What I'm Wondering Today

It's that time again...

For me to tell you what I'm wondering about today.

I hope ya'll are enjoying my series of stories about Al and myself. I'm enjoying writing them and I assure you that they get better and better. That being said, I am going to break from the series sporadically (usually on the weekends) for my typical blog memes and other life news and resume the series on Monday.

This weekend I have an extra-special treat for you!

I am going to inventory my closet of shoes, accessories and jewelry. This means I will be photographing EVERYTHING I own in those categories so I have an accurate depiction of what's there. What? You want to see the photos?

OK...I will show them to you.

Be warned.

There are LOTS!

And on that note, what I'm wondering today:

1. If there is one thing you can't pass up at the store, what is it?

2. What is your favorite shoe store? Clothing store? Other store?

3. What is the most money you've spent at one time? What was it and where did you get it?

(Note: do not include house/car and other necessary large purchases)

4. Does hubby/BF/Mr. have any shopping vices? Explain.

5. What is the best thing you've ever bought yourself? Someone else?

My Answers:

1. Definitely chapstick. (Al, honey, you thought I was going to say shoes, but I'll have you know, I walked past Aldo's 70% off sale and didn't even go in the store!)

Really though, I NEED chapstick and any time I'm in line to pay for things and they have a 3-pk, I buy them. I buy the Chapstick brand blue moisturizing ones. Sometimes I splurge on Burts Bees, but Al thinks it tastes "waxy" so I only use it when he's gone.

2. I have many favorite shoe stores, but I'd have to say the aforementioned Aldo is my favorite. They have a good variety of shoes and the prices are relatively reasonable.

My favorite clothing store is much harder to narrow down. I'd have to say J-Crew, Express, H&M and Old Navy (for their jeans and tees).

Finally, my favorite "other" store is most definitely Target. What CAN'T you get there? And it's all good quality amazing-ness, for good prices.

3. I spent close to $350 on my Blackberry (from T-Mobile) and $500 on my laptop (from Best Buy.)

My largest purchase is actually books (but I never spend a lot on each individual book), which together are probably worth $2000. Although, my shoe collection likely rivals that.

4. He doesn't really have any shopping "vices." There isn't a whole lot he can't live without. But if you let him loose in a hardware store, he can shop for tools for hours. I mean, HOURS. While he doesn't have any shopping vices, he does his "spending" on card games. He really enjoys Texas Hold 'Em and Blackjack and will often play with buddies or at a local tournament. The upside: he frequently wins.

5. The best thing I ever bought myself was my tuition. What better investment then education? If I'm talking smaller scale, I would have to say that my quality, tailored business suit or my coffee maker! ha ha.

The best thing I ever bought someone else I would say is the money I've donated to the American Cancer Assoc. and St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Material don't matter when cancer comes around and I've always felt like that was a good use of my money even if it wasn't much.

Link-up below and join in for the weekend. Meme ends at 23:59 on Sunday. Enjoy!

What I'm Wondering Today

1. What's the best job you've ever held? The worst?

2. Do you work best in groups or individually?

3. Do you believe you get paid (or were paid, if the job is past tense) what you're worth?

4. Do you prefer a job that is lucrative, rewarding or challenging? (Only pick one!)

5. Tell me an interesting work-related story.

My answers:

1. My job in college only because it's where I met Al. Otherwise, definitely my current job. I'm learning so much and it's setting me up for some great career options when I graduate.

2. Definitely individually. I tend to have a method and a speed that few others can keep up with!

3. Right now, sure. I think that the experience and education is worth what I might not be getting in money. It's enough to pay my bills and put some in savings. That's all I need right now.

4. Challenging. I never want to be bored and I never want to be comfortable.

5. {Disclaimer: I was 16 and stupid!} I worked at Wal-mart in the clothing section. I often worked with this guy about my age and it was usually nights because we were in high school still. The evening responsibilities often included restocking shelves with new shipments that came in. We got so used to this job that it took us half the time it took most people and we were always looking for ways to pass the time. When we'd go back to the stock room to get more boxes we ended up making out. This happened all the time. We were SO bored. We never hung out other then work, so it was sort of a work-only make-out buddy...And then I got fired. They never said it was for that reason, but HELLO, there are cameras in the stock room. It is Wal-mart after all! Proud of myself for that one, oh man?!

What I'm Wondering Today...Late Edition

So, I'm a little late. All the exciting events of yesterday threw me off my game. Still, the link-up will only be open until Sunday at midnight, so link-up immediately!

This week, all the questions are in honor of the lovely storm we had last night.

1. Have you ever seen a tornado/hurricane/funnel cloud in person?

2. Have you ever lost power? Tell the story.

3a. Have you ever been caught in a storm while driving?

3b. Have you ever driven TO the storm on purpose?

4. What do you normally do when a storm hits?

5. What's the craziest thing you've done in a storm?

My Answers:

1. Yes, a handful of times I have seen both funnel clouds and tornadoes. That's the worst of the weather we get in Minnesota since everything here is so flat and we're not by an ocean.

2. A handful of times. Never anything TOO bad. I've been without power for a couple hours here and there. Last night, the city that Al's family lives in got hit hard and they've been without power now for over 12 hours. Because they're so far out of the city, they were told it would be another 12 before a truck would be able to come out. Luckily, the farm has a generator, so all the siblings and their kids are camping out there.

3a. The worst was once in college when I was driving home (about a 2 hour drive) and about half-way a hail storm hit. I'd had my baby (car) for less then 2 years so I was very protective. I drove to the nearest bridge and parked underneath. I sat on top of my car and watch the hail bounce off the road. Once the hail stopped I kept driving, although it was extremely difficult to see and the rain was coming down hard.

That doesn't even take into consideration all the times we drive in the snow - we are Minnesotans after all! I've driven in a couple really, really bad blizzards. It's funny, I never think of that as severe weather. Ha ha.

3b. No, but I have grabbed a cocktail and sat on the covered deck to watch lightening storms. Only during thunderstorms am I brave enough to try that, I don't mess with tornadoes.

4. As a kid (and now that I'm on my own), I typically lived in apartments or small townhomes with no basement. In my current place, I have to sit in the closet because it's under the stairs and the only room with no windows. I remember in school when we'd have to all huddle together in the hallways with our heads down until the bad weather passed.

5. I used to be a real pansy when it came to storms so I can't say I've done anything too crazy. I know there have been a handful of times that we've finished boating or golfing before going in, only to realize that lightening hit within half a mile from us.

{By the way: this is one of the most beautiful mornings we've had yet this summer. Everything is green and fresh; the sun is shining and it's a clear, warm morning. I might drink my coffee on the front stoop just to enjoy the aftermath of last night's storm.}

What I'm Wondering Today

I am spending my day today doing a build with Habitat for Humanity. It's a full day build not far from my house so I signed up. If I like it, I will be signing up for a couple days each week.

This week's Wondering segment will be centered around philanthropy and volunteering. So here are the questions:

1. Have you ever participated in a major volunteer event (Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, etc...)?

2. Do you volunteer locally on your post (or in your city)? Explain.

3. Have you ever done a charity run/walk/ride/etc...?

4. Do you have a charity or other organization that you support regularly with your time, money or in other ways? Share a little about it.

5. Are there any resources or advice for volunteering in your area so other women can get out there and help too?

My answers:

1. Other then my aforementioned participation with Habitat, I volunteered with the Special Olympics of Rhode Island

2. In college, I did a lot of local volunteer work. I stocked at a food shelf for 3 years; I ran a group for Vine Senior Community and did yard work and fix-ups for local elderly homes for 2 years; and I ran a donation box to collect cold-weather gear for homeless shelters.

3. No. I would really like to do the Susan G. Komen Walk for a Cure at some point, but have not had the opportunity yet.

4. I donate money once per year to St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the American Cancer Association. I donate to St. Jude's because of a friend of mine who spent a lot of time at St. Jude when she lost her son at the age of 9. The donation is in the memorial of her son. I donate to the ACA in memorial of my best friend's father who passed from stomach cancer just over a year ago.

5. See below.

My hope is to offer options and encourage everyone to spend a little of your time giving back in some way. We all get so busy, and funds get scarce so donating either seems so difficult. If you can't afford to donate money, donate your time; if you don't have time to give, drop off food or clothes at a shelter. Anything you can do can and WILL help.

For those of you who have children, I found a couple of resources that you can use to volunteer WITH your children! How great is that?!?

Here they are:

http://www.compassionatekids.com/volunteering.shtml

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/2003-01-23-kid-picks_x.htm

http://www.kidscare.org/GetToKnowKCC/LearnAboutVolunteering

Hope this helps! Link up below and share you volunteering experiences with me. Thank you!

What I'm Wondering Today

I wanted to give this a try to see if you guys wanted to play along. I'm always in the shower, walking to school, or lying in bed trying to sleep at night wondering about all sorts of things. Well, it's about time I tell you what I'm wondering and you guys can answer!

<center><a href="http://headinthegameheartinthesand.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="What I'm Wondering Today" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuS74XAp3iiHhFXEMY0zRRfJOTg6jINeIXpvEw7IT9w8Az0pJphrwfGUOYHwt1jxfdbLTxBJqOWg4X8Gy_hZFszRMTN7hUFs049XobFYXOK0ACFUOiTeMoH_PVHal-irUghhbDO0HmNnU/s128/What%20I'm%20Wondering%20Today.jpg" /><br /></a></center>

Link up and share your answers so we can all visit your blog and learn a little more fun stuff from each other.

So, here's what I'm wondering today:

1. Does your man stay shaved when he's home - both head and face?

2. Do you typically go on a vacation together when he first gets home or do you settle in first?

3. Do you shave your legs more often or less often when he's home?

4. What is your go-to meal when he's gone? When he's home?

5. What's the number one thing you both do upon his return (deployment/training/mission/etc...)?

My answers:

1. He keeps his head shaved, but not always Mr. Clean-shaved. His hairline is not treating him well for a young guy so it's a good thing he looks great with a shaved head. As far as facial hair, he usually grows out a goatee. Which I think is incredibly sexy!

2. We usually settle in first. For the first week (at least!) that he's home he wants to sit around and drink beer at the farm. Most just relax! Plus, we usually have to wait until I have a break from school to travel.

3. For the most part, I take MORE care of myself when he's gone. It's almost as though I need to feel extra beautiful in order to stay strong! But shaving my legs is the one thing I do less when he's gone (although during summer I can't let it go much...)

4. When he's gone, I'm almost embarrassed to admit I eat peanut butter toast and cereal daily. When he's here, we eat really complete, amazing breakfast (his dad's a hog farmer, after all.)

5. Besides the obvious physical contact {subtle, I know!} we like to spend a lot of time outside: hiking, running, four-wheeling, fishing at the lake, etc...