Thirteen must haves in my kitchen!

Thursday 13

These are in addition to the usual essentials: flour, sugar, salt, pepper, corn starch and ;) coffee.

1. Garlic: fresh, chopped, diced, and powder. I put a lot of it in everything from eggs to roasts to gravies and what have you.

2. Onions: I use fresh onions the way I use garlic. If I don't have an onion, which is a true emergency situation, I use powder. Onions go great in everything!

3. Soy sauce

4. Honey

5. Vinegar

6. Ginger

I make a lot of sweet & sour or Polynesian type sauces and marinade and that's what the above three ingredients are for. Usually I have to plan and get pineapples when I'm going to make the Polynesian sauces.

7. Worcestershire sauce: meatloaf and hamburgers!

8. Paprika

9. Sour Cream: goes great in different sauces or gravies I make

10. Emeril's: BAM!

11. Cinnamon: one of TB's favorites. I like to put it in mashed yams or on my cottage cheese

12. Bay leaves: must have for soups and stews

13. Italian seasoning: I like that they're all rolled into one. I enjoy all equally and use this one a lot too.

I wonder what everyone else would choose?

My 13 ways to relax

Thursday 13

Thirteen Ways I Relax

1. Napping
2. Blogging
3. Reading
4. Listening to music
5. Walking
6. Coffee in the afternoon
7. Turning in early
8. Praying
9. Sitting on the swing in our back yard
10. Turn in early at night and sleeping
11. Playing Lexulous/other Facebook activities like poking & commenting
12. Surfing the web
13. Trying to count blessings

Sleep turns up more than once on my list because it's my favorite way to escape from stress since I can't eliminate it. I don't know if I dream often or not. I remember snippets of dreams and they're not bad or scary. Right now, I can fall asleep pretty easily. It's especially helpful when I'm having a fibro day and am in pain. When I'm sleeping I don't feel the pain and I'm not worrying about how we're going to make it.

Blogging is a good way to let off some steam!

Reading is another means of escape. When I can fall into a good book, I'm not thinking about my problems.

Music lifts my spirits. If I'm feeling really tense, I'll play hard driving rock music. Most of the time, though, I want to listen to classical music to relax.

Coffee seems like a weird thing to put on a list about relaxing, doesn't it? I have it there though because it's a temporary mood elevator for me. I don't know how or why it works that way for me but it's really helpful.

I love playing Lexulous on Facebook. I also get a kick out of poking and being poked by friends. I also like Facebook because I can stay in touch with friends and family even though I can't travel and see them. Surfing on the computer is fun and can be really interesting too.

Praying and counting my blessings hasn't been working too well to relieve stress lately but I figured I'd put them down anyway.

Now I think I'll go read some articles recapping last night's Survivor episode.

Thursday Memes

1) If you could write a book, what would you write about? Or if you've already written books, when can we expect to see your next one? I have a couple of ideas for stories. One involves growing up in a Deaf family with a fifth of alcohol thrown in and the other has to do with coping with widowhood. I don't want to get anymore detailed than that online.

2) Have you ever wondered about quitting your blog, what was the first thought that came to mind? Actually I have. The first thing I thought was: I don't have anything to say! I have to be careful about what I write about in real life because this is the internet. Whatever I put online is there forever and I'm sure there's a lot out there I wouldn't have posted if I'd thought about it twice. So what is there left for me to blog about except for my four footed friends? Even there I'm running out of pictures and ideas. A timely meme for me today!

GT: Favorite Subject

In high school, my favorite subject was drama. I took drama when I was a senior and loved it so much I took it twice. I had to get permission from the teacher and she readily gave it. How could I not love drama? The teacher encouraged us to get in touch with our feelings and stretch. We practiced with tons of exercises everyday. At the end of the semester, we put on a class performance, a "little theater". Mrs. Cooper was one of the best teachers I've ever had, always encouraging us to think through a situation and figure out what the character might be thinking or feeling. I went from being very stiff and awkward with myself to more relaxed and in tune with who I was.

Thursday 13

Thirteen things to do this summer

1. Ride bikes with TB...but in the morning when it's not so hot!
2. Swim in the lake
3. Visit & swim in the ocean
4. Spend time with grandson Little T
5. Read A Dance With Dragons when it comes out in July
6. Pick up cat blogging on a regular basis again
7. Find blocks of time to write and then do it!
8. Hide from the heat and humidity as much as possible
9. Find recipes that don't require using the oven!
10. See an orthopedic specialist in ankles about fixing my foot
11. Watch movies with husband and kids -- nothing much on TV during the summer!
12. Read all these books I have piled up as long as I'm hiding indoors from the heat and humidity
12. Stay in touch with friends and family now that school's over!

Booking Through Thursday

All things being equal (money, space, etc), would you rather own copies of the books you read? Or borrow them? It depends on the book and/or the author. For example, I would rather own George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice series because I love it so much. I collect Stephen King's books. I'm beginning to feel the same way about Edward Rutherfurd. Many other books I'd read and enjoy just once. Those I'd rather borrow.

3X Thursday

1. How’s your head space doing this week? It's pretty good this week. There is always stress but I'm managing it a lot better now that school is over.

2. Anything major got you down lately? If so, what? What are you doing about it? The economy and what it's done to our finances. Everything is so tight we are practically counting pennies. The only thing we can do is watch what we spend, which is what we've been doing for the last couple of years.

3. What do you do to help pull yourself out of depression when it strikes? For me, depression is a chronic battle. Right now my meds are working again. Sometime during the winter, my antidepressant sort of failed and I slid into a deep well of depression. I thought about quitting school, wanted to sleep all the time, and the whole nine yards. The doctor gave me a new med to try and what I did was just basically order myself to hang in there until it could kick in and start working. That's the thing with depression. It usually lifts but it just doesn't feel like it ever will. It's a real struggle to fight it.

Memes

I just came from reading a friend's blog, Jen's Rambling Thoughts enthusiastic about memes again. I'd forgotten about them in the year I was going to school! Memes are fun and can sometimes spark ideas to write about.

Saturday Six

Name 6 things that you did more before you discovered social networking?

1. Read
2. Go out
3. Talk on the phone
4. Face time with friends
5. Play with pets
6. Work on puzzles

Saturday Nine

Best and Worst

1. What was the best thing that happened to you this week? TB and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. Son Bill treated us to dinner and then we went to the movies. It was so nice to go out!

The worst? TB's been having muscle spasms all over his body and last night, his leg gave out. It's scary and very worrisome!

2. What's the best thing someone's done for you (recently or not so recently)? My mom sent us a big fat check for our anniversary!

What's the worst thing someone's done to you (again, recently or not so recently)? Gosh, I try not to focus on negative stuff. Well, I guess the worst thing was being deprived of our grandson for six months a few years ago.

3. What's the best thing about your job? I'm not working right now but when I was an interpreter for the Deaf, I loved interacting with the clients and being in a new setting from day to day. I loved my independence.

Worst? The pain from overuse syndrome in my hands. I started interpreting in the early days, long before breaks and relief were required for interpreters signing for more than 30 minutes at a time. There were days I was signing six hours.

4. What's the best new website you've found? The Dark Shadows News Page. I am a big fan of the original gothic soap and its actors and actresses. I am thrilled that Tim Burton is filming a remake with Johnny Depp.

Worst? I guess I'd have to say my professors' webpages because all they have is work...classwork and homework!

5. What's the best book you've read? It's been out for a couple of years but I was waiting to read it until the last of the series was about to come out. It's called A Feast For Crows by George R.R. Martin.

Worst? I'm not sure. I give a book about 100 pages to "hook" me and if it doesn't, I set it aside and forget it.

6. What's the best movie you've seen? It's so hard to pick just one but I'll say Casablanca

Worst? Men At Work with Emilio Estevez. It came out in the early '90s, I think.

7. What's the best meal you've had? Prime rib, baked potato, sour cream & beans

Worst? Liver--I couldn't get past the first bite!

8. What's the best holiday? Christmas

Worst? I can't think of a worst holiday. Maybe Valentine's Day. It's about love, but what if you don't have a significant other? It's also about spending a lot on cards, candy and flowers

9. What's the best thing in your future? Hope

Worst? The economy!

The Saturday Six at Patrick's Place

1. Which doughnut shop do you prefer: Dunkin’ Donuts, Krispy Kreme, or a different store? I prefer Krispy Kreme slightly over Dunkin' Donuts. There's something about the taste that's different and Krispy Kreme is more appealing.

2. Do you prefer your doughnuts hot, room temperature or cool? Room temperature

3. Take the quiz: What Donut Are You?

You Are a Boston Creme Donut

You have a tough exterior. No one wants to mess with you. But on the inside, you're a total pushover and completely soft. You're a traditionalist, and you don't change easily. You're likely to eat the same doughnut every morning, and you pout if it's sold out.

What Donut Are You?

Blogthings: Our Quizzes Weren't Written By Bored 12 Year Olds

4. How do you usually spell it: doughnut or donut? Donut

5. Do you prefer cake-style or glazed? Glazed

6. Do you prefer frosted, creme-filled or plain? Frosted

That first meme got me thinking about all the things I did before Facebook. I'm thinking I should devote less time to the computer and more to friends and family. So I called my mom on TTY to see how she's doing. She told me she was busy doing laundry (hint, hint, get off the phone). I asked if she'd rather I call another time and she said yes, because she also had to get ready to make her dinner. It was 9 a.m. at the time. But who knows? Maybe an 82 year old woman needs that extra time. So I went back to Facebook. ;) Later, though, I'm hoping off to read a book, ride my bike and spend some time with my kids! It's another beautiful day outside and I hope everyone else enjoys their weekend!

Fleas, hurricanes & other stuff

We had a sand flea infestation! The cats are all indoor kitties but the poor things were also invaded because those horrible critters kept jumping on the dog when he'd go out to do his business. Well, he's become an "indoor" dog now, going out only when he must go. He's never liked being outdoors anyway so he's happy with that.

TB ordered a whole bunch of products so we could treat the house, the yard and the pets. What an ordeal. First we had trouble getting the stuff delivered. We'd expected it by a certain day and had prepped the house. It was a major undertaking and a lot of work. Everyone had to cooperate and get their acts together. They did and we got the house prepared ... and the stuff didn't come. TB had to go through a bunch of rigamorole but finally got the company to ship it out overnight.

Once the stuff came, TB took over the downstairs and Bill did the upstairs. There was a spray to treat our backyard. TB and I worked together bathing the entire gang--and they were NOT happy! It crossed my mind to take pictures of them but then I decided I loved them too much to subject them to that indignity so I didn't take a single snapshot. It would have been priceless--the looks on their faces alone!

Now we're praying all that effort will pay off and we'll get rid of those nasty fleas. Some areas have to be treated every 2 weeks. Whew!

Buddy's a very handsome dog but he sure doesn't want to cooperate for the camera! I think I've gotten three or four "perfect" pictures in the seven years we've had him--and this one isn't one of them!

The news programs I watch have been full of stories about Hurricane Katrina. Five years ago, that hurricane came through and devastated New Orleans. I wasn’t there but I watched the coverage and was very moved by it. I’ve been very fortunate in my life in that I haven’t experienced a storm as destructive as Katrina was.

I do remember a couple of hurricanes and a tropical storm though. When I was small—younger than five—we lived in a cottage on Long Island. There was a hurricane and I remember looking out the window with my younger brother. The wind was blowing so hard, it was whipping sand around and everything looked brown to me. My mom pulled us away from the window and told us it wasn’t safe. Mom had a thing about windows and hurricanes. She was sleeping during one of them and was awakened by the cat, who insistently kept jumping on her. My mother got up and a tree came through the window. Mom thinks the cat knew what was going to happen and save her. Well, it could be.

When I was a high school senior in 1973, we had tropical storm Agnes. At that time, my family was living in southwest Baltimore. Although we didn’t have the killer winds, the rain did a big number on the city and surrounding areas. My school was located near a dam and was closed because officials were afraid it would burst under the pressure of all the rain water.

We got a LOT of rain. Our townhouse was on higher ground so our street and our basement didn’t flood. Just a few blocks away, though, you could row a boat down the street. Towns along the Patapsco River—like Ellicott City—were just about under water. It took years for those places to recover from the flood. Places in Patapsco State Park like the swinging bridge was just washed away.

In 1985, I was living on Long Island again and was engaged to Rich. Hurricane Gloria was going to make a direct hit on Long Island and officials were evacuating people “south of Montauk”. I was just north of Montauk but Rich wanted me to board up my apartment and ride out the storm at his house with his family.

What I remember most about that storm was the roaring of the wind and the huge tree in the front yard. It was just a Category 2 storm (I think) but it was strong enough to rip the tree up by its roots and nearly knock it over. My heart was in my mouth watching the tree leaning far over with the roots nearly completely torn from the ground! During the eye of the storm, Rich, his father and brother ran out and began to push the tree, trying to topple it to the least harmful place. Neighbors saw what they were doing and poured out of their houses to help. The winds had begun to pick up and whip around the other way when they were finally able to get the tree down.

That storm caused the loss of so many trees! The power was out, of course, and Rich and I went around different neighborhoods looking at the destruction. We passed the house where my grandma had lived during my grown up years. I nearly cried. All the trees were down, including the ones where we’d swung on the hammock.

We were lucky that the storm had weakened so much and we were lucky it hit during low tide. Rich and I beat it down to Maryland for a week—we were planning to move there after we married—to get away from the discomfort of being without power. Other states sent utility workers to help LILCO get the power back on but it still took a week. When we got back, I had to throw out all the food in my refrigerator. That was some storm.

I know we’ve had other weakened hurricanes and tropical storms but I just don’t remember any of them anymore.

You're invited to a friend's house for an important holiday dinner. You find a roach in your food. What do you say? Oh, ewwww! Hopefully I haven't bitten into it. When I was fifteen, my best friend bought a sweet roll, bit into it and found half a roach! She was promptly sick. Anyway, with this situation, I would find my friend and tell him or her right away. If I'm at the dinner table when this happens, I would take my friend away and tell him or her in private. Then I wouldn't eat another bite at this dinner, I'm sure!



1. Are you happier now than you were five months ago? No, I'm probably about the same. The last 18 months have been very very rough.

2. Have you ever slept in the same bed with anyone that you shouldn't have? Nope

3. Can you sleep in total darkness? Yes, I prefer it to be totally dark

4. Your phone is ringing. It’s the person you fell hardest for, the one who got away, what do you say? "Hey, how are you doing?" I'm happy and in love now so I would just make it a superficial conversation.

5. What do you think about the weather this summer? Ugh! Too many heat waves!

6. How many people do you trust with everything? One

7. What was the last thing you drank? Lemon tea protein

8. Is there anyone you want to come see you? Well, let me clean my house first. Yes.

9. Name one thing you love about winter? Christmas!

10. Have you ever dated a Goth? Nope

11. What are you looking forward to tomorrow? Not having to go anywhere unless I want to

12. Name something you dislike about the day you’re having? Boredom--there's nothing to do and it's too hot to go anywhere!

13. What's the longest that you have committed to one person and one person only? TB and I have been committed to each other for nine years now. Before that, I was committed to Rich for 17 years before he died.

14. What’s the first thing you did when you opened your eyes today? Sat up and took my morning meds.

15. Has anyone ever told you they never want to ever lose you? Yes

16. Is there anybody that you wish you could fix your relationship with? Yes, lots of people from my mother down to friends I used to have

17. Could you go out in public, looking like you do now? Sure

18. Do you think things will change in the next 3 months? How? Yes, I'll be taking college classes

19. Do you believe that you never know what you got until you lose it? Absolutely--that's what happened when I lost Rich.

20. Do you have a friend of the opposite sex you can talk to? Yes, my best friend, TB

21. If you were to live your life without your best friend, what would change? I don't even want to think about that. See #19. My whole world would be turned upside down and my heart ripped out.

22. Tell us about a era of your life that you really miss. I miss the years I lived with my cousin and then on my own on Long Island

23. Have you ever been betrayed by someone that came as a complete surprise? Without revealing the person, if yes, tell us about it. No

24. Do you ever think that is a good idea to hide your feelings? I think it depends on the feelings and on the situation. Normally, I'd say no but there may be mitigating circumstances where telling what you feel might harm another or cause a lot of trouble.

25. Tell us about your favorite year when you were a student. When I was a senior in high school, the pressure was off. In those days, colleges didn't look at what classes you took senior year so my schedule was filled with fun things. Seniors had a lot of power and respect. It was just a very good year.

25. When was the last time you were in a very good mood? What caused it? The last I can remember was at my mother-in-law's birthday party last week. I just enjoyed being around family.

26. Have you ever had a romantic relationship with a sibling of a good friend? Nope

27. Tell us about the last thing that you did that you truly regret. I regret getting the entire Lost series because we really couldn't afford it!

28. When did you laughed today? I laughed at the way TB staggered backwards (like he was going to faint) after I kissed him

29. Do you trust easily? It depends on who it is

30. What do you care about that you wish more people would? Decent health care for everyone

31. Is it easier for you to go without food or go without sleep? Well...I'm not sure!

32. What non-alcohol beverage do you enjoy drinking the most? Coffee

33. When you walk into a room full of strangers, generally how is your confidence? I can put on a good act. I act as if I'm together but in reality, I'm having major panic attacks!

34. Does talking about sex with anyone but your lover make you uncomfortable? It depends on who I'm talking to

35. Do you tend to believe members of the opposite sex mostly behave the same way? In very general ways--i.e. guys won't ask for directions.

36. Did you drink any alcohol this week? If yes, what? No, I don't drink alcohol anymore

37. Would you ever consider being a vegetarian? No, I love meat too much!

38. Do you believe that there’s always room in your heart for someone? Yes

39. Do you believe in the concept of soul mates? Yes

40. Last week, we had a few players criticize our victim’s questions. Which is fine to do and we value your opinion. Would you ever consider writing questions for Bud and me to post on a Sunday Stealing? No, don't have the motivation!

Caturday & Other Saturday Stuff

Here's Amber in the middle of some mid-afternoon ablutions.  She cooperated long enough to let me take a couple of pictures before turning her back on me!

Want more Caturday? Be sure to check out Blogging Cat Noos!

What would you do if you knew you wouldn’t fail? I would write my novel! One reason I procrastinate so much is because I have a “thing” about failing—that no one will like my story or that no one will publish it. If I knew I wouldn’t fail, it would be so much easier to sit down and let my creative juices flow.
Do you feel you’re too old to pursue your dreams? Absolutely not! As long as I’m alive, I can pursue my dreams. When I give up on my dreams, I’ve given up on living!

List 50 things You’ll Never Do

Some of these--like smoke--are things I'll never do again.

1. Commit a murder
2. Burglarize a house
3. Sell drugs
4. Use illegal drugs
5. Steal a car
6. Shoplift
7. Drink (quit drinking in 1986)
8. Smoke (quit smoking in 1986)
9. Sky dive
10. Parachute from a plane
11. Ski
12. Water ski
13. Ice skate
14. Roller skate
15. Trampoline
16. High dive
17. Try a court case
18. Work as a physical therapist
19. Fly to the moon
20. Have an affair
21. Work as a speech pathologist
22. Work as a police officer
23. Fly an airplane
24. Drive a boat
25. Build a house myself
26. Design clothes
27. Model
28. Adopt more than six cats at a time
29. Drive a motorcycle
30. Eat liver
31. Eat octopus or other sushi
32. Dye my hair pink, purple or blue
33. Grow my hair below my shoulders
34. Wear skinny jeans
35. Wear spike high heels
36. Wear any kind of high of more than an inch
37. Wear contacts
38. Get a tongue or lip piercing
39. Buy a purebred dog
40. Fly outside the U.S. (and possibly not even IN the U.S.!)
41. Become a doctor
42. Become a nurse
43. Live in the arctic
44. Live in the tropics
45. Become a billionaire
46. Become a television star
47. Get elected to office
48. Swim with sharks
49. Deep sea dive
50. Eat snails

Saturday Six

1. How old were you when you first started thinking seriously about what you wanted to do as a career? Seven. I seriously wanted to be a writer when I grew up.

2. How old were you when you built your first long-term friendship (even if the friendship is currently no longer intact)? I was probably about the same age. We moved when I was ten, though, and I've never seen those friends again.

3. Of the people you consider friends, how long is your longest-lasting friendship? Now? Twelve years, at least.

4. When is the last time you spoke to this person either by phone, email or online? a couple of weeks

5. Take the quiz: What stage of development are you in?

You Are In Stage VI

You may not be in your 20s, but you are in the early adult development stage. You're trying to figure out the relationships in your life - including romantic relationships, friendships, and family relationships. You crave intimacy, but you also want to maintain your independence. It may be hard to keep certain relationships alive. You'd like to have a tight circle of friends, but you're finding that as you get older, that's getting more difficult.

What Stage of Development Are You In?

Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity

6. The last question in the quiz asked which trait described you when you’re at your best. Which trait would you describes you at your worst? I would say lazy or--a nicer way of putting it--unproductive.



My room reminds me of myself because it’s messy, filled with pictures, stuffed animals and books, and my writing. I’m not exactly disorganized although you might think so to look at my desk. I know where things are or where they’re supposed to be … I just can’t always see them! I love family pictures and have many framed photos around my room. I also have hundreds of unframed, loose photographs that need to be scanned. I love and collect stuffed animals and books, and they are everywhere. My writing is saved in various places, on my hard drive and on disks. My room reminds me of myself because it’s filled with everything I love or enjoy.

Thursday Thoughts & Memes

So today the 19th amendment was signed, giving women the right to vote. That really wasn't so very long ago either. Before that, women had few rights and were at the mercy of the men in their lives--husbands, fathers, brothers, sons or whoever they were dependent on. I can't imagine having someone else have full control over me like that, telling me what I could or couldn't do, determining who I'd marry, controlling my finances and how I could think. Women were really repressed to have had to wait so long to get the vote!

Thursday Thirteen

Thursday Thirteen #74: Graces in Small Things

I haven't done a Graces in Small Things for a while mostly because it becomes hard to think of a list that's not "same old same old". I thought I would try it out as a Thursday Thirteen this week.

1. Having a timer on the coffee pot seems like such a small thing but when you're stumbling around at 5:30 in the morning, the last thing you want to be doing is making a pot when you need it so desperately now. It's wonderful to have that pot of coffee ready and waiting in the morning.

2. TB is usually the one who gets the pot ready to be made. If someone doesn't set it up the night before, it won't perk!

3. We've had a couple of cool cloudy days to give us a break from the infernal heat and humidity.

4. I picked up a new and updated dictionary from the college bookstore yesterday. I really needed it and can't find my other one. I can't always find what I need on the website dictionary and I'm just not as comfortable using it anyway!

5. Financial aid finally came through! Kristin was able to get almost all her books (one wasn't in stock). I got my books already but am thinking of returning them and then re-buying them with financial aid.

6. All the pet product we need to treat the house for sand fleas finally came through!

7. We had a wonderful time at the party celebrating my mother-in-law's birthday. Family gatherings are so much fun!

8. We've been keeping a "what we're doing" list to track who's doing chores. It's been an eye opener. Bill's really been pitching in a lot.

9. The egg recall hasn't hit New Jersey yet. It's such a good source of protein for TB and me. I've been hard cooking them to be on the safe side!

10. The cats have discovered TB and I have laps and have become snuggle buddies!

11. My bloodwork results have come back and now the doctors can interpret them to see if any of my meds need to be adjusted. I think they do.

12. Some lawyers have free initial consultations. Now I need to find one so we can get advice about the house.

13. I actually thought of a dozen small graces on my own!


What do you do with all of the things you write about? I have most of it saved but not in any kind of organized fashion. I should back up my blog more frequently but I don't usually remember. I have a DVD or two with blog back-ups on them. I also save my stories and other writings but, again, they're all over the place. I'd have to search all my DVDs to find everything! :P I guess this tells me I should organize things better.

If you had to flee from your burning house, what would you choose to save? This is a hard one to answer. My first choices, of course, would be for my whole family and the pets. Beyond that, I would grab for my photo albums (the hard copies) and my DVDs. I want the pictures because of the memories they hold. The pictures can't be replaced and I would be heart broken to lose them. Everything else? Many things I have hold memories too and I would be so sad to lose things like the hand made Christmas ornaments and so on but you can only rescue so much as you're running from a burning house. All the other stuff can just be replaced--clothes, furniture, appliances, electronics and so on.

Booking Through Thursday

If you’re not enjoying a book, will you stop mid-way? Or do you push through to the end? What makes you decide to stop?

I've been encountering this a lot these last couple of weeks! I don't know if it's me (general boredom with everything) or if I've just been picking dull books. Before I signed up for all those reading challenges, I would just give up and put the book down after a hundred pages. I feel obligated to read the books now, though, because of the challenges and it's been very difficult to struggle through a book I'm just not enjoying.

Right now I'm reading Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon and I'm finding it oh so tedious. A good friend of mine warned me too! Yet, I so enjoyed Gabaldon's Outlander series in the beginning. I keep hoping it'll get better! I'll slog on through this one, too, not only because it's on my challenge list but because of the series.

Next year, I think I'll skip the reading challenges so I can put bad books down again.

Mancat Monday: Shop Cat III & Other Monday Stuff

Mancat Monday: Shop Cat III 

Cubby sez, I'm not picky about where I sits, just gotta havva soft seat!

Want more Mancat Monday and cat blogging? Check out Blogging Cat Noos for all the latest!


 


Moody Monday

Theme: Thirsty 

 
These are before pictures of TB and me, obviously! These pictures of us two coffee addicts was taken in 2007, during our vacation to Mystic Seaport. We're half the sizes now we were then but we're still drinking the same amount of coffee!





Chocolate makes me...

...sick. I hate to say that but it's true!

I used to be a real choco-holic. I loved all kinds of chocolate--in candies, cakes, pies, and donuts. The only kind I wouldn't devour was baker's chocolate!

When I was younger, being a choco-holic caused all kinds of health problems for me. First of all, I gained a lot of weight--not just from chocolate but it sure didn't help! Eventually I developed diabetes and you'd think that would cure me of my addiction but it didn't. I just convinced myself that if I didn't eat as much it wouldn't hurt. Right. A little bit every day adds up!

Since my weight loss surgery, though, my taste buds and tolerances have changed in many ways. One has to do with chocolate, sad to say. I sort of miss my addiction. At first, I still had an appetite for it. I would eat it ... and it would make me sick. I'd end up in the bathroom for an hour or two at a time. That's really unpleasant!

I guess I built an aversion to it because of that. Now, if I see or smell chocolate, my stomach begins to get knots in it. In one way, this is a very good thing. I could never do chocolate in moderation so it's better if I treat it like it's alcohol and not have any.

In another way, I could sure use the chocolate. I'm losing weight too fast, the surgeon says. He wants me to take an enzyme that I can't afford so I'll absorb more. I thought, well, I actually could eat more bulking-up kinds of foods too. I hadn't been doing that up to now. Chocolate would have been a good one for that but ...

I'm better off, I know!

Sunday Stuff

What is changing in your life right now?

One thing that is changing right now is that I'm about to become a college student again. I just ordered three books for three of the classes I'm taking. This is going to be an exciting and scary change. On the one hand, I'm looking forward to the challenge of taking classes again after so many years. I am looking forward to finishing my degree and the feeling of accomplishment (and not perpetual procrastination) I will have for it. On the other, I worry about my fibromyalgia and other disabilities getting in the way of my success.

Today is “National Relaxation Day.” Describe one way you like to have fun and relax.

Oh boy! This would be my ideal day at the beach: go out to the seaside as the sun is coming up and sit on the beach to watch the colors fill the sky. Around nine or ten, put on the bathing suit and hang out on the beach with a book, sunning and reading. I would take frequent swimming breaks because I can only stand so much sun at one time! When the sun's rays become too intense, it's time to cover up, put on a hat, and go for a stroll on the boardwalk. There's so much to do there--shopping, playing games, and people watching. After I've had my fill of that, it's time to go home and nap! Now that's how I like to have fun and relax. Other plans: I also like to go to the zoo, to the park, and sightseeing for fun and relaxation. Now I need to find some free stuff to do!

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Rhythm ::Method
2. Baby ::Infant
3. Sanctimonious ::holier than tho
4. I like ::fall
5. Constipated ::can't go
6. Sleep late ::wish I could
7. Over easy ::eggs
8. Erratic ::unsteady
9. Umbrella ::rain
10. You don’t ::get it

Saturday Stuff

Grace in Small Things #164

1. We had a good family therapy session. Not everyone was happy but a lot of things got said. The therapist says we've made a lot of progress.

2. I thought my new sewing project would be really really hard and it is, but I'm managing to do it!

3. I ordered my books for the fall semester, woooohoooo!

4. I read a book about writing and learned a couple of useful things. One is that I should stay at my computer even if I can't think of anything to write. Duh.

5. What a nice day! I really appreciate these little breaks from the heat and humidity!

6. The frozen Wawa cappucino drink thingys--so refreshing! I like getting my coffee fix this way!

7. My son came home from work and started vacuuming the floors -- all on his own!


Caturday

Munchkin, you got the right idea! This is what we all need to do on those hot August days and nights!

Want more Caturday? Be sure to check out Blogging Cat Noos!

Saturday Nine

1. What are you superstitious about? I've outgrown all my supersticions. Not even Friday the 13th bothers me anymore.

2. What’s the story behind one of your scars? I cut my knee to the bone falling on a jagged pipe at a miniature golf place when I was about 12 or 13. We'd gone there to celebrate Father's Day. Some Father's Day for Dad--he had to sit in the emergency room with me while the doctor stitched my knee closed!

3. What are three things that you would rather be doing right now? I'd rather be in Ocean City, MD. I'd rather be at any beach, anywhere. I'd rather be on vacation with TB.

4. What do you do when you're bored? Read, cross-stitch or nap

5. What's your favorite thing to do? Why? My favorite thing to do is read because then my mind is engaged and I'm being entertained. I'm never lonely when I read.

6. What do you do when you're lonely? Woohoo! See the answer to the previous question! I'll also seek out someone's company, watch a movie, or do something else to try to engage me.

7. How do you measure the passing of time in life? I measure in birthdays.

8. What would constitute "the perfectly lived day" for you? Going back to days of my youth, it would be a day at the beach. I would spend the morning to the early afternoon swimming and sunning. In the afternoon, I'd play my guitar or cards with someone. In the evening--the boardwalk for fun, shopping and games!

9. If you knew you were going to die in a year, what would you do in your final days? I would spend my time with my family trying to make happy memories for them.

The Saturday Six

1. Do you usually feel physically younger or older than you actually are? That's a hard one to answer. I think I feel physically (and mentally) younger but then my body always comes back and kicks my butt to let me know I'm not so young!

2. When it comes to your own sensibilities and personal taste, do you usually feel younger or older than you actually are? I would say I'm right at the age I'm at, maybe a little younger.

3. Do you think you were better at being a kid or an adult? Oh, I'm much better at being an adult, I've been one for so many more years!

4. Do you find yourself trying to make more time for play or rest these days? I'm trying to find ways to entertain myself more and am not having a lot of luck this summer!

5. Take the quiz: Are You a Puppy or a Kitten?

You Are a Kitten

You are playful and sweet, but you also treasure your alone time. You're pretty independent, and you resent anyone trying to tell you what to do. You don't get bored easily. You are quite good at entertaining yourself. Deep down, you are quite sensitive and intuitive. You are less standoffish than you seem.

Are You a Puppy or a Kitten?

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

6. Which have you had more of in your life: dogs or cats? Way more cats!



Describe your first 'crush'. What was the person like?

My first crush had to be another five year old, my kindergarten classmate Glen. I don't remember much about him now because I haven't seen him in about fifty years. He was definitely my first crushed because we were "engaged". How cute is that?

He didn't live too far from my home and we'd play together often. He was a sweet kid with sandy hair. We were very loyal to each other and would sit together on the bus every day.

One morning it was a real challenge because apparently he'd stepped in dog poo and really stunk! No one else wanted to sit nearby and kids hollered at him. I sat right next to him, feeling sick, but not holding my nose. Once we got to the school, a teacher helped him clean his shoes off.

I remember feeling very sad when his family moved away at the end of the year. I often wonder what happened to him. If I could remember his last name, I'd try to find him on Facebook!

Thursday Stuff

Grace in Small Things #163

1. A cloudy day (with some rain) brings welcome relief from the heat and humidity
2. Three movie rentals (free) from the library, yay!
3. Orientation to the community college yesterday was fun because I went with Kristin
4. A long afternoon nap
5. The people who volunteer at the St. Ann's pantry are so dedicated!

Thursday Thirteen
Thursday Thirteen #73: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (movie vs. book)


I think I read this book all the way through when I was a teenager but I'm not sure! I remember liking it but being so confused that I didn't go on with the other two. Now I have the movies to help me!

1. The movies help me visualize "bad guys" like the Orcs and Uruk-hais. The first time I read the book I couldn't imagine what these creatures looked like.

2. This book focuses on a group of nine with a nearly impossible mission. Eight accompany the ring bearer who is supposed to destroy this evil ring

3. There's a lot of singing and poetry in the book, much more than ever was in the movie

4. Nothing seems to go right for the travellers--they really do have a difficult journey, especially before they meet up with the ranger Aragorn

5. Tom Bombadil was an interesting character who saved the hobbits but didn't make any appearance at all in the movie

6. His reaction to the evil ring was very curious

7. Some of the storytelling gets bogged down or somewhat tedious--just my opinion

8. Some of the elves who seem so prominent in the movie aren't very in the book

9. The book lacks the comic relief the movie had. You really need a little humor to break up a lot of gloom and doom.

10. Gandalf is awesome in both book and movie!

11. Some of the changed scenes in the movie worked better and were more effective. Example: after Boromir (one of the fellowship) tried to take the ring from ring bearer Frodo, Aragorn approaches and restores Frodo's trust--not everyone will try to get the ring. In the book, however, Frodo runs off and away from everyone else.

12. Sam, Frodo's best friend, is the same loveable character in both book and movie!

13. I picked up the second book for the first time ever! I never did read it when I was a teenager.

Booking Through Thursday

Have your reading choices changed over the years? Or pretty much stayed the same? (And yes, from childhood to adulthood we usually read different things, but some people stick to basically the same kind of book their entire lives, so…)

Oh, my reading choices have definitely changed over the years! When I was young, I read a lot of animal (i.e. Lad: A Dog) stories and biographies. Over the years, I've moved from genre to genre and interest to interest. I've been on binges: science fiction, mystery, thrillers, and horror. I've read dozens of true crime stories and other non-fiction. I tend to prefer historical fiction right now but wait a month, that'll probably change!

Gist 160 & Sunday Stuff

Grace in Small Things #160

1. A second cup of coffee to help me wake up!

2. Watching The Sunday Morning Show ... I'm not often in the mood for news shows but when I am I enjoy the variety of stories in a program like this one!

3. Crockpot cooking on a hot day!

4. Big Joe Henry's oldies program on the weekends--he's a very funny and entertaining guy! I really enjoy the "Class of __" themed shows he does too.

5. I got another request for one of my books through Paperback Swap. It's a grace for me because I have too many books and these need to go! I can't in good conscience bring in any more books while these piles are lying around! Unfortunately ... the greatest piles are the ones I haven't read yet! ;0)

This is one of my favorite pictures taken of Mouse. He likes to peek out with half his face hidden and I've been lucky enough to catch shots of him. I was going to post a Mancat Monday picture of Mouse where I caught him peeking out from behind something else!


Sunday Seven

Name seven of the 50 “automotive eyesores” that you wouldn’t be ashamed to have in your driveway.

1. Ford Taurus
2. Toyota van
3. Toyota RAV4
4. Toyota Prius
5. Volkswagen New Beetle
6. PT Cruiser
7. BMW 7 Series

I'm really surprised that some of these are considered "ugly" cars!


Straight Out of the Camera Sunday

I was looking at some pictures I'd taken a few years ago and came across this one of my daughter. I really like how it came out. We were at the original Imagination Kingdom with the kids and grandkids one evening in 2006.

My favorite time of the day is morning. I'm most alert and creative during the morning. Let me amend that! I'm most alert and creative after I've had at least one cup of coffee! I do most of my blogging or writing in the morning. I like mornings, too, because it's cooler. The birds sing in the morning and I love to listen to them. I also enjoy watching the sun come up, especially if I'm near the ocean. I enjoy mornings because of the promise of a brand new day!

GiST 153, Caturday, and Saturday Memes

Grace in Small Things 153

1. I saw some adorable pictures of my grandchildren in TN with my newly born granddaughter. I wish I could hold her but seeing these pictures was a good next best thing!

2. I heard from Little T's dad last night. They are vacationing in Pennsylvania and are having a wonderful time. T went on rides all by himself! This is the first time he's done that! He also enthusiastically went on a bunch of rides with his dad. He's come along so far!

3. I was able to open the windows and let some fresh air into the house today. This break from the incessant heat and humidity is such a blessing!

4. We had a good session with our family therapist.

5. I spent some time drooling and day dreaming over a house in one of the beach towns in Delaware. Fantasy is fun ... and who knows? We might live in such a home some day!


Caturday 

 
Here's a shot of our Amber in the dining room.  The very reclusive Amber hasn't been willing to sit still for the camera in recent months but I happened to luck out one morning!

Want more Caturday? Be sure to check out Blogging Cat Noos!


Saturday Six

1. How many different spices are there in your kitchen? There's no less than 25.

2. Of the spices you have on hand, which one is your favorite one to use? Tied: Emeril's Essence and seasoning salt

3. What liquid flavoring did you use most recently? Worcestershire sauce

4. You decide to marinade a steak or chicken: do you use a powdered or liquid spice mix? I use a combination of both

5. Take the quiz: What Spice Are You?

You Are Basil

You are quite popular and loved by post people. You have a mild temperament, but your style is definitely distinctive. You are sweet, attractive, and you often smell good.

What Spice Are You?

Blogthings: Waste Time at Work!

6. Which spice — whether you have it in your home or not — do you consider the most “exotic”? Probably saffron because I don't have it!


Saturday Nine

1. Is there anything that you tend to do to cheer up when you are having a bad day? I try to listen to music that will cheer me up

2.What’s the last card game you played, and with whom did you play? I last played Uno with my son and younger daughter

3.What’s the last board game you played, and with whom did you play? Scrabble, with my son

4.What’s the last computer game you played, and with whom did you play? I played Lexulous with friends on Facebook

5.Is there somewhere you’d like to visit but have not, and where is it? There are several places but I'll say Hawaii

6.Think of your favorite movie (or a movie you really like, if you can’t think of a favorite). Some people say that the reasons you love your favorite movie are related to what you value in romantic relationships. How is this true or untrue in your case? It might be true. I never thought about it that way before.

7.What physical attributes do you find the most attractive? Eyes and shoulders. You got 'em, TB!

8.How many people live in your house? Tell us about them. There's five of us--TB, me, my son and two daughters. All of us are adults and four of us will be college students this fall!

9. Ever punch someone in the face? No!

Silhouette of Mouse

GiST 150, Caturday, and Camera Critter

Grace in Small Things 150

1. A productive family therapy session.
2. Cats that want to keep me company everywhere--on my bed, my chair, my desk, my computer ...
3. Having enough coffee left over from the pot to heat up and have as a wake-me-up in the afternoon
4. Movies to watch and books to read on a hot humid day
5. Freeing my toes from shoes and socks. They wiggle in the carpet they're so happy!



Caturday 

 
Here's one of those purrrrr-fect places for Cubby to nap ... on top of the scanner. Isn't that what scanners are for, after all?

Want more Caturday? Be sure to check out Blogging Cat Noos!

Here's Buddy in the spring, when we still had grass and it was pleasant to sit outside and enjoy the weather!

GiST 146, Mancat Monday, and Moody Monday

Kristin had surgery on her knee to try and repair a torn miniscus. Since then, I've been sticking close to her so really haven't done very much about updating. I'll try to be better this week! Because of her age and the location of the tear, the surgeon couldn't repair the injury. He trimmed it out and she'll have a quicker recovery as a result. She should do a lot better with this fix and hopefully will begin to get back to normal soon. She's still in a great deal of discomfort right now but I think that's about to be expected. She sees the surgeon on Wednesday.


Grace in Small Things #146

I've really been slacking in the GiST department!

1. I made applesauce pancakes for everyone this morning. What a treat!
2. Kristin can put more weight on her knee and that weird splint is off.
3. Instant coffee in the afternoon can be just as satisfying as brewed ... yes, it can. Really. Especially when making the best of things.
4. A much needed two hour nap was very refreshing.
5. A book I'd requested from the library for a book club challenge finally came in and I can start it!


Man Cat Monday: Kosmo 

Zzzzzzzzz....It's been a long time since Kosmo napped on my desk!

 
Kosmo: What? Dat fwashy ting again! Maybe dat's why! Go way!

Want more Man Cat Monday? Check out Blogging Cat Noos!

Manic Monday

Name 5 of the simple pleasures in your life:

Reading
Talking to TB
Watching movies with the kids or TB
Petting a cat
Walking (in nature)

What do you like to do on a rainy day? Read, watch movies, and nap!

I deserve a vacation!

GiST 145, Man Cat Monday and Other Memes

Grace in Small Things #145

1. Last night, I enjoyed a 20 minute fireworks display from my front yard courtesy of neighbors who bought large beautiful things to shoot off. I don't think any of it was legal but it sure was entertaining!

2. I love watching movies with my kids. Last night we watched Independence Day. On Friday, it was 1776.

3. I finished Rhett Butler's People and blogged about it. I wasn't thrilled with it so it's a real grace that I finished it!

4. I'm making dinner this morning so the house doesn't get all heated up.

5. It's supposed to be very hot all week so the air conditioning probably shouldn't count as a small grace. Here it is, though.



Man Cat Monday 

 

I took this picture of TB when we went to the beach at Seaside Heights last month. The sun's reflected in the waves. ;)



One recent, beautiful day we had the windows open and TB caught Cubby inside looking out at us!

Want more Man Cat Monday? Check out Blogging Cat Noos!

Monday Movie Meme

This week's movie topic is all about Special Effects...Share on your blog SFX films that blew you away, linking back here at The Bumbles.

The Bumbles mentioned a lot of the movies that would come to my mind. I thought of these:

Who Framed Roger Rabbit which was a totally awesome combination of animation and real life.

War of the Worlds--when that bridge crumbled, I was totally hooked on the movies' special effects. I was riveted to my seat most of the movie, actually.

King Kong--both the original and the remake. The original looks really cheesy now but back then, those were pretty awesome effects.


Moody Monday

Theme: Sun, sea and sand

Feline Friday, GiST # 144 & Memes!

Cubby: Don' worry, Eye may look uncomfibbles but dis's aktually vewy homey!

Kosmo: Ah, a little stwetch awlways feels good!

Cubby & Kosmo: Yes, we're spoonin! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.....

These are pictures TB took of Cubby and Kosmo before the weather got too hot. Cats like to sleep a lot year 'round but I notice when the weather gets really warm they don't spoon much anymore!

Want more feline Friday and cat blogging?

Be sure to check out Blogging Cat Noos for all the latest and a listing of this weekend's carnivals!

Grace in Small Things #144

1. This one really made me smile yesterday. TB and I went with Kristin to the hospital for her pre-op testing (she's having a miniscal tear repaired next week). I went back with my daughter to help her with her medical history. During that time, the doctor looked at me and told me I was "skinny". I've *never* been called skinny before--especially not by a medical professional! I grin and grin every time I think about it!

2. I woke up cold in the middle of the night and had to throw a light blanket over me. Why is this a grace? It's the beginning of July! Lovely cool weather like this is rare and muchly appreciated!

3. I love reading my Daily Affirmations every day. Today's was: "As I believe, so I am." That is so true! The rest of it focuses on drawing the positive to myself by seeing and expecting the very best.

4. We can save a little on our electric bill because we've been able to keep the windows open and turn off the air. I love fresh air! The cool breeze makes me nostalgic for the ocean and bay beaches.

5. I put a little jukebox on my blog and when I make a new entry, I enjoy listening to it. I plugged in about 2 dozen of my favorite songs and they're nice long songs!

Friday Question

What are your holiday weekend plans? This is what I'm hoping to do: get to some kind of beach. I doubt we'll get to my preference, an ocean beach, so what I'd like to do instead is go to our town lake beach, swim for a while, and then go home and take a hot hot shower. It'd be nice to see some fireworks but that'll depend on my daughter's work schedule.



1. When it's quiet I can appreciate the stillness and beauty around me.
2.We've had an entire hot summer in what seems like a month.
3. My heart is beating.
4. Two of my relatives have birthdays in July.
5. In the town where I was born we could easily walk to the bay beach.
6. Total acceptance of me is something I really love about my significant other / friend.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to some time at a beach, tomorrow my plans includeswimming and Sunday, I want to see some fireworks!

Friday 5

1. What’s your favorite zoo animal? I like the big cats best

2. What’s your favorite circus act? The trapeze act

3. When did you last attend (or participate in) a parade? Wow it has been years! It was a parade with the Girl Scouts in 2001 or 2002

4. When did you last attend a sporting event? That was years ago too. 2002. I'm not a big sports fan.

5. What unique festivals does your area feature in celebration of some kind of food? There's a nearby village that has a blueberry festival every June. In August, several places not far from here has cranberry festivals.

GiST 142, Mancat Monday & Other Stuff

It's going to be a lazy summer, I can tell!




GiST #142

1. Today's a quiet day--I love that!
2. I'm sending a few little things I picked up for Linda's baby. Although I wish I could do more, it feels nice to know the baby will have something.
3. I "slept in" today! Yippee! I think I will like my new schedule very much!
4. Tonight my daughter and I will watch The Princess and the Frog together. That should be fun!
5. I've been introducing Indigo (the upstairs kitty who moved in with us about 2 weeks ago) to the concept of an open door policy with the other cats and so far so good!
6. From Friday: Enough relief from the brutal heat and humidity so that we were able to sit outside comfortably for daughter Kristin's graduation.

7. Bill and Gram were able to come to Kristin's graduation with TB and me as well. We got ice cream to celebrate afterwards.
8. I've dropped another pound or two.
9. Everyone's eating less. I'm hoping that has more to do with TB and my influence than it does with the heat!
10. We made an Angel Foods pick up and it comes just at the right time of the month!





Man Cat Monday 

Cubby's the star of the Man Cat Monday show again! How can we resist? He is so cute and so photogenic!



Monday Movie Meme

Share on your blog women characters from film who know how to save the day, linking back here at The Bumbles.

1. My first choice is M'Lynn Eatenton from Steel Magnolias, played by Sally Field. All of those women from that movie would qualify I think but most especially M'Lynn. Her daughter had a devastingly destructive form of diabetes and M'Lynn was always on hand, looking out for her. When trajedy struck, her strength totally amazed me.

2. My next choice is Emma Horton (Debra Winger) from Terms of Endearment. I seem to have a real thing for moms today. Wow. Here is a woman who makes the best of a not particularly great marriage and has the courage to deal heroically with her own illness and the fate of her three children. Just ... wow.

3. And sticking with strong moms but wanting to pick a more recent movie, I chose Lee Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) from The Blind Side. She is everything a strong woman and mom should be: dedicated and caring and supportive.





If you could only see black and white except for one color, what color would you choose to see? Can I pick shades of a color? If I can, I would pick purple. If I couldn't and had to pick one color only, I'd pick yellow.

If you could have a room full of any one thing, what would it be? I already have several rooms of books so I won't pick that. I'll pick a room full of music CDs.

Imagine you could go back to the age of five and relive the rest of your life, knowing everything that you know now. You will reexperience your entire adolescence with both the cognitive ability of an adult and the memories of everything you’ve learned form having lived your life previously.

Would you lose your virginity earlier or later than you did the first time around (and by how many years)?

I would leave it the same because knowing what I do about how things work, if I changed something, it could change everything else that followed and I wouldn't want to do that!


Moody Monday


Theme: Fresh


 

 


 

"Fresh"ly graduated!

GiST 141, Mancat Monday & Monday Memes

Happy first day of summer! It's less humid here today but still very hot and we're supposed to have temperatures into the 90s all week! Today, I'm hiding from the sun!

Grace in Small Things #141
1. Our upstairs cat, Indigo, has been staying in our room with the door closed. Now we're slowly introducing her to the rest of the gang. We're hoping we can get her to live downstairs. So far, so good!

2. It's the first day of summer. For some reason, that's making me smile a lot today.

3. I have my radio turned to an "oldies" station that has been playing all the music I listened to as a teenager and young adult. Those were the days!

4. Although it's very hot outside, I am cool because I am indoors with the air conditioner.

5. I am doing a count down of how many more mornings I need to get up at 5:30 a.m. and then Kristin will graduate. Four more. Then I can get up on my own! High school will be done and the "baby" graduates on Friday!


Man Cat Monday 

 
Is Cubby handsome or what? It's okay that he's sitting right in front of the monitor. Who could resist that face?



Monday Movie Meme

This week's movie topic is all about Time Travel. Share on your blog movies featuring journeys through time, linking back here at The Bumbles. And don't forget to visit your fellow participants!

Oh, there's a few of them!

1. The Back to the Future trilogy
2. The Time Machine
3. Groundhog Day
4. Peggy Sue Got Married
5. Planet of the Apes

There are others but those were the first to come to mind.


Moody Monday

This week's theme is: fatherly  

 
This picture of Little T and his dad was taken by me at a class party a couple of years ago.

GiST & Sunday Stuff

Happy Father's Day to all the good dads! My dad's birthday was June 20, and he would have been 81 today. His birthday and Father's Day were always either on the same day or the same weekend, and so he always felt very lucky. The kids chipped in with me to get TB a belt sander for his workshop. He's thrilled!

Grace in Small Things #140

1. I remembered to blog a GiST today!
2. Everyone's feeling better
3. The coffee was ready for us and tasted perfect this morning
4. TB got a call from Michele, money for a belt sander and two of his favorite movies as Father's Day gifts. We're about to head off for Lowe's
5. The air conditioner!

TB got this shot of Cubby in the window, enjoying the fresh air!




Sunday Stealing: The Oh My! Meme, Part One

1. The phone rings; who don't you want it to be? A bill collector!

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? Yes

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? Listener

4. What was the last compliment that someone gave you? That I'm beautiful. Awwww!

5. Do you play the lottery? Nope

6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, who would you want with you? TB

7. Do you like to ride horses? I haven't been on one long enough to know

8. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? No, poor deprived little me!

9. What is your favorite party game? Pin the tail on the donkey

10. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew he/she was married, would you go for it? No way!

11. When was the last time that you lied? I can't remember

12. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you? I think so

13. If you have a S/O, who pursued who? If not, do you like to pursue or be pursued? We probably both pursued each other. I liked it that way

14. Use six words to describe yourself. loving, giving, bookworm, mom, friend, wife

15. Name a song that could make you cry? "My Heart Will Go On"

16. Are you pleased with your education? Fairly

17. How do you feel about gun control? Support it

18. If your house was on fire, what thing would be the first thing you grabbed? All my photo CDs

19. How often do you have a romantic weekend? Not often enough!

20. Do you think more about the past, present or future? That's a good question! Maybe a little more about the present because we have so much stress at the moment?

21. What was the last adult magazine that you have read? What does that mean? I don't look at the magazines that are sold "behind the counter" or in special stores. I looked at Reader's Digest this morning

22. What are you told about your eyes? That they're beautiful

23. How tall is just right? It's all relative

24. Where is your dream house located? Near the ocean

25. Do you have a secret fetish? Nope

26. Have you tried bourbon? If yes, what type? Well...is it whiskey or corn whiskey? I've had Jim Beam. When I drank, though, I preferred Seagram's which is a different type of whiskey.

27. Have you ever seen a male or female stripper? No

28. When was the last time you were at TGI Fridays? So long ago I can't remember when it was

29. When was the last time you were at Church? It was right before I was hospitalized so that was sometime last fall

30. Where was the furthest place you traveled today? About 20 miles, to Home Depot

31. What was your favorite job? Office secretary

32. What condiments do you like at your BBQ? The usual--BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, relish

33. Bud is hosting Thursday Thunks this week. Will you play? I probably won't have time

34. Do you look like your mom or dad? I probably look more like my mom, not sure

35. Who was the last person that you showered with (it's okay to leave out the name)? TB


Straight Out of the Camera Sunday 

 
TB took this picture on our walk through Smithville State Park last week. We're not sure exactly what happened to these trees but it made for a neat picture!

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Executive :: Business person
2. Director :: Leader
3. Dress :: Suit
4. Studio :: Movie
5. Accountant :: Numbers
6. Unit :: Blood
7. Engaged :: Married
8. Safety :: Danger
9. Post :: Blog
10. Dialogue :: Speech