My House Meme

I wasn't tagged for this meme but I really like this one and I wanted to do it. Maybe it breaks the rules for doing a meme, but so be it!

1. Step out your front door and take a picture.
2. Step out your back door and take a picture.
3. Put them on your blog, along with the rules.
4. If there are things in the photos that you particularly like or dislike, you can point them out, or just explain what we are seeing. Maybe changes over the seasons or some junk in your neighbour's yard that drives you nuts.
5. Tag as many or few people as you like - preferably at least one though.
6. Do it again next month if you like.


This is a view from my back door, looking onto the right side of our deck.




Here's the left side of our deck (ugly and stripped of its paint). The "greenish" looking field is actually my ugly garden. I haven't cleaned it out or tilled it yet before I want to plant soon. You can also see a church behind us, unfortunately it gets used only about 3-4 times a year.

Here is my greenhouse. It is old and very makeshift (an old pharmacy door makes up one of the windows on the side) but it works! The left patch of grass is where my cats leave their mice for us. How lovely. (Side note: Jessie has caught 2, Bailey has 1 already)

My carport entrance. We always use this door since the van is parked right there.

The real front door view, looking at our beat-up road on our cul-de-sac. The street cleaner just came by the other day and it looks like the edges of the road were tilled.

Side-view from the front door.

Well that's all! Thanks for looking. I'm not going to tag anyone, but feel free to participate in this one too.

Another Tag

Well I have been tagged again. This is a really nice one about our husbands from Amanda. I just couldn't pass it up but I won't bother tagging anyone this time since most people don't do them anyways. (Sob) (Sniff) Just kidding!

How Long Have You Been Together?
This summer will be our 9th anniversary but we will have been together for 13 years.

How Long Did You Date?
We started dating in August of 1995. I used to joke...we started dating August 1, engaged August 24 and married on August 28. All of which is true, it just took place over 4 years!!

How Old Is He?
John is turning 31 in a few weeks.

Who Said "I Love You" First?
John did, but it was definitely on my mind too.

Who Is Taller?
John is 6'2" and I'm 5'7".

Who Is Smarter?
Really it depends on the category. We are each smarter in our own ways!!

Who Does The Laundry?
Both of us, but I'm the only one that folds.

Who Does The Dishes?
Usually John does. I hate washing dishes, although I did some this morning actually.

Who Sleeps On The Right Side Of The Bed?
John does.

Who Pays The Bills?
Me. I fear that John would get many notices after forgetting to pay them all.

Who Mows The Lawn?
Usually John. I enjoy gardening, not so much the "work" involved with it.

Who Cooks Dinner?
Since I am at home every day it is usually me, although John helps out when he works nights or has days off sometimes. I really like when he cooks!

Who Is More Stubborn?
Again, it depends on the topic. Most people would probably answer that it's me though.

Who Kissed Who First?
I did! I was tired of waiting after 3 months.

Who Asked Who Out?
John asked me.

Who Proposed?
Definitely John.

Who Is More Sensitive?
Me. Definitely me.

7 Things

I was tagged by Tara to list 7 interesting things about me. I've been waiting for my brain to return from this cold, but so far it's not looking very hopeful. I'll just have to do my best anyways!!

1. I am a freebie/coupon fanatic. I frequent the Frugal Shopper discussion forum almost daily to get info about new sales/coupons/freebies. I used to enter the contests on there too but gave up because I never won anything ever. People often comment on where I get my freebies. I also am a Bzz Agent which lets me try stuff for free and sometimes share with other people too! The best freebie by far was the Sonicare Toothbrush, which was worth about $130! I love it and use it every day. I could talk for a long time about this stuff but I don't want to bore anyone. Just let me know if you want to hear more sometime.

2. I don't like being cold. I could easily become one of those snowbirds (aka retired people who travel wherever it's warm) for the rest of my life. Every day at home I am wearing my wool cardigan and my slippers. At night I also plug in my beloved heat dish (from Costco) to help keep me warm. Just call me granny, I guess!

3. I am a very restless person, always switching positions. I must drive everyone crazy at church if we sit on the same pew. John is used to it now but it used to bother him when he was trying to sleep and I was constantly rolling over.

4. I also get stir crazy easily. Unfortunately my girls also take on this trait. I can't wait until I am feeling better and then we will have a girls day in the city! We can go to some real stores (as opposed to the Saan here, or online shopping) and see some people.

5. I have a really hard time not singing out loud if music is playing and I know the songs. I think I have sung for most of my life and it's just become a big part of who I am.

6. I am terrified of wasps! I used to put bees into this same category but after gardening for several years I see that they really are quite harmless. Wasps, however, scare the crap out of me. I am the crazy person that you often can see in the summertime, running around in wild circles and waving her arms through the air, while shrieking. I have actually tried to tame this fear because of my girls and I have been quite successful. Unfortunately Brie has picked up the fear anyways.

7. My "J" personality is much stronger outside of home. I am still orderly about things, but not as obsessive about it when I am outside of home, at work for example. This means, my house is not always tidy like I think it should be, and I can't blame it all on the kids!

Well now I'm supposed to tag other people to do this meme.
1. Kim Olsen
2. Seanna
3. Kerry
4. Amanda
5. Kelle

That's all!

Crazy Eights

Well since I was tagged by Tara I figured that I should try this list too.


8 Things I'm Passionate About:

God
John
My Girls
Family
Friends
Singing
Kids
Reading


8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die:

Go to Africa, especially a safari
Take the girls to Disney (world or land...I'm not picky!)
Have a 50th wedding anniversary
Go white-water rafting again
See my girls grow up to be beautiful Christian women
Help deliver shoeboxes from Operation Christmas Child
Be more giving of myself and our resources
Be involved in a growing church again


8 Things I Say Often:

I love you
Girls!
Stop making a mess!
Clean that up right now
I have another headache
What should I make for supper?
Oh my goodness
You're kidding


8 Books I've Read Recently:

(there's been more than 8 recently)

Romancing Your Husband by Debra White Smith
Poor Mrs. Rigsby by Kathy Herman
Someday by Karen Kingsbury
The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Caught by Neta Jackson
The Yada Yada Prayer Group books 1-4
Seasons books 1-4 by Terri Blackstock and Beverly LaHaye


8 Songs I Could Listen to Over and Over:

(can I just say how difficult this is because it totally depends on my mood)

How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin
Holy is the Lord by Chris Tomlin
You Reign by MercyMe
East to West by Casting Crowns
Donkey Riding by Fiddler's Green (no choice but to listen to it over and over)
Anything from Music Pups because I teach it
Anything by Norah Jones
Anything by Michael Buble


8 Things That Attract Me to my Best Friends:

Honesty
Compassionate
Caring
Faith
Understanding
Serving
Fun
Kids

8 People I Think Should Do Crazy Eights:

(I don't have 8 but here's a few:)
Jinny
Colin
Colleen


Whew! I'm done. That takes some good thinking. Thanks Tara.