5QF: July 6th

Ummm....when exactly did July start?  OK, smart aleck. I know it was six days ago.  But really, 2012 is half-way over already?  And 4th of July is over?  We didn't do a whole lot.  Usually we have a fried chicken picnic, but it's just too chilly here.  And I didn't know where any fireworks displays were.  And a bunch of other excuses.  I just wanted to stay home.  After all, it was the middle of the week and Hubs had to work the next day.  So we had our fried chicken at home.  And drank outta Mason jars.  Next year I fully plan to resurrect my old traditions though, just you wait and see!

Anyway, let's get on to Mama's party!

1. Is love at 1st sight possible?  I think it's possible; it just didn't happen for me.  It sure didn't take long though!  I definitely think "lust at first sight" would be more appropriate...  That said, when I first met my husband, we were deployed, I had a boyfriend back home, and I thought he was a player.  All signs pointed to stay away....far away; I'm so glad I didn't pay attention to those signs!

2. How did you choose your pet's name?  We don't have a pet yet.  However, growing up I had two dogs.  The first dog's name came from a combo of my parents' initials.  The second dog was named after the village we lived in in England.

3. What are you considering giving up (cable, home phone)? I'm considering giving something up?!

4. How much do you pay your babysitter?  We live in California, where the going rate is $15-20 per hour.  Yes, you read that right.  I just can't justify that amount and was lucky enough to find a sitter who met all my qualifications who's willing to sit for $8 per hour.  Of course by the time we tip it's more like $10...but considering Little Man is always bathed, fed, and about an hour from bedtime when she sits, everyone involved agreed that it was a fair amount.

5. How "young" is old enough to babysit?  I started babysitting when I was 9.  But I was sitting my own little brother and my older brother (11 at the time) was always with me and our folks weren't far away.  I started sitting for other kids when I was 12, which on base (at least back then) was the requirement, as was successful completion of the Red Cross Babysitter's Course.  I will say that in Virginia you must be 12 to stay home alone, so I'd start there.  However, with my own infant, I'm most comfortable with a sitter who is college-age.  Now that  I'm a more secure mother, I'd probably go for 16 and up though.