AMY'S "NEW EDITION" MI-5

Amy says:

"I got some new themes up on my blog...so the theme of this mi-5 is NEW"

1. What is the last thing you bought?

A weed-whacker at Home Depot. Technically, I guess Dwane bought it. It was the cheapest gas one that they had, and he hates it. It's going back. If we want to get really technical, then the last thing I bought was lunch yesterday at McDonald's.

2. You can add on one NEW room to your existing home. What would it be? Why?

Maybe a new Master Bedroom suite. Our bedroom is really not big enough for our California-King-Size bed. And I would like a bigger shower. I think I might try to build it onto the room that Dwane built a couple of years ago, which is at the opposite end of the house from the boys. I think I would probably wait until the boys are a little older, though, because I have such a fear of a house fire. In the meantime, perhaps I would just add a bathroom to the new room. Going from the computer to the bathroom can be quite a haul if you're in a hurry. It would be nice to have one on this end of the house.

3. What new book are you looking forward to?

I love books by Lisa Whelchel and Beth Moore. Anything by either of them would be awesome. I'm also ready for a new Rachael Ray cookbook.

4. What new music are you looking forward to?

I'm sure Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson are both due for new albums, so I would like those. I'd also like a compilation of Bon Jovi's most recent greatest hits.

5. What new dish or restaurant would you like to try next?

I still haven't been to Cody's, and I'd really like to go there. (Hint! Hint! to anyone who will listen...)

MENUS FOR THIS WEEK

Monday: Swiss Chicken (boneless chicken breast, topped with Swiss cheese, covered with sauce made with cream of chicken soup & white wine, topped off with stuffing), Rice, Sugar Snap Peas, Watermelon

Tuesday: Hamburger Stroganoff, Seasoned Green Beans, Italian Bread

Wednesday: Baked Ham, Potato, Corn Casserole, Brussel Sprouts

Thursday: Chicken Pasta Skillet (chicken, seasonings, green pepper and mushrooms in a sauce, eaten over angel hair pasta), Salad, Italian Bread

Friday: Ham & Pineapple Kabobs, Rice, Salad, Pina-Colada Smoothies (non-alcoholic, of course)

BILLY RHYTHM'S CLASSIC & CHEESY MUSIC MI-5

I have the questions a little early, so thought I'd post a little early:

1) What "classic" song are you SO sick of, you wish you'd never hear it again?

These are really hard questions for me this week. They really require a lot of thought, and I know that as soon as I post this, a better answer will pop into my head. One song I'm really sick of is "I'm Not Going" or something like that. I think it's from a Broadway show. It's probably not considered a classic (maybe cheesey??), but it is done to death on American Idol. I'm really sick of that song.

2) What "classic" song could you listen to over and over?

As I said, these questions are hard. I'm sort of thinking about "She's Got You" and "Walking After Midnight" by Patsy Cline. I think they would classify as classic. I don't listen to them very often, though, so I don't really know how I would feel about listening to them over and over. INXS probably isn't old enough to be considered classic, but that is music that I could (and do) listen to over and over again and not get sick of. Another classic I love is "Wipeout", but only if my brother is playing the drums. Otherwise, I hate it.

3) What song would most consider "cheesy," but it's one you really love?

I really love Ricky Martin's "Shake Your Bon Bon". Is that classified as cheesey? I know my brother wouldn't like it, so that probably makes it cheesey. I just added that song to my MP3 player. Another one I really like that my brother hates is "Paradise By the Dashboard Lights". Is that one cheesey?

4) Of the "cheesy" songs, what one do you really, really hate?

It's hard to think of a song that I really, really hate. I'll have to think harder and see if I can come up with one. I'll update my post if I think of one.

5) What're your thoughts on cheese, the foodstuff? What's your favorite?

I love cheese. I think my favorite is extra-sharp cheddar, although I also really love State of Maine Cheese's cheese that has these little dried vegetable flakes in them. Alice's cheese ball is also a very favorite. Don't know what's in it. She always said that she wouldn't tell me what is in it unless I moved away, and since it's been more than 15 years since she told me that, and I'm still living locally (and have no plans to move, I guess I will never find out. Oh--wait a minute--I think she was going to leave the recipe to me in her Will. So, I guess I'll find out if she dies. That's a horrible thought!!! I love her cheese ball, but I'd much rather have Alice. Fortunately, all I have to do is ask, and she happily makes one for me.

NEXT WEEK'S MENUS

Here's the exciting news I know you have all been waiting for!!!

Monday: Lasagna, Broccoli & Cheese, Italian Bread

Tuesday: Grilled Chicken, Zucchini Herb Casserole, Crusty Bread

Wednesday: Tex Mex Pasta Skillet, Salad

Thursday: Baked Potato Bar, Salad

Friday: Chicken Salad Pitas, Chips

JIM'S MI-5

Jim says:

I have been very much out of the loop on my web log lately and I am trying to fix that so when Susan asked about the MI-5 I was glad to take a turn and I appreciate the opportunity.

1. Summer is here. How does your life or routine change during the summer months?

With Eben home from school, I try to sleep in a little bit later, but usually 7:30 is as late as it gets. With both boys around, WWIII will occur at my home more often, so it will be more difficult to find the time to get my legal work done. I'll also be doing some carpooling to various camps and VBS programs.

2. Have you ever read a book more than once? If so tell us what it is.

I have read the Little House on the Prairie books many times over. I'm not even sure how many times---at least three. I have also read the Bible through at least twice.

3. How do you do when it comes to being on time for things? Are you ever late?
What are you feelings on that.

I absolutely love to be on time. Left to my own devices, I will always be least 5-10 minutes early to things. Unfortunately, though, there are usually three others that do not always have the same opinion about being on time as I do.

4. What is your favorite TV show right now and why? If you aren't watching TV now how about one you had when you were younger?

The shows that I usually watch are now repeats. Eben and I have started watching the TV show "Reba". We are really loving that. It's so stupid at times that it's funny. As far as first-run TV shows go, I am watching "So You Think You Can Dance, " "American Inventor," and "The Next Best Thing". None of those shows really fit into being a "favorite", but it's about all that's on that interests me. Oh--and "America's Got Talent"--we all love that show here. Besides those, there is always Nascar and the Today show.

5. What would it take to make your weekend perfect?

A couple of hundred dollars, a couple of canceled meetings, a babysitter, and playing piano at church.

ALICE BEGGED FOR A NEW POST

Alice got on my case this morning because I hadn't posted something new for awhile. So, Alice, here you go:

I have been reading Sandi Patty's book "Broken on the Back Row: A Journey Through Grace and Forgiveness". Sandi is a contemporary Christian recording artist who has experienced some of the same things I have experienced of late. I am reading the book outloud and recording it, so that I can share it with people that are closest to me. I really think the book is playing a huge part in my attempts at "healing" and "reconciliation". I might just write a letter to Sandi when I complete the book.

I next plan to read a book called "Love & Respect" and then a Dr. Laura book that Sue has loaned to me. I also intend to read a book called "Persuasion" by Jane Austen. This is the book that is talked about frequently in the movie "Lakehouse". In a weird sort of way, I think that book may be helpful in my circumstances as well.

I guess there is no other news. So, I will leave you with my menus for next week:

Monday: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Spinach

Tuesday: Baked Penne Pasta, Sugar Snap Peas, Italian Bread

Wednesday: Panko Chicken, Broccoli Casserole

Thursday: Meatloaf Sandwiches, Bacon Ranch Green Beans

Friday: Chicken Kabobs, Rice

UPCOMING MENUS

Here are the next several menus:

1. Lime Grilled Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Rice a Roni

2. Ravioli & Spaghetti Sauce, Peas, Garlic Bread

3. Sloppy Joes, Tater Tots, Green Beans (from last week)

4. Spaghetti Pie, Garlic Toast

5. Breaded Pork Chops, Au Gratin Potatoes, Spinach (from last week)

SUE'S SLICE OF LIFE MI-5

Sue says:

Sorry this is late. I had really wanted to do a "surgical" 5 considering I just had my hand surgery last week, but I couldn't come up with anything especially creative, so I turned to my handy scrapbooking quiz book for this one.

1.What was the last book you read & what are you reading currently?

Oh, goodness. Let's see...the last book I read...Oh, I know...The last book I finished was Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which I read with Eben. We finished that yesterday. The last book I read for myself was The Bridges of Madison County. I cried the first time I read it, and I cried this time too.

2.What are you wearing right now?

Denim shorts that are so worn that the hem is all frayed. A bright yellow shirt with orange flowers on it. My grandmother gave it to me a couple of years ago because it was too big for her. I wear it all the time, and everytime she sees me in it, she says, "That's the ugliest shirt I have ever seen!" Not that anyone wants to know, but I'm also wearing a gray sports bra and pastel-printed granny panties. I'm also wearing diamond stud earings and my rings.

3.What was the last phone call you made?

Probably to Alice. Alice is the only one I ever call nowadays. I call my Mom and Sue quite a bit too, but Alice was probably the last one. I would imagine the call was about work.

4.To whom did you last send a letter or card (snail mail & email)?

The last e-mail I sent was one that went to Alice, Sue, and Dwane. I'm reading Sandi Patty's book "Broken on the Back Row: A Journey Through Grace & Forgiveness." I'm e-mailing the chapters to the three of them as I read them. My last snail mail card was probably a sympathy card to Ronda.

5.What was the last restaurant you ate at (can be eat in or take out)?

Drive-through at McDonald's count? If so, I went there today. I had my normal McNugget value meal with Diet Coke. Ate the nuggets, ate only a couple of fries. Gave the rest to Caleb.