“Friends are helpful not only because they will listen to us, but because they will laugh at us; Through them we learn a little objectivity, a little modesty, a little courtesy; We learn the rules of life and become better players of the game” ~ Will Durant

A couple of days ago, I was feeling a little tired and let’s be honest, overwhelmed. And then, on Friday, I got a tweet from Sue at Cookies Chronicles that said, “Tag, you’re it,” with a link to her post.  I wasn’t sure what was in store for me, but I love her blog and so when I arrived, I found her awesome “11 Questions ” post and then a very thoughtful tag and a new set of 11 Questions that I have to answer.  Her kind gesture and the fun in which it was packaged, was invigorating and so thanks to Sue, here are my answers to your awesome questions and I hope I can do right by the folks I tag after I answer these questions.

Sue asked, I answered:

1. What would you be doing right now if you weren’t answering my 11 questions?

Probably, thinking about going back to bed, even though it’s only 8:15!  The opportunity to sneak in an episode of “Homeland” is incredibly tempting, so I will be doing that after I answer the 11 questions.  Plus, you saved me from going to bed earlier than my grandparents used to!

2. If a genie were to grant you three wishes, what would your three wishes be?

I really love wishing on things, stars, in tunnels, cattle guards, four leaf clovers,  you name it, I have wished on it.  That said, if I got three wishes all at once, here is what I would wish for:

A)  That Q and E will be able to be in the same school because little E will be just like all the other kids in her skills and abilities when she is ready to start school.  Does the genie allow caveats?  I would caveat that I would wish that her disposition and spirit stay the same as they are now, full of light and will like nothing I have seen before.

B.) That KSP and I will be able to retire at an early age so that we can spend time doing things we love, seeing our families, harassing Q and E wherever they live, and traveling the world.

C.) That my dream of making ‘mynewfavoriteday’ into a successful book, blog, speaking series and merchandise line will come true. I know that’s part wish, part hard work, but if the wish part would push us along, that would be very helpful!

3. What’s in your purse? G’head. I’ll wait while you empty it out and catalogue the contents.

Oh dear lord, it’s not pretty in there.  It’s huge, so how much time have you got? Are you ready?  Ok, here goes.

My wallet, keys, several pens, a case for my lipsticks (yes, I have too many), my iPad, packs of opened Mum Mums and their crumbs (rice crackers), gum, diapers, wipes, teething toys for E, my business card holder (which I can rarely locate), a number of jumpdrives.  It’s like a working mom explosion in there.  On weekdays you will also find my computer, my notebook and some file folders.  It’s so weird that I am having back pain…jeez, now I have to go clean out my purse.

4. What book are you dying to read (or, if you’re more of a movie person, what movie are you dying to see)?

First, let me say I am the person at book club that is ALWAYS 1-2 books behind.  So, I feel like I can never read the book I actually want to read because I always feel badly about not reading the book club book! But if I could read WHATEVER I wanted, I would read , “The Girl who Played with Fire,” the second book in ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” series. I am pretty sure I won’t get to read it until I go on some sort of vacation so it may be awhile.

5. What are the three best words to describe yourself?

Motivated, Empathetic, Grateful.

6. If you could trade places with someone for a week, who would it be and why?

Wow, hmmm, this one is hard to think about. I couldn’t imagine not being in my own life for one week. I think I would trade with Richard Branson.  I think his life must be amazing in that when he decides he wants to do something, he can make it happen.  He seems to have no fear and an ability to embrace life like none other.  Perhaps, while I was in his place I would grant myself my third wish and give myself a publishing deal:)

7. What is your favourite song?

I LOVE music, so this especially hard to choose. I think now, the songs I would choose are more symbolic for me.  I would probably choose Garth Brook’s “The Dance.”  It fits my life, every part of it. There have been many bumps and bruises, but I wouldn’t change the path for I wouldn’t be where I am today, and where I am is where I love.

8. What’s the best title for your biography or autobiography?

“Making my way to ‘mynewfavoriteday.’

9. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? How would it change your life?

I think I would try not to let it change my life too much. I would get my parents homes closer to us and make sure that our families were set up for their retirements.  I would put much of it into trusts for the kids and investments.  I would get every specialist possible for E. I would get a house in a wonderful area of LA so that our kids could go to public school or the schools they need to, based on their development.  I would plan 2-3  fabulous family vacations every year. One for our whole family (everyone!), one for me, KSP and the minis,  and one for just me and KSP.  I would give myself license to work on the entrepreneurial ideas I have as it relates to my writing and also to a few product ideas  I have, it only takes 1! I would also set up a gifting fund for charities that we support, such as The March of Dimes.

Overall, I would do my best to not let it change us.  To use what we have to treat ourselves to be with the friends and family we love.  Much like we have been the beneficiaries of such kindness of some of our friends, we would extend this kindness to our family and friends.

No, I haven’t spent anytime thinking about this, why do you ask?:)

10. Your worst day ever?

The day that E almost died in January 2010. I would never want to go through something like that again. EVER.

11. Did you resolve to do anything differently this year? How’s that going?

Yes! I am trying to spend more time focusing on me.  My “Me-moon Challenge.”  So far so good. I have gone out to dinner with a friend, went to a Zumba class (see tomorrow’s post),  and have taken more time to exercise and do things for myself.  It’s only February, but I am feeling good about the track I am on, and plan to keep it up.

Now it’s my turn to tag 11 others and give them 11 questions to answer. But first…

The rules:

You must post these rules.

Each person must post 11 things about herself on his/her blog.

Answer the questions the “tagger” listed for you in her post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.

You must choose 11 people to tag and link to them in the post.

Let each blogger know that you have tagged him/her.


I’m tagging:

Alison at Mama Wants This

Mary at Transitioning Mom

Lisha at The Lucky Mom

Deb at The Monster in Your Closet

Eric at I can’t brain today: I have the Dumb.

Heather at Extraordinary Ordinary

El at Running from Hell with El

Renee at Lessons from Teachers and Twits

Christine at The Dash Between

Jamie at Chosen Chaos

Mommy 2 Cents

And now, drum roll please….The Questions:

1.  Since we are playing tag, what was your favorite playground game from childhood?

2.  What is the last vacation you went on, where did you go and who with?

3.  If you could go back to one day in time, what day would it be?

4. What is your favorite movie?

5.  If you were going on an overnight trip and could only pack 5 things, what would you bring?

6. What is your favorite time of day?

7.  Have you had what you would consider a “life-changing” experience, what was it? (only give as much detail as you are comfortable).

8.  When was the last time you laughed outloud?

9.  Facebook or Twitter?

10. Best piece of advice for a new blogger, go!

11. What made today ‘yournewfavoriteday?’ Had too…this should not be surprise:)

Thanks to Sue for this opportunity. Thanks to everyone for being here.  Here’s a question for all of you.  What was the favorite part of your weekend?

Cover image shared from: joshauriemma.com