MelaniePenelope: Entries from August 2016

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Entries from August 2016

28 August 2016

Sunday Stealing: Shannon's Moment Meme, Part The Second

Hey guys and dolls, I'm back! Or at least, I'm trying to be. Thanks for the warm welcome back on my Saturday 9: Hello post! You all made me feel so loved. ♥ Anyway, I know this is a Part II, and I didn't complete Part I, but we're going to overlook that and just jump in the fun, right? Link up here if you're playing along today!

☼

Sunday Stealing: Shannon's Moments Meme, Part Two

23. Have you ever gone to the “dark side”?

I'm not sure what that means, but for me it means depressed and suicidal, I think? So yes, I will say that I have been there a lot, but now my meds keep me mostly away from that place.

24. What shirt are you wearing right now?

Image result for shirt fail

It's kind of a "fail" too, my shirt, in that it's a coral-colored tank top that does little to conceal my bra right now. However stupid the above photo might be, it's the most G-rated I could find for shirt fails! Not that I necessarily worry about that, but some are pretty bad out there...

25. What’s important about a bed to you? Like type of sheets, size or whatever.

Image result for big bed fails

I like to spread out, so if I'm with my husband, the bigger the better! Otherwise, one of us is moving to the couch. And I don't like stiff, scratchy sheets. If they're tucked in up the sides of the bed, I'm going to pull them out, too! Don't like to be confined when I'm sleeping. Or ever.

26. Can you sing?

Image result for singing funny

So true, that ^^^. I can sing okay, but I'm not going to get famous from it!

27. What is something about you that would surprise us?

Image result for shyness funny

Not much, but maybe that I'm extremely shy? I remember my parents trying to coax me out of my shell when I was really little, and I hated it. "Don't be shy, Mellie..." But I am, very, until I get to know someone. If I'm comfortable with you, I'm all good to be me. I rarely get that comfortable with people, though.

28. Have you been a pirate, Renaissance Fair, or other costumed event? If not, would you for the right event or say cause?

Image result for renaissance fair funny

I finally crossed "Go to a Renaissance Faire" off my Bucket List about 4 or 5 years ago. We took the kids to one in Central Virginia when we still lived up there and were traveling around our home state. It was small but worthy of the name. I would still go to another one, if properly enticed.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower?

Image result for Flintstones Vitamins song

I sing whatever's in my head, but the one I always go back to is the old Flintstones Vitamins commercial from my youth. Silly, I know. And yes, I do it in little kids' voices.

30 & 31. Favorite girls' and boy's names?

I'm pretty fond of the ones that Hubs and I picked out for our kiddos! (That's them this year, and they are in age order, with Chloë being the oldest. Yup, our baby girl is the tallest!)

32. What’s in your pocket or purse right now?

My big "Mom purse," as Hubs calls it, broke one important zipper, so while I'm waiting for him to fix it, I've pared back down to my favorite standby: a small crossbody satchel. Aside from my wallet, I have only a small tube of hand lotion, a lip gloss, my passport for inexplicable reasons, some screen cleaner wipes (we go through a ton of those), and this Britto compact. I rarely use it, but because it's a Britto, I love it!

33. Last thing that made you laugh?

Our two pups, Tapioca and Paco, zooming up and down the couch and puppy-wrestling. It just amuses the hell out of me. Simple minds, I know.

34. Best toy as a child?

Image result for Cabbage Patch Kids funny

I really loved my three Cabbage Patch Kids, but this cracks me up!

35. Worst injury you have ever had?

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Well, we won't talk about emotional injuries here, so ... other than surgery ouches? Maybe my broken pinky toe, which I have since re-broken half a dozen times. Or the time I skinned my leg on a frozen dolphin? Or maybe the other time I tore up the same leg walking through the mangrove forest in the Keys? Nothing major, obviously.

36. Where would you love to live?

Image result for living on a boat

Okay, so not actually like in this photo, but aboard a boat. It has long been our fantasy to live-aboard and travel the seas while educating the children from around the globe. Alas, certain things have kept us tied to the land, but we're still thinking about it...

37. What type of TV do you have? Would you’d like an upgrade?

Image result for television funny

We have a Samsung flat screen HDTV. I don't if that means anything, but it's fairly new since our last set died. It's not huge, and we have trouble seeing it. (We're all blind except Sophia, the youngest, I swear.) Maybe we'd upgrade to a larger set next time, I don't know. Or maybe we'll live on a boat and won't need one?! (One can dream.)

39. How many dogs do you have?

My friend Josy recently posted this on my Facebook timeline, because it's true... but we we have two. Right now, we have two. ;)

40. Do most folks trust you?

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I honestly have no idea!

41. What book are you reading?

Image result for jodi picoult my sister's keeper

I'm reading a few different books right now, now that we have started school for the 2016-2017 season. Mostly about teaching writing, like the art of the essay, the art of the short story, etc. I'm also trying to keep up with Chloë, who is reading Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper; and Jack, who is reading the Hardy Boys series; and Sophia, who is reading Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls.

42. What’s your favorite classic TV show?

Image result for three's company funny

I loved this show. LOVED. And I miss John Ritter.

43. What’s your favorite sports team?

Image result for miami hurricanes football team

Love my Miami Hurricanes, especially the football team. I'm excited to see what they'll do this year. Go 'Canes!

44. Favorite month and why?

I have to say, I think it's always been my birthday month, September. Not only because of that, but because of school starting. I've always loved this time of year! Speaking of my birthday, I'm turning the big 4-0 soon, and I still don't have any big plans. Something is wrong with this picture, right?!

☼

I'm so glad you stopped by!

Fin.

Posted at 05:54 in Memes & More, Sunday Stealing | Permalink | Comments (6)

27 August 2016

Saturday 9: Hello

Saturday 9: Hello (2015)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This video begins with Adele and her flip phone. Is your cell phone a simple or a smart phone?

Well, of course it's a smart phone! I love technology. I have a Samsung Galaxy S5. We're holding out for the S7, but I'm not unhappy with my 5. The 6 is too close to an iPhone for our likes.

2) As soon as her cell is fully charged, Sam disconnects the adapter from the outlet to save electricity. Are you careful about conserving energy?

Confession: no. I'm careful about conservation in every other respect that I can think of right now, except energy. The reason is, something is wrong with eyes, and I don't perceive light as well as people ought to, and I so I tend to leave on all the lights. Plus I'm scared of the dark. There, now you know.

3) Adele sings that she must have a called a thousand times but her former lover never picked up. Think about the last call you made. Did you get through? Did you leave a voice mail? Or did you just hang up?

I had to check my phone log. My last call was to my own voicemail, ha! But before that, it was to various doctors' offices to schedule or reschedule appointments. I either left a VM or got through, because I could afford none of this hanging-up business.

4) Adele brews a cup of tea in the video. How often do you drink tea? Year-round? Only in winter? Never?

Only when I'm sick, and only hot tea. I hate iced tea. Not a huge fan of tea in general.

5) Adele told Glamour magazine she likes two sugars in her tea. Do you watch your sugar intake?

I try to avoid it entirely. Ever since my gastric bypass surgery 6½ years ago, I suffer greatly when I take in any. Which is good; keeps me honest.

6) This song is about reaching out to someone and extending an apology. When is the last time you said, "I'm sorry?"

I say it all the time. I over-say it. People get annoyed. I wish I could stop. Oh well, I'm sorry, but I'll try.

7) Adele was a heavy smoker who enjoyed the habit and didn't quit until 2015, after doctors convinced her it contributed to her chronic throat problems. What's something you know you should do for your health?

I know I should quit drinking Diet Coke, and I may have! I had been drinking a disgusting amount of it until this week. I finally just decided that the case of 12-oz cans I'd just bought were my last. Today, I finished the lot of them. I hope that's all. I desperately want to feel better!

8) Even though she is one of the world's highest-earning entertainers, she recently had her credit card rejected while shopping at H&M. She admits she was "mortified." Have you ever experienced that moment at the counter when your card was rejected?

All too many times. It's extremely embarrassing, especially when you're buying groceries and have your kids with you, and then a random stranger steps up and buys your food. Yes, that is definitely a humbling experience.

9) Random question: When you were a kid, did you keep a neat or messy bedroom?

Excessively neat. My dad would not have permitted any mess in the house. Don't look at it now!

Thanks for stopping by, y'all!

Fin.

Posted at 00:07 in Memes & More, Saturday 9 | Permalink | Comments (7)

17 August 2016

Wordless Wednesday: Tapioca Y Paco

In a move of Dogs Imitating Parents, our 5-month-old Chiweenie pup, Tapioca, flops on top of our 2-year-old Chihuahua, Paco, whenever it's time for a nap. She's kind of a pushy, bossy girl, and Paco is very patient and tolerant with her. Yes, definitely a case of Chis imitating Rob and me!

♥

Fin.

Posted at 19:59 in Furry Friends, Wordless Wednesday | Permalink | Comments (0)

04 August 2016

Wordless Wednesday: #SoThatHAPpened! Newest Newsy News...

Link up here if you're feeling wordless today, too! (Or not, like I who am almost never speechless...)☼All of the following happened on Monday, August 1^st, which was an AWESOME day for Team Odette:

Sophia, who was bucked off her horse Lacy on July 1^st, had the cast taken off on August 1^st. The break, which the pediatric sports orthopedist called "pretty nasty," healed rapidly beautifully and beautifully rapidly! There was even more and more widely distributed new bone growth than was expected on Monday, which the doc said may have been attributable to the immense quantity of milk Sophia consumes on a regular basis. Either way, YAY! When the signature-laden cast was taken off, Doc asked Sophie whether she was keeping it or not. Sophia gave a disgusted look and said, "Please. Throw it AWAY!" She hated that thing more than anything else on Earth. Three more weeks of taking it easy with the now-castless wrist until she can start truly riding Lacy again. Squee!☼

Secondly, Tapioca the Chiweenie pup whom we were supposedly "temporarily" fostering for That Black Dog Rescue since May 14^th... was adopted. BY US! We fell in love with her very quickly (immediately in my case), and we realized there would just not be any giving Tapi back to the rescue. So now, she is truly a member of Team Odette. We all adore her quirky, silly little self. Even Paco. Unless he's having a snack, and then paws off!☼

And finally, we got a new-to-us car! Our prior car, a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, was traded in to Carvana, which is the company through which we purchased "Phoenix." Sprocket, the Eclipse, was so completely sucktastic that we plotted his demise every which way to Sunday and attempted to convince the Carvana delivery folks on Monday to carry at least one of them out, so who knows? Hee. But Phoenix is a 180º-difference from Sprocket, and all of Team Odette are excited beyond words to have her. Even Jack, who just abhors being photographed, trust me.☼

Oh, and one more thing happened: Since our new dental insurance kicked in that same day (it was a crazy one to be sure), we all had our first dentist appointments in, well, a year. All five of us have notoriously bad teeth, genetically speaking, so it was not a huge shocker when, one-by-one, we each went back and, one-by-one, came back with an abysmal report and astronomically expensive treatment plan. Chloë went last, and when the pediatric dentist came to me and told me that she had a great visit with NO CAVITIES and only needed sealants added, which would cost us $0 out of pocket, Oh, my gosh, you guys. I high-fived everyone right up to God himself. WOOT WOOT!!!☼So that's what's new with us this week. What's new with y'all?Fin.