Long Weekends ROCK!!

AGAIN, I've been terribly slack in blogging. Hopefully things will calm down soon & I'll get back to blogging regularly. My baby brother is getting married next weekend, so the past several months have been consumed with planning, coordinating, showers, etc. I'm so excited for him & his fiancee, Candice. He's getting an amazing wife & I'm getting an AWESOME sister-in-law. I can't wait for the big day. I know it will be just beautiful & so much fun.

I wasn't feeling too well when I left the office today. I already had a bad headache before I left (this is a daily thing for me), but by the time I got home, I could tell it was fast becoming a migraine. I ate some leftovers & then it hit me like a ton of bricks. So, I took my meds and went upstairs and laid down for about 2 hours. As of right now, the migraine is gone, and I hope it stays that way! I'm so glad it's a long weekend, in celebration of Labor Day. We're supposed to be going to the Apple Festival in Hendersonville, NC tomorrow. On Sunday, me & a bunch of girlfriends are going out to dinner at Olive Garden & then catching a Greenville Drive baseball game. I'm so excited to be hanging out with some of my besties! Monday, my holiday off of work, may very well consist of staying in my jammies and chilling. It's rare that I do that, but we'll see.

I haven't participated in any of the Friday memes in a long time, so I thought I'd play along this week.

Graphic courtesy of Tonya!

Click on the icon to play along

1. I feel _____. I feel a little nauseous thanks to the migraine I had earlier.
   
2. ___________ is always fun. Spending time with friends is always fun.
   
3. Right now, I can hear these things: ___________. Right now, I can hear these things: the hum of the ceiling fan, they keys on the keyboard as I type this blog post, and the Golden Girls episode that I'm watching on TV.
   
4. ___________ and I'm glad ___________. The migraine is gone and I'm glad I headed it off when I did.
   
5. The last time I ___________ was ___________. The last time I had a real vacation was a long time ago. [I desperately need one!]
   
6. ___________ this Labor day weekend. Fun times with friends & family this Labor day weekend.
   
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include going to the Apple Festival in North Carolina and Sunday, I want to go to church and then I'm hanging out with some of my besties that evening.
   

Well, there you go ... a little Friday Fill-In to get the weekend started. I hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Ten on Tuesday: 10 AWESOME BANDS

I haven't participated in any memes in a long time. Today's Ten On Tuesday is music related, so how could I resist playing along? Here are 10 (though I could probably list 50 rather quickly) of my favorite bands (by band, I will assume any artist that involves more than 1 person):

1. Journey
2. The Beatles
3. Coldplay
4. The Fray
   
5. Rascal Flatts
   
6. Hillsong / Hillsong United
7. Casting Crowns
8. Nickelback
9. Fleetwood Mac
10. Goo Goo Dolls
    

What are your favorites? Feel free to play along. Be sure to comment and let me know so that I can check out your answers. Have a GREAT week!

Randomness

I saw this over at Blue-Eyed Bride's blog and thought I'd play along.

Step 1: Respond and rework – answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.

Step 2: Tag eight other un-tagged people.

1. What were you doing and who were you with at 9:59pm on Friday night? I was with Mom and trying to help her get upstairs to bed. She sobbed all the way up & it just frustrated me that I couldn’t do anything to help. She pulled a muscle in her back really bad and has been in excruciating pain. Today is the 1^st day she’s been able to do much of anything.
2. What's the last thing you read/are currently reading? I just started ‘Marley & Me.’
3. Do you nap a lot? No. I CANNOT take naps in the middle of the day. I used to be able to, but not anymore. They ruin me!
4. Who was the last person you hugged? My brother’s fiancée, Candice.
5. What's your current obsession/addiction? Facebook and sudoku puzzles.
6. What was the last thing you said out loud? “If you don’t feel up to going to work tomorrow, don’t go.”
7. What websites do you always visit when you go online? Facebook, Bloglines, AOL, Twitter, local news sites, my work email.
8. What was the last item you bought? Groceries (fun, fun, fun!).
9. What is your most challenging goal? Getting into a better place financially. But, I know it can be done.
10. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished – anywhere in the world, where would it be? Charleston, SC or the NC mountains.
11. Favorite Vacation spot? Charleston, SC and the NC mountains.
12. In your opinion, what is the most important quality/characteristic that a person can have? Honesty and loyalty.
13. Name one thing you just can't resist no matter how bad it is for you. Ice cream.
14. What is your favorite item of clothing? Honestly? My jammies!
15. Favorite pair of shoes you keep going back to over and over, even though your closet is over flowing with a zillion others? Well, for starters, my closet is overflowing with shoes. I’m just not a shoe person (GASP!?). My favorite shoes are my brown penny loafers.
16. Name one thing you cannot live without. Friends and family.
17. Has a celebrity's haircut ever influence you on your own hairstyle? Yes. When I want a change, I search for hairstyle pics and I print out some of my favorites and take them to my stylist. Some of the celebrity influences in the past have been Meg Ryan and Reba McEntire.
18. What is your favorite room in your house? My bedroom because it’s the one place I can go to & just relax.

I'm not tagging anyone. If you want to play along, feel free to do so & be sure to leave me a comment if you do.

Google Name Meme

I saw this over at Life With My Special Ks and thought I'd play along.

Type in "[your name] needs" in the Google search. Jennifer needs a smack daddy! [Really, now! First, I have to find out what exactly a 'smack daddy' is.]

Type in "[your name] looks like" in Google search. Jennifer looks like the cutie-girl down the street who works at the corn dog stand. [What a fabulous stand to work at. I love me some corn dogs!]

Type in "[your name] says" in Google search. Jennifer says "Men come and go but there really is no relationship like the one you have with a dog - and then they don’t live as long as they should. You have to say goodbye way too soon. It’s just so sad. It makes me so sad. But their love is unconditional and I love that." [This was a quote from Jennifer Aniston. I LOVE it because it's so true.]

Type in "[your name] wants" in Google search. Jennifer wants more babies. [I didn't realize I had one baby. But, apparently I want more. This is funny because I'm not convinced I'll ever have children.]

Type in "[your name] does" in Google search. Jennifer does stick the knife in a bit, then she twists it some for good measure. [WOW! I guess yall better not mess with me! Ha!Ha!]

Type in "[your name] hates" in Google search. Jennifer hates constantly being questioned about her relationships. [AMEN & AMEN!!! The two questions I hate hearing are "Are you dating anyone?" and/or "When are you going to get married?"]

Type in "[your name] asks" in Google search. Jennifer asks to see her Mom. [Well, I guess that's possible, though I see her every single day!]

Type in "[your name] likes " in Google search. Jennifer likes photography. [This would be very accurate. I love it!]

Type in "[your name] eats " in Google search. Jennifer eats breakfast in bed naked. [Uh, NO!!!! That would be a big NO!!!]

Type in "[your name] wears " in Google search. Jennifer wears cancer pendant. [What a coincidence. I wear a bracelet every day in memory of my Daddy who died of cancer in 2006. So, technically, I do wear a cancer pendant.]

Type in "[your name] was arrested for" in Google Search. Jennifer was arrested for beating up another girl living in her apartment building. [This isn't too far of a stretch. If the noisy neighbors don't settle down, I may just beat them up. Ha!Ha!]

Type in "[your name] goes" in Google search. Jennifer goes back to work. [On that note, I guess I should get back to work!]

If you play along, leave a comment so I can check out your answers.

20 Questions

This is an old post (from January of last year) I had saved to participate in, at some point.  Now that I'm trying to blog more regularly, I thought today would be just as good a day as any.  I changed any questions that referred 2007 to 2008 and anything that referred to 2008 to 2009.  I originally read this over at The 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness.

Here are the rules:  Remove 1 question from below, and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions, then tag 8-10 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged.

1. At what age do you wish to marry?  I always said I'd be married and have at least one child by the time I was 25.  I'm now 32, going on 33, and still . . . NO marriage & NO children.  It just goes to show that 'our' plans aren't always God's plans.
2. What color do you like most?  Blue, green, and yellow. 
3. Where is the place that you want to go the most?  In no particular order:  Greece, Italy, Ireland and Scotland (internationally) and Vermont, California and Texas (in the U.S.).
4. Which part of you do you hate the most?  I wouldn't say that I 'hate' any part of me.  If I could change one physical thing, it would be my weight.  One thing that's not physical would be that I not worry as much as I do.
5. When you encounter a sad moment, what would you do?  It typically depends on what kind of sad moment it is.  I would say that my normal reaction to sad moments is to clam up, tear up, cry, or withdraw.
6. What are you afraid to lose the most?  My family and friends, though I've experienced both.
7. If you win $1 million, what would you do?  Pay off debt, start a trust for my nephew, give to charity, give some to family & friends, travel and invest the rest. 
8. What’s your wish for the year ahead?  That I would not worry as much as I have in the past and that I would be a better friend and family member.
9. How did you celebrate the New Year?  Attended a party at Nancy's house.  We played ate, played Phase 10, laughed, and ate some more.  We watched the ball drop on the Dick Clark TV special.  It was A LOT of fun!
10. Till now, what is the moment that you regret the most?  I try very hard to live without regret, but if I had to say one thing, it would be that I didn't tell someone how I really felt before it was too late.  I won't go into any other details on such a public forum.
11. Which type of person do you hate the most?  I don't 'hate' anyone or anything, but I would say that I dislike very much people who are dishonest.  I also can't stand people who always have to be the center of attention, regardless of who it hurts along the way.  Lastly, it would be people who refuse to handle situations in an adult manner, instead insisting on acting like juveniles.
12. What is your ambition?  I have a lot of ambitions, but I would say that my #1 ambition for this year is to be in a better place, financially, by the end of the year.
13. If you had one wish what would you wish for?  Enough money to not have to worry about the simple things (bills, etc.).
14. To date, what has your biggest accomplishment been?  (This is the question I added) That I stepped way outside of my box and found a job that I love.
15. What is the best gift you can give someone this year?  Love.
16. List two of your Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions.  Worrying less and being a better friend/family member.
17. What is your favorite thing to do when you have nothing to do?  Reading, blogging and working sudoku puzzles. 
18. What are the Top 2 things that you are most thankful for in the year 2008 that make you even happier for 2009?  That my brother's girlfriend has moved to town and has made him much happier.  I love that she loves him and that she loves my nephew.  I am also thankful that God brought Crystal into my life at a time when I needed her most.  She has been such a blessing to me and has taught me so much about what true friendship is all about. 
19. In this very moment, are you doing what you thought you’d be doing at this stage in your life?  If I'm being honest, not really.  Nothing I'm doing is what I planned to do, but I know that it's all in God's plan for my life.
20. What show do you most enjoy watching on TV these days?  This is a tough question, because I'm a self-admitted TV junkie.  Here are some of my favorites lately:  "The Bachelor," "The Biggest Loser: Couples," "Criminal Minds," "House Hunters," "The First 48," and almost anything on the Food Network.

If you decide to play along, don't forget to replace one of the 20 questions with one of yours.  And, also leave a comment letting me know you played along so that I can check out your answers.

 

8 Is Enough

Well, I thought it was about time to at least do something on this blog AGAIN!  I'm soooo slack.  Anywho . . . in catching up on my feed reader, I stumbled across this meme over at 100 Percent Cottam and thought I'd play along, so here goes:

8 FAVORITE TV SHOWS . . .

1. Criminal Minds
2. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
3. Will & Grace (on DVD)
4. 48 Hours Mystery
5. Ace of Cakes
6. Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives
7. The First 48
8. Forensic Files

8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS . . .

1. Stax's Original
2. Olive Garden
3. Atlanta Bread
4. Chick-Fil-A
5. Carolina Drive-In
6. Silver Bay
7. Red Robin
8. Copper River Grille 

8 THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY . . .

1. Worked on OFCCP audits
2. Drafted wills, living wills, durable powers of attorney & healthcare powers of attorney
3. Downloaded music
4. Made Christmas ornaments
5. Talked to my brother on the phone
6. Played with the dog
7. Went to bed early (but, got jarred out of a deep sleep AGAIN by the new neighbors who are loud & inconsiderate)
8. Laundry

8 THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO . . .

1. Spending time with my nephew this weekend
2. Bible Study that starts next week
3. Gela's Partylite Party on Sunday
4. Shelly's Partylite Party on Thursday
5. Cooler weather
6. Thanksgiving
7. Christmas
8. A new year - - - hopefully a fresh start

8 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT FALL . . .

1. Cooler temperatures
2. Changing colors of the leaves
3. Rides in the mountains
4. Sleeping with the windows open
5. Being able to wear sweaters again
6. All the holidays that come after it's arrival (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas)
7. Fuzzy socks
8. Curling up with a good book under a soft blanket

8 THINGS ON MY WISHLIST . . .

1. A car (even if it's a clunker)
2. An iPod
3. A new digital camera
4. A REAL vacation
5. A new mattress - - - my back is killing me & the current mattress is the culprit
6. Some new clothes . . . I need them baddddly!
7. A break from all the stress
8. Patience

8 PEOPLE I TAG . . .

1. Anyone who wants to play along *

*  Just be sure to leave a comment letting me know you played along so that I can check out your answer. 

That Girl, Starring . . .

I saw this meme over at bubble babble's blog & thought I'd play along. As always, leave a comment if you play along so that I can head over to your blog and check out your answer. ENJOY!!!

1. What are the last three things you purchased? Gas, Groceries & a drink at the gas station.
2. What are the last three songs you downloaded? "All I Want to Do" by Sugarland, "We Are Broken" by Paramore, and "Stop and Stare" by OneRepublic.
3. Where were the last three places you visited? Lake Keowee (SC), Tryon (NC), and Charleston (SC).
4. What are your three favorite movies? This one is tough because I LOVE movies, so I'll just give you the three that come to mind first. "Radio," "Beaches," and "Wizard of Oz."
5. What are your three favorite possessions? Laptop, Grandmother's jewelry, and 3-diamond necklace that was the last Christmas present from my daddy.
6. What three things can you not live without? Coffee, my church, my friends & family.
7. What would be your three wishes? A cure for cancer, healthcare for every American, and for the cost of living to become manageable for every American.
8. What are three things you have not done yet? Travel extensively, get married, and have children.
9. What are your three favorite dishes? Mom's lasagna, salmon, and homemade potato soup.
10. What three celebrities would you want to hang out with the most? Matthew McConaughey, Simon Cowell, and Maya Angelou.
11. Name three things that freak you out. Snakes, spiders, and deep water.
12. If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be? Organized, loyal, and generous.
13. Name three unusual things you are good at. I don't know that I'm good at anything unusual, to be honest. I'm gonna have to think on this one.
14. What are three things you are currently coveting? Well, coveting is wrong, but . . . I'd love a new car, some new clothes and a vacation.
15. What three bloggers would you like to tag? Nobody in particular. Anyone who wants to play along is welcome to. Don't forget to leave a comment if you do!

Filler Tag . . .

I wasn't 'tagged' for this, but saw it over at Picture Clusters and thought I'd go ahead and play along. Because you know how much I love a meme. :-)

1. What's your latest addiction? At the present moment . . . This Is Sand
2. What are you listening to? The CMT Top-20 Countdown
3. How late did you stay up last night and why? It was after 1 a.m. before I fell asleep. I was watching TV & just relaxing.
4. Who were you with last Friday night? A whole bunch of girlies from the church that I love & adore. We had Game Night at Melody & Claire's and it was so much fun!!
5. Do you think you will be in a relationship 3 months from now? I seriously doubt it, but I guess you never say 'never.'
6. When is the next time you’ll see your close friends? This afternoon when I head to see "The Dark Knight" with Shell.
7. What were you doing this morning at 7am? Watching the backside of my eyelids. :-)
8. What radio station do you listen to the most? WSSL 100.5 and SHINE 96.7
9. What was the reason you last cried? Worrying about how everything that needs to get paid is going to get paid. Worrying didn't solve the problem . . . the problem is still there and it surely didn't help me - - - just made me sick! MUST.QUIT.WORRYING!!!
10. Have you ever talked to someone when they were high? High as in "illegal drugs" . . . ??? Yes, but I wouldn't call it a stimulating conversation.
11. What’s the fifth text in your inbox say? "I'm on my way back from the beach." [From my friend, Andrea]
12. Where was the last coffee shop you went to? Starbucks
13. What's your outfit right now? Honestly?! I'm still in my jammies. But, fixing to get a shower and get ready to head out for the afternoon/evening.
14. What were you doing at 11pm last night? Washing my face and putting on the jammies.
15. Who was the last person you talked to last night before bed? Mom
16. Will you be driving in a year? I would imagine so, yes.
17. Is there anything that you are craving right now? Italian food . . . I sure hope that's what we end up doing for dinner after the movie.
18. When did your last hug take place? Last night.
19. Have you ever started a sentence with “No offense, but…”? Yes, but that's not the typical way I start a sentence.
20. Do you drink tea? Yes, but only if it's sweet tea.
21. Have you ever been arrested? No & have no plans to.
22. Have you rode in someone else’s car today? Not yet, but will this afternoon.
23. Have you made a mistake this past week? Oh yes! If you're a human being, you've made a mistake in the past week. And, if you say you haven't . . . well, you must be an alien. :-)
24. Who was the last person you texted? Andrea
25. Are you happy with your life right now? I wouldn't say I'm super-thrilled with my life right now, but I am happy. Does that make sense to anyone out there?
26. In the past 72 hours have you been under the influence? Nope
27. What’s the connection between you and the last person you texted? She's one of my good friends.
28. I'm tagging . . . nobody! Anyone who wants to play along, feel free to do so. If you do, leave me a comment & I'll head over to your blog & check out your answer.

A Longish Sort of Meme . . .

I saw this over on A Virtual Hobby Store and Coffee Shop's blog. This is one I've never seen, so I thought I'd play along!

1. Do you like blue cheese? No. I find it rather disgusting!
2. Have you ever smoked? I tried it once and never touched it again!
3. Do you own a gun? No.
4. What flavor of Kool-Aid was your favorite? Orange
5. Do you get nervous before a doctor appointment? It depends on the type of appointment it is.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I love them, but only when I'm in the mood. My favorite is when they're on the grill. YUMMY!
7. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a toss-up between Elf and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee
9. Can you do push ups? No & never have been able to.
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My 3-diamond necklace my parents gave me for Christmas the last year my daddy was alive. He died 2 weeks later.
11. Favorite hobby? Scrapbooking
12. Do you have A.D.D.? No.
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? Worry too much!
14. Middle name? Lynn
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: (1) I sure wish I had my final project instructions in my Litigation class because it's due in less than 2 weeks and I'm worried that it's going to be more than I can pull off in such a short amount of time. (2) I'm worried about a family member who is going through some really tough times. [I'll leave it at that.] (3) It's freezing cold in this house.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Sweet tea, water, and coffee.
17. Current worry? A family member who is going through some really tough times.
18. Current hate right now? The fact that I have a slack professor for my Litigation class.
19. Favorite place to be? Spending time with family & friends.
20. How did you bring in the New Year? Honestly, I think I was already in bed asleep when the new year started. Sooooo sad, huh?
21. Where would you like to go? On vacation . . . anywhere, really. But, I'm longing to visit Charleston again. It's been way too long.
22. Name three people who will complete this. Not sure because most of the people who read my blog aren't people that I know. But, I'd love for anyone who reads it to complete it and then LEAVE ME A COMMENT so I can check out their answers.
23. Do you own slippers? Yes and I love them.
24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? I'm in my jammies, but they're turquoise.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I can't stand them.
26. Can you whistle? Yes.
27. Favorite color? Blue and yellow.
28. Would you be a pirate? Probably not. I wouldn't be good at stealing.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Anything & everything.
30. Favorite girl's name? Grayson Elyce
31. Favorite boy's name? James Austin (after my daddy & his mother's maiden name)
32. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing because I don't have any pockets.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Celebrity Family Feud - - - Bill Engvall's family vs. Larry the Cable Guy's family. HILARIOUS!
34. Best bed sheets as a child? Goodness, I have no clue! I remember that my entire bedroom was decorated in Holly Hobbie, so I'm sure those were the best!
35. Worst injury you've ever had? I chopped the tip of my middle finger off. It was really bad - - - nothing left to stitch, nerve damage (to this day) & took almost 3 months to completely heal. OUCH!!!
36. Do you love where you live? Sure
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 3 in the house and 2 in the garage
38. Who is your loudest friend? Let's go with the loudest person I know . . . my boss.
39. How many dogs do you have? One - Lizzy - black labrador retriever.
40. Does someone have a crush on you? I'm doubting it, but it would be nice.
41. What is your favorite book? Suzanne's Diary to Nicholas and Sam's Letters to Jennifer - - - both by James Patterson.
42. What is your favorite candy? Reese Cups
43. What is your favorite Sports Team? I'm not really into sports, but I am a Clemson Tigers fan.
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? I've always said I wanted "Victory in Jesus" played at my funeral, but I also love a lot of Josh Groban's songs, so probably one of them, though I'm not sure which one. Kinda morbid thinking about that.

Don't forget to leave a comment if you play along so I can check out your answers! Have a great evening!!!

A Rainy Day Meme

It's been a rainy day that has now turned into what is looking like a stormy evening. I'm still house/puppy sitting for my brother & his girlfriend. I've just been hanging out at the house today, watching movies, catching up on my blog feeds, etc. Here's a little Saturday meme for this rainy day. Have a great evening!

1. When is the last time you actually filled your car’s car tank completely? That would've been this past Thursday. The only reason is because I was on "E" and had just gotten paid. That's the only time I ever fill up. This particular trip, I spent $60 and didn't even fill the tank. UGH!
2. What’s the most you’ve paid for a gallon of gas so far? I think the highest has been $3.98/gallon, which is RIDICULOUS!!!
3. Has the high gas prices affected how much you travel at all? Oh, most definitely!
4. Take the quiz: What does the road trip of your life say about you?

   The Road Trip of Your Life

   

   You see life as a journey to be shared with others. Kinship and sharing are very important to you.

   You often find yourself rushing through life. You don't take as much time as you'd like to enjoy the little things.

   You are all about risk and randomness in your life. You travel off the beaten path... in fact, you're often the one carving the way!

   You are able to find a fairly healthy balance between work and play. You work when you need to, but you never let yourself burn out.

   In another life, you could have been a great novelist. You have a knack for describing things in an interesting way.

5. Which single statement was the most accurate about you? "Kinship and sharing are very important to you" would be the most accurate statement.
6. If your best friend called you up and wanted to take a week-long road trip, would you be able to afford it? No, which would be unfortunate.

Reba's Meme

I snagged this from Reba (she's a rottweiler) over at Reba's Run.  For a dog, this is a good meme.  Nothing on TV worth watching, so I figured I'd play along.  Here goes:

You're feeling:  somewhat accomplished (since I did get the house cleaned and laundry done).
To your left:  the bedroom wall.
On your mind: what God is trying to teach me through the current events in my life.
Last meal included:  Baked spaghetti & garlic bread, which was oh-so-YUMMY!!!!
You sometimes find it hard to:  relax.
The weather:  a lot cooler than it has been.  It's stayed in the 80s this week, which has been nice compared to the 100s we've had.  We actually got a little bit of rain earlier this evening.  We need a lot more, though!
Something you have a collection of:  lighthouses.
A smell that cheers you up:  clean smells (laundry detergent, fabric softener, etc.).
A smell that can ruin your mood:  cigarette smoke.
How long since you last shaved:  Day before yesterday.  It'll be time again in the a.m.  I hate shaving!
The current state of your hair:  overdue for a cut.
The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer):  I really don't have a desk/workspace at home.  I usually just sit in bed when I'm on my laptop.  I'll go for the desk/workspace at the office & say . . . other than my computer, I guess it would be my file bins.
Your skill with chopsticks:  not skilled at all.
Which section to head for first in a bookstore:  true crime.
Something you're craving:  ice cream.
Your general thoughts on the presidential race:  not hopeful!
How many times have you been hospitalized this year:  None, thank the Lord.
Favorite place to go for a quiet moment:  I usually retreat to my bedroom & shut the door.
You've always secretly thought you'd be a good:  private detective.  Well, I haven't really secretly thought about it because I've had several people tell me I'd be a good one.  I'm not sure if that's a compliment or if they're saying I'm 'nosey.'  :-)
Something that freaks you out a little:  deep water terrifies me, so to say it freaks me 'out a little' is an understatement.
Something you've eaten too much of lately:  sub sandwiches.
You have never:  traveled outside of the U.S., but I would love to.
You never want to:  get married just to say I am.  I want it to be the real deal!!!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. 

Love,

Friday Couldn't Get Here Soon Enough

What a week! It's not even worth the effort to type about. It was just a BAAAAADDDD week & I'm glad it's over. Looking forward to a semi-relaxing weekend. I am planning to run by Blockbuster after I leave the office & pick up a few movies, pick up take-out and then 'veg' this evening. Tomorrow, I'm going over to the old house to pack up some more stuff & do a little cleaning. Sunday, I'll go to church and then I'm going to a cookout Sunday evening. Hope all of you have a GREAT weekend. Here's this Friday's onslaught of memes . . . ENJOY!!!

FRIDAY FILL-INS

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1. A smile is __________. A smile is contagious.
2. __________ is my favorite board or card game. Chickenfoot is my favorite board or card game. [I don't know if it's considered a board game or not. It's a dominoes game that I LOVE!!]
3. I would love to have more __________ in my life and less __________. I would love to have more patience in my life and less stress.
4. When I think of the Summer Solstice, I think of __________. When I think of the Summer Solstice, I think of the never-ending day. [Isn't TODAY the Summer Solstice?]
5. I just remembered I need to __________. I just remembered I need to write a thank-you note.
6. One of my favorite song lyrics goes like this: __________. One of my favorite song lyrics goes like this: Don't blink. Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife. Don't blink. You just might miss your babies growin' like mine did. Turnin' into moms and dads. Next thing you know your better half of fifty years is there in bed and you're prayin' God takes you instead. Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think , so don't blink. The first time I heard this song, I just sobbed! It's soooo true!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching a movie, getting take-out & 'vegging' out at the house, tomorrow my plans include going over to the old house to pack up some more stuff & do a little cleaning and Sunday, I want to go to church and head up to the mountains for a cookout with friends.

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THE FRIDAY FIVE

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1. What is one thing about you that you hate? The fact that I worry about and stress out over pretty much EVERYTHING!!!
2. What is one thing about you that you love? That I am a compassionate person.
3. If you had to change one thing about you what would it be and why? I would love to not let things get to me. Sometimes just the way someone says something sets me off & it ends up ruining my day. And, I hate that!!! I'd love to be able to just let things roll off my back.
4. What is one word that you would use to define yourself? Committed. [And, probably need to be committed, too . . . HA!HA!]
5. Imagine what you would look like in a perfect world . . . what do you look like? Oh, the perfect world that doesn't exist . . . let's see . . . I'd love to be just a smidge taller (maybe 5'6" or 5'7"), weigh somewhere in the 130-150 range, have totally manageable hair every day, have flawless skin that required no make-up, etc. Ahhhh, the dream!!!

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FRIDAY FIVER

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1. Last party you went to? Bubby's birthday party.
2. Do you pee in the shower? This is just a gross question. I mean, why would I want to discuss this?
3. Have you ever fired a gun? Yes.
4. Where do you call home? Greenville, SC
5. What's your favorite board game? Chickenfoot (may not be considered a true board game), Imaginiff, Apples to Apples and Cranium.

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FRIDAY FUN

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1. When you look back at your childhood dreams, has your life gone in the direction you expected? Oh, absolutely not! I'm so far on the totally opposite end of where I imagined myself.
2. What were the three most life changing events in your life? How did they shape who you are? The biggest thing would have to be my daddy's cancer diagnosis in 2001, his 2nd diagnosis in 2005 and his death in 2006. This was the hardest thing I've ever had to go through, but it taught me so much about life. Losing my grandmother in 2004 was really difficult, too. She was the one person I could always count on and losing her was extremely difficult. I guess the 3rd thing would be going back to college. I met some of my best friends there and also have learned so much about myself. It has also helped me gain a lot of confidence in myself that I didn't have before.
3. Is there anything you would drastically change about your life or are you content with where your life has taken you? I would love to feel more secure financially (wouldn't we all?). I'm in a pretty bad place right now and have had to move in with my Mom. This has been extremely difficult for me, but I hope it will only be temporary. Other than that situation, I'm fairly content with the way things are.

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FRIDAY 5

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1. What’s too spicy for your tastes? A lot of Mexican dishes - - - especially the peppers & jalapenos.
2. What’s too sweet for your tastes? The icing on the cakes at the bakery my Mom works at. She loves it (and A LOT of people do), but it's rather nauseating for me.
3. What’s too salty for your tastes? I'm not a big chip fan, unless they're the baked kind. They tend to have less salt.
4. What’s too bitter for your tastes? I can't think of anything specific right now, but I don't really like anything bitter.
5. What’s too sour for your tastes? Those sour warheads or whatever they are that kids love. They just about bring me to tears every time I attempt to eat one.

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FRIDAY FEAST

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APPETIZER: If you could live on another continent for 1 year, which one would you choose? It would be a toss-up between Europe and Australia, but I'd probably end up choosing Europe because so many of the places I want to visit are there.

SOUP: Which browser do you use to surf the Internet? I use Mozilla Firefox at home and really like it A LOT better than Internet Explorer.

SALAD: On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you know about the history of your country? I'm a history buff. I almost majored in history my first time in college, but changed my mind. I would say I'm probably somewhere between a 6 and an 8.

MAIN COURSE: Finish this sentence: Love is . . . Love is . . . the best feeling in the world.

DESSERT: Have you ever been in or near a tornado? Yes, when I was a child, and it was no fun! It did quite a bit of damage to my house. I was riding in a vehicle with a lady from the church. We were on our way to a concert. It was so scary. The sky turned green. Objects (stop signs, etc.) were flying all over the place. The whole 'train whistle' thing was happening. It was just terrible!

Well, that about does it. Have a GREAT weekend!

It's FRIDAY - - - WOOHOO!!!

With Friday comes the onslaught of all the memes I love, so here goes:

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1. ______ is high up on my bucket list. Traveling is high up on my bucket list.
2. My favorite quote is ______; it's from ______. My favorite quote is "Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved"; it's from Helen Keller.
3. ____ inspired me to start blogging. The need for self-expression inspired me to start blogging.
4. Strawberries are best _____. Strawberries are best in homemade strawberry cake with homemade strawberry icing (YUMMY)!!!
5. _____ in the last dream I remember having. I got married in the last dream I remember having. [This is a recurring dream, but I never see the groom's face.]
6. The most enjoyable time to go for a walk is _____________. The most enjoyable time to go for a walk is on a cool, crisp Fall day.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending time with Bubby, tomorrow my plans include celebrating Bubby's 5th birthday and Sunday, I want to go to church and then have lunch with my family in celebration of Father's Day.

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Friday Five

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1. Did you get an allowance as a kid, and if so, how much was it? No, I didn't.
2. How old were you when you had your first job, and what was it? My first real job was at a local restaurant (i.e., 'grease pit'). It was during my freshman and sophomore year of high school, so I was like 14-15 years old.
3. Which do you do better: save money or spend money? It's hard to save money when it's all spent on bills. I used to save money very well, but not so much anymore. :-(
4. Are people more likely to borrow money from you, or are you more likely to borrow from them? DEFINITELY from me! But, these days, I have nothing left to borrow.
5. What's the most expensive thing you've ever bought? My car.

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Friday 5

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1. Who gave you your last balloon, and what was the occasion? My friend's kids gave me a sweet teddy bear & balloon for Valentine's Day. Sooooooo sweet!!!
2. Who gave you your last scolding, and what was it for? My mom gave me my last 'scolding' because I moved her CDs and didn't re-alphabetize them . . . ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!!
3. Who gave you your last attaboy, and why? My friend, Lyn. She's always giving me 'attaboys' and it means so much to have someone who is so encouraging and supportive rooting for me!!!
4. Who gave you your last haircut? That would be my sweet & talented hairstylist, Debi.
5. Who gave you your last massage? My friend from church, Kellie, who just happens to be a professional masseuse!!

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Friday Feast

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1. APPETIZER: Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist? I'm sure I come across as a pessimist to a lot of people, but I really am a pessimist.
2. SOUP: What is your favorite color of ink to write with? I typically write in black ink, but I really like red, green & purple.
3. SALAD: How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them? Not often enough, that's for sure. I try to get a pedicure at the beginning of Summer. For me, manicures aren't really necessary because I have no fingernails. I can never make them look right, so I almost always just go to a salon.
4. MAIN COURSE: Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it? Yes. I've actually won a bunch of stuff by entering various giveaways on different blogs that I read. I've won books, jewelry, handbags, scrapbooking supplies, toys, etc.
5. DESSERT: In which room in your house do you keep your home computer? I have a laptop, so it travels with me wherever I happen to be. I typically keep it in my bedroom, though.

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FOUR FOR FRIDAY

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Rainbow: Rainbows--the optical and meteorological phenomena that cause a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the Sun shines onto droplets of moisture in the Earth's atmosphere--are a rare sight. When was the last time you saw a rainbow (where was it and what were you doing at the time of the sighting)? The last time I saw a rainbow was not too long after Daddy passed away. I saw it when I was in the backyard at my parents' house. I was getting ready to leave.

Loyalty: Oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp. yesterday revealed plans to sell its 2,200 company-owned gas stations, saying they aren't profitable enough even with gasoline selling at nearly $5.00 per gallon. Are you loyal to a particular brand of gasoline or one specific gas station? If so, what is it about that brand or station that makes you so loyal? I'm not loyal to anything oil/gas-related. And, not that you asked, but . . . I don't believe for one minute that these companies aren't profitable!! GIVE ME A BREAK!!!

Sunday Morning: Tim Russert, NBC News' Washington bureau chief and the moderator of "Meet the Press," died this morning after collapsing while recording voiceovers for Sunday's broadcast. Do you watch any of the Sunday morning interview shows that specialize in interviewing national leaders on issues of state, economics and foreign policy? I've watched "Meet the Press" a handful of times, but am not really into the the issues that any of the Sunday morning shows deal with.

The Guinness Book of World Records claims that "My name is Bond, James Bond" is the most famous movie line of all time. What's your favorite line from a movie? I love the line "It's never a mistake to care about someone" from the movie "Radio."

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FRIDAY FUN - Superstitions Edition

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1. Any extra precautions for Friday the 13th? No!
2. What superstitions do you have? The whole black cat crossing your path thing! Other than that, not a whole lot of others.
3. Do you think there is really anything to superstitions, or is it something we just talk ourselves into? I would lean towards the 'something we just talk ourselves into.'
4. The movies … good or bad? Scary or just campy fun? I don't like scary movies at all. So, I'd say good movies that are just campy fun.

A Little Bonus

So, I was reading all the blogger's answers to some of the Friday memes and saw this little added 'bonus' over at The 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting and Randomness's blog. 

This is an open-ended fill-in meme.  I found it very interesting, so here goes . . .

My Ex . . . is someone I'd rather forget.

Maybe I Should . . . learn to relax because the stress is way over the top & it's gonna kill me if I don't chill!!

People Would Say . . . they're your 'friend,' but sometimes I have my doubts.

I Don't Understand . . . a LOT of things, but it would take too long to tell you everything.

When I Wake Up In the Morning . . . I usually want to just go back to sleep.  I am a major insomniac, so I'm never well-rested.  :-(

I Lost . . . A TON of respect for a few different people over the years - - - all for different reasons.

Life is full of . . . uncertainty.  You can never really 'plan' your life.  While you're busy making plans, life is happening . . . and, a lot of the time, your plans aren't God's plans.  I've learned that over the last few years.

My Past Is . . . some good, some bad, but all what makes me who I am today.  

I Get Annoyed When . . . people are loud, obnoxious and have no regard for others.

Parties Are . . . not really my thing.  If they're small, private affairs, I'm okay, but I can't stand large crowds with a bunch of people I don't know.

I Wish . . . I was more financially secure.

Dogs . . . are the best!!!  They're really my favorite animal and make the world a better place.

Cats . . . are fine, but not my favorite - - - mostly because I'm highly allergic!

Tomorrow . . . is a new day - - - start over!!

I Have a Low Tolerance for . . . pain.  I'm a big, fat wuss!!!

If I Had a Million Dollars . . . I'd be more financially secure, but I'd still be the same person I am right now.  The money wouldn't change me!!

I'm Totally Terrified . . . of deep water and public speaking.  What a pair, huh??

Randomness - - - More Nosey Questions

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1. What is your favorite day of the week? Sunday
2. How do you usually wear your hair? With my cut, there aren't many options. I basically just wash, put a little hair product in and go. It's an easy hairstyle & I love it!
3. What is your favorite item of clothing? My jammies, for sure.
4. Where would your dream vacation be? Greece, Ireland, Scotland or Italy - - - equally.
5. Who is your favorite author? book? Nicholas Sparks. My favorite books are "Sam's Letters to Jennifer" and "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" (both by James Patterson).
6. How often do you log on? I usually stay logged on since I have a wireless connection at home and at work.
7. What is one of your favorite internet sites to visit? I have a lot of favorite sites,but since it just asks for one, I'll go with one I visit often . . . www.youtube.com.
8. Coke or Pepsi? Coke
9. Do you prefer healthy snacks or junk food? If I'm being honest . . . junk food. But, there are healthy snacks that I enjoy.
10. Are you a morning person or a night owl? A night owl, for sure.

Leave a comment if you decide to play along so I can check out your answers. Have a great Sunday!

More Friday Memes . . .

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1. So, baby, what’s your sign? Taurus
2. If you could live in any part of your country, with money no object, where would you live? In the world? If I didn't live here in South Carolina (which, I love, by the way), I'd probably love to live somewhere in the North Carolina mountains. In the world - - - I'm not sure, since I've never been outside of the country. I'm not convinced I'd want to live anywhere other than the U.S., though.
3. What is your biggest guilty pleasure? A few things, actually . . . food, lazy days and the internet.
4. Do you have any hobbies? What is your favorite? Is there one you want to try? Scrapbooking and making handmade Christmas ornaments. I enjoy both equally. I'd love to learn how to draw and/or paint.
5. If you were to take a single college class right now, just for fun, what would you want to learn about? Well, I'm in college right now & I'm not having too much fun. But, if I were just going to take something for 'fun' (if there is actually such thing), it would probably be something in web design or writing HTML code.
6. When it comes to shopping at the mall, what is your downfall? I hate the mall & I suppose that might be my downfall. I'm not a big fan of shopping . . . PERIOD!
7. It is Friday night. What are you doing? This particular Friday night (as in "today") . . . going to the old house to pick up a load and then just relaxing at home - - - maybe watch a movie. Most Friday nights, it's usually about the same . . . relaxing & hanging out at home OR doing something with friends and/or family.

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1. Idle hands are ______. Idle hands are the devil's workshop (right????).
2. I love ______ in the shower. I love singing in the shower.
3. My favorite time of the day is when ____. My favorite time of the day is when I'm at home & in my jammies with nothing else to do but relax [this doesn't happen very often].
4. The last tea I drank was _____. The last tea I drank was yesterday, and it was YUMMY.
5. I like to _____ in the Summer. I like to stay indoors as much as possible in the Summer (the heat gives me migraines & my allergies bother me a great deal, as well).
6. My mother always said _____________. My mother always said there'd be days like this [Hey, that's a song!! :-)] - - - she was right, by the way.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include not sure yet and Sunday, I want to go to church and out to lunch with the girls.

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FRIDAY 5

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1. What’s something people do in public that really annoys you, even though it’s probably not a big deal? I cannot stand over-the-top PDA (public displays of affection).
2. How readily do you ask strangers to stop their annoying behavior? Not very readily. These days, you might get killed if you voice your issue with someone.
3. What’s something you do in public that probably annoys others? Sometimes, I can get really loud when I'm laughing & I'm sure that can be an annoyance.
4. What’s your theory about why it’s so easy to get annoyed when one is behind the wheel of a vehicle? Everyone is already stressed out about the day-to-day things. People are so rude and inconsiderate when it comes to driving. So, it's VERY easy to get annoyed behind the wheel of a car. I know it is for me.
5. What regular, minor annoyance have you learned to tolerate? I don't know that it's minor to me, but for others, I guess it would be. But, I've learned to tolerate negativity from others. I guess I'm not completely tolerant, but I'm more understanding because times are really hard & you never know what a person is dealing with.

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FOUR FOR FRIDAY

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1. Help, I'm Stuck: With gas prices hovering at more $4/gallon, motorists are said to be putting less fuel in their tanks, then coming up empty on the highway. Though national statistics on out-of-gas motorists do not exist, there's plenty of anecdotal evidence that drivers unwilling or unable to fill 'er up are gambling by keeping their tanks extremely low on fuel. In the Philadelphia area, where the average price for a gallon of regular broke $4 last Friday, calls from out-of-gas AAA members doubled between May 2007 and May 2008, from 81 to 161, the auto club reported. Have you ever run out of gas? If so, what happened? Oh yeah! It happened once and I swore I would never let it happen again. It was in the dead of winter & also the week of Christmas. I had so much going on because my father was very sick with cancer + the holidays were hectic (as always). My gas light had come on the day before, but I just knew I could get the inevitable 30 more miles. Well, don't believe that! I ran out of gas dead in the middle of one of the busiest roads the week before Christmas. Imagine the chaos I caused! And, nobody would stop and help me! I finally got a friend of mine to come & bring me gas. What a thrilling time for me!
2. Summer 2008 Movies: Iron Man, Speed Racer, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Sex and the City: The Movie, Kung Fu Panda, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, The Happening, The Incredible Hulk, Get Smart, Wall-E, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, The Dark Knight, Step Brothers, The X-Files: I Want to Believe, The Mummy 3, The Rocker, Pineapple Express, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and Tropic Thunder... which movies are you most looking forward to watching this summer? If I'm choosing from the ones listed, I would say The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Sex and the City, Kung Fu Panda and The Happening.
3. Reviews: I recently joined the consumer review website Yelp.com, where I can read, create and post reviews of everything from restaurants to my local cable provider. How likely are you to write, create and post reviews on sites like Yelp or Amazon, and how likely are you to read consumer reviews as a part of your purchasing process? I would definitely be willing to write consumer reviews, but just haven't taken the time. I almost always read consumer reviews before I purchase anything big or when I'm visiting somewhere or using a service I'm unfamiliar with. I find them to be very useful.
4. Bookstore: When you visit a bookstore, which sections do you normally gravitate to and which do you avoid at all costs? I love the Clearance section at Barnes & Noble, so I'm always headed there first. But, I also head towards True Crime, Children's, Self-Help and Top Sellers/Recommended.

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FIVE ON FRIDAY

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1. If you had to participate in one olympic event what would it be and why? I'm gonna go with 'spectator' since I'm not very athletic. HA!HA!
2. What is the one song you always sing along to? There are sooooo many, but the one that's been recent is "Wake Up Call" by Maroon 5. I LOVE it!
3. Do you wear a seatbelt in the car? ALWAYS!
4. Car, suv or truck and why? I have a SUV, but with gas prices the way they are, it makes me want my Honda Accord again.
5. Are you a good/bad drive? Explain. I think they mean "Are you a good/bad driver?" And, my answer would be that I'm a good driver. I've only gotten one ticket ever and it wasn't even my fault. I try to be very cautious and obey the laws. I'd be lying if I said I never sped because I almost always go 5-10 over the speed limit. But, if you don't do that here, you'll get run over!!

Feasting On Friday

APPETIZER:

When you drink soda/pop/coke, do you prefer to drink it from the bottle, a can, or after pouring it into a cup?

Any of these ways is fine. I actually prefer a coke from the fountain. It just tastes better!

SOUP:

What television show are you willing to stay up late to watch?

Oh, this list is long, so here goes . . .

Will & Grace, Reba, Criminal Minds, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, pretty much anything on Food Network, Forensic Files, The Investigators, American Idol, Speeders and Cops . . . to name a few! Most of these don’t come on late, but if they did, I’d stay up to watch.

SALAD:

Name one person, place, or thing you think of as brilliant.

My former boss is one of the smartest people I know. I’ve always thought he was brilliant . . . not just in the book sense, but also in his approach to life.

MAIN COURSE:

Would you be willing to work 4 10-hour days instead of 5 8-hour days in order to save gas?

I’d be willing to work four 10-hour days for a lot of reasons, one being having another day off during the week, but the saving gas thing works for me, too.

DESSERT:

If you were a superhero, what would you call yourself?

I have no idea! Super Red or Big Red or something like that . . . since I’m a redhead! :-)

Randomness . . . Feed Your Mind & Your Blog

1. My best friend is______. My best friend is Shell.
2. I love it when______. I love it when I don't have anything on my calendar & can just have a 'ME' day.
3. My favorite movie is_____because______. My favorite movie is Radio because it is based on a true story here in my hometown & is just very heartwarming.
4. I can't stand it when______. I can't stand it when people talk over others. Just so you know, this is one of many things I can't stand.
5. If I could have any job in the world it would be______. If I could have any job in the world it would be working as an event planner or for a non-profit.
6. Most weekends I ______. Most weekends I am burning up the roads - running here, there & everywhere!
7. ______ tastes so good! Chocolate tastes so good!!! I mean, come on . . . what else would I say?!
8. Why does ______? Why does everyone [well,almost everyone] have a hidden agenda.
9. I have lots of ______ around the house. I have lots of DVDs around the house.
10. Blogging satisfies my need for ______. Blogging satisfies my need for expressing myself openly.

If you want to play along, click on the image above & be sure to leave a comment so that I can check out your answers. Have a great evening & a wonderful week!!

It's Friday . . . You Know What Time It Is . . . It's Friday Meme Time!!! :-)

1. For me _____ is the opposite of creativity. For me "cookie cutter" is the opposite of creativity.


2. _____ was the last excellent book I read. Sam's Letters to Jennifer was the last excellent book I read.


3. I like fill-ins because _____. I like fill-ins because they don't take as much brain power to answer (ha!ha!).


4. In nature I like looking at _____. In nature I like looking at fall leaves and birds.


5. _____ should win the US elections. The best of the worst candidate should win the US elections. [Like that inventive answer, do ya?? I honestly don't have a pick, at this point.]


6. The last time I laughed with all my belly was _____. The last time I laughed with all my belly was tonight at dinner with my brother & his girlfriend [Candice] [they know the story].


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out with Bubby [my nephew], tomorrow my plans include breakfast with family & friends [like every Saturday] and Sunday, I want to go to Target!

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FRIDAY FUN - - - THE BOOK EDITION

1. What are your top five favorite authors? What genres do they write? James Patterson, Nicholas Sparks, Max Lucado, Anita Shreve and James Grisham. All of them are fiction writers.

2. What are your favorite genre(s) to read? Inspirational, true crime, legal thrillers, biographies, "feel good" books (i.e., Nicholas Sparks' novels, Chicken Soup for the Soul series, etc.), etc.


3. What are you reading right now? Right now, it's just a whole lot of textbooks for school. I'll be glad when I'm finished with school & can get back to reading things I actually enjoy!


4. What are the last three you read? What’s next? Sam's Letters to Jennifer (James Patterson), Suzanne's Diary to Nicholas (James Patterson), and Traveling Light (Max Lucado). The next book (after I finish school, probably) is The Last Lecture (Randy Pausch).


5. Name one book you think I should try out! Thanks! If you're a James Patterson fan and/or have been reading for a while, you've probably read these already, but the two on the answer to #4 are so good. I also love The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve (again an older book).

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FOUR FOR FRIDAY

1. COOKIES: The Oreo cookie is an American favorite, whether drenched in milk chocolate, loaded with extra creamy filling or dipped in a glass of milk. Now the Oreo is headed overseas to Britain where it's manufacturer, Nabisco, hopes to please the British palate (can you say "Oreos and Tea"). In any event, what is your favorite type and/or brand of cookie? I'm a huge fan of the Double-Stuffed Oreos, but also loved soft baked chocolate chip cookies (preferably homemade).


2. MUSIC: Helping to alleviate pain and stress in premature babies could be as simple as offering them a few verses of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" -- at least that's what a new study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children shows . . . that music could help premature babies get out of intensive care units sooner. What role or impact if any does music play in your life or in the life of your friends and family? I'm a huge music lover & have always been. Music has always been a major player in my life. I took piano lessons for many years when I was a child and also performed in chorus and show choir throughout my school years. I find music to be very therapeutic - - - it can turn a bad moment into a good one, can relax you when you're stressed, can help you fall asleep, etc. I have a huge music collection and it ranges from Mozart to Kenny Chesney to Josh Groban to Coldplay. There's not much I don't like. I'm not a big fan of hardcore rap and/or opera, however.


3. YOU: What do you think is the biggest misconception about you? I think a lot of the time people think that I'm unhappy or negative when I'm simply venting frustrations and/or making light of a situation. I am actually a very happy person who just happens to deal with the stresses of life in a different sort of way.


4. SPENDING YOUR OWN MONEY: Jared Polis, a 30-something Internet generation entrepreneur--who together with his parents founded and then sold an online greeting card website (bluemountainarts.com) for $780 million back in 1998--is now running for a seat in the United States Congress (2nd Congressional District--Colorado). According to recent reports, Polis, who legally changed his last name in the late-90s from Schutz to Polis, is said to have already self-funded his campaign to the tune of nearly $3.7 Million, which according to the Boulder Daily Camera is three times as much money as he has raised from contributors, and dramatically more than any of his opponents have been able to raise or contribute themselves to their own campaigns. Do you think it's okay for people to self-fund their race for public office in such large amounts--like Jared Polis and other wealthy American politicians have done over the years--or, should limits be placed on the amount of money people are allowed to pour into their own campaigns? In my opinion, you should be able to fund your own campaign & quite frankly, I'd love to see more people self-fund than use the resources of others. I think those resources could be put to better use (i.e., ending world hunger, homelessness, etc.).

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FRIDAY FIVER

With the following phrases, post a single image of the strongest thought/idea that pops into your head.

1. Favorite Food: Italian (pretty much anything)
2. Least Favorite Food: Seafood (the only things I really like are flounder & salmon
3. Favorite Thing: Spending time with family & friends
4. Least Favorite Thing: Stress
5. A phobia: Deep water
6. An addiction: Coffee

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FRIDAY FIVE: FORGETFULNESS

1. What piece of information do you keep forgetting? I'm bad about remembering to balance my checkbook. That's bad enough when you have money, but when you don't . . . it can be REALLY BAD!!!
2. What regular event in your life do you keep forgetting? I don't tend to forget regular events in my life. I'm obsessive about keeping a calendar, so in that area . . . I'm not too forgetful.
3. How are you with remembering the names of people you meet? I'm pretty good at remembering, but sometimes I'll see someone and I'm CLUELESS as to what their name is.
4. What kinds of tricks do you have for remembering to do stuff that falls outside your regular routine? Multiple calendars and I also use iGoogle and Outlook to keep track of tasks to be accomplished, etc.
5. If you keep a daily planner, what is it like? If you don’t, why not? I keep several and they're in total disarray most of the time. I have waaaayyy too much going on, so I usually have to either keep separate calendars (school, work, charity work, etc.) or use different colors of ink to keep track of everything. It's madness, I tell you . . . MADNESS!

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If you want to play along with any of these, click on the image and/or title and it will link you to the site. Be sure to leave a comment if you do so I can check out your answers! I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!