I Didn't Need A Quiz To Tell Me This

I resisted. Then I caved. I took the quiz. I figured it was safe to come out from hiding now that the elections are over.

I'm a capitalist! My creed is to turn the market loose and let it do its job. Free enterprise, and all that jazz. If you make a product then you have the right to the profit. And I have the right to buy it or not buy it. You also have the right to keep your profit instead of subsidizing others in their unprofitable ventures. And if I do want to buy your product I have the right to wait you out in the hopes of getting it at a bargain price (bonus points if I can use a coupon!).

As for the quiz itself, I did not like that some of the questions were of the "When did you stop beating your wife?" variety. Too many broad assumptions.

I was relieved that I didn't receive the "Republican" tag. The GOP and I started messy divorce proceedings a few years ago when it openly invited strange loves into our tent. The fact that it both called me names and tried to stick me with alimony payments hasn't helped our relationship much either. Right now I'm practicing tough love and hoping it will see the error of its ways. Otherwise, I'll end up being a politically conservative but personally liberal Independent (which means I don't mind generously donating money to help those who are struggling - and I often do - but I prefer to cut out the bossy government middle man who seems to have really sticky fingers).

Anyway, I like the Capitalist designation better. I'm a home economist, not a party gal.

You are a Social Moderate (41% permissive) and an... Economic Conservative (75% permissive) You are best described as a: Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test Capitalist

A Contest!

My daughter, Karen, is having a contest and offering 3 prizes over at her blog. Please ignore it. Just kidding.



You may enter any of the three that you wish as long as it isn't one that includes chocolate. One of those is definitely reserved for moi. Just kidding again.

An Awesome Award

Thanks to Stephanie from The Hanes Family for this award. I'm sure you began to wonder, Stephanie, if I was ever going to post this. Well, wonder no more!

In accordance with the rules of the award, I must post 7 things that are awesome about myself and pick 7 people whose blogs I find awesome. So here goes...

Seven things that are awesome about me:

1. I am a child of the King. That is the most awesome thing about me and it also means that I'm not awesome after all. The God I serve is awesome, though, and because of the price He paid and the grace He has shown me I can be His child. Any crowns that come my way will be cast at His feet because I'm covered in His awesomeness.
   
2. I'm the only person on earth who is the wife of Pastor Dad. (And I sincerely hope there are no names on a waiting list.)
   
3. I'm the mother of three wonderful girls and one fantastic boy, and the grandmother of three wonderful little girls and one sure-to-be fantastic little boy (who will soon be making his long-awaited appearance).
   
4. I'm the only child of my parents. I don't know if that makes me awesome, but they seem to think so.
   
5. I'm a trend-setter and a trend-breaker. I started a trend of giving birth every 7 years in May. I did this 3 times, which means I have children who turned (or soon will turn) 28, 21, and 14. I'm a trend breaker because I have no child turning 7 and no new arrivals of my own due this month, thankfully.
   
6. I've made it almost half of a century without exterminating anyone. No slow-poke drivers, insulting sales personnel, nasty professors, or people cutting in line have been eliminated by the daggers being shot from my eyes. Pretty awesome accomplishment, if I do say so myself.
   
7. Since I am somewhat ambidextrous (not to be confused with ambi-obnoxious) I tend to get mixed up when someone tells me to "turn left" or "turn right" unless I am wearing Sesame Street shoes with little l's and r's painted on them and can look down at them quickly. However, I seem to have an uncanny sense of direction when it comes to being the navigator on car excursions. I guess the Lord felt He needed to provide me some type of homing devise since I am so dexterously-challenged.

Seven people who I think are awesome bloggers:

1. Karin of Yesterday, Today, Forever. Her blog is "awesome" because of the poetry she writes.
   
2. Vicky of Project 365. Her digital scrapbooking pages are "awesome."
   
3. Donna of Living On The Creek who just became a grandma for the first time: "Awesome!"

Okay, so I either can't count or I'm cheating. Either way, I'm stopping right here to allow some of these ladies to share the love with the rest of you. (I reserve the right to name 4 more at a later date.)

This Explains A Lot

I decided to try the audio test that Karen mentioned at her blog. As soon as I clicked on the "play" button the Bear, who was sitting at the computer next to me said, "WHAT IS THAT?"


Obviously this is his result:

Created by Train Horns

And this is mine:

Created by Train Horns

We really aren't on the same wavelength. But then, I'm not sure I needed any audio test to tell me that. :)

100 Things About Yours Truly

Hmph. The blog police have spoken. I didn't even know there were blog police when I started blogging. And I certainly didn't know that I knew them personally. But yet, somehow, I'm not surprised :))

So here is a list of 100 things about me to satisfy curiosity and to keep me out of trouble. Thanks to all of you for helping me celebrate my 100th post. (Where is the confetti? There ought to be confetti. And balloons.)

1. I'm the mother of the blog police sheriff.


2. I'm the pastor's wife to her deputy.


3. One of my favorite television shows is "Monk."


4. I don't have any known phobias.


5. Except for a fear of heights, which I just looked up, and mine is not the true definition in that mine doesn't go as far as acrophobia.


6. Airplanes and tall buildings are fine. Rooftops are not.


7. Which might mean I'm more afraid of falling than of heights.


8. Couldn't find the specific name for the definition of that one.


9. The phobia list shows fears of falling, meaning while walking. While that should apply to me (think back to when I fell down the steps and broke bones in both feet) it doesn't.


10. Falling off rooftops does apply.


11. Because I'm a klutz and I don't like looking down.


12. I collect pictures of dead people.


13. They are of my ancestors.


14. They were alive when their pictures were taken.


15. I read the encyclopedia when I was a kid.


16. I'm alone a great deal of the time these days.


17. Even when I'm with the Bear.


18. Usually I'm cool with that. I get a lot done.


19. I used to want to be alone a bit more than I was.


20. I've never won a trophy. For. Anything.


21. My decorating style is kind of shabby. Not shabby chic. Just shabby. I blame the pets we've had through the years.


22. Excepting the first year we were married and living in an apartment I've always had either a dog or a cat.


23. Or both.


24. I was my school's spelling bee champ in 6th grade. No trophy was awarded.


25. I'm a visual/kinetic learner.


26. I read the Bible through at least once every year.


27. I'm preparing now for a "speaking gig" in March.


28. It's at a breakfast for pastors' wives.


29. I'll need to make sure I get up before breakfast on that day.


30. I'm concerned about speaking to a group of women who know more about my subject than I do. Talk about preaching to the choir!


31. I sing alto. I mean in the choir, not when I am guest speaking.


32. I earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education.


33. I earned a master's degree in religious education.


34. I still feel uneducated most of the time.


35. I had the chicken pox when I was almost 30 years old.


36. I had the German measles about 4 times when I was a child. (I liked 'em so much I kept going back for more. Ha!)


37. I've been vaccinated against German measles after each pregnancy except the first one. Immunity never seemed to take.


38. I'm extremely shy but not in a phobic way.


39. I have trouble making friends.


40. Always have.


41. Broccoli is my favorite vegetable.


42. I usually make Sunday dinner for about 10 people.


43. Dessert, too.


44. I make lists for everything because it is the only way I can stay on track.


45. I like to ride bikes.


46. I had a fit when I logged on yesterday and found my blog was missing except for the template. No telling how long it looked that way before I got it fixed.
47. Pastor Dad took me to see Michael Buble in concert last year for my birthday.


48. My taste in music is pretty eclectic.


49. I like Alison Krauss, too.


50. I'm the registrar for my chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.


51. I've helped 42 women join in the past few years.


52. I choose to keep my blog identity anonymous because my real one is plastered all over the Internet at genealogy websites.


53. I don't use my mother's maiden name as the answer to security questions just because my name and genealogy are plastered all over the Internet. (The rest of you might want to take the hint. Public records are just that. And many of them are available online.)


54. I wrote a book about my German ancestry. I hope to have it available this year. It won't be published using a pseudonym.


55. During the warm weather months I dress up in historical garb and volunteer as a tour guide at a local historical site.


56. I enjoy doing cross stitch, but only when I'm riding in a car or stuck in a hotel room. I don't sit down long enough at home to get anything accomplished.


57. And I have to keep the needles away from Pepper.


58. I get compliments when I wear the color red.


59. I wear red a lot. :)


60. Pastor Dad tells me I'm beautiful.


61. Pastor Dad is prejudiced and I allow him to be.


62. I like dressing up.


63. But I get self-conscious if I see anyone looking at me.


64. I don't understand the rules of basketball except the part about the ball going through the hoop.


65. I'm a baseball fan.


66. The Cincinnati Reds are my favorite team even when they do poorly, which is pretty much all the time.


67. The Indianapolis Colts are my favorite football team. Go Peyton!


68. I like to work Sudoku puzzles on paper and not any other way.


69. I make notations when I work Sudoku and that is hard to do unless the puzzle is on paper.


70. I like to work crossword puzzles, too, if they aren't too difficult.


71. I like to work jigsaw puzzles, although most of the ones I've done recently were online instead of out of a box. See here for one such site.


72. I like to read poetry.


73. I've written a few poems also.


74. I miss the big yard we had in TN.


75. I'd like to have that yard with this house.


76. I'd like to have the vegetable garden, too.


77. I like to travel.


78. We traveled all over the USA on our vacations when I was a child.


79. I always wanted to take piano lessons when I was younger.


80. I played clarinet instead.


81. Not well.


82. I'm a night owl married to an early bird.


83. I used to require about 9 hours of sleep in order to function.


84. Not anymore.


85. I took roller skating lessons when I was a child.


86. I've never been hospitalized for anything except childbirth.


87. I can remember my grandma's phone number. She died when I was 16.


88. After I gave birth to Lulu I weighed less than 100 lbs.


89. On doctors orders I drank milk shakes every day to increase my weight.


90. I wish I still had to drink a daily milk shake for my weight.


91. Slim-Fast doesn't count.


92. I like to lift weights.


93. I don't like to do floor exercises.


94. I like to take long walks.


95. With Pastor Dad, not Pepper.


96. I value sentimental things over valuable things.


97. I smile and laugh a lot.


98. I used to volunteer at a homeless shelter once a month when I was a teenager along with others in my youth group.


99. I'm donating $100 to it, City Gospel Mission, in honor of this 100th post.


100. I'll do a contest also once I find something appropriate to give away. (Heavily used basketball, anyone?)

Picture Tag!

I was tagged twice this week for this and once before when I went to someone's blog that said, "If you see this, consider yourself tagged." Or something like that. Anyway, I totally ignored it back then so now it becomes obvious that I can run but I cannot hide. Ahem. I will do it now. Thanks Karen and Amy. And sorry, Karin, that I didn't play fair when I opened your post last month, or whenever it was.

It wasn't easy determining which was my 6th folder. We have several computer cubbyholes holding pictures. I finally picked a location, picked the 6th folder, and lo!-and-behold!, there were only 4 pictures in it! So I had to start all over again. And I prayed that the next location wasn't one containing the pictures of family gravestones. I am a family historian, you know.

Well, after a few more missteps I found a folder that could be considered the 6th one and opened the 6th picture. Voila!




Some of you know who this is because you run in the same circle we do, otherwise known as a gerbil cage, er, the pastorate. Some of you don't know who this is so I'll tell you just a bit about him.

• He's one of Pastor Dad's best friends and he happens to be a pastor himself.
• He's the husband of the woman who is the big Winnie the Pooh fan. That means he's the one who determined that Pastor Dad is Owl and I am Rabbit. (See here if you need a reminder.) I'm getting mad just typing. Just kidding.
• He might sue me if he ever finds out I've posted his picture on the Internet without his permission. Just kidding again. I hope.

Now it is my turn. I found out yesterday that there is no blogger police department, and certainly not one with a "tags and meme division" - except for my daughter, Karen. I'm kidding! - therefore, I am not naming anyone of my own. I've been assured that this is not a chain letter and that if I break it nothing bad will happen to me. Now, let me rub my lucky rabbit's foot just in case. I'm kidding again. Evidently, only my daughter Karen has one. I'm kidding yet again, one last time. :)

I'm Being Interviewed!

Ronnica over at Ignorant Historian was interviewed by another blogger recently. She in turn is interviewing others, including me. Here is how it works: Five questions are given to the person being interviewed. The person doing the interview picks the questions. I think Ronnica did a fine job of picking questions for me, so without further ado I will dive in and give my answers.


1. Did you always homeschool your children? How has it changed through the years?

Yes, as a matter of fact, I began homeschooling when our oldest was in kindergarten. In the intervening 23 years I have noticed changes in the homeschooling movement, and that includes even within our own homeschool. I have also noticed some new trends in the movement that disturb me but I will not get on my soapbox about those today.

Some important things have not changed in my homeschool, though. Our purpose for existing remains the same and is twofold:

1. We feel that Deuteronomy 6:7 tells us as parents that we are to talk to our children about our faith and teach them about our God at all times. We feel it is easier to do this if those children are actually with us at all times.
2. We feel that Proverbs 22:6 tells us to train our children in the way they should go. I believe it was Chuck Swindoll who compared this to nurturing a tree to grow toward a certain individualized bent. So if you have a bonsai you prune and tie to make it grow the way it should. If you have a topiary you have a whole different game plan. In other words, the goal is to really get to know the child and adapt an education plan to the child instead of adapting the child to an education plan. (And my children are going to start pointing fingers at each other stating, "You were the bonsai!")

Our goals have not changed, either. I happen to believe in OBE (Outcome Based Education) just not as the government states it. (For the uninitiated "outcome" is just a big word for results.)

Here are the outcomes that we wished to see as a result of homeschooling our children:

1. The student should exhibit a heart that is ready to serve God in whatever capacity the Lord desires. This is a training camp for the Lord's army.
2. Once the student reaches the age where he or she can be gainfully employed, he or she should exhibit such strengths of character as honesty, integrity, submission, and common courtesy (otherwise known as "a good work ethic") that the boss wishes he could hire dozens more like him or her.
3. The student should have developed enough skills to be a life-long learner. Education doesn't end at graduation so the ability to think reasonably and to find information should be encouraged. There is no way for any teacher to teach any child everything in 13 years that the student is going to need throughout his/her life. Children should be taught to access the resources available to them.
4. The student should exhibit the ability to adequately read and write, and have sufficient math skills to get along in the world. This, however, is the least important goal of them all, but is the one that the government OBE objectives place as a top priority. My school has a 100% literacy rate but if I do not develop points 1, 2, and 3 in my students then I fail my purpose for homeschooling no matter what their respective IQ's might turn out to be.

Some things have changed for the good through the years. One is the fact that there is a whole lot more support than there used to be. People still think we're "odd" but we're not almost-unheard-of anymore.

Another good change is that homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. When we moved to TN in 1985 it had only recently become legal to homeschool there.

There is also a wealth of curriculum choices today that didn't exist in those early years. Most of the curriculum we used was of necessity adapted from that used by Christian and public schools. Since I believe in tailoring the education to the child I think it is a positive development to have so many options.

There are also many options in sporting and recreation open to homeschoolers that weren't available in the past. This obviously is because of the increase of people homeschooling as it takes sheer numbers to be able to put together sports teams. This is very important to boys like my son (the Bear). In our early years we participated in group roller skating parties and activities in the park for games and recreation, but my older girls did not have team activities available to them through the homeschooling arena.

2. I saw you had an Austen thing on your sidebar...what's your favorite of her books (or movies, if you're more of a watcher)?

My favorite Jane Austen book is "Sense and Sensibility." I also like the movie starring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, and Kate Winslet. I believe Austen's works were categorized as comedies just because of the happy endings. I happen to like happy endings.

3. What your favorite snack?

Wow, I really had to think about this one more than the previous two questions because I'm really into snacking. :) I think my favorite snack is whole-grain tortilla chips with anything. I dip mine in hummus, salsa, nacho cheese, or that great party dip that is made with Velveeta and salsa.

4. You've gotten a lot of snow lately...do you like winter, or are you more of a summer gal?

I like snow. I also like floating around in the swimming pool in the summertime. The bottom line is that I like all 4 seasons. What I don't like is extreme cold or heat. I don't think I could live much farther north than I do now unless it was in an area blessed by gulf streams, and I already know how I fare further south having lived in TN for 14 years. Let's just say that I missed the snow when I lived there, but I loved the extended spring and fall seasons. The summers were hard on me, though, because I am a hot-natured person. In the months of July and August I couldn't breathe and had to stay in the house the whole time. I didn't like that.

5. What's your least favorite chore/task that you do simply because it has to be done?

Dishes. I love to cook and bake but I hate cleaning up the mess. I never had a dishwasher until this house so I have become majorly spoiled. It worked fine until recently. Since all the plumbers are doing other stuff like fixing peoples' broken water mains these days I'll probably be washing and drying my own for quite awhile longer. I just think it's ironic that this would happen soon after the last daughter married. And don't suggest that the Bear help. His idea of doing dishes is breaking some so that there will be fewer to wash next time.

That's the end of my day of being interviewed. If any you, my readers, would like to be interviewed it is very simple. Just drop me a comment stating that you would like to participate and I will compose 5 questions and send them to you. You will answer on your own blog and will link back to me stating that I am the one who interviewed you. (If you are experiencing writer's block this is a great way to automatically get a blog post. The downside is that you must trust me to come up with the questions.)

Got Lemons? Make Lemonade!

Another Award!

On A High Hill was honored to receive its second award of the month and ever! Thank you very much to Karin for bestowing it upon my little piece of the blogosphere. I've been thinking long and hard about my own recipients and came up with my list before stopping by to pick up my prize.

But first, the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 who show great Attitude and/or Gratitude.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received this award.

*Note: I added the commentary because I am a very talkative person. You are not required to add all the verbage about "reasons" after the names of your submissions like I did below. Thought I'd better clarify that.

In accordance with the rules I nominate the following people and for the following reasons*:

1. Pen to Paper, Spirit to Soul. I know you'll think this is a "gotcha" thing since you stopped by my blog to comment just yesterday, but actually the reason I picked you was because I enjoyed your story that you submitted for Wednesday's Walk, which should be pretty obvious by the size of the comment I left. In other words, you were on my list even before you stopped by to visit me.
2. Cheapsk8mom. Not only is she one savvy bargain hunter who has helped me save "beaucoup" money (that's a lot for all you non-Frenchy types, and that's about the limit of what I remember from 3 years of high school French class) but she does it in a humorous way, too. I love the droll comments that she makes when telling us which coupons to use or freebies to pursue. Not only can she make blog "lemonade" but she probably knows where to get the lemons at a bargain price!
3. Ronnica. I was introduced to her blog through . . uh, well, now that I'm thinking about it I'm not sure how I found Ronnica's blog. I've got a couple of "best of" or once a week submission places that I frequent and I think Ronnica was found through one of those. Anyway, she's a spunky Kansas girl who now lives down near my own Lulu, and from what I've read she seems to like it just about as well and that ain't sayin' much. But even if she is stuck in NC she has a pretty good attitude about the whole thing.
4. Lynette Kraft. Reading this lady's blog brought tears to my eyes. Her testimony of the goodness of God in the face of horrible grief makes me ashamed for having ever complained about anything. God is so good! And Lynette makes sure we all realize that. She's the inspiration behind "Wednesday's Walk Down Memory Lane."
5. Allyson. I've known Allyson since the day she was born. Literally. I was so happy when she found me through the blog. We moved from Allyson's neck of the woods almost 10 years ago and although I am glad to be back near the home folks, I miss the friends I left behind in TN. I'm very pleased with the young woman that she has become. Her extended family was a big part of our ministry and not all of them attended our church. (Her uncle was our mailman for 14 years.) Besides, she posts pictures for me so that I can see the family!
6. Amy. This is my niece, or actually Pastor Dad's niece, but since Pastor Dad and I are "one" that makes Amy my niece, too. She's new to the blogging community, as am I, but just the fact that she blogs in order to share her pregnancy with us is a great encouragement. Also, the last week has not been an easy one for her as she almost lost her wonderful daddy. The Lord spared him, for which we are grateful. Through it all, Amy kept that beautiful pregnant glow on her face and hope in her heart that her daddy would live to see this expected grandchild. (Keep praying. He still has an uphill climb ahead of him.)
7. Donna. Her return to the blogosphere has been welcomed by many, including me. I think expecting her first grandchild might've had something to do with it. It's hard not to tell the whole world how happy you are when you are as happy as Donna is about the expected June arrival of little Colton. Welcome back, Donna! And here's your first award for the new blog. I like all the encouragement "off blog" as well.
8. Kelly. She was tired of her old blog so she started a new one dedicated to writing letters somewhat anonymously. It appeals to me for some reason. I think it was because I started my blog as a means of talking to myself in a manner allowed by society. If others read it, fine. If not, that's fine, too. Putting the words on the page in a way that makes God and self satisfied is a concept I like. And since Kelly seems like one of the family, it is only fitting that we encourage each other. I'm not sure if this is your first award for the new blog or not, Kel. Just go with it either way. :)
9. Karen. Well, of course! I enjoyed reading her witty blog for quite awhile before I decided to match wits with her and start my own blog. This is dangerous, I know, since I've been matching wits with Karen for almost 28 years now and have not always come out the winner. But I'm a big girl, and so is she, so I think we can both take it. We're fine with that. (Aren't we Karen?)
10. Lulu. Things have changed a lot since I watched that rental moving truck pull out of our driveway headed across country to Dan's first assigned post as a married couple. Through Lou's blog I've watched her tackle dogs, the house, and the Air Force! Way to go, girl!
11. The Princess. Okay, she doesn't actually have a blog. Karen and I were telling her the other night that we're tempted to start a phantom one because she needs one. The only problem with the Princess starting a blog on her own is that then she'd be free to tell her side of every story. I'm not sure we want that. :) But if she ever starts blogging she'll have her first award waiting for her. After all, I can't think of any better examples of people who took lemons and made lemonade than the Princess and her husband.

My Funny Face Charade

Of course I took the quiz. I'm a sucker for these silly things.

P.S. Read that first bullet point under "How to Get Along with Me" very carefully. It describes me to.a."t." Actually, all of them under that heading are pretty on the mark but that one especially so. A favorite movie line I quote often is, "Are you askin' or are you tellin'?" I won't comment on the qualities found under the other headings except the part about "feel[ing] one with the universe." Ha!

* * * * *

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Audrey!

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

• * If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure
• * I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this
• * Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit
• * Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally
• * Ask me questions to help me get clear
• * Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery
• * Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings
• * I like a good discussion but not a confrontation
• * Let me know you like what I've done or said
• * Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life

What I Like About Being an Audrey

• * being nonjudgmental and accepting
• * caring for and being concerned about others
• * being able to relax and have a good time
• * knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around
• * my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator
• * my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now
• * being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being an Audrey

• * being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive
• * being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline
• * being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally
• * being confused about what I really want
• * caring too much about what others will think of me
• * not being listened to or taken seriously

Audreys as Children Often

• * feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant
• * tune out a lot, especially when others argue
• * are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Audreys as Parents

• * are supportive, kind, and warm
• * are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at

A New Year and A New Award!

Wow! It's a brand new year with all of its promise and I've just received my first ever blog award! Thank you! Thank you very much! I wish you could see me taking my bows. (No, I'm not worshipping the computer. I don't worship things that have a tendency to send error messages, lose requests, and move slow enough that 2010 might be here before I get this message posted. I save my worship for the Omnipotent who is the antithesis of all that.) However, I do bow now in humility while accepting the award.

My Blog-buddy, Karin, over at Yesterday, Today, Forever honored me with this lovely award! What can I say? (Besides the thanks that came with taking the bows.) I am honored! That's what I can say. You know I've plenty more to say, right? I'm rarely at a loss for words. . .

I think the teacup is beautiful. Being predominantly of English-German ancestry, each line arriving on American shores in 1880 and 1851 respectively, teacups have played a prominent part in my life, especially because of my 2nd generation English-American Grandpa and my 3rd generation German-American Grandma. Teacups are now displayed around my house as a token of my heritage - and my love for hot tea!

I'm a real sucker for roses, too. Or any beautiful looking or smelling flower. This award is a real pick-me-up on a cold winter day.

So, thank you, Karin, for the lovely award! I will also display it FOREVER on the sidebar and will name my own recipients forthwith.

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who gave you the award.
2. Name seven recipients of your own. (As per Karin's instructions, it is okay if you can't come up with that many. Just try to brighten the day of as many people as you can.)

In accordance with the rules, I am giving the award to the following people:

1. Karen
2. Lulu
3. Morgan
4. Brittany
5. Lisa Terrell

Ladies, you know what to do! I think everyone whose blog I visit is absolutely lovely but I know if I name them all there will be no one left for some of you to list as your own recipients. Therefore, I'll leave it up to you five to contact the people in your blog circles, some of which overlap my own.

Blessed New Year to one and all!

50 Questions

I opened this over at Karin's and now I am obligated! 50 random things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 50 things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you!

Karabeth's note: I've received this as an email about 10 times already in recent days, so hopefully this will take care of all those at the same time.


1. Do you like cheese? Love it!
2. Have you ever smoked? I will not tell a lie. Yes. Once. Hated it so much and felt so guilty that I never smoked again. And I got a new friend to hang around with at school immediately afterward because it was obvious the current one was heading down the wrong direction and taking me with her.
3. Do you own a gun? Yes
4. Do you like listening to Christmas music? Yes, but starting after Thanksgiving. I like to keep my holidays separated, but you already knew that, didn't you!
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yes, especially if I'm going in for a blood pressure check, which sort of defeats the whole purpose, doesn't it?
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like mine loaded with mustard, relish, onions, and cheese.
7. Favorite Christmas song for all time? O Holy Night
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee, preferrably served in bed by Pastor Dad. He gets up before I do every morning. He learned long ago to hold that cup w-a-a-ay out there in front of him before waking me up. I am NOT a morning person.
9. Can you do push ups? Ha! Ha! Are you kidding? I don't think so, and I'm not about to try just so I can answer this question!
10. Who is your favorite Grey's Anatomy Character? Don't know anything about this show.
11. What are your favorite pieces of jewelry? My wedding ring, my birthstone ring, a mother's pendant with my children's birthstones on it, and the pin I wear with all the little "people" charms on it: one for each grandchild (a boy charm to be added to it next summer!)
12. Favorite hobby? genealogy (Like you didn't already know that!)
13. Do you eat "exotic" foods? No
14. Do you have A.D.D.? I don't think so, but you probably can't tell by my blog since I tend to bounce around so much from topic to topic.
15. What one trait do you hate about yourself? My autoimmune system disorder. I've never been a big fan of it at all. :( "What can't be cured must be endured," and all that jazz.
16. Middle Name? Lynn
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? "I wonder if I can finish my Christmas shopping tomorrow," "I wonder what to get Pastor Dad for Christmas," and "What else can I think of to put for my third thought at this exact moment?"
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Christmas presents, t-shirts for the Bear, laundry detergent
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? coffee, tea, and water
20. Current worry right now? Will it snow this weekend?
21. Current hate? The short days and the l-o-o-ong nights. It seems to get dark at noon these days.
22. Favorite place to be? On vacation!
23. How will you bring in the New Year? At church
24. Where would you like to go? New Years? Or anytime? If anytime, I'd like to visit Israel.
25. Name three people who will complete this? Ha!
26. Do you own flip flops? Nope.
27. What shirt are you wearing? Wearing a pajama shirt.
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No!
29. Can you whistle? Just a little bit.
30. Favorite color? lavendar
31. Would you be a pirate? No, but I'm descended from one who was with Blackbeard on the "Queen Anne's Revenge." How's that for a pedigree? (See? You can learn so much from tracing your genealogy!)
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing in the shower.
33. Favorite girl's name? I don't think I have one.
34. Favorite boy's name? Uh-oh, again. Probably the one that belongs to Pastor Dad. :)
35. What's in your pocket right now? A handkerchief. I almost always have one with me.
36. Last thing that made you laugh? I played tug-of-war last night with Pepper, the dog. The toy is a combination disc with an indestructible squeaky ball attached in the middle (looks like a flying saucer with wide edges). She looked stunned when I squeaked the ball while the airhole was directly in her mouth. I wish I could've taken a picture of the surprised look on her face.
37. Best bed sheets as a child? I sure don't remember any cartoon characters or anything so they must've been plain, white ones.
38. Worst injury you've ever had? I broke my foot in two places 6 years ago while child-proofing my steps. They obviously needed "Gram-proofing" instead since the grandkids have never fallen there.
39. Do you love where you live? I like it fine, but I don't think I "love" it.
40. How many TVs do you have in your house? Two. I don't watch either of them.
41. Who is your loudest friend? One of my relatives who shall remain nameless.
42. How many dogs do you have? One, and that's one too many most days.
43. Does someone have a crush on you? Yep! And he's been married to me for over 30 years!
44. Do you get embarrassed easily? Yes, quite.
45. What is your favorite book? More like a favorite author. I love the "Fairacres" and "Thrush Green" books by Miss Read
46. What is your favorite candy? A no-brainer! Hershey's chocolate bars!
47. Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince theme song? No clue.
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? It Is Well With My Soul
49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sitting here at the computer answering these questions.
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I had a pressing "thing" on my mind that needed to be written down in a hurry so I came to the computer to take care of that project.

Really? I HATE playing this game!

I couldn't resist. Pastor Dad came upstairs this morning and asked me if I had taken the quiz that Lou had on her blog. I told him that last night I was too tired to take quizzes more complicated than "How long have I been sitting on my backside today?" Or "How far have I ridden in a car the last 2 days?"

He told me what board game he is and I thought I'd better take the quiz so that I can engage in polite conversation with the rest of my family, all of whom seem to have already taken the quiz. Here are my results:

You Are Chess

You are brilliant and shrewd. You can often predict what people will do in the future. You thrive in complex situations. You deal with contradictions well. You can have many streams of though going on at your mind at once. You keep track of things well. You are very patient. You have lots of endurance, even when your energy dwindles

What Board Game Are You?

I hear all my family laughing right about now.

Predict future events? Thrive in complex situations? Well, I am a wife and mother and pastor's wife. Enough said.

The contradictions are usually in my own head. Good thing I can deal well with them. :)

The endurance when energy dwindles? Well, if you've read the two previous posts I guess we "could" conclude that if this isn't a bull's eye it is at least in the neighborhood of being on target.

Not sure I can keep track of things well, although I have been known to find items (like keys) that others in the family were supposed to be keeping track of well. Not going to name any names here. YOU know who you are! And there are several of you!

But if any of you (and I don't care who you are or how much I love you) challenge me to a game of chess you are likely to get the board and pieces thrown at you. So much for that part about patience!

Tag and I'm "It"

(Be patient with me here. I've only been doing this blog for one week now so I had to ask someone, (Karen), "What's a tag?" You should also know - not intuitively, of course, so that's why I'm telling you - that when it comes to blogging Karen and I are like "Pinky and The Brain." It is pretty obvious which one I am.

Donna tagged me earlier this week. That makes me "It." I can hear you, my friends and family, saying, "uh-oh" right now. Well, if I can do it, you certainly can.

The rules:

1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6).
3) Write 6 random things about yourself (see below).
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6) Let the tagger (who tagged you) know when your post is up.

And here are my 6 random things about myself as per #3 above:

A. I had blue eyes until about the age of 12 when they turned green.

B. I'm left-handed. Sort of. By that I mean that I write left-handed but DO NOT give me left-handed scissors as I cannot use them. It has been interesting through the years learning new things and seeing which side of the brain engages. Sometimes neither does.

C. I'm a member of two lineage societies, the "Daughters of the American Revolution," and the "Society of Mayflower Descendants."

D. I have never had a driving ticket but not because I've never deserved one.

E. I completed my first year of college during my senior year of high school.

F. Pastor Dad and I met on my first day of college and married less than a year later. We would've married sooner but I had to graduate from high school first. After 30 years of marriage I think it is safe to say that this "experiment" has worked.

As per #4 above I am tagging the following people, although due to my newness in the blogging community I am only tagging 3:

Kelly

Allyson

Lisa