The Wight Family & More

ONE OF THOSE FILL-INS

2010-10-08T06:52:00.000-04:00

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:15 AM
2. How do you like your steak? medium rare
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? It was a family movie re-release this past summer with Caleb. I can't remember the name.
4. What is your favorite TV show? Hard to pick just one...Some favorites are “Say Yes to the Dress”, “The View”, “The Bachelor”, and “House Hunters”. Most of the TV I watch has been recorded, and then I watch it while exercising.
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Here.
6. What did you have for breakfast? So far, only coffee. Yesterday I had some ham and Cream of Wheat.
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Mom's.
8. What foods do you dislike? Most vegetables---especially Harvard Beets.
9. Favorite Place to Eat? Sonic, Cracker Barrel
10. Favorite dressing? Low-Fat Ranch
11. What are your favorite clothes? Hand-Me-Downs :)
12. Where would you visit if you had the chance? The place of my ancestors...I'm not really sure where that is, although it's probably somewhere in Europe.
13. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 1/2 Full (usually)
14. Where would you want to retire? A really big RV following the Nascar schedule with some sort of ministry.
15. Favorite time of day? Bedtime
16. Where were you born? Rockland, Maine
17. What is your favorite sport to watch? Nascar
18. Bird watcher? Not really, although my Dad loved to.
19. Are you a morning person or a night person? morning
20. Pets? I have a cat named Maggie. Dwane has a Yorkie-Mix named Benji, and Eben has a black cat named Snuggles. We also have a guinea pig named Mimi. I guess we all claim her from time to time.
21. Any new and exciting news that you'd like to share? Most of the exciting stuff I know is confidential so I can't share it.
22.What did you want to be when you were little? A Patient Account Manager like my Dad.
23. What is your best childhood memory? I have so many! I was one of those kids that was truly blessed with an amazing childhood. One of my favorites, though, is watching the Miss America pageants with my grandmother. We always had “cardboard pizzas” and cinnamon buns (from a can) as a snack. We always watched to see who had jiggly thighs. (I think she wanted me to realize that even the most beautiful women are not perfect.)
24. Are you a cat or dog person? cat
25. Are you married? Over 15 years
26. Always wear your seat belt? Yes
27. Been in a car accident? A deer ran into me once. Does that count?
28. Any pet peeves? Lots. New toilet paper rolls that are “glued shut” is a big one.
29. Favorite pizza topping? Hamburger, Green Pepper and Onion. Yes! Veggies! I'm learning!
30. Favorite Flower? Pink Carnations and Yellow Roses
31. Favorite ice cream? Mocha Chip from Dormans
32. Favorite fast food restaurant? Sonic
33. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Twice
34. From whom did you get your last email? Facebook
35. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Wal-Mart
36. Do anything spontaneous lately? No. I never do anything spontaneous.
37. Like your job? Yes
38. Broccoli? Not alone, but I'll eat it in a casserole or with cheese.
39. What was your favorite vacation? VA Beach and Lynchburg/Appomattox with Dwane, Mom, and Dad; Pigeon Forge, TN with Mom (Bus Trip); and our Honeymoon (Poconos/Disney World) was really good, too.
40. Last person you went out to dinner with? Tim Horton's Drive-Through with Alice???
41. What are you listening to right now? Channel 6 Morning News
42. What is your favorite color? Pink
43. How many tattoos do you have? none
44. What time did you finish this quiz? 6:51 AM.
45. Coffee Drinker? Yes, two cups every morning. I like it weak. The coffee is more or less just a way to warm up the flavored creamer.

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2010-07-30T08:01:00.003-04:00

1. I'm going TO THOMAS POINT BEACH TOMORROW (FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER). DWANE'S 25TH CLASS REUNION WILL BE HELD THERE.

2. I TEND TO NOT ENJOY adventure and daring.

3. Perhaps today you can make it a point TO PICK UP AFTER YOURSELVES...PLEASE?

4. MY HUSBAND, DWANE, HAS A true adventurer’s spirit.

5. Compassion is SOMETHING WITH WHICH GOD IS FULL. (IF ONLY WE WERE ALL FULL OF THAT, TOO...)

6. I HAVE GOT TO ORGANIZE A NEW SCRAPBOOKING SPACE no matter how difficult.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER TO GO TO THE FORMAL DINNER PART OF DWANE'S CLASS REUNION, tomorrow my plans include BEACHING IT and Sunday, I want to REJOICE THAT THIS CLASS REUNION BUSINESS IS FINALLY OVER (DWANE'S BEEN ON THE PLANNING COMMITTEE)!

FRIDAY FILL IN

2010-02-19T17:29:00.002-05:00

1. Johnny Weir IS A SKATER THAT HAS NEVER BEEN A FAVORITE OF MINE.
2. I'M REALLY STARTING TO LIKE WATCHING CURLING IN THE 2010 Olympics.
3. And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud WAS SIMPLY TOO GREAT. IT WAS TIME TO BURST FORTH WITH THE BEAUTY AND COLOR OF SPRING.
4. GO AHEAD AND LAUGH if you get an urge.
5. Having sweet dreams MAKES YOU SOMETIMES SAD TO WAKE UP.
6. What does it take TO TEACH A PRE-TEEN RESPECT?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to A CLOSE TO MY HEART OPEN HOUSE, tomorrow my plans include PLANNING THE FIRST PLACE 4 HEALTH MEETING and Sunday, I want to SIMPLY MAKE IT THROUGH (IT'S AWFULLY BUSY)!

GIRLS ONLY SURVEY FOR MY NIECE OLIVIA

2010-01-18T09:18:00.002-05:00

1. What is the number 1 thing you look for in a guy?

Intelligence.

2. If you could meet a celebirty who would it be?

Sandi Patty

3. Where would you most likely be seen at a party?

At church or home (for a scrapbooking party).

4. Would you, at a slumber party, pull pranks on other girls?

No. (Do unto others...)

5. Do u prefer kisses or hugs?

Hugs.

6. Do you think Nick Jonas and Miley Cyrus are a cute couple?

Sure...Why not?

7. Whats your fav magazine?

All You

8. If you could make your own movie what would it be about and what would it be called?

Probably some sort of chick flick...I'm not good with movie stuff.

9. What does "rawr" mean in dinosaur?

I'm not sure..."I love you?"

10. If you like a guy would you have the nerve 2 ask him out?

Probably.

12. What is your best color?

Pink.

13. What is your best subject?

I was best at typing, but I enjoyed biology (even though I did horribly.)

14. Do you like Miley Cyrus or Britany Spears better?

Goodness. I'm not sure.

15. Who is the cutest celebirty couple 2 you?

Amy Grant & Vince Gill

16. What is your style?

Casual.

17. What is the 1 food you hate the most?

Harvard Beets

18. What reality show do you watch the most?

The Bachelor.

17. Do you get on facebook a lot?

Yes.

18. Are you bored right now?

Kindda.

THE 2010 GETTING TO KNOW YOU

2010-01-17T07:25:00.002-05:00

1. What is your occupation right now?

I work 20-30 hours per week as a paralegal.

2. What color are your socks right now?

No socks. Pink slippers.

3. What are you listening to right now?

Dishwasher. Caleb making a project (again!).

4. What was the last thing that you ate?

Starbucks Coffee Cake Batter.

5. Can you drive a stick shift?

Yes

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?

Mom Jarrell

7. Do you like the person who sent this to you?

Yes-I love them both (Mom & Aunt Susie)

8. How old are you today?

41

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?

Nascar

10. What is your favorite drink?

Diet Cherry Pepsi

11. Have you ever dyed your hair?

Used to use "Sun-In" in high school and in my early 20's.

12. Favorite food?

Lobster

13. What is the last movie you watched?

Ugh, I never remember these movie questions!

14. Favorite day of the year?

Christmas

15. How do you vent anger?

Cry, scream, yell, or completely close up.

16. What was your favorite toy as a child?

My most loved toys were my teddy bear and my stuffed Kitty Meow.

17. What is your favorite season?

Autumn, I guess. I think there are pros and cons for all of them.

18. Cherries or Blueberries?

Blueberries if I am going to eat the actual fruit, but if it's flavoring in something, I prefer cherry.

19. Living situation?

Double-wide mobile home and the world's largest garage.

20. When was the last time you cried?

Wednesday, at the end of Eben's book club book "Wolf Brother" (or it may have been "Brother Wolf", I can never remember which way). I cried so hard, I had to have Eben finish reading it. (I read out-loud to the kids every morning.)

21. What is on the floor of your closet right now?

Clothes baskets full of clothes.

22. What did you do last night?

Made pork chops and homemade macaroni & cheese, and went to bed around 8:00 PM. Fell asleep promptly.

23. What are you most afraid of?

Death of a loved one.

24. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?

While I think I prefer cheeseburgers, if I am trying to watch my weight, I will give up the cheese.

25. Favorite dog breed?

Benji-Dog breed. (Mostly Yorkshire Terrier, mixed with some other something. I also like Chow Chows named Nikki & Peekaboos named Tuffy.) Other than that, I am definitely a cat person.

26. Favorite day of the week?

Sunday. (Church, lunch with my family, and a nap to the sounds of Nascar!)

27. How many states have you lived in?

1

28. Diamonds or pearls?

Diamonds

29. What is your favorite flower?

Yellow Rose

MY PIZZA DIP RECIPE

2009-12-20T08:17:00.001-05:00

(From Family Circle Magazine, December, 2009)

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
¾ cup light mayo
1 cup shredded mozzarella
8 ounces sliced pepperoni, chopped
2 ripe plum tomatoes, chopped
10 large pitted black olives, chopped (I don’t use)
4 crusty Italian rolls, cut into ½-inch pieces (or some
other “vehicle for dipping”)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine everything but the bread. Spoon into 6-cup baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes until lightly browned and bubbly. Allow to cool slightly. Serve with bread pieces for dipping.

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2009-11-13T20:17:00.002-05:00

1. The last band I saw live was LITTLE BIG TOWN (JUST ABOUT A YEAR AGO).

2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is DINNER WITH THE EXTENDED FAMILY AT MA'S.

3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is NOT EVEN REALLY STARTED YET.

4. Thoughts of HOW TO GET MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DONE fill my head.

5. I wish I could wear A BATHING SUIT AND LOOK REALLY GOOD IN IT.

6. Bagpipes ARE A FAVORITE OF MY GRANDMOTHER.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to GOING TO BED, tomorrow my plans include CLEANING OUT THE SCRAPBOOKING AREA and Sunday, I want to SEE JIMMIE JOHNSON CRASH!

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2009-11-06T14:13:00.002-05:00

1. Plans and schedules SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED. I KNOW THAT'S EXTREME, BUT I PREFER THAT THINGS GO "ACCORDING TO PLAN". I'M NOT GOOD WITH "FLYING BY THE SEAT OF MY PANTS".

2. I'm happy when things GO ACCORDING TO PLAN! (HA! HA!)

3. The last thing I drank was DIET PEPSI.

4. One of the most valuable things in my life is MY FAMILY, OF COURSE. I HAVE A GREAT IMMEDIATE FAMILY, AND A GREAT EXTENDED FAMILY. I COULDN'T ASK FOR BETTER.

5. I like HAMBURGER,GREEN PEPPER, AND ONION on my pizza.

6. Dear November, PLEASE DON'T GET TOO COLD. I'D LIKE TO SAVE ON THE HEATING BILL.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to GETTING THE CHURCH READY FOR TOMORROW, tomorrow my plans include HOSTING A BENEFIT CROP AT CHURCH and Sunday, I want to SEE SEAN WALK!

FRIDAY FILL INS

2009-10-30T05:04:00.002-04:00

1. It was a dark and stormy night, AND I WAS GLAD THAT DWANE CUT DOWN THE BIGGEST TREES AROUND THE HOUSE.

2. MOM WAS TRYING TO WEED OUT HER OLD COOKBOOKS so I offered to take the books myself.

3. Rushing out, I FORGOT MY KEYS AND HAD TO RUSH BACK IN.

4. JACOB MUST BE AROUND...I think I heard a howl!

5. Shhhh... IF YOU REALLY LISTEN, YOU MIGHT HEAR YOUR HEART SPEAKING TO YOU.

6. I REALLY NEED SOME PROTEIN SO give me something good to eat!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to VISITING WITH MY AUNT & UNCLE, tomorrow my plans include TAKING CALEB TO TRUNK OR TREAT AT LITTLEFIELD and Sunday, I want to WATCH DEGA, BABY, DEGA!

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2009-10-23T05:07:00.003-04:00

1. The crickets sing, AND IT KIND OF MAKES ME HAPPY.

2. YOU CAN PRAY wherever you are.

3. I want to get far away from the MESS AND CLUTTER FROM BUILDING A GARAGE.

4. OH THANK GOODNESS; this was a dream.

5. But as for me AND MY HOUSE WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.

6. SPRUCE HEAD, AMERICA, IS WHERE I come from.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to HAVING MY HUSBAND WORKING ONLY 2 MILES AWAY FROM HOME, INSTEAD OF 20 MILES AWAY, tomorrow my plans include CLEANING OUT THE COAT CLOSET and Sunday, I want to TAKE A MUCH-NEEDED NAP!

WHAT'S GOING ON UPDATE

2009-10-17T07:17:00.003-04:00

Man. I haven't posted a "real post" in forever. I guess that's because I'm spending all of my time on Facebook, and I figure that you guys don't need to read the same thing twice.

Things have been very busy around these parts lately. I'm working at the office now, about 20 hours per week. I LOVE going to the office. It's like hanging out with my best friends. My boss is absolutely fantastic, and I didn't know that I would ever find a job that I actually looked forward to going to. The office is very relaxed (even though we are screaming busy). My boss's puppy, Franklin, a German Shepherd, is in the office with us during the day, and that adds a sense of "family atmosphere" and fun to the office. I just can't tell you how much I enjoy it. Anita is very accommodating with my schedule (both for the kids' sake, and for the sake of all of Dwane's doctor's appointments). Of course, my best friend, Alice, works there, too. I could go on and on.

Dwane's doctors appointments also go on and on. I think that we finally have reached a point where the doctor's agree that there is "something" going on in his back as a result of the spinalstenosis, degenerative disc disease and arthritis. The issue now is really whether or not that all rises to the level of needing surgery. Dwane is still, for the most part, able to do what he needs and/or wants to do. Obviously, if he uses his back more (like building the garage) his back becomes more painful, but it's not like he's confined to bed or anything. It will be nice, though, to come to some conclusion with it all, because sometimes it seems like it "rules" our life.

The garage is coming along. It's a huge garage, if you haven't seen it. (There are pictures on Facebook---I'm on Facebook as "Lisa Batty Wight" just in case you didn't already know that.) I think the garage is twice as tall as our house, and it will actually hold 4 vehicles. There will be a FROG (finished room over garage) upstairs (although not accessible from the house) and then an attic on top of that. I can't wait to have all of that storage available. It will be nice to have my home like a home instead of a storage unit. :)

Last weekend, my "little" brother Michael got married. He and Jessica had been dating for like 5 years, and they finally tied the knot. It is obvious that they both adore each other, and I am very proud of them both. They have both been given some challenges in the past, but they have risen above it all. I am pleased to call Jessica my sister, and I am so happy to see Michael so happy. Ok. I'm crying now.

My cousin, Mindy, got married two weeks ago. She had a beautiful "sunflower" wedding at Beaver Lodge. The bridesmaids' dresses were so beautiful---a beautiful pale YELLOW (I loved the shade), and the maid of honor was in brown (sunflower colors!). It was so cold!!! Didn't really matter, though. Mindy was beautiful, and she is also very happy.

Mom is in the process of moving from the family "homestead" up the road a piece. She has bought a brand-new manufactured home, and it is beautiful. It's been a long journey for her, and I know she will be so glad when everything is settled. Bill & Sue will be moving into the "family home", and Michael and Jess will be living next door to Mom. That means Mom and her three kids will all be living within 3 miles of each other. Some would think that's a little close, but I think that we can all honestly say that we are very happy with it. We are all very supportive of each other and like to "keep a watchful eye" on Mom.

Caleb is LOVING school. He tends to be a little upset on the weekends because he can't go to school. He loves his teachers, Ms. Thompson and Mrs. Cook. His speech is coming along nicely (although it's still behind), but his teachers told me that they are not having any problems understanding him. Ms. Thompson told me that he is a "model student" and that he is very quick to obey. That's always good to hear. He is assigned math homework each Moday, which is to be turned in on Friday. It consists of about 5 pages of stuff to do. He comes in the door on Monday afternoons, sits at the table, and finishes it all. He does it all on his own. It's like he's almost addicted to math homework. Caleb will be going to the Cub Scout kick-off on Monday night, and he's very excited to be a Tiger Scout.

Eben is gearing up for basketball season. He is also a good student (although he likes to do everything on "fast-forward" and sometimes doesn't take the time he needs to get it done really well). His teachers call him a "leader". Let's pray that Eben can be a GOOD and ENCOURAGING leader. He's losing his interest in Boy Scouts somewhat, and I'm not sure he will be pursuing that as much this year. He always has fun when he goes, but it's like he just doesn't want to put the time into badge work, etc. He's been having a lot of fun fishing of late. Dwane's been taking him from time to time, and he's also gone a couple of times with Zach or Kristin.

Now that I'm working, I certainly don't have as much "time" as I used to. I haven't scrapbooked in ages. I am having a benefit crop for a friend of mine who lost all of her scrapbook stuff in a house fire a month or so ago. It will be the afternoon of November 7. If you can come, or place an outside order, please let me know.

I'm still pursuing my weight loss journey. I've lost about 40 pounds since June of 2008. I'd like to lose about 35 more pounds. Exercising has been tough lately---I hurt my heel during a Zumba class a month or so ago, and then the following week, I stepped in a hole outside and twisted my ankle. The ankle had been feeling better, but last night it was really achy and a little swollen. I'm not sure what might be going on with that. No bruising. Not a lot of swelling, but enough that you can see the difference in the two ankles. I can walk on it, usually without a limp, but it's aching pretty steadily.

We have revival services going on at church this weekend. Last night's service was really, really good, and tonight we are having a concert at 6:30. Bob Smith (from Alabama) will be performing. Man, oh man! Can that guy sing! What a talent God has gifted him with! Sunday morning at 11:00 AM Dr. Ron Harrod (from Huntsville, AL)will be speaking about family, parenting, and marriage.

Tomorrow is my week to prepare the Sunday dinner for the "Batty Family". I'm going to be putting together an Italian Wedding Soup today, and I have a new recipe for a chocolate layer cake that I am going to try. Dwane is working all day at Point Lookout, so after cooking and laundry, I may try to do a little scrapbooking, or at least try to get it my stuff a little organized so I can perhaps scrapbook during the race tonight.

Well, I guess that's it. I've taken so much time typing, that I'm not going to take the time to proofread this. Goodness only knows how many typos I may have in this.

Love to you all!!!

BEST FRIEND SURVEY

2009-10-17T07:16:00.000-04:00

Who is your best friend?
Alice a/k/a Mrs. Cheeseball

How long have you both been best friends?
22 Years

How old are they?
That is not my business to share.

What color are their eyes?
Oh goodness. I'm not sure. Hazel? Brown?

What color is their hair?
Dark Brown with Natural Highlights ;)

Where do they work?
Same place I do---Volpe Law Office, #1 place to work

What is their favorite hobby?
Shopping

When was the last time you saw them?
Yesterday

When was the last time you talked to them?
Yesterday

How would you describe their personality?
Outgoing, Caring

What is their favorite color?
Don't know. Purple?

Do they have any kids?
Yes---Brandon, almost 18

Do they want kids?
She wants Brandon.

What is their favorite animal?
Lop-Earned Bunnies

Do they have any pets?
Not of her own, but she cares for her hubby's dog, Sarah

Do you wish you both were closer (distance or relationship)?
I think we're already pretty close, both relationship & distance (she lives maybe 1/4 mile away). I wish we had more "social" time together.

Are they a good cook?
Absolutely. She does't get the nickname of Mrs. Cheeseball for nothing.

What is your best memory of the two of you?
Tons. Jonesport. Beach. Senter Cranes. Putting my heel through a ketchup packet in her car.

What is the worst memory of the two of you?
Don't really have one. Maybe the ketchup fiasco?? I was so embarassed. And, while I was a newlywed, I didn't get to see/talk to her as much. I missed that.

Would you die for your best friend?
That's a little extreme. I have kids to raise. But she knows that I would do whatever I could for her.

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2009-10-16T05:07:00.002-04:00

1. So are we going CRAZY, OR WHAT?

2. "48 HOURS OF HEALING HEARTS & HOMES" is what's up ahead. (SEE #7)

3. I love to TAKE A 5 MINUTE POWER NAP. I'VE REALLY MISSED THEM SINCE I STARTED WORKING MORE HOURS. I CAN'T STAY AWAKE PAST 8:30 PM NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY.

4. FOR SUPPER, I'LL BE EATING SOUP of some sort.

5. I walk a VERY BLESSED LIFE.

6. JOY IN JESUS CHRIST is the true elixir of life!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to SUPPER & REVIVIAL SERVICES AT CHURCH, tomorrow my plans include A CONCERT AT CHURCH and Sunday, I want to GO TO CHURCH AGAIN!

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2009-10-09T06:48:00.002-04:00

1. Sweet dreams SOMETIMES BRING SADNESS UPON AWAKING.

2. I WANT TO HAVE A ROOM IN THE HOUSE especially for me--ALL PINK, WITH LOTS OF RIBBON, A LARGE SCRAPBOOKING AREA, AND A ROCKING CHAIR. MAYBE I CAN CONVINCE DWANE TO GIVE UP THE NEW GARAGE. SUPPOSE THAT WOULD WORK??

3. Silliness AT SCHOOL IS SOMETHING MY ELDEST SON NEEDS TO LEARN TO CONTROL.

4. WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING A "TRUNK OR TREAT" AT CHURCH this Halloween.

5. Outstanding or not I LOVE TO PLAY THE PIANO.

6. IT'S NOT EVEN 7:00 AM, AND A HOT BUTTERSCOTCH SUNDAE is what I want right now! (I WILL RESIST. I WILL RESIST. I WILL RESIST.)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to MIKE & JESS'S WEDDING REHEARSAL, tomorrow my plans include GETTING A NEW SISTER-IN-LAW AND A NEW NIECE and Sunday, I want to TAKE A MINUTE TO SIMPLY BREATHE!

AROUND THE HOUSE SURVEY

2009-10-03T06:51:00.000-04:00

Do you have a favorite household chore?
Cooking Supper.

Which is you least favorite?
Everything else.

Would you rather sweep a floor or vacuum it?
Vacuum.

Would you prefer to peel 6 potatoes or peel 6 hard-boiled eggs?
6 potatoes. Egg shells hurt.

When you are grocery shopping, which side of the store do yo start on? Left or Right?
I go to the right after I enter.

Or, do you always start with the Fresh Produce section. Or end with it?
Start with produce.

Name three items you nearly always get while grocery shopping.
Bread, eggs, chocolate-covered doughnuts for Caleb.

Do you use the disinfectant wipes some stores provide for their shopping carts?
Not usually.

Are shopping carts EVER washed or cleaned by the stores that own them?
Probably only from the rain.

What kitchen appliance is you favorite?
Kitchen-Aid Mixer

How many magnets are on your Refrigrator?
30+

Without looking, how many cupboard doors are there in your kitchen...including drawers?
23

Now how many are there really...after checking?
23

Do you keep bread in the refrigrator or out?
In the fridge during the summer, otherwise on the counter

Do you mash your Mashed Potatoes with their skins on or off?
Usually off.

Does making the meal or cleaning up after it sound the most desireable? (if you could choose)
Definitely making it.

What dinnertime menu is your favorite to prepare?
Honestly, I like to prepare just about any of them. Soups are fun.

Do you own a Springform (cheesecake baking) pan?
Yes, several.

Do you have cupcake papers on hand at this moment?...because I dont!
Yes---they are a staple.

Would you rather prepare and drink a cup of coffee or a cup of hot tea at this moment?
Coffee

20 RANDOM QUESTIONS

2009-10-01T06:01:00.001-04:00

Have you ever let anyone slip away and wished you hadnt?
No. Has anyone ever let me slip away? Hmmmm...

Who or what do you live for?
I try to live for Jesus...wish I did a better job of it.

Ever got caught sneaking out when you were younger?
Not "caught in the act", but was later found out.

Who is the one person you tell you love the most?
Dwane (my kids and mom are close behind that)

Name 2 pet peeves
When someone thinks their way is the only way; fighting children

If I gave you 50 cents and 2 minutes to ring someone right now, who and what would you say to them?
I'd probably call Dwane and tell him it's time to get up.

Favourite Childhood memory
Lots. I had an awesome childhood. My cat, Candy Anne, is probably a favorite.

What did your report card mostly say about you?
I was a good student.

Home and Away or Neighbours?
I don't get this question. I am a homebody though.

If you were to be someone famous, who and why?
Maybe Oprah? She's very diverse. Her spiritual believes are becoming very watered down, though, and she is awfully busy. Maybe Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Good job. Good family. Beautiful girl.

Ever blocked anyone from Facebook?
Indirectly, yes.

Love, Money or Freedom?
Love.

Do you have a secret?
I hold someone else's secrets, but my life is pretty much an open book.

If you were left with your last $5, what would you buy?
Probably Hot Wheels for my kids. :)

What dont you leave home without?
My purse.

In 1 word describe your best friend
Forever.

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2009-09-25T06:50:00.002-04:00

1. One week ago I HAD STRONG FEET & ANKLES.

2. LIFE WAS SO MUCH EASIER when I was young.

3. Mama told me TO ALWAYS CLEAN BEHIND THE SINK AFTER YOU DO DISHES.

4. JESUS LOVES you and me.

5. Take your time AND DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

6. IF EBEN STUDIES HARD, HE will pass!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to GOING TO MY FATHER-IN-LAW'S, tomorrow my plans include WATCHING THE TRUSSES BEING RAISED ONTO THE GARAGE FRAME (ON SECOND THOUGHT, I DON'T WANNA WATCH) and Sunday, I want to HAVE LUNCH WITH MY FAMILY (WE HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO DO THAT LATELY)!

FRIDAY FILL INS

2009-09-18T05:39:00.002-04:00

1. My car IS STILL KEEPING ON, EVEN THOUGH I EXPECT IT TO "DIE" ANY TIME NOW.

2. MINDY'S WEDDING is coming up next.

3. Lately, things seem TO BE GOING PRETTY WELL.

4. IF I TOLD YOU THAT "X" is one of my favorite 'hiding' places, IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T REALLY BE A HIDING PLACE ANYMORE.

5. What happened THIS WEEK IS FULL OF DRAMA. (I'LL HAVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT ANOTHER TIME.)

6. WITH GOD, EVERYTHING is not impossible!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to GETTING SOME SLEEP, tomorrow my plans include ZUMBA WITH MY BOSS and Sunday, I want to PLAY THE NEWLY TUNED PIANO AT CHURCH!

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2009-09-11T06:15:00.002-04:00

1. I feel BETRAYED BY SOMEONE I ONCE TRUSTED.

2. GOING TO AMUSEMENT PARKS is always fun.

3. Right now, I can hear these things: COMPUTER HUMMING, FINGERS TYPING, AND SILENCE.

4. I'M WORKING AT THE OFFICE TODAY and I'm glad IT'S ONLY FOR 4 HOURS. (LOVE GOING TO THE OFFICE, BUT FOR ME, I'VE PUT IN QUITE A FEW HOURS THIS WEEK).

5. The last time I CRIED was ON MONDAY.

6. MY GRANDMOTHER'S 83RD BIRTHDAY AND THE 4-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MY FATHER'S GOING TO HEAVEN MARKED this Labor day weekend.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to RE-ORGANIZING MY SCRAPBOOKING STUFF (AGAIN!), tomorrow my plans include THE NIGHT RACE AT RICHMOND (ONE OF MY FAVORITES) and Sunday, I want to ENJOY LISTENING TO PHIL JANES AS OUR GUEST SPEAKER AT CHURCH!

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2009-09-04T05:53:00.002-04:00

1. I feel LIKE TODAY IS GOING TO BE A REALLY BUSY DAY.

2. GOING TO AN AMUSEMENT PARK WITH DAWN & DENNIS is always fun.

3. Right now, I can hear these things: THE HUM OF THE COMPUTER, MY FINGERS TYPING, AND QUIET.

4. IT'S FRIDAY and I'm glad THE WEEKEND IS ALMOST HERE.

5. The last time I CRIED was ON MONDAY AFTER WATCHING THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE.

6. I'LL BE CELEBRATING MY GRANDMOTHER'S BIRTHDAY (AND THINKING ABOUT MY DAD A LOT) this Labor day weekend.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to THE DAY BEING OVER, tomorrow my plans include PICKING UP SOME GROCERIES FOR THE COOKOUT ON SUNDAY AND THE LUNCHEON ON MONDAY and Sunday, I want to BOYCOT THE ATLANTA RACE (BUT NOT SURE IF I REALLY WILL)!

2009-08-28T12:38:00.001-04:00

1. He was a LITTLE APPREHENSIVE ABOUT STARTING FIRST GRADE.

2. A LITTLE PEACE AND QUIET is what I look forward to most this time of year.

3. My best friend MAKES THE MOST AMAZING CHEESE BALLS EVER.

4. I'M REALLY TIRED OF DIET AND EXERCISE to be honest with you, BUT I WILL PRESS ON.

5. Appearances can be DECEIVING.

6. The last person I gave a hug to was CALEB.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to A LITTLE GROCERY SHOPPING, tomorrow my plans include A SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC (WHICH MAY WELL BE CANCELED) and Sunday, I want to TAKE A NAP!

15 MOVIES

2009-08-22T05:55:00.000-04:00

Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen movies you've seen that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes.

1. Cocktail (My all-time favorite movie.)
2. Dirty Dancing (I was told that my smile is very much like Jennifer Grey's smile at the end of the movie.)
3. The Seventh Sign (I've seen this many times, and it's still a little freaky.)
4. Silkwood (I didn't cry about this movie until about an hour after I saw it.)
5. Hunt for Red October (Went to this movie on a date...I found it incredibly boring...and slept through most of it.)
6. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (My very first date.)
7. The Lakehouse (I spent so much time trying to "figure this out" that I really missed the movie.)
8. Sophie's Choice (Hard to watch.)
9. Pretty Woman (another very favorite---I've seen it over, and over, and over.)
10. 9 1/2 Weeks (no comment)
11. Where the Heart Is (loved the book, loved the movie)
12. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (Saw this with my mom, my SIL, my BFF, my BFF's Mom, and maybe some others, too---it was a great GNO.)
13. Mama Mia (A fun movie, with fun music.)
14. Something Wicked This Way Comes (strange)
15. Sleepless in Seattle (Another date movie---there wasn't a second date, but I definitely saw this movie a second time.)

THE MI-5

2009-08-14T12:20:00.002-04:00

A couple of times a year, I write an MI-5 about the new scrapbooking paper from Close To My Heart. Here’s the newest edition, in case anyone would like to play along…

1. JINGLE – This is the annual Christmas paper. The colors are not the “commercially” bright red & green. Instead, they are the colors of Crème Brulee, Juniper, Olive, and Tulip. Tell us about a Christmas tradition that is not “commercial”. Making homemade ornaments? Reading a story? Making popcorn balls with the kids?

I am really not "into" the whole commercialism of Christmas. I'm not overly fond of Santa, the reindeer, and the North Pole. I much prefer focusing on the Nativity. When I was a child, my grandmother let me set up a very old Nativity that belonged to one of my Great Aunts (I forgot which one---it was on my grandfather's side). Anyway, I looked forward to putting that together every year. My grandmother told me that I would get to have it someday, and when I do, I'll build a room onto my house if I have to in order to give it a proper place.

2. SWEET HOME – Let’s think “commercial” this time. What does your house need to have in it to make it feel like home? I’m not talking about family, love, peace, etc. I want to know about games, electronics, food, etc. Tangible stuff.

I'll definitely need a computer, a DS, a Playstation for DDR, a DVD player for my Leslie Sansone in-home walking, a cat, and all of my scrapbooking stuff. An awesome rocking chair is a must, too.

3. GRACE – What does grace mean to you? You don’t have to get “religious” here…But what do you think of when you think of grace?

To me, it's God's unconditional love. God loved me, even with all of the horrible things I have done. Because of His love, and the sacrifice of Jesus, I am forgiven. It is not about what I have done, it is all about what HE has done.

4. TWITTERPATED – Have you been bitten by the Twitter bug? Why or why not?

I am not into the whole Twitter thing, nor do I expect to be in the future. Facebook is the closest thing to Twitter that I do. I have a cell phone, but it is only a Tracfone that is turned on when I leave the house. (It's just for emergencies.) Isn't Twitter really dependent on a cell phone? I don't even know.

5. STUDIO J – For the first time, Close to My Heart is going digital for some of its scrapbooking. If you could “invent” the next digital craze (an app, a program, a product), what would you want it to do?

It's probably already out there somewhere, but I'd really like a digital camera that is SUPER easy to use and takes FANTASTIC pictures, no matter how camera illiterate one might be. I've had two digital cameras now (neither of them SLRs---they are too difficult for me) and neither camera can take a half-decent picture. It's probably just my own inadequacy, but I sure do prefer the quality of my old Ricoh film camera. I love that digital pictures work so well for the computer and stuff, but I just don't care for the quality that I get.

36 ODD THINGS ABOUT ME

2009-08-14T08:07:00.002-04:00

1. Do you like Blue cheese dressing? No

2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? No

3. Do you own a gun? No

4. What flavor Kool-Aid was your favorite? Cherry

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Sometimes

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I love them (when I'm in the mood for them), but I'm picky. I like Kierschner Natural Casing and Oscar Myer All-Beef. Not fond of the "spicy" ones.

7 Favorite Christmas Movie? The Santa Claus one where he gets married, I guess.

8 What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Weaker Coffee with Splenda and Sugar-Free Vanilla Coffee Mate

9. Can you do push-ups? Yes

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? I have lots of sentimental pieces that are favorites.

11. Favorite Hobby? Scrapbooking

12. Do you have A.D.D.? Not to my knowledge

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? No

14. Middle name? Marie

15. What are you thinking about at this moment? Answering these questions.

16. Name 2 or 3 or 4 drinks you regularly drink? Coffee, Diet Iced Tea, Cherry Diet Pepsi

17. Current worry? I'm not supposed to worry.

18. Current hate right now? Bugs

19. Favorite place to be? Home

20. How did you bring in the New Year? I don't even remember. I think I was sleeping.

21. Where would you like to go right now? Grand Canyon

22. Do you own slippers? Yes

23. What color shirt are you wearing? Lavendar PJ Top

24. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No

25. Can you whistle? Just a little

26. Where are you now? Home

27. Would you be a pirate? No

28. What songs do you sing in the shower? "California Here I Come" (I have no idea why)

29. Favorite Girl's Name? Elizabeth

30. Favorite boy's name? Eben & Caleb

31. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing

32. Last thing that made you laugh? Facebook message from Dwane (well, it made me grin).

33. What vehicle do you drive? Chrysler Town & Country

34. Worst injury you've ever had? Broken Epithysis

35. Do you love where you live? Yes, for the most part. I love the town, but I'd love to live in the same town on the ocean.

36. How many TVs do you have in your home? 6 that work.

FRIDAY FILL IN

2009-08-14T07:58:00.002-04:00

1. When will THE YEAR OF JUBILEE TAKE PLACE AGAIN?

2. THE SECOND TWILIGHT BOOK (I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER THE NAME OF IT) was the last good book I read or movie I saw or tv show I watched.

3. Everything has its beauty but I FAIL TO SEE THE BEAUTY OF MOSQUITOS.

4. ENGLISH MUFFIN PIZZA is what I had for dinner.

5. I'd like your SCRAPBOOKING HABITS TO GET REALLY OUT OF HAND SO YOU'D WANT TO ORDER LOTS OF STUFF FROM ME.

6. RIGHT HERE is where I want to be right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to THE LAST NIGHT OF VBS (IT WAS FUN, BUT I'M TIRED, AND I DIDN'T REALLY EVEN HAVE TO DO ANYTHING), tomorrow my plans include SOMETHING I WON'T DIVULGE (ASK ME ON SUNDAY) and Sunday, I want to SEE WHAT MY FINAL WEIGHT LOSS IS FOR THIS CYCLE OF FIRST PLACE 4 HEALTH!

GINA'S MI-5

2009-08-07T07:46:00.002-04:00

Complete this sentence five times:

"I used to (think, feel, believe, know, etc.)...., but now I ...."

1. I used to think that I would be a very patient parent, but now I know that I am not.

2. I used to feel like I would never survive the death of a parent, but now I know that God gave me the strength to make it through (even though it often wasn't pretty, and it is still very hard.)

3. I used to believe that I would make an awesome wife, but now I know that I have a long, long way to go.

4. I used to want to memorize tons of Bible verses to earn prizes, but now I know that I need to learn more so that I will have them whenever (and wherever) I need them.

5. I used to eat a Big Mac, Large Fries, and Large Iced Tea at McDonalds, and now I eat a Side Salad with a Grilled Chicken Patty on top (saves calories and money!).

FRIDAY FILL IN

2009-08-07T07:41:00.002-04:00

1. MACARONI SALAD & DIET ICED TEA is my favorite summertime LUNCH.

2. My favorite John Hughes movies is PRETTY IN PINK. (ALTHOUGH I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I HAD NO CLUE WHO JOHN HUGHES WAS. I HAD TO LOOK HIM UP ON IMDB.)

3. MY CAT is something I love to touch.

4. The full moon GIVES A LOT OF LIGHT!

5. MY STOMACH IS GURGLING right now. NOT A GOOD SIGN.

6. When daylight fades IT'S TIME TO GO TO BED.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to SPENDING TIME ALONE WITH CALEB (PROBABLY PLAYING HIDDEN PICTURE GAMES ON THE COMPUTER OR SCRAPBOOKING TOGETHER), tomorrow my plans include PERHAPS GOING TO AUGUSTA TO PICK UP THE NEW CTMH CATTIES and Sunday, I want to LOSE 4 POUNDS SO I CAN REACH MY GOAL (PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN)!

4X4X5

2009-08-05T16:35:00.002-04:00

1. Four places that I go to over and over:

Church, Wal-Mart, Hannaford, Mom's House

2. Four people who e-mail me regularly:

The Office, Facebook, Bob F., Pastor Dave's House

3. Four favorite smells:

The Ocean, Apples, Bath & Body Works Flowering Herbs, Mom's Cooking

4. Four places I would rather be right now:

A Women of Faith Conference, Applebee's, Busch Gardens, Virginia

5. Four current TV shows I watch:

HGTV Design Star, So You Think You Can Dance, Big Brother, The View

FRIDAY FILL INS

2009-07-31T06:47:00.002-04:00

1. It's time for ME TO GET A LETTER DONE FOR WORK. I'VE BEEN PUTTING IT OFF FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS (NOT SURE WHY), AND I CAN'T PUT IT OFF ANY LONGER.

2. YOU REALLY SHOULD CONSIDER COMING TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY; it's not a bad place for A SENSE OF TRULY BELONGING.

3. I must be CRAZY TO CONTINUE TO GET UP BY 6:00 AM EVERY DAY THIS SUMMER.

4. SALVATION IN JESUS CHRIST is the best thing I have ever known.

5. My STOMACH is simply HUNGRY.

6. The last time I laughed really loudly was QUITE AWHILE AGO, I THINK. I DON'T REALLY REMEMBER. (I TEND TO NOT HAVE A REALLY LOUD LAUGH.)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to DECORATING THE CHURCH FLOAT FOR THE LOBSTER FESTIVAL PARADE, tomorrow my plans include MARCHING IN THE LOBSTER FESTIVAL PARADE and Sunday, I want to REST!

MY LIFE ACCORDING TO SUGARLAND

2009-07-30T06:14:00.001-04:00

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 people you like and include me. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "My life according to (band name)"

Pick your Artist:
Sugarland

Are you a male or female?
Baby Girl

Describe yourself:
Life In A Northern Town

How do you feel:
Wishing

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
Tennessee

Your favorite form of transportation:
It Runs

Your best friend is:
Something More

You and your best friends are:
Everyday America

What's the weather like:
April Showers

Favorite time of day:
Already Gone

If your life was a TV show, it would be called:
Speed of Life

Life to you is:
Settlin’

Your last relationship:
Happy Ending

Your fear:
Time, Time, Time

What is the best advice you have to give:
It Happens

Thought for the Day:
These Are The Days

How I would like to die:
Fly Away

My soul's present condition:
What I’d Give

Most Faithful Companion:
Love

My motto:
Stand Back Up

QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS (STOLEN FROM TAMI)

2009-07-28T15:33:00.001-04:00

1. What time did you get up this morning?
Woke up at 5:45 AM, got out of bed at 6:30 AM.

2. How do you like your steak?
Medium rare.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Alvin & The Chipmunks (a free movie with the boys)

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Hard to pick just one----Next Food Network Star, The Bachelorette, Dancing with the Stars, House Hunters, American Idol

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
St. George, Maine

6. What did you have for breakfast?
1 slice of toast (Mom’s homemade light oatmeal) with light margarine, 2 cups of coffee

7. What is your favorite cuisine?
American, I guess. I tend to like the “Americanized” versions of International food.

8. What foods do you dislike?
Organ meat

9. Favorite Place to Eat?
Mom’s House

10. Favorite dressing?
Light Ranch or Newman’s Own Light Italian (from McDonald’s)

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive?
Chrysler Town & Country

12. What are your favorite clothes?
Anything that's comfortable

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?
The Holy Land

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
I try to be ½ full.

15. Where would you want to retire?
St. George, Maine, with a vacation home in VA.

16. Favorite time of day?
Early AM, before everyone gets up

17. Where were you born?
Rocklandr, ME

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
NASCAR

19. Bird watcher?
Sometimes. I actually prefer watching squirrels.

20. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Morning

21. Do you have any pets?
2 cats, 1 guinea pig, 1 rabbit, 1 dog

22. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?
The concrete for the garage is now fully poured, and we’re trying to smooth it out before it bakes fully in the sun.

23. What did you want to be when you were little?
Patient Account Manager like my Dad

24. What is your best childhood memory?
Having awesome parents and grandparents

25. Are you a cat or dog person?
Cat

26. Are you married?
Yes

27. Always wear your seat belt?
yes, always!

28. Been in a car accident?
A deer ran into my car once

29. Any pet peeves?
Yes.

30. Favorite Pizza Toppings?
Hamburg, Onion and Green Pepper (finely chopped)

31. Favorite Flower?
Yellow Rose

32. Favorite ice cream?
Dorman’s Mocha Chip, Ben & Jerry’s Oatmeal Cookie

33. Favorite fast food restaurant?
Sonic, Wendy’s

34. How many times did you fail your driver's test?
Twice

35. From whom did you get your last email?
Menus 4 Moms

36. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Walmart

37. Do anything spontaneous lately?
No. I am a planner. I don’t do well with spontaneity.

38. Like your job?
For the most part. Sometimes clients can be a pain.

39. Broccoli?
With cheese sauce

40. What was your favorite vacation?
NY with Aunt Jo? TN with Mom? VA or Lake George with Dwane & family? Disney World? Like ‘em all.

41. Last person you went out to dinner with?
Dwane & the kids

42. What are you listening to right now?
A Power Trawler (sp?) working on the concrete

43. What is your favorite color?
Pink

44. How many tattoos do you have?
None.

45. What time did you finish this quiz?
3:31 pm EST

46. Coffee Drinker?
Yes. I like weak coffee with 2 ½ Splenda and a splash of flavored Coffee Mate (especially Chocolate Raspberry or Sugar-Free Vanilla)

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2009-07-24T07:30:00.003-04:00

1. A BAD ECONOMY is not the end of the world.

2. Sitting here, listening to the sound of rain falling, I WISH I COULD JUST SPEND THE DAY IN BED WITH A BOOK.

3. LOBSTER tastes so good!

4. Sometimes, putting others first is THE BEST WAY TO GO---IN FACT IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO GO. PHILIPPIANS 2:3 SAYS "DO NOTHING OUT OF SELFISH AMBITION OR VAIN CONCEIT; BUT IN HUMILITY CONSIDER OTHERS BETTER THAN YOURSELVES". (THIS VERSE WAS PART OF MY BIBLE STUDY THIS MORNING.)

5. NIAGARA FALLS is breathtaking, really.

6. Well, maybe there is A WAY I CAN MAKE SOME EXTRA MONEY AND STILL BE HOME WHEN MY KIDS ARE---I JUST NEED GOD TO LEAD ME TO IT.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to WORKING ON A SCRAPBOOK FOR ANITA, tomorrow my plans include PICKING UP A FEW GROCERIES and Sunday, I want to WATCH THE NASCAR RACE AT INDY (I'M HAVING NASCAR WITHDRAWAL)!

FRIDAY FILL INS

2009-07-17T10:34:00.002-04:00

1. MACARONI, CANNED TOMATOES and HAMBURG make a quick and easy dinner.

2. ECLIPSE BY STEPHENIE MEYER is the book I'm reading right now.

3. July brings back memories of LOTS OF BIRTHDAYS.

4. BY THE WAY SHE ROLLED HER EYES, THE FACT THAT SHE WAS DISGUSTED was obvious.

5. They say if you tell your dreams TO OTHERS, THEY MIGHT THINK YOU'RE REALLY WHACKY.

6. BEFORE YOU HAVE BACK SURGERY, TAKE THE TIME to think it over.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to LISTENING TO BILLY RHYTHM AND FIVE BUTTON DELUXE AT THE ST. GEORGE STREET DANCE, tomorrow my plans include WORKING AT ST. GEORGE DAYS and Sunday, I want to BAKE/DECORATE EBEN'S BIRTHDAY CAKE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2009-07-11T16:29:00.003-04:00

I'm always so proud of myself that I remember your birhtday every year. But then, with a birthday like 7/11, who can forget??? 'Bout time you posted to your blog, don't cha think? I check it every day, and you haven't posted for ages! And, since you live SO FAR AWAY, it's the only way I seem to hear anything from you anymore. Love ya!!!

2009-07-10T07:13:00.002-04:00

1. The last thing I ate was LASAGNA and DIET ICED TEA.

2. A BLACK SUNDRESS is something I recently bought.

3. When it rains, it DOES SO FOR DAYS.

4. DWANE was the first person I talked to today.

5. Hugs are SOME OF THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN GET FROM YOUR KIDS.

6. MY TEDDY BEAR PROVIDES extra comfort.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to WHO KNOWS WHAT, tomorrow my plans include GOING TO GORHAM TO PICK UP A GARAGE DOOR and Sunday, I want to MAKE SAUSAGE & KALE SOUP FOR MY FAMILY'S LUNCH!

VIRGINIA

2009-07-03T08:13:00.002-04:00

Well, we are finally here in Virginia. What a trip that was! We didn't run into any trouble, and there wasn't any traffic, but it just seemed that we couldn't really make any progress. There were 7 of us traveling together in 3 different vehicles. We were all on different "bathroom schedules", and we had to stop to change drivers, get something to eat, rest, etc., etc. We left our house at 4:30 on Wednesday afternoon, and we arrived in Lynchburg at 3:45 Thursday afternoon. That's almost 24 hours. It normally takes us about 16.

On the way down, we had to stop in Warren, MA to drop Colby ofnf at his Dad's house. What was really amazing is that we had to drive right down Sarah's street! How cool was that? Dwane asked me if I felt comfortable calling her, and I said that while I certainly felt comfortable calling her, I didn't really think 11:30 at night was necessarily an appropriate time to call her. Sarah, we'll be heading back that way sometime between Sunday night, Monday, so don't be suprised if I call you asking to crash!!! :) (It's really not too likely, as we're traveling with Dwane's Mom & his grandmother.)

We had Japanese food for supper last night, and then Dawn treated me to a manicure. We walked in, and the people there were so excited to see her. "Hey, Dawn! How ya doing!" It was like she was the queen or something! Pretty cool. I had what I think is called a "French color" manicure--there is hot pink color only on the tips. I had been awake for about 40 hours at that point, and it took some concentration to be able to stay awake during all of that pampering.

Dawn and I then went to a store called "Ross: Dress for Less", which is similar to a TJ Maxx. She helped me find a really cool black sundress, and then we went to Wal-Mart to find a tank top to go under it (want to be modest, you know). When we got back to Dawn's house, we sat in the car and talked for an hour. We laughed and cried and prayed together. Thank you, God, for seeing fit to bless me with Dawn as a sister-in-law. The evening was an absolute treasure. God gave me Dawn & Sue as sisters-in-law, and I couldn't have gotten better ones if I had shopped for them myself.

Today we are going to the Shenandoah Valley Resort and Kings Dominion (a huge amusement park). Tomorrow, I think the guys are going fishing, and I think that Dawn and I are planning to hit the gym. I'd like to go to Short Pump (an outdoor mall) too, but I'm not sure that it will be anywhere near where we are.

Well, I've got to get moving. I haven't even proofread this, so I'm not sure that any of this even makes sense!!

FRIDAY FILL INS

2009-07-03T08:04:00.002-04:00

1. When I heard THAT DAWN WAS TAKING ME FOR A MANICURE I WAS SO EXCITED.

2. ADVIL IS THE best medicine.

3. It's late, but DWANE IS STILL SLEEPING.

4. I LOVE VIRGINIA, (AND MY FAMILY THAT LIVES THERE), always.

5. My eyes have seen THE SUN, AND I ONLY HAD TO TRAVEL 800 MILES TO SEE IT!

6. DWANE SNEAKERS SMELLED strongly.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to GETTING TO THE SHENANDOAH RESORT, tomorrow my plans include SOMETHING FUN, I'M SURE and Sunday, I want to PACK TO HEAD BACK TO MAINE (WELL, MAYBE NOT)!

PHILOSOPHICAL MI-5

2009-06-26T12:21:00.002-04:00

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

2009-06-26T12:14:00.002-04:00

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)!

BILLY RHYTHM'S VACATION MI-5

2009-06-19T08:42:00.002-04:00

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

2009-06-19T08:38:00.002-04:00

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!

AMY'S SUMMERTIME MI-5

2009-06-13T16:28:00.002-04:00

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 FILL-IN

2009-06-12T11:14:00.003-04:00

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!

FLICK'R UPDATED

2009-06-11T07:45:00.003-04:00

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.

G'S ECLECTIC MI-5

2009-06-06T08:36:00.002-04:00

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 FILL-IN

2009-06-05T09:50:00.003-04:00

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!

JIM'S CRAZY BUSY MI-5

2009-05-30T09:55:00.000-04:00

Jim says: "This has been a really crazy week for me. Work has been busy. I am planning a wedding. I have tons of stuff to do. I have tons of appointments to make and keep."

1. How do you deal with being really busy?

I just plow head-first into it. Sometimes I make a list and just check the items off as I go. Somehow, it all manages to get done. (Except housecleaning, of course.)

2. What do you do to relax when you are very stressed?

Facebook has become very relaxing to me, and I love to play Match-3 games on the computer. I also like Time Management games, but they are often stressful in and of themselves.

3. Tell us about your wedding or a wedding you attended that was memorable in some way?

When I got married, I was absolutely bent on having a confetti bell for the first dance. During the first dance, the bridesmaids pull a string, and confetti is supposed to rain down on the bride and groom. One (or maybe a couple) of my bridesmaids got a little rambunctions with the ribbon strings, and pulled the whole bell down right on top of us. They then just tore it open and threw the confetti at us.

4. Do you have any summer travel plans or special plans?

Not at this point. We've talked (for about 2 minutes) about going camping--maybe in New Hampshire to go to StoryLand. Eben hasn't been since he was 3 or 4, and Caleb has never been. I think busy-ness and finances may keep us from even getting that little trip in.

5. What are you going to do after finishing this blog post?

Start some laundry, take a shower, get some lunch started.

FRIDAY FILL-IN

2009-05-29T10:08:00.002-04:00

1. It's cold and WET OUTSIDE (AGAIN!).

2. I NOW EAT THE TOMATOES IN "MACARONI, HAMBURG AND tomatoes".

3. My favorite health and beauty product is AN INTUTITION RAZOR.

4. MOM AND I WILL BE GOING ON a nice long ride TODAY. WE NEED TO GO TO A FUNERAL IN PORTLAND.

5. Well, first of all I NEED TO TAKE A SHOWER.

6. JESSE, MELANIE, AND MA; those were the cast of characters in a recent dream and it was PRETTY STUPID. (AT MA'S HOUSE, I WAS TELLING MELANIE THAT JESSE TRULY LOVED HER. IRL, THEY'VE NEVER EVEN MET.)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to GETTING HOME FROM PORTLAND, tomorrow my plans include TRYING TO THINK OF SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS TO DO TO KEEP THE FIGHTING TO A MINIMUM (DWANE HAS TO WORK ALL DAY) and Sunday, I want to SEE HOW MUCH WEIGHT I LOST (FIRST WEEK OF TRYING TO "DIET" AGAIN)!

FRIDAY FILL-IN

2009-05-22T08:42:00.002-04:00

1 Moving AND GROOVING IS WHAT I LIKE TO DO FOR EXERICSE.

2. I LOVE IT WHEN I CAN GET SOMETHING FOR free. I LOVE "HAND-ME-DOWN" CLOTHING. ANYONE GOT SOME THEY WANT TO GET RID OF?????

3. My best quality is NOT MY PATIENCE.

4. IT'S IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE details.

5. In nearly 10 years, I HAVE SEEN NIKKI ONLY ONCE. NOT GOOD.

6. A PASSION FOR CLEANING AND GARDENING is what I need right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to FINISHING UP MY "BELLA" SCRAPBOOK PAGE, tomorrow my plans include GROCERY SHOPPING and Sunday, I want to SEE BOBBY WIN THE COKE 600 (A GIRL CAN DREAM)!

BILLY RHYTHM'S QUICKY-ROO MI-5

2009-05-22T08:33:00.002-04:00

Assuming you must pick one:

1) Motorcycle or Jet Ski? Why?

I guess I'll pick a motorcycle. I think it's more practical. And, since we already have one, I won't have to buy yet another "toy" for Dwane. (If I was going to drive, and money was no object, I'd pick the jet ski.)

2) Fruit pie or cream pie? Which kind? Why?

Definitely cream pie. If I am going to have dessert, I dont' want fruit. That's healthy. Bring on my mom's chocolate cream (with not too much cream). I like a dark heavy chocolate pudding, not a light and fluffy light chocolate.

3) Book or magazine? How come?

A magazine. Since I don't seem to find the time to sit and read, I like magazines, as you can read them in short spurts. Plus, a lot of magazines have a little fiction, a little advice, a little food, etc. Good variety. My favorte is "All You", especially since it has tons of coupons. (Last month it had a coupon for a FREE mascara.) I really loved "Quick & Simple", but Good Housekeeping is no longer publishing it.

4) Hot beverage or cool drink? What's your fav?

Generally speaking, a cool drink. I'm still into Crystal Light Peach Tea and Diet Cherry Pepsi. Hot Chocolate is good, but the kind I like (Ghiradelli made wih milk) is wicked high in calories. Coffee is ok occasionally, but since I can't find my chocolate raspberry creamer anymore, I've lost interest.

5) What's on the grill on Monday--beef, pork, or fowl? What's the specifics?

On most Memorial Days, we have the family over for a cookout. At this point, the family cookout is up in the air. If it should happen, we are just having cheapo hot dogs, only for economics sake. If it turns out to be just the four of us, I'm not sure.

BILLY RHYTHM'S PHONE MI-5

2009-05-15T02:09:00.002-04:00

Billy Rhythm says: "We got a new phone system at my office this week. This MI-5 is inspired by that event."

1) When you answer the phone, do you say anything special?

No. Just the typical hello. If I should receive an office call at home (which is rare), I just say "This is Lisa. May I help you?"

2) Other than "Bye" or "Bye-Bye," do you say anything else when you end a conversation? Do you ever use any other closing?

I think I might say "see ya". I almost always say "I love you" before saying "bye" when I'm speaking to Dwane, the boys, Ma, or Mom.

3) How about your cell phone... Do you use a lot of minutes, or do you hoard them? Love your cell, or just a necessity/tool?

I love the convenience of my cell phone, but I rarely use it. I just have a Tracfone, and it's there in case I break down. (With all of our 100K+ mile cares, a break down is always a possibility.) I turn it on only when I'm away from the house, in case the school needs to get me while I'm gone.

4) Is your answering machine message funny? Cute? Straight ahead, all business?

"You've reached the home of Dwane, Lisa, Eben & Caleb. Please leave a message, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can." If I know that my boss is going to need me, I might put on a special message, just so she'll know where I am and when I'll be back.

5) What phone habit do you find annoying? People who return calls based on their caller ID? ("Someone from there called me.") People who talk on their cell in the car? People without answering machines? What?

Hmmm. Nothing really jumps out at me. Eben doesn't talk on the phone a lot (at least not yet), but his friends will often call early in the AM. They haven't learned yet that he sleeps late. I'll tell them that he'll call when he wakes up, and then they'll still call back before he's awake. That kind of bugs me I guess.

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2009-05-15T02:06:00.002-04:00

1. If we had no winter I'D REALLY MISS THE PINE TREES WHEN THEY LOOK LIKE ICED OATMEAL COOKIES.

2. EBEN'S KNOWLEDGE IS a perpetual astonishment.

3. If I had my life to live over THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS I'D CHANGE.

4. I CAN'T GET ENOUGH SLEEP inside of four and twenty hours.

5. If you've never been thrilled YOU NEED TO RIDE THE COASTERS AT BUSCH GARDENS.

6. To be interested in the changing seasons IS A GOOD THING.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to HOPING CALEB ISN'T SICK, tomorrow my plans include HOPING CALEB ISN'T SICK (AND WATCHING THE ALLSTAR RACE) and Sunday, I want to TAKE A MUCH NEEDED NAP!

SCRAPBOOKING MI-5

2009-05-09T07:43:00.002-04:00

This week’s questions have to do with scrapbooking---well, not really, but kindda. I sell scrapbooking stuff, and three times a year, Close to My Heart creates five new paper themes. Today’s questions have evolved from those five themes.

1. BACK COUNTRY – Tell us about your furthest excursion from “civilization”. How far away into the Back Country did you go? What did you miss most about civilization? Can you give us a tip about survival?

My first thought was going to Jonesport with Larry & Alice and Cappy & Donna. I don't think Jonesport even has a McDonalds, and we were down in the back woods at a hunting camp. No electricity. No running water. I think I stayed a couple of nights. There was an outhouse, and I just don't do well with outhouses. I tried to just go outside by "squatting", and I ended up peeing in my shoe. We still laugh about it.

2. MOON DOGGIE – This is a kind of a Hawaii/Surfing/Being Carefree/Relaxing kind of theme. Tell us about Hawaii, surfing, being carefree, or relaxing.

I've never been to Hawaii. I've never been surfing. I'm not too carefree. So, I guess that leaves me with relaxing. I really like to play games on the computer or DS to relax, and of course, scrapbooking provides a great deal of relaxation. Dwane is telling me quite a bit to "just relax", so I guess relaxation is not my strong suit either.

3. ANIMAL COOKIES – Tell us about your favorite snack food as a child. Is it still around to buy today?

I'm not sure you'd call it a snack, but just this week when I went to get groceries, I tried to find those little Freezer Queen turkey/gravy in a bag thingies. Remember?? You'd just put the pouch in boiling water, and then I would eat it on toast. I also loved the frozen Morton Jelly Doughnuts. Can't find those anymore either. As far as true snacking goes, I used to love to go to my grandmother's and raid her refrigerator of the previous night's leftovers. Cold cube steak. Cold meatloaf. Whatever I could find. I'm sure my grandmother will still let me raid her refrigerator.

4. TINKERIN’ – Do you like to tinker with things? Do you like to take things apart and put them back together again? What has been your biggest tinkerin’ project?

I like to tinker and play with scrapbook stuff, of course, but I don't think I'd consider myself a tinkerer. If something is broken, I'd just let Dwane fix it. (He can fix anything--just like my grandfather.) Both of my boys (especially Caleb) love to tinker. Caleb (who is 6) is currently trying to fix the riding lawn mower.

5. BELLA – This paper is very feminine. Bella is also the main character of the “Twilight” books, which are very popular right now. This question will take us from one extreme to the other---first, tell us about something (or someone) that is very “feminine” and then tell us something about “vampires”. Extra points if you can weave the two themes into one answer.

Obviously, I think of my niece, Miss Julia, when I think of feminine. As my house is full of boys, I get my occasional feminine fix by going up and down the "girly" toy aisle at Wal-Mart, thinking of Julia. Unfortunately, though, she's getting older, so she probably won't be interested in dolls and Barbies for much longer. Then I'll have to start wondering the hair/make-up aisles. (Don't tell Billy Rhythm.) I'm not going to try to connect Julia with vampires. Although, her father is quite obsessed with all things macabre. Is that close enough? (BTW, I'm 1/2-way through the first Twilight book. It's good, but not an obsession.)

FRIDAY FILL IN

2009-05-08T06:25:00.003-04:00

1. Apples are to oranges as INTERROGATORIES ARE TO REQUESTS FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS (WHAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS WEEK).

2. I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THE NEW LAW THAT PASSED THIS WEEK and that's all I have to say about that.

3. I think I hear DWANE GETTING UP---OH, WAIT A MINUTE---HE'S JUST ROLLING OVER.

4. IF THE PHONE RINGS AT 2:00 AM, IT SHOULD PUT UP A RED flag.

5. Do what you want to do, but I'M NOT GOING.

6. CALEB WAS RIDING HIS BIKE and behind him was a Radio Flyer wagon; in the wagon was a bucket filled with FROG EGGS.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to PROBABLY SCRAPBOOKING (DWANE HAS AN EARLY EVENING MRI), tomorrow my plans include PROBABLY SCRAPBOOKING WHILE WATCHING THE DARLINGTON RACE (DWANE HAS TO WORK ALL SATURDAY NIGHT) and Sunday, I want to ENJOY MY CHILDREN AND MY MOM AND MY MA!

YES OR NO?

2009-05-07T09:19:00.002-04:00

Have you ever...

Kissed anyone of your Facebook friends? Yes
Kissed MORE than one of your FB friends? Yes
Been arrested? no
Kissed someone you didn't like? No
Slept in until 5 PM? No
Fallen asleep at work/school? No
Held a snake? No
Ran a red light? Yes
Been suspended from school? No
Totaled your car/motorbike in an accident? No
Been fired from a job? No
Sang karaoke? Yes
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Yes
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Yes
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes
Kissed in the rain? Yes
Kissed in the snow? Yes
Sang in the shower? Yes
Sat on a rooftop? No
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? No
Broken a bone? Yes
Shaved your head? No
Blacked out from drinking? No
Played a prank on someone? Yes
Felt like killing someone? No
Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry? Yes
Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? Yes
Been in a band? Yes
Shot a gun? Yes
Tripped on mushrooms? No
Donated Blood? Yes
Eaten alligator meat? No
Eaten horse meat? No
Eaten snake? No
Eaten raw fish? No
Eaten cheesecake? Yes
Think about the future? Yes
Think about the past? Yes
Believe in love? Yes
Thought you were in love and then realized you weren't? Yes
Believe in love at first sight? Yes
Sleep on a certain side of the bed? Yes
Had to fight for your side of the bed? Yes
Sneezed so hard you peed a little? Yes
Addicted to Facebook? Yes
Glad for Facebook? Yes
Wish you thought of Facebook first? No
Attracted to one of your Facebook friends? Yes
Do they know? Yes
Is anyone going to really read your answers? Yes

A GROWN-UP SURVEY

2009-05-04T19:59:00.002-04:00

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
The cable bill. It just seems to be so high.

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
Oh, man. I don't know that I remember. Lately, all of the "dates" Dwane and I have had have been going to doctor's appointments. We usually grab fast food. Our last "real" date?? Applebee's for our wedding anniversary in December, 2008.

3. What do you really want to be doing right now?
Paying close attention to Dancing with the Stars while sitting in my comfy chair.

4. How many colleges did you attend?
2--Husson in Bangor, and the University of Maine at Thomaston.

5. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
It's comfy, lightweight, but has long sleeves. Good for that not quite warm, but not quite cool weather.

6. What are your thoughts on gas prices?
It's certainly better than last summer, but I hate to see it start climbing back up again.

7. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
"Oh, no. Is it really time to get up??? If I could only have 10 more minutes." I guess I need to learn to use the snooze button. Usually, I'm wide awake long before it's time to get up.

8. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
I feel asleep during Desperate Housewives, so it was probably something about the show. Don't remember.

9. Do you miss being a child?
Absolutely. I'd love to be a Senior in high school again. Is that "child" enough?

10. What errand/chore do you despise?
I never dust, so maybe that's what I despise. I also hate trying to clean the kitchen floor. It doesn't seem to matter what I do, it never looks clean. I get tired of putting away things, too. It seems like I get things picked up, and then it's all pulled out again. Seems pointless at times.

11. Get up early or sleep in?
Get up early, although I'd love to be able to sleep in.

12. Have you found real love yet?
Yes.

13. Favorite lunch meat?
Roast Beef

14. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart?
A couple of gallons of water.

15. Beach or lake?
Well, you can have a beach at a lake or the ocean. I'd rather swim in a lake, but I'd rather live by the ocean.

16. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
No. Absolutely not. However, I am afraid that America is beginning to think it's just a ritual.

17. Sopranos or Desperate Housewives?
Desperate Housewives. I don't have HBO, so the Sopranos aren't even an option. Desperate Housewives is a guilty pleasure for me.

18.What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Jesus, of course!

19. Have you ever crashed your vehicle?
No, but I have been crashed into 2x - once by a deer, and once by a young man who was parked in front of me in a driveway. He backed up into my parked car.

20. Ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
No.

21. Ring tone?
Just your basic generic ring.

22. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
The kitchen???

23. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go?
Amy's house!!!

23. Do you go to church?
Twice on Sundays, and Ladies Bible Study on Wednesday AMs.

24. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship?
A new career. Being a paralegal is not my "dream job", but I'm not really sure what my "dream job" is.

25. How old are you?
40

26. Do you have a go-to person?
Yes. A couple.

27. Are you where you want to be in life?
For the most part. I wish I had a little more financial security, but other than that, ok I guess.

28. Growing up, what were your favorite cartoons?
Superfriends, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Johnny Quest.

29. What about you do you think has changed the most?
My emotions. I am not as soft as I used to be.

30. Looking back at high school were they the best years of your life?
The best years have been being a Mom. I LOVED high school, though.

31. Are there times you still feel like a kid?
I always feel like a kid. I'm still waiting to be a "grown up".

32. Did you ever own troll dolls?
No.

33. Did you have a pager?
I had one for a brief time. Dwane had one for one of his jobs, and when he got a new job, he was assigned a pager. I used the old one until the contract expired.

34. Where was the hang out spot when you were a teenager?
Alice's house.

35. Were you the type of kid you would want your children to hang out with?
Yes.

36.Who do you think impacted your life the most?
My parents. Jesus. Ruth Shive.

37. Was there a teacher or authority figure that stood out for you?
Mr. Borgerson--my 5th & 6th grade teacher. Mr. Andrews, Mr. Ebert, and Miss Curran--high school business teachers. I really loved all of my teachers. I tended to be a teacher's pet.

38. Do you tell stories that start with “when I was your age..."?
Sometimes. Not really to make the kids "feel guilty", but more to just share with them stories of my childhood--especially ones that relate to my Dad, as I want them to remember as much about him as they can.

FRIDAY FILL INS

2009-05-01T13:06:00.002-04:00

1. The first rule of working in an office and getting along is THE GOLDEN RULE: DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE DONE TO YOU.

2. I LOVE STEAMED CLAMS AND FRIED clams.

3. When I think of carnivals I think of ALL THE MONEY THAT IS SPENT.

4. I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT IS my favorite spring flower.

5. Things on my desk include A HALF-EATEN CHOCOLATE BUNNY, SCRAPBOOKING RIBBON IN THE COLOR OF CHOCOLATE, AND MY GROCERY LIST (WHICH LISTS BAKING CHOCOLATE ON IT). DO YOU NOTICE A THEME?

6. HEARING PRAISE & WORSHIP MUSIC makes me wanna DANCE, EXERCISE, OR CLEAN HOUSE.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to SCRAPBOOKING (DWANE HAS A MEETING), tomorrow my plans include THE NIGHT RACE AT RICHMOND (DWANE HAS TO WORK DURING THE DAY) and Sunday, I want to MAKE JULIA'S REQUEST FOR SUNDAY DINNER (SPAGHETTI)!

75 THINGS NOBODY ASKS YOU

2009-04-30T13:10:00.002-04:00

1. First thing you wash in the shower?
My arms

2. What color is your favorite hoodie?
Teal (from the Women of Faith conference). I really want to purchase the heathered chocolate one from Close to My Heart, though.

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
Yes

4. Do you plan outfits?
Not anymore. When I worked full-time outside of the home, I always picked out my outfit the night before, in order to save time in the morning.

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?
Ok I guess.

6. Whats the closest thing to you that's red?
A Valentine bookmark that Aunt Ginny made for me.

7. What is the closest food to you?
Crumbs of chocolate banana bread (which was really, really good). Does that count as fruit?

8. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?
About a week ago I dreamed about going to the dentist. (IRL I had two filling in my front teeth on Monday.) In my dream, I had to put burning ointment on my tongue and drink a strawberry milkshake laced with activated charcoal--all because of the location of the cavities.

9. Did you meet anybody new today?
No.

10. What are you craving right now?
A nap?

11. Do you floss?
Every morning.

12. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?
Boiled dinner.

13. When was the last time you talked on aim?
Couple of years ago.

14. Are you emotional?
Yes.

15. What lotion do you use?
I'm not big on lotion, but I do like Earth Therapeutics Foot Repair Balm for the callouses on my feet.

16. Have you ever counted to 1,000?
Probably.

17. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?
I know I've bitten before, but generally, I lick.

18. Do you like your hair?
Not at the moment. It desperately needs a cut. I don't really mind my hair, but I really wish I had the talent to do something with it.

19. Do you like yourself?
For the most part I guess. (And at other times, I really dislike myself a lot.)

20. Have you ever met a celebrity?
I have a personal connection with Billy Rhythm. I also met a Miss Universe at the Bronx Zoo when I was a kid.

21. Do you like cottage cheese?
Yes, but I don't like to eat a lot of it at one time.

22. What are you listening to right now?
The hum of the computer. That is all.

23. How many countries have you visited?
Canada, Jamaica, Grand Cayman

24. Were your parents strict?
Not really. I didn't give them any problems, and they didn't give me any problems. We had a lot of respect for each other.

25. Would you go sky diving?
No.

26. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush?
Sure.

27. Would you throw potatoes at him?
No.

28. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in?
All my scrapbooking bling (answer stolen from Tami).

29. Have you ever been in a castle?
Cinderella's in Disney World, and Cinderella's castle at Storyland but not a real true castle I guess (answer stolen again from Tami).

30. Do you rent movies often?
As a family, we rent movies a lot, especially from Redbox. However, I never watch them. I'm not much of a movie person. It's a time committment type of thing.

31. Who sits behind you at work?
My cat likes to sit on the back of my chair.

32. Have you made a prank phone call?
No.

33. Do you own a gun?
No. (Dwane does, so from a marital property standpoint I do.)

34. Can you count backwards from 74?
Yes

35. Who are you going to be with tonight?
The kids. Dwane has a meeting. Alice might come over to use the typewriter.

36. Brown or white eggs?
Doesn't matter.

37. Do you own something from Hot Topic?
No. I don't know that I even know what Hot Topic is.

38. Ever been on a train?
Yes. Went to Boston for Women of Faith last summer.

39. Like the person your dating?
I like the person I married if that counts (answer stolen again from Tami).

40. Do you have a cell-phone?
Yes, but use it very, very rarely. It's basically an "in case of emergency" type of thing.

41. Are you too forgiving?
I don't know. I'd have to think about that.

42. Do you use chap stick?
Not regularly. Maybe once or twice a year.

43. What is your best friend doing tomorrow?
Working.

44. Can you use chop sticks?
I probably could get by ok, but I'm certainly not great at it.

45. Ever have cream puffs?
Oh, yes. Like them best filled with vanilla pudding.

46. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect?
No.

47. What was the last question you asked?
"Did you see the timeline in the e-mail?" to my co-worker.

48. What was the last CD you bought?
Oh, goodness. I don't remember. Maybe it was 18 Kids by Keith Urban...

49. Boys or girls?
I only have experience raising boys, and I love them dearly, so I'll pick boys.

50. What road do you drive on the most?
Route 73

51. Is your hair curly?
It quite curly when it's humid. I get those Shirley Temple ringlet things.

52. Last time you cried?
Monday.

53. Ever walked into a wall?
I fainted into a wall once.

54. Do looks matter?
Sometimes (Another Tami answer--I should've just had Tami answer these for me.)

56. Have you ever slapped someone?
I don't think so. I have spanked my kids bottoms about 3 times, though.

57. Favorite time of the year?
Autumn

58. Favorite color?
Pink

59. Are you sarcastic?
I don't really think so.

60. Do you have any tattoos?
No.

61. The last person you held hands with?
Dwane.

62. Do you sleep with the TV on?
Yes. Always. All night long.

63. Where was your profile picture taken at?
My grandmother's house.

64. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people?
There are a couple of people that I have differences with (meaning that their way of doing things is not necessarily the way I do things), but I don't know that I'd call it dislike, and I certainly wouldn't call it hate.

65. Do you like your life right now?
There are things I wish could be different, but for the most part, I am happy.

66. How often do you talk on the phone?
A lot. And I don't even really like to talk on the phone. The nature of the business, I guess.

67. What is your favorite animal?
Cat (another Tami answer, of course)

68. What was the most recent thing you bought?
Groceries yesterday (Yet another Tami answer)

69. Do you have good vision?
Yes (and I have a freckle on my eye!)

70. Can you hula hoop?
I could hula hoop really well as a child. I tried to do it at Walmart last week, and couldn't do it at all. I'm awesome at it on Wii though.

71. Could you ever forgive a cheater?
Yes. But I don't think I could forget. Does that mean I didn't forgive?

72. Do you have a job?
Yes.

73. Can you handle the truth?
Yes.

74. What are you wearing?
Denim shorts, white Maine t-shirt.

75. Have you ever crawled through a window?
Yes--the night my house burned down.

A "DIDDY" FROM JOSEY

2009-04-25T10:04:00.002-04:00

USE THE 1ST LETTER OF YOUR LAST NAME TO ANSWER EACH OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. THEY HAVE TO BE REAL PLACES, NAMES, THINGS. NOTHING MADE UP!

1. What is your last name? Wight

2. A 4 Letter Word: With

3. A Boys Name: William

4. A Girls name: Wilma (Here's what may be a little-known fact: When the Maine Bar Examiner's prepare essay questions for potential lawyers to answer, they will often use "Wilma" when referring to the Wife in the question. "Harry" is often used as the Husband's name.)

5. An Occupation: Whisperer to Horses

6. A Color: White

7. Something you wear: Work Boots

8. A Beverage: Wine

9. A Food: Wedding Soup

10. Something found in the bathroom: Window Cleaner

11. A place: Winterport, ME

12. A Reason for being late? Whining Kids

13. Something you shout: WILL YOU TWO STOP FIGHTING!

FRIDAY FILL-IN

2009-04-24T08:45:00.002-04:00

1. Apparently there's some sort of BEAUTIFUL WEATHER HITTING MAINE THIS WEEKEND.

2. TOMORROW IS SUPPOSED TO BE A sunny day.

3. 2009 HAS BEEN FILLED WITH DWANE'S MEDICAL ISSUES so far.

4. CALEB IS WATCHING THE BEES ON PBS KIDS AND that was it FOR ME. I'M SCARED TO DEATH OF BEES!

5. For too long I've been OVERWEIGHT.

6. I am not obsessed with FACEBOOK; I am not!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to HOPEFULLY SCRAPBOOKING, tomorrow my plans include PERHAPS A TRIP TO AUGUSTA and Sunday, I want to SEE THAT BOBBY LABONTE IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE BIG ONE AT TALLADEGA!

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2009-04-17T08:46:00.003-04:00

1. Join me in BEING EXCITED THAT IT MIGHT ACTUALLY REACH 67 DEGREES TODAY!

2. Put a little SCRAPBOOKING in your day!

3. Happiness is TO KNOW THE SAVIOR (SING IT WITH ME NOW).

4. TIRED and confused.

5. I'm waiting for THE RAPTURE.

6. CHOCOLATE is hard to resist.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to DOING A SCRAPBOOK GATHERING AT ERICA'S, tomorrow my plans include HANGING OUT WITH THE KIDS and Sunday, I want to TAKE A NAP (I NEED ONE SO BADLY)!

SUE'S MI-5

2009-04-16T19:33:00.002-04:00

Would you rather:

1. Be able to stop time while you slept, OR Never have to do laundry?

I'd rather not have to do laundry. I'm not really sure of the advantages of stopping time while sleeping--maybe because you'd presumably live that much longer??
And this week, I've done so much laundry, having a break is looking really good.

2. Hit every red light for the rest of your life, OR always be wrong?

Who wants to be wrong??? I hate being wrong once, let alone all my life. I'll pick the red lights. It's a good time to say a prayer.

3. Be debt free (except for your house), OR eleven years ahead of schedule on your mortgage?

Definitely be debt free (except for the house). I fear that I owe so much other debt, that even saving 11 years on my mortgage wouldn't get me as ahead as canceling all of the other debt. Let's take all of the money paid out to the corporate piggies and give it to everyone to pay off their debt instead. Those same corporate piggies would still end up with the money, but at least people wouldn't have debt. Instead, they'd have money to spend in the economy! (It just seems so simple to me. Must not be.)

4. Always take a cold shower OR sleep an hour less than you need to be fully rested?

I'll sleep an hour less. I don't sleep enough now to get fully rested, so I'd never miss another hour. I think that if I had to take a cold shower, I'd never take one. Eww! I'd just do the sponge bath thing.

5. Always have to say everything on your mind OR never speak again?

Oh, goodness. That's a tough one. It's good to be honest, but it's not good to hurt another's feelings, and unfortunately, my thoughts are not always as good as they should be. I'm going to hope that I could still write and learn sign language, so I'll pick the never speak again option.

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2009-04-10T10:55:00.002-04:00

1. Anonymous...HAS LOW SELF-ESTEEM.

2. MY DAD is a CITIZEN OF HEAVEN.

3. Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, NOT AT ALL.

4. GOING FOR WALKS AGAIN IS what I look forward to most about Spring.

5. Who needs therapy when YOU CAN HAVE CHOCOLATE INSTEAD (PLUS, IT'S A LOT CHEAPER).

6. FOIL WRAPPED CHOCOLATE EGGS MUST go into the Easter Basket! (SEE #5)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to PERHAPS SPENDING A QUIET EVENING AT HOME, tomorrow my plans include HOUSING AROUND WITH MOM and Sunday, I want to CELEBRATE THE RESURRECTION OF MY LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST!

FRIDAY FILL-IN

2009-04-03T07:54:00.002-04:00

1. Angels or not, I will ALWAYS LOVE MY BOYS.

2. YOU CAN'T HAVE ME any way you want me. YOU HAVE TO TAKE ME AS I ALREADY AM.

3. As my mother used to say, you're full of IT. (ALTHOUGH SHE REALLY USED TO ALWAYS SAY "THAT'S A BIG ONE, ELIZABETH".)

4. I NEED MY CRYSTAL LIGHT PEACH TEA after I'm done working out or doing something strenuous.

5. Even in the most crowded of rooms THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO PACK IN ANOTHER ONE.

6. TODAY is a day fraught with peril.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to GOING TO BED, tomorrow my plans include TAKING CALEB TO A BIRTHDAY PARTY and Sunday, I want to SEE IF DWANE FINALLY HAS A LITTLE LESS PAIN!

THE QUICKIE MI-5

2009-03-28T10:35:00.002-04:00

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

2009-03-27T10:08:00.002-04:00

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

2009-03-23T15:16:00.002-04:00

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

2009-03-20T08:36:00.002-04:00

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.)

2009-03-20T08:29:00.002-04:00

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

2009-03-13T08:24:00.002-04:00

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.

2009-03-13T08:18:00.002-04:00

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

2009-03-06T12:50:00.003-05:00

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.

2009-03-06T12:29:00.002-05:00

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!)

JIM'S FRIENDLY MI-5

2009-02-27T16:53:00.002-05:00

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.

2009-02-27T16:46:00.002-05:00

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

2009-02-23T11:22:00.001-05:00

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

2009-02-23T09:17:00.002-05:00

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

2009-02-22T07:43:00.003-05:00

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

2009-02-20T10:03:00.000-05:00

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.

2009-02-20T09:59:00.000-05:00

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!

2009-02-13T08:38:00.003-05:00

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

2009-02-13T08:19:00.002-05:00

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

2009-02-06T08:25:00.002-05:00

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!!

2009-02-06T08:20:00.002-05:00

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!

2009-01-30T07:21:00.000-05:00

1. I'd really like TO HAVE MY HOUSE ALL CLEAN right now.

2. OUCH! is the word you'd most often hear me say if I stubbed my toe.

3. Possession is NOT ALWAYS WHAT IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE.

4. WHO IS Captain Jack Sparrow.

5. Marshmallows and fire go together like TEA AND TOAST (SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD SAY).

6. THE COMPLAINING GOES on and on.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to A SCRAPBOOK GATHERING, tomorrow my plans include EBEN'S BOY SCOUT KLONDIKE DERBY AND MAYBE A QUICK TRIP TO AUGUSTA and Sunday, I want to MAKE A REALLY GOOD CASSEROLE (DIET-VERSION) TO TAKE TO THE CHURCH FELLOWSHIP SUPPER!

ANSWERS TO "FIRST LINES" MI-5 ARE UP.

2009-01-29T08:55:00.001-05:00

FRIDAY FILL-INS

2009-01-23T08:43:00.002-05:00

1. Oh, I am so TIRED OF THIS ECONOMY!

2. EVERYTHING changes, big and little (EXCEPT GOD, OF COURSE).

3. During NASCAR RACES, I TEND TO FALL ASLEEP (OH THE HORROR!).

4. THE BOYS ARE GETTING ALONG??; are you kidding me???

5. Right now I'd like to be IN A BIG FLUFFY BED, WITH LOTS OF PUFFY PILLOWS, AN ELECTRIC BLANKET, AND A GOOD BOOK (OR A NEW DS GAME).

6. MY DS is my favorite gadget (CURRENTLY ADDICTED TO BURGER ISLAND).

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to I DON'T KNOW WHAT, tomorrow my plans include EBEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL GAME (GO ST. GEORGE!) and Sunday, I want to CELEBRATE MOM'S BIRTHDAY!

THE FIRST LINE MI-5

2009-01-22T20:03:00.004-05:00

It was my job to create the MI-5 for this week. The task is to write the first line of any five books, but not to list the title or the author. I am to encourage you to post a comment!!! Do not try to guess the title or the author, but let me know whether or not you would read the book based upon the first line. Or, let me know that you think you know the title or author, but just don't post the answer here. Next week, I'll add that information to this post. Here goes:

1. There are songs that come free from the blue-eyed grass, from the dust of a thousand country roads. - THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY BY ROBERT JAMES WALLER. I read this book when it first came out, and I've read it only once since. It made me cry (no, sob) both times I read it, so I probably won't ever read it again. It is one of my all-time favorite books, though.

2. It all began with the Aurochs. - THE PARADISE WAR: SONG OF ALBION, BY STEPHEN R. LAWHEAD. I really don't have any idea about this book. It was just laying around. I think I picked it up at some second-hand sale or something for $.10. I've never read it, and I doubt I ever will. (The first line certainly doesn't interest me in reading more!! What the heck are Aurochs???)

3. Mary Poppins has always been my hero. - THE HOUSE THAT CLEANS ITSELF, BY MINDY STARNS CLARK. This was a birthday gift from Beloved last year. I still haven't read it, but I really need to.

4. The part should've been easy to cast. - FAME, BY KAREN KINGSBURY. This is the book I am currently reading. It is from a series of books about the Baxter Family. It's an awesome series, and I wish I could get through it faster. It's not for lack of wanting to. It just seems that the only time I get to read is in the bathroom, so this book has a very special place there.

5. "Where's Mama and Poppy?" - AN IRISH BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS, BY VICKIE MCDONOUGH. This was the first story in a four-story collection of a book entitled "A BRIDE BY CHRISTMAS". It was the last book I read, and I loved each of the four stories.

A BIG LIST

2009-01-20T08:49:00.002-05:00

I have done the things that are bold-faced:

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain (but it was really little)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (only to the crown--the arm was closed down when I visited).
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - (but I once lied and said that I did)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied?
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke - with my family on the Playstation
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - Only once 'cuz I threw up in the process.
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - Dwane said he wasn't speeding, but it sure felt like it to me!
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox twice
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit - not my own, but tons of others
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

BILLY RHYTHM'S CHICKEN SOUP MI-5

2009-01-16T07:46:00.002-05:00

Billy Rhythm says: This fiver is inspired by a bowl of my beloved wife's Chinese Chicken Noodle soup. Your answers need not be related to food.

1) Chicken. We Americans eat lots of chicken, yet we've bred them to have little flavor. What's something you do in your life that you do even though it has little flavor? That is, what is something you continue to do, though you receive little fulfillment for it?

The first thought in my head is disciplining my children. How I'd love to have my kids do something the first time I ask them to, instead of having to get to a point of escalated frustration. Tried the time outs. Tried the loss of privileges. Tried all that stuff. I continue to try to discipline, but seem to have little effect.

2) Noodles. Who invented them, the Chinese or the Italians? Tell us about your cultural heritage. Of what decent are you?

I've always called myself a "Mutt". A little bit of this. A little bit of that. I believe that I am mostly French, Welsch, Scottish, English, and American Indian (Apache). My ancestor was Quadequina, who brought popcorn to the first Thanksgiving. He was the brother of the chief of the Wampanoag tribe.

3) Green onions. When I was a kid, I didn't like onions. Now, I can't get enough of them. What's something you used to dislike, but now really like?

Like my brother, Billy Rhythm, I never liked onions, and now I do. I still don't like raw onions, and don't know that I ever will, but I can eat cooked onions on their own, or in just about anything. However, I do still prefer my meatloaf without onions. I'm also starting to like green pepper, and can now eat them on pizza and in chop suey.

4) Carrots. When I was a kid, I couldn't eat carrots. Now, I can eat them, but I don't really care for them too much. What's something you never cared for as a child that you still don't care for today?

Harvard Beets. I don't even like the smell of them. I haven't tried them as an adult, and I don't intend to try.

5) Broth. Without broth, you don't have soup. What's the thing that, if you didn't have it, would make you not be you?

My family, of course! I think that the care and nurture from my parents had a TON to do with who I am today. And now, I have children of my own to center my life around.

2009-01-16T07:42:00.002-05:00

1. Enough with the BROKEN AUTOMOBILES!

2. THIS MONTH, MY EMPLOYMENT causes me to be conflicted.

3. I've been craving EVERYTHING THIS WEEK--SEEMS LIKE I'M HUNGRY ALL THE TIME (MAYBE BECAUSE OF EXTRA EXERCISE?).

4. WATCHING THE BOYS DANCE makes me laugh.

5. I wish I could go to A TROPICAL ISLAND next week.

6. RONDA has been on my mind lately.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to A BOOK PARTY AT BELOVED'S, tomorrow my plans include EBEN'S PLAYOFF GAME AND MAKING SOUP FOR MY IN-LAWS and Sunday, I want to TAKE A LONG, LONG NAP!

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FRIENDS IN 2009

2009-01-15T14:52:00.002-05:00

1. What is your occupation right now?
Part-time Paralegal/Stay-at-Home Mom

2. What color are your socks right now?
White

3. What are you listening to right now?
FOX News

4. What was the last thing that you ate?
Malt-O-Meal brand of Cocoa Pebbles

5. Can you drive a stick shift?
Yes

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Mom (she has a surprise for Dwane)

7. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
I love her.

8. How old are you today?
40

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
Nascar

10. What is your favorite drink?
Crystal Light Peach Iced Tea

11. Have you ever dyed your hair?
I've used Sun-In spray. Does that count?

12. Favorite food?
Lobster

13. What is the last movie you watched?
Oh, I never remember...I don't watch movies too often.

14. Favorite day of the year?
Christmas

15. How do you vent anger?
Cry

16. What was your favorite toy as a child?
My teddy bear was most loved (still is), but Barbies were probably played with most.

17. What is your favorite season?
Spring or Autumn

18. Cherries or Blueberries?
Neither, really. Although I can eat both, neither are favorites.

19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
Amy, Billy Rhythm, and Beloved usually post to their blogs.

20. Who is the most likely to respond?
See #19

21. Who is least likely to respond?
?

22. Living arrangements?
Home with husband, two sons, dog, 2 cats, mouse, guinea pig, and two rabbits

23. When was the last time you cried?
Week ago Sunday (we thought the dog had rebroken his leg)

24. What is on the floor of your closet?
Too much stuff to list. I've bought some fancy new hangers, and I plan to clean out the closet before my boss gets back from her month-long vacation.

25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to?
Billy Rhythm

26. What did you do last night
Started a two-page scrapbook spread and watched American Idol

27. What are you most afraid of?
My own death, or the death of someone I love (I'm not afraid to die--just afraid of being without my loved ones, or my kids being without their mom.)

28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?
Plain or with cheese, depending on my mood and diet

29. Favorite dog breed?
Chow Chow (Nikki), Yorkie (Benji), or Peekapoo (Tuffy)

30. Favorite day of the week?
Sunday

31. How many states have you lived in?
One

32. Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds

33. What is your favorite flower?
Yellow Roses or Pink Carnations (both make me think of Dad)

BILLY RHYTHM'S MEETINGS MI-5

2009-01-09T08:39:00.002-05:00

Billy Rhythm says: "This MI-5 is inspired by the five meetings I had yesterday."

Meeting 1, the pastor: Tell us an interesting story about you and a playground.

Goodness. I don't know that I have one. I certainly well remember the playground at the Gilford Butler School in South Thomaston, where I spent Kindergarten through Grade 3. I really loved the swings, but what I loved most of all was playing "The Partridge Family" with Kellie Doyle, Judy Young, Becky York, and a boy who played "Rueben Kincaid". It may have been Brian Harjula, but I'm not sure. Actually, now that I think some more, it may have been Becky that played Ruben Kincaid. The Fire Department used to be housed under the school, and in that area, there was a concrete wall of some sort that used to be our "house". I played Mom Partridge.

Meeting 2, the insurance lady: What typical workplace benefit do you not have currently that you wish you did have?

The ability to work!!! Seriously, I'm temporarily unemployed, and I'd really just like to be able to earn my salary right now. Since I'm part-time, I'm not really entitled to any benefits, anyway. Dwane has just about every benefit you can have, so that's great. I'm not sure I would add anything to it, other than maybe have the employer pay the entire cost of health insurance, or maybe have his vacation time accrued to him all at once, instead of accumulating 6 hours here and 6 hours there. It makes it difficult to keep track of exacting how much vacation time you have.

Meeting 3, the real estate agent: Relate to us something about an experience buying/selling/renting a home.

When Dwane and I were engaged, we thought we wanted to buy a single-wide mobile home. (We figured that was all we could afford.) We actually ordered a home, and put a down-payment on it, but then we couldn't find a suitable lot of land to put it on. We ended not buying it and losing our deposit. Very, very shortly thereafter, we heard that Willard Brown had a house available to rent, just 3 miles from my parents' house, and only a 7-minute drive to my job. We lived there for five years until we could afford to buy our current home. That rental house served us very, very well, and I don't have one little regret in the thought that we "threw our money away in rent". God absolutely "opened the door" for our first home. (Pun intended.)

Meeting 4, the radio sales rep: What's your favorite radio station? What's the genre? Why do you like it?

I most listen to 103.3, which is the local country station. After 9:00 AM, it's not so local anymore, as it taps into some sort of national broadcast. The other station I like is KISS 94.5. When I started listening to it back in the late 1980s, they always had "Kiss in the Sixties" (oldies music) every Saturday night. As the decades progressed, the Saturday night music did as well. Now it's "Kiss in the Eighties". It seems funny to think that the music popular when I was in high school is now "oldies".

Meeting 5, the dessert loving banker: What's your favorite dessert? Why?

I think it really depends on my mood. I really like chocolate pudding cake, and I lreally love warm/hot homemade chocolate pudding on vanilla ice cream. I really look forward to Mom and Aunt Ginny's chocolate cream pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I'm also really becoming a convert to Beloved/Julia's homemade cheesecake (just plain--no fruit).

2009-01-09T08:35:00.002-05:00

1. It's January; IT'S COLD OUTSIDE.

2. ANY KIND OF FOOD is what I crave most right now.

3. Cork and wine go together like EGGSHELLS AND SCRAMBLED EGGS.

4. MILK is so nourishing (EVEN THOUGH I DON'T LIKE IT).

5. Let us dare to COMPARE.

6. WHERE I FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE IS my home.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to A COUPLE OF HOURS WITHOUT KIDS, tomorrow my plans include A BASKETBALL GAME AND TEACHING AN ADVANCED SCRAPBOOKING WORKSHOP and Sunday, I want to TAKE A NAP!

NEWS, NEWS, NEWS

2009-01-08T18:24:00.002-05:00

Seems like it has been forever ago since I last posted something, so I thought I would take a few minutes to post a quick update.

We adopted a Yorkshire Terrier from the pound about a month ago. Four days after we brought him home, Benji-Dog jumped off the sofa and broke his leg. He then was reinvested with the hookworms that he had been treated for at the shelter. Yikes!

Christmas was very busy with the usual church/family activities. I believe everyone enjoyed the holidays, and I know I haven't even cleared out all of the Christmas boxes from the house yet! The tree is down, but my ornaments are still sitting in their plastic boxes ready for Dwane to take them to the shed.

I have been unemployed since December 19. My boss is vacationing in Florida, and Alice and I are both unemployed until she returns. My unemployment check is about $75 less than I would normally bring home, so that's a tough pill to swallow (especially in light of the $1K we've paid to the vet for Benji-Dog's leg). I've put in an application at Wal-Mart, and I think that next week I'm going to send a flood of resumes out to the lawyers in Knox County, hoping maybe someone will want to hire me for some sort of temporary project.

Eben has been really busy. He's playing basketball again, and he has scored at least 2 points in every game so far. I think he's up to 25 points scored for the season. We have two more weekends to go for basketball. This week, he won his class geography bee (for the second year in a row), and he'll be competing in the school geography bee tomorrow (which he won last year). He was also chosen for District III 6th Grade Honors Band and Honors Chorus, but he can only participate in one, so he chose to do the Honors Chorus.

Caleb is still liking Kindergarten, and he's quite smitten with his teacher, Miss Vinal. She's very young, and quite pretty, so I guess he has pretty good taste (at least so far). He tried a soccer clinic last fall, and they are now offering basketball clinics, but he doesn't think he wants to follow the sports route, at least not yet.

Dwane is not working at the taxi job anymore. It really was too much to work so many hours during the week, and then have to drive the taxi two nights as well. He's become even more active in church: taking part in a new Bible study, and assisting with the new Youth Group.

I'm still doing my Close To My Heart stuff, which I love, but in this economy, it's tough to be in sales, especially when the goods are strictly "wants". I'm trying to stick with it, and I hope the economy will turn around soon. (Dont' we all hope for that?) Now that I'm unemployed, I'm also hoping to get a huge jump on the housework. The mess is driving me nuts, and I'm ready to pretty much just open the doors and throw everything out.

I'm also finding that I'm crying quite a bit lately, and I'm not sure what's up with that. I got really upset the other night with trying to upload (or download) pictures from my digital camera to the computer. I always get lost in the directories, and I always feel like I'm being a pain in the neck to ask Dwane for help. (He tells me that I'm a "smart girl" and that I can "figure it out".) So, I tried to "figure it out", and thought I lost all my Christmas pictures. He found them, so no harm was done, but I was pretty spastic about it. I told Dwane he wouldn't understand because he wasn't a scrapbooking mama. I cried about some other stupid thing last week, too. I don't remember what that was about. I don't know if it's the stress of the economy (and being unemployed), the lack of sunshine, or the lack of Dad at the holidays. I wouldn't say that I'm depressed, but I would like to know why I'm getting so sad about different things. Maybe I'm premenopausal. Maybe it's my thyroid.

I've started a new Beth Moore Bible Study: "Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman". I always love Beth's studies, and this is no exception. I've also joined her Scripture Memory Team, and I've committed to learning 2 verses every month for all of 2009. My first verse is "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26. From the emotions I've described above, I don't think that, generally speaking, I have a heart of stone, but there are times when I know that I do. I've already found this verse helpful a couple of times during the last week.

Well, I guess I've rambled on enough. Oh--and if you are not already on Facebook, you should join up! I'm on there as "Lisa Batty Wight", and I am having a lot of fun playing with that. And, hint, hint, I love to receive "Growing Flowers" and "Hatching Eggs". Facebookers will know what I mean. Maybe someone will send me something really pretty to cheer me up---maybe yellow roses? Or diamonds? It's certainly a cheap way to show affection or appreciation! My Beloved Sister-in-Law sent me a spider!! (She didn't have enough "points" to send me something else. I was glad to hear that--I thought she was mad at me!)

FLICKR UPDATED

2009-01-02T21:51:00.002-05:00

I just uploaded a bunch of pictures to Flick'r, for those of you that are interested. They are also in an album at my Facebook page, and there are descriptions there if you don't find the pictures self-explanatory. There are a couple of pictures of me in there since I lost 30 pounds. I'm not sure that you can see any difference, but I can tell you that the pants I am wearing today used to be tight. Now, I can go to the bathroom without even unbuttoning them. (TMI probably.) Anyway, the pants have been driving me crazy cuz I have to keep pulling them up. It's a good kind of problem to have. I'd like to lose 30 more pounds this year. Then I'll be stylin'!

FRIDAY FILL INS

2009-01-02T09:00:00.002-05:00

1. The world is A LONELY PLACE SOMETIMES.

2. "MAGGIE, DO YOU WANT TO COME WITH ME?" was the last thing I said. (MAGGIE IS MY CAT.)

3. I wonder WHEN JESUS WILL COME AGAIN.

4. JUDGMENT IS at the end of all things.

5. There's something to be said for OBEDIENCE.

6. IN MY SCRAPBOOKING CORNER is where I want to be.

BELOVED'S MI-5

2008-12-26T10:41:00.002-05:00

Beloved says: "Since it is the week before New Year's Day I thought we could do some reflecting on the past year."

1. What one unexpected joy did you discover?

That it is so liberating to go into McDonald's and order a side salad, a small fry, a 4-piece chicken mcnugget, and a diet soda. I cut up the mcnuggets to place on the salad, and it's really, really delicious. It's so nice to walk out of McDonalds feeling satisfied and with 500 less calories than I would have consumed 6 months ago. Hurray for small victories!

2. What two things would you have done differently? Why?

I really wish we could have found a way to use the camper this year. We have such an awesome camper, and it's a shame to not use it. I also wish that I had monitored Eben's homework better.

3. What were the three most significant events?

Let's see...the birth of my first counsin once removed, Sean Brian. The adoption of our dog, Benji. And hmmm...what else?? Oh, I know! I lost 30 pounds! That's pretty significant to me! (My lack of a mention here does not mean that something or someone was not significant or important to me.)

4. What four things did you do that were the most fun?

Going to Virginia on vacation (as always). Going to Women of Faith in Boston with the gals from church. All of the day trips with Mom. Oh, I know I'm forgetting something good here. I can't think. I really love all of the scrapbooking parties that I host, too.

5. What five things are you most grateful for?

My family (immediate and extended). My friends. My job, which allows me to stay at home to be with the kids, as well as work with my best friend, Mrs. Cheeseball. My home. And, most importantly, salvation through Jesus Christ.

FRIDAY FILL IN

2008-12-26T10:34:00.002-05:00

1. I must SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST before I die.

2. You can't stop MY BOYS FROM FIGHTING.

3. I wish I never had to buy CAR PARTS again.

4. FIRST PLACE 4 HEALTH has helped me change my life.

5. I know the song PARADISE BY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS by heart.

6. If I weren't so afraid, I would CHANGE PROFESSIONS.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to PLAYING MY NEW DS GAMES (DINER DASH, ZENSES, AND COOKING MAMA 2) OR SCRAPBOOKING, tomorrow my plans include GOING TO MY FATHER-IN-LAW'S FOR CHRISTMAS and Sunday, I want to TAKE A NAP!

GINA'S CHRISTMAS MI-6

2008-12-19T15:53:00.002-05:00

1. Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a child?

I did until I was seven or so. I remember being at the dining room table and realizing that the handwriting on the Christmas gifts matched my Mom's handwriting. I put two and two together and "got it". Mom confirmed it for me. I was not devastated.

2. Does your town get decorated at Christmas? Tell us about the sights!

I don't think our "town" as a whole does any formal decorating. Certainly, there are houses around town that put lights up, and the Berry household up the road does a good job every year.

3. How many Christmas cards have you receive this year? How many Christmas cards do you send?

I've received 20 so far. About half came from church family members at the Sunday School Christmas Party, and the other half came in the mail. I think that the cards in the mail have seemed to be much slower coming this year than normal. I don't know if that means everyone is busy, and hasn't had a chance to do them yet, or if the economy is making people cut back on expenses. I sent out about 80 cards.

4. What does your family traditionally eat for Christmas dinner?

We have a "Thanksgiving" dinner for Christmas: Turkey, potato, stuffing, squash, turnip, onions, pie. My Mom cooks it all, and she does an awesome job. We always go back to Mom's for New Year's Day (prime rib & pork roast), and Sue and I usually contribute to that meal in some way. I usually bring dessert.

5. What is the best Christmas present you have ever gotten?

Oh, goodness. That's a hard one. I remember getting a diamond chip bracelet from my grandfather one year, and that was special. I know my Dad made me a toybox when I was little, which I still treasure, but I don't remember if that was for Christmas or not. I'm sure I'm forgetting something special.

6. If you could change something about Christmas time, what would it be?

I love all of the Christmas activities surrounding the holiday (parties, programs, caroling, shopping, etc.) but I do wish that we could spread all of the activities out over two months, instead of just one. There's always so much going on, and there's never time to do everything you want to. And, I've been so exhausted from everything this week that I'm sleeping like a log and having a hard time waking up in the morning.