Getting Aquainted

My friend, Amie, sent me this quiz a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was a great way to get to know your friends better, so I thought I'd share (I hope you'll share too!) :

1. What time did you get up this morning?
-Get up or wake up? ;-) Alarm went off at 5:45, but I hit snooze a few times.

2. Diamonds or Pearls?
-Do I have to choose? Can I say both? Please?

3. Last movie you watched?
-Little Women (the one with Wynona Ryder)

4.What is your favorite TV show?
-Seriously, not good at the favorites thing... Top Chef, Project Runway, House, Gilmore Girls, CBS Sunday Morning, Andy Griffith, and I Love Lucy are a few. (No, I don't watch that much TV on a regular basis.)

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
-Strawberry smoothie, a scramble, pbj toast, or cereal. All things depend on the amount of time I have, and my mood.

6. What food do you dislike?
-Oysters and raw celery.

7. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
-Not a CD- but loving Pandora Radio online. (Free online radio where you create free 'stations' and personalize it according to what you like).

8. What kind of car do you drive?
-Nissan Altima

9. Favorite sandwich?
-Reuben

10. What characteristic do you despise?
-Lying/Cheating, & Apathy

11. Favorite item of clothing?
-Right now it's my sparkly, black ballet flats.

12. If you could go anywhere on vacation where would you go?
-Everywhere. I'd probably go to Europe first, though.

13. Favorite brand of clothing?
-Don't have one, so I'll say, "on sale!"

14. Where would you retire to?
-Either somewhere by water (like a beach house), or Africa. Sounds weird, but I read a book when I was a kid called, "They Called Me Mama"; and I always wanted to go to Africa after that. Especially with all the orphans from the HIV epidemic.

15. Favorite birthday?
-All of them!

16. Favorite sport to watch?
-None, but I do find rugby entertaining. Is figure skating a sport? If so, I pick that (sad, I know).

17. Furthest place you are sending this?
-Well... the web goes just about everywhere, I guess.

18. Person you expect to send it back first?
-Have no idea...

19. Are you a morning person or a night person?
-I'm an afternoon person.

20. What is your shoe size?

-It varies. Anywhere from 7 1/2 - 8 1/2

21. Pets?
-One cat, Zsa Zsa (like Zsa Zsa Gabor). That's enough for us, right now.

22. What did you want to be when you were little?
-An artist, a nurse, a scientist, a teacher, the president of the United States, a musician, a chef, a lawyer, a designer, and a social worker. (I wanted to learn to do EVERYTHING!)

23. How are you today?
-Happy! :-)

24. What is your favorite candy?
-Dark chocolate, M&M's, Reese's PB Cups, and those Restore Pomegranate-Lemonade Mints (comes in a yellow tin at the check-out counter. YUM!!!).

25. What is your favorite flower?
-I could never pick one. But, peonies are close, and tulips, and roses, and....

26. What is a date on the calendar you are looking forward to?
August 13th.

27. What are you listening to right now?
-The Michael Buble station on Pandora Radio

28. What was the last thing you ate?
-Soup (for supper last night).

30. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
-Black

31. How is the weather right now?
-Mostly sunny & perfect.

32. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
-My hubby.

33. Favorite soft drink?
-Diet Vanilla Coke

34. Favorite restaurant?
-Don't have one, surprised? Do love HuHot's, Panera, Applebee's, Arby's, Olive Garden, and as of yesterday- La Casa Grande.

35. Hair color?
-Brown

36. What was your favorite toy as a child?
-My art set.

37. Summer or Winter?
-Can I say Spring & Fall? Please...?

38. Hugs or Kisses?
-Hmmmm...

39. Chocolate or Vanilla?
-Depends...

40. Coffee or tea?
-Coffee!!! Although learning to like some herbal fruit teas.

41. What is under your bed?
-I'm afraid to look... Usually the kitty's stash of toys & a few dust bunnies.

42. What did you do last night?
-Went to a meeting with friends, then came home to hang out with Chris.

43. What are you afraid of?
-Where do I start? Heights, spiders, things flying towards me (ie volleyballs, etc.), and getting in trouble...

44. Salty or Sweet?
-Both, but mostly sweet.

45. How many keys on your key ring?
-6 or 7.

46. How many years at your current job?
-Will be 4 in October.

47. Favorite day of the week?
-That's a tough one. Nope, can't pick.

48. How many towns have you lived in?
-Two.

49. Do you make friends easily?
-I wish I did. I'm too shy. I want to be friends with people, easily...

50. How many people will respond to this?
- It'd be fun if it were lots!


Happy Tuesday!!!

A Few Photos...

of my world...

Isn't it pretty? This time of year is so optimistic to me when I look around my home and yard. Especially when I do it through the lens so I don't see so many projects waiting for me...

We've been loving the flowers (even the weedy ones- in a love/hate sort of way- not that we can always tell the difference), the garden, and all the fresh produce available now. I tried making blueberry iced tea- not sure about that one yet. Kind of tastes like tea...

Sweet Melancholy Monday

I wanted to post something bright and fun, but that didn't seem very honest.

Don't worry, I'm not depressed- just a bit pensive and quiet. Enjoying working in the garden, working on my Bible study, painting, cleaning, etc. It's a good day to reflect and pray. Overall, I guess I'm just enjoying my sweet melancholy Monday.

Here's a piece of my latest project, along with a special gift from a friend. I will treasure it- but will treasure her specific, faithful prayers more.

The song that I've been playing over and over- it really speaks to my heart today...
I am also encouraged by yesterday's entry on this blog.

God is so good.

Gratitute Without Words

I just wanted to say thank you to all those who have served this country- past and present... Standing and fallen... As part of the military... and as those that support the ones who serve. The truth is, it seems like thank you is a such a small thing to say for a freedom we often take for granted. But it's all I know to say. Thank you for fighting. Thank you for being faithful. Thank you for leaving home behind, and not looking back. Thank you for doing the right thing. Thank you for being brave. Thank you for being willing-- even when it means paying the ultimate price. Thank you for making it so my family and I may dream, live, and breathe freely. Thank you.
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(Photo courtesy of www.webshots.com, author: twmnj)

Our Prayers Are With You...

Just wanted to extend our condolences and ask for prayer for the family of this little girl. Her name is Avery, and she went home to be with Jesus, this week. Her parents, Rob and Jeanie, are friends of ours, and have been a real blessing.

Funeral arrangements and an online condolence link is available here.

Our prayers are with this family, and those affected by her death.

Back Online

So, almost two months ago my computer decided that life was no longer worth living- and died. I believe Eric said it was the mother-board. Anyway, to make a long story short- money was saved, parts were purchased, repairs were made, and the internet is now re-connected.

Therefore, today I would like to proclaim that my brother-in-law, Eric, is my new hero.

Needless to say, much has changed in these two months. I've blogged it all in my head, as we went along (disturbing, I know- but it's ok). There's just too much. No going back now. Not yet anyway...

Hope you're all having a fantastic spring day!

In Memory of the Classiest Lady I've Ever Known...

I just wanted to post a brief tribute to my great-aunt, Helen H. Jackson. She passed away Saturday evening, in her home. I was able to see her, sit with her, and say goodbye shortly before her death. I will always treasure that.

Aunt Helen was my 'other grandma'. She was kind, dignified, spunky, hospitable, independent, and the classiest lady I've ever known. She had absolutely impeccable taste, and could turn the smallest thing into a beautiful celebration. She has made a significant impact on my life. I love her very much, and will miss her terribly.

I can only hope to be more like her.

Her funeral information is linked here

Goodbye, Aunt Helen. I love you. Rest well.