Of course, my old favorite Dusty Rose (NOT PINK)

Your Autumn Lipstick is Dusty Rose

You are wise and quietly smart. You often know more than most people, but you tend to keep that to yourself. You appreciate subtlety in everything. You think most people try too hard, and you always prefer nuance. You are naturally stylish, and you've got that effortlessly chic thing down. You have an eye for beauty. No one sees how much work goes into your look, and you like it that way. Your makeup enhances but doesn't distract.

What's Your Autumn Lipstick Personality?

"Your makeup enhances but doesn't distract." ha ha ha I never wear anything but (clear) lipgloss or chapstick. This is so much BS, but I do like the color they say I should use. If only I could remember to put it on and not chew on my lips....

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Bearded Questions

What is some of your favorite music?

I'm super-basic. "Good beat, easy to dance too" and it's a huge bonus if there's some lyrical content as well. I like Katy Perry, P!nk, Elvis, Rusted Root, The Police, The Supremes, Bruno Mars, Nina Simone....

List your three favorite scents.

Vanilla, Pine, Sage.

How do you ground yourself or recharge?

This is one way. I also read. And sleep.

Any ways you treat or spoil yourself?

I eat far, far too much sugar.

Besides your blog, do you have a creative past-time?

Yes. Somewhere. Where did I put it....?

Share something difficult you've been through.

Life. Really, it's just life. Mine has been easier than a lot of peoples' in a lot of ways, but there've certainly been bumps. Couple of surgeries, couple of giant roadblocks, multiple family deaths. Lots of drama. Lots of good moments too.

What helps you fall asleep?

Exhaustion. Crosswords and reading and puzzles.

What is one strength and one weakness of yours?

Strength in plowing through whatever fresh hell awaits me. Unwillingness to do anything BUT plow through everything. I'll let you figure out which is a strength and which is a weakness.

Have you ever received a letter or written one to someone else?

How old is the person who wrote this question?? I've gotten dozens of letters, and sent a few too. Lately, in fact.

What makes you feel powerful, what breathes life into you?

Joy. Giggles, mine or others. Sunshine is kind of important too.

What's your favorite thing to do at night?

SLEEP!

If you could go back to any era, what would they it be?

I wouldn't want to stay there, that's for sure! It would be kind of fun to see my grandmothers before they were old and creaky, though, and maybe meet my grandfathers for the first time.

Your favorite things to wear at home?

Pajamas, warm socks, T-shirt or sweatshirt. This time of year, a blanket is not unwelcome.

If you could be immortal or have an extremely long life span which would you pick and why?

I don't want to live forever, OR for an extremely long time. I'd trade it in for something useful.

Tell us about something positive you have done for yourself or someone recently.

I've slept. A lot. And done a lot of reading. Not enough of the right kind probably. And I've just "done" for myself as necessary and let the long-term stuff sit around and wait without worrying. It's been a lovely 5-week stretch.

One thing you like about your appearance?

I like my hair. [she glances at a mirror] ...though perhaps not today.

Something that makes you feel better after a hard day?

Sleep. I seem to be on a roll here.

If you have one, name a favorite book & movie.

My favorite book varies daily. Today, I'll go with The Book of Ruth. Movie? My usual answer is "Heathers."

How do you feel about beards? No bonus points. I'm curious.

I ADORE beards! Not the hipster/Old-Testament-y versions big right now, but a nice, short, generally well-groomed beard is delicious. For the record, I loathe stubble--grow it out or shave it off. :-)

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Ask, ask, ASK--part 2

26 - Did you have an accident last year?

What sort of accident? I have not been involved in any vehicular accidents, but I've screwed up quite a few things in the past 12 months.

27 - Do you have any famous relatives?

There's a cousin of some kind who used to be a news anchor in Cleveland. ... So, no, not really. ;-)

28 - Did you ever had a kiss under the moonlight?

While I can't think of a specific time, I'm sure in 30 years of marriage (and three years of dating) we've kissed outside at night at least once.

29 - Have you ever been jealous?

Is the sky blue? Is the Pope Catholic? Of course I've been jealous!

30 - How can you prove your love to someone?

Depends entirely upon the person, I suppose, but there's a component of dependability involved. For me, anyway.

31 - What are you thinking right now?

"Why is my stomach SO growly tonight?!"

32 - Have you ever sacrificed something important to you for someone you love?

Head-desk. OF COURSE I HAVE!

33 - Can you live without internet?

I can, but it wouldn't be fun for the first few days.

34 - Have you been so emotional that you can’t find words to explain how you feel?

This is an almost-daily occurrence. I seem to be moving backwards in the vocabulary department.

35 - Did you ever badmouth someone?

hah, this week? Ya think?

36 - What do you prefer, jeans or skirt?

Jeans. I'm completely over skirts. Especially as part of Pantsuit Nation, I'm kinda unlikely to ever wear a skirt or dress again.

37 - Do you have trust issues?

Nope. Well, unless you mean, am I entirely too gullible?

38 - What's something that you made all on your own and are incredibly proud of?

My career. Somehow. OK, I had help from loads of people, but I suspect this would be true of most everything I've accomplished in life.

39 - Who’s the person who first comes to your mind when someone mentions “love”?

Beast.

40 - Who was the last person you hugged?

J.T., who came with me today to see Beast on visitation day.

41 - Do you believe in the phrase “If it’s meant to be, it will be”?

Up to a point. I mean, we are responsible for making sure things happen as they are supposed to, and for keeping things that shouldn't happen from happening.

42 - Do people praise you for your looks?

People rarely notice me except as part of the furniture these days. Which is just fine by me. The things I can eavesdrop on because people don't think I'm there....!

43 - Do you believe in destiny?

No. I really can't even say that word without hearing George McFly proclaiming, "You Are My Density!"

44 - Have you ever thought “I already found my soulmate”?

I don't really believe in soulmates either. Essentially, I don't do much magical thinking.

45 - Do you like nicknames that are from your name?

There really isn't much you can do to shorten my name. And that, my friends, is the reason all of my siblings and I have the names we have. My parents were not into the nickname thing at all!

46 - Could you ever be a vegan?

No way. I like meat too much!

47 - Do you currently have bruises on your body?

I'm sure I do. Where? I'll try to let you know when I discover them. I run into things ALL . THE . TIME.

48 - What should you be doing right now?

Paying bills. Going to bed.

49 - I read in a magazine that shoulder pads are coming back. Are you happy to hear this or do you not find them to be very attractive?

Heh. I don't really care. They're kind of a pain, to be honest, but I like them in jackets sometimes.

50 - Did you ever feel like you’re not good enough?

I gave this up for Lent this year.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
All Random

1) Do you prefer your pickle sliced thin, sliced thick, or in a spear?

I like my pickle to be dill. Otherwise, I'm not worried about the shape. Assuming they'll be in a sandwich, of course, I'd like them sliced. I'm really not fussy about pickles.

2) What kind of eggs do you like best for breakfast?

Depends on the day. Some days are omelet days. Some days are over-easy-with-toast days.

3) If you got 2 pennies for change, would you pocket them or leave them on the counter for the next person?

Inside the store, I usually leave them. Drive-thru, they go in my cup-holder.

4) You’re now in charge of the manners for the planet. Tell us the new rules for cellphone etiquette.

Oh, jeez, I'm just not EVEN.... If... No, I can't. The whole issue makes me so twitchy. Be polite: F2F is more important than whatever your phone is doing. That's the etiquette.

5) You’re about to write a novel. What genre will it be (sci fi, chick lit, historical fiction, comic …)?

I'd love to write a mystery. However, I'm pretty sure my strong suit is nonfiction.

6) Is it a bad thing to lie to save a friend’s feelings?

Depends on the size of the lie and how direct. "That shirt is cute" isn't really lie. "You're new haircut looks good" is more of a lie (if it doesn't). "I think your new boyfriend is awesome" when you know he's a serial cheater (or worse)...not ok.

7) Is your big toe your longest toe?

Actually, my second toe is a squidge longer from base to tip. My big toe, weirdly, starts higher.

8) Hot stone massage: yea or nay?

Sure. My therapist uses hot stones regularly. As long as they aren't burn-hot, it feels good.

9) Do you check the mirror before going out?

I mean ... at some point, I have looked in the mirror, yes. We don't have a mirror by either door, though, so I should probably remedy that.

... it stays with you

(from the Aimster)

Have you ever been to Legoland®?

Perish the thought! We have a Lego (technically, Duplo) table at work, and I think I've developed a strong repulsion toward the firm because of all the cleanup I've had to do around it over the years. Not to mention the zillions of pieces I've picked up at home. And at other kids' houses when I've babysat. ...I used to like Legos, too.

Have you ever done something heroic?

Nothing I would consider heroic. I suppose the definition of heroic is rather malleable though, so what I would call heroic might not fit your concept of it. And vice versa.

Have you ever built a snowman?

Considering I've lived in snowy climates my entire life, I've created surprisingly few of these. Like, maybe two?

Do you have any lucky items, objects or traditions?

I keep my one-year coin in my wallet and take it out occasionally to ponder. I should get a two-year coin next month. I always have Chapstick (or something like it) in my right front pants pocket. I actually feel a little freaked out if it's not there--this is a 25-year or more habit. I think I may have some other tics that I'm totally unaware of.

Do you have any superstitions?

There is a patron whose name NO ONE is allowed to speak at work! Somehow, whenever we mention that "E.E." hasn't been seen in awhile ... she shows up within the next 48 hours. There are some other work things that we all subscribe to. I do touch wood when I say something that might bring bad luck.

What's your favourite Movie quote?

" I don't patronize bunny rabbits." (Heathers)

Do you wear sunglasses indoors to look cool or stylish?

Nope. I don't actually own sunglasses per se.

Are you a hat person?

I like hats, but I really hate hat-hair, so I don't wear them very often at all.

Do you prefer digital or rotary/analogue clocks?

I'm not fussy. I do, however, like clocks to either match exactly with the rest of those in the building, or be set differently ON PURPOSE. For instance, the clock on my nightstand is set, intentionally, 10 minutes ahead of 'real time.' All the clocks at work say something different. It makes me nuts.

Have you ever been to a gym?

WTF? What planet did you grow up on that you didn't have to take gym class every goddamn year of your educational career?!
Of course. I've also been to a YMCA and a couple of workout centers. I am so very worldly.

Have you ever been wolf-whistled in public?

Yes. Ugh. The first time was when I was, like, 11 and sitting in my front yard. {{shudder}}

Have you ever been approached by someone who knew you but you couldn't remember them for the life of you?

Yes. Well, technically, no. Lots of people recognize me, some of them legitimately know me from work. I'm horrible at faces and names though so that does happen. And then there are the people who ask me if I used to live in [town I've never heard of] because I look just like the [grocery store clerk, school principal, librarian, whatever] there. It freakin' happened at the DOCTOR last week for cryin' out loud!

What do you do to keep fit?

I don't.

How often do you wash your ears?

Every time I wash my hair.

Could you go out with someone who had a child from a previous relationship?

As I've said before, I'm sure Beast would frown upon this arrangement. If there were no Beast in my life, I would think it would be pretty much impossible for me to date someone suitable who didn't have kids. At this point, said kids would likely be adults. It would be interesting.

How much would it cost to buy your love?

Depends on the day. Today, 50 cents and my phone number might do it.

What's the scariest thing you've ever done?

Hospitalizations count, right? Also, dealing with some of the bullshit Beast has pulled over the last 5 years has been ... harder than anything I could've imagined.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Just One Look

1. How vein [sic] are you about how you look?

Assuming you mean 'vain' I'm probably less so than average. I've hit middle age (hard) and as long as I'm relatively clean, comfortable, and neat, I'm pretty happy. I do like shoes, though.

2. When you were little what was your favorite TV show?

When I was very little, I used to run for The Monkees and New Zoo Revue (I think that was the name of it).

3. If someone was going to make a movie or TV show about your life, who would play you and why?

My go-to used to be Sandra Bullock, but I'm going to have to come up with someone else. Uhhh, Maura Tierney maybe? Why? Because they hired her. I don't know who'd want to play me, or why they'd make a movie. My life, though busy, is hardly exciting in Hollywood terms.

4. Who is your favorite Major League Baseball team? How about your favorite player?

I am not a baseball fan. Yes, I'm aware that automatically makes me a communist threat.

5. What is your favorite baseball-related movie?

If pressed, I would say Bull Durham, because of the toenail-painting scene. See: nothing whatsoever to do with the game itself.

6. What is one lesson you have learned in the past year?

"The best-laid plans of mice and man gang aft agley."

7. Tell us about one of your childhood memories.

I have a fairly vivid memory of sitting in the car (light olive green 60s station wagon) with my sister Jean in the hospital parking lot playing "I Spy" while we waited for my parents. It was something to do with my sister Ellen--maybe transfusion day?--or it may have been my dad's heart attack. It was all going on at once. The car was parked facing a very high retention wall, so "I Spy" was kinda boring; lots of green and brown things spied.

8. How do you handle sticky situations? Do you have a method? If so, what is it?

Beast is in charge of all sticky things. lol [Inside joke] Seriously, I just try to remain calm and practical. Sometimes it works and sometimes in spite of that my brain falls out and I panic.

9. Do you think people talk about you behind your back?

Judging by the way they talk about other people when I'm around, most assuredly. Do I care? Not much, though it would be fun to listen in once in awhile.

Late Monday memes

Manic Monday

Do you enjoy brain teasers or do you find them frustrating?

I like 'em, within reason. If they are too hard for me, I quit.

Do you have any unusual collections?

Just dust, and s&p sets.

What do people notice about you within the first hour of meeting you (other than appearance)?

Probably my smart mouth.

_____________________________________________


Curious as a Cat

1) If you could train a person or animal to do one thing for you whenever you wanted, and then return to you, what would you have it do?

Shop, cook, and clean up. In short, I want a chef.

2) What kind of cowardice do you most despise?

Refusing to admit when you're wrong.

3) Did March come in "like a lion" this year, or leave that way? Or both, or neither?

I don't remember how it came in, actually, but it's certainly leaving like worm. Or a duck.

4) Show and Tell.What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one. Public Domain Photo

This is a very weird still life. Very Dali-esque. The teardrop on the right is either a giant Hershey's Kiss or a chiseled-out dish. Those blue things? No clue. It's all weird. Kinda dreamy. Looks cold.