Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (2006)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Bette Midler sings about the storm that's raging outside. How's the weather where you are today?

Bright blue, sunny skies, but brutally cold. OK, it's warmer than it was earlier this week, but it's still bloody cold!

2) She mentions her gloves. Tell us about your favorite pair of gloves or mittens.

I have glittens--the things that flip the mitten part back so you can use your fingers.

3) Does your home have a fireplace to keep you warm?

We have a fireplace. I even used it this week...and set my bangs on fire because I forgot the whole damper thing. Dumbass.

4) Bette's father, Fred, supported his family as a house painter. Have you ever held a job that kept you outdoors a great deal of the time?

No, thank God!

5) Her mother, Ruth, was a talented seamstress. How about you? Can you sew on a button? Raise a hem? Darn a hole?

I can do all of those things. I haven't darned in a really long time, but I regularly sew buttons and repair things, apply patches, etc.

6) 2017 was a big year for Bette. At the age of 72, she opened on Broadway in the revival of Hello, Dolly! and won a Tony. As we kick off 2018, what would you like to accomplish this year?

Financial clued-in-ness. I'm not stupid, but I feel completely at sea.

7) Bette and her husband Martin have been married for nearly 34 years. Their wedding was officiated by an Elvis impersonator. Are you looking forward to any weddings in 2018?

I don't think so. Well, I mean Prince Harry's getting married, but... {lol}

8) Bette and Martin are very proud of their daughter, Sophie, now 30, who graduated from Yale in 2008. Do you expect to attend any graduation ceremonies in 2018?

I don't think so. The only people I know that are likely to graduate in anything are in master's degree programs or certification programs which don't always lend themselves to giant parties somehow.

9) Random question: Yesterday, who did you spend the most time with?

I was at work 9 hours yesterday, no break for lunch, mostly at my desk in the workroom. After work I came home. The vast majority of my time I spent in my head (as usual) listening to various podcasts. I spoke at length to a couple of people, but mostly kept myself to myself and got on with my job.

Friday 5

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Know-How

1. What’s something you know how to do beneath the hood of a car?

   I can check the oil, check the belts, jump a battery, and fill the washer fluid thingy. Generally, if something's not right I'll be able to spot it, but it's unlikely I could fix it.

2. What’s something you know how to fold a piece of paper into?

   I've made two (different) foxes this week, on order, for a friend who asked for them for her husband for Christmas. I enjoy origami, without pressure, as a tension release at work.

3. What’s something you know how to do in the outdoors?

   I can build a fire given matches, kindling and firewood. I can do basic gardening, which includes telling the difference between weeds and not-weeds. And I can shovel snow, though not much and not for long.

4. What’s something you know how to do with a length of rope?

   "I can make a hat, or a brooch, or a pterodactyl." Mostly, I'm just good at winding it up into a bundle and tying it off.

5. What’s something you know how to do with a deck of cards?

   I can shuffle like the pros, regular and backwards. I know a couple of very simple card tricks, and a whole lot of different versions of solitaire.

Sunday Stealing

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Birds Are Chirping Meme

Name a product you buy mostly because it has a cool package.

I wish I could say that I didn't do this, but I'm pretty sure I've been sucked into this. Unfortunately, the only thing I can think of right now is that I can now buy prepackaged baggies of fresh mini-peppers at the grocery store. That's a bit sad.

What flavor cake do you like for your birthday?

Vanilla with buttercream frosting. I'm not agin lemon cake, but tone down the chocolate and NO FRUIT! In a city where I used to live, and where we have good friends who serve cake regularly, every cake seems to have a layer of jam--it ruins a perfectly delicious cake!

Have you ever been in love with someone much older or younger than you?

I'm assuming this means romantic love. So, no. I've loved a lot of people of many different ages non-romantically.

Have you ever had a job you loved?

I have one now. I love it when it's not making me incredibly angry.

Have you ever been in a building that was on fire?

Thank God, no!

Are you in an argument with anyone right now?

Not really. I'm past my limit of patience with one person at work, though, which is difficult. She's a friend but also I'm her supervisor, so that makes things complicated, and she's ... challenging ... right now.

not my coworker

Would you change your hair color to something outrageous if you would get paid to?

Honestly, I'd probably do it for free if I could be assured it wasn't going to be tragically high-maintenance. One of my co-workers died her hair blue about two weeks ago and it's still washing out and staining her (very pale) skin. She looks like skim milk. I want dye that goes on, stays in my hair (only) for a good long time, and washed out when I'm done.

Have you ever written a poem for someone?

I've written poems about situations. I don't think I've ever written for a person, though, no.

What is a place you’ve vacationed at and would like to go back to?

Ydra.

Do you eat samples at the grocery store?

Occasionally.

What do you absolutely have to have to make your birthday feel special?

Acknowledgement from someone I love that it's my birthday: a card, an email, a gift, a cake, SOMEthing. Sparky, are you listening??

What’s the last tourist area you visited?

The main part of the downtown of the city in which I work is supposedly a "tourist attraction." Whatever. I shop there, I eat lunch there and not because it's touristy, though it is pretty attractive.

Where do you go out to eat for a special occasion?

Probably the resort town north of us, or a really yummy chicken place on the way to said resort.

When was the last time you went to a post office?

I stopped at our P.O. box a couple of weeks ago. Beast usually goes. Otherwise, I pretty much never deal with the USPS.

Is there an item you are saving up to buy right now?

We're thinking about new kitchen countertops. Not really saving up, just deciding how to spend the money we already have saved.

Are you psychic in any way?

That's assuming I believe in psychics in the first place. :-) No. But I think Beast is. And I definitely have had some weird precognitive dreams.

Do you prefer a laptop or desktop? Which are you on now?

They each have their good points. I prefer my laptop, but I like my work desktop a lot too. For different reasons.

Have you ever received a gift and truly did not know what it was?

Yes. And I've received gifts that I recognized but couldn't understand anyone would think I'd need/want them.

What’s your homepage?

I don't have my own site. My browser is set to open my work internal homepage, Gmail and work email automatically in one page and OCLC Connexion in another window. At home, I've always got Inoreader, Blogger, Gmail, Facebook, Goodreads and Random.org open, in two browser windows.

Is there a thing you enjoy doing, but quit because you are not good at it?

Not exactly. I quit bell choir at church because I couldn't deal with the non-music stress of it. Too many chiefs, too many different levels of musical knowledge, general bitchiness....no thanks. I'm pretty good at the music but not at ignoring all the rest of it. I do not enjoy drama!

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Fireday 5

1. What kind of campfire experience do you have?

I can build one, if pressed, and keep it going assuming there is wood around. The smoke generally follows me wherever I stand. I like to watch the firelight as it burns down into embers. And I'm not a big s'mores fan (though, ironically, right now I am eating a S'mores Blizzard).

2. How are you with a charcoal grill?

Meh. Don't like charcoal. Messy. Give me a gas grill any day, but also give me someone else to cook on it. I don't 'do' grilling.

3. What was the occasion for which you last lit a candle?

I think I lit one while I soaked in the bathtub sometime sort of recently. Meaning, sometime since Christmas.

4. What food, usually consumed cooked, do you prefer raw? (Alternate question: What food, usually consumed raw, do you prefer cooked?)

Cookie dough, of course. And for the alternate question: tomatoes, in sauces.

5. What was the occasion for your last getting all fired up?

Hmmm. I was very glad to see all our friends' kids last weekend, but I dreaded spending time with their mom. It all turned out ok, but she really is a pistol.

Thursday Thunks

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Hootin'Anni Style

1] We all love snuggly things, right? In your own words, explain how the "X" and "O" became symbols for kisses and hugs!

I always figured the O was arms circling me in a hug and X was vaguely symbolic of pursed lips. At least, that's how I keep them straight in my own head.

2] Besides eliminating sticks, what would you put in a non-stick pan?

BROWNIES! Seriously. I would pretty much kill for some right now.

3] x=y over pi squared. What are your thoughts on crematoriums having discounts on those that die in fires?

Don't think so. Both my parents were cremated, and there are no discounts regardless of the circumstances of death. The funeral business wouldn't do that to themselves.

4] Tongue twisters are fun...but, it's torture to try to say lisp with that "s" in the word. What is your favorite tongue twister? Risque answers get extra credit!

I canNOT say "The sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick" to save my live. Sorry: not risqué.

5] Cold weather is coming up. If it's zero degrees Fahrenheit, and tomorrow night it's predicted to be twice as cold, what temperature will it be?

About -30. You asked a Reference Librarian this question and expected something different??

6] Your significant other is upset with you, would you rather be skating on thin ice or be in hot water? Why?

Honestly, lately, skating on thin ice would be a nice change from the hot water.

7] What's worse, expecting the unexpected or being a wise guy?

I'd rather do the former, but fear I'm more likely to be [perceived as] the latter.

8] What brand of vacuum cleaner sucks the best? Mine really sucks!!!

I'm partial to Roomba though perhaps not for the sucking reason explicitly.

9] How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire? Do you like playing with fire?

I do like fire. Candles fascinate me endlessly. And I'm pretty sure that, given the right materials, I could get a campfire started with just a couple of matches. Beast is a good teacher.

10] Toys R us...what was your favorite toy?

My brother's toy cars, and my jumprope and jacks.

11] Halloween is near...let's go grave robbing....what would you like to find?

{{shudder}} Just had a very horrible visual of a certain recent grave in England.

12] Do you wake up or open your eyes first?

Totally depends on the day, but I would say normally I'm awake before my eyes are open.

13] What mask would you wear to a Halloween Party?

This one:

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) Do you know how to diagram a sentence?

I do not. I didn't have much grammar instruction until I was about 12. Sad. I would love to be able to do this; it seems like a relaxing past-time, but not if you have to learn it at age 46!

2) How close are you to your parents?

Well, they are both dead now, but I always felt closer to Dad when he was alive. I have some serious unresolved Mom Issues.

3) Have you ever tried to put out a fire?

Yes, I have. And I was successful. Baking soda is my friend.

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

Looks like Colorado...except for that bridge. Rivers should have rocks in them, like this one. Smooth, rock-free rivers are weird-looking to me.

Friday Fill-Ins

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Wouldn't it be easy to hibernate all winter, or at least during January.
2. Overall, life is better than ever!
3. I love the taste of food cooked with love.
4. Tonight, we'll have a fire in the fireplace in the living room.
5. The first thing we're going to do is go back to bed.
6. "Woops." Drip, drip, drip; I guess this cup has a hole in it.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to seeing Beast, and that fire, tomorrow my plans include grocery shopping and keeping warm here at home, maybe doing some cleaning, and Sunday, I want to not think about yet!

Friday 5

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Fireworks

1. How do you feel about fireworks displays?

I can live with the professional ones once or twice a year. They aren't my most favorite-est thing in the universe, not by a long shot. Homegrown fireworks make me 100% insane. There are people near our neighborhood who set off fireworks practically every weekend during the summer, and at Christmas, New Year's, Easter, birthdays, etc. This time of year, it's EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. And some days.

I probably didn't get so worked up about fireworks before we lived here, and I'm sure I appreciated the shows more. Except for the mosquito factor, of course.

2. What were the details surrounding one of your mishaps with fire?

I inadvertantly left a candle lit when I went to bed one night eight or so years ago. It set off the smoke detector at 1 or 2 a.m. because the "seashells" embedding in it caught fire. I walked into the bathroom and was confronted with a 2-foot flame. Fortunately--since I was mostly still asleep--whatever I did (dumping it into the sink after I turned the water on? I have no idea) doused the flame and there was no damage to anything but my sleep that night. Beast was out of town; Sparky slept through the smoke alarm.

3. Who in your life could be described as a real firecracker?

Me? My sister Ellen came to mind immediately. I dunno--this is not a term I use for people. I usually prefer "pistol" and it's NOT complimentary.

4. When did you last feel you were being put on display?

Every time I go somewhere to do with Beast's workplace I feel this way. Ugh. Fortunately, it's not terribly often.

5. How confident are you in your barbecue skills?

Not very. I don't staff the grill. In fact, I'm not sure how it turns on and off. And I don't like BBQ that much anyway. We mostly just use the grill for steaks, burgers, and brats.

Cinn's Friday 5

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doing the lumberjack

[01] What is currently big news in your area?

Sparky's new school. The potential teachers' strike in a nearby town. Forced taxation for road improvements. Rain. Medical fundraisers.

[02] If there was a fire in your home, do you have a planned escape route?

Weeeellll...sorta. That's an embarrassing admission for someone related to a firefighter.

[03] Is there something part of your routine that you do daily without fail?

Yup. Lots of things.

[04] When did you last jump rope? Hula-hoop? Hop-scotched?

I have a jump rope in the pantry ready for me to use...sometime. It's been awhile since I tried to hula-hoop; I was awful at it then, which was discouraging. I used to be awesome-good. Hop-scotch, probably about 7 years. I love hop-scotch.

[05] Did you watch any of the DNC or RNC?

I saw several of the DNC speeches because we had a furrener in the house who wanted to see 'em. I literally SAW about 10 minutes of the RNC and ignored everything they said. Yuck.

Ten on Tuesday

(Link at left)
10 Things You'd Save in a Fire

1. Myself
2. My husband
3. My son
4. The guinea pig
5. My grandmother's Bible
6. Any scrapbooks I could manage to grab (since most are in the basement, though, this ain't happening...but they're good if it's a tornado not a fire....hee)
7. My wallet
8. The camera
9. Shoes
10. A coat (in winter)

But I hasten to add that after the first 4 or so, I'm not going to any great measure to collect these things. If they are on the way out the door, fine; otherwise, that's what insurance is for. I really just wanted to stop after #5. Nothing I own is worth dying for.

Patrick's Weekender

(Link at left)
Saturday Six--Episode 165

1. What do you consider more important to your long-term happiness: your relationships, your location, your career or your dreams?

Family. OK, I know that wasn't an option, so it sort of fits into relationships, and my friends are important, but really, if I mess up the family, I'm screwed for real, aren't I?

2. Other than a significant other, how many people do you feel you can truly turn to for advice?

I can turn to lots of people. I am likely to turn to only about five or six others, and outside of family, probably only a couple. And I suspect that they know who they are. Oh, and our pastor.

3. Of the people you think know you best, how surprised would you think they would be if they knew "everything" there is to know about you?

I doubt it would be anyone I 'know' online!! Ya'll know everything! ;-) My family--sisters, et al.--knows very little about my regular activities, and that is very intentional. My mom would be VERY surprised.

4. Take the quiz: Are you living the wrong life?

According to my result, I'm 32% off-track. I tend to agree.

5. What is the longest you’ve stayed in a job you weren’t happy in?

I liked my first full-time job for about six months. Then the bloom was WAAAAYYYYYYY off the rose and I loathed my boss, the organization, and several co-workers for the next five-and-a-half years. One of the things I promised myself at that point is that I would never, ever put myself through anything like that again. I'd rather deliver newspapers (done it).

6. What single factor made you stay the most?

After awhile, when I realized that it was not I who was clinically mental, but the boss, I determined to outstay her. I did indeed outlast (and outplay) her, but at the cost of many sleepless nights, a great deal of compromise, and thirty-plus pounds that I have yet to remove from my ass. Oh, the other reason was at the bottom of it all, I really did like my job: being a reference librarian.

__________________________________

Saturday Six--Episode 166

1. Have you ever talked to your doctor about stress levels in your life?

I have skirted the issue on a couple of occasions, but I have actually skipped passed the 'regular' doctor twice and hit the therapist's office. Once for job-related stress (see above), and once for life-related stress (moving to a new community, quitting my job, having to deal with a seriously reduced standard of living, and having two family members die, all within 8 months).

2. How likely are you to "let go" of something that stresses you out?

Uhm, all together now, you people who know me....

Yeah. Not.

3. Does your family or your work cause the most stress in your life? Do you think your family members or co-workers realize how much stress they generate?

I'd say right now, today, it's my family that's running things, not Sparky & Beast so much as the extended family: wedding, serious illness surrounding me, and a lot of sad stuff in general.

4. Take the quiz: Will You Live to 100?

My result is here: there's a 57% chance that I'll live that long.

5. When you think that you are at the breaking point, are you more likely to have an angry blow-up, a self-contained meltdown, or something in between? When was the last time you had such a moment?

I cry. A lot. And then I cry some more. And cry and cry and cry. Generally, it's self-contained, but I do flare (and flail) out at other people on occasion. Poor Beast, and Sparky: they bear the brunt of that. But I've flipped at work, too. And church.

The last time I really lost it? It's been awhile, actually. Just little lightning bolts. I did snarl at one of the other youth leaders at our mission site last week because she was completely negligent, clueless, and rude. IMHO.

6. When you’re stressed out, what is the first clue someone who knows you well is likely to pick up on?

Tone of voice, teary eyes....generally snarky attitude. I do NOT (cannot) hide it well.

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Saturday Six--Episode 167

1. How far from your home is your nearest fire station?

We are probably less than a quarter of a mile in linear distance from the station on our side of the lake. It is staffed every other day. The alternate day it's probably 3 miles away across the lake. Weird. Can you tell we live in rural-ish America??

2. Have you ever made a call to your local 911 service? If so, how long did it take for emergency personnel -- whatever type you needed -- to arrive?

As a matter of fact, we have. I called 911 for the first time EVER just about two years ago when Beast's back went out completely. The guys got here in probably five or six minutes, but I could hear them leave the firehouse, drive a quarter mile away, from us, then drive parallel to us, then come back toward us. There is no direct route to go the 3 blocks from the station to our house. {eyeroll}

3. If you had to choose one of the following, which emergency employee would you want to be: police officer, dispatcher, paramedic, firefighter; and why would you choose that one?

Paramedic. I don't deal well with panicking people on the phone, I definitely don't want to be a cop (no interest in carrying a gun for one thing), and firefighting is freakin' dangerous! I actually have considered volunteering for paramedic around here on occasion.

4. Take the quiz: What firefighter tool are you?

What Firefighter tool are you
New York Roof Hook you like overhall, checking for extensions, taking out ceilings and walls.
Take The Quiz Now!	Quizzes by myYearbook.com

It must be a firefighting thing with spelling. My brother can't spell basic words either. Should it be "overhaul" not "overhall"?

My but I'm picky tonight! And that is a sort of cool-looking tool, actually....

5. When you were little, did you ever dream of being a first responder?

Nope. I dreamed of being safe. My brother did though, and he did end up a cop (briefly), then an EMT/paramedic, and for the majority of his career, a firefighter. He now sells firetrucks. He's just a big ol' kid. ;-) Me, I have always liked life to be safe, controlled, and emergency-free.

6. What is your favorite first-responder-related movie or television show; and how realistically do you think it depicts what they really go through?

I would love to watch "Rescue Me" but I'm afraid I would find it a little too intense and too personal. I did like "Backdraft" which I watched with my brother who pointed out all the inconsistencies (relatively few) and stuff Ron Howard et al. got right (most everything). I loved "Emergency!" as a kid, too: in fact, I'm pretty sure that show was formative for my brother. I don't think it was at all accurate about the details, but also it was probably as close as it could be at the time.

Monday's a Bitch

(Link at left)
Random Joy

1. How do you feel about karaoke? (e.g., Fun? Painful? Worst invention ever?)

Why do people think they can sing in public? OK, so yes, painful. Fun if you're not the only sober person in the bar. If you are the only sober person, it's the worst invention ever.

2. Have you ever accidentally lit something on fire?

Yeah. Oooh, boy. Thank God for smoke detectors!

3. Do you wear slippers around the house?

Yes, and I should have them on now--my feet are freaking FREEZING tonight!

4. Plaid: stylish or offensive?

I like plaid. A lot. Though I rarely wear it.

5. What's on top of your fridge?

A cup with dry-erase pens for the calendar on the fridge, the banana stand and a box with an empty Dom bottle in it. I think that's it. I'm too lazy to go look, and Beast says he can't see the fridge from his chair.