When you’re tagged for a meme, for those of you who are unfamiliar with this term, there are some basic ground rules.  Here they are:

1. Post the rules of the game at the beginning.
2. Answer the questions about yourself.
3. At the end of the post, tag a few other bloggers and post their names, then go to their blogs and leave them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.



So, I stole the idea for this meme from the Painted Maypole, who I found because she won—lucky girl!—SusieJ’s contest for the kid’s digital camera.  We though it would be fun for both Barbie and I top answer the questions:  Can you guess who is who?  (See poll, at right.)

Choice A: Kirsetin OR Barbie???  Vote at Right—This should be easy for those of you who know us!

What was I doing 10 years ago?  Ten years ago my tween was a sweet one-year old, just learning to walk, and I was basking in the glow of motherhood.  Having emerged from the horrendously difficult first three months, we had settled into a lovely rhythm.  I had recently quit my job and was doing free-lance work from home, a compromise that fit me perfectly: still earning some cash, still getting some professional validation, but no sitters or nannies needed.  I was freezing my tail off living in Green Bay, WI, but trying hard to make the best of it.  I was making friends with Holly and Janet, which turned out to be a smart move, since they have now been good friends of mine for ten years!

What are five things on my “to do” list today?  Drop off 5-yr old carpool kids at school, get groceries (again), go to lunch at a Mexican Restaurant with my Spanish class and speak only Spanish (big challenge, here, folks!), fold laundry (again), pick up 11-year old child & carpool buddy from school, make dinner, help 9-year old with homework (didn’t really need me), drop 11-year old off at soccer, pick up 12-year old Labrador meds at vet.  Okay, I know that’s more than 5, but I’ve always had a bit of trouble following directions.

Snacks I enjoy: Hmmmm…the key word here is “enjoy,” not “eat on a regular basis:   almost any kind of fruit—berries, kiwi, and Granny Smith apples top the list; jalapeño potato chips; sharp cheddar cheese; plain yogurt with granola; and did I mention jalapeño potato chips?

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:  For starters, I might switch out my rusty mini-van, with the doors you still have to close manually, for something that smells a little fresher.  Then I’d take a big chunk of the funds and set up some sort of fancy trust to offer continued support to our favorite charities.  I’d fund our kids’ college accounts, pay off the mortgage, do a few other practical things.  And last but not least, I’d pull my kids out of school & let them learn from life: travel, travel, travel.

Places I have lived: Florida (2ce), Pennsylvania (3x; 4 if you count college separately), North Carolina (2ce), Virginia (3x), Austria (semester abroad), Connecticut, California (2x), Washington, Wisconsin, Michigan.  Whew!

Bad Habits: Ooohhhh, must I?  Let’s see…not really a morning person and everyone who lives with me knows it; don’t always work well with others (thank goodness for free-lancing), tendency to completely blow things out of proportion (think parenting issues, here); tendency to think I know what’s best, for me and everyone else, too; texting while driving (really, I’ve cut this out—very dangerous); crackmail addict.

Choice B: Kirsetin OR Barbie???  Vote at Right—This should be easy for those of you who know us!

What was I doing 10 years ago?  I was reading to a three year old and chasing a 1 year old.  I was pulling wagons, pushing swings and changing diapers.  I was spending far too much time in toddler-like conversation! 

What are five things on my “to do” list today?  Catch up on Laundry (every day), frame pictures (on list for months and not completed), sweep out the garage, coordinate school parties, and exercise.

Snacks I enjoy: Homemade granola with fruit and yogurt, crisp apples, pistachios, popcorn and an occasional Twix bar.

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:  Give more to charity, travel throughout Europe with my family, hire a chef, and try to live a humble life.

Places I have lived:  Grand Rapids & East Lansing, MI –  great places to live in the spring, summer and fall… winter is another story.  That’s the time to travel to warmer climates.

Bad Habits:  chewing gum like a horse, interrupting (when I’m excited about a conversation), and cracking my knuckles.

We’ll tag Mayberry, Cool Zebras, The Bloggess and SusieJ for this one.  If you want to participate, too, just steal away & leave us a comment so we know where to look.