friday 5

Like Family, part one

1. In what not-so-good way are you like your father?
I know I get some of my OCD tendencies from my dad
2. In what not-so-good way are you like your mother?
I have big feet
3. In what not-so-good way are you like your siblings?
I can be uncommunicative
4. In what not-so-good way are you like a relative outside your immediate family?
I'm sensitive to snubs by my family
5. If members of your family voted, what would they elect as the thing about you they’d most like to change?
they would want me to be a healthier weight

blah

I've got a case of the winter blahs. I am having trouble concentrating and organizing my thoughts to post anything of meaning. This too shall pass.

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.

They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.

This week my thursday bug is:

Needing a bathroom break when there isn't time for one.

w.w.w. wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? I'm listening to The Sense Of An Ending by Julian Barnes. I started reading JoJo Moyes's The Last Letter From Your Lover and I'm really enjoying it so far.

• What did you recently finish reading? I finished reading The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell, for my book group. I can't wait to talk about it!

• What do you think you’ll read next? I'm not sure.

ten things tuesday

Ten things I like about winter: It's going to be tough coming up with ten... we'll see how I do!

1) Awards show season. I love the Oscars, SAG, Globes, Grammys and all the other shows.

2) Layers. I like wearing layers because you can always take something off or put something on if needed.

3) Sweaters, vests, and blazers. I have many.

4) Pretty snow. When it's not treacherous driving. I like the crunchy sound it makes underfoot.

5) Hibernating. If hibernating, nesting, hunkering down, or other incarnations were an Olympic sport, I would be a gold medalist.

6) My car starter.

7) The sky. Something about the crispness of the air makes the sunset spectacular. And the stars look like diamonds more so in winter than summer.

8) Being lax in leg shaving. Tights and boots hide a lot. I'll leave it at that.

9) Snow days. Especially when they don't have to be added to the end of the school calendar for make up.

10) Fuzzy pajamas. I love lounging in my fuzzy snowman pajamas. They're not for sleep, though, just for lounging.

finished reading...

This is my February book group selection and I can't wait to discuss it. When I finished this, I scratched my head with a "Whaaa?" I just am not sure what happened. Let me explain: It's the mid-1920s and Rose Baker is a typist for a New York City police precinct. Rose presents herself as a throw-back to the Victorian Era--a prudish, virtuous woman. There are a few hints at a dark side, though. But her whole world is turned upside down when "the other typist" begins working at the precinct.

I liked the writing and the atmosphere of this book. Rose's confessional narration was a good plot device. When I thought I had it figured out there would be a plot twist, keeping me on my toes.

What I didn't like--well, the ending. The last few pages. Really left me wondering why the reveal was so abrupt.

It's going to be an interesting discussion. I can't wait to hear how everyone else interprets the ending.

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

• Question: Have your reading habits changed since you were a child? (I mean, I’m assuming you have less time to read now, but …) Did you devour and absorb books when you were 10 and only just lightly read them now? Did you re-read frequently as a child but now only read new books? How about types of books? Do you find yourself still attracted to the kinds of books you read when you were a kid?”  {source}

I think I read more now than when I was younger, even ten years ago. I used to re-read some series books, like the Trixie Belden books, and I don't now re-read. I still like mysteries, which was my favorite genre as a kid--but I don't read as many now; although, when I get drawn into a series, I obsessively read the series. So, maybe I do have the reading habits I developed as a kid. I sure loved reading then and I do now, too!

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: The Ask Me Meme


1:What was the last argument you had about? I don't remember
2:How long is your longest relationship? my best friend for 30+ years
3:What is something not many people know about you? I have great intuition
4:Two truths and a lie. Go. Purple is my favorite color. I didn't like my first teaching job. I don't mind being single.
5:Do you believe in fate/destiny? not so much
6:Where is somewhere you’ve always wanted to live? in a city
7:Has there ever been a song that made you cry? yes...
8:Do you jump/scare easily? oh, yes, I squeal, too
9:Which birthday has been your favorite? 40
10:Have you ever been pulled over? Arrested? yes, I got pulled over but no ticket and never arrested
11:Have you ever been to a fortune teller? yes
12:What’s your favorite series of books? the series that had the most impact was the Little House series--it cemented my love of reading
13:Who is someone that you think knows the most about you outside of family? Val
14:What is the weirdest thing you’ve eaten? hmmm... I'm not sure
15:List one of your quirks. I check my roster at school for birthdays every day before I do anything else
16:State 1 bad habit of yours. I sometimes eat raw cookie dough
17:Has a scary movie ever given you nightmares? no
18:When was the last time you got your hair done in a salon? end of December
19:What was the last thing you did with your friends? the last time I went out was lunch last Saturday
20:What’s something that you like to do that others might see as weird? spend time by myself
21:What was the last trip you took? my bestie and I took a trip to Grand Falls

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

finished...

 

A couple more hats I knit up for my friend--the top is a fun fur, very soft, the red one is another alpaca hat.  

refresh

There's something so soothing about getting a manicure or a pedicure. I'm glad I indulge. It's nice to refresh.

saturday 9

I Will Always Love You

1) The Bodyguard is the best-selling movie soundtrack ever and this is the song most often associated with Whitney Houston. Is it on your iPod/mp3 player? no, I actually never liked her version of it

2) In the movie, Rachel (Whitney) sings "I Will Always Love You" after she realizes she can never see Frank (Kevin Costner) again. What song reminds you of a past love? "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye


3) Despite the movie's and the song's overwhelming popularity, Whitney Houston was awarded a Razzie Award as the worst actress of 1992. What's the most recent criticism you received? some of my students complained that their mid term exam was hard

4) On the bright side, share the last compliment you received. one of my students said I am her favorite teacher of all time

5) In the 1980s, when Whitney first burst onto the scene, a trendy woman wore big hair, big bows and big shoulder pads. Can you think of anything you wore that was fashionable at the time, but looking back, makes you cringe? (An embarrassing photo to accompany your answer would be nice!) I had a couple of "boyfriend" blazers with humongous shoulder pads--unfortunately, I have no photos

6) When this song was popular, cell phones were uncommon and Facebook was unheard of. Which has had a bigger impact on your life -- smart phones or social networking? social networking

7) Whitney's marriage to Bobby Brown left many people shaking their heads. Whitney and Bobby's daughter recently married the young man who was raised as her brother. Have you ever been in a relationship your friends/family didn't approve of? everyone was skeptical when I started my most recent relationship

8) Whitney Houston's grave marker reads, "I Will Always Love You," so obviously her family is very proud of the success of this recording. How would you like to be remembered? as a devoted friend, sister, daughter, and teacher

9) Whitney was born in Newark, the largest city in New Jersey. It's a major air, rail and shipping hub, and it's in the Eastern Time zone. Have you ever been to Newark ... or any town in New Jersey? I've been through NJ, does that count?

friday 5

Alternate Uses

1. A sticky note is supposed to be used for sticking notes temporarily to stuff. What’s a different way you’ve used a sticky note?
I use them as bookmarks in my textbooks at school
2. Plastic cutlery is supposed to be used for moving food from a plate to your mouth a few times before being discarded. What’s a different way you’ve used plastic cutlery?
I've used a plastic knife as a screwdriver
3. Books are supposed to be for reading. What’s a different way you’ve used a book?
I love decorating with books
4. A file folder is supposed to be used for holding and organizing important papers. What’s a different way you’ve used a file folder?
I've used them as foldables
5. A shoe is an article of clothing meant for wearing on a foot. What’s a different way you’ve used a shoe?
a doorstop

twitter break!

pic.twitter.com/WRMCbq494P

— Kwizgiver (@Kwizgiver) January 24, 2014

can't stop watching this...

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.

They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.

This week my thursday bug is:

A sudden, sinus headache.

w.w.w. wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? I'm listening to The Sense Of An Ending by Julian Barnes. I started reading The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell, for my book group.

• What did you recently finish reading? I finished reading The Signature Of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert, I loved it!

• What do you think you’ll read next? something light, I'm sure.

certainly...

Certainly 8 o'clock is late enough for tonight. #SweetDreams

— Kwizgiver (@Kwizgiver) January 22, 2014

ten things tuesday

Ten ways to be a good friend:

1) Celebrate exciting news. Big news, small news, newsy-news!

2) Listen.

3) Spend time together.

4) Get dressed up and go out to do something.

5) Share books and magazines.

6) Share accessories. It doubles your wardrobe.

7) Send a random card or hand write a letter.

8) Do silly things together.

9) Remember. Take a walk down memory lane together.

10) Remind your friend how special your relationship is.

ouch

My plan for the day was a Pajama Day. Just hanging around, reading, napping and not doing anything terribly productive. At eight o'clock the phone rang and my dentist's office had an opening for a cleaning. I chose the earliest option, at 9:30 and then hustled around to get ready. I figured if I went early, I wouldn't have as much time to get anxious. Two hours later, my gums are tender and I'm exhausted. Nothing that a nap and a good book can't soothe.

just finished reading...

It's amazing that historical fiction about a female botanist was interesting enough to keep me turning pages for over five hundred pages. I could not put this book down. From the atmospheric settings to the secondary characters, I was hooked. Alma Whittaker is modern yet traditional, brilliant and sheltered, formidable woman of her times.

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying about it.
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

I'm currently finishing up The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. It's an amazing story spanning the 18th and 19th centuries. It clocks in at over 500 pages and it hasn't lagged. I haven't been able to put it down. I had no idea that moss and botany could be so engrossing.

what's your courage word?

Your Courage Word is "Try"

You find that you need the most courage when life gets overwhelming. And you break things down into small steps. You don't pressure yourself to go big or go home. You think it's enough to try to be a little more courageous. You like to see yourself as experimenting a bit in life. If something doesn't work out, it's not the end of the world. By taking the pressure off yourself, you are excited to try more things. You know that change doesn't have to be scary.

What's Your Courage Word?

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

friends

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: The Last Night Meme


Did anyone call you last night? no, but that's not unusual

How late were you on the computer last night? I think I shut it down around 10:30

What did you have to eat last night? I had sausage rigatoni around 7

Did you watch any good TV shows or movies last night? I watched three or four episodes of True Blood, Season 5

Did any news items stand out to you last night? no, I didn't pay any attention to news

Did you go out last night? nope

What was the weather like last night? light snow

What was the last thing you said last night? I don't talk when I'm by myself... so... in the afternoon, I let my neighbor's cat out and talked to him

What time did you go to bed last night? around 11:30

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

saturday 9

That's My Kind of Night

1) Dancing all night to the best song ever would be good for the cardiovascular system. When is the last time you exercised? on purpose? Oh, it's been a very long time... very long time

2) The girl in this song is the daughter of a dentist. "Dentophobia" is fear of dentists. How do you feel about going to the dentist? I suffer from dentaphobia--last year I couldn't put off my dental visit because I was in extreme pain. It wasn't as bad as I expected.

3) One Direction performed this on Good Morning, America. Do you watch morning TV? If so, which show? I don't watch TV in the morning.

4) Listening to upbeat pop songs like this one makes Sam feel young. When is the last time you participated in an activity commonly connected to children (like swinging on a swing, drinking chocolate milk, playing a board game, etc.)? I had a class illustrate some vocabulary and we spent some time coloring the illustrations.

5) One of the boys, Louis Tomlinson, was an actor before joining the band. How many different professions have you tried? What were they? I worked for nine years in retail, which I wouldn't consider a profession; I'm a teacher, and I've been in this position for fifteen years.

6) The fans that have made One Direction millionaires are also the target audience for series like The Hunger Games, Harry Potter and Wimpy Kid. Do you read Young Adult literature? I do--and I wish more adults would read it--the genre has become much more sophisticated over the past decade

7) If this is the "best song ever," what song do you consider the worst? Tell us which song just sets your teeth on edge. I cringe when the song "Sweet Child Of Mine" by Guns 'n Roses comes on. I hate that song.

8) One Direction performed at the Royal Variety Show for Queen Elizabeth. If you found yourself presented to Her Majesty, what would you say? I would probably just tell her how much I admire her and what an honor it is to meet her

9) Right now, is your life moving in the right direction or are you feeling a bit aimless? I'm going in the right direction!

chemo hats

The two hats I knit for my friend who's going through chemo.The purple/pink/grey hat is alpaca, the blue/green hat is merino wool.  Both are soft and squishy.  More on the way.

finished a while ago...

I forgot I finished this for my book group last week. Of course, I didn't read the complete works, but I did read a novel and several short stories. I have been reading Sherlock Holmes for as long as I can remember. My reading group had a lot of fun discussing the history of Holmes, and how Arthur Conan Doyle revolutionized investigations and police procedures. And, of course, we talked about all the incarnations of Sherlock Holmes and how fun he is as a character.

friday 5

Food Again

1. What was the most recent pork dish you consumed, and how was it?
we had pork roast at Christmas--it was fantastic!
2. What was the most recent fish dish you consumed, and how was it?
I had baked stuffed haddock recently and it was dry and the stuffing was mushy
3. What was the most recent beef dish you consumed, and how was it?
I don't remember
4. What was the most recent all-veggie dish you consumed, and how was it?
I had a huge salad for supper, it was just what I wanted
5. What was the most recent chicken dish you consumed, and how was it?
at lunch today I had chicken in my rigatoni with broccoli and alfredo sauce, and I have it often

one word

Today has been a refreshing day. Because it's the end of the quarter and mid-year exams are next week, most of my classes were reviewing. Some of them chose to not review (the senior classes) and we spent the classes enjoying each others company--talking books, movies, and fun stuff. I feel refreshed because I've accomplished a lot (in preparing for exams) and am organized to pick up with content after next week. It was kind of nice to just sort of hang out today. Also, my friend and I put together a get well package for our friend with cancer. Fun videos, the two hats I knit, some Celtic music, and cards.

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.

They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.

This week my thursday bug is:

Cinnamon repeats on me.

toys...

Setting up my new iPhone. I know I don't neeeeeed it, but ...

w.w.w. wednesdays

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? I'm listening to The Sense Of An Ending by Julian Barnes. I started reading The Signature Of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. And I'm also reading some Sherlock Holmes for my book group on Friday.

• What did you recently finish reading? I haven't finished reading anything this week--The Signature is 500+ pages.

• What do you think you’ll read next? The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell, for my book group.

ten things tuesday

Ten songs from the 90s that I still love!

1. Savage Garden: "I Want You"

2. Hootie & the Blowfish: "Only Wanna Be With You"

3. Smash Mouth: "All Star"

4. Ricky Martin: "Livin' La Vida Loca"

5. Cher: "Believe"

6. Madonna: "Vogue"

7. Third Eye Blind: "Semi-Charmed Kind of Life"

8. Sheryl Crow: "All I Wanna Do"

9. Paula Cole: "I Don't Want To Wait"

10. Lisa Loeb: "Stay"

BONUS: U2: "One" my all-time favorite song!

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

• Question: Are “best” and “favorite” the same thing? If someone asked you “What’s the best book you ever read?” would the answer be the same as for “What’s your favorite?”  {source}

My favorite book and the best book are not always the same book. I can appreciate how well a book is written without liking the book. Same with liking a book that's not high literature. 2013's reading list is filled with a lot of books that are both, luckily. Lots of well-written books that have become favorites!

What makes it a favorite? When I can't wait to pass it on to someone else. When I can't wait to talk about it with everyone I know.

go for the gold!

I just got the news that a former student of mine, Russell Currier, has made the US Olympic team for Mens Biathlon! So excited for this hometown hero. All his hard work and dedication is really paying off.

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: The Fast Dozen Meme

1. What is the last book that you passed on to someone else to read?
I got one of my students to read Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick--and he loves it
2. The one song you secretly or not so secretly want to sing at karaoke?
some Cher song
3. If you had to pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
I might actually go by my middle name
4. What do you wish your administrator or boss would notice?
how hard it is to juggle two different Advanced Placement classes
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
whining students
6. What holds you back in pursuing your biggest dream?
me
7. Why do you think you are a lovable person?
because I'm a very good listener
8. If every day had an extra hour in it, what would you do with it?
knit or read
9. The last song you turned up in your car or house was?
Applause by Lady Gaga
10. What is a secret talent you may have?
I would be an awesome stylist
11. Your favorite thing to do outside when it's not too cold out in the winter?
not freeze
12. How do you respond if someone asks you an inappropriate or nosy question?
giving them "the eye" (I have a very good eye)

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

saturday 9

That's My Kind of Night

1) In this song, our hero offers to take his girl down to the river to catch a catfish dinner. What is your favorite seafood? bacon-wrapped scallops

2) Luke Bryan went to Georgia State University, home of the Panthers. What was your school mascot? my university mascot was the Owl

3) Have you ever tried acupuncture? no, but I'm fascinated by it

4) Just last night, Crazy Sam threw away a jar of Miracle Whip because it expired in September 2013. Is your refrigerator neat and organized? Or is it a disaster area, like Sam's? for having nothing in it, it's a disaster

5) Which is more important to you -- saving time or saving money? saving money

6) Sam's next door neighbor is named Jim. He's retired, smokes a pipe and drives a red Corolla. Tell us about one of your neighbors. my next door neighbor is a young man who works at 5 in the morning, so he goes to bed very early; he is very, very quiet in the building and quite personable and friendly.

7) What's the most recent magazine you flipped through? Nail magazine, a Christmas gift

8) Could your vehicle use a trip to the car wash right now? right now it's coated in ice

9) Did you hit the snooze button this morning? as a matter of fact, I did... three times!

friday 5

Ritual de lo Habitual

1. What’s a bad habit you’d like to get rid of?
I would like to stop letting the garbage cans get full to overflowing
2. What’s a good habit that’s taken you really long to establish?
putting my laundry away
3. What’s a good habit that doesn’t take much effort but others seem to envy?
being organized at school
4. What kind of unusual rituals do you go through in daily life?
I have to put my right shoe on first
5. What’s the weirdest ritual you’ve heard of in others?
my friend has a hand-washing ritual that I think is extreme

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.

They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.

This week my thursday bug is:

I can't stop thinking about my friend's cancer diagnosis.

sounds extra, extra bad...

I found out today that one of my dear friends has been diagnosed with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. I'm especially upset because she retired from being a school librarian in June. So this is how her retirement is going to go? What a heartbreak. Her husband is in ill-health, too, so the in-home nursing care he receives will now be assisting her.

I sent her some flowers today and we had a nice phone call. But I want to do more. If she hasn't already, she will soon lose her hair, so I'm thinking of knitting a soft hat. And maybe I can knit her a prayer shawl or a small blanket. I'd also love to put together some books for her, for when she feels up to reading.

Any other suggestions? I'm just so heartbroken.

ETA: I thought of some videos I can put in a basket for her (and her husband) to enjoy. I feel better thinking of things to do.

w.w.w. wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? I'm listening to The Sense Of An Ending by Julian Barnes. I started reading The Signature Of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. And I'm also reading some Sherlock Holmes for my book group on Friday.

• What did you recently finish reading? I read Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick.


• What do you think you’ll read next? I'm not sure!

postsecret (a little late)

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

ten things tuesday

Ten places I'd visit that are my second choice destinations:

1) The Beach. Because I am so fair-skinned, I burn like the dickens. I enjoy the beach but I can't stay there long.

2) The Lake. Another outside destination. What I don't like about a lake is the guck at the bottom of it. And leeches.

3 & 4) Australia and New Zealand. I've always romanticized a visit there. It's the amount of time it would take to get there that's daunting.

5) Tahiti. Sounds deliciously exotic.

6) India. The population overload overwhelms me. All the people everywhere would freak me out.

7) Poland. On my second tier list of locations to visit. I'm curious to see what it's like since I've studied it mostly from the perspective of the World Wars.

8) Space. I think it would be really cool to travel into space, but it's not my first choice for destination.

9) Los Angeles. I've been to California but not to LA, I don't think I'd like to stay for long but a visit would be fun. All the flash and glamor.

10) Egypt and Russia. I'm lumping them together because the reason they're not first tier is because of the government unrest. I'd be scared for my safety.

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying about it.
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

The five most recent books I've purchased for myself are: White Wedding by Milly Johnson, The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes, French Fried: one man's move to France with too many animals and an identity thief by Chris Dolley, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, and Love Thy Neighbor by Mark Gilleo. I believe they were all reduced price or free books!

critical error...

Critical error: not napping so I can stay awake for Downton Abbey. Guess I'll hope no one spoils it for me tomorrow.

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: The Generic Meme

1. What did you want to be when you were little? happy

2. Would you prefer to have a large group of friends, or a small group of friends? Why? I suppose I like a large group of friends because of the variety and diversity

3. What is your fashion “style”? Or what type of clothes do you wear on a daily basis? I wear "teacher clothes" (business casual)

4. If you could live anywhere where would you live? since there have been record-breaking cold temperatures for about a week, I'm going to answer with ANYWHERE WARMER! Although my heart belongs in Ireland.

5. What is your biggest hope for the next year? to be encouraged, not discouraged

6. When you pass by reflective surfaces do you check yourself out? no

7. Favorite genre of movie as well as TV show? I admit I like a Rom-Com movie... and for tv shows? I guess unscripted (dare I call it reality?)

8. Top favorite books? (limit of 5) from my 2013 reading list: Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple, The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling), Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, and Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

9. Have you ever taken a cooking class? no, but I think it would be a blast!

10. What three words would you use to describe yourself? independent, creative, intelligent

11. Favorite animal? puppies!

12. What is your dream job? I don't know yet

13. If you could go back in history to any moment that you did not live, what would it be and why? I would have loved to be a fly on the wall at the Constitutional Convention--to see how the major compromises came about

14. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why? teleportation--so I could avoid this bitter cold weather

15. What is your favorite movie? my favorite musical is Mary Poppins

16. What is your best childhood memory? playing Crazy 8s with my mother

17. What is your favorite part about blogging? being able to ramble

18. What is your favorite quote?

Your greatest power is the power to be.
To be more loving. To be more courageous.
To be more joyous. To be more friendly.
To be more sensitive. To be more aware.
To be more forgiving. To be more tolerant.
To be more humble. To be more patient.
To be more helpful.
To be a greater human being.
~ Wilfred A. Peterson

19. What song do you feel like describes your life the best? Why? Change the World by Eric Clapton

20. Would you describe yourself as shy or outgoing? outgoing

rather random

How old were you when you had your first kiss? my first romantic kiss was when I was a freshman in high school

If I handed you a concert ticket right now, who would you want to be the performer? U2

What color looks best on you? brown, green, light blue

Name three facts about your family? we are musical, we would love to live in a compound, we have crazy inside jokes

What’s the best thing you can cook? lasagna

If you could pick the gender and appearance of your child, would you? nope

If you died right now, what song would you want to play at your funeral? One by U2

Favorite holiday dish? mashed potatoes

Would you ever get into a long distance relationship? sure

Favorite kind of soup? potato

What’s the most thoughtful present you’ve ever received? a tote bag

Are you currently in love with someone? unrequited love for George

Would you ever become a vegan? no

What’s your favorite hot beverage? hot cocoa

For your birthday, what kind of cake do you ask for? chocolate cake with either peanut butter frosting or chocolate frosting

Do you like going on airplanes? yes, although I haven't since before 9/11

Did you ever play an instrument? If so what? I play some percussive instruments

Who was your best friend when you were six years old? Lisa Marquis

What color was your childhood home? green and white

Starbucks order? not a regular at Starbucks but I love iced coffee from Dunkin' Donuts

Do you like where you’re from? yes

What was your favorite book as a child? I liked the Laura Ingalls Wilder series

What’s the scariest dream you’ve ever had? a recurring dream about being bludgeoned to death

Would you rather carve pumpkins or wrap presents? wrap presents

Favorite kind of candy? chocolate stuff

Would you rather be cold or hot? cold, although this weather is insane and no one likes it

Do you listen to what’s on the radio? occasionally

Do you like when it rains? if it's not heavy rain with a lot of wind

What’s a movie you cried while watching? Four Weddings and a Funeral

Do you think you’re important? of course!

refresh

I've spent today just doing nothing much. I went out to do some errands and let the car get very warm, which felt good. Now I am getting ready to go out to dinner with my bestie.

what are you drinkin'?

I'm drinking my first iced coffee of the year and it truly is the nectar of the gods. My car window has been frozen or my battery has been dead enough that I haven't gone to Dunkin' for my daily dose. Oh, how I have missed it. Oh, how I am savoring it!

saturday 9

Believe

1) In 1998, Cher became the oldest woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 with "Believe." She was 52 at the time. At what age do you think you did hit/will hit your prime? first let me say I can't believe this song is that old! Now to the answer--I think I've hit my stride in the past couple of years. I can only hope I haven't hit my prime yet!

2) Cher is as well known for her outrageous outfits as for her singing. What's the latest piece of clothing you added to your wardrobe?

This blouse was on sale for $11, I couldn't pass it up!

3) Cher credits her unique looks to her diverse ethnicity. Her father was Armenian and her mom is English/German/Cherokee. From where did your ancestors come? I am Irish, French, and German

4) When she was a little girl, Cher produced and starred in a schoolyard production of Oklahoma. Were you involved in drama or theater in school? very involved!

5) Cher is open about her plastic surgery, speaking freely about having had her breasts 'done', her nose bobbed and her teeth straightened. If you could change one physical feature about yourself, which would it be? And what would you never change, under any circumstances? I would get rid of my double-chin, it has plagued me my whole life... I wouldn't change much of anything else, really, I dare not say under any circumstances...

6) There's a stubborn rumor, often denied, that Cher had a rib removed so that she could maintain her long and lean silhouette. What's the most outrageous thing anyone has said of you? nothing comes to mind

7) When she was a kid, Cher practiced her autograph. Do you have a clear, legible signature? Or is it more of a scrawl? I have a very clear, legible signature

8) Cher asks, "Do you believe in life after love?" Crazy Sam's question is easier and less profound: Do you believe in luck? yes

9) Did you make any resolutions for 2014? not so much resolution but I chose a theme word for the year

first book of the year!

I might be a little late to the party, but the first book I read in 2014 is Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick.

It's all about setting the tone for the reading year. And this was a great choice for the new year!

brrrrr