What is #AskAwayFriday?
#AskAwayFriday was created by the amazing Penny from Real Housewife of Caroline County, as a way to connect with other bloggers with a great Q & A session of 10 questions and 10 answers, between two bloggers!
This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know others while allowing others to get to know you and of course there is also the added bonus of making great friends along the way. Participating in #AskAwayFriday each week is also a great way to build your blogging community.
Drop by and welcome our fabulous #AAF hosts:
Tamara from Tamara Like Camera,
Tiffany from Mrs. Tee Love Life Laughter,
Christy from Uplifting Families,
Stacey from This Momma’s Ramblings
and Echo from Domain of the Mad Mommy
This week my buddy is Kristen from 31 Million Seconds.
Kristen states in her blog that she called it 31 Million Seconds because, ” there are 31 million seconds in a year. Well, technically 31,536,000, but that doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily…I was marveling at how much things in your life can change in one second, let alone one year. That’s when the idea for my blog really started to come together. There are 31 million seconds in a year, which means there are 31 million opportunities for your life to change. My blog was born to document those changes.”
Kristen is a newlywed and expecting her first child. Visit her over at 31millionseconds.com to read her answers to my questions. Below are the questions that Kristen asked me.
1. There are times when I can’t imagine keeping up with one child, let alone five! I’m sure there’s some controlled chaos going on in your house. What would you say is the craziest part of your day?
Mornings are the craziest on school days. I can not function until I have my coffee first and my two youngest boys always wake up before six am and they want food right away. I can’t make breakfast until I have at least one cup of coffee first. Once I get my coffee, then the morning craziness begins. First I have to feed the hungry cubs. Then, pick out clothes for the two younger ones. After that I get their back packs and jackets out and line them up at our front door. Then I check all their school folders and respond to any teacher notes (I have three kids in elementary school and one in high school). By this time my oldest leaves for school. She walks to school and I say goodbye and wish her a good day. Then I am in a mad rush to clean up from breakfast and fix their lunches. After the lunches are made I have exactly ten minutes to make sure my nine-year-old looks decent for school. Sometimes I have to make her change her outfit or fix her hair. Then we rush out the door so I can drive them to school.
I control my morning chaos by constantly looking at the clock. I know that I must get breakfast on the table by 7:10 so I have time to change out of my pajamas and pick out outfits for my younger kids. I also know that I have to start making their lunches by 7:30 so I have time for that second cup of coffee and fix my daughter’s hair. By 8:15 I make the kids turn off the video games and get their shoes and jackets on. We are out the door at exactly 8:20. The kids have to be at school by 8:30. Classes start at 8:45.
2. If you were given the opportunity for a dream vacation, where would you go?
I love warm beaches. I’ve heard that the Caribbean is beautiful and so is Jamaica. I would love to visit the islands down there someday.
3. Would you rather watch a TV show or read a book?
Read a book. But my husband works for a major telecommunications company so television is important to him and it’s a big hobby for him as well. When he is home we have to watch TV. If I had more time on my hands I would read more. I’m in the middle of a great book, but have been reading it for a few weeks now. It takes me about a month to finish a book.
4. It should be no surprise that English was always my favorite subject in school. What was your favorite subject?
Music. I play the flute and loved to sing when I was in elementary school. When I started college I was a music major. However, after failing music theory twice I was forced to change majors during my third year of college. I graduated with a degree in history and minor in law. History was also a favorite subject of mine. I’m also a politics geek. I try not to post my political views on this blog, but sometimes something slips out.
5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would be five inches taller. I am only 5’1″. Being short has so many disadvantages. I have to move the seat in the car as far forward as it can go and lower the steering wheel in order to see above it. I can’t see the hood of my van when I am driving. I know it’s there, but all I see is the window. I have a step stool in my kitchen which I use every single day. I never liked being short.
6. What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was in elementary school this changed almost daily. I wanted to be an actress, then a professional singer, then a teacher. When I started learning how to play the flute in fifth grade I decided I wanted to be a band director. I went to college for music education and was determined to be a high school band director. You already know how that turned out.
7. What’s one thing you cannot go without during the day?
Exercise or physical fitness. I have to work out in the morning or go for a walk with my youngest, or go for a run. I also need my morning cup of joe.
8. Would you consider yourself a messy or clean person?
Clean. I hate messes and it drives my kids nuts. I need everything to be in it’s place. If the house is a mess then I have an anxiety attack. I also clean when I am upset. “Mom’s got the vacuum cleaner, watch out!”
9. I know the Willis Tower (aka Sears Tower) was once the tallest building in the world. Since you live in Chicago, have you ever been to the top?
I know my parents took me there when I was a kid. But, I don’t remember if we went to the top or not. I haven’t taken my kids there yet. We just moved to Chicago in August. Maybe this summer we can take them to downtown Chicago.
10. Do you collect anything?
Yes! I have a shot glass collection. Chris travels a lot and I make him get me a shot glass when he visits a different state. My goal is to someday have a shot glass from all 50 states.
Thank you, Kristen for a great swap! If you want to play along with Ask Away Friday, My calendar is open for the rest of this month and the month of April. E mail me at [email protected] and request to be my buddy! Or, visit the Ask Away Friday Facebook page.
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