Grilling Goodness #2

It's Friday and you know what that means, or maybe you don't - I'm not sure; but, if you've ever been here before, then you know that my girlfriend Tina has come up with a Friday meme that she has so cleverly named Grilling Goodness. So without further ado....let's see what she's Grilled up for us this week??

1. What can cheer you up when you're feeling grumpy?

The obvious answer to this one is my children. They can do or say something so completely off the wall that it knocks Mr. Grumpy Pants right out - TKO!

A few other things that often help to send Mr. Grumpy Pants packing is talking to my husband, my mom or my friends and blogging. I have often said that blogging is completely therapeutic for me.

2. Give one feature that could make or break the deal if you were shopping for a new home.

Okay again, the obvious answer would be the cost or getting declined for the loan - I'm just sayin' that would definitely break the deal, dontcha think??

But on a serious note, if we were in the market for our 'final' new house - because if I ever get the opportunity to move out of my current house and into a new one it will be the last time - there are several lessons that I learned when we purchased our 'starter' home and ALL of the following criteria would have to be met before we signed on that dotted line:

1. All windows must open (and close - of course) and have screens.
2. Central heat and air is a MUST
3. The average cost of the utility bill in the winter and in the summer will factor into the decision.
4. The insulation level will be inspected.
5. We will also be paying someone to crawl under the house (if it's on a foundation) to ensure that there was never a fire in the master bathroom that they covered up by putting flooring over the burned wood and that the stand up shower is being held up by more than just the grace of God and the wall tiles.
6. If the crack head guy who is installing the ventilation system for the central heat and air, that we've already established is a MUST, is working in the attic and falls through the ceiling and they do a piss-poor job of patching it up - the deal is definitely off!

I could go on but I will stop now least you think we got screwed, bought a house fixed by crack heads, are complete idiots might actually be the stupid young, naive couple who bought a house like that.

3. What's the craziest thing you've ever let your children eat for breakfast?

The youngest loves to eat chips for breakfast - any kind, it doesn't matter to her - with her daily cup of chocolate soy milk. Yep, I let her. I sure do. I have no time in the mornings to argue with her about what makes up a healthy breakfast. If chips and chocolate milk make her happy and get me out the door on time, then sobeit!

4. If you are a 'watch what you eat' kind of person, share a meal or dish that makes it easier to diet.

I always watch what I eat - how else am I going to be able to make sure all those yucky ingredients aren't in there??? Ohhhh...you mean healthy eating *snicker* yeah right *snicker*

Okay, just so we're clear on this one Tina...This isn't a question. I'm just sayin'.

Good grief! First you don't ask a question, then you expect us to share a dish or meal with you....and not just any dish or meal...NOOOO you want a healthy dish or meal. Sheesh!

Well, since I don't really cook and I only watch what I eat to be sure I'm not putting something nasty in my mouth, I'm going to defer to one of Amy's scrumptious looking recipe's on this one. Just click on the link and pick the one you think you'll like :P

5. Is there something you used to do as a child that you would never let your children do now?

I once walked the pug while I rode on a skateboard, it was really fun! Looking back on it now, prolly not such a good idea...

But really, looking back on my childhood - there isn't much that I did back then that I would ever let my kids do now and don't misunderstand, it has nothing to do with me doing things that I shouldn't have. It's all about the times that I grew up in as opposed to how things are today. When I was young, I ran all over the neighborhood, all weekend long. I had to check in when the noon tornado drills went off and then I had to be home at night when the street lights came on. In today's world, these are things that my children will never get to experience!

6. If you have a daughter, are her ears pierced? When did you allow it?

Yes, both of my daughters have pierced ears and they were both very young when they got them done. Actually, I didn't take either of them to get it done because I didn't want to get arrested for assault when I punched the store clerk for hurting my babies. I figured having a mother at home to raise them was more important than sharing that experience with them - especially since they would never remember it and I would never forget it. Ya know what I mean??


7. Are you the only person in your house who changes the TP roll??

Yes, but I keep hoping one day it will catch on with other members of the household.


8. How old were you when you no longer lived with a parent(s) for the first time?

Eighteen - Little Miss Independent, couldn't wait to be on my own. Kids, if you're out there and you're reading this....SLOW DOWN!! Don't be in such a hurry to be all grown up and living on your own - it's not as fun as it seems. TRUST ME ON THIS!! And on the flip side of that coin...If you're...say...thirty or more...and still living at home with mom and dad....maybe it's time for you to check out what it might be like out there on your own. No hate mail please, it's just a suggestion.