February is a busy month at our house. In addition to Valentine’s Day, we celebrate three family birthdays: Milo’s, Thor’s and mine. The less said about my 40-something-and-counting birthday, the better. But Milo’s third birthday and Thor’s first are truly reasons to celebrate. Pre-Milo, our family had been petless, unless you count goldfish. Alas, the boys and I had grown weary of watery funerals. When we adopted Milo, he was an 8-week-old fuzzy furball of need. He skittered around his metal cage at the pet store during pet adoption week like a kid in desperate need of Ritalin/Cindy Hval, SR. More here.

Question: Do you celebrate your pet's birthday?

When Spokesman-Review columnist/blogger Dave Oliveria started bugging me about Twitter, I scoffed at the notion that I needed any more social media in my life. Facebook already ate up too much of my time. Oliveria insisted that Twitter is far more valuable than Facebook when it comes to tracking and reporting breaking news. However, the only breaking news I usually cover is when I break a fingernail. Yet as more and more of my media friends started jumping on the Twitter-wagon, I wondered if I might be missing out/Cindy Hval, SR Front Porch. More here.

• Also by Cindy: Hard times strengthened couple's bond/Love Stories

Question: How long will you resist the Twitter bug.

Second grade at Jefferson Elementary, Mrs. Pendergast attempted to teach us about cultural heritage. She explained, “For example, my mother’s family is from Germany and my father’s family came from Ireland, so I’m half German and half Irish.”Excitedly, kids raised their hands to share their family backgrounds. I pondered what I knew of my own history, and when Mrs. Pendergast called on me I was ready.“I’m part German, part Scottish, and part Arkansas,” I said.My classmates seemed impressed until Mrs. P. ruined everything by informing me that though my father was born there, Arkansas was a state, not a country, and therefore not culturally significant/Cindy Hval, Front Porch. More here.

Question: Do you know much about your cultural heritage?

I could tell something was wrong the minute he got into the car. His face was flushed and his eyes bright with unshed tears.As I slowly navigated the school parking lot, an avalanche of words tumbled out. “Alex went to California for Christmas break,” said Sam, 12. “And he’s not coming back!”While I drove, Sam expressed his sadness at the sudden move of a boy who’d been his friend since preschool. “It was just supposed to be a visit,” he said. “But now they are staying in California, and I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”By the time we reached home we’d decided he would write a letter to Alex to tell him how much he’d miss him. Sam said his teacher had his friend’s new address/Cindy Hval, SR Front Porch. More here.

Question: How many times did you have to say goodbye to school friends during your formative days, as a result of moves made by your parents?

When Tevye and the cast belt out “Tradition” in “Fiddler on the Roof,’ they’re singing my song.I, especially, love the ritual, familiarity and comfort of holiday traditions. For me, it begins on the day after Thanksgiving. While many folks shop til they drop on Black Friday, I decorate til I drop.My sons unearth the red and green plastic tubs bulging with garlands, angels, Santas and candles, and lug them to the living room. Then I pop a Christmas CD in the stereo and spend the day awash in memories of Christmas past/Cindy Hval, SR. More here.

• Also: Aerial silks classes teach suspended poses/Cindy Hval, SR

Question: Is it hard for you to let go of old traditions?

A northerly blast rattles the windows and threatens the few leaves still stubbornly clinging to our apple tree. The russet and amber brilliance of autumn is fading fast. Seasons change.I can’t stop the days from growing darker any more than I can stop my children from growing up.Two weeks ago, my third born got his driver license. Zack flashed me a grin and two thumbs up as he walked into the waiting area at the Department of Licensing, after completing his drive. “Way to go!” I said, and gave him a high-five.I’ve learned the hard way not to jump up and give a new driver a hug and a kiss – in public, anyway/Cindy Hval, SR Front Porch. More here.

• More by Cindy: Couple stays 'foot loose, fancy free' to keep good times rolling

Question: Do you fight change or embrace it, or something in between? Or What life/season changes have been hardest for you to adjust to?

I used to make fun of them. The people who walk through grocery stores, animatedly chatting with invisible friends. The folks at movie theaters with winking blue lights behind their ears. The self-important ones who cannot disconnect from their Bluetooth devices while dining out, visiting the library or exercising at the gym. And then I became one of them. When Washington made it illegal to talk on a cellphone while driving, I was forced to join the hands-free generation and buy a Bluetooth device. You see, I do a lot of driving and I make a lot of phone calls. With the amount of kid-hauling I do, I’d never be able to schedule interviews, make appointments or catch up with friends if I confined my talk time to my scarce stationary moments. I recently discovered, however, just how talk-technology dependent I’d become when I lost my hands-free device/Cindy Hval, SR Front Porch. More here. (AP file illustration)

• Also by Cindy: Horses, specialists provide unique therapy in Deer Park/SR

Question: How dependent are you on your Bluetooth?

I’ve always been a hands-on journalist, because I believe the best reporting comes from actively experiencing community life. I’ve sat on a $600 toilet, flown in a biplane and fired fancy handguns, all to accurately report a story. But Saturday, I took hands-on to a whole new level when I was invited to judge the Knobbly Knees and Bonny Knees contests at the Spokane Highland Games.

For more than 50 years, folks from around the region, and even the world, have gathered at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center to celebrate all things Scottish. The heavy athletics competition anchors the annual event. Kilt-clad contestants throw hammers and toss cabers among other traditional contests.

Pipe bands and highland dancers add musical flair, and savory haggis (sheep organs mixed with onion, oatmeal and suet) tempts brave-hearted foodies.

Organizers strive to keep the games fresh and exciting. Last year, they introduced the Pull for the Haggis, a tug of war between Irish and Scots. And this year, co-chairs Steven Schneider and Ruby Devine decided to launch a contest for fearless fellows with nice or knobbly knees.Cindy Hval, SR  More here.  Pictured:  John Forsyth, 35, winner of the Knobbly Knee contest.

Have you ever judged any kind of contest?

He tossed his head and his shaggy blond bangs shrouded his blue eyes. “How’s this?” he asked as he flashed an oversized grin. “The girls call this my Joker smile.” I sighed and squirmed, trying to get comfortable on the beige plastic chair at the Department of Licensing. “I like it. It’s cute,” I replied to my son. “Gosh, Mom! It’s supposed to be scary – horrifying, even!” Zachary and I were at the DOL to get his learner’s permit. In a few months’ time I’ll have three children who are licensed to drive. Don’t say I didn’t warn you/Cindy Hval, Front Porch. SR. More here.

• Also by Cindy: Head over heels after some encouragement

Question: Are you happy with the photo on your driver's license?

They arrived at 10:30 p.m., which is a bit late for guests. I opened the door and a gust of chill winter wind swept through the entryway. Somewhat self-consciously, I read a prepared speech: “Hello and welcome archangels to our home.”

My husband shook his head and the cat slipped out through the partially opened door. After herding Milo back inside, I found myself at a loss. I’ve never spoken to one angel before, let alone hosted five of them.

A few weeks prior, I’d received a note from my friend Beth asking if I’d host five archangels for five days. In return the angels would grant me three wishes, one for the world, one for my family and one for myself. “So, are they breakable?” I asked, picturing the havoc my boys could wreak on porcelain or pottery figurines.

“No,” she replied. More here. Cindy Hval, SR

Do you believe in angels? Have you ever been visited by one?

Our house is in a constant state of home improvement. It’s a veritable ode to unfinished projects. I marvel when friends say they painted their living rooms or stained their decks over the weekend. “You mean it’s done? Finished? Completed?” I ask. I painted my dining room last fall, but ran out of time, energy and impetus by the time I reached the kitchen. So half of the large room is Desert Sand and the other half is Aging Apricot. For 17 years we’ve lived in a 1978 split-level that needs more TLC than we can usually muster. Due to a limited budget, our handyman and home repair staff currently consists of my husband Derek/Cindy Hval, Washington Voices. More here.

• Also by Cindy: Brown featured quilter at this year’s show
  

Question: Is your home a work in progress?

A strange affliction seems to have overcome many of my 40-ish friends. It began with vague murmurs about cholesterol and too-snug jeans. Soon, discussion became peppered with talk of morning walks and gym memberships. And suddenly, marathons were being mentioned as casually as lunch plans. Seemingly overnight, these folks took to wearing expensive Saucony or Asics running shoes and talking about doing the “Peak Performance in Portland” or the “Bellingham Bay.” When they talk about “Leavenworth Oktoberfest,” they aren’t talking about beer-drinking. Much. When a friend recently posted on her Facebook page, “Just ran 3.5 miles,” I asked, “Who was chasing you?/Cindy Hval, SR Washington Voices. More here. (SR file photo for illustrative purposes by Christopher Anderson)

Question: Do You enjoy running?

More than 20 years ago, for reasons now unclear, I decided to have a baby. Derek and I had been married three years, and I guess it seemed natural to want to expand our family. Of course, we could have bought a dog, but we didn’t. Truthfully, I’ve always wanted to be a mom. As a child, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up my standard answer was, “Flight attendant, actress, librarian and mother”/Cindy Hval, Washington Voices. More here. Also by Cindy:

• Popular zumba class takes root with seniors
• Northwest Autism Center helps families navigate system
  

Question: What’s the best/worst thing about being a parent.

They called to me. They twinkled at me from among sensible square-toed pumps and frivolous flip-flops trimmed with plastic daisies. They glittered. They sparkled. They shone. I didn’t even intend to look at shoes as I scanned the racks at my favorite thrift store, but a shaft of sunlight lit up the golden shoes. If angel choirs approve of 4-inch stiletto heels made by Fredrick’s of Hollywood, than those angels were singing hallelujah, as I reached for the shoes/Cindy Hval, Front Porch, Washington Voices. More here. (AP file photo: Six-feet-tall ruby red slippers are shown outside of Madame Tussauds in New York in mid-July)

• Also: Love Stories: She fell for a farmer, after all/Washington Voices
  

What kind of shoes are you wearing at the moment?

Several years ago, local author Niki Anderson wrote a best-seller titled “What My Cat Has Taught Me About Life.” I thought about that title as our own kitty, Milo, recently celebrated his first year of owning us. We had set out to adopt an older female feline, so I wouldn’t be the only girl at home. We ended up with another hyperactive baby boy. Go figure/Cindy Hval, Washington Voices/SR. More here.

• Also Cindy: Players with disabilities get taste of soccer competition/SR
  

Question: Have you learned anything about life from your pet?

Some siblings look so much alike it’s hard to tell them apart. Not my four sons. While there’s a familial resemblance, they aren’t mistaken for each other. Their temperaments and talents are equally dissimilar. But during a conversation with my youngest, I discovered that when comes to choosing friends, my children are very much alike.

One afternoon, Sam slumped into the car after school, his eyes brimming with tears. “Tough day?” I asked.

He nodded.

“Want to talk about it?”

“No,” he said and looked out the window. A few minutes later he burst out, “Everyone’s making fun of me because I hang out with Marcus. They say he’s lame, and if I’m his friend, I’m lame, too!” Cindy Hval, SR Full story.

Did you ever have a friend others labled “lame” or “loser”? What did that friendship teach you?

In the midst of unearthing Christmas decorations, I surveyed the downstairs family room. Actually, “wreck” room is a more apt description. Green and red bins burgeoning with tinsel and ornaments perched precariously on tabletops. Blue bins overflowing with winter garb towered with ominous instability in opposite corners. And stacks of paper on the floor revealed last year’s resolution to stay current with filing has been a dismal failure.

Overwhelmed, I looked for a place to sit. And then I saw it – my rocking chair. Banished to the basement when my youngest grew too big to cuddle comfortably with me in its confines.

I removed the mountain of snow pants and ski gloves that had buried it and sat down and began to rock. As I swayed, I remembered the first time I saw this chair, on a Christmas morning 20 years ago. Cindy Hval, SR. More here.

Has a baby changed your life?

Look. It was either adopt a kitty or have another baby. I went with the more affordable option. Are you a dog person a cat person or a petless person?

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/may/21/smitten-not-fooled-by-furry-bundle-of-joy/