Random Dozen: And I Love/Hate Jillian (But Mostly Hate).

Tuesday morning I woke up and wondered who punched me in my gut and kicked me in both legs and then karate chopped both my arms while I peacefully slept. Then I remembered. Jillian. Evil woman. My muscles were right to fear her. I told the ladies at work I was working out to one of her videos and one of them came around the corner and so cheerfully exclaimed, "Oh your doing a Jillian Michaels video? Are you gonna have a body like Jillian's? She is amazing!" If I could have moved fast enough to throttle her, I would have. Instead I managed a weak laugh. No. I won't have a body like Jillian's once I finish this 30 day shred. I only hope to still be able to walk upright and lift my arms over my head. I know, dream big.

Anyways. How about some Random Dozen? (Because really you don't want to know how difficult it is for me to stand up and sit down right now, do you?)

1. So I was thinking about how Jon Bon Jovi never seems to age much. His hair is smaller nowadays, but he still manages to look like a boy somehow. And then that made me think of the story of Dorian Gray. Question: If you physically lock in one age for yourself, which would you choose and why? 27. It's just a good age. Not too young, not too old. But having only lived 32 1/2 years I really have no other basis past early thirties.

2. What is the best dish that you cook or bake (your piece de resistance?) I love my corn casserole (which is actually Paula Deen's corn casserole, but don't tell her that).

3. When you feel blue, what is one strategy you use to help yourself back to normal? Praise God. Go through and verbally thank Him for things He has so faithfully done in my life, things I've seen Him do in Creation, in the world, in His word. Before long I'm feeling a lot better, even when circumstances have not changed.

4. When was the last time you danced in public? I think a better question is when was the last time I danced in private? I'm not really a dancer so I can't even remember. Does jumping up and down in circles clapping wildly over something joyous count (because LOST is back in two weeks so I'm a little prone to the jumping up and down moments lately, well, until Jillian).

5. Do you consider yourself a realist or dreamer? A bit of both. I say I'm a realist masquerading as a dreamer.

6. As a parent, what is one thing that you have done well? Not yet a parent. But I can tell you something my parents have done well; they have always encouraged my sister that we can be or do whatever we set our minds to do. No dream was (or is) too big. Workouts not withstanding.

7. Which is your favorite character on the Andy Griffith show? Good old Andy himself. He's a wise one, you know. And so patient to put up with Barney and some of the interesting people that would come along like Ernest T. Bass. My dad is a huge fan of Andy Griffith so I've seen a lot of episodes. I loved how he was such a great dad to Opie too.

8. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you know about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? I'd say about a 5. Thank my public school education for that.

9. Have you never been mellow? Have you never tried … to find a comfort from in side you? (Sorry, Jorge was singing that song just now, and it just seemed to be perfect timing as I was creating this week’s questions.) REAL question: What is your #1 driving pet peeve? It is really irritating when people leave their blinker on forever, but the most irritating is the exceptionally sloooooowwww drivers in town who insist on making me late for work.

10. Which color best represents your mood today? Care to elaborate? I am green today, I chirp with joy like a cricket's song, I am gray today, moody and damp like a morning fog, I am orange today, loud and messy like fingerpaint on the wall. I am red today, hopping mad like a playground ball, I am black today, strong and tall a great big bear, I am purple today, bright and happy like a butterfly in the air....Sorry I couldn't resist. I heard that song on a Dell laptop commercial a while ago and downloaded it and when you asked what my color was I had to play the song, and then type the lyrics to make you all so happy. It's from a yoga kids cd. Now you know just how eclectic my iTunes library is. Your welcome. Wait, what was the question?

11. If your spouse were an animal, which would he/she be? I'm gonna say hibernating bear in winter, because surely that would explain where he's been hiding. And winter sure is taking long to end (like 32 years). Come on Spring!

12. What activity takes up the bulk of your time on an average day. Work. And at work it seems like the thing I do the most is answer the phone. A LOT. And I'm not much of a phone person.

So there you have it. Another week of Random Dozen. If I survive another seven days of Jillian, (or as my glutes, biceps and abs refer to her: Sadist Taskmaster Evil One), I shall random it up again. Until then, head on over to Lid's for more fun, delightful, pain free random dozen.