20 Questions

[Ellemeno]

1. What was the happiest period of your life and why?

Now.  I have my heart's desire - a home, a wonderful child to raise, good health for all my family members.


2. What was the saddest time?

Having miscarriages in our early marriage.


3. Who is your best friend?

I haven't had that for a few years, I miss it.


4. What’s something about you that not many people know?

I can sing the entire Beatles canon.  At least I used to could.


5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A veterinarian til I realized I would have to work with sick animals, not just pet and play with healthy ones; a hairdresser til I realized I would have to do anyone's hair who asked me, not just young women with hair like Barbie; a teacher - I became that one, because I didn't realize I would have to have any kids in my class, including ones who didn't want to be there.


6. What simple pleasure gives you the most joy?

One simple pleasure is a quart canning jar with organic English Breakfast or Earl Grey tea, local honey, and half and half.


7. If you could go back in time and change anything, what would it be?

I'm taking a long time trying to decide the moral implications of this.  Moving on.


8. How do you relax?

Breathing.


9. Describe your perfect day.

Waking up healthy with my healthy family, in a clean, peaceful home, with something fun but not too overwhelming to go do, or lovely friends coming over.


10. Who is your celebrity crush?

Bobby Sherman.  Just kidding.


11. What part of your body gives you the most trouble?

Feet.


12. What’s one thing you want to do before you die?

Live.


13. Describe the best meal you’ve ever had.

I just ate thai glazed coho salmon and pickled beets, with a milk chocolate w/hazelnuts chaser.  That was pretty good.


14. What six things are essential to your health?

Clean, fresh air; clean water; sunlight; sleep; laughter; love.


15. Are you healthy?

I've got a tree pollen headache right now, and a sore knee, and I'm way too heavy, but yes, I'm healthy.


16. What is it that you can’t live without?

Clean air and water.


17. What is it that you don’t understand?

Why civilization isn't progressing better.


18. What do you fantasize about?

The San Juan Islands.


19. What is it about you that your friends do not understand?

Most, but not all, of my non-homeschooling friends say they don't understand how I can want to homeschool.
http://homeschoolimage.blogspot.com/2007/12/why-i-decided-to-homeschool.html


20. What’s your 5-Year Plan for the future?

Plan?  What's that?

[Lynne]

I missed this one...here goes!  

1. What was the happiest period of your life and why?

Right now.  I'm where I want to be.  I'm in love.  I am starting to feel as if I can make plans.  My friends are wonderful.  Life is good.

2. What was the saddest time?

The summer of 2005 through the summer of 2006.  I wasn't taking care of myself; I was exhausted from work and caring for Mom for seven years.  I don't know I was 'sad', but I was not in a place that was good emotionally.

3. Who is your best friend?

That's tough.  I rely on different friends for different things...they're all 'best' in my book.

4. What’s something about you that not many people know?

I was on the equestrian team in college, won a few ribbons.  

5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I alternated between doctor and teacher, though there was a period of wanting to be an equestrienne performer with the circus - I call the horse-crazy phase.

6. What simple pleasure gives you the most joy?

Cuddling under a snuggly blanket and watching a movie.

7. If you could go back in time and change anything, what would it be?

No, that's not allowed.

8. How do you relax?

It's not something I do often or well, to tell the truth, but I read, watch movies, go out to dinner and have a glass or two of wine.  I'm learning to meditate.  The Quaker meetings are helping.

9. Describe your perfect day.

I wake up on time, and I've had enough sleep.  I get to work on time, and I can focus on work throughout the entire day, with just a few BetterMost breaks.    All is quiet on the Tennessee front.  I have dinner with my precious at one of our homes - something we made together ourselves. We then retire for that cuddling/movie watching I mentioned earlier.

10. Who is your celebrity crush?

Joseph Gordon-Leavitt, Charlize Theron, Jodie Foster

11. What part of your body gives you the most trouble?

My esophagus...I have some acid reflux at night...weight and stress and spicy foods  

12. What’s one thing you want to do before you die?

It seems indulgent, but I still want to do that Grand Tour of Europe that a lot of kids do during or after college...Eurail pass, hostels, the whole thing.  Am I too old for that?  I could meet and/or see a lot of Euro Brokies that way too!

13. Describe the best meal you’ve ever had.

Another really tough one...I love food and even unremarkable food comes with great memories...Mexican food with my precious - mole and margaritas - where we sat on the same side of the table, fed each other and probably caused the other diners misery, BBQ at Paul's in September four years ago, frozen pizza at Truman's house, this ultra extravagant birthday dinner Paul treated me to - the details are a blur - I just remember every single bite was scrumptious.

14. What six things are essential to your health?

my friendships
my work
managing stress
knowing my family is OK, or at least as OK as they get
getting exercise
losing weight


15. Are you healthy?

I don't think I'm in imminent danger, but I'm certainly not as healthy as I want to be; it all seems to come back to weight.

16. What is it that you can’t live without?

I don't know.  There is much I wouldn't want to live without.  But I'm the type to go on because I don't like the alternative.  

17. What is it that you don’t understand?

I don't understand why people are mean to other people.  We're all just trying to do the best we can.

18. What do you fantasize about?

Being financially independent so I have as much free time as I want for the Important Things.

19. What is it about you that your friends do not understand?

Most of my friends understand me pretty well - that's why they're friends.  A few don't see why I don't put Mom in a nursing home; we've mostly agreed not to discuss it.

20. What’s your 5-Year Plan for the future?

Five years! Well, I'll still be at BetterMost on a regular basis.  I will still live in Boston and perhaps I'll own a condo by then.  I will probably have different work - maybe teaching.  I am going to finish one of my master's degree and start my PhD.  I can see myself asking for convinced membership at my Quaker meeting instead of being an attender.  I can also see myself leading workshops on various aspects of Quakerism within my meeting and being active in the national American Friends Service Committee and the Friends Committee on National Legislation.

Man - we need to remember this thread, so we can come back and check in 5 years!!  

[ifyoucantfixit]

1. What was the happiest period of your life and why?

When I had a new baby.

2. What was the saddest time?

When my brother committed suicide.

3. Who is your best friend?

My grandaughter

4. What’s something about you that not many people know?

Lots of things.

5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A Doctor.

6. What simple pleasure gives you the most joy?

Spending time with my loved ones.

7. If you could go back in time and change anything, what would it be?

I would warn, about the impending death of John F. Kennedy.

8. How do you relax?

Going to dinner and a movie.

9. Describe your perfect day.

A holiday with a special meal, with my family, and or friends.

10. Who is your celebrity crush?

Viggo Mortenson   He is so brilliant, handsome, and very sexually manly.

11. What part of your body gives you the most trouble?

My back.................................................pfttttt...stupidcrap

12. What’s one thing you want to do before you die? 

I know I will never get to do it.  But I would love to go and tour Egypt, and all  of the ancient museums and places.
                                                                                                           
13. Describe the best meal you’ve ever eaten.

Boy I don't know.  I have had a lot of great meals.

14. What six things are essential to your health?

My pills, my family, and reading.

15. Are you healthy?

From time to time.

16. What is it that you can’t live without?

Food and water, and Kelsey.

17. What is it that you don’t understand?

Why people have to have, clinical depressions.

18. What do you fantasize about?

Finding a cure for cancer, and mental illness.

19. What is it about you that your friends don't understand.

How much I depend on music to keep me sane.

20. What is your 5yr plan for the future?

To still be around when Kelsey gets her doctorate, and attend the
graduation..

[Kerry]

Kerry, I love that teacher who chose you as ink monitor.  That sure is a great honour - the care and focus you must have shown as a ten year old, to be trusted with mixing ink!  Thank you for telling us that story.

  {{{ Clarissa }}} 

[Kerry]

Man - we need to remember this thread, so we can come back and check in 5 years!!  

That's a great idea, Lynne! I'll make a note to re-post it in 5 years!  

[Kerry]

12. What’s one thing you want to do before you die? 

I know I will never get to do it.  But I would love to go and tour Egypt, and all  of the ancient museums and places.
                                                                                                           

Can I come with you, Janice? Pleeeeeeeeease?! 

[Monika]

1. What was the happiest period of your life and why?

Probably when I was younger and didn´t have to worry about "grown-up" things like work and money. But life has in general been good to me. Sometimes I feel like I've already done all the things I wanted to do as a child.

2. What was the saddest time?

I have a feeling it has yet to come. I've always feared the time when my parents will die


4. What's something about you that not many people know?



5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A murder investigator!

6. What simple pleasure gives you the most joy?

Bantering with my parents, curling up in bed reading Jack/Ennis fan fiction, sitting down with a friend and talk

7. If you could go back in time and change anything, what would it be?

I would help out my family with different things.

8. How do you relax?

Spending time in front of the computer

9. Describe your perfect day.

I wake up in the backseat of a car, it's early morning and I'm on a road trip. I check a map, decide where to I want to drive that day, and get back on the road. I drive through a beautiful landscape with the car radio on full volume. I stop every now and then to eat, to hike, to simply sit on th grass and read and relax.

10. Who is your celebrity crush?

Jake Gyllenhaal. Those eyes, those thighs!;D

11. What part of your body gives you the most trouble?

lately, my knees a little

12. What's one thing you want to do before you die? 

I want to have visited all the places where I want to go
                                                                                                           
13. Describe the best meal you've ever eaten.

The one that comes to mind right now, is the Five Leaves burger in New York. That meal comes with so many great memories.

14. What six things are essential to your health?

Being able to travel, family, friends, money, to have a home where I feel safe and relaxed

15. Are you healthy?

I'm overweight but I feel good, so I'm not sure I should answer yes or not to that question.

16. What is it that you can't live without?

My parents, travel, fiction

17. What is it that you don't understand?

Religion. I understand it on an intellectual level, but not on an emotional.

18. What do you fantasize about?

Driving, hiking, exploring, Ennis and Jack

19. What is it about you that your friends don't understand.

How much travel means to me, and that I'm often more sensitive than most think

20. What is your 5yr plan for the future?

I don't ever make any 5 years plans.

[KittyKat]

This poll appears each Sunday in one of  the local newspaper here in Sydney and is completed by a different celebrity each week. Now it’s your turn!

To respond, click on Quote in the top right corner of this message and enter your responses to the following questions. Delete the preamble and instructions above this line.

1. What was the happiest period of your life and why?

Childhood. Grew up in the country on a farm with horses and pigs. We grew watermelons, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, etc. Very fun.

2. What was the saddest time?

The day my father told me he had colon cancer. He died 11 months later.

3. Who is your best friend?

My sister.

4. What’s something about you that not many people know?

I have a colossal fear of turtles

5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Nurse

6. What simple pleasure gives you the most joy?

Watching kittens play in the grass

7. If you could go back in time and change anything, what would it be?

 I would have worked harder in school and got better grades.

8. How do you relax?

Two hour deep tissue massage

9. Describe your perfect day.

Sleep late. Swim at Barton Springs (Austin). Lunch with friends.  Two hour massage. Watch BBW.

10. Who is your celebrity crush?

Barry Manilow

11. What part of your body gives you the most trouble?

Ears

12. What’s one thing you want to do before you die?

Travel to UK.

13. Describe the best meal you’ve ever had.

Chicken fried tuna steak at Four Seasons

14. What six things are essential to your health?

Laughter
Friendship
Massage Therapy
Colonics
Microdermabrasion
Swimming & Jogging


15. Are you healthy?

Yes

16. What is it that you can’t live without?

Coke (the soft drink)

17. What is it that you don’t understand?

Republicans

18. What do you fantasize about?

Healthcare

19. What is it about you that your friends do not understand?

I'm somewhat of a recluse

20. What’s your 5-Year Plan for the future?

Can't plan that far ahead

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[ifyoucantfixit]

1. What was the happiest period of your life and why?
When my children were infants.  I loved the smell and feel of a newborn child.  Still do.

2. What was the saddest time?
When my brother committed suicide.

3. Who is your best friend?
My family.

4. What’s something about you that not many people know?
How competitive I am.

5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Art teacher.

6. What simple pleasure gives you the most joy?
Listening to music.

7. If you could go back in time and change anything, what would it be?
I am not sure.  How do you stop anything really.  I have tried.

8. How do you relax?
Again with the music


9. Describe your perfect day.
Having a wonderful meal and spending time with my family and friends.



10. Who is your celebrity crush?
Viggo Mortensen.  (same one as before,,lol)



11. What part of your body gives you the most trouble?
My back and leg.

12. What’s one thing you want to do before you die?
See Kelseys child.


13. Describe the best meal you’ve ever had.
Kabobs, with bell peppers, pineapple, snall onions, and steak.  Served over a bed of brown rice.
At the San Diego Zoo when our kids were young.

14. What six things are essential to your health?
My family.
my music
my husband
my computer
my television
my medicines.  sorry?





15. Are you healthy?
Not really



16. What is it that you can’t live without?
My eyes and ears


17. What is it that you don’t understand?
what has happen to this country

18. What do you fantasize about?
Winning the lottery


19. What is it about you that your friends do not understand
That 'm such a Brokie

20. What’s your 5-Year Plan for the future
See 12

Thanks for reposting this Kerry.  I didn't notice that you had put some of the original answers here.  I filled it out, and found when I discovered that it was here.  How similar some of my answers are.  The same things I loved and did then.  They are still the same.  I am not sure what that says about me?  maybe I am not growing the way I had hoped.  Maybe I had already reached a comfort level and it is still the same??

 

[Sophia]

1. What was the happiest period of your life and why?
20-28 ( partly because I discovered traveling, went to University) But I also think the period that I going trough right now 34 and forward is very exciting.

2. What was the saddest time?
when my parents divorced... in my teenage years

3. Who is your best friend?
I would say myself. (At some level, my mum and close friends)

4. What’s something about you that not many people know?
I have lost feeling in my left foot sole.

5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I was very much living in the moment when I was a kid, so hardly ever fantasied about the future. I believed it would come anyhow. And I would do all sorts of things.

6. What simple pleasure gives you the most joy?
jokes, laughter, different view, challanges, happy thoughts, friends, family, bettermost, facebook

7. If you could go back in time and change anything, what would it be?
I would go back to my youth, and tell myself, don´t worry believe in yourself it gets better.
Boost myself with a lot of confidence.

8. How do you relax?
Sleep, thinking, listen to music, watch movies, meditate, chating with friends
 
9. Describe your perfect day.
Wake up rested, having a lovely chat with friends, learning something interesting facts, experience some new lovely places, having lovely dinner with family. A day full with different experiences and lovely meetings.

10. Who is your celebrity crush?
difficult to choose

11. What part of your body gives you the most trouble?
My hair, aspecially during the morning. And my druggy eyes during morning

12. What’s one thing you want to do before you die?
something nice.... that makes me happy

13. Describe the best meal you’ve ever had.
Best meals I have ever had are those at fantastic place I have been.  My bed, Tea Room (Brooklyn), Aunt, Mums place, Dinners, Stockholm

14. What six things are essential to your health?
I love myself
I love my vagina
I love my body
I love my style
I love  my hair
I love my quirky way

15. Are you healthy?
NO

16. What is it that you can’t live without?
at the moment my computer

17. What is it that you don’t understand?
Dishonesty, mind games, narrow-mindness

18. What do you fantasize about?
odd stuff

19. What is it about you that your friends do not understand?
I love pushing limits. Not just mine but others too.
Do quirky things, that not necessarily have a specfic goal.

20. What’s your 5-Year Plan for the future?

Come back in 5 years and say, this was 5 fucking good years!