (clearly there are exceptions but I am a believer in trying to make a marriage work)
Kids today in my humble opinion give up way too soon….the minute things get a little uncomfortable, they want to throw in the towel. Marriage is a commitment and one to be taken seriously.
8. ?Ideal dinner party – name 6 ?(living) famous guests you would like to have at your table.? OK first I am? rebel as some of my guests are no longer with us:)
Oh man, this is hard and one reason it took? me so long to finish this post…here we go, The Pope (gotta love the man), Albert Einstein (always been fascinated by him) and would love to pick his brain, Carolyne Roehm, my style/flower heroine, (we could talk blue and white all night long), Ben Franklin (he was such a fascinating, intelligent multi faceted and accomplished kind of guy), Jacqueline Kennedy (I have questions and we share similar style ) and Robin Williams (what a wonderful man he was, who could make anyone laugh) .
Plus I think Jackie, Carolyne and I would become fast friends:) and last, I would love to sit next to Robin Williams, what a guy and? a mega talent, I know he would keep me in stitches all night long.? What a fun night this would be…oh and Katie you are invited too:)
9. ?What’s the best book that you’ve read in the past year? Hummm…..have read a few good ones. May I name more than one? Just finished Dear Carolina (by Kristy Harvey) and it was fabulous, highly recommend it….also? A little life, and finally just read The Residence, an utterly fascinating look inside the “going ons” at the White House. I am about to read A Spool of Blue Thread, anyone read it?
10. ?Most useful advice that you have received in the past 10 years?? I have received a? lot of great advice from my husband, good friends, a few pieces worth sharing-
Never sell yourself short to please someone else,you will always regret/resent that you did
Squeaky wheel gets the oil, don’t be afraid to pipe up if you want/need something, what’s the worst that will happen? They say no and you? move on
Be the person you want to see in the world, lead by example (especially great for your kids to see)
In business, never ever compromise your standards, stay strong and stick to what you believe in without concessions
My goodness, this was awfully cathartic! Thank you Katie for including me in this fun exercise and counting me amongst your “blogging besties” 🙂 It was an honor to participate! Now I get to “tag” 10 additional bloggers with my set own set of questions. No pressure to any of you, but if you can participate it would be great! (I tried and hope I succeeded in not tagging anyone that was not previously tagged for this). ? Hope you will play along, and here they are-
?And my own 10 questions for you, my friends are the following-
If you had to live in one country outside of the U.S. for a year, where would you reside and why?
What quality do you think most people admire most about you?
Describe your “last supper” and we like details…….
Your favorite room of your house and why?
If you had to be named something else, what would you name yourself? Go ahead and include a middle name while you are at it:)
Pick an all time favorite movie and and all time favorite book that you think we should all watch and read
If you had to be born in one decade, what decade what that have been/be and why?
A movie is going to be filmed based upon your life, who will play you and what will the name of this blockbuster be?
Every one has them….come on tell us, what is one of your guilty pleasures?
Tell us 3 things on your summer bucket list.……
No pressure to participate, but if you do I look forward to seeing what you have to say. For everyone else, thanks so? much for stopping in. And to my readers, feel free to answer any and all of these questions….it would be fun to hear what you would have to say on the matter! Wishing you a fabulous day and a wonderful and relaxing holiday weekend…..
Good morning tina…slways great to learn more about each other! Enjoy your weekend and relax as you so well deserve. Finals are ovrr, I am done with my grading, but still have meetings to attend. Summer awaits! Anita
I loved your dinner guest list! I have always had a thing for Benjamin Franklin too! Would love to meet him and talk about everything! I would have had Maya Angelou on mine! I regret never hearing her speak or meeting her.
I second your well deserved praise of our pal Katie. Her posts are hilarious and always entertaining! These blogging awards are such a great way to learn more about our favorite bloggers! That white lace blouse is beautiful – glad it has made its way back to the front of your closet! I’m also very claustrophobic. I once agreed to go on a tour of a docked submarine (why on earth did I think THAT was a good idea?!?!) then almost knocked over my young nephews trying to get out!
Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!
Just finished A Spool of Blue Thread which I enjoyed and am mid-way through Dear Carolina. I just ordered The Residence so it looks like we are on the same page (as it were)! And, I love Katie………..
Tina, as I was reading your thoroughly enjoyable responses, I was thinking how I could never answer as well and then…uh oh I’m tapped on the shoulder. I will see what I can do. Anyway, I would love to be at that dinner party with your dream guests! And good for you with your baby steps…phobias are real hurdles and you don’t let anything hold you back!
I can’t tell you how your blogging schedule parallels mine. It makes me feel better to know that a blogger extraordinaire “wings it”!! I get up at 5:30 have the exact same procedure including starting multiple posts…thank god someone else makes it work so well!!
Tina… you did an ABSOLUTELY fabulous job! I learned a little more about you. I am a morning person too. Sounds like your virtual dinner party would be so much fun! Can I come? Just don’t sit me next to Einstein – I’m afraid he would quiz me. I suffer from claustrophobia too. Last time I went for an “open” MRI, I sounded the alarm to let me out and I ran out of the room and never went back. Hope you have a wonderful long weekend, dear Tina.
Tina! You are the sweetest ever and I love you! Thank you for including me and I loved reading your answers. I would love to have dinner with the Pope too. How wonderful would that be? and Jackie Kennedy sounds perfect. I also agree in what you said about marriage. XO
A well-deserved award for
a charming, tender hearted
and beautiful lady! So fun
to read your answers and
insights. I agree with so many
and know I’d enjoy sushi and
wine with you ; )
Hi Tina, I enjoyed your post today, think your imaginary dinner party would be interesting AND educational, and just finished reading A Spool of Blue Thread. It was very good, IMO!
My favorite room in my house is what I call my “girly” room (as only the mother of boys would understand). My room has beautiful artwork, a velvet chaise for reading, a Moissonnier chest and writing desk, a walnut vanity, and two chairs, one for working on my needlework, and one for a guest. It is my sanctuary where I can enjoy many of my favorite hobbies. Oh, there is, of course, a favorite piece of blue and white porcelain in my room.
Wonderful job Tina! I can relate to lots here 😉 Claustrophobia, and YEP, youth is wasted on the young. Energy is crucial and you need to have a clear vision of what you want .. and then go after it. Thanks for sharing:) Have a wonderful weekend!
Wow! What a surprise to see my name at the end of this, thank you!
Seeing the award and reading through your answers my first thought was that you really deserve this award because you do such a great job of building a community amongst us bloggers. Getting into the answers further, I loved learning more about you and appreciated your candidness, answering the questions in the way you would for a “sister”. I gleaned some very good advice from this as well.
I’m touched and challenged to be associated with this talented group. I am going to have to put on my thinking cap as I plant my garden and head out on a little trip this weekend, will start writing next week. Have a great weekend Tina! xo, ~ebh
happy holiday weekend, tina! loved learning more about you through this post that pulls back the veil a bit. i am also a morning person and feel i can save the world when i get that early start. peace to you.
Would love to hear your answers to the questions YOU proposed. Especially the title of the blockbuster movie based on your life and the actor who plays you (should be easy for a latent screenwriter like yourself). Mine would probably be “Ordinary People”…oops that one’s taken 😉
Tina, I LOVE these and always love learning more about your life. Thank you so much for tagging me. I have to really think about those questions – it doesn’t come naturally to me, but I do want to share more with my readers!! Have a great holiday weekend,
Stacy
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8. ?Ideal dinner party – name 6 ?(living) famous guests you would like to have at your table.? OK first I am? rebel as some of my guests are no longer with us:)
Oh man, this is hard and one reason it took? me so long to finish this post…here we go, The Pope (gotta love the man), Albert Einstein (always been fascinated by him) and would love to pick his brain, Carolyne Roehm, my style/flower heroine, (we could talk blue and white all night long), Ben Franklin (he was such a fascinating, intelligent multi faceted and accomplished kind of guy), Jacqueline Kennedy (I have questions and we share similar style ) and Robin Williams (what a wonderful man he was, who could make anyone laugh) .
Plus I think Jackie, Carolyne and I would become fast friends:) and last, I would love to sit next to Robin Williams, what a guy and? a mega talent, I know he would keep me in stitches all night long.? What a fun night this would be…oh and Katie you are invited too:)
9. ?What’s the best book that you’ve read in the past year? Hummm…..have read a few good ones. May I name more than one? Just finished Dear Carolina (by Kristy Harvey) and it was fabulous, highly recommend it….also? A little life, and finally just read The Residence, an utterly fascinating look inside the “going ons” at the White House. I am about to read A Spool of Blue Thread, anyone read it?
10. ?Most useful advice that you have received in the past 10 years?? I have received a? lot of great advice from my husband, good friends, a few pieces worth sharing-
My goodness, this was awfully cathartic! Thank you Katie for including me in this fun exercise and counting me amongst your “blogging besties” 🙂 It was an honor to participate! Now I get to “tag” 10 additional bloggers with my set own set of questions. No pressure to any of you, but if you can participate it would be great! (I tried and hope I succeeded in not tagging anyone that was not previously tagged for this). ? Hope you will play along, and here they are-
?Jeanne of I Dream Of
Maryann of Classic Casual Home
?Stacy of South Shore Decorating
Debby from Beautiful Serendipity
Alison of The Polo House
Amy of Maison Decor
Emily of Splendid Market
Kristy and Beth from Design Chic
Desiree of Beautifully Seaside
Elizabeth of Pine Cones and Acorns
?And my own 10 questions for you, my friends are the following-
If you had to live in one country outside of the U.S. for a year, where would you reside and why?
What quality do you think most people admire most about you?
Describe your “last supper” and we like details…….
Your favorite room of your house and why?
If you had to be named something else, what would you name yourself? Go ahead and include a middle name while you are at it:)
Pick an all time favorite movie and and all time favorite book that you think we should all watch and read
If you had to be born in one decade, what decade what that have been/be and why?
A movie is going to be filmed based upon your life, who will play you and what will the name of this blockbuster be?
Every one has them….come on tell us, what is one of your guilty pleasures?
Tell us 3 things on your summer bucket list.……
No pressure to participate, but if you do I look forward to seeing what you have to say. For everyone else, thanks so? much for stopping in. And to my readers, feel free to answer any and all of these questions….it would be fun to hear what you would have to say on the matter! Wishing you a fabulous day and a wonderful and relaxing holiday weekend…..
One day left for the wonderful “last chance” current promo, click here for the details.
Good morning tina…slways great to learn more about each other! Enjoy your weekend and relax as you so well deserve. Finals are ovrr, I am done with my grading, but still have meetings to attend. Summer awaits! Anita
I loved your dinner guest list! I have always had a thing for Benjamin Franklin too! Would love to meet him and talk about everything! I would have had Maya Angelou on mine! I regret never hearing her speak or meeting her.
It was fun reading your answers!
always learning things from you + great answers! xx peggybraswelldesign.com
Tina you are a dream woman, an inspiration, and I always love learning more about you!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
You are a really GOOD person.
R.
I second your well deserved praise of our pal Katie. Her posts are hilarious and always entertaining! These blogging awards are such a great way to learn more about our favorite bloggers! That white lace blouse is beautiful – glad it has made its way back to the front of your closet! I’m also very claustrophobic. I once agreed to go on a tour of a docked submarine (why on earth did I think THAT was a good idea?!?!) then almost knocked over my young nephews trying to get out!
Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!
Just finished A Spool of Blue Thread which I enjoyed and am mid-way through Dear Carolina. I just ordered The Residence so it looks like we are on the same page (as it were)! And, I love Katie………..
Have a nice Memorial Day weekend, Tina!
Deborah Wilkins
Tina, as I was reading your thoroughly enjoyable responses, I was thinking how I could never answer as well and then…uh oh I’m tapped on the shoulder. I will see what I can do. Anyway, I would love to be at that dinner party with your dream guests! And good for you with your baby steps…phobias are real hurdles and you don’t let anything hold you back!
I can’t tell you how your blogging schedule parallels mine. It makes me feel better to know that a blogger extraordinaire “wings it”!! I get up at 5:30 have the exact same procedure including starting multiple posts…thank god someone else makes it work so well!!
Tina… you did an ABSOLUTELY fabulous job! I learned a little more about you. I am a morning person too. Sounds like your virtual dinner party would be so much fun! Can I come? Just don’t sit me next to Einstein – I’m afraid he would quiz me. I suffer from claustrophobia too. Last time I went for an “open” MRI, I sounded the alarm to let me out and I ran out of the room and never went back. Hope you have a wonderful long weekend, dear Tina.
Tina! You are the sweetest ever and I love you! Thank you for including me and I loved reading your answers. I would love to have dinner with the Pope too. How wonderful would that be? and Jackie Kennedy sounds perfect. I also agree in what you said about marriage. XO
I just noticed I said love many times in the above comment! LOL! Sorry, I’m a little exhausted from school today 🙂
A well-deserved award for
a charming, tender hearted
and beautiful lady! So fun
to read your answers and
insights. I agree with so many
and know I’d enjoy sushi and
wine with you ; )
Have a wonderful long weekend!
xo Suzanne
Hi Tina, I enjoyed your post today, think your imaginary dinner party would be interesting AND educational, and just finished reading A Spool of Blue Thread. It was very good, IMO!
My favorite room in my house is what I call my “girly” room (as only the mother of boys would understand). My room has beautiful artwork, a velvet chaise for reading, a Moissonnier chest and writing desk, a walnut vanity, and two chairs, one for working on my needlework, and one for a guest. It is my sanctuary where I can enjoy many of my favorite hobbies. Oh, there is, of course, a favorite piece of blue and white porcelain in my room.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Wonderful job Tina! I can relate to lots here 😉 Claustrophobia, and YEP, youth is wasted on the young. Energy is crucial and you need to have a clear vision of what you want .. and then go after it. Thanks for sharing:) Have a wonderful weekend!
So much fun! I loved every one of your answers…your advice is spot on. Enjoy every minute of the long weekend…this sunshine is glorious! xoxo
PS…PERFECT choice for dinner companions…I want to come too!!
Wow! What a surprise to see my name at the end of this, thank you!
Seeing the award and reading through your answers my first thought was that you really deserve this award because you do such a great job of building a community amongst us bloggers. Getting into the answers further, I loved learning more about you and appreciated your candidness, answering the questions in the way you would for a “sister”. I gleaned some very good advice from this as well.
I’m touched and challenged to be associated with this talented group. I am going to have to put on my thinking cap as I plant my garden and head out on a little trip this weekend, will start writing next week. Have a great weekend Tina! xo, ~ebh
happy holiday weekend, tina! loved learning more about you through this post that pulls back the veil a bit. i am also a morning person and feel i can save the world when i get that early start. peace to you.
Would love to hear your answers to the questions YOU proposed. Especially the title of the blockbuster movie based on your life and the actor who plays you (should be easy for a latent screenwriter like yourself). Mine would probably be “Ordinary People”…oops that one’s taken 😉
Tina, I LOVE these and always love learning more about your life. Thank you so much for tagging me. I have to really think about those questions – it doesn’t come naturally to me, but I do want to share more with my readers!! Have a great holiday weekend,
Stacy
Yes, I’ll play along, Tina. I LOVE that white blouse…it must be gorgeous on!
Love,
Deb xo