four

I've got a meme for today.  But I have some thoughts to share either later today or tomorrow.  They are brewing right now.  

Four, Four, Four, Four...

A) Four places that I go to over and over:

Words for the Journey, King Soopers, Panera, My chiropractor

 

B) Four people who e-mail me (regularly):

Nobody.  I am on a couple of e-mail loops, but no individuals e-mail me regularly.  boo hoo

C) Four of my favorite places to eat:

Cheesecake Factory, Indochine, The Warhorse, Carrabbas 

 

D) Four places I would rather be right now:

Estes Park, a nunnery, Cottonwood Lake, anywhere in the mountains

 E) Four people I am tagging:

Melanie, My mom, Robin, Bet

 F) Four TV shows I watch:

Monk, Psych, Iron Chef America, Mythbusters

me? quirky?

Jan at Bold and Free and Melanie at Monday through Sunday both tagged me for this meme.

Six quirky things about me.  Lots of people tell me I'm quirky, but it is sure hard to think of specific examples!

1) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself. 
4) Tag six other blogger´s by linking to them. 
5) Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.

1. Frequently phrases or words will remind me of song lyrics, so I just bust right out into song.  My girl told me this is one of the things she loves about me.  She doesn't like it in public, though.  Not at all.

2. I cannot be still when there is music playing.  Not in the house, not in the car, not in the store, not anywhere I are.

3. I like to make up goofy rhymes at the drop of a hat.  I also make up my own song lyrics to get a point across.

4. I can stay in the house for days and not care one bit.  And most of the time it will be quiet - you know, if the kids aren't here.

5. When I concentrate I poke my tongue out.  Sometimes it flickers about making me look like a lizard.

6. I see dead people.

Ok, ok.  I don't really see dead people.  But that was quirky of me to say so, wasn't it?

Now, I am to tag 6 people.

1. Michelle - she seems pretty quirky to me.

2. Mom - I know she's quirky.

3. Susan - who probably won't do it because she doesn't do memes much.  She's quirky that way.

4. Lauri - she's got twin quirks.

5. Kathy - I'd like to know her quirks.

6. Bet - because she hasn't posted in too long.

reading meme

I swiped this meme from Mocha With Linda because it is right up my alley.  It floats my boat, or as I accidentally typed the first time - floats my goat.

1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?

No.  I don't.  I have memories of reading as far back as I have memories.  A Big book with Puss N Boots and Aladdin and the Lamp in it is one of my first book memories.  Although I didn't like the Aladdin story; it didn't have a cat in it.  Also a book called Never Tease a Weasel and a book about The Cookie Tree.  I know I was no older than first grade because of where we lived.

2. What are some of the books you read as a child?

When I was older I read a lot of horse books.  I especially liked King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry.  I also liked spooky stories, magical stories and stories about any kind of animal.  Of course there were the I Can Read books that included Dr. Seuss and P. D. Eastman. And the Little Golden books. 

3. What is your favorite genre?

When I was a young unmarried lady I loved gothic romance the best.  I still like the originals by the Brontes.  I'm not such a fan of romance in general anymore, though.  I like probably historic and Biblical fiction the best.  I also like fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary.  I like really about anything except I'm not into supernatural thriller type of stuff or horror.  Suspense and Crime type I only read occasionally, although I love mysteries.

4. Do you have a favorite novel.

No.   That would be impossible.  I have many favorites, too many to list.

5. Where do you usually read?

On the couch.  Or outside.

6. When do you usually read?

When I'm awake.  When I should be cleaning.  When I should be writing.  

7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?

Yes.  I always have a novel going and I usually have at least one non-fiction going at the same time.  Lately I have a Christian non-fiction and a writing craft book going.

8. Do you read non-fiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?

Yes.  I read non-fiction much more slowly.  I also tend to mark the books up with highlighter or pen.

9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?

I used to use the library pretty much exclusively, except for non-fiction.  But now that I realize that these authors want to SELL books, I buy a lot more of them.  I'd say it's about 50-50 now.  I could never afford to support my habit if I bought them all.

10. Do you keep most of the books you buy?  If not, what do you do with them?

I keep any book that I will want to read again.  Otherwise, I usually give them away.  

11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them?  Were they some of the same ones you read as a child?

My kids have not liked the books I liked as a child.  But some of our favorites have been Barnyard Dance, Owl Babies, Geronimo Stilton books, Junie B. Jones books, City of Ember, and they both like the Animal Ark books.

12. What are you reading now?

I am reading my first Dean Koontz book, Odd Thomas.  I am also reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, and a writing book called Description by Monica Wood.

13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list? 

No.  I just have books that need to be read.  I choose based on my mood at the moment.  I also have a list of authors that I've heard of that I'd like to try.

14. What's next?

Living with Fred by Brad Whittington and The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, probably.

15. What books would you like to re-read?

The Ragamuffin Gospel.  I frequently re-read books.  I would like to re-read The Dragon Keeper Series sometime and The Mark of the Lion series.

16. Who are your favorite authors?

Angela Hunt, Nancy Rue, Athol Dickson, Lisa Samson, Francine Rivers to name a few.  I will get a book based on the fact one of these people wrote it.

one word meme

I'm doing this meme from Angie Hunt's blog.  I'll try to post something meaningful tomorrow.  Each question has to be answered with only one word.

1. Where is your cell phone? purse

2. Your significant other? very

3. Your hair? short

4. Your mother? Mom

5. Your father? Dad

6. Your favorite thing? Bible

7. Your dream last night? ghosts

8. Your favorite drink? rootbeer

9. Your dream/goal? transform

10. The room you’re in? office

11. Your ex? nope

12. Your fear? water

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? wiser

14. Where were you last night? upstairs

15. What you’re not? willowy

16. Muffins? nah

17. One of your wish list items? desk

18. Where you grew up? Colorado

19. The last thing you did? write

20. What are you wearing? shorts

21. Your TV? Monk

22. Your pets? Heeler

23. Your computer? Mac

24. Your life? blessed

25. Your mood? grumpy

26. Missing someone? cousin

27. Your car? hot

28. Something you’re not wearing? crown

29. Favorite store? Kohl's

30. Your summer? sapping

31. Like(love) someone? yes

32. Your favorite color? red

33. Last time you laughed? today

34. Last time you cried? unknown

35. Who will re-post this? anyone! 

five kind things

Robin at Actions Speak Loudest did this on her blog and I liked it, so I'm doing it too.

The Five Kind Things Meme works like this:

List five kind things you do for yourself.
List five kind things you do for your closest friend, partner or child.
List five kind things you have done for a stranger.
List five kind things you do for fun.
List five people you are tagging with this meme.

Five kind things I do for myself:

1. I take a break when I need one.  My hubby is a very good dad and parents equally with me.  If I need time alone or off with friends, he is more than willing to provide it.

2. I play

3. I try to get off my own back from time to time.

4. I nurture friendships

5. I try to eat right

Five kind things I do for my friends, husband or child:

1. I try to listen without judging or offering unwanted advice.  I'm not always good at it, but I try.

2. I tuck my kids in and kiss them goodnight

3. I will buy a friend lunch or a gift from time to time.

4. I try to be supportive.

5. I wash their clothes - sometimes.  Not my friends' really, but I would if they needed me, too.

Five kind things I have done for a stranger:

1. Once I saw an elderly lady wandering around a huge parking lot.  I drove her and her husband around until they found their car.

2. I watched a lady's baby in an airport bathroom so she could potty.

3. I watched a lady's baby at the fair so she could ride the Merry-go round with her pre-schooler.

4. I frequently let people in front of me in check out lines, if they are frazzled, have only a few things, or seem impatient.

5. I pick things up for people when they drop them.

Five things I do for fun:

1. Read

2. Play computer games

3. Talk to friends

4. Sing and dance

5. watch movies

Five people I tag:

1. Jen @ Inner Voices of a Spinster in the Making

2. Julie @ Flower of the Family

3. Queen of the World @ To Know Me is to Love Me

4. Mom @ Moms the Word

5. Mel @ Monday Through Sunday

And all the rest of you are welcome to play, too.  Just let me know if you do!

life in pictures

I got this fun meme from Cindy at Notes in the Key of Life.  I had to re-arrange it a bit because I run into all kinds of problems when I put a bunch of pictures up like this.  I have trouble getting them in the order I want.  So anyway, I did all the questions, but not in the same order she had them.

Here's how you play: 

1. Go to http://www.photobucket.com
2. Type in your answer to the question in the search box
3. Use only the first page
4. Insert the picture into your Blog.

What are you doing today? (visiting with my mom and aunts)

Where do you work?

What is your favorite movie?

Who is your favorite band/artist?

What is your favorite TV show?

Where do you live? (sorta - I can see it in the distance)

What did you do last night?

What is your relationship status?

What do you drive? (mine is black and has a different spoiler)

What is your current mood?  (Ok, it was this when I first started this thing...)

What kind of pet do you have?

What is your name?

Describe yourself.

What is your favorite candy?

What do you look like? (She was in Man from Snowy River.  Some people once told me that I looked like her, once upon a time.  As if...)

If you do this on your blog, let me know!

I found another list of questions that you do the same way.  I'll save them for another time.  Its kinda fun, in a real irritating sort of way.

Meme of Fives

I was tagged by Jen (Inner Voices) and Toia for the Meme of Fives

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 than tags 5 people and posts their names, than goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they done got tagged and to ask them to play and read your blog.


What was I doing 10 years ago? 1998


1. I was expecting a baby - my son
2. I was just coming into the light after two years of depression
3. I was settling into a new house we liked after leaving a house we really disliked
4. I was settling into a new church 
5. I was mothering a 2 1/2 year old girl

5 things on my to-do list today ~
1. Go to Moms in Touch prayer group
2. Go to Bold and Free's prayer meeting
3. Write
4. Go for a walk
5. Go to a Writers' group meeting
Snacks I enjoy ~

1. Natural Ruffles potato chips
2. Cape Cod potato chips
3. Kettle potato chips
4. Ice cream
5. Cheese
Things I would do if I were a billionaire ~

1. Give my parents and sister a million bucks.  
2. Buy a house
3. Get a car with more room
4. Support missions and outreach agencies here and around the world
5. Travel the world

Five of my bad habits ~

1. Rubbing my nose - I was looking through old pictures and there are dozens of me rubbing my nose.
2. Letting laundry pile up
3. Letting dirty dishes pile up
4. Hitting the snooze button
5. Reading when I should be doing laundry - or dishes

Five places I have lived ~

1. Canon City, CO
2. Pueblo, CO
3. Westcliffe, CO
4. Kansas City, KS
5. Lynchburg, VA - for college, don't know if that counts
6. Colorado Springs, CO

Five jobs I've had ~ 
1. McDonalds cook, order taker person, birthday party person
2. Worked in the cafeteria in college
3. Waitress at Buckskin Joe Old Western Town
4. Home health nurse 
5. county health nurse

I Tag ~
1. Kathy
2. Bet
3. Sharon
4. Jen (Joyful Notes)
5. Amy

reading meme

My friend Megan, who has a book coming out in April, tagged me the other day over at A Prisoner of Hope. I ran into her today, too, at Panera. There I was with my husband writing away and she showed up with her laptop to write, too!

Here is the tag as it is supposed to be played:

The Rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages), or whatever book you are currently reading.

2. Open the book to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the next three sentences.

5. Tag five people.

But, I'm a rebel, so I'm doing it my own way. I opened my book to my bookmark and will pick up where I left off. If I tag you, you can do it the right way or the wrong way, I don't care. But let us know if you do it.

I am reading The Messenger of Magnolia Street by River Jordan.

"He has crossed over into a world where the unbelievable can happen, where spring is still indescribably beautiful in the middle of what he now knows to be an encroaching darkness. Trice's eclipse. He is no longer banking on the plausible."

I'm also not going to tag anyone. If you want to play, just let us know so we can see what you are reading!

friday fill-ins

My friend Meliflous Melanie , (also known as MondaythroughSunday), has tagged me for a new meme. Since I'm trying to blog every single day, I really appreciate the idea!

It's called Friday Fill-Ins. Here goes!

1. The last compliment I got was from __a lady I met the other night at church_; he/she said__I was a very pretty lady, that I had beautiful eyes and a cute nose_.
2. I'm reading _The Cranberry Queen by Kathleen DeMarco, Justice in the Burbs by Will and Lisa Samson, and Heaven by Randy Alcorn_.
3. I woke up today and thought _wow, it's almost nine; why am I still so tired?__
4. Why does _____.
5. The last thing I ate was _a couple of toaster waffles and chai__.
6. January... _is a wonderful slow, relaxing month_.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _don't know. Maybe rent a movie__, tomorrow my plans include _doing something in Denver with the family__ and Sunday, I want to _go to church and take a nap. Ok, I don't want to take a nap AT church, but after we get home__!

what was i doing?

There are three posts for today, so keep reading! I also posted on my new blog. Yeh, I need a life. LOL
I was tagged, (I love getting tagged!) by Michelle at Just a Minute. It's the 10-20-30 meme and I have to talk about what I was doing 10, 20, and 30 years ago.

10 years ago , 1997- Oh, that was a rough time. I was pregnant with my son. I had been suffering from depression for a year or so already. My aunt had just died earlier in December from complications from Lupus or the medications she had been on for decades. Who knows. She had aneurysms and a staph infection. Basically, it was just her time. There was too much going on. My grandma died then in February of 98, then my aunt's husband in April. I also got very sick while pregnant and had a health issue that involved frequent encounters with a scalpel.

20 years ago, 1987 - I was in college at Liberty University in VA. A Sophomore, I guess. I had just gone to Mexico City on a missions trip and I was dating a guy from India that I met on the trip. Before that a cute Mexican guy and a Canadian were vying for my attention. I guess I am just Internationally appealing! LOL! Or "was" anyway.

30 years ago, 1977 - Yeh, like I can remember. I was 11. My cat had just been born before my 11th birthday. I had him until I was 26 years old. He was my best buddy. I don't really know what else exciting happened then. I think I may have had my first crush about that time.

Ok, I'm going to tag Angie, Jan, Bet, and Jen.