MelaniePenelope: Entries from April 2018

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Entries from April 2018

27 April 2018

Saturday 9: Lowdown

Hi, guys. I'm back for this week after missing last week's querulous post... Hopefully I can stay put for a bit. Not too much joy and enthusiasm in today's opener from me, because I am just not feeling too well today at all. Blah. But I hope the questions perk me up some. They usually do; thank you for that, Crazy Sam. ;)

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Saturday 9: Lowdown (1976)

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

1) In this song, "the lowdown" is an unpleasant truth. Tell us about a time when you had to do like Boz and give someone "the lowdown."

I can't think of something huge, but I did recently tell my beautiful daughter here, Chloë, that an outfit she liked really was not flattering on her and was even somewhat inappropriate for the occasion. She was mad, and probably hurt, but in that moment it did need to be said.

2) The lowdown Boz delivers is about the woman his friend is seeing. Specifically, she's gossiping about his finances. If you discovered something negative about a friend's romantic partner, would you share it with your friend? Or would you keep it to yourself?

I'd have to say that "it depends." How good is the friend? What is the something negative? What are the circumstances? What will the consequences be? I'd weigh all that and then decide. No hard answer either way.

3) Boz was born William Royce Scaggs, but in high school he was given the nickname "Bosley" -- later shortened to "Boz." His friends thought "Bosley" sounded nerdier than "Bill," and Scaggs was quite the music nerd. What is something you're nerdy about?

$Image result for math nerd funny$

I love math. I'm a total math nerd. My husband isn't, and my three homeschooled kids aren't. Just me. Kind of annoying!

4) His son Austin Scaggs is a contributing editor at Rolling Stone. What magazines are in the room you're in right now?

Image result for stack of magazines funny

Right now, we have: Us Weekly, Afar, Time, Allure, Vogue, Travel & Leisure, Weight Watchers, Auto Week, Sports Illustrated, Outdoor Photographer, Parents, Entertainment Weekly, Better Homes & Gardens, Car & Driver, Seventeen, Marie Claire, New York, Rider, Bazaar, Elle, Family Circle, and Bon Apetit. I get a lot of free magazine subscriptions. I'm like a damned doctor's office.

5) Boz and his wife own a vineyard in Napa. Do you prefer white or red wine?

I used to think it was white, because I loved white Zin right away, but now I think I'm leaning more toward reds. And I don't know if means I don't have a very refined palate or whatever, but I do not like a Brut. It has to be on the sweeter side. I cannot handle dry wines. Meh.

6) In 1976, the year this song was popular, movie queen Elizabeth Taylor needed an escort to one of the nation's Bicentennial celebrations. Former Under Secretary of the Navy John Warner was asked to take her to the event, and within months he became her husband. Have you ever had a "blind date" that turned into a relationship?

I don't know if meeting online and living 9 hours apart by car counts, but if it does, then yes. With my husband. I don't think I've had any other real "blind date" experience that were relationship-worthy.

7) Also in 1976, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple in Jobs' parents' garage. Does your garage serve as your office, workshop or studio? Or is it just home to your car?

Well, at this house, we only have a tiny carport instead of a garage. And it's a super annoying one, because the opposite posts are not aligned. But I suppose it kept the snow off the car in the winter, so it's worth that?

8) The Bionic Woman premiered in 1976. Because of her "bionic parts," Jaime Sommers could run faster than most cars, had superhuman strength, and super-sensitive hearing. If you could have one of those qualities enhanced -- speed, strength or hearing -- which would you choose?

I would choose strength. I have never been very strong, physically. It's really annoying to ask my kids to open bottles and jars for me, for one thing! But of course, there are many other applications.

9) Random question: When you lean in for a kiss, do you tilt your head to the right or to the left?

I think I lean to the right. If I'm wrong, I'll have to update. I know you're waiting on pins and needles.

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I do feel more chipper now. Thanks, Sam! And thanks to you all for visiting.

Fin.

Posted at 19:06 in Funny $h!+, Health Woes, Memes & More, Saturday 9 | Permalink | Comments (5)

16 April 2018

Sunday Stealing: The #Movies

Hey, guys! Thanks for coming back week after week to see the weird sh** I've written this time, or thanks for popping in if this is your first time! ;) I'm late as usual on Sunday Stealing. This time, it's because I had to take my daughter Sophia (aka "Foofie") to her showjumping lesson in Eagle, about 45 minutes away:

Sophia on Sunny

So anyway, let me get started, eh?

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Have you ever had a movie both totally captivate and complete confuse you?

This happened to me the first time I watched Ocean's Eleven. I watched it at least three more times after that, which helped straighten things out for me. There is another, more recent, movie that I've watched that repeated this pattern, but I can't think of it now.
2. When watching a movie, do you prefer things all laid out or to have to 'hunt for your own clues' along the way?

Occasionally I don't mind a puzzle-piece, Easter egg type of hunt in a movie, but I generally don't prefer it.

3. Do you want an ultimate ending to your movie or do you prefer to have it open for conjecture and discussion.
I like both. Can I have it both ways? Or sometimes one way, sometimes the other? Tough, I'm taking it.
4. Do you talk during a movie (preferably one in your home, not in the theater)?

I try to avoid it, and it drives me apesh*t when other people do it incessantly. (Ahem, I'm looking at you, Chloë!) ;)

5. Have you ever seen a blockbuster movie and not get what was so great about it?

No. I don't think so, really. However, I will take this opportunity to rant one more time about this non-blockbuster (I think? I hope) franchise, the "Ernest Goes to ...XYZ." I saw the "Camp" one in North Carolina when I was about 12 or 13, with my sisters, and ugh. It was "Oh, my God" stupid. I'm sorry, but there are plenty of movies in the "stupid humor" category (Hi, Chris Farley! Hi, David Spade! Hi Adam Sandler!), and it's just not my genre. So I guess yes, after all, haha. All the "dumb movies" that appeal to the baser elements of society just do not interest me at all."

6. What book frightened you as a young person?

Stephen King's The Shining scared the crap out of me as a kid. I tried several times to read it, but I kept closing my eyes at the scary bits and really, that's counterproductive when reading.

7. If you had to become a ‘living book (i.e. able to recite the contents of a book cover to cover upon request – reference Fahrenheit 451), what book would it be?

Image result for Last Chance to See cover

I really had to think about this one, because there aren't many I could or would want to memorize at this current stage in my life, but then my mind landed on one: Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams (and Mark Carwardine). Love this book so much. I've read it half a dozen times. It's worth a gander.

8. What movie or TV show scared you as a kid?

Aside from all the Freddy Kreuger movies I was "forced" to see, that would be Children of the Corn. My unthinking father put it on, kind of as a babysitter, for both my sister and me verrrrry shortly after our mom died. I was seven years old. Poor choice, Dad. One of hundreds, though.

9. What movie (scary or otherwise) will you never ever watch?

I have never watched and never will watch Poltergeist. No, thanks.

10. Do you have any phobias?

I mean, sure, who doesn't? My phobias include touching mustard, hearing sandpaper, and rubbing fabric. Eek!

11. What's the happiest thing to ever happen to you?

This guy! Pretty fond of the doggos, too.

12. What's the saddest thing to ever happen to you?

When my mother died very suddenly and inexplicably at the age of 33 - when I was 7½ - I thought there wasn't a whole lot in the world that could make me any sadder than that. And not very much still can. But when our son Robby died after a 3-day struggle in the NICU - when I was 26 - I found I was wrong. It's just not the natural order of things. Parents are not supposed to outlive their children. Parents are not supposed to bury their babies. It's just wrong.

13. What's the thing that got you the most angry in your life?

Oh. This was when I was 17, and about to graduate high school and move to South Carolina to live with my dad for the summer before heading to college in Miami. My lovely (read: sarcasm) stepmother had informed me in about March or April that I needed to condense the entirety of my belongings to what I could fit into my rather small Ford Escort Wagon, because it would all go in there. So I spent the next several whiles selling off all of my (very nice) matching furniture, including my bed and headboard, my dresser, its mirror, my desk, and its bookcase. I also sold various knickknacks and thingamabobs - anything for which I could get money, to which I was still quite attached (some, anywho). Stepmother also hadn't allowed me to have my dad's phone number, and email wasn't really a thing then, so I had no contact whatsoever with my dad for months on end after he ahem abandoned me ahem in December of that school year...

So when Dad showed up with a big Uhaul truck to move me and all my belongings to South Carolina with him the day after graduation ceremony, I absolutely saw red. I was beyond furious with her. She pulled shit like that all the time, but I sold things that meant something to me, and she probably just sat in room and cackled over her evil plan. Bitch. I had so much adrenaline from that incident that I could lift up and move heavy things I otherwise could not have from the driveway into the garage, out of the rain that started, and then I powerwalked several miles away to the family for whom I babysat routinely, sobbing angrily the whole way. The only thing that calmed me was knowing I was about to be away from her and rid of her evil ways for good.

14. What's the most frightening thing to ever happen to you?

So I don't really want to talk about the actual thing(s), so I'll go with riding in the back of the Pirate Ship ride at Darien Lake Amusement Park or any given fair. I don't like to be scared on rides. I hate it. But my three older sisters often insisted I join them on rides (I put my foot down on roller coasters; not an easy thing at the time!), including the dang Pirate Ship. But not in the middle, oh noooo. Always at the back of either side so that the slope of our descent was the steepest. And scariest for chickeny-chicken me. Eckkkk. I hated it. Still kinda do!

15. What's the most unbelievable thing to happen to you in your life?

So many things! But I think the biggest shocker for me was when I spent a year kind of "auditioning" to work on my Ph.D. in Dr. Phil Motta's lab at the University of South Florida in Tampa, and then finally, I got a letter from Dr. Motta that I got in!! I got in! I literally gained 50 lbs and about 2-3 ulcers stressing over that the previous year, and then I was accepted. Oh, my gosh, I was in a campus computer lab when I found out, and I screeched and squealed right in the middle of the lab. And I didn't care at all, because WHOOOOO! I was so surprised, even though I'd worked my whole life up 'til then for that very moment. Excited was not the word!!

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Well that was fun. I think I started this about 4-5 hours ago, but I've been interrupted so many times in the process. Oops! Still Sunday here, though, so it counts. ;) Thanks for the fun post, Bev! ;)

Fin.

Posted at 00:56 in #BecauseScience, Book It, Cinema, Fun Times, Funny $h!+, Mama Mia, Memes & More, Saturday 9 | Permalink | Comments (0)

14 April 2018

Saturday 9: High Noon

Howdy! Welcome back, neighbors. ;) I'm so MAD at myself for getting hardly any blogging done when there has been plenty about which to blog, but... life and illness keep getting in the way. But not this time! I'm here to have fun and hope you'll stick around awhile...

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Saturday 9: High Noon (1952)

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

1) What will you be (or were you) doing at high noon on Saturday?

Well, there are choices! First, I haven't slept tonight, so I may actually be taking a snooze. Hoping that doesn't happen. Second, the weekly Farmer's Market meets downtown from 0900-1300, so I'm hoping to visit it for a little while to see who has what, even if I don't buy anything. There's a grilling event at Cabela's that we'll probably skip since Jack has to work at McDonald's tomorrow. And finally, the Boise HempFest is from 1000-2200 Saturday, and I'd love to check it out!

2) In this song, Tex Ritter sings he doesn't know what fate awaits him. How strong is your sense of intuition? Tell us about a time you knew what would happen before it occurred.

My sense of intuition is strong when I listen to it, and not my constant worries about everything. When I first met my husband online, quite by accident, I thought to myself, "I'm going to marry that man." And two months later, we did just that!

3) This song was the theme of a hit movie western by the same name. It starred Gary Cooper as a small-town sheriff. When did you last interact with a member of law enforcement?

Image result for slow down

Two months ago-ish. I have a lead foot when I'm driving. I had to go an hour away to another town for an oil change mystery shop. When I reached the town, I was still driving interstate speeds and not small town speed. Oops. An officer pulled me over and gently, politely asked me to please slow down in town, informing me of the speed limit and when and where it changed throughout my route. He was kind and not at all like all the rogue officers portrayed in the news lately. He then let me go. I thanked him and then sped off - just kidding!

4) Grace Kelly co-starred as the "fair-haired beauty" mentioned in this song. Four years later, she gave up films to become Her Serene Highness, Princess Grace of Monaco. Which job seems like more fun -- movie star or royal?

I think I'd enjoy the royal life more, maybe. It seems like there's an awful lot of protocol to learn! Maybe being an island princess would be right for me... Yeah, Princess Melania.

5) Though he cultivated a "just plain folk" persona, this week's featured artist, Tex Ritter, was really cosmopolitan and highly educated, earning a degree in economics from the University of Texas before going on to study pre-law at Northwestern. Do you think the "real you" is consistent with the image you convey?

I think I'm pretty honest about who I am. I'm an open book; I just can't hide the real me.

6) Tex Ritter was the father of Emmy-winning comedic actor, John Ritter. John is remembered fondly as the voice of Clifford, the Big Red Dog. Clifford appeals to children because he is "gentle, friendly, loyal, lovable and clumsy." Do any of those adjectives apply to you?

I would like to think they all do, but like all folks, I stumble sometimes and am not always all of those things. But those are definitely attributes I strive to portray.

7) Tex is also the grandfather of Jason Ritter, star of ABC-TV's Kevin (Probably) Saves the World. If you followed one of your grandparents into their line of work, what would you be doing?

Image result for tingue brown

I used to go to my grandpa's work with him, when he had to go in after hours for this or that, and admire all the giant factory equipment there. He was an industrial laundry facility installer. I didn't really understand it then, but now I know that he was so strong because of his job. That man was like steel! But sweet as they come.

8) In 1952, the year "High Noon" was popular, Stopette, the first antiperspirant deodorant spray, was introduced. Do you use a deodorant spray, stick or roll on?

Image result for Young Living Mountain Mint deodorant

I use Young Living Mountain Mint (stick) Deodorant, because it's aluminum-free and therefore less dangerous to me and mine. It's not perfect (ie, the stick part starts falling out towards the end of the stick, which is annoying), but it works and is safe, lol.

9) Random question: What's something you have always wanted to own, but never have?

Image result for liveaboard boats

Oh, it's still a pipe dream of ours to buy a boat and live aboard twelve months of the year. We're in our 40s now; it could still happen, right?

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It's 0747 now; I started about five or six hours ago and kept falling asleep and walking up to do bits of blog before falling asleep again. Weird night, but fun post. Thanks, Sam! And thank you to all of you who have stopped by!

Fin.

Posted at 10:00 in Come Sail Away, Fun Times, Funny $h!+, Memes & More, Saturday 9 | Permalink | Comments (6)

07 April 2018

Sunday Stealing: Curious As A Cat

I'm here this week! Woot! I had a 4-day migraine and didn't think I'd be back at all, but it finally broke this morning. Phew! On to business: Link up here if you'd like to play along with us this week!

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1) Do you think you’d be a good writer? What kind of writer would you like to be (fiction, children’s books, magazine, etc.)?

I plan to write novels and a few non-fiction books, but I can't seem to get over the hump of this chronic illness I've been lumped with in order to get much of it even started. Very frustrating to have it all going on in my head but not be able to put it down in writing. :\

2) I wish I had enough money to ________.

Image result for money for college meme

... help my college-bound kids go to the school of their choice(s) and then travel the world!

3) If you had to enter a competition for the "Most Uselessly Unique Talent," what would your talent be?

Uhhh, I guess that I can do this with my fingers, too? LOL

4) When it might hurt their feelings, how do you feel about telling your friends the truth?

I get really shy about things like that. It's hard for me...

5) Peanut or plain?

I like both. I also like the almond ones, the peanut butter ones, and pretty much all but the weird, new flavored ones. Coffee M&Ms? No thanks!

6) Is there someone you would like to take your place in life for one day? Who and why?

Maybe my dad, and anyone else who doesn't understand what it is that I go through on a daily basis just to do the bare minimum of functioning, let alone actually accomplish things like schooling the kids, etc. But especially my dad. Then he can f- off. ;)

7) What do you think is the ugliest thing or event on Earth?

This kind of hypocrisy

8) What is your least favorite of your personality traits or quirks?

I like to plan and carefully lay out what we/I am going to do and when, how, etc. But then, sometimes I have this spontaneous, impulsive need to go 180º off-plan. Sometimes it has worked out really well; often, it has not.

9) I wish I could see ________ because _________.

My mother, because she was the most important person in my life for the 7½ years I was able to know her, and she has remained so since. And because I would love to just sit and relate to her, adult to adult, woman to woman, and see how she would be with my kids, my family... This Monday will mark 34 years since she left this Earth.

10) Tell us your favorite children's story.

I have this weird obsession with Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by Rudyard Kipling, ever since it was read to us in the library when I was 8 years old or so.

11) What do you keep in the trunk of your car?

We have a minivan, so not a true "trunk," per se... but in the back we keep car stuff and... my hated wheelchair. I don't use it as much as I probably should, because I hate having to use it and not being able to walk. It's a thorn in my side.

12) Describe your perfect, rainy afternoon.

Rainy days are made for napping - and looking for rainbows near the end; this is key. I was born for finding rainbows! If I'm up to it, I'll be cooking an Instagram-worthy meal (yeah, I'm into that, so?). Reading a book. That's about it.

13) Tell us about your favorite way to get lost in a simple activity — running, chopping vegetables, folding laundry, whatever. What’s it like when you’re in "the zone"?

I try to stay out of "the zone" these days, because I get in that trance state, which leads to me falling asleep very quickly. If I'm not completely alert, I could put myself and maybe others in some danger. Seriously, the thought of being "in the zone" while chopping vegetables scares the shit out of me right now. My poor fingers!

14) What parts of nature do you like best?

All of nature is stunningly beautiful to me. All of it. I think right now I'm digging on waterfalls, though. We'll have to find the closest doable hike for one near Boise soon!

15) What's the kindest act you have ever seen done (either to/by you or another)?

Practicing Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty = something I have made a priority ever since this mind-state became known to me in grade school. I don't like to call attention to those I have done, so I will mention one done to me. When we lived in Miami, and we were in the poorest state we've ever found ourselves, right after Rob retired from the Navy and then his brain tumor issues started. Neither of us had jobs, and his disability stuff hadn't kicked in; his retirement pension paid our rent and not much more, so thankfully at least we weren't homeless! Anyway, I'd taken enough money (so I thought) to walk to the store for some groceries for the next few days, and I had both of my daughters with me. Naturally, I had coupons for everything I possibly could, 'cause that's how I roll. I get to the checkout, everything is rung up, and the coupons are taken off, but I ended up several dollars short. I was trying to count out a bunch of change to see what I could cover. The very patient, older lady behind me took out her wallet and said to both the cashier and me, "Hey, I've been in this situation before. Don't worry; I'll cover it. Just pay it forward." She paid for the whole thing. I cried all the way home out of gratitude. And fortunately, I can say I have been able to pay it forward and forward and forward. ♥

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Thanks for stopping by!

Fin.

Posted at 20:37 in #BecauseScience, Attitude of Gratitude, Bereavement, Bienvenidos a Miami, Book It, Foodie Delights, Health Woes, Mama Mia, Memes & More, Raging Environmentalism, Sunday Stealing, Team Odette, There's a Rumor it's a Tumor, Traveling Broad, US Navy | Permalink | Comments (10)

Saturday 9: Nights On Broadway

Hi everyone! Welcome back. I'm in the midst of a few different projects right now, so I'm going to get right to the point: Link up here if you want to play along today!

Saturday 9: Nights on Broadway (1975)

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

1) It's estimated that there are more than 200 separate streets called "Broadway" in the United States. Does your town have a Broadway?

Jack looking surly for the camera right before his job interview, because he is not a fan of my pointing the camera lens in his direction!

Actually yes, and it's just a few minutes from home. And speaking of our Broadway Ave, my newly-minted 15-year-old son Jack just got a job at the McDonald's on that street today! I'm so stoked for him, because he's "special needs" in more than one way and has lots going on medically, so this was really an important step for him. I couldn't be more proud of him!

2) Think of the last time you celebrated well into the night. What street were you on?

I think the last time I can really say that was New Year's Eve 2015, on South Beach's Ocean Drive. So much fun that night; very memorable!

3) The Bee Gees blame it all on those songs that go straight to the heart. What love song always makes you go, "aw ...?"

Right now I think it would be "Someone Like You" by the very talented Adele.

4) Even though their sound depended on tight harmonies, all three Bee Gees were heavy smokers, which is not good for the throat. What habit do you have that wish you could break?

Image result for nocturnal human funny

It's been a problem for the entirety for my 41.5 years, so I don't imagine things will ever change at this point, but I would love to become a diurnal person instead of being a clear-cut nocturnal human. It's annoying, especially when I desperately need to make phone calls to 9-to-5ers!

5) In addition to the three Gibbs who sang this song, there was a fourth brother, Andy, who also had hit records. But did you know the Gibbs' had a sister, Lesley? Your turn: share some trivia that's rattling around in your head.

We have been feeding our chickens - including six hens and our singular rooster, Tater Tot, oyster shells for extra calcium for nice and strong, hard eggshells. We had heard through the rumour mill that feeding them their own eggshells for calcium supplementation could lead to them attacking their own whole, freshly laid eggs. Apparently, that's an old wives' tale, and it's more than fine to feed them their dried, broken up eggshells for this purpose. Additionally, they should be fed these in a separate bowl from their regular feed, so they can choose what to eat. I read that not only is it harmful for the roosters and young poults to have too much calcium if it's mixed in their feed, but it can lead to kidney problems. And egg-laying slows in the winter not because of the cold vs. laying returning in the spring due to warmth, but rather the length and number of daylight hours. I'm learning so much about chickens lately!

6) "Nights on Broadway" was recorded in Miami. When you think of Florida, what comes to mind?

I guess the first thing that comes to mind are all those quick trips into the Keys we made all the time. We were in the Keys more than we were home, seems like. I loved going to the beach whenever we wanted!

7) In 1975, when this song was popular, Sony introduced the Betamax and JVC gave us the VCR. Sam admits she was glad to see VCRs go because she never could program hers. What about you? Do you adapt easily to new technology?

Image result for adults and technology meme

I adapt fairly easily compared to many adults, but I do admit that our TV setup confounds me. When one of the kids changes the setup to play on the XBox One S and forgets to switch it back to normal TV mode, I have to call them in for help! It's so aggravating. At the same time, I figure out computer stuff much more quickly than they do at this point.

8) The Bee Gees' greatest success came two years later, in 1977, with the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever. Have you ever seen the John Travolta movie?

Image result for Saturday Night Fever vs Grease

I've seen it once, but I have to admit, I like Grease far better!

9) Random question -- Your mail carrier is very attractive, and flirts with you each day when dropping off the mail. Would you a) ignore it or b) let the carrier know, firmly but politely, that you're not interested or c) complain to your local post office or d) subscribe to more magazines and order more stuff to guarantee that the mail carrier comes every day?

Image result for hot UPS guy

I mean, if I wasn't married, that would definitely be choice (d)! ;) But I am, so it would have to be (a) or (b). Probably not (c) unless it persisted.

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So that's it for this week! I have a lot of posts to catch up on, so hopefully that'll happen this week! Stay tuned...

Fin.