MelaniePenelope

Saturday 9: Beer Barrel Polka

It cracks me the eff up that we're doing a polka-based meme! If you feel the same way, by all means, link up here!

Saturday 9: Beer Barrel Polka

1) Have you ever danced the polka?

If the Chicken Dance counts, then I sure have!

 

2) Frankie Yankovic was a stellar accordion player. What instrument have you mastered, or would like to learn?

I would love to play electric violin. Or the sax. I think I'd be a killer sax player. Yeah, that's the ticket.

3) When Frankie died in 1998, his obituary proclaimed him as "America's Polka King." Lucille Ball was "The Queen of Comedy" and Michael Jackson was "The King of Pop." What royal title do you deserve?

Duh, I'm the self-proclaimed "Queen of TMI."

4) Do you like light beer? 

I hate beer. When my husband pointed out that the wine coolers I occasionally enjoy were technically beer, I was in fits. Fits!

5) In 1901, daredevil Annie Taylor successfully went over Niagara Falls in a barrel. She was badly bruised but otherwise fine. How much money would it take for you do to do something that dangerous?

It wouldn't take money. It would take me going off my meds for a couple days, tops.

6) When was the last time you visited a pet store?

Couple weeks or so, I guess. I like to pick up treats for my therapy dawg.

7) What's your favorite salad dressing?

It used to be Italian as a kid, but now I love Ranch. Though nothing, but nothing, is better than Cardini's Caesar dressing. Yum, yum. OMG, I could chug-a-lug that like y'all drink beer.

8)  Sam Winters is crazy about her smart phone. She uses it to take pictures, record videos, listen to tunes, answer emails and surf the net and, oh yeah, she even uses it to make calls. How indispensable is your mobile phone in your day-to-day life?

I sleep with my phone. In my hand. I lurrrrrrve my iPhone!!

9) "Kocham cię" is "I love you" in Polish. Can you say "I love you" in a language other than English (and Polish)?

I can say it in Spanish, Italian, French, German, Japanese, ASL and Pig Latin. That counts, right?

It bothers me that there's no question mark there...

Have a great weekend! Yay, December!

Fin.

Friday Fragments

Link up here if you're fragmenting today!

☼

I have a headache, which isn't responding to anything, so forgive me if I make no sense, cop an unreasonable attitude, or anything. When I have the migraine pain in the brain, all bets are off!

☼

I stayed up all night working on the kids' Advent calendar, then got ready to put it up... and it ALL FELL APART. I said some words I won't repeat here. Not because they're foul; I just can't remember them. I believe they were amusing to whomever was listening at the time, but alack. So, I used the opportunity to teach my kids about perseverance. "What's perseverance?" they asked. "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!" Now they keep repeating that...

So here's the finished project, such as it is, which is not at all what it started out to be:

That's part one. Ugh. It's completely overhauled, and I'm not loving the results, but the kids are, so I guess that's all that matters! It's a magnetic dry-erase board with the 24 days 'til Christmas on it on bottlecap magnets, with a stupid dumb bow on top and all the activities for the 24 days on strips of ribbon down below. Yeah. I kind of hate it.

Oh, and yes, that is duct tape holding it up on top, because the magnetized dry erase board wouldn't stay up, even with NOTHING ON IT!! BAHHHH!!!!

☼

That's part two, the be-ribboned bucket of 24 packets of treats, because there MUST be treats with any Advent calendar I make, after all. With another stupid dumb bow on top. There was not supposed to BE a bucket at all. Can you sense my annoyance with this thing?

The only thing that makes me glad about the calendar o' Advent is the list of activities I've prepared, most of which are brandy-new for us this year, and full of fun they will be for all five of us. I can't wait 'til tomorrow!!!

☼

I'm bald. Did you know that? I "pulled at Britney Spears," as someone I know so eloquently and delicately put it, and chopped off all my hair. You know what? Wintertime is not the best time to be doing that mess. Just sayin'.

On the upside, at least I can knit myself lots of cute hats and berets an' stuff.

☼

Finally, I asked in my Aloha Friday question already, but I'll ask again here: Do you want to exchange holiday cards? I have lots to share and love getting lots from all over, too. If so, drop me a line in the comments! Please, pretty please?

☼

That's about it from me for this week. Shortish and sweetish. Back to my grocery list, yay.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Fin.

Aloha Friday: Card Exchange?

Link up here if you want. Otherwise, run along and play. Kidding! I'm feeling snarky. Don't take it poissonally.

So, my question for you this week is:

Do you want to exchange holiday 2012 cards with me? 

If so, leave your snail mail addy in the comments. I jest. Just comment below, saying heck yeah!, and I'll reply with MY address. I have tons of cards and LOVE getting a bunch back over the holiday season!! 

Have a fantastic Friday, y'all.

Fin.

Slippery

My sanity is unreal, a myth
Insanity is where I really live
Those of you who don't know me
Might think you know what I should be
The truth is, it's slippery.
Every day could be my last
I can't lie; it's part the past
I'm living in and dwelling on
Along with those who've already gone
The cold hard facts are what you need
To save my life, so take heed
When I say I want to end it all
Don't act like its just another call
They all matter; they all count
Like they all say, when in doubt
Listen to me, don't dry my tears
I've been suffering this way for years
I've cut. I've hung. I've even burned.
I've overdosed. I've often yearned
For the day I am no more
So the pain's no longer sore
I can admit too readily
Voices I hear, shadows I see
When nothing's there, except to me
It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. Oh, God
I'm not that strong to carry on.
Listen when I say it's true
The last to see me may be you
So smile and make me laugh
You can do more than even that
Be me friend, hold my hand
Do your best to understand
I don't want to be locked inside this way
I'd rather the weakness go away
But it's here, and every hour
Lately I feel it grows in power
My sanity, it's slippery
But I've three kids who need me
And so I try to hold on tight
To all the precious things that might
Keep me here on this green earth
So death's as timely as my birth
I try. I try. I try. Oh, God
Nothing is harder than this job

Melanie A. Odette, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Park Day, Part The Last

Lasty!!

Fin.

Sent from my iPhone

Wordless Wednesday: Park Day, Part The Third

Still wordless! ;)

Fin.

Sent from my iPhone

Wordless Wednesday: Park Day, Part The Second

Still wordless!

Fin.

Sent from my iPhone

Wordless Wednesday: Park Day, Part The First

Link up with http://www.5minutesformom.com if you're wordless today, too! More pics a-comin'!

Fin.

Sent from my iPhone

Sunday Stealing: The Social Meme

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

1. Where was your profile picture taken?

Sitting right here in my chair, where I am now.

2. Name someone who made you laugh today.

My daughters; they're being quite silly, playing with their kittens.

3. Do you believe exes can be friends?

I'm friends with several of mine, so yes.

4. How do you feel about Dr. Pepper?

It's okay, but I can't drink it and don't like the diet version.

5. Who was the last person you took a picture of?

Myself. I'm quite vain since I lost 200+ lbs, y'know. LOL!

6. Are you upset about anything?

Yeah, I'm quite peeved about sleeping all damn day. :\

7. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?

What?! Of course they are. We're human; it's all about the relationships. (And the opposable thumbs, as Hubs would add.)

8. Are you a bad influence?

I can be quite the naughty li'l one when I'm manic, yes. 

9. Night out or night in?

I prefer a fun night out, but tonight, I choose 'in.'

10. Has anyone ever called you perfect before?

Yeah, with the disclaimer that I was perfect for HIM. ;)

11. What song is stuck in your head?

None right now, but since I have earbuds in, Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" is playing IN my head at the mo'.

12. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who do you want it to be?

I really would not like that at all, considering we've had to board up all the windows recently, having discovered one or more peeping Toms have been looking in at us!

13. Do you smile a lot?

All the time. I'm a very smiley, giggly girl.

☼

Have a great week, y'all!

Fin.

Love Ambassador: Daring Act Of Love #1!

You may or may not have noticed this ^ badge on my sidebar, but I have been selected to be a Love Ambassador! What the heck does that mean? you ask. Welp, I'll tell ya: It's all about loving yourself and being your own best friend. Too often we - women especially - are so hypercritical of ourselves, and Christine Arylo, the founder and author of Madly in Love with Me, is out to change that. Here's a fun video from that zany gal herself:

 

Yup, she's zany all right. I like her. ;)

So I'm going to go out and do her first Love Dare, and collect evidence of love, out in the world, on my mission. Are you with me? Please, please join me! It'll be fun, I promise. 

Comment below if you're feelin' it. And Join Team Love if you want to be a Love Ambassador, too!

xoxoxo

Fin.

Bzz, Bzz: Green Mountain Coffee® Wellness Collection

Disclosure: I was provided with four K-cups of each of the two blends shown below, for my taste-testing pleasure and to review & share with my family, friends and followers. No monetary exchange took place. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

I'm back, your faithful BzzAgent-slash-blahgger, with yet another review of a new product that, in this case, I really think you should try!

Green  Mountain Coffee® Wellness Collection blends are proof that wellness can be effortless, especially when you consider that they come in convenient K-cup packs for your Keurig® brewer (if you don't have one of those, either, I recommend you get one of 'em, too, dudes! So super fantastic, I swear. But I digress...). These blends are Fair Trade Certified, so a great cup of coffee that tastes good can make you feel good, too!

There's me, about to delve into box #2 of my K-cup samples from BzzAgent.

Itching for me to drop more knowledge on ya? Here's some litty tidbits about the good stuff bzzing about herein:

- The Collection was launched in August 2012 with two brews: Focus Blend & Antioxidant Blend (which one is my favourite? BOTH!!!!)

- Includes ONLY Fair Trade Certified coffees

- Best brewed using the 8-oz setting on your Keurig® brewer

- A 24-ct box of K-cups retails for $18.49 but here's a code for $3 off any GMC Wellness Collection K-cup packs at their site: GMCWELLNESS

**expires January 15, 2013**

- Available online only (for now?) at GreenMountainCoffee.com & Keurig.com

So what's the dealio with each of these blends? Lemme tell ya some more good news:

These days, a healthy choice doesn't have to be a hard decision between what's good and what's good for you. Each 8-oz serving of this blend is deeply satisfying and a good source of antioxidant vitamins C & E!

You work hard to get the right perspective, and a great cup of coffee often helps.  This is a rich, well-balanced brew with 50 mg of L-Theanine in every 8 fl oz serving. It's an inspirational blend that zeroes in on the things that matter most.

☼

Brewing a Better World Together™

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. has been a leader in the specialty coffee industry for more than 30 years. It has been recognized for its award-winning coffees, innovative brewing technology, and social responsibility.  The Wellness Collection is a natural extension of these principles - the first wellness-focused line of itskind launched by a national coffee brand.

Green Mountain Coffee believes that a better cup of coffee means a better day for everyone it touches, and I agree - there is almost always a pack of GMC K-cups in my pantry, even before I got this Bzz Campaign! Their newest collection helps to brew a better you. 

So what do you say? Are you convinced yet? Ready to make your healthy lifestyle a celebration of good choices and great taste?

If so, let me know in the comments that you did - and what exactly won you over in doing so. I'd love to hear your feedback!

☼

Hasta mañana, peeps.

Fin.

Saturday 9: Cold Turkey

Dear Sir or Madam:

Please find the link with which you may join this meme here.

Sincerely,

The Blahgger, Smellyann

All formalities aside, now let's jump into it:

Saturday 9: Cold Turkey

1) Are you still feasting on cold turkey, or any other leftovers, from your Thanksgiving meal?

NO! You know, we had a fairly decent-sized repast last night, and except for the turkey, it's ALL gone. Those bastages (aka my ever-loving family) saved me nary a bite of mashed potatoes, which I was totes craving when I woke up. Grr. I'mma sell 'em.

2) AAA says Thanksgiving is a big travel weekend. Did you venture far from home for your holiday dinner?

Nope. As with every year for the past 12 years of our married life, we stayed home and enjoyed being together as just us, just our solitary little nucleus.

3) Is this weekend the official start of the Christmas season for you?

No. Generally, I consider that to be the first of December. (Uh, says the blahggist who's currently playing Christmas muzak on iTunes...)

4) Which couple would you rather hang out with -- Fred and Wilma Flintstone or George and Jane Jetson?

The Jetsons, hands down! I'd MUCH rather ride around in flying-mobiles than "pedal" around with my feet! And Rosie, hello! No contest there. Plus Jane's got cool white hair. I like that.

5) Have you/would you ever get your teeth whitened?

I've done the home-whitening kit thing with limited results. I have a certificate to get it done professionally at the dentist, but I'm guessing it'll expire without being used, like so many freebies I get/win. :\

6) Do you still have your high school class ring?

BAH!!!!!! I just posted about this recently. Haha! NOPE. I gave it to my ex-fiancé for some damn reason I no longer remember, probably when he gave me my engagement ring with its microscopic diamond, and both he and the ring are now long gone from my life. Wah. Someday I'll replace it and Rob's Navy ring, which he lost on a deployment once. {Hello, Jostens? Wanna give us the hook-up? ;)}

7) Here's $50. You must spend it all in one place. What are you going to do with it?

My heart says yarn, but my brain reminds me the kids need to eat, and we're low on füd at the mo'.

8) Could your vehicle use a trip to the car wash right about now?

I have three kids under the age of 12. So yeah, pretty much always.

9) Did you hit the snooze button this morning?

You're being presumptuous! I awoke at the butt-crack of 1500. Ha! Thankfully, Hubs was off work today. ;P

☼

If you love me - and you KNOW you do - please go back and answer my Aloha Friday question. Your answers are super important to me! kthxbai!

Fin.

 

Aloha Friday

Link up here if you're playing along today!

My question for you this week is:

Which browser do you use? What do you like about it or hate about the others?

I've used IE, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and on my iPhone, Safari... The iPhone wins, but does Safari work well on PCs? There are lots of things I can't stand about the first three!

So help me, please! Thanks for stopping by, as always.

Fin.

To My Fellow Americans:

Leave what you're thankful for in the comments!

And if you aren't American,

Fin.

Wordless Wednesday: The Eleven Of Us

Link up here for more WW posts - or to add your own! Here's my whole fam-damily:

{Me, hiding my bald head}

{My kiddos, modeling their brandy-new specs}

*and*

{Rob and the girls, helping our six cats show off their new Christmas stockings!}

I ♥ my family!

Fin.

Party Time With PinyPon & Nenuco!

Disclaimer: I was provided with products from MommyParties, PinyPon and Nenuco to review, distribute to my party guests, and some for my kids to keep. No monetary exchange took place. As always, all opinions in this post are mine alone.

A week ago, we had an awesome party at our house with some friends to learn about PinyPon products! Have you ever heard of PinyPon? No? We hadn't either, but now we are huge fans!

Here are my kids waiting for their friends with all the fun PinyPon figures we were given. So colorful and cute!

Note: only my childrens' faces are shown in the pictures; the rest of the parents declined to let their kids' images be posted on the blahg.

When the rest of the kids showed up, I distributed the PinyPon figures to them (saving a few for friends who couldn't make the shindig, since we were given so many), and let them go at it! 

Even Jack, the only boy there, enjoyed his PinyPon! So, it's not just for girls, peeps! I thought he'd just stay inside and play with his LEGOs, but he stayed and played the entire time!

We were also given this supah-dupah cool PinyPon Caravan for extra fun, plus another to give away to one excited little girl! The folks at PinyPon really thought of everything with this toy, because it can be played with and modified in so many different ways. Even I have played with it when no one else was around - hee!

Of course, because it has wheels, Jack was especially interested in the caravan. Of course!

I interviewed my kiddos after the PinyPon portion of the party to see what they thought of their new toys, and this is what Sophia, Chloë & Jack had to say (sorry about the lack of video editing, but it won't let me upload the edited versions, grrr):

 

My battery cut off or something there, so ... not the greatest blahg vlahg, but it'll do, Pig.

Make sure you check out Pinypon.com for more product and where-to-buy information, lots of coupons, games, and videos. Also, PinyPon can be found on Facebook and Twitter, so check them out there as well!

{Note: If you were part of the party and I forgot to send you the link to enter for great prizes, send me a nudge for it! You could win a $100 gift card to Toys 'R Us! ;) }

☼

In addition to all the PinyPon fun, Mommyparties sent us two baby dolls from Nenuco: one to keep and one to give away to yet another ecstatic little girly!

Sophia has been wanting a baby doll of her own for ages now, so she was completely delighted to have this Nenuco doll for playing with her sister and her doll!

Check out more Nenuco products here! You can also check the site for where-to-buy information, as well as games, special promotions, and more!

Please also be sure to visit Nenuco on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks so much to PinyPon, Nenuco, and MommyParties for letting us host this wonderful party!

Fin.

Just Take A Little Off The Top

Yeah. So. I'm bald now.

In witnesseth thereof:

Yep. Like an eagle. 

I's crazeh.

Fin.

{oops.}

Crap. What'd I just do to my blahg?!!?! Retooling was NOT in the plans for today. Shit.

Fin.

 

Sunday Stealing: The Bud Meme; Not THAT Bud, You!

Link. Up. Here. Now. Seriously, c'mon, you know you wanna.

Sunday Stealing: Have You’s and What If’s!

1. Have you anything to confess today?

What are you, my priest? I'm not Catholic, and you're not married to me, I don't think, so go on now.

 

2. Have you ever broken a law? If so, what was it?

I drive, so therefore I have. I have gotten tickets in at least three states. I once accidentally shoplifted a Koosh, when I was like 15. Remember those?

 3. Have you ever committed an act of betrayal against a friend or family member? Explain.

I plead the fifth. Seriously. ME. The Queen of TMI.

 

4. Has someone else done something that, to this day, makes you cringe when you think about them committing the act?.

Are we talking about, like, Child Sex Trafficking or litterbugs? Because, yeah, both make me cringe. Smokers distributing their cancer-causing air pollution around minors is horrible. Tea Partiers and their... existence is pretty cringe-worthy (Hi, Dad!). My husband farting one long continuous stream on road trips with the windows shut... Hee. And, this football team:

5. Have you ever found yourself sexually aroused by someone that you absolutely should not have been?

Yup. Moving on...

 

6. Have you ever cheated in school? how so?

Once upon a time, I had a 100% average in AP Biology in my senior year of high school, and I absolutely did not intend to let the dreaded Plant Kingdom feck it up, so... when I came in to take my make-up exam on that unit after an illness (and not studying), the teacher may have the left the room, and I may have glanced at the answer key a couple-ten times...

7. What if you came across a backpack stuffed with one hundred thousand dollars. Would you keep it?

I'd like to say no, but as broke as we are at the mo', it's a resounding

 8. What if you were the most powerful person in the world. How would you use that power?

Second verse, same as the first! I'd ban smoking and make recycling mandatory.

 

☼

We interrupt this blahg post to bring you this very important message:

Go to Amazon.com, search for "A Haunting: Dark Dreams" and click to buy the episode for a buck-ninety-nine. My daughter Chloë co-stars in that ep! (She's the cutie in braids who totes STEALS the show, IMNSHO ;))

Or, if you don't want to drop the two bucks, at least go leave a bunch of comments there or on her IMDb page about how great she is! Hee.

And now back to your regularly-scheduled meme.

☼

9. What if you found a magic lamp?

Rob (Hubs) owns one exactly like the one above. They don't work. So I would probably leave it behind for someone else to have to take home and dust.

And yes, yes, I am enjoying Google Images today! ;-P

 10. What if you could change one thing about the world. What would that one thing be?

Haven't we covered that already? Like, today?!!

 11. What if you could take one thing back. What would that one thing be?

I'd take back my high school class ring from a former fiance, Mr. Michael Rose White. And yes, I did just call him out like that, because AH WANTS MAH RING BACK!

And no, that's not it. C'mon, y'all, 2015?

 

12. What if you were stuck on an island forever but had all the water, food and shelter you needed. What would you do?

I'd make like Al Gore and unvent the Innernet.

13. What if the internet didn't exist?

Did I wake up in 1985 again? Shit. Noooooo....

 

14. What if you never started blogging?

My father would be happier, there'd be a lot less drivel online, and I'd have to talk even MORE than I already do, for starters.

 

 15. What are your November 22 Thanksgiving plans?

Is there more than one Thanksgiving, Lady Redundant Woman? I mean, here in the US of A, that is, where I am and YOU are, Mr. Lance, but not all The Thieves are... :\

Okay, okay, there's gonna be some eatin', some sleepin', some more eatin', and some more sleepin'. And some knitting, I hope.

As for giving thanks, I/we do that every day, but we'll do a lot of it come Thursday. Blessings abound.

☼

Now, drop me some serious comment love, because I've had a rough week. Pretty please?

Fin.

Sunday Stealing: Who Are You, Parte Final

This-here is last week's linkage and post. I didn't get to play, so I'mma  make up for that now and then do this week's in a separate post, since they're not the same, er, um, series or whatevs. Not that you all cared or needed that explanation, but I'm givin' it to ya anyhow. So let's git 'er done:

Sunday stealing Who Are you? Part 7 – It is Over! 

Part 7: Self Image

84. Describe the routine of a normal day for you:

There is no 'normal day' for me. Ever. Smoking never occurs, though. Unless you count me being smoking fucking HOT. Haha.

85. What is your greatest strength as a person?

I have survived the unexpected death of my mother at the age of seven (mine; 33, hers); horrific abuses at the hands of my step-mother and some, my father; two rapes; the unexpected death of one of my mono-amniotic/mono-chorionic twin boys at three days post-birth, the Bush Years, and lots more we haven't even discussed here yet, and I'm still able to live, laugh, and love on a daily basis. I think that's prolly it, yo.

86. What is your greatest weakness?

I'm selfish and self-indulgent, I know it, and I haven't worked on that enough in my intensive therapy yet.

87. Are you going to run for President in 2016?

I'll give it some thought. No.

88. Are you generally self-contained?

I'm generally not even sure what that means. I'm a spazzola, so I'm guessing probably not?

89. Are you generally organized or messy?

There's a third category: an organized mess. That's me. You can be a box, you can be a squiggle, you can be a boxy squiggle, or a squiggly box. I'm the third one.

90. Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at:

Good: Loving my kids with all my might, cursing, and giggling.

Bad: Turning down fine chocolate despite the fact I can (should) no longer eat it, calling in the refills on my prescription meds in time before they run out, and, according to my daughters, "Nothing, but trying to be mean." Awwwwwww!!!!

91. Do you like your neighbours? Do they like you?

Yes, and I think so.

92. Are you different in public then you act among friends?

Oh, HELL yes.

93. What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?

I want to raise some damn good people, three of whom sprang forth from mah belleh. (Yes, they did, too - three c-sections, thx.)

Oh, that and visit all the continents at least once.

94. Where do you see yourself in 4 years?

Forty and still cute. Warm. Hopefully about 15 lbs of skin lighter and tighter. Traveling. Still homeschooling. And so forth...

95. If you could choose, how would you want to leave this world?

I want to be eaten by a shark, fo' realz.

96. If you had only one week to live, what three things would be bumped up on the bucket list?

OMG. Hardest question ever. Uhhhh... I'd try karaoke on my best voice day, tell some people the truth about what I really thought of them, and die holding my hubs and babes.

97. What is one thing about you that really stands out?

Sophie: "Love."

Jack: "I don't know. You're pretty!"

Chloë is still struggling to come up with an answer that the younger two didn't already mention, aside from, "Your coat really brings out your hair and eyes!"

♥ ♥ ♥

98. What three words best describe your personality?

Funny, cray-cray, irreverent.

99. What three words would others probably use to describe you?

Smart, hilarious (when they really know me, that is), and passionate.

100. What advice do you have to give?

Don't listen to me. ::snerkle::

Onward to this week's SuSte!

Fin.

Saturday 9 Double Play: Live And Let Die & Good Morning, Heartache

Saturday 9: Live and Let Die

1) "Live and Let Die" was nominated for an Oscar as best song. Do you have a favorite movie song?

"Hopelessly Devoted to You," from Grease, maybe?

2) The latest Bond movie, Skyfall, is crazy successful. Have you seen it/do you want to see it?

No, and not so much. I'm still getting over Octopussy.

3) What do you think makes Bond movies so enduringly popular?

The hot lead actors don't hurt, amongst the female demographic, anyway.

4) Do you have a favorite among the actors who have played "Bond, James Bond?"

I think he's the least popular ever, but Roger Moore is MY James Bond, followed by Pierce Brosnan.

5) Bond orders martinis -- "shaken, not stirred." What's your regular drink order? 

Anything fruity and rum-based, like a Rum Runner or a Mai Tai. And of course my old standby, a perfectly mixed Piña Colada ;)

6) Moving from the bar to breakfast -- do you have a favorite cereal? 

Can't really eat it anymore, but I LURVE Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch!

7) Let's daydream about warm weather. Would you rather swim in a lake, the ocean, or an outdoor pool?

The ocean, and there better be some SCUBA involved, please.

8) Did you get 8 hours' sleep last night?

Um. Ha. No. You must be joshing.

9) What are you wearing on your feet right now?

Slippers that look like boots, and along with my hubs' PJ pants, I wore them all over the place today. Heh.

☼

And, since I missed last week's episode, thanks to our epic power outage:

Saturday 9: Good Morning, Heartache

1) Do you come up with your brightest ideas early in the morning or late at night?

I do my best thinking in the shower, but the time varies. Otherwise, late at night, usually. I am a vampiress, I think?

2) Are you more likely to feel romantic at night or in the morning?

Oh, garsh. At night, 98.6% of the time! ;)

3) Do you shower in the morning, after work or before bed?

Refer yourselves to numero uno, above.

4) Billie Holiday was just 44 when she died. Is there an artist whose early demise surprised and saddened you?

Amy Winehouse. Brittany Murphy. Heath Ledger. And so on...

5) Billie was known as "Lady Day." Do you have a cool nickname? (If not, feel free to give yourself one right now.) 

C'mon, now, how cool is "Smellyann"?! (Feel free to lie to me; flattery will get you places here.)

6) When was the last time you had the blues?

Epic power outages = epic blues, folks. And that's the sad truth.

7) Crazy Sam is eating Trader Joe's Snickerdoodles as she composes this. What's the last snack food you ate?

Wonderful Pistachios are my snacking mainstay du jour.

8) Do you worry about preserving endangered species? Or do you believe in survival of the fittest?

I think "preserving" is the wrong word here, but I'll skip over that. I am an evolutionary biologist by trade and training, so it deeply saddens me to note that a great many, MANY of the more-newly extinct and still-extant endangered species are such because of human intervention. Thus, my answer to that is a resounding, "BOTH!"

9) Would you ever hire a lawyer who runs commercials on TV? Do you know anyone who has?

I would NEVER, but I think I know a folk (hee) or two who have!

☼

Link up here if you wanna play, too! Either way, enjoy your stay and come back tomorrow a double-dose of Sunday Stealing! 

Fin.

Aloha Friday

Link up here if you've got questions for Kailani & friends today!

My question for you this week is:

Have you ever traveled in an RV (motor home)?

I haven't, but we're considering doing that in a few months as we meander westward to our destination of San Diego, CA. I'm really excited about the idea! Any tips?

Have a really swell day, peeps.

Fin.

Sunday Stealing: The Who Are You Meme, Partes Tres Y Cuatro

Link up here if ye be thievin' this week with us!

Sunday Stealing: Who Are you?

Part 3: Past

34. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?

My birth. Most of the rest of it probably never would have happened without that. ;P

35. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Getting dually accepted into both the B.S. and Ph.D. programs in marine science at UM at the age of 17 was pretty impressive.... to me, at least.

36. What is your greatest regret?

Not being a squeakier wheel; I still blame myself for my son's death for not being more insistent and persistent...

37. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?

I tried to poison my horribly abusive stepmother when I was about 13 or 14 by spraying some noxious Amway cleanser on her dinner plate one night; I also put water in her heart medication bottle one time. I can't believe I'm admitting this, and here of all places.

38. When was the time you were the most frightened?

When I was lying on the operating table during my twin c-section, sans husband, and neither boy was crying after their slice-and-dice delivery. I kept frantically begging for answers, and they just shushed me and repeated, "The doctors are with them now." It was terrifying. Truly awful.

39. What is your best memory?

Eloping. Running to the courthouse, laughing all the way, with my soon-to-be-husband, before they closed. Fun, fun times.

Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions

40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?

I wear the rose-colored glasses, generally speaking.

41. What is your greatest fear?

Losing another child

42. What are your religious views?

I'm a non-denominational Protestant, if that's what you're getting at.

43. State a random opinion.

Fully able-bodied people who park in disabled parking spaces are assholes.

44. What are your views on sex?

That shit feels good.

45. Are you able to cook?

I do okay.

46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?

Intentionally hurt a child, in any way, shape or form.

47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?

Yep, sure do.

48. What do you believe makes a successful life?

Being happy and content

49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings?

Please, I'm an open book.

50. Do you have any biases or prejudices?

I am intolerant of intolerance.

51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?

Taste mustard, because EWWW!!

52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?

Anyone I married, gave birth to, and a humongous helping of other people.

☼

That's it for this week. 'Til next time, friends...!

Fin.

Friday Fragments

Listen up y'all, it's a royal ball, with hip-hop clubs and concert halls! Okay, not really, but link up here if you've got itty bitty li'l pieces of blahggies floating around that need a home!

☼

Sunday & Monday, we got hit by Hurricane Sandy, but not too bad. We still don't have TV service, so it's not until the last couple of days that I've become aware of the damage she caused elsewhere. We weathered the storm fairly well with just some major flooding in the street, but we're fine. If any of you were more severely affected, my heart goes out to you, and I hope things improve quickly for you!

☼

Hmm. All the text disappeared. Let me try again... On the eve of Halloween, I went to a costume party at a local club to listen to the band formed by employees of the store where the kids take their music lessons.



There they are! Long story short, I passed out onstage after they performed, because I gave blood earier & then drank a rum cocktail on a very empty stomach, er, pouch, and boy those lights were hot... it happened onstage in front of the entire packed club! Mortifying. But I did end up winning the trivia contest for which I was called up there, so hey. Yay and stuff.

☼

On Halloween, Rob got paid, so we ran a bunch of errands and did some necessary shopping before being REALLY late for Trick-or-Treating, where we only got one house before giving up and going home. When we got there, Rob was holding Pepper (the kitten above), saying he was very sick and needed to go to the vet right away. It's a good thing we brought him; he had two paws in the grave and needed immediate treatment, including two blood transfusions and warmers because he was so cold... It was $$$, but when asked, Chloë said he was worth a million dollars, and we all agree he was worth it. Poor sweet kitteh.

☼



On Thursday, we were out again, and Chloë's Richmond agent called me, asking for updated quick shots of all three kids.

I don't know very much about the project, and neither does the agent, but it's for filming in Los Angeles...

Even Jack, who is normally anti-social when it comes to such things, got on board when I told him he could use part of the money he earned to add to his Lego collection! Haha.

☼



Last night, poor little Pepper was able to come home, and his mommy, Chloë, has been nursing him back to health night and day ever since It's really sweet how well she's taking care of him. I'm pretty proud of her!

☼

So that's been our week! Today, I wasn't feeling well, so we took it easy. Tomorrow will be busy, busy, busy, so must go rest... Have a great weekend!

☼

Fin.

Saturday 9: Key Largo

Link up here if you're playing along today!

Saturday 9: Key Largo

 

1) This song was inspired by the Bogart/Bacall movie of the same name. Do you have a favorite Humphrey Bogart film? Which one?

I guess it would have to be Casablanca, since I think that's the only one I've ever seen! o_O

 

2) Where do you rent movies? (Netflix, Redbox, OnDemand, etc.)

Netflix, Blockbuster Express, and Amazon.com (free with Prime membership, woot!)

 

3) Have you ever been to the Florida Keys?

I went to the University of Miami, so that's pretty much a given, yeah. Been there many times.

 

4) According to government statistics, more than half the people who currently live in Florida were born in another state. Were you born in the state where you currently live?

Nope. Born and raised in New York, and I now live in Virginia, by way of SC, FL, & Guam!

 

5) To be honest, Crazy Sam really hates this week'sfeatured song. (Hear it here.) Do you like it? Loathe it? Or are you unfamiliar with it? 

Unfamiliar with it, and am not in the mood to listen to it right now, I'm afraid. (Readers, what about y'all?)

 

6) Local authorities in a suburb of Sydney blasted Barry Manilow songs into a neighborhood park to keep "hooligans" away after dark. Is there an artist or song that would make you run in the other direction?

That's both funny and not funny... And yes, the song "Roxanne" by The Police makes me want to die a long, painful death, because that's what listening to it feels like. :|

7) Two of the most common fears are going to the dentist and speaking in public. Do either of those really get under your skin?

I have no qualms about going to the dentist whatsoever, but I get panic attacks from just the idea of having to speak in public! Eeeeek!

8) We're having burgers. What do you want on yours?

Make mine a veggie burger with vegan cheese, please. ;)

9) Here's your chance to do a shameless plug -- What charity or cause do you wish got more support?

Unique & Charitable Gifts | Heifer International® is pretty great. I love supporting it. Also most anything environmental. I could go on and on, now that I think about it!

I'll be back shortly with a Friday Fragments post - yup, I'm late and upside-down today! While you're waiting, why don't you check out the Nectresse Friend's Mission:

Enter for a chance to win a $200 gift card from Smiley360 by taking a short survey! *The FTC requires me to mention that I received a free sample courtesy of Smiley360!*

 See you in a few!

Fin.