April Challenge #3

Your first kiss or first love - best memory.

My very first kiss was from a little "player" named Joey in 1st grade. The school I attended at the time ended each week with a movie in the cafeteria/auditorium and Joey had himself a good old time during the movies. Every couple of weeks he got himself a new "girlfriend" who he sat with during the movies, held her hand, and at some point would lean over and give her a quick peck. I was just one of many of Joey's girls and it wasn't a love destined to last.

A later second kiss, that I'd say was my first kiss of a more adult variety, took place at a school dance in 9th grade...up in the bleachers. (You do remember school dances being in the gym, don't you?) That one packed a lot more oomph than ol' Joey's chaste smackaroo. The boy was a friend.  We went to the formal dance at the end of the year together, but it was no great love affair. At least it wasn't for me. I learned a few years ago when he turned up on Facebook that he had had a major crush on me all through school and had kind of held on to it all these years. I had no idea. He never asked me out again or anything.  Anyway, "talking" on Facebook and then seeing him at our class reunion a few years ago left me with the definite impression of having dodged a bullet!

As for my first love, there were a few boys along the way that I was convinced I was in love with. None of them were, in reality, anything more than infatuations and in some cases, only on my part. Teenage hearts so often latch on to the ones who don't pay them any attention. Stupid teenage hearts. Still, it was my teenage heart (I was only 19) that knew Tim was the one and chose to love him as my first real love and 34 years later he is still the one I love.

Easter & the April Challenge

Good morning! I have been up for quite a while...not at all what I was hoping for on this last day of my Easter break, but eh, life happens.  And speaking of things that just "happen...."  As I was stumbling out to the backdoor to take the dog out this morning, Tim casually mentioned I might want to put my boots on. Huh? Why? Because a quick peek out the door showed that we'd gotten a good 3-4 inches of heavy wet snow and it was still coming down. Good grief!! Spring, where are you?

We enjoyed a nice family Easter yesterday.  Mom, John, our son and his family, Tim and I all went to our daughter's home for Easter. I cooked most of the dinner, but everyone contributed something.

The grandkids hit their Easter baskets before dinner and I'd say they were pleased.

After dinner we took them outside for an Easter egg hunt.  Each of them had a specific type of egg to hunt and then there were plain colored ones that any of them could find.  We only had a big, open area to work with so no eggs were actually "hidden." Still, we laughed that they seemed to have more trouble finding eggs lying out in the open than they did when we hid them. 

Poor little Colton was exhausted and could hardly keep his little legs going. He was trying to keep up with his bigger cousins, but was stumbling and wobbling like a drunken sailor! He finally just gave up and sat down and let his mommy put his eggs in his bucket.

Back inside, we visited a while longer and the kids had a great time playing. Colton was so excited. He doesn't get to see his cousins very often and he just adores them.

Late in the afternoon everyone piled into their cars and came over to our house.  We unveiled the jungle gym. It was a big hit! I can only imagine when they see it with sand in the sandbox and a slide attached. Aeden was heard at one point to say that it was "the best day ever!" 

The kids were all gone by 6:00 and Mom and John walked down for some leftovers. They sat and visited a bit, but by a little after 7:00 Easter was officially over and we could relax.

It was a wonderful day. The only thing missing was going to church. I miss that, but there is a church I'm planning to visit and Tim has said he thinks he will go with me to check it out (that is a huge deal!), so maybe next year will include a service. 

I hope you all had blessed days, too.

April Challenge #2

Your earliest memory.

There are two brief flashes of memory that are my absolute earliest memories. One is of being in my crib at my grandmother's house. It's dark, I'm yelling or crying, and someone opens the nursery door and looked in at me. They are backlit by the light from the hallway so I don't know who it is. 

The second memory is of being held and looking over the shoulder of whomever is holding me. We are in a parking lot and it's raining so we are under an umbrella.

Other than those two, I have many more detailed memories, but I'm not sure how they line up time-wise. They are all at my grandparent's home and involve doing something with my Nana...usually out in nature.

* If you'd like to join in the April Challenge visit Kwizgiver for the prompts and to sign up.

April Challenge - April 1

Name 5 problems with social media.

1. Hardly anyone shares their really, real life. It seems like most people either make their lives sound way better than they probably are, or else, they boo-hoo about everything. Spend long enough on there and it can really get to you and bring you down.

2. All the ads! Visit a website ONE time and ads for it will pop up in your newsfeed all the time.

3. A lot of people suddenly think they are an expert about everything.

4. Privacy, privacy, PRIVACY! (As in you really don't have any on social media.)

5. We are becoming more and more addicted to and dependent on it. Many younger users who have grown up with it are losing the ability to communicate well, show empathy, and process their own emotions.

Joining in with Kwizgiver for this challenge.

Sunday Stealing: Some Very Random Questions

Joining the Sunday Stealing crew for this week's questions.  If you enjoyed reading my answers please visit Sunday Stealing's site for links to the others playing along. 

From Bits and Pieces by Melissa
 and from
marc and Angel hack life

1. What Are Three Things You Need To Buy? 

• eggs
• Apparently, a wreath hanger. I know I have 2 somewhere in this house besides the Christmas ones that are packed with the decorations, but do you think I can find either one of them?
• Batteries. The remote just died.

2. My Biggest Hope Is________.

To have the kind of relationship with my grandchildren that I had with my Nana.

3. What Was The Last New Thing You Tried?

I tried out the jungle gym Tim built for the grandkids this afternoon.  It's a new thing, just finished (except for the slide which no one had in stock) and I got to swing first!

4. What Mood Were You In Today?

Pretty good. I had a lot to do, but I didn't get stressed over it.  It was nice having Tim home on a Saturday and we just worked all day at everything that needed doing.  I had a nice chat with a neighbor and when I went shopping I picked up some food and gave it to the homeless man standing on the curb by the traffic light.

5. What would be a better name for the color of goldenrod-colored paper?

Mustard?  Golden Retriever?  Pollen?

6. Where did you get your silverware?

It was a Christmas gift.

7. What artifact from this past week would you have bronzed as a keepsake and heirloom?

I can't think of a single thing.  The things I've valued most this week haven't been things at all, but kind words, thoughtful deeds, and hugs from the littlest grandson.

8. What was the most recent ceremony you attended?

I guess it would be our daughter's wedding back in September. I can't think of anything since then.

9. What east Asian cuisine is good for your Seoul?

I don't think I've ever eaten Korean.  Does Chinese cuisine count?  I could live on beef or chicken with broccoli, beef lo mein, chow mei fun, egg rolls, and crab rangoon.

10. What life lesson did you learn the hard way? 

There is no such think as privacy or anonymity online no matter how much you think you've covered your tracks.
    
11. What do you wish you spent more time doing five years ago?

I wish I had spend more time NOT worrying about our daughter.  All the worry and she did what she wanted to do and while it was rough, she came out the other side okay.  

12. What gets you excited about life?

My faith, my family, and my grandchildren.

13. Have you done anything lately worth remembering?

I guess not since I can't even remember anything.

14. What does your joy look like today?

This is kind of an odd question, but I think I get it. Maybe. Today, my joy looks like a husband home on a Saturday, Easter baskets filled with goodies and sitting in a row, most of tomorrow's dinner already cooked or cooking now, helping Tim finish the jungle gym, a sunny day, steaks with fresh corn-on-the-cob for supper, another book read, and realizing I still have two days of vacation left.


15. When you are 80-years-old, what will matter to you the most?

Most likely the list will be topped by the same things it is now, my faith and my family, but I'm sure new things will be on that list by then.  Things like my health (which is already rapidly climbing higher on the list), my friends (if they're still alive), and not being made to live in a nursing home.  

Well, that's all for this week.  I am off to bed to get rested up for tomorrow and the whole family being together.  Enjoy and have a.....

A Challenge for April

Blogging friend Kwizgiver has issued an April challenge.  Visit her here to sign up.

Saturday 9: Easter Parade

There's so much to do this weekend, but I'm carving out some time to join in with Sam and the rest of the gang for the Saturday 9 and a little Easter fun. Thanks, as always, for a great song and questions, Sam. I don't know how you find the time to come up with all the background info and questions based on each song.

Ok, let's get at it and if you enjoy it be sure to visit the Saturday 9 site to find links to all the other bloggers playing along. Maybe you'd even like to play along? Please do. We love making new friends!

Saturday 9: Easter Parade ("In Your Easter Bonnet") (1948)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song is about a special Easter hat to be worn with your "Sunday best." Will you be getting dressed up this weekend?

No.  We don't attend a church right now so I won't be dressing up for a service and we're a pretty casual family. We don't dress up for family holidays. 

I loved this song for some reason when I was a kid. Maybe because we still dressed up for Easter. I always got a new dress, hat, and purse for Easter. I think there were a few years that I wore gloves, too. I don't remember doing any of that except the dress beyond the very early 1970s.  The Easter dress didn't go by the wayside until the 80s.  After that, I'd still dress up but didn't get a new dress every year.

2) Judy Garland's partner in this movie was supposed to be Gene Kelly, but he was unavailable because he broke his ankle playing volleyball. Have you ever lost a big opportunity because of a medical issue?

Maybe.  I interviewed for a job at Cedar Point (a huge amusement park in Ohio) when I was in college.  Unfortunately, I was sick as a dog the day of the interviews and only found out later in the day that I was running a fever of 105! I ended up spending a week in the infirmary, missed my mid-terms, and was still not well for at least two weeks after being released and sent home.  I didn't exactly make the greatest impression in that condition. I was very disappointed at the time.

3) Garland later confessed that, at first, she would have preferred Kelly because she knew him well and was intimidated by Fred Astaire. By the end of filming, she found she enjoyed Astaire a great deal. Can you think of a friend with whom you had a rocky relationship at the beginning?

No. I can't think of any that started out rocky.  I can think of a few that ended rocky.

 
4) This song was inspired by New York City's Easter Parade. Does your community host a similar event?

No. We have the biggest 4th of July parade in the region and a decent Christmas parade. I don't think an Easter parade is in the budget.


5) The biggest chocolate Easter egg was made in Italy, measured 34 feet tall and weighed a staggering 15,000 lbs. Do you thinks it's possible to have too much chocolate?

Well, I do love my chocolate, but yes, I do think you can have too much of a good thing.

6) Jelly beans are also popular this time of year. A 2013 poll tells us that red is by far the favorite jelly bean color, with yellow a distant second. Do you have a preference?

I like the orange ones (and will throw the black ones away!), unless we're talking about Jelly Belly Beans....then I like the light green, pear flavored ones.


7) We've been talking a lot about sweets this morning. The only holiday that generates more candy sales is Halloween. When do you eat more candy: Easter or Halloween?

Probably at Halloween because that candy is in the house for a while.  The Easter candy goes home with the grandkids...if they don't eat it all while they are here.  (My son's kids are only allowed candy on holidays/special occasions so when they get their hands on it they go a little nuts.

8) Easter is considered the season of rebirth. What makes you feel refreshed or rejuvenated?

Spending time praying and reading the bible, rocking out to a favorite song on the radio, summer mornings, a great day with family or friends, a road trip with no plan, the last day of the school year....knowing that I am on vacation for the next 3 months.


9)  This year, April Fool's Day happens to coincide with Easter Sunday. Do you expect to fall victim to any pranks this weekend?

No. We've never been big prankers, but I did consider this one.

Thanks for playing along. Have a great day!

Trying a New Look

I'm tired of the old look of the blog. Let me know what you think. Is it attractive? Is it easy to use?  What do you like/not like?

Thankful Thursday: Easter Thanks

I've missed a couple of Thankful Thursdays lately, but there is no way I could skip it during this holiest of weeks for those who believe in Christ Jesus.  Join with me today as I link up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand to "count my many blessings."

This week I am thankful....

* above all else, that Jesus was obedient to the Father's plan to save His people from death and an eternity separated from Him. That though He, Himself was without sin, He willingly took on all the sin of the world...He took on my sin...and became the perfect, final atoning sacrifice once and for all time.

* that the Lord never gave up on me. He loved me and pursued me until my heart finally opened to Him.

* for the Random Journal Day Reunion taking place over on my friend's blog, Enthusiastically, Dawn.  I've been reading some great posts by the others who have linked up and it has been a blessing.  You can see my post here.

* for the bit of insight one of those reunion goers shared concerning Jesus's night in the garden. One line of scripture that I have somehow never taken notice of in Luke's account of that final night. In Luke 22:42, we find Jesus praying to the Father.  He asks, if it is possible, that "this cup" be taken from Him (He was afraid of what was coming), but even afraid to the point of sweating blood, he says "not My will, but Yours be done."  He was willing to be obedient no matter what. 

It's the next verse that I've not noticed before. Luke 22:43 says, "And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him."  God heard His Son's cries and sent an angel to comfort him!  That blows me away.  I don't want to tell you all about Pamela's post.  If you'd like to read it, go here.

* that we had a 2-hour early dismissal today and now I have 4 glorious days off.

* that the final package of parts for the big wooden playset Tim is building for the grandkids came today. (Bless Amazon and their 2-day delivery.)  We hope to have it done (except for the slide, which NO ONE has in stock...not even online) and let them see it on Easter.  It's looking doubtful that they will get to play on it, however.  We are expecting BUCKETS of rain tonight on top of the rain we've had over the last 3 days.  Everything is already a swampy mess, this should put us in build-an-ark territory. Now I hear it's supposed to SNOW on Sunday. Oh well, it'll be done and ready for them whenever they are here.

* for the 2 days of sunshine we had before the rain started.  We don't see many sunny days in the winter here and it sure was a boost to the spirits.

* for Chinese takeout for dinner tonight!

* for all of you.

Have a blessed and happy Easter!

Random Journal Day Reunion

A long time ago, in another blogging life, I met a blogger named Dawn who loved journals, diaries, and planners as much as I do.  She also loved God and the beach.  We became fast blog buddies.  

Over the years, Dawn's blogging and passion for journaling evolved into something much bigger.  While my own blogging stagnated, she began reviewing journals (you really should watch her cute YouTube videos), hosting giveaways, writing great poems and having them published, leading how-to journaling boot camps, and this past November her first book, Journaling for Discovery and Delight, went on sale!    

Along the way Dawn united other journalers she had met and created a community.  That group of journaling bloggers met up under the name of Random Journal Day.  Each month Dawn featured a different journal keeper. You can view my month here.  Along with the featured journal keeper, others linked up and shared a post from an archived journal. Eventually, life and busyness took everyone in different directions and RJD fell by the wayside.

This month Dawn invited all of us to an RJD reunion.  She has provided links to many of the group's past posts and provided a place to link up to share about our journaling journeys.  I had forgotten what wonderful writers these ladies are and I'm honored to be included among them.

I'm not sure where this post is going, so I thought I'd begin by answering the prompts Dawn gave us.

How many journals do you have in your archives? Do you harvest your journals? How often?  

I have 5 journals in my "archives." That's not much to show for a lifetime of journaling.  It is, however, 5 more journals than I had back in the days of RJD. The reason why I didn't keep my journals can be found in the same post I mentioned above.  It's a pretty big deal that I'm saving them again. 

Thought you might like to see where I do most of my journaling.
I do love this spot. It's filled with all my favorite things.

This is my summer journaling spot.  Because I don't work
during the summer, I begin most days here with my
Bible, my journal, and my camera.

As for harvesting my journals for writing ideas, I don't.  I do go back and read them again fairly often, but I don't use them to fuel my blogging.  I never have.

How has journaling brought delight into your life?

It's the one place I feel completely free to be myself, to let it all hang out so to speak.  It's also where God and I spend a lot of time hashing things out and all my time with God is pure delight!

What have you discovered through journaling about yourself, others, life etc?

Only everything! Seriously, my journals are where I work through things and admit things and stress over things.  My journals have always been my emotional dump, that place to unload stuff and sort through what's really important and what's just my emotions getting the best of me.  Journaling about a situation helps me see it more clearly and consider it from all sides and that helps me to see where others are coming from, to consider their motives and feelings.

Over the years as my faith has grown, my journals have changed, too. At first I kept separate journals for life and for prayer or Bible study. Then I started keeping it all in the same journal but distinct entries. These days it's all happily blended and muddled up together just like life.

As for what I've learned about myself, I don't know where to start. I often write about what I'm studying in the Bible and as I start writing words begin to flow and thoughts begin to form. God is a tough task master and he has shown me many areas over the years that I need to work on and then we work.

This was last year's journal.
God was a particularly stern taskmaster
last summer and I had much to work on.

The entry on the left side is a list of do's and don'ts
of the Christian life from Romans 12.

Some bright, happy pages.

This page with a picture of a jewelry box filled with
sparkling gems was an entry about choosing
our treasures with wisdom and maturity.

IN what ways has journaling enriched your : daily life, career, mental or physical health, spiritual life, and relationships?

Let me get the career question out of the way first.  It hasn't enriched my career since I don't have one.  I have a job.  There's a difference.  I'm not seeking a career, either.  There was a time when I wanted to be a journalist or maybe even a writer of books and articles, but the door has never opened and I don't desire it these days.  It doesn't seem to be God's leading for me and I'm okay with that.

As for my daily life, I believe I'm a calmer, more patient, and thoughtful person than I used to be.  Journaling helps me settle down and get centered.  It helps me to think through things and organize things and often shows me where I am off track or way out of line.  All of that has been a balm to my mental state.  These days I am much happier and filled with the joy of the Lord.

My physical health surely benefits from the release of stress and pent up emotions and I like to think, well...I hope, my relationships are better because I process irritations and hurts on paper and then forgive, rather than let them fester or blow up at the one I'm irritated with.

We've already covered spiritual benefits, I think.  All that work God and I do on the journal pages has sure made me grow.  Often, when it was the last thing I wanted to do.

This is my current journal. Isn't it pretty?
It's leather and ties shut. I found it in
a clearance bin at Barnes & Noble
for a mere $9! Can you believe it?

Here's a peek inside.

Others use their journals to jot brief bits of inspiration, beautiful poetry, a scripture that speaks to them, or a bit of revelation from God.  Me?  Like Forest Gump and his box of chocolates, I never know what I'm going to get. I just start writing and God takes it from there. It's rambling and free-form and often full of run-on sentences that would make my college journalism professors cringe.  It can be messy (I'm dangerous with a glue stick) and I've been known to fall asleep while writing, leaving an ink trail running off the page.  It's really a lot like me...messy, imperfect, but trying to get better and loving the journey.

Hodgepodge To Go

1. What's a word that describes your life? A word you wish described your life?  

Mundane or lonely could both be applied to my life a lot of the time.  Mundane because it is usually the same old, same old. My husband works so much and has such long commutes to get to project sites that we rarely make plans to do anything or get together with friends because it is likely when the time comes either he will be too tired or he'll get stuck in traffic and not make it home in time.  That's also why lonely often applies.  When he is home, he spends most of the time sleeping.

I'd like it to be more active, I guess.  More filled with all those things I mentioned above that we don't do.

2. Back in my day we___________________________________?

Never sat around like today's kids do. We played outside all day every day and we were rarely bored. Even the kids who were lucky enough to have an Attari game system only played it a little. It was way more fun to go out and run around with our friends. We worked hard, too. In my family it was the huge garden my dad planted every year that kept me busy. It was a given that during the gardening season I had to help in the garden every night after supper. When that was done I could catch up with my friends again. Plus, many afternoons were spent snapping beans or shelling peas. And my friends, they were the kids in my neighborhood...parents didn't drive kids all over the countryside to play with friends. That didn't happen until we could drive ourselves.

3. When it comes to takeout are you more likely to opt for Italian, Mexican, or Chinese food? Does a typical week at your house include takeout?

We are most likely to get Chinese, unless you count pizza as Italian. I love Mexican, but my hubby isn't a big fan. I'd say we get takeout twice a week during the school year when I am working, too. Less often during the summer.

4. Think about the people you most respect. What is it about them that earned your respect?

Whether or not they have integrity and whether or not I can trust them. Those are the two biggest factors for me.

5. What's something your friends might see and say is 'so you'?

I don't know. Anything to do with books or gardening, I guess.  Anything pumpkin-y. Anything in autumn colors. Anything antique. Maybe something unique because I have a quirky sense of humor.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

So, the story that caught my eye on social media yesterday was that Utah is now the first state to pass a law legalizing "free range" parenting. I had to read up on it to find out what it was. 

Free range parenting is parenting that decides a child is old enough or responsible enough to do certain things unsupervised...like walk to school or play in the park, or even stay home alone.  The first thing that popped into my head was "When did it become illegal to allow your child to do such things?"

I don't have an answer to that last question, but it had to have been in the last 15 years or less.  Going back up to question #2, back in my day ALL the parents would have ended up in jail if it was illegal to run around unsupervised. We ran all over the neighborhood all day long. By the time we were preteens we were allowed to walk or ride our bikes downtown by ourselves. Even when my own kids were growing up, all the neighborhood kids had the freedom to run around the neighborhood all day.

I get that we have to protect the kids who are born to common senseless/uneducated/drug addicted parents, but thankfully, most parents don't fall into those categories so why did we start taking parenting away from the parents?

Thanks for visiting me today! I've linked up

with Joyce @ From This Side of the Pond

for the Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Stop by and pay her a visit and find

links to all the other Hodgepodgers!

Sunday Stealing: Tuesday TMI

These are from Kwizgiver, who says it was Stolen from Samantha who stole it from TMI Tuesday, which stopped publishing in 2011.

(Photo just 'cause Kwizgiver will like it)

1. You can flip a switch that will wipe any band or musical artist out of existence. Which one will it be?  I wouldn't want to totally wipe out any person or group of persons, but if I could eliminate a genre of music I'd go with the really hardcore rap that promotes hate and violence. Death metal would be a close second.

2. You seem to be having an excellent day because you just came across a hundred-dollar bill on the sidewalk. Holy crap, a hundred bucks! How are you gonna spend it.  If it was near any business I'd turn it in. Someone may really be needing that and be distraught over losing it.

3. What is your favorite curse word?  I really, really try not to curse. Sometimes it's harder than I'd like to admit, but usually I don't let fly with anything worse than "Poop on a stick!" or "Crap on a cracker!"

4. You can travel any time in the PAST. What time are you traveling to and what are you going to do when you get there?  I'd like to go back to the days our country was being formed. I'd like to take news reels, newspapers, and other things showing what we're like today and get the Founding Father's views of what we've become and see if they have any advice. I'd also like to ask them to explain exactly what they had in mind when they wrote the Constitution, what did they envision?

5. You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What’s it gonna be?  Controlling the weather. No more extremes...or at least not where it can cause so much damage and loss of life.  Or I could use weather to throw a wrench in plans.  Going to start a war today? I don't think so, here's a monsoon for you!  Feel like shooting up a school or mall?  Nope, here's 3 feet of snow that makes it impossible to get anywhere.

6. When did you last use your cell phone as a flashlight?  It's been a while. I don't remember.

7. On a scale from 1-10, how comfy are you being naked?  By myself...10. The number drops depending on who and the situation....like it's probably a 9 or 9.5 with my husband, but locker rooms, the doctor's office...all rate lower and differently.

8. When did you last use food or drink to enhance your mood?  Not any time recently.

9. Give us a word that gets you excited.  Books. Vacation. Auction. Flea market (two words but one thing). Beach.

10. Now give us one that makes you squirm.  Taxes. Remodeling. Speak (publicly). Budget. Diet.

11. What word makes you smile?  Grandkids. Love. Jesus. Kindness.  Thanks.  Sorry.  Hello. Welcome. Nanny.


That's it for this week. I do like these shorter ones. Thanks for throwing them in Bev!  Be sure to visit the Sunday Stealing site to find links to the others playing along or to join in yourself.

As we begin Holy Week I hope each of you has a

blessed and meaningful week!

Saturday 9: Sweet Disaster

I'm off to an auction with my mom tomorrow morning so, I'm getting an early start on the Saturday 9.  Thanks to Sam for providing the questions each week, hosting and getting them posted ahead of time for those of us who need to get done early.  

Sweet Disaster (2016)

Unfamiliar with this week's song. Hear it here.

1) This video begins outside a convenience store with a sign advertising beer, produce, lotto and an ATM. Will you buy beer, produce or a lotto ticket this weekend? Will you visit an ATM?  No beer and no lotto ticket. I will probably buy some produce on Sunday and I will be visiting an ATM in the morning to get cash out for the auction.

2) As the video progresses, fountain drinks and donuts are consumed. When you stop for a snack during a road trip, what do you usually grab?  A Milky Way candy bar and a diet Coke.

3) The lyrics reference "a river of champagne." When did you last enjoy a spot of the bubbly?  I have no idea. Maybe at a taste testing while touring the wineries along the PA/NY border?

4) The end of the video features sci-fi/horror images. Is that a genre you enjoy? If not, what kind of books do you read most often?  Nope. I do NOT like horror. Sci-fi is okay in small doses. I read mysteries and thrillers most often with fun, chick-lit coming in next.

5) The trio that makes up The Dreamers are dyed-in-the-wool New Yorkers. If you could live in any city or village in the world, would you move or stay right where you are?  I would move in a heartbeat if I had the money and if my husband would agree to it...and if my kids and grandkids came, too. I'm not really in love with PA's horrible winters and sweltering summers now that I'm older, but everyone would have to move with me. I really don't think I could stand to move away from our youngest grandson. I am very close to him and there is always the hope that we may still grow closer to our other grands.

6) The Dreamers describe themselves as "impractical."  What about you? Do you consider yourself practical or impractical?  I'm usually practical leaning to the extreme and some of my family thinks I'm a kill-joy when I don't go along with their bright ideas.

7) They also won't "listen to those who doubt" them. Sometimes we find the ones who doubt us most are ourselves. What about you? Are you confident, or do you suffer from self doubt?  I've been working on that the last couple of years and I think I'm a lot more confident than I used to be, but I would suppose that just like most people, I have areas and moments that make me doubt.

8) Do you often remember your dreams?  Rarely, and when I do, it's because they are strange. Very strange. 
 
 9) Random question: Would you rather get $100 today, or $250 on this
date a year from now?   I'll take $100 today, thanks.  Tomorrow isn't guaranteed. I may be dead a year from now so I'll take the money now. 

Currently - March 23

Currently I am...

Reading: A Man Called Ove

Listening to: Good Morning America 

Loving: the sunshine...it feels like it's been sooooo long!

Thinking: about all I want to get done today

Feeling: hungry...I haven't had breakfast yet.

Celebrating: that today is a day off...apparently a scheduled in-service day for teachers, but somehow it never registered with me so it feels like a bonus gift!

Grateful for: our new refrigerator...I can't tell you how much I love that thing.

Weather: Currently sunny and in the low 20's but it's going to get close to 40 today.

Enjoying: catching up with my favorite bloggers.

A quote I want to share: