leanne - Plinky Answers

The Slanket sells itself.

2009-03-10T14:23:49-06:00

I love my Slanket, and I'm not ashamed. It is far superior to the Snuggie.

I've also been sucked into the Magic Bullet blender system. I used it maybe 5 times, and now it's in a box in the basement.

You know what would set this country straight?

2009-03-04T08:36:37-06:00

More cowbell.

My handiness: having a handy husband.

2009-03-03T08:02:23-06:00

Meh. I'm kind of the definition of learned helplessness due to having a handyman husband. Although I can put together Ikea furniture, so I guess that makes me a MASTER.

Prior to having Super Husband with a Tool Bucket, I could follow a set of directions pretty well.

And my dad forced me to learn to change a tire at 17, after getting 3 flats in as many months.

I'm turning into my parents.

2009-03-02T11:43:41-06:00

I've inherited my mom's cleanliness compulsions, love of reading, and potty mouth, and my dad's work ethic and love of food and gardening. They've also passed on their opinionated child-rearing ways.

I think my parents rock and did an a-ok job of raising their kids, so I'm perfectly fine with turning out like them.

My scar: Happy New Year!

2009-03-02T11:40:02-06:00

My worst is my most recent; 3 oddly shaped, large patches on my stomach. On New Year's Day this year, I accidentally spilled scalding water on myself. Now I'll never be a bikini model. Heh.

I've got all sorts of other scars all over me, from bites, scratches, and scrapes as a kid. I also have one in the middle of my forehead from chicken pox.

Front Street is great for coffee with an old friend.

2009-03-02T11:35:51-06:00

Good coffee, good food. Also, Atomic Cafe for lattes, Soma for martinis, or any of Beverly's lovely dive bars for a beer.

Tulum is the oldest place I've been

2009-03-02T11:33:54-06:00

The Mayan ruins in Tulum, Mexico, built around 300 BC. Amazing, beautiful, and scientific. Those Mayans were smartypants.

Tulum is apparently becoming a theme among my responses.

Where's the 'undo' button?

2009-03-02T11:24:57-06:00

While I do believe that every moment in my life made me who I am today, I wish I took school more seriously. In high school, I was smart enough to get by with little effort. I now wish I could retake those history and science classes that would be so interesting to a more mature me. In college, I wasn't. I wish I applied myself more and really thought about what I wanted to do with my life.

I wish I could get several new things.

2009-03-02T11:22:01-06:00

I love my condo, but after living here for 2 years, there are things I would do differently if I were purchasing all over again.

If I could change my living situation, I'd I'd own a house instead of a condo. I love (most of) my neighbors, but don't want our home decisions to rely on others. It would have a yard. I want a garden. It would be in a warmer climate. Despite living in MA my whole life, I've never, ever been a winter gal. My new home would have one more bedroom. Finally, it would have different hard-wood floors. The ones we have are terrible.

Pizza and booze always soothe me when I'm stressed.

2009-02-17T09:05:15-06:00

Wine. Pizza Bites. Fountain Coke. Froofy cocktails. Pepperoni pizza. "Hamburger Goulash," which is a meal I grew up on that consists of ground beef, gravy, and French-style canned green beans, mixed together and slopped on top of mashed potatoes.

Reading "The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical" by Shane Claiborne opened my eyes.

2009-02-16T11:02:37-06:00

This is the only book that I ever wanted to highlight and take notes in, and caused me to think about truly changing the way I approach my life.

I don't think it's a perfect book by any means, and there were times where I think Claiborne got it so wrong, but I still found myself photocopying and emailing pages to friends to read, too.

You'll find "Real Simple" atop my toilet. Or in it.

2009-02-16T10:50:47-06:00

I've subscribed in the past to everything from the New Yorker to Playboy. I now have a few subscriptions that come monthly that I hardly ever read, and find myself picking up copies of home magazines and gossip smut here and there at airports instead. I'd rather read a novel.

Others I've enjoyed in the recent past: Relevant, Martha Stewart, Everyday with Rachael Ray, Everyday Food, Body & Soul, Domino & Blueprint (RIP),

Real Simple
I've subscribed to this magazine for maybe 5 years now? I used to love it, but to be 100% honest, I started disliking it after reading the editor's blog. She's very self-righteous and arrogant, and it turned be off of the whole publication. My subscription ends in 2010, and I will not be renewing.

Cooking Light
Good recipes, decent articles. I got a free subscription, but just find I don't have the time to read.

BeadStyle
Great resource for my jewelry-making hobby. I just wish it weren't 90% ads.

Family Circle
I don't subscribe, by my mother-in-law does, and flipping through them is one of those relaxing things I look forward to when visiting her in VT.

North Shore
I bought a 1-year (4 issue) subscription to this 3 years ago when it was featuring Salem, the town in which I lived. I still receive issues quarterly. I don't know why.

My trip from Beverly, MA to Raleigh, NC.

2009-02-16T10:42:32-06:00

This past summer, we drove to North Carolina to visit friends and my brother-in-law. We stopped for a day in Washington DC. I thought I'd hate every minute of it, but it wasn't that bad.

A day without a cell phone: I don't mind.

2009-02-16T10:40:42-06:00

I go without my cell phone a lot. On relaxing vacations, I turn it off and it stays that way. In Vermont when visiting family, we don't get reception, so I have no choice.

A few months ago, my work cell phone broke, and it was amazing. I've recently gotten better about leaving the work phone off and at home on the weekends.

I hate talking on the phone, and am not really dependent on it. The only thing I truly miss about not having it on me (now that I have an iPhone) is not having the ability to find the answers to what I need (addresses, phone numbers, random trivia) at my fingertips.

My advice: Laugh.

2009-02-16T10:36:37-06:00

"Laugh too loud. If people look at you, laugh louder." This was on a greeting card I received in 1998, and summed up a lot of other great quotes so simply. Life is too short to worry about what others think of you.

Hint: A Valentine's burrito is fine for me.

2009-02-16T10:32:38-06:00

Chipotle
We went there this Valentine's Day, and it was delicious. I love a great fancy dinner, but don't need a holiday to tell me when to have one. So we got burritos, and it was perfect.

My favorite rooms are not my own.

2009-02-16T10:29:52-06:00

There are two rooms I recall really loving in my life. The first was one of the spare bedrooms in the house I lived in from 2nd-6th grade. It was rarely used, always warm, and had the comfiest chair in it. I'd spend hours in there reading and avoiding any other household distractions as a kid.

The other was in my friend Kristen's house growing up. She had the best sun porch ever, bright, warm, cheerful. We lived in that room in high school.

DDR keeps me in shape. And no, I'm not kidding.

2009-02-16T10:25:57-06:00

I'm not an exerciser. When I am in a routine, I love it, but it takes A LOT to get me in a routine. My husband and I discovered Dance Dance Revolution a few years back, and realized that a) it was hard, b) it was fun, and c) it really made us sweat. B is really the critical piece. I don't care who makes fun of us.

I also enjoy other forms of dance, the elliptical trainer, and biking.

When I started using the Internet: 12/F/MA.

2009-02-05T08:36:18-06:00

I first started using the internet for instant messaging/chat rooms in 7th grade (1994). I had an internet "boyfriend" named Adam who lived in Texas. We talked regularly on the phone. Recalling this, I'll tell you one thing: if I have kids, no internet until they're 30.

I didn't discover just how amazing the internet was, and that it was good for more than AIM, until my senior year of high school. My teachers were skeptical of my website sources for term papers, but it saved me hours of library time.

My most bizarre gift: glug jug.

2009-02-04T08:04:14-06:00

For our wedding shower, we received a "Gurgling Cod" from Shreve, Crump, & Low. At the time, I thought it was the most ridiculous thing ever, but it's become one of my favorite possessions, and I kind of want to start a collection.

http://www.shrevecrumpandlow.com/history/gurgling_cod.aspx

My fear of possums.

2009-02-04T07:22:12-06:00

It's not a severe fear, but I hate these ugly sons of bitches. I've hit two in my car before. Not on purpose, but I'll tell you what: I didn't lose any sleep over it.

I recommend checking out Mayan Ruins when you're in Tulum, Mexico.

2009-02-02T09:59:03-06:00

It's amazing to think that the Mayans created such an awesome, scientific place without the use of modern technology. The views are beautiful, and the beach is paradise.

My ideal Super Bowl halftime show would include Pizza Bites.

2009-02-02T09:50:00-06:00

Oh, wait. You meant MUSICAL halftime lineup? Not food?

Pizza Bites
Best junk food ever.

Bacon
Bacon needs no explanation.

Macaroni & Cheese
Fact: I make the best mac & cheese in the world.

If I had easy access to a helicopter, I'd fly to The Grand Canyon this weekend.

2009-02-02T09:48:17-06:00

I've never been there, and I do always hear about how breathtaking it is. So why not?

Why I gave up on "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan."

2009-02-02T09:47:05-06:00

I never thought I had discriminating book taste until I tried reading this in 2002. I read the first in the series, but just couldn't torture myself any longer.

PS Yes, I do want to see the movies. Don't judge.

You wouldn't even have to pay me to sing these songs at a karaoke bar.

2009-02-02T09:42:13-06:00

Love Shack by The B-52s

Leader of the Pack by The Shangri-Las

How I'd spend $1,000.

2009-01-28T11:19:08-06:00

I'd put it towards a new Macbook for my husband for his 30th birthday. I'm a good wife like that.

My road-trip mix tape: A brand new pair of rollerskates.

2009-01-26T08:15:51-06:00

Brand New Key by Melanie

Bandito by The Refreshments

Breaking Up by Rilo Kiley

Why my hip-hop posse would include: Jack Shepard.

2009-01-26T08:11:29-06:00

Mario Batali
Because every rapper needs good food.

Art Lawry
Because I love his guts.

Matthew Fox
Because every rapper needs a pretty person to look at. You know, aside from her husband.

Your mom
Because it just feels right.

When I realized I was a grown-up: Tristan's in North Carolina?!

2009-01-26T07:50:12-06:00

June 2007, when my husband's mom developed Transient Global Amnesia. We spent hours in the ER, and then a night of no sleep, answering the same questions over and over and over again. It made me realize what it will potentiall be like having to take care of a sick or elderly parent.