Smellyann Strikes Again

Saturday 9: Greased Lightnin'

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Saturday 9: Greased Lightnin'

1) Greased Lightnin' was the name of a car. Have you ever given your car a name?

Sure. I thought everyone did this? I don't remember what I named my first car in high school, but in college I had an '81 Honda Civic wagon that could go from 0 to 10 in 60 seconds (that's NOT a typo!), so I named it "Bullet." Then there was my Dodge Neon, "Butter," because compared to the Civic, that's what she was like. The Chevy Venture was uncreatively named "Vanna," and our Odyssey is now named "Penelope." Someone please tell me you get that one.

2) Could your vehicle use a trip to the car wash this weekend? 

Pretty much always, yes. I have three kids; it goes without saying. (The exterior is fine, but the interior is always cringe-worthy.)

3) This song is from the soundtrack of the movie Grease, the biggest money-making movie musical of all time. Have you ever seen it?

Only about 4700 times! It's one of my faves. I have the disc of the sountrack, too.

4) John Travolta's astrological sign is Aquarius. What's yours?

I'm a born-again Virgo. I don't know what means, either. I don't buy into Astrology, but I do exhibit pretty much all Virgo traits.

5)  In addition to being John Travolta's birthplace, Englewood, New Jersey, played a significant role in telecommunications history. In 1951, Englewood's mayor made the first-ever direct dial long-distance call in the United States. Now it's your turn. Tell us something about your birthplace. 

 

First, let me tell you that my grandparents lived in Leonia, right next door to Englewood, and Grandpa worked for many years in Englewood, so I have been there countless times. I was born in Goshen, New York, in the Hudson Valley. I grew up with a "New Yawka" accent until the age of 6½, and when I get mad or otherwise excited, it still comes out of me.

6) Travolta is an excellent dancer. How are you on the dance floor?
 
 

I do okay, but I'm far too self-conscious to do it in public most of the time. I took lessons, though, and I danced under the tutelage of several famous choreographers in Manhattan in my youth. (I remember only the name of Jimmy Locust, though, and I can't remember whether he played the part of The Purple People-Eater or was the choreographer on The Cosby Show... or both.) Those were fun times!

7) Grease is an upbeat musical about the students of Rydell High. Another Travolta movie is Carrie, which features the worst prom night imaginable. Grease or Carrie -- which is closer to your high school experience?

I'd say it was somewhere in the middle. It wasn't horrible, but there were definitely some horrible moments. I was a nerd with lots of popular friends. Go figure.

8) What was your best subject in high school? What was your worst?
  
 

Science and Math were my subjects, but I was pretty equally stellar in English class. My worst subject was History. I do not remember dates that well, and I have always abhorred learning about wars.

9) Sam made good use of the bus ride to school, using that time to complete her homework. What do you remember about getting to or from school?

I remember one time, in kindergarten, I was standing up on the seat, jumping up and down, and the bus went over a bump. I fell into the aisle, hit my head, and bled like a stuck pig. And I think I got in trouble for the jumping, to boot. What a crap day!

Fin.

Saturday 9: Mama Told Me (Not To Come)

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Saturday 9: Mama Told Me (Not to Come)

1) This song is about a lad who didn't take his mother's advice and attended the wild party anyway (hear it here). When you were young, did your parents approve of your friends? If you're a parent yourself, how have you handled it when your kids start hanging around with friends you're not crazy about?

 

I was a nerd with mostly nerdy friends (sorry guys, but it's true), so there wasn't much of which to disapprove. I've liked pretty much all my kids' friends, so it's been a non-issue so far. They're only tweens now, though, so we'll see what changes as they grow into their teen years.

2) A 2010 poll named Marge Simpson of The Simpsons the most popular TV mom of all time. Who is your favorite TV (or movie) mother?

Claire Huxtable. I would have loved to have a mother like her.
 

3) Crazy Sam's mother is a big fan of The National Enquirer. As she likes to say, "They were right about John Edwards!" Do you read the tabloids? Cast a guilty glance at them when you're in line at the store? Or ignore them altogether? 

 

I pretty much ignore them now, although once in a while I'll glance at the headlines at the checkout. Every single week, though, my grandmother used to get the Enquirer, Star, and one other - the Globe, maybe? I'd read them when I visited her. Very entertaining for a kid.

4) Mother Winters always gave Sam peppermint tea to calm her stomach. Do you have any tried-and-true home remedies to share?

 

It's not really my forte, having grown up without the miracle of modern medicine allowed in my home. We weren't even permitted to utter the words "I'm sick," so I'm the wrong person to ask. I do believe in acupressure for mild headaches, though.

5) Thinking of guts ... When making decisions, do you tend to consider all the options carefully or do you "go with your gut"?

 

I usually consider the options and THEN go with my gut. I pretty much jump in with both feet when I know what I want to do. I'm the type who would rather ask forgiveness than permission.

6) Spring is here! Do you have a green thumb?

 

No way. I kill every plant I get. I recently bought some succulents (think: cactus relatives), thinking there's no way I could kill those. Guess what? They were dead within a week. Sad!

7) Have you put away your winter clothes yet?  

 

Put away some and trying to get rid of some. Now that we live in Miami, I'm hoping to need very few of those.

8) After you lather and rinse, do you repeat?
 
 

Only when I've colored my hair or been to the beach. I have very little hair right now, so "repeat" is not usually necessary.

9) To celebrate Mother's Day, Sam is giving away Hershey bars. Would you prefer classic milk chocolate, dark chocolate or milk chocolate with almonds?

Yum, I'll take some milk chocolate with almonds, please! And don't tease a girl - want my address to send 'em?? ;)

Stay tuned for more posts and Sunday Stealing later this weekend!

Fin.

Saturday 9: Tunnel Of Love

Link up here if you want. I'm mad now; I already typed up this whole post once, and Typepad or Google Chrome ate it. Forgive me if the redeux is grouchy. Also, apologies for the comment verification; I've been getting so much spam lately, I could open a Hormel plant.

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Saturday 9: Tunnel of Love

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1) Do you enjoy amusement park rides?

Of course, but I'm kind of a big weenie when it comes to roller coasters and stuff like that. I'm working on growing my cajones, though: when I was a kid, I used to be terrified of rides like the Scrambler or others that spun around fast, and now they're favorites. So there's hope for me, yet!

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2) In this song, Bruce likens romance to riding through the tunnel of love. The Red Hot Chili Peppers sing about a "Love Rollercoaster." What amusement park ride reminds you of your relationships?

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If walking on hot coals were a ride, I'd say that. There's an element of danger, sometimes someone gets burned, and yet it's exciting and exhilarating. Oh, and very intense. Life with me is not a picnic.

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3) Bruce's nickname is The Boss. Who was your best boss? What made him/her a good supervisor?
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That would be me. I'm my own boss now, and I like it that way. I am hard on myself when I deserve it, but I can also be patient and kinder to myself when I need that, too. I pay myself what I'm worth - although I need a raise, Self! - and listen to my instincts. I push myself, I create challenges and goals, and I work hard to achieve them. 

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4) Bruce's father was a bus driver and his mother was a legal secretary. What professions did/do your parents work in?
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Hey, I was once a legal secretary, too. I had a good boss then, as well. (RIP, Jim.)

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Mom did a little bit of everything, and I'm sure she did lots I didn't know about. She was a secretary when she died. I have a newspaper article on her from when Stacey and I were toddlers; she had started a babysitting co-op in our town and they praised it for it. Now, those are commonplace. As for Dad, he's a bit of a Jack of All Trades, Master of None. To sum up his talents, he's a salesman. He could sell water to a fish.

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5) Bruce met his wife Patti at a bar in Asbury Park. Do you believe you can pick up lasting love in a bar? 
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Of course. I know a couple that met that way. As for Hubs and me, we met online, and that works, so why not a bar. Incidentally, my parents met though a dating service, too.

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6) Springsteen was unable to work for years because he was embroiled in a lawsuit with his management company. Have you ever been sued, or sued someone else?
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Five barks for you. Heh.

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7) Bruce won an Oscar for writing the title song for the Tom Hanks movie Philadelphia. Do you have a favorite Tom Hanks movie?
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It has to be Splash, my first Tom Hanks movie. He, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, and the rest of the cast were awesome in that. I could watch it again and again. I wonder if it's on Amazon Prime?

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8) Bruce's official Twitter account (@springsteen) has more than 389,000 followers. Do you tweet? If so, how many people follow you?
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I tweet updates and check-ins from my iPhone and reward sites like Crowdtap and Swagbucks, but I'll rarely go straight to Twitter and post Facebook-like status updates. I couldn't care much less about that. I'm @Smellyann if you want lots of stupid information about where I am, though. ;) I have no idea how many followers I have. Three or 400, maybe?

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9) Bruce's drummer, Mighty Max Weinberg, led the band on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. Who do you think is funnier -- Conan or Jay Leno? Or are you looking forward to Jimmy Fallon?

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Fallon's okay - he's gotten better since the beginning - but I'm a huge fan of Conan. We have a similar sense of humor; I 'get' him and think he's hysterical. I never liked Leno as a talk show host at all. He's unoriginal and unfunny, IMHO. I was horrified by that whole Leno/Conan shake-up on NBC. Really? That was ridiculously unfair. I felt so badly for the O'Brien family, to be honest.

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I'll be back tomorrow for Sunday Stealing, if not before then with some family updates. See ya back here, hm?

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Fin.

Saturday 9: Twist And Shout

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1) In the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Ferris climbs up on a parade float and enthusiastically lip synchs this song, encouraging the entire crowd to join in. Do you know the lyrics of "Twist and Shout" well enough to sing along? (Watch the impossibly young Matthew Broderick as Ferris here.)

I know part of them, but not the whole song. I knew it better when I was younger. I danced to it drunkenly in Key West a long time ago, I remember...

 

2) What other Beatles' song do you know all the words to?

Probably none of them. My dad was (is) a major Elvis fan growing up, so that's what we listened to of my parents' generation, not the Beatles. I know I missed out on a lot, musically speaking, so I only know the Beatles songs we sang in choir!

 

3) 49 years after their American debut, The Beatles are acknowledged as having a lasting impact on both music and culture. What performers on today's music scene do you think will be remembered 50 years from now?

Bruno Mars is like the second coming of Michael Jackson. I think he'll leave a lasting mark.

4) Paul McCartney is an enthusiastic advocate of the vegetarian lifestyle. Could you/have you tried to "go veggie?"

 

I am only semi-vegetarian now because I need so much protein and am working toward getting back, but I have been full-on vegan in the past. It's my goal.

 

5) As a young boy, Ringo Starr suffered a severe attack of appendicitis and almost died. Do you still have your appendix? What about your tonsils?


I don't have a cervix (TMI?), uterus, Fallopian tubes, one of my ovaries, my gallbladder, and most of my stomach. I should probably have had my tonsils and adenoids out long ago, but so far I still have those and my appendix. Sometimes I wonder if I'm missing half my brain, too...

 

6) John Lennon sketched and doodled when he was bored or nervous. Do you have any
nervous habits?



I bite my lip, and I fidget and play with my hair, my shirt, whatever is handy. Now I keep my keys and iPhone in my hands to avoid doing that as much as possible.

 

7) George Harrison loved Hawaii so much he bought a 63-acre estate in Maui. Have you ever visited our 50th state?

We flew through Honolulu on our way both in and out of Guam 10½ years ago, but I wouldn't really classify that as a "visit." I didn't get to touch soil, and I certainly didn't get "lei'd" there.

 

8) Yoko Ono was a polarizing character in the Beatles' saga. Has any of your friends ever dated/married someone you just could not stand?

  No, but my dad has married two woman I couldn't/can't stand. He doesn't choose well.

9) Paul has had dogs his entire adult life, including a sheepdog, Martha, and a black lab, Jet. John was especially fond of a cat named Elvis and a tomcat he found in the snow and named Tim. Tell us about one of your pets.

Well, I've talked about our six cats before, so I'll tell you about this little one. The kids were out riding their bike/skating this afternoon, while I worked on mystery shop reports in the house. They came bursting in, telling me that there was a tiny kitten stuck under a dumpster. I reassured them, saying, "Oh, it's probably fine," thinking it wanted to be under there. Then Rob came home from the store, and he told me that there was indeed a kitten stuck under a dumpster, and he couldn't get it out. He worked tirelessly, with all his strength and tools, to unlodge the poor weeks-old baby, getting injured himself in the process.

 

Finally, Rob was able to lift up the dumpster (!!!!!) enough to yank the kitty out by a leg. He/she/it was shaken, bloodied, dirty, possibly otherwise injured, and covered in poop. We called a vet, but they were no use, so we went to Petco and got him some infant cat formula and canned food. He was STARVING and smacked loudly as he ate. Then Rob gave him a bath. We talked to the Adoption Services lady at Petco; she's going to give us some dewormer tomorrow and a certificate to have the stray kitty spayed or neutered for free. We'll take care of him/her until s/he's all better (I think it's a girl) and then find her a home. I'm bound and determined NOT to add a 7th cat to our already-full home. We named her Lucky.

Fin.

Saturday 9: I Don't Want To Talk About It

Link up here if you're playing along today! And check me out, on time for once!

1) Crazy Sam is beyond sick of all things Kardashian! What's a topic you're just tired of and don't want to talk about anymore?

 

Gun control. I'm sick of hearing about it and even sicker of talking about it. It's hard when I'm anti-violence and Hubs is a member of the NRA!

2) Rod Stewart has been recording for more than 40 years. Do you have any of his music on your iPod/mp3 player?

Nope, but I like him just fine.

3) Rod Stewart is known for his coif. How much time do you spend on your hair each
morning?

Maybe five minutes, these days, since I barely have any to mess with!

4) Rod's first child, a daughter, will turn 50 this year. His most recent child, also a daughter, is 2. How close in age are your children? If you don't have any children, how close in age are you and your siblings? If you don't have children OR siblings, well, tell us what's immediately to your left as you respond to this meme. If you don't have anything to your left ... Oh, hell, I give up!

My kids are pretty close in age. Chloë is older than the twins by 18 months. Then 25 months until Sophia. I'm just 17 months younger than my sister, so the age spread (or lack thereof) is 'normal' for me, whereas hubs, who is 7 years younger than his twin-sibs and 12 years older than his half-sister, would have liked them more spread out.

5) Which do you prefer -- french toast or pancakes?

Ooh, I lurve French toast!

6) When was the last time you lost your cool?

Yesterday! I'm bipolar and was out of my meds. I had a hell of a time getting them refilled, so I was in a desperate panic and had a total freak-out. I'm sick to death of being dependent on drugs for my sanity, man.

7) Crazy Sam once had a pet hamster she named Bart. Have you ever cared for a hamster or a gerbil?

No, but after 5th grade, I had a pet rat who I named Barkley. You know the dog from Sesame Street? My rat was the same colors.

8) Are you ticklish?

Does a bear shit in the woods?! My grandpa wasn't the slightest bit ticklish; I never gave up trying, though!

9) Ouch! You have a headache! What's your go-to remedy?

If I have my prescriptions for that, then I go that route if it's obviously not going to work with Tylenol. Otherwise, I take whatever I can get my hands on. I get them frequently, and they suck.

All right, peeps. I promise to visit and comment back this weekend, now that we've moved and things are settling down somewhat. I know I've been a jerky, lazy blogger lately about commenting back, so please forgive me!

Fin.

Double Header: Saturday 9 & Sunday Stealing

What's up, guys? I haven't posted this week because our innernet connection sucks big time, and I'm STILL trying to find a service provider for our area, which is not awesome. I'm sitting at McDonald's to boost off their free wi-fi at the mo', and I plan to do a buncha posts back-to-back while I'm here. Check 'em out, will ya? And for the love, please comment if ya read 'em. All week I've gotten tons of spam comments, and it's getting wearisome. Spanx! ;)

Saturday 9: You Belong With Me

 

1) Like the girl in this song, have you ever been in love with someone but afraid to tell them?

Yeah, but I did eventually - and it turned out to be mutual, when the object my affection finally responded. This turned out to be disastrous to our formerly-awesome friendship. Bah.

2) Taylor Swift has been known to write songs about her real-life lovers. If you were to write a song about the most recent person you were romantically involved with, what would the title be?
 

Welp, it'd have to be about my husband, and it would be the sub-tagline of this-here blahg: "On Our Wavelength," which is also close to what I had engraved on his wedding ring. ♥

3) Ms. Swift recently turned 23 and has already won VMAs and AMAs and Grammys. What were you doing when you were 23? (If you aren't 23 yet, where do you see yourself when you hit it?)
 

I lived in Tampa and was working on my Ph.D in elasmobranch ecomorphology {Translation: shark feeding behavior and the related anatomy}. I no longer work in that field, except, it appears, when we're at the beach and I'm trying to drop knowledge on my homeschooled children, who keep insisting I should go back to working as a marine biologist. Ahh, that was a lifetime ago, children...

4) When you were a child, did you sleep with a plush toy? (If yes, please include its name in your answer.)
 

Of course I did - and I still do! The childhood toy was a red-and-white puppy with holly berries on one ear; its name was Snowflake. Now, it's the giant teddy bear Hubs gave me when he proposed. His less-romantic name is "Xavier, the X-rated Bear." Yeah. True story.

5) I'm making a Starbucks run. What can I get you?
 

I'll take a low-fat, sugar-free caramel frappuccino, por favor.

6) It was 60 years ago that Clarence Birdseye first marketed frozen vegetables. Now it's your turn: Share something you learned recently.

Yesterday, I learned how to get to downtown Miami from Homestead (hint: do NOT take US-1 unless you want to sit in traffic for 2½ hours; take the Turnpike instead!) and then from there, how to get to Key Biscayne. Not fascinating, perhaps, but a beautiful journey just the same...

7) In junior high, were you class clown, teacher's pet, a geek, a jock ... or did you just melt into the background?

I was a nerd, the teacher's pet, natch.  I was not a very popular girl!

8) Was your most recent ticket for parking illegally or was it a moving violation?
 

 A moving violation, from a November micro-accident. The copper wrote me up for reckless driving, a total crock of shit that I got thrown out of court. Whew! Also, as I was leaving the courtroom, I heard the judge reaming the officer for the ridiculous ticket. Heh, heh. 

9) Tell us about the last museum you visited.

That would be Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, with  my kidoodles, in Williamsburg, VA. It was an assignment for my side job, but it was fu-u-u-un! We had a blast there. If you get the chance, you should totally go. Worth the trip, I promise (unless you have something up your butt and are the uptight type who doesn't like silliness and shenaniganizing.)

1. What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten in public? 

 

Both on cruises I've taken to the Caribbean, it would have to be either the frog legs or the escargot. I mean, I haven't tried monkey brains or goat testicles, so my options here are a bit limited, y'know?

2. If you had to go on an adventure, with elves, dwarves, or hobbits, who would you take and why? 

 

Uhhh... this question is so ridiculous, I shan't deign to answer it. Sorry. Wait! Wait a minute! Dwarves are real, aka Little People. My own son is a dwarf. So I'm slightly offended now. Humph.

3. You are at a rural retreat lodge somewhere deep in Wisconsin or Canada. You are approached by a taxidermist who hands you a stuffed badger and asks you to put it in your lap. What do you do next? 

 

All I can think of is to ask, "Why?!" which, I know, is exactly what I would really do.

4. If you were given biscotti, would you prefer it with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? 

 

I officially hate this meme almost as much as I hate biscotti. I mean, cookies are not supposed to be that freakin' hard!

5. In your opinion, who is the funniest man or woman alive today?

Oh, gosh. I don't know! Ellen DeGeneres has to be right up there, though. She cracks my arse up every single time I see her. Oh, and Steven Wright is one funny dude. We saw his show once. It was fantastic! 

6. If you were given thirty seconds on television to say something, what would it be? 

 

I could not possibly sum up the brain diarrhea that I would want to share in half a minute, yet I guarantee you I'd be imploring you to recycle at some point in my li'l ol' message.

7. What is your idea of the most romantic date setting ever? 

When my husband and I got married on the beach at sunset, that was pretty romantic. I couldn't have thought of a way to beat that until Sunday night, when we were at the beach at sunset, and there was suddenly a huge group of people descending on the beach. All of them were wearing white from head to toe, and they were walking INTO THE WATER to watch the bride and groom, who happened to be Jewish (judging by the Israeli flag someone carried), get married. And there were horns playing and oh, my God, it was so damn cool. And yes, romantic.

8. If you could go on one date with a movie or television star, who would it be and why? 

 

I have a silly crush on Matt Damon, because he's so cute with those crinkly eyes and crooked smile. And talented, to boot. That's why, so there.

9. What is the worst song you have ever heard? 

 

That stupid werewolf song by (I think) Warren Zevon, or anything sung by Stevie Nicks, who sounds like a wounded goat. Seriously, I can't stand her voice. Ugh.

10. If you could live anywhere else, where would it be? 

 

Dudes, we just moved to paradise, aka Homestead, Florida. I thank God every day for this beautiful life we're now living. I love it HERE!

11. Who - in your opinion - was the greatest person to ever live?

I'm not at liberty to say. Okay, okay... aside from Jesus, it'd have to be someone like Mohatma Ghandi, Mother Theresa, or whoever thought up milk chocolate. Fo'realz.

All right, I guess that wasn't too bad after all. I'll be back momentarily with more loveliness from our new paradise home, so come back and comment, will ya? I mean, the spam is ridick today!

Fin.

 

Saturday 9: Whenever I Call You "Friend"

Link up here if you wanna, and stuff.

Saturday 9: Whenever I Call You "Friend"

1) How did you meet your best friend? 

I have lots of "best friends," but my bestest best friend is Dr. Lisa. We went to school together from 6th through 12th grades, in Central NY.

2) Mother Winters used to say she loved all of us kids equally, but at various times she liked one of us more than the others. Does your "friend ranking" ever shift? Or is the person you think of today as your best friend always #1?

She's always #1 in my ranking. Though I did find recently a notebook I'd kept in elementary or middle school, ranking my friends each day. It was hilarious - especially since I didn't remember many of the people!

3) What makes you a good friend?

I'm loyal to a fault. I'd give you the shirt off my back. And when we really know each other and gibe well, I'm pretty freakin' hilarious, too.

4) Think back to your childhood -- what games did you and your friends like to play?

My favorite games in elementary school were Chinese jumprope (and I rawked at it! In! Out! Side! Side! On! In! OUT!) and that silly Cootie Catcher thing. I made up so many of those, and now my girls are into them.  I looooved playing badminton in high school.

5) Would you rather lose your hair, or the little toe on your left foot? (Yes, you must commit to giving one up.)

I've been bald in the very recent past. I'd much rather lose a pinky toe than do that again - especially the one on my right foot, which I've broken more than a handful of times, starting in grad school.

6) Think of  the phrase, "like nails on a blackboard." What is your least favorite sound?

The sound of sandpapering something, or filing ones nails, or ooh! scratching one's nails on blue jeans. Or any other color jeans for that matter. **cringe**

7) Do you add fabric softener to your wash or place a softener sheet in the dryer?

Sheets in the dryer, although I'm looking for alternatives to reduce waste and exposure to the chemicals. Ideas?

8) Showtime, HBO, or neither?

Showtime is the bomb, but we don't have ANY telly right now, so I'd even take the WB. Does that even still exist? I'm so outta the loop. 

9) Have you ever fired a gun?

Yes, one time. A guy whom I later had several police reports filed against was a friend at the time, here in Miami. He took me to a shooting range. I wore the goggles, and the first time I shot the gun, the casing flew down the goggles and burned my eyelid. Hurt like a sumbitch. I kept shooting, though; turns out that I'm a pretty good shot. Same with archery, which I adore.

I'll be back momentarily with Sunday Stealing...

Fin.

Saturday 9: I Don't Want To Wait

Link up here if you played along today!

1. Are you impatient?

Heh. You could say that. It's probably my most salient personality trait, at least on the negative side, I'm afraid.

2. Do you believe some people have a gift for predicting the future?

I don't know. I really don't. I have done it myself, through dreams, but I can't conjure up the ability to do it whenever I want and have never met anyone who could.

3. The microwave is a great invention for those who don't want to wait. What's the last thing you prepared in yours?

Since we're living in a hotel in South Miami until we find our new digs, we're using it an awful lot right now. I think the last thing I heated up was a microwave meal from Barilla.

4. This was the theme of the TV show Dawson's Creek. Michelle Williams, a costar on the show, went on to earn multiple Oscar nominations. Name
another performer who started out on TV and then became a movie star.

Tom Hanks came to mind first. Love him - and Michelle, for that matter!

5. What's the last bit of advice you received?

Unsolicited: Not to move to Miami - haha, obviously we didn't listen! So far we've seen a cop chase a guy down on foot and draw his gun on him, among other things.

6. What's the last advice you gave?

Solicited: I advised a new mom not to supplement her breastmilk with formula. She didn't listen, either, and now she's having trouble with her supply. :(

7. Easter is considered the season of rebirth. What leaves you feeling refreshed or rejuvenated?

A good nap, or a trip to the beach. I had the former today and hope to experience the latter pretty soon!

8. Easter is also recognized as the start of the spring season. What are you looking forward to this spring?

Before our move to Florida, that was it. Now that we're living in a hotel, I'm really looking forward to finding a place to live!

9. Which would you rather find in your Easter basket: yellow marshmallow chicks (aka Peeps) or a chocolate bunny?

Peeps are so gross. Chocolate for me, please!

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That's it for S9 - be back soon with Sunday Stealing! ;)

Fin.

Saturday 9: Hakuna Matata

Link up here, too, if you're also late to the party!

1) Sam is crazy for The Lion King. Do you have a favorite Disney movie? 

Can you guess? I'm a marine biologist... my favorite is Finding Nemo, of course, followed by The Little Mermaid!

2) The song tells us that Hakuna Matata "means no worries." Is something worrying you right now?

Yes!! We're moving in just over a week, and I'm worried about that, the funds for doing so, where we're going to live when we get to Miami, and whether or not anything will be broken in the process. I'm quite anxious at the mo'!

3) Who is the most optimistic person you know?

My youngest honeychile, Sophia. She is definitely a good time girl; I bet she'll party in college and still make A's. And yes, she is always optimistic.

4) Elton John wrote "Hakuna Matata" but didn't record it. Name a song Sir Elton is famous for singing.

My favorite Elton John song is "Sad Songs" - they say so much, you know.

5) Can you play the piano?

Not really. I took lessons for several years, but I am terribly slow at reading music, so I didn't progress very far with it. I can still play from memory, though.

6) Congratulations! You just won a guided African Safari Tour! Eight days in Zambia and Botswana for you and a friend. All expenses paid, and allowing you access to breathtaking, unforgettable sights. It takes at least 30 hours to get there, and before you go you'll need yellow fever and hepatitis vaccinations and medication to prevent malaria. Are you up for it?

Are you kidding? Absolutely! Sign me up!! I want to see the entirety of this planet before I kick the proverbial bucket.

7) There's been a mistake. You really won a 4-night Disney Bahamas Cruise for two. Are you relieved or disappointed that you'll be partying with a guy in a Simba suit on the Lido Deck instead of observing a real lion in the wild?

We plan on taking a Disney cruise next year, but I'd still be very disappointed. It's incomparable. Plus, I really freaking hate the Bahamas. Hate it. That and Tampa, Florida, are two of the very few places I definitely do not like.

8) Let's bring this back to real life -- do you have any vacation plans? 

Oh, I just told you about that, didn't I? ;)

9) Describe your luggage. Is it durable and high quality? Or are you like Crazy Sam, who has been known to use an Old Navy shopping bag as her carry-on?

We have a set of red luggage that needs replacing. It's definitely not high-quality stuff, though the fact that it still exists depite the kids' best efforts to destroy it must mean it's halfway decent. Almost all the zipper pulls have fallen off, which drives me crazy, and some of the zippers are starting to unzip from the wrong end. It'll get us through the move to Miami, but I don't have many hopes for it after that.

On to Sunday Stealing!

Fin.

Saturday 9: Midnight Train To Georgia

Hey peeps - if you like this, click on over here to see more answers!

1) Have you ever been to Atlanta?

No, I never have, yet. I've been to GA many times, but not there so far. Well, except through the airport a bunch of times, but that doesn't count!

2) Do you enjoy traveling by train?

I love it!!! The last time I rode a train was in September, 2011, for my oldest kiddo's 10th birthday. We rode the train from Newport News, VA, to Washington, DC, and stayed in a hotel there. I took her for a shopping spree at the American Girl store. It was way cool.

3) "Midnight Train to Georgia" is Sam Winters' signature number at the karaoke bar. What's your go-to song when you take the mic?

I've actually never done that, but it's on my bucket list for sure. I know what I want to sing: "What's Up?" by Four Non-Blondes. I think I'll kill it - if I can keep my voice from shaking!

4) Do you drink tea?

Only when I'm really sick; otherwise I can't stand it. And NEVER iced, blech!

5) What's the most recent thing you purchased for your home?

Some organizer bins from my friend LJ - 2013 is the year of storage and organization for us!

6) Are there dishes in your kitchen sink right now?

Always, dudes. Always. We have no dishwasher in this house, so you do the math.

7) Have you ever been fingerprinted?

Twice. Once when I became a sub teacher in Tampa, FL, and again this past month when I needed my signature notarized onboard the Navy base.

8) What was the last check you wrote?

Hell if I know. I haven't written a check in ages upon ages!

9) What color are your eyes?

My sister always tells me she misses my shit-brown eyes. (Hers are beautiful blue, and she's also the one who named me Smellyann. I still love her.)

See y'all tomorrow for some thievery!

Fin.

Saturday 9: It's A Sunshine Day

Yep, I'm late again - but link up here if you're late, too, 'kay?

1. Do you know the lyrics to The Brady Bunch theme song?

Of course! Who doesn't??

2.  Do you have any step-relations like the Bradys?

Um. Heh. Well, yes. I grew up with a wicked stepmother and two stepsisters (Cinderella story, much?)... and now they're gone, gone, gone out of my life. Whoop!

3. Did you have a major pre-teen crush? Who was it?

Oh, come on. I grew up in the 80s. Of course it was this guy:

Amiright...?

4. Which TV character do you wish lived next door?

Hmm... I would have to say... Fonzie! Because, hello, the Fonz! What's not to love? Heyyyy...

5. It's a sunshine day. Describe your sunglasses.

Big. Brownish. Um, a little bedazzled. And did I mention big?

6. How do you spend a 90-minute flight - napping, reading, looking out the window...?

If I can't knit, then probably all of the above at some point!

7. Do you have a favorite brand of toothpaste?

I like Colgate, but that's mainly because it's not Crest (ie, of the evil Proctor & Gamble empire). So, no, not really.

8. How many keys are on your key ring?

House key, old house key, car key. Three.

9. What do you miss about summertime?

Shorts. Flip-flops. Warmth. Sun. Beach. Swimming. All of it!!

Well, that takes care of that. I think I'll do Sunday Stealing another time. Just not feelin' it right now. :\

Fin.

Saturday 9: Call Me Maybe & Pour Some Sugar On Me

So I've been quite unwell for a week and change now and am still not all put back together yet, but I'm sick of languishing in bed as if I didn't have a billion trillion jillion things to do... Here are this week's and last week's Saturday 9 entries, for your edification and (hopefully) amusement!

1. Do you owe anyone a phone call?

Heh. Yeah. About two dozen people have left me voicemails while I've been unwell, and I've pretty much not called or spoken on the phone the whole time. I think my dad is probably wondering if I'm still alive...!

2. Do you still have a landline phone?

Landline?! Gosh, no, those are so 20th century!

3. When was the last time you looked up a number in the phone book?

Phone book?! See above answer. It kind of pisses me off that those things still land on my porch! What a waste.

4. Do you receive more calls or texts?

About an equal number of each. Since I spent a fair amount of time dodging callers and hiding away from the world, either literally or figuratively, I much prefer texts.

5. Carly Rae made the Final 3 on Canadian Idol. Can you name another Canuckian import?

Isn't her mentor, the Biebs, Canadian, too? I can think of lots, but Martin Short springs to mind first. I don't know why, really, since I can't stand that small buffoon...

6. Sam grew sick of this song by hearing it too often on the radio. Where do you listen to the radio most often? Car? Work? Somewhere else?

Up until the last fortnight, when the sound suddenly stopped working on this'ere piece of crap computer, I mostly listened to it here, online. Now I'm sitting here listening to it play on my iPhone. I would say Penelope (my Honda Odyssey), but when the kids are with me (which is all the time), I usually open the DVD player in the back and let them hear the movie audio. We have headphones, but only two sets, and with three kids, that doesn't really work. We've been planning on getting a third set for about as long as we've had Penny. Procrastinate much?!

7. Mother Winters can work wonders with an iron and a can of spray starch. Every blouse and shirt she presses looks good as new. Is there a domestic chore at which you excel?

I can clean with the best of 'em - when I do clean. My standards have been reduced drastically by living with a sloppy husband and three equally sloppy offspring! Drives me nuts. I'm on a mission to change that when we move to Miami in mid-March, and I have a plan that I've already shared with the afore-mentioned slobbos. We will not live like piggies in the next place, dammitalltohellandback!

8. Do you consider yourself competitive?

Heck yeah. That just reminded me, in Calculus, as a high school senior, Mamati (our class valedictorian) and I were always neck-and-neck with grades. His average was probably something like 99.9997 and mine was probably a few thousandths lower... he signed my yearbook that spring with something about that! Turd.

9. Tell us your superhero name - as determined by the color of your shirt and an item to your right. For example, Crazy Sam now fights crime as the Light Blue Coffee Mug!

Well, then, I'm the Purple Coupon, conquering sales wherever I may roam!

Onward...

1. Do you have a favorite "hair metal" band?

Well, I love Def Leppard and this song, but I gotta give it to Bon Jovi. Come on. Jon Bon Jovi? Fine in the '80s, and still fine two (what, three??) decades later. Killin' me!

2. Def Leppard got their start in South Yorkshire, England.  Have you ever been to the UK?

Not yet, but I will get there one day. I'm part English, by the by.

3. Who would you rather chat with, one-on-one: Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince William, or Prince Harry?

Well, the boys are so damn hot, and I have an affinity for them as someone who also lost a mother at a very young age, tragically and suddenly. (My mom was blonde and blue-eyed, too, which seemed to matter to me at the time Diana died.) I have always thought William was gorgeous, but Harry has really come into his own - plus he's a spitfire! I choose Harry. We'd go be outrageous together, I think.

4. Do you use real sugar or a substitute?

Oh, I can't have much real sugar anymore, since my gastric bypass surgery. So it's Splenda, or Nectressé, or lately, organic agave for me...

5. Valentine's Day is big for candy sales. Did you indulge in any Valentine-themed sugary treats this week?

Not really, 'cause I can't, like I said. Oh, I ate some chocolate, but then I puked it up (sorry for the overshare). We had a homeschoolers' V-day party the day after, and we hit the sales that morning. Woot for 75% off!

6. Do you regularly balance your checkbook?

If by that, you mean, do I log into the app for our bank on my iPhone and check the balance, sure. I haven't balanced a physical, hold-it-in-your-hand checkbook for a couple-three years now. Prolly should...

7. What was your last impulse purchase?

Hmm. I'm a big planner when it comes to moolah, by necessity, so probably the biggest thing to which I can admit lately is some "extra" clearance V-day candy for my oldest girl-child to give to her little beau at the party I mentioned. Hee, they're so cute.

8. When Sam was a girl, she had nightmares about snakes under her bed. When did you last have a bad dream?

I have them all the time. Last night, I was tortured by images of... eh. I don't want to conjure them back up. It wasn't pleasant, though.

9. We're ordering pizza. Do you want deep dish or thin crust?

It depends where we are. If we're in NYC, definitely the floppy, gotta-fold-it-in-half thin crust. Anywhere else, that shit is cardboard, so it's deep dish FTW!

Have a lovely, y'all!

Fin.

Weekend Double Header: Saturday 9 AND Sunday Stealing

Yeah, I'm a sucky, neglectful blogger. I thought December was a busy month - February is just cray-cray! So my promises to be a more prolific poster here have gone by the wayside in lieu of Living. I will catch up soon. Um, I promise?

Here is this weekend's Saturday 9: The Way We Were.

1. In honor of Valentine's Day, what's the most romantic movie you can think of?

Hmm. It's pretty cliché for my generation, but c'mon, what beats The Notebook??

2. The Way We Were was a tearjerker. Do you think most real-life love stories end in heartbreak? Or do you believe in happily ever after?

Heh. Well, the side of my Odyssey has a cutesy family decal of us and four of our six cats, and arcing over that are the words, "Happily Ever After," so that answers that question!

3. What's your favorite love song?

It's obviously not a romantic love song, since Eric Clapton wrote it for his son who passed away, but even before my own son died and we played it at his memorial service, "Tears in Heaven" moved me beyond words. What greater love is there than the one a parent has for his child?

4. In 1993, Barbra Streisand married actor James Brolin, who first became famous as Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, MD. Who is your favorite TV doctor?

Dr. Carter, played by Noah Wyle on E.R. And the fact that he was cute as a button was just a bonus!

5. In 2012, Streisand renewed her contract with Columbia, where's she's been recording since 1963. So she's been with the same label for fifty years! Where have you worked the longest, and how long was that?

Y'mean besides Casa de Odette, where I've been HMFIC for the past 12 years? I guess that would have to be the Law Offices of JMB in St. Pete, Florida, where I was a legal secretary on-and-off for 2½ years, throughout grad school. Yeah. My résumé rocks.

6. Sam Winters once worked as a hostess in a chic bistro in Worcester, PA. That's why she frequently gets  frustrated by bad service in restaurants -- she's certain she could make it run more smoothly. Where do you find yourself getting annoyed most often?

Welp, similarly, I worked in grocery retail for ages. Wait, I guess that would be my longest job, but whatevs. Anyway, I quickly moved up to the customer service desk and then ran the front-end of a large grocery store chain location, so I know what it takes to provide good customer service - and when I don't get it, I get pissed - pissed!!

7. Have you ever taken a polygraph test?

LOL... No. And that's the truth!

8. Crunchy, smooth, or organic peanut butter?

Since when is "organic" a texture? Pffft. Organic smooth for me, please, so it doesn't tear up my bread!

9. Describe your favorite sweater.

Hand-knit by me, the most glorious shade of sea blue-green, delightfully textured, perfectly fitted to my body - and as-yet imaginary. I haven't had the time yet to make it!

And now for a little something different:

Link up here if you're playing along today!

21. Would you swear in front of your parents?

I actually try not to, because I feel weird about it and don't like my dad's "tsk, tsk," but I have on occasion. Last month, I actually cussed my dad out - but in all fairness, he totally deserved that shit. Oops, there I go again.

22. Which continents have you been on?

North America, South America, Asia (if Guam counts as Asia?), and Europe. It's not enough, though I woudn't be disappointed if I missed Antarctica...

23. Do you get motion sickness? Any horror stories?

I've spent a lot of time at sea and usually have no problems whatsoever with motion sickness there or anywhere else - except once. We were in the middle of a research trip in the Dry Tortugas, and there was a huge storm producing 10' swells. Our little 80' research vessel was tipping all the way over on its side, back and forth, back and forth. I didn't puke, but I came damn close. I was one of the few who didn't.

24. Why did you name your blog whatever you named it?

Because I'd already had a blog, on some obscure website - oh yeah, it's called MySpace - but I recognized that site as doomed before it really was doomed. I started it up again here, in a much different and more public way. I like this version better.

25. Would you wear a rainbow jacket? A neon sweater? Checkered pants?

That actually sounds like my perfect outfit! I'd wear it all at once. Which I am not, because right now I am sitting here in nothing but yellow-and-green striped knee socks. And that's a fact, Jack.

26. What was your favorite cartoon growing up? Post a picture if you can.

I can't. Google Images refuses to load for me right now. Bastages! I used to love The Far Side, and Calvin and Hobbes. I have a Far Side book where the entire alphabetical index is blank, except for the letter 'T' - all the cartoons are listed under "The One about..." this and that. I love it; it cracks me up. And that was way before Friends stole the idea, folks!

27. In a past life, I must have been a...

Sloth, because truthfully, I am really freakin' lazy. No one believes that, because I actually do accomplish quite a bit, but I am. I could sit on my ass and watch the world go by for days on end. And servants - I would love to have lots and lots of servants. (Well, I do - my kids are my minions. They do not love that.)

28. If you had to look at one city skyline for the rest of your life, which would it be?

I could not do that. Mine is a nomadic soul. I'd go nuts. Well, nuttier.

29. Longest plane ride you've ever been on?

We flew from Florida to Los Angeles to Honolulu to Guam, pretty much straight through, in 2002. And then straight back, except here to Virginia, four months later. With a toddler. And I was pregnant with twins. Talk about awesome. (Actually, it wasn't too bad. Thank God Chloë was a ridiculously easy baby by that age!)

30. What's the longest you've ever slept?

I think it was my very recent 22-hour nap, during an illness. Pretty unusual for me.

31. Would you buy a sweater covered in kitten pictures? Would you wear it if someone gave it to you for free?

Hell-to-the-no, but if they handmade it, I might. If it was well-made and comfy. But gosh, really? So not my style.

32. Do you pluck your eyebrows?

Hell yeah! Those things would otherwise run amok all over my loverly face. I didn't start until I was 25 and a mom, though. What was I thinking? People compliment me on my eyebrows at least 2-3 times a year. I'll keep plucking 'til I'm dead or too senile to care.

33. What's your favorite kind of bean?

Garbanzo! As in, chickpeas. As in, hummus - yummus!

34. How far can you throw a baseball?

Oh, at least a good three feet. I am SUCH a wimp!!

35. If you had to move to another country, where would you move?

I hear St. Baart's is nice, but we're not wealthy enough, and Canada is too cold, so... I don't know. Anywhere Rob went, I'd follow.

36. Have you ever eaten Ethiopian food? Vietnamese? Korean? Nepalese? How was it?

No. Yes. Yes. No. Good. How's that for concise?

37. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a ... no. I hate this question too much to even finish typing it out!

Y'all go out and have a kick-ass week, m'kay?

Fin.

Saturday 9: Aida

Welcome, 9ers! Link up here if you're playing along this week.

1. Have you ever been to the opera?

Nope, I never have. It's on my bucket list, though! I have been to the ballet...

2. Maria Callas was often called a "diva." Is that a compliment or a criticism?

Either way, it's always an earned title. Whether it's got a positive connotation usually depends on the woman's talent, whereas negative intent usually depends on the person's attitude.

3. Aida was composed by the famous Italian Giuseppe Verde.  In addition to opera, what else can the world thank Italy for?

Oh, come on! How long have you got? I think the list should begin and end with ravioli, though. Yummo!

4. Verdi was Italian, and Callas was Greek. Would you rather vacation in Italy or Greece?

Been there, done both. Equally beautiful and intriguing, though quite different from each other. I'd go back if given the opportunity, but I'm aiming for Australia and Japan!

5. The Marx Bros. starred in A Night at the Opera. What's the funniest movie you have ever seen?

You know, off the top of my head, I keep coming back to Borat. Sure, it's horrible at best, but I laughed my freakin' ass off!

6.  What's for dinner tonight?

We went out for Japanese hibachi, to use up one of our many Restaurant.com certificates before we move away from this place. Everything was awesome, except for the very beginning and the very end: My GPS couldn't find the place, so I called and was given the WORST. DIRECTIONS. EVER. And then, when it came time to pay our bill, I couldn't find my purse. We had to use Rob's card, which had just gone through the wash, and it got declined. Talk about panic! I finally found my purse and the payment went right through, but whew! I didn't quite know what to do for a minute there!

The rest of the meal was fantab, though, and I came away just loving my family and our little life.

7.  Are you wearing any jewelry right now?

Yes, my wedding and engagement rings, and my nose ring. I never take that out - I've even left it in for various surgeries and procedures (much to the anesthesiologists' utmost chagrin).

8.  Sam Winters has a scratchy throat and watery eyes. How do you treat the common cold?

With a heavy dose of complaining, a drop of kvetching, and a pinch of bellyaching! I am such an accomplished whiner!

9. Do you need your glasses (or contacts) when you drive?

Oh, hell yes. Otherwise, look out! I have admitted to my husband for the first time this night (though not for the first time to myself) that I am not such the great driver; I think my ability has declined over the past 10 years, actually. But if I couldn't see? Fahgeddaboutit!

Have a great night, y'all! See you on the 'morrow...

Fin.

Saturday 9: Stormy Weather

Click here to check out some other fun peeps' answers this week!

Here are mine, dudes:

1. Do noisy storms scare you?

See that? Now that's a storm - aka Supertyphoon Pongson'a, the worst typhoon to hit Guam on record, when we were there in December of 2002. And I've been through countless hurricanes. So no, a little thunder doesn't make me duck and hide.

2. Whom do you consider one of today's most beautiful women?

Gotta toot my own horn a little bit here, because that's ME, and today is my fourth surgiversary! So today, I'm celebrating THIS beautiful woman sitting in my seat, thanky kindly! (Just don't look at my tired eyes and big, red, runny nose. I haz a code.)

3. What should you be doing, instead of answering Crazy Sam's questions?

Cleaning. Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. What the hell else is new?

4. What's the most recent addition to your spam folder?

Years ago, back in my college daze, they got to me. I think I'm still on the hook for a big, honkin' cassette tape rack. Remember those? Yeah, me neither.

5. What was the last thing you cooked?

I made four people! Four people lived in me! And you want me to cook, too? What's next, buying the food now???

6. Do you remember the lyrics to either your high school or your college fight song? Share.

Once upon a time, I did know it, though. Garsh, that was over 15 years ago now. Holy sheet.

7.  What is the derivation and meaning of your first name?

Seriously, if one of you ever calls me "Melantha," I will punch you in the eyeballs. Yep, both of 'em.

8. Which team are you rooting for in the NBA or NHL this year?

No. Just, no.

9. Gloves, umbrellas, sunglasses, keys - which do you misplace the most?

I don't lose any of those things. Ever. No, fo' realz, I put them in exactly the same place every time, and the only time I can't find them is when a certain Mister Someone ELSE uses them. *ahem*

Happy weekend, folks!

Fin.

Saturday 9: Bette Davis Eyes

Link up here if you're playing along this weekend!

1.  Has anyone ever told you that you resemble a celebrity?

Yes. That's me, right now, and that:

is Molly Ringwald, who I've heard a thousand times is the one I look like. When I have hair, and makeup on, I can see it, but right now I'm not so sure.

2. Is there an actor or actress whose movies you make it a point to see?

  

While I certainly haven't seen all their movies, Tom Hanks and Parker Posey are two of my favorites, and I will make it a special point to see their flicks if I get a chance!

3. We're stopping for refreshments before we go in to see the movie. What do you order?

  

I will order the biggest Diet Coke available, and if I must get something to eat, a hot pretzel with cheese - but only if the cheese is not at all spicy. I do not DO spicy!

4. When did you last consume an alcoholic beverage? What was it?

   

It was either a glass of red wine from a bottle the co-DJ of my morning radio show recommended to me at an event we both recently attended (and the partner of one of the Ringwald insistors from #1, with whom I no longer speak...), which I did NOT like, or a Mai Tai. I can't remember which was more recent, since it's been so long. I rarely drink, and never much when I do, anymore. Once upon a time, in high school on the weekends, I was quite the lush! 

5. Are you jumpy? Do you startle easily?

Do you remember that episode of Friends in which Ross promoted the concept of "unagi," that is, (paraphrasing) the ability to stay calm and not be startled when surprised? I always joke that I possess that, and the joke is, I SOOO don't! Don't ever put a gun in my hands; I'd probably have quite the itchy trigger finger! 

6. Do you wear a watch?

Almost never, except when I'm SCUBA diving, and then I wear one like the one above, there. But I haven't dove in over 10 years, sad to say. (I will be changing that come this Spring, when we move back to Miami, my original diving stomping grounds and where I got certified in the first place!) 

In college, I suddenly became allergic to all my jewelry, and my wristwatch was the worst offender. I can rarely wear a watch since then, without breaking out in an extremely uncomfortable rash that takes forever to be rid of. So, I typically just use my iPhone when I need a watch. It works.

7. When was the last time you tried a new restaurant?

Hmm. I think it was this past summer, for a date night with Hubs. I rode on the back of his motorcyle, and we went to a new Thai restaurant. Fun times! I love that guy; can't wait to have him all the time in a month! ♥

8. What color is your wallet?

 I don't really carry one, though I do have several, including a burnt orange one that was my mother's when she died. Instead, I carry a Cross-Body "satchel," as we've taken to calling it, that I bought from my friend and Thirty-One Consultant, Debbie. It's similar to the one above, but not quite the same; I don't see mine anymore. Mine's dark brown, but since I wear a lot of black, I need to get one in that color, too!

9. How much does your wallet have in coins right now?

I had to laugh at myself counting out change at 0415 on a Saturday morning for the sake of a blahg post! It came to $1.05, with only that last 5¢ being pennies, so not a whole lot right now. The Cross-Body doesn't like a lot of bulky change, after all, so I try to pare it down when I can.

********

That's it for this post! 

Fin.

Saturday 9: We Owned The Night

Link up here if ... you want. It won't hurt, I swear.

Saturday 9: We Owned the Night

1) Can you recall a time when you danced and romanced like you "owned the night?"

Gosh, high school and college were sooo long ago! Thanks for the reminder. ;)

2) Samantha Winters admits she earned the name "Crazy Sam" during her party girl days in the 1980s. But now she's in bed by 11:00 PM. Do you have a regular bedtime? 

No. It's very irregular. Many nights, I don't sleep at all, which is fantastic.

3) Lady Antebellum is one of the most popular acts in country music. Do you often listen to country music?

Never, except to quickly change stations away from it when I'm looking for something to listen to on the radio as we drive long distances. (Do people in northern North Carolina only listen to either country or hip-hop??)

4) Are you responding to this meme on a desktop or laptop or phone or tablet? 

Or... or... or, what's wrong with commas?? Desktop, for the record.  I only use the lappy-toppy when forced, like when traveling.

5) How often do you check your horoscope?

I used to check it every day as a kid, but I never read it anymore. And yes, I'm a true Virgo.

6) Congratulations! You just won a trip to Switzerland! Is your passport up to date?

It expired a few months ago. :\

7) Do you know how to snow ski?

Cross-country, but not downhill - my sister tried to teach me, but I got skeered and fell over on purpose.

8) What's the first beverage you drink in the morning?

Diet Coke, unless I don't have a dollar to my name and/or don't feel like driving down the road to 7-11. Then, chances are, coffee.

9) Are you a good speller?

Of COURSE I am! ;)

Have a loverly weekend; I may actually write a 'real' post during this one, so check back Monday!

Fin.

Saturday 9: Brand New Me

Here's your link, in case you haven't been around for the past however long I've been doing this meme!

Saturday 9: Brand New Me

1) It's a brand new year! Do you have any resolutions for 2013? 

I do. I want to finally get started on the Couch-to-5K program, and I want to move out of my comfort zone and work on my JAFRA business more than I have been doing.

2) Dusty Springfield sang of feeling "brand new." What leaves you feeling refreshed and/or rejuvenated? 

Uh. Sleep.

3) Dusty's given name was Mary Catherine. If you could give yourself a brand new first name, what would it be?

I wouldn't. I would give myself a new middle name, though. I hate Ann. I would choose to be Melanie Penelope instead. I love syllables.

4) Actor Billy Bob Thornton has dismissed antiques, saying, "I'm creeped out by old stuff." Do you ever shop at estate sales, yard sales or second-hand stores? Or do you want everything brand new?

I like an eclectic mix of old and new (except produce. I pretty much like fresh produce), with lots of character in whatever it is.

5)  Are you sad to see the holiday decorations slowly disappear until next year? Or do you think they should come down on January 2?

Speaking of January 2^nd, that was our 12^th anniversary. And no, I'm not sad. Once it's over, it's over.

6) Do you like the picture on your photo ID?

It's all right, sure.

7) Crazy Sam shudders at the very thought of a snake. Which is your least favorite member of the Animal Kingdom?

I'm a biologist, so I like it all except when bugs land on me without my express written permission.

8) What's the most recent magazine you flipped through?

A summertime issue of Martha Stewart Living, along with about 20 others right before that. I picked them up off my floor and was looking for unexpired coupons!

9) Do you have nice handwriting?

I fancy that I do, although I have noticed arthritis is starting to take effect on that, too. Bugger.

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Stick around, kids; I'll be right back with some Sunday Stealing.

Fin.

Saturday 9 Double Play: Same Auld Lang Syne & Happy Holidays

Of course, if I'm going to play catch-up from the last several weeks, it's easiest to start via meme, and that's just what I'm going to do. ;) Linkage is here if you are also late to the party or want to check out some other players.

Saturday 9: Same Old Lang Syne

1) This week's song is the tale of an accidental holiday encounter between former lovers. (Hear it here.) They sit in her car and spend hours catching up, then she gives him a chaste kiss and they never see one another again. Is there a past love who still has a special spot in your heart, despite the years or the miles since your relationship? 

I suppose there is, though I don't like to discuss it, and especially not here!

2) This week's song includes a play on the traditional Scottish song, "Auld Lang Syne." Have you ever visited Scotland?

No, and although it's not high on my must-see list, it would still be nice to go. I do want to visit every corner on Earth before I die, after all!

3) Mother Winters has long told Sam that if she has a glass of water for every glass of champagne she drinks on New Year's Eve, she'll feel better on New Year's Day. Do you have a favorite hangover prevention tip or cure?

Don't drink.

4) Do you like champagne?

Heck yeah! Not dry, though; I can't stand it dry. I need some sweet!

6) This year at midnight, Crazy Sam will kiss the nose of her puppy, Chico. Will you be kissing anyone when the clock strikes 12?

Hubs had to stand the 1600-2400 watch on New Year's Eve, so it was just me and the kiddos for a group hug and cheek smooches. He got home about 15 minutes after the ball dropped, and I got my kiss then.

6) The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy was the runaway publishing phenomenon of 2012. It was so successful that the publisher, Random House, was able to give its employees massive bonuses this year. Have you read it?

Not yet, but I'm told that I simply must.

7) Year-end is a time for newspapers, magazines and websites to run lists. According to Askmen.com, Jennifer Lawrence of The Hunger Games is the at the of the year's "Most Desirable Woman" list. People magazine has declared Channing Tatum "The Sexiest Man Alive -- 2012." Do either of these two set your pulse racing? If not, who is your celebrity crush?

I wouldn't know Jennifer Lawrence if she were sitting right in front of me - haven't seen the flick yet - and Tatum really doesn't do anything for me. Matt Damon, now... phew!

8) Pasadena, California, is known for hosting the traditional Rose Parade. It begins at 8:00 AM on January 1, so the people who watch it live must be there very early. Does the thought of getting up and dressed to sit in the California sun, bright and early on New Year's morning appeal, to you?

I suppose once we live in Cali, it would, but I haven't watched the parade on TV since I was a teen.

9) Sometimes aches and pains that aren't serious can still really hurt. For example, Sam just dropped a can of tomato paste on her foot and the little red mark it left is making her crazy! Are you suffering through a bump or bruise or cut right now?

Not really, but I do have an interesting injury. I forget the full name for it (something ab igne), but I've been warming myself this winter by resting my feet on the mini space heater under my desk, and uh, well, basically my left leg is cooked. Like, it's gross. I didn't even realize that's what the nastiness was from until my BFF, Dr. Weezie, pointed out the obvious to me. And yes, it hurts. Now. (Yet I haven't stopped! Can you say, "idiot"??)

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SATURDAY 9: HAPPY HOLIDAYS 

1. As you can see, Sam loved giving her annual wish list to Santa. Yet some children are reluctant to climb into Jolly Old St. Nick's lap. Did you enjoy the tradition or were you shy? Or did you bypass it altogether -- either because you wrote him a letter or because your family didn't celebrate Christmas?

I found out the truth about Santa when I was about 5 or 6 years old, and honestly, I really can't remember what I did before that. Lame answer, I know.

2. Are you currently on the Naughty or Nice list? How did you get there?

Naughty. Because I'm naughty, duh.

3. Did you ship any gifts to friends and family this year? If so, which one traveled the farthest?

I guess the gifts I haven't sent yet - and have, also - to my nieces in New York were the farthest? It's not a time for us to be sending lots of presents, though, financially speaking...

4. Did you buy yourself a gift this year?

Um, yeah. It's kind of a sore spot between Hubs and me right now, still, I think, but I replaced my dysfunctioning iPhone 4 with the iPhone 5 a month or so ago, without checking with him first, while he's still doddering along with his from two models ago. Hey, I'm rougher on my phones, I suppose, but I've got this one fully ensconced in armor now. ;)

5. What's your favorite holiday-themed movie?

It's always been Miracle on 34^th Street. Do you know I've never watched It's a Wonderful Life all the way through in my 36 years?!

6. Thinking of movies, Christmas is lucrative for Hollywood. Have you ever gone to a movie theater on Christmas Day?

Yes, it became a family tradition when my father remarried, so from when I was 8 until... they split, I guess.

7. Have you ever suffered an embarrassing moment at the company Christmas party?

I haven't ever been to one. However, when we I was pregnant with the twins and we lived in Guam for Thanksgiving, 2002, we went to the squadron turkey dinner. Needless to say, my various mental disorders were untreated thanks to pregnancy (and not being fully diagnosed yet), and my hormones were running rampant with the double whammy inside me. I brought our dish into the building, where I knew nobody except Hubs and our toddler, and not a soul looked up, greeted me, told me where to put the food, or any damn thing. I stood there like a fool for five minutes before furiously stomping out of there and refusing to return. I'm still embarrassed, but our makeshift little dinner at home together, with the barest bones food, was way better anyway!

8. What's your favorite beverage in cold weather?

I don't care if it's 50º below, I'm still gonna love my Diet Coke!

9. What will you remember most about 2012?

Moving out of our house of 9½ years and preparing for Hubs' retirement in our "halfway house" is the most salient thing about, well, last year now.

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Speaking of Diet Coke, I'm fixin' to run out to 7-Eleven for a refill of my 'keg,' and then I'll be back for two episodes of Sunday Stealing. Stay put, y'all!

Fin.

Saturday 9: Christmas Carols

I'm late again, what else is new?! Link up here if you want to be late like me, too!

1) What's the first holiday song that comes to mind? 

The First Noel - it was my mother's favourite song and, maybe largely because of that, it is mine, too.

2) Are you sending cards (either by postal service or email) this year? If so, have they gone out yet?

Ugh. Yes, I'm sending out cards. Usually I'm among the first to get them out, but this is an extremely busy December for me this year, and no, they haven't gone out yet. I have about 30 stamped and ready to go, but lots more to do. (Do YOU want one? I have lots and LOVE to send out cards; comment if you'd like one. :D )

3) Can you see any holiday decorations from where you're answering these questions?

Yep. We're not putting up a tree this year, but we've made one out of cardboard as part of our many Advent crafting activities, so there's that, the wrapping paper-wrapped door of the room I'm in, the actual Advent craft/calendar, and some more "stuff" for more Advent crafts. Advent, Advent, Advent. Just thought I'd say it a few more times!

4) Do you wrap gifts in paper or take the gift bag route?

I'm all about the environment, so I have about 50,000 (give or take, like, one) used and reused gift bags that we recycle every year. However, I'd like to take it a step further this year and wrap our gifts, as much as possible, in useable fabric, like t-shirts, bandannas, material for sewing projects, or what-have-you. I love the idea, have done it before, and plan to do it again! Try it!

5) The holidays are an important fundraising time for charities. Here's an opportunity to do a shameless plug for your favorite. What organization or cause do you wish got more support at the holidays, and all year around?

I think Heifer International is a fantastic charity, and I like to support them when we can, by gifting animals to impoverished villages instead of random plastic crap from China, for instance, to ... whomever. 

6) Andy Williams was famous for his family holiday specials. What TV family would you most like to spend Christmas with?

I think the Huxtables would be good people to spend it with, because... Because.

7) The holidays are a big time for travel. Where did you go on your first airplane flight?

... To/from Syracuse, NY. Exciting, right? Actually, it was; my grandparents were in NJ, and I loooooved being with them. That actually wasn't my first flight, I'm sure, but I've been flying for longer than I can remember, so that's the earliest memory I have.

8)  Does the weather have an impact on your mood?

Yes. My psychopharmacologist was just asking me how I was doing with this Saturday morning, actually. It's better this year than most, but it has been a relatively mild Autumn / almost Winter so far, so there ya go.

9) Snack time! You're about to make yourself your favorite sandwich. What ingredients do you need?

I love a pita full of hummus, cheese of some sort, and that's usually good enough for me. However, the very best (and I'm not even lying to insert a shameless plug; this is the God's honest truth) hummus and pita sammich I ever had came from my BIL Mike Odette's restaurant in Columbia, MO, Sycamore. There were sprouts and cucumbers on it, and probably some stuff I don't remember anymore, but it was So. Freaking. Good. I crave it all the time, but alas, Missouri is not exactly a hop, skip, and a jump from Virginia!

(If you're ever in Columbia, GO to Sycamore. Ask for Chef Mike. Tell him I sent you. You'll not regret it!)

☼

On to Sunday Stealing, come right back now, y'hear?

Fin.