Friday, June 26, 2009

PHILOSOPHICAL MI-5

Gina says: "Am feeling a bit philosophical regarding MI-5 questions for this week. The questions are sort of a reflection exercise to give language to the seasons in our lives. Our life journey so to speak. The idea is to name the book which is your life. Give your book (your life) a title. Or, if your life were a book what would the title be? Next come the chapters. Some of these chapters will be uglier, funnier, better or worse than others. For each of the time frames listed, try to name that chapter in your life. You don't have to, but if you wanted to expand on the reasoning behind your titles, that would be great. Also, if you have a chapter in your life that isn't represented here, please feel free to add it. I was just trying to keep to the MI-5 format."


Your Book Title - DAUGHTER, FRIEND, MOTHER, WIFE (brought this over from this week's MI-5)


Chapter Titles -

Birth to 5 Years - EVERYONE'S DARLING

Elementary Years - TEACHER'S PET

High School Years - LIFE AS A CHEERLEADER

College Age - NAVIGATING THE WATERS OF RELATIONSHIPS

Present Age - TIME PASSAGES

FRIDAY FILL-IN

1. She had a great CHILDHOOD.

2. MY CAT, MAGGIE, is by my side, always. (WELL, ALMOST ALWAYS).

3. I know this: I'M GOING TO HEAVEN SOMEDAY BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

4. I DO LOVE YOU, still. (ONE OF THE FIRST SONGS I LEARNED TO PLAY ON THE PIANO.)

5. These words apply to me: DAUGHTER, MOTHER, WIFE, FRIEND.

6. WHEN I SAT DOWN TO WORK YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, THROUGH MY WINDOW the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to SEEING DAWN, tomorrow my plans include POSSIBLY GOING TO CHINA LAKE TO CHECK OUT LUMBER FOR A GARAGE and Sunday, I want to SEE MY SISTER-IN-LAW AND HER BOYS AT CHURCH (I'M HOPING)!

Friday, June 19, 2009

BILLY RHYTHM'S VACATION MI-5

Billy Rhythm says: "I'm going on vacation next week. Yea! I'm really thinking I need some time away, and I think this vacation will really do me some good. Here are 5 vacation inspired questions."

1) Tell us a memorable vacation story you have from your childhood.

When Uncle Adrian and Aunt Ginny took Billy and I to New York, we went to the Bronx Zoo. While there, I met Miss Universe and had my picture taken with her. Being a young girl, that was EXCITING! I still have the picture around somewhere...I should try to dig it up.

2) Tell us a memorable vacation tale from your adulthood.

Mom and I went on a bus trip to Pigeon Forge, TN a coule of years ago, and we both had a great time. I'm not sure how many mothers and daughters could spend that much time together on vacation, but Mom and I had a blast. We took in a lot of shows, did some shopping, and went on rides at Dollywood. It was truly a great experience. We travel so well together that we're doing another bus trip this year...this time to Branson, MO.

3) Assume you and your mate/significant other/best friend are going on a dream vacation. You don't have to pay for any of it. Where do you go? Why?

If safety was also not an issue, I'd go on a guided tour through the Holy Land. To put my feet on the same soil where Jesus walked, well, it gives me goose bumps to think about it. I'd love to see the Jordan River, the site of Solomon's temple, the Via Dolorosa, the garden tomb, the traditional site of Jesus' birth...it just goes on and on.

4) Now, come back down to Earth, and tell us about a "dream" vacation that you think might actually happen some day. Where is that? How long until you think it becomes reality?

I'd really like to spend some more time in Florida. I really love to go to Amusement Parks, and there are certainly plenty down there. Plus, Florida is just so different from Maine, even if it is in the same country. In this economy, it could still be YEARS before we get to do that, but I still think it's possible at some point.

5) There are some missionary students on "working vacation" coming to my house for dinner tonight. If someone came to stay with you for vacation, what would you feed them that was really considered a "local delicacy"? What regional food would be a "must have"?

As an appetizer, State of Maine veggie cheese and crackers. Steamed lobster, steamed clams, and corn on the cob from Beth's for the maine course, and Maine blueberry pie with Dorman's grapenut ice cream on top for dessert.

FRIDAY FILL-IN

1. All children alarm their parents, if only because you are forever expecting THAT CALL FROM SCHOOL INFORMING ME THAT THERE IS A BROKEN BONE.

2. Show me a good loser and I will show you a PERSON WHO DESERVES TO WIN.

3. RIDING A ROLLER COASTER is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs at one time.

4. Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy CARING FOR THEIR CHILDREN and ATTENDING CHURCH.

5. I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine BACKGROUND & TEXTURE PAPER and STICKEASE.

6. It is impossible to think of any good meal, no matter how plain or elegant, without BUTTER or POTATO in it.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to GOING TO TJ MAXX WITH A GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM MY BOSS AND MY OWN PERSONAL STYLIST (MRS. CHEESEBALL), tomorrow my plans include MAYBE MAKING A QUICK TRIP TO SAM'S CLUB and Sunday, I want to GIVE DWANE HIS FATHER'S DAY GIFT!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

AMY'S SUMMERTIME MI-5

Amy says: "School's are letting up, the weather is a little warmer and the days a little longer. It's time for the Summertime 5"

1. In school were you the kind of kid who was sad when school let out for the summer, or happy to be moving on?

I loved school, but I was always glad to welcome summer. I was (and still am) a homebody, and I liked being home with my Mom. I also loved to spend time with Becky, Lisa, and Melanie.

2. Talk about a memorable childhood summer. Did you go somewhere special? Did you do something fun?

One summer(I'm thinking I was in 3rd grade or so), Aunt Ginny and Uncle Adrian took Billy and I to New York. Uncle Ade was from Mamoroneck (I used to know how to spell that), which is, for the most part, just outside the city. We had Carvel ice cream, went to the amusement park in Rye (I think), and took in the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. We climbed up Liberty's crown, but the arm was closed for repairs. I'm quite glad of that. Climbing all of the narrow stairs really made me quite queasey. I don't care to do it again. One other summer (just before my senior year of high school), I flew to Brooklyn, NY with Aunt Jo and Jen. We took in the United Nations, Cats on Broadway, and screened a CBS game show. We also went to Cony Island.

3. During summers my brother and I use to comb the house for enough change to go to the local community college's summer free swim. Talk about something fun you use to do during the summer?

I loved going down to "King's Island", which was a clump of rocks that was mostly submerged at high tide, but very easy to get to and play on during low tide. There was "king's chair", "king's bed", and "king's bathtub". It was right across the street from my best friend's house. We also used to stop at Edie's little lunch stand to get French fries with white vinegar.

4. Do you have a favorite summertime food?

Believe it or not, I really enjoy some fresh fruits and vegetables in the summer. I love red potatoes, green beans, and corn on the cob from Beth's Farm Market. I also look forward to some strawberries dipped in chocolate, which I think I'm going to be having for dessert tonight.

5. Talk about a summertime tradition you have now?

Going to Beth's Farm Market has become somewhat of a tradition. We always go to the Lobster Festival Parade, and Dwane usually drags me to the Lobster Festival on hometown night when it is free. He just HAS to have a fried dough. I would rather avoid the whole thing, but I go along, because that's the tradition.

Friday, June 12, 2009

FRIDAY FILL-IN

1. I grew up thinking THAT I WOULD BE A MISSIONARY TO A FOREIGN LAND.

2. THE FRIDAY FILL-IN WEBSITE was the last website I was at before coming here.

3. Why don't you GIVE ME A CALL?

4. READING A GOOD BOOK helps me relax.

5. Thanks for the BIRTHDAY WISHES EVERYONE.

6. TALKING BEHIND SOMEONE'S BACK IS very off-putting.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to SPENDING TIME ALONE WITH CALEB (DWANE & EBEN ARE HEADED TO BOWDOIN, I THINK), tomorrow my plans include PRESTON'S GRADUATION PARTY (I THINK) and Sunday, I want to TAKE A LONG, LONG NAP!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

FLICK'R UPDATED

I posted some new pictures to Flick'r this morning, just in case any of my loyal readers are not already seeing them on Facebook. If you have seen my pictures on Facebook, the Flick'r pictures are just duplicates.

Going for a blood pressure check this AM. It was 100/65 earlier this week, so I don't think that she'll have a problem with my blood pressure. I'm not sure that my weight will be down any from my visit in December, as my recent weight loss has really just been the weight I gained over the winter. Darn that winter weight gain. I think I'm within 2 pounds of my lowest point last year, and then I can really make some progress.

Dwane and Eben will be going to Virginia in July. They will be leaving on July 2 and coming back on July 6. They will be bringing Gloria (Dwane's Mom) and Granny (Dwane's grandmother) back with them (hopefully!). Gloria is trying to convince her Mom that she should move to Maine, at least temporarily. Granny's health is starting to decline, and she is still living alone. Caleb and I will have to find something really fun to do that weekend. It will be the 4th of July weekend, so we'll have to figure out something.

Lord willing, I'm taking another bus trip with Mom in October. This time, we're going to Branson, MO. It's a longer trip (9 days) so hopefully I won't get too homesick. When we went to Pigeon Forge, TN, we were so busy that there really wasn't a whole lot of time to be homesick. The Osmonds (I was an Osmond FANATIC in the 1970's) will be having a show going on in Branson when we are there, but it is not on the itinerary for the trip. I'm hoping that I can fanagle a way to work it in. It would seem pretty bad to be that "close" to the Osmonds and not get to see them.

Love to y'all.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

G'S ECLECTIC MI-5

1. A new planet has just been discovered. And you get to name it. What name do you choose and why?

I think I might pick CALEBEN. (I'm not sure how you pronounce it.) It's Caleb & Eben (my son's names) put together. It's also my license plate.

2. What would be your 3 main laws (rules) if you ran your own country?

If evolution is taught in the school, creation must also be taught. Prayer will be back in school (and perhaps the recitation of the 23rd Psalm or some other scripture) like when my Dad went to school. (If someone doesn't want to pray or recite, they don't have to--but they must sit respectfully.) Oh, goodness. Can't think of another one. Guess that's why I'm not in politics. Well, since it's my own country (and not necessarily all of a sudden becoming ruler of the USA), no abortions. However, the people of the country would have to step up to the plate to care for the mom and the baby. (I so can't handle when abortions are used for birth control or convenience.)

3. What villain from literature or history do you relate to the most? Why?

It would have to be someone without a lot of patience. Who would that be? Can't say I'm up with all of my villains.

4. What, if any, is the value of optimism?

It keeps you from going "into the pit" (depression). I think it goes hand in hand with "hope".

5. What annoys you most about technology?

The art of "visiting" has been lost. It's too easy to just pick up the phone or check out Facebook. When I was little, we went "visiting" all of the time. People don't seem to do that at all anymore.

Bonus - What is your favorite “special feature” on a DVD?

Definitely the bloopers!!

Friday, June 05, 2009

FRIDAY FILL-IN

1. SOMETIMES IT'S A LITTLE BORING TELECOMMUNITING---I FIND MYSELF ALWAYS SITTING AT home.

2. My favorite thing for dinner lately has been BOILED POTATOES WITH BUTTER AND PARSLEY.

3. WHEN BENJI-DOG IS HUNGRY, HE TURNS LOTS OF DOUGHNUTS, AND SAYS "bark! bark! bark!"

4. A nice long walk IS WHAT I DID YESTERDAY FOR EXERCISE.

5. IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO HEAR some good news.

6. When all is said and done, I STILL HAVE HEAVEN TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT (DWANE WILL BE GOING OUT TO DINNER FOR A CMA MEETING), tomorrow my plans include I HAVE NO IDEA (DWANE & EBEN WILL BE AT FUNTOWN) and Sunday, I want to GRACEFULLY TURN 41!