sunday stealing

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The Getting to Know You Questions



1. What is your occupation right now? How long have you been there? I am a high school social studies teacher--this is my 19th year at this school, 21st year total teaching

2. Favorite rock band. Ever. U2

3. What are you listening to right now? the clock ticking

4. Last person you spoke to on the phone. What was it about? I don't even remember

5. How old are you today? Or make up a question. This one bites. I am 51 years, 6 months, 15 days old

6. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? hockey

7. What is your favorite drink? Dunkin' Donuts iced coffee, water, or Polar brand orange dry

8. Have you ever dyed your hair? yes, but it's been years

9. Favorite food? pizza

10. What is the last movie you watched? something stupid that I didn't enjoy and can't recall

11. Favorite day of the year? my birthday!

12. How do you vent anger? I wallow and then put it in perspective and move on

13. What was your favorite toy as a child? my teddy bear

14. Living arrangements? (Of course your pets count. Geez!) by myself

15. What was the last thing that you cried about? a student's drug overdose and near death

16. Who is the friend you have had the longest? my bestie and I have a 30+ year friendship

17. What did you do last night? had dinner with my bestie and another dear friend from high school

18. What are you most afraid of? being incapacitated

19. In how many areas of your country have you lived? What's your favorite? just Maine and I like the Northeast

20. What is your favorite flower? (Ugh. Quite the note to go out on. But hell, we steal the questions. I guess you get what you pay for.) the peony

talk nerdy to me

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Day 13: Your favorite subject to study.

My nerdy answer is that I love studying everything--from whimsical to serious; I like reading the phone book and dictionary. All sorts of things catch my fancy. I'm a lifelong learner!

saturday 9

Mama Can't Buy You Love


1) This week's artist, Elton John, was made an Office of Arts and Letters -- one of France's highest honors for people who have contributed significantly to the arts. What's the most recent compliment you received? one of my students said she loves history for the first time in her life because of our class

2) In 2013, Elton had to cancel an international concert tour because he had an appendectomy. Do you still have your appendix? I have all my bits and parts!

3) In 1979, Elton John was the first Western rock star to tour the Soviet Union. Would you like to visit Russia? oh, hell no!

4) Elton and his mother hadn't spoken in years but he reached out to her and healed their beach in honor of her 90th birthday in 2015. Who is the oldest person you know? a family friend is 95

5) Flowers and plants are popular on Mother's Day. How is your yard or garden? Is it green and/or blooming? things are finally starting to green and bloom

6) Mother's Day is a big holiday for card shops. So are birthdays, weddings, and St. Patrick's Day. Hallmark sells greetings for everything from "Congratulations on Your New Job" to "Happy Retirement." Who received the most recent card you bought? Dad

7) Sam's mother is very careful when she unwraps presents because she likes to save money by to reusing wrapping paper and gift bags. Tell us one way that you economize. I recycle bottles and cans

8) Mother Winters used to scold Crazy Sam for leaving her dirty dishes in the sink. Sam admits it: as a grown up, she still leaves dirty dishes in the sink. How about you? Is your sink or dishwasher empty? my sink has 6 juice cups in it

9) RANDOM QUESTION: What size mattress do you sleep on -- twin, full, queen or king? full

never leave without...

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Day 12: Something you don't leave the house without.

A tissue. Keys. Identification.

friday 5

Guestimation

1. How well do you adjust to sleeping in an unfamiliar place?
actually, I'm pretty good at it
2. When were you recently someone’s guest, and when were you recently someone’s host?
it's been more than 10 years since I hosted and I was hosted two years ago
3. What’s the ickiest place where you’ve ever showered or bathed?
definitely at some camping sites
4. What’s something you don’t need but insist on taking when you travel?
extra underthings
5. Who’s got a comfy couch?
My dad does--I don't even have a couch

the friday 56

The Friday 56

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.

I'm reading Superficial.

"We were all stunned for her."

think write thursday

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My ideal day.

I'd like to sleep without an alarm waking me up. Then I'd like to go to breakfast or brunch with friends. Then I would get an iced coffee and take a nice drive and toodle around. Then I would do whatever errands I have to run and go home and relax with a nap. Later in the afternoon, it's time to read or listen to a book and knit. Then I'd figure out something for dinner and watch a movie or something DVRd. Maybe I'd win the lottery. Ordinary days are ideal, though.

gushing

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Day 11: Who inspires you?

My dad inspires me. He is a Renaissance man! He loves music, theater, education, and is a local celebrity. As a teacher, he touched countless lives and was beloved by his students. He retired from teaching the year I graduated from high school. His next professional move was to the local University, where he was the director of the Upward Bound program. Once again, he finished that job the year I graduated from that university. Next, he helped design and then directed the performing arts center at the next community's high school. Eventually, I was hired at that high school and worked my first year his last year as the program director. I guess I've followed his footsteps in a literal sense! Beyond the professional side, though, he is a great person. He is thoughtful and loves to acknowledge successes of his friends, family, and former students--when he reads about them in the newspaper, he is quick to send a note.

quirky

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Day 10: Share some of your quirks.

• left foot goes in pants first
  
• one foot needs to be outside the blankets
• I tap tabletops/desktops three times as I walk by
• I don't like to drive with the car windows down
• summer means no shoes

unraveled wednesday

I'm sad that Ginny @ Yarn Along has stopped hosting. But I'm happy that Kat @ AsKatKnits has picked up the mantle!

I'm knitting the One Skein - A Stole! in Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball® and I'm listening to Superficial.

The progress report.

ten things tuesday

Ten things:

1.

2. One of my students gave me a bag of Reese's peanut butter cups and told me I'm her favorite teacher. It was a sweet moment.

3. One of my students from last year (his mom is one of my buddy-colleagues) opted to spend bonus time with me after his APUSH test. I was pleased he chose to spend time with me instead of being able to go off campus for lunch.

4. I chose to not read my school book group book for May. I don't even feel guilty.

5. I might be in a bit of a reading slump.

6. Plans for my dad's 80th birthday party are coming along! I'm excited that it's been relatively painless to plan.

7. I'm trying not to kill my new shamrock.

8. I got a few new clothes and I'm thrilled to have a boost in my wardrobe.

9. I might take a hiatus from the news.

10. Scott Pelley has amazing eyes!

dressing alike

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Day 9: Share a favorite memory from your childhood.

My mum was a talented seamstress and she used to make outfits for my dolls and teddy bear. Teddy was my best friend, so having a wardrobe for him, especially when we had matching pajamas, was thrilling. That is one of my favorite childhood memories. I wish I had a photo.

yes, yes it fits...

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Day 8: What is your zodiac sign--does it fit your personality?

I am a Scorpio. Yes, this fits.

currently

I am...

Reading: paperwork at school--'tis the season to be drowning in it!

Watching: DVRd shows

Listening to: the heavy rain

Wanting: answers to some school questions

Needing: something for my headache

Loving: my Land's End jeans--they are so comfortable!!!!

Thinking: about what to wear to school tomorrow

Feeling: headachy

Celebrating: Teacher Appreciation Week

Grateful for: students that are still working

A quote I want to share:

charity

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Day 7: Do you have a favorite charity or cause you support?

I knit hats for the local cancer support group. Nice, soft, cozy, sleep hats.

sunday stealing

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The Chicago Crazy Questions

1) What was your dream growing up? to be happy

2) What talent do you wish you had? I wish I enjoyed performing

3) If I bought you a drink what would it be? iced coffee from Dunkin' Donuts

4) What was the last book you read? I read more of Language Arts by Stephanie Kallos

5) Worst Habit? being lazy

6) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride? probably not

7) What is your favorite sport? napercise (it's a real thing!)

8) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me? chat

9) Worst thing to ever happen to you? uh... pulmonary emboli

10) Tell me one weird fact about you. I don't mind doing tedious tasks

11) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly? I probably would not open the door

12) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be? uhm... gee, I don't know

13) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience? depends on the crime and the hour of the day

14) Ever been arrested? I have not

15) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it? pay off bills

16) Favorite thing to do in your spare time? read, knit, noodle around on the internet

17) Biggest pet peeve? being interrupted

18) In one word, how would you describe yourself? relaxed (that's my word for today, anyhow)

19) Do you believe in/appreciate romance? yes, I do

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

The Tide Is High

1) This song was originally performed in 1966 by a Jamaican band called The Paragons. Jamaica is the most popular vacation destination in the Caribbean. What's your ideal vacation? (Relaxing on the beach, sightseeing in a new city, skiing the slopes, spending time with family, etc.) I like visiting with family and sightseeing in a new city--I'm not much of an outdoorsy type

2) In this song, Debbie Harry sings that she's not the kind of girl who gives up easily. How about you? Do you hang on stubbornly? Or do you know when to say "when?" I usually do some soul-searching and know when to say "when"

3) Blondie is a group that took it's name from the lead singer's most identifiable characteristic, her hair. If your band was named after your hair, what would it be called? Fading Strawberry

4) Before her career as a singer took off, Debbie supported herself as a waitress. She even served drinks while wearing bunny ears and tail at The Playboy Club. Have you ever worked in food service? ugh--I have and I HATED it--well, the waitressing part was awful but hostessing wasn't bad except for bussing tables

5) Debbie points to David Bowie as a major influence on her music and career. What's your favorite Bowie song? lately, I've been listening to "Golden Years"

6) In 1980, when this song was popular, the best selling issue of Rolling Stone featured Robert Redford on the cover. Who is your all-time favorite actor? George Clooney

7) In 1980, Ted Turner revolutionized how we watch TV when he introduced CNN. Do you have any subscriptions services in addition to cable -- like Hulu, Amazon Prime or Netflix? I have Amazon and Netflix

8) John Lennon was murdered in 1980. Today there's a specially landscaped section of Central Park called Strawberry Fields in his honor. If you had a day to spend in New York, what would you want to see? I've discovered that one day just isn't enough time to spend in NYC!

9) We're going shopping! Which do you need to add to your wardrobe: underwear, shoes or a swimsuit? actually (and I can't believe I'm going to say this) right now I'm good

careless or clueless

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Day 6: Something you wish you'd never done.

I wish I had never been careless or clueless with my finances.

the friday 56

The Friday 56

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.

I'm reading Language Arts.

But as Charles trudged upstairs to his second-floor classroom, he couldn't summon anything but a weary, resolute calm, oddly impermeable to the effervescent energies of students and staff. It was as if he'd been encased in the emotional equivalent of a hazmat suit.