she scared the dog.

good times.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ok.....i have answers to the rest those questions you asked on july 27.

1. what kind of floor cleaner do you use on your hard wood?
  
 i use WOW with a dry mop.
    

nothing else works for me.
it's not like i clean them that often....if company is coming...or a 2 liter explodes on the floor. 
but really i am the LAST person you should ask about cleaning.  
i am not clean. 

2. do you have a theme in your home/color palette?

i like maps and globes.
 (image from pottery barn kids)

most of the color in our house is the same colors as those on maps and globes.
most of all i love red.
but just pops of it....not a whole red wall or red couch.
there is nothing wrong with those it's just not for me. 
 

3. where did you get that granny square afgan?


an antique store in my town. 

4. how do you paint woodwork?
 we have always just started with Kilz primer. 


then two - three coats of Behr Ultimate White semi gloss paint.


5. where did you get that Be Kind To Others print?

 

from Katie at The Wheatfield.
i just ordered the Be filled with JOY one this week too. 

6. what is your favorite U2 song?
 
  Miracle Drug
  Yahweh
  Magnificent
  Beautiful Day
  Original of the Species
  Pride
  One

should i go on?

7.  what is your favorite dinner to take to friends' when they need a meal?
     lasagna, garlic bread, salad and brownies. 

8.  did you like Love & Logic for Teens?


   YES.
   i felt like it was written FOR me....like they were living in my home when they wrote it.

9.  what kind of camera do you have?
    
i have a Canon 50D  and my lens is a 28 - 105 lens.


i use it most of the time because i am most comfortable with it.
i have an 85mm lens also. 

10.  what fun camera stuff do you want to get next?

i don't even know.  
i bought photoshop but i am afraid to load it on my computer. 

11.  do you take your camera everywhere?

i take it in my purse if i think i may want to take pictures.
it fits right in there.
i don't have a point and shoot that would fit nicely...i just don't think i would use it that much.

12. how did you get started in your photography business?

people told me that i should "take pictures" for years.
then someone asked me to photograph their family and i did it and had fun.
THEN i got brave and said "i am doing this for a job....anyone want to schedule me?"
and they did.
and now i have a business.
the hardest part of all of it....getting the guts to say "i want to be a photographer" out loud. 

it's a journey. 

13. are you self taught?
yes.
there are a million more things i want to learn about photography.
i don't feel like i can give advice....because i don't know the "right" way to say it...or the right way to do it.
i just keep learning at every shoot and with every set i edit. 

14. are you a help-out-at-school kind of mom?
no.
for ten years i have had younger children at home so bringing them into their siblings classrooms was not going to be much help any way.  

and....i don't like school.
seriously.
i disliked school as a kid and i still get a little weird-o feeling when i am there now....and i am a grown up!
that is a strong statement to say i disliked all school but i was in trouble A LOT.
i was a handful for all my teachers....so i was disciplined by all my teachers (with good reason).
i have good memories but not warm fuzzy feelings about school itself.

and now that all my kids are in school and i get my first real break in 15 years
i am not really dying to go be with them all day.
or any of the day actually.
15 years with babies or kids at my side = break time for mom.

but if you are a school mom....GOOD FOR YOU!!  :)  YOU ARE AWESOME.

15. what did you want to be when you grew up?
i probably had thoughts of being a dancer (like on In Living Color) or something ridiculous.
but i knew from the beginning that i wanted to be a mom.
so most of my dreams were of just that.....holding babies....lots of babies.  

16. how did it feel to be pregnant with your first baby?
that is a story for another time..... 

17.  can we hear your love story?
that is a another story for another time..... 

18.  how do you find time to workout?
when my kids were little i used to go to the Y and use the nursery.
i went there all the time.
i loved it.

now i wait until they are in school and then i go.
i started the running thing because my friend is a great runner, motivational and running is easy.
by easy i mean....you can do it any where, anytime of day and even if you did have a child they could be in a stroller.

this much i know....
once you make exercise a priority you will be amazed at how you suddenly can find the time.
not that i have done that.
but i know it to be true. 

19. do you like sweetner in your iced coffee?
at home no.
at starbucks i ask for half the usual amount....they make their coffee so much stronger than i do. 
but i don't like the taste of liquid sweetner. 

20. do you have tips for starting running?
shana is laughing (if she's read this far....)

my tips :  JUST DO IT.
walk a little to get warmed up then start jogging.  
look up ahead and say to yourself "you can make it to that tree"  and then get there.
and if you can't ....then walk and try again when you catch your breath.  
and keep going.
and keep trying.

i have not perfected this and don't feel legit but i am doing it. 

21. how do you manage your days?

i stink at that. 

22. how do you have such a strong faith?

this deserves a whole post.
but in short....i love jesus.   He is the truth.  i believe it.

23. have you ever made a blog book through blurb?

no....but i would like to. 

24. do you ever feel overwhelmed?

HECK YEAH!!!
who doesn't feel overwhelmed?  
life is hard.
everybody has crap that hurts their feelings or brings them down.

when i feel it creepin' in....i usually whine to craig or my friends first.
then i spend some time with God.
then i do something like....clean the windows or get some new shoes....or something to change my attitude.
art helps.
fresh air helps.

life is hard but it is so good.
SO GOOD.

"whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy....think on these things"

26.  how can you go and on and on and bore everyone with all your thoughts?

oh boy.....i am sorry for how long i talked your ear off.  :)
but you asked. 

i have a recipe for you tomorrow.  

Comments

[Kate @ Songs Kate Sang]

:) You make me smile! Go Meg!

[leonie]

hahahha love it! we could soooo have coffee or wine or cocktails... any chance of visiting Australia????? You make me feel normal! xx

[Katy Stone]

i love you and your love for the Lord and your sense of humor.

and i hope you really will post your pregnancy and love stories sometime!

[Gemma]

Hi Meg!!

Love your answers : )

Gemma x

[Sophie]

I love these answer posts!
And from your answers, I feel like you're me, just a bit in the future. I'm only 17 at the moment, but in the future, I mainly just see myself having kids. I want 5 babies (:
I too want to be a photographer, but since I've had no actual training I'd find it difficult. People in England are much more into the posed studio kinda shots than natural photoshoots like you do. BLERGH.

I think in 20 years time, I wanna be just like you (:

[paige]

always love it when waffle makes it into your posts!
thank you for freeing us on the school mom issue!
praise the lord for a honest woman!!
oh yeah --bono is the man!

[paige]

darn...i must clarify
i realize waffles image did NOT make it into the post
but just a reference is good enough for me
waffle is also the man!

( oh dear...i think he's a male...)

[Holly]

love it Meg! You are fab!

[Sara @ It's Good to be Queen]

it wasn't boring. i loved all of this. so fun. :)

[katie]

love your humility and your honesty. it's what keeps us all coming back. :)

[Elissa]

i l O V E popping bubble wrap!

thanks for sharing. you're just fun :-) SOOO glad for you to finally get some time to yourself in the day. yay for school!

[amy]

I love posts like this - thanks for allowing us a peek in your world and for being real about it. I love your transparency.

[Account Deleted]

I can't wait to try out another one of your recipes! :)

[Amber]

ok this post brought me to tears. especially the jesus part. i want to be a mom just like you! so inspirational and motivating!!

[a pocket full of posies]

favorite answers: #22- AMEN!!!
#21- me too!
#24- me too AGAIN!
So fun to read!
Blessings!
Jill

[Janine]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing. I have a question for you. How is your progress going on your Birthday year list. I believe it was 35 things to do before 35. Just wondering because I have the same birthday as you. I think this year I may make one of those lists.

[Michelle]

Love these questions and answers Meg!

[Catriona]

That last question, was that Lauren...?!

[Becky @ Farmgirl Paints]

We have bubble wrap on our floor right now and I've been too lazy to pick it up. Every now and then the girls will walk on it and scare the crap out of me.

Thanks for the honesty about being a school mom. I feel the same way. I don't like it either. I want to be there...to feel in the know and be a presence with my girls, but it's sooooo not my thing. I would really like some time to myself. I told little chick's teacher I was available whenever and now I'm kind of kicking myself. I've been waiting for this day for 10 years...

[Becky @ Farmgirl Paints]

Oh and I almost forgot. I blogged about you today;)

[Sandy]

Whatever is NEVER boring! Thanks for sharing.

[adrienne]

makes me smile! #24 so real!

[Routhie]

I love your answer to no.14. I only have 2 kids, but going up to school for more than the occasional holiday party is just not going to happen. My younger one is distracting and it makes the day shorter. I did not even want to help on the days she was in school because those 3 hours were precious time in which I was able to check email, clean without the mess following me, or grocery shop. I also hated school and feel strange at my children's schools. I feel like such a fraud!! lol

[Jodi]

LOL, I should know better than to ask you your favorite U2 song! I have never been able to have just one either. It's for sure a top 5 kind of question. Have you ever seen the movie High Fidelity? You and Craig might like it if you ever get a chance to see it. And, it takes place in Chicago.

[Charlene@Adventures-In-Mommy-Land]

Love the bubble wrap...my boys did that yesterday LOL!

Great questions and answers :)

[elisa]

I'm not a school mom either. Sometimes I feel bad about it, no actually I don't really ever feel bad about it. But I felt I should say that.

[Eden]

HELLooooo
just discovered you in Flea Market!
i only have one, a ten year old girl, and she is a most spirited creative soul...going to check out this book...could be just what me Mommie, needs for these preteen years...mmmm...favorite U2 melody...Streets have no name...makes me think of Heaven...my camera...is tiny but ever so handy and I take it everywhere, my powershot by Cannon captures images i cannot bear to be without, and i love it, for so many reasons and it is green. I love GREEN...and those crafy paper wind drifters. i love them too and am definately making some with my darling creative child...i love it here...so happy i discovered a pretty mommie and her five darlings!

[Jody Bachand]

You are NOT boring! I love your blog and your honesty as I can relate to so much of it! Keep being you Meg! Jody B.

[Trish]

If I lived in Kansas... I would want to be your friend :) I guess after writing that we could be friends no matter the distance!

[sarah]

Enjoyed reading. thanks for sharing :)

[Kylie]

Have you tried the Nike+ for running? It is about $30, and it will sync with your ipod. It tracks how far you run, your pace, how many calories you burn...you download the info and can track it online. You can set different goals. I run (when it is convenient....and not too hot in Texas), and this is the only thing that helps keep me going.

[jennifer]

Oh how I love your answer to #14. You took the words right out of my mouth.

[Tricia]

Meg: Thanks for sharing your life with the world. Your blog makes me smile! Tricia

[Karen H.]

Was #26 a REAL question???? I love your thoughts! We are bestest friends and you don't even know me!!! Love reading your blog - your fun, and REAL, and NORMAL... not easy to find!!!

[Dana@Bungalow'56]

Megan,
Your writing captures your speaking voice so well. I get all formal. I can't seem to help it. Or maybe I am more formal. I don't think I am but my writing would give that impression. Kind of like now maybe? Your blog makes me feel as though I've had a chat with a girlfriend. Love it.
Thanks for the info on becoming a photographer. I'm at the beginning of that journey. So glad you gave the link to your prints. I've been wondering for awhile, and now I know where to go.
Thanks,
Dana

[Kimberlee J.]

Authentically you. :)

[Lindsayrobertsonphotography.wordpress.com]

Meg, you are a beautiful photographer. So creative. LOAD PHOTOSHOP! You will LOVE it once you understand the tools. Here is a website to help you get started:

http://coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com/search/label/Brushes

Jump into it and have fun!

[Julie Harward]

Hi Meg...I came over to say hi from Becky's (Farm Girl Paints)...love your blog, I can tell what a great mom you are to your beautiful family. I have 8 kids and we did lots of projects too. Love all your photography too...awesome blog! Come say hi :D

[Sugar Mama]

Didn't bore me! And, I wanted to tell you that I might be printing off a picture of your to take to my hair stylist in a few weeks. I'm getting some color added (finally) and I love the funky style with chunky hi-lites. Hope you don't mind... and if you do please let me know.

[Lisa Cash]

Today is my first visit to your blog. Becky at Farmgirl Paints blogged about you today so I'm visiting. Love it! You mentioned a book on parenting teens. I just dropped my daughter off for her freshman year at college (**small sniffle**), and there was a similar book that helped me through the really tough teen times. If you're looking for another one with practical advice, check out: Yes, Your Teen is Crazy! by Michael J. Bradley.

I'm thrilled to have found you out here, and I'll be back for sure! Thanks!

[se7en]

I just love this post - full of everything!!! Wonderful!!! Have a happy day!!!

[Meredith Salmon]

That for all the answers you are not boring. I look forward to reading your post daily and when it has not changed yet, I get bummed. Also, I just started to learn to run on a FREE program called "Couch to 5k". It is what you talked about doing a little at a time. I am going on week 1 day 3 tomorrow. So far so good. Thanks

[carols]

Love your blog. I needed that book reference today, I'm sad about my teen!! Hopefully this will help. Fun answers to all.

[Heather R.]

I need to find the motivation to run. You make me smile and Starbuck's pumpkin spice lattes are out :)!

[Heather]

I love your honesty, cracks me up and makes me think. Thanks!

[Kari]

I love your honesty and your blog! I read it every day (or whenever you post - I'm not a creeper who comes by and rereads everything :) ). Thanks for sharing your heart and your thoughts with the rest of blogger world! I appreciate you!!!

[lisa]

i heart your thoughts : )

[Staci]

Thanks for sharing Megan :) I just popped over and order that Be Kind to Others....she was out of the 8 x 10 the last time I looked and today...she has it!! YAY!!!!

[Katie]

Your blog makes me smile!

From an at home mom with a 5, 4, 2 year old and a 2 month old.

ps, I love all the fun art project ideas and how practically and authentically creative and fun you seem to be.

[Kara]

Thanks for being real - It is great to read about your life not just the good stuff but the real stuff that happens everyday -
Thanks for the great pictures that you take-

[bobbie]

You should totally load photoshop on your computer. Then go to the pioneer woman and download her free action sets. It's like picnik.com on steriods. Then you'll be obsessed with action sets and buy a zillion of them. You'll go broke on them, but you'll be happy. Everything I know about photoshop I have found using tutorials for free online. It's hard to start but soo worth it.

[Transparent Mama]

Super fun. This is my first time by. Becky from Farmgirl Paints talked about you today. I will be back.

[Jennifer]

That is seriously one of the funniest things I have ever read. Seriously. I don't like school.

It makes me think of the movie Grease where Sandy is inviting Danny over to her parents' for tea. He says he doesn't like tea. She says you don't have to drink tea silly! He says I don't like parents.

Unexpected, and very funny. HA!

[Karen]

Where do you find that floor cleaner? I searched and all I can find is information about ordering it online...but I want it TODAY! lol!

[Christine Ishmael]

whoever wrote question 26 is a poo poo head...

[Kacey]

Your "questions answered" and random thoughts posts are the best!

[Rachel]

#26 - really? That wasn't a real question, was it? No way!

I love reading your blog. Your life is SO different from mine. I find it interesting and inspiring. Keep on babbling!

[Amy Lynne]

Oh bubble wrap! My kids split it up from packages and GO TO TOWN! Thanks for sharing and answering so many questions! You rock!

[j]

I've bought two prints from Katie at the Wheatfield. Thanks so much for the tip.

[Suzanne]

I love that you are afraid to load Photoshop on your computer! When I bought my MacBook I didn't take it out of the box for a week...lol.

Just do it Meg, when you are ready :) I have seen in person what PS can do and it is amazing!

[Kristin S]

Love it when you answer questions.

Love that you love Jesus and that was your answer. Enough said.

[Anne]

So lovely to discover you via Becky's post!
You sound like a pretty cool chick, I reckon I'll be back. :-)

Hugs,
Anne

P.S. Yay Jesus!

[Laura]

I mss you...that's all...why can't I find a friend here like you?

[Michele]

Good stuff! Love your blog!

[Stephanie Rodriguez]

Someone actually asked you how you bore people? Of all the blogs I read, yours is so amazing and interesting. I love your pictures and blogs!!

Have a blessed day!!!

[Lisa Currie-Gurney]

I LOVE YOU MEG !

HUGS FROM MAINE

[Jill]

Thanks for sharing!!

[nikki @ nikkisnacs]

Great running answer! I'm still trying to get to the running part, mostly walking, but I will get there.

[Valerie]

Hi, it's me again! I'm not stalking you, just found your blog and reading through it! Love it! I love people like you that tell it like it is! Thanks for your honesty.

[kristine]

ha! i wanted to be a fly girl too!
i know #26 was your own question :) silly! if we didn't want to read about you we wouldn't come to your blog! you're good for a smile!!!

[Cassie]

i just bought "The Wild Air" picture from the wheatfield last week. giving it to lani for her birthday. hoping to find a cute, ornate used frame and paint it. thanks for introducing me to her etsy shop!!
miss you....

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