Don't you hate it when...

...you know there's something you've been meaning to blog and it's totally slipped your mind now that you have the blogger dashboard open?

Dang. Hate that.

So, here are 10 questions that are great conversation starters. They are from Bernard Pivot, but are most commonly known as the 10 questions James Lipton asks at the end of Inside the Actors Studio on Bravo Network. And just for grins, you get my answers...

01. What is your favorite word? Forgiveness, because it is so important in relationships. I've been the forgiven one and the one to forgive and each time it has made the relationship sweeter.

02. What is your least favorite word? Irregardless, because it's not really a word. I also don't like to hear people say "li-bary" when they're talking about the libRary. And I hate it when people say "Wal-Marts/K-Marts, etc" (when discussing a single store) or "Wal-Mark, etc" Arrrrrgh!

03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Order and neatness. I have to have order around me to function. I think that's because of my obsessive-compulsive disorder.

04. What turns you off? Clutter and disorder, obviously!

05. What is your favorite curse word? Well, I say "shit" a lot. Wait, I used to say it a lot and then my 2 y/o started saying it, too. Talk about nip it in the bud! So, now I say "dang" and "dadgummit" or "sugar" or "banana flaker" (my favorite substitute)

06. What sound or noise do you love? What mother doesn't love the sound of her children's laughter? I also love to hear them breathe in my ear when they fall asleep on my shoulder. And I *love* to hear my 2 y/o say "I yuh you, Mommy."

07. What sound or noise do you hate? Any loud, sudden noise really frightens me. I hated fireworks until I was about 18 for that very reason. I also hate it when people "smack" while they're eating. I used to work with a woman who did that and it drove me to distraction!

08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? When I was in college I wanted to be an OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner and I'd still love to do that - but since I had kids at such a late age, I'll be 90 before I'm able to get back to school to finish the degrees I'd need! And part of me would love to be a lactation consultant. I know that successfully overcoming problems and nursing my kids doesn't qualify me and there's more to it than just knowing that...but I find the entire field wildly fascinating.

09. What profession would you not like to do? Anything in retail or sales. I don't have the personality for that.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? I fully believe Heaven exists and I would like to hear God say, "Well done."