MelaniePenelope

Sunday Stealing:

Hey, y'all! Welcome aboard. Grab a seat, put on your reading glasses if you need 'em (because I'm verbose), and enjoy the show.

Be sure to link up here if you want to join us or check out the other players!

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Your favorite songs:

 

Oh, gosh. Let's see. I like an eclectic set of music, such as:

"Trees" by Marty Casey & the Lovehammers;

"The Distance" by Cake;

 

... and ...

 

 

"Uninvited" by Alanis Morissette

 

Your favorite bands:

 

Again, a variety, such as:

 

 

The Killers;

 

 

Queen;

 

... and ...

 

 

The Decemberists;

 Your favorite actors or actresses:

 

 

One of many, Natalie Portman;

 

 

Johnny Galecki; and,

 

 

Parker Posey

 

Your favorite books:

 

 

I ♥ Anne of Green Gables (the whole series) by Lucy M. Montgomery;

 

 

I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb; and,

 

 

Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams

 

Books you dislike:

 

 

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (ugh!!) and...

 

 

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (ughhh!!!)

 

Your favorite foods/drinks:

 

 

Diet Coke (duh, y'all know);

 

hummus with pine nuts (mmm-mmm-mmmmmmm...); and,

 

 

avocado cheese toast. I've not had it like this, caprese-style, but I'm looking forward to it!

Your favorite animal:

 

 

African Elephants

Your favorite scents:

 

I adore anything citrus...

 

 

... and I'm generally happy with anything apple-scented.

 

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Well, I left off there, because I fell asleep. Sorry, Bev... I guess this wasn't one of my favorites. Maybe kind of repetitive? I don't know. Thanks for giving us this on Sundays.

 

Happy week to you all!

 

Fin.

Saturday 9: Every Time You Go Away

Hey there, hi there, ho there! I'm comin' at ya from the bustling (heh) town of Pocatello, Idaho, where I'm staying in a Travelodge with my youngest child, 14-year-old Sophia. There's some kind of mariachi swing band playing loudly from the saloon at the other end of this corridor, and it's severely distracting. So if I bust into Spanish halfway through this post, you'll know why.

Link up here if you'd like to play along with us this weekend!

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Saturday 9: Every Time You Go Away (1985)

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

1) This song is about separation. Who is the last person you said goodbye (or maybe just "so long") to?

Well, that would be Sophia, I guess. I tried doing this meme from the hotel room, on my phone, and that was an exercise in frustration. We've got to get up around 5 AM - which means, really, for me that I'm not going to bed at all - so I said good-bye and goodnight. Hopefully she'll get some rest.

2) This week's featured artist, Paul Young, was a gifted athlete during his school days and briefly played professional football (aka soccer). Sam enjoys playing tennis, though her serve doesn't give Serena Williams anything to worry about. What's something you enjoy doing, even if you don't excel?

I love playing badminton, but I haven't done it in ages upon ages!

3) Mr. Young and his wife Stacy were married for 31 years, until her death in 2018. What do you think is the key to a happy marriage?

Good communication!

4) Paul Young's performance of this hit song was one of the highlights of the July 1985 Live Aid Concert. This international benefit raised more than $100 million to alleviate hunger in Ethiopia. Tell us about a charity you support.

Have y'all heard of Global Citizen? You should join! It's totally FREE. For the cost of your time and maybe some clicks, you can support causes like: Female Empowerment, Global Health Initiatives, Environmental Conservation, Fighting World Poverty, World Hunger, the Clean Water problem, and so much more. Just sign up here, and you'll be on your way! You even earn points for completing these actions, and you can use those points for things like entering concerts. I've won two pairs of tickets to two concerts before! The last one was Metallica in November in Boise, and I sent Hubs and our son Jack. Very cool program.

5) This song was written by Daryl Hall, of Hall and Oates. What's your favorite Hall and Oates song?

Maneater!

6) In 1985, when this song was popular, the New Coke was unsuccessfully introduced. What's the last beverage you drank?

I'm drinking the Kroger/Fred Meyer version of a Diet Coke right now. I think Hubs packed, like, three dozen cans in the cooler for this trip, and I'll probably still run out. :/

7) In 1985, the New York Stock Exchange had to close because of Hurricane Gloria. Has a hurricane shared your name? (Find a list of recent/upcoming storm names here.)

Melanie? Not to my knowledge... although I've lived through my fair share of storms. To wit, here are some: Blizzard of '93 (Syracuse, NY); Tropical Storm Gordon (in Miami); Hurricane... George or Henry or something, or both (St. Petersburg, FL), Supertyphoon Pongsona (on Guam); Hurricanes Isabel, Sandy, & Irene (all in Virginia Beach)... and much more big weather when we lived back in Miami again. We may have looooong winters here in Idaho, but they are pretty mild, speaking solely of precipitation.

8) 1985 was the year that the Titanic wreckage was discovered. There have been at least 11 movies and TV shows about the fatal voyage. Have you seen any of them?

Yes, the Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet version of Titanic came out the Fall after I graduated college. I finally saw it when my excellent friend Shana came down to Miami from New York to visit me over winter break, and we took my roommate Jasper with us to go see it in Coconut Grove's CocoWalk. (Y'all from Miami know the place.) Great movie. I've seen it several more times since then.

9) Random question: Would you rather own and run a coffee shop or a shoe store? Why?

I'd rather run the coffee shop. I wouldn't want to be touching peoples' gnarly, stinky feet all day!! Eww.

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Welp. Better go check up on Sophie to make sure she got some sleep - and maybe try, myself!

Fin.

Scenes From Easter Sunday

🥚 Happy Easter 2019! 🥚

This year, our egg situation was a process. I got about 5 dozen eggs, many of which were eaten ahead of time, so things got mathy. By the time the Paas kits I ordered were delivered, it was Saturday night. We all got involved: I did all the planning. Rob did all the hard-boiling (all but the nine pink eggs on top). And the kids did the timing and the dyeing, according to my oft-yelled instructions. 😏 And then Chloë arranged the eggs. I think they look loverly!

After church, and some rest, and some food... we eventually got around to doing the Easter baskets. Lately, now that the kids are pretty grown up, Chloë has been helping me assemble them. And I've been making one for Rob, albeit a much smaller one. P.S. I had him lose the tie, unbutton a shirt button, and roll up his sleeves. I think he looks much better like that! 😍

Regardless, these goofballs dug into their bowls - er, baskets - with vigor. I made a list of things I might include and had each kid check off (in different color ink, natch) what interested them. I got most of it!

Chloë: 

• A small piece of jewelry
• swim goggles
• lip balms
• nail polish
• candy, of course
• lots and lots of kid-friendly coupons redeemable by Mom & Dad
• hair accessories
• socks

Etc. Sophia chose a similar list, except no jewelry but add a PopSocket. No nail polish, but she got a Koosh. Similarly for Jack, except obviously no jewelry or nail polish, and neither did he want a PopSocket nor Koosh. He did get sunglasses, a Yo-yo (oh, as did Soph), and plain black socks instead of rainbow ones like the girls'!

I printed dozens and dozens of coupons I selected - and accidentally printed in triplicate. Eventually, all three kids had to get involved in the cutting thereof! Took forever.

As Rob munched on Peanut M&Ms, Paco snuggled in tightly behind him, as a Chihuahua is wont to do...

Soon, he was fast asleep. ♥

Sophia was pretty goofy today, quite "on." I had an awful lot more photos of her at the end of this session, since Chloë took to opening her goodies behind her bowl, and Jack generally shuns the camera anyway.

All three kiddos received a couple of KinderEggs each; here are a few of the toys from them. Sophia got an ostrich in hers, which was adorable, but I had put the camera away by then.

Apropos of nothing, Sophia is always tossing her hair around. When we're listening to the radio in the car and a jammin' song comes on, she gets all punk rock with it. I love that.

Rob cracked me up: He was opening egg after egg, dumping the confectionary contents into his mouth before moving on to the next. Like a four-year-old. I loved it.

These are not the lip balms Sophia really wanted, but I couldn't find them where I was shopping. So she'll get these for now and those will just pop into her life at some mysterious, magical point in time.

Oh, by the way: We get dozens of beautiful tulips in our yard - and all around Boise - this time of year. It's my favorite time. This year, I couldn't resist asking Sophie to make me a small bouquet of some of the blooms to bring some of the beauty inside.

Sophie showing off some of the goods in her basket o' joy.

Back to those tulips: Look how much they've enjoyed being in here! They've really just shown off their stellar color and silky petals this year!

I'll leave you with this imagery of Sophie devouring a chocolate tulip. And no, they were not solid. Bah!

Happy Easter, everyone. I hope you were able to enjoy the weekend, whatever it is you chose to do.

Fin.

Sunday Stealing: Ask Anything

Howdy! Welcome, welcome. I'm watching the weather news right now, and it's frightening. Time for a little levity: Sunday Stealing! Link up here if you'd like to play along with Bev and the rest of us this holiday weekend!

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What Did You Have For Lunch?

Fruit Punch-flavored G2 Gatorade... laced with Miralax 😉

☼

Do You Dance In The Car?

Hell yeah... and it goes a lot like that, Jackie Chan and all.

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Favourite Animal?

Always a tough one for me as I like all - no, most - animals. I'm partial to sharks (particularly mako) and elephants (particularly African).

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Do You Watch The Olympics?

Ohh yessssss!

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What Time Do You Usually Go To Bed?

What's this bed you speak of?

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Are You Wearing Makeup Right Now?

Only if you count what's leftover from yesterday... 

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Do You Prefer To Swim In A Pool Or The Ocean?

Definitely the ocean... I want to go to there!

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What Was The Last Thing You Ate?

Well, there is no GIF for chewable vitamins... ;)

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Bottled Water Or Tap Water?

I don't even like the idea of bottled water... I'll drink tap if I have to, but I usually need to put some lemon or something in it to keep it down.

☼

What Makes You Happy?

Seeing my family happy makes me happy.

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Did You Like Swinging As A Child? Do You Still Get Excited When You See A Swing Set?

Heck yes - to both! If I'm at a park, and there are swings available, I'm getting on one.

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Do You Work Better With Or Without Music?

Definitely WITH

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Do You Make Your Bed In The Morning?

Rarely anymore. We have a low low low platform bed, and my body just hates it down there!

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Do You Like Your Music Loud?

Usually, yes!

☼

Do You Fear Thunder & Lightning?

Nah, not as an adult. I enjoy it.

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Oh! I thought I had lots more to go, but I copied/pasted the quiz twice. Silly.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a happy holiday if you're celebrating!

Fin.

Saturday 9: Mighty Clouds of Joy

Welcome, welcome. Grab a cup of tea or whatever is your pleasure, and have a seat. I'm a verbose one; I don't know the meaning of 'succinct,' other than to know I am not it!

Make sure you link up here if you want to join in the S9 fun this weekend!

Grab your seatbelts; here we goooooo!

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Saturday 9: Mighty Clouds of Joy (1974)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
(for the record, I myself am unfamiliar, but I usually am with the songs chosen.)

1) This song celebrates serenity. Are you feeling peaceful this morning?

No. (It's 8:44 PM on Friday night here, btw.) I'm feeling heartbroken at present.

2) The lyrics include allusions to sun and clouds. How does the world look where you are? Is it sunny or cloudy?

It was 81ºF out during the day, albeit quite a cloudy one. It was sweltering in our house, which still gets cold at night. I had my daughter check the thermostat: it was reading 78ºF in here!

3) This week's featured artist, BJ Thomas, is in the Grammy Hall of Fame for another hit record that uses weather as a metaphor, "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head." Make up a Hall of Fame that you believe you should be inducted into. (For example, Crazy Sam has inducted herself into The Meme Mistress Hall of Fame for her service to Saturday 9.)

In recognition of "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head," which was the song my childhood jewelry box played, similar to the one above, given to me as a very young Melanie by my sweet mother; which I played repeatedly throughout my childhood; which I played over and over and over again the days after she died on April 9, 1984; which I gave to one of my daughters several years back; which said daughter quickly destroyed shortly afterward... LOL! #Classic ...I would like to create a Mother Hall of Fame and suggest my mama as the first inductee. ♥

4) When Crazy Sam hears this song, she always sings along ... loud. Is there a song you simply cannot resist singing along with?

Just Kidding!!!

I know almost every word to Salt 'n Pepa's "None of Your Business!" LOL. ahhh... #CollegeDaze

5) BJ Thomas has performed this song at The Grand Ole Opry. The Opry has been broadcast on the radio every week since 1925, nearly 95 years ago! Of course, back in the 1920s, radio was the only broadcast media. Today we have other choices. Is listening to the radio part of your daily routine? 

 Usually in the car only - but I've gotta have noise, so if the tv is down and no one is home, I crank up the tunes on my computer speakers, y'all. ;) Yesterday (Thursday, that is) was the first warm enough day to drive around town in the car with the radio up, the windows down, our hair blowing all around, and Sophia and I singing along at the top of our lungs. That's, like, one of my favorite things on the planet to do. I swear.

6) Though their dress code is lenient, country music fans who attend the Opry for a live show are warned: "Just remember, there's one rule we take very seriously here at the Grand Ole Opry -- you must wear something." Easter Sunday is a day many of us dress up. What will you be wearing today?

Today, or Sunday...?

I'll just say what I'm wearing now, at 1:37 AM on Saturday now (I took a break to do some errand-running): besides skivvies, I've got on black capris, a pale pink tank top, and a red and black shawl.

7) Easter is recognized as the start of the Spring season. What are you looking forward to this spring?

I know it's late in the season, but technically it will still be Spring: We're closing on this gorgeous house on June 3rd! (The other one failed inspection, in case I didn't mention it here already.)

8) Lilies are popular at Easter. Do you have a favorite flower?

Well, my absolute favorites are the tiger lilies, but I love it when our tulip bloom in the yard!

9) Which would rather find in your Easter basket: yellow marshmallow chicks (aka Peeps) or a plastic egg filled with pennies?

Ewwww, not Peeps! I have never liked those. Since I budget our income down to the penny, I'd rather have the latter!

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Another fun one, Sam! Thanks for that. Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

 

Fin.

Sunday Stealing: Fill In The Blanks

Hey guys! I almost forgot about Sunday Stealing. Sophie's birthday yesterday messed me up! Whoops. Link up here if you'd like to play along. So here we go:

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It's always nice when I have enough money to pay ALL the bills!

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Oh, that husband of mine. He's soooo naughty, and I cannot tell you why this time!

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It's a sure sign of either a full or new moon when my Lyme Disease kicks into high gear and knocks me flat on my back.

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Are we having pizza again??! (This is what I hear from my kids sometimes. Who gets sick of pizza?! I'm from New York. There is no getting sick of pizza.)

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My heart is full when my family is happy.

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Do you believe in ghosts? I don't think I do!

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I'm a storyteller.

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I was pregnant forever. And ever.

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 I hate it when the moon is full.

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When we got married, I knew he was God's gift to me.

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Carvel ice cream cake is the best!

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Underneath it all I think there is plenty of good left in the world.

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Oh! And thanks for coming to visit me even though I suck and planning my time well enough to return the favor. I love you guys.

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And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to gathering my coupons to shop for dealz [lol], tomorrow my plans include um, finishing up our taxes in the nick of time [oops] and Sunday, I want to welp, today is Sunday, but next Sunday is Easter, and there will be church, and eggs, and baskets o' fun!

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That was fun. Sorry no pictures. I hadda get it done in time! 😉

Fin. 

Saturday 9: April Love

Hey, guys! Glad you're back, and thank you to Crazy Sam for bringing us another great set of nine! Link up here if you'd like to join us today.

🎂 Today, I'm feeling jolly, because it's the day my youngest was born 14 years ago! Happy 14^th birthday, Sophia Lorelei! 🎂

Here we go!

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April Love (1957). Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here. 

1) In this song, Pat Boone sings that April love is a wonder reserved for the very young. Do you think the sensation of falling in love changes as we grow older?

 

 

Yes, definitely. I think as you grow and mature, maybe you still feel the little flutters and heart flip-flops if you're single, but it's probably more tempered the knowledge that, maybe now, you realize you don't have all the time in the world to make snap decisions. But when you're in a long-term relationship, and it matures with you, then sometimes you fall in and out of love with that person. You never stop the loving, maybe, but being in love changes each time. For me, every time I fall back into love with my husband of 18+ years, it's even more special. I feel lucky, and blessed, that this still happens. ♥

2) "April Love" reached #1 on the charts. Between this song and "Love Letters in the Sand," Pat Boone had a career year. Only one artist sold more records in 1957: Elvis Presley. When you think of Elvis, what's the first song that comes to mind?

 

 

Probably the first song I realized was Elvis: "Hound Dog." Followed by "Jailhouse Rock."
  
3) Pat was extremely busy in high school. He wrote for the school paper, ran track, and acted in school plays. Share a memory of your extracurricular activities during high school.

 

Most of time was filled with academia, but I did sing in the choir from 6-12^th grades. I was in a lot of concerts, and I miss it.

 

4) It was his track coach who introduced Pat to the new girl in school, Shirley Foley. Three years later Pat and Shirley married, and remained man and wife for 65 years, until her death earlier this year. Who is the longest married couple you know?

 

Living? I think that would be Hubs' dad and stepmom, who is battling breast cancer. 🙏

 

5) Pat has lived in the same house for more than 60 years. He once received an offer to sell it for $18,000,000 but turned it down because it's the Boone family home and he simply doesn't want to leave. Do you plan on moving in the foreseeable future?

 

Yup! If all goes well, we are closing on this beautiful house on June 3^rd. I'm so excited!!

6) Pat has a warm friendship with his neighbors, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne. Pat has mentioned in interviews that he has enjoyed bike rides around Beverly Hills with Sharon. Tell us about one of your neighbors.

 

Okay, that cracks me up for some reason. I love it!

 

 

That ^^^ isn't her, but let me tell you about our neighbor Gladys, who is never without a muumuu. She's the neighborhood watch leader. And she's as kind as can be. She's helped us out multiple times with rides to and from work for the kiddos. When Rob was recovering from his prostate cancer & surgeries, she rushed out and got his meds for him when I could not leave him. I love her. I will miss her when we move and asked Rob today, "Can we bring Gladys with us?"

7) Mr. Boone was very critical of Barack Obama, enthusiastically supports Donald Trump, and has appeared on Fox News to express his views. How do you feel about celebrities talking politics?

Well, first of all, it makes no difference to me if they are celebrities. Public status or not, every American has the right to express him or herself. I don't have to agree with it. And in this case, not only do I not agree with it, I can't respect anyone who thinks Trump makes a great president. #SorryNotSorry - he needs to GO.

 

8) In 1957, the year this song was popular, Dr. Ian Donald pioneered the use of ultrasound technology. Today ultrasounds are commonly used by doctors in diagnosing conditions affecting the eyes, blood vessels, kidneys, gall bladder and more. Have you ever had an ultrasound?

 

 

(Here I am, 8 months pregnant with Sophia.) Yes, too many to count, with three high-risk pregnancies under my belt. I had a lot of complications with all four babies. I also carry the breast cancer gene (from my maternal grandmother) and have had several breast ultrasounds. And, since they are related and I've had numerous ovarian cysts painfully rupture, and a mass on my left (only remaining) ovary, there, too. Ugh, I won't go on.

9) Random question: You're sitting alone in a restaurant, waiting for a friend. The waiter brings you a drink and the compliments of a member of the opposite sex seated at the bar. What's your reaction? Are you flattered, shocked, embarrassed, intrigued or annoyed?

 

 

Who wouldn't be flattered? Of course, I would be. One time, two of my girls and I drove down to Key West from Miami. I was still in college, so I wasn't even legal yet - but nobody there seemed to care because I got wasted. Anyway, there we were in either Margaritavilla or Sloppy Joe's, I forget which, when someone sent over three shots of tequila. Oh, it must have been the latter, because I'd eaten a giant Caesar salad in Margaritaville. I remember that specifically, because as soon as I'd shot back my tequila (first ever), I had to bolt for the bathroom, where I got rid of that salad in a very violent manner. And then we went across the street, where I danced like I was loca and drank the pint of Guiness someone handed me (my first and last).

 

Those were the days.

 

~*~*~*~*~

That was a fun walk down memory lane! Thanks, Sam!

 

Fin.

Sunday Stealing: For The Love Of Surveys

Welcome back, my pretty babies! It's still Saturday night here, which means that, at least, I'm starting both Saturday 9 and SS on time. In this time of major health issues for me, that is nothing short of a miracle. But hold your applause until the end of this post - you may change your mind! 😉

So let's get down to business; here is the link if you'd like to join us this weekend!

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If you could build a second house anywhere, where would it be?

If I were being selfish and only thinking of myself, that house would be built in or near Key West. I miss the culture of the keys and particularly downtown Key West. The random chickens everywhere is quintessentially representative of every trip (of many) I've taken down there. I don't think that place could be duplicated anywhere else. But...

... if I were thinking of my husband, we'd build a nice lodge in the mountains somewhere, and live off the grid.

What are your favorite articles of clothing?

I don't have a lot right now that I would consider a favorite of mine, but these "onesie" jammies of Sophie's, which we gave her this past Christmas, are so adorable on her. She's such a goof, too, and wears them out in public occasionally!

The last CD you bought or downloaded?

I'm not sure which was the last one: The Have It All album by Jason Mraz, or a re-purchase of The Lady Killer by CeeLo Green. {We should totally do one or both of those on Sat9 sometime, Laurie!}

4. What time do you generally wake up in the morning?

I'm nocturnal, so if I wake up when it's still morning, I consider it put-in-on-the-calendar worthy.

5. What is your favorite kitchen appliance?

That would be my Candy Apple Red KitchenAid Artisan Design Series 5-quart Stand Mixer. She's a beauty! ♥ Hubs gave it to me one year for Valentine's Day, back we still lived in Virginia Beach. And we don't even normally do Valentine's gifts!

6. If you could play an instrument, what would it be?

In about 1997, I think, I went back to New York to visit friends. One night while there, I watched one of my very best friends, Shana, play electric violin and viola in a gig she and her cover band-mates were playing. She had the electric violin solo in "Ants Marching" by Dave Matthews Band. And she was badass! I've always admired her tremendous musical skill, but that night really made an impression on me. I'd love to learn.

7. What is your favorite color?

Right where that arrow's point is situated is my favorite color. I describe it fondly as "the middle depths of the sea."

8. Do you believe in the afterlife?

I have to believe that I will see my mother and my son, both gone far too suddenly and far too soon, again.

9. Your favorite children’s book?

I loved the Nancy Drew books as well, but I think it would have to be Anne of Green Gables and the following books in the series that I loved the most. Maybe I'll read them again sometime soon. Sooo many good quotes from them, but I had to pick this one because I'd like to believe there are many - maybe? - among you guys whom I could consider kindred spirits.

10. Can you juggle?

Definitely not. My brother-in-law can; I've seen him pull out the trick a time or two for the kiddos.

11. What’s your favorite day of the week?

When my husband was still in the Navy, I would say it was any day of the week that he was home. Now that he's out and medical problems abound, I could probably safely say it's any day I'm not in a doctor's office!

12. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger?

I haven't had a hamburger since high school, thank ya very much! And while I am proud of that facth+++, I have to admit defeat in Round Two of my attempt to be - and remain - a vegan. Seems like after being a strict vegan for two months, my body just overcorrected, and I turned into a voracious [pescetarian] carnivore. Hopefully that'll balance back out soon, because the treehugger in me is laying down a huge guilt trip.

13. What is your favorite flower?

Historically, it has always been the gorgeous tiger lily, the abundance of pulchritude of which I always admired as a kid growing up in Central New York. But now I think that I have bumped it to the Number Two slot for these guys:

There are several hundred species of hibiscus, and I'm pretty sure I love them in all their ostentatious-bordering-on-meretricious glory.

14. What is your favorite meal?

First, a little story: after Rob and I eloped, I got pregnant like a minute later. I tried to work, but I had hyperemesis gravidarum and could not. At the same time, I devoted myself to being the best wife and mommy I could be. I started cooking meals I would never eat (#BecauseBeef), and I became a dedicated fan of Martha Stewart's show. We still cook several recipes I loved from that show; Hubs has the Thanksgiving turkey and gravy recipe memorized by now. Anyway, one day, renowned Chef Nobu was on the show, and he taught Martha how to make his new-style salmon sashimi. I made it only a few times, when now-17-year-old Chloë was just a wee baby. I haven't made it since those days; don't really know why. Obviously it left an impression on me, so I think maybe soon it's gonna happen.

15. Describe your ideal weather?

It would be quite warm and sunny but not blistering hot, with a light breeze. And of course, it almost goes without saying, I'd be on the beach.

16. What is your favorite ice cream?

No can do on the ice cream anymore. I'll just have cannoli. For me, please make it that the cannoli Hubs and I ate in Sicily that time, at the top of Mount Etna, with the chopped pistachios... so much yum.

17. What is your favorite breakfast?

Hmm, I don't think I've ever thought about that before. It would probably have to be a giant blueberry muffin, cut in half, with a schmear of good butter, like Président or Kerrygold... I think we have some fresh blueberries. Guess what I'm gonna make?

18. Where did you meet your spouse or significant other?

We met on the Interwebs and eloped exactly two months later.

Bonus: something you’d like to do that you’ve never done before?

I'd love to go waterskiing. Hey, if this six-month-old baby can do it...!

~*~*~*~*~

That was fun, Bev - thank you!

And now, I have some muffins to make. Ciao!

Fin.

Saturday 9: If I Could Turn Back Time

Hi everyone, and welcome! Yay, a song and an artist I actually know! (Often I don't, but Sam's questions are always thought-provoking for me, which is why I love to join regardless. Thanks, Sam!) Link up here if you want to play along with the rest of us this week!

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Saturday 9: If I Could Turn Back Time (1989)
 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) The official video for this song was filmed on board the battleship USS Missouri. When is the last time you were on a boat or ship?

Oh, gosh, it's been a while. Far too long for this sea-going girl; I'm turning into quite the landlubber! It would have to be February 2015, when I was on assignment at the Miami International Boat Show. Lots of nice boats there! We wouldn't mind owning one... 

2) This song was written by Diane Warren. Ms. Warren has written love songs recorded by Celine Dion, Toni Braxton, LeAnn Rimes and more, yet she's never married and has really only had one serious romantic relationship. She acknowledges this makes her an unusual spokeswoman for the glory and pain of love. When you have a relationship problem, who do you go to for advice?

I'm going through a lot in my psyche right now, so generally I turn to my outstanding therapist.

3) In this song, Cher wishes she could turn back time and have a different conversation with a former lover, changing what she said to him. Here at Saturday 9, we're not so ambitious with our time travel. We're only going back to yesterday. Is there anything you'd do differently?

Not really. We were quintuply-booked yesterday and even with only one car and two drivers, we managed to get it all done! The one thing I'd change is that I'd insist more strongly that our two fish, Poppy and Sage, get their tanks clean. That will happen today, dadgummit.

4) In 1966, Cher and her then-husband Sonny sang at a private birthday party for Jacqueline Kennedy. At first, Cher didn't want to do it, thinking that performing to a small gathering would be awkward. But it turned out to be a wonderful opportunity for her. That night, she met Diana Vreeland, the editor of Vogue. Vreeland liked Cher's look so much she set up a photo shoot. Cher, who always loved experimenting with hair and makeup, enjoyed the shoot immensely. Tell us about a social gathering where you had an unexpectedly good time.

I was really nervous to go to my last high school reunion. Drinking more than I probably should have helped, but everyone was so nice, and generally we treated each other as adults, not sophomorically. It was great!

5) At that same party, Cher said she was surprised by how big Jackie's hands were. Do you like your hands?

Sure, they're all right. (I'm modeling that navy blue druzy ring from Rocksbox in that recent photo.) I have the smallest hands in my house! And I tie 17-year-old Chloë for the smallest feet in the house. I wish I could say that about the rest of me! But alas...

6) One night, before a performance in Detroit, Cher saw a little furry something under one of her tour buses. It was a kitten that that she named Mr. Big, hoping he would grow into the name. He did, and the tomcat was her constant companion for four years until he died of a congenital heart ailment. She has said that she will "never not miss him." Is there a furry companion who has a special place in your memories? 

Oh gosh, yes, definitely. Countless furry babies have come in and out of my life, and I miss them all. This one is Tinkerbell, our mama kitty who got out of the house before her spay appointment and ended up needing my help as her kitty-doula (!!) to birth her kittens. We nicknamed them the Seven Dwarves. Tinkerbell was the best, sweetest cat, and I miss her every day. After Rob retired from the Navy and we moved to Miami, we both had trouble finding work, and then almost immediately had that brain tumor drama start. This took two years out of our lives and he's still not recovered; meanwhile, we lost our Virginia Beach house to foreclosure, and several cars were repossessed. It was a tough time in our lives, but the most heartbreaking was having to rehome Tinky-winks and a couple other kitties we had. We just had too many mouths to feed and not enough money to do it at that time, and it was an awful decision that I wish I could change every single day.

7) Cher recently appeared in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. It's the second movie based on the music of ABBA. What's your favorite ABBA song?

It's cliché, but it's gotta be "Dancing Queen."

8) In 1989 - the year this song was popular - Mattel released a series of special "Scarlett O'Hara" Barbie dolls to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of Gone with the Wind. Did you enjoy the classic movie? Have you read the book?

I did like the movie, but I have not read the book. Judging by my current reading happens, I probably never will.

9) Random question - Check your spam folder and tell us one of the subject lines.

Nothing too interesting, honestly. This is the best I can do: One subject line read, "Please, Melanie." A short scroll down, another subject line was, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

I don't know what I did for them, but uh... you're welcome?

~*~*~*~*~

Check me out, it's still only Friday morning at 0630, and I'm done with my Saturday 9 post. I'm nothing if not inconsistent!

Have a good weekend, folks.

Fin.