THE QUICKIE MI-5

1. Coke or Pepsi?

I am definitely a Pepsi person, especially Diet Pepsi. I will drink Diet Coke, but only if Diet Pepsi isn't available.

2. Milk Chocolate or Dark Chocolate?

I think I prefer milk chocolate, although I really like dark chocolate, too. (Not too dark, though.) I think it depends on my mood, but my preference is usually for milk chocolate.

3. Rain or Snow?

I can actually enjoy both. I love the sound of rain, and I love the look of fresh fallen snow. Snow can often bring about a no-school day, which can be good (or bad). Good that I might be able to sleep in a little, and bad if the boys decide to fight all day. If I know that we are going to get wind with rain/snow, I like to put a pot roast or a boiled dinner on the stove. That way, if the power should go out, at least my stovetop is already lit and going.

4. Mountains or Seashore?

I'd pick the seashore. Since I've always lived near the ocean, I'd certainly miss it if I didn't have it nearby. And, one of the best days of my life was playing in the waves at VA Beach. I also have dreams of a romantic getaway on a tropical island. If only tropical islands had a Busch Gardens, then I'd be almost in paradise!

5. Catnap or Long Nap?

I love a long nap (especially on Sunday afternoons), but during the week, I often take a cat nap. After lunch, I go to lay down, and I literally sleep only the duration of a commercial break. I never miss any of the actual show, just the commercials. Or, sometimes, if I'm laying in bed and playing my DS, the stylus will fall out of my hand. As soon as it does, I wake up. Surprisingly, that split second of a "nap" is all I need to "re-energize".

FRIDAY FILL-INS

1. "In a hole in the ground there lived a MOLE, AND COOTER LOVED TO CATCH HIM."
(MY GRANDMOTHER HAD A CAT NAMED "COOTER". HE LOVED TO BRING MOLES HOME TO HER AS PRESENTS.)

2. "I'VE SINNED A LOT but that ain't no matter." JESUS PAID THE PRICE FOR ALL OF THEM.

3. "After dark the rain began to fall again, AND THE GENTLE PATTER ON THE ROOF LULLED ME TO SLEEP."

4. "HE TOOK THE DIAMOND RING from the hold of the Spanish galleon."

5. "There was a hand in the darkness, and IT MADE SUSAN SCREAM."

6. "Accidents ambush the unsuspecting, BECAUSE IF YOU EXPECTED IT, THE ACCIDENT COULD PROBABLY BE AVOIDED."

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to TEACHING AN ADVANCED SCRAPBOOKING WORKSHOP, tomorrow my plans include MAKING CUPCAKES, HELPING AT THE FREE COMMUNITY DINNER, AND PROBABLY RETURNING THE CARNIVAL TRAILER TO AUGUSTA and Sunday, I want to TAKE A REST FROM EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY!

SHE WOULD'T BE GONE

I've had an earworm lately. For those of you who don't know, an earworm is a term my brother uses to describe a song that you just can't get out of your head. It happens to me quite often. This time, however, I don't really know all of the words. That makes it difficult. You can't really sing the song in your head, because you don't know the lyrics. I decided to look them up, cuz I just know all of you want to be singing this song, too. I wish it didn't have swear words in it. It drives me nuts when an otherwise really cool song has a cuss in it. Maybe I'm too goody-goody, but I just don't like it. Anyway--this song is one of those songs that would be really fun to sing, if only I can learn the words. (To be brief, I've only put the first verse & the chorus.)

SHE WOULDN'T BE GONE, Blake Shelton

Red roadside wild flower,
if I'd only picked you,
took you home and set you on the counter,
oh at least a time or two,
maybe she'd have thought it through.
Yellow sunset dippin in the rearview,
oh how she loved to sit and watch you,
I could have done that a whole lot more.

[Bridge]
If I hadnt been so stubborn,
been so selfish,
thought about her more,
thought about me less.
Joked to make her happy,
held her when she cried,
a little more of that, maybe i..

[Chorus]
Wouldnt be drivin like hell,
flyin like crazy down the highway,
callin everyone we know,
stoppin any place she might be,
goin anywhere she might go.
Beatin on the dash,
screamin out her name at the windshield,
tears soakin up my face.
if I'd have loved her this much all along,
maybe, maybe, yeah maybe,
she wouldn't be gone.

LISA'S SHOPPING MI-5

I said: I’ve been shopping a lot this week, so this week’s 5 is inspired by several of the stores I have been to:

1. TJ MAXX – I have no idea what the “TJ” in TJ Maxx stands for. Do know of someone who goes by his/her initials, instead of his/her full name? What is their full name? Why do they prefer initials? Tell us a little bit about this person.

My first thought was TJ Kierstead. He was (is) a friend of Billy Rhythm's. In high school, TJ and my brother and I think another guy had planned on all going to some sort of high school prom together. At the last minute, TJ's date backed out, and I got nominated as the replacement. I was quite a bit older than TJ, but I always loved to dance, so decided to "help" out. I grabbed a bridesmaid's dress from my closet (it was probably the one I wore to Ronda's wedding), and off we went. It was actually kind of fun. I think that the "T" in "TJ" stands for Thomas, but I'm not sure what the "J" stands for. I believe his dad's name is also Thomas, so I'm guessing he used "TJ" to differentiate himself from his Dad.

2. TARGET – Tell us a story about target practice, hunting, or some sort of “shooting” activity.

In the late 80s, I dated a guy who took me to his cousin's house. His cousin lived way out in the boondocks somewhere, I think maybe around Bangor. We left at 0 Dark 30 in the AM, and when I got there, everyone in the house was still asleep. I was left to sleep on the living room couch (at a place where I had never been, with people I had never met) while my boyfriend and his cousin went out to hunt. When they got back (after what seemed to be HOURS AND HOURS), they talked me into shooting at a can with an 8mm. I was actually a fairly good shot, but I was absolutely traumatized by the whole thing. I hated the noise. I hated the feeling in my arm when I pulled the trigger. I hated the idea I had shot a gun. It was the first and only time I had shot a gun, and I hope to never shoot another one.

3. DOLLAR TREE – What’s the best bargain going nowadays? Is there anything you buy that is really only $1.00 (or less)?

Are they any bargains out there anymore? Actually, I found a really, really good one yesterday at Big Lots. I picked something up as an Easter gift for Dwane, and it cost me $2.00. It's absolutely amazing, and the perfect gift. Even my Mom says so.

4. BIG LOTS – What would your perfect house lot look like? Would it be big? Smaller, with less lawn care? Water feature? Stone wall? Fenced in yard? Wooded?

I'd love to own lots of land, so that I don't have to worry about neighbors cutting down trees or building something to obstruct any view I might have. If I was rich, I'd love lots of lush flower gardens, and probably a big vegetable garden, too. I'd need to be rich to hire a gardener! I'd love a stone wall, and a babbling brook with a footbridge over it. I'd like Mom to be my neighbor on one side, and I'd like my entire family to be nearby.

5. WENDY’S – When you have an “all-day” excursion planned, do you prefer to sit down and eat a meal at a restaurant, or do you prefer a drive-through type experience in order to save more time for other activities?

I think I'm, for the most part, a fast-food type of girl. Mostly, I guess, because it's cheap. Usually, if you are going to sit down to enjoy a meal, it costs more money. I'm all about feeding a family of 4 for $12. I'd really like to be able to afford fine dining, though. The finest I get now is Red Robin, Old Country Buffet, or Cracker Barrel. I've heard some good things about Carabba's, and I'd love to try that some day. (Of course, there's not even one close to me, so that will be difficult.)

1. Why do we have to EAT HEALTHY?

2. THE FRIDAY FILL-IN AND THE MI-5 are now habits.

3. I have FOND MEMORIES.

4. I had never heard the phrase "FRIDAY MEMES" UNTIL AMY USED IT and IT IS NOW SOMETHING I DO, TOO (ALTHOUGH I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT "MEME" HAS TO DO WITH ANYTHING).

5. I'M SITTING HERE AT THE COMPUTER the way I always do.

6. How was I to know THAT I'D ACTUALLY BE A PARALEGAL? I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE A TEACHER!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to EBEN'S HONORS CHORUS CONCERT IN BRUNSWICK, tomorrow my plans include THE FAMILY FUN FEST and Sunday, I want to RELAX AFTER A BUSY WEEK AND WATCH THE BRISTOL RACE!

AMY'S SPRINGTIME MI-5

1. Now that it's warmer (or when it gets warmer if it's still cold where you are) what are you looking forward to doing outside?

Walking to the mailbox without getting muddy! Taking out the dog without getting muddy pawprints on the floor! No mud!! No mud!! No mud!!

2. Are there any special memories or moments that you associate with spring?

I really love the "smell" of the air in spring. I love driving in the car with the windows down and the music up. I love the thoughts of gardening (although I never do any of it).

3. It's definitely greener here now. Is it green yet where you are? What are some of the first signs of spring you have seen or look forward to seeing?

It's not green here. In my yard, I have 6 inches of white snow in some places, and in other places, I have 6 inches of brown mud. I look forward to seeing the buds on the trees, and hearing the "peepers" in the "wetland" area out back.

4. Do you have any spring cleaning rituals?

I wish! Having any cleaning rituals would be a good thing!

5. Are you Irish? Do you take part in any special St. Patricks Day celebrations?

I'm not Irish, although I once sent a green carnation to a guy I had a crush on with a card that said "Someone with Irish eyes is thinking about you." On St. Patrick's Day, we go to my grandmother's house for corned beef and cabbage.

1. When I look to the left, I see MY KITTEN CALENDAR.

2. THE COMPUTER ROOM is the room that has the best view in my home.

3. Let it work OUT, PRETTY PLEASE?.

4. LAUNDRYdone dirt cheap!

5. BEING KIND TO OTHERS is a responsibility that all qualified citizens must share.

6. If you have any CHOCOLATE feel free TO SHARE.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to WHO KNOWS WHAT?, tomorrow my plans include A TRIP TO PORTLAND and Sunday, I want to TAKE A LONG, LONG NAP!

AUNT GINNY'S "TAXING" MI-5

1. I got my tax refund last week. Have you filed yet? Will you get a refund? What are your plans for the money? Save? Spend? Something you've been wanting and can now get with the "extra money?

Our taxes are filed, refunds received, and almost all spent. We paid down a big chunk of what we owe on the newest 4-wheeler, and the rest is pretty much just "piddled away". Dwane did buy a new track or some such thing for the snowmobile, and I might like to buy The Wave from the Firm.

2. Do you do your own taxes or have someone else do them? I used TurboTax.com and found it very easy to use.

We use the TaxCut, and have for several years. I love the ease of use.

3. Have you ever been audited? What was it like?

Never been audited. Never hope to be.

4. Did anyone else hear that Seniors will be getting checks for $250? I heard it once and then nothing more about it. Seems only fair since they don't benefit from a reduction in payroll taxes. Your thoughts?

I haven't heard that about Seniors, but it does seem to be fair, although I don't necessarily agree with the payroll deduction thing to begin with. Instead of spending trillion of dollars we don't have to go who knows where, I would rather the government divide that trillion dollars evenly among taxpayers, and use that amount to pay down the taxpayers' mortgage or other debt. That way, the banks get some money, GMAC and Ford Motor get money from cars getting paid off, and taxpayers now have less debt to pay, so they can spend money at McDonalds and Walmart instead. Probably my plan is way to simple, and may not work, but in my blondeness, it sounds good to me.

5. Do you wait until April 15 to file if you have to send a check? Or do you just want to get it over with?

We file as soon as we can, because we always have a refund coming. If I had to pay in, I would not wait until the very last minute, but I would probably wait until April 1 to pay it.

1. I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT was my last random act of kindness.

2. Another place WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD PLACE TO BE RIGHT NOW.

3. GOD WANTS US TO LET HIM BE INVOLVED in matters of the heart.

4. Coffee, tea or ME? (I SEEM TO RECALL THAT'S A QUOTE MY DAD USED TO SAY).

5. I KNOW TWO PEOPLE THAT SHOULD DEFINITELY TAKE separate paths.

6. Our NEED FOR PARENTS reminds me that there is A GOD THAT LOVES US VERY MUCH.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to EXPENSIVE STEAK FOR DWANE'S BIRTHDAY (WELL, EXPENSIVE FOR US ANYWAY), tomorrow my plans include I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT and Sunday, I want to REFRESH MY SPIRIT IN CHURCH (IT NEEDS IT! OH, NO, I'M CRYING AGAIN!)