It's Friday? Already?

I cannot believe that Friday is finally here!

Last night was the band camp concert. LLB played solos and a duet, danced on stage, and had an all around great time. #1 was rewarded for helping those last two days with a small stipend. I guess he ran his feet off yesterday. That is exactly what I like to hear! Busy children are less likely to get into trouble...

I spent yesterday doing laundry. I am caught up except for what we wore yesterday and for what I'm sure the children will make magically appear... I have no idea where they hoard dirty clothes. I even did the bedding yesterday and put it back on the beds. I just knew you'd be impressed by that!

Today #1 is sitting for a neighborhood kid. It's supposed to be hot as hades, so I'm sure they will spend their time playing video games... Ahh the life...

Mr. and I are going to a going away dinner for Clearly. She's got a new job and new digs down in the city. She keeps telling me that she will be coming home for her church commitments - Yeah... we'll see. Like she's going to pass up a weekend with her friends to do coffee hour. (I sure wouldn't!!) I know she's going to become one of them city slickers and get all cosmopolitan and stuff. I'm going to miss her so much, but she's young and hip and should not be out here in the sticks with us -- not yet anyway! Once she finds her prince charming and decides to have children, then she can settle down out here!

Today my errands include: Library to return some books, a hair cut for LLB - she's donating 10 inches to a worthy cause, and packing LLB for summer camp. Wish me luck.

My sister did the Friday Feast and it looked interesting so I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon this week:
Appetizer
What is the weather like today where you live?

HOT and muggy - eewww!

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how career-minded are you?

It's all about family with me...

Salad
What type of window coverings do you have in your home? Blinds, curtains, shutters, etc.?

Mostly curtains, but I leave them open. I like to see OUT!

Main Course
Name something that instantly cheers you up.

Family, dessert, an email from a friend

Dessert
How many times do you hit the snooze button on a typical morning?

I don't have time to hit the snooze. I've set the clock to ring at the very last possible second.

Friday Feast

It has been a while since I did one of these, but that's because I was getting the reminder email on Saturday.

Appetizer
What is your favorite beverage?
Alcoholic - A mimosa... yummmm
Non-Alcoholic - Coke with a lemon or seltzer or lemonade or lime sherbet punch

Soup
Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work.
OMG! My desk is a disaster! bills/paper work, cables of all sorts, two balls of yarn that the kitten stole from my yarn basket up stairs. There is oh so much more - it's best you can't see it. Angel, my gray kitty, just hopped up and curled up on top of it all. She is settled in for a nice nap.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how honest do you think you are?
9.5 - Everyone fudges something.

Main Course
If you could change the name of one city in the world, what would you rename it and why?
I'd bring back Istanbul's original name - Constantinople. I like the name. It just rolls off the tongue. I wouldn't want to have to write it as my return address every day, but that's what rubber stamps are for, right? And, since I don't live there it really doesn't matter, does it?

Dessert
What stresses you out? What calms you down?
Stress - stupid people doing stupid things... people who just don't listen... and not having an infinite supply of cash...
Calm - being with the ones I love (unless they are doing stupid things). Patting my kitty. Listening to music. Having lunch with a friend.

Friday Feast

Appetizer
What was the last game you purchased?
I can't tell. It's a present for someone.

Soup
Name something in which you don’t believe.
The weather man knows of what he speaks.

Salad
If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?
Jody Foster - she seems level headed, confident, and competent.

Main Course
What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way?
Study for the exam...

Dessert
Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room.
One comfy couch complete with comfy pillow and blanket. One TV with remote that stays where I put it. One wood stove with a person to keep it going. One perpetually full glass of my beverage of choice. No children.

Friday Feast

Appetizer
What was your first “real” job?
I was a lifeguard at the beach.

Soup
Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?
Hmmm... The kitchen counter? The craft room? The mall? I dunno.

Salad
Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…
I do so many stupid things that it doesn't really matter...

Main Course
What values did your parents instill in you?
Work hard. Behave. Don't shame your mother. Be a helicopter parent.

Dessert
Name 3 fads from your teenage years.
Preppy - kilts, blazers, purses that matched the kilts, cute flats, ribbons in the hair and at the collar.

Friday Feast

Appetizer When was the last time you were surprised?

Every day I'm surprised by something... It can be the email left by a a good friend, the idiot who cuts me off in traffic, or even what is on the plate at dinner. It certainly doesn't take much to surprise me.

Soup Fill in the blanks:

My eyes are ____Blue____, but I wish they were __blue__. I like my blue eyes.

Salad If you were a Beanie Baby, what would you look like and what would your name be?

I'd be a ladybug of course!! Is there any other name? Ladybug

Main Course Name two things you consistently do that you consider to be healthy habits.

I stopped drinking soda. It's water or seltzer for me. (Sometimes I'll get soda if we are out to lunch.) I try to make it to Jazz 3 times a week.


Dessert What brand of toothpaste are you using these days? Do you like it? Why or why not?

I like Crest the best (always have...), but right now I'm finishing off a tube of Ultra Brite.

Friday Feast and more

Appetizer
Say there’s a book written about your life. Who would you want to narrate the audio version?
Jim Dale -- The guy who narrates the Harry Potter books. I'd love to hear the voices he chooses for my family members.

Soup
Take the letters from your favorite kind of nut and write a sentence. (Example: Perhaps every avenue needs understanding today.) Always leave my old notes downstairs.

Salad
If you could go back in time and spend one week in another decade, which decade would you choose? I can't choose a decade but I can choose a year. 1978. I want to see all my friends from Jeddah that I never saw again. We left for summer vacation without realizing we wouldn't be going back. How do you find people whose maiden names you know, but have no idea where they ended up? Can you say I'm looking for B. Tuxbury whose dad worked for Saudia? Or I'm looking for B. Abel who had a bunch of siblings whose dad worked for Lockheed? I don't think the internet is that good, do you?

Main Course
Name a song that brings back memories for you.
There are too many to list!!

Dessert
Do you prefer to wash your hands in cold water or warm water?
Warm!

The china hutch arrived yesterday! I love it! I'll post pix of the whole room tomorrow.

LLB's room is coming along. I have to paint one more shelf, 3 windows, the trim around 2 doors and some chair rail. We got 4 shelves painted and up, but we really needed another one. Her snowman collection is larger than we thought, so since another shelf will fit, I'll put it up. I may be persuaded to post pix of the things that are done in there so you can see some progress. What do you think? Do you wanna see what we've done so far?

Friday Feast

Appetizer
Name a funny habit you have.
I don't untie my shoes when I take them off and I leave them right where I take them off. This little habit drove my college roommate crazy.

Soup
If you could instantly know how to play a musical instrument, which one would you pick?
Sax or Piano

Salad
How long is your hair?
Shoulder length

Main Course
When was the last time you forgave someone, and who was it?
I forgive people all the time... those who cut me off in traffic, those who drive too slow, children who leave messes around...

Dessert
What is your favorite kitchen appliance?
Besides Mr? Oh... Hmm... I'd have to say my dishwasher or my mixmaster that I really wish was a red kitchen aid mixer.

Friday Feast

Appetizer
Fill in the blank: The best thing about where I live is ___________…
the neighbors are far away and it is very quiet

Soup
Create a new name for a deodorant (like “Flower Fresh” or “Shower Scent”).
No Stink

Salad
What was the last piece of software you installed onto your computer?
Stupid printer driver just yesterday... Every time my printer runs out of paper during a printing session, I have to reinstall the printer driver. It drives me totally nuts!

Main Course
If you were to receive a superlative award today beginning with the words ”Most likely to…”, what would the rest of the phrase say?
Most likely to volunteer.

Dessert
What two colors do you like to wear together?
Black and beige.

Friday Feast

Appetizer
What do you consider to be the ultimate snack food?
Hmmm... this is tough... I like so many snack foods... Almonds are healthy, chips are tasty, doritos... Oh, how I love the crunch... Cheese and crackers, shrimp cocktail, once in while popcorn is terrific... I dunno.

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), about how popular is your last name? Zero...

Salad
Who is your all-time favorite sitcom character, and why?
Lisa Simpson - she's smart, funny, talented, and strong.

Main Course
Do you shop online? If so, name some sites you like to browse for goodies.
Do I shop online? Do bears poo in the woods? Oh my gracious, of course I shop online. I shop at smartbargains, overstock, rugsdirect, landsend, llbean, hannaandersson (although, not so much anymore), there are just too many sites to name.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I think ___________ should be ___________.
That's easy: I think SCHOOL should be OVER!

Friday Feast

Appetizer
Name something you think is “the best.”
My Mr. He's the best!

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 highest), how stressed are you today?
Right now... umm... 1. But, I haven't started my day yet.

Salad
What kind of cleanser do you use to wash your face?
Water... plain water.

Main Course
Tonight is a blue moon! What is something that you believe only happens “once in a blue moon.”
I agree to be the PTO co-president...

Dessert
When was the last time it rained where you live?
This past Sunday... but it was only showers. We need rain.

Friday Feast

Appetizer
Name a sound you like to hear.
My children laughing

Soup
What is your favorite kind of cheese?
Oooohhh... that's hard! I like all kinds of cheese. Feta, bleu, swiss, cheddar, colby, gouda...

Salad
Do you sleep late on Saturday mornings? Why or why not?
Hah! I'm too busy to sleep in.

Main Course
When was the last time you forgot something? What was it, and how long did it take to remember it?
Last night - I forgot to bring the DVDs to the ballet studio. I remembered when I walked in.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I notice that I remember license plate numbers when I drive. I don't know if it is a gift or a curse. :-)

It's Finally Friday

It's early. I'm typing while listening to LLB's iPod shuffle. This thing is awesome! I might have to get one for myself. Hers is hot pink and the sound is phenomenal! I type a whole lot faster when I'm listening to techno, by the way... Yup, she likes techno -- so do I. I'm cool, you know.

I have another busy day today. It started out as not so busy, but you know how it goes...

It seems the children have a dance this afternoon sponsored by the Drama Club. LLB was supposed to sell tickets on Wednesday during her lunch period with her parter K. The principal told them they couldn't do it without an adult present.

LLB was fine with that until she realized that no tickets would be sold on Wednesday because no adults were present to help them. No adults were present because the Drama teacher didn't schedule any of us -- and we didn't know that he hadn't done that. It appears that no adults were present during yesterday's 6th grade lunch, either.

According to the children, they are going to sell tix this morning before school, but they need an adult. Guess where I'll be? I'll be in the school lobby selling tix if you need me between 8 and 8:30.

After that, I am off to Costco to get the breakfast items for 112 of my closest band friends for tomorrow's trip to Hershey. Grambug is going to come with me. She needs a couple of things and we are going to get a berry smoothie when we finish. It's all about the treat at the end. :-)

Upon arrival home, I will try to con - ummm... I mean convince - Mr. to take Zebbie to the kennel for me. Zebbie is going on vacation while we go to Hershey. He's a great dog, but he'd be alone here too long. He'd also have all 4 legs crossed and double crossed by the time we get home. He's going to go play with his friends.

After a few other things this afternoon, we will all come home and be in bed early because tomorrow morning - early - we are off to Hershey. Wish us luck! The kids sound great - they had a rehearsal after school yesterday and the band teacher is thrilled with them. I think the teacher is the reason these kids are so good. They work hard because he expects nothing but their best. I know my two have worked their tails - umm... I mean lips - off to get the music right.

So, after they play their music, we'll be on the coasters and eating chocolate. Because, like I said before -- it's all about the treat at the end!!


And now for my Friday Feast:
Appetizer
Name something you would not want to own. An iguana.

Soup
Describe your hair (texture, color, length, etc.). Brown with gray accents, wavy, shoulder length... it's all the same length and I part it on the side.

Salad
Finish this sentence: I’ll never forget ___________. Whatshisname

Main Course
Which famous person would you like to be for one day? Why? I really don't want to be anyone famous. I'm happy being myself.

Dessert
Write one sentence about yourself that includes one thing that is true and another thing that is not.
I play the flute and I'm really really good at it.

Friday Feast

Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of bread?

Garlic.... toasty warm just out of the oven... yummm...

Soup
When was the last time you bought a new pillow?

Not too long ago.. maybe last fall. Actually, I'm shopping for a new pillow now. I bought one years ago at Lord and Taylor that was absolutely wonderful. I have never been able to find one as wonderful as that one. I'm still looking and trying. If I find one, you'll know...

Salad
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend surfing the ‘net?

I'm not tellin'! Actually I don't surf the net as much as I surf my blogroll.... I'd say 14 hours a week to be generous...

Main Course
What’s the highest you remember your temperature being?

103.

Dessert
Fill in the blanks: When I see my children, I smile - most of the time.

Friday Feast

Appetizer
When you were a child, which crayon color was your favorite?

Blue. Is there any other color??

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest), how likely would you be to change jobs if it required you to move?

Umm.... maybe? How about a 5. It would have to be a great job, huge $$, and super bennies.

Salad
Take all the numbers in your birthday and your phone number and add them up, one by one. What’s the total?

72

Main Course
Have you ever “re-gifted” anything? If so, what was it and who did you pass it on to?

Yes. I'm not tellin'.

Dessert
Name something you need from the store.

Milk. #1 drinks 5 gallons a week... I always need milk.

Appetizer
When you travel, which mode of transportation do you prefer?
Airplane - it's quick. In my world, time is money. I hate to waste time driving for hours and hours to get somewhere. I'd rather spend a little more cash and arrive quicker, rested, and ready to go. Mr. tells me that sometimes it takes just as long to fly, but I'd still rather fly.

Soup
Have you ever met a blogging friend in person?
YES!! I met Daisy, Flip Flop, Melli, and Beckie. They are wonderful!!

Salad
When was the last time you were really, really tired?
Huh? When am I not?

Main Course
If you could have dinner with any one fictional character from a book or movie, who would it be?
Stephanie Plum from the Janet Evanovich series... She's a trip!

Dessert
Fill in the blank: One day, I hope to see _______________.
Hmm... Okay... I've got one. I hope to see my children graduate from the colleges of their choice and have long and happy lives with people they love.

Friday Feast

Appetizer
What are you proud of?
My children

Soup
What is the best thing you’ve ever won as a prize?
Mr. Bug and I won a small firewood stacking thing on wheels. It's great!

Salad
Name something you do that is a waste of time.
Laundry

Main Course
In what year of your life did you change the most?
Hmm... That's a hard choice - 1992, 1995, 2004

Dessert
Where is a place you consider to be very tranquil?
Home

Friday Feast

Appetizer
What is your usual bedtime? Do you like that, or would you rather it be different?
Depends... Sometimes 10pm, sometimes 11pm.... I like to go to bed early. I can't stay up that late.

Soup
When it comes to advice, do you give more or receive more?
Probably equal...

Salad
Describe a memorable meal you've had.
Just last weekend, we had seafood newburgh over at the Grandbugs'. Yummy!!

Main Course
Name a work of fiction that affected the way you think about something.
The Miraculous Adventure of Edward Tulane. It's a children's book and I just love it.

Dessert
What is your favorite type of fruit juice?
Anything with banana and/or guava. I also enjoy a good champagne and oj - does that count?

Friday Feast

Appetizer
What does the color pink make you think of?
LLB - It's her favorite color.

Soup
Name something you thought you had lost, but later found.
My English teacher.

Salad
In 3 words, describe this past week.
Busy, busy, busy

Main Course
What are you obsessed with?
Hmm... not much...

Dessert
What kind of perfume or cologne do you like to wear?
Diorissimo by Christian Dior - It's hard to find, but I love it!

Friday Feast

Appetizer
If you could take lessons to learn any musical instrument, which would you want to learn?
Sax or Trumpet

Soup
Have you ever mistaken a person for someone else?
Who hasn't?

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how well do you keep secrets?
10

Main Course
What's the closest you've ever been to a dangerous animal?
Does Mr. Bug count?

Dessert
When was the last time you lost your patience?
Ummm.... I plead the 5th.

Hey - It's Friday and I'm and Empress

This is probably the only time in my life that I'll ever come close to being royalty...

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

So, now it's time for the Friday Feast:
Appetizer
How do you usually celebrate on New Year's Eve?

Actually, for a few years, friends of ours had a party at their house and wow - it sure was fun. We live a little bit too far to go to their house now, but I'm willing to bet that they are still partying on! Sometimes I eat until I'm stuffed and then I go to bed early because I'm so stuffed I can't stay awake... This year we are going to a friend's house for a bonfire.

Soup
Name one thing unexpected that happened to you in 2006.

Life is unexpected, isn't it? I got to meet Daisy and FlipFlop and Becki and Melli. That was a total blast!!

Salad
Where was your favorite place that you visited in 2006?

Hmmm... I guess I'd have to say our trip to Luray Caverns was the best

Main Course
What resolution is your top priority for 2007?
Resolution... hmmm.... I guess my top priority for 2007 is building up my nest egg. My financial planner is having a fit because I spent so much on the house last year. This year it's save save save.

Dessert
Using just three words, describe 2006.
Fun, busy, rewarding.