So, not too long ago (okay, it was a long time ago, but I’ve been busy, I discovered Iris Johansen and have been learning how to save the world from an anthrax attack, psychic nightmares, and arson, your basic apocalyptic nightmares, along with how to manage having an alpha male fall in love with you and vow undying devotion even as he’s torn by his sworn duty to save the world even if that means risking your safety (or that of your only son) because you’re the country’s top micro-chemi-biologist who got her first PhD at fifteen.)
Anyway, I wanted to do the Craft it Forward thing, and the Interview thing. First, here are the interview questions I want to ask Beth, Cousin Sylwia, Kikibibi, Sharla, and Steff. I’m sorry these aren’t terribly personalized, but I am really interested to see your answers.
If anyone else would like to play along, please do, either on your own blog (send me the link and I’ll add it to this post) or in the comments.
5 Questions for You
1. Which of your kids do you worry about most? Why?
2. How did you know your husband was the right man for you? Have you ever seriously doubted that in the years since getting married, and if so, how did you work it out?
3. Have you ever practiced your acceptance speech for an award that’s pretty out of your league? Which award? How does your speech start?
4. Has this recession affected you yet? How? Are you afraid of what’s to come?
5. Underwire or not?
Don’t forget to Interview your own readers, or something. It’s important. I think if you don’t pass it on, something bad will happen, like the Dow falling 25 points. Oh wait, Dick tells me that would be a (relatively) good day. (Totally kidding, Dick has no idea what the Dow is doing on any given day. Bless his heart.)
Jane
(Oh, and enter the LeapFrog Tag Reader Giveaway here.)
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You do realize there’s not enough bandwidth in the universe to hold cousin Sylwia’s answers, don’t you?
I get to hear them in person. A lot. (Good thing I love her and her perfect husband and spiritually advanced children anyway).
ell-o-ell.
Brandi
i know you were joking about the stuff in the parentheses (dont know how to spell that) but even Jane would agree that my husband is perfect, she even had a crush on him and wanted to marry him when they were young. right??
jane, am i supposed to answer the stuff in the comments or by email?
Cousin Sylwia — I was actually quite torn between your husband and his brother, who now looks like Fidel Castro (so now it’s not as much of a contest
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You’re *supposed* to answer them on your blog, but you can do whatever you like. I’m sure they’ll be entertaining, so I’d hate to keep them all to myself in an email, but whatever you want. (I’ve mostly resigned as the Blog Nazi
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i suppose that you want me to post it on my blog for publicity, but you need to know that not many people read my blog. i still mainly communicate by email. also, it takes me a while to translate everything into polish. so if you want the answers soon, your blog or email may be a better place. i’m not willing to publish on my blog without the polish translation. I’ll do it eventually on my blog but maybe not in your time frame…
Nah, I’m in a blog-publicity-desiring slump right now. When I said you’re *supposed* to do it on your blog, that’s only because that was a guideline of the original meme. I really don’t care. REALLY. No, really.
Just make sure you DO do it, somewhere. Wouldn’t want you to be responsible for weirdness on the Dow.
You are really funny. Seriously.
1.Which of your kids do you worry about most? Why?
This question opens up a can of worms for me. I was hoping to keep this light, but I take everything I talk about seriously, so here we go. A couple of years ago I listened to an NPR program and I read a NY times article about sex slavery being well and thriving in the United States. To this day, it is the most disturbing thing I have ever read. Since I only have one daughter, I worry about her and her safety the most. Here is the link to the article if you are interested in opening your eyes and ruining your day:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/25/magazine/25SEXTRAFFIC.html?ex=1237521600&en=1b2d00eb0fd84ee5&ei=5070
2.How did you know your husband was the right man for you? Have you ever seriously doubted that in the years since getting married, and if so, how did you work it out?
Over my teenage and early adulthood years, I dated quite a few men who did not treat me very well. I seemed not to notice, because at first I was infatuated, and then I kissed them. Once I kissed someone, my eyes were closed. I could not discern when I was treated well and when I was not. I guess the hormones and emotions just ran too high. I ended up staying way too long with way too many jerks.
When I was 23 or 24 I decided never to kiss a man until marriage. I was too afraid of marrying a jerk because of my clouded judgment when I was infatuated. I mentioned this to a few dates of mine and our relationship ended there. But when Josh heard my request, he respected it and we continued to date. We were even engaged for 9 months and we never kissed until at the altar in temple on our Wedding Day.
I also had a dream about my husband. And no I have never doubted my decision. I don’t think any woman would, were they married to Josh. Come on, who could question being married to a doctor who is fun and interesting and wakes up with the babies at night and spends every single minute serving me or our kids. Here is the account of my dream: http://sjhardman.blogspot.com/2009/01/best-men-that-i-know-najlepszy.html
3.Have you ever practiced your acceptance speech for an award that’s pretty out of your league? Which award? How does your speech start?
No. I have no interest in ever getting an award.
4.Has this recession affected you yet? How? Are you afraid of what’s to come?
Since my husband works for the military, his job so far is pretty stable. Sooner or later, however, the government will truly run out of money. And if they quit funding the military, we all have a problem on our hands, because there are lots of countries that would like to invade and make sure that we all wear burkas (a loose garment covering the entire body and having a veiled opening for the eyes).
5. Underwire or not?
Not, at all. I don’t wear a bra. If I lived in Africa, you’d probably see a picture of me in the National Geographic with my breast hanging down to my knees. I find bras very uncomfortable. My husband thinks I look better in a bra, so when we go out, I will occasionally humor him and wear one. I told him I’d wear one on a regular basis, when he decides to wear a jock strap on a regular basis. So far he hasn’t purchased one.
Sylwia — I read Nicholas Kristof’s columns on NYTimes.com, and it’s just petrifying, and he usually writes about the horrifying things happening to women/girls outside the U.S. I agree, that sort of thing is just unimaginable.
Your other answers cracked me up — esp. the part about the jockstrap. Amen, sister, amen. (I have actually started wearing mascara sometimes — like I’ve worn it 5 times now — because Dick REALLY likes it.
Jane, what do you mean by “Dow”? Just kidding. You’ve got to stop with the “bless his heart” phrase.
Well heavens, I am so honored! Seriously, I can feel the warmth on my cheeks as I write even now. Jane, thank you!
1. Which of your kids do you worry about most? Why? I worry most about my 12 yo daughter. I worry that she’s too much of a spaz (borderline ADD?), that she thinks very (too?) highly of herself, and she does not have great reading comprehension. She’s good at sports, but not the very best. She’s a good singer, but not American Idol-ready. And I want so badly for her world to be perfect and happy and smooth-sailing all the way, and I get scared, because I could easily see her living “off the grid” one day. And getting a tattoo. Or becoming a lesbian, just to spite me. (don’t get all comment-y on that one folks, I’m just speakin’ from my heart!)
2. How did you know your husband was the right man for you? Have you ever seriously doubted that in the years since getting married, and if so, how did you work it out? “He cherishes me.” I realized that about 6 weeks after meeting Doug. He truly truly loves me so much, and when I first realized it, I fell to my knees with the weight of it. “I’m not worthy, what’s so great, why does he feel this for ME?” I also realized that I could truly be myself with him… that I could laugh at stupid things, and “go to the bathroom,” ask stupid questions, express my own unique political views, and he would still feel so strongly in love with me. That was in 1991, and we’re still going strong. We have “never doubted” in terms of contemplated ending it or anything – simply not an option at all. We’ve certainly had ups and downs, and you just work through it together. Taking time to think from the other’s perspective, praying together and individually for God’s hand to guide us; never go to bed mad; never question your mate’s parenting in front of the kids; always evolve… what we liked 15 yrs ago is totally different today. Also, try to never use the word “YOU” except when saying “I love you.” I did a post about this, but my blog is horribly organized and I don’t know how to link to it. Basically, find other non-accusatory ways to say things: “I feel mad/hurt/angry” instead of “you piss me off!” Also, you have to make love regularly. If it ain’t happening in the bedroom, it ain’t happening elsewhere in your marriage. ‘Nuff said.
3. Have you ever practiced your acceptance speech for an award that’s pretty out of your league? Which award? How does your speech start? Jane, are you contemplating next year’s Bloggies? Cuz you’re totally in the league of winners in my book! Ok, but yes, here’s mine: I, kikibibi, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
4. Has this recession affected you yet? How? Are you afraid of what’s to come? YES and it totally sucks! I’m a recruiter, and there just isn’t anyone hiring. So I’m officially on the job market, and it’s officially NOT where I want to be. I’m afraid of what’s to come because I have a sophomore in high school and a 7th grader, and no clue how we’re gonna pay for college. Something will come together and we’ll get through it, but it’s not going to be pretty. At all. The other way this has impacted us is that my husband is an investment advisor with a “big bank.” His income is entirely derived from his clients making investments. Now he has a good client base, and they ARE still in the market, but understandably everyone’s nervous. So Dougie spends lots and lots and lots of time on the phone with clients, helping them deal with everything going on. At the same time, his “big bank” acquired one of the other “big banks” so now there’s all this political b.s. going on with how the two are going to integrate and how the folks who used to be competitors are now going to work together. In spite of my response to #2, it’s a little rough right now. I am constantly reminding myself that his short temper or distracted behavior is a passing thing, and he’s pretty much not sleeping or eating. Super fun!
5. Underwire or not? Underwire. The Lord was generous when making endowments in that area.
1. Which of your kids do you worry about most? Why?
Varies on the day, my mood, my children’s moods, current circumstances. With 6 kids, I pretty much spend all my time worrying about something or the other. I worry most often about the ones that seem to be more “followers” than “leaders.” And how to keep all of them true to themselves and our beliefs. And that when they become teenagers the two might be mutually exclusive. And… (like I said, I worry a lot)
2. How did you know your husband was the right man for you? Have you ever seriously doubted that in the years since getting married, and if so, how did you work it out?
One day we were driving in the car and I just knew. It was kind of a weird feeling. I’ve had hard times and with them came some doubt, but I wasn’t about to walk out on my commitment and the better times have come again. If anything, I know more strongly I made the right choice.
3. Have you ever practiced your acceptance speech for an award that’s pretty out of your league? Which award? How does your speech start?
“Thank you for this mother of the year award. You must all be drunk or crazy.”
4. Has this recession affected you yet? How? Are you afraid of what’s to come?
I have a house on the market for almost 1 1/2 years. Until it sells I am stuck renting in our new state. Since we are renting a ocean front house ocean, this is almost a blessing. Almost. My husband’s job is pretty recession proof and we are actually prospering right now.
Not really afraid of whats to come. Just hope I can deal with whatever it is. And I stockpile food, unless society collapses, in which case a most certainly DO NOT have food hidden in my basement, so don’t ask.
5. Underwire or not?
Underwire. My mother, with very definite opinions, was horrified when she found out. If I’m going to wear something uncomfortable anyway, I might as well get those suckers as perky as possible. And after 6 kids, “suckers” can be a literal nickname and the possible perkiness level is not high.
LOL, I had a great time reading the comments so far! I’ve done my questions on my blog. Not sure you’re going to want to read it though…..it’s way too serious.
Har Har
Okay, because I’m such a rule-follower I did exactly as I was told. I answered the questions on my blog (http://www.blogobeth.com/2009/03/in-case-you-were-wondering.html) and then tagged two new people with my own questions. Although, like you Jane, anybody can answer in comments. So flattered to be included in this little event.
1. Matilda. But, you know, she’s the only one so far, so she’s all I can worry about!
2. Hm, this is a bit tricky – he just was and is right, and not in a gushy romantic way (because that would make me hurl). It’s a feeling. I’ve never doubted it in 8.5 years of marriage and 13 years together (although I went through a very irrational stage where I thought he might run away with Gwyyneth Paltrow. Oh my, no man should love Shakespeare in Love that much).
3. I don’t believe I have, but I feel I should have.
4. Not personally yet, although there were redundancies at work last month, and I had to be invovled in the process of making a colleague redundant. There are some perks – our variable mortgage rate has gone down, BUT my superannuation (401k) is worth less than a year ago. Good thing I can’t touch that money for another 30 years. I am concerned about what’s to come, but I can’t fear it or worry about it, otherwise I’d be a hurling mess of hormones.
5. Underwire. Always. And if/when I get pregnant again, I will go to the department store bra fitting ladies who insisted my boobs would be I don’t even know what but it was going to be terrible if I didn’t start wearing a soft bra STRAIGHTAWAY at 10 weeks and oh my goodness if I hadn’t alread done bad things to those puppies by then. And every soft bra they had was LACY and ITCHY and looked like I’d borrowed them from my grandma (except she’s about 5 cup sizes bigger). I was so relieved when the midwife I used to babysit for told me that soft cup bras are more important when breastfeeding, because your boob size can change so much more in a relatively small amount of time, unlike my gradual, 9 month 3 cup size increase. And then I’d remember seeing the underwired breastfeeding bras in the maternity stores I’d visited in the US … so it made my wonder, what is it about the bra industry here that underwires are so evil and they’re not in the US??
(Sheesh, I’d forgotten that was such a sore point with me!