boring is good

I'm sorry, this may just turn out to be "borafill", my new favorite word and my new secret fear as a blogger. It is defined here by my friend Audra's husband, Mike. Thanks for the word, Mike. Now on to the borafill . . .

{left} Leslie Fish, 1916

1. Name one thing you like and one thing you dislike about your name.
I love so many things about my name. I love that I was named after a family member. I love that I was named after a man (my great-grandfather). I love that my middle name is his wife's name. I love that my Grandma always called me Leslie Ruth, in honor of her parents. I like that it kind of rhymes with my sister's name, so when you say them together (cuz we were always together), it sounds cute.
When I was little, I didn't like the way my name looked when I wrote it. I don't really like the letter L. I always wanted my name to start with A, because it looked prettier. But that was then. Oh, and I don't like it when people call me Lezzlie. Don't do that, kay?

2. How do you beat the summer heat?
I don't beat it, it beats me mostly. I curse at it, I complain about it, I wake up mad at it, I pray for November to come around. And then we go swimming.

3. What are your favorite five items in your wardrobe?

1. a great linen suit I bought in Arizona.
2. Joe's Jeans, a big splurge with an Anthropologie gift card last year.
3. my dark pink Mia kitten-heeled shoes.
4. my white skirt, which I wear at least twice a week in the summertime.
   
5. my Asscher-cut diamond pendant. That totally counts, since I wear it daily.
   

4. What are you most proud of?
My children. (warning: brag alert) They are turning out to be absolutely wonderful little people who care about others, are helpful and loving, and pretty funny, too. (Insert "most of the time" before each of those phrases.) Lots of times, people tell us we're lucky to have such well-behaved kids, but you know what? We totally take credit for it. It's hard work, kids don't just come here behaving themselves, and I think Neal and I are doing a pretty good job. (virtual back-pat)
I'm also pretty proud of Neal, because he has worked really hard and put up with a lot, what with all the homework and quizzes and other assorted busywork he's dealt with for TWELVE years as a student. One of these days, it's going to pay off. And then he can get a Porsche, and maybe be proud of himself a little bit for once.

5. Name one subject on which you could talk for hours.
My kids (obviously), my opinions on parenting (obviously), and travel.

6. In one word, describe your first kiss.
So-so. Can you say "unreciprocated feelings"?

7. Finish the following sentence: "I can always find an excuse to _________".
go out to eat. Why is that even though I stay at home most of the day every day, it's still such a chore to get dinner on the table? Sigh. (I have made a few yummy things lately, though. See them here.)

8. The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is . . .
I don't want to talk about this one anymore. I'll let you know when it's decided. :)