I got this from Mass Hole Mommy... If you wish to participate in this meme, fill it out and link up at Keely's page.
1. If you could star in any movie genre..what would it be..romance..horror..comedy..suspense or action?
I'd say comedy would be my forte there...
2. Do you recycle?
Yes... Both at school and at home.
3. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Just Chippendales... Though I did sit in the parking lot at one once... Right PETE?!!!
4. Do you have a nickname?
Several... I'd say the kids at school have some for me as well...
5. What's a name you can't stand to be called?
Little lady... Especially by men in predominantly men-infested areas-- like hardware stores, mechanics @ garages, car salesmen, etc.
6. What are your Summer staples?
Tank tops, shorts, flip flops.... I like to stay cool. Especially THIS summer!
7. What was the last thing you bought for yourself?
Other than food, probably a book or an audiobook... This week I plan to treat myself to a MUCH needed pedicure...
8. Are you happy with your boob size?
Yes...Though for obvious reasons they have gotten bigger this year... I will be glad when they go back down.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
37
The BBC believes most people will have only read 6 of the 100 books here.
Instructions:
1) Look at the list and put an 'x' after those you have read.
2) Tally your total, add it to the note title.
1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (x)
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien (x)
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte (x)
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling (x)
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (x)
6 The Bible (Extracts) (x)
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte ()
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell (x)
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman ( )
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens (x)
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott (x)
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy (x)
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller ()
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare ()
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier ()
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien (x )
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk ()
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger (x)
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger ( )
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot ()
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell ()
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald (x)
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens ()
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy ( )
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams( )
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh ()
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky ( )
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck ()
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll (x)
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame ()
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy ( )
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens ()
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis (x)
34 Emma - Jane Austen (x)
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen ()
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis (x)
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini ()
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres ()
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden (x)
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne (X)
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell (x)
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (X )
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez ()
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving ()
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins ()
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery (x)
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy ()
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood ()
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding (x)
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan ( )
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel ( )
52 Dune - Frank Herbert ()
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons ()
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen (x)
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth ( )
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon (x )
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens ( )
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley ( x)
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon ()
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez ( )
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck ()
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov ( )
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt ()
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold ( )
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas ()
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac ()
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy ()
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding (X)
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie ( )
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville ( )
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens ()
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker (x)
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett (X)
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson (x)
75 Ulysses - James Joyce ()
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath ( )
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome ()
78 Germinal - Emile Zola ( )
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray ()
80 Possession - AS Byatt ( )
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens (x)
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell ( )
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker ( )
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro ()
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert ( )
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry ( )
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White (x)
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom ( x)
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ()
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton ()
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad ( x)
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery (x)
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks ( )
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams ()
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole ( )
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute ( )
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas ()
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare (X)
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl (X)
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo ()
Instructions:
1) Look at the list and put an 'x' after those you have read.
2) Tally your total, add it to the note title.
1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (x)
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien (x)
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte (x)
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling (x)
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (x)
6 The Bible (Extracts) (x)
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte ()
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell (x)
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman ( )
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens (x)
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott (x)
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy (x)
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller ()
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare ()
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier ()
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien (x )
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk ()
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger (x)
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger ( )
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot ()
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell ()
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald (x)
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens ()
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy ( )
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams( )
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh ()
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky ( )
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck ()
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll (x)
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame ()
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy ( )
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens ()
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis (x)
34 Emma - Jane Austen (x)
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen ()
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis (x)
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini ()
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres ()
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden (x)
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne (X)
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell (x)
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (X )
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez ()
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving ()
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins ()
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery (x)
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy ()
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood ()
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding (x)
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan ( )
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel ( )
52 Dune - Frank Herbert ()
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons ()
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen (x)
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth ( )
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon (x )
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens ( )
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley ( x)
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon ()
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez ( )
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck ()
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov ( )
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt ()
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold ( )
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas ()
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac ()
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy ()
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding (X)
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie ( )
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville ( )
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens ()
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker (x)
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett (X)
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson (x)
75 Ulysses - James Joyce ()
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath ( )
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome ()
78 Germinal - Emile Zola ( )
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray ()
80 Possession - AS Byatt ( )
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens (x)
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell ( )
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker ( )
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro ()
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert ( )
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry ( )
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White (x)
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom ( x)
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ()
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton ()
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad ( x)
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery (x)
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks ( )
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams ()
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole ( )
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute ( )
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas ()
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare (X)
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl (X)
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo ()
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Just a LITTLE longer...
Matt had his interview yesterday AM at the US Embassy in London. He said, while it was intense, the consular officer he spoke with was very nice. She didn't ask a lot of questions-- when we got married, how we maintain the marriage across the pond-- he explained we use skype and talk via webcams into (for him) the wee hours of the AM-- he said, "Can't you see the bags under my eyes?" She thought this was funny...
They did not issue his visa today, because the Dr. he saw in London (the one he had to see for the embassy) has no signed off on his medical. She is the Dr. that detected a murmur. He has since been to a cardiologist-- who has told him he has a leak in a valve in one of his arteries. This will require surgery for repair (NOT replacement). The cardiologist sent all of this to the Dr in London, but she still didn't sign it--
In the meantime, I contacted my insurance people, and explained the whole thing. They checked, and because he has coverage in the UK, then he WILL be covered here. They will not consider it pre-existing, and there will be no lapse in coverage. I had them write me a letter to this effect. Matt has the letter and the email from my insurance lady. He took those, plus a letter from my Dr. saying he really needs to be here for the baby. The embassy made copies and have instructed him to take the letters to this Dr. in London. Once she signs the medical (and they feel she has no reason not too, since he WILL have insurance coverage) and gets it to the embassy, they will then call Matt. They will give him a courrier number-- he is to courrier his passport to the embassy, they will then courrier it back with the visa.
I asked how long this will take-- hopefully no more than a week. When I spoke with him the first time, Matt was running down the street in London trying to get back to the Dr's office to talk to her.
She said what she needs is a report from his cardiologist detailing exactly what is wrong, what needs to be done, and a timeline (ie can he wait 6 months, a year, 2 yrs, etc...) She said she has to make sure he is ABLE to come over here. Why she didn't explain this to him LAST week when they spoke, I have no idea. Matt thinks he may have misunderstood her-- anyway-- he is trying to call his cardiologist now so he can set up a time to see him Monday. The Dr had already scheduled a procedure for Wednesday-- to go in with a camera and look closer at the heart, so he may wait till after that to send his report to the Dr. in London-- we'll see.
At any rate, we are still hoping that within the next 2 weeks Matt will be ready to step on a plane! He said he feels like a weight has been lifted. :)
SO... there we are. Not the BEST news, but certainly not BAD news. He said he feels he can go ahead and sort all his stuff, and start packing. This week will also give the airports over there a chance to decongest from all the people stranded by the volcano in Iceland.
Thanks for all the prayers, positive thoughts, and encouragement... this has been BEYOND stressful, but will hopefully be over soon!
They did not issue his visa today, because the Dr. he saw in London (the one he had to see for the embassy) has no signed off on his medical. She is the Dr. that detected a murmur. He has since been to a cardiologist-- who has told him he has a leak in a valve in one of his arteries. This will require surgery for repair (NOT replacement). The cardiologist sent all of this to the Dr in London, but she still didn't sign it--
In the meantime, I contacted my insurance people, and explained the whole thing. They checked, and because he has coverage in the UK, then he WILL be covered here. They will not consider it pre-existing, and there will be no lapse in coverage. I had them write me a letter to this effect. Matt has the letter and the email from my insurance lady. He took those, plus a letter from my Dr. saying he really needs to be here for the baby. The embassy made copies and have instructed him to take the letters to this Dr. in London. Once she signs the medical (and they feel she has no reason not too, since he WILL have insurance coverage) and gets it to the embassy, they will then call Matt. They will give him a courrier number-- he is to courrier his passport to the embassy, they will then courrier it back with the visa.
I asked how long this will take-- hopefully no more than a week. When I spoke with him the first time, Matt was running down the street in London trying to get back to the Dr's office to talk to her.
She said what she needs is a report from his cardiologist detailing exactly what is wrong, what needs to be done, and a timeline (ie can he wait 6 months, a year, 2 yrs, etc...) She said she has to make sure he is ABLE to come over here. Why she didn't explain this to him LAST week when they spoke, I have no idea. Matt thinks he may have misunderstood her-- anyway-- he is trying to call his cardiologist now so he can set up a time to see him Monday. The Dr had already scheduled a procedure for Wednesday-- to go in with a camera and look closer at the heart, so he may wait till after that to send his report to the Dr. in London-- we'll see.
At any rate, we are still hoping that within the next 2 weeks Matt will be ready to step on a plane! He said he feels like a weight has been lifted. :)
SO... there we are. Not the BEST news, but certainly not BAD news. He said he feels he can go ahead and sort all his stuff, and start packing. This week will also give the airports over there a chance to decongest from all the people stranded by the volcano in Iceland.
Thanks for all the prayers, positive thoughts, and encouragement... this has been BEYOND stressful, but will hopefully be over soon!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
The Waiting Game...
Well, the day is finally here (almost...)
After 10 months of filling out paperwork, answering questions, and WAITING-- Matt has his immigration interview tomorrow. This has been, quite possibly, THE most stressful thing I have ever been through. There are so many things wrong with the immigration process, I don't even know where to start. Nor do I have the answers. I realize immigration is one of the next big political issues to be addressed, and oh how I hope they are able to make some GOOD and LOGICAL changes so no one has to go through what we have.
I don't want to say I have an "appreciation" of illegal immigrants-- but I will say I have a new UNDERSTANDING.
If things don't go well tomorrow, I honestly don't know what I will do. My gut reaction would be to pack up and head to the UK... but at 6 monnths pregnant, that is hardly an option.
My feelings and emotions this week have been up and down. Like Matt, I don't want to get my hopes up-- seems like everytime we do, we hit an obstacle. At the same time, I have a positive feeling-- I have tried desperately to stay positive. It's not been easy-- that's for damn sure! But HOW could they NOT let him come? Surely the people at the embassy have a heart...
(SIGH)
OK... I'm off to try to occupy my time...
Please send good thoughts and positive vibes across the pond! His interview is at 9:30 (UK Time)... no idea how long it will take... letting the waiting game continue...
After 10 months of filling out paperwork, answering questions, and WAITING-- Matt has his immigration interview tomorrow. This has been, quite possibly, THE most stressful thing I have ever been through. There are so many things wrong with the immigration process, I don't even know where to start. Nor do I have the answers. I realize immigration is one of the next big political issues to be addressed, and oh how I hope they are able to make some GOOD and LOGICAL changes so no one has to go through what we have.
I don't want to say I have an "appreciation" of illegal immigrants-- but I will say I have a new UNDERSTANDING.
If things don't go well tomorrow, I honestly don't know what I will do. My gut reaction would be to pack up and head to the UK... but at 6 monnths pregnant, that is hardly an option.
My feelings and emotions this week have been up and down. Like Matt, I don't want to get my hopes up-- seems like everytime we do, we hit an obstacle. At the same time, I have a positive feeling-- I have tried desperately to stay positive. It's not been easy-- that's for damn sure! But HOW could they NOT let him come? Surely the people at the embassy have a heart...
(SIGH)
OK... I'm off to try to occupy my time...
Please send good thoughts and positive vibes across the pond! His interview is at 9:30 (UK Time)... no idea how long it will take... letting the waiting game continue...
Monday, April 19, 2010
And the Beat Goes On...
Whew! I am EXHAUSTED! Had a great weekend-- lots of fun times with family-- my "crazy aunts" were both in town for Gma's 94th b-day... We had a great dinner Saturday night-- I made cupcakes-- coconut for Gma, and chocolate for Aunt V. When we weren't looking, Gma got sneaky with her cupcakes and candles-
Sunday we went to Pigeon Forge for breakfast and some outlet shopping. Then it was off to run some errands for Gma, a trip by my condo so the aunts could check out the nursery, then back to Gma's (I had to get my car)... by the time I got home, I was ZONKED! I took a short nap, then got up to talk to Matt via Skype... then I CRASHED!
Had early AM bus duty this morning (ONLY ONE MORE LEFT AFTER TODAY!) Took Aunt V to the airport, then had dinner with Gma and Aunt Liz. I could seriously go to bed RIGHT NOW and be fine. My lack of weekend naps is seriously catching up with me.
This is THE WEEK! Matt has his immigration interview on Friday... I am nervous-- and I know he is BEYOND nervous! I wish more than anything I could be there with him... Though, looking at the flying situation now-- even if I wasn't 6 mo preggers and able to fly-- I wouldn't make it b/c of the cancelled flights due to the Iceland volcano. Though let me say-- that volcano won't have ANYTHING on me if Matt gets his visa and then has to wait to fly here b/c of it's stupid ash!!
Anyway, I am asking for everyone to send good thoughts across the pond to my beloved British husband... I NEED him here NOW!!
OK, so here is your interesting Monday read--
First President Owes Library $4,577 and Two Books
What a scoundrel!!
Had early AM bus duty this morning (ONLY ONE MORE LEFT AFTER TODAY!) Took Aunt V to the airport, then had dinner with Gma and Aunt Liz. I could seriously go to bed RIGHT NOW and be fine. My lack of weekend naps is seriously catching up with me.
This is THE WEEK! Matt has his immigration interview on Friday... I am nervous-- and I know he is BEYOND nervous! I wish more than anything I could be there with him... Though, looking at the flying situation now-- even if I wasn't 6 mo preggers and able to fly-- I wouldn't make it b/c of the cancelled flights due to the Iceland volcano. Though let me say-- that volcano won't have ANYTHING on me if Matt gets his visa and then has to wait to fly here b/c of it's stupid ash!!
Anyway, I am asking for everyone to send good thoughts across the pond to my beloved British husband... I NEED him here NOW!!
OK, so here is your interesting Monday read--
First President Owes Library $4,577 and Two Books
What a scoundrel!!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
May I Recommend...
...an absolutely HILARIOUS movie to you? If you like to laugh, want to laugh, or (like me) NEED to laugh- go see Date Night!! My friend Missy and I went to see it last night-- and I honestly cannot remember the last time I have laughed like that in a theatre. Of course, I LOVE Tina Fey and Steve Carrell-- and whoever thought up teaming them together was a genius!
There are several hilarious cameos also-- Mark Wahlberg (sans shirt!), James Franco & Mila Kunis, Ray Liotta....
I know the movie has gotten mixed reviews from the "experts"-- but seriously, this is not one of those movies you go to see because it might be Oscar caliber-- you go to have fun & enjoy yourself-- isn't that was the movie experience is SUPPOSED to be about anyway?
Just GO!
--
On a sidenote-- I would like to wish my Gma a VERY happy 94th b-day! Yeah, she's pretty awesome!
There are several hilarious cameos also-- Mark Wahlberg (sans shirt!), James Franco & Mila Kunis, Ray Liotta....
I know the movie has gotten mixed reviews from the "experts"-- but seriously, this is not one of those movies you go to see because it might be Oscar caliber-- you go to have fun & enjoy yourself-- isn't that was the movie experience is SUPPOSED to be about anyway?
Just GO!
--
On a sidenote-- I would like to wish my Gma a VERY happy 94th b-day! Yeah, she's pretty awesome!
Friday, April 16, 2010
FINALLY Friday!!
I am SOOOOOOOOO glad that it is finally the weekend. This week at school hasn't been TOO bad-- we are taking state tests, so I am able to sit down and rest my swollen feet more. One more test to go (Monday), then back to life as usual in 5th grade. Only 5 more weeks!!Thursday, April 15, 2010
Joining the Bandwagon
1. How do you feel about "Gladiator" sandals, also called "Roman" or "Jesus" sandals? A fashion yea or nay?
I HATE them! And not just because my fat feet would look DUMB in them... I don't find them flattering or attractive on anyone. So there! :)
2. What is your favorite pizza?
Matt would say I'm an expert in this area. HMMmmmm... this is tough... I'm a pretty big fan of New York style pizza... Locally I enjoy Barley's and Mellow Mushroom... and there is always Big Ed's!
3. There are plans in the works to sell roughly 1,000 items from Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas. This means you could buy Picard's chair for your family room. If not a Star Trek item, what prop, background, set, etc. from what TV or movie would you buy if you could?
[Ex: Hurley's "I Love my Shih tzu" shirt from LOST, the plantation home "Tara" from Gone With the Wind, or Tracy's tambourine from the Partridge Family.]
Kate Winslet's cottage in THE HOLIDAY... seems it would be a nice place to hide...
4. Name a local food or restaurant that your area is famous for.
Gonna have to go with Big Ed's Pizza again!
5. What is your current favorite snack?
Been on a Little Debbie kick lately... that and Salt & Vinegar Pringles...
6. Hypothetical: You are required to be a reality show contestant. Which show would you choose based on your probability of success? (You cannot choose "none.")
A. Dancing with the Stars
B. Biggest Loser
C. Survivor
Woof. I hate reality TV... I guess I would choose Dancing with the Stars... That would be the only one I think I would remotely enjoy...
7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being uninhabitable and 10 being cleanliness that meets the standards of OCD, how clean is your vehicle's interior?
5... again, something I am working on... Matt would love to insert a ridiculous story of Polynesian Sauce here... but trust me-- he EXAGGERATES!
8. It doesn't feel like Spring until _________.
Flowers bloom...
9. Something that made you laugh really hard recently is ____.
Matt and I hypothesizing on future statements by Miss Priss-- "My daddy says....."
10. Tell me about a goal you're working toward.
Getting Matt here SOON! I WILL conquer immigration!
11. Share a thought-provoking or inspiring quote this week.
“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.” ~ Anna Quindlen
(Thanks Leigh!)
12. Name one thing that you do as a parent that you absolutely know will make your kids happy. If you're not a parent, feel free to substitute "friend" or nomenclature that works for you.
Well, not a parent YET... but I plan to encourage Miss Priss to always be herself, be unique, etc... my mom did this for me-- she never wanted me to be more like anyone else... if Iwanted to wear combat boots, longjohns, and Umbro shorts, I would... and she never commented.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
New Kid on the Block
How the Porcupine Lost Her Quills
It's fantastic! She is beginning her Year of Living Fearlessly... which was my theme last year-- and we see how that worked out for me! (Don't worry, I've warned her!)
In Memoriam
My poor friend was forced to ask her a question (by the radio station powers that be), and if I remember correctly, the question did not really pertain to the interview at hand. Ms. Sugarbaker, uh, I mean, Ms. Carter became outraged, and lit into my poor friend. He played the tapes for me. If it hadn't been so scary, it would have been hilarious.
Through the years, Mr. FAWD has kept up with Ms. Carter-- her wins, her losses... mainly b/c friends like me send him any info we see on the lady. Hey, it's what friends are for!
So last night, I felt it my duty to pass on the news (which I first saw on a facebook status, and later confirmed via a google search), that the beloved Ms. Dixie Carter has passed away. Ran(dom) Man's reply: I win. Classic.
So in memory of this iconic actress, let us visit the archives of Ran(dom) Man :
Sep
14th Fri
If Dixie Carter wins an Emmy Sunday, I will cry.
Sep
5th Wed
If you ever, if any of you ever call me that horrible word again, I will fire you, and you will never alter drapes in Atlanta again, because you do not cross a Sugarbaker woman. I’m so tired. I’m so tired you guys.
— Liz on 30 Rock after watching an all-night Designing Women marathon. (Two Dixie Carter posts in 24 hours = coincidence.)
Sep
4th Tue
You can’t build your house on trashy, worthless materials, and your life is your house that you’re living in.
— Dixie Carter in a Q-and-A with the Jackson Sun that strongly reminds me why she’s my arch-nemesis
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Quote of the Day
Been having a completely HORRID time dealing with immigration... Everytime something good happens, Matt and I get a kick in the face that knocks us way backwards... I am terrified he will not be here when the baby is born-- add that in with crazy pregnancy hormones-- and well, I have been somewhat hysterical for a couple of days...
Luckily I have some awesome friends that remind me ultimately that I am not alone... and that I am a strong person (though I don't feel it right now), and that everything happens for a reason and that it will all work out. This has certainly been true in the past, and I pray it is true this time as well. Even though most of my positivity has been taken away, I am really trying to BELIEVE...
Thanks to my good friend Leigh for the quote she posted on my facebook tonight:
Luckily I have some awesome friends that remind me ultimately that I am not alone... and that I am a strong person (though I don't feel it right now), and that everything happens for a reason and that it will all work out. This has certainly been true in the past, and I pray it is true this time as well. Even though most of my positivity has been taken away, I am really trying to BELIEVE...
Thanks to my good friend Leigh for the quote she posted on my facebook tonight:
Sail on Silver Girl, Sail on by; Your time has come to shine,All your dreams are on their way. See how they shine. If you need a friend, I'm sailing right behind; Like a bridge over troubled water...
Book Club 2010: Update
1. Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs
2. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (audiobook)
3. The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd (audiobook)
4. The Killings at Badger's Drift by Caroline Graham
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson (audiobook)
6. The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy (2nd Edition) by Vicki Iovine
7. Holes by Louis Sachar (school)
8. Four to Score by Janet Evanovich (audiobook)
9. Real Murders by Charlaine Harris (audiobook)
10. The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley (audiobook)
11. Key Lime Murders by Joanne Fluke (audiobook)
13. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (audiobook)
14. Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt? by Gare Thompson (school)
Currently Reading:
* The Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke
Except that I can't find the book... ARGH! Hoping it will turn up during spring cleaning...
* Dare to Dream: Coretta Scott King & the Civil Rights Movement by Angela Shelf Medaris
This one is for school... reading it to the kids.
Currently Listening to:
* A Bone to Pick by Charlaine Harris
This is the second in the Aurora Teagarden series... apparently Charlaine Harris is my author of the year... Her stories are simple and easy... which is what I enjoy most after a long day at school.
--
Links:
Audible.com
Goodreads.com
If you join, let me know-- we can be friends!
2. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (audiobook)
3. The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd (audiobook)
4. The Killings at Badger's Drift by Caroline Graham
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson (audiobook)
6. The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy (2nd Edition) by Vicki Iovine
7. Holes by Louis Sachar (school)
8. Four to Score by Janet Evanovich (audiobook)
9. Real Murders by Charlaine Harris (audiobook)
10. The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley (audiobook)
11. Key Lime Murders by Joanne Fluke (audiobook)
13. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (audiobook)
14. Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt? by Gare Thompson (school)
Currently Reading:
* The Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke
Except that I can't find the book... ARGH! Hoping it will turn up during spring cleaning...
* Dare to Dream: Coretta Scott King & the Civil Rights Movement by Angela Shelf Medaris
This one is for school... reading it to the kids.
Currently Listening to:
* A Bone to Pick by Charlaine Harris
This is the second in the Aurora Teagarden series... apparently Charlaine Harris is my author of the year... Her stories are simple and easy... which is what I enjoy most after a long day at school.
--
Links:
Audible.com
Goodreads.com
If you join, let me know-- we can be friends!
Friday, April 9, 2010
TGIF!
I don't know why it is-- but SHORT school weeks always seem LONGER! I am so glad today is Friday-- though most of the day I was convinced it was only Thursday. Luckily we are preparing for state tests next week-- so must of the day was spent doing practice tests and reviewing that material. This was extra nice for me as I was able to sit more, and get off my swollen-elephantesque feet!
Had a great Dr. appt yesterday... BP is perfect, baby's heartbeat was great-- once they were able to get it, as she was quite the mover & groover yesterday! Now if we can just get the immigration people to let Daddy get here! UGH... that's a whole other stress, and a whole other post! One day-- when I don't find it exhausting!
Trying something new today-- Someone sent me a link to a blog with a Friday Follow/ Blog Hop link... seems fun! I am always looking for new and interesting blogs to read...
Trying something new today-- Someone sent me a link to a blog with a Friday Follow/ Blog Hop link... seems fun! I am always looking for new and interesting blogs to read...
No big plans for the weekend-- which is nice! I plan to get some paint for my nursery-painter volunteers... and other than that I plan to just, as my grandma says, "Do around the house"... and of course spend some time with my feet up, RELAXING!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Filler
Stole this from Mary... had some time on my hands... WOO!
Outside my window...is apparently a neighborhood cat, because my cats are going nuts!
I am thinking...I really should go to bed...
I am thankful for...a good appt at the Dr. today
From the kitchen...is a Cadbury Creme Egg calling my name
I am wearing...jammie pants and a HUGE (& therefore comfy) tshirt
I am creating...a blog entry apparently
I am going...to make it through this week!
I am reading... a book to my kids at school about Coretta Scott King
I am hoping...that Matt is here by the end of the month (PLEASE!!!!)
I am hearing...the episode of BONES that I am watching
Around the house...things are coming together
One of my favorite things...WEEKENDS! Glad tomorrow is FRIDAY!
A few plans for the rest of the week... More TCAP prep at school... and REST for me!
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
Outside my window...is apparently a neighborhood cat, because my cats are going nuts!
I am thinking...I really should go to bed...
I am thankful for...a good appt at the Dr. today
From the kitchen...is a Cadbury Creme Egg calling my name
I am wearing...jammie pants and a HUGE (& therefore comfy) tshirt
I am creating...a blog entry apparently
I am going...to make it through this week!
I am reading... a book to my kids at school about Coretta Scott King
I am hoping...that Matt is here by the end of the month (PLEASE!!!!)
I am hearing...the episode of BONES that I am watching
Around the house...things are coming together
One of my favorite things...WEEKENDS! Glad tomorrow is FRIDAY!
A few plans for the rest of the week... More TCAP prep at school... and REST for me!
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
This is mainly for Lacy and Justy's amusement...
Fang Banger
I must admit, I have been pleasantly surprised by the first book in the Sookie Stackhouse series-- Dead Until Dark, by Charlaine Harris. I am really not into the whole vampire craze that has swept the world in the last couple of years. I tried to read/ listen to the Twilight books. WOOF! I found them some of the most poorly written stories I had tried to read. OK, maybe that was too harsh... they were OVERwritten. The author takes three paragraphs to describe something that could have been done justice with one, maybe two sentences. By the time I have finished with the description, I forgot what she was describing to start with.
Anyway...
I also have tried to watch the True Blood tv show... OK, I tried to watch it ONCE... but I just couldn't get into it at all. So I was very skeptical about the books-- even though I have had numerous people tell me they are "SO much better than the TV show..." (Aren't they always?) Well, I finally broke down and gave book 1 a chance. Since I have trouble finding time, and the ability to stay awake, to read right now, I downloaded it from Audible.com. Part of what REALLY annoyed me with the tv show was the main character's accent-- I worried this would be a problem with the audiobook as well-- however, the reader does a much more believeable Louisiana accent.
As I have listened to the story though, I can't help but notice MANY similarities between it and the Twilight story. I looked to see which was published first-- though I had a pretty good idea. I mean, I realize there are some topics about vampires that are universal-- stake through the heart, repulsion of garlic, only up at night, burnt by silver, etc... But there are several similarities that are not so common-- so if I was Charlaine Harris, I would be asking Stephanie Meyer where she got some of her plot/ character ideas...
Both stories feature
I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this story. Usually I can figure out who the murderer is long before the end of the book-- but this story kept me curious & guessing until the end. Sookie was somewhat annoying in her naivety and dimwitedness-- but not enough to completely turn me off. I definitely plan to check out book 2.
Both stories feature
- a main female character that is kind of a loner, misunderstood, and somewhat socially awkward
- a love triangle between the awkward female, the main vampire, and a male character that transforms into a wolf/ dog
- a gang of vampires (2 males, 1 female) that wreak havoc in the small community
- a dominant vampire that fixates on the awkward female character
- mindreading-- though in Twilight it is the Vamp that can read minds... but in both stories there is one person who's mind cannot be read
I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this story. Usually I can figure out who the murderer is long before the end of the book-- but this story kept me curious & guessing until the end. Sookie was somewhat annoying in her naivety and dimwitedness-- but not enough to completely turn me off. I definitely plan to check out book 2.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Weekend Fun
Afterschool on Thursday, Lacy and I hit the road for Nashville to visit our good buddy Justy... We all had Friday off and thus had time to play... then Saturday, Lacy and I helped host a baby shower for Justy and Matt. It was a fantastic weekend filled with laughter, tears, and a lot of Golden Girls episodes!
Waiting for our table at South Street
Woo-ing our water toast! (I didn't quite fit in the shot...)
cupcakes!
Baby shower fun!
Waiting for our table at South Street
Woo-ing our water toast! (I didn't quite fit in the shot...)
cupcakes!
Baby shower fun!
Thank you for being a friend...
"What happened?!!"
SMOOSH!
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