Blogiversary Number 3 – Survey
One of my favorites is back…the ABP READER SURVEY!
In the past, (here’s the 2010 survey & the 2009 survey) I asked you a couple questions…kinda like a get-to-know-you of sorts…and each year, you guys slay me. I love hearing all about you! So if you would, pretty pretty please with a Jason Statham on top, take the time to comment, I would literally talk about you all night…
1. Personal details – WHO ARE YOU? What is your name? Age? Job? Location? Kids? Marital Status? Pets?
2. Reading details – HOW OFTEN DO YOU VISIT? Are you everydayers? every once in a whilers? or never-ers and only answering this because you googled “Jason Statham” and are bored at work?
3. Random details - HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU KISSED? Seriously. I need to know how lip-slutty you all are. And WHAT IS ONE QUIRK ABOUT YOU THAT I NEED TO KNOW? Mine is that I get weirdly excited about auto auctions. When I see the sign that states “AUCTION TONIGHT”, I shriek at Jeremy like I just won a million dollars. I have never been to one. It’s just that the cars are going to be bought…I’m very excited for them…yes, I’m thrilled for the vehicles. weird.
4. Blog detail – WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST HERE? Home posts? Photography stuff? Random Bower awkwardness?
5. Question – IF YOU COULD ASK ME ONE RANDOM QUESTION, NOW IS THE TIME I MIGHT POSSIBLY ANSWER. Go for it 
*list contains affiliate links
1. I’m Mallory. Married to Jon two years ago. I’m 24 and I live in Oklahoma (by Air Force, not choice). No kids for a few more years – but I do have Calvin and Duke. Cat and Dog. I’ma full time blogger (not my personal blog – a wedding blog. A big wedding blog
2. I’m an everydayer – sometimes twice a dayer. Just in case you want to reward those of us who check in extra with a later curfew or extra allowance.
3. I’ll tell you this: I have kissed one person twice today. And that’s all you’re getting on that. My most random quirk (besides being the neighborhood pogo sticking champ when I was younger) is my obsession with water. I am no swimmer (strictly doggy & froggy paddle) but I love all things coastal. Decor, water, weather, whales, lobsters, sailboats, stripes (does that count?) Love it all. I get Coastal Living and I’m sure my Oklahoma mailman is dying to tell me that Oklahoma has no coasts.
4. I love it all, but my fave are home posts. For now. Unless you want to through in some coastal posts
Oh and here’s something to admit. I don’t want kids for a few more years, but every time I see a new picture of Will, I just neeeeeed one. So I like/dislike Will posts too. More like than dislike. It’s more like I like them, my husband dislikes them 
5. Ketchup or Mustard on your hotdog?
Mustard all the way. It’s my favorite condiment
1. Cheree. 30. Freelance Graphic Designer. Hollywood, AL. Baby #1 on the way. Married. 1 dog.
2. I totally blog stock you.
3. I have only kissed my husband. Crazy, huh? I ran my first half marathon at 12 weeks pregnant and climbed a mountain at 16 weeks pregnant.
4. I like the home posts best. You and YHL are the reason that me and hubby are planning on using cloth diapers when baby gets here.
5. What’s the hardest thing you have ever done?
Breastfed. Hands down. It’s hard in every sense of the word. Emotionally, physically, lack of sleep, hormones…everything.
awesome… only 5 months til I get to find out if it will be my hardest thing.
1. I’m Kate, I’m 29(for two more months)
I’m a returning student, office manager and waitress! I live in Upstate New York. I don’t have any kids…but two awesome dogs, Carson and Wojo. I’m in a relationship.
2. I’m a Monday-Friday reader…obviously my day job is really busy.
3. I used to be a little bit of a kissing-ho. Like, I can’t remember how many. Maybe I over-indulged in kissing at college. Is that so bad?! My weird quirk? Well I have self-diagnosed ADD. I can’t help but pick everything up and look at it in the market checkout line…Magazines, gum, candy bars…it drives my boyfriend nuts!
4. I love it all! The photos are great and you’re a fantastic writer.
5. Do you do anything for work besides blog? When did you start blogging? I think you should do a ‘day in the life’…I’m thinking of starting a blog, but I don’t know what I’d write about or where to start!
I am really a SAHM first and foremost. I do work on the blog when the Tinkler is napping…and I do photography on the side.
I started blogging three years ago…hence the blogiversary
and I’ll definitely put it on the TO-BLOG list!
DUH! Blonde moment!…only I would ask when you started blogging on the blogiversary post! YIKES!
Eileen/26 (tomorrow!)/Admin Assistant/Lilburn, GA/None yet/Married/2 dogs (Marley and Abby)
2. Every day at lunch!
3. 8 – not sure if that qualifies as lip slutty, but I kiss my husband several times a day! Hmm, a weird quirk? I am 90 years old on the inside. I love to knit, crochet, quilt, craft, bake and cook. It’s really weird. But I do those things well, so I joke that I should have been a housewife in the 1950s.
4. I love posts about DIY home stuff – so much fun! And posts about your son, because he is adorable!
5. What is your favorite dessert?
There’s this chocolate thing at Bahama Breeze that is TO-DIE for. My favorite. I also love Dippin’ Dots
Personal details – I’m Mary, I’m 24. I’m a third year law student in Florida. No kids or pets of my own, though I love both. I technically live by myself but some nights I live with my boyfriend (scandalous).
Reading details – I probably drop by every couple of weeks and skim everything – then read the entries I’m interested in.
Random details – I think I’ve kissed about 30 people. Only one for the past year and a half!
Quirk – I rub my eyebrow when I’m stressed. Never consciously.
Favorite thing here – definitely home decor and furniture stuff. I love looking at pictures of rooms in your house – how you arrange things, different colors/patterns playing off each other, etc. I also like your humor – that’s what keeps me coming back.
Random question – Do you keep an agenda/planner – if so, what kind? Is it by hand or on the computer/smart phone?
Thanks
Sortof…my calendar is on my computer…my phone is for reminders, and my to-do lists are on paper scattered throughout the house
1. Personal details – Steph/28/Director of Marketing/Central PA/0 kids/3 years married/1 fiercly loyal mutt
2. Reading details – pretty much everyday (just yours and YHL
)
3. Random details – Lip-sluttiness: Not exactly sure – probably 10-15ish. Or zero as the hubs likes to think
Quirk: I analyze and overanalyze and re-analyze everything I say/type. I remember conversations from 10 plus years ago and think, “Put my foot in mouth again then…” and then replay the conversation in my head saying something quick and witty instead. I always like that outcome better.
4. Blog detail – I like everything – I think it shows you’re a well-rounded person.
5. Question – What service do you use to randomly select winners to your giveaways?
Also, I think you look like Princess Kate. Do you ever get that?
Just once before.
It must be the dark hair…because heaven’s knows her body is NOTHING like mine
xo – kb
I use Random.org.
1. Amy/26/Stay at home mum to my 5month old daughter (who has a huge crush on Will – sorry Bean)/Sydney, Australia/married for 2.5 years (together for 7.5)/no pets
2. Every time you pop on my google reader + sometimes more (if i’m looking for home/photography inspiration)
3. Too many that I don’t want to re-live by going back & counting! Ha. I used to watch Antiques Roadshow on the treadmill everyday (when I had time to work out everyday). Hardly motivating but a weirldy fascinating show. Of all my quirks I have no idea what made me think of this one.
4. Love the home posts & the photography (especially of your littlest man).
5. How did you learn Photoshop? Did you take a course or are you self-taught? That program fascinates & scares the pants off me at the same time!
Self-taught. It’s hard but you would be surprised what you can learn on YouTube
1] Ashlee/25/SAHM/Lenexa, KS/2 Kids(Boy-5 & Girl- 9mnth)/Married 7 years
2] I just found your blog( I just found YHL two months ago and went all the way back and read them all and after catching up with the Petersiks I noticed how much they mention you and your blog so I checked it out!) I read it daily(I’ve actually spent the weekend doing nothing but reading your blog from the beginning!)
3] I’ve kissed 5 maybe 6 people…
My quirk- I eat candies in like colors…they taste better that way!
4] I love all the posts! Your humor is hilarious to me so its all amazing!
5] Whats your favorite guilty pleasure movie? (i.e. I <3 Twilight and Harry Potter! Im prolly the oldest person in line for the midnight showings=] )
1. Hi Katie! I’m Stephanie, I’m 31 and I like long walks on the beach…oh, wait, wrong profile.
I am happily married (almost 3 years) to my love, Colby, and we have a cat named Boston. No little ones yet, though, practice makes per-fect! 
2. I read every day…sometimes more than once. I’m a newbie…and I’m addicted. Like, you now rival Diet Pepsi for my most coveted addiction. Is that creepy? You remind me of my friends…none of whom enjoy DIY and decor, so I’ve made you part of my “friend” group.
3. Hmmm, I counted 13…lip slut, oops! I’m a preacher’s kid…kissing is all we were allowed to do!
My quirk is I can’t wear any piece of clothing more than once…no matter how long I wore it. It makes laundry no fun, but it’s me.
4. I like it all. We close on our house 6/24, and it’s our first home, so we are psyched. I love seeing everything you guys have done from the big to the little decor ideas. I’m open to it all. I think you’re a very talented photographer so I like seeing your pictures as well. And awkwardness runs through my veins, so it’s like being right at home.
5. If you could suggest ONE absolute-must-have-you-would-die-without tool, what would it be? We are going to have to add slowly, so I am looking for the most bang for my buck with our first power-ish tool.
1. Personal details – Hi Katie! My name is Briel. I’m 31 (almost 32) and I live in Los Angeles, though I’m from Northern California. I work as an administrative assistant and I also do pet sitting. I’m single and on the lookout for a great guy.
2. Reading details – I read you through google reader so whenever a new post pops up I usually read it that day. Occasionally it will take a few days to read any accumulated posts.
3. Random details – HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU KISSED? Hahaha I have kissed only 4 people and it’s been way too long since the last one!
WHAT IS ONE QUIRK ABOUT YOU THAT I NEED TO KNOW? I always try to have the volume (tv, radio, etc) on an even number.
4. Blog detail – WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST HERE? I like pretty much whatever you post.
5. Question – Do you and Jeremy plan on having another baby any time soon (or at all)?
1. Laura, Santa Clarita, CA (aka North Los Angeles), 31 yrs old, 1 husband, 1 daughter, 3 jobs…teacher, behavioral therepist, AVON Lady (want a catalog??!!??
) 2 dogs, 1 kitty, 2 snakes…too many!! 
2. I visit your site on a very regular basis…you’re on my igoogle home page!
3. # of people I’ve kissed…a few…i had a pretty wild few years after college, and one quirk about me…i have a weird thing about eating things with a wacky/weird/gross texture. It makes me gag!
4. i love the random Bower stuff and all the house details (inspiration for when i have a fixer to fix!)
5. how did you decide to make your blog what it is…how do you get all the spons0rs, and get paid to do what you love?…i’d like to turn my families blog into something like that, but need the niche to get into
1. Mary Kate, 19, Northeastern student. Boston! No kids, one boyfriend, one puppy.
2. Every single day (right after YHL!) and sometimes multiple times.
3. Kissed one person (my boyfriend).
Quirk…I read the same blogs in the same order every day. A little obsessive-compulsive.
4. I love it all! But favorite is probably the renovation/house stuff…I loved the tours when you guys moved.
5. How did you get started doing the bridal modeling?
1. Jacqui, 28, working at a university, no kids, single, one cat who is almost 13 (Ebony). I live in Melbourne, Australia.
2. I subscribe via Google Reader and Bower Power is definitely one of the first feeds I read, even when I’ve got 1000+ unread items like I have right now!
3. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU KISSED? Hmmm…enough to not be a good girl, but few enough not to be a bad girl
WHAT IS ONE QUIRK ABOUT YOU THAT I NEED TO KNOW? My eyes tear up whenever I sing out loud…it’s literally a physical reaction, and by the end of the song I look like I’ve just sat through The Notebook, even though I’m feeling great! It’s been a thing ever since I was a kid…
4. Hmm I have to say I love it all! But probably home stuff, especially before and afters are my favourite.
5. What are your favourite blogs to read?
1. Sarah/PR consultant+MA student in French/Paris/29/married to a fab dude+consultant who is also doing a master’s degree here in France/missing our dog back in MN/. After selling our home in the U.S., we are loving *renting* a very well-furnished home. So nice to be light on our feet and ready for adventure without having all of the house “stuff” (in storage – who knows if it will ever come out!). Your blog is fulfilling my need to think of house-y stuff, so thanks!
Love collecting ideas for our next place.
2. Got hooked a few months ago and now i check almost daily. Look what you’ve done to me!
3. Can’t claim lip sluttiness. Sorry to disappoint. I can only think of 5 right now! Quirks: Have to wash my feet before going to bed every night. Addicted to air-popped popcorn with shredded extra-sharp cheese and golden raisins. And more that I am not willing to throw into a public forum!
4. Love your sense of humor. Love your home posts and really interested to see where you take things in the new place. But also love your family posts/mentions. Excited to hear more about your sister’s wedding, too! The balance you strike now between Home/Will/Weirdo posts is fab. Don’t mess with it! It feels very genuine. And although I am a huge grammar and spelling snob, I find your little spelling ‘quirks’ totally endearing. I actually kind of look forward to them – definitely keeps things real.
5. Hmmmm… Q1: How involved is Jeremy in this crazy Bower Power blog? Are you a complete one woman show while he does his own work or does he play a strong behind-the-scenes role? Q2: We have a lovely home in France, do you want to come visit?
Unsolicited: Not sure if it is because I’m out of the country, but it usually takes me 2-3 clicks before i can load your blog without an error message. I can usually sneak in via the “about us” page and get to the home page from there, but it can be annoying. Happy to help troubleshoot if you ever need a foreign test-lady, tho.
Jeremy does the grunt work. Like he helps me tackle the Honey-Do list…and sometimes I give him a special blog assignment…like getting me a new Flip camera or feeding me. But in general he is like every other hubby out there…he works his job, he comes out of his office for lunch, he joins us for dinner…and does house stuff on the weekends. It’s amazing how totally average we are.
And YES! I would LOVE to visit sometime!
1. Sarah/34/chemist/Washington/married/1yr old daughter/no pets
2. I just started reading the blog today. I found you from YHL.
3. 13. Is that slutty? I felt kind of dirty counting them all, I can’t even remember some of their names. Oh my. Weird quirk= sometimes when I’m talking to someone with an accent, I start to talk with one too. I’m not trying to make fun of them or anything, it just happens.
3. Your sense of humor is what kept me reading when I came over from YHL.
4. Question? I don’t know how blogs work for the bloggers. Do you get a notice when someone leaves a comment? Even on something really old? or is it pointless to comment on things that are not recent?
It works differently for different setups. My new reader comments go into moderation…which basically means I have to approve them before they go live. Now if someone has left a comment before that was approved, then they are basically just get automatically approved. EXCEPT if a post is over two days old…then it goes back into moderation no matter who wrote it. That way I never miss a comment
1. Tracy/28/multimedia designer/Southwest MI/baby boy who will be 1 in july/married to H.S. sweetheart for almost 5 years/2 cats Peaches and BeeZee
2. Pretty close to everyday.
3. three..oh crap…I mean four. I tried to forget the most horrible first kiss ever. I literally had to wipe the slobber off of my chin. One quirk…I absolutely adore squirrels. I even modified a bear costume so I could turn my baby into a squirrel for Halloween. But I didn’t do squirrels for the nursery, because hello, that would have been too obvious.
4. The way you write. It is hilarious. And also that you are a christian and aren’t afraid to share your faith. Plus you realize that it’s possible to be funny and sarcastic and know about reality tv and be a christian at the same time. Oh and the romantic way you talk about your boyfriend. Really just all of it.
5. Can you just come live at my house and take beautiful pictures of my baby all the time?
I wish…I hear MI is beautiful this time of year!
1) Ashley; 27; I have a few jobs… office manager and designer for my husband’s construction company, parttime insurance agent, and mom. My son is 6 months old and a ham. Seriously, we should have named him Ham. No pets or other kids, unless you count my husband. We live in Vermont.
2) When I can, which is every couple of days.
3) What, I’m supposed to count? Heck, I can’t remember if I turned off the coffee maker this morning, let alone how many people I’ve kissed. Maybe 10? What quirks… hm… I like looking in windows at night, if peoples lights are on. Sounds creepy, but so not like that. I have NO interest in the people inside – I want to see how the houses are laid out and how they’re decorated. And then I nit-pick about how they could improve it. My husband (also named Jeremy) indulges me by encouraging this obsession.
4. I like the house stuff, and the Will stuff. House stuff because it’s what I do also and the Will stuff because it’s like a forewarning of what’s to come with my son. Plus the awkwardness. Love the awkwardness.
5. So I saw these bacon wrapped filet mignons at the grocery store… ever tried one?
Oh yeah…they are AMAZING.
1. Emily, 25, SAHM, Harrisburg PA, married with a 2 yr old boy and 1 month old baby girl, 1 dog (german shepard/devil mix lol)
2. I visit usually daily, sometimes every few days.
3. Does spin the bottle count? Yes? Shoot. Then it’s like, 8, maybe 10… that’s more than I thought! And quirks, I have none. Yeah, right. If I HAVE to pick just one… wow, I’m gonna regret this but… I really love to pick my kid’s noses. gross right? I usually use a tissue (and a nasal asperator for the baby), but I’m gonna be honest, not always. I guess I’m a bit of a neat-freak and a perfectionist, so getting those orafaces super cleaned out makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something. lol yes, gross indeed.
4. I probably came first for the DIY tutorials, so I love me some of those. But I also really appreciate the photography info. And the silliness. I love the silliness. All the little jokes you toss in make me lol.
5. Geez, way to put the pressure on, Katie. I can’t think under such pressure! Ok Emily, you can do this, think, think… ummm, which bear is best? haha, I have no idea.
Maybe the Koala. Only because Cole said so
1. My name is Trista, and I am 24. I am employed by the Girl Scouts as a volunteer/girl recruiter. My husband and I are also youth pastors in a suburb of Birmingham, AL. We don’t have kids…yet. But we do have a JackChi named Yoda
2. I have your blog on my Google reader, and I read it every week day except for last week when I was at Girl Scout camp and missed the ENTIRE blogaversary…sad day.
3. I’ve only kissed 3 boys, so I don’t guess I’m too lip slutty. I’m a pretty quirky person overall, but I do make really funny faces all the time without meaning to. My wedding photographer told me after my wedding that she’d gotten some “great” shots of me.
4. I visited your site originally for the home/DIY posts, but the “Random Bower awkwardness” kept me here. You are an entertaining writer, and I love reading everything you write. I usually hate when bloggers write about their vacations, but I couldn’t wait to read the end of your Florida post. Also the Birth Story was A-mazing. Thank you for sharing.
5. Have you ever had a Goober Burger? My husband saw Andrew Zimmerman eat one on Bizarre Foods. It’s a regular hamburger with mayo and…peanut butter. I haven’t been able to make myself try it yet, but my husband loves them now.
Whoa. And no, I’ve never had one…but I might be able to convince Jeremy to try it. He loves burgers and PB sandwiches…hmmm…
1) Charise/28/technical editor/Columbus, OH/married/no kids/no pets ever (bad allergies!)
2) Every couple weeks or so, when I do a massive catch up.
3) Hmm. I met my number is at least 30. Freshman and sophomore years of college involved lots of random kissing. In fact, my friends called me the “makeout queen”, as I could usually be counted on to be kissing some boy by the end of a party, but they (the friends) knew that was as far as it would be going, hah! So yes, I am a kissing slut.
4) I love your how-to home project posts the best.
5) What is the most favorite thing you’ve ever bought for one of your homes?
Decorating thing? Because I don’t think I could choose just one. Maybe the round white mirror for above the old fireplace. Or the Pottery Barn shelves that held my china (so versatile). Or perhaps the white deer head that I put in Will’s nursery. I have no idea. My things are like my children – I love them all equally
1. Erin / 25 / arts administration / Athens (about an hour from you, turns out!) / No kids / married / One yorkie mix, Chewy (Chewbacca)
2. I subscribe via Google Reader, so I usually stop in every few days.
3. I have never kept a rosemary plant alive, even though I’ve read NUMEROUS articles about how they’re the hardiest herbs available. But I’m trying again, and I’ve kept my current plant alive for a whole week now!
4. I love the house stuff the best, especially your Goodwill-excursions-turned-beautiful-house-treasures posts.
5. Do you ever get lost in your new house?
haha…no…but one neighborhood kid did and starting crying
1. Katie, 26, Coastal NC, Married with 1 furkid
2. You are definitely in my reader so all my updates are in one place and I don’t miss any posts!
3. Despite meeting my now husband at 16 (and dating him since then) I was somehow able to squeeze in kissing about 8 boys. I was well on my way to being a lip slut. My weird quirk might be that my handwriting is never the same. I have to write with a ruler to stay consistent. I always have neat handwriting but need a ruler to make it look like “mine”
4. I love your writing style. you crack me up! I think I also love how you can see an empty room or random Goodwill stuff and turn it into something awesome. Vision is something you have that I lack and that my fellow-Katie is why I am a reader
5. I’m a natural Katie, nothing longer or shorter. No nicknames….. Have you always been “Katie” – is that your legal name?
ME TOO! My mom thought that she was being so creative. She had never met someone that just was a Katie. Hence. And I’ve yet to meet a natural Katie older than me…so maybe she actually was being creative in a sense.
Yep my mom thought she was being “creative” too and she hated shortening her name her whole life so she didn’t want me to do that either. I love meeting “another one” haha
1. Kristin/26/admin. assistant/student/Washington, DC/married (no kids, yet)/new homeowner!
2. I read it pretty much every Monday-Friday when it’s slow at work (our secret!). I read it on Google Reader, but often times end up going directly to your blog!
3. 7? Quirks…. that’s a tough one since there are so many!
4. I love the DIY home projects and your style of decorating. It is definitely inspiration for my own new home!
5. How long does it take you to put together a room? I am so impatient to “finish” the looks of my rooms, but I know they take time ; )
YEARS! A room is never finished in my book. I think you just gotta find a spot that you are happy and then if you want to tweak later, go for it.
1. Kim- Age 25/Albany, NY/Boring cubicle job/Married with a 14 month old son, Will.
2. I visit every Mon-Fri
3. Way too many…I was a bit of a kissing whore in college
haha. Quirk? I eat with a divided plate, I can’t stand my food touching. I know, its weird.
4. I love the DIY projects, photo tips, and your witty sense of humor!
5. Random question: What would we be surprised to know about Sherry and John over at Young House Love?
hmmm….maybe that Sherry hates cleaning out paint brushes. Like HATES. And she wants to throw them out after one use but can’t because it conflicts with her green-ness. Oh and John is probably funnier than me & Jer & Sher combined. Yup…it’s true.
1. Lauren, 29, NGA (not too far from you!), meter data management during the day (fun :-\ ) and graphic designer/blogger/blog stalker at night! Married for 2.5ish years, no children or pets yet. New house 1.5ish years ago that we’re in the process of making a home
2. I check for updates through my “favorite blogs” section of my blog.
3. Eekk…I dunno…10ish? Quirk…hmmm…I always run up the stairs skipping every other step. I guess it’s a subconscious workout? But since moving into our house, we have more steps and my brain can’t seem to process the last few, so I tend to stumble towards the top….about 90% of the time.
4. I enjoy the DIY because it inspires and motivates me to do something! Of course I’m at work a lot of times when I see the posts and when I get home I don’t have the energy to do anything.
5. Do you want to join me and my friend at Goodwill this Saturday?
Also, you mentioned in an earlier response that you wanted friends in your area. Here I am! 
Lastly, do you ever work out or have a routine? You’re a great size!
I’m Janet, 38 – another one of your “senior citizen” crowd, but I promise you that when you’re 38 you won’t feel old, you’ll feel exactly as you do now at your younger age. (Well, that is until you try to get up off the floor from playing with the little ones and THEN you’ll feel old!) but I digress… I live in Kansas (no Dorothy jokes please, and no, I don’t own any red sparkly shoes). I get my paychecks from the corrections system, 2 kids, married and we have a schnauzer that has anti-social personality disorder. He doesn’t like people.
I’m a daily reader, so nice of you to enable your blog to be delivered to my inbox like that. I either read it first cuz I can’t wait to see what you posted about today, or I save the best for last. Either way, I know I’m gonna enjoy it, I’m gonna laugh and there will be some too cute pic of Will.
I’m loving everything about your blog and the randomness of the posts. Kinda matches my own thought process, as I always have 100 things going on in my head at once and you never know what you’re gonna get! Keep up what you’re doing. It’s all good!
Kiss count? No idea. Remember the good ones and repress the memories of the bad ones and tell your therapist never to help you remember! (ok, I joke about the therapist). My quirk? Ha. If I’m out at night and I see one of those giant spotlights waving around in the dark… You know, those giant flashlight beams? I have to go find it and see what’s there. It’s kind of like a treasure hunt and it drives my husband batty, but the kids love it and secretly, I think the husband wants to see what it is too, but he’ll never admit it. We’re in Kansas so I know the chances of a red carpet gala are slim, but still. Last time, the spotlight was at mcdonalds for no apparent reason. No sale, event, giveaway, nothing. I think someone there found out about my quirk and set me up to see if I’d take the bait. I did. There’s probably a YouTube video if it out there somewhere…
Ok, and I would have a dozen random questions for you, but… I have a hobby of doing needlework… Samplers and such. I could stitch your baby’s name a hundred different ways and be super excited about each one… Do YOU have a crafty hobby besides the photo/blog stuff? Are you secretly doing macrame when Will naps, or scrapbooking pictures of bacon? Or, is there something you’d like to take up? (ok, technically, two questions but same topic and relevant to each other).
Oh, and think about taking a photography road trip… Travel and see America with your family and all us devoted blog readers outside of Georgia will give you more photography business than you can handle! Besides… How will Will grow up to be a well rounded individual if he never gets to see the worlds largest ball of twine?? I’m just sayin….
Heehee…yes, that’s right…Will definitely needs to see that
And a hobby…hmmm…I love sports but I can’t play them due to a bum knee…I used to collect stickers…but never really used them…so now I have a giant box of random stickers. I like to bake when I’m bored…and put on tons of makeup when I’m sad. Yeah that last one scares Jeremy. He knows what’s up when I walk out of the bathroom looking like a drag queen. I know how to knit and scrapbook and arrange flowers and make candles but it doesn’t excite me. I like Painting! Like pictures…but I’m not very good. Same with music. So I guess, no, I don’t have any hobbies besides photography/blog stuff.
I keep cracking up about people’s pets! Someone’s devil cat and the schnauzer with antisocial personality disorder, etc.
1. I am Jill, I’m 25, I live near San Francisco, I’m about to have a nephew (due July 20th!!!!!), I’m recently married (Christmas Eve), I have one extraordinarily entertaining cat, and I wish I had a dog. I am a part-time “Communications Associate” (I write emails, newsletters, web content, etc.) for a non-profit that raises money for community college students. I’m also a part-time construction student (meaning, I follow my mom’s workmen around, ask a zillion questions, and then try to replicate their advice at my condo, which is currently gutted).
2. I visit your site maybe once or twice a week. And I visit entirely because you’re funny. And, to a lesser extent, because all your waxing on about Will (and all the photos of him) lets me indulge in thinking about how I will get to wax on and take 8,000 photos of my upcoming nephew.
3. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU KISSED? Four people! When I was 5, I had a boyfriend at day camp, we kissed on the lips twice in the “library” (a corner with a bookshelf). Turns out, I peaked early, and I didn’t kiss anybody else until I was 21 and went on six dates with a very nice/hot/impressive/smart man I met on match.com. Our last several dates were mostly just kissing. Also when I was 21, I friended an old elementary school classmate on Facebook, and he and I got to talking, and then we fell in love, and I kissed him lots. Also when I was 21 (it was an extremely eventful year for me), after I’d broken up with my first love, I met a hot Russian boy on match.com. He’s now my husband and by far the best kisser of the lot.
WHAT IS ONE QUIRK ABOUT YOU THAT I NEED TO KNOW?
If you give me a backrub, I’ll tell you just about anything. Also, my default state is really very happy, which is just lovely.
4. Blog detail – WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST HERE?
Random Bower awkwardness, for sure. I’m here to hear you talk about Jeremy’s panties. I’m actually the least interested in your home improvement stuff (although that’s why I found your blog in the first place), because you spend more time explaining how to do what you did than making with the funny.
5. Question – IF YOU COULD ASK ME ONE RANDOM QUESTION, NOW IS THE TIME I MIGHT POSSIBLY ANSWER. Go for it
This isn’t a question, but I am deeply looking forward to Will’s getting old enough to be totally embarrassed/awkward about how you betrothed him to Clara Petersik. I trust you will take and post many pictures of teenage Will & Clara sitting as far away from each other as possible and looking in opposite directions while whistling.
1. Austyn/26/RN/Nurse Anesthesia Graduate Student/Birmingham, AL/Married/ 1 baby boy / 1 dog
2. Reading details -I used to check in every day, but with my schedule, it’s more like 1-2 a week now, but I still look at every post.
3. Ha! You are so funny. 10.
4. Home and family posts.
5. I’m too tired to even be clever. I just want to say that I love your random funny bits and always get a smile when I read your blog.
1. i’m tara. i’m 25, married and don’t have any kiddo’s. i’m an administrative assistant at a college here in joplin, mo. my husband and i have a puppy named echo – we didn’t choose her, she started hanging around outside our house and before we knew it she was snuggling with us on the couch!
2. you’re in my google reader, so i check your blog pretty much every time i log in!
3. two. and i’m not sure what’s quirky about me… i collect international starbucks mugs, thimbles [my collection was passed down to me by my great-grandmother], the letter “S” and most recently, globe/map collecting!
4. i love seeing your home, and especially hearing your thought processes as you plan rooms. i enjoy the fact that you share your family moments, and also photog tips.
5. if you could give me five little-known tidbits of advice about blogging, what would they be?
1. Pictures are important.
2. Don’t be afraid to be you. You’re the best one.
3. Be the blog you want to read.
4. Stats are just that.
5. Blogging isn’t living…don’t confuse the two.
1. Katie/21/Nurse/Delaware
Married, baby boy on the way, and 2 very crazy kittens named Mango and Victor
2.Visit almost every day.
3. ummm 2 people. One was a very bad experience when i was 13. And the next guy was my husband. yeah, the first time was REALLY that bad. LOL!
one quirk–i think im the only good driver in the world. and proceed to inform anyone who is driving me that there are red lights coming up, cars in their blind spots, etc. as you can imagine it drives people nuts. poor hubby.
4. i love before and afters. especially stuff you get at goodwill and repaint/repurpose.
oh and the cute will photos:) im into photography too!
5. were you really nervous about giving birth?
ehh i guess i have babies on my mind!
Ummm…YEAH!
Hello! It’s a human coming out of a hole in your body! You’d have to be crazy not to be nervous!
1. My name is Leslie, I am 25 (really 26 but everyone in my life and I have an agreement that I get to hold out at 25 haha!) I live in Charleston, SC with my husband, Justin, of almost a year who is in the Coast Guard and our sweet maltipoo Maggle.
2. I am a new reader- via YHL- and read daily, but am just catching up now! Love you guys!
3. Kissing details… I’m gonna say its in the teens SHAME I can’t recall…HI MOM hahaha–
Weird thing about me is that I have ALWAYS wanted to get my car weighed on the interstate where the mac trucks have to pull off to check their freight… I don’t know why but it’s like a magnet! I am pretty sure that one day I am just going to pull in like an out of body experience…look for it in the news!
4. ALL OF THE ABOVE- the awkwardness is exactly my type of humor, and the house renovations and photography are right up my alley! Love it!
5. Where is your favorite place to shop for clothing? I love your style!
Love lots of different places…right now my favorite is Canvas (by Lands End). But I find just as many cute things at JCrew, Target, Gap, and Old Navy
1. Jennifer Spadaro, 26 I’ll be 27 next month, stay at home mother, NY, 1 daughter almost 7 months old. Married to the guy I had the biggest crush on. 2 yorkies Pepperoni & Macaroni (both boys)
2. Reading details – I visit a couple times a week, but I read the posts I missed.
3. Random details- Probably kissed about 12 boys. And not all of them were magical Quirk-I dont drink but I’m so much fun people are always asking me if I’m ok to drive…umm I’m sober…this is just my personality people! And I get really excited for costco, BJ’s, my family never shopped in those stores growing up, so I am literally a 3 year old at disney land, I want to be 14 gallons of stuff ive never even tried!
4. Blog detail – I like the house stuff, and the akward funny stuff. You are a great writter you always make me laugh.
5. Question – Do you think once this house is completely decorated you’ll want to move onto the next house? The reason I ask is because I decorated my home now, and I am so happy living here, we’ve been here for 2 years, but part of me is just dying for a whole new home adventure. I plan to decorate slower on the new house so I dont get bored. But I am a to do list maker and a get er done girl and when things look not to my liking I want to fix them fast!
1. My name’s Mary Beth. I’m 32 and I’m an instructional designer at a community college – I help faculty take existing courses and put them online for elearning. I’m in North Canton, Ohio. My daughter Sydney will be 7 months on Saturday (EEK!), and I’ve been married nearly 8 years. I also have a shih-tzu named Wendel. He is 12 lbs. of fury. (Fury and furry. Furry fury.)
2. I subscribe to you in my Google Reader, and I read your blog there whenever I have some spare time. It’s more a once-in-a-whiler type thing, but don’t take it personally. I don’t have much spare time (Obviously, since it’s like 3 weeks after you posted this and I’m only now reading this blog).
3. Kisses? Seriously? I have to sit here and think back on all the icky guys from high school that I adored and then the other ones from college that were supposed loves of my life at the time but really were just terrible experiences? Ugh. It’s more a depressing quality than quantity here. Maybe a dozen? A quirk about me is much easier. You know how your skin gets all wrinkly when it’s been wet too long? I hate the feel of wrinkly fingers touching wrinkly fingers.
4. I’m more into the DIY projects and home decorating, and I love seeing your son. You’re a great photographer, but I’m not interested in learning how to take nice pics/photoshop them. I probably should be, but I’m not.
5. I can’t think of a question. How lame is that? (And that’s my question!)
4.
Not lame!
and I love your quirk
1. Personal details – My name is Alison and I’m an American living in Auckland, New Zealand. I’m originally from Idaho but lived in Seattle before moving here seven years ago to be with the love of my life. We are now engaged (it took him a REALLY long time to get his ducks in a row) and getting married in the U.S. in September. We plan on moving back there next year, but until then, I am fully committed to adding to your international readership. I am 29 years old and I am a fundraising manager for a non-profit. I have one pet dog (a german shepherd ex-guide dog named Lyddie), one cat named Ruby, and then we always have one guide dog puppy in the house. We are currently raising our seventh guide dog puppy, a black labrador named Wilson. I adore him!
2. Reading details – I visit every few days, rain or shine.
3. Random details – I was always so shy around boys growing up so I have only kissed two boys!!! I feel like such a prude compared to some. I’m pretty sure that low of a number qualifies me to be a nun! As far as one of my many quirks, I know every word to the movie “Little Women” — the one with Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder, and Kirsten Dunst.
4. Blog detail – I love all of your posts, particularly the home renovation stuff.
5. Question – Do you plan on having any pets one day?
Oh absolutely – in fact I was thisclose to bringing home a kitten the other day. Of course, I know my darling boytoy would kill me because he’s highly allergic to cats…and Will might try to maim it…but the point is, I was close. One day we’ll probably get a dog
1. My name is Kristi, I’m originally from Vermont, but currently live outside of Boston, MA. I am 32 (wow-when did that happen?) and married my best friend 32 days ago! (32 and 32!??! What a coincidence!) We are currently on the hunt for the perfect house that is totally livable, but also has plenty of DIY opportunities to make it our own!! No kids yet (but have a plan….) One kitty who I got back in college named Mac Daddy, we call him Mac for short, and we also call him the bunny terminator. Literally, he terminates any living bunny within a mile radius of our house.
My job is ridiculously boring so we don’t need to talk about that – but once we buy the perfect place, my goal is to open an in-home daycare!
2. I am an everyday reader. I mean, I literally click on your link, which is book marked, about every 2 hours to see if there is a new post (See reference to boring job in question 1). But I am seeing this thing that other people are writing about alerts when you post!? I must check that out.
3. I am totally and completely embarrassed by the number of guys I have kissed – I dunno 50? What’s that saying? You have to kiss many frogs before you find your prince? (See reference to newly-wedded husband in question 1.)
What is my one quirk? Oh gosh – have so many – I guess my biggest is not being able to go to the grocery store without making a huge production out of it or without making a list! I have the WORST memory ever and I can’t just walk into a store and remember what we are out of, what we need and what we are almost out of. Grocery shopping is a process that starts with cleaning out and organizing the fridge and cupboards (ie are these leftovers still good?), writing out a menu for the week of lunches, dinners and trying to figure out if we can afford a meal out, are we entertaining that weekend, etc? Then I have to check the flyers to see where the best sales are and check my coupons to see if I have a coupon for anything on my list. Then actually get to the grocery store. I may or may not drive my hubby batty with this one!?
4. What do I like most about your blog? Am I lame to say that I love everything? I think it is the perfect mix of southern charm meets lovely family meets funny-as-all-get-out girl, sprinkled with awesome photography, the cutest little boy and amazing DIY and decorating info! I originally started coming here for home/DIY tips and have stuck around because of your charm and sense of humor!
5. Two questions – which I might be a bit premature in asking both: But do you plan on homeschooling Will? And wanna be friends?
1. K. 44. SAHM. Dallas. 2. Married. 1 Dog.
2. A few times a week.
3N/A
4. I only come for the home stuff. Sorry, I don’t really read the other stuff (hope that doesn’t sound rude).
5. N/A
1. Hi! My name’s Tamsyn, I’m 30 (yikes!) and I live in Brisbane, Australia. I’m happily married to the Man of my dreams, we have a 18 month old toddler, one dog and one cat – all boys. I’m a part-time project manager and part-time SAHM. We’re really hoping our next baby will come along soon, but so far we’re not having much luck.
2. I have you in my google reader, but almost always end up clicking over anyway so that I can read people’s comments or pin images I love
3. I have kissed 24 boys, I don’t mind having a high number though because all that kissing led me to Mr Right
. My quirk? Sean (my husband) often comes to bed later than me and without fail I will sit up in bed, say something random to him (like, the cat is on the floor and I need to take the bin out) and then fall straight back to sleep. For years I didn’t believe him, but then he filmed me 
4. I love all your posts. I skim lots of blogs, but not yours
Your blog is one of my all time favourites!
5. My question is: Have you ever been to Australia and if not, do you plan on coming out here for a holiday one year?
I have never been to Australia – but we would LOVE to visit sometime…we are somewhat obsessed with the idea actually.
1. Hi, I’m Olivia, I’m turning 21 at the end of the summer. I’m still in school… I finish my undergrad in May and hopefully have three more years of law school afterwards (fingers crossed). For the summer, I’m working in HR at a big aeronautical services company.
I like in Ottawa, Canada (Yep, I saw Will and Kate TWICE this weekend!) No kids, not married, have a family dog at the parentals’ place.
2. Pretty much every day but I never post anything.
3. 15-ish? … My quirk is you. Reading your’s and Sherry’s blog as regularly as I do is a pretty weird thing considering I can’t implement any of the DIYs. Also, I have a baby names list that’s 60-names strong and drool over anything wedding-relating. It used to freak out my boyfriend until I told him he didn’t have to come to my wedding if he didn’t want to and that was the end of that.
4. I pretty much like it all – but in particular, wedding stuff. And pregnancy pictures. Or before/after pics of room reno’s.
5. Come to visit Canada (Fine, that’s not a question, but still. I’ll treat you and Sherry real nice, promise.)
I don’t know if you get notified of comments way after the post was posted but I wanted to participate on this one so I’m gonna
My name is Megan, I’m 28, I live in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. I am not married, but have a cute 3 year old son, Preston (feel free to steal his name for a subsequent child – I’m aware the name is awesome
No pets. We actually live with my parents (working on getting out) because I recently finished grad school. I work as a Marriage & Family Therapist – I’m just building a practice now so technically I’m mostly a stay at home mom. I have also dabbled in a bit of photography for $ but didn’t keep it up during grad school.
I check your blog probably 2 or 3 times a day. I only found your blog a couple of months ago so after I read your daily post I’ll get lost reading old posts and such. I love your before and after posts and bargain hunting posts – I am not good at waiting on things to find a deal or even figure out how to Goodwill hunt for things – but I’m learning
I think I’ve kissed around 13 people. I hope I don’t need to kiss too many more before I find my prince charming
But if I do I guess I’m ok with that, kissing is fun. My weird thing is that I get embarrassed for other people ALL THE TIME. No joke I cannot be around other people having an awkward moment without feeling embarrassed a little bit. Its ironic because I love quirky and awkward people but if they’re doing something I think is even a little bit embarrassing I get all awkward and embarrassed. So weird.
I love looking at your photography page too. You have grown a lot as a photographer and that is amazing. I have been taking pictures for something like 3 years (you know in an artsy photographer kind of way) and I’m not sure I see as much improvement. So GO YOU!
What intimidates you most about parenting? What stages are you nervous about that are coming up for Will? Like transitioning to toddler bed, potty training, teaching him to dress himself (not sure why that would make you nervous but who knows).
Intimidates me most? Hmmm…probably the fact that I am leading by example…yup, that’s super intimidating…that he is watching and going to copy all the good and the bad things I do. And stages I am nervous about…probably teenagehood. that one scares the beejees outta me.
xo – kb