In case you are wondering, YES, I am stealing this from the ever-so-awesome Patrice (a.k.a. Jonah’s mommy) because she always gets tagged in the neat stuff on her blog. And I think I can turn these into family-inclusive questions, so here we go! Feel free to steal them, too, to give your blog an easy u-turn from summer to FALL!!! (Except Mom and Karen, consider yourselves tagged since your blogs need to be updated in the worst way!)
1. Do you like Starbucks? And are you a fan of their seasonal coffees?
Chris L-O-V-E-S himself some White Chocolate Mochas. As in, he gets one every single time we are near a Starbucks (not one in our town). I enjoy their flavored drinks, but their plain coffee is burned and gross. I definitely prefer their seasonal blends, especially the Pumpkin Mocha whatever-it-is that they have right now. Tastes like fall to me! Oh, and Casey thoroughly enjoys their organic juice boxes.
2. How do you decorate and prepare for Fall?
I have some random candles and table decorations that I collected when I worked at Bath and Body Works, so I bring them out with our seasonal Beanie Babies (the only ones I’ve held onto). Our fall Beanies are the ghost, pumpkin, turkey, and then snowmen and penguins for the coming winter. Other than that, I’m still wanting to get a small flag pole for the front yard so we can hang seasonal flags, and I WILL get a fall wreath this year, dangit! Hopefully we’ll make our own as a family project, who knows? Other than that, you know I’ma bust out my fall candles and get this house smelling absolutely deeelicious!
3. Will you participate in your college’s homecoming activities?
We’re definitely able to, as we live in the same town. But campus (and the town in general) becomes ridiculously crowded during that weekend, so we tend to avoid attending anything near the area. But since we’re going to a UT game in Austin at the end of October, we’ll probably end up taking Casey to the homecoming game this year, as a trial run for THE game later.
4. What is your favorite Fall clothing item or accessory?
SCARVES!!! Only in the last 2 years have I gotten into scarves, and I have a small but fun and soft and comfy collection that I can’t wait to pull out! Casey has about 10 fun jackets and windbreakers (not even exaggerating) that I’m ready to put him in, because they’re so varied (Duke to Mickey to Texas and then some) and adorable. And speaking as Chris’ wife, he’s pretty cute when he does the sweater-over-a-collared-shirt thing, so I’m more than ready for the weather to permit 
5. What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid?
I didn’t really “do” Halloween in my family; I only went trick-or-treating one time with 3 friends from church, and other than that my parties were limited to church things (we had a Fall Fest around that time). However, I do remember pictures of a year that I was a ballerina – and it sticks out in my mind because it was a 100% homemade outfit and it was awesome. Kudos to mom for being so inventive. Speaking of inventive, Chris’ most memorable outfit has got to be from the year he was Cousin IT (yes, from the Addams Family) and as the story goes, his mom used her sewing machine to death- literally – putting it together. I’ll try to find a picture somewhere. And of course, Casey will be reviving his role as MiniYoda this year… sure to be as cute as last year:
Adorable I am; melting your heart is.
(Nothing wrong with store-bought costumes, Patrice – this is a Target steal!)
6. Do you like Halloween/Horror movies? Do you have a favorite?
Chris is NOT a scary movie person at all. I grew up watching Dario Argento movies with my dad, so I’m all for ‘em. I DO NOT do torture gore, though – anything that could actually happen (cheesy slasher movie things aside) makes my stomach church (learn from my mistake: do NOT see “Hostel”). The one movie that scares the bejeebies out of me is the original “Halloween” – the music alone makes my skin crawl and makes our electricity bill skyrocket due to my turning on every single light in the house. But I’ve been watching it since I was a teenager, so it’s a classic for me. As for a favorite… I’d have to say the two “House on Haunted Hill” films. The Vincent Price original is a classic, and the remake is stinkin’ hilarious to me and my dad! If you’ve ever heard us say “Booga booga” to each other and wondered why, just check out the remake. Or maybe it’s just us being weird. Anyway…
7. What is your favorite Fall activity?
Taking Casey to the park! We also take him to campus, since the front lawn is huge and he likes to run around and meet people. I’ll echo Patrice on this one – just being able to GO OUTSIDE is going to be soooooo refreshing!
8. What is your favorite Fall recipe?
My mom makes THE BEST pumpkin bread ON THE PLANET. No, seriously, it’s a fact. If you don’t believe me, it’s because you haven’t tasted it. Chris just likes the whole Thanksgiving spread, and I’m fairly certain that the same goes for Casey these days… you should see that kid stuff his face – it’s mildly disturbing.
[And then eight more quickie questions were added, here they are!]
1. What movie coming out soon are you looking forward to seeing?
Almost everything *I* am looking forward to is limited release, so I’ll probably never see it due to our town’s lack of a good indie theatre, but I AM looking forward to part 1 of the final Harry Potter installment… so sad, though, it’s like the series is ending all over again. Chris is wanting to see Wall Street, although I’m sure it will pale in comparison to the original. Tangled should be a good one for Casey… and hey, it features Chuck!
2. What will you miss most about Summer?
Chris will probably miss all the times that Casey and I went out of town… NOT. I won’t miss much from this summer; it was miserably hot and HUMID in this town, which I can do without. I am looking forward to CBC next July, though!
3. When do you start your holiday shopping?
I tend to take after my mom and I shop throughout the year. (Whether or not I can find what I’ve hidden come December is another matter…) I like finding good deals on things that I know people will love, and I am cheap, and married to an accountant, so I’m encouraging him to be a year-round shopper, too, rather than going out of town and bracing the malls come countdown time. (Although I do save some shopping for the last minute; as long as I only go once, I get a little rush at being in the midst of all the holiday cheer in a crowded mall. Who doesn’t like to give?)
4. Favorite exercise/activity?
I’ve started doing Body Pump on Tuesday/Thursday mornings with my friend Heather. As hard as it is to get up at 5am for a 5:30 workout, I feel SO GOOD when we’re done, and I can already tell a difference in my biceps. And the endorphines keep me much more alert during Carpenter’s Kids than coffee ever has Chris is still figuring out a good workout schedule, but I know for a fact that he likes the bikes. They kill my thighs, so he can have ‘em.
5. Best book you’ve read lately?
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle. Yes, we have a toddler, how could you tell? Really, though, it’s a cute little book that never gets old, and I’m hoping it’s helping him with his colors; he’s already pegged Purple Cat as his favorite.
6. Do you make your bed every day?
I try to, but mostly because our room is where everything else gets hidden when we’re trying to keep the house clean, so it’s the one thing I can easily make look good in the room. We really jut pull the comforter up so it’s straight and over the pillows. Does that even count?
7. If you could choose a personal chef or a personal shopper, which would you choose?
Personal chef. I always feel the biggest wave of guilt when Chris gets home and I haven’t even thought about what to make for dinner.
8. Which TV show are you most excited for this Fall?
GLEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Followed by Castle, Chuck, and Weeds… although we don’t have cable or satellite anymore, so we’re at the mercy of Hulu and our friends. Not a problem!
