Honestly!

I am honored to have been tagged awarded this awesome meme award!! Dear Ornery's Wife over at ThoughtsFromMillerManor (only one of several blogs she writes, by the way) has done it again and made my day. And I honestly mean that. It really chirks me up to be thought of, even for a meme. And really, I kind of like memes. Remember? I like filling out forms.

Which reminds me, I meant to tell you this: A while back we got sent a survey in the mail. It was a week's worth of log pages to tell what you watched on television, and when, and for how long. I threw it away because 1) it was addressed to Hubby and he hates filling out forms, and 2) we don't watch TV. We don't even own a television. I figured it wouldn't do much good to fill it out.

A couple weeks later, we got another one, which I threw away. A week later, we got ANOTHER one. I don't remember how many I threw away. Either two or three. But on the last one we got, I noticed that they were promising to send us $35 if we returned the survey, duly filled out. I don't know if they'd been promising that all along or not, but suddenly I realized, I could earn some money!

Long story short, every day that week I filled in the date at the top of the log page and checked the box at the bottom that said "I didn't watch television this week." Then I sent it in.

And whaddaya know? Not long after, I got an envelope in the mail with thirty-five dollars CASH in it. What could I do with $35 all my own that I earned myself?!

And THAT'S the story behind my pierced ears and my haircut!

ANYway. Back to my award--

Here are the rules:

When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to said person so everyone knows he or she is real. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don’t have 7 friends. Show the 7 random victims’ names and links and leave them a harassing comment informing that they were prized with “Honest Weblog.” Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon. List at least ten honest things about yourself. Then, pass it on!

TEN HONEST THINGS ABOUT ME

1. I'm still undecided about keeping my earrings. (Does that surprise you?) Right now, even though they're pretty, they're a pain-- my ears hurt, of course, it's been only a week and a half since I had them done; and, Hubby loves to touch my face and my ears, and now he can't, or if he forgets it hurts me; and, I'm not sleeping well at night because it hurts to lay on my side, right on the earrings (I have to cup my hand around my ear, and it's just not "right"). However, I'm trying to be patient. Surely once everything heals up, things will be back to normal. However, if not? Out the earrings go.

2. Plus, I always sort of prided myself on not being vain and worldly. I was about the only person I knew without earrings.

3. However, I loved the idea of having little sparklies that you just catch a glimpse of behind my long hair. Now I have no basis for being proud because I guess I'm as vain as the next woman.

4. If I can get started on a project early enough I do great, but as soon as it feels like the deadline is looming over my head I get paralyzed and have a very hard time getting it done. I was terribly afraid I would somehow drop the ball regarding LovelyDaughter's wedding because of that. Fortunately, we all managed to pull it off.

5. I don't like to go to doctors if I can help it. To quote Miss Marple from an Agatha Christie book, "I have had too much experience of life to believe in the infallibility of doctors. Some of them are clever men and some of them are not, and half the time the best of them don't know what is the matter with you. I have no truck with doctors and their medicines myself."

6. Plus, you have to have a spare thousand dollars laying around if you call in a medical professional. Which we usually don't.

7. I love playing violin on the worship team at church. Someday I'd like to maybe play in an orchestra again. Or a string quartet. Or a band. Since our family music sort of broke up, I'm missing it.

(Wow. TEN things? Um....)

8. I'm like Ornery's Wife, and I dislike (artificially) scented things. I think, actually, I'm somewhat allergic or something, because I get headaches from scented candles, perfumes, and anything from Bath & Bodyworks. Seriously? I even have to walk a wide berth around the Bath & Bodyworks store at the mall. (REAL scents don't bother me--pine, most flowers, fruit, grass....) Before I buy a new brand of shampoo, or deodorant, or anything, I have to smell it first, to make sure I can stand it. And the smell of Simple Green makes me throw up.

9. Speaking of allergic, I can't use artificial sweeteners, not that I even want to. I can tell within seconds of tasting if something has Sucralose in it. In fact, I had a run-in with that recently: I bought a large can of hot chocolate mix. Since it had been a long time since I had bought hot chocolate mix, I scanned the ingredient list quickly, saw that the first two ingredients were sugar and corn syrup solids, breathed a sigh of relief and bought it. I had a cup one day and I kept saying to myself, "This hot chocolate tastes strange. Oh well, must be because I haven't had any for a while and I'd forgotten how 'storebought' it tastes." The next day I had another cup, and I kept tasting that odd taste. Finally I said out loud, to no one in particular, "This tastes like it has artificial sweetener in it!" I grabbed the can to look at the ingredients again, and do you know what the very last ingredient was? Sucralose!

This is just so wrong in two ways. First of all, how can I taste that tiny amount, and why would it make my stomach turn? Secondly, if the mix is mostly sugar and corn syrup solids already, why do they need to put in any artificial sweetening at all? Grr.

10. I don't form habits easily. This is both good and bad. It means I don't have a lot of bad habits, except maybe picking at my face when I'm nervous, but it also means I have trouble forming good habits. Any wobble in my life completely resets my hard drive and I forget what I was doing. This is one reason why learning to follow the daily prayers is helpful to me. It's a good habit that builds my faith and starts a bit of a rhythm going. I hope I can keep it up.


And now, I'm awarding this to every one of you that is reading this right now. You are already one of the favored few (as GuitarGeek said at LovelyDaughter's small, exclusive wedding) and you deserve an award. Take it, and my blessings.

On a Lighter Note

I totally stole this meme from It's Almost Naptime!! because it looked like fun, and also, she could have been writing about me when she said it was a sickness, but she loves filling in forms.

Also, I'm avoiding cleaning house and thinking about family troubles. What better way than by answering a lot of unnecessary questions?

So here you go:

RANDOM QUESTIONS REGARDING CHRISTMAS THAT YOU ARE INVITED TO ANSWER EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE FORTY OTHER THINGS THAT YOU REALLY SHOULD BE DOING

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Definitely real. Then, after Christmas, we can have our little family tradition where we haul it out in the yard and pour gasoline on it. Gives new meaning to the song lyrics "light the Christmas tree."

3. When do you put up the tree? Oh, a week or two before Christmas.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually about New Year's Day.


5. Do you like eggnog? No. It sort of makes me gag, for some reason.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A box of homemade chocolate chip cookies.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My sons. They are not into wanting small junk. But the big, important, valuable things they like I can't afford.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My daughter. Earrings, and art supplies, and necklaces, and chocolate are cheaper than guns, and ammo, and sound gear, and motorcycle parts. Or computers, or camera lenses.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? One very tiny one.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Usually neither, but sometimes I send a newsletter.


11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Well, one year my ten year old son received a cool multi-tool that he had been really wanting; but it turned out to be a cheap chinese knock-off, and it broke in-- I'm not kidding-- the first TWO minutes of looking at it. He was so disappointed it broke my heart. That's the worst gift I've ever received. After all, if you love my kids, you love me. If you hurt my kids, your life is in danger. (kidding. sort of.)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I used to like the traditional Christmas specials, you know, Charlie Brown, the Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty. But somewhere along the line they've lost their sparkle.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? After Thanksgiving

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not in a long time.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Date-filled cookies.

16. Lights on the tree? Absolutely, all of them clear.

17. Favorite Christmas songs? O Come O Come Emmanuel. What Child is This.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home. We used to travel, but not much anymore.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Maybe.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Depends on the year. I've done both. I've also done a crown.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? First thing Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Family tensions.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? gold and red and sparkly.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Dark chocolate. Any of the books on my wish list at Amazon, like the Divine Hours series by Phyllis Tickle. A gift card to buy some new clothes.

And I am tagging the following:

Ornery's Wife
Carrie
Ronda
Beck
LovelyDaughter

Tomorrow, barring some new crisis, I hope to write about the lovely award that Ornery's Wife awarded me at her blog, ThoughtsFromMillerManor.

For ME? Aw, Shucks.

Carrie at ChocolatetheOtherWhiteMeat has presented me with an award.

(I accidentally typed "awardy" the first time. Just a cute, little award I guess...)

But to get my award I have to do a meme, so forward and onward to the prize set before me....

A. Attached or single? Attached, definitely.

B. Best friend? Hubby, and then LovelyDaughter

C. Cake or pie? Cake, if it's chocolate.

D. Day of choice? Whatever day I've been looking forward to.

E. Essential item? hot showers.

F. Favorite color? For walls, yellow. For flowers, red. For clothes, pink or brown.

G. Gummy bears or worms? Ugh. Do I have to choose? Sour worms, I guess, but I'd rather chocolate covered pecans.

H. Hometown? A small town in Nebraska

I. Indulgence? Dove dark chocolate

J. January or July? January. I love curling up by the woodstove while it snows outside.

K. Kids? Four of them, who are not exactly "kids" anymore.

L. Life isn’t complete without? Hearing God speak to me regularly

M. Marriage date? October 10, 1981

N. Number of brothers & sisters? one brother

O. Oranges or apples? oranges

P. Phobias? disappointing people, therefore I have a phobia of expectations. I don't know if I can do it, therefore you'll be disappointed, and AAAAAAAAAAHHH!

Q. Quotes? "This is a PERFECT time to panic!" (Toy Story)

R. Reasons to smile? the family gathered around the supper table telling jokes

S. Season of choice? Fall

T. Tag seven peeps! SEE BELOW

U. Unknown fact about me? Unknown to whom?

V. Vegetable? Broccoli

W. Worst habits? Procastinating. Jumping to conclusions.

X. X-ray or ultrasound? for what?

Y. Your favorite food? fresh homemade bread with lots of real butter, beside a plate of pasta

Z. Zodiac sign? Um, as I recall it's Pisces, but does it really matter?

Okay! I get my award now!:




And I have to get to pass it on to another incredible seven, um, FIVE (sorry) people, who write at the following blogs:

curiosities of my brain

How the Lilies Grow

Baby Makes 3

Honey, I Fed the Kids

Thoughts From Miller Manor

When you five have done the meme and collected your award, be sure to pass it on!

A Love List

Today I'm taking a cue from Meg Fowler who most Fridays does a "love list," and invites her readers to do the same. Sometimes she has a theme, and sometimes it's just a random list of things she loves. Her lists can include anything from lip gloss to hockey stars, which just shows how interesting and random of a person she is.

My list, being as I am an ordinary, not-very-interesting person, will be probably ordinary and not-very-interesting, but it will be all about things I'm lovin' this very minute. Because this very minute, life is good. There haven't been a lot of minutes like that in the last year or so, with everyone either sick or depressed. But today? Today I'm lovin' it.

I love...

Playing my new violin
The way my new violin sounds when I play it
The way my new violin sounds when I play it with an amp. Very cool, y'all.
Watching JD and LovelyDaughter interact with each other
Kissing Hubby
Back rubs
And head rubs
And foot rubs
Basically, whole body massage
Hearing DrummerDude mowing the yard
Listening to GuitarGeek play guitar
GuitarGeek's crazy sense of humor
Family laughter around the supper table
New kittens (when I'm not worried about how many we have)
MB3's big strong shoulders and hands
Feeling God's presence
Answers to prayer
Good worship music
The smell of cut grass
When something in the Bible jumps out at me with whole new insight
Eating good food, and realizing that I cooked it!
Fresh homemade bread
The smell of line-dried laundry
Clean sheets
Brand new socks
When my hair does exactly what it's supposed to
Having friends over for supper
Playing my violin on the worship team, and finding out my mic was ON!
Hugs from friends
Ginger ale with lime and mint on a hot day
Dressing up and feeling pretty
Reading a good book and feeling like I just took a vacation
Camping in the rain
Making s'mores over a campfire
Finding checks in the mail
When the money goes around
Waking up to a clean kitchen
The sounds of the birds singing in our yard
A good night's sleep


Do you have things you love today? Put your own list in the comments if you like.

Thirty Questions Meme, aka The Cop- Out Post

I borrowed this from some un-remembered somebody somewhere, and as I have a weakness for answering stupid questions on meaningless questionnaires, it looked like fun.


If your doctor told you TODAY that you were pregnant, what would you say?
Cool!

Do you trust all of your friends?
Yes.

Would you move to another state or country to be with the one you love?
Absolutely. And he would never go without me.

Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?
Yes.

Can you make a dollar in change right now?
Oh yes. We have a dish of change where all the miscellaneous coins go, and it's full.

Which one of your friends do you think would make the best doctor?
Hm. I don't think any of my friends are doctor material.

What naughty word do you use too often?
Doggone it. Rats.

Is there someone who pops into your mind at random times?
No one in particular. But if someone I never think of DOES pop into my mind, I figure it's because I'm supposed to pray for them, or call them.

What's your most favorite scar?
Favorite SCAR? If I had a C-section scar, that would probably be it. You know, sentimental value, and all that. But since I don't have one of those, I don't have a favorite scar.

When was the last time you flew in a plane?
Last May. We flew to Las Vegas to pick up a car we bought on Ebay.

What features do you find most attractive in the preferred sex?
Smiles.

Fill in the blank.I love __________.
My family: my husband, my kids. I love them as individuals, and I also love them as the organism we call US.

What is a goal you would like to accomplish in the near future?
Re-decorate the bedroom.

If you were to wake up from being in a coma for an extended time who would you call?
My husband, if he wasn't there already.

Where was your favorite picture taken?
I love the picture I have of my four kids standing on a huge rock in South Dakota.

Honestly, what's on your mind right now?
How tired and ache-y I am, and if the chocolate chip cookies I just baked are cool enough to eat yet. 'Cause if they are, then I can eat one (or three) and then go to bed....

If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be?
I'd make my mother a better housekeeper.

Who was or will be the maid of honor/best man in your wedding?
Twenty-six years ago my maid of honor was a woman named Linda. She was my next door neighbor, and a few years older than I was; in fact, I was her babysitter for her brand new baby, clear until the baby was four, who then became the flower girl in my wedding. Not too many years after the wedding, Linda died unexpectedly.

What are you wearing right now?
Jeans, dark green zip sweater, brown long sleeve Shade shirt, black socks, brown suede shoes.

Ever had a bar fight?
A what?

Who knows you the best?
God.

Did you buy something today?
No, but I wanted to. I wanted to order a book from Amazon, but I couldn't make up my mind on which other book to get to make the order eligible for free shipping.

Did you get in a fight with someone today?
No.

When was the last time you had a massage?
This morning Hubby rubbed my back for me. Oh, do you mean a professional massage? Let's see. That would be, oh, two years ago. Hubby and I both went once to a massage therapist, just to see what it was like. (I decided I like Hubby's massages better.)

Last person to see you cry?
Hubby.

Who made you cry?
No one. I just felt weepy.

What was the last TV show you watched?
The Beverly Hillbillies, on DVD.

Who was the last person you hung out with?
LovelyDaughter and Meggan, last weekend.

Have you ever taken a peek at someone else's diary?
No. Not without permission.

What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
Bake a bunch of bread and cookies, and then sit by the fire and read.

Quirky? Interesting? Boring? Weird? None of the Above?

I was tagged a couple of weeks ago by Cricket for this meme, and I'm finally getting around to it.

If you've been around a little while, you know I have a terrible time thinking up random, quirky, interesting things about myself. That's one reason it's taken me so long. But at long last, here it is.

First, the rules:

THE RULES:
1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post THE RULES on your blog.
3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 people and link to them.
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

Then, the list:

1. I have to brush my teeth before I leave the house. I just don't feel dressed if I haven't brushed my teeth within ten minutes of leaving. If I get delayed, I have to do it again.

2. I get hungry for things my body needs. If I haven't eaten enough vegetables lately, I start drooling over thoughts of broccoli, or lambsquarter, or spinach, or eggplant. If I haven't had a lot of milk products, I start craving cottage cheese, or toast with LOTS of butter, or chocolate milk.

3. I don't wear my wedding rings around the house, and if I forget to put them on when I go out, I will drive back and get them.

4. I love to pet my husband's beard and run my fingers through his hair.

5. I love having big windows-- if I can't see outside I feel trapped.

6. I like music, but I can't leave it playing all day. My nerves get frazzled when there's nonstop sound.

7. My daughter and I decided we are low-maintenance women. We're pretty easy going. We don't spend tons of money on clothes and jewelry (operative word being tons.) We can pack light, dress fast, and keep our bathroom stays short --and Hubby and sons rise up and call us blessed!

And now I'm going to break the rules, and not tag anyone else. But if you're reading this, I would love for you to write a list of seven random things about yourself and leave it in the comments.

College for Real Life

I've been tagged for an interesting meme by My Ice Cream Diary. I've spent a couple of days thinking about it, and now I'm ready to sign up.

Here it is:

Devise a list of 5-10 courses you would take to fix your life. It’s more fun to be in classes with friends, so include one class from the person who tagged you that you’d also like to take. Tag five.


My first class is one I'd take with the gal at My Ice Cream Diary. I definitely would benefit. Plus, we could help each other with our "home" work...

Building Addictions To Housework
This would be a pharmaceutical class that would facilitate the use of synthesized hormones that have been found in women who love to clean. It would also teach how to use aversion therapy to train the body to not enjoy sitting and reading a good book, or watching a great black and white movie.

Instant Menu Planning with Speedy Grocery List Making
This double course teaches advanced techniques for planning meals and grocery store runs in record time. Will include motivational practice sessions with stop watch and prizes.

Easy Lessons in Extroversion 101: The Basics
How to be outgoing, friendly, talkative. How to love interaction with people and be energized by it. May include a partial brain transplant for extremely introverted students. (I'm raising my hand.)

How To Sleep More Efficiently
Ways to relax, fall asleep and stay asleep. How to get to bed on time (including techniques on getting teenagers to bed so the house is quiet.) How to wake feeling refreshed and energetic.

Singing Lessons
How to sing like your favorite singer. Instruction and practice in singing, as well as vocal modulation for a pleasant speaking voice. I already sing, but not as well as I'd like-- I don't sound like Alison Krauss, or the lead singer from Dervish, or Kelly Clarkson yet.

My last class is one I borrowed from the guy at Blue Tea to use as my second class in my Extroversion series.

Easy Lessons in Extroversion 201: Small Talk Workshop- Advanced Techniques and Topics for Social Mastery
This practical course focuses primarily on in-class practice sessions guided by the instructor. Learn how to keep a conversation flowing seamlessly, ways to move beyond the weather, dealing with unpleasant people, social conventions, appropriate formulas for a variety of situations (polite refusal, soliciting favors, disengagement, etc.), networking, and more.

This was fun. Thanks Ice Cream, for the idea. And now, to pass it along.... I tag

Meg Fowler at MegFowler.com
Sniz at Miss Sniz
Lulu at Lulu's Laundry Blog
Jessica the Rock Chick at Life is RANTastic!
Carrie at Chocolate the Other White Meat

I'm Unhappy, But Happy Today

Things that made me unhappy this week:

1. Supper has been very late every day, and of course it's my fault. It just seems to set the days off-kilter.

2. We've stayed up too late every night this week, for no real good reason, except we didn't go to bed. Probably because supper was so late. And that makes us tired every day.

3. Hubby is feeling bad this week. His heart arrhythmia is acting up, and so is his depression.

4. MB3 yelled at Hubby when they were riding motorcycle together because Hubby accidentally rode through a mud puddle in front of MB3 and splashed him heavily, and Hubby gets hurt when the boys treat him like that.

5. DrummerDude got very angry at Hubby for calling him down for something. I guess he thought he was being treated like a child, which has become a bit of hot button lately. Sigh.

Things that made me happy this week:

1. I tried a new shampoo and it made my hair feel light and silky and very nice. And I got to look forward all night to trying it in the morning. Maybe that's what I need to make getting out of bed worthwhile, every day-- new soap, or shampoo, or toothpaste, or ....?

2. We bought a new stash of Dove chocolate.

3. DrummerDude bought me chocolate donuts for my anniversary gift.

4. We had a great family time around the supper table on our anniversary, with GuitarGeek in full swing. I love it when we all laugh together like that.

5. I had the happy thought that GuitarGeek is not a girl. Someday, when the time comes, I will not have to help with/keep my hands off of his wedding. All I'll have to do is wear a nice dress and look pretty, which Hubby says I'll do easily and well. *smile*

6. I learned about a great brand of pasta I'd never heard of, and then, the next time I'm shopping, there it is-- never seen it before-- and it's ON SALE. That really chirked me up, and I can hardly wait to try it.

7. LovelyDaughter and I had a lot of fun taking way too much time at the grocery store finding things for DrummerDude to pack on his camping trip.

8. The three boys are doing something together this weekend. All Three of them! Together!

9. I got a bill and a payment in the mail on the same day. The bill is for $644 and the payment is $650. Yes! I believe the coincidence of the two things coming on the same day is God showing me He's still taking care of us, in spite of what it's been looking like lately.

10. LovelyDaughter went with me to do the grocery shopping, and now we can actually cook again. We've had an awful lot of "emergency" meals lately.

11. We splurged and bought a recipe magazine with wonderful pictures and recipes. I'm beginning to feel inspired again.

12. We had a great time with friends this weekend.

13. We saw GuitarGeek succeed in a project that was dear to him, and that's a good thing for everyone.

I guess five to thirteen in favor of "happy," is a good score. It doesn't un-do the things I don't like, but it helps.

It's Who We Are, It's What We Do

I copied this meme from slouchingmom over at slouching past 40. I thought this would be an appropriate thing to post in honor of Hubby's and my anniversary this week.


1. Who is your man?

Hubby. His initials are MLH.

2. How long have you been together?

26 years of marriage, plus one year-- see number 3.

3. How long did you date?

Five months, and then engaged for seven.

4. How old is your man?

46

5. Who eats more?

He does. But not much more these days, not because I'm eating a lot, but because he's at the age where if he eats like he used to, there's a whole lot more of him to see.

6. Who said "I love you" first?

I'm pretty sure he did.

7. Who is taller?

He is -- by 11 inches.

8. Who sings better?

I do.

9. Who is smarter?

According to an IQ test we took in college, we have the same IQ. However, while I did very well in school, he did terrible. And while sometimes I can't fight my way out of a paper bag, which requires spatial reasoning, he can design and build cool things. My strengths lie in the area of language. Plus, I never know which way north is, and he always does. Our kids took after him.

10. Whose temper is worse?

Probably mine. But I tend to flare up quickly, and then cool down. He simmers a long time, keeping it all inside till he either nearly breaks something, or goes into deep depression.

11. Who does the laundry?

I do. However, sometimes he will run a load of his own stuff.

12. Who takes out the garbage?

Usually our boys, but sometimes he does it.

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?

I don't know. Which side is the right side? However, I do know that when we re-did the bedroom, we switched sides for one night, and in the morning he said "Never again!" He said he can't sleep if he's on the "wrong" side of the bed. It's just wrong.

14. Who pays the bills?

I do. Neither one of us is especially good with numbers and paperwork, but I'm better than he is, so I do it.

15. Who is better with the computer?

I am, just barely.

16. Who mows the lawn?

Usually he does, but often DrummerDude does.

17. Who cooks dinner?

I do. Often LovelyDaughter takes a turn. If Hubby had to cook, he would live on peanut butter, or possibly pancakes.

18. Who drives when you are together?

He does, because he considers that the manly thing to do.

19. Who pays when you go out?

Well, if we're writing a check, I do, because he hates to write. If we're using a bank card, he does, 'cause that's easy. If we're using cash, whichever of us has cash handy.

20. Who is most stubborn?

Depends. I think he can be stubborn sometimes, and he thinks I can be stubborn sometimes. I don't really know who's right.

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong?

Usually he is. I'm trying to do better on this one.

22. Whose parents do you see the most?

His folks. They live practically next door, whereas my folks live in another state.

23. Who kissed who first?

I think he kissed me. I'm sure I would have never initiated it.

24. Who asked who out?

He asked me.

25. Who proposed?

He did, if you can call it that. One day as we were talking and talking and talking and planning, all of a sudden he said, "Well, it looks like we're going to get married." So I got out my calendar and said, "Okay, when?"

26. Who is more sensitive?

We are both sensitive, but in different ways.

27. Who has more friends?

I think he does.

28. Who has more siblings?

He does. He has two brothers and I have one. Neither of us has any sisters.

29. Who wears the pants in the family?

He does. But sometimes he will delegate decision-making to me.

It's all about me......

I've been tagged by Carrie at ChocolateTheOtherWhiteMeat to write a list of seven random, interesting things about myself.

Good heavens. Does it take anyone else as long as it's taken me to come up with seven things?

So-- Here are Seven Random Things About Me, Maybe Interesting, Maybe Not

-- I play a four string guitar strung like a bouzouki. I don't play extremely well, but I know how.

-- I like to talk to people, but I never know what to say to start the conversation rolling.

-- I'm a terrible procrastinator: Oh no, it's time to make dinner, and I have no idea what to make. I think I'll just check a blog or two, to clear my head. Oh no! It's time for dinner right this minute, and I STILL have no idea what to make, and now it has to be something I can fix in five minutes. I wonder if I have any email. Oh no, dinner was supposed to be half an hour ago...AAAAACK!

-- In spite of #4, I am a pretty good cook.

-- I'm not a drinker: no booze, no wine, no coffee, no cappuccino, no diet Dr. Pepper. I'm waiting till I grow up.

-- I love babies, and I wouldn't mind having another one, in spite of the fact that I'm over forty.

-- Now that my kids are pretty much grown, I have no idea what I want to do with my life; and I'm distressed about it. I told Hubby, "I hadn't thought that far!"

I'm supposed to tag seven people now, so if you're reading this: TAG! You're IT!

a few of my favorite things.....

I told myself Thursday that I could post a Thursday Thirteen rant of 13 annoying things if I also posted a list of two good things for every annoying thing. Sort of a "two for one" thing. Why? Because all of a sudden one day I found that somewhere along the road I had begun seeing what was NOT in the glass, and my life became half empty. So now I'm working on purposefully thinking about good things. That doesn't mean I want to ignore or sugar coat bad things. I don't want to become dishonest. After all, there ARE some awful, annoying things in life. But I hope to change my focus. Here's to making the glass half full. Scratch that. How about a FULL glass, for a change?!

So, here are a few of my favorite things....

the way GuitarGeek uses his eyebrows
the way DrummerDude feels all sleepy/snuggly when I wake him up in the morning
MB3's muscles
LovelyDaughter's gentle ways
Hubby's smile
walking out to the mailbox
having a clean kitchen
christmas lights
stars at night
sitting by the fire
hanging out in LovelyDaughter's room with the windows open
hot chocolate and toast in the winter
fresh strawberries on New York Vanilla ice cream
sauteed broccoli and mushrooms
a full moon
using my pda
mineral makeup
my silver necklace
wearing brand-new socks
jeans that fit
figuring out the perfect violin interlude to play on the worship team
my MacBook
sitting on the floor when it's carpet
laughing with friends
being called by name
taking walks with someone and talking like mad the whole time
going on quiet walks to watch the sun set



There. That's 26 things, plus one for good measure. I can feel the level in the glass rising...

What are some of your favorite things?

What's My Name?

Carrie at Chocolate The Other White Meat (I think she and I have something in common....hmm....) posted a list of interesting instructions on how to find out what your name would be if you were a rock star or a superhero or a TV anchor. Here are my favorite ones:

If I were a Rock Star, my name would be Sunny Z. [first pet + current car. The first pet was a cat I named Sunny, short for "sunshine" because he was coal black. And our current car is a BMW Z3, which I call the "Z." Makes for a cute name, I think.]

If I were a "Gangsta", my name would be Chocolate Chocolate Chip. [favorite ice cream flavor + favorite cookie flavor. Actually, my most favorite ice cream is Jamocha Almond Fudge, but that didn't make a very good name....On second thought, maybe it would make a really interesting name... Hello, my name is Jamocha Almond Fudge Chocolate Chip. Just call me JAFCC for short.]

If I were a Detective, my name would be Detective Burgundy Feline. ["Detective" + favorite color + favorite animal. Strange. I could have said "cat" instead of "feline," but that sounded so mundane. Detectives have to be a little glamorous, don't they?]

If I were a soap opera character, my name would be Kathleen Kansas City. [Middle name + city of birth. Doesn't really have a ring to it, does it? Now, my husband's soap opera name would be "Lee Lebanon," which I think has a great sound.]

If I were a superhero, my name would be The Green Tea, or maybe The Pink Lemonade, or maybe The Blue Chocolate Milk. ["The" + 2nd favorite color + favorite drink. I can't really make up my mind on this one.]

If I were a NASCAR driver, my name would be Donald Dwight. [the first names of your grandfathers. I kinda like this one. The funny thing is, it would be my daughter's NASCAR name too. Her grandpas have the same names as mine....]

If I were a-- well, it says "stripper," but I think I'll say dancer, my stage name would be Jasmine Dove. [name of favorite scent--"Night Blooming Jasmine" (a perfume no longer in existence) + favorite candy-- Dove dark chocolate = Jasmine Dove. Kinda catchy.]

If I needed a name for the witness protection program I would be called Kathleen Howard. [mother's and father's middle names. I like it.]

My TV anchor name would be Ellis Edinburgh. [Fifth grade teacher's last name + major city that begins with the same letter. Two comments: for a wonder, I just happened to be thinking about teachers I remember so I can actually come up with a name; and, how in the world do they come up with this stuff?]

And one more: If I were spy, my name would be Autumn Rose. [favorite season + favorite flower.]

I think I'm going to hang on to some of these in case I ever need another username or ID for a forum or an online account. This could be really handy. Maybe I should make up some of my own. Let's see, favorite insect + brand name of your stereo system = your radio announcer name. Or, no, how about...your favorite food + your cousin's maiden name = your opera singer name. This could be a good business. Pseudonyms while you wait.

Well, this is Ladybug JVC, signing off. Till next time....

Love List

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8 NLT)

Taking a cue from Meg, I am creating a "love list," that is, a list of things I love, or at least that I think are pleasant. It was difficult to do at first-- I guess I'm not feeling especially nice or optimistic, or loving. Maybe I need to do this more often!

So here goes: I love...

...crunchy leaves in fall
...the smell of line-dried clothes
...the smell of buttered popcorn
...kisses from my husband
...hugs from my kids
...the sound and smell of rain
...watching a mama cat care for her kittens
...campfires
...pancakes on campouts
...a clean bathroom
...not having a headache
...a good night's sleep where you feel like you were far, far away and now it's good to be back
...rope lights on the back porch at night
...chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven
...eating Dove chocolate
...eating Dove chocolate ve-ry slo-ow-ly
...a stimulating conversation
...people who make me laugh
...hearing my own opinion expressed by someone else who said it better than I could
...getting real mail, as in, packages and letters, versus bills and junk mail
...getting real emails, as in, real messages from real people, versus forwards and junk mail
...memories of my kids when they were little
...my wedding ring
...the way my husband feels when I hug him when he's wearing his fuzzy warm vest
...being outside on a beautiful day
...wearing good, comfortable shoes
...compliments on my clothes
...music that makes me feel melancholy in a happy sort of way
...a good story
...a cold shower when I'm hot and sweaty

There, I did it! Thirty-- THIRTY!-- things I love. I'm feeling a little better already.