Sky Watch Friday

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Random Dozen

1. Tell me something about your favorite teacher.

I had a couple of elementary teachers who I really loved but probably my favorite teacher, and the one who had the most impact on me, was my journalism teacher, Terry Nelson. She was dedicated to her students and to journalism and freedom of the press. She treated her students like people with their own thoughts, opinions and feelings rather than children who should be seen but not heard. As a student working on one of the publications she oversaw you knew she had your back. She was both a strong encourager and genuine critic. I am glad that I have been able to keep in touch with her over the years and truly consider her a friend.

2. Tell me about one pivotal moment in your life.

Cliff Notes - Lightning struck - decided life was to short to be so very unhappy - got counseling - got divorced - reconnected with God - got happy. That was over the course of several years but it did start with that lightning striking me moment.

3. About favorite colors--a lot of people will ask you what it is, but I want to know why it is. What feeling or memory does it evoke?

Blue - I think I find peace in blue. I remember many trips to the ocean as a child and the fun and relaxing on vacation. Blue skies remind me that there is a bigger world out there and a heaven beyond it helping me keep things in perspective. Blue jeans - comfort clothes!

4. What's a sure sign that you're getting older?

This could be its own Dozen! Grey hairs, my body knowing when the weather is going to change - and I've noticed lately that my kids all really are adults!

5. Please don't sermonize, but Halloween--is it a yes or no for you?

I'm going with a definite sort of. It is probably my least favorite holiday but I enjoy seeing the little kids in cute costumes and pumpkin carving can be fun and creative.

6. What's your favorite musical?

The Sound of Music

7. Are you more of a city mouse or country mouse?

Country mouse as long as I can visit the "big city" on a regular basis.

8. Did you know that it is possible, for a small fee, to name a real star after someone? (It's true! Google it!) If someone were to name a star for you, would you appreciate it for its whimsy and romance, or would you say, "Are you kidding me? For $19.95 we could have gone to the movie and actually bought popcorn."

It sounds romantic but to be honest, unless the $19.95 is going to some charity, I'd probably prefer something more practical. Thirty years ago it would probably have been irresistibly romantic - so this could be a reference back to question#4.

This question comes from Paula at His Ways Are Not Our Ways. 9. What's the craziest thing you've ever been doing and texted during it? I only thought of this b/c I was about to try to text during my walking video but I didn't.

I admit to trying, when I first got my phone, to text a couple of times while driving. I realized immediately that this was a bad idea - long before it started making the evening news.

10. "It's not a party unless _______."

Over the years there have been so many very different answers to this question! (again, refer to question # 4) Currently I'll go with unless there's good food!

11. When you're stuck in traffic or a waiting room, what do you do to pass the time? PS: There are no magazines available.

Play Tetris on my phone.

12. If you weren't yourself, would you be friends with you?

Probably. I'm basing this on the fact that lots of people say that my daughter is a lot like me and I really like her and would be friends with her even if she weren't my daughter.

Flu (H1N1) Home Preparedness Kit

Sitting here on day three of the flu and the key word in this sentence is sitting! This flu comes on quickly so if it hasn't already hit your house, here are some tips to get you prepared.

First, in addition to hand washing (which I did obsessively), I've heard that gargling with salt water and also swabbing out your nose with salt water can help prevent catching the flu.

Secondly, did I mention that it comes on fast. My suggestion is to have the following things already in your home just in case because once the flu hits you won't be able to go get them yourself and probably won't want to wait for someone to get them for you.

Tylenol for fever and aches

A heating pad or rice bag (I spent a lot of time with my rice bag on to relieve muscle pain and a cold wash cloth on my head to keep the fever down).

Gatorade or something like it plus any other liquids you like to drink. I don't really like "sports drinks" but you will dehydrate quickly so consider them a necessity.

Crackers or pretzels - you'll need to try to get a little something in your stomach.

Jello - by day two this was a good option as both food and help in re-hydrating. It's also easy on the throat.

Hot tea - whatever kind is your favorite. This will help with the congestion, relaxation and re-hydration.

Chicken noodle soup - toward the end of day two or beginning of day three you will start feeling a little hungry. The soup is easy on the stomach and throat and helps with the congestion.

You will be ahead of the game if you also have a couple pair of your most comfy pajamas and extra clean sheets on hand.


I am now exhausted from sitting up and writing this so I'm going back to bed. Hopefully you will avoid the flu, but if not, at least you can be prepared.

Sermon in a Sentence

Until you discover how to trust God for everything in your life, you will constantly seek to control others for the things you think you need. - from So You Don't Want to Go to Church by Jacobsen & Coleman

Random Dozen

1. Candy corn: Your thoughts?

With peanuts = good, with almonds = GREAT!



2. Briefly, what was the first conversation you ever had with your spouse? (or best friend, if you're not married.) (Or someone significant, like your librarian.)

We've known each other since we were five so I really don't remember. If I had to guess I'd day it went something like this..."Ouch!" (see boy running away after punching girl he likes in the arm.)

3. Could you ever become a vegetarian?

Maybe a lacto-vegetarian which allows dairy products but it wouldn't be my preference.

4. Have you ever dressed up your pet in a costume?




This is as dressed up as Gracie gets - and, as you can see, she is NOT thrilled about it!




5. Name something about childhood that you miss (like Clark Bars, Teaberry Gum, Malibu Barbie, cracking fake eggs on people's heads with your fist and "It's the Great Pumpkin" airing only once a year).

Snow days!

6. Have you ever won a trophy? If not, what do you deserve a trophy for?

Yes,a couple, although I honestly can't remember for what. I really didn't become competitive in nature until the prizes were a lot more valuable than trophies (like the trip to Hawaii).

7. When do you think is the appropriate time to begin playing Christmas music each year?

The day after Thanksgiving.

8. What's your favorite board game?

Scrabble

9. How do you feel about surprises (receiving, not giving)?

I love them unless they involve something in front of a crowd. Then I get embarassed and don't enjoy them much.

10. Is it easy for you to say, "I'm sorry?"

I'm not sure how to answer this question. I used to be told that I said "I'm sorry" too much. Now I think I may have overcompensated?

11. What is your favorite candle scent?

I have two favorites right now. One is Hazelnut Creme and the other is Orange Almond Biscotti. (Wow, I wish Blogger had scratch & sniff for this question!)

12. October is traditionally "open house" time in public schools. If you had a literal open house in your home (like a reception) what light snacks would you serve visitors and what would you show them (as in art projects, graded papers) that would uniquely represent you?

All finger food type things - cookies, cheese & crackers, beef roll-ups, salami stacks, etc. I'm not sure what I'd show them other than my photos and the house itself where the decor reflects either hubby or me depending on the room.

Wordless Wednesday - I've Almost Got It

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Sermon in a Sentence

Failure to make a choice is, in and of itself, a choice. Failure to make a decision is often a decision to fail.

Camera Advise Sticky Post

I am in the market for a new camera and would welcome any advise from my blog friends. I need something fairly lightweight and small, as I have small hands, but I am wanting a better quality camera then the "point and shoot" type I have now.

Sky Watch Friday - Up,Up and Away

Oh, what is that I see,

peeking from behind the trees...

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Random Dozen

1. I've always wondered why we were taught both printing and cursive. Do you prefer to print or write cursive? (Keyboard is not a choice.)

I prefer to write in cursive because it is faster for me. However, I prefer that other people print because you have a better chance of reading most people's printing over their cursive.

2. Are you a dreamer or a realist?

Hmmmm... a little of both I think but leaning more to the realist side.

3. Billy Joel or Elton John?

Elton John

4. What is the scariest movie you've ever seen? Not limited to horror flicks but also includes ones where the tension or suspense is killer, for example, Flightplan (2005): A bereaved woman and her daughter are flying home from Berlin to America. At 30,000 feet the child vanishes and nobody admits she was ever on that plan.

Carrie was the first and last movie like that I ever watched. I had started reading the book (had finished just over a chapter) and went with a date to see the movie. We were supposed to go to a romantic little restaurant afterwards but I insisted on going someplace with lots of light. The next day I burned the book! (I do want it to go on record that this is the only book I've ever burned!)

5. Now what is the scariest real-life moment you've had?

For years my answer to this would have been being struck by lightening. Now, however, it would be after the wreck when I watched hubby turn blue! I have first hand knowledge now of why the call it "Code Blue". Just for the record - real people do not make good looking Smurfs!

6. What word do you misspell without fail?

I am really very good at spelling (not to be confused with typing/keyboarding). At a conference in college I won a "Word Freak" button from Webster's in a spelling contest.

7. Name something you like to do but are not really talented or good at.

Drawing - I will sometimes have a strong desire to put what I see in my head on paper but what comes out on the paper never looks anything like what is in my head.

8. Do you get your emotional/mental batteries recharged by being around people or by having alone time?

Generally by being around people - of course it depends on which people!

9. Have you ever been on TV?

I started to say no and then had this vague recollection of being in the background of a locally run TV ad for a furniture stores where I worked. I think it was such a tramatic experience that I blocked it out...

10. Apple or pumpkin pie? (Don't be greedy.)

Pumpkin, definitely, with whipped cream on top.

11. How many magazine subscriptions do you have?

That I actually paid for? One for Parents Magazine that I got for the grandbabies' moms. I get a couple of others that I have gotten free by either filling out surveys or by using points from online games. Ready Made is probably my favorite.

12. What lesson do you have to keep re-learning?

That I can only control and am only responsible for my actions not other people's actions or reactions.

Blue Monday - Shadow

Any guesses as to what Isaac is holding?







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Sermon in a Sentence

"What if Christians spent more time sharing what they were for instead of what they were against?" - unknown

Sky Watch - Golden

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Random Dozen

1. On an average, how often do you splurge and buy something for yourself?

Define splurge - if splurge is a new shirt or a new pair of jeans or shoes then every couple of months. If splurge is something over $50 then very rarely - maybe once every year or two. The last splurge like that I can think of was when I bought my digital camera over two years ago.

2. Are you more like Hall or Oates? Just kidding. Real question: What is the last creative project you began/finished? Feel free to post a pic of it.

I'm not a real creative project person so the last thing I can think of is Isaac's baby afghan.

Here is a photo of newborn Isaac with his afghan.







3. OK, Goldie Locks, do you consider your house too big, too little or juuuust right?

Too big - that's one of the reasons we put it up for sale this week.

4. What is your favorite outdoor chore?

Planting the garden and harvesting it. However, weeding the garden is one of my least favorite outdoor chores.

5. If you knew that cigarette smoking was not bad for your health but would be a weight loss tool, would you use it? Why or why not?

Not - I smoked 30 years ago but quit when I decided to try to get pregnant the first time. I started to pick up the habit again about 12 years ago during a very stressful time in my life. That lasted a little over a week. In that time I burned a hole in one of my favorite shirts, a hole in the back seat of my car and my thumb on the lighter... Id' have to find a different weight loss option - smoking is hazardous for me beyond my health!

6. On a road trip, would you rather drive or ride?

Drive - I develop control issues upon entering the vehicle.

7. What do you consider a trivial pursuit?

It's a game. Right?
Okay - real answer, popularity. I really am more concerned with that "audience of One".

8. This weekend, we downloaded the movie "Duplicity" with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. Within 5 minutes, I was bored and annoyed, but I kept watching 5-10 minutes at a time hoping it would get better between small chores. I finally gave up and Jorge watched it alone, and then regretted wasting that time because he disliked it intensely, too. So ... how long do you watch a movie or read a book before giving up on it?

I rarely give up on either unless I just find them disgusting for some reason. With a movie I am rarely just watching it anyway. I'm always doing something else at the same time - reading, knitting, folding laundry, etc. - so feel less like I've completely wasted the time. I almost always finish a book because I've read too many that started out pretty slow but got really good later on.

9. Is there a song that you really love but are embarrassed to admit because it's not cool or it's racy or because it's by Hall and Oates? (or it shows my age)

Dancing Queen - Abba (not cool & shows my age)
Paradise by the Dashboard Lights - Meatloaf (racy & shows my age)
Rich Girl - Hall & Oates (Hall & Oates & shows my age)

10. On a scale of 1-10 (10 = extremely) how spontaneous are you?

Five, I'm definitely going with five. It very much depends on what you're talking about being spontaneous about.

11. Are you a food and/or beverage snob?

I'm a spice snob - It's Penzy's for me.

12. Who/What are you trying to control in your life? (I hear people gulping and see them sweating in anticipation of how to answer this one.)

Yikes! What a question to save for last! I think the overall answer to "what" is pain. I try to control certain people and situations in an effort to avoid getting hurt. It's a somewhat vague answer, but it is honest.

Wordless Wednesday - Birds on a Wire

Sermon in a Sentence

When temptation knocks on your door do you turn the deadbolt or look thru the peephole?

Photo Hunt - Words

I love words. I love reading them, writing them, and sometimes researching them. This wallpaper in my office was chosen due to my love of words.

Skywatch Friday

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