Today, I needed some caffeine and rustled up enough change to go get some kind of diet cola from someplace. Chloë decided to go with me, so we could have a little mommy-and-me time. It's harder to come by now that she's 15½, those moments are harder to come by. I brought my camera along for the walk, expecting to capture a few things of interest, starting with these pretty purple tulips and the lilac tree of a couple neighbors.
Found this unhitched green trailer inspiring on Virginia Ave, heading out of the 'hood.
On Victory Road, one neighbor had just ONE section of a pallet fence up, so I decided it would be a perfect backdrop for a Chloë shot. There is a lot of traffic on that road and no shoulder or sidewalk, so I had to take a car-free moment and grab a quick snap!
This walk turned into a little mini-shoot for Chloë, as I found her my inspo most of the time! The neighbor next to single-pallet-fence house had this wee bridge over the tiny creek-let underneath it, so I had her hop on it and let me grab another quick shot.
Phlox and old mailboxes at the corner of Triumph and Victory. I dig it.
A particularly flowery neighbors' house
Old truck. I like it.
No train was coming from either direction, but Chloë was still a bit reluctant to stand next to the train tracks. If it were Sophia, she'd be doing cartwheels up and down the rails! But Chloë is more demure and dainty than her baby sister.
I know Chloë doesn't quite fully embrace her curls yet, but I am a bit obsessed with them. I can't get enough of them. They're so beautiful and springy. And yes, I am an annoying person who "boings" them when she's washing the dishes and can't stop me. Heh heh heh. So I snagged this pic while she was walking and didn't know the lens was on her.
Chloë with the mountains behind her... they had snowy peaks this morning, but by this time, they were definitely showing signs of Spring!
Crossing the overpass was a little scary for Chloë - and, I must admit, I was afraid, too - but I thought it looked cool criss-crossing with Federal Way and the shadows. I loved the interplay there.
Tumbleweed; we are a tiny bit TW-crazy!
We ended up getting a 1L of Diet Coke at Walgreens with my change and Balance Rewards points and then starting back home. Only, we were walking with the wind at our backs on the first leg of the trip. On the short leg from Walgreens to Joann's Fabric at the return, the wind was a wall of sheer opposing force in our faces and on our bodies.
Chloë and I could not here each other speak when we were inches apart, so we decided to have Rob pick us up instead of walking into that the whole way home! Weenies, yes we are. Also, Joanne's had a lovely variety of fabric and all-around crafty stuff, so we were not impatient in waiting for him to get us at all!
And soon, there he was: our knight in shining armor, riding in his black coach to retrieve us and tease me about being a quitter. ;)
One more shot of Chloë... because those juicy curls just speak to me!
I stole Bud's Sunday Stealing logo right off his blog! I clicked that instead of the ... well, long story short, it was un accidente, and now that it's there, it amuses me because it's in keeping with the idea of the meme. Sorry, Bud. ;)
Link up here with the rest of us if you're playing along this Earth Day weekend!
c. Crafting/creating/making in general; knitting, specifically.
d. Mother Earth (and Science #FTW!)
e.
Experimenting with food! I love to cook!
2. List up to ten random facts about yourself.
a.
I have had my nose pierced twice, but what I really want is a septum piercing. I told Hubs I would do it after my dad dies. When Hubs asked me why I didn't just go ahead and do it before Dad dies, I replied, "I don't want to kill him!" (The piercing was really hard on my father. His precious little girl... it was right as I was getting out of college, and he saw it and said, "I didn't send you to school so you could become some kind of hippie Bohemian!") lmao
b.
I'm married to a "hippie Bohemian." Seriously, my husband's maternal family is from Bohemia, which is now the Czech Republic. So, lol to that, too!
c.
I've had four pregnancies and four live births, but there is not a 1:1 relationship (for those of you who know your math) there. One of those live births is now our little angel baby, waiting for us...
d.
I have so many medical issues, my last neurologist labeled me "complicated" when trying to medicate me for migraines. The last med nearly killed me, so we're on to Botox next.
e.
I have Lyme disease, Fibromyalgia (maybe) and, I suspect, ME/CFS. (myalgic encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for those who hate acrobreviations) ;) And that only accounts for half the shit medicine I'm on.
f.
I also have Bipolar Disorder 1 w/ Psychosis, but I suspect it may actually be Schizophrenia - and so does my current psychopharmacologist. Thing is, the same drugs I'm on are used to treat both, I take my drugs, and I'm more or less stable (that's a myth, like a unicorn achievement, with serious mental health issues, really). I'm not going to go off my meds to find out, so we'll never know unless my chemistry raucously changes. Hey, I'm due for menopause in about 10-15 years, so...! (Hush yo' mouth, I'm not hoping!)
g.
My surviving kids are 15.5, 14, and 12, and I'm already looking forward to being a grandmother one day. Which damn well better be in a decade or more. ;)
h.
I'm a permanent Idealist/Optimist, despite all the trauma and abuse in my history. I'm a rainbow-seeker wearing my rose-colored glasses, I'm sensitive, and I'm splendidly naive. Please don't take advantage of me, or I will cry. And I didn't pack the waterproof mascara, 'kay?
i.
I consider myself a Biologist, a scientist who just didn't finish her Ph.D., as well as a Christian. This throws people way the hell off. 'Specially since I curse like a sailor - since long before I married one. Pretty sure God's okay with me the way I am. <3
j.
I have a (Young Living) essential oils addiction that about mirrors my JAFRA addiction... I'd love to share them with people, but I'm painfully shy and not at all a salesperson, so my only real clients are on the Interwebs. I keep thinking the older I get, the more my scaredy-cat nature will crack, but that's a Big Fat Nope.
3. List five people (personal, historic, living or dead) who have had a major impact on your life or the way you think.
All right, well:
a. My mother (RIP), whom I have put on a pedestal of perfection when it comes to motherhood, since her early death at age 33;
b. My father, whom I have not with respect to fatherhood;
c. My stepmother, AKA "The Bitch From Hell," who played an enormous part in my becoming Bipolar/Schizo while "helping raise" me from ages 7 to 17 and beyond...;
d. My maternal grandparents, without whom my childhood would have completely sucked and who rescued me from my miserable home life many times (RIP, RIP, and THANK YOU!)
e. My U-Miami physics professor who, during exams, always used to write, "WAEFRTGDQ" on the chalkboard before starting. The meaning, "When All Else Fails, Read The God-Damned Question!" and which I have used many times in my own life. His surprising addition to this short list startled even me.
4. List 5 things you'd tell your 15 year-old self, if you could.
a.
While life might suck, at least you have your (relative) physical health and strength. Getting older can be quite painful!
b.
There actually are some blessings in your life, and you should appreciate them. Some of them won't always be there.
c.
Yes, studying and good grades matter, but let loose every once in a while and try to enjoy yourself.
d.
Don't cheat on Ben. He's a decent guy, and he cares about you. And don't ever do that again, either! >:(
e.
You're in Syracuse, New York, one of the most perfect places to learn to ski, so do it, you bonehead. One day, you'll end up in freaking Idaho!
5. What is a major strength that you have?
My husband will disagree, but he's only right when I'm pissed: I have the ability to use logic and reason in a Euclidean sort of way.
6. What is a major weakness that you have?
I lose my freakin' shit when I'm really mad. (When I'm happy-manic, yay, baking is happening! When I'm angry-manic, you'd better watch the F out.)
7. Describe the family dynamic of your childhood versus your family dynamic now.
Huge pile of shit (then)
versus
Unicorn farts... Capisce?
8. What popular notion do you feel that the world has most wrong?
That Climate Change is not real, and Global Warming is not happening. As a scientist, this one kills me the most, I think. These are the people in charge of legislation, FFS, and they are ruining mankind for the rest of us. Oy vey. Don't even.
9. Name three things that always cheers you up when you are down.
a.
Seeing one of my kids accomplish something that I know was difficult for her/him to do
b.
Coming to an understanding with someone who might ordinarily not have connected with me on a mental or emotional level
c.
CHOCOLATE!
10. Name three things would you like to be remembered for?
a.
Being a good mom to my bebes (and holy crap, my favorite author says what I say all the time to people, too!)
b.
Being kind
c.
That I did my hardest to protect the natural resources that have been bequeathed unto me.
1) Subways can be bright and noisy. Do you need it dark and quiet before you can fall asleep?
I used to be able to sleep in full lights and sunshine, but lately I like it darker before I can sleep. Honestly, though, when I really need to sleep I can do it through anything.
2) In this song, Petula encourages her lover to talk it out instead of walking out. Do you usually remain reasonable during a disagreement?
Not usually. I can be pretty unreasonable when I'm upset!
3) Petula was a child star in England during WWII. Her BBC broadcasts were very popular with the British troops, who nicknamed her The Singing Sweetheart. Soldiers pasted her photo onto their tanks for luck as they went into battle. Do you have any little rituals or good luck charms that calm/comfort you when you're afraid?
Rituals, no, but I do need my "bearpo" to comfort me to sleep. Nothing really calms me when I'm afraid except ... well, my anxiety medication.
4) Now 84, she recently told London'sDaily Mail that she's surprised and thrilled to have found love again with a new man. Do you believe you'll ever be too old for romance?
I hope not!
5) Her family is far flung. She lives in London, her middle daughter is in Paris, her son is in Los Angeles and her oldest daughter lives in New York with Petula's two grandchildren. Who is your nearest friend or relative? Which one is farthest away?
My nearest friends are here in Idaho, Becca O., and Joe and his wife, along with our awesome new neighbors. My farthest friends are in New York and Miami, with relatives all over the United States.
6) In 1967, when this song was popular, Rolling Stone published its first issue. John Lennon was on the cover. Publisher Jann Wenner reports that, either individually or as a group, the members of The Beatles have appeared on the most Rolling Stone covers. What's the first Beatle song that comes to mind?
"Hey Jude," the first one I ever heard of when I was young. It was in a book. I do not remember the book.
7) In 1967, Star Trek was in its second season on NBC. Who is your favorite Star Trek character?
I honestly don't know that much about Star Trek, since I'm not a Trekkie, but I love George Takei. I guess I'll say Mr. Sulu, then??
8) RANDOM QUESTION: When you slip into jeans or slacks, which foot do you put in first?
I usually put the right one on first, but I'm not sure I do this every time. Also, I don't say 'slacks,' like my dad does. I'm just generic and say 'pants.' Is that weird?
9) As you considered #8, did you mime pulling on your pants?
Only ever so slightly, with my feet kind of wiggling as I thought about it. LOL Gal, you're silly!
I wanted to take some Easter portraits of the kids at church this morning (Vineyard Boise), but Jack completely forgot to wear his Easter clothes, and I didn't notice until we were walking into the sanctuary. Oops! So, here are a few shots from in front of our house after I requested he made him go in and change. Hee:
LOL! That girl! She cracks me up. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you all had a lovely holiday with your loved ones.
1. If "happiness" was the global currency, what kind of work would make you a gazillionaire?
Huh. Would you look at that? If I had taken time to think about it, I might have said one answer or another, but instead my fingers had me googling for "Happy Little Kids." I had such a great time with the youngest schoolchildren when I subbed the K-2 grades. So maybe after my own are grown, I'll go back and get a degree in Early Childhood Education and become a kindergarten teacher. Not my plan at all!
2. Would you break the law to save someone you loved? And, if so, how far would you be willing to take it?
I'm not sure... When one of my three cubs gets hurt, Mama Bear comes out raging. I'd probably take it as far as I needed to go to ensure his/her/their safety.
3. Is it possible to really know the truth without questioning it first?
I have to say "no," because so many times, I have been so sure right off the bat of the truth and then the evidence showed itself to me and proved me wrong. So nope! I don't think you can!
4. Do you remember that one time . . . oh, about 5 years ago or so . . . when you were really, really upset? Does it really matter now? If not now, then when?
No, it doesn't. Things happen to me, and I have to step back and think, "in five years, in five days, in five minutes, is this really going to matter?" And if the answer is no, then I try, try, try to let it go. I'm not good at this, but I practice it and teach my kids to practice the same.
5. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
There is some neutral ground, but yes, I believe you can truly judge what is really good, and what is really evil. If you can't tell, are you lying to yourself about that?
6. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
Pretty much that. ;-P
7. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
Oh, I'm lazy as hell. I don't mind the work I have to do, I'd just rather have less work to do, and more time to play! (I think?)
8. Would you rather be an anxious genius, or a tranquil fool?
I'm already the former, if test results and medications prove right. Why not try the other for a change?
9. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
I'm equally worried about both. I'm an equal opportunity worrier, honeybuns. (Those are my hilarious pups, Tapioca and Paco, at the dog park today... their faces just crack me up.)
10. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
You know, I have been in constant, chronic pain for about three years straight as of this month. I told my dad just last night that, at only 40 years old, I feel completely robbed of my life. But then I had a moment today at church, or several long moments, where I felt connected directly with God. And the pastor (of a huge church, mind you) and a man named Robert prayed over me, and while they prayed, I felt the pain I've felt constantly for 36 months just dissipate completely from my body. And I have been in no pain ever since. So... 20 years old is my answer, instead of 80. I forget all the time how old I am (despite the pain) and think I'm still back in my college years sometimes. Those were good years. Good years.
Saturday 9: This Is the Way the Bunny Hops Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) Why do you suppose there are so many songs about Santa Claus, yet very few about the Easter Bunny?
I have several theories, but I guess I'll go with the more optimistic viewpoint that people, both secular and religious, get into the spirit - the mood, if you will - of Christmas in a way that for the secular, Easter just does not equate.
2) This song was written by The Kiboomers, two early education teachers who are passionate about the power of music to help kids learn. Tell us about a teacher who had an impact on your life.
My high school Spanish teacher, Señora O'Toole, was instrumental in both making me understand the fundamentals of this beautiful language as well as making me feel understood as an abused kid, and later now that we are still friends both in real life and in Facebookland, an adult who has grown out of that abuse. She really cared about me, and she still does. That really meant a lot to me. I'm so proud that Señora is now Doctora, having gone one to finish her Ph.D. helping other people learn about how others learn languages. She's an amazing lady!
3) Legend has it that the Easter Bunny was introduced to America in the 1700s by German immigrants. These children waited for a magic creature who left colored eggs. Today's kids dye Easter eggs themselves. When did you most recently color eggs?
Last Easter. Now that my kids are 12, 14, and 15 years old, they have decided that they do not need to continue the tradition this year. To be perfectly honest, I'm not totally heartbroken about it... I think!
4) The Easter Bunny is usually shown carrying a wicker basket filled with eggs, toys and candy. Is there any wicker in the room you're in right now?
Shit, there's hardly anything in the room I'm in! But do I want this wicker patio furniture set from Wilton & Fisher? Why yes, yes I do.
5) While marshmallow Peeps are manufactured all year around, they are most popular at Easter. Do you prefer the chicks or the bunnies?
My kids all love Peeps, but neither Hubs nor I am a fan. Ew. My oldest, Chloë, adores them, and she found a 24" tall yellow stuffed Peep bunny at Walgreens the other night. She covets this thing, though I could not afford it. I'd love to be able to get it for her, but alas... nyet.
6) A little time in the microwave can do ugly things to a Peep. Have you ever nuked a Peep?
Hee! No, I haven't. I think I will. ;) Actually, now that you mention it, we made microwave Peep S'mores one year... so YES, I have nuked a Peep.
7. Would you prefer a hollow or a solid chocolate bunny?
Is that a trick question? SOLID, duh, because I get more! :D And if it's not a Lindt or a Dove chocolate, well... we'll have issues. ;)
(Psych. Chocolate is freakin' chocolate. Just gimme.)
(Please.)
8) A traditional American Easter dinner usually includes glazed ham or roast lamb. Which would you rather have as your main course?
Ugh. I would neither eat ham nor lamb. No, I'd much rather have this dish of pea falafel, roasted carrots and fennel, beet hummus, and salad with toasted pita chips; I made it the other night and it was SO good, I have already made the pea falafel twice since then!
9) Easter is considered the season of rebirth. What makes you feel refreshed or rejuvenated?
A good sleep, followed by a good, cleansing shower is what I need. Ahhh...
Yesterday, this young lady turned 12 years old! [Mom whine: I can't believe my "baby-est baby is twelve! :*( ] I asked her when I last grocery shopped if she wanted brownies or cake, and she decided on brownies. If you look closely at this brownie "cake," you'll see it's a mega-mess from Sophia turning over the pan to dump out her "cake" before they were done. Haha, eager much?? But no matter; they turned out to be a bit of deliciousness and made a young girl quite happy.
Jack bet Sophie that she wouldn't be able to blow out all the candles on her cake, and when she did so easily, there was a bit of braggadocio on her part. I knew she could do it. Foofers, as we call her, can do damn near anything she puts her mind to doing. ;)
Our tight budget right now indicates that presents are small and few, so Sophia was looking at me as if to ask, "What did you do?" when I presented her with this tiny, gift-wrapped parcel. Chloë and I had had to do some coupon shenaniganizing at Walgreens when we went to pick up a few prescriptions before brownie cake time, and this was the result:
...Gum and a little bit of Mango candy to share with her siblings. And yes, I have been finding little tiny Trident wrappers all over the house ever since. But this tiny thing, I think, made our Foofers happy... and there was plenty of interest in the mango candy to cause squeals and discussion about how they looked like miniature butter blocks with the coloring of an opened egg. Turns out, they were quite yummy little candies, too!
Since it was a bit rainy yesterday, and Sophia wanted to go to the park, there was begging on all three kids' parts to go to the park despite the latent moisture on the ground. Pleeeease, Mama, pleeeaase can we go to the park? How could I resist these three faces? It seemed dry enough by after-Brownie Cake time to say yes, and what better way to make Foofers happy on the cheap than to head to the nearest park? And so, I said all riiiight. Let's go.
We initially went to Julia Davis Park here in Boise, Idaho, where we now live. but we couldn't find a playground there that satisfied Sophia. She was disappointed by the JD park, as it's under construction right now and not the most visually appealing site. Instead, after a little Googling From JD park, I found a new park right down the road from where we live: Terry Day Park. Sophia jumped right in and started climbing while the other two kiddos ran off in opposite directions.
These little specimens of physics accomplishment were spinny-thingies that kept going util dizziness won out. And then they spun in the opposite direction, until inertia gave way to gravity and the thingy-thing stopped. Result? You sat there with your eyes spinning off in 70 different directions, while a little bit of nausea topped off the experience! Fun!
And THEN. And then. We found this awesome zipline ride that we all fought over, time and time again, until we each had gone approximately 59 times apiece. I love this shot of Rob running after Jack, who was careening toward a waiting Chloë at the ending platform. [Look, Rob can run again! Achievement: Unlocked.]
Sophie, our 12-year-old birthday child, and Jack, had the most fun on the zipline. Back and forth, back and forth, they sped past the camerawomen [ahem: moi], until Chloë stomped off in frustration after her expected turn never seemed to come. Gah. Come baaaaack, Curls!
Sophia sprawled out in glorious repose, post-zipline. We're going back soon to this thing. Maybe even today. If the kids ever finish their math! :P
"Look Ma, no hands!" Jack shouted from across the way. Only, does anyone see the problem with this statement? Yeah. Me too.
All three kids finally got together to try and accomplish the task of a dual ride between Jack and Sophia, but it wasn't meant to be. We just couldn't get Jack brave enough to sit on Sophie's lap and, truth be told, I'm kind of glad about that. I foresaw another broken skull if that had happened! [He fractured his melon at two years old.]
Aw, Paquito and his sister-pup came along for the fun, too! Here he comes, looking for some patty-pets from his mama! <3
And here's sister-pup, our foster fail from That Black Dog Rescue, Inc. of Miami, Florida: Tapioca Puddin' Pop! <3 <3 <3 She was on the move constantly during this park adventure, so approximately one-third of the 125 shots I took yesterday were of me trying to get Tapi staying still and looking photogenic.
Just a Chiweenie and a Chihuahua out for a stroll in the park... don't mind us.
At last, Chloë had her turn on the zipline. After that, she was all smiles. Ever pleased to mug for the camera, this time was no different. And why not? The lens loves her!
Meanwhile, across the other side of the park, Sophia was hollering from up in this tree, "MOM, LOOK AT ME!!" I said my adieus to Chloë and ran over to take a few shots. Actually, then I tried to climb the tree myself, because it has been a decade or three since I attempted such a fun thing and... fail. To be fair, I was wearing Crocs flipper-floppers, which were not the proper foot attire for gaining a purchase on this slippery árbol. Oh well, c'est la vie.
Coming full circle toward the end of our visit, I shot a dozen or so pictures of Rob in the spinny-thingy before landing on this specimen of my handsome fella with a big grin on his face. Why, I do declare, I think this man was having fun as well!
I decided to hand my camera over to Rob before we headed out for the day - poor Paco was shivering endlessly, and we needed to get him back to the warmth of home - and take a spin on the thing he was just in. Holy cow! Inertia times torque times vertigo equals this oddly dizzified face of mine! Ha! I look like a goof.
All in all, it was a very inexpensive but fun way to spend Foof's birthday, and I hope she enjoyed turning 12.
HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY, SOPHIA LORELEI! WE LOVE YOU!!!
The first five questions are stolen from blogger Emily Rosenbaum at Wheels on a Bus. She explains she grabbed it from Lola's blog, and since Lola "is the sassiest of mamas" so we took that name from Emily's questions. The final five questions were ripped from Midlife Mama from the blog Midlife Musings. She stole it from her "dear friend" over at Midlife Slices where it was originally written. We do hope that you had a great week. If anyone has some questions that they'd like us to use please email Bud at bud.weiser@wtit.net. Please "like" us on Facebook!
1. If you could say anything you wanted to say to Donald Trump, what would you say?
Seriously. Seriously, now, how does it feel to have fucked up the entire political scheme of the United States of America? How does it feel to have stolen the Presidency and be voiding everything the previous (wonderful) president, Obama, has done as far as Progressive progress in so many areas of society? How does that feel? How does it feel to have colluded with Russia to fuck up not only the Executive Branch, but also the Legislative Branch of our federal government, as well as now having stolen a seat for life on the Judicial Branch? HOW DOES THAT FEEL?!!! Jackass.
I would choose Britney, because I understand her neuroses, I feel. I have been through that, been there, done this all and I understand where she is, where she was, where she has been, and where she has going. All from an outsider's viewpoint, of course, but to me it looks like she is completely getting her shit together and doing what she needs to do. Lindsay, on the other hand, seems like a lost cause, and though I really did think hard about this question, I feel that as a mother, having a kid who not only is probably a lost cause but also reached that status 100% because of my own actions... I couldn't handle it. I would probably kill myself.
3. You get to be Queen for a day. The kids are all taken care of, and you can spend as much money as you want. What do you do all day?
I would fix the food system. I would grow the right foods, with none of this Monsanto-Bayer interference bullshit, and I would deliver it properly to all the people. I might enact a 2:1 replacement system for having children, because we are waaaaay overpopulating this planet. And I would grant all the rare and not-so-rare disease investigators all the federal monies needed to fix the various and sundry health issues I am facing, my friends and loved ones are facing, and people I don't know are facing. That may seem contradictory with the overpopulation issue. Don't get me wrong. I could go on about this all day long. But people, as long as they are going to be here, don't necessarily deserve to suffer. And I, for one, am sick of suffering. (And then I might sleep.)
4. Is there a song that brings tears to your eyes every time you hear it? If so, which one?
"The Day That You Gave Me a Son" by Babyface, because we used it at our son's memorial service. There are a few others...
5. A fairy taps you on the shoulder and tells you that you can either have a perfect face or a perfect body for the rest of your life. Which do you choose?
I'm vain about my face. I'd rather choose the perfect face than be a Butterface, I think. I don't want to be a meme.
6. If you could live any place in the world and money was no object, where would you live and why?
I would live on a beautiful yacht, sailing the ocean blue and visiting all the possible ports of call for the rest of my life. That would be my little slice of Heaven.
7. What is your biggest regret in life?
If I couldn't save my son's life, which I tried and could not personally accomplish, then it would be that I did not get my two sons, my identical twin boys, together for any pictures. That absolutely breaks my heart.
8. If you could go back and visit one person in your life who is now dead, and ask one question, what would that question be and why would you ask it?
Today is the 33rd anniversary of my mother's death - at age 33. She left behind my bewildered, befuddled dad, and my nearly 9-year-old sister and 7.5-year-old me. I would ask her why she chose not to seek medical help when it was clear she needed it, and I would ask her that because it started the domino effect that basically fucked up my entire childhood and, therefore, adulthood. Sorry, but it's true.
9. If you had the choice to age forward (like we are now) or aging backwards (think Benjamin Buttons) which would you choose and why?
I think I would try the reverse aging method, because right now, getting older is for the birds!!
So it's 3:30 AM on Sunday the 9th, which is technically not Saturday at all - like, anywhere - but I want to catch up with my cohort of 9ers and SSers. I'm bound and determined to catch up this week, dangitalltohellandback!
So. Here we go with that plan; link up here if you want to play along this weekend:
~*~*~*~*~
Saturday 9: Work from Home (2016) Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) This song is about a woman who doesn't get to see her lover often enough because he's on the night shift. Have you ever worked nights?
No, I never really have, though my husband has done plenty of night work in the Navy. He's retired now, so I get him all the time. This is mostly a good thing. ;)
2) She promises that if he takes the day off, she'll make it feel like a vacation. Have you traveled anywhere fun so far this year? Do you have any leisure trips planned for 2017?
Well, so far we've traveled to Key West from Homestead, Florida, and then we drove from Miami to Boise, Idaho, in four and a half days about a month ago. Right now, I'm just enjoying traveling around our new home and buying these flowers for a decorative basket at Home Depot. Ha!
Later, in June, we'll head to Salt Lake City for a Young Living conference. Yup, I've drunk the essential oil Kool-Aid and find it extremely helpful. So my BFF, Shana from New York, and I are meeting up at the YLEO conference in SLC for a few days of edumacation and bonding after not seeing each other for several years. Whee!
3) The ladies of Fifth Harmony are enthusiastic supporters of the Girl Scouts, rewarding troops who excel in fundraising activities with free concerts. The Scouts' best-known fundraiser is their cookie sale.What's your favorite cookie (Girl Scout or otherwise)?
Samoas are my favorite of the Girl Scout cookies; it'd be a shame if they ever did away with those! However, my real favorite cookie of all time is homemade Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookies. I make them now and then; nothing beats 'em!
4) Fifth Harmony also participated in Goodwill's Fall Haul campaign. They encouraged high school students donate as many items as possible to Goodwill, and the winning school got a free concert. When did you last take gently-used items to a resale organization?
When we moved, we sold as much as we possibly could to get here, including most of our furniture and random and various appliances. Whatever didn't sell and wouldn't fit in either the pack-out or our vehicle, we took to Goodwill - or friends. I suppose friends don't count, but it hurt less! ;)
5) Do you ever shop second-hand or thrift stores?
Sure. And we've been told that New Again is the thrift store we should check out here in Boise. We have approximately ONE piece of furniture - a recliner that's seen better days - so I'll be looking for some stuff soon on our rather meager budget. Kinda weird to be at this place in our 40s, but it is what it is.
6) Fifth Harmony member Normani Kordei competes on Dancing with the Stars this season. Would you do better on DWTS or The Voice? In other words, are you a better singer or dancer?
I've done both dancing and singing lessons in my kidhood, and I did rather well at both, #TYVM. But I had a rather horrific run-in with my stepmother about my dance lessons, so I don't really love to do it anymore except the silliness I do at home with my family. I'm not ruined for singing, though, so in my wildest dreams I'd love to be a singer. I'd do The Voice.
7) In February 2016, when this song was first released, The Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl and Spotlight won the Best Picture Oscar. Can you recall who won the 2017 Super Bowl and Best Picture Oscar, just two months ago?
The Super Bowl, no, because I don't really care about that. But for the Best Picture Oscar, I remember that La La Land was mistakenly called out when it should have been Moonlight. Oopsie! That's the kind of embarrassing thing that would happen to me. They have my sympathies. (P.S. I haven't seen either movie but would love to see both.)
8) 2016's most popular TV show was Game of Thrones. Are you a fan?
Nope. Totally not my genre!
9) Random Question: What's the subject line of the newest message in your email spam folder?
Some junk from Canadian Express about 26 new items in their inventory. I wish it hadn't been such a boring spam, but that's the way things go!
~*~*~*~*~
Thank you, Sam, for this fun meme and anyone else who reads my very late entry!
I am SO behind on my blog, as usual, but the past two weeks have seen me in incredibly intense pain.
Nevertheless, Chloë and I went for a brisk walk earlier this evening, and I brought my trusty camera with me to see what I could capture.
Here are some pinky tulips surrounding a rose bush that hasn't bloomed yet, in our front yard. There are quite a lot of tulips in our yard, actually, but I'll only show a few bunches here.
Whoever lived here before planted all different colors, as you can see - I think they're beautiful! Though I might have done it a little differently. But, we'll be here long enough to make whatever changes are necessary...
I adore these orangey-yellow tulips in the far corner of our lawn. So colorful!
A neighbor of ours has his tulips all color-specific in large bunches like this, which I think I prefer.
Our neighbor-lady, G, doesn't have many flowers in her front yard, but I still love it. It's so kitschy-chic, if that's a thing. ;) She brought us cookies our first week here, which was really cool of her!
I adore monocotyledons more than dicots, and daffodils are amongst my favorites of flowers. Another neighbor's yard sports this gorgeous bunch!
Look! A robin's nest! Spring is definitely on its' merry way!
Such a pretty yard, with lots of tulips and little tiny phlox-y looking things. My botany knowledge is severely lacking, so please forgive me for that!
In an empty lot around the corner from us, tulips even grow. I love this!
More... phlox??... in that empty lot. Lovely!
Walking toward home, we spotted a number of little red-breasted robins. A definite sign that Spring is here.
I don't know what kind of tree this is - anyone know - but it was lovely!
I took this photo of the rainbow-effect of an unfortunate oil spill just because it will serve to remind me of a conversation between Chloë and me about beauty in even the worst things, like environmental damage seen here, and how we can use our voices to protect Mother Earth when few seem to notice or care...
A modeled house for sale nearby - anyone want to be our neighbors here in Boise? ;)
This neighbor, with dinos and attack frogs, obviously has a sense of humor! I like.
Another neighbor's pretty front walkway
On the other hand, from what I said earlier, this clump of multicolored tulips is rather pretty, too. Maybe I do like it that way. I dunno.
And then, as we were rounding the corner for home, it started hailing! Here's some hail on Chloe's arm. Hailing in the midst of all these flowers blooming. That's Spring for ya.
Welp, that's it for that walk. It was too cold to continue!
