Being a regular user in the blog meme world, it would make sense that
Jen,
Julie and I would collaborate and devise our own meme game.
So play along if you would like!
Lather: What is the most embarrassing family incident YOU WERE INVOLVED IN that you can recall? It can be something done to you, or by you.
My mom accompanied me on a school field trip. Somehow, we ended up in a butt-kicking contest. You know, where you kick your leg behind you and land your foot on the butt of the person next to you. We got a little carried away, and I am *sure* everyone noticed. But fun just the same :)
Rinse: Did you have a "lovey" (special blankie, stuffed animal, etc) as a child? Where is it now?
I had a stuffed bunny that lived for years. It was crocheted and beaten up. It is probably still in a box somewhere...although it may have fallen victim to moving past.....
Repeat: Spread the blog love, what blogs have you seen lately that you think more people should be watching
http://victorhanson.com/He always makes me think!
Appetizer
Which keys do you have on your key chain?
I believe right now I just have my car key and then some other key - I don't know exactly what it is for. My house maybe?
Soup
What is the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?
Crap - I am constantly spontaneous. I suppose moving to Denver.
Salad
Who is the best cook in your family?
OK - this is a two-part answer. I am the BEST cook - however, I hate it. So Ron (hubby) is the BEST cook that actually COOKS!!!!!
Main Course
If you were to write a "how-to" book, what would the title be?
How to screw up your life and make it through ok.
Dessert
Name a recent fad you've tried.
I tried wearing one of those little knit hats (I am such a dork I don't even know what the "cool" people call them.) Yes, it was a phallic look - so it quickly faded away :)
A Series of Fortunate Events!
This week a wave of happiness has swept through our home schooling family - my oldest son Clayton, 9, began reading for pure fun.
Two years ago, Clayton was reading at a 6th grade level. I was so excited and surprised when I discovered this, as the child did not seem to read very often except for websites and the like. I tried so many times to get him into books - I would buy books on any subject he was interested in, visit the library frequently. He would often read a few pages and then put it down because it was too "boring" and he would rather watch TV or play video games.
A "relaxed" homeschooler, I tried very hard to just let go. I knew from reading that forcing him was not going to be productive - he had to learn it on his own. But for two years I questioned my ability as a parent and a teacher because I couldn't drive this child to enjoy books or discover the magical world of reading.
A couple of months ago we saw the preview for the Lemony Snickett
movie. A few days later I saw that there was a
series of books under the same title - obviously the movie was inspired by these. Knowing nothing about the books or the movie, I bought the first book in the series and told Clayton that he could read it and if he liked it, I would continue to purchase the books in the series.
He read a few pages here and there, yet the book sat unread for a few weeks. That is, until Tuesday. While typing some email, I turned to check on the children. Clayton was laying on the floor reading his book silently. I had never really seen him do that on his own before. I had a doctor's appointment that day, and as we left to get in the car Clayton never put the book down. He read it during the drive, as we walked in the clinic, down the hallway to the exam room, in the waiting room where we sat to get my prescription, the walk back to the car, the entire drive home, and the walk back to the house.
He read it in the living room, turning off the TV to ease the distraction. He read it during the drive to the mall to pick up Bob, he read it while we walked from the car to JCPenney's, while I chatted with Bob for a few minutes, and all the way through the mall to Waldenbooks where I bought the second book in the series. Reading on the walk back to Penney's and then to the car, during the drive home, and for the remainder of the evening, Clayton had discovered the joy of reading!
Having finished the first book Tuesday evening, Clayton started the second book right away. He finished that Wednesday, and shortly before he finished I bought the next two books in the series. Money is tight right now, but I would stand on the street corner with a cardboard sign if that was the only way to get more books for him.
So if you call and the phone isn't working, or you stop by to find me using sweaters and blankets for warmth because I can't pay the heating costs, don't be sad. My child is reading - and that is priceless in my book!
Jay Leno is 55 Today. But according to
this site, Jay's birth isn't the only exciting thing that happened on April 28th:
1994 1st multi-racial election in
South Africa ends [3 days]
1971
Samuel Lee Gravely Jr becomes 1st black admiral in US Navy
1966 38th Academy Awards - "Sound of Music,"
Julie Christie &
L Marvin win
1956 Last French troop leave
Vietnam1942 "
WW II" titled so, as result of
Gallup Poll1789
Fletcher Christian leads Mutiny on
HMS Bounty & Capt William Bligh
Deaths on April 28
1991
Floyd B McKissick, US founder (CORE), dies
1987
Ben Linder, development worker, murdered by Contras in Nicaragua
1945
Bernito Mussolini, Fascist leader (Italy), tried & shot
I trained my brain today looking some of this stuff up. It is amazing to realize how much I don't know!
Wednesday mind numbing thoughts
Are you more...01) A super-duper deluxe home theatre that costs $10,000 is a beautiful thing or a super-duper deluxe home theatre that costs $10,000 is a waste of money?
Definitely a waste of money - I could blow $10,000 on something much more cool02) A fan of calypso music or a hater of calypso music?
I think calypso is pretty cool - but that probably goes along with the whole weirdo thing03) Regular milk chocolate M&Ms or the new dark chocolate M&Ms?
New Dark Chocolate.....ummmmmm04) "Don't squeeze the Charmin" or "You're soaking in it"?
Don't squeeze baby05) Autobot or Decepticon?
Totally Autobot - screw decepticons!06) Lion Voltron or Vehicle Voltron?
Uh, vehicle - they are much more durable.07) Port or Starboard?
Starboard.08) Likely to take a cruise for a vacation or likely to fly somewhere for a vacation?
I don't go up - God doesn't drop me....so cruise it is!09) Apt to think you're the greatest thing to happen to your spouse/partner or apt to think your spouse/partner is the greatest thing to happen to you?
Considering I have married the most wonderful man in the entire world I would have to say he is10) Likely to get flustered when somebody important/famous is around or likely to not act much differently when somebody important/famous is around?
Way flustered - I would probably fart.
10 stupid things you did as a kid
- Caught a wild bunny outside to keep as a pet.
- Hid said bunny in dresser drawer so my mom wouldn't find out.
- Put dirty dishes in my bedroom closet rather than washing them.
- The closet being given up, I hid dirty dishes in the clothes dryer then ran out of the house terrified when my little sister threw a shirt in and turned it on without looking.
- Started smoking.
- Laid out a mean silent fart in kindergarten and then remained absolutely silent as the teacher freaked out wondering what the smell was. I held my silence about the incident even as she called the janitor.
- Ran around the schoolyard in second grade chasing boys trying to hit there bottoms - earning the nickname "the spanker".
- Copied proverbs from the bible instead of writing my own in 4th grade - my teacher commented on my great talent (I confessed my sin and humbly repented - thank you!)
- Repeatedly convinced my little sister that the things she was given (I specifically remember a purse from my mother) were stupid and as a scarifice, I would take them off her hands.
- Convince my little sister to take the blame for me by telling her that I knew I didn't do it, and since we were going to be in trouble until one confessed she might as well tell mom and dad it was her since she was the only one who could be guilty.
And I wonder why my sister hates me.
For when you are bored
This site will try to guess your tv show or movie. I picked Twin Peaks - one, because I just rewatched the first season (still waiting for the second season to
be released on DVD) and two, because I wanted to see if it could guess a show that weird.
Well it did. I apparently 1 of 2 people who tried Twin Peaks (much bigger following when I was younger.)
Have fun!
Thanks to my Mom who sent me this GREAT site!
Basically, it works a lot like "
Where's George" except that you track your books. Yes, "accidentally" leave your book somewhere (or give it to a friend, etc) and track who reads it, where they read it, and that persons thoughts. Then the person who "caught" it leaves it for someone else...etc.
A real neat idea, and the people who run this have really thought it out. They even ease the minds of authors and publishers who might be concerned about book sales.
Enjoy - and register some books!
I needed an outlet for some really deep writing that was stored deep in my soul, so I started a new blog for my poetry and other writings that are just too heavy for this blog. Feel free to visit it
http://quintessenceofheather.blogspot.com/
I really like these so I will be doing them every Friday :)
AppetizerName something that helps you fall asleepThis is not a fair question for someone with a
sleeping disorder! I guess the best answer would be staying up for a couple of days until my body just gives up. Maybe 2-3 hours of sleep a night before the body gives up. I average about 1-2 good nights of sleep a month.
SoupWho brings out the best in you?My family - Bob because he makes me think, Mom because she has shown me how important forgiveness is, Clayton because he makes me laugh, Ronnie because he makes me exercise, and Ron for reminding me that unconditional love does exist and helping me appreciate everything I have.
SaladWhat do you like to do on a rainy day?If the rainy day is payday, then I like to
shop. If the rainy day is before or after payday I do what I always do - surf the internet and watch movies.
Main CourseComplete this sentence: In our home, we never have enough...forks, spoons, plates, cups. I suppose I should do some
dishes.....
DessertWhich shoe do you put on first?The left - no particular reason. (You need to see
Jen's blog for the best answer!)
In memory of Heather Sawyer
The family of a fallen
soldier wanted access to his email, but Yahoo said it would violate their privacy policy, which states that all accounts terminate upon death. Then they went to court, and the court told Yahoo to
give the parents the email, and everyone is now happy.
I am not, however. I am nervous as heck. If I die, I am not sure that I want someone reading my email. Of course, I don't know anyone would
want to read my email - it is pretty boring. "Oh look, Heather disagreed with the classical method of homeschooling." "Oh wow, did you know Heather can be real mean when she is in a fibro-flare?" "Oh goodness - I can't believe Heather would forward on that type of joke! Pray kids, Pray!"
Legally, I don't have a problem with surviving family members getting the email account. I guess it would be similar to obtaining old letters, journals, and other items the person may have created in his/her life. However, if the emails are created under the assumption that no one will ever be able to get to it upon death (i.e. Yahoo's privacy policy) then shouldn't that policy be enforced?
Well kids, lets just watch what we are typing now, lest it becomes part of our eulogy at some point.
In Memory of
Heather "angelmommy" Sawyer
Heather was a wonderful wife, mother and child. Her heart so pure, her soul so kind.
Even though she would get in heated debates on her email lists, that she instigated when suffering from a foul mood or PMS, she was a gentle person who found creative substitutes for profanity when the lists were monitored.
And although she passed along humor that could be crude, hurtful, and sometimes blasphemous, all who know her believe that just shows how important it was for Heather to share laughter with the world.
Finally, the quantity of email in her inbox just goes to show how many people truly loved Heather, or shall we say, angelmommy. People were always offering to give her things - free Red Lobster gift certificates, free Sony Playstation, heck - even $500 cash to her inbox. *sigh* If only she had forwarded on that poem about friendship....it seems strange that someone as sharp as her wouldn't have followed the warning at the bottom.
Yes, we will miss Heather. Her final gift to us will keep her alive in our memories - over 100,000 tokens on Club Pogo. Ah yes, remember Heather as your are placing that blackjack bet, or winning your hand of gin. I know she will be smiling down upon you.
I can't really say much more then the site itself does, but I found it interesting...
BTW - I believe I am VERY good *grin*
Loving Gabriella
I thought that this was too dark for this blog so I moved it
here.
And you, Scarecrow, I will miss most of all....
If you don't care about me or Hollywood Video, then skip on to the next post. Today marked the end of a three year journey and sparked a lot of wonderful memories of the good times I had and the great people that marked my life.
I can't mention all of them here, but there are a few things I wanted to tell everyone that I can't say in person because I hate crying.
Ashlee, you are an amazing girl. I cannot wait to talk to you in a few years once you are on your own and proving that you can do it! I think that you are going to go very far and your pleasant smile with your great personality is going to help you do that. Thank you for being so sweet.
Alicia, you are truly the silver lining to me. When I first started at this store, I thought you were just a plain old GSR who was only around for the paycheck. Now I see a blossoming leader who isn't afraid to take the feedback and apply it to her development. You are amazing.
Mark, thanks for making me laugh. It is refreshing to meet someone your age who is so comfortable with who he is. I know that it is frustrating when you are trying to figure out where to go with life, but you will make it. And when you make it, I expect to be remembered. P.S. Girls will ALWAYS bring you drama :)
Sheree, wow, I can't even type your name without getting tears. You are a WONDERFUL person and when you enter a room it is like a breath of fresh air. Don't worry about the drama around you, you are going to pull ahead and laugh at all of us someday.
Dawna, you and Ari are both great people. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet both of you - it is rare to see such a great marriage, especially today. I really appreciate all of the hard work you do. You have a great brain in that head of yours - don't let anyone ever tell you differently (I don't expect you would!)
I really could write two pages on everyone. Andy, you drive me crazy but only because I think there is so much that you are capable of and you are keeping it bottled in. Lyndsey, you are so strong and intelligent and I think you are incredible inside too. Nate and Breck - you guys make me laugh - constantly. Thanks for always putting a smile on my face whenever we worked together. And Alissa - wow- you are an amazing young lady. With all you have been through I find it awe-inspiring that you maintain such a great attitude - you are a very special person. And Steve - keep it going guy. I hope to see you in some listing of the world's Greatest Martial Artists.
I have learned so much about leading a team. I truly know what it is like to work in a partnership. Because of Hollywood, I have a true assessment of how I work when things are ideal, and when things are an utter disaster. Most of all, I have learned that my partners have so much to offer, even though you might not see that during the interview. You guys are absolutely wonderful.
Thank you for picking up my slack when necessary and sticking through the tough changes. Thank you for not venting in front of my face and at least pretending like you thought I was "cool" (even though I am secure with my "geekiness"). And thank you so much for creating such a great atmosphere for not only a guest, but for our team as well. The only reason we are all with Hollywood is because it is fun, and you guys kept it that way for me.
I hope that we can stay in contact - I love you all and would like to keep track of you as you move forward, be it with Hollywood or with other areas of your life. I appreciate all you have done for me and I wish you all the best in life. Take care, and Vote for Pedro.
Maybe I'm not a geek....
In case you are wondering about the difference between nerd and geek, check
here.
Of course, there are different types of nerds. I had to find out which kind I am....
It should be noted that I don't ACTUALLY know all of those computer languages, but I plan on teaching them to myself at somepoint :)
Have fun!
Just for Fun
Sunday's Brunch
The 50 States
"In a country as big as the United States, you can find fifty examples of anything." -Jeffery F. Chamberlain
1) What state were you born in?
Tennessee
2) What state do you currently live in?
Wyoming
3) How many states have you been in? (and yes, driving through counts!)
20 (I don't fly)
California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisianna, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois, Nevada, Kentucky
I may have also been in Mississippi but I can't remember.
4) If you had your choice regardless of cost, which of the 50 states would you choose to live in?
Cost isn't really the problem - I would love to live in California if we could move out a lot of the residents.
But if cost isn't an issue, probably Pacific Northwest, or Alaska.
5) Which of the 50 states would you rather die than live in?
I am done with Nevada - really. I spent most of my life there and now when I visit I find it depressing...
You know you are a Geek when....
You take the
Geek Test and then blog it.
And get upset because you score so low.
61.7357% - Extreme Geek
So you take
another one to make sure you are really a geek ....
----------------------------
The Uber Geek
You answered 87% of the questions as a geek truly would.
You just completely conquered the geek test. Not only are you a geek, you're you're proud of it and wear it like a badge. Saying you're socially awkward is an understatement. Your hobbies include most things that normal folks cringe at.
You're obsessed with information and details. You'd skip a Friday night party if it meant getting your latest project finished. Your intelligence probably intimidates people, and you enjoy spitting out random trivia to annoy people.
So what does it all mean? Well for one, your claims of being a geek are true. You were probably picked on - heavily - in high school. You don't care about fashion, so generally you're easy to spot from a distance. In social situations, you're either perfectly silent or ridiculously loud-mouthed (true geeks always fall into the extremes). Cool people probably laugh at you behind your back, but you take gratification in knowing most will grow up to become career alcoholics.
In a nutshell, you answered almost every question as a true member of the geek philosophy. You're geekier than 80% of the population!
|
And then you feel proud.....
Childish Games to Play on Co-Workers
I was surfing around and found this website which give ideas for blogging. Great thing for me after a mind-numbing day of work at the video store. Speaking of work...there are advantages to having a team comprised of people in their late teens/early 20's. One of these advantages is that you can keep yourself amused by the childish games they play on each other. Some of my favorite pranks..... 1) New employee asks to use the restroom. As the manager on duty, you are to look at partner with a very serious face and use the condescending corporate tone of voice as you say "John, I am not paying you to take care of your bodily functions. Perhaps you should have gone at home before work. Now you are just going to have to wait until your allowed break time. Company policy you know." As the humbled employee turns to complete the rest of his work, the rest of the staff should bust out laughing. Although the employee has been humiliated for no reason other than being polite, you are now aware that he will listen to your instructions. In fact, he may be the next partner in line to sell his soul for the organization - if he shows up tomorrow. 2. Find a job that has a shrinkwrap machine. Nothing is more amusing then watching someone go back to the office to find all of his/her personal belongings shrinkwrapped. Of course, it may piss them off...but really, what does it matter? At least the rest of the workers got enjoyment at the expense of someone else. 3. You can further exploit company resources if you are employed by an establishment that utilizes a sensor tag system. The best way I have seen this done is in creating a new name tag for an employee. You just take one of the sensor tags and place it inconspicuously onto the name tag. Then, when the employee leaves for the day remind them to exit through the sensor system. As the buzzer goes off, you go through the procedures by the book. Well, by your book anyway. I usually make people call this one off when they start talking about a strip search. 4. At one of my stores our exterior ashtray was filled with colored gravel. I kept myself entertained for a good hour one day as the more tenured staff members told the anal-retentive new employee that the ashtray needed to be set to company standards. Yes, he spent a lot of time taking the rainbow colored gravel and setting it neatly into rows of like colors. And probably the best one yet.... 5. Have you ever had the new manager that just couldn't fit in? You know, whose personality was never going to mesh with rest of the staff - someone has to let him know it is not going to work out. This is a step by step process- pay attention. - Make sure that he keeps all of his keys on the same ring.
- Ask to use his key for some purpose (in our case it was to use the restroom)
- While he is distracted, you slip his car key off of the ring.
- Return to him his keys.
- Find a reason to go outside (smoking is what we used) and then move his car. (Note - it is good to have an accomplice keeping him occupied during this step.) Park the car in a place that is not visible to the anyone inside or immediately outside of the store/office.
- Return to the store/office and find another reason to borrow his keys again (bad Mexican food?)
- Go about your business - deny everything.
The employees ended this prank when the manager was picking up the phone to call the police. This is a terrible, cruel prank that shouldn't be played on anyone, anywhere. We laughed for years over it. Oh, there are more out there. However, I think it is time to stop blogging before I find myself in legal trouble........ Disclaimer: The above pranks are not condoned by the author. The author may or may not find any humor in the above events. The author does not intend the publication of the above events to be seen as encouraging such abhorrent behavior. Names have been omitted to protect the author from lawsuits. Readers have the right to perceive the author as insensitive or cruel. Author reserves the right to play pranks on readers who feel such....
And people make fun of my financial creativity
If you ever need a reason to check up on your daycare provider
Friday's Feast
OK, so I stole this from my dearest friend Jen (who I love more than any other Heather in the world does!) and I thought it was fun. Friday's FeastAppetizerWhat was your first "real" job?I was a "research assistant" at the VA hospital in Reno, NV. I was responsible for conducting research so that the hospital could properly educate veterans on AIDS prevention. It was a neat opportunity, until I had to sit in a room where they were putting condoms on cucumbers....imagine being 14 and trying NOT to laugh at that! SoupWhere would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?I feel best at the Pacific Ocean. Something about the waves crashing - put me alone with a notebook on a pier and I would be set. Of course, I sparked my creativity a lot at Mesa Verde....all I wanted to do was photograph and write. SaladComplete this sentence: I am embarrassed when...I fart. No further explanation needed.....it happens way more then I would like. Main CourseWhat values did your parents instill in you?I change this to parent (singular). My mother is the best person I know, and fortunately she passed on her integrity, selflessness, compassion, and sense of humor to me....although it might have taken a few years for all of those to come together. DessertName 3 fads from your teenage years.MC Hammer Pants (we are now just learning the long-term effects of these) Leg warmers (had those too) And, of course, ten-foot high hair :)
Weirdo for hire
 | You Are Sam From "Benny & Joon."
You are very talented at physical comedy. People are in awe of your abilities. However, you have many quirks which can either win people over or completely annoy them. But you're a sweetheart through and through, and it's hard not to love you. |
Take The Johnny Depp Quiz!
The doomed credit score
Just so that all are clear, I have a very bad credit score. I have a horrible credit report that when received by fax some poor office gopher has to stand by the fax machine continually adding paper until it is finished. I take absolute responsibility for my credit report. I have made a LOT of poor choices, starting when I was 18 years old. I had no concept of how to get and use credit wisely, and really didn't appreciate the importance of paying bills on time. There have been some traumatic events in my life which were much more important then controlling my finances. It is not an excuse - only an explanation. I found myself in a downward spiral, never being able to get out of the bad credit storm. I am now, pardon the pun, paying for it. It was only a year ago that I finally qualified for a major credit card. And yes, I got a high-interest rate Mastercard with over $250 in "finance charges" to start up ( www.firstpremier.com if anyone is interested). And I have been faithfully paid that card every month, when due, keeping it in good status. I have since qualified for two other major credit cards under the same conditions as the first. And yes, I have been doing very good about keeping those in acceptable standings. My car is financed at almost 20% interest. I cannot qualify for a home loan, and I think the people at Dell are still laughing at my credit application. The income isn't the problem. The repeated history of charge offs, late payments, and other collections however seem to bother some lenders. I have tried to start paying off as much as possible. But even paid off collections, while better then charge offs, are still collections. At about 25 it dawned on me that this could have all been avoided if I had not been extended credit until I was deemed "responsible". Maybe if I had just walked by the little table on the courtyard at the University, perhaps if I had just saved up enough money to buy my car in cash. I have made it a personal mission to start educating those around me about the importance of saving money and living within your means. It is horrible to realize you are 5 years or more away from debt free. It is nauseating to worry about being offered a position with a company because of your credit score. And it is especially troublesome to think about the limitations you have, and may have for a long time, because of some stupid choices you made as a teenager. Is there a point? I don't think so. More just verbalizing the emotional turmoil that brews inside of me on a daily basis. I am not a victim here, and do not want to be portrayed as one. I am in this mess because of my own irresponsibilities and my refusal to get my self out of it when I could. I just wish there was something more we could to keep other people from screwing up the same way.
| 
