Here's the first ever Thursday Three. (via shadow runes.)

Onesome: Where did you first hear of a blog? Nick first mentioned the idea, a little over a year ago, that we should blog about our experiences while waiting for me to move here. We never got around to doing that, though. Too bad. It would have been good. I didn't get around to starting my own until August.

Twosome: The first weblog you read regularly? Other than family, the first blog I read regularly was the now-defunct bulletproof and bleeding. I came across it a fews days before Sept. 11 and knew the author was a flight attendant. I was definitely hooked after that, because her insights into the airline industry were interesting and unique.

Threesome: What keeps you coming back to a blog? That's a tough one. There's not just one thing, or even a couple things. It just has to touch me in some way -- make me laugh, cry, think, want to know more about the person.

My mom called Monday and told me my old high school (old, as in it doesn't exist anymore) is having a reunion this summer for all the classes from 1962 to 2000, when it closed. I'm not going. I've never been to a reunion for just my class. I certainly don't want to see people from other classes, most of whom I couldn't care less about. Anyway, as Nick and I were talking about this, our conversation somehow turned to weird things that our junior high schools and grade schools did. Then, I remembered in kindergarten we were divided into groups based on how smart/advanced we were. There were the blue birds (the smartest), yellow birds, green birds, black birds, orange birds and pink birds (the least smart). Although this was supposed to help the not-so-smart kids not feel bad so they wouldn't see how fast the "blue birds" answered questions, learned to write, learned the alphabet, etc., it didn't really work. It was blatant segregation actually. I mean, everyone knew the pink birds had to be the dumb kids because there's no such thing as a pink bird. Well, except for flamingoes and, let's face it. If you're pegged as a "pink bird" in kindergarten you're probably going to end up having a plastic flamingo in your front yard at some point in your life.

Here's Tuesday's This-or-That:

Dial-up or cable? Dial-up for now. We've talked about getting cable when we move to our house.

Wal-mart or K-mart? Wal-mart. They have a better selection, lower prices and, in my experience, friendlier, more helpful employees.

Butterfly or dragonfly? Butterfly

Plus or minus? Plus

Liberal or conservative? Conservative

Do you believe in God or not? Yes

Sun or moon? Moon

Do you exercise regularly or not? Not anymore

Coffee or tea? Coffee

St. Patrick's Day or Easter? St. Patrick's Day. Although to many non-Irish people it's an excuse to get drunk and act crazy, to me it's more than that. It's a chance to celebrate and show pride in my ancestory. I'll miss watching the parade in NYC this year, (It's always on WPIX Channel 11.) and I'd be interested to see how it's going to be because of Sept. 11. Anyway, I've always been proud of my Irish roots and St. Patrick's Day has always been a special day for my family. By the way, I'm not full-blooded Irish. As my Irish dad used to say, his kids are FBI - full-blooded Irish & Italian.

Which My So-Called Life Character Are You? Find out @ She's Crafty

via Linda

Here's my Monday Mission:

1. What part of your body would you most like to change? Explain. My butt. Do I really need to explain?

2. What are the Blogs you absolutely must visit each time you log on, no matter what? yet again, improper, hoopty, cerebral moloko, these folks, wallow. I think that's the short list.

3. What part of your (current or most recent) significant other's body would you most like to change? That's a tough one.

4. At what age would you consider yourself as "old?" Another tough one. 60?

5. I hear many stories about children who show potential in a certain area, only to have their spirits crushed by parents or teachers because they are told they aren't doing it right, or will never amount to anything. Was there a point in your life where you feel like you were discouraged in some manner that had an effect on your life? Not really. I guess I'm lucky. For the most part, I was encouraged to do whatever I wanted to do. I was given lots of opportunites as well.

6. Eek! I left home without my Visor today, I feel nearly naked! What item(s) make you feel naked when you walk off and forget them? Nothing now. I used to not be able to leave the house without a pen and notebook just in case I came across a breaking news story.

7. I believe we are all artistic in some form or fashion. Not just limited to drawing or painting, but carpentry, baking, music, gardening, collecting, you get the idea. What is it you do that best expresses your artistic side? Writing, although I rarely show it in my blogs. But I'll be changing that soon when this one becomes an outlet for creative writing instead of a blog.

BONUS: Stop, hey... what's that sound? Everybody look what's going down. ... It's ear shattering, wall rattling, make-me-want-to-strangle-someone, anxiety inducing sound of the kids next door. Thank God they were only visiting for the weekend.

Here are my positives .... a great way to start Monday.

*Nick
*a family who loves me
*the wheels are in motion for us to buy a house
*Jess is engaged and has a beautiful ring. Congratulations!
*I got good sleep last night
*Apolo was on the "Today" show
*I'm feeling pretty good for a change
*Nick

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear you laughing.

Anyone who's been online for any length of time has probably gotten forwarded e-mails about telling the people in your life you love them before it's too late. There have been songs written about that. Sermons about it. Talk shows. Movies. You name the medium, it's probably been a subject in some way or another. So then, why don't I get it? I thought I learned my lesson right before my dad died. I thought I'd never again let the people in my life not know I love them. So, for the record, for all the world to see (or at least the 20-30 people who read this everyday) -- Shell, I love ya girlfriend. I can't imagine not having you in my life. Now, if ever you have doubts, come here and read this, okay?

	You are Kermit! Though you're technically the star, you're pretty mellow and don't mind letting others share the spotlight. You are also something of a dreamer.
Take the What Muppet Are You? Quiz!

Here's my Friday Five:

1. Hey, baby, what's your sign? Do you think it fits you pretty well? Virgo. Some parts of it fit, some don't.

2. What's the worst birthday gift you've ever received? Does "nothing" count? Several years ago, that's what I got. I did, however, get a card as an afterthought.

3. What's the best birthday gift you've ever received? It was more than one gift. Our family started a tradition last year: We go to dollar stores and fill up a big gift bag with all kinds of cool stuff. (Dollar Tree rules! lol) So, instead of one present, we get lots. Last year was the first time for me. It was great. *s* The same year, I got a birthday page from RAOK. RAOK rocks!

4. What's the best way you've celebrated your birthday thus far? It's a toss up. Last year was amazing because it was my first birthday with Nick. But my 21st birthday was awesome. I share my birthday with one of my best friends from college. (Another friend's birthday is four days before ours.) The weekend we turned 21, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes played a concert at our college and it was soooo cool! It was as if they were doing "We're Havin' a Party" just for us.

5. What are your plans for this weekend? I'm going to work a little and probably get caught up on some house cleaning. We talked about maybe going out to look at houses we want to buy, too. That would be cool. Beyond that, I don't think we have any plans.