memoirs and books

Jill at Charming and Delightful tagged me for a six word memoir meme. All I have to do is describe myself, memoir style, in six words. So, my six words are:

She didn’t stand idly by, ever.

Also, Heidi tagged me a while back for another meme. I will do my best to answer the questions. They are hard for me and I’ve found I can’t name just one book for most of the questions. But it’s my blog, so:

1. One book that changed your life. I believe that any book that touches the soul deeply changes one’s life. But I think I learned to love being a woman and appreciate my femininity after I read The Mists of Avalon.

2. One book that you have read more than once. SO many! The Mists of Avalon, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Pride and Prejudice, Beaches, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, The Color Purple, Talk Before Sleep.

3. One book you would want on a desert island. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I love everything about it. Its grittiness. Its optimism. Its realism. Its hope.

4. Two books that made you laugh. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg and Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns.

5. One book that made you cry. Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg. I cry in great heaving sobs when I read that book.

6. One book you wish you’d written. I wish I could have written any book in the style of Elizabeth Berg. (I was talking to Jellyhead about this just a few days ago.) I always imagine that my writing would be a lot like hers because she is so emotive and you can feel everything that her characters are feeling. Talk Before Sleep was an exquisite kind of agony to read because I loved it so much but I really felt like I was watching my best friend die.

7. One book you wish had never been written. Any of the books that spew hatred and intolerance. Pretty much anything Ann Coulter has written and many others like her. I won’t name more names because I don’t want to politicize my blog

8. Two books you are currently reading. Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H Lawrence (loaned to me by Sharon) and Empty Without You — a compilation of letters between Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok.

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read. Gone With the Wind. My mother wants me to read it in the worst way!

10. Five people that I’ll tag: I don’t tag but feel free to take it if you want it.

cut me some slack–i’m still recovering

Is your hair greasy?  Only after Turkish Oil Wrestling.

Do you like the smell of Bengay? Yep.  I use some stuff on my neck that a Chinese acupuncturist gave me that helps so much!  Thus, I love the smell.  And I like the way it makes me fell allllll . . . .tingly.

Do you like Dr. Pepper?  I used to drink it all the time but now it is too sweet for me.  I gave up the sugar in favor of the excessive sodium found in diet Coke.

Do you play your music really loud? Yes.  But it’s usually show tunes.  They’re benign even when played loudly and annoying even when played softly.

Do you sleep with the light on still? If I don’t have a little bit of light, I sleepwalk.  Or talk in my sleep.  Or sit up in bed and scream, thus taking years off of my bed-mate’s life.  That being said, I still usually forget to leave the light on.

Do you like onions? I like the taste they give food but don’t like to bite into them.

Have you ever put hair dye in your friends’ shampoo? I have never done that.

How often do you buy cheap scented candles? I buy the good scented candles and they ain’t cheap.

Are you for or against hunting? Mostly against.  But that’s because I rarely see anyone eat what they kill.  My grandfather once chased his brother with an axe and, when his father yelled at him, he proclaimed, “I’ll eat him, Daddy!  I’ll eat him!”

Is the weatherman in your city annoying?  I never watch our weatherman so I don’t know if he is annoying.  It’s annoying when my Weather Channel update is late getting to my inbox.  I’ll tell you that.

Are you an underdog? Not usually.

Name one thing kids do that you can’t stand: whine until they get their way  But what annoys me more than that is parents who give a child what they want so they will stop whining.

Do you have a nice job? I have the best job in my hospital.  Except for the second Tuesday of every month.  On that day, I am an indentured servant.

Do you know how to harmonize while singing? Yessiree, Bob!

Do you know how to braid hair? Yes!

Do you have a short attention span? No.  Not at all.

What’s your favorite fruit scent? Probably coconut.  Or pomegranate.  Or mango.  I must be exceptionally fruity.

Have you ever shaved a Barbie doll’s head?  I never really played with Barbies.  If I had, I am sure I would have shaved their heads eventually as a pro-feminist gesture.

What’s on your desktop background? A picture of me and Brenda from the night she cooked Brandy-Blue Cheese Steaks for us after my surgery.

What’s your best friend’s middle name? Lyn. 

Do you need goggles to see underwater? Nope.  I emit sonar beeps to navigate under water.  

Name the next movie you plan on seeing: I want to see Juno.  But I’ll probably be forced to watch a children’s movie.  It’s all part of a massive indoctrination conspiracy by the government.

Have you met your “special someone” yet?  Yes.  But special in a good way.  Not in a “special” way.

Don’t you think questions about your love life are stupid? Nah.  But I don’t always answer them.

Are you a pyromaniac? No.

How many languages can you speak fluently? Does pig-latin count?

Why don’t most nursery rhymes make sense? Nursery rhymes make so much sense!  That’s why they skeer me!

What’s your favorite sea creature?  I like corals the best.

Why did men of earlier times think wearing tights was cool? Support for the boys?

Do you like hillbillies? Some of my best friends are hillbillies! 

meme-tastic

 Taken from Uncle Keith’s MySpace bulletin because I am too sleepy to type the post I was planning  . . .

1. Where is the person who owns your heart now?
In bed.

2. What did you do last night?
Kicked back on my satin pillows in my regal bed, ate popcorn, and watched Waitress — which I lurved!

3. What does your myspace name mean?
It’s just my ol’ boring first name.

4. Last person you text messaged?
My dad.

5. Who was the last person to call you?
Sharon

6. What are you doing right now?
Cooling off after my hot shower and letting my hair air dry.

7. What is your current problem?
That I am not allowed to do many things I want to do because I am only 2 1/2 weeks post-op.

8. What color are your eyes?
Not really sure.  Grayish, greenish, bluish. 

9. What is your myspace song?
I have a playlist that shuffles.  Right now, It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere by Alan Jackson is on top.

11. Last place you ordered food from?
Take-out? A place called Keith’s Hamburger Station.  In a restaurant?  Chili’s for Molten Chocolate Cake with Brad and the boys today.

12. Who was the last person you shared a bed with?
Brad

13. What color is your hair?
Dark brown.

14. Last song you sang?
Seashores of Old Mexico by George Strait.  It’s a waltz.  I love waltzes.  Waltzes make my knees melt.  So does George Strait, though.

15. Would you ever get back with your ex?
Brad’s the only serious relationship I’ve ever had.

16. Who knows a secret or two about you?
Sharon.

17. Last time you did something you shouldn’t have done?
Last night.

18. Who do you miss?
Sharon, Angie, Kirsten

19. Next movie you will see in theaters?
Not sure.  I’d like to see Juno.

20. What is your favorite drink?
Orange, Passionfruit and Jasmine Iced Green Tea

21. What do you wear more, jeans or sweats?
Jeans

25. Where are most of your clothes from?
Everywhere . . .

28. Is anyone jealous of you?
I doubt it.

30. Have any regrets?
No. Some D’oh! moments, though.

31. Who would you go to for sports trivia answers?
My brother or John L.

32. Where were you 8 hours ago?
The mall.

35. Has anyone ever told you that they like you more than as a friend?
Yes

37. What did you do last weekend?
Had my son’s birthday party and went to brunch and a movie with my family.

38.What Football team do you favor?
None of ‘em.

47. What were you doing 12 AM last night?
Sleeping.

48. What was the first thing you did when you woke up?
Snuggled up to Brad.

49. Who will you be with this Sunday night?
Brad.

50. Who was the last person you hugged?
Brad.

51. If you took a drug test would you pass it?
Yes

52. Is tomorrow going to be good?
I think so.

53. Do you know anyone named Dan?
Yes.  One of the funniest things I have ever seen was when he fell out of a chair.

54. How many myspace friends do you have?
56

55. Do or did you like school?
I liked high school but only tolerated college.

56. Would you take a bullet for anyone?
A select few.

57. Where would you like to live?
Almost anywhere would be an adventure.  I like the Texas Hill Country a lot.

58. Are you a good gf/bf?
Probably not.

60. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
With Brad, parenting a 17 year old *gasp!* and a 13 year old and being happy–like we’ve always been.

throwing a bone . . .

1. Song that always makes you sad? Places That Belong to You by Barbra Streisand

2. Last thing you bought? spiral hot rollers for my hair

3. Last person you argued with? A dear friend

4. Do you put butter before putting the jelly on? No.

5. One of your stuffed animals: I have the giant heart shaped pillow that Brad gave me for Valentine’s and the stuffed puppy my dad gave me while I was in the hospital on my bed with me right now.

6. Did you ever own at one time a Nsync Cd? I don’t think so.

7. Favorite day of the week? Saturday

8. Favorite Sundae topping? It’s a tie between hot fudge and strawberries and whipped cream.

9. Did you take Piano lessons? Briefly. But my teacher got frustrated with me and slammed her fist on the piano and I got scared and quit.

10. Most frequent song played? Right now, it’s The Majesty and Glory of Your Name which is a choral song that is beautiful and I will be singing it with a choir next month.

11. T.V. show you secretly enjoy? Flash Gordon (If you tell my husband you will invoke my ire)

12. Would you rather play basketball or hockey? Neither. I’m a swimmer.

13. Date someone older or younger? Brad is younger than me. Before him, I dated people who were older — just a little bit, though.

14. One place you could travel right now? Australia.

15. Do you use umbrellas? No, we almost never need them here in the desert thus I can never find one when I do need it.

16. Do you know all the words to the Canadian national anthem? None of them.

17. Favorite Cheese? Pepper Jack

18. Disturbed or My Chemical Romance? I must be missing something . . . . I don’t understand the question. (Can someone explain it to me?)

19. Do you prefer Blondes or Brunettes? Neither.

20. Best job you ever had? Lifeguard. SO many cute boys.

21. did you go to your high school prom? All three years.

22. perfect time to wake up? 10 AM

23. perfect time to go to bed? After midnight

24. do you use your queen right away in chess? I’ve never played Chess.

25. Ever been in a car accident? yes

26. closer to mom or dad…or neither? Probably my mom.

27. what age is this exciting life over for you? What kind of question is that? I ask you.

28. what decade during the 20th century would you have chosen to be a teenager? 80’s so I could have hung out with Sharon.

29. Favorite shoes you have EVER owned? a pair of clunky leather boots.

30. Do you have an article of clothing you have had since you were in high school? No.

31. Were you in track and field? I couldn’t breathe well enough to walk fast, much less run.

32. Were you ever in a school talent show? Oh, yes. Many a time.

33. Have you ever written in a library book? No.

34. Allergic to? Erythromycin, bananas, pineapple, canaloupe, latex

35. Favorite fruit? Blackberries.

36. Have you watched sex and the city? Almost every episode.

37. Baseball hat or toque? I rarely wear hats.

38. Do you shampoo first in the shower or soap? shampoo

39. Wet the toothbrush or brush dry with the toothpaste? Wet the toothbrush.

40. Pen or pencil? pen

41. Have you ever gambled at a casino? Yes. Vegas is one of my favorite places.

42. Have you thrown up on a plane? no.

43. Have you thrown up in a car? Once . . .

44. Have you thrown up at work? No. Wait. Yes.

45. Do you scream on roller coasters?.YES! I love rollercoasters and they are more fun if you scream.

46. Who was your first prom date? A boy named Mike Hammer.

47. Who was your first roommate? Marcey

48. What alcoholic beverage did you drink when you got drunk for the first time? Strawberry Hill. Ech.

49. What was your first job? Shop girl in my mom’s store.

50. What was your first car? Pink and gold Volkswagen bug!

51. When did you go to your first funeral?I think it was my great-grandmother’s when I was in sixth or seventh grade.

52. How old were you when you first moved away from your hometown? 18

53. Who was your first grade teacher? Mrs. Parker. I didn’t like her.

54. Where did you go on your first airplane ride? Egypt.

55. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with? Jake Grant. But we only went as far as where his car was parked in the driveway. *snicker*

56. Who was your first Best Friend and are you still friends with them? Natalie Evans. I don’t know where she is now.

57. Where did you live the first time you moved out of your parent’s? An apartment.

58. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day? Brad or Sharon.

59. ???

60. What is the first thing you do in the morning? Kick Brad so he will turn off the alarm clock. If it’s the weekend, the first thing I do is either answer the phone or roll over and curl up to Brad.

61. What was the first concert you attended? George Strait.

62. First tattoo or piercing? I pierced my belly button four years ago. I had to take it out though because it was making a big scar. I’d like for Sharon to design a small tattoo and I would put it where none of you would ever see it.

63. First celebrity crush? Barbra Streisand!

2007 meme

 A meme from Maria — because she always has the best memes!

2007

1) Where did you begin 2007?
At home, as usual.  Brad always wants to invite people over for New Years’ Eve but we never do.  Or else we do and they are all committed to other parties.  Me, I’d rather be alone on New Years.

2) What was your status on Valentine’s Day?
Taken. My official Valentine’s gift was the furniture we bought for the bedroom, family room, and dining room.  But I still pouted when Brad didn’t bring me flowers.  So then he went out and bought some and it made me even madder.  Oddly enough, I was most sad that my stepdad was unable to make it over here on Valentine’s.  Every year, he brings flowers to me at work.  This year he couldn’t and it made me realize how special it’s always made me feel that he never forgets about me.

3) Were you in school anytime this year?
No, but Brad is finishing up his MBA so he was in school all. year. long.  I’ll be so glad when he finally gets that darn degree.

4) How do you earn your money?
You mean, besides with my good looks?  I am a cardiac electrophysiology nurse and a quality improvement nurse specialist.

5) Did you have to go to the hospital?
Not for me or my little nuclear family.  But I had to go to the hospital when my step-grandmother had chest pain and when Brad’s grandmother was very ill.

6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
Only with the lazy, smart-alec policeman who camped out at the kids’ school during pick up time and gave me a ticket because my inspection sticker was out of date.

7) Where did you go on vacation?
Hmmm.  I went to Santa Fe with Sharon in July and then visited her in West Virginia in October.  We took a family vacation to Dallas.  We didn’t really do anything fancy this year but that was okay because we traveled SO much the two years prior.

What did you purchase that was over 1000$?
The aforementioned furniture and our bathroom remodel.

9) Did you know anybody who got married?
My brother.

10) Did you know anyone who passed away?
No.  Thank goodness.

11) Did you move anywhere?
No, we decided to remodel our house instead of moving.

12) How did you celebrate your birthday?
Ate at Abuelo’s with my dad and stepmom and then ate ice cream pie on their back porch.  We’d been to Las Vegas only a few days earlier for my brother’s wedding and I kind of considered that my birthday present.

13) What concerts/shows did you go to?
The only shows I saw last year were a stand-up comedy show and a dinner theater show in Las Vegas.  The year before that, though, I saw Barbra Streisand in concert and Wicked in Chicago.  They were both amazing.

14) Are you registered to vote?
Yes.  And I have a whole post I am planning to write about voting and how mad it makes me when people try to push or guilt me into voting a certain way.

15) Where do you live now?
West Texas.

16) How did you spend your summer break?
I don’t get summer breaks!

17) What’s one thing you thought you’d never do but did in 2007?
I thought I’d never be the lone EP Nurse again but . . . I am.
18) What has been your favorite moment?
Like Maria, I had lots of great moments.  Some that stand out are my brother’s wedding, finding out he and his wife are having a baby, driving through the scenic byway in New Mexico with Sharon, riding the Tornado at Hurricane Harbor with Brad and Bump and many, many others.
19) What’s something that you learned about yourself?
That I have a great capacity for love and that I am an excellent judge of character.

20) What was your worst month?
Normally, I would answer February.  But May was pretty dad-gum horrible this year.

21) What music will you remember 2007 by?
Baby Got Back, Only Hope, I’d Go the Whole Wide World, Everything I Own, the music from The Color Purple, Barry Manilow, Don’t Worry, Be Happy, River Deep, Mountain High . . . .

22) Who has been your best drinking buddy?
I don’t drink that much.  But I’d have to say Brenda and Sharon.  Brenda goes out for cocktails with me sometimes and we always have a good time.  And Sharon and I enjoyed quite a few margaritas between us in 2007!  (I’m counting about twelve, Sharon.)

23) Made new friends?
A few.

24) What was your best month?
October.  I always like October.

25) Overall, how would you rate 2007 out of 10?
9

26) Have any car accidents?
I got rear-ended while I was driving the kids to school to be registered.
27) Did you have a New Year’s Resolution?
Not really.  My resolution is always to be more productive.
28) Do anything embarrassing?
SO many times.  There was the time I fell down in the pedicure salon in front of everybody.  And the time a milk jug got stuck under the car and made a godawful sound as I drove through the parking lot.  There was the time I tripped over a ladder and almost flattened Sharon.  There were lots more but I must have blocked them out of my mind.

29) Buy anything from E-bay?
Yes, a car charger for my Blackberry.

30) Get married?
Nope.  But celebrated 11 years.

31) Get arrested?
No.  I’ve yet to achieve that milestone.

32) Did you get sick in 2007?
Alot!  I caught several colds.

33) Been snowboarding?
No.  And 2007 was the first year that we didn’t go skiing.

34) Are you happy to see 2007 go?
I’m always happy to see what a new year may bring.

more magnificent memes

I always like Maria’s memes. Plus, I am just too tired to write.

Name one person who made you laugh last night.

Brenda, telling me a story about a girl we both know.

What were you doing at 8:00?
Taking my youngest son to the doctor

What were you doing thirty minutes ago?
Writing a post for Sharon.

What happened to you in 2006?
Lots of things. I turned 31. My youngest child started kindergarten. My oldest started 4th grade. I traveled a LOT. I had girls’ weekends with friends. 2006 was a great year.

What was the last thing that you said out loud?
“You’re not allowed to cry over a video game. Turn it off.”

How many beverages did you have today?
Just Diet Coke.

What color is your hairbrush?
Purple paddle brush.

What was the last thing that you paid for?
Two skirts, a sweater, and a tee-shirt while shopping with my cousin.

Where were you last night?
Home, watching Heroes (on TiVo) and getting my neck rubbed.

What color is your front door?
White.

Where do you keep your change?
In the bottom of my purse, unfortunately.

What’s the weather like today?
It was 7o degrees and sunny.

What’s the best ice cream flavor?
Chocolate Almond.

What excites you?
Traveling!

Do you want to cut your hair?
Depends when you ask. Yesterday, when my duffel bag kept pulling it, I wanted to cut it. Today, when it is hanging in loose curls down my back, I want to keep it long.

Are you over the age of 25?
Not in my mind.

Do you talk a lot?
Too much.

Do you watch The O.C?
No. Never seen it. (Me either, Maria)

Do you know anyone named Steven?
Yes, my pot-smoking, weirdo neighbor who, nonetheless, is very nice.

Do you make up your own words?
I don’t really make up words that often. But we have some words that we use that were made up by the kids. Like “cha-chiladas” for enchiladas.

Are you a jealous person?
Yes and yes.

Name a friend whose name starts with the letter A.
Angie.

Name a friend whose name starts with the letter K.
Kirsten!

Who is the first person on your received call list?
Brenda.

What does the last text message you received say?
“Good Deal”

Do you chew on your straw?
No. I hate it when my son chews on his.

Do you have curly hair?
Wavy.

Where’s the next place you are gonna go?
Crazy. Or to bed. Either, or.

Who’s the rudest person in your life?
An ex-colleague.

What was the last thing you ate?
Nilla Wafers

Will you get married in the future?
Nope. Already taken.

What was the best movie you have seen in the past two weeks?
Well, Wild Hogs made me laugh really hard.

Is there anyone you like right now?
*In best teenager valley girl voice* Like, omigod, I TOTALLY like this person but, like, if I tell you, you have to totally promise to keep it a secret because, omigod, I would like, DIE, if you told them.

When was the last time you did the dishes?
Last night.

Are you currently depressed?
Not depressed. A little melancholy. A little sad.

Did you cry today?
Yes.

ipod meme

Instructions: Go to your music player of choice and put it on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud, and press play. Use the song title as the answer to the question. NO CHEATING.

How does the world see you?
Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash)
I must be a very bad girl.

Will I have a happy life?
I Need You Tonight (INXS)
So, at least tonight will be happy?

What do my friends really think of me?
Nobody Makes A Pass At Me (Barbra Streisand)
Talk about an ego bruiser!

What do people secretly think of me?
Don’t Tell Me (Madonna)
I don’t wanna know . . .

How can I be happy?
I’d Just Love To Lay You Down (Conway Twitty)
Ahem.

What should I do with my life?
Breathe (Faith Hill)
Well duh!

Will I ever have children?
You Learn (Alanis Morrisette)
Yes, you do.

What is some good advice for me?
My Sharonna (B-52s)
Well, my best friend is named Sharon. Maybe I should take her advice more often?

How will I be remembered?
It’s Raining Men (Pointer Sisters)
Oh my.

What is my signature dancing song?
Here’s to the Ladies (T.G. Shepard)

What do I think my current theme song is?
More Than A Woman (Bee Gees)

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
Lost Inside of You (Barbra Streisand/Kris Kristofferson)

What song will play at my funeral?
Unusual Way (Barbra Streisand)

What type of men/women do you like?
Cherry Pie (Poison)
Um, . . .

What is my day going to be like?
Big Girls Don’t Cry (Fergie)

husband meme

I am sick. AGAIN. Here’s a meme.

Don’t judge me. Be happy with what I am willing to give.

*************************

1. Who is your man?

Brad. And I dare anyone to say any different.

2. How long have you been together?

Married over 11 years. Together a little more than 12 years. Have known each other for nearly 20 years.

3. How long did you date?

Nine months.

4. How old is your man?

31

5. Who eats more?

He does. Although he never gains weight. It’s not fair.

6. Who said “I love you” first?

I think we kind of said it together. Probably in the throes of passion. (Did I just say that out loud?)

7. Who is taller?

He is.

8. Who sings better?

I sing better but neither of us sing all that well.

9. Who is smarter?

Um, he is probably smarter. He is a freak of nature with his intellect. But, like Slouching Mom and her hubby, Brad is the math genius and I am the resident dictionary, thesaurus, grammar police and spell checker.

10. Whose temper is worse?

I have a bad temper and tend to lose my temper more than he does. But when he really loses his temper, he is way scarier than me.

11. Who does the laundry?

I do.

12. Who takes out the garbage?

Our fifth grader.

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?

Looking at the bed, I sleep on the right side.
14. Who pays the bills?

I do. He is a math genius but he somehow makes the bill paying process so complicated that it gets all backward and screwed up. So, I do it in my straightforward, common-sense approach and we are all happy.

15. Who is better with the computer?

He is because his major is in Computer Science and he used to program and now he oversees all sorts of software, etc. BUT, I know more html and CSS than he does and I am fairly ingenious when it comes to computers, myself.

16. Who mows the lawn?

The fifth grader.

17. Who cooks dinner?

I do, or else we eat out. I am amazed by how many other women have answered this meme and say their husbands cook all the meals! How can I get a husband like that?

18. Who drives when you are together?

He does.

19. Who pays when you go out?

Both of our paychecks go into a joint account. There’s no yours, mine and ours with our money. Physically, though, I usually pay the bill because I always have the money in my purse.

20. Who is most stubborn?

I am. Hands down.

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong?

I am. But we are both pretty good about admitting when we are wrong and apologizing. Unfortunately, it is usually after a knock-down, drag-out fight.

22. Whose parents do you see the most?

We see all of them about equally. We’ve seen his parents more of late because his mother was staying with us for a while while his grandmother was in the hospital.
23. Who kissed who first?

Hmmmm. I am pretty sure I kissed him first. He had a girlfriend when I decided I wanted him to be mine and I had to put my feminine wiles to good use.

24. Who asked who out?

I asked him to the prom my senior year but we were just friends. I don’t think we asked each other out when we started dating. We were best friends and always together anyway and our relationship just evolved into what it is now. One day we were best friends, the next day we were professing our undying love for each other. It just sort of happened.

25. Who proposed?

Well. I said, “I’m pregnant.” He said, “I want to go ahead and get married.” (We were planning on getting married in a year.) I said, “No.” He never proposed again and yet we are married.

So. I don’t really think there was ever a proper proposal from either of us.

26. Who is more sensitive?

Do you even need to ask? After reading my blog for all this time?

27. Who has more friends?

He has more acquaintances and not really any close friends. I have few acquaintances but a handful of very close friends.

28. Who has more siblings?

We both have only one sibling.

29. Who wears the pants in the family?

We work together as a team.

sunday’s a good day for a meme

From Maria and Jill:

On the outside.
Name: Heather Nicole
Birthday: May 22, 1975
Current Status: Taken.
Eye color: Ah, this is a question that baffles many. Are they green? Gray? Blue? You decide.
Hair color: Very dark brown.
My heritage: Native American and I think, Irish.
My fear: That I won’t be loved.
My weaknesses: I need instant gratification. If I were more patient, some things would turn out so much better for me.
My perfect pizza: Pepperoni and bell peppers with extra pizza sauce.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
My thoughts first waking up: Turn off the *#@$ radio! Brad wakes up to a radio station and the radio personalities MAKE ME CRAZY. Plus, I just really don’t like any sort of chatter or noise for a while after I wake in the mornings.
My bedtime: I am a night owl. Something about the sun going down just snaps me to attention. I try to be in bed by midnight but there are many nights when I am up surfing the web far past then.
My most missed memory: Breastfeeding my babies. It was a magical time for me.

My Pick:
Pepsi or coke: Diet coke.
Single or group dates: I love being alone on a date with Brad. But we also have a couple of friends whom we enjoy going out with occasionally.
Adidas or Nike: K-Swiss
Tea or Nestea: Orange, Jasmine and Passionfruit Iced Green Tea.
Chocolate or vanilla: Vanilla with hot fudge or strawberry topping.
Cappuccino or coffee: Neither. Me no drinkee no coffee.

Do you…
Smoke: Not if I have a desire to live. I am severely asthmatic and especially allergic to cigarette smoke.
Curse: Who me?
Take a shower: I am not as fond of showers as I am of soaking in my ginormous jacuzzi tub.
Have a crush: Yes.
Think you have been in love: Yes.
Go to school: Nope. But I shall not avoid it forever. I will probably start back to college next summer.
Want to get married: Nope. I said no when he asked. And yet, here I am. Married.
Believe in yourself: Depends on the situation.
Think you’re a health freak? Ha. I wish.

In the past
Drank alcohol? *cradles head in hands and groans* I’ve drank more than my fair share.
Gone to the mall? I HATE the mall.
Been on stage? It used to be my heart’s desire to be on stage at every opportunity. If I wasn’t such a coward, I would be trying out for roles at our community theatre.
Eaten sushi? I hate fish. Especially raw fish.
Dyed your hair? Only once. Then I went to work (as a lifeguard) and the chlorine turned it orange. And it stayed orange for a very long time. (Remember, Marcey?)

Have you ever
Played a stripping game? Yes. In high school. On a bus. On a school-sponsored trip.
Played a drinking game? No.
Changed who you were to fit in? I am not sure I am capable of changing who I am. I have a big, strong personality.
Done something your kids will never know about? Have and probably will again.

Age you are hoping to
Get married: Been there, done that. I have told Brad that I will never marry again if anything happens to him. Hell, I probably won’t even date a man if anything happens to him. He’s ruined me for other men.
Take your dream vacation: My dream vacation is to visit Jellyhead in Australia. By the time I am 40, at least.

In a guy (can’t we avoid this guy/girl specification? If we’re talking superficial, aesthetic traits, let’s just be gender-blind)
Best eye color: I love my husband’s very blue eyes. But I’ve also always liked warm brown eyes like my mother’s.
Best hair color: I’ve always loved red hair. I can’t even count the number of girls I’ve idolized who have red hair. After red hair, I like pure black hair.
Short hair or long hair? Long hair. Really, really long hair.
Best attitude: I like positive people. I value humor and wit. I also seem to be drawn to brooding, sensitive types.

What were you doing….
A minute ago? Kissing my six-year old goodnight.
An hour ago? Soaking in the jacuzzi with my husband.
A month ago? Like Maria, I was overwhelmed by all of the first week of school shite.
A year ago? Exactly a year ago? I was at Sharon’s house for the weekend to attend her magnificent art show.
I love: sleeping in my regal bed.
I feel: cold–my hair is wet and the air conditioner just kicked on.
I hate: dishonesty and cruelty.
I hide: Brad’s Hard Rock Cafe tee-shirt from Israel because it is perfectly soft and stretchy and I like to wear it.
I miss: Jellyhead! I wish she’d get back from vacation already. I mean, it’s not really very considerate of me and my needs for her to be gone for so long.
I need: love and honesty and intimacy.

My Shoe, My Self

Jellyhead has issued a challenge. A shoe challenge. She had me at challenge. I never shy from a challenge. And I lurve shoes. In my vocabulary, shoe + challenge = BRING.IT.ON.

Jellyhead’s theory is that looking at someone’s shoes can give important clues to their personality. However, she also feels that she sometimes buys shoes that reflect the personality that she wishes she had, rather than her true personality.

Well, I know Jelly very well and I am here to tell you that her sensible shoes might match her practical, realistic attitude toward life, but her eclectic selection of spike-heeled boots, sassy, red sandals and racy, retro platforms are a sure clue of how much she likes to let her hair down and have fun.

While Jelly may choose shoes depending on her mood, it became clear to me as I photographed my shoes that my shoes definitely reflect my personality. Heck, they even reflect my phobias.

Exhibits I-IV: These shoes are direct proof of why one of Brenda’s contributions to the ‘100 Things (you think) About Me’ list was to say that I am a gay man at heart. I like glitter and sequins and all things shiny. You can’t have too much bling for me, baby. And so I present as evidence: my summer collection of flip-flops — all of them being very, very sparkly!

You can see the wear and tear on these shoes. I wear them all the time.

I lost this pair for about a month (also see Brenda’s contribution to my 100 things list) and was in a state of mourning for them until I found them pushed wayyyyyyy back under my king-sized bed. I lose things. Shoes. Clothes. Keys. Jewelry. I lose a lot of things.

I love these glittery wedges. I wear them with my flair-legged jeans to keep my feet from being swallowed by the denim and also to give the illusion of long, slim legs.

And these brownish, coppery, sparkly shoes? I wear them when silver doesn’t match. I like how they are a neutral color but still with a splash of shiny.

Moving on. I occasionally have need of dressier shoes. I have several nice dresses in my closet to wear to benefits and such. Even in dress shoes, though, I can’t resist anything sparkly or sassy.

Exhibits D-F:

See? Sequins across the straps. Oh, and the brown thingamajigs? They are there because I have skinny feet. In both directions. They are narrow and they are also thin when you look at them in the side view. It’s kind of like stuffing a bra. Except we’re stuffing shoes.

I bought these babies in Las Vegas in May. I think they’re just too cha-cha for words. I lurve how the soles are all red and sassy and glittery — even though I know that no one can see them when they’re on my feet. But my favorite things about these shoes are the bows across the straps that are bedecked with tiny, little, starry rhinestones. Bling, baby!

Now, I think these patent leather, sling back, open-toed heels are too precious for words. But according to Jelly, if I wear them, the boys will all be able to look up my skirt. Eh, who cares? If they wanna see it that bad, they deserve the trauma that will result.

Okay. On to my sensible shoes (of which I am shockingly spare).

Exhibits 7-8:

This would be an excellent time to ask if you’ve noticed that all of my shoes thus far have been naked foot shoes? As in, they are all so strappy and bare that they barely function as footwear? That’s ’cause I am claustrophobic. I don’t like wearing more clothing than necessary and I really hate for my feet to feel hot.

So, even these ballet slippers cover the bare minimum of foot. I actually have toe cleavage when I wear them. (And yes, my claustrophobia means that most of my shirts are low cut and show cleavage too). (Don’t be overcome with sweat at the thought.)

When I absolutely must wear shoes that cover my feet, you’ll usually find me in my K-Swiss tennis shoes that have a smudge of tan paint on them that got there when I was helping (i.e. getting in the way) Sharon paint a mural on Brenda’s porch in April. I like the smudge. It makes me remember how much fun we had that weekend.

Have you gotten this far? If you’ve had the fortitude to muddle through this entire post, I commend you. You must really love me.

I agree that shoes can be a helpful tool when assessing personality types. At least, MY shoes reflect my personality type: sparkly, loud, quirky, slightly obnoxious, and totally claustrophobic.

Do you dare to take on the shoe challenge?