Five Questions Friday

This will be my first time linking up to 5 Questions Friday hosted by Mama M., though last week I answered the questions anyway, you can see that here. Okay, here we go:

1. What words do you use on your blog/online that you don't use in real life?
Hmmm, I can't think of any words that I don't use in real life, I pretty much write like I talk. The only thing I can think of is I sometimes use abbreviations like LOL or BFF and I don't say those things in real life, that is only for the computer. And emoticons as well. I don't say "I like your outfit, smiley face." ;-)

2. Do you still write checks?
This question is very timely for me because I switched to online bill pay only a month ago! I had held out for a very long time, fearing that the set-up would be difficult or time-consuming. It was not, and so far I find paying bills online to be quick and easy and I love using fewer stamps. That said, there will always be times when I write a check, like at my doctor's office which charges a credit card fee.

3. Who was your favorite President and why?
Sorry readers, you're in for a long answer--I was a history major and I find this a fascinating question and one I never really have an answer for. I'll try to be brief and just hit the highs and lows. (Feel free to skip to #4 if you get bored.)

In terms of domestic agenda, I love LBJ--Great Society, War on Poverty, Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act. However, you have the whole Vietnam War thing, so he'll never be my #1. Sorry, Lyndon.

FDR--another great domestic policy guy, love the New Deal, he pulled us out of the Great Depression, and I think he handled WWII well (although I'm generally a pacifist, I can't imagine not fighting against Hitler). But Franklin will never be my #1 because of his personal life--he was an unabashed womanizer.

So for me I think the winner is Abraham Lincoln. Sure, he freed the slaves for practical rather than philosophical reasons, but he did it nonetheless, and he managed to win the Civil War, good stuff. In his personal life, I think he was a stand-up guy. As I understand it, Mary Todd had some mental illness, but he stuck by her. So (today at least), he's my #1. Congratulations, Abe. Hmmm, there's a lot I don't know about him, I should pick up a biography.

4. Are you a yeller?
Sadly, I have to say yes. I do not have it all together and I frequently hit the end of my rope. :-( I'd say I frequently raise my voice (talking loudly), though if you heard it maybe you'd call that yelling. Then I really lose it and YELL once in a while (hopefully not very often). To my credit, early in my marriage I yelled during arguments and it freaked my dear hubby out, so I've gotten a lot better about that, now it's my kids who drive me to a loud volume.

Hmmm, I should really work on this. My dad was a yeller and I hated him for it. I do NOT want my kids to hate me or remember me as angry all the time. I have got to get my act together!

5. Have you ever dumpster dived?
I'm trying to think. No, I've never climbed into any kind of trash can, but I don't think I've gotten anything off the curb either. I'm not sure. I'm not above that by any stretch, I've just never happened upon anything good.

I hope you'll play along, I'd love to read your answers! You can find the link-up here.