For each of the following 10 categories, tell which brand/product you use and why.

1. Cell Phone
Currently I have the Motorola Droid with Verizon — after seven years of lousy service with my previous carrier (referred to as Crap One), I terminated the contract early when I was able to score a super great deal for me and the bro (who I share an account with).

2. Email
Combination of Yahoo Mail Plus and Gmail. There’s aspects of Gmail and Yahoo that I love, but neither has everything I want, so for now, I use both (personal & business)

3. Toothpaste
Tend to buy Crest and not just because I’m a stockholder

4. Car
Ford. On my third one since getting my license (all purchased used btw).

5. Writing Utensil
For list making, mechnical pencils. For doodling or letter writing, sharpie fine line markers or gel inks.

6. Lotion
Just about any scent from Bath and Body Works Or bodycology from Wal Mart!

7. Interior Paint
Truthfully, seeing as there’s not a painted wall in my home (all are tongue & groove siding or panelling), no personal opinion.

8. Soda/Drink
Dr. Pepper. Although I’ve seriously cut back on my consumption of the beverage!

9. Laundry Detergent
Any brand maid by P&G; yes, I’m loyal to a fault … and a stockholder.

10. Medicine
Mostly store brands unless name brand is on sale, but you’ll find the following  in my medicine chest (name brands listed): Aleve, Excedrin Migraine, Baby Aspirin, Sudafed, and Vicks 44D.

1. What is your current favorite television show?
NCIS and NCIS-Los Angeles. However, summertime = reality show junkie (since I lack cable to find something a little less brain cell destroying), so Big Brother is also on the list until this season is over. 

2. Apple juice or orange juice?
Apple juice … especially when my throat is rebelling against me.

3. It’s Shark Week on Discover Channel. Do you watch? Why or why not?
Not a shark fan nor do I have cable/satellite to watch the Discovery Channel.

4. What are the non-blog websites that you visit regularly?
Gmail, Yahoo, Twitter, Facebook, and a couple photography forums.

5. What is your favorite way to prepare green beans? Asparagus? Potatoes? Carrots?
Green beans … stovetop w/ a piece of bacon Don’t eat asparagus. Steam the potatoes and make mashed potatoes or fry ‘em. Carrots, raw or steamed with honey butter.

6. What is your favorite flower?
Calla lilies and gerbera daisies. And orchids.

7. How do you feel about handkerchiefs?
Ummm … men, if you’re gonna carry one, make sure you wash them regularly, otherwise don’t offer them to someone! 

8. If you could only shop at 3 stores for the rest of your life, what would they be? (You probably should include a grocery store.)
Hmmm … Barnes and Noble. Ross. Target. Books, clothing, food, hygiene/toiletries, decor, and electronics covered.  

9. If you could only use wine for one purpose for the rest of your life, which would you choose? To cook with or to drink?
Since I don’t drink, especially wine, I’d obviously cook with it.

10. What’s your bedtime?
Anywhere between 10 pm and midnight … on a very rare occasion, 1 -2 am if I have a ton of editing to do/redoing my website.

I kick-start the day with … the national news — either Good Morning America or The Early Show.

Other daily essential… some form of caffeine — either iced tea (sweetened) or a Dr Pepper. Usually in the morning (if a Dr Pepper) or iced tea in the evenings.

Recent splurge… a few new tops and a new purse that kinda sorta can double as a camera bag for non portrait session outings.

Would love to see host Saturday Night Live… doesn’t matter as I can’t pick up a NBC station unless the digital signal gods are liking me.

Dreaming about… cooler weather — specifically traveling and/or moving to a cooler summer locale!

Beauty indulgence… the pedicure I asked for for my birthday

Can’t stop watching… train wreck tv … aka The Bachelorette.

Top shop… Adorama, Barnes & Noble, Etsy … I go broke at all three!

Signature scent… this summer, my Hawaiian scented lotion I have in my desk drawer at work.

You won’t find me… on a beach or in a subtropical climate during *summer* months.

I heart… lazy days … which I’m dubbing the next three days!

Tell us about you

Where do you live?
i live on the edge of the piney woods in texas in a city named after the capital of a southern european country.
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Tell us something funny/goofy/silly thing about yourself.
most folks think i’m this serious, quiet person (i.e. most of the folks i’ve worked with in recent years) that’s occasionally talkative.  talkative, serious, yes.  also a really big dork, who has a tendency around her family and most of her friends to talk in different voices/accents, say stupid stuff, have blonde moments (yeah, so what if I’m not one?), and rattle off phrases of foreign languages at random.
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Do you have any pets?
two dogs (rascal & tater) and one cat (pokie)
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What blogs and mags do you read and what shops do you shop at?
when I have time online, i frequent a handful of blogs and flickr pages of real life friends and pals, plus some bloggers/photographers i’ve gotten to know over the past several years.
mags…pretty much anything travel related, self, rangefinder, and professional photographer
shops…
brick & morter: barnes&noble, ross, hobby lobby, thrift shops, used book stores
online: etsy, ebay, amazon, paper source
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Share something that lights your heart up
my dogs and cat
good mail (from friends)
gorgeous photographs
exotic flowers (& tulips)
compliments
learning something new
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What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
blue bell’s good heavens
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What’s your worst fashion disaster (PICTURES welcome, lol)?
besides 5th-8th grades? can’t think of any…right now
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What song on your ipod is most out of character for you?
well… SexyBack by JT and Right Round by Flo Rida…i like the beat of both, forget the lyrics!
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Favorite Movies and/or Books:
too many to list in both categories!
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If you had one hundred dollars fun money, what would you want to do?
right now, there’s several items on my etsy favorites list i’d purchase; anything left afterwards, gas money to go photograph area towns!
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What are your inspirations?
nature & flowers, gorgeous photographs, books, journals/blogs, friends, colors and prints
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What do you collect?
postcards and vintage cameras. 
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What is your dream? (You can also share a dream that has come true)
My dream list includes: a flexible day job that allows me to be creative and provides benefits,  having my photographs published in a major publication, having a book or two published, traveling to every continent (well, the six that are easily accessible anyway), design (& build) my own home & office/studio. well, that’s the professional/career dream, toss in a husband, kids, and another dog or two and you’ve got the whole dream!

01. Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?
Sometimes — it really can vary. Usually candy (i.e. jelly beans, reeses pieces, m&m’s — all the way to cheese, crackers, or fruit.

02. Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
Just textbooks! I figure as much as I paid for them, I ought to get my money’s worth I don’t write in novels unless I’m gifting it for a special reason, and even then only on the inside cover/first page

03. How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?
Typically some sort of bookmark — although scraps of paper have been known to substitute late at night when I can barely keep my eyes open. The only time I fold the corner over is when its beaten and battered already. Only textbooks will I leave flat open (or face down flat open). I hate creases in the binding on paperbacks. If I buy it new, it typically still looks new/unread when I finish it!

04. Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?
Both, although I usually lean towards fiction.

05. Hard copy or audiobooks?
I like to read books, not hear them. And even then, I want paper copies. I may love tech gadgets, but I don’t want to read them on screens after working all day staring at one!

06. Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?
I always try to get to the end of the chapter unless I’m interrupted by someone with no patience or can’t keep my eyes open any longer.

07. If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?
Typically only when its for academic reasons. Fun reading, only if the storyline doesn’t allude to the word’s meaning.

08. What are you currently reading?
Alternating between The Shack, a novel by Lesley Pearse, and, as of last night, reading/proofing a friend’s draft of a novel he’s about to self publish.

09. What is the last book you bought?
The Shack and another Christian novel that caught my eye while I was killing time at Wal Mart last week (while waiting for an oil change to be completed).

10. Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?
Normally I read one at a time, however, as its sometimes hard to focus on one thing at a time anymore, I now have up to 3-4 different books going when I have down time to read.

11. Do you like re-reading books?
When I have down time to do so — or when I can’t get started in a new book, I’ll grab an old favorite I know will keep my attention.

[wallet] : xoxo red leather
[hairbrush] : black and silver
[jewelry worn daily]: (as in any day I leave the house) watch, sometimes a necklace and earrings if I remember
[coffee cup] : i don’t drink coffee!
[shoes] : prefer running shoes, flipflops, sandals, my Docs; slides or dress shoes for work
[cologne/perfume] : VS Dream Angels in Heavenly
[piercings] : well I had 2 in each ear …
[clothes you're wearing now] : burnt orange UT tee, black sweats
[hair] : just past shoulder length and dark brown, currently pulled up in a ponytail
[room] : disorganized organizational chaos — xmas decor stacked up (to be packed back up), along with biz stuff I’m working on, plus trip planning materials scattered on the floor in front of my shorter bookshelf

MIXED QUESTIONS:

[wishing] : for something to occur + the 10×10 white frames I saw at garden ridge last week I shoulda bought
[after this] : finish paying bills, write a letter, work on pricing guide and newsletter, sleep
[talking to] : no one at the moment
[eating] : cocoa flavored hershey’s kisses
[fetishes] : flipflops, funky nail polish, books, techie gadgets
[some of your fav. movies] : Pearl Harbor, The Great Raid, Love Actually, Secondhand Lions, Radio, LOTR, Pride and Prejudice, many others…
[something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming months] : vacation, putting some biz ideas into place
[last thing you ate] : salad, mac and cheese, chicken, baked potato … aka supper
[something you’re afraid of] : snakes, needles, scorpions
[if you could have any animals as pets what would they be] : besides dogs and cats?  hmmm…a hamster
[three cities you wouldn't mind relocating to] : Austin, Texas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Hobart, Tasmania
[some of your fav. foods] : chocolate, cheese, corn, fajitas, salsa and tortilla chips, yummy salads with all the toppings, cheese manacotti, cobbler, brownies…
[something you wish you could understand better] : well since understanding males is out of the question,  constantly changing US tax laws perhaps? 
[miss someone you haven't seen in a long time] : *thinks* yeah

DO YOU…

[like candles] : yes, scented ones
[like incense] :  no
[believe in love] : yes
[believe in soulmates] : yes
[believe in love at first sight] :  nope
[believe in forgiveness] : sure
[want to get married] :  yes, someday
[want to have kids] :  yes, someday
[believe that you know the person that youll marry at this point in time} : haven't the slightest clue

IN THE LAST 24 HRS HAVE YOU...

[cried] : no
[bought sumthin] : postage
[gotten sick] : nope, got to feeling better
[sang] : not out loud
[eaten] : of course…
[been kissed] : only by pets thrilled to be fed
[felt stupid] : try the last week …
[wanted to tell someone you liked them, but didn't] : not in the last 24 hours
[met someone new] : yes, every. single. day.
[moved on] : well yeah, from work to home, from home to work…
[talked to someone you have a crush on] : no
[had a serious talk] : besides chewing out an appt (day job) for being six hours late for an appointment, of course not.
[missed someone] : hmm …
[hugged someone] : yes … to annoy them
[fought with your parents] : just the daily spat with my mom
[Dreamt about someone you can't be with] : nope

SOCIAL LIFE:

[hobbies] : penpalling, reading, photography, traveling, web design, running (more an interest than a hobby at the moment)
[pager/cell] : cell phone
[are you the center of attention]: not that I know of or want to be
[car you drive] :  2007 Ford Fusion
[would you rather be with friends or on a date] : with friends having fun
[job] : cso / photographer
[attend church] : should, but don’t
[like being around people] :  sometimes
[have you known the longest] :  keven — twenty years now
[do you argue with the most] :  mi madre
[do you always get along with] : my dog (whaaaattt?, I do, he’s most loyal male in my life and and loves me unconditionally)
[is the most trustworthy] :  besides my dogs?  (okay, laugh already) randy, timber
[makes you laugh the most] : the bro

2 OF YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS EVER

01. something happening here-buffalo springfield
02. turn, turn, turn-the byrds

I AM: tired, frustrated, unsure, with a few creative ideas I’m researching mixed in for balance
I WANT: to be happy and caught up on my to do list
I HAVE: a pretty secure (day) job, a roof over my head, and rainy day money in the bank, an investment account that hasn’t tanked yet…but not the six lottery numbers that’ll allow me to do what I want and not worry about paying the bills
I WISH: for what I can’t have just yet
I HATE: awkwardness
I MISS: not having responsibilities
I FEAR: something I’m choosing not to discuss
I HEAR: the dvd I have playing
I SEARCH:  for cheap 10×10 frames — none are like what I saw last week
I WONDER:  how long it would take to stick back enough money to retire earlier than 29 years from now…
I REGRET: several things
I ACHE:  for nothing worthwhile
I ALWAYS: procrastinate or am too efficient when I’m not putting my foot in my mouth
I AM NOT: looking forward to the next 48 hours
I SING: to annoy people
I WRITE:  reports on criminals for a living
I WIN: at skiball and tetris; sometimes duck hunt when I cheat
I CONFUSE: people for kicks
I NEED: a break
I SHOULD: be working on the pricing guide …

1. Do you like blue cheese?
the salad dressing flavor, yes

2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes?
Absolutely not.

3. Do you own a gun?
Believe it or not, I’m the only member of my immediate family who doesn’t own a gun of some sort. I do have an arsenal of cameras I use to shoot people with — does that count for something?

4. What Kool Aid flavor was your favorite?
Still love cherry, strawberry, and tropical punch! I keep the single serving packets in my desk drawer at work when I get tired of plain water!

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
Depends on which doctor it is …

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
Love hot dogs, try not to think about stories of how they are made. But I still love them. <– sticking with Christine’s answer

7. Favorite Christmas movie?
The Night they Saved Christmas — its an old one, from when I was about five! I also love A Christmas Story and Polar Express

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Dr Pepper

9. Can you do push ups?
Yeah, although I can’t last as long doing ‘real’ pushups as I could in high school

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?
Celtic knot pendant I wear almost all the time 

11. Favorite hobby?
photography. penpalling. web design. postcard collecting (more of an addiction than a hobby to be truthful)

12. Do you have A.D.D.?
I’m certain I do, but not in the mood to be diagnosed officially

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts?
Used to wear glasses for over 16 years — had lasik in July 2007 — best money I’ve ever spent!

14. Middle name?
Dawn

15. Name three thoughts at this exact moment?
My family won’t leave me alone, I hate dial up, and I’m never gonna finish converting these images!

16. Name three drinks you drink regularly.
Dr Pepper, sweetened iced tea, Mountain Dew

17. Current worry?
What will happen to this country if the outcome of the election isn’t how I’d prefer it

18. Current hate right now?
the mainstream media

19. Favorite place to be?
in dreamland – aka asleep

20. How did you bring in the New Year?
With Mr. Darcy

21. Where would you like to go?
London, Germany, Iceland, Croatia, Denmark, Canada, New Zealand, Australia …

22. Name three people who will complete this?
No idea

23. Do you own slippers?
two pairs — a sparkly turquoise vs pair and a soft plush guinness pair

24. What shirt are you wearing?
a happy bunny one

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
no, sateen will do

26. Can you whistle?
Yes.

27. Favorite color?
teal, brown, green

28. Would you be a pirate?
only if I can look like Keira Knightley in the first Pirates movie

29. What songs do you sing in the shower?
whatever comes to mind

30. Favorite girl’s name?
Caitlin, Elisabeth

31. Favorite boy’s name?
Cameron

32. What’s in your pocket right now?
no pockets on my sweats

33. Last thing that made you laugh?
commercial on tv

34. What vehicle do you drive?
2007 Ford Fusion

35. Worst injury you ever had?
Two sprained thumbs at two different points in time. Although the worst pain I’ve had was from two six-week bouts of pleurisy in a little over a year

36. Do you love where you live?
Well I have ran away yet, have I? To some extent, yes. There’s a reason (well several) I haven’t relocated to the county I work in — I just don’t like or love it that much. After ten years of commuting there, I actually am sick of it. The one I live in, if it had a Barnes and Noble and a Chick-fil-a, I’d have no other reason (other than work) to venture across the county line There are other places I’d like to live — maybe once I start looking for teaching positions, I’ll luck into a job in one of those areas.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house?
I own one. The others own three more.

1. My favorite musical/movie soundtracks are Fiddler on the Roof and August Rush. And, yes, I own both of them. Am listening to the latter right now.

2. I considered getting a degree in graphic design after I finished my bachelor’s degree. I now wish I had!

3. I once considered joining the military — but I couldn’t meet the vision req’s to do what I wanted without surgery. That and it wasn’t worth having my dad upset with me since I had scholarships that paid for most of my undergrad education. He refused to let us join in order to pay for school since he was drafted during the Vietnam era.

4. I used to be able to do a spread eagle jump better than most cheerleaders, but couldn’t do the splits to save my life. And, no, I was never a cheerleader — I was in drill team in 7th grade before I moved, however.

5. I briefly worked in fast food — my first job, in fact. I will never work in that industry again if I have my way. It wasn’t the food part that nixed the idea — it was having to clean the mens’ restroom one time too many that did me in.

6. I once was given (lunch) detention in junior high for forgetting my textbook (I grabbed the wrong one due to the bookcover) but managed to skip out of it without getting caught — and amazingly, my friends never ratted me out. It was the only detention I was ever given too. Sorry Mr. Medlin!

7. My junior English teacher told me to pick a major in college that involved writing since I could bs my way through anything I didn’t fully know. In that case, it was The Scarlet Letter that I couldn’t get more than a chapter into, so I skimmed the online version of cliff notes from AOL I found the night before the exam. I didn’t listen to his advice the first time around and worked my butt off to get the finance degree — I did heed his advice in grad school.

8. I used to catch crawfish and take them for show and tell in kindergarten — how else do you think I got the class favorite vote from the guys? Trust me, in that small town, it took more than cuteness to impress the redneck guys Not that it was my intention …

So … who to tag? Well, consider yourself tagged if you’re reading this

I AM … very glad Gustav brought rain and no high winds this time!
I WANT… to escape reality for a week or two
I HAVE … loads of photos to edit and business stuff to overhaul
I KEEP… making more and more to do lists
I WISH I COULD … hug my best friend and make everything better now
I HATE … that I argue with the MSM over their political bullcrap they spew
I FEAR … being alone as I get older
I HEAR … my heater churning away
I DON’T THINK … I want to pursue certain things anymore
I REGRET … buying some of the junk I have accumulated over the years
I LOVE … photography and travel
I AM NOT … in the mood for people to give me the run-around right now
I DANCE … when no one’s looking
I SING … only in my car
I NEVER … will eat any sort of animal that’s not been cooked or recognizible
I RARELY … take more than a few days off work at a time
I CRY WHEN I WATCH … moving speeches and sappy commercials
I AM NOT ALWAYS … productive
I HATE THAT … something about my day job office gives me headaches, come in without one, go home with one nearly every day
I’M CONFUSED ABOUT … stupid tax laws
I NEED … opportunities!
I SHOULD … streamline a lot of my workflow and processes!

What inspires you photographically?

Rather than tell you, I’ll show you…all are from my Flickr favorites, you can click on them to get to my photostream…