tag - i'm it.

i was tagged by the marvelous saimi (another beagle lover - how could you not love beagles?).

of course, i didn't notice because i was busy spending rare time with my parents and having my mind boggled by the snow. 

but i'm ready to play and here's the game. i tell about me, then tag some people i want to hear more about.  

before we begin, here's a quick video of ellie playing peek-a-boo with grammie and me: 

ready, steady, go!

1. if you have pets, do you see them as merely animals, or are they members of your family? 

oh, judge. our baby beagle. he sleeps in our bed if he's good, in the laundry room if he's bad (or stinky).  husband calls him "our son." he's ellie's best buddy and definitely a member of our family.  pretty sure he's a big part of why we got married. even when he's driving me totally crazy i can't imagine life without him.

2. if you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?

man, dream come true? i would someday like my dream house with enough money to do whatever i'd like inside. it wouldn't be extravagant, but it would definitely be fun and efficient.

3. what is the one thing most hated by you?
 
i hate all my self-doubt. 

i also get ticked by really bad grammar and spelling, but i'm a lot more relaxed and forgiving than i used to be about it.

4. what would you do with a billion dollars?

billion?! i would do nothing! i mean, i wouldn't do anything unless i wanted to do it. no dishes, no laundry, no toilets. i would have my dream house and try my best to make other dreams come true, too.

5. what helps to pull you out of a bad mood?

a lot of times i just need a nap or a snack. if we all followed the rules of preschool i think we'd be a lot happier. 

also, one look at ellie and it's not very easy to be in a bad mood. 

6. which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?

i can't say one is better than the other. this past year i think i really learned the importance of loving someone. you can't explain parental love in any words - i think maybe it makes me a better person who is more easily loved by others now. i don't think you can truly have love without giving it.

                                           
7. what is your bedtime routine?

wish i could say i had a routine. i work as hard as i can to get ellie to bed. if she cooperates, i usually finish up the housework and try to read a little in bed. usually, when i turn out the light and i'm about to close my eyes, ellie wakes up and wants to play.

8. if you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?

 

i met the husband through friends. i had heard all sorts of stories about him and thought he was really intimidating. i quickly found out that he wasn't like the other guys i knew. he was smart, funny and much sweeter than he let on. he's my best friend. 

he told me when i started dating him, "now that you know what a real man is like, you'll never go back." it sounds like a pretty lame joke but it's truer than you think.

                                                  

9. if you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process, who would it be?

well, i recently became addicted to project runway. it really inspires me to create. 

i'd love to go take every class at an art and design school and learn it all - letterpress, interior design, fashion. you know, just be a permanent free student and take classes on everything there is to know.

10. what kinds of books do you read?

i'll read just about anything. i do love the classics. i get some fun books in here and there, but i'd like to hit all the big ones in my lifetime. i figure that there's a reason they're taught and studied, right?

11. how would you see yourself in ten years time?

i'm kinda hoping i'm past the diaper-changing time of my life by then. other than that, i just want to be having fun as a wife and a mom. 

12. what’s your fear?

i'm a little claustrophobic. 

13. would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit outer space? 
 

nope. pretty sure that being surrounded by empty space is something that freaks me out. i'd do it, maybe, but i wouldn't give up anything for it. 
 
14. would you rather be single and rich or married, but poor?

well, i'm already married and poor. i wouldn't give it up for any money. 

(but i wouldn't complain about more money, though.)

15. what’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

usually i get an unhappy baby out of her crib and bring her in to cuddle with me. when we wake up the second time, i'm being poked in the eyes and nose while ellie chatters away. then we head out to eat breakfast and let our buddy judge out to do his business. 

16. if you could change one thing about your spouse/partner what would it be?

asking this question is asking for trouble. ;)

17. if you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?

i like my name quite a bit. it's different, but not too different. 

bradie. (although i have been called everything from britney to brandi to brindalyn.)

18. would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?

it really depends on the person. i'm pretty forgiving, but if it is somebody who isn't worth keeping in my life, i'd just that person loose.

19. if you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?

um, candy? if we're not getting too specific, i'll say pizza. then i can change up the toppings every once in a while. 

now, everyone run before i tag you, too.

i'll tag . . . 

mrs. fromage, who i just started following and i think she's so cute. 

one of my oldest friends, kate. i always want to hear what she has to say.

one of my roommates for a short time, whitney, because i really didn't get to know her as well as i should have (plus i love her style). 

also, the adorable mrs. kira bundy, if she can find the time between being a mom and being awesome. i stalk her blog and she never fails to make me laugh/cry/both. 

tag some other people!