For this week’s Ask Away Friday, I am switching things up a little bit. Instead of switching with a partner, I asked my Facebook friends for questions. I am friends with a lot of bloggers in real life (well, at least Facebook real life) and not because I forgot who my partner was. Sorry partner, whomever you are. Email me and we’ll get hooked back up. Promise.
They didn’t email me either, so we’re at least equal flakes here.
I’ve linked my blogger friends with their questions so you can check them out if you’d like.
The way it typically works for Ask Away Friday is that two bloggers pair up, trade 10 questions, and then answer those questions on their own blog. It is a link up hosted by Penny from The Real Housewife Of Caroline Country and Amber from Bold Fab Mom.
1. Why do you like to blog?
This really deserves its own post, so I will write one soon. I started blogging because I had a story to tell. I keep blogging because of the community I’ve developed. Some of my very best friends in the entire world, the ones who know my guts and still love me, are people I’ve met through blogging.
2. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you hate the Yankees?
As a Red Sox fan, it is basically a prerequisite to hate the Yankees. If 1 is just a little bit and 10 is with every ounce of my being, I would have to say that I’m probably a solid 8. I’d say 10, but it seems to be the place where Red Sox players go when their career just about to die so I’ll throw them a bone.
My favorite Red Sox vs Yankee Brawls happened in 2004.
3. Dana from Kiss My List asked: I love your polka dot shirt. Where did you get it from? Also, where do you like to shop?
The polka dot sweater is from Old Navy. It is one of my favorites of all time. I got it in the fall of 2012. Not long after I purchased it, we conceived Lola. I didn’t get to wear it for too long before I had to pack it away. I started showing at 9 weeks and didn’t want to stretch it out. I believe in wearing things that make you feel comfortable and confident, not matter if they are “on trend” or not. This is one of those pieces for me, which is why I had my head shot taken in it.
If money wasn’t an object, everyone’s clothing would come from Gap. For their price, the quality is typically really good. I don’t have $50.00 to spend right now on a sweater, so a lot of our wardrobe is from Old Navy. I love to shop at thrift stores too. My favorite one in our area is Savers. The store is well organized and the prices can’t be beat.
4. Dalaina, author of Yielded Captive asked: What is your favorite thing to do with Malone?
Sleep. There is something that is so perfect about the way his body curls into mine. I love to hearing him breath as he sleeps. It is so sweet. There was a time when I didn’t enjoy co-sleeping with him. He and Mike co-sleep in Malone’s bed, but every so often I invite him to come spend the night with me and it is heaven. A year ago, I would have given you a completely different answer. There was a long time when we were all co-sleeping together and I felt trapped.
I also love to cook and bake with him. He has mastered cracking eggs and knows my chocolate chip cookie recipe by heart.
5. Christie from Letters From The Nest asked: What is your favorite thing to do with Mike on a date night?
I would really just like to go on a date night with him! It has been a long time since the two of us snuck away and gone out. We’ve got a standing offer for baby sitting from our neighbor, but we haven’t taken advantage of it yet. I would love to do something really fun, like trivia night at a pub complete with an assortment of appetizers and tasty drinks.
6. Lisa from The Golden Spoons asked: What kind of music do you like? And what is your favorite song right now?
I like just about everything, but I usually can’t stand whatever is on the radio because it is overplayed. My playlists change as the seasons do. This summer I listened to a ton of Mumford and Sons, but lately I’ve been wearing out the classic rock station on Pandora. That music is so closely written on my heart, because that is what I listened to growing up. Malone has fallen in love with it too.
I listen to a lot of worship music too because I find it helps with the rhythm of my day and keeps my heart in check. I adore Matt Redman and his song 10000 Reasons. It is my motherhood anthem because of these lyrics.
“Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes”
7. Lisa also asked: If you could trade places with someone famous for a day who would it be and why?
Right at this very second, Crystal Paine from Money Saving Mom. I just heard she’s grown her blog to the point where she has a staff of 13. I’d love to see the behind the scenes of how she runs her blog like a business.
8. Rebekah from Three Bees In A Blue Bonnet asked:What makes you smile on a gray day?
It is really hard not to smile when I’m around around my kids. Lola is such a fun little sprite and Malone has a ton of funny observations about the world.
If the day is really gray and I’m struggling, I usually reach out to friends via text, drink a lot of tea, and find a piece of really good chocolate. I try to choose Joy often and find the bright side instead of wallowing in the gray.
9. Rebekah also asked: What is the inspiration for the #kindnessisntrandom hashtag on Twitter? And what about #mymorningview on Instagram, how did that get its start?
The kindness isn’t random hashtag started when I picked intentional as my word of the year for 2014. I don’t believe that kindness is random. Finding a coin on the street or finding a parking spot in a busy parking lot is random. It is an act of intention to be kind.
Each day I post an easy and intentional act of kindness. I hope it inspires a kindness revolution. If it did, the world would be such an awesome place!
The #mymorningview started on Instagram with this picture.
I was sitting on the couch and nursing Lola when I looked up to see Malone helping himself to something in the refrigerator. I wanted to capture daily life and share it. I think sometimes it is really easy to make life look picture perfect, especially through an Instagram lens. I started taking a picture everyday around 7:30 am to show what was happening in my world. I started to tag friends and asking them to play along. I haven’t done it yet this year, but it is going to be making a come back in February because I miss capturing moments like these.
10. And Rebekah asked this one too: If you could steal any book from my stack, what would it be?
I’d steal Notes from a Blue Bike: The Art Of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World by Tsh Oxenrieder. It hasn’t even come out yet, but Rebekah got her hands on an advanced copy.
Tsh is one of my favorite bloggers and podcasters. I was really hoping she would come up into New England on her book tour, but it looks like the closest she’s going to be is in New York City. I wish I could pull off going down to meet her, but this is the wrong season for an adventure like that.
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Yes! That line in 10000 Reasons always gets me too — it really does speak to getting through the days with little ones, doesn’t it? I love your polka dot shirt, too! Actually I love all things polka dot, anytime the are “in style” I buy up as much as I can to tide my over until the next fashion wave.
ps — I’d love to do Ask Away Friday with you sometime… I promise I won’t flake!
Sarah @ Beauty School Dropout recently posted..How I’m Surviving the Polar Vortex
Sarah, you are on! I’ll email you to see what week might be a good time for both of us!
10000 reasons is my favorite song right now and might be one of the best of all time for me. I’ve never had a song speak to me the way that one does!
I love polka dot things too. I had a thing for chevron a few years ago but I like that polka dots are so timeless!
OK – as a Yankee fan, I’ll take the 8. That hurt much less than a 10. I have to say that I love the polka dot shirt and it makes for a great head shot. It’s really easy for someone to recognize you instantly because it stands out. In a good way!
Ilene recently posted..Signs
Nah, there are some things about the Yankees that I think they do really well. But the things I admire about them are from a business and brand point of view. I’m all for freedom, but I think it is a little cool that they expect their players to maintain a professional image!
What a creative way to change things up! I love your answers. Photography has always been a passion of mine and I really love the fact that my phone has a camera. I used to carry my Nikon around everywhere and usually I do pull it out more in the summer. Have a great weekend!!
Sarah recently posted..#AskAwayFriday with Sonya from Everyday Saving
I had no idea that you loved photography Sarah! I love my iPhone because of the camera. I could probably go with out it for a lot of other reasons, but I love having a camera so readily available!
I’m just starting to shoot in some of the manual modes with my Canon. It has been fun to learn it a bit better!
Hey NJ, what a great idea to ask FB friends for questions. I would love to shop at Gap all the time to, I have a pair of jeans that have lasted 9 years and they still don’t have a hole in them. There quality is great, however, I find myself shopping at Old Navy more because it fits by budget. It’s awesome that Malone knows your cookie recipe by heart. I love little bakers.
Sonya recently posted..Croc’s Kid’s Character Clogs $19.99
I’m in the exact same boat. I love the quality of Gap but go to Old Navy more often. Maybe I should switch and just get a few things at the Gap instead of getting a bunch at Old Navy.
Although, I do love the fit of the sweetheart jeans at Old Navy. For some reason, they fit perfectly!
As always NJ I love your little twists to #AskAwayFriday… I didn’t even realize you started #MyMorningView what an amazing idea. I took part a few times and will have to do so more often.
Tiffany recently posted..#YouSaveFriday : Label It And Make It Yours!
Yup! That was me! I need to get back to doing it more!
This is a cool idea. I might have to think outside the box like this next time I don’t have a partner. Maybe your friends will enjoy your post and join us for #askawayfriday.
Christy Garrett @ Uplifting Families recently posted..#ASKAWAYFriday with Beth from Structured in an Unstructured Life
Thanks Christy! I would love it if some of them joined in! Some have played along in the past. I have a few more #aaf tricks up my sleeve, so stay tuned!
This was an excellent, creative spin on #AAF! Great job, and I echo BOOOOOO Yankees!
Thanks Jodi! I’ve got a few more creative ideas coming up! And I agree, down with the Yankees!
Great answers! Wouldn’t it be awesome to have our blogs grow to the point that we actually need a staff to manage them??? Ahhh, dreams . . . .
Lisa @ The Golden spoons recently posted..FTSF and AAF – Round 2
It would be amazing! I’d be thrilled to just have a month where I broke even!
Ok first off I love your post idea, super awesome. Second I’m a HUGE Old Navy fan. I get so many cheap sweaters there. I think like 75% of my wardrobe comes from Old Navy. Lets go shopping sometime.
Sarah recently posted..AskAwayFriday
Thanks Sarah! I like old navy a lot too, but I love the Gap! It was a lot of fun to ask my Facebook friends for questions!
Oh,I like this. Might have to join! Loved your FMF post too. Such an amazing lesson in humility to teach Malone and others.
Lindsey, I’ll connect with you about swapping. I love #aaf! It is one of my favorite link ups!
What an awesome idea! I may borrow your #MyMorningView hashtag for instagram.
The kids are always a great thing to see first thing in the morning! I am hoping for a date night with the hubby next month for our anniversary, we really don’t get much time just the two of us, often. Have a great week, NJ!
Stacey Gannett (This Momma’s Ramblings) recently posted..This Momma’s Meandering Mondays 32!
We don’t ever get to go out, just the two of us. Although I might try to do a date night in Feb. The problem is that Lola goes to bed super early, but doesn’t always stay down for the night. It feels like a lot to put that plus Malone’s bedtime routine on one person. As it is now, we divide and conquer bedtime.
These are great answers! You are so creative to come up with a way to participate even when people flake out.
Rabia @TheLiebers recently posted..Resolution Round-Up: How’s it Going So Far?
I was 1/2 of the flake situation. I need to be better at writing stuff down!
I have to say, I love being creative with #aaf. I think I’ve got a few more tricks up my sleeve for this spring!
I’m an Old Navy and Gap fan too. My daughter and I wear Old Navy jeans and my son lives in the track pants. I have found that their t-shirts have gotten thinner and flimsier over the years – Gap’s are better. If you shop Old Navy online, make sure you use ebates.com – you can get 10% cash back! Great questions and answers, NJ – your idea was brilliant. Looking forward to swapping with you sometime soon…
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I agree with you about their tee shirts. Although two falls ago I got a bunch of really nice long sleeve tee shirts that were super nice.
I don’t EVER use ebates, but I should start!
Yay! This was EPIC! If I could love you even more after reading this, I would. But that is just not possible. Yes. Please bring #mymorningview back!
#mymorningview came back today, just for you Christie!
Very creative way to change things up! I like your polka dot shirt too! I used to shop at the Gap but now I just don’t shop!
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