In the Meme Time

The Random Dozen is growing and is now beyond my control like when your kids goes off to school and you hope and pray he behaves. You started him out right, but who knows what he does when his ear is beyond the reach of your policing mom-hand.

Actually, it's not so much the meme that is mischievous as it is the people. In fact, some would like the Random Dozen to become The Dirty Dozen, but that's not my intention.

Anyway.

We hit 80 participants this week. That is officially more than I can handle regarding reading and commenting.

It's a problem, but it's a good one, I think.

Anyway: suggestion for when we hit 100 participants: Have a drawing from my comments to give the winner the next week's creative and hosting beast of a job privilege. *Note* It will probably boost your traffic.

In sum: I get by with a little help from my friends. :)



Thanks for playing!

Let Me Tell You ... My Random Dozen Answers

1. Have you ever fired a gun or shot a bow and arrow?

I have shot a bow and arrow. With the same finesse as PeeWee Herman, including lots of skipping and jumping around. We had an Olympic archer come to Oneighty once and shoot some arrows like she did on Letterman or Leno. As a promo for that, the staff ran out on the campus and videotaped our archery prowess and PeeWee Hermanness.

2. Do you know where your childhood best friends are?

I would say I know where 98% percent are, mainly due to Facebook, and that has been a very sweet thing. The girl with whom I rode the bus to kindergarten (who cried every day and then made me tear up as I stood there helpless to comfort her) lives in another state and has adopted two children from another country. Every year at Christmas, we would beg our parents to let us watch Frosty the Snowman together, which although it sounds ridiculously simple now, was not so much back then because we were not SPOILED by DVRs, let alone videotapes. You got one shot a year at those Christmas shows, and that was it. Anyway, that's just one example of a friend forever whom I can chat with whenever I want. Did I mention that the girl I got dumped for in high school is all over FB, too?

3. Do you usually arrive early, late, or on time?

Our kids' choir teacher used to say, "To be early is to be on time; to be on time is to be late." I'm not sure I agree with that 100%, but it's a pithy saying. I prefer to get there just a tad bit early. However, arriving early at a dinner party is NOT a good thing. That is an instance where one should arrive on the dot.

4. Are you more of a New York or California type?

I am a type B, laid-back personality. Call me So-Cal Lid.

5. Do you have a special ring tone?

Oh, how I've wanted to answer in the affirmative to this question for so long. YES, yes I finally do have a ring tone. It's the "music" at the end of each LOST episode. And it is awesome. And I am a dork, I know.

6. What is your favorite type of chip?

I'm not a big chip lover, but I love tortillas with lime, and I have a penchant for salt and vinegar, as well.

7. Best comedy you've ever seen is ....

I've talked about this so many times, but just in case you're new here, I love movies made by Christopher Guest. They are mockumentaries, filmed kind of the same way as The Office is. Right now, there is a commercial for the US census which has a lot of actors who are in his movies. Favorite: "Waiting for Guffman" about community theatre, but also "A Mighty Wind" about folk singers, "Best in Show" about the big dog shows, etc. I also like the old Barbra Streisand, Ryan O'Neill movie "What's Up, Doc?" Like this style:



8. Have you ever cut your own hair? To quote Dr. Phil, "How'd that work for ya?"

Oh yes. I've had my share of chopping and coloring disasters. In spite of that, I still trim my own bangs. But that is all now.

9. If you were going to have an extreme makeover, would you rather it be about your house or your personal self?

Personal self. I'll bet I'm one of the few who said that.

10. Are you allergic to anything?

"Allergy" is my middle name. My own body is not even that crazy about itself. But it's a lifelong thing I'm used to dealing with, and I'm not complaining. Things could be much worse. Main offenders: dust, ragweed, pollen, cats, and pine resin.

11. Why is it so hard to change?

The best explanation I've ever heard: What my pastor, Matt, said about this topic, called "Where Are You Headed?" but it's not about heading to heaven or hell. It's about direction and why we do what we do and cannot seem to change the things we'd like to. I've been in church since I was six weeks old. This may be the best sermon I've ever heard about human nature, maybe the best sermon, period. And Matt is about half my age. I'm an old dog, but I'm still learnin'.

12. One last question dedicated to February love: CS Lewis said, "To love is to be vulnerable." Please share one example of that assertion or share any thought you'd like to about this topic.

Everything of value has some risk attached to it. For instance, I believe that saying about how when you have children, your heart goes walking around outside your body. I would add that when your child drives away for the first time, you feel like your heart is dragging behind the bumper like a tin can on a string.

And let's not forget Shakespeare's, "Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." That certainly implies inevitable vulnerability.

In sum, love is bittersweet, but it's worth the risk.

Thanks for playing along, everyone!

Let's Join Hands and Link Up, Please!

1. Have you ever fired a gun or shot a bow and arrow?
2. Do you know where your childhood best friends are?
3. Do you usually arrive early, late, or on time?
4. Are you more of a New York or California type?
5. Do you have a special ring tone?
6. What is your favorite type of chip?
7. Best comedy you've ever seen is ....
8. Have you ever cut your own hair? To quote Dr. Phil, "How'd that work for ya?"
9. If you were going to have an extreme makeover, would you rather it be about your house or your personal self?
10. Are you allergic to anything?
11. Why is it so hard to change?
12. One last question dedicated to February love: CS Lewis said, "To love is to be vulnerable." Please share one example of that assertion or share any thought you'd like to about this topic.

Last Random of February

Can you believe February is almost gone?

CAN I GETTA YEAHHH!!

Sorry for the outburst--but those of us who have been snow blind for weeks are happy to see time pass because we're that much closer to Spring.

Spring, you beautiful thing, you. Except when you're slushy with dirty, melty snow. Oh well, none of us is perfect. We will love you unconditionally!

I want to share some pics with you of Deven and her two children, who won the February apron giveaway. Aren't they adorable?!

And a quote from Deven: **No heat from the stove was used in the making of these pictures. I believe no children were harmed either.**

OK--here again the PREVIEW. This means you read today, write, post tomorrow, and come back here to link up that witty, interesting post!

1. Have you ever fired a gun or shot a bow and arrow?
2. Do you know where your childhood best friends are?
3. Do you usually arrive early, late, or on time?
4. Are you more of a New York or California type?
5. Do you have a special ring tone?
6. What is your favorite type of chip?
7. Best comedy you've ever seen is ....
8. Have you ever cut your own hair? To quote Dr. Phil, "How'd that work for ya?"
9. If you were going to have an extreme makeover, would you rather it be about your house or your personal self?
10. Are you allergic to anything?
11. Why is it so hard to change?
12. One last question dedicated to February love: CS Lewis said, "To love is to be vulnerable." Please share one example of that assertion or share any thought you'd like to about this topic.

Have fun, Dozers!

What It Takes to Learn a New Phone

New phone.

Two words, two syllables--so simple.

Or so it would seem.

But I am old.

I'm not stupid, just old.

In fact, I even went to college, but I was busy learning how to roll my stockings, wave a pennant and have my hair bobbed like the Flappers instead of learning that silly technology stuff that I would never need.

So my personal learning curve for anything technologically new is ... indescribably slow. Think about what the polar opposite of warp speed might look like, and there you have an image of me learning a new gadgety thing. Continents move faster.

So my 23 year-old daughter has been helping me every painful step of the way to get set up and prettied up on the new phone.

She has about three hairs left in her head from stress-pulling.

Here's the short list of my problems and complaints with which she has had to deal after I tried first and then burst into paroxysms of pseudo-swearing:

Fumbling hands that hit the side buttons all the time, causing the phone to speak out loud. I hate this. I do not want a talking phone--there is no need for a phone to speak up under any circumstances. "Shut UP, phone."

Font that is too dark/too small.

Having to remember to press the red function key before it will do half of the things on the keyboard.

Having to re-do all of my contacts because they wouldn't transfer from my old phone.

Putting contacts into groups only to discover I'm allowed a mere 10 friends or relatives in any group. Is this some kind of rule, that a person can't have more than 10 people in any group in life? There's no way the Waltons could have used the "family" group on this phone, let alone the Duggers.

Switching from vertical to horizontal keypad.

Sliding the front of the phone back to reveal the keyboard only to hit various buttons that change things I don't want changed.

Figuring out a ring tone for each family member, as if I'm going to be able to remember who is attached to which tone.

Finally, some real fun: getting LOST wallpaper and ring tone installed.

I'm serious--getting me set up on this phone took an entire Saturday that my daughter can never recapture!

But it's all put together now, and my phone--she's a "beaut." It's racy flamenco red, small, lightweight--nothing like that gray brick I inherited from a family member about 7 years ago. I would take that old one out of my purse and people would stare at it and then at me as if I had taken a banana out of my purse and tried to text on it.

But now, when my spicy little phone rings, I hold it up high, loud and proud, like that dancer in the picture up there, not ashamed for anyone to see!

OK, well, I'm at least current now, and I do enjoy hearing the LOST theme.

Next step: Complete Ipod mastery!

So let's be honest here: How do you deal with learning new things?

Thoughts

Now that is a riveting, original post title. For Helen Steiner Rice.

Look, I've been at this for 5 years now, and I have never once used the word "Thoughts" as a post title, so I think if I want to just this once, I should be able. I've earned the right, like an old person who has earned the right to yell, "Get off my lawn!" to kids. You just get to say that after a certain time, so I just get to entitle my post, "Thoughts."

Because "Random" I've used a couple of times before.

George is working late tonight, so I decided, after work, to stop by Panera because it's been a long time since I've been there. "Long time" is a relative word, but it feels like a lifetime when I've gone for a few days without a Panera bagel or bowl of soup.

So I walk in and who do I see? My boss, whom I just saw 10 minutes ago and said goodbye to for the weekend. ("Oh, awkward hello again, Boss!")

Don't ya hate when awkward happens?

I'm having my beloved tomato bisque with the parmesan-ny croutons. And then I have bread on the side. Because, you know, "bread." I think someone once said, "Man cannot live by bread alone," but ... oh, I didn't mean to be irreverent. I know I have offended someone. I can see your offended face right now, Church Lady.

I also came in here to finally read some official papers that I've been putting off reading for about 2 weeks now.

These are not complicated papers, but they do have some amount of detail I need to retain. The subject matter is actually something I care about, too.

But guess what? Every time I look at the stack, I suddenly remember I've got something really important to do in the opposite direction.

Like blogging and eating soup.

So here they lie, stacked all nice and neatly on my table while I talk to you. The nice Panera employee just wiped a few tables around me and gave me a smile which might be saying, "Done yet? Done yet? Finished?" but I'm ignoring her. I wish I could rent booth space here.

Anyway, is there some task in life that you regularly put off? What is it? Why do you think you procrastinate completing the task?

Ok, time to put the blog away and get to the stack. As soon as I check my FB page.

My Random Answers

1. If you could compete in one Olympic event (not necessarily winter sports) what would it be?

Running

2. Do remember a specific Olympic moment from the past?

1980's "Miracle On Ice" when the American underdogs beat the Russians in hockey. I was a junior in high school, alone in my house watching, which is amazing to me now, and I got so into it that I was jumping around yelling.

And it was so easy to jump up and down for goalie Jim Craig. Hel-lo, Jim Craig. Are you old now like me?

3. Have you ever known anyone who competed in the Olympics?

No. But my sister-in-law, back in the 1960's, was a world champion roller skater. She was on Wide World of Sports once.

4. If everyday activities were Olympic-worthy, which activity would you have a gold medal in?

Wielding a curling iron.




5. Do you know anything about your ethnic heritage?

My dad told me that we are Pennsylvania Dutch, which is humorous to me. I guess it doesn't sound very glamorous. Sounds like the name of a train hobo to me. "How 'bout sharin' a can o' beans with ol' Pennsylvania Dutch?"

6. Do you enjoy sleeping late?

No. I enjoy sleeping until I'm ready to wake up, but I rarely sleep late.

7. Have you ever performed CPR on anyone? Do you know how? (Yes, that's two, I know. Whatevs.)

No. I have been shown many times, but due to the stress of imagining myself in that moment while being taught, I promptly forget everything.

8. Name one country you'd like to visit and explain why.

France. I've always been a Francophile. Love the language, mostly. Since I've grown up a bit, I am aware there is some cultural unpleasantness there that would not enamor me, but I'll always have a place in ma coeur pour la francaise. I probably just butchered that sentence. Pardonnez-moi.

9. Have you ever fixed up a couple romantically?

Yes. In high school, I fixed up a couple. They actually got married right after high school, so it was a whopping success, until they got a divorce. Yikes. I've never done that since.

10. What is the last book you read?

Water for Elephants. Loved most of it, but it had some violence and sexuality that I did not care for.

11. Do you enjoy sleeping late? NO, YOU write the question! How's that for random??

I would just like to apologize for my diminishing brain cells that caused me to repeat the question. Pardonnez-moi, Sylvia Plath. I mean, s'il vous plait.

12. What is your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant?

Vegetable nachos at a local authentic-but-not-really Mexican restaurant called Puerta Vallarta.

Thanks for playing this week!

Link Up for the Random Dozen, Olympic Style

Last week I read through about 2/3 of the participants, and that was mainly because I spent a good part of the week sick in bed and had a leeeetle extra time on my hands. I hope to get around to at least as many this week, somehow.

Thank you all for doing this meme. You make blogging fun. And that makes me think of the song, "You're My Best Friend," by Queen, only with these lyrics:

Ooh you make me live blog
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you; you're all I see read
Ooo you make me live blog now honey not for money
Ooo you make me live blog.

That was awesome.

Although this begins with a salute to the Olympics, you'll notice about half-way through these questions that I turn the corner and go off on another path as fast as a luge rounding a bend. Hence the name: Random.

1. If you could compete in one Olympic event (not necessarily winter sports) what would it be?
2. Do remember a specific Olympic moment from the past?
3. Have you ever known anyone who competed in the Olympics?
4. If everyday activities were Olympic-worthy, which activity would you have a gold medal in?
5. Do you know anything about your ethnic heritage?
6. Do you enjoy sleeping late?
7. Have you ever performed CPR on anyone? Do you know how? (Yes, that's two, I know. Whatevs.)
8. Name one country you'd like to visit and explain why.
9. Have you ever fixed up a couple romantically?
10. What is the last book you read?
11. Do you enjoy sleeping late? NO, YOU write the question! How's that for random??
12. What is your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant?

OK, let's link up. I'll post my answers tomorrow!

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner and Random Dozen Preview

**EDIT: It has been graciously pointed out to me that I have repeated question #6 at #11. I will have you know that this passed my laser-like editing skills THREE times before I posted. Again I ask the rhetorical: "What is wrong with my brain?" I plead cold medicine brain. OK, so you know what? PLEASE MAKE YOUR OWN QUESTION FOR SPOT #11 AND ANSWER. THAT WILL PROBABLY BE WAY BETTER THAN WHAT I WOULD HAVE COME UP WITH, ANYWAY!!









The winners were chosen by a random integer selector, which is easier than it sounds, since I kept Googling phrases like, "Random Dozen Selector. Random Dozen Integer. Random Dozen Numbers." What is wrong with my brain? That was a rhetorical question.

Anyway, the winners are:
Aprons: Deven of The Daily Swan
T-shirts: SouthLakesMom at I Didn't Know That!
And my Co-Lid, Linda, at Mocha With Linda

Ladies, the gifts were shipped off Saturday, so be on the look-out. Deven, no pressure, but we'd love to see a pic of you and your little girl in the aprons.

Do you guys like these apron giveaways? Because I have a source which seems never to dry up: Sherry, my volunteer friend at the bookstore just outside the office where I work. Not that some of my friends are volunteer and some are paid; I mean she volunteers at the bookstore.


Although this begins with a salute to the Olympics, you'll notice about half-way through these questions that I turn the corner and go off on another path as fast as a luge rounding a bend. Hence the name: Random.

1. If you could compete in one Olympic event (not necessarily winter sports) what would it be?
2. Do remember a specific Olympic moment from the past?
3. Have you ever known anyone who competed in the Olympics?
4. If everyday activities were Olympic-worthy, which activity would you have a gold medal in?
5. Do you know anything about your ethnic heritage?
6. Do you enjoy sleeping late?
7. Have you ever performed CPR on anyone? Do you know how? (Yes, that's two, I know. Whatevs.)
8. Name one country you'd like to visit and explain why.
9. Have you ever fixed up a couple romantically?
10. What is the last book you read?
11. Do you enjoy sleeping late? NO, YOU write the question! How's that for random??
12. What is your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant?

OK: Read, ruminate, write and return tomorrow for the link up! Have a great Tuesday, everyone! You can't hear me, doggone it, but I'm singing the Olympic theme song at the top of my lungs: Daaah-Daah- Da-da, dah dah-duh ...."

Sometimes, Nice Happens

Sometimes, nice happens.

Last week, an old friend stopped by my office to say hello, and she came bearing gifts.

This is Kathy, and she is the one to whom I lied recently in order to help her daughter surprise her for her …. Momentous … birthday.



Kathy is a rep for a company called Thirty-One.

Here are the gifts that Kathy brought me from her company, and I’m still bubbling over with “I can’t believe you did this; I don’t deserve this” feelings.

Can you believe it? Why are people so nice to me??

The funny thing about the note cards is that she ordered the print to read, “Lidna.” But the smart people at the company said, “Hey, this rep may be one of our best, but apparently, she can’t spell. So we’re fixing this for her and Linda.”

Kathy received the corrected notes and then promptly requested a correction on the corrected notes.

Are you sensing she went to a lot of trouble for me?

So I have a set of regular notes with the name my mom gave me in honor of a 1940’s movie star, Linda Darnell, and a set of notes memorializing the way I type my name 9 times out of 10 because the fingers are not necessarily always in sync with the brain.

What a great surprise. Thank you, thank you, Kahthy! KAHTY! It was a mistake, but I'm leaving it!

Question: Has anyone surprised you like this, or have you blessed anyone in a similar manner? What was the occasion, or non-occasion?

My Favorite Love Song ~ What's Yours?

This is mine, and it never fails to at least stop me in my tracks if not get that little knot in my throat, which is saying a lot because I'm a tough old broad who does not cry easily. And yes, I know Hallmark hijacked it for this season, but I still love it and will stop whatever I'm doing to watch the Hallmark commercial, so Hallmark's strategy worked on me.

2nd place: Natalie and Nat King Cole, "Unforgettable."

Just Go Look At It--Gasp. If You Dare

Mama Belle at The Bayou Belles and Their Beau has LOLRFLMAOPD me again, i.e., she managed to crack me up out loud for realsies. Please go read her short post about beautiful actress Megan Fox's fatal flaw: Toe Thumb. Oh, the humiliation.

Why I love the Starbucks: Mr. Snowbucks and My Dad

Oh, there are many reasons to love the Starbucks, store 9431, I believe.

But here are two:

Yesterday morning, as I approached the pick-up window, I saw this wonderful sight to my right: "Mr. Snowbucks," as I have named him, created by one very clever barista whom I will call "A." The cute, pleasant girl at the window said it took A. 5 hours on his day off to work his snowbucks magic.

A., I can't exactly explain why, but you totally made my day! I also don't know why you would choose to spend most of your day off making a snowman adorned with Starbucks paraphernalia, but you are awesome. If you did this to impress some girl, I hope she appreciates it.




After work, it occurred to me that Dad has never tasted Starbucks before, so I decided it was high time. Therefore, I returned to that same Starbucks before driving to my folks' in order to present Dad with a Starbucks happy birthday elixir of love and happiness.

What did I order, you ask? A DECAF caramel macchiato. (Yes, I am a good daughter. It would have been pretty fun to see how spry he might get had I ordered fully leaded, but my mom might have killed me.)

Anyway. Here he is having his first sip. And just as an aside, his name is Virgil, but people who know him well have always called him "Bud," and lately, my girls have taken to calling him by his rap name, "Budizzle," and my mom, Lucille, by hers, "Lucizzle."

So here's a big Starbucks toast to Budizz on his 88th! Love you, Dad!





Aren't they cute?

My Random Dozen Observations and Happy Birthday, Dad

Allow me, please, to honor my father, who turns 88 today, born February 11, 1922.

If I added up every word on this blog and magically changed them into thoughts of love for you, Dad, there would still not be enough to say how much I love you. Thank you for accepting me even though you were 40 when I was born and had left a life of diapers and earaches years behind you. Thank you for providing a wonderful, comfortable, safe home for me. Thank you for loving Mom and always respecting her. Thank you for years of faithful service to God in every area of your life. Thank you for still telling me you're proud of me. But I am more proud of you. What a wonderful gift you have been to me and my family. Happy birthday, Dad! Let's celebrate this weekend!

1. Are you pleasant when you're ill, or are you a grumpy, fussy patient?

I'm not fussy, I'm just cute. (Right.) I've been ill for the last few days, and let me tell you, Jorge the Jabanero, a man of few words, could probably write his OWN blog post about this question. I plead "Baby of the Family Syndrome." Whaa.

2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction?

Except for when I was a young kid, I have never been a big fan of this event. I am such a clock-work, regimented person that I do not like this crazy-wild topsy-turvy thing called "stay at home and do whatever you please." And when my kids were little, I always panicked because I suddenly felt I had to be Caroline Ingalls and teach them and bake them something. It's like I was student teaching all over again, only no one was supervising me.

I think this preference for no snow-days is actually a good sign, though, if you look deep enough: I generally like my life routine better than alternatives.

3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve?

Oh, good grief. This was a total set-up, wasn't it?? I have a whole blogging label category called, "I Know You Think I Make This Stuff Up," which is mainly a repository for failed cooking tales. Baked goods usually turn out; that is, if they're sweet. If they're say, HAMS, forget it.

Also, I can't decorate my home like other women seem to be able. I still have big bare spots on walls in our "new" addition, circa 2001.

4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day?

Not usually, unless it's a candle or two.

5. What song is on your mind today?

"Hallelujah" by Rufus Wainwright

6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic?

I'm a big Turner Classic Movies fan. I've spent most of my Creeping Crud week in bed watching. I did, however, watch "Sleepless in Seattle" for the very first time, which garnered a boatload of comments on my Facebook page. People have strong feelings about this movie. I have strong feelings that Meg Ryan should not have permanently changed her lips, but she didn't ask me first.

One reason I like the classics is that they're understated and swing between being highly sophisticated or highly unsoph. (Too weak to type that word out again completely.) Violence is usually hinted at or is brief, and sexuality is more like sensuality than blatant play-by-play athletic matches. I just prefer that. Call me Prudence the Prude. Or Lid the Sophisticate. I'll take either.

7. How well do you "compartmentalize" your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside a tiff with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room.

OK, I got some "flim flam" from the "riff raff" (old movie terms) in the crowds about this question being long. Let me just say that even though it took me many words to ask this question, many people STILL did not understand what I was asking. So maybe it was just a bad question. But YOU trying do this week after week, esp. when your nasal passages are swollen to the size of coffee stirrers.

I compartmentalize. And then my Wednesday night girlfriends get the decompression.

8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your spouse? (Or if you're single, to your best friend.)

His coloring (dark hair and skin) his build (voted best male body in our senior class) but maybe most of all, his humor. (Imagine that.)

9. When was the last time your heart raced?

Watching LOST Tuesday night, during Sayid's "testing" scene. I had to leave the room. But also recently when I bought 6 pairs of shoes at the Payless BoGo sale, a feat I have never done before--6 at once. It was exhilarating.

10. What are your memories of Valentine's Day at school?

White sacks with paper doilies glued on. Bringing them home and reading each one. One year I made a special bulletin board in my room and pinned them all up. I was very proud of myself. I cannot remember even one Val. Day with a boyfriend. Not one. And many of you disparaged the whole cheerleaders got flowers and gifts tradition. Let me just tell you I was a cheerleader, and I didn't get no stinkin' flower.

11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine's Day, which would you prefer?

Lid the Sophisticate says "Gourmet chocolate from my friend Cindy, owner of Gourmet Divine Chocolates," but the south end of Muncie girl in me says, "Reese Cups and Peanut M&Ms." Peanut, please.

12. Red or pink?

Rarely do I come upon an answer in my meme hopping that fits me like a silk glove. (This Valentine's Edition has me using romantic imagery now. Geesh.) My kitchen is not dark red, but it has red accents among black and white. And usually I wear more red than pink, but I love pink peonies.

But it was the mention of peonies that pushed me over the edge of plaigiarizing: Joyce at From This Side of the Pond--you complete me.

It depends. If we’re talking paint then I like red. My kitchen is painted a dark red and I love it. If we’re talking peonies or lingerie I like soft pink. I like red and pink both when it comes to my wardrobe. And if we’re talking Gerbera daisies then hot pink makes me smile.

Thank you all for playing this week (overwhelming number, but I'm sincerely trying to get through to you) and may the best apron lover win the giveaway.

Link Up and Sign Up for the Giveaway

1. Are you pleasant when you're ill, or are you a grumpy, fussy patient?
2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction?
3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve?
4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day?
5. What song is on your mind today?
6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic?
7. How well do you "compartmentalize" your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside a tiff with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room.
8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your spouse? (Or if you're single, to your best friend.)
9. When was the last time your heart raced?
10. What are your memories of Valentine's Day at school?
11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine's Day, which would you prefer?
12. Red or pink?




And now here's the scoop on the giveaway. A darling friend of mine makes these sweet aprons and sells them at our bookstore. All of the proceeds to go our connection with Kazakhstan, a country George and I have each visited separately for short projects, such as teaching English at a children's camp.

So Sherry made these--just for you. She came walking into my office carrying these sweet aprons, one for Mom or Grandma, one for girl. If you would like to be eligible for the drawing and you live within the continental US, please participate in this week's Random Dozen and leave a comment letting me know you'd like the aprons.

So, just so that we're clear, I'm drawing from the comments, but you have to participate in the meme to leave a comment this week only. OK? I'll announce the winner at a later date, but the drawing closes Friday, Feb. 12 at 11:59 pm. I will do my best to mail them Saturday, but we're buried in snow, so you may not receive them before the 14th.

Oh, one more thing--I have an adult large T-shirt to give away, as well, which says, "What is love?" on it with a reference to 1 John 3:16. It could be cute for either you or your hubby on Valentine's Day, although he may not be into wearing hearts in public. (Perhaps he will wear it just for you, though!)

Back in the Saddle--Today's Preview and The Giveaway

I have showered, found the remote and found the dog.

I'm on my way back, Baby.

So let's get right to the Random Dozen Preview and then the Giveaway:

1. Are you pleasant when you're ill, or are you a grumpy, fussy patient?
2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction?
3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve?
4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day?
5. What song is on your mind today?
6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic?
7. How well do you "compartmentalize" your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside a tiff with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room.
8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your spouse? (Or if you're single, to your best friend.)
9. When was the last time your heart raced?
10. What are your memories of Valentine's Day at school?
11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine's Day, which would you prefer?
12. Red or pink?

And now here's the scoop on the giveaway. A darling friend of mine makes these sweet aprons and sells them at our bookstore. All of the proceeds to go our connection with Kazakhstan, a country George and I have each visited separately for short projects, such as teaching English at a children's camp.

So Sherry made these--just for you. She came walking into my office carrying these sweet aprons, one for Mom or Grandma, one for girl. If you would like to be eligible for the drawing and you live within the continental US, please participate in this week's Random Dozen and leave a comment letting me know you'd like the aprons.

So, just so that we're clear, I'm drawing from the comments, but you have to participate in the meme to leave a comment this week only. OK? I'll announce the winner at a later date, but the drawing closes Friday, Feb. 12 at 11:59 pm. I will do my best to mail them Saturday, but we're buried in snow, so you may not receive them before the 14th.

Oh, one more thing--I have an adult large T-shirt to give away, as well, which says, "What is love?" on it with a reference to 1 John 3:16. It could be cute for either you or your hubby on Valentine's Day, although he may not be into wearing hearts in public. (Perhaps he will wear it just for you, though!)

Update

Status Update:

Still sick.
Still sick in bed.
Snow is deep.
Watched "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" & "Sleepless in Seattle" for the first time yesterday during the day.
Watched "The Bodyguard" for the first time last night.
Read Water for Elephants over the weekend.
Ate two pieces of chocolate cake between chicken noodle soup and an omelet.
Never saw my dog.
Lost my remote in the tangled covers at least 50 times.

That is all.

PS: Dog may also be lost in tangled covers.

The Promise of a New Day?

That is, I promise to get to that Valentine's giveaway as soon as I can remain upright for more than two minutes.

Oh, the "ugh" of it all. I believe this sometimes called, "The Creeping Crud" of head colds. I just want it to stay away from the lungs, that's all, because the chest already hurts, and I am a whimpy baby who cannot handle that well.

Having said that, many of you will remember my friend, Diane, who is still battling cancer, which includes a daily draining of 300ml of fluid from around her lungs. She also endures 5 days of hours-long chemo each week and will need to do that the rest of her life. She lives in CONSTANT pain and cherishes every breath even though every breath hurts. I am so humbled to know her!

Funny how even a little twinge of pain can give you more compassion. It is almost too much for me to think about. Love you, Diane!

OK--so if I feel better this afternoon, or def. by tomorrow morning, I'll post the pics. Sorry I'm not more organized about this; the longer I live, the more I'm understanding and acceping the maxim, "Life is messy."

Especially inside a Puffs Plus tissue on my bed, which you are sitting right next to now, thanks to the laptop.

Welcome to the ward. Where we snack on Benadryl, imbibe on Nyquil, and the rat's nest of tangled hair on the backs of our heads grows gnarlier by the hour.

Catch ya later.

Chocolate Horses and Giveaways

Ohhhh, I'm not one to complain, but I need to complain. Because everyone knows when you're sick, if you complain it helps you feel better, which is very important, even if it makes everyone else around you feel worse.

It's a bad cold, the kind that is threatening my lungs.

So I don't have much energy or coherency, which might compromise the quality of this post. Now I know what will happen as a direct result of that remark: someone will inevitably say, "Great post, Lid; in fact, this is a step up from the lists you've been posting lately."

Even my closest IRL friends have been asking "What's up" concerning my posts of late. The answer is, "I'm not," as in "I'm not up to it." I'm a blogging slug. I should change that picture up in the header to a slug holding a cup of coffee.

Anyway, as we are wont to do when we are ill, I keep taking cat naps. Today I dreamed that I was playing horse racing on Facebook (don't ask) when I suddenly realized that all the little cartoon horses were dark brown. And then I realized, O happy day, that they were all made of chocolate. So I picked one up off of the computer screen and started to gulp him down when someone said, "You can't eat those. They have batteries inside; that's how they run across your screen."

Must be the Nyquil.

So I have a neat story to tell you and a giveaway to do for Valentine's Day, but I'll wait until I feel better. In the meantime, I'll be watching TCM and hankering for chocolate horses. Maybe National Velvet will be on.

My Answers

The first 6 come from Kelley at I Didn’t Know That! Thanks so much, Kelley! And can you please help us out with #4???

1. Do you use the labels various charities send you as “free gifts?”

No, I don't. I would feel too guilty. And it concerns me that charities have to work this angle for support.

2. What is your favorite time of day (or night) for skywatching?

Mid-day. Of all the beautiful natural phenomena in this world, the sky is my favorite. Some like the ocean, or the desert or the mountains, but I love the sky. When I run, I actually spend quite a bit of time looking at the clouds and eternal expanse, and my heart just fills up and spills over with praise. That blue is just beyond description.

3. What is the most adventurous you've ever been with trying a new food? (Keep it G-rated please)

Not very. I have never even had sushi. Let's be real. I was born and bred in the corn belt. Which means corn = air. Everything else is kind of ... weird.

4. Have you ever heard a rock sing? (Trust me, there's a reason for this one!)

No, ma'am, I have not. And I now I know your reference. Very clever.

5. If you could learn a language you don't presently speak, what would it be?

French. I took three years in high school. Loved it since I was a little girl. I think Spanish would be more useful, but "Ou es le musee" rocks. ("Where is the museum?")

6. Al Capone's tombstone read, “My Jesus, Mercy.” If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?

"You think you lost your mom
Well I saw her yesterday
It's you she's thinking of
And she told me what to say
She said she loves you
And you know that can't be bad
She said she loves you,
And you know you should be glad, Wooooo."

Yeah, I think that's the ticket. Might be kind of pricey on a tombstone, but it works for me.

7. If you were a famous musician who was known by one name, like “Cher,” “Sting,” or “Jewel,” what would it be? It doesn’t have to be your first name, but it can be, if you’d like.

"Lid?"

8. Have you ever been inordinately “into” a television show?

Ha ha, Lid. Duh. LOST. That's the only one. Unless you count the Luke and Laura saga on General Hospital circa 1980. Now THAT was a story line!

9. When you sneeze, do you go big, or do you do that weird “heenh!” sound that makes people think you’re going to blow your brains out? Any other variation we should know about?

Go big or go home, Baby. When you have severe allergies, there is no holding back. You will blow your brains out. Funny historical fact: I dated a boy once who was a very large athlete. Wrestler, football player. When he sneezed, he had the most pitiful little girly "heenh" you've ever heard. And then his allergic girlfriend would cut loose with a gale force sneeze that left him with the most bewildered look on his face. That's how I roll.

10. Do you still read an actual newspaper that you hold in your hands, or do you get your news elsewhere?

I prefer to hold the newspaper in my hands, but I rarely buy one. When my column is in, I buy one and clip it for a scrapbook. Otherwise, I look on line or watch TV.

11. Are you a good speller?

The best. When I was in 4th grade, I beat out everyone in the school to win the bee. I also won in middle school. Then as an adult, one of my claims to fame is that everyone in my office uses me as a dictionary. HOWEVER, now that I have hit and passed the mid 40's my magic is slipping. For me to stop and think how to spell a word is like suddenly finding yourself walking backwards. Lately I've been feeling that out of whack with my spelling. But I passed the mantle to my eldest daughter. But oh, how I do love words.

12. At what time each day do you start thinking about Lost lunch?

Lunch, I start thinking about 11:00 or 11:30 because I usually have a protein bar at noon. If I forget, by noon the tummy is yelling, "HEY. A BAR. NOW!" And I obey. Lost keeps drifting in and out of my mind. Tuesday night was awesome!

Link Up for the Random

The first 6 come from Kelley at I Didn’t Know That! Thanks so much, Kelley! And can you please help us out with #4???

1. Do you use the labels various charities send you as “free gifts?”

2. What is your favorite time of day (or night) for skywatching?

3. What is the most adventurous you've ever been with trying a new food? (Keep it G-rated please)

4. Have you ever heard a rock sing? (Trust me, there's a reason for this one!)

5. If you could learn a language you don't presently speak, what would it be?

6. Al Capone's tombstone read, “My Jesus, Mercy.” If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?

7. If you were a famous musician who was known by one name, like “Cher,” “Sting,” or “Jewel,” what would it be? It doesn’t have to be your first name, but it can be, if you’d like.

8. Have you ever been inordinately “into” a television show?

9. When you sneeze, do you go big, or do you do that weird “heenh!” sound that makes people think you’re going to blow your brains out? Any other variation we should know about?

10. Do you still read an actual newspaper that you hold in your hands, or do you get your news elsewhere?

11. Are you a good speller?

12. At what time each day do you start thinking about Lost lunch?

Again, you will probably not see all of the participants unless you click on the link here. This is the only free option I have. I am too cheap to pay, and actually, I like not having the post cluttered with names unless people want to see them.

Tonight is MY Superbowl--and Here's Your Random Dozen Preview

Tonight is MY Superbowl. The first episode of the FINAL season of the BEST TV series in the history of … even before there was TV: Lost.

Most “Losties” are super excited for this event, and yet we mourn that it is the beginning of the end.

One of my most intelligent friends has said that watching Lost is more like watching a book than a regular TV show because "The characters are so complex, the plot is so rich, the spiritual overtones are so intriguing, and the romance is captivating.”

Wish I said dat.

If you happen to be a spiritual person, this show will definitely interest you.

“Is he … like Jesus?” “Is that one Judas?” “Why does Kate look so good with dirt all over her face and in her hair?”

Anyway, I can hardly write these questions because I have a one track mind, which is currently lost, pun intended, even though it was a bad one. I'm desperate. It's like I can't say "Lost" enough.

OK, two-track. I have to figure out what snack food to take to “THE” party tonight. Yes, I’m watching this in a group. I told you it was like my Superbowl!

I wish I had a team Jersey to wear … it would say, “Shepherd.” Because Jack is definitely the quarterback. And in typical Lostie fashion, I ask, “Is the name ‘Shepherd’ supposed to be symbolic of how he leads the ‘flock?’”

Here are you preview Q’s. Remember, read and write today; post tomorrow. Also remember: "Live Together, Die Alone" (Jack Shepherd, Lost):

The first 6 come from Kelley at I Didn’t Know That! Thanks so much, Kelley! And can you please help us out with #4???

1. Do you use the labels various charities send you as “free gifts?”

2. What is your favorite time of day (or night) for skywatching?

3. What is the most adventurous you've ever been with trying a new food? (Keep it G-rated please)

4. Have you ever heard a rock sing? (Trust me, there's a reason for this one!)

5. If you could learn a language you don't presently speak, what would it be?

6. Al Capone's tombstone read, “My Jesus, Mercy.” If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?

7. If you were a famous musician who was known by one name, like “Cher,” “Sting,” or “Jewel,” what would it be? It doesn’t have to be your first name, but it can be, if you’d like.

8. Have you ever been inordinately “into” a television show?

9. When you sneeze, do you go big, or do you do that weird “heenh!” sound that makes people think you’re going to blow your brains out? Any other variation we should know about?

10. Do you still read an actual newspaper that you hold in your hands, or do you get your news elsewhere?

11. Are you a good speller?

12. At what time each day do you start thinking about Lost lunch?


This is for my fellow Losties: