5Q4 from DJG

Here are the interview questions by DJG and my answers:

1. You seem to have an obsession with Starbucks. What started this particular habit, and what are your favorites?You are very perceptive. I do indeed have a Starbucks obsession! I think that the habit probably started in college and has gotten progressively worse. I love the smell of it. I have blogged earlier about how the smell of coffee reminds me of growing up and my parents obsession with coffee. As far as favorites, it varies. I used to get espressos until I got an espresso maker for my birthday. When I am not watching my calories (like right now when I am nursing) I love frappuccinos. When I am watching my calories, a great substitute for that is an "iced grande non fat latte with a splash of half and half and three splenda". This is very good! I also love chai lattes and just plain jane sumatra coffee.

2. You mentioned that Matthew had inherited some of your traits as an oldest child. What do you think are the strengths and or weaknesses of being the oldest child?
Overall, I love being the oldest child. My parents were hard on me like most parents are of their oldest children. A lot was expected of me which annoyed me growing up, but now I am grateful for. I am also very independent and goal driven. These could be seen as good and bad qualities I guess!

Truthfully, I also struggle with wanting the limelight. It was always shone on me most and first as the oldest. When my younger brother and sister had their time in the sun, I have at times felt like, "Hey remember me?" This is the little devil in me that I have had to fight back in the past. I see it in Matthew and I can sympathize with him but it drives me crazy as well. My sister, who is the youngest, and I agree that there are many benefits and drawback of each position in the family.

3. Most of the things I truly dislike in my life can be traced back to an incident. What caused your extreme dislike for cheese?
I am sure that there was some incident that caused this but I am not sure what it was. I have asked my mother and she doesn't know. All I know is that as long as I can remember, I have hated it. I have a great dislike for "smelly" foods. The stronger the cheese, the greater I gag. Don't even get me started on deviled eggs...

4. You mentioned that you were a speech pathologist. How long did you work in that field before starting your family? What do you miss about working outside the home?
I worked during my masters program for a year and a half with a variety of patients including children and adults both in acute care and rehab. I also worked in local schools. I really enjoyed working with the elderly patients the most.

After graduation, I worked in a home health care agency. My territory included an hour radius of my home. I really enjoyed this b/c I got to work with elderly patients (strokes were my favorite) and travel in the rural areas around my home. I used to get directions to homes like "turn left when you see the herd of cows..." I love to take long drives and explore the "road less traveled" so it was perfect for me. It started my love affair with talk radio!

I worked there full time for 1 1/2 years before Matthew was born. I am still employed there and fill in between therapists or when they are busy.

The thing I miss most about working is using my degrees which were very difficult to earn! Sometimes, when I am in the trenches at home I think, "I have a masters degree and I scrub throw up out of carpet."

I also miss the goal oriented therapy. I saw a patient, diagnosed him, set goals which could be attained in 6 weeks, checked them off and moved on to the next patient. I absolutely love checking items off of to do lists so this profession was right up my alley! Overall, though, I am thrilled that I get to stay home with my children. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

5. Do you think that your cake decorating will turn into anything other that a hobby? What do you enjoy most about cake decorating?
This is a good question. If I didn't have children, my dream job would be to own a small bakery or have a catering service. Not to host big events, but maybe where people would call me and say, "I am having a busy week. I would like to make a homemade meal but don't have the time. Could you bring a casserole over to me?" This would to encourage families to stay home and eat around the table vs. eating take out on the road. Maybe one day....

What I like most about cake decorating is:
*making beautiful things
*saving money on buying specialty cakes
*seeing my kids expression when I make a Spiderman cake! They think that is the coolest thing in the world! It makes me happy seeing them so excited about something I have done. Cheesy, buy true.