Ask Fussy & Bedrest Day 12

Y'all know I'm not one to gloat. OK, maybe I am. Anyhoo, I am proud to say that Operation Sensitivity Training is complete. C'mon, gloat with me, Friends of Fussy.

Mr. Smartypants was explaining to his mom just why both Grandmas should be here for the week of the birth of baby 5. His mom is the organizer and cook, my mom is the diaper changing playful one.

Brace yourselves, this is good...

"You just can not keep the house clean and cook and take care of the kids at the same time!"  -Mr.Smartypants 4/20/2008

Bwahahahahaha! He can never harrass my less than steller housekeeping skills again!

When he heard my manicial, crazy woman laughing (think of Plankton's evil laugh from SpongeBob) from my perch on the couch, he sheepishly said, "I guess I can't take that one back can I?"

Thank you, thank you very much, my work here is done! If I could get up from this couch and take a bow (or do a cartwheel) I would.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I get so many fun questions about my life, opinions and random fun stuff. I get some in email and some in comments. I want to be open and give answers.

However,  I'm torn...

Do I answer comments in the comment section so no one misses out on the conversation?

Do people ever subscribe to the comments to have updates delivered via email? Do you come back and read them later?

Should I answer privately via email?

Doesn't that leave everyone out of the fun and discussion?

Where did I leave my purse?

When is Dr. Oz on Oprah again?

Let's do something fun today. You ask any question and I'll post the answers in the comment section.

If your question does not get answered this could be why-

• I can't embarrass my family by answering.
• Forgot to get to it.
• I'm taking a nap.
• I'm saving the answer for a future post.

So have fun and ask away!

Love, Fussy

Comments

[Stephen]

I respond via email AND put my comment online, but the more comments you get, the less that might be practical. (shrug)

[Nancy]

I could give Mr. Smartypants an out and say his comment was said on 420 day! J/K but hey, I was just trying to level the playing field for Mr! =)

[Philly]

Have you watched any good movies?

[Michelle]

Okay, I have two questions. How do you make time to blog while trying to keep up with four (soon to be five) kids? I only have three kids and it's hard to fit it all in! :) And, what one tip would you give someone starting out on generating blog traffic?

[Mrs. Fussypants]

Philly-

Some of my favorite movies are-
Braveheart
Gladiator
(can you tell I like tough guys?)
Forrest Gump
Shadowlands
(about CS Lewis & his wife)
All the Bourne Movies
All the Lord of the Rings
(yummy Viggo Mortenson)
The Usual Suspects
(Who is Kaiser Szose?)
Legally Blonde
(don't ask)

I'm leaving so many out, I just know it! ACK!

[Philly]

Fussy, ever see "Simon Birch"? Great, great movie, if you haven't seen I highly recommend it !!

[Michelle]

Perhaps every husband should be left in charge for a week or 2 when his wife is on doctor's orders to do nothing but sit. They might all appreciate their wives more. But most of us don't have quite the brood that you do so it might not have quite the same effect. Ah well, glad he sees your job is tough.

[Sadie]

Good for your hubby, admitting it like that! I treasure the (few and far between) days of my hubby telling me he appreciates me. Or the days when he's hesitant to watch me leave him with the kids because he knows how tough I have it. It's always a bit...life affirming ;)

As for questions...not sure I have any at the moment...but I maybe be back later to see if the questions you've been asked spark any for me ;)

[Tea Party Girl]

So are you ever serious? Have you always had such a rawking sense of humor? Any suggestions for those of us who need to laugh at ourselves a little more? ;-)

[Tea Party Girl]

OH! And please tell us you make enough money blogging and selling jewelry to indulge in some housecleaning help once in a while? I only have two boys (well three, if you count the one I sleep with) and it's the number one motivation I have to keep trying this blogging thing.

[Mrs. Fussypants]

Tea Party Girl-

Am I ever serious? Oh yes, especially lately with all the financial troubles in our family. This site actually helps me get through it because I always try to look for the humor in it all.

Money?

Sadly there is very, very, very little money in blogging. It is truely a labor of love. I think that it is a rarity that blogs actually make that much money. The ads I have on Fussypants cover the cost of typepad monthly fees and my internet bill.

I have learned that it is great way to launch a business. If we were not having such a tough time lately I would make enough from my photo jewelry sales to have a housekeeper come in twice a month. I can. not. wait. for those days.

[The Nester]

Is it a big fat pain to be on bedrest or are you secretly happy that you have been ordered to sit and lie around?

[Jennifer's luvin' Fussy]

Fussy, Congrats on the completion of your sensitivity training for your hubby! LOL I cannot believe he said that. It's too good! I've got to send today's post to a couple of friends. As for a question...hmmm...Any names for the little one yet?

[mah-meeee]

What program do you use to do all your great pics & artwork? And how do you manage to find time to do them?

Love your posts... keeps me sane at work. :)

[Christine @ Serenity How?]

Hi Fussy,

What are your favorite non-blog sites?

[Mrs. Fussypants]

Nester-

I've never enjoyed doing nothing more! It has been lovely. Hee, hee.

Jennifer-

We had a name the moment we discovered he was on the way. Sadly, I can't share real names because of privacy issues. Maybe I should make up an alias?

Mah-meeee-

I use Photo Impact Pro. I use photoshop as a verb because it is what everyone know. Photo Impact Pro is less expensive and a bit easier to use for those of us with limited brain cells.

Christine-

Great question. I am addicted to Stumbleupon, I check in maybe 10 times per day to see what all my friends like. I find great stuff that way.

I also live on Twitter.

I find so many great sites through StumbleUpon and Twitter that I rely on that.

Love, Alli

[Christine]

Fussy~

It's weird we are both going through SUCH tough times financially, isn't it?

Wait, that's not my question.

Here's my question:

What should I blog about today?

And here's one more:

What kind of music do you like? Grown-up music, that is.

[Soliloquy]

Fussy, Fussy, Fussy.

You are the QUEEN of gently ruling your husband. I DIED laughing. Good thing I'd just gone potty....

My question for you is if you read my Mother Breach post - you know - the one about my mother finding out about my ANONYMOUS blog.

If not, please come read it. (I KNOW you have the time and all - what with being on BEDREST!) And then tell me how you balance keeping it real without stepping on toes.... Are you Anonymous too??

LOVE reading you, Fussy. You kill me.

http://shejusthadtosayit.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/crisis-management-101-mother-breach/

[alicia]

Long-distance high five on the sensitivity training! Woohoo!
Would you ever consider moving to Alaska? My husband's Executive Director s.u.c.k.s.
Seriously.

[Redneck Mommy]

Hey Fussy, darlin'.

Seeing as how you are busy gestating and ruling your husband with a velvet glove, I will keep my question sweet and simple.

What is your favorite type of icecream? I'm so jonesing for some right now and I'm torn about what flavour to buy....

[karla ~ looking towards heaven]

My question for Fussy is what made you decide to be my friend.

okay - wait...

My real question is who did you get your curly hair from? Your mom or dad's side?

You can answer the first question too, if you want ;0)

xo ~K

[Michele]

My question--Is that a real picture of your belly? Because that foot outline is FREAKING ME OUT. ack. please tell me that is not real. (I will confess, I am a childless woman.)
Also, that you got your husband to confess that doing EVERYTHING is hard work and nearly impossible--RULES.

[traci]

I also MUST know if that babies foot is really from your baby in your belly? Im not freaked out however....I think its just stinkin AMAZING!!!!!

[Barb]

I don't have a question- I just love me some Fussy! Hang in there, lady!

[Photochick (Amanda)]

First off, thank you SO SO SO much Dear Fussy, for taking the time to answer all our inquiries (no matter how prying they may be, as you will soon see...!) Second, I hope that you are doing well. I've been praying for you even more since you've been on bed rest. Finally a have just a few questions...

1. How did you get in to making jewelry? I think it's an absolutely wonderful idea, and everything you make is so beautiful!
2. How many more kiddos do you think you'll have after this one?
3. Would you mind giving me some advice? I love being a stay-at-home mom, but we do miss not having any extra income. What is your best advice on how to remain a SAHM and make some money for our family? Any wisdom would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks so much in advance! Much love to you & yours, take care and God Bless

[Mrs. Fussypants]

Christine,
Go political we need more rational bloggers out there. Did you read Velveteen Mind Megan's post today? Supa-fab.

Grown up music?

I love these all the time!-
Ben Harper (love love love)
Third Day (awesome)
Dave Matthews Band (90's dave, not recent)

Lately I've heard alot of these-
Jack Johnson
tobymac (because my 9 yr old is obsessed. He is Christian pop)
Musiquarium by Stevie Wonder
Best of Louis Armstrong
Blues Traveler

[Karen]

First of all - is that picture of your belly? Because that's too cool.

I love being able to follow up on my commenters via email, but I wonder too if the rest of the people are left hanging high and dry in the comments. I rarely go back and read through again though to find an answer.

[Darla]

I love it that you used the word ACK! That's one of my all time favorite words.

I like it that you answer the questions right here so we all can be nozzzzzy.

What is the favorite room in your house and why?

[Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants]

Tonight is my Mother in Law's last night here. Must be attentive.

I'll have more answers soon!

[Darla]

Dratz, I'll be gone all day tomorrow. I'll have to write it on my to do list to check in on this thread when I return. *sigh*

Manners...pfffft! LOL

[Jenni]

When you are in public, how many times per hour are you told, "You have your hands full!," and "Oh, you must be busy!"

I'm up to about 8 times per hour.

Oh, and what is your favorite response?

[Devilish Southern Belle]

I rarely ever come back to comments or subscribe to them...just too much to keep up with. I personally prefer emails.

[Mrs. Fussypants]

Karen & Tracey & Michele- Nope not my belly. It must be photoshopped. I hope so!

Alicia- We'd move anywhere at this post. ;) To be neighbors with you!

Redneck Mommy- I love Chubby Hubby. Pistachio, Butter Pecan, Coffee, Pumpkin..OK, it is my favorite food. I love it all!

Karla- My dad had curly hair, poor guy. Why do I love you so? You are the nicest, most real girl I know.

Darla- Favorite room in the house? Hmmm...The big combo kitchen/living room. We are always in it. Hubs is cooking, I'm on the couch, the little guys re running round the coffee table wearing only diapers and a random sock, the big guys are reading or wrestling or watching Spongebob. It's all a mish-mash of happy times.

Jenni- I hear it more than I would like. I would like to reply that I am a superior mother with exceptional children and it is a breeze. But to keep lightning from striking me, I don't. I simply brag about my two oldest (9&7) and say they do so much.

Amanda (photochick)-
This may be more than you wanted to know, I lost a baby to a terminal disease a few years ago. At night, after I put the 3 boys to bed I would sit and cry. I knew I needed a hobby to distract myself. A friend recommended beads. The creativity and fun ws just the outlet I needed. The rest is history. Poor Mr. Smartypants has probably spent 5K on supplies in the past 3 years. I think he agreed just to make me happy.

How many more kiddos? I'd adopt ten more, but I'd prefer to close the womb for new renters! ;)

Money? My friend Megan runs a pretty successful ebay thingy. I'm not sure all the details. I do know it paid well enough for them to buy a house, after Katrina blew away her old one. She even writes about how to do it all, just to simply support moms who want to stay home, but need income. If you scroll down to "fussy revels in the threadbare" post it has all the links to her sites.

Thanks for everyone's prayers and well wishes for the baby, the bedrest and our lack of job suckiness. I appreciate it more than I could ever express.

Keep the questions coming!

Love you all!

[Carolyn]

Keep that quote handy. That is ammo!!

Carolyn

[The Park Wife]

O.k Fuss, you need to give us an inventory list of the jewelry you have on hand and let your bloggy friends help you have a huge blowout sale!!!

I hope you are feeling well today, I am sure you are getting a little bored, but enjoy the rest, you know what is coming.

The Park Wife

[Tempered Woman]

OK- I want the real dirt on you! heh
How about, if someone wanted to become your bestest friend ever they should make you a dinner of...
And if you could invite anyone in the world, present and past persons to this dinner, who would be your top 5?
Also, feel free to divulge your secret hankering food you are emberrassed to admit you eat.

[Cortney]

I love reading your blog!! Your humor is so real and I can't wait to see what happens next in the life of Fussypants!! My questions is what is your best REAL MOM tip or piece of wisdom? It is so fun to read all of your answers! Good luck with the bedrest. I was on bedrest for the whole month of July last year and thought I would my mind. It is hard to keep that 'control freak' in check from the sofa!!

[Christine @ Serenity How?]

Hi Fussy,

I hope you're hanging in there. I was just checking in on ya and all of your answers. I guess it's only fair to ask another question.

OK, I remember you mentioned that you're a political girl (dare I say junkie?) Do you listen to talk radio and if so, who do you like/heart/dislike? If that's not a question you want to answer I totally understand and feel free to take a pass on it. :)

If that's out then here's a softball: Did you/do you have any weird cravings with this pregnancy?

[Carolyn]

Fussy,
CJ, the Purple Diva here. This is only my second time posting on your page.
I do so love your page! It's too funny and you have every reason to be "fussy" with 4 children and one on the way and in bed! Been there done that, got that T-shirt!
Sorry to hear about the loss of your other child. I am glad to hear that you found an outlet for yourself with making the jewelry.
Love the comments about the DH. That rocks!
The question I have is about your profile picture, where you look so totally rad!
Which number child are you holding, where were you, and how long ago was that picture taken?
Thanks for keeping me entertained!

[Darla]

I agree with the Park Wife. Show us ALL the goods and let us go wild!

What is YOUR favorite piece of jewelry that you've made so far?

[Becky]

Hey Fussy,
You are hilarious!
What you need is George Clooney to keep you company in your bedrest. (Not in your bed--in your bedrest!)
He's at my blog today. Come visit!
Hang in there!

[Mrs. Fussypants]

Hey Friends of Fussy,
Hubs has the flu and the last 24 hours has been rough -to say the least! I'll be back to answer more questions this evening!
Love y'all!

[Beck]

I dunno. I tend to email back when it seems appropriate and answer in the comments otherwise....
Bedrest... I've been there.

[Alison]

SWEEEEEEET on the raging success of Operation Sensitivity Training. With his own mom as witness too, even better! Similar moment here a few years ago when young executive husband first tried to combine childcare with an activity more productive than channel surfing.

As for comments, I've enjoyed when I've gotten an email from you but if I knew that you regularly responded within comments I would probably enable the comment followup feature.

Thanks for sharing about your real life too; I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your other child.

My question: did you become Mrs. Fussypants just for the blog or was it already a nickname? And I'm with those asking for an inventory list of your jewelry...I've been thinking about it and maybe this is the time!

[Ingrid]

Have you ever regretted finding out the sex of your baby before he was born? We have 3 boys, and baby #4 is on the way. I REALLY want to know this time....I would love to have another boy, it doesn't matter one bit about that, but I just want to know. And if it's a girl, I need to go shopping!!

DH on the other hand, does not want to know, and he doesn't think I could keep that huge a secret. (I wonder why he thinks that?.....)

I'm afraid I will regret knowing, because all the suspense will be out of it, especially since this will be another scheduled C-section. I'd love to hear your thoughts Fussy!!

[Mrs. Fussypants]

OK, here goes...

Ingrid- I always find out asap what we are having. ALWAYS. I must know so I can prepare. Luckily Hubs didn't mind if we found out.

Alison- Hubs has teased me for years when I get grumpy. He sings a song, "Oh, she's Mrs. Fussypants. She's a fussy Fussypants." So when I needed a blog name it just fit.

All my jewelry is on my site here-

http://fussypants.typepad.com/fussypants_designs

-if anyone is so inclined. :)

Darla- My favorite pieces are bracelets that I make with Swarovski Crystals and Sterling Letters. I have one that is Ruby and silver that has Proverbs 31 on it. Another with all diamond crystals that says Jeremiah 29:11. I treasure those.

Carolyn- The picture was taken last summer. I am holding my little guy and he is preparing to rip my hat off. My boy #3 is next to me diving for a milkshake. Oh, and that photo is sooo edited, whitened my teeth, added some blush. I'm so vain.

Christine- Let's put it this way- I am the Pat Buchanon of the blogosphere. I love Glenn Beck and Rush. Yep, I said it, I'm not scared. ~fussy ducks for cover~

Cortney- My best real mom tip? Hmmm... I am strict about heart issues/character issues. I never let the children get away with being mean, argueing, or being disrespectful.
I am just as loving as I am strict. Lots of snuggles, verbal affirmations of love, laughter and hugs & kisses.
And one more tip- Lots of Noggin & Nick Jr never hurt anyone. ;)

Tempered Woman-
The best thing someone could feed me is just to cut up watermelon & pineapple for me. I detest cutting up fruit.
Dinner- obviously you and Bossy after following your tweets. :)
Food- I can eat a whole watermelon in a day. Now that is embarrassing!

ps- I think I'm getting his flu. ~insert swearing here~ I'll keep y'all posted. *ACK*

Love ya!

[JackieWks]

My political blog :

http://bolognadonuts.wordpress.com/

How do you get more people to post in blogs ?

[Christine @ Serenity How?]

OK, I had a feeling and I was right. Glenn Beck is hilarious and I heart me some Rush. I'm ducking for cover now LOL!

Hope you're feeling better. :)