JIM'S FRIENDLY MI-5

Jim says: "This 5 is inspired by the fact that I have been able to reunite with many friends from my past via facebook. The Friends 5. If possible answer these without using immediate family members."

1. Would you consider yourself a person with a few close friends or many acquaintance type friends? Maybe somewhere in between?

A few close friends, I guess. I have lots of acquaintance-type friends, too, and they are also very special to me, but the close friends I have are very, very close.

2. Did you have a best friend growing up? If you did tell us about them and what happened to them. Do you know where they are now etc...

I had several best friends growing up. From Kindergarten to about 4th grade, Judy Young was my best friend. She then went to a private Christian school, and I had a really, really hard time being without her. She now lives in Damariscotta with her husband and four children. We keep in touch at Christmas and birthdays, but that's about it. Becky York and I then became best friends, until around our Junior/Senior year of high school. She took all the really hard classes, and I went the business route. Becky now lives in the DC area, I believe, and I have little or no contact with her (unfortunately). In high school, I was also really close to Beth Allen, a fellow cheerleader. I spent a lot of nights at her house after away games. I really don't have a clue about her, and I'd really, really like to catch up with her. I've tried to add her to my Facebook friends list, but I haven't received a response. After high school, Ronda Nystrom Long became my best friend, and I still consider her to be one of my very best, dearest friends. We don't get together often, but when we do, there's just this closeness there that cannot be denied. I love her more than words can say. And then there's Mrs. Cheeseball. We've been best friends since 1985, when I started dating her brother-in-law. We talk daily. She knows everything about me. I don't know what I would ever do without her. There's also Sue, Mom, and Dwane, but I consider them to be immediate family.

3. Have you ever been reunited with a friend after not seeing them or losing track of them for a long time? If yes tell us about it and if no tell us about a friend you might like to find.

In 1990/1991, I coached the cheerleaders at Georges Valley High School. I became very close friends with Angie and Nikki. They both participated in my wedding, and Nikki was a co-worker of mine for several years. Angie and I often go a whole year without seeing each other, but when we get back together, it's like no time at all has gone by. Just after Christmas, I met up with Nikki at Sam's Club. I hadn't seen her since 1998 or so. Her husband is in the Coast Guard, and they had been stationed in Alaska, and are now stationed in Connecticut. Since she left in the late 1990s, we had spoken only one time, shortly after my Dad passed away. When I saw Nikki at Sam's Club, from about half-way across the store, I literally ran into her arms. It was like a movie scene!!

4. Best and worse. Tell us a nice thing a friend once did for you that you remember and if you have a story of betrayal share that (no names here). You can just pick one of these to share if you wish or both.

When my Dad was sick, Alice would often tell me a funny story to lift my spirits. One of those stories involved a Twix bar. After my Dad died, Alice brought me a Twix bar. It still can make me laugh, or cry, when I think about it. I still keep that Twix bar on my counter, and I see it almost daily.

I don't know that I really have a betrayal story. Certainly, there have been times when friends have drifted away for some reason or another, but I don't know that I can say I was actually betrayed, except by perhaps an ex-boyfriend.

5. Tell us some friend stories. Pick a few memorable friend stories from your past and share. Maybe a special day or event. It could even be something negative that you look back on now and laugh about.

In high school, Becky and I used to hang out together after school, until the start of the football games in the evening. She was a team manager or scorekeeper or something, and I was a cheerleader. We always used to go to Dairy Queen for supper and have the "Single Burger Full Meal Deal". We would eat it as we walked to the game. We would finish somewhere on Pleasant Street, and would need to dump our trash. There was this big bush, and we would hide our trash under that bush. It's an awful thing, I know, but it's a fond memory nonetheless.

1. I'm EATING, I'm EATING, I DON'T WANT TO EAT ANYMORE.

2. Why do I have LOTS OF BROKEN CARS and not ONE THAT WORKS? (ACTUALLY, RIGHT NOW, I THINK THEY ALL WORK.)

3. How does this OFFICE POLITIC STUFF work, anyway? FORTUNATELY, I DON'T HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE WITH THAT ISSUE.

4. Every morning, I put REDUCED-FAT CRUNCHY PETER PAN PEANUT BUTTER on my ARNOLD'S OATNUT TOAST.

5. I consider myself blessed because I HAVE AN AWESOME FAMILY.

6. One day we’ll see JESUS FACE TO FACE.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to READING BOOKS WITH CALEB, tomorrow my plans include TRYING TO HELP DWANE GET THE ICE AND SNOW OFF THE ROOF and Sunday, I want to TRY TO SEE AMY ON TV AT THE NASCAR RACE!

ABCs OF ME

1. A is for age: 40

2. B is for beer of choice: None.

3. C is for career right now: Stay at home Mom, part-time Paralegal from home

4. D is for your dog's name? Benji-Dog

5. E is for essential item you use everyday: Email

6. F is for favorite TV show at the moment: The Bachelor

7. G is for favorite game: Cribbage or Life. Also loving Apples to Apples. For computer-type games, don’t even get me started there. I love them! Especially match-3, time management, and hidden picture games.

8. H is for Home town: Spruce Head, Maine

9. I is for instruments you play: Piano, Flute, Clarinet (but haven’t in a long, long time), Guitar (a little)

10. J is for favorite juice: Not really into juice. If I had to, probably an apple, berry, cherry type of juice.

11. K is for whose butt you'd like to kick: I have someone in mind, but I’ll not name names. And, it’s not very Christian-like to want to do that. Forgive me, Lord.

12. L is for last place you ate: Home (toast with peanut butter)

13. M is for marriage: Dwane, 12/3/94

14. N is for your full name: Lisa Marie Batty Wight

15. O is for overnight hospital stays: Twice for childbirth

16. P is for people you were with today: Dwane, Eben, and Caleb

17. Q is for quote: Jeremiah 29:11

18. R is for Biggest Regret: Right at this moment, my biggest regret is giving up cheering during my senior year in high school in order to spend more time with my boyfriend (who dumped me only 2 games into basketball season). I’m sure I have bigger regrets—this is just what I’m thinking of today—tournament week just passed, so it’s on my mind.

19. S is for status: Married

20. T is for time you woke up today: Probably around 4:00 AM.

21. U is for underwear you have on now: White

22. V is for vegetable you love: corn on the cob, cucumber

23. W is for worst habit: Overeating

24. X is for x-rays you've had: wrist, ankle

25. Y is for yummy food you ate today: Mom’s homemade bread, toasted, with crunchy peanut butter

26. Z is for zodiac sign: Gemini, but I do not follow horoscopes

45 FACTS ABOUT ME

1. Do you like blue cheese? I’ve never tried it, and honestly don’t think I ever will. The idea of it just grosses me out.

2. Have you ever smoked heroin?: No

3. Do you own a gun?: No, but I once shot at a can with an 8mm. Did you know that about me??? I hope to never shoot a gun again. That was awful.

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Starbucks? I’ve never had anything from Starbucks. I think I would have something mocha, chocolate raspberry, or chocolate mint.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?: Not before mine, but I get nervous before the boys’ appointments.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?: I like them, especially Kayem or Kirschner natural casing hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls. Of course, I like Wasses’ hot dogs, too.

7. Favorite Christmas movie?: The Santa Clause 2, I guess.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?: Hot chocolate

9. Can you do push ups?: yes but not many

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?: I have lots. My grandmother’s wedding set that was given to her from my grandfather on their 25th wedding anniversary, an amethyst ring that my father gave to my Aunt Ginny when she turned 13 (and she gave to me when I turned 13), a diamond necklace from my parents, and a sapphire set from my parents.

11. Favorite hobby?: Scrapbooking

12. Do you have A.D.D?: No

13. What's one trait you hate about yourself?: I am a horrible housekeeper; I don’t have much patience.

14. Middle name?: Marie

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: My back hurts; I want to scrapbook; Answering these questions.

16. Name 3 things you bought yesterday?: I didn't buy anything yesterday.

17. Name 3 things you drink daily: Crystal Light Peach Iced Tea…that's it

18. Current worry?: None at the moment.

19. Current Dislike?: My house being a mess.

20. How did you bring in the New Year?: Sleeping

21. Where would you like to go?: I don’t know that I have a “burning dream” about going anywhere, but I do want to see the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum in Missouri, I’d like to go on an Alaskan cruise, and someplace tropical is always nice. Oh—and any kind of theme park. I’ve been hankering lately about going back to Dollywood one October.

22. Name three people who will complete this?: Sue and Amy might.

23. Do you own slippers?: Yes.

24. What shirt are you wearing?: Red, white and black striped nightshirt.

26. Favorite color?: Pink is my favorite color, but I also have a sentimental love of yellow.

27. Could you be a pirate?: No.

28. What songs do you sing in the shower?: Usually praise and worship music, a hymn, or a Christmas carol.

29. Favorite food?: Lobster, boiled dinner

30. What's in your pocket right now?: No pockets. In my jeans, I usually have a shopping list and some coupons.

31. Last thing that made you laugh?: I don’t remember. Guess that’s sad.

32. Favorite sheets?: I had some cat sheets when I was younger. Now, I’d love anything with flowers, but I keep the flowers to just my pillowcases—I have some beautiful pansy ones that I love.

33. Worst injury you have ever had?: Broken epithysis when I was in 5th grade.

35. How many TVs do you have in your house?: 5

36. Who is your loudest friend?: Sue? She’s not necessary loud, but she’s a great conversationalist, and I wouldn’t change that about her. I'm pretty loud myself, and so is Eben.

37. How many dogs do you have?: One, a Yorkie named Benji-Dog. (Yes, we always call him “Benji-Dog”—if we call him just “Benji”, he doesn’t really respond.)

38. Does someone have a crush on you?: I don't think so

39. What is your favorite book(s): The Bridges of Madison County? Little House on the Prairie books? Karen Kingsbury books? The Bible, of course.

40. What is your favorite candy?: Lindt milk chocolate truffles

41. Favorite Sports Team?: Bobby Labonte’s Nascar team

42. What songs do you want sung at your funeral?: It Is Well With My Soul, although I prefer that I not have a funeral—just a prayer at my grave. I’ll be rejoicing in heaven!

43. What were you doing 12 AM last night?: Sleeping

44. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke this morning?: If I am honest, that would be TMI, but I can tell you that it wasn't pleasant.

45. Favorite place to be?: Home and Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA (or Dollywood with my Mom!)

YELLOW

Most of you know by now that I follow the blog "Confessions of a CF Husband". This blog is about a Christian couple and their baby girl who live on the outerbanks of North Carolina. Tricia has Cystic Fibrosis (one of my very best friends died of Cystic Fibrosis back in 1991), and their baby was born very prematurely, just prior to Tricia receiving a double-lung transplant. Their struggles have been many, but their faith and their love is unwavering and so encouraging to me. This morning, I read a new post on the blog that included a video of their wedding. This wasn't the first time I had seen it, and I cried this time, just as I do every time I watch it. If I was computer-savvy, I would link to it here, but since I can't, I thought I'd post the lyrics to the song that is playing in the background, which is "their" song. It is called "Yellow" by Coldplay.

Look at the stars,
Look how they shine for you,
And everything you do,
Yeah, they were all yellow.
I came along,
I wrote a song for you,
And all the things you do,
And it was called yellow.
So then I took my turn,
Oh what a thing to have done,
And it was all yellow.
Your skin
Oh yeah, your skin and bones,
Turn into something beautiful,
You know, you know I love you so,
You know I love you so.
I swam across,
I jumped across for you,
Oh what a thing to do.
Cos you were all yellow,
I drew a line,
I drew a line for you,
Oh what a thing to do,
And it was all yellow.
Your skin,
Oh yeah your skin and bones,
Turn into something beautiful,
And you know for you,
Id bleed myself dry for you,
Id bleed myself dry.
Its true, look how they shine for you,
Look how they shine for you,
Look how they shine for,
Look how they shine for you,
Look how they shine for you,
Look how they shine.
Look at the stars,
Look how they shine for you,
And all the things that you do.

BILLY RHYTHM'S PHONE-IN MI-5

Billy Rhythm says: "I couldn't come up with anything good this week. So I'll name five places. You name five things you keep in those places, and tell something interesting about one of those five things. If you don't have one of the places, make something up. Simple, huh?

Name five things you keep in your:

1) Glove box

Straws, Napkins, Registration, Insurance Card, Random Take-Out Menus

I started keeping straws in my car because I was tired of McDonald's constantly forgetting to give me a straw when I go through the drive-through.

2) Medicine cabinet

Alice's Birthday Present, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Tweezers, Zit Cover Stuff

I always buy Alice's birthday present way in advance, and for some reason, I keep it there. Not sure why, but I've done it for years.

3) Refrigerator

Gallon of Crystal Light Peach Tea, Parmesan Cheese, Carrots, Dwane's Yogurt, American Cheese

While Caleb doesn't necessary eat a great diet, he LOVES raw carrots. When he was sick last weekend, with a fever of 104, he wanted to eat a raw carrot for breakfast.

4) Wallet/purse

Kids' Immunization Records, Pepto, Advil, Digital Camera

I have a fear of needing Pepto on the road, and not having it, so I always take caplets with me.

5) Desk drawer

I don't utilize a desk drawer for anything other than filing bills, so I'll tell you five things on my desktop: a paper oriental umbrella thingie, my address book, the TV remote control, the memory verse I'm trying to learn, a stapler.

While my hand is much, much better since my fall a week ago, using the stapler with my right hand is still quite painful. I'm getting pretty good at using it with my left hand.

1. Give me LINDT TRUFFLES and I'll EAT THE WHOLE BAG IN LESS THAN A WEEK.

2. Whenever THE KIDS FIGHT, I LOSE MY PATIENCE.

3. I wish THAT MY TAB AND DELETE KEYS WOULD WORK TODAY.

4. A HAM, EGG, & CHEESE WRAP was the last thing I ate that was utterly delicious.

5. To live in this world MAKES ME LONG FOR HEAVEN.

6. Other than this one, AMY'S OR BILLY RHYTHM'S is the last blog I commented on.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to PERHAPS GOING TO BANGOR, tomorrow my plans include FINALLY CELEBRATING CALEB'S BIRTHDAY and Sunday, I want to SEE IF WE ARE REALLY GOING TO GET MORE SNOW!

1. It seems like DWANE'S DOG IS NEVER GOING TO STOP COSTING US TONS OF MONEY.

2. LET ME EAT THE REST OF THAT when you're done, please?

3. If I thought you WOULD KEEP YOUR BEDROOM CLEAN I'd HELP YOU CLEAN IT!

4. YELLOW ROSES is what I think of most when I think of you.

5. To me, Valentine's Day means A DAY TO LET OTHERS KNOW THAT YOU LOVE THEM.

6. JESUS CHRIST gives me strength.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to FINDING OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS DOG, tomorrow my plans include DECORATING CALEB'S BIRTHDAY CAKE and Sunday, I want to CELEBRATE CALEB'S 6TH BIRTHDAY AND WATCH THE DAYTONA 500 (WHICH I'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO WATCH ON THE DVR, AS IT'S THE SAME TIME AS CALEB'S BIRTHDAY!

AMY'S FLAGS MI-5

Amy says: "Many of you know- I am a NASCAR fan...and this weekend is the Daytona 500!!! During any auto race- NASCAR including- flags of different colors are displayed along a track and mean different things. This MI-5 is based on some of those flags but answers do not have to be race related at all....(I will omit the two most well known flags- the green and the checker)."

1. The Black Flag- also known to some as the consultation flag- is waved at a driver for various reasons but means that the driver must pull into the pits. Most of the time the driver is called to the pits to take care of extensive damage on the car or to take care of any penalties that may be incurred. Tell us about a time you had to deal with a penalty of some sort or of a time you had to take a time out to fix something right away.

We went to our first Nascar race in NH a couple of years ago. We took Dwane's truck, which, like all of our vehicles, has 100K+ miles on it. We got as far as Kennebunk when we heard this "knocking" sound. I don't remember now what the problem was (our vehicles have too many problems to keep track of), but we had to deal with the issue. As a result, we missed most of qualifying. I was not happy. And, this was not the first time, nor the last, that plans got sidetracked because of auto repairs.

2. The Yellow Flag is sometimes called the caution flag. When this flag waves it alerts a driver that there is something wrong on the track and they should slow down and fall in line behind the pace car. Tell us about a time you slowed down your pace.

I was pregnant with Caleb the year that Eben started Kindergarten. I felt like I now had a "free pass" to relax a little. I started taking daily naps (sometimes 2 a day) while Eben was in school. So, from September - February, I was "slowed down".

3. The Blue Flag with Orange Diagonal, known as the courtesy flag is the only "optional" flag in racing. This flag alerts a driver that he (or she) is holding up traffic- specifically the leaders- and that they should be courteous and move over to let the leaders continue to race. While this flag is optional- officials and fellow racers will look down upon anyone who repeatedly ignores it. Tell us about an experience where you let someone take the lead even though you really wanted it or about a time someone gave you the lead in something.

That happened to me yesterday, but I am not going to go into that here.

4. Red Flag means all activity on the track must come to a stop. This is usually done because of poor weather or a a lot emergency vehicles on the track. Drivers must line up according to position in the designated area (usually on track or in the pits), Crew members are not allowed to work on the cars during this time. Depending on the length or the red flag drivers are often allowed to get out of the car if parked on pit road. Tell us about a time when everything stopped for you.

Hmmm. I can't think of anything off the top of my head. Well, maybe the time that I had a TB test at Bath Memorial Hospital. After the test, I fainted, and bumped my head. I had a small seizure and ended up with a concussion. When I came to, the Personnel Director said "close your legs, dear". I had a skirt on, and when I fainted, my legs spread apart. And, as you might know, all of this happened in front of the guy I had a crush on.

5. When the White Flag is thrown during a race, it signals to all drivers that they are entering the last lap of the race. What is something you are almost done with?

It doesn't seem like I am "almost done" with anything. I should finish the office billing today, but at this minute, I'm not "almost done". I'm more than half-way done with the Beth Moore study on Esther, but it's not "almost done".

MELANIE'S 5 WORDS MI-5

This week, Melanie has asked us all to write a story...together. I will give you five words. In the comments section, please add five words to my story. Only add 5!!

Here's the beginning 5 words of my story:

"The garden gate was always..."

Now please type my 5 words, and add 5 of your own. Let's see how many people can contribute to this story!!

1. Please don't tell MISS JOSEY THAT I AM REALLY NOT DOING WELL WITH MY DIET THIS YEAR.

2. Can you EAT BREAKFAST FIRST THING in the morning?

3. The color YELLOW makes me want to CRY! IT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES, BOTH HAPPY AND SAD.

4. I have a craving for DROPPED EGGS ON OATNUT TOAST.

5. If my life had a pause button, I'd pause it WHEN LIFE WAS MUCH EASIER--BACK IN THE 1980S. (I LOVED HIGH SCHOOL!)

6. Eyes are the OFTEN THE MOST EXPRESSIVE PART OF A PERSON.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to SUPPER WITH PASTOR DAVE & MISS JOSEY, tomorrow my plans include A TRIP TO AUGUSTA & SCRAPBOOKING WITH MANDY and Sunday, I want to WATCH NASCAR QUALIFYING!