MelaniePenelope

Kicked Her To The Curb

So... I couldn't figure out how to password protect just one post, rather than the entire blog. I just typed up the saga and will email it out to anyone who asks. Just comment on this post with your email, or on Facebook, and I'll send it to ya!

Fin.

Sunday Stealing: The Dwight Twilley Meme

 

Linky linky if you're playing along!

1. The latest book or movie that made you cry?

A Thousand Splendid Suns was probably the last book... can't remember the last time I watched a movie that made me cry.

2. The fictional character most like you?

Hmmm... LuAnn from the comics! Ha, she's a goose.

3. The greatest album, ever?

Eric Clapton Unplugged

4. Star Trek or Star Wars? Why?

Star Wars, because it's watchable. Ha! The other... I can't stand it.

5. Your ideal brain food?

Chocolate. Easy.

6. Everyone is proud of a certain accomplishment, which one for you??

I'm proud of a lot of things, but nothing more than the beautiful children we made! ♥

7. You want to be remembered for ...?

By my family, for being a good and loving mother and wife. By anyone else, for making the world a better place somehow.

8. Let's talk about recording artists. Who do you find the most inspirational?

Lately, Jewel. I go back to her time and time again. I love her work.

9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature?

The Great American Novel, I guess.

10. Your hidden talents . . .?

I really don't hide my talents. Why should I do that? Don't hide your light under a rock - let it out.

11. The best piece of advice you actually followed?

It's taking me a lot of thinking: I'm very stubborn! When I get my head set on something, I rarely bend to someone else's suggestion. So let's see... ok the only recent thing I can think of, though small, was to present my Daisy Scouts' earned patches in a fun and creative way, and not just give them a baggy full of them. They - and their parents - all got a kick out of that last time.

12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed?

Well now, those are three entirely different things. I don't think I ever stole anything on purpose. Borrowed? I'm not big on borrowing. I'm not big on lending, either! It seems I never get things back, at least not in the same condition. So bought - I'm torn between my iPhone and my old '81 Honda civic wagon. That thing ran no matter what I did to it!

13. What is the most comfortable clothes that you wear?

Right now it's the pair of jeans I currently have on. They're holey and ripped (came that way), and several sizes too big, but they look good and feel great.

14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be?

I wouldn't want to be there with anyone but my husband. Well, I wouldn't say no to Martha Stewart, either. But she'd probably make me eat foie gras.

15. Time travel: where, when and why?

Another easy one. I'd go back to 2003, when I went into pre-term labor with my twin boys, and save my son Robby's life by demanding I get the ultrasound they kept putting off. I know he'd be alive today if they had just listened to me that something was not right... but I blame myself for not being a squeaky enough wheel. :(

16. Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?

Can I choose a combination of the three? Well okay, maybe just the last two. Murder really isn't my bag.

17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolate, or . . .?

Chocolate and Diet Coke!

18. Environment of choice: city or country, and where on the map?

City. Miami or NYC if in the USA, or pretty much anywhere else. Except the Bahamas. Not a fan. Oh, and Charleston, SC - I fell in love with it last week!

19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country?

Dude, what happened?

20. Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now?

Well, my to-do list is a mile long, but you probably aren't interested in all that. One project I've started but haven't quite finished yet is this, which was supposed to be for a friend's son. She and I aren't friends anymore, though (and good riddance!) so I guess I'll keep it for us.

Fin.

P.S. I'll be back later with more on that (#20), but it'll be password-protected. Email me for the password, after I post it. ;)

Saturday 9: Dark Lady

 

I'm doing this to procrastinate, even though it's a week late. Take that! Link up here.

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

No, I never have, although I've thought about it before. I don't think I'd ever actually do it, though, because it's pretty much frowned upon as a Christian. I've always wanted to 'talk' to my mom through a medium, though.

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

I blush a lot, and sometimes I get panicky. I can be quite shy. I've come out of my shell more and more over the years, as I put myself in situations that require me to interact with strangers, but I still get queasy and nervous. I even get that sick feeling right before our Daisy Girl Scout meetings, every single time! Why am I afraid? They're 5 & 6, FPS!

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?”

It depends. How long was my life to begin with? If it was 100 or so, fine, but if it was 40, I'd probably ask if they were transferable.

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

Oh, gosh. Either one would be way sucky. I guess lose. I don't believe that there is only ONE right person for everybody out there in the world. I believe there are many; you just end up with the one who was right at the time (or there). But never to have met him at all? How sad for me that would be.

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

Agree to take my son off life support and hold him while he breathed his last.

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

I wish I could say that I had, but... see #5.

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

I can't even think of anything right now. Well, except this one that my son Jack always came home quoting from his kindergarten teacher: "You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit!" Boy, can I relate to that one. I use it regularly with my crew (both my kids and my Daisies!)

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

Impulsiveness. I'm a speak/act now, think later kind of girl.

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

It was fine. I slept a lot that day. Hubs cooked dinner.  I ate about three bites and was full. That part of my surgery sucks balls on a holiday like Thanksgiving!.

Fin.

Saturday 9: Hard Habit To Break

 

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

1. Do you have any habits or rituals at this time of year?

Sure. We always open our stockings on Christmas Eve (though they may very well end up being empty this year...), we always try to bake dozens of cookies and give them out to our friends and neighbors, and we do an Advent box with activities and treats. We try to get our tree and decorations up the first weekend in December. And we have resumed our 12 Days of Christmas tradition, where the kids get to open one present for 12 days. We try to make it lots of fun for them!

2. Polar bears seem to do well in the snow... How about you? Is snow just another thing you deal with when it shows up, or is it shutdown time? ...and if you're posting from a non-snowy locale, do you make trips to actually see snow? It's okay to admit it...

I HATE THE SNOW!!!!!!

I grew up outside of Syracuse. 'Nuff said, right?

3. Tell about a toy you remember from your childhood.

There was this little white puppy dog I had since I was 2 or 3, with red velvety ears (one fell off, but I kept it) and a red tail. He had holly leaves and berries on his butt. I named him Snowflake and kept him 'til I graduated high school.

4. If you could make one thing in the world absolutely free for everyone, what would it be?

Well, the first nine or so things that popped in my head were mushy-gushy Miss America-type answers (food, water, freedom, love, education, etc.), but I figure those are obvious things, so I am changing my mind. What do I wish was free for everyone? Bah! This is hard to choose! Okay. Travel. I wish all travel-related expenses were FREE.

5. Do you live close to your immediate family members? If not, how far away are they?

Nope, sure don't. We are a military family. We live in Virginia. My sister's near Buffalo, my dad's in South Carolina (just saw him last week), and my gran'pappy's in Florida. Hubby's family is in MI, MO, and LA. That reminds me, I used to like to try spelling things with the state initials. Anyway.

6. My mom ordered a turkey dinner from a local market. It was o.k., but not very good. how was your turkey (or last holiday meal) this year?

Actually, it was good, but not as good as usual. Hubs changed the recipe he always uses just a slight bit, and we could tell. It was still fine. We were pretty destitute this year, and a kind semi-stranger bestowed an entire meal - turkey and all the fixings - on us the day before Thanksgiving. Without it, we would have been eating dry cereal. God bless America!

7. In a one horse open sleigh: Have you ever been on a sleigh ride or a carriage ride? Do you even like horses? Or would you just rather travel by your own two feet?

I have been on a horse-drawn carriage ride at least once, if not two or three times, in New York City. I would love to take my kids and hubby on one. We almost went when we were in Charleston last week, but it would have cost 40 smackers. Nope, not so much!

8. What is your favorite Christmas song? ...and sung or played by whom? You know, the one you tend to listen for on the radio or hit 'repeat' on the player...

"The First Noel" is my favorite. It was my mom's favorite, and I used to love to listen to her play it on the organ and sing it. Mom was a beautiful singer. She got it from her dad. Sis and I got it from both our parents. Dad mostly croons Elvis tunes, though...

9. What is your least favorite Christmas song? ...and sung or played by whom? You know, the one you tend to skip on the player...

There are very few I don't like, but I prefer the traditional favorites to newer ones or ones that have been remade by young pop stars with lots of runs and vocal effects in them. Save that for your own songs! (I'm looking at you, Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey!)

Fin.