Ten on Tuesday-Favorite Things

1. Growing up, what was one favorite item that you had to have with you at all times?
Well, I had a Lady from Disney's Lady and the Tramp movie that I became fond of and yes, it did go with me everywhere. In high school and college, to Mexico and on a cruise. I'm going to go ahead and be honest here, I still have it and for the most part, it still goes with me everywhere. Moving on.

2. Being an adult, what is one favorite item that you have to have with you at all times, and what happens if you do not have it with you? Do you lose your sanity or just go back home to get it?
My best friend Renee called herself a "phone whore" this week after dropping her iphone in the toilet. She wouldn't want to get too far away from it. I have to admit, I am the same way (minus the toilet part). I take it everywhere and panic a few times a day when I can't locate it. A close second in this lifestyle we live would be the military ID card. Without it, you can't get on or off post and to get a new one would require an act of congress, a trip to "the big white building", a parking travesty and some DD form #10o3029483902309438.

3. Where is your favorite place to be to just hide away from everything and breathe for a moment? Every Saturday morning in the warmer months, Mari and I try to go out to local garage sales. There may or may not be anything we are looking for but we never forget our coffee and breakfasts. We sometimes drive around for an hour and never stop but we are in the car, conversating about things and USUALLY there are NO children that need our attention. It's the best frozen waffle I eat all week.

4. What is your favorite thing about your partner? (If you don’t have a partner, then someone who is very close and will always be in your life)
Can we all say confidence. Jason always has the utmost confidence in himself and it has led him to succeed in life. It's what I found attractive about him in college and I still find it attractive today. I've always said, I love that he's "the life of the party". It's just that now days, it's sometimes a different kind of party!

5. What is your favorite thing about your job? (If you don’t have a job, then what is your favorite thing that you do during your day?)
What's not to love. I shop, I cook, and I take care of the sweetest 16 month old while playing bus driver to my newly independent 4 year old.



6. What is your favorite lesson that your parents taught you growing up? Looking back, is it something that you want to use to teach your children when they reach that age?
Social graces. Social graces are skills used to interact politely in social situations. My mom always taught us by example how to be polite and respond to different social situations with grace an poise. In many way's she's still teaching us. She also taught us to be friendly to everyone. I remember her always saying "Hi" to older people, less fortunate and even the animals we passed in the woods. Being friendly requires confidence in oneself and I think that is also a lesson learned.

7. What is your favorite song, that will always bring a smile to your face and make you think of something happy?
This may be getting ahead of myself but for me, it's Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American". From childhood I always teared up (in happiness) while listening to this song.

8. What is your favorite thing about being an American? (If you not American, what are you proud of in regards to your country)
There was no way for me to have known I would have had a role in fostering America's freedom and safety. I never even considered marrying a soldier. Until I met him. Now, being an American will forever have a new meaning to me. I know the price of freedom. I live among the facilitators and those they have left behind.

9. What is your favorite meal that reminds you of being a child?
Ok, this is a strange one to some. Hands down, mine is a concoction called Mac-ky soup. It's simply beef stew that my grandmother made with elbow macaroni (hence the Mac) It was what we begged for as kids and could always depend on a pot of it on the stove when we came home on college weekends. It was also frozen in bags for the 4 hour trip back to college. It was a delicacy I tell you.

10. Name 3 things that other people would say are their favorite thing about you.
I am a loyal friend.
I am southern girl through and through.
I love to accessorize!