This is my final answer...and the winner is...

Well, a few more questions trickled in. I promise this is the last of them.

Maggie asked how I keep my weight where I want it since I did not mention any exercise in my routine. Well, Maggie...you might not like my answer....but I am just lucky. I have exercised a lot in the past (pilates and aerobics) but not in a long time. So, I am not toned at all. But luckily, I don't really gain weight. I never weigh myself (houseboy doesn't like us to have a scale in the house so we've never had one). Let's just say there was a time when I was a bit obsessed with exercise when we were dating. Oh, how things change! Please don't hate me...I am flabby. I am just small and flabby. I know I ought to exercise just for the health benefits but right now I don't. I am always moving though.

A few people asked me what I am reading. I just finished Sophie Kinsella's new book "Remember me?" (very light chick lit) and all three Emily Giffen books. I just began Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth. One of my favorite recent reads was The Glass Castle. I have several books on my nightstand. I vacillate between mindless, easy reads and tougher more intellectual reads. There is always an assortment of prayer books and devotionals (just got Jesus Calling), my Bible, health books, parenting books, decorating and parenting magazines, and novels next to my bed. Then there is another pile in a basket and another on the floor under my nightstand. I love to read.

Then a few people asked about our diet (gluten-free), recipes and homeopathy. I plan to post on each of those things within the next few weeks to a month. I want to have links and information handy when I write them and I am simply not prepared right now. I will tell you though that changing the way we eat has dramatically changed our lives and health.

Lauren asked
Have you come up with any creative ways to store/keep Kate's toys handy for her to pull out and play with but easy for you to put up if company is coming over? I have tons of baskets but wondered if you had any recommended methods? This particular basket is great because it has a lid that is connected (and Kate can open it). So you don't see all of the toys sticking out. I got it at World Market. When we built this house, we had a large toy closet built in the terrace where the boys playroom is. It has floor to ceiling shelves and everything has a place (lots of labeled bins). The boys used to be really good about putting everything in its place when they were in Montessori school (they really focus on that) but they are not so good at doing so now. In fact, we spent most of this rainy Sunday cleaning out their toy closet as a family. It was AWFUL! 1,000,000 lego, playmobil and imaginext pieces all mixed up. I cried. They are all back where they belong...for now.

Here is the basket.

It is pretty big and it looks even nicer with Kate's play mat on top of it.

Amy B asked

1) If you had an afternoon of free time (without kids and houseboy) what would you do to relax? This is tough...so much to do so little time. I would likely read magazines, have a hot bath (with bath salts) and maybe get a pedicure. Shopping and meeting a friend for lunch woud be really fun too but probably not as relaxing.
The truth is though I could not relax unless my house was clean. Isn't that sad?

2) Are you obsessive about ironing all the laundry before it is put away? Amy B. you are scaring me! Do you know me? Or is this the houseboy playing a trick on me? Just this morning Dave took all three peanuts to the Farmer's Market and I ironed all of the laundry so that it could be put away. How did you know? Am I that predictable? YIKES! I even iron all the pillowcases each week and sometimes the sheets. I have been known on occasion to iron my pajamas but don't tell people that. They might think I am weird.

Kristi asked

1. Do you miss working at all? Do you think you'll ever go back to work at some point? Yes, I do miss working sometimes. I really miss doing the marriage counseling/coaching. I loved that! I think I will work again at some point. As I said a few weeks ago, I would love to write a column or a book or host a radio show on relationships and parenting. Anyone out there have any connections for me?

2. Are there things you do that are just "yours" and don't have anything to do with your kids? Hmm.... not as much as I ought to have. "Pre-Kate" I was so much better about that. I volunteered and was in a book club and went to Bunko. I am slowly easing back into that stuff. I go to a "Stamping up" workshop once a month to make cards and I am taking a photography seminar in a few weeks. I also try to go out to dinner with some girlfriends about once a month. Thanks for reminding me Kristi that I need to focus on that a bit more. I really feel as though I am a better Mom if I am well rounded. Also, I won't know what to do with myself once the kiddies grow up:)

3. Do you ever have a babysitter or do you have family near by who help you? Most unfortunately, we do not have family near by that can help us. We also do not have a sitter. I am interviewing someone this week. For the first 12 years of our marriage we had a date night EVERY week. I am ashamed that we do not have a sitter now. I know that we did what we needed to do for Kate's adjustment to our family but it is time to get a sitter and start dating my husband again!

4. Did you ever find great a great skin care line? (I need one!) I'll tell you what I did get was one of these and it is great. I also tried various product lines (and will still try more) but what is working really well for me is a simple drug store cleanser called Clean and Clear. It is not fancy but my skin is ...well clean and clear! I use it with my clarisonic twice a day. It does sting if it gets in your eyes so be careful. I also use some fancy schmancy wrinkle creams that one of my BFF gives me. Her husband is a fancy schmancy skin doctor. And if you happen to be reading this BFF---I could use some more of whatever is the latest and greatest! I'll pay ya!

5. Want to go to downtown Chicago and have lunch and "run errands?" :) Kristi, I would LOVE to do this! So, if I am ever heading there to see my imaginary BFF,Oprah, I will certainly call you and would LOVE to "run errands" and have lunch! From what I can tell, you are very good at running errands.



I was starting to feel uncomfortable with all of the kind compliments about how organized I seem. I am organized but let me tell you that sometimes our house TRULY is a mess. We are normal people here. People (including my closest friends) do not seem to believe this (the mess part). So, I did something that is very difficult for me to post. I took photos of my kitchen Saturday morning before I cleaned it. Take a look...

If you look closely (don't really look--just pretend), you will notice kid's school papers strewn about, dishes by and in the sink, my purse on the floor, a stray sandal in the middle of the floor. See, this is what having 3 kids has done to me. The photos below are of my kitchen "Pre-Kate."

Ahhh just looking at these old photos make me feel better!


And the winner of the subscription to Cottage Living magazine is......... Annette!

I had random.org chose a random number between 1-64. That was much easier than writing down everyone's names! Congratulations Annette! E-mail me with your full name and address (through my profile) and I'll send in the subscription.