Random Dozen

I am going to participate in the Second Cup of Coffee meme, called Random Dozen. I don't do memes very often, but hers has some interesting questions. So, here goes, and thanks for asking, Linda. Also, thanks to Karen for taking me there.

1. If you could compete in one Olympic event (not necessarily winter sports) what would it be?
The little known event called "Fireside Crossword Puzzling". This event is never covered by the media because it isn't dangerous.

2. Do remember a specific Olympic moment from the past?
Nancy Kerrigan being Gilloolied and whining "Why me? Why me?" Not cool.

3. Have you ever known anyone who competed in the Olympics?
No.

4. If everyday activities were Olympic-worthy, which activity would you have a gold medal in?
World Class Reading.

5. Do you know anything about your ethnic heritage?
A little. In recent years, I have been interested in doing some genealogical research, and have found that I am Irish and English on my mother's side, German and English on my father's side.

6. Do you enjoy sleeping late?
Late, early, in between. I'm a night owl, so I sleep more during the day.

7. Have you ever performed CPR on anyone? Do you know how? (Yes, that's two, I know. Whatevs.)
No and No.

8. Name one country you'd like to visit and explain why.
England. I've visited there once, but not for long enough. I'd love to see the town my grandparents lived in - Middlesboro.

9. Have you ever fixed up a couple romantically?
Yes, and it worked out rather well, if I do say so myself.

10. What is the last book you read?
"Devil Bones" by Kathy Reichs.

11. Do you enjoy sleeping late? NO, YOU write the question! How's that for random??
OK, here goes. Why should I have to write the question?

12. What is your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant?
Prime Rib at The Outback - any Outback.

Well, that was fun. Join in if you like.

Stay tuned.

Darlene (Auntie Meme)

I've been tagged by Darlene. And, I'm supposed to tag 8 other people. I usually don't tag anyone, but feel free to play along if you want to. For some reason, Darlene's link doesn't work, and I don't know where the underlines came from. But, you can find her at darleneshodgepodge.blogspot.com.


Auntie Meme

1. If one song were to describe your life, what song would it be?

Is That All There Is?


2. Which item of clothing do you wear most?

Loungers inside, slacks and tops outside


3. What's for dinner?

Beans and Ham and Cornbread Yum-Yum


4. Last thing you bought?

Books, books, books


5. What are you listening to?

CNN news story about GM bankruptcy.


6. If you were a God or a Goddess, who would you be?

Bacchus (Drinkin' Wine, Spo-de-odie, drinkin' wine)


7. Favorite holiday spots?

Kelley's house in Omaha for Thanksgiving.


8. Reading right now?

A Fountain Filled With Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming


9. Favorite film?

The Godfather (all three), Jaws, I,II, and III but not IV (enough is enough) , The American President, Apollo XIII. I could go on and on.


10. Okay, what were you thinking about just then?

My favorite films. I don't change thoughts very quickly.


11. What kind of books do you prefer; history, fantasy, mystery, romance, political?

Mystery, Political (Almost any fiction. That's not to say I'll finish reading a book I don't like. But, I'll try anything.)


12. Funniest thing you saw in your life?

My late grandpuppy trying to eat ice cream out of a very small paper cup.


13. Who's your hero/heroine?

My daughter, Kell, who is refusing to let MS slow her down.


14. Share some wisdom?

Never walk when you can ride, never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down.


15. If you were a tree, what tree would you be and why?

A Tulip Tree. So strong and showy for a short time in the spring.


16. Fictitious characters who made a lasting impression on you?

Murphy Brown (actually, I just pulled that one out of the air. Couldn't think of anyone else. I don't confuse fictitious characters with real people, honest I don't.)


17. 4 words to describe you?

Shy, Quiet, Funny (Sometimes, when I'm not even trying), Quirky

Ramblings and Memes

I tried to watch a biopic about Bob Dylan, yesterday afternoon. It's called "He's Not There", and sure enough, he wasn't. After about 45 minutes, I wasn't there anymore, either. "

And, that's all I have to say about that.

-----

Making the candidates approve their ads is the best thing that has happened to the political arena in decades. This way, John McCain can't claim he didn't know anything about the silly ad his campaign is running, blaming Obama for the high gas prices.

Furthermore, he needs to figure out (after the election) that when he denies having said something, there is going to be a tape of what he said somewhere that will make him out to be the liar he is. Or, maybe he's just getting senile. Either way, he doesn't need to be the one with his hand on the red phone.

-----

OK. Velvet Sacks tagged me for a meme and I'm going to try to do it. "Name six things you are proud of." I'm trying to think of six things. So, here goes.


1. It will come as no surprise to my blogbuddies that I am proud of my children. They both turned out to be fine human beings, in spite of the fact that they could have gone bad and then blamed their "broken home" for the way they turned out. I've always said that they never gave me any trouble because it was all too apparent that their Mom was just hanging by a thread and could have snapped at any moment. Then, who would have taken them to school?

2. I am proud of my high school, Little Rock Central High. I graduated the year that we made history when we integrated the school. I am proud of my fellow students for helping to keep order inside the school while screaming crowds of protesters had to be held back by the local police. And, I am proud of the Little Rock Nine, the black students who kept coming back to school day after day, being escorted past those ugly, jeering faces in the crowds. "Central" has always been named one of the best high schools in the country, and that year was no exception. Those black students went on to distinguish themselves in various fields, as did many of the other students who endured that year. We all worked hard to make things as normal as possible in that trying time. And, I think we succeeded.

3. In the '60s, while much of the country was in turmoil, protesting the war in Vietnam, the newspaper staff at the Uof A were involved in a protest of our own. One of our reporters became privy to the information that the funds earmarked for a new library had been moved into the coffers of the athletic department. So, he wrote the story, it was printed, and he and the two editors of the newspaper were fired. The University took over the newspaper, which had always been independent, according to the Freedom of the Press concept, but it was destined to be censored, so I and the rest of the newspaper staff resigned in protest.

The Administration had a new, more cooperative, editor waiting in the wings and she made a tepid attempt to get me to stay on, which gave me the opportunity to proudly make my own version of a "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech, with much huffing and hair tossing.

4. I discovered, while working for a large corporation, that I was endowed with an adaptability that came in very handy. I was the Executive Secretary to a succession of bosses (7 of them), over a period of 15 years. Some of them left through promotions, and some of them left in the dead of night, escorted from the premises by a corporate officer, but, there I stayed, ready to deal with the next personality who would sometimes be introduced to me, by surprise, the following morning.

I was the personification of the term "dead end job."

5. I am proud of my grandmother who, in her early twenties, left her home in England, and without so much as a backward glance, sailed to the United States to meet the man she met and fell in love with on a cruise. It could have been such a disaster. What if he had merely led her on? What if he failed to show up at the dock, with the engagement ring, and a firm intent to marry her as promised?

I am proud of her because I know in my heart I would have spent the rest of my days alone, a bitter old maid, with 18 cats, in a tiny cottage in England, before I would have embarked on such a journey with the confidence she showed.

6. And, finally, I have to say that I am proud of the Democratic Party for putting forth a woman and a black man as our candidates for President of the United States. I will happily vote for Barack Obama.

At the same time, I may also shed a tear for Hillary.

It's All About Meme

Leon, at The Ancient One, Blessed Be He, has tagged me for the "Six Quirky Things About Me" meme. This, of course, means that he will have to be looking over his shoulder from now on, waiting for me to tag him. When you least expect it, Leon, expect it.

Here goes:

1. I always wake up on my right side. I can't go to sleep on my left side, but I have to start out that way, or I can't go to sleep at all. It's a nightly ritual. First, on the left side, then, flip over to the right. Flip back and forth a time or two more and, finally, off to sleep. I don't call myself an old dog for nuthin!

2. I have lots of conspiracy theories, starting with the Kennedy assassination. (Oswald wasn't alone. There was another guy on the grassy knoll.) I had a theory about Deep Throat, too, and wasn't finding out who he actually was a big letdown?

3. I have phobias. I don't like to get out of the house. I can do it, I just don't want to. I can't bring myself to drive on the highway alone, but love to travel. I don't like crowds. I had an anxiety attack in the "Tube" in London. That was lots of fun for my daughter and our other companions.

4. I'm shy. Over the years, I've learned to cover it somewhat. But, I can talk to strangers more easily than mere acquaintances.

5. My sun sign is Aries and my ascendant is Libra, which makes me a mass of contradictions. I almost believe this Astrology stuff.

6. I'm psychic and my grandmother was moreso. Premonitions usually come to me in dreams, as they did hers. For instance, while she lived in Florida and I was in Little Rock, 16 years old, we both had dreams predicting my father's death - on the same night, we later discovered. The prediction played out exactly the way my dream predicted. Also, once, I shook hands with a friend I hadn't seen in a long time, and got the feeling that he was dying. Later that day, his wife confided that he had acute Leukemia and only had a few months to live. I have had lots of more innocuous dreams, but those are the most scary ones I've had. People who know about this trait always get around to telling me I'd better not be dreaming about them!

There you go, Leon. I'm not tagging anyone, but if anyone wants to do this meme, feel free to do it and blame me.

Getting To Know You

Every time I think I am flying under the radar, I get caught. Rich tagged me for the Getting To Know You meme, and since it's him, I'll try it. (But, I WILL get you back, Rich. Someday, when you least expect it, EXPECT IT!)

The Rules:
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 or more people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. What was I doing 10 years ago? Hmmmm. It's hard to remember yesterday, let alone ten years ago, but I'll try. Ten years ago, I was working as an administrative assistant (translation: general flunky) to a plant manager. It was not a very good job, but it was about as good as one could get here in Harrison. The corporation was making its plans to pull out of Harrison and send everything to Mexico, although they kept denying it, so it wasn't the happiest place to work. It was relief when I retired from there.

2. What are 5 Things on my To-Do List for today: Go to the grocery store. Watch "The View". Take a nap. Watch American Idol. Read. Did I mention I am retired?

3. Snacks I Enjoy: Chocolate. Anything crunchy - Cheetos, for instance. Skittles.

4. Things I would do if I were a Billionaire: I would buy a new car (a NEW car), and I'd buy one for Jay, too. I'd buy a condo, or, at least, rent a bigger apartment. I'd pay off Kelley and Allen's house mortage and their car. Then, I'd divide what was left into thirds, and give one-third each to Kelley and Jay. I'd set up a charitable foundation, and arrange for annual donations to my favorite charities. I'd like to go back to England and Scotland and then, to Ireland and Wales. I'd buy all the books I want whenever I want them. Not very exciting, but, I like to live simply.

5. Three Of My Bad Habits: Let's see. Bad habits. Bad habits. I'm sure I have some. Oh, yes. I can't seem to stay on a diet. I don't keep in touch with friends as often as I should. I stay awake, or wake up in the middle of the night, and roam around or get on the computer until 4 or 5 O'clock a.m. Then, I just have to have that nap in the afternoon. I don't like to go to the doctor, so I tend to put it off too long. I always do everything the hard way. I'm sure I have lots more. Jay and Kelley could tell you.

6. 5 Places I have Lived: 2. I was born and raised in Little Rock. 2. Lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas for about 6 years, until D.J. finished law school. 3. Moved to Yellville, Arkansas and lived there for another few years. 4. Moved to Harrison, and I'm still here.

7. Jobs I Have Had: While I was in Fayetteville, "Stringer" for the Arkansas Gazette, covering a general election in Washington County. That was fun. Still in Fayetteville, reporter for the UofA newspaper. (I include it in my list of jobs because it was a paid position.) I worked for an animal science professor, both on campus and at the University Farm. After I got married, I worked as a legal secretary, temporarily, then got a more permanent job at a local Abstract Company. After we moved to Yellville, I helped D.J. set up his law office and worked for him for a couple of years, until I got the job of "mommy". After we moved to Harrison, I worked for him again, briefly, and after we divorced, I got a secretarial job at a flooring factory, then, moved on to another secretarial position, from which I finally retired.

8. 5 people you would like to know more about: I'd like to know more about everyone on my blogroll, but I'm not tagging anyone. If you would like to do this meme, feel free, and let me know about it.

Long Lost Meme

I stumbled across this meme yesterday afternoon. I don't know where I got it, but it has been a long time since I "memed", so I thought I'd give it a go. If someone out there tagged me a long time ago, I'm sorry I didn't respond. Short term memory problems, you know. lol

Forty-Six Questions


1. Do you like blue cheese? I don't have anything against it, really.

2. Have you ever smoked heroin? No. Can Heroin be smoked?

3. Do you own a gun? No. I'd shoot my eye out.

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Cherry

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? I'm a big baby about going to the doctor. I get nervous and dread going and, many times, I'll just give up and cancel the appointment and try again later.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I think they're just big old show-offs. Oh, you meant the food? I try not to think about them.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee and plenty of it. But, by noon, I've switched to Diet Pepsi.

9. Can you do push ups? You're joking, right? It's all I can do to push up from my chair.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? I'm not too interested in jewelry, unless its the real thing. I wear a diamond ring that belonged to my mother.

11. Favorite hobby? Reading

12. Do you have A.D.D.? No, of course I don't have, hmmmm what was the question?

13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? Some would say that I am opinionated. Some would be absolutely right.

14. Middle name? Ann

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. Why did I start this meme? Snow is in the forecast for tonight, and it's the middle of April. What time is it?

16. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: Nothing, nothing and nothing. I rarely buy things, other than gasoline and groceries, neither of which I bought yesterday.

17. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Coffee, Diet Pepsi and wine of some kind. Anything that pours.

18. Current worry? Whether my children really mean it when they threaten me with "Shady Pines Rest Home".

19. Current hate right now? American Idol

20. Favorite place to be? In bed with a good book, or a friend who's read one.

21. Where would you like to go? I'm pretty content where I am at the moment.

22. Name three people who will complete this? I'm not tagging anyone.

23. Do you own slippers? Yes, but I don't wear them. Don't ask me why.

24. What shirt are you wearing? I'm not wearing a shirt. I'm in my pj's. My hair shirt is at the cleaners.

25. What year would you go back in time to? 1960. It was a very good year! Very, very good.

26. Can you whistle? When I'm asleep I can. I know this because I sometimes whistle myself awake.

27. Favorite color? Red

28. Would you be a pirate? No. Too much stress, and I don't like Rum.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing in the shower. My neighbors would hear me and call the police.

30. Favorite girl's name? Kelley

31. Favorite boy's name? Jason

32. What's in your pocket right now? What pocket?

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Something Jay said, undoubtedly. He's a barrel of laughs.

34. Best Halloween costume? A black, floor-length skirt and black top, a blond wig, false eyelashes, silver sandals and a big red boa. In all modesty, I was the life of the party as Mae West. Nobody recognized me. Not even the hosts.

35. Worst injury you've ever had? When I was a child, my patent leather shoes slipped on our floor furnace, and I burned the side of my leg from ankle to knee. Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

36. Do you love where you live? Love it? I don't even LIKE it.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? Three. Do you think that's excessive, in a three-room apartment?

38. Who is your loudest friend? My friends aren't loud. They're refined. And, I am the Queen of the May, tra-la.

39. How many dogs do you have? Does a Grandpuppy count?

40. Does someone have a crush on you? I have to beat them off with a stick.

41. What is your favorite book(s)? Oh, there are so many. I couldn't possibly choose a favorite.

42. What is your favorite candy? Skittles. Every now and then, I try give them up, cold turkey, but after a day or two, I have to have some.

43. Favorite Sports Team? I don't do sports.

44. Your favorite meal? Start with a Manhattan, straight up. Salad, Prime Rib, mashed potatoes, asparagus. With a glass of Columbia Crest Merlot. Maybe two glasses. Dessert? Something chocolate.

45. What were you doing at 12 a.m. last night? Sleeping.

46. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Oh, shit! I have to get dressed and go to the grocery store!

I'm not tagging anyone, but if you want to answer the questions, I'd love to read them.

And, Another Meme

Your answer has to start with the first letter of your name.


1. What is your name? Betty


2. 4 letter word: Ball


3. Vehicle: BMW. Bus


4. City: Boston. Buffalo


5. Boy Name: Bob. Bruno. Bubba


6. Girl Name: Brandy. Bess. Beatrice.


7. Alcoholic drink: Bourbon


8. Occupation: Bum. Builder. Basket weaver.


9. Something you wear: Boustier ( I don't wear one, myself, of course. heheh)


10. Celebrity: Bill Cosby


11. Food: Bananas, Blueberries, Blackberries


12. Something found in a bathroom: Bubble Bath


13. Reason for Being Late: Backup of traffic. Bad time management.


14. Cartoon Character : Beetle Bailey


15. Something You Shout: Bombs Away. Bah, Humbug


16. Animal: Brer Rabbit. Bobcat.


17. Body part: Brain


18. Word to describe you: Bashful, Braindead, Bigmouth, Barrel of Monkeys



I'm not tagging anyone, but if you want to try it, be my guest.