Here are today's hijacked MI-5 questions

1. If your life were a movie, what would it be rated and why?

Oh, I think quite probably it would be PG. I don't do much of anything but work, scrapbook and crochet. No violence except the occasional yelling from loss of patience. I don't swear. Pretty boring, I guess.

2. If the power was out for 24 hours, what would you do to carry on?

I can see that it would be somewhat of a struggle just to keep my kids happy. During daylight, there would probably be a lot of playing games and reading books. Hopefully, they'd be tired out come dark so that they could go to bed. We have a alternate heat source, so we wouldn't freeze to death. I think we could probably handle it ok for 24 hours. (Not that I'd wish for that!)

3. Which is more important, the ends or the means?

I think the ends is more important. That I get to spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven. However, I should be so thankful for that grace, that the "ends" should be reflected in the way I live my life (the "means", so to speak). Does that make sense?

4. Everyone has their own thoughts about this - Are our personalities formed by nature or nurture? Explain your thoughts.

I don't know that I have strong thoughts about this. I see different parts of my Mom's and my Dad's personalities in me. That could be from either nature, or from nurture.

5. Who was president when you were born?

Lyndon Johnson??? Oh, goodness. I should know this. Let's see. Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford. Is that even in the right order? I think so. I know that Kennedy was definitely shot before I was born. What was that? 1963? I was born in 1968. I don't know. Maybe it was Nixon. No, I really think it was Johnson. Aunt Ginny will set me straight.

My Brother's MI-5:

Fighting Off the Blues

1) What's the saddest movie you've seen? Do you re-watch it? What's the premise?

"Beaches" comes to my mind first. There was a movie called "My Life", I think, with Michael Keaton. I recall that was pretty sad, too. I've only seen that one once, and I don't remember a whole lot about it, just that it was sad.

2) What's the saddest book you can think of? Is there a memory that goes with it?

A sad book. Hmmm. Oh, I know. The Bridges of Madison County. Just when you think that book can't get any sadder, it does. I went from tears streaming down my cheecks to sobbing. Most people probably wouldn't think of that being a sad book, but it killed me.

3) How often do you find yourself in a funk? What do you do to get out of it?

Since Dad died, I find myself in a funk about once a day. It doesn't last long, but it's pretty deep when it happens. Especially when I go by the end of Rackliff Island Road. I have no idea what that means, but I cry about everytime I pass that road. There are a lot of changes going on in my life right now about finances, too, and that can sometimes get me in a funk at 3:00 in the morning. I know I'm not supposed to worry about it, but it can get my kindda funky, I guess.

4) Commiserate with me: share a bleak memory, and let's wallow together.

What comes to mind first is when Dad was in ICU and he had to have a spinal tap. He was in so much pain. It was the first time that I actually thought, "It would be easier to deal with the pain of losing Dad, than to deal with the pain of seeing him suffering." It was horrible. (Thanks for the wallowing, Bill.)

5) Cheer me up: tell something you remember fondly.

Billy and his blues. I remember this little ditty I used to sing to him when he got into one of those "moods". "I've got the negative blues..." Remember, Bill? Probably was the only blues song I've ever sung in my life. The other thing I used to say to Bill when we were young was "Billy--take action!" I would say this when I was mad at Michael, and Billy would go sit on him or something.

Paddy's MI-5

1. What's the hardest thing you've ever had to tell somebody?

Telling Eben that Grampy was probably going to go to Heaven (about 2 days before my Dad actually died), and again when I told him that Grampy did go to Heaven.

2. What's the best news you've ever had the chance to break?

Being pregnant with Eben, and then with Caleb. Getting engaged was a pretty exciting and happy thing to tell, too.

3. Were you in a click in high school? (eg: brains, stoners, jocks, etc.)

I don't think that anyone else would say that I was "cliquey", but I did have a close circle of friends (Carol T., Stephany S., Ronda N., Carol A., Beth A., etc.). I guess you would maybe call us the "friendly brains?" Like my brother, we all tried to be friends to everybody.

4. Do you have a secret that you will never tell? How long have you kept it?

Oh, maybe I do. I can't think of anything specific right now. If someone tells me something in confidence, I try to put it in the back of my mind, so that I don't dwell on it, and thus would be less likely to tell. Of course, in my line of work, confidentiality is a big thing, and there are many "secrets" there, if you want to call them secrets.

5. Have you ever had a secret you told, and then regretted?

Certainly not intentionally. I've certainly said things in general, though, that I later regretted, even though they might not have really been secrets.

St. Patrick's Day MI-5

1. What are you wearing right now? Do you have on any green?

Cream nightgown, pink bathrobe. I do plan on wearing a green shirt today, though, once I finally get dressed.

2. What is your favorite shade of green? Kelly? Mint? Teal? Pine? Some other shade?

I am definitely into the teals. My least favorite is probably the bright kelly green.

3. Do you enjoy eating the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage? What other "Irish food" do you enjoy?

I love boiled dinner. It's one of my very favorite meals. While I much prefer ham in my boiled dinner, instead of corned beef, I'll take whatever I can get. I'm looking forward to eating corned beef at Bill & Sue's tonight. I'm not really familiar with too many other Irish foods. I tried to make an Irish Soda Bread a couple of years ago (in the microwave), and that was absolutely disgusting. For dessert tonight, I'm making a gingerbread with lemon sauce to take to Bill & Sue's. I got this recipe from some Irish cookbook thing at the checkout stand at Wal-Mart.

4. Have you ever found a 4-leaf clover? Did you find one?

I used to look for them all the time when I was a kid. I remember looking on Ma's lawn and on our lawn under the maple tree with my Dad. We would be on all fours coming the lawn. Dad used to brush his hand across the grass, like it was some sort of magic movement. He always did seem to find out, but I never did. I guess I never got the hand movement right. Ok. Now I'm crying.

5. Do you believe in luck? Why, or why not?

I don't belive in luck (for the most part). I believe that God brings different things in and out of our lives for a reason. Was it bad luck that Dad got cancer? No. Was it good luck that my brother called me this morning at the exact moment I was having an e-mail problem? No.
Was it good luck that I got a new job? No. Will it be good luck if I win Publisher's Clearinghouse? No. Is it good luck (or bad luck) if the church supper only has desserts? Yes. That's why it's called a pot-luck supper. A pot luck supper is the only thing that I believe really has a little bit of luck involved.

Jim--
I'd be happy to put your link on my blog. However (and that's a big however), I can't figure out how to do it. I tried to follow the "step by step" instructions to do so quite a while ago, as I wanted to put a link Billy Rhythm's website on my blog. I couldn't get it to work. Next time Bill's at my house, I'll have him link you both. (Or I'll give him my password, and he can do it whenever he gets time--as if he has free time to fix his sister's blog!) :)

Well, here I am. I'm trying to post to my blog on a regular basis, but I have absolutely no news to tell.

I'm waiting for UPS to deliver a CTMH order so that I can get it to Erica. It's always fun to get those orders to sort through. Plus, I always order things for myself with my commission, so it's almost like Christmas.

Dwane had to work yesterday from 2:00 until about 10:30. Long day. He had to be back at work by 6:30 this morning. He has a meeting tonight at church, and Bible Study tomorrow night. I really don't expect to see much of him this week. His brother, Shane, and Shane's girlfriend, Robin, are going to be arriving in Boston tomorrow from Florida and staying until Saturday. They are bringing 4 children with them. (Robin has 2, and Shane is bringing 2 of his 3.) I think they are all staying with Dwane's Dad, but they hope to come here for a visit. I have only met Robin once, and then it was only a quick introduction. I look forward to getting to know her a little better. And I haven't seen my nieces, Emily and Caitlyn, for a couple of years. Dwane is taking Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday off to spend time with them. Because Eben will be in school, I'm not sure how much time Dwane will actually spend here, or off in the Lewiston/Auburn area.

Well, there just isn't much else going on. I've got a couple of post-divorce files I need to be working on, so I guess I'll work!

Amy's MI-5, a day early:

1. What was your first concert? Did you like it?

I believe it was Kenny Rogers, Sawyer Brown, and maybe one other solo performer that I can't remember. It was in Portland, and I went with Larry & Alice, Daren, and I think my brother?? I remember that Larry & Alice's car got towed because we parked in the WCSH-6 parking lot, and the TV station apparently didn't appreciate that we were there. The concert was good, anyway.

2. What was your first car? Did you have a name for it? Are there any wild or special memories about it you can share?

A 1984 Mercury Lynx. I bought it from Jo Barboza. My Dad co-signed the loan for me. I actually owned this car before I even had my license. I didn't take care of it. I didn't know that you were supposed to check the oil, and after 2 years, I guess it needed some oil. I blew the engine. (I thought the "check engine" light just meant that you were close to stalling. I didn't know it was something important!

3. If you could see anyone in concert that you haven't seen yet- who would it be?

I'd LOVE to see Sugarland and Bon Jovi. Together, of course. I'd also like to see the American Idol concert sometime. Oh, and Miranda Lambert is touring right now--I seem to think it may be with Brad Paisley. That would be another good one.

4. If you could own ANY vehicle what would it be and why? (money is no object of course)

I guess I'd get some type of Winnebago so that we could travel to all of the Nascar races. Since money is no object, we wouldn't need to work, and we could afford all those race tickets at $100 a pop.

5. What kind of car do you drive now? Do you love it? Are there any wild or special memories about it you can share?

I have a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. I do love it. It's a great family car. It's got a DVD player in it with a screen in the back so that the kids can watch. That is SOOOO worth the money. Don't really have any special memories--other than we drove it to Virginia last year to visit with Dwane's family. We took his Mom with us, and that was quite the trip.

To see my brother's answers, go to www.billyrhythm.com/traa. Just wait until after Friday.

My brother, Billy Rhythm, requested a new post. So--here it is! :)

I guess the most exciting thing that has happened is that Eben won the local PineWood Derby on Saturday! He worked so hard on his car this year, and with some help from Daddy, he had a winner. He will take his car to the Regionals on April 8 in Brunswick.

On Saturday, we'll be celebrating Dwane's 40th birthday. Did I already post about that? My mind doesn't work anymore. Anyway, his Mom his coming here to make his favorite childhood meal for everyone. Dwane really loves "Steamburgers". His Mom used to make them when they were going on a road trip in the car. It's a mixture of hamburg, barbeque sauce, spaghetti sauce and onions. The mixture is placed on a hamburger bun and then wrapped in tinfoil, so that the hot meat steams the bun. So, we'll have those, chips, and soda. I think I'm going to make 40 cupcakes in lieu of a birthday cake. Dwane's favorite cake is the cake from Shaw's, and we had that on his actual birthday on Monday. So, I want to do something a little different. I think I'll make some chocolate, some white, and maybe some strawberry ones, and then frost them with a variety of can frostings (also a favorite of Dwane's). I think I'm going to write the numbers 1 through 40 on each cupcake, and then put a candle in each one.

Our Interim Pastor is starting a Bible study on Heaven. Both my Mom and Dwane thought, "Wow! Lisa is going to want to come to this!" It's kindda funny, though. I'm not sure that I want to. I'm not sure I'm ready to deal publicly with those feelings about Heaven, Dad, and my desire to be in Heaven myself (not a suicidal thought--just a longing that most Christians have). I'm not sure I can get past the emotion of it all just yet. I've alread read the book that he'll be using for a majority of his text: Heaven, by Randy Alcorn. It's an awesome book. I highly recommend it. It was when I read that book that my desire to go to Heaven strengthened so much (that plus the fact that the reading of that book coincided with the same time that Dad got to go to Heaven). So, I'm not sure what I'll do about Bible Study. Dwane has offered to stay home with the boys so that I can go. But, Dwane hasn't read the book. It might be more beneficial for him to go. I'll just have to see what I feel like come Tuesday night, I guess.

My new job is still going great. I've been putting in about 12-15 hours the last couple of weeks, which is a little more than I'd like. But--this job is so great for my ego. I've never been told how smart I am, how great I write, how wonderful my mind is, as much as I have in the last month. My boss can't believe I have never gone to law school, encourages me that I should still consider going, and can't understand how I got where I am with only one semester in college. (I told my new boss that was, in large part, all thanks to my old boss.) Anyway, with the troubles of the past year, this work is a little ray of sunshine.

The Education MI-51. (To see my brother's answers, go to www.billyrhythm.com/traa.

1. What was your favorite subject in grade school? High school? College?

In grade school, I think I liked just about everything. Math was probably my least favorite, but I don't know if I actually had a favorite. Maybe reading. In high school, Advanced Office Procedures with Mr. Andrews was my favorite. That was when I could take the typing and shorthand that I had learned and really apply it to a life-like office. I hated college. I was only there a semester, so I don't even have many classes to choose from. I guess I'd pick typing. I enjoyed Psychology, but I did't really do well with it.

2. Let's say you had the opportunity to take an evening class. What subject would it be?

Definitely ballroom dancing. I've always wanted to take that. Dwane and I took a salsa class a couple of years back, but I'd really like to do ballroom dancing. Dwane's schedule is pretty tricky, so if I ever learn, it will probably be by home video.

3. Would you tell us the name of your first school crush?

My first crush was Chris Carpenter in 3rd grade. My first kiss was David Ames in 1st grade. Some friends and I put on a play of Snow White for the class. He was not supposed to kiss me, but he did. I was horrified. I remember some sort of little note/poem I got from Brian Harjula tha same year, but I can't really remember that either one of us had a crush on each other. I'm sure my Mom will remember "Little Tommy Mills", who brought me a fancy May basket in either Kindergarten or first grade. (Man! I had the men in 1st grade, didn't I?!) But, my first real "crush" was Chris Carpenter, and that went from 3rd grade right up until I graduated from high school.

4. What was your favorite "hot lunch" (lunch served in the cafeteria)? What was your favorite "cold" or brown bag lunch?

When I was a child, tuna roll (tuna fish in a hot dog roll) was my favorite. Looking back on it, I'd really love to have the hamburg and brown gravy over rice again. (Even though the rice was still a little crunchy sometimes.) I very, very rarely took cold lunch. Even when hot lunch was something I didn't like (like baked beans), I'd still heat the hot dog and yeast roll. I even drank my milk every day! When I did take cold lunch, I remember I used to take something hot in my thermos. I'm not really sure what it was, though. Maybe chicken noodle soup? Spaghettios?

5. Tell us about some cool high school field trip/dance/outing/fling you participated in, or some cool memory like that...

I'll never forget the field trip to the Museum of Science in Boston my freshman year. On the way home, the guy sitting behind me and Beth stood over, leaned over the seat, and puked on us! How gross!