Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Icebreaker Questions

1. Are you loud, outgoing or shy?

Yes.
I am all of the above at different times. In fact, I am the loudest librarian you've probably met. I can be very outgoing. However, the Real Me is quite shy and fearful.

2. What’s coming up where you’ll see an old friend?

.....I got nothing. I'm not even sure we're going to have a vacation this year, so unless said "old friend" comes to me, I'm gonna just be sitting here with my current friends. Of course, I have some current friends who are old.... Am I overthinking this question??

3. Are you easy to get along with?

I think so. Usually. Unless you're stupid or flat-out obnoxious.

4. Have you ever given up on someone, but then gone back to them?

I give up on people regularly, but I have a hard time holding myself to the vow to drop them. That's getting easier, but I've only gone "back" to a boyfriend once. It was a mistake.

5. Who was the last person that you had a deep conversation with?

There were a few of those at church this morning. With Sue, with Beast, with Sunday school people, with Sally, with Lee, with Gary....

6. Are you okay with being in a big crowd?

How big? Like a couple hundred people in a church or concert or theatre? Sure. Anything much more than that, then no. I really wanted to go to one of the marches yesterday, but holy shit I would have been hyperventilating the entire time. I don't even enjoy traveling as much as I used to because of the crowds in airports and so forth.

7. Do you believe in luck and/or miracles?

I do. Not in the "buy a lotto ticket" kind of luck. I've witnessed miracles and there is literally no earthly reason I'm still alive after a couple specific events.

8. What good thing happened during the summer? (It’s good to think about summer when you are freezing your butt off in January.)

My feet were warm. I miss that these days.

9. Do you think there is life on other planets?

Sure. I mean, why not?

10. Who was your first crush on?

First first was David Cassidy. I was, probably, 8. At most. I remember kissing an album cover. It's been downhill since then. ;-)

11. What are your bad habits?

Nailbiting. Making assumptions. Trying to answer rhetorical questions. Trusting people. Sarcasm. Lack of attentiveness.

12. What’s your favorite part of your daily routine?

Going to bed to read before sleep.

13. Other than your significant other, who are you most comfortable with?

Well, that's a rather ginormous assumption you've got going there... heh OK, I'm qute comfortable with myself. I guess Sparky is in there too. Not really many others, even my besties. See question #1.

14. Has an ex ever told you that they regret breaking up?

Yup. See question #4.

15. Why should your celebrity crush drop everything to be with you?

That would ruin everything!!

16. What would be the hardest to give up and why? Books. TV. Music.

Books. Or, actually, maybe music. I could write and then read my own stuff or read cereal boxes and magazines, but I gotta be able to sing.

17. Do you believe in second chances?

Yes and thank GOD for them, no??

18. What would like to do next in your life?

I'd feel better about answering this if Beast was contributing to the household income.

19. What’s the meanest thing that anyone has ever said to you?

Really? My co-teacher said something at Sunday school today about being as old as Moses today. My co-teacher is older than me, so I just gaped at him. [it was a joke, a lousy one] EVER though? Wow, so many things. Several of them said by my son in angry moments.

20. What’s the nicest thing that anyone has ever said to you?

Many years ago now, in the middle of a conversation about something entirely different, Beast said to me that one of the things he most admires (admired?) about me is how kind I am to others.

Sunday Stealing x3

(Link in meme-roll)
The Alice Through the Looking Glass Meme

If your life was a book, what would be its title?

Plot? What Plot? seems about right.

Who is/was the weirdest person in your life?

I see weird people DAILY. You want weird coworkers, weird family members, weird members of the public, weird neighbors? I have someone--at least one person--in each category. Mostly, I enjoy Teh Weeerd. Sometimes, it makes me want to punch walls. Today was about half and half.

What is a special thing that someone once did for you?

I think the trick here is to notice the special things more than it is to expect big gestures of love from people. Possibly the nicest thing someone's done for me this week is driving me from work to pick up Beast after he had a diabetic situation Friday night. But the flight attendants on the plane, the car driver, and others I don't even know about were spectacularly on-point last Monday on our trip home from vacation.

If you could erase someone off the planet, who would it be?

My first reaction was political. Instead I'll just say that I'm not going to be sad when Crazy Cat Woman retires from my workplace in less than a month.

What’s a big goal that you have?

I have never been a Big Goal person. I'd like to retire someday. That's looking more and more like it will be some fairy-tale distance away.

If you could time travel and meet yourself at 16, what would you tell yourself?

Like I would listen to someone my age at 16?? I'd probably just pat myself on the back and suggest being a little more careful around booze and people who love it.

If it were the last day of your life, how would you spend it?

With kids. It would be wonderful to just sit around and play with some toddlers or babies, read them some books, get some sticky hugs and kisses...what a way to go.

If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be and why?

I would kind of like to meet Tammy Duckworth. She seems like the kind of straight shooter in person that I like in public office. I'd like to tell her that not only do I appreciate her service in the military, but I appreciate her service to our country since she came back home.

What is one thing that you would never do that others you know have done?

I'm pretty sure that I'll never drive drunk.

What is one romance depicted in film that you’d love to experience?

Wow. Uhm. I'm not much of a romance-watcher. The Tracy-Hepburn dynamic, though, that is fun.

Describe yourself in just one sentence.

"O.M.G." (and not in any theological sense)

Who is the most beautiful person on earth?

Really, any random newborn is pretty awesome. It may be the last time we are every fully ourselves, right after birth, before we start wearing other peoples' expectations.

What was the best experience in your life?

I've had a lot of good experiences. One of the best was getting my mom giggling during church in the middle of quiet prayer and then both of us giggling through the Lord's Prayer. It was strange, epic, and 100% unlikely.

If you could rule the world, what would you change?

So . Many . Things. Certain famous people who talk bullshit will be wearing a lot of duct tape over their mouths until they learn how to STFU when they have nothing productive to say.

Where were you when you heard the news of 9/11?

At church. Beast called while I was doing some volunteer work. I got in the car and turned on the radio while I headed home, turned on the TV when I got there and got a call from our brand-new pastor who had no TV service. So I watched the second tower fall with him and his wife, who was totes panicking: "I need to go to the grocery store! We need to stock up on food!"

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The Martial Arts Meme

Who was the last person that you held hands with?

Beast. Yesterday, I think.

Are you loud, outgoing or shy?

Yup. All of the above on varying occasions.

Who are you looking forward to see[ing]?

I can't think of anyone I'm desperate to see. I just finally met all but one of my great-nephews and -nieces, so it would be nice to see the only remaining unmet one. I'm not sure about going to Texas anytime soon though, and my understanding is that his parents are perhaps not together anymore. This makes me sad, but I'm treating it as rumor till I hear from someone definitively.

Are you easy to get along with?

Usually. Unless you're an idiot. Then I might be a little hard on you.

Have you ever given up on someone, only to let them back into your lives? Why?

Yes. Once. I shoulda stuck to my guns, but fortunately it wasn't a huge waste of time.

If you were ill, which TV doctor or nurse would you want to take care of you?

Honestly, if I were terrifically and suddenly ill, Johnny Gage's presence at my side in the ambulance could probably manage to put me back on the road to health before even arriving at the ER.

Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable?

Yes, it does. I'm so my parents' kid. Having admitted that, I tried very hard to keep my personal ooshiness out of sight whenever Sparky was in need of straight talk. The need to be honest definitely trumped the prude in me.

Who was the last person that you had serious conversation with?

Beast, after I got home from work today. Life is fraught right now and sometimes emotions boil over.

What was the last text message you received about?

Last Fbook PM: "Fair. :P I've just started throwing 'yins' into casual conversation."
Last text: "Yea. She makes a good date."
Last Google Hangout: "Almost got a ticket for not using hands free"
WhatsApp: "Haha! Guess that's a nice sort of problem to have?"
Not one is from the same person and they are all completely unrelated issues, but there is some sense of continuity there.

Do you believe in luck and/or miracles?

I completely believe in miracles! My life is full of them. Luck too, mostly of the good variety. I have to say, though, that this is another case of seeing what you look for and getting back from life what you put out into the world.

What good thing happened this summer?

Uhm. It was not exactly a stellar summer. I found some serenity and some freedom. Sparky got out of a lousy roommate situation and into a new apartment of his own. And then a EEEUUUGGGE implosion for Beast at the end of summer from which we'll be recovering for quite awhile. We still haven't seen all the final ramifications as yet. So I'm learning some more about patience, too.

Convince us why we should or should not believe in life on other planets?

You can believe whatever you want, as far as I'm concerned. Until we actually find life in space, you have that option. I find it hard to believe that we're alone, as big as the universe is, but I also doubt extraterrestrial life will look anything like us, should we ever run into it.

Who was your first crush on?

David Cassidy. I was 9. Or maybe 8.

Favorite part of daily routine?

Washing my face, brushing my teeth, putting on pajamas, and climbing into bed with my Nook to read or puzzle.

Do you like your neighbors?

Of the ones I know, all but one are good people. We have some new people we haven't met yet. And the neighborhood Dirty Old Man is (YAY!) moving. Or at least the house is for sale.

What’s your worst feature?

My teeth. They are really getting yellow as I age. :(

Have you ever had trust issues?

Huh. Not until the last few years. I'm still horribly gullible, though.

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The "Doing Questions Like It's 2003" Meme

Tell us about your pets. If you don’t have one, share why you don’t.

We have one lazy little guinea pig named Pinto. He's a cutie, but he will be the last. I'm retiring my zoological chores when he dies.

Name three things that are close to you.

Physically close? I'm surrounded by heaps of stuff that have accrued as I unpacked last week. There are three things here I need to mail tomorrow, a book about the discovery of Richard III (brought home from vacation), and a half a liter of Diet Coke that I've been working on all afternoon.

How was the weather for your summer?

It was good. Too muggy here at the end, but I can't complain about the temperatures: they never got wildly out-of-control hot.

What was the last film you saw? Did you like it?

We went and saw the last Star Trek movie when it came out. It was ok. I like the original timeline better.

Tell us about the last trip that you took.

We just got back last Monday from visiting my English family and attending the wedding of my nephew there. He was married in Bristol in probably the weirdest and yet the most fun wedding I've ever attended. Then we spent about a week driving to my nieces' homes in northern and central England and meeting and getting to know their kids. The weather was wonderful, and the kids were great, and it was good to see people I haven't been able to spend time with in 5 years.

Where do you buy groceries? Why?

Meijer, mostly, and increasingly Aldi. And a local standalone grocery. And a local chain that's only in the immediate metropolitan area in which I live. Mostly in that order.

Tell us something that you did today. Or will do if you haven’t had your morning coffee yet.

I worked. Today was Crazy Cat Woman's and Supplies' last Sunday to work before they retire. I'm sad that Supplies is going--in spite of her politics being 180 from mine, I've really come to like and admire her--but CCW can't leave soon enough. Anyway, I found the provenance of an unusual photo of JFK and Jackie for a patron. That was fun.

Have you pulled an all-nighter?

Kinda did that a couple of weeks ago on the flight to England. I might've gotten an hour of sorta-sleep on the plane. Maybe. At most. Before that was probably the last overseas flight, or staying up with family emergencies.

Can you taste the difference between Pepsi & Coke?

Yep.

Tell us about your siblings. How many and what do they do?

Tell ya what. Here's my family. Go read. It's current. This is not a question I love answering.

What’s the oldest thing that you own?

Several pieces of furniture. My grandparents' china (boxed in the basement). Some books that are well over 100 years old--nothing fancy or worth money, I hasten to add!

Friday 5 (late, as usual)

(Link in meme-roll)
All I Need is a Miracle

1. When has something miraculous or seemingly miraculous happened to you or someone you know?

   There are miracles every day, really. The fact that my sister Ellen did NOT die when I was a tot remains the most definitive event of my life, even though I was too young at the time to know what was going on.

2. When were you last part of an amazing coincidence?

   It's so odd that I share the same spelling of my first name to a person who regularly comments on one of my favorite blogs. It's an unusual spelling. I do a spit-take almost every time I see her name under her comments. She is, apparently, a librarian also.

3. What have you recently accomplished against magnificent odds?

   I'm still alive and still married and mostly happy.

4. In what way this week has luck been in your favor?

   I got to see the Madrigals from my son's high school sing at Bible Study this week. That was pretty awesome. And I ran into someone the same morning who will be attending my university next year. It's a small school. Sparky is a student there now.

5. What was the last outcome you consciously decided to leave up to chance?

   I'm trying to convince myself to STFU about a bunch of work stuff that is pissing me off.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

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1. Do you believe in miracles?

I do. Absolutely. I've seen them.

2. What's a recent fad you admit to trying?

I tweeted semi-regularly for about a year. But I don't really have the patience or time to keep up with it.

3. Peppermint--are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite food or beverage containing peppermint?

I love peppermint! I go through a ton of peppermint gum, and I like Ghirardelli's peppermint bark too.

4. Break the ice, on thin ice, as cold as ice (emotionally, not literally)...which phrase have you run into most recently? Explain.

I watch entirely too much American Pickers: "break the ice" is way in the lead here. By the way, can someone explain to me when and why we started saying "cold as hell"? Because, yeah....

5. Have you ever broken or spilled something in someone else's home? Still friends?

Yeah, and boy ain't that a bitch? This has never been the cause of a broken friendship, however.

6. 'Tis the week before Christmas...are you feeling more like Buddy the Elf or the Grinch before his heart grew?

Grinch. Well, not exactly, but I'm not really into the whole Xmas thing at this point.

7. Share a favorite quote relating to Christmas.

"There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child." (Erma Bombeck)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We're going to get the tree up and decorated tonight and/or tomorrow. I'm not excited about it, but Sparky's here to help so that will help. I have made inroads on the purchasing of "stuff" as well, so maybe Christmas morning won't be a complete bust. However, I'm trying really hard to be living in the right now, not in the anxiety about Christmas stuff.

Saturday 9

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Our House

1. I read that Bud Weiser & Kathy moved into their new house! When was the last time you moved? Where to?

Dang, it didn't make the local rag here; this is why I hate the papers around here! lol I last moved house in 2003 into this here location. I hope never to have to move again; I love this house too much, and I have WAY too much cleaning and throwing-away-of-things to do before I can do that.

2. If they were making a Hall of Fame for the blogosphere, name a blogger or two who you think should make the list. Why?

I don't really believe in these sorts of things. I don't read any big name-brand blogs at all because I find them as boring as the newspapers. I have a few that I've read for years because I know and/or like the people who write them, and what they write about interests me. That doesn't mean they are the "best of the blogosphere" (shudder--that word!), but it means I like 'em a lot.

3. What are couple of funny things you remember your parents saying? (Like, “They're starving there in China, so finish what you've got.” - John Lennon) Do you say them to your kids?

"Keep looking. You'll find it in the last place you look." (I never heard that as obvious, just that things end up in the weirdest places when you don't keep them organized.) "Keep your shirt on!" (like I wouldn't??) "Eat your beans. They'll put hair on your chest." (Uh, thanks Dad, no.) "I'm not talking to hear my own voice!!" (Yeah, THAT one I use(d)!!)
Most of the time, I try NOT to use these sayings, except ironically, because I absolutely hear my parents' voices in my mouth when I say 'em.

4. What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?

Being alive. At least four times over, that I'm aware of: being born at all (not going there, not here), surviving allergies (having had numerous major allergic reactions, I'm aware that a couple of them could have killed me had there been no appropriate medical intervention), surviving childbirth (women died in childbirth in situations like I was in, and so did their babies), abdominal surgery (any one of the problems that were addressed while the doctors were in there mucking about might have killed me by now).
And there are the almost-wrecks...the stupid decisions that worked out...etc.

5. What is it too late for?

More kids from this here bod.

6. What do you try to stay away from?

Stupid. I try like hell, but it keeps STALKING me, cracker-ass punk.

7. When you get into a disagreement or fight, how often are you the first to apologize?

Usually. Almost always. In fact, I have to make a point NOT to do so when it's not my fault that things blew up.

8. Tell us about a current issue that you’re unhappy with.

Oh, hell, where to start. I'm really annoyed with my boss, and I wish she'd just bloody well leave so we can hire someone who actually WORKS for a living and leaves the rest of us the fook alone to do our jobs the way we've always managed to do without being asked, daily (or more often), "Anything you need? Anything I can do for you? How are things going?" Just fuck . right . off . woman!

9. How often do you update your blog/site and why?

This one I update almost daily because of the memes. The daily one, I don't update more than once every couple of weeks because I don't have anything much to say about life that's not downright bitchy.

The Queen's Meme

(Link in meme-roll)
Mimi's Old Memes Meme

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? (from The Silly Questions Meme)

OK, I've answered this question 12 times in the past. I don't remember looking at myself at all this morning. I did my hair, but I was looking at my hair. I don't really ever look at myself that closely.

2. Name something about humanity you absolutely hate. (from The Monday Melee Meme)

And this was a regular on the Monday Melee, so it's been answered a few times. I really wish we could step outside ourselves more consistently.

3. What was the first lie your mother ever told you? (from Ten Lies My Mother Told Me meme)

Aha! A new one! The first one was probably, "It's ok" when I was a baby. It's the first one we all here, I expect. The first one I remember? Uhm...wow, I can't honestly remember mom lying to me.

4. Name one thing you should never say around a Ouija Board. (from The Ten Things You Should Never Say Around a Ouija Board meme - from Frank @ Honk'n'Hollr)

Another new one! :-) I don't believe in Ouija, so I'd ask ANYthing.

5. What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now? (from the I Think I Caught Something Meme)

Three previous hits on this one. The answer has changed too: there's two kinds of bodywash, one face wash, and no soap.

6. If a doctor told you today that you were pregnant, what would you say? (The Honesty Meme)

Four previous hits. And the answer is the same, more or less: I would find another doctor. There's literally no way I could be pregnant short of some kind of biblical-level miracle involving reconstituted body parts.

7. Are you in a complicated love situation? (from The Don't Call Me, I'll Call You Meme)

ALL love situations are complicated! [first time for this one, as far as I can tell--even though it's really familiar]

Saturday 9

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 Dark Lady

1. Have you ever been to a fortune teller? If yes, what happened?

Nope. I have been one in a couple of places, strictly for fun. I don't believe in this, so what's the point in wasting my money?

2. How do you cope in an uncomfortable social situation?

I make jokes or try to blend into the scenery. Kinda depends on the reason for the situation.

3. A genie appears (of course). She asks, “If you had 3 wishes but each took 3 years off your life, what would you wish for and why?”

Can I pick which three years to remove? Cuz otherwise, I think I'll go without the wishes. If I can, then I'd want enough money to pay off our mortgage, a clone of my former boss to take over from my current boss, and child abusers to all suddenly stop doing that forever.

4. Would you rather lose your soul mate or never meet them at all?

I don't really believe in soul mates either, but I suppose I'd rather have met than not.

5. What is the hardest thing that you have ever had to do?

Keep moving when all I want to do is stop. Or, stop doing something when I want to keep going.

6. Have you ever had a miracle happen to you or your loved ones?

Yes. My sister never should have survived aplastic anemia OR been able to have kids, and there is at least one incident in the car that should have ended in a horrendous crash and didn't.

7. Tell us about a quote that you can relate to. Why can you relate with it?

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle." (Plato) The minister of my church when I was a kid used to say something like this at the end of every worship service. It's a good reminder to stop navel-gazing and be aware that everyone has stuff to deal with.

8. What personality trait has gotten you into the most trouble?

My big mouth. Is that a personality trait? OK, my tendency to jump to conclusions and not back down.

9. For those in The States, how was your Turkey Day? If not from the US, do you celebrate a day like Thanksgiving?

We had an excellent day Thursday and I'm thankful for those who were able to be here with us for the meal and fun times. I found out that a good friend is a girl: "she's got those...things" according to my eldest nephew. He's 38.